War of the Dragons - Chapter 11
"Three days, no ideas as to how to get to the Duke, and their still questioning us." Ace said, a slight growl of frustration in his voice as he looked out of the window. The base had quite the view, overlooking the docks of Kuvine, as well as the glistening sea that lay beyond it, stretching out across the entire bay. "If we don't start making headway soon, someone is going to crack, and our lies will not be taken lightly." "Tell us something we don't know." Nova said, lounging on the couch of the room, her gaze fixed on the black dragon, ignoring the other occupants of the room as she said. "I still believe that bringing up the Duke was a mistake. He's well to high-end for us to use as a start. We should try to get a lower-down noble, and then use them to get access to the Duke." "If you have any suggestions as to which noble would spare us any time at all, then please. Do share." Ace said, turning away from the window in order to look expectantly at the dragoness. There was a purposeful pause, before Ace nodded. "I thought so." Turning to the bed, he asked. "And what of you Arcantos? You've had plenty of time to think on the week flight here. Have you been able to come up with anything?""You've asked before and he told you before, just be patient." Teprogia spoke first, irritation in her as she rose her head to shot Ace a glare. The earth dragoness laying on the bed, with Arcantos sitting on the edge. The familiar bundle of fur and feathers purring lazily on his lap. "He's been working on his plan every since we arrived, but it takes time to work.""I would be much better at waiting, if you told me what this plan of his actually was." Ace said, meeting Teprogia's glare with his own level gaze. "You say its guaranteed to get us a private audience with the Duke, yet you have to tell me why it will, and how much effort it will take. I don't even know what we are waiting for.""The walls have ears." Arcantos said quietly, calm despite all the tempers being raised around him. The cat helped. "With whom we are facing. I won't talk any unnecessary risks. Nothing we've said so far could implicate us. But if we start talking more opening as to our plans and reasons for it, we could easily have the hammer brought down on us.""One is eastern and the other is a soldier. Neither of them are going to have spies around here.""Always assume and prepare for the worst case scenario. Isn't that what you said yourself?" Ace nearly growled at this, but caught himself and simply turned away, looking back out the window. Teprogia smirking smugly at this, getting a glare from Nova and then a nudge from Arcantos. Before the conversation could continue however, there was a knock on the door that drew their attention. "Come in." An armoured dragon entered into the room, the symbol on his shoulder marking him as a private. His eyes swept across the four, before settling on the only bipedal in the room. "Cadet Arcantos, Captain Margeaux is requesting your presence in her office.""Understood." Cat was taken off the lap and placed on the bed before Arc stood up, heading for the door even as the private turned around. Glancing at the others, he beckoned, saying. "Come on, we might as well all see what this is about." Ace was looking at Arcantos with a measured gaze as the two dragoness slipped of the furniture to follow, but he stepped after them soon enough.The four followed the private through the network of stairs and corridors that made up the garrison, until they came to a door with a large earth dragon positioned outside of it. The earth dragon swung its gaze towards them as they approached, and Arcantos felt a tremor of fear pass through him at the fierce eyes... and he felt Teprogia press lightly against him as well. The private walked straight up to him and lifted his right fore-leg, placing his curled up claw to the left of his chest in a salute. "Cadet Arcantos, as requested by Captain Margeaux." The earth dragon nodded, and the private turned around, gesturing Arcantos forward. Who in turn, swivelled to face the others. A quick glance at each was enough to firm that they were willing to wait outside to hear the news. Satisfied, Arcantos strode past and round the earth dragon, knocking once on the door before heading inside.The office had a desk, one side having a pile of paperwork, and the other taken up by a wicked looking axe. Sitting at the desk was a bipedal dragoness, dark blue in colouration. Sitting patiently to the side, was an immaculate white dragon with a black suit... most surprisingly however, was that this white dragon had a black mane, marking him as an eastern dragon. The blue dragoness was busy with paperwork, but she looked up and put it aside when Arcantos entered the room."Cadet Arcantos?""Yes Sir.""This is Stelian." The Captain said, nodding at the eastern dragon, who had turned to inspect the him when Arcantos walked into the room. "He's the butler for Sir Temeraire, and has a message from him" Arcantos calmly turned to face the butler, despite having the name of a rather prestigious dragon dropped into the conversation."Master Temeraire has heard that you have a natural proficiency of magnetic manipulation, and offers you an invitation to discuss it with you over a meal. This invitation extends to any number of friends who you desire to take with you, to a reasonable amount of course."Again, Arcantos remained calm in the face of a sudden invitation, and nodded. "I accept the invitation, and I would like to take three friends along with me. They are waiting outside."-"Very well. A carriage will be round to pick you up in an hour." Stelian said, turning to the dragoness and nodding politely. "Captian." With that,
he stood up and took his leave. Margeaux did nothing to stop him from leaving, but neither did she give Arcantos to leave as well. In fact to his surprise, she began scrutinizing him with an intensity that soon left him shuffling uncomfortably."Your a very unusual dragon.""Sir?" Arcantos quired hesitantly, unsure what the Captain meant by this comment... or why she was even sharing this thought with him. The blue dragoness smiled slightly at this, inclining her head at the confusion her comment had caused."Yes, exactly. On first look, you're a perfect soldier. Obedient and disciplined, following orders without complaint, despite how monotonous or ridiculous they are. Only objecting when they put yourself or others in risk of injury without a foreseeable reason. You don't have the flash or questioning nature of an officer, or the dedication of a champion. But those are not attributes that one desires the average dragon to have.""Thank... you...?" Arcantos said slowly, still unsure as to what Captain Margeaux was getting at, and unsure if her words were a compliment or an insult... or just a simple observation. The dragoness continued however as if Arcantos had not spoken at all."If one researcher's deeper into you however, we discover an entirely different story. Your most proficient use of elemental powers is a highly rare and advanced technique that you wield with ease. You strategies and tactics have caused your officers no end of grief for being
completely against everything we know about the rules of engagement, yet they never go against the parameters set for the practice games. If one was to talk to those who train with you, even those in your very first squad, they still remember you. Whilst not popular, you are highly respected for your tactical skills, even if you are not the greatest at improvising." "Sir, if I may be so bold to interrupt you, what is the meaning of telling me all this?" Arc spoke up, his manners giving away slightly to irritation and confusion. Wanting to know why Margeaux was giving him a summery about himself when he was there... and she had said nothing new so far that surprised him."Because I suspect that the story your squad is telling me, isn't entirely truthful." The Captain said bluntly, nearly leaving Arcantos breathless in shock and fear, but again she continued to speak. "Because you have recently taken to the company of Ace, who is fast on track to be named the most troublesome youngblood of the century. Because an invitation like this was rather quick from someone who supposedly had never taken an interest in the youngbloods until they arrived in Kuvine, and who had arrived in the city himself only a day ago. Arcantos was struck silent, scrambling for a reply to these words as he swore Margeaux's gaze bore into his soul. Seeing all of the deceptions and secrets that he had created over his life. The bipedal dragon had to abandon this in order to focus on his breathing, Arcantos realizing that he was starting to panic and hyperventilatie. After a few more tense moments of silence, the dragoness nodded in satisfaction."Yes, these events have placed eyes on you. Not just myself, but my superiors... and not all of those eyes are ones of kind curiosity. I
suspect even if I ask for the truth now, you wouldn't tell me... and I am not one threaten the lives and safety of those under my command, as I do not believe your intentions are hostile against our nation and forces. So consider this a warning... and some advice. Telling your superiors you have a secret that you cannot tell them, can actually make them trust you more, if you tried to keep the existence of the secret underwraps. Dismissed."Arcantos didn't register the order for a few seconds, and when he did he hastily stood up. A loose, sloppy salute that would be reprimanded on the parade-ground followed before he promptly exited the office. Outside, Teprogia's smug and satisfied body language vanished when his shaken condition was met. Arcantos signalled that he would talk later, afraid of his condition and ability to speak straight as he was. Instead, letting Nova lead them back through the maze to their rooms. The journey allowing him time to straighten up his thoughts and calm down some. "What happened?" Tep asked anxiously once they door had shut. The bipedal dragon didn't answer right away, instead taking a seat on the bed and putting the cat on his lap. Stroking him as he waiting for the others to get comfortable. The soft furry body of his old friend helping him gather his composure before he could speak."The eastern dragon that came out was Stelian, butler for Sir Temeraire. Extending an invitation from him to me due to my magnetic powers.""Understandable, the inventor if the mag-rail would take a lot of interest in magentic powers. Likely hoping to claim you first so that no potential competitors can grab you and manage to come up with a method to improve on his design." Ace observed calmly, looking out over the city once more. "That
wasn't what had you shaken however.""No... Captain Margeaux made it clear that she and several of her superiors are very aware that we are keeping something hidden from them. Though she didn't press the issue as to what it is, because she trusts us... or at least myself. I don't know how long it will last however, and we shouldn't test it too much.""Are you suggesting that we tell her the truth? After we put so much effort into making sure everyone knew the importance of keeping it hidden, and making sure the story was solid?" Ace asked sharply, his head snapping round to look at Arcantos, only to get a shaking head in reply."No, I don't mean that, not when she simply made my aware of her knowledge and didn't try to press on it. Instead, I think its best to follow a suggestion that she herself made. Make her away that was intend to keep a secret from her. Asking for someone's trust, instead of trying to avoid the question of trust in the first place is more likely to solidify trust, whilst the later would weaken and break it.""That makes sense to me." Nova said with a bit of a rude yawn at the entire conversation. Though she didn't leave her input at that, bluntly asking. "From how little miss vet got all smug before you came out shaking like a leaf. I'm guessing that this dilly-dally of yours is why we've been sitting around on our asses lazing about like a bunch of lay-abouts?" "Correct." Arcantos said, unable to keep the mirth out of his voice.
The fire dragoness was so crass, yet had managed to conceal the actual meaning of anything from potential observers with her profanity. Artfully, if humorously done. "We were given an hour leeway before we must be off. Through we were given enough grace to not have to trudge our lazy bodies over to our destination.""Suppose that gives us a bit of time to make ourselves look more like actual soldiers instead of vagabonds." Nova said, the dragoness slipping from her place on the couch without further ado. "A dilly-dally like this shouldn't take too much effort beforehand, even if I would prefer none at all. Ah well, these are the ills of lay-abouts like us." The next three-quarters of an hour was spent busily. The four dragons doing their best to prepare and present themselves to a noble. As they were in a city garrison, get polish for their scales, horns and claws was not that difficult, neither was claw trimmers either. Formal wear was in short supply however, and there was no way they could ask to borrow parade-gear without arousing suspicions or interest from the stores, both of which were want to be avoided.They settled for being naked for the visit, as whilst it was an invitation, it was not quite a formal visit. That, and youngbloods like themselves were often excused for not being completely presentable to the standards of the upper-class. They were simply soldiers after all, not officers like their own children. So, with ten minutes to spare the settled at the front of the garrison to wait. About five minutes early and the carriage arrived, making Nova and Ace both sit up in surprise and astonishment at the sight. It wasn't every day you saw a perfect blending of western and eastern features after all, and it made Arcantos smile proudly at his
friends reactions. Teprogia just grinning in merriment at their looks of shocked marvel.There was four horses pulling the carriage, beautiful Palomino's. Their refined, wedge-shaped and arched necks showed that they had strong blood from the equines of the Klahall desserts. Indeed, the way their manes seemed to flicker and reflect the light showed that they had light as an element. Yet, from the broader shoulders and hindquarters, and the ease they pulled the carriage behind them spoke of a mix of western blood. Either fire or earth, with fire taking precedence due to their spirited trot and amber eyes. A very unusual, though not unheard of combination. The carriage itself was in traditional western style. Two long recliners for dragons to sit on, with a door in the middle on each side for people to climb in and out off and completely enclosed. However, instead of the traditional colours of red, white or black. It was instead mainly a deep green, with carvings of dragons breathing fire and water in blue. At the front sat Stelian, leading the horses. Whilst at the back, a purple dragoness in a blue suit waited patiently. As the carriage came to a halt, Arcantos was quick on his feet, waving the dragoness back, speaking as he did so. "No need, no need. We can so to the door ourselves thank you." Through Ace noted that the dragoness had not even began to rise as one would expect, and simply dipped her head in acknowledge as Arcantos strode forwards. Showing quite a proficiency in opening the doors and lowering the stairs. Turning to give his companions a playful bow once he was done. "Would you like to climb aboard now my good fellows?""I would like that yes, so kind of you to lower the steps for us darling." Teprogia said, her grin and giggle ruining
her noble lady impression as she climbed up into the carriage. Nova followed soon after with a smirk, leaving Ace to give Arcantos a quick thanks before taking his place. The bipedal dragon jumped nimbly up himself, and with a quick flick of his wrists the stairs folded back up, allowing Arcantos to shut the doors and sit down with a flourish. "Show off." Nova accused with a good natured smirk as the carriage got on its way. Arcantos simply acknowledging it with a shameless grin. Ace of course was looking out of the window, taking note of the journey and the dragons as they went past, leaving Nova to talk to the others alone. Something the fire dragoness easily did, the small talk keeping them all entertained during the half and hour ride to Sir Temeraire's house in Kuvine.The four were shown in, and directed into the living room of the establishment. There, a large black dragon with a magnificent blue mane was waiting for them. Ace was surprised at just how big he was, not expecting an eastern dragon to have grown so large without becoming a draconem. He had a decorative breastplate on, silver with a large pearl set in it and sapphire's surrounding it. The dragon was obvious waiting for them, as he was quick to his feet with a smile upon seeing them."Ah, Arcantos, Teprogia, it is good to see the two of you again! Please, take a seat, tell me how your training is going, and do introduce me to your new friends." The dragon's accent was surprisingly light, and he spoke western clearly with no problems at all. That was no surprise though, considering he was a noble now, the only eastern dragon to be one currently, and the third in recorded history as well."The dragoness is Nova, a fire dragoness sapper, whose tongue is just as sharp as her white-hot lances that
she specializes in." Arcantos started as the four young dragons settled themselves down on the recliners at Sir Temeraire's request. Said dragoness smirked at her introduction, not at all disagree or disliking it as Arcantos continued. "And the dragon is Ace. A darkness dragon whose ability to sense the presence of others with his element is matched only with his mind."The introductions weren't done there however, as Arcantos turned to the two dragons and gestured to their eastern host, saying. "Ace, Nova. I would like you to introduce Temeraire, my friend and teacher since I was six years old. And my co-inventor for the mag-rail." Even as the two looked startled at this introduction, a deep rumbling chuckle emitted from their host."Arcantos, when will you ever stop introducing me like that? I did all the work and effort on the mag-rail. You just showed me the very idea of it, on complete accident might I add." Temeraire said, shaking his head mirthfully, before turning to Ace and Nova. "I am sorry for his mischief. Despite his mature and measured attitude, he always becomes a child again around me.""It is of no worries sir." Ace said formally, dipping his head in acceptance of Temeraire's apology, whilst Nova shot a look of amusement at the bipedal dragon. "I admit, I was not expecting to hear that you were his teacher, nor having known him for nearly fifteen years after we received the invitation. As I doubt you wish to talk about his powers, might I respectfully inquire as to the reasoning behind the invitation extended towards Arcantos?""Formally speaking, isn't he?" Temeraire remarked to Arcantos with a smile, through he turned back to Ace without waiting for a reply. "The reasoning of my invitation and even my visit are Kuvine are
simple. Arcantos expressed a desire to talk to me here. Normally he would just send a letter, or come and visit himself. As he has done neither of these things, then it is obvious that there is a serious issue at hand here, and I need to be on location to be able to lend my aid. Is that wrong?" That last part of that was directed back at Arcantos, who shook his head."No Temeraire, its not." From there Arcantos proceeded to inform the eastern dragon of the entire series of events that had lead to this meeting and his call for the noble. Tryndamous' arrival to test them, how the bandits turned out to be an eastern lord being escorted home, and the payback she desired for the loss of her guards. Then afterwards, Kasai's response, the fortress he had and the shinobi he had working for them. Finally, how they believe the situation would escalate, and Tryndamous' perfect coup, topping it all off by explaining the lie they had come up with, and the reasons behind it."Well... this is certainly a serious situation, more so than I was honestly expecting." Temeraire said, his voice and expression having become more and more troubled as the half an hour explanation went on. The eastern dragon having spoken up a few times to ask for clarification on a few points. "Life-threatening was something I was expecting, but not something as big as this. Whilst it is most theory and hypotheticals, without much in terms of facts or evidence to back it up. It makes too much sense to simply be dismissed, and I trust Arcantos and Teprogia's intelligence considerably and would take into into consideration regardless.""So will you help us fight against Tryndamous and Kasai?" Ace spoke up, his formality having fallen aside as the truth of the matter came to light. Something that Temeraire did not care about nor hardly notice as he sighed and nodded his head slowly."Whilst I don't like the idea of fighting an enemy on two sides, nor even getting involved in such murky politics, I cannot simply stand by and let two nations I love dearly go to war. I know from very personal experience that there is much to love about both the west and the east... and that not everyone is so inclined towards peace as I am." "For someone so inclined towards peace, you never had any issue with fighting yourself, or even creating a fighting force of your own." Ace noted calmly, though it still made Temeraire's head drop a little guilty at this reminder. "Whilst you're famous for the invention of the mag-rail. You're almost as infamous for being very eager to accept duels and challenges from other nobles, and fighting like a soldier instead of a noble.""Yes well, whilst I have no desire for war... I cannot deny that I do enjoy the blood-rousing excitement of a good fight." Temeraire then shook his head and sat back up, looking down at Ace as he said. "Besides, many are like me and still posses a strong fighting spirit yet crave peace. Nor am I the only noble to have a private fighting force.""No, but most noble's content themselves with a patrol of bodyguards, or even less than the seven dragons if it is 'fashionable' to have it otherwise. You have forty-two dragons on your payroll... and they are all proper soldiers, fully trained and each having at least ten years serving in the army. Its still a wonder as to why you haven't got the fully forty-seven dragons to make up a squad.""I don't trust Tryndamous." Temeraire said
bluntly in response to Ace's question. The large black dragon unconcerned of the surprised and almost afraid reactions from Ace and Nova as he continued. "He's a bloodthirsty brute, and yet in charge of the army. Hence why I have a stronger force myself, almost at the full extent of a private armed forced that nobles are allowed to have in times of peace. If I could, I would likely have many more.""Then why don't you have a full squad? Why only six patrols instead of seven?" "Oh that's easy. I was waiting for Arcantos and Teprogia to finish their training so I could have them as part of the reserve patrol, and well as others to their recommendations." Arcantos's lips flicked upwards briefly in a smile at Temeraire almost cheerful reply to Ace's pressing question, but it vanished with a small silent sigh before he spoke."I'm afraid we might have to cut our training short and have us properly join the squad early. It would allow us to operate with greater ease in opposition of Tryndamous and Kasai, though admittedly at the loss of training and potential information, along with rousing suspicion of the army and Tryndamous especially.""I could make sure paperwork is ready to go through with such a transfer, and I can easily have my battlemaster take over the rest of your training. But it should only be taken if the chances of war are a certainty in the near future." Temeraire said thoughtfully, rubbing his breastplate absentmindedly as he considered Arcantos' suggestion carefully. "That way, it would avoid any chance of Tryndamous coming after you personally to kill. He obviously considers you to low of a threat to be dealt with, but we must on guard for him changing his mind on that.""What could we do if the High General comes after us? He's a Draconem for crying out loud. Stronger, faster and more powerful than we could ever be. I want to kill the bastard, but if I fight him as I am now, I would simply be an ant for him to brush aside and not even be a threat." Ace objected with a small frown, through Arcantos thought he detected a tremble of fear when the fact that Tryndamous was a draconem was brought up."Run." Temeraire said bluntly, raising a claw to forestall any responses to his simple answer in order to elaborate. "It seems silly I know, but Tryndamous is arrogant and boastful. As a noble, I have had the... privilege in seeing some of his displays and spars. Because of this, I've actually been able to acquire a depth of knowledge about his fighting abilities and style... and his aim is completely appalling. He tries to make up for it with sheer size of projectiles, or overwhelming power at close range. But, if you ran and dodge, he'll grow angry and even more sloppy.""Still likely to be slain before we can make a getaway, especially with his stubbornness and pride together meaning the likelihood of him giving up is slim. Not to mention that if he comes after us in a civilized environment, the army would instantly side with him... at the same time, he would likely get angry for their interference as well. So that's a mixed bag. At the very least, running will increase our chances of survival from nothing to slim, so its something." "Can we stop blathering about hypotheticals and get back to what we're actually going to do?" Nova cut in with a slight growl of irritation, making Temeraire turn to face her, blinking in surprise at the interruption. "Currently, we need to get more allies, whenever we stick as army or not. That means getting a private
meeting with the Duke. Don't know how or how much we share, but that's our first goal. Then we look at our fair captain, she knows something's up, so having her as an actual ally would make our jobs even easier." "The fact I invited Arcantos round is likely going to cause quite a few rumors, as not many people know about our relationship." Temeraire said, still looking at Nova with a quirked eye-ridge, but not saying anything and instead going with the flow of the conversation. "If I invite him round regularly, the rumors will most certainly build, and other nobles will likely try and gain his company. Both to see why I am so interested in him, and if his knowledge of magnetism can be used to gain an edge over me... but most importantly, that interest will give me a perfect reason to take Arcantos with me during the upcoming Ball that the Duke is holding here." "There's a Ball being held soon? Whatever for?" Teprogia asked curiously, raising her head from where she had been resting and simply listening to the conversation. "There's festivals, western or eastern being held, and none of the Duke's daughters have suitors currently. Nor are any of the nobles that high in his favour that he would hold a Ball for them.""The Duke's wife has her hatchday in two weeks times, and whilst they always have a private occasion just for the family on the actual day of her hatching. They are pretty much obliged to hold a ball in celebration during the weekend." Temeraire explained to the earth dragoness with an easy smile, ignoring the surprised look that Nova was shooting her."If that's reason, then it's even more important that we bring along a dragoness to curry favour with the Duke's wife and his daughters. They are the dragons with the strongest influence on
him, and most the fact that siding with us would endanger them would also be a weighing factor, so having them support it, despite the risk will be a tipping point in the discussion.""Which means I'm gonna have to talk you shopping." Nova said, once more breaking suddenly into the conversation, even as Temeraire opened his mouth to respond. "No time or trust for anyone else, and that ain't no way in heck that I can be that dragoness. Acting will just make the situation worse, but I know how to pretty a girl up from that experience, and make you presentable for it.""M-me? B-but I'm a scholar, an animal lover! I-I don't know anything about the high-circle. If I go there, I'm going to come across as a bumbling fool! The Duke's daughters will just laugh my out and I'll becoming the laughing stock of the city and completely ruin any attempts of making an alliance from him!" Teprogia stammered out, her words spilling out faster and faster as the hysteria spread across her face. At least until Arcantos reached down and placed his hand over her snout, effectively silencing her. Through Tep didn't exactly do much to fight it."You don't know anything about the high circle you say, whilst being able to keep track of all current festivals and up to date with the gossip whilst stuck in an army garrison." Nova said with a snort, Teprogia flushing and looking away, even as the red dragoness continued without pause. "Please, with Temy's help here, you'll easily be able to keep up to date with all the latest gossip and talk, and I can easily teach you basic etiquette and how to walk like a lady." "Yes, if I ask for your company ah... shall we say, every two days, that will give the two of you plenty of time to practice and learn." The eastern dragon said, his
expression having become bemused at being called 'Temy', but he let it slide. "Plus, it will likely lead to the Duke expressing interest to meet Arcantos if I do, giving us the perfect reason for the shopping session.""Good. Come on then." Nova said, abruptly standing up and marching over to Teprogia, pulling her off the couch by her tail and pulling her towards the door as the earth dragoness scrambled to find her feet, wondering when Nova got so strong. "No time sitting around here flapping your gums! The boys can do all the boring planning, we got work to do.""Help." Was all Teprgoia could whimper out as she was pulled away to her doom. The three dragons staring at the empty space where the two had just left with a mixture of concern and bemusement, at least until Temeraire turned to Ace."Your friend is quite the interesting dragoness.""You can say that again." Ace said, a strange note in his voice, staring at the empty space for a few more seconds before shaking his head and turning to the others. "Anyway, we got work to do. Figuring out what to say to the Duke, and what we can do in the meantime to prepare for the upcoming war. We have no time to lose."