Dragon Alliance Dark Storm : Dark Storm (20 page)

The next morning, as usual, came too early for Mkel, but with only a couple of ales, he wasn’t haunted. He and Gallanth had to be at the staging area right after breakfast, so both ate lightly with the big gold dragon only taking down a smaller piece of giant grouper fish. They saddled up and flew out of the Capital Weir main entrance for a lazy circle around the mountain.
The
brilliance
of
the
sunrise
over
Draconia
is
breathtaking,
Mkel thought, as the mithril monument on top of the central city pyramid almost glowed in the morning light. The light also accented the blue-green water of Sauric Bay and the white, dwarf-made concrete harbor barriers.

They rounded the mountain and descended onto the eastern side of the parade field where all the other dozens of dragons from all the weirs began to land and line up. This was a fast and spectacular competition that demonstrated the awesome power of the metallic dragons and their riders. The premise was simple: each dragon got three runs or diving attacks against a set of targets on the ground in the middle of the parade field at which he or she was to fire his or her breath weapon and/or spells as close to the center of the painted rings as possible, but far enough away so as not to risk injury among the spectators. The breath weapon strike was measured in accuracy and control of whatever spell that particular dragon chose to complement his main attack. This was coupled with whatever his or her rider could muster for a spectacular show.

Mkel noticed that on the far side of the stadium seating, surrounded by Draconian constables, was a somewhat sizable crowd of protestors. He scoped them through Markthrea’s sight to see their signs were of a dragon- and Alliance-hating nature. This was the first actual event with the metallic dragons, so that was why the Enlightened protestors likely chose this day to come out in force. There were also Nature Purists among them as well. Usually, the average Alliance citizen ignored them, but they did have substantial influence in the Truth Saying guilds, which did sway some opinions. This time, they were protesting the cost of this exhibition in the amount of gems that the dragons consumed to power their breath weapons and spells and how that could be used better for more peaceful purposes.

Mkel also saw a small band of the dragon gypsy cult close to them in a counter protest.
These
groups
are
almost
the
opposite
side
of
the
same
convoluted
coin,
Mkel thought to himself, as they were fanatical supporters, almost worshipers, of the metallic or any dragons, including chromatics. The cult leaders of the dragon gypsies within the Alliance borders denied it. However, that did not stop others from the middle kingdoms and the unsettled lands from following any chromatic that wanted to be adored that day and was not hungry enough to eat its followers. Mkel did take advantage of this following in his early youth, for the young lady gypsies were always well adorned.

The constables and the Draco Guards with the mithril knights were keeping them well under control, but Mkel could tell they wanted to make trouble. Their banners with sayings that read, “Down with Dragons and Wizards,” “No More Weirs,” “Dragon Crystals for the Poor,” “Rule by the Enlightened,” represented a unique look at their mentality, which was purely emotional, for they wanted no more metallic dragons, but they did want the comfort crystals for free.
Can’t
have
one
without
the
other,
fools,
Mkel said to himself.

“Ignore the ignorant, my friend; we have to be coordinated this morning,” Gallanth caught his attention.

“Yes, my big friend, where are we in the match order?” he asked his dragon.

“
We
are
third
in
the
order,
after
High
Mountain
Weir
and
the
Capital
Weir,
of
course
,” Gallanth answered. Mkel grinned at his dragon’s slight dig at his Capital Weir brethren.

Mkel called over to Slidess, who was mounted on Trikenth, “Slidess, best of luck to you, my friend.”

“Thanks, Mkel, you as well, as long as one of us beats the Capital Weir!” the High Mountain Weirleader and wizard replied. Canjon began to announce the beginning of the dragon’s fire competition, and after the spectators’ cheers died down, Trikenth took to the air. The silver dragon quickly gained altitude to get to attack height and then began to perform his dive. The large silver gave his challenge roar and then angled in on the circular target below, as Slidess prepared one of his more powerful spells. Trikenth carefully fired his icy beam toward the target as his rider sent a torrent of fiery meteor spell spheres hurtling toward the ground.

Nice
touch,
Mkel thought, as the fire-and-ice combination struck the ground just off center of the targets with the extreme opposite energies resulting in brilliant explosions.
Slidess
was
pretty
much
on
target,
not
bad
for
him.

“
Yes,
they
had
a
very
good
run
with
a
brilliant
effect,
but
nothing
will
compare
to
what
we
will
do
,” Gallanth added, as they moved into position behind several of the Capital Weir dragons. Valianth was next. The large gold dragon took to the sky, but Gallanth’s brother Falcanth was not there.

“Where is your brother with Lloydell?” Mkel asked.

“
He
and
his
rider
chose
to
not
compete
this
year
with
all
that
is
going
on.
I
believe
there
are
other
reasons
as
well
,” Gallanth answered as Valianth let out his challenge roar and began to dive. The plasma fireball he breathed out streaked toward the target, and Therosvet lobbed a deadly energy bolt of light toward the same destination. The combined strikes were well synchronized but just missed the center of the targets. They rose and turned toward the stadium seating, veering off and up at the last minute, rushing the spectators with air.

Next was Eagrenth of the Capital Weir. He was getting into attack position high above the parade field. His rider, Willjon, was a tough, grizzled veteran of the last Great Dragon War and while tall and imposing, had a heart of gold. He wielded a mighty two-handed dragonstone sword that could deliver a powerful cleaving blow as well as strike with an enhanced energy that fused into its target. He was the bane of chromatic dragons who managed to get within his sword’s swinging distance. This skill, however, did not help his dragon in this competition. Eagrenth fired the powerful plasma fireball that only gold dragons were capable of producing. It exploded with a brilliant and deafening display just right and low of the center of the target circle. He pulled up as the crowds cheered him wildly.

The ferocious Capital silver dragon Tigrenth went on the attack next; as he delivered a freezing blast almost centered in the target array, his paladin rider, Bagram, waved his holy sword in support of his dragon. Next, it was Mkel and Gallanth’s turn. The large gold dragon moved to the outer portion of the parade field and with a small sprint and jump was airborne. He quickly ascended to attack altitude, and as soon as Mkel gave him the sign that he had Markthrea ready, the gold dragon began his dive. Mkel had a slightly larger than standard explosive-tipped bolt, which he only used for firing at large or grouped targets on the ground, for though it carried a greater explosive power, it fired at a slightly lower velocity.

Gallanth nosed down and began to pick up speed as he gave a challenge roar that would have torn at the soul of any living creature save Tiamat herself. His attack angle was steep but not so much that it wouldn’t let Mkel get a good shot. Mkel felt Gallanth’s muscles tighten and then the hot blast of air that came over him as the gold dragon released his devastating plasma fireball breath weapon. Mkel quickly took aim just below the center of the target circle several hundred yards away to allow the crossover of his dragon’s fiery discharge with his speedy projectile and fired. His bolt caught up to the glowing mass of destruction just as it hit the ground in the center of the painted scoring circles. The combined detonations had a synergistic effect, which made the explosion that much more brilliant and devastating. Gallanth had released his breath weapon attack early so he could prepare a spell as he passed over the target site. When he and Gallanth flew over the site, he unleashed over twenty chain lightning bolts that fired from his outstretched front claws in a rapid and thunderous succession. Their combined energies again fed the continuous explosions; just when they were dying down, Mkel cycled another exploding-tip bolt and swung Markthrea’s swivel mount around. While twisting around as hard as he could to the right to look back over Gallanth’s tail, he fired the bolt, which screamed back toward the ground as Gallanth was ascending. The bolt exploded just as the last of the fires from the gold dragon’s lightning spell subsided to accentuate the destruction and highlight the accuracy of the combined deadly strikes.

The devastation left on the surface and the targets were no match for the thunderous applause that the two received as they ascended and turned back toward the weir’s amphitheater. The crowds were very much pleased with what they had witnessed; the judges were equally pleased with the dragon and rider pair shooting a near-perfect score. Nobody got even remotely closer than they did on that run, as the next ten dragons and riders tried to best their score. Mkel and Gallanth’s next two runs went just as well, with only the last diving attack seeing them drop a couple of points.

“They are definitely on their game today,” Jodem said to Toderan, as they watched the competition from the alcove and from Jodem’s staff’s projection.

“I think they will at least place, if not take the match. I know Gallanth was determined and Mkel wanted it as well,” Toderan said.

“I’m just glad they are on our side. I would not like to face them on an angry battlefield or even on the sea,” Lawrent stated as he took another drink from his tankard. “At least Mkel can drink a little tonight; he doesn’t need to be sober for the ground thunder game tomorrow or the dragon race the next day.”

“He has a lot on his mind with the recent fight at Battle Point and will face no less danger in the senate meeting next week,” Jodem replied.

“With Gallanth and us by his side, he will be fine,” Toderan assured all present.

“I agree, but the road will still be rocky—Wait! Canjon is announcing the competition,” Jodem answered and then paused to hear the dragon ambassador.

“Citizens and Friends of the Alliance, I am ever so anxious to announce the winners of this auspicious and spectacular event. First, I want you all to show your appreciation for those who not only defend us and keep us free, but also provide those comfort stones and crystals that make our lives so much easier and enjoyable, the dragons of the Alliance!” he finished as loud cheers erupted from the spectators. A small fraction was yelling negative epitaphs from the far right of the stands. This was mostly drowned out, however.

“I am pleased to give you our third-place dragon and rider team, Krysanth and his rider Scandalon of Talinor Weir!” Canjon announced. It was a pleasant surprise to see a brass dragon place in a competition. This was likely due to his rider’s accuracy with his dragonstone crossbow. When the crowd’s applause faded, Canjon continued, “In second place and for the first time in competition, our young but capable team from Talinor Weir, Baranth and Altmed!” The applause rose. It was indeed a surprise for such a young silver dragon and rider to place so high in this difficult competition.

Impressive
indeed,
Mkel thought to himself.

“Now I give you the clear overall place winner of the dragon’s fire competition. Our own victors of the recent fight at Battle Point, the commanders of Draden Weir, the mighty Gallanth and his rider Captain Mkel!” he shouted at the end, clearly excited at seeing his friend win. Mkel looked over to Gallanth and reached up to hug the nose of his dragon.

In a rare public moment of emotional display, the large gold dragon’s eyes glowed before he closed them and said out loud, “Congratulations, my rider; we did well today.” He then lifted his head to give a triumphant roar as the spectators went wild. All on the Draden Weir alcove went crazy, even Toderan jumped up and shook arms with Jodem and Lawrent in a rare expression of solidarity between the paladin and the raider.

Canjon and Becknor personally presented the medals to the place winner riders and shook their hands. The dragons themselves did not receive anything, for that was not their way. This would have concluded the games that day, but the POE protestors took advantage of the applause, broke through the security gate by the amphitheater seating, and rushed the field shouting and hoisting their signs. They ran up to the four dragons, which were in front of the others that covered the field, as they were the ones who had received the place awards. They began to shout, “Down with the dragons and wizards! Killers of the innocent!” along with several other insults. Their many protest signs contained slogans such as, “Gold for Peace, Nothing for the Alliance Army,” “Enlightened Rule Not Dragon Cruel,” and “Free Comfort Crystals for All.” There were almost as many Nature Purists in the dubious bunch as the Enlightened, all with equally inflammatory signs and the same ignorant uninformed attitude.