Dragon Alliance Dark Storm : Dark Storm (24 page)

As the contestants approached the east side of the weir mountain, Auroranth was barely a dragon-length behind Caraeyeth and the two big gold dragons only a tail length behind her. Caraeyeth took a very dangerous angle almost as if to collide with the mountain surface.

“My love, what are you doing?” Heathiret asked her dragon.

“This is risky, but I think it will work, and it is our only chance to spring ahead of that silver, or keep ahead of those golds. Hold on tight, my rider!” she answered as she nosed over a rock outcropping on the side of the mountain and did a flip roll in midair. As she came out of the roll, her tail and powerful back legs caught the far side of the rock, and she pushed hard with both as she also gave a firm flap with her wings. The combined thrust and jump catapulted her ahead of Auroranth and lengthened her shrinking lead over Gallanth and Valianth.

They then made the final shallow turn toward the mid-parade field in front of the stands. Hestal had a light curtain projected there, so the dragons crashing through the brilliant barrier that marked the finish line would be projected for the spectators to view and also sent to all the communal seeing crystals across the Alliance. Caraeyeth was angling down with Auroranth just beside her and barely a half a dragon length behind. Gallanth and Valianth were only a tail length behind them and almost wing to wing. As the leaders swept past the near side of the stands, the cheers rose like a rippling wave. Heathiret looked over at Andrace and nodded to her as an acknowledgement of their positioning. She then bore down on Caraeyeth’s neck, her long, silky blond hair blowing wildly from under her helmet because of the wind that was allowed to get through her dragonstone sword’s magic shield.

The two female dragons were dead even when they broke through the brilliant light curtain and veered off to slow down. Barely a second later, Gallanth and Valianth performed the same feat, looking dead even to the outside vantage point. The rest of the dragons streaked past the finish line with all following Falcanth; the crowd went wild with the unique finish, as they reeled from the almost hurricane-force winds created by the squadrons of dragons flying by. This would be the first time a copper could possibly have won the race. A brass and a bronze dragon had won once before, however, the winning dragon was almost always a silver or gold.

“Citizens and Civilians of the Alliance; what a finish!” Canjon exuberantly yelled out to the spectators. “The first time in the history of the Honors Day Games that a copper dragon is placed in the race. We’ll now refer to Master Apex Wizard Hestal for the official results,” he finished as he pointed his hand at Hestal.

The top wizard of all the Alliance walked regally over to the podium and stood beside Canjon in front of Amerenth; the other wizards projected their image into the air in front of the stands for all to see clearly. The dragons by this time had all landed and were assembling on the parade field behind the race officials in a wide semicircle around Amerenth and the stage.

A flight of the dragon horses came down. They had been given the names “dracogriffs” or “strykehorses” by the younger soldiers. All were mounted with the Draco Guards and mithril knights from the weir. They performed their new skill, which was the chameleon-like color change. They had flown down with their hides the color of the sky, but as soon as they landed, they returned to their normal golden-brown color. The knights mounted on them, while immaculate and with their armor gleaming, seemed poised for a fight. Mkel could see the focused look they had on their faces through Gallanth’s eyes. The strykehorses quickly back-winged, their sleek dragon-like hides dully shining in the late morning sunlight, and they gracefully walked over to stand beside the premier.

The dracogriff’s sleek dragon-like heads, a perfect marriage between a horse’s and a bronze dragon’s, let out surprisingly loud roars for creatures of their size, to announce their presence. This was likely a by-product of their sonic disruption breath weapon. Their knights then flanked the premier and escorted him to the stage. Two avenger dragons landed at either end of the assembled metallic dragons. These were to be the permanent guards for the premier now.

And a formidable force it is, Mkel thought.

Premier Reagresh walked with very stately composure up to center of the podium. Canjon gave him a salute, as did Hestal.

“Ladies, Gentleman, and all honored friends gathered for these auspicious games. We have a special guest of honor here to announce the place holders for this final exciting event of the Honors Day Games. I give you our esteemed and beloved Premier Reagresh,” Hestal announced through his dragonstone staff, which amplified his voice. He then stood his staff up against the podium so the premier could talk into it as all the people in the stands stood to applaud the leader of the Dragon Alliance Republic.

“Thank you all for so warm a welcome, and thank you my friends for supporting this year’s Honors Day Games. As we have gathered to watch the amazing skill of our brave Alliance soldiers, our elf, dwarf, and halfling friends, and of course the magnanimous dragons of the Alliance, we thank all those who have served and are serving today for the cause of liberty and the great good that makes our republic the beacon of light that shines the way for all those who crave freedom. I pray for the souls of those who have given the final unequivocal gift of life in the defense of this nation and those who reside in it. This sacrifice is what binds us as a group with the common cause of honor, goodwill to all, and the strength to uphold these ideals, as those who fought on the far plains of Battle Point and on the seas defending against pirates recently did just that. We as a grateful nation will never forget those honored few and the veterans of all past conflicts defending the light of liberty against the shadows of tyranny. This blood, be it shed from man, elf, dwarf, or dragon was spilt fighting for their republic, their comrades, their families, and for each other; it is our most precious of all gifts. This gift is returned here, in your remembrance of them and the honor you give them and their loved ones this day. A greater gift cannot be given, and may the Creator bless them and welcome them home. Thank you,” Premier Reagresh finished the formal part of his speech.

“Now, I have the honor to bestow a little precious metal on a few fast competitors of this very exciting dragon race. Will Colonel Therosvet, rider of the gold dragon Valianth please step forward,” he stated as Therosvet walked over from the seated gold dragon and up the podium where the premier placed a bronze triangular medal around his neck. The veteran dragonrider and Weirleader smiled, his thick, light-brown mustache curled up as he thanked the premier. After the clapping died down, Reagresh continued, “Now, I have the special privilege, for the first time in the history of the games, to present two first-place medals of the race, to two lovely lady dragonriders. Will Heathiret, rider of the copper dragon Caraeyeth of Eladran Weir, and Andrace, rider of the silver dragon Auroranth of the Capital Weir, please come forward,” he said. The crowds gave a standing ovation to the lady riders and continued until he had placed two identical gold triangular medals over the women’s necks.

Mkel was clapping and very happy for them, for this was an excellent race, but he still felt a bit slighted by what had happened out there. For he knew Gallanth was the fastest dragon of all, save Lord Michenth himself.

Worry
not,
my
rider;
this
is
all
as
it
should
be
, Gallanth told him telepathically.

He understood his dragon and was genuinely happy for the other riders but knew he had to do some soul-searching since he had a slight feeling of jealousy and anxiety over what had happened. After all, he was a gold dragonrider, a Weirleader, and was supposed to be above such petty feelings.

My
rider,
remember,
you
are
still
human
and
still
possess
human
frailties.
This
is
not
a
bad
thing,
but
something
you
must
take
note
of,
contemplate,
and
grow
from.
This
is
the
lesson,
my
rider.
We
accomplished
great
things
at
these
games,
so
you
need
not
be
troubled.

Gallanth’s words always smoothed out his ruffled feathers, as did Jodem’s.
Thank
you,
my
dragon
,” he replied with his directed thought.

By this time, the crowds had finally stopped their applause, and Canjon thanked everyone for their attendance and wished them all well, concluding the games as the wizards and dragons began to fire brilliant prismatic spells and an assortment of breath weapons and fiery projectiles into the air as a final show.

At the end of the brilliant and thunderous display of wizard-and dragon-derived explosions and flashes, Canjon announced the official closing of the games but stated that the celebration as well as an open tour of the weir would begin momentarily. After Mkel congratulated Andrace and Heathiret, he mounted Gallanth and they flew up to their alcove as the stands were emptying. They landed, and Jodem met him as soon as he dismounted from Gallanth’s back.

“Good race, my boy, and you as well, Gallanth,” the wizard said with a smile.

“We didn’t win or even place, but it was a good flight,” Mkel answered with an equally big smile.

“This is what brings your senses together. I know what Valianth did to you, and I know it bothers you, but you seem to be dealing with it as I have taught you. That is what makes me proud. The old gold dragon was trying to teach you something. Not the best method, but he means well nonetheless. He just wants to let you and Gallanth know that you can’t win everything, and sometimes events take over our ability to truly affect them without asking for the strength in others. Many a gold and silver dragon have become too reliant on their immense power, believing they are almost omnipotent, and while not prideful on the part of the dragon, or usually the rider, it can be detrimental when all is dark and even their light cannot chase the shadows away. Yes, Gallanth is the fastest dragon ever known, except for Lord Michenth, but even with all this and your great power and strength; you cannot accomplish everything by yourselves. You will come to understand this more and more; have faith,” the wizard explained and then looked up to Gallanth.

“Yes, my portly wizard friend, you are correct, and I know my elder’s lesson. He was a little too enthusiastic about applying it, but I understand,” Gallanth answered as he turned around and lay down, stretching his wings out before he folded them.

“We did very well in these games, as we did out in Battle Point. I have faith in Gallanth, in my weir, and in myself, but I…” Mkel stammered a little, the words choking up in him as he flashed a thought of his father in his mind.

“Say no more, and savor that thought for a while. There will be time later. Now it is time to celebrate. I have food coming for all, and it is after the noon hour, so ale is appropriate. The celebration will be grand tonight, with the weir full of music and spirits. You know how they like to throw these parties here at the Capital, nothing small. Well, that is timing,” he said as the kitchen halflings had just wheeled in the food and drink. “Thank you, my friends,” he said as he tossed them a drachmere each, which they happily took. They all began to eat and drink beside Gallanth, who joined in on the conversation for the rest of the afternoon.

Valianth and Colonel Therosvet flew around the mountain to the main entrance rather than go through one of the many alcoves to the weir grounds and their landing. The veteran rider and his dragon just wanted a lazy flight after the fast pace of the race. The capital gold dragon announced his entrance with a mighty roar as he entered the immense weir opening. He flew straight to the mouth of his and Michenth’s chamber, where he hastily back-winged and walked directly up to the arch dragon. While he was resting, the mithril dragon was still awake and awaiting his second in command. Colonel Therosvet quickly dismounted, and both he and his dragon bowed to Michenth and General Becknor.

“A good race, Valianth, Colonel,” Michenth said to them; his tone had a more commanding base to it, meaning he wanted to get a point across. “I am pleased to see that Caraeyeth and Auroranth flew well. Their skills will be of great value, especially with the conflicts likely to come. That copper is determined and talented, as is her rider. I would like to see them assigned to Draden Weir as a wing second to Silvanth, especially now that she has mated and will not be able to support Gallanth as readily,” the mithril dragon stated.

“That is the reason why we are here, Lord Michenth, sir. We wanted to ensure that Gallanth and his young rider would be inclined to ask for additional help and reinforcement. This is more important now than ever with what has happened out in the unsettled lands,” Therosvet stated.

“Yes, my lord Michenth, that would be a prudent decision by the Draden Weir leader and Gallanth. They were successful at Battle Point, but we feel this was only an incursion, a diversionary attack, if you would label it as anything. It was our decision to send Strikenth and Talonth to help them, not theirs. Young Gallanth needed to be reminded that even gold dragons need help,” Valianth added to his rider’s comment.