The Call of Dragons

11

Julian

After the Speakers’ departure, Julian immediately wanted to make up for the lost time in teaching. Though he knew he was giving her far more work than most others would have to do when in the early stages of training, he also knew it was necessary. Raiya had started with a disadvantage unlike the other acolytes who had access to the vast records in the library, tools, and resources at the Speakers Guild. Despite the vigorous amount of work and long study sessions, he noted that the child did her work diligently without any complaint and paid attention avidly despite the lengthy hours that would pass. Her submitted work was competent enough for her age, but her understanding and memorization of concepts was outstanding and fully put to use during their discussions. Julian had never had an apprentice before, being a young Speaker, but during the time he spent with Raiya, he began to understand the appeal of teaching others. The sense of pride he felt whenever the girl shared her viewpoint on certain topics that he didn’t even think she could possibly grasp was elating. Perhaps it had to do with her innocence and sense of wonder that could only come from being a child, but she often provided unique insights that not even he had thought of. He resolved himself to continue protecting those traits and providing a safe, secure environment for her to grow.

He hurried quickly with his thoughts fluttering around his head. He had just finished his lesson with Raiya early today because of a sudden summons to an emergency Council meeting. He was already running late because he had stayed back to tidy up the table and pack away his precious maps and books. He didn’t want others, especially that scholar who always threw the pair disparaging looks, to touch his priceless belongings. He was generally a calm and kind man, but even he couldn’t help but feel annoyed at Ralph for his ineptitude over the years. Normally the Council meets once a month to discuss important matters relating to the fortress and the Keeps. Then there was the once-a-year meetup between all the fortresses and keeps at different locations. Sudden meetings such as this were a result of emergencies but were often scheduled within a week of notice, not at the very last second. Ralph had purposefully done this though Julian could not for the life of him figure out why or what the meeting could be about.

As he finished hurrying up a flight of stairs into the corridor leading straight to the Council chambers, he saw a familiar figure making her way down the same corridor.

“Sibilla!” he cried out, grateful to see he wasn’t the only one late. “My dear friend, it seems we are both running a bit behind on time!”

Sibilla stopped and glanced back, a smile on her face. “It seems so, friend,” she agreed.

Once he caught up to her side, they began walking together in amiable silence.

“Do you happen to know the cause of this sudden meeting?” he inquired after some seconds had passed.

“I’m afraid not. It was after all Ralph’s orders and you know how he likes to keep me in the dark,” she paused, glancing again at the man walking cheerfully at her side. “But Godrick and I believe it has to do with Hyun.”

Julian frowned, thinking of the youth. “An emergency meeting because of one dragon-flyer? Surely not. What could the poor boy have done? Unless you’re saying it’s because Priyana is soon reaching maturity and will be ready to mate. Is he trying to replicate the same scenario from six years ago?”

“He very clearly feels threatened. Hyun has been spending a lot of time with Denali and Priyana, teaching them how to fly under Godrick’s orders. Ralph naturally dislikes this but he can’t really protest it. New Queen flyers are often taught different things by different people. Therefore, he might want to get rid of Hyun, either temporarily or permanently. Move him to another fortress. Of course, between Reymora and Bellasea, only Bellasea would be willing to take him in…” she trailed off, the topic causing her mouth to set in a grim line.

Reymora was one of many struggling fortresses after the Calamity. While grateful that they had not been abandoned by dragon-flyers like their sister fortress Santhope, they struggled to maintain their own count. Many believed that Reymora would soon be abandoned, their dragon-flyers integrating into either Bellasea or Dragonspire.

“This is ridiculous! Who would agree to and vote for such a thing?” Julian protested, shocked. “Ralph is willing to cost us a Prince simply because he wants to continue playing chief. He should be confident in his abilities and dragon. If word gets out that we are letting someone use underhanded tactics to continually maintain their position of power, we will face a difficult time during the annual conference.”

“What can we do?” Sibilla replied grimly, her face darkening. “Ralph has the keeps in his pocket. Lady Ramsey and Lady Bohan, while often giving the pretense of neutrality, usually side with him. You know that he’ll also call upon Jaxson and Robert who also always agree with his decisions. That’s five to our four.”

“Sibilla,” Julian began, grabbing her arm to stop her. He glanced around, ensuring they were alone in the corridor before leaning in. “Surely Ralph knows about the situation in Ioyari, right? Is he aware of the suspicions surrounding himself?”

“I’ve had multiple discussions with him about. He is adamant that our fears are unfounded, which means that he is most definitely involved. Whether he is aware of our suspicions or not, we can say he doesn’t care either way.”

“My spies have reported that Lord Khan has been meeting frequently with Amir and Rana. Even attending the Council meetings at Rajin Fortress despite not being part of it. Even more so since Hyun and the egg came to our fortress.”

“Yes, and his daughter has also shown up a year later with the unfathomable luck of Bonding with the new Queen,” Sibilla responded dryly. “What about the sickness? There’s no formal news about it and no one will readily admit to it but,” Sibilla inhales briefly before asking, “Are there any known cases within Raijin Fortress that your spies may have reported? If not there, anywhere in the east?”

“No, none at all. I’ve heard that the north is beginning to see some cases, but so far, the east and south have remained relatively untouched.”

After this brief discussion, Julian now believed there might be another reason for the meeting. The growing sickness that had been slowly spreading throughout their villages had worried the pair, especially when the normal remedies that alleviated illnesses failed to work. If rumors were to also be believed about any living creature falling sick and dying within three days were to be believed, then…

The two stood there in silence, staring at each other, their eyes reflecting the mirrored thoughts in their minds. It was as they had come to fear, and this would need to be mentioned at the meeting. The mutual agreement was exchanged unspoken and the two hurried down the corridor with a renewed sense of purpose.

“Well, look at the two who have finally decided to show up,” Ralph drawled out, staring at the two figures that had just entered the round chamber. “You should be grateful that I don’t automatically disqualify your votes on the upcoming matters.”

“Oh hush, Ralph,” Sibilla snapped, taking her seat on the large, ceremonially decorated wing-backed chair at the round stone table. She was irate with the man seated on her right in a matching chair and did little to hide it. “As if you had that power. Now, I’m sure we are all wondering what these matters could possibly be that required a meeting on such short notice. Surely, we should be more respectful of the time in our fellow Council members’ hands. You might not be busy but the rest of us who have to manage the affairs of our holdings are.”

“It as you said my dear Chieftess. This is indeed an emergency meeting called for two specific matters that simply could not wait a second longer.” The smile on his face grew wider when he took in the curious expressions of the other eight individual faces. “But it is not me who has requested the meeting initially. I merely set this up on request of the keeps who have concerns they wish to address.” He gestured to the two women seated, both wearing matching grim expressions.

Normally, each of the keep’s head sat at the Council that shared their namesake. Since Santhope Fortress had become inactive with no Council seated, the head of Santhope Keep attended the meetings at Dragonspire to voice her concerns and vote for matters that would affect her people.

“And what’s the issue?” Julian asked, taking his own smaller, simple seat, smoothing his robes. “What pressing emergency do the keeps face?” The question was a formality, he already had an inkling of what would be said and only felt relief that he wouldn’t have to be the one to bring up the topic. Whenever he spoke, Ralph often shot down many of his recommendations or concerns, leaving the Speaker feeling frustrated and helpless despite his high-ranking position.

“A sickness is spreading through the villages bordering our keeps,” one of the women spoke, her blonde hair pulled up into a tight bun, her clear, green eyes sliding around each face in a calculated manner. Lady Isolde Ramsey, the current head of Dragonspire Keep and a rather intelligent woman if the reports Julian had heard about her were true. “People from the villages have complained that their crops and animals are dying from it quickly. Lady Bohan faces a similar situation. We have reached out a vast number of times to Reymora, Bellasea, and now Dragonspire for assistance. We have even specifically requested the aid of you, Chieftess Sibilla, a renowned healer throughout the world. Yet the sickness still continues to plague our villages and cities. We have had to close the keeps to those seeking shelter out of fear of it spreading within, causing more concern and strife amidst this concerning time.”

“This is what I mean,” Godrick said, scowling at Ralph. “I have told you that the patrols have reported seeing the strains in the sky. The unrest amongst the villagers. The unnatural, sudden deaths. You claim it an ordinary sickness, but you know well the symptoms presented match with none of the normal ones.”

“Yes, because we haven’t faced any other new disease before. Your obsession with the exterminated aliens of this planet and their engineered weapon that no longer exists is truly alarming. How could we have ever allowed you to lead the fortress when you live in such a delusional state, recalling fantastical tales that we can’t even be sure are true since there are not even any records documenting it.”

“Godrick has achieved a great many things during his tenure as the Chief, what accomplishments do you have under your belt?” Sibilla asked in turn, arching her brow. “You know very well that your conjecture is also baseless. We are all aware that any historical records before the year five hundred have been lost. There are traces of Gerians here on this planet as well. Godrick himself discovered numerous caves near Bellasea alongside Warren that indicate that was where the Gerians made their last stand before disappearing. Not to mention that the biological weapon they created could be dormant, unless activated.”

“Exterminated,” Ralph corrected her automatically. “If you want to continue on with your fairy tale then use the appropriate word. They were exterminated and no longer exist. The same with their weapon that we have also not discovered. Where are the historical records discussing any outbreaks of this supposed disease? There are none, all recorded plagues have been handled without fuss. Regardless of what you two believe, I have a vision of greatness supported by our keeps and the newer generation of flyers. We need to stop living in myths and legends, basing our actions around them. The age of the old generation of dragon-flyers who remain in the past is coming to an end and you with it. With Priyana soon reaching adulthood, Shegil and therefore you, Sibilla, have become obsolete.”

Ralph cocked his head to the side to eye the woman dispassionately.

“Is that also why you want to send Hyun away?” Godrick asked, his expression thunderous. “In your own words, the new generation of dragon-flyers is approaching Ralph and you might be feeling that your time has come.”

A sly smile spread across Ralph’s face. “Hyun is one of our most distinguished flyers, a true up-and-coming whelp even I will not deny that. With your soon-to-be departure, he’ll need to be trained by someone else. I suggest that he be relocated to Bellasea Fortress, temporarily of course, to train under their General Commander, Ezio. Warren has already given his permission for this.”

“He can learn under Lucian who is the most likely person to assume the position of general commander next,” Godrick said tightly. “And I was not aware that I would soon be abandoning my position. Pray tell, what would be the cause for my soon-to-be immediate departure?”

Ralph sneered, leaning back in his chair. “Do I really need to say? When Shegil loses to Priyana at the Enthronement, you will be departing with the two to the Elysium Isles. We all know this.”

“If that is the case, then as I said, Lucian can take over teaching for he is the most likely successor for my position. Hyun doesn’t need to travel to another fortress with Nymerik, the pair is too valuable to send off.”

“When the east sent us the Prince egg and we assumed control over it, did you not think about Bellasea Fortress and their interpretation of the situation? If we hog the Prince to ourselves, we will jeopardize our existing relationship with the neighboring fortress,” a dark-skinned man drawled. “Right, Robert?”

“Jaxson is correct,” Robert agreed, his green eyes glancing between Sibilla and Godrick anxiously. He knew the two would be the hardest to convince but even so, he must do his part as directed by Ralph. “We’ve sent others around to train and to fill in numbers. This is no different.”

Murmurs of approval circulated around the table while Godrick, Julian, Sibilla, and a tanned woman exchanged glances. They had all arrived at the same conclusion, this was a predetermined outcome that they could not alter. If Jaxson and Robert also agreed to this, then they were outnumbered once again five-to-four.

“It’s the same as transferring Queen flyers around. Do we complain about sending off our Queens? In what way should Princes be treated differently?” Jaxson continued.

“I propose we take a vote, since we are clearly divided on this matter,” Ralph began, a triumphant smile plastered across his face. He knew he had won. “All in favor—"

“Wait, before we vote, I must discuss something with the Council immediately. I was going to mention this on our next formal meeting, but since we are all here now, I’ll relay the news I’ve received from Raijin Fortress,” Julian interrupted.

Looks were exchanged once more throughout the inhabitants seated at the table.

“What sort of news?” asked Robert, leaning forward in his chair. “Are they also experiencing this outbreak?”

“No, no. Word has reached me that Lord Khan has been meeting with Amir and Rana often since the day the Prince’s egg sailed away from their land.”

“And that’s alarming because?” Lady Bohan asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Because why would Amir and Rana entertain frequent visitors from Lord Khan, a man who has no connections to Rajin Fortress? He isn’t on the Council and he has no say on the affairs of Rajin Fortress, so why would he be in constant attendance, ignoring Khurleigh Fortress. Not to mention do you think they would freely let go of something so precious as a Prince egg, the only one to have been lain since Lord Khan’s own ancestor, because of some treaty drafted up centuries ago?”

“Speak clearly,” Ralph said, irritated at the way the bespectacled man was beating around the bush. “What exactly are you implying? Is Lord Khan trying to steal the egg back? Because he is a bit too late for that, it’s hatched and Bonded. That he is trying to start a war again? Ioyari has been severely crippled due to the very same treaty you mentioned, they don’t have nearly enough firepower to start a war against three other continents.”

“They have more than a hundred dragon-flyers on hand between the two fortresses alone,” Sibilla spoke up, glancing at Ralph from the corner of her eye. “They have quite enough firepower if they choose to start a war.”

“They have also always been wealthy,” the tanned woman who had exchanged glances with Sibilla and Godrick added in. “The east had indeed been crippled originally from lack of trade following directly after the Age of Calamity. But within the last two centuries alone, they have managed to make up for that difference. We rely on a lot of their goods for crafting.”

“Mikala is right,” Sibilla agreed. “Not to mention Khan sending his own daughter for the Tribunal.”

“Lord Khan is up to something, that much I can say with total assurance.” Julian took over quickly, seeing Ralph’s darkening expression. “And Raijin Council is in on it as well. Does no one else find it weird that a boy, sent by them to help transport the egg, ended up being the rider of said egg? And, as Sibilla mentioned, his daughter now Bonding with the new Queen?”

“Julian,” Sibilla warned, knowing that they were really pushing it now. “While I agree that something suspicious is happening at Raijin Fortress, even you know that you can’t force a Bond between a dragon and person. I mentioned Denali being sent for the Tribunal, but it’s a coincidence, nothing more.”

“How odd that more and more Ioyarians are being put into positions of power here.” Julian glanced around the table, locking eyes with each person to emphasize his point.

Silence followed this statement. When it was all laid out like this, it did appear suspicious that two of the most important dragons to be hatched in the last few years were Bonded with people from the east, especially ones that had strong ties to Lord Khan. Though no one said it, many wondered if perhaps the two were agents, sent to infiltrate the fortress, spy for the man, and eventually contribute to the downfall of Dragonspire Fortress from within as Lord Khan lay siege to it outside.

“Then all the more reason to have him sent to Bellasea Fortress,” Ralph finally said tightly, breaking the ominous silence. “If he might be giving away information regarding our fortress, removing him temporarily will be beneficial. If he is working with Denali, separating the two is also good.”

“Ralph is right,” Mikala said, surprised that she herself could be found agreeing with the little, detestable man. “If Priyana wins the Enthronement, Denali becomes Chieftess. If Nymerik flies Priyana, Hyun becomes Chief. The two are often seen together, whispering between themselves. Separating them is best, we cannot allow Dragonspire Fortress to fall under the command of two Ioyarians if your suspicions have a chance of being correct.”

Murmurs of agreement circulated the table and even Sibilla and Godrick could understand the logic behind it. But they felt that they had also set themselves up too. She had assured Godrick that she would do everything in her power to keep Hyun at Dragonspire, but she had handed him away on a silver platter so easily by heavily accusing the east, forgetting the boy himself was from there.

“There is a possibility that those two may be conspiring against us,” Sibilla finally acknowledged. “The purpose of the Councils are to ensure the order of their fortresses and keeps, protecting them from all threats. Especially ones that lurk in the shadows. We do not wish to relive the days of fire our ancestors did.”

“Speaker Julian, I have heard your concerns and understand your position. Travel through the villages and see for yourself the situation regarding the outbreak. If it is at all something we should be concerned with. We can further establish a plan of action once we have more information and evidence. As for your other concern regarding the east, sending Hyun away at this moment is now the only best decision.” Ralph glanced around, accepting the various nods as affirmation to his words. “It’s decided then, he will be sent off to Bellasea Fortress for the next few months. He can travel with you, Julian, since I’m sure you will be making a brief stop at Bellasea yourself. You will need to inform Warren at once, naturally. And you,” Ralph turned his head to look at Godrick. “You let the boy know.”

“Fine,” Godrick muttered, his dissatisfaction clearly written all over his face.

“Thank you, Chief Ralph,” Lady Ramsey said, rising from her chair. “We hope to hear good news after your travels, Speaker Julian.” With that, she made her way out the chambers, followed by Lady Bohan who began to engage with her in quiet discussion.

As everyone else got ready to leave, figuring the meeting had come to an end with the two ladies’ departure, Ralph put up a hand signaling them to stop.

“One last thing, Speaker Julian. Word has reached my ears that you plan to retire in a few years. Perhaps even sooner. Is this true?”

Julian looked up in surprise. He hadn’t told anyone except a few Speakers he was close with while they were here. He couldn’t believe word had already gotten out. “Well, I mean yes, not now but eventually in a few years I was thinking…” he trailed off when he saw the surprised looks thrown his way.

“You can’t be serious Julian, you’re only thirty years old, you cannot possibly retire at so young an age!” admonished Mikala. “What could possibly make you wish to do so?”

“You’re not going to surrender your spot to that child if that's your reason,” Ralph snarled, his face darkening. A dark anger and hunger always filled him when he thought of the child. He couldn’t explain why, but his sudden fixation on her troubled even him. “When she completes her training, she can go to another fortress. I heard an opening is coming up in Muria Fortress…and Raijin.”

“She will not go to Raijin,” Julian immediately rejected, glaring at Ralph. “If she cannot take over for me, she can remain as an acolyte. There are other older, more advanced acolytes waiting to fill positions. She can find something else to do until when I am finally allowed to retire.”

“Since Raijin Fortress is keen on sending people over to us and filling in positions of power, I think we should do the same. She will go to Raijin Fortress, and you will ensure she gets the position. You may make it seem like she has a choice, but she doesn’t. If she chooses Muria, you will explain to her that the position has already been filled. Is that clear?” Ralph’s tone booked no room for argument but that didn’t stop Sibilla or Godrick who were at first shocked than outraged.

“Just who do you think you are sending my daughter off to that dangerous place?” Sibilla snapped furiously. “You think I’ll let you do that? You seem to have a really misconstrued idea of how much authority you actually possess.”

“Sibilla, my dear, I don’t know if you’ve realized it yet, but your time and power here is over. Shegil will soon be replaced by Priyana and the two of you will be sent away to the Isles to live out the remainder of your days. Call her daughter all you like, but you’re going to abandon her just like her real parents eventually.”

Sibilla immediately rose and raised her hand, her anger fueling her actions. Godrick stopped her, shaking his head despite his eyes mirroring the same fury within hers. The rest of the Council watched in silence, enraptured by the drama on display for them. Robert was secretly grateful that the ladies from the keeps were not here witnessing this. If word spread of the rife within the fortress, it would only fuel the forever ongoing agenda of the keeps against the fortresses.

“Perhaps we should call an end to the meeting. Please don’t forget to send the aid we discussed prior to the start of the meeting,” Jaxson said, and the rest nodded as they all quickly rose up, walking out of the room.

As soon as they were out the doors, they began to discuss what they had just witnessed amongst themselves as they slowly made their way down the corridor. Mikala trailed after, worriedly wondering if it was okay to leave the four alone together.

Ralph waited for them to leave and as soon as the door clicked shut behind him, he stood up, a smirk in place as he coolly stared at the pair before him. His eyes conveyed his contempt for them, his smile gloating. He didn’t need to say anything more. He had planted his seeds and the two would be long-gone before they came to fruition. They could spend their remaining years in paradise together worrying endlessly, unable to do anything else.

“You make me sick,” Sibilla whispered, her voice full of anguish. She had never felt so powerless before. This man represented all the bad in the world, she was sure of it. “You don’t deserve to be a dragon-flyer.”

Witnessing her immense dislike for him on full display, his smirk grew wider. He enjoyed feeding on her anger and sadness. Though he had been forced during his earlier time as the Chief to accept her, respect her, today he had managed to show her just a little of what he thought of the whole thing. Ralph had never wanted a used chieftess, one whose eyes roamed often to another man. In most of history, there had always been one partner to another. They would either marry or be life partners, but they would never share themselves with others. He had wanted someone who would share his bed, her youth and beauty, a trophy to be shown by his side in a similar way. He had waited a long time for a new Queen to be born, one that could challenge Shegil and bring to life his dream. Though Iva and Rellerth were not bad, Rellerth was smaller than Shegil and far more submissive and gentler. She didn’t dare truly challenge the Dowager Queen during the Enthronements. Priyana, however, was larger and far more prideful. She would prove a worthy challenger and successor to her mother. He walked away from the pair, his smile turning dark. It was only a matter of time before Denali, her dragon, and this entire fortress was completely his for a long, long time. And if that brat happened to stick around instead of going to Raijin, well, when she ripened into the sweetest fruit he had ever seen, he’d pluck her as he’d pluck all the other ones that had caught his eye.

“You’ll get what’s coming to you Ralph,” Godrick called out after him. Call it a father’s sense of intuition, but whenever Raiya was mentioned around that man, he could practically sense the evil, dark thoughts swirling around his head. Godrick could see how his eyes positively tracked the girl like a predator eyeing its prey, hungrily. It only deepened his anger, and he growled out, “Believe me, you will.”

Ralph paused, hand on the door, wanting to turn back and challenge the man, but decided it was unnecessary. He had done enough damage as is.

When Ralph left, Julian stood up, staring at the pair before him who had collapsed onto each other’s arms with compassion. He wanted to say something to his friends, wanted to offer some bit of comfort but didn’t know how or what to say. Instead, he decided that it was best he didn’t continue to intrude on their need for privacy. He left the room, closing the door quietly behind him despite the strong emotions swirling within him. It seemed that the danger within the fortress had not originally come from the east, as he had feared, but from the south.

And it had already buried its roots deep.