King Leonard Kohen paced the floor of the map-room. It was after mid-night. Taking another look at the map, Polemarch Marx’s forces were gathering two turns march from the southern border of the Pale Kingdom, yet again. It had been twenty years since the last war with Darvon had taken the lives of thousands upon thousands of young men and women from his small kingdom. There had to be another way. There were barely enough soldiers to man the guard left. The Pale Kingdom would not survive another war with that barbaric kingdom. He wracked his brain for an answer…
The answer came as a desperate plan against long odds. He sat down and hastily constructed the basic outline, developing a working idea before dawn. Refining it, he could think of only one being in all the six kingdoms, including the fae, that had a chance of pulling it off. A mercenary with no political ties and an absolute moral code. He had never failed to keep a contract. Dragon Baraxus.
I approached the mountain village of Swallow’s Rest noticing a villager and a school-aged boy facing my destination: a post board in the town square.
The boy pointed to one message. “Who is Baraxus, Papa?”
“Humph, Baraxus indeed. I only know of one creature with that name; a dragon who lives deep in the mountains. Some might say he’s a myth.”
The pair wandered off, and I took their place. Verifying the name Baraxus, my name, I removed the letter and read, “Mr. Baraxus. Your presence is requested as soon as you can at the Castle EagleClaw.” It was signed, “H.M. Leonard Kohen.” I knew only one Leonard Kohen, king of the Pale Kingdom. Only a handful of humans knew where to post a letter to be sure I would receive it.
I took the post and left town for the nearby forest, where I stripped my human clothing and packed it in my duffel. Immediately, I changed into my natural dragon form as a chameleon dragon. Blending in with the forest, then shifting my colors to match the clear blue autumn sky, I lifted from the clearing and flew to my lair. When I landed, I considered the summons of King Kohen. A meeting with royalty required a little more than my peasant attire, and the message sounded urgent. It was still morning, so I packed quickly, attached my duffel to a foreclaw, and left. There was plenty of game along the two-rotation trek, so I would hunt along the way. Few humans traveled outside of the towns, and as a chameleon dragon, there was little chance I would be seen in the bright morning light as long as I avoided the shadows.
I flew until dusk, then landed near a herd of ferndeer and took a doe for dinner.
The second rotation passed much the same as the first. Dinner was a fine boar about five divisions from my destination. I laid out for the night and waited for the dawn, watching the stars in the night sky of Gysel pass. Dragons never really sleep, but we do rest. Even if nothing came of the summons to Leonard’s court, I was enjoying the trip immensely. There is nothing like fresh mountain air to fill the senses and make you feel alive. Those of us dragons that are left don’t do this often enough. I couldn’t think of a finer way to spend the evening.
I rose the next morning fully refreshed and prepared to meet the turn. Four divisions of air time and I set down in the forest outside of Castle EagleClaw to shift into human form and change into my human dress attire. I was thinking about my last job in preparation to meet with the king for negotiations. I really didn’t care what the problem was, so long as the job or jobs paid well and wouldn’t involve taking an innocent. I was thinking about the last job for Lord Utembai of the Emerald Isles, where I destroyed the pirate trade that was flourishing between the islands. His people were safe. Utembai had been very generous with his payment, and we parted on great terms again. I kept the gold and gems from that adventure, and he kept the silks, spices and other commodities from the vessels that I returned laden. I am a dragon, after all. We dragons like being rich and like shiny things like gold and I had charities to support.
I COME, I sent to King Leonard when I was about a kadec out. I am on foot and have the main gate in sight.
******
“Please follow me, Mr. Baraxus. His majesty is expecting you.” I towered over the poor man at a little less than 25 dedecs. He might have been 18.
The servant wasn’t completely oblivious to who I was and why I was there. He had noted my vertically slit pupils in my golden irises and had shuddered when he retrieved me. We made our way through the corridors of the castle without challenge from the many royal guards, though this was my first time here. I was actually surprised by the relative lack of security surrounding King Leonard, though I probably shouldn’t have been. Apparently my reputation had preceded me, though this was the first time that I had visited this kingdom since the reformation.
“The King will be with you shortly, Mr. Baraxus. Would you care for some refreshment while you wait? Tea, wine, perhaps some kaf from Namura or water?”
“I’ll try some of the kaf, Mr. Styles. With cream please.” I said, noting the raised eyebrows as I placed my order. He had not given me his name.
“Very well, sir. I’ll return shortly.” He gave me a quick bow and left.
I walked around the drawing room, admiring the furnishings and décor. For a small mountainous kingdom, the room was very well endowed with art and history.
Styles returned with the kaf, some small pastries, and the cream. Setting the refreshments on the coffee table, he poured two cups and put a splash of cream in both. Styles bowed again and left. I waited for King Leonard to appear, sipping the kaf from one of the tiny cups. Hearing steps, I set the cup and saucer down.
The door from the audience chamber opened and Leonard stepped through. A guard shut it behind him.
“Dragon Baraxus, what a pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand. I shook it, noting the calluses of his well groomed right hand and his grip. A quick telepathic scan of his thoughts revealed a quick brain and an honest man, one of the few that I had met during my time as a mercenary.
“The pleasure is shared, your majesty.” I said, noting the understated athleticism of the tall older gentleman that had brought peace to his kingdom after the last Darvonian war.
“What can I do for you, your majesty? The request for my presence seemed rather urgent.”
“Please, have a seat, Dragon Baraxus. This may take a while.” He helped himself to the kaf and sat across from me.
“Darvon is making noise of war with my small kingdom again, and I do not wish to drag our people through another. The last one was costly for the kingdom’s people. We lost many while protecting their families and lands. Negotiations have broken off and traders bring news of forces gathering within two rotations march of our borders. Polemarch Marx has been maneuvering and staging war games for the last month. I fear he will mobilize his forces soon. We have called up the reserves already and are strengthening our borders, but most of the reserves are men and women with families and old folks that have already been through one war. I do not want to lose them in another.”
“I see the problem, your majesty. What would you have me do to stop the war? Behead the government? Destroy the army? While I am sympathetic to the loss of life, I am not interested in the politics of humans.” I finished the cup of kaf and set it down, waiting for his reaction.
“In any struggle, there are families and children on both sides that would be parent-less if war is the only resolution. I would not wish war on the citizens of Darvon, either. No, I think that the root of the problem is in the rule of Emperor Maximilian and the royal family. I know Polemarch Marx. Like me, he led the imperial forces in the last war. We sat across from each other at the signing of the peace treaty. He doesn’t wish to repeat the last war either, I’m sure, but he is loyal to the crown and will follow orders.”
Leonard sighed. “I think that the only way to solve the problem is to remove the present ruling class. I would ask of you two things. First, remove the present rulers from power. Second, Darvon has been a problem for more than the Pale kingdom. Haverholm, Lancashire, and the Emerald Isles have all had past problems with Darvon. I would have you meet with our ambassadors to those countries and deliver letters on my behalf first for the ruling councils of those nations. I have the letters prepared and would like you to familiarize yourself with the contents before the delivery, if you take the job. One moment, please.”
He rose and retrieved the letters, giving me one. I read it through before answering.
“I see you are advocating the installment of a republic of sorts and not a land grab. That sounds wise. I know King Louis of Lancashire, Premiere Nicholas of Haverholm and Lord Utembai of the Emerald Isles. They are just men and I believe they will agree to the meeting. The mountain principality of Alger is a good choice for neutral territory, your majesty, though bandits sometimes scour the passes. Have you made arrangements for the conclave as yet?”
“No, Dragon Baraxus, I have not. Prince Philip and the principality of Alger would be ideal. The central location works well for all of us, if he’ll agree.”
“That leaves us with your fee for your services. Consider the two tasks as two different contracts. The first step is to prevent the war. I believe that Polemarch Marx will declare martial law and maintain control to prevent a revolution in the monarchy's absence. I know he was not a fan of the current rulers and their heavy-handed ways. He might even be the right choice for the head of government after the fall of the current one. For sure, he won’t allow another dictator to sweep into the power vacuum. Please spare him if at all possible. He is in the field at the moment.”
“I understand. You know my terms. Once the contract is set, I do not negotiate. I want 500 taels of gold for the first part. I will accept 200 more in gold for the messaging service. Do you accept that offer?” I asked for that amount, expecting to bargain a little. I was surprised that he agreed right away. He could have saved himself at least 50 taels, maybe more, if he had bargained.
“I agree to your offer, provided the Emperor and the ruling class are removed from power in the next week. They will march soon. Dragon Baraxus, I know you were expecting me to bargain, but my people are worth much more than a little gold to me. I serve my people and keeping them alive is the greatest service I can do for them. They are the true wealth of the kingdom.”
“King Leonard, I will complete the first task within the limit. I also will deliver the other letter that you have in your desk to the Polemarch after the deed is complete, so he may maintain order in the land while a new government is plAnnad. I have been wrong about humans before, but I find your ambition to solve the upcoming conflict in the most expeditious manner with the smallest loss of life noble. It would be a shame to see the exchange of one tyrant for another.” I said. “Payment on delivery is my usual term. Do you wish the heads of the outgoing monarchy for proof of completion of contract?”
“That would be acceptable, Dragon Baraxus. Maximilian’s and his immediate family, including the duke and duchess of Darvonshire and the duke and duchess of Volan. The baronies are irrelevant as there is no blood relation there. If it becomes necessary to pursue the purge farther, we can negotiate another contract, if you are willing. If you have trouble, there are a couple of my men that are posing as castle guards. They will come to your aid if you tell them that ‘The black oak gives you a rash.’ Don’t use it unless there is no other way out. They will lose their cover and be running or executed with you.” He went to his desk and retrieved the letter to Marx. I put it in a valise that I carried with me when negotiating.
“Agreed. I will return within the week.” I said. “By your leave, your majesty?”
“Of course. Do you require assistance to find your way out?” Leonard asked.
“No, your majesty. I remember the way well. Good bye for now.” I have him a slight bow. We shook hands on the bargain, and I exited the room.
******
My duffel was where I left it when I returned to the wood. Stripping out of the attire, I enjoyed the freedom from restriction before I shifted back to my natural form. When these jobs were completed, I would seriously take some time to visit the land of my youth to find more of my kind. The wild clans were my home and roots.
I took flight and made my way generally southeast, following the Von river to the intersection with the Hough. Darvon City, the capital, was built on both sides of the chAnnal of the Hough, with the palace on the west side, taking up as much room as the city. It was still a rotation’s flight away when I set down for the night, taking a water buffalo calf for the night’s dinner. The wolves, lions and wild dogs of the region would enjoy what I couldn’t eat tomorrow. Nothing goes to waste in the wild.
The sky wasn’t as clear as the mountain tops of my eyrie, but the night was still clear. Dragging the carcass to the river’s edge, I went to the open field where I would make my bed for the night. I lay back and enjoyed listening to the wildlife and watching the stars after my meal. Stretching out with my senses, I dozed until the first light.
******
Stretching, I prepared for the rest of the flight. I was sure that I could find a temporary shelter in the bluffs carved by the old river outside of Darvon City. I would scout the palace tomorrow, plan, and strike tomorrow night. It would be better for all involved for it to happen quickly and efficiently rather than over a period of time.
I flew to the canyon about three kadecs from the city in full stealth mode, camouflaged against the almost cloudless sky. Gliding in for the last of the flight, I made as little noise as possible while probing for a limestone cave to park my carcass in for my temporary base. I was thinking I had made a mistake when I found a cave on the lower reaches of the cliff large enough for me. Here the river narrowed down to less than a kadec wide and the cliff was still a work in progress. Dropping off the gear that I didn’t need, I changed into a smaller form of human and changed into my peasant clothes and hat. I also brought the packed haversack with some rope and tools, in the event I needed them and some coin. Climbing the face using the natural hand and footholds, I reached the top. Taking the main road to the city, keeping my head down so no one would see my golden eyes, I made my way to the city limits. Unlike the castle, there was only an outpost with a couple of guards that were passing people through. They weren’t paying a lot of attention to the people passing through the gate unless they didn’t have a bribe for entry. One poor fellow was taken away that didn’t have a copper to his name and locked in the stockade behind the shack. On a rotation like this one, with the temperature less than 30ºG, it wasn’t that bad, but in mid-summer it would be a killer. My turn came, and I produced the going rate for a man on foot of two coppers. The heavyset guard (Rolf when I probed) pocketed the coins, grunted and moved me along. Once inside the city, people crowded me as I made my way to the market by the river to get closer to the castle. As good as my senses are, the crowd of humans made me nervous because the masses of random thoughts and observations interfered with my range, severely limiting it. Closer to the river, the mashup was worse, but that was where I needed to be. I kept control, though there was that nothing I wanted more than to get out of there. My senses were going crazy with the input. I found what I was looking for finally and turned from the river to find an inn where I could put up for the rest of the rotation.
“Two coppers for a bowl of stew, bread, water, and a table. Three for mead instead of water. Five will get you a room also, stranger.” Brunelda, the buxom barkeep, said, leaning over the bar. I dragged three coppers from my purse and muttered thanks, keeping my head down, pretending to admire the view. She scoffed and turned, dropping the money into the till. I took a table and waited. Another lass with less meat on her bones delivered the meal and mead. I thanked her and tipped a copper before she left me, waiting for the night. The mead was thin and bitter, but the stew wasn’t too bad, provided you didn’t know what was in it. A couple of bites and I was done.
I finished the mead and stepped into the growing twilight and into the mass of people again. I was close to the river in a crowd when the lights went out.