Chapter 14

Aidan

The sun dipped below the horizon in the western sky. A dozen guards surrounded them as they watched the procession of Thamaran refugees cross the border and head south. The green dragons appeared beleaguered, gaunt, and haunted. They were fragile shells of what they’d once been a few short years ago.

Even in the wastes of Kederrawien with precious little food, none of their kind had become this…emaciated and broken. It was a shock to him and his guards. Aidan may not have liked the Thamaran much, but he wouldn’t wish such a thing on his worst enemy.

If they didn’t win this coming war, what would become of all of them?

Aidan had met with the leader of the war-ravaged group, had them checked for infection, and used Morgan to ensure they spoke the truth. For some time, they’d been hiding from the Kandoran within their territory, but it had taken its toll. They hadn’t sought help until they began dying of starvation and diseases that their kind could normally survive.

The group consisted of about fifty pure dragons. Among them, they carried a dozen young within their talons who were too small or weak to fly themselves. His heart ached to see the hatchlings in such terrible shape.

Some should have been old enough to take flight but lacked strength, with their bones protruding through their thin, flaking scales. The adults—also in rough shape—barely managed to carry them. In all of Aidan’s life, he’d never felt sympathy for any pure dragons the way he did now.

These refugees had lived separately from their main toriq, preferring to stay in a remote area distant from their jakhal. Some small sects wanted the protection of belonging to a more prominent clan and would contribute to it as required but keep to themselves as much as possible. That preference saved most of these dragons from getting infected and assimilated, but they’d suffered terribly from being unable to hunt as often as they needed.

Lake Murray will be the perfect place for them, he said telepathically to Falcon.

The red shifter glanced at him. It was a wise decision to send them there. They will be near their old, familiar territory but safe on our side. There is plenty of water and animals to hunt so they may regain their strength.

That had been part of Aidan’s last patrol area when Nanoq still ruled the toriq months ago. He knew it well. Yes, and it is close enough to the neutral zone to seek assistance from our people there should they need it. Ensure that thearea's border guards check in daily and keep me informed of their progress.

Of course, Falcon agreed.

They didn’t have much time left, but Aidan hoped that enough of the Thamaran adults would regain their strength to participate in the war. It was part of the agreement when he allowed them to seek asylum in his territory.

They were happy to agree to anything if it meant immediate food and safety. He’d already arranged for a dozen cows and pigs to be slaughtered and waiting for them. They wouldn’t survive much longer without proper sustenance.

After the Thamaran train of dragons left their sight, Falcon addressed him again. We must leave now to attend the meeting with the other pendragons. The sun will set in less than two hours.

Aidan had not forgotten. It only bothered him to see what had become of the mighty Thamaran after years of fighting and hiding from an evil enemy—one that they, too, would face soon. Could they survive such a threat even with all their new allies? The importance of his choices and planning weighed on him more with each passing day.

Very well, let us go.

Falcon stayed at his side while half the shifter guards flew ahead and the other half at their rear. His advisor glanced over at him. This meeting is not going to be easy.

I know, but it must be done. Aidan was already shutting down any fear or doubts because what he planned had not been attempted in millennia and never by a shifter pendragon. It would require all his strength and fortitude to manage it.

Sabryn has been a great help to me. Thank you, milord.

Falcon was kindly changing the subject, which Aidan appreciated. I am glad to hear it. I assume she is covering your duties while you’re away with me.

Yes. The male shifter stared straight ahead. She is wise, organized, and has excellent insights. I doubted your choice at first, but I am glad about it now.

Aidan sensed there was more to what he was saying and hoped that was true, but he wouldn’t push for details now. If it means you can accomplish your duties in a timely manner and without complaint, then she is a blessing to us all.

Ha, ha, ha! Falcon laughed in his head with a deep chuckle.

They fell into companionable silence as full darkness fell. It would take over an hour to reach the part of the neutral zone where they’d set the meeting location. The large dome Morgan was working to erect wasn’t quite ready, but the sorcerer constructed something temporary that would fit all their guests for today.

Aidan had chosen a location near their eastern border so none of the toriqan would need to traverse through the middle of his lands. They’d all made promises to each other, but today would be the day they’d be bound by blood and his iron will. Only then could he disclose his confidential war strategies to them.

***

The other pendragons and their senior flight leaders already waited when they approached the meeting location. Hildegard—the pendragon for the Faegud—held their attention, but as they sensed Aidan nearing from the west, they all turned their long necks. They wouldn’t see more than an outline of him.

He flew through the opaque barrier Morgan and Thatcher had constructed beforehand to keep their dealings private. His scales prickled as he passed through it.

The magic would have been activated once the other attendees stood within the circle. Only Aidan and Falcon were keyed to the spell so they could see the location from afar and cross the barrier. He instructed his guards to wait outside. They could take turns watching for enemies and resting since they’d likely be there for much of the night.

As he came into full view of the others, their eyes widened as he unleashed the full beast within him. Aidan had been hiding the scale of it deep within until now, but the power he drew from his toriq had done much more for him than most knew.

In moments, he’d expanded his body size and wingspan to twice as large as before. The love and loyalty of the shifters under his rule had channeled energy into his very soul, strengthening him. He'd felt it growing over these last months until he could barely contain it.

With his Uncle Kade’s guidance and more information gleaned from recovered pages of the prophecy tome, he’d learned how to harness the powerful bonds of his toriq when needed. To the observers below, he no longer appeared smaller and weaker than them. Raw power flowed outward so that even the fiercest pendragons lowered their gazes and trembled in fear.

A sense of satisfaction filled him. The demonstration had worked as expected.

Whether he’d ever wanted this position or not, he was at the top of the food chain now. Someone had to lead the broad and diverse group of dragons assembled. They would fight for dominance otherwise. Kade had made it clear that now was the time for Aidan to take charge—ruthlessly if need be—if they hoped to build enough trust and cohesiveness among their collective to win the war.

With a deep breath, he shut down all emotion and hardened his resolve. His fears, his doubts, even his heart could not play a part here. Aidan would do whatever it took and make no apologies about it. All their lives depended on his resolve.

As he landed, he flared his wings and let out a loud roar. The sound came from every part of him as he pushed his will on the others and sent more shivers of fear through them. Every pendragon—even his closest ally, Hildegard—bowed their heads low. Their snouts touched the ground, breaths stirring the earth. All of their gazes were hooded and unfocused.

He let the ripples of his strength flow over them and sink into their bodies until they understood that any command he gave would be final. Aidan would allow them a voice in matters and hear them out, but he would not tolerate bickering or infighting.

They would settle critical parts of their attack plans tonight so everyone could begin the requisite preparations. After this, they’d have to wait and try to predict how the Kandoran might attack to finalize any remaining details. Some things couldn’t be known yet.

While they kept their gazes toward the ground, Aidan paced in front of the line. He counted eight pendragons—all the ones he’d wanted to join his alliance the most—and three of their top leaders each. Of course, he’d already expected the Faegud and the allies they brought with the Ghastanan and Takaran. The Shadowan and Bogaran, both on the Taugud’s borders—were also no surprise.

He was pleased to find the northern toriqan with the Nazaran, Vataran, and Pradowan. He’d had no sway with them, though he’d sent messengers who were refused an audience. Instead, the Shadowan and Bogaran negotiated to bring those pendragons as they’d promised.

If all went well, he’d soon get word on the East Coast dragons as well. Unfortunately, they were farther away, and communication was difficult, but he knew for certain the Straegud would arrive soon to join them. Bailey had been able to contact them through those satellite phones she was fond of using.

After her last call, she confirmed they would come, as well as some of the East Coast pure dragon toriqan. He’d do another demonstration for those who came later, but this needed to happen immediately for those from his region so they could begin planning and training.

Aidan had no idea how it was going with Ozara on the West Coast, making that the most unpredictable element. She had a rather difficult task since they had no contacts or allies there, but she’d agreed it was worth the risk. He’d handle that if and when the time came.

Aidan settled his wings and thrust his power outward, forcing the pendragons’ gazes to meet his as he spoke to them in a forceful tone. I am enacting an ancient custom for this alliance. Each of you will perform a blood ritual as you swear your oaths to me, and I will seal the wounds as a promise to protect and lead you to the best of my power.

The act had not been performed for thousands of years, and the details only existed in their oldest tomes—works that their scribes had recopied numerous times over the centuries as existing ones wore thin. Someone with the second flame had to perform it.

Aidan’s ability was rare enough among shifters and pure dragons, but those like him usually didn’t become important leaders to perform the rite. Instead, they focused on their craft, such as masonry or armory. When his Uncle Kade brought the idea of a blood oath to his attention, they knew powerful forces must have come together for them to reach this point.

The leaders before him began arguing through open telepathy.

We weren’t warned of this!

How dare you!

I’m not ceding my leadership to a shifter!

Aidan stomped his foot. It shook the ground hard enough to silence them and regain their attention. He knew they wouldn’t like his proclamation, so he explained the details and his justification. They deserved that much.

This is not permanent and will not endanger you. We must all make sacrifices to win this war. I have chosen to take the mantle of leader among us because I have made the most alliances and brought us together. My ability to strategize is also superior to most, which many of you have seen. He stared hard at the dragons. Either you agree to the blood oath now, free and without reservation, or you leave and face the Kandoran alone.

Several of them looked around at the others, but none left.

Form a single line from there to there, he said, gesturing with his claw between two points.

After the pendragons—most of them with green scales except Hildegard who had orange—positioned themselves as he’d requested, the other leaders fell in behind them. Aidan moved to the right side where Morgan waited to assist him. The sorcerer held himself stiffly, but at least he showed no fear. They’d had a long discussion that morning in preparation.

The first of the pendragons was the giant beast from the Shadowan. Volker kept his head bowed, but a hint of resentment shone in his red eyes. I only do this because I see no other way. We are at your mercy, but remember the oath will hold you accountable as well.

I am aware. Draw blood, he commanded.

The huge male hesitated momentarily before biting into one of his sizeable toes. His fang sank deep enough that the injury would not heal too quickly, and a small trickle of blood soon reached the ground. Aidan kneeled and took hold of the wounded appendage.

He met Volker’s gaze. Swear to the agreement we made at our last meeting and that you will remain loyal and follow my orders until the conclusion of this war. Should you not do so, your entire toriq will suffer a terrible fate for your betrayal.

Morgan lifted a hand, golden magic lighting his palm. His brown hair stirred with a breeze none of the rest of them felt. Now, he was pure power and confidence without a hint of anxiety.

I swear it, the pendragon growled into his head.

Aidan nodded at the sorcerer. As he blew the second flame to seal the wound, Morgan created a tether between them. It would make it almost impossible for Volker to break his word, and if he did, all would know immediately. A cosmic warning would shoot through all their minds. Not only that, but a curse would activate onto his toriq. According to legend, they would have poor luck for the next fifty years, including a scarcity of food, deadly illnesses, infertility, and endless infighting.

Thatcher, the other fortress sorcerer present, stood on the sidelines. He was an average-looking man in his early fifties with short, curly red hair and pale skin. Much like Morgan, he showed no signs of fear while among so many powerful dragons. He spoke loudly of the full consequences and requirements of what they did while Falcon translated through telepathy for those who didn’t understand English.

No one in their right mind broke such an oath, but Aidan wanted to be sure they knew the full implications. The other advantage to the ritual was outsiders, such as the Kandoran, couldn’t infiltrate it with their dark magic. At the very least, Aidan could count on the pendragons and their top leaders to hold to their oaths during the war.

Blue light flashed between them as the blood rite concluded.

Aidan and Morgan moved to the next pendragon, Hildegard, who waited for them. The Faegud leader didn’t appear resentful like the others, but a trace of skepticism showed in her orange eyes.

You are taking a considerable risk, she said privately in his head. We must be loyal to you, but you must also give all of yourself for this war to hold your side of the bargain. It could prove untenable.

It is the only way I can be certain we stand a chance, Aidan replied.

She dipped her chin, burnt sienna scales glistening on her head. Perhaps. I only hope you are right, and our sacrifices will be enough.

That very thought kept him up many nights, but he wouldn’t tell her.

Draw blood, he commanded.

She did as he asked, puncturing her toe. They conducted the oath with Hildegard and then all the other pendragons —the words varying slightly with those he hadn’t met before since there was no prior agreement—as they moved down the line. With each vow, Aidan felt his power grow a little more.

He wasn’t stealing strength from the others, but it appeared freely-sworn loyalty could feed him even when it came from those outside his toriq. His dragon body’s mass grew even greater until he was easily the size of a pure breed. It disturbed him, and he felt uncomfortable, as if his skin no longer fit, but he couldn’t allow himself to show signs of discomfort.

With luck, he would return to some semblance of normal after the war passed. Even he knew he could only handle staying at such a heightened power level for so long before it would affect him adversely.

Thankfully, he had Bailey to keep him in line. He’d simply have to remain resolute in the meantime and fulfill his end of the deal with the pendragons. No blood oath that fed a dragon strength and power came without a catch. He could only hope he could live with it.