Kaleb's father, hardly in the talking mood, said merely, “Assemble the Generals. Quickly. There is... pressing business we must discuss.”
After the messenger had brought word of Kaleb's request, rumors had circulated throughout the community about a potential military operation. Details had been scant, leading to much gossip and supposition about the nature of this incursion, and another of the assembled dragons, a stooped old man with ice blue eyes, gave a slow nod. “This is about the offensive operation, I take it? There has been much discussion already—we will assemble the Generals posthaste. I look forward to hearing more.”
Kaleb's father settled into a seat and placed his chin atop his palm. Motioning to Minx, he said, “Please, sit. We'll begin in a few minutes, when our military leaders are all present.”
Kaleb, for his part, did not take a seat, but paced about the center of the forum, near a stone podium, as still other individuals began entering the War Chamber. His expression was speculative, pinched into something hard and calculating; that he was carefully considering the wording of his appeal was never in doubt to Minx. He had about him a martial air as he strode across the forum with all the confidence of a famous general on the battlefield. She'd never seen him behave this way, and as she waited for the discussion to commence, she couldn't help but be taken by his firm bearing. In combat, the young dragon shifter had proven himself a highly-capable fighter. The steely resolve in his eye now gave him the look of someone in a position of authority.
Within minutes, several stately men, accompanied by squads of what Minx presumed were military officers and guardsmen, trickled into the forum and took seats. These Generals came in every shape and height—one among them was potbellied and stone-faced, while another, thin as a twig, wandered in with an easy smile. These commanders ranged in age as well; though most were cresting the latter half of middle-age, like Kaleb's father, some appeared quite youthful. Some were bald, others rather hairy and mustachioed.
When the last of the Generals had been admitted to the chamber, the doors were sealed by silent guards armed with spears. Taking note of all in attendance, Kaleb wasted no time in starting. He gave a firm nod to all those seated and cleared his throat. “Brothers, I come to you this day with an appeal—an appeal for aid.”
The room was quiet as Kaleb paced about the center of the forum, launching into his speech.
Minx found herself holding her breath as she listened to his oration. I hope they'll help us... Everything depends on this. If they refuse... if they turn us down, then I don't see a way forward. I hope Kaleb can sway them...
“For ages, we have maligned our neighbors the Fae. We have been separated by hotly-contested borders set by our ancestors, have had only disdain for this proud race that warred against our kind so many years ago. I bring you proof this day of hope—a hope for peace.” Here, he pointed to Minx, seated nearby. “I have, in my recent wanderings, made the acquaintance of a Royal Fae—and I owe her my life. Despite the animosity between our peoples, she risked her own safety to nurse and defend me after I sustained grave injuries.”
Murmurs broke out in the crowd; some in seeming delight, others snickering with doubt.
Kaleb continued. “I feel strongly that Minx and I were brought together for a special purpose—to heal the rift between our kinds, and to stave off a monstrous power that threatens not only the territories of the Fae, but our own. Several days ago, an army of Wuff, along with other agitators, stormed Pandling Grounds and made off with several high-profile hostages in a fragrant breach of the law. In exchange for the lives of these hostages, a dragon's hide was demanded.”
Here, sounds of outrage rose up from the listeners.
Kaleb urged them to quieten. “Yes, the hide of a dragon. It is barbaric. Minx here, desperate to save her own mother and the other hostages—and to afford protection for the territory of her people—could have taken mine. She had ample opportunity to capitalize on my weakness, to finish me off when a terrible enemy nearly cut me down. But she did not. Despite the friction between our races, she chose to heal me, to care for me until I had recovered. It is only because of her courage that I stand here today, and that I now see the errors our ancestors made in pressing this dysfunctional relationship between our kinds. What's more, in my time with Minx, I have encountered a diabolical enemy—an enemy that has recently joined the Wuff army. His name is Torrent.”
Hushed whispers erupted at the mention of that name.
“This dark army threatens to topple the Fae. They are defenseless, having abandoned their search for a dragon's hide, and though they may fight, they will surely fall against this army led by such a formidable force as Torrent. I owe her a great debt; but we, as dragons, too, owe the Fae a debt—for they have chosen the way of peace with our people.
“The army that threatens the Fae will not stop after it has conquered them. It will continue to sweep across the land, and will surely wind up at the base of this mountain given time. Our chances of success are far
