She's saved my life twice. I have to do everything in my power to get the generals to listen. Kaleb had rightly doubted the willingness of the dragon ruling class to assist the Fae in their hour of need. Their biases were too strong, their worldview too narrow. But Torrent wasn't an adversary to trifle with, and as evidenced by his talent for gathering large forces even after a sound defeat, he would pose a tremendous threat to the dragons soon enough.
It wasn't the threat to dragon-kind that motivated him, though. His chief desire was to protect Minx. He owed her a great debt—a debt that demanded repayment. He would allow no harm to come to her, and would do his best to defend her homeland and people even if he had to take on the dark army by himself. But let's hope it doesn't come to that, he thought. I'll talk some sense into them and put together a large force capable of putting down Torrent's army once and for all.
The peaks of the Talon Range came into view. They'd arrived quickly, within just a few hours, thanks to a pleasing wind and the renewed vigor he'd gained through Minx's healing. No sooner did the edges of the mountain compound enter into sight did he recall his rash dismissal of her during her earlier, unannounced visit. He cursed himself for his shortsightedness and realized that, in bringing her back into dragon territory, she was likely to be the target of much animosity. Even with Kaleb leading her around, she was bound to be looked at as an unwelcome outsider. The thought of her being spat on or despised by his brethren enraged him. Why can't they understand that the Fae aren't all bad? Minx has been a great ally, has saved my life. They have to listen to me this time. I can't leave until I've changed their minds about the Fae.
With a firm gaze, the great red dragon began to descend. He slipped past the nearest ridge and gave his wings a flap, easing his way onto the vast outer platform. Minx and Mau dismounted, but the dragon shifter didn't bother returning to his human form—not at once. Instead, with wild yellow eyes and flaring nostrils, Kaleb led the way to a large opening and marched in, his horn-tipped head nearly striking the tall ceiling of the passage.
Minx and Mau stumbled after him confusedly, and then—to keep from being trampled—scurried onto his back a second time. “You're not going to shift?” asked the Fae huntress.
A bit of smoke seeped from Kaleb's nostrils. “No. It's time they take me seriously,” he replied.
Certain passages in the mountain had been made to accommodate full-size dragons, and every major site within the compound could be reached through these oversized tunnels. Usually, though, the dragon shifters preferred to wander about the grounds in their human forms. It was simpler, more discrete. To don one's dragon form in the compound was a sign of anger—and intimidation. As Kaleb carried his companions through the mountain, stooping beneath the arches and emerging into the plaza nearest the War Chamber, passing dragons and Kurgs steered clear. None dared stand in his way.
Some of the onlookers, though, assailed Minx and Mau with the usual dirty looks. Passersby eyed the foreign pair with unveiled suspicion and disdain, as if to ask “What're you doing here?” Minx was used to such treatment and took it in stride; if it bothered her, she didn't let it show. Kaleb, on the other hand, was further incensed by it, and stamped his way through the plaza with a low growl that sent the less confident dragons into hiding.
Standing outside the War Chamber, Kaleb loosed a great roar. All within hearing—including his two passengers—were stunned into silence, and others, nearly deafened, crouched and covered their ears. This terrifying call acted like a siren within the complex, with numerous guards scrambling about the plaza and a clamor arising behind the vast doors of the war chamber. The hefty doors were promptly thrown open to reveal a cadre of aged dragons—the generals—waiting within.
Kaleb didn't wait for them to speak, to demand an explanation for his interruption, but instead snaked his head into the doorway and forced them back into the chamber. The generals were seasoned warriors, but even they blanched at the sight of one of their own enraged. “We will have a meeting,” growled Kaleb, his bulbous yellow eye passing angrily over the assembled dragons. “And a vote.”
“What is the meaning of this?” demanded one of the generals, jabbing a finger at Kaleb. “How dare you enter this chamber and make such demands?”
Kaleb lowered his snout till its tip nearly met the general's pointing finger. A cloud of sulfurous smoke poured from his nostrils and washed over the general, who quickly stepped back. “Don't make me repeat myself. You are all very stubborn, and I have lost my tolerance for it. We will vote—on assisting the Fae immediately. Enter the chamber.” Kaleb finally shifted back into his human form, standing defiantly in the doorway of the War Chamber with Minx and Mau remaining to his back. Though he'd taken the form of a man, his glowing eyes were just as frightening as they had been moments prior.
The mob of dragon officials fell into chaos. The War Chamber resonated with shouts while some lobbed threats of their own and others begrudgingly started through the chamber in search of seats. None were willing to directly cross Kaleb, however, and before long the generals had taken their spots about the forum in accordance with his orders.
Kaleb outstretched his hands and began in a bellowing voice. “I come to you again in regards to the Fae. I insist that the Talon Range guard assist them. Even as we speak, Torrent is rallying his forces. Because of your aid, the dark army was struck a great blow, but the battle is not yet won. Quite the opposite, things
