Pax Draconica 2 - Chapter 22 (25th Mar 2026)

[Tapewolf]

Chapter 21 - Close Encounter

What seemed like an eternity passed, and just as Fardon had begun to fear that he would remain in limbo forever, the Dawn Place began to fade, ebbing away to black, and then a brilliant light which dazzled his eyes.  Fardon gave a gasp and looked around blearily.  Mermul's face came into focus.

"Thanks," Fardon gurgled, and attempted to stand before collapsing back into a heap.  Mermul helped the larger dragon up, and he wobbled unsteadily.

Terry was staring at them, eyes watering slightly, and the brown dragon realised that the overlord of the realm was fighting back tears.

"I had a choice," Mermul said.  "Go for your head, or your body.  I guess either one would have worked, but your body has your possessions on it.  Your neck-satchel."

"What do you-" Fardon started, and then saw it.  He gave a yelp of horror at the battered brown face, dead eyes staring glassily into the distance and dried blood on his nostrils and mouth, horns broken on one side.  Trembling, he picked it up.
Mermul waited awkwardly, patting him on the back as the big dragon cradled his own severed head, sobbing profusely.

"There, there..." he said comfortingly.  "It's quite a shock, isn't it?  There's no shame in going to pieces, Fardon.  Take your time.  I'd probably have done the same in Lord Thurr's throne room if it hadn't been so vital to throw him off balance."

"I don't even know what we do in cases like this," the fluff dragon added eventually.  "Do we bury it?  Mount it on a wall?  People will ask questions."

"I d-don't know either..." Fardon said shakily.  "But we'll need a sack or a bag, something to conceal the identity.  P-People will then assume it's a bounty."

Lord Terror was still watching with a stunned expression.  "I..." he croaked.  "I did not fully believe this when I was told earlier, that you had such a mighty gift."

"It cost me dear, your lordship," Mermul said.  "But I wanted to help make the world a better place.  I wanted to help pay back for the lives I took under Thurr.  I had hoped I would not need to use it on Fardon, though..."

"I am forever in your debt," Terry said.  "I do not know how I would have explained the murder of a knight to Lord Varl..."

"Now that Fardon is not longer dead, do you still need to guillotine the dragon responsible for his murder?"  Fiskul asked suddenly.

"Yes," Terry said viciously.  "Even with Fardon's miraculous survival, Sedrak's actions could be seen as an act of war against Taria.  Even now, this is a big setback to my dragon integration programme - and it makes him a traitor who has actively worked to undermine his own rightful lord.  These are high crimes, and together they spell his death."

"What is Mermul even doing here...?"  Fardon asked, looking around in confusion.  "I am still in Hadrovar, so it can't be that long... Can't be long enough for him to have flown from Taria."

"Oh, I arrived at Arstrom some hours ago," Mermul said.  "On business.  Fiskul told me what happened, so of course I came at once."

"Oh, no..." the mayor groaned, emerging from the City Hall to find three dragons in the square.  "We don't have any more people to sacrifice!  Please, show us mercy!"

"I'm not a god!"  Mermul protested.  "I keep saying that!  I don't want any more cultists worshipping me!  It's not proper!  And sacrificing people is just evil!"

Terry looked at him strangely for a moment, then snarled at the mayor.  "I warned you about this, Mayor Tomlinson," he growled.  "No more sacrifices!  That monster, Sedrak, will pay dearly for his crimes.  That, I promise you."

"But if he returns..."

"My troops will protect the city," Terry said.  "In case there are others.  But I shall deal with Sedrak personally," he added.  "Right now.  He may have given Sir Fardon a taste of death, but he shall find me a lot tougher to get the drop on.  No offence," he added to the brown dragon.

"I will come with you," Mermul said.  "I hope you don't need any more resurrections, but just in case..."

"And I want a rematch," Fardon snarled.

*  *  *

Sedrak dozed lightly in his cave when a noise suddenly woke him.  Suspiciously, he got up and padded to the entrance.  As he did so, a heavy object was thrown into it.

Flicking on one of the lights, he saw that it was the head of a dragon.  The impudent, interfering brown dragon he had killed earlier.

"What...?" he started.

"Surprise, you little shit!" a voice yelled.

The grey dragon poked his head out of the cave, and goggled for a moment, before taking flight.

"YOU!" he roared as Fardon circled.  "How.... What... ...Ah!  A brother... A twin!" he crowed.  "Thank you indeed for providing his head.  I shall put yours next to it!"

"You're welcome to it," Fardon sneered.  "After all, you'll be needing a new head after his lordship is finished with you!"

"That jumped-up food...?"

Fardon's tail slammed into the grey dragon's head.  Sedrak hissed with anger, and he launched himself towards Fardon.

"You shall all pay for violating my territory!  This time I shall destroy you forever," he boasted.  "And then I shall eat your overlord!"  Fardon circled and bit the other dragon's tail, seizing the tail-blade that had claimed his life before.  His claws lashed out again and again, until the bindings were cut and the weapon dropped away to the ground below.

"The Great One gave me new life," Fardon said.  "But I doubt He will be so forgiving to you, Sedrak.  Yet we can still be merciful.  Leave this realm, and come here no more.  Then you will live to see tomorrow."

"You won't live to see sunset," the grey dragon sneered.  "You were a fool to come alone, without backup..."

"You were a fool to think he did," Lord Terror crowed, dropping from his hiding-place above the cliff.  A vast shadow descending, steel gauntlets that ended with razor claws outstretched, slicing into the grey dragon's flank.

Sedrak cried out in pain, struggled, thrashed, and fell as the other two dragons piled onto him, dragging him to Eyrth where he slammed into the ground heavily.

Terry's foreleg seized his throat, and began to squeeze.

"I am Lord Terror," the dragon roared.  "Sovereign lord of all Arstrom!  I am not violating your territory, you are trespassing in mine!  You killed a visiting diplomat, ate my loyal subjects, and attempted to wrest Hadrovar from my rule!  For this and other acts of treachery, you must die!"

"Not here," Mermul said.  Terry looked at him, puzzled.

"I am no fan of public executions," Mermul said sadly.  "But sometimes you need to make an example.  Show the people proof that the villain has met his end."

"I had intended to place his head in the square," Terry admitted.  "But perhaps you are right, and he should meet his end there instead.  But you are forgetting one thing, friend.  I am trying to hide my true nature until dragons are better established here.  Something the traitor has just made a lot harder."

"But we won't be able to wrestle him back there with Terry in his small form!" Fardon protested, drawing an evil grin from Sedrak.

"It took two of you to best me," he snarled triumphantly.  "One-on-one, I shall win and I shall not show mercy!"

"We could always cut his wings off," Mermul said quietly.  "I used to be an assassin for Lord Thurr, and I know more than most about subduing an enemy dragon."

Sedrak's eyes widened and for the first time, he showed fear.  "Take my life," he said.  "I am resigned to it.  I have failed.  But do not torture me!  Even I did not do that to the mortals!"

"I hate to be part of this," Mermul said, "But you must be stopped.  I am sorry," he added and made a gesture.  A beam of brilliant green light flared and Sedrak fell lifeless to the ground.

"D-did you..." Terry looked horrified.  "A death spell?!"

"Certainly not!" Mermul said, looking insulted.  "Father Alkrash chose me to be an agent of healing and life.  This Sedrak is merely stunned.  We can carry him to the City and there, do what must be done."

"Tell me," Mermul added.  "Who is Maarvyn...?  You mentioned that name earlier, as if you knew them... and it sounded like Sedrak was just one of his thugs.  But we still don't know where he is, and I don't suppose Sedrak will tell us if he's going to lose his head either way."

"A fair question," Terry sighed.  "He is..."  The white dragon froze, glancing around with a worried expression.  A loud roaring noise came from the South, and he craned his large head to try and spot the source.  It was flying low, and was powered by twin jet engines.  The three dragons watched it zoom past, astonished.

"What the hell was that?!" Mermul asked, looking shocked.  The shape, clearly draconic in appearance, receded into the distance at a shockingly fast pace, the roar of their engines fading with an audible doppler effect.

"A dragon with a jet-pack?" Fardon asked, worriedly.  "But what that speed would do to their wings, I really don't know..."

"I do not know either," Terry admitted.  "We have been getting a lot of sightings of unidentified aircraft, but we don't know who or what is behind them.  I think this is the closest encounter on record."

"Whoever or whatever that was, they were using technology from the Small Races," Mermul said slowly.  "And we all know that Atlantia has the most advanced aerotechnology, because they can't hire dragons to help them, and worse, they want aircraft that can out-fly dragons to hunt us down.
"But whoever did this... they can't be Hunters, surely?  They'd never have assisted a dragon, and they would have attacked us for sure!"

"Prosthetics?"  Fardon wondered.  "If a dragon lost their wings in an accident or through torture, could they be given artificial wings, and a drive system to match?  As the Hunters are well aware, it's easier to build a fixed wing and some kind of thruster, than to engineer something that can flap like a living dragon or a bird."

"Quite possibly," Mermul conceded.  "Though I'd have thought they'd have done something with the bones, like how the Hunters use their anti-gravity properties to make drones."

"It's just a guess," Fardon admitted.  "Not all of it adds up.  But I think I saw a dragon with jet engines just go by at a good fraction of the speed of sound."

"That's some small comfort," Mermul said brightly.  "It implies they're a mixed society like Taria.  Though if a dragon supremacist like the old Lord Thurr had been given the option to turn his dragons into cyborg super-soldiers, I dread to think what could have happened."

[Tapewolf]

Chapter 22 - Execution

Sedrak's eyes opened blearily.  He tried to turn his neck, but steel cables secured it and his limbs to the ground.  He seemed to be in the main square of Hadrovar, and in front of him was a familiar, shiny object with a wickedly-edged blade.  The polymorphed dragon usurper walked into view, folding metal-clad arms in front of himself, expression unreadable.

"You would kill me... with my own tail-blade...?" Sedrak queried.

"I considered it," Terry said.  "But Fardon, or another of my Tarian guests would have to do so for me, as I am not yet ready to show my entire hand.  And it will look better if I carry out your execution personally," he sighed.

"A dragon who has committed a capital murder, would receive an honourable death by decapitation," he added.  "But one who has defied the lord of this realm, committed an act of war against the lord of another realm, and jeopardised my attempts to comply with the Pax Draconica... For such high crimes, I fear you shall not be given that mercy," he said.

"...No," Sedrak hissed.  "No!  Not like that!"

"I am sorry," Terry said, taking an anti-dragon gun from his captain.  "You must die a traitor's death.  Make your peace with Alkrash, Sedrak the Mighty."

The big dragon closed his eyes and uttered a sigh of despair, laying his head upon the ground and awaiting his fate.  Mermul looked away.
Terry pressed the muzzle hard against the side of the scaly grey head and pulled the trigger.  The big dragon shuddered, twitching horribly a few times before finally dropping limp and still.

Silence fell.

"The traitor is dead," Terry called out to the crowd of humans and furres, voice amplified by a megaphone.  "Justice has been done upon him.  No more shall he prey upon you, my subjects... Promising an end to the drought that he could not deliver.  And if any others seek to do so, they shall share his fate."

He turned to face the mayor and his captain, handing back the firearm and the megaphone.  "Organise a clean-up," he said.  "Have the body removed, and ensure he is given a decent burial."

So saying, he entered the city hall and sat down heavily upon the couch in the waiting room.

*  *  *

Terry glanced around as the city mayor entered the hall.

"My lord," the panda said.  "Are you well...?"

"You were not supposed to see this," Terry said thickly, dabbing at his eyes ineffectually with metal-gloved fingers.

"If I may ask, why so sad?  Justice has been done!  The monster who ate our people has been slain!  Surely this should be a time of celebration!"

"For you, perhaps," Terry acknowledged.  "For me...  I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I am no stranger to carrying out executions.  I am lord of the realm, and have put to death many of those who would threaten citizens under my care, or indeed, myself.  And yet... Some executions are harder than others.  And this one... was hard."

"How so?" the mayor said, looking surprised.  "It was only a dragon...  A monster responsible for untold deaths, even before he came here!"

"Never say that to me again," Terry hissed icily, leaping up as if stung.  "I am more than half dragon myself.  Enough that I mourn the loss of so rare a creature, even if he was my enemy, and your oppressor.
"Do you not see...?  Even an evil dragon brings magnificence and grace to this world, and it is not an easy thing, knowing that you have just taken some of that majesty and splendour out of the world."

"Oh," the mayor said awkwardly.

Terry rounded upon the panda, fixing him with a penetrating gaze and folding his metallic arms.

"Mayor Tomlinson," he started in a casual voice.  "Let me be frank with you.  Given the lack of support you have been getting from the capital, I don't suppose you have a very high regard for me at this point.  Especially since you had caught me in a rare moment of weakness just now.
"Nonetheless, I am your overlord.  And speaking as such, I am not overly impressed by the way the matter has been handled, with regard to you feeding my subjects to my enemies.  Yyrkoon or Marfour the Red would have had your head off for much less."

The panda gulped and stared at the floor.

"Even so," Terry continued, "It would not look good for me to execute you merely for trying to protect as much of the city as you could from renegade dragons.  To paraphrase Sir Fardon, you were most likely trying to chart the best course in a sea of shit, none of which was of your own making.  And those who rule often have to do things they do not want to do," he sighed, glancing through the window at Sedrak's truck-sized remains.

"...Though make no mistake, I am most displeased with how this fiasco has unfolded," he finished.

"W-what are you going to do to me...?" the mayor quavered, glancing out the window himself, as if expecting he would be shot next.

"Mayor Tomlinson, you have worked swiftly to build a new city hall," Terry said, gesturing at the ceiling with an armoured gauntlet.  "So you clearly have considerable skill at getting things done - when it does not involve trying to stop a drought or repelling enemy dragons without backup or weaponry.  I would not see those talents wasted."

"You're going to let me remain mayor...?" he blinked, unbelieving.

"Not exactly," Terry said.  "In any case, I am not sure how popular you will be with your citizens, once the immediate danger has passed - they may not agree with you remaining mayor after having sent their friends and family off to die.  No... I suggest you begin looking for a replacement."

"Oh," the panda said again.

"I have another use for you, though.  My next move will be to find someone to act as an administrator for this entire region, as I have neglected the North for far too long.  When I do, you are to assist that someone, and ensure that the needs of the citizens are taken into account in their decisions.  In some ways this will be a promotion.  In others... well."

"Who will this person be...?" the mayor asked, worriedly.

"Oh, only a dragon," Terry grinned evilly.

*  *  *

Zarnak hissed in fear as the white dragon clambered into his lair.  By the markings on the intruder's face and belly, he knew that he was seeing Lord Terror, Scourge of the North.

"Is this how you would greet your Overlord?"  Terry asked, craning his long neck.

"You..." Zarnak gurgled.  "Scourge of the North!"

"Dragon!" a small voice called.  "Have you come to eat us?  Will you end the drought...?"

"I have ordered emergency water supplies to be sent to the city," Terry said.  "Expect tankers to arrive over the next few days, and engineers to try and solve the drought in the longer term.  But nobody is going to be eating anyone!  It is forbidden, on pain of death.  Now go back to the city, all of you - and stop pestering us."

"Well," Zarnak said slowly.  "You're certainly not the Scourge.  And your markings aren't the same.  But so very close, and you smell similar.  You must be his kin!"

"In my time I have had many titles and nicknames," Terry said.  "But I have never been called that.  At this time, I am Lord Terror - Overlord of Arstrom, Slayer of the idiot Yyrkoon and hopefully, Uniter of Men and Dragons."  He sighed.  "I suspect your so-called Scourge is my no-good brother, Maarvyn.  I will deal with his games shortly.  But first... You are Zarnak, are you not?  Sir Fardon of Taria gave a flattering description of you.  Though he did not mention your impressive physique," he purred.

Zarnak looked at him strangely.  "Den talk is an odd way for a lord to introduce himself, I must say."

"Sorry," Lord Terror said, looking embarrassed.  "It has been a while since I have romped with another of my kind.  I am not looking for a fling, but I do have a good reason for invading your lair unannounced.  You see, I have recently slain the grey dragon Sedrak, who I understand has been making quite a nuisance of himself to you...?"

"You... You killed him...?"  Zarnak's eyes narrowed.  "If you are here to kill me next, I shall not go down easily!  I have seen my share of combat, and will give you wounds to remember me by!"

"Excellent," Terry crowed.  The orange dragon blinked.  "What...?  Are you even listening to me...?"

"Of course," Terry said.  "I am not here to slay you or boast of my deeds, but to recruit you.  Sedrak was put to death for his treachery.  To wit, he very nearly murdered Sir Fardon - technically an act of war against Taria - and demanded my subjects be sacrificed to him," Terry said.  "He also threatened to murder me, his rightful lord!  It is regrettable that he had to die, but unfortunately he ticked all the boxes.  So unless you seek to tick those boxes yourself, I have no interest in slaying you, and many reasons not to."

"Ah, yes," Zarnak said.  "Fardon said you wanted to try and unite dragonkind under your banner, within Arstrom?"

"Quite.  I seek your fealty, Zarnak.  If I killed you, I would no longer be your lord, would I...?"

"What I am think I am hearing from you is 'serve me or die,'" Zarnak growled.  "Are you really any better than the Scourge of the North and his thugs...?"

"Yes," Terry said peevishly.  "Though Sedrak have been better at selling his position to others than I am.  I will have to take lessons.
"Now - to answer your question, I am trying to make things better for Arstrom as a whole.  Sedrak just wanted to snack on the Small Races.  Surely you can see the difference?
"Yes, I have come to make you an offer, but 'No' is an acceptable answer.  I am not here to coerce you into my service.  If you choose to make trouble for the Small Races, I will drive you out - or, as an option of last resort, slay you.  If you refuse to serve, yet do not interfere with my plans, I am happy to let that continue."

"Okay," Zarnak said.  "That seems fair.  So what is it you actually want...?"

"The situation is this," Terry began.  "Now that Sedrak is no longer menacing my city, I need someone to watch over Hadrovar, and the area as a whole.  I have neglected things in the North, and that has helped such undesirables gain a foothold here.
"To avoid a repeat of this unfortunate affair, the North will need a regional administrator.  A subordinate who can run the place and report to me - ideally a dragon who can fly to the capital promptly if an emergency occurs and the lines of communication are down.  A dragon who is local to the area would be ideal, since they would have an understanding of the regional problems facing the city.
"I have seen Arcaia's file on you on their Viewdata system, friend.  I know you to be a capable officer when you aided them a century ago... You seem to be just what I need, Zarnak.  How would you like to make that Sir Zarnak...?"