The Glory of a Dragon

[~Traptz~]

Transformed From A Boy Into A Beast

He looked out at the city from the tree he rested in. His hand gripped tight to a branch to keep himself up. His eyes focused sharply on the men wandering around, the ones in armor. The guards. The army. Not a lot, but Talis didn't have a lot either. If he tried to take the city by force, his men would be beaten down. Maybe there was another way.

Talis lifted himself to sit on the branch he had been grasping. He put a hand on the tree and leaned into it. His other hand brushed through his short hair. He had no ideas, and then it struck him. He slipped from the tree and grabbed onto a branch, then fell the rest of the way. Below three men waited. Each fully armored.

One walked up to Talis. "Sir, did you figure out a way to take the city?" That was a stupid question to ask. Talis turned on him and pushed him up against a tree.

"Did I not say that I wouldn't come down until I figured a way to ruin them?" Talis picked up his sword that was propped against the tree. The warrior turned and walked away.

"Well commander, what is the way?" This was one bold soldier. It was commonplace in Talis' army for lesser soldiers to question the higher ups. It was best to have an informed army, otherwise they may not be prepared. Talis had fought a good number of ill prepared armies in his day. They fell like wheat to a farmer.

Talis looked back to his soldier. "We shall take them by joining them. Don't question me. It will work. I know what I am doing." Talis turned his back to his soldier and wandered off. After a few moments winding through the trees Talis entered a clearing with many men and tents, and fires burning. Talis' belted out a few orders and his men packed up the tents and threw sand on the fires.

An hour later a small army of five hundred humans appeared before the city of Alexandria. At the head of the army Talis stood alone. He scoped out those who stood astride the battlements. They ere all on alert, each began to raise their weapons, probably even began to call for their army to get ready.

"I am Talis. Dragon of the Shadow. You do not know me, nor I you. I wish to speak with your commander. I have a proposition for him. And don't bother asking for me to tell you, I shall speak to him alone." Talis stood, waiting for a reply. Hopefully the leader of this kingdom wasn't some fool hard idiot. Otherwise the deaths would be costly.

[Alexandros]

Gnaeus, as it was, happened to be in control of the military that day, as Walrik was resting. With the Emperor injured and recovering from his assassination attempt by Celia, the Loyalists were on full alert, with Gnaeus and Walrik both returning from abroad with their armies. Needless to say, when news of an army, small or not, arrived to the Loyalists and the Imperial Order, it was one of those times that both of the feuding clans came together as one, to protect their great city. Gnaeus, well, he was ready for battle. Luckily, when the men standing on the walls reported that the leader, a human from the North rather than the South East, just wanted to talk…well, his heart slowed. “I shall talk to him.” Gnaeus confirmed, making his way to the walls.

The human certainly fit the bill of being from Alexandria Haraet, rather than the Endless Dunes, but Gnaeus had long since learned never to judge another on looks. After all, the fox’s looks were rather abnormal as it was, “You, human, what do you wish with our Emperor?” Gnaeus shouted, glancing down at the five hundred men below. They’d be easy kills, should he attempt an attack…more so if they disturbed Volyan and got him out here. Which would also bring Kiju and…needless to say, this human’s armies weren’t ready for that.

“Whatever it is, I am sorry to disappoint you that the Emperor is…indisposed today,” Best to not give away more information that was necessary, after all. And letting this outsider know that the Emperor had been stabbed, near fatally, well…that was clearly to much information. “I, General Gnaeus of the Demon Guard, can help you, though. What is it you seek here, human, from the grand city of Alexandria?”

(Crappy post...)

[~Traptz~]

Contempt Breeds Contamination

Talis looked at the man on the battlements. Not thier leader but close enough, a general would suffice. "I seek a place for me and my men to live. Possibly even a land to offer our services to. For many years since Tarnan's army fell apart after his death we have strove to find a home. I wish that you would bring us in, and let us repay your kindness by fighting for you." Who knew if they woudl accept him, but he was in need of this.

Talis shifted as he awaited a response. This was the first time he has ever tried something like this.

[Alexandros]

Gnaeus’ ear flicks as he listens to the human’s story, the name Tarnan ringing a bell right away in the fox’s head. “Tarnan? The Minotaur that assaulted the Eastern Isles twenty years ago?” Gnaeus didn’t know what happened to him; rumor was that he died in a capsizing accident, but…Gnaeus seriously doubted it. Minotaurs were warriors, if Tarnan was even half the Minotaur he was supposed to be, he died in battle with an axe in his hand and an enemy under his hoof. Or, perhaps, he died like many others did, from something so few could escape – age.

Whatever the case, the fact this human served under him indeed did catch Gnaeus’ interest. “I can’t approve of you taking hold of any lands, or a rank higher than a captain in the military, over control of your own troops, but I can accept you into the military until the Emperor can see you. Your men will camp at an out post down the road – you may stay in the city, understood?”

[~Traptz~]

He lies with all who died in vain

Talis put his fist into his hand and bowed to the man on the walls. It was too easy. Maybe they were desperate for men. Or they were just willing to take any army, although, they did tell Talis' to send his men to a camp a bit off the way. Maybe they weren't as thick as Talis had hoped.

"I shall bring my men to the camp now. I am sure I saw it on my way here." He turned his men around and they headed down the path, toward the outpost. After getting his men stationed there and all paper work and what not filled out Talis' turned and headed back to the city.

Talis' this time came much closer to the city walls. Looking up at the walls he called out. "General Gnaeus, I have my men stationed at the outpost you instructed me to. If you could show me around, I am new to the city after all, I would greatly appreciate it." Talis stood below and waited for the generals answer.