The Ballad Of A Semi-Benevolent Dragon

Chapter 72: The Dragon Loses Patience

Regal Flame felt a stab of irritation as her gaze settled on the three dragons that were approaching. Her irritation lay as much with who they reminded her of as with their actions. When Dawnscale had left their world, she had also abandoned her own faction, leaving behind three possible successors, none of whom were willing to concede to the other. Without a primordial dragon to lead them, it would have been easy enough for her to simply designate one of them as the leader.

However, she had chosen to let them choose from amongst themselves. She was not familiar enough with the intricacies of Dawnscale's faction to be certain that she would make the right choice, nor was she particularly well-versed in the intricacies of the lineages that Dawnscale had commanded. Although most dragons could use light, astral, and holy magic to some degree, that sort of casual usage paled in comparison to what the lineages specialised in those magics were capable of. Not even Doomwing, with millennia of study into the minutiae of healing magic, could match what Dawnscale had been capable of. Indeed, looking solely at their healing magic, all three of Dawnscale's potential successors were better than Doomwing. It was only Doomwing's tremendous raw power, combined with his ability to combine multiple forms of magic, that allowed him to match or even exceed their achievements.

In retrospect, it would probably have been better to force a decision upon Dawnscale's former faction, regardless of her misgivings. Not only had they failed to choose from amongst themselves despite having the entire Fifth Age to make a decision but they had also somehow managed to continue their squabbling throughout the entire Sixth Age as well. It was, put simply, a complete debacle, one that had undoubtedly cost dragons their lives since without a proper leader, the dragons best at healing and defence had been far slower to answer the call to battle than they should have been.

Well, given what Regal Flame had learned, this situation could be allowed no longer. The Final Catastrophe was coming. Dawnscale's former faction needed a real leader, so they could coordinate properly. That was why she had called for these three dragons. They must have known it too, for she could sense their anxiety and hope as they approached. All three feared being overlooked, but all three hoped to be chosen.

"Look at them," Stormbringer rumbled. "Wouldn't it be funny if we told them that none of them were being chosen?"

Regal Flame turned her head and cast a baleful eye at the other primordial dragon. Anyone else would have flinched, but Stormbringer met her gaze with a toothy smile. Of course. Stormbringer was not one to feel fear. Even when confronted by the seemingly endless forces of the Lord of the Tides, she had simply laughed and surged into battle. If she was going to die, it would be with a smile on her lips, laughing in the very face of the enemy.

"Do not even joke about that," Regal Flame replied. "This is troublesome enough already."

On Regal Flame's other side, Ashheart chuckled. "You have to admit, it would be amusing."

"Not you too." Honestly, Regal Flame would have preferred to handle this matter with others at her side. Fathombinder and Frostfang would both have been good candidates. Both possessed the calm, steady demeanour required to handle this matter with the required combination of firmness and delicacy. Alas, Fathombinder was currently in talks with Doomwing regarding various matters, and Frostfang had arranged to meet with one of the desert dryads to discuss matters of his own. Regal Flame had a sneaking suspicion that both had organised those meetings to avoid dealing with this troublesome matter, but she could not be sure.

Of those remaining, Fractal Reign would have been her next choice, but the other dragon was spending some time with Oblivioncaller, and Regal Flame wasn't about to intrude into what was already a complicated relationship. The other primordial dragons were all occupied as well, and Regal Flame had been about to approach this matter herself when Stormbringer had volunteered to aid her. Bah! The other dragon was likely more interested in satisfying her own curiosity and amusing herself than actually helping. As for Ashheart, he had overheard Stormbringer and decided to accompany them.

"Ashheart," Regal Flame said. "Can you hit Stormbringer with your tail?"

The tectonic dragon chuckled again. "Oh? Why?"

"Because she is being aggravating and your tail is stronger than mine."

Ashheart lifted his tail thoughtfully. "It would be difficult. She is quick, and you are between us. I am confident she would be able to dodge."

"What if I held her?" Regal Flame asked.

"That could work."

Stormbringer smirked. "You've missed your chance. Look! They're here."

Regal Flame settled. Stormbringer was right. The three dragons she had called for had arrived.

The three dragons landed before them, each a Fourth Awakening dragon who had been born during the Second Age. Two were female, and one was male. Between the three of them, they commanded the majority of Dawnscale's former faction and had divided her former territory amongst themselves.

"Radiantroar, Brightflame, and Spiritsoar, you know why you are here." Regal Flame chose not to mince words. "A leader must be chosen from amongst you." Her eyes narrowed, and magic settled over the area, ensuring her next words would not be overheard. "A Final Catastrophe is approaching. Your disunity can be tolerated no longer."

There was a brief moment of silence before all three began to speak, eager to press their claims and to ask about the Final Catastrophe. Regal Flame fought the urge to sigh and nodded at Ashheart. The other dragon stepped forward and brought his tail down with punishing force. The whole land shook, and a wave of ash and heat billowed outward. Volcanic orange light spilled out from between Ashheart's scales, and his massive frame loomed over the three dragons they had summoned.

"Enough," Ashheart growled. "Your bickering is of little use. Be silent."

Regal Flame inclined her head. Asheart was not cruel or vicious, but his sheer size and presence made him intimidating. "I am well aware of the nature of your claims." Her eyes narrowed. "And each of you have your own merits." Her gaze settled on Radiantroar, a female dragon with scales so white they seemed almost to glow. "Radiantroar, you are perhaps the most skilled healer left in this world. Of all of Dawnscale's followers, you were with her the longest and learned the most from her. Your ability to train others in the healing arts is also unmatched." Radiantroar almost preened. "However... you have not distinguished yourself as a leader. As Dawnscale's second-in-command, you did well, but it is telling that after her departure, her faction fragmented rather than follow you."

Stormbringer chortled, and Regal Flame cast another glare her way. As before, it had little effect.

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"As for you, Brightflame..." Regal Flame's attention turned to the male dragon with scales of gold and silver.

Stormbringer made a face, and Regal Flame sighed before nodding.

"You're a fine battlefield commander," Stormbringer said. "Nobody can complain about that. You weren't half bad leading your followers during the Fifth Catastrophe. You were one of the few non-primordial dragons to encounter him and actually survive, not to mention you managed to retreat with most of your forces intact." Given what had happened to Chasmfang, that was no small feat. "But outside of battle? Well, there's a reason you're not already in charge despite being so skilled on the battlefield."

Brightflame twitched. Stormbringer was not wrong. Regal Flame had personally seen him and his forces in action during the Fifth Catastrophe. They were not unlike the paladins employed by other species: more than capable of serving as both frontline troops and healers thanks to their impressive defensive and healing abilities. However, his leadership outside of battle was mediocre at best, and he struggled to command those who did not share his combative approach to healing, which was the majority of Dawnscale's former faction.

"Spiritsoar." Regal Flame turned to the last of the three. Her scales were crystalline and almost transparent, though what could be glimpsed beneath that was little more than liquid light. "In truth, if it were solely up to me, I would choose you." The female dragon straightened. "You are neither the most skilled healer, nor the best field commander. You are, however, easily the best administrator, and I know you aided Dawnscale greatly in such matters before she left. However... it is not solely up to me." She paused. "Tell me honestly, if I decreed that one of you should lead, would the others following willingly or only grudgingly."

When none of them spoke, Stormbringer chortled.

"Just answer. She wouldn't ask if she didn't want to know." When they remained silent, Stormbringer frowned, and the sky above began to darken.

"I..." Brightflame was the one to speak. "We would obey because you ordered it." It was a non-answer that nevertheless answered.

"Precisely." Regal Flame growled. "To survive the Final Catastrophe, a great deal of work must be done. As we are, we are not yet enough. We must rise further. This whole world must rise further. Every resources that can be gathered, every weapon that can be forged, every preparation that can be made... all must be brought to bear against this last and most terrible of foes. Disunity is poison of the worst kind. If there is to be a leader from amongst you, then they must be followed and followed wholeheartedly." She flared her wings, and the temperature around them rose as a mantle of searing flame settled over her scales. "A decade. I can give you no longer than that. If, by then, you have not chosen a leader, then I will deem all three of you incompetent, and you will each be placed under the command of a different dragon." It went unspoken that the dragons who commanded them would each be primordial dragons. "You have had two Ages now to choose. A decade longer should more than suffice."

The three dragons remained silent, and Regal Flame felt her ire grow. It was only when Stormbringer nudged her with her tail that Regal Flame realised that she had loosened her hold on the great fire within her too much. The ground around them had completely melted, and even her fellow primordial dragons looked slightly uncomfortable, which was telling, given their strength. She took a deep breath and allowed her fire to first dwindle and then retreat within her.

"Think carefully and consult with your followers. I will speak to each of you again before you depart." She gestured with one wing. "Go. I have other matters to attend to."

As the three dragons all but fled, Regal Flame shook her head. "What a troublesome affair."

"Why not leave this matter to Doomwing?" Ashheart asked.

Stormbringer laughed. "He has no patience for this sort of foolishness. Frankly, I'm amazed he hasn't already threatened them into choosing a leader. Their aid was sorely needed during the Fifth Catastrophe, but their fragmented response cost us dearly." She paused. "In truth, we are fortunate that Quakeclaw's ire was centred on Doomwing. Doomwing can handle his wrath. Those three? He would have torn them limb from limb, and then we'd be missing three of our best healers." She shrugged. "And you know how Doomwing gets on certain matters..."

Ashheart nodded. "Yes. You have the right of it. It was foolish of me to ask."

Regal Flame sighed. Dawnscale had earned Doomwing's wrath not only by leaving their world but also by abandoning her followers without first ensuring a proper succession plan. To him that was yet another betrayal, a sign of how little she cared - or how desperate she had been to leave. Regal Flame suspected it was the latter, but the mere possibility of the former was more than enough to stir Doomwing's rage. Moreover, Doomwing was decisive when it came to important matters. To deal with those three would have aggravated him considerably.

"Doomwing is already busy," Regal Flame said at last. "It is not fair or realistic to leave all matters to him. We are each capable in our own ways, so let each of us assist him in our own ways. This sort of thing is something I am adept at handling, so I will handle it."

"It would be more convenient if Dawnscale returned," Stormbringer grumbled. "Then there wouldn't be any arguments about who should lead that bunch." She rolled her eyes. "Imagine if she returned after they'd chosen a new leader. If Doomwing didn't already dislike her, he'd want to gut her for the sheer inconvenience she caused."

Regal Flame stared at her in disbelief, and this time, Ashheart took action. He moved with surprising speed, and slapped Stormbringer across the flank with his tail. It wasn't anywhere close to his full strength, but the blow still sent her sprawling.

"Have some tact!" Ashheart growled. "Although..." He gave Regal Flame an apologetic look. "It would make things easier, at least in some ways."

Regal Flame scowled. "You are not entirely wrong. Her return would certainly aid us in many ways. However... I cannot say she will find a warm welcome. She certainly won't find one from me."

Stormbringer hopped back to her feet and chortled. "Relax. If there's one thing that Doomwing is good at, it's holding a grudge. Whatever affection he might have had to her, she'll have to earn back, and that will be no easy matter, assuming he even deigns to let her try."

A slow smile crossed Regal Flame's lips, and Ashheart nodded.

"Yes," Ashheart said. "Doomwing's trust is not easily given and once lost it may never be regained. You have his trust, Regal Flame. She lost his long ago."

"Hmph." Regal Flame turned. "We have dallied here long enough. I am sure you both have matters of your own to attend to."