Resistance C35: Balance

Resistance
Chapter 35: Balance

Eventually, I settled down to read a book, wanting some quiet time after all the excitement of the previous few days.

However, that was not to be, as one of the guards turned up on my doorstep the moment I flicked to the page where I had stopped at ages ago.

The man wasted no time with knocking the door, and came straight in. "Boss, we need you at the South gate now! A group of dragons just literally materialised in front and are asking for you by name! They don't seem to be looking for trouble, but some of them are wearing armour and such. Do you want an escorts?"

I glanced round to see Fenek fast asleep. I shrurged. "Nah. I'll live." With that, I put on my cap, which seemed to have dried, grabbed my pistol and went along with the man, "Eh, but get some guns pointed at them in case."

As the both of us rushed out, I received my reply. "They're covered. You sure you don't want someone to cover your back?"

I grunted and beckoned Agenor along. The silver dragon gave me a very strange look before grabbing his weapon. The guard nodded in approval, before leading me to his vehicle. I raised an eyeridge.

The man shrugged as he tossed me the keys. "They said to hurry, so I drove. Your turn now."

I maneuvered myself into the rover before starting the engine. Once everyone was settled in, I drove off. Of course, it didn't take long to get to the gate, and in no time, I had already parked the car.

They brought me to the gate at once, then directed to the small door built into the gate itself. Agenor stacked up behind me.

Subsequently, I drew my pistol, and was handed a full magazine when the weapon came out with the slide locked back, indicating an empty clip. I hastily reloaded, half realising that I must have looked like a clown walking around with an empty gun, then motioned for the door to be opened.

Outside stood a small group of dragons. Two wore shiny metallic armour, and even had some sort of metallic extensions, possibly blades attached to their claws. The two that walked behind them just looked normal, while the last two seemed to have tattoos on their scales... It was strange.

The first two, of red and blue scales, we're obviously professional soldiers, given all their bulk; I suspected that their arms made my legs look small, and their demonstrated at least some measure of discipline.

The second pair acted like civilians, but given the fact that Agenor was staring at them with narrowed eyes, I suspected something more. It also nagged at me that they looked almost identical to the two fighters in front... However, I couldn't really judge that, since those in front were mostly covered by their armour. I couldn't even see the colour of their undersides, let alone do cross referencing.

The last pair carried themselves with a sort of humble air, never meeting my eyes, and settling for looking around silently.

I made it a point to glance around at the array of guns that  was pointing at them. "You might want to identify yourselves, especially those of you with the shiny armour."

Instead of giving me a reply, they started whispering amongst themselves. I gritted my teeth and repeated my question. Same reaction. However, one of them chuckled.

Growling, I fired the pistol over one of their heads, not caring which. "What, you think this is a joke? Don't waste my time! I have more important things to do!"

The two tattooed dragons stepped forward and bowed, while one of them, who had gold scales and black horns spoke, "Ah, we forget our manners. Our purpose is to restore balance."

"Bit convenient, eh, Agenor?" I remarked, "We were just talking about them."

Agenor nodded, still staring at the second pair.

The group seemed confused at my reaction, and said nothing. I folded my arms, making sure my gun was still visible. "A bit too convenient for my taste. You'll have to do better than that. What if we were bugged, and you're agents sent to blow us up?"

I received confused looks from all of them and sighed. "You'll have to prove your alliegence."

Before the tattoo group could reply, the armoured pair removed their helmets and blade thingies. "There is not much we can do, save for battling by your side the next time the Council choses to attack."

"The second pair. They're skinwalkers." Agenor added, letting his eyes flick between the first and second pairs, which looked to be exact copies of each other, save for the armour. I nodded while the unarmoured two nodded too, smirking.

I glanced to the guard. "Any raids scheduled today?"

The man nodded, "Should be soon too."

I directed the group to stand aside, while replying, "Good. I'll use that to test them."

However, before I could take action, one of the tattooed dragons came over, "If you wish us to fight, it can be done, but the nearest storage area is at least a two days flight from here. We can swear oaths of alliegence to you if you wish, it will bind us to your service, and save time too. I am a war mage, as is my friend, our words are binding."

I nodded. "I'm aware of that. We have our own transportation. However, you're right. We don't have time. I'll take your offer here and now."

The dragon nodded and beckoned the rest of the group over. They formed line in front of me, somewhat like a platoon falling in, before bowing their heads and chanting something. Agenor walked over at some point and began translating for me. Basically, they were doing what was promised; swearing a magically binding oath to me.

I had to pause to confirm at the end of it, though, for the oath itself was painstakingly long. One of the guards even yawned at some point. Agenor finished his last sentence and I asked, "So basically, their asses are mine now?"

Agenor gave me an amused snort. "More or less. They'll die for you if you ask them to, and only you can release them from the oath itself. I believe we've acquired ourselves some assets, no?"

I nodded before turning my attention to the group once again. The two fellows with the tattoos seemed to be the ones calling the shots. Their names turned out to be Flayme for the one with the gold scales while the other who was red was called Fyre. They were brothers, and given their names, I wasn't surprised.

The two skinwalkers had supposedly reverted back to their original configurations. One was a mottled green colour, called Tel, while the other was white, called Sy. They both seemed to have a mischievous glint in their almost identical red eyes. I would have to keep an eye on those two.

The two armoured soldiers were Hector and Fafnir for the blue and red scales respectively. They both seemed to be more interested in my pistol than in me, and had me promise to show them how to use the gun.

Meanwhile, Fyre was staring at my cap. "What is that on your head? It looks...strange. The colours are most confusing too. Why is it such a jumble, or am I not seeing the pattern?"

I took the cap off, and took a moment to let the whole group inspect the pixelised design before taking it back. "It's a hat. The design is random squares of colour, supposed to be for camouflage from detection systems in the Old World. It's also part of the army uniform, though I don't think I can fit in that anymore. Anyways, come with me. I'll need to show you all to my boss."

Fafnir snorted. "You jest, I hope? People that we met on our travels said that a black dragon leads the force of balance!"

I chuckled. "I see things got a bit exaggerated. Yes, I used to do that when we were a small group. Now...can is can la, but what we have to handle is a bit too much for me to deal with alone. We split the job now, and meet as a committee to discuss any big issues."

They began talking amongst themselves at that, discussing whether a mistake had been made. However, when we walked past the vehicle Park, Flayme spoke up. "No! I believe that we're in the correct place! See! Those are the chariots of metal, no?" He subsequently turned to me, "Are they?"

I blinked. "Chariots of metal? Well...I guess you could put it that way."

Hector stared at one of the tanks wide-eyed. "I heard that that can down even a battle mage! Flayme, I believe you've a competitor now!"

I chuckled, glancing at the olive green tank, which was also stained black in most places from the dragon blood. "I suppose so. Took one shell to blow the shield away. Don't worry though, we don't shoot at our own people....speaking of which, I need to get all of you tagged."

"Tagged?" All of them gave me confused looks.

I raised an arm to show the three cheverons and one upturned one that my men had painted on me while I slept, showing my rank, though the purpose was actually for identification. "So that we know that what side you're on."

The two skinwalkers snickered, and Sy spoke, chuckling. "Wise, but unnecessary since we are here now. We'll catch any spies that care to visit."

I nodded, but brought them to the paint shop anyway, "Yeah, I know, but it will also make sure no idiot puts a hole in your head over a case of mistaken identity. Any preferences in the way of designs?"

They all settled for one small circle on the left arm, and I obliged, pausing to pay for the small tin of paint before going off. Hector poked at my stripes. "Those show a rank, no? The council uses something similar in their armies."

Nodding, I covered the upturned stripe first. "Three stripes is third sergeant," I then uncovered the upturned one, "Three stripes with roof is second sergeant. These are Old World army ranks." It took a while to explain, but they eventually got it.

Eventually, I returned home to a very annoyed Fenek, while Agenor went off to fetch Victor.

"Why didn't you tell me that you left?" The brown dragon demanded, giving me a death stare.

Rolling my eyes, I pointed at the new group. "Someone asked for me, so I went to link up. Seemed like no big deal so I let you sleep."

Fenek eyeballs them before snarling, "How do you expect me to do my duty if you just disappear like that?"

Behind, I heard one of them snicker, while Fyre prodded me, "Who is he? Why is he so concerned?"

I rolled my eyes again. "Guys, meet Fenek. Resident pain in the ass, and my bonded. He came looking for me when I was human."

The whole group seemed immensely amused for this, and settled down at the dining table with a chorus of laughs. Fenek ended up sitting with me, still fuming.

I gave him a very pointed look. "Come off it. There's no need to get so worked up. I'm still here, aren't I? Besides, it's not like I can't take care of myself. Relax."

Fenek huffed and said nothing. However, he started crooning almost immediately when I reached over and gave him a back rub, much to the amusement of the party of six.

Fenek huffed, glaring at me. "Now you're embarrassing me! Who are these people?!"

I glanced over and introduced them one by one while pausing to send Agenor off to get Victor. I had to update him, though there probably wouldn't be much in the way of changes, since they weren't exactly an army...

Halfway through, Flayme cut into my thoughts. "So, when do you plan on attacking the Council themselves?"

Didn't have to think to answer that one. "Not anytime soon. We need to settle the immediate surroundings and establish some other things first."

I received a disappointed nod, while Victor came in, shutting the door slowly as he looked over the new group. I took a short while to explain things to him before introducing him to them. He mentioned taking it to our own committee, and added that Drae'kos had already started on the windmill project.

Took a while, but I managed to tear the details from my slightly battered memory soon enough. Pointing the group to Sythes who was next door and getting him to give them lodging, I went off to check on the windmill itself, mentally kicking myself for forgetting about that project.