Resistance C43: Peace...For Now

Resistance
Chapter 43: Peace… For Now

As soon as the vehicles stopped, the whole lot of them clambered out and came jogging over. Victor tossed me a bottle of water on the way, which I took and drank from gratefully. My throat must have dried out quite a bit while I was doing the memory sharing thingy...

Once done drinking, I introduced the rest to Drak'rrth, who bowed to them and introduced himself. He was even kind enough to give everyone a copy of the treaty each. He then stepped to one side to let them discuss. I got pulled in too.

Sythes, Atheros, Ren Jie and Gerard spent the lion’s share of the time discussing amongst themselves, since I had actually dealt with the most annoying bit of the treaty. In the end, I was sent back to Drak'rrth.

"The treaty's fine." I remarked...

Assuming that I was done talking, he cut in, and “This is pleasing to my ear. Shall we seal it in blood?"

I shook my head. "What's your real agenda, mage? We've gone through with this for the entire day, and like it or not, this is still war up till now. For all I know, this is a trap and we are prisoners."

Drak'rrth shot me an offended look. "You question my honour!"

Victor handed me a camera, and I showed him the pictures that had only just been shown to me. Their forces were gathering at where the border would be, and according to Victor, had heckled them on the way to this location. I continued, "Not without cause."

Drak'rrth looked through the pictures a few times, remarking on how small they were before replying, "I see that my comrades anticipate your rejection of the treaty, and have acted without my knowledge. I apologise."


With that, the dragon and gave me a deep bow, continuing, "If you wish to take offence, I will not object. The treaty may be scrapped, and a truce given for you to return to your city and deliberate. I am not unreasonable..."

I put the camera aside, and got a pen from Victor. I drew a slightly crooked line and wrote next to it my name and rank. '2SG Keane Tan, 39SCE', and then signed on the line. Drak'rrth watched my actions, confused.

I scrawled the dragon name in brackets next to mine as an afterthought. "Neither am I. Your treaty is a go. Tell your people to stand down. There will be no fight today...or tomorrow for that matter."

The dragon continued staring at me as I offered him the pen. I had to put it in his hand for him to actually blink. I gestured to the paper, "Don't tell me you're pulling out? This was your idea after all."

Drak'rrth mutely signed the paper, then produced a knife out of nowhere, seemingly having recovered from his initial shock. "Now we must seal it in blood. Cut your palm once I have done so, then allow the blood to drip onto the paper. I shall chant the scriptures, while your two mages bear witness."

I complied, and he began chanting once the blood mixed on the paper. There was a flash, then the entire treaty turned black, with the wording in gold. It also duplicated itself, and I was handed one, while Drak'rrth healed my palm. Fyre walked over and produced a first aid dressing out of nowhere. "It is customary that you heal or treat his wound after he has done so for you."

I took the dressing, shooting Fyre a questioning look, "Where'd you get this?"

Fyre smirked, "I had your friend bring it just in case."

I nodded and tore the dressing open, and bandaged the hand for Drak'rrth, who looked to be impressed, though not at my admittedly slightly sloppy handiwork.

Once done, he stepped back and bowed, while on I was about to reciprocate, Fyre stopped me. "No, you do what is customary for you this time. It is part of the ceremony."

I blinked and put the treaty onto the table before giving the dragon a salute as he righted himself.

As my group turned to leave, Drak'rrth stopped me with a claw on my shoulder. "I still do not understand. Why did you not reject the treaty? Such a dishonourable act by the other party would have any of us reject it!"

"It's not as if you ordered the strike, or the troop movements, I hope. Sometimes people are just overzealous. As long as this doesn't become a regular thing, we hold no grudges. I will not toss out a perfectly good treaty over something like that, especially since there were no shots fired. Either way, I look forward to the absence of fighting." I replied, adjusting my hat, half-smiling.

Drak'rrth nodded, somewhat stunned. "...You are not what I expected you to be."

I shrugged. "I get that alot. See you around."

"Don't forget your training, young one, and I sense that we shall be seeing each other far sooner than you think." He replied, probably referring to the bit about ambassadors. With that, he resumed his large form, but made no move to leave as I clambered into the rover with my party of dragons and started the engine.

I noted that he watched with intense curiosity as I put the vehicle into gear...and stalled it as my left foot chose the moment to have a mini spasm for some strange reason, probably fatigue or something.

Half laughing and half sighing, I started the engine again, muttering about humiliating myself, then drove off, turning to wave at the huge dragon as he went on his way as well...

Whether or not this peace would actually last, I had no idea. Unlikely, but only time would tell. At least this meant that we were being taken seriously...

As I joined the convoy, it dawned on me that I had forgotten something. It was only until Fenek held up the treaty itself, laughing that I realised. I shook my head again and threw the clutch, making the brown dragon warble in protest and shoot me a sour look, much to the amusement of the rest. I chuckled as we sped our way back to the city.

Flayme, who was sitting behind me poked his head over and asked, "Why did you sign the treaty? I smell your suspicion even now."

Adjusting the course and poking at the radio as an afterthought, I shrugged. "I have my suspicions, yes, but given the force at the border, I think the treaty is a better option. Hopefully they abide by it."

The radio made some weird noises before starting to blare out Queen's 'Hammer To Fall'. I smirked while Flayme nodded, though I got the sensing that he disapproved of my choice of song. "They will. It is magically binding, and Drak'rrth is no underling."

I nodded, too busy singing along to say anything. Fenek was already laughing at my somewhat bad vocals, but I couldn't be bothered to stop him. Hector smirked, and waited for the song to end before prodding the music player with a claw. "So, another thing that is not a weapon?"

I shook my head while a different song came on. "Nope. That's a radio and a CD player. Mostly plays music and stuff."

Hector nodded. "That song just now, there is more to the lyrics, is there not? And why would a cloud be mushroom shaped?"

It took me a while to explain the atom bomb, and then the cold war, but the whole lot of them got it in the end. I ended off with, "Eh, but mostly, I just like the song. I really should have snapped a picture of his face just now. That surprised look was priceless!"

Fenek snorted, "He did not expect you to sign."

"Yeah, could tell, given the troop build-up. Caught them off guard we did, and they're now stuck with it until war is declared. Might as well take some time to get some city development done." I replied with a shrug as the city itself came into view.

However, at what was more or less the border sat a familiar figure. Drak'rrth. Victor, who was ahead of me, had already stopped, and I did the same next to him. I shot a questioning look up at the huge dragon who sat smack on the border.

His huge head swung around, looking amused. "Your speed is impressive. I had to teleport myself here in order to be ahead. The Council has appointed me as the ambassador. A few of my helpers shall be along shortly. "

It took a while to process, and I nodded. "Can be done. I'll see to it that you get lodging as well as an office. Of course, you're expected to abide by our laws."

Drak'rrth nodded again as he stepped aside. "I shall contact you once we are ready. There are some details to be discussed soon."

I nodded again, and we continued our drive back to the town...