Page 52 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Ha, ha, ha!Falcon laughed in his head with a deep chuckle.
They fell into companionable silence as full darkness fell. It would take over an hour to reach the part of the neutral zone where they’d set the meeting location. The large dome Morgan was working to erect wasn’t quite ready, but the sorcerer constructed something temporary that would fit all their guests for today.
Aidan had chosen a location near their eastern border so none of the toriqan would need to traverse through the middle of his lands. They’d all made promises to each other, but today would be the day they’d be bound by blood and his iron will. Only then could he disclose his confidential war strategies to them.
***
The other pendragons and their senior flight leaders already waited when they approached the meeting location. Hildegard—the pendragon for the Faegud—held their attention, but as they sensed Aidan nearing from the west, they all turned their long necks. They wouldn’t see more than an outline of him.
He flew through the opaque barrier Morgan and Thatcher had constructed beforehand to keep their dealings private. His scales prickled as he passed through it.
The magic would have been activated once the other attendees stood within the circle. Only Aidan and Falcon were keyed to the spell so they could see the location from afar and cross the barrier. He instructed his guards to wait outside. They could take turns watching for enemies and resting since they’d likely be there for much of the night.
As he came into full view of the others, their eyes widened as he unleashed the full beast within him. Aidan had been hiding the scale of it deep within until now, but the power he drew from his toriq had done much more for him than most knew.
In moments, he’d expanded his body size and wingspan to twice as large as before. The love and loyalty of the shifters under his rule had channeled energy into his very soul, strengthening him. He'd felt it growing over these last months until he could barely contain it.
With his Uncle Kade’s guidance and more information gleaned from recovered pages of the prophecy tome, he’d learned how to harness the powerful bonds of his toriq when needed. To the observers below, he no longer appeared smaller and weaker than them. Raw power flowed outward so that even the fiercest pendragons lowered their gazes and trembled in fear.
A sense of satisfaction filled him. The demonstration had worked as expected.
Whether he’d ever wanted this position or not, he was at the top of the food chain now. Someone had to lead the broad and diverse group of dragons assembled. They wouldfight for dominance otherwise. Kade had made it clear that now was the time for Aidan to take charge—ruthlessly if need be—if they hoped to build enough trust and cohesiveness among their collective to win the war.
With a deep breath, he shut down all emotion and hardened his resolve. His fears, his doubts, even his heart could not play a part here. Aidan would do whatever it took and make no apologies about it. All their lives depended on his resolve.
As he landed, he flared his wings and let out a loud roar. The sound came from every part of him as he pushed his will on the others and sent more shivers of fear through them. Every pendragon—even his closest ally, Hildegard—bowed their heads low. Their snouts touched the ground, breaths stirring the earth. All of their gazes were hooded and unfocused.
He let the ripples of his strength flow over them and sink into their bodies until they understood that any command he gave would be final. Aidan would allow them a voice in matters and hear them out, but he would not tolerate bickering or infighting.
They would settle critical parts of their attack plans tonight so everyone could begin the requisite preparations. After this, they’d have to wait and try to predict how the Kandoran might attack to finalize any remaining details. Some things couldn’t be known yet.
While they kept their gazes toward the ground, Aidan paced in front of the line. He counted eight pendragons—all the ones he’d wanted to join his alliance the most—and three of their top leaders each. Of course, he’d already expected the Faegud and the allies they brought with the Ghastanan and Takaran. The Shadowan and Bogaran, both on the Taugud’s borders—were also no surprise.
He was pleased to find the northern toriqan with the Nazaran, Vataran, and Pradowan. He’d had no sway with them, though he’d sent messengers who were refused an audience. Instead, the Shadowan and Bogaran negotiated to bring those pendragons as they’d promised.
If all went well, he’d soon get word on the East Coast dragons as well. Unfortunately, they were farther away, and communication was difficult, but he knew for certain the Straegud would arrive soon to join them. Bailey had been able to contact them through those satellite phones she was fond of using.
After her last call, she confirmed they would come, as well as some of the East Coast pure dragon toriqan. He’d do another demonstration for those who came later, but this needed to happen immediately for those from his region so they could begin planning and training.
Aidan had no idea how it was going with Ozara on the West Coast, making that the most unpredictable element. She had a rather difficult task since they had no contacts or allies there, but she’d agreed it was worth the risk. He’d handle that if and when the time came.
Aidan settled his wings and thrust his power outward, forcing the pendragons’ gazes to meet his as he spoke to them in a forceful tone.I am enacting an ancient custom for this alliance. Each of you will perform a blood ritual as you swear your oaths to me, and I will seal the wounds as a promise to protect and lead you to the best of my power.
The act had not been performed for thousands of years, and the details only existed in their oldest tomes—works that their scribes had recopied numerous times over the centuries asexisting ones wore thin. Someone with the second flame had to perform it.
Aidan’s ability was rare enough among shifters and pure dragons, but those like him usually didn’t become important leaders to perform the rite. Instead, they focused on their craft, such as masonry or armory. When his Uncle Kade brought the idea of a blood oath to his attention, they knew powerful forces must have come together for them to reach this point.
The leaders before him began arguing through open telepathy.
We weren’t warned of this!
How dare you!
I’m not ceding my leadership to a shifter!
Aidan stomped his foot. It shook the ground hard enough to silence them and regain their attention. He knew they wouldn’t like his proclamation, so he explained the details and his justification. They deserved that much.
This is not permanent and will not endanger you. We must all make sacrifices to win this war. I have chosen to take the mantle of leader among us because I have made the most alliances and brought us together. My ability to strategize is also superior to most, which many of you have seen.He stared hard at the dragons.Either you agree to the blood oath now, free and without reservation, or you leave and face the Kandoran alone.
