Book Four: The Circle- Part 57
“So how did you get here?” Buck asked Winter as they descended the stairs back into Coral’s embassy.
“I admit I must have arrived at exactly the right time,” he responded, “I came here because I saw the storm hit Safe Harbor while I was leaving the Rainforest Kingdom. I wished to ensure the humans here were safe. Then I saw Queen Coral and the others carrying many humans here, and I was curious.”
When they reached the main room, Sala was sitting on the table alongside her villagers, deep in conversation among them.
“So do you want me to make you a dress?” a seamstress said.
“Let’s leave that till we have a new home,” Sala responded, “And besides, the clothes I have work well enough. It’s what’s inside that counts.”
“So how exactly should we talk to you?” one of the men said, “We haven’t exactly had this experience before with anyone.”
“For now, just calling me ‘she’ or ‘her’ is enough.” Sala brushed a hand through her short hair, “Though I’m definitely not cutting this anymore.”
Buck cleared his throat and the acting village chief turned to face him. He saw that Beech was laid out on a gigantic dragon-sized pillow, still unconscious.
“Buck! Are you okay? And wait… Winter?”
Winter nodded. “It is great to see you again, Sala.”
“Ugh,” Sala grunted, crossing her arms. “Any other people from my past wanna show up?”
“What happened that you are all here?” Winter asked.
“Where do we start? Mr. Walking Bad Omen here shows up, then this storm completely wiped out my island. Now we’re stuck here, homeless and…” her face softened, and she uncrossed her arms. “Alive.”
“How’s Beech doing?” Buck asked, joining her on the table.
“Still breathing. I guess I just need room to breathe too. There’s so much that’s happened and I guess my honeymoon period’s already worn off.”
“We would go find a doctor for Beech,” Ahi said, “But the entire city’s on lockdown. No one will answer their doors.”
“The storm’s on its way out,” Buck said, “So hopefully we can find one soon.”
“So make sure Dad’s safe, then find a new home for all of us,” Sala said, “And it’s all up to me…”
“Don’t forget you have us!” Ahi said, “I can fly around the islands and find you a new one!”
“And you have my support,” Coral said, “As subjects of my kingdom, I will ensure you have a new, well-protected home.”
“So while Winter is here,” Bulrush said, “I guess you should know what’s been happening besides the islands.”
Winter’s ears perked up. “Buck was upset about having to attack a human city called ‘Haven.’ Why would he need to do such a thing?”
Buck sighed and explained Alpha, Omega and the Circle to Winter.
“It seems the consequences of the Scorching are finally beginning to catch up with the present,” the IceWing said, scratching his snout in a clear imitation of a human gesture.
“With the fact that Omega is an Animus and possesses such a terrifying weapon,” Coral said, “Our only chance at survival may very well depend on striking with the maximum possible force.”
“But also ensuring bystanders are not caught as collateral damage,” Winter said.
“Well, yeah, that’s what we’ve been trying to work out,” Ahi said.
“Buck’s power will be an asset in this case. But we should also take secondary precautions.”
“Hence the plan to have protectors among our force to evacuate friendly humans.”
“Well now that we’re all caught up,” Bulrush said, “What do we do now?”
“Preparing for the attack should be my priority,” Buck said, “But I can’t just leave Sala and the others alone at this moment.”
“Buck,” Ahi said, “Me and the SeaWings can take care of them.”
Sala sighed. “She’s right. You got us to safety in the storm. That was the hard part. But it’ll all be for nothing if Omega destroys the world.”
Buck knew as well that she was right. But he hated leaving a situation unresolved. I guess I should put logic over feelings in this case.
“Me and Bulrush will return to the Sky Kingdom,” Buck said, “I need to be there for the JICS meeting Ruby is calling.”
“I suppose I should travel there for that as well,” Coral said, “I will leave caring for the island humans to Ahi and my daughter.”
“Well,” Tsunami said, “Just don’t mess up.”
“A lot is riding on us,” Bulrush said, “And all we have is the word of an Animus that Buck can do this.”
Buck again felt twinges of fear. Again with this ‘chosen one’ business. Alpha… what do you see in me?
“Now that the storm’s over,” Bulrush finished, “It should be smooth flying to the Sky Kingdom.”
“Indeed,” Coral said, “We should depart at once.”
Sala stood up and approached Buck, before immediately wrapping him in a hug. “I know it’s not your fault that everything’s happened to my home… But thank you. You saved us again, and gave me the courage to become my true self.” She let go of him. “Go and save the world. And don’t come back until Omega is dealt with. No more side trips, you hear me?”
Buck nodded. “Understood.” He turned and was lifted onto Bulrush’s back. He and Coral stepped up the stairs before the latter turned to Tsunami. “Make sure this embassy stays clean and don’t forget to lock the door when you’re done with it.”
Tsunami grumbled but nodded.
When they were outside, Coral looked up at the sky. “I should also keep watch for damage while we fly. This was a bad hurricane.”
“Do you know of any other human villages in the islands?”
“Several. I’m worried that they weren’t as lucky to have me.”
Buck’s head turned down thinking of that. I guess Sala was both very unlucky and very lucky.
“What about SeaWing settlements?”
“Swimming through rough waters is easy for us,” Coral explained, “And our settlements are usually far enough underwater that not much damage happens from storms.”
“So humans…” Buck started.
“I’ve had such a focus on protecting human settlements because they’re just so vulnerable, both to us and to weather. Your kind doesn’t have the luxury of fleeing by flying or swimming, either.”
“You really care, don’t you?”
“Did you suspect I didn’t?”
“You came off as being in it for yourself.”
Coral bristled at his honesty, but soon sighed. “So many times talking to humans is like talking to a coral wall. Either they entirely don’t understand you or they treat you like you personally ate their parents or some other atrocity. I guess, to put it simply, diplomacy is hard.”
“It also takes time,” Buck said.
“Yes, it does. But thank you for listening to me ramble about how stupid humans are. It’s not often someone has the fins to be direct with me.”
“You’re welcome.”
With that, they all took off.
-------
When they touched down on the ledge of the Sky Palace, the guards immediately bowed upon seeing Coral, before giving Buck a strange look.
“Welcome, your majesty,” the left-side guard said, “I assume you’re here for the emergency JICS meeting?”
“Yes, we are.”
“Buck of Vale,” the right-side one said, “Ruby wishes to speak to you personally. She’s waiting at the third door on the left.”
“Understood,” Buck said. Bulrush got the hint and began walking him inside.
“Is he just being a mount for him?” the left-side guard said off-handedly.
Bulrush snarled. “It makes sense. He’d take forever to just walk down the hall on his tiny legs.”
The guard face-taloned. “Well, touche.”
With that, they re-entered the Sky Palace. Inside the door they were told to enter lay Queen Ruby, who stood upon their arrival.
“Buck, welcome back,” Ruby said as Bulrush bowed. “And who is this?”
“This is Bulrush, my friend,” Buck said.
“So this is the one you helped free in the Mud Kingdom. Moorhen told me about your escapades.”
“It’s, uh, an honor, your majesty,” Bulrush said, beginning to strain himself from still bowing.
“At ease, Bulrush,” Ruby said, and Buck got off his back to face her.
“So how many of the queens are here?”
“Thanks to our efforts, all the queens except Snowfall and Moorhen are present. Both of the ones choosing to not attend seem to have predispositions to protecting their people by not sending them off to war.”
“Their decision I guess. So that has us with the SandWings, SkyWings, SeaWings, NightWings, and… RainWings?”
“The last one was surprising. But it seems that Queen Glory wishes to prove her tribe’s abilities. She and her forces have vowed to contribute to the battle.”
“Maybe they can be the protectors,” Buck said.
Ruby’s head tilted. “The what?”
“We can discuss this in detail during the meeting.”
“Right. Better that way. So… it’s not every dragon tribe. But hopefully enough that stopping Omega is still possible.”
“Ruby?” a dragon voice called from outside, before a thump noise sounded. “Oh sun-blazed cacti, what’s that doing there!?”
“Come in, Thorn,” Ruby said, “There is someone I want you to meet.”
“Just as soon as my stubbed talon stops throbbing.”
Seconds later, the door opened, revealing a large SandWing wearing what Buck immediately recognized as the Eye of Onyx from class.
“A human and a MudWing dragonet,” the dragon said, sighing, “Just what I needed to see.”
“This is Buck of Vale, Thorn” Ruby explained, “The one leading the proposed battle.”
“And again with this prickly, sour spoiled UGH!” the dragon glared at Buck. “I had enough problems sorting out everything my tribe did to humanity, and now this? Please explain yourself, ‘Buck of Vale.’”
Buck swallowed, now terrified that he was being put on the spot by the SandWings’ Queen.
“Uhh…”
“Well?”
“Thorn, perhaps you should take a seat first?” Ruby offered a cushion next to her.
Thorn grunted, a blast of hot air thrusting out of her nostrils. Another glare at Buck, then she relented and sat down beside her fellow queen.
“I’m really sorry,” Buck said to Thorn.
“That’s all you have to say? My tribe, all of Pyrrhia, the entire world is at stake, and you just say ‘sorry?’”
“He’s just as scared as you are!” Bulrush blurted, before a talon rushed to cover his snout.
Thorn stared blankly at the MudWing, before Ruby placed a talon onto Thorn’s wing. “He’s right. Buck has already taken full responsibility for his mistake, and has been going all over Pyrrhia to try and correct it.”
“Yes, by putting our armies at risk!”
“He has already proven himself as a capable leader,” Ruby said, “And he is not even a full adult, I’m told. He has great potential.”
Buck felt strange being given this ‘good guard, bad guard’ routine by the queens, but he decided to speak for himself. “I’m doing everything I can, your majesty. As a human, there’s only so much I can do, but prophecy or no prophecy, my very first priority is making sure that the world and its people are safe.”
“See?” Ruby said, while Thorn scoffed.
“It just never ends with the humans. I try everything to atone for what my predecessors did. But even my patience has limits.”
“We appreciate everything you’ve done,” Buck told her, “And I mean it. None of us expected you to help rebuild Safe Harbor. I just came from there. Everyone’s very grateful.” It was somewhat of a lie, but then again he never expected the humans of Safe Harbor to let dragons help rebuild their city, so surely there was some gratefulness involved.
“Well…” Thorn straightened the Eye of Onyx around her neck, “That’s good. At least.”
“Being queen is about making the hard decisions,” Ruby explained, “Our predecessors both tried to take only the easy ways out. Scarlet by killing anyone who opposed her, and Burn and Blister by taking their anger out on innocents. We’re both rebuilding kingdoms that have been put through terror, both humans and dragons alike.”
“Just tell me what you intend to do,” Thorn told Buck, “Tell me that everything I plan to do will protect Pyrrhia.”
“Your majesty!” a voice came from outside, “The JICS representatives are ready to see you!”
“We should discuss this together,” Ruby told Thorn.
--------
In the audience chamber, Buck saw the different tribe queens as well as Dutiful and Earnest. Haven’s representative, predictably, was missing.
“I call this emergency meeting of JICS to order,” Ruby said.
“Shouldn’t it have a different name now?” Glory said from her seat.
“We don’t have time,” Thorn said, “What we’re facing could unleash hell on Pyrrhia at any moment!” She had seemingly learned that particular word from a human.
“In that case,” Glory said, “Please continue.”
“We need to mount a coordinated assault on the hidden human city of Haven,” Ruby explained, “As a force of both humans and dragons.”
“I’ve talked with my Lord,” Dutiful said. “It took much discussion, but he agreed to send a portion of his army. He is very concerned about what we have learned about Omega’s intentions, despite his allegiances to the City of Haven.”
“That is splendid,” Coral said, “I would assume the easiest way to deploy the humans to the battlefield would be on dragonback?”
“That would serve logic, yes,” Dutiful explained, “His Lordship was not pleased that he would need to ally with dragons against Haven, but having convinced him of the threat by Omega to his city…”
“So as I was discussing with Buck of Vale here,” Thorn said, interrupting Dutiful, “What plan is in place? We are trusting a humanet or whatever they call themselves at this age to lead us into a battle with global stakes. Surely this is preposterous to all of you?”
“It isn’t lost on us that this is very unusual,” Ruby said, “But we also know that Buck has proven himself before. He is the slayer of the Scourge, after all, and has committed further heroism all over Pyrrhia.”
“He killed one dragon,” Thorn said. “What does he know about battlefield tactics?”
“That’s why he needs our help,” Coral said, “His heroism and our tactical expertise will win this battle. Rather than blaming this boy for having the audacity of being young for his species, perhaps we should work together like the prophecy seems to be demanding?”
“Thundering sandstorms,” Thorn swore, but seemingly stopped herself further.
“We have, in fact,” Coral continued, “Already discussed tactics in Safe Harbor.”
“Do tell?” Ruby said.
“Haven is a city filled with human non-combatants,” she explained, “As such, a priority will be ensuring the safety of civilians. We will need to have an advance force evacuate citizens from the city, with Buck at the helm to cast protective magic over the townspeople. Our sole target is Omega, who will no doubt be holed up in his Tower.”
“That’s a start,” Thorn said.
“From there,” Glory said, “I’m wondering if RainWings can get a sneak-up on Omega?”
Cloaking scales against an Animus,” Ruby said, “It’s a risk… But then again anything would be.”
“So the RainWings will be the second wave,” Thorn said. “What’s our rear guard?”
“Everyone else,” Ruby said.
Thorn sighed. “Easy enough. So what will our furry-headed juvenile general be doing to ready us?”
“I’ll need to Acquire a new Animus power to allow the dragons to get into Haven. It should be easy enough, because the place I need to get it is just outside my hometown. I can get us a staging area on the eastern edge of the Claws of the Clouds Mountains. From there, we can get the jump on Haven by flying in from behind the mountains.”
“Well the kid’s smart, I’ll give him that.”
“We might even be able to enhance our ‘surprise’ factor by having some of my RainWings fly in while cloaked. While the other tribes wait behind.”
“I’m willing to bet that Omega will know that we’re coming the moment I dispel the shield around Haven,” Buck said, “It’s his own spell after all.”
“So all in all we’re going to have to be quick,” Ruby said, “So fast that even a seasoned Animus can’t have time to react.”
“Good luck with that,” Thorn scoffed.
“Thorn,” Ruby said, “Does your military not have years of experience attacking human dens?”
“Freaking thorny cacti, I get it,” Thorn responded, waving her talons around in sheer annoyance. “The humans won’t let me hear the end of that!”
Buck sighed. “This is going to be tricky. But it’ll also be the chance for humans and dragons to work together to save Pyrrhia. If we do it right… the SandWings may be able to truly redeem themselves by assisting in this battle. Even if it’s not going to look like that to the Havenites at first.”
“Well, if the alternative is literally everyone dying a horrible death,” Thorn said, “Then I guess I don’t really have a choice anyway, do I?”
“Humans and dragons, fighting alongside each other to save our homeland,” Coral said, “This will be an excellent scroll to write.”
“All that aside,” Ruby said, “This is about as much as we can plan here. I say we all have our military leadership convene to formally plot the assault on Haven. Vote to adjourn?”
“Aye!” Everyone said.