#c: commandant

“Indeed, they’re the leftovers of that pitiful Windcurrent Clan.” continued Commandant, leading the way towards the front gates of the Executrix Empire, “Janto showed them mercy, by giving them a choice not to live within the Imperial City. They instead restored a ghost town on the border. They have their own set of government there, and everything. However, we do send in troops occasionally, to make sure not rebellions are being made. We can’t be too careful now...”

Kofi nodded. Made sense.

Once they reached the front gate, Commandant stopped and finally turned towards Kofi, causing the Tundra to straighten up, “Your mission, Agent Triple Nine, is to spend a few days in Loth-Ysalamiri Town, under the guise of a traveler. Make up whatever story you need. Get information about the townspeople, or rather, update our current information as you see fit. But there’s one in particular you need to keep your eye on...”

“And that is, sir...?” asked Kofi, before Commandant handed him a file. He took it and flipped through it, a picture of a younger man making him stop. He had shaggy hair, and with his Ridgeback horns, almost looked like some sort of sheep-man. Very young and jovial by the looks of it. And very innocent looking...

“We believe his name is Alderoy.” continued Commandant, “We have reason to believe that he is the son of the former Windcurrent Clan leaders, Khan and Tarcy. Whether or not he knows that, is up to you. Get as much information as you can about him. More details of your mission will come, after the few days have passed.”

“When will I need to return?” asked Kofi, slipping the file into his side pouch.

“There will be a signal. You will understand it when you see it.” said Commandant, leaving it at that.

Kofi didn’t like how...ambiguous that was, but he had no choice. The lower ranked officers didn’t question the higher ups. He saluted Commandant and, with that, set out into the desert.

*********

The town was easy enough to find. And thanks to the desert, Kofi’s outfit was dusty, and spotted with sand. He was pretty sure he had sand in his hair, down his shirt, in his boots... He was beginning to hate sand.

It’s too coarse and gets everywhere...

Kofi shrugged that aside, heading up to the town’s entrance. He saw a few others going and coming in. Seemed like the entrance wasn’t too guarded. He was just about to walk in with the rest of them, before a taller person blocked him with an outstretched arm.

“And who are you?”

The largeness of the other startled Kofi for a moment. He looked him up and down, scanning his ‘mind’ files for who this dragon might be. But it was the horns that made something click in the Tundra’s mind.

Azhi. Town Guard. Rumored Eldritch Horror. Be wary around him.

“I am just passing through.” said Kofi, putting on a smile, despite Azhi’s suspicious look. Though he couldn’t shrug off the feeling that there was more that just two eyes staring him down... “I’m hoping to stop and rest a few days, before heading back out. Traveling through the desert is rather rough and exhausting...” He reached into his side pack, pulling out some papers, “Here’s my travel papers from my original clan. They should verify my leaving.”

Azhi took the papers and adjusted the monocle on his face, reading them over. They were fake, of course. Commandant printed up some fake documents on him, completely without the Empire’s seal. Which was rare, within the actual city. Still, they would state that he was traveling from the Sunbeam Ruines, down to the Ashfall Waste--his home territory.

The Ridgeback looked the documents over a bit more, before smiling and handing them back to him, “Welcome to Loth-Ysalamiri Town. While we don’t have an inn just yet, there are a few open rooms in the pub across the way.” Azhi turned slightly...but he didn’t gesture with his hand. A long, thick black tentacle materialized seemingly out of nowhere, pointing down across the way to where a larger building lay, lit up. From the sounds of it, it was already quite busy.

Kofi tried his best not to stare at the tentacle, as he smiled at Azhi, “Thank you, sir.” With a nod, he started to head off, though not before seeing Azhi use that same tentacle to tip his top hat at him.

“The name’s Azhi--pleased to meet you!” he called out after him, smiling toothily.

As Kofi headed for the pub, he had to make another mental note.

“Buddy, don’t you recognize us?” asked Lorcan, peering out from behind Temperance, “It’s me--Lorcan! And this is Temperance! We put you together, rememb--”

“He doesn’t remember.”

The two started, as a figure started climbing down off of AT-AT, jumping to land at his feet, before walking forward, brushing his black hair out of his face.

“AT-AT has had his original programming installed.” explained Sinizad, jerking a thumb at the war machine, “He can now fufil his original purpose. And that’s as a weapon.”

Before Temperance or Lorcan could say anything, a tall individual stepped forward, his robes fluttering around him, jewelry glinting in the morning sun. His hair was long and red as blood. Imperial horns were covered in gold ringlets, indicating some sort of royalty. But no one knew this dragon. All looked to one another, confused.

Who was he?

“Hello, everyone.” said the Imperial, voice as smooth as velvet, Light eyes practically glowing as he surveyed the clan before him, “Sorry to wake you so early, but I believe it’s finally time to introduce myself. I am Janto--your new Emperor.”

Murmurs immediately sprang up.

“Emperor?”

“Who is this guy?”

“What does he mean by ‘Emperor?’”

Janto let the murmurs continue, before he spoke again, “I’ve been...observing...this clan for some time, and I’ve come to see that your clan leaders have all but abandoned you. You’re leaderless. You need a leader...a teacher...someone to guide you through life, and help you live.”

Commandant stepped forward, eliciting dark mumbles and glares in his direction. He ignored them all.

“Emperor Janto will lead us to to a better life.” he started explaining, hands clasped behind his back, “He has the resources to make sure we are all protected and safe. No longer, will we be threatened. For we have the power to crush anything that stands in our way...”

“Or anyone?”

Nariko stepped forward. Her grief from before had passed, and now she stood strong. In her anger, sparks of electricity danced across her body, as she leveled the Pearlcatcher with a glare, “So you finally got the army you were always wanting? I bet you were glad to overthrow Khan and Tarcy, and join up with this dictator.” She nodded her head towards Janto, who only watched her calmly, “You betrayed everyone here, Commandant. How dare you--”

She stepped forward, only to have someone step inbetween her and Commandant.

The smaller Major glared at Nariko, hand outstretched, cannon at the ready. Electricity sparked from it. Everyone noticed a few changes in Major. She not only seemed more streamlined, but even from the sidelines, the electrical energy coming from that cannon in her hand could be felt. Though it didn’t rival Nariko’s own self-generated electricity, which sparked even more as she stared down Major.

“Move...or I’ll fry you both.” growled Nariko, taking a step forward, only causing Major to lift her hand up even more.

“Ladies, ladies...” cooed Janto, raising his hands...and without even touching them, lifted them up off of the ground and moved them apart. Major seemed annoyed, but didn’t say anything. Nariko struggled a little, and stumbled when she was put down onto the ground, staring wide-eyed at Janto, who just smiled.

“And since I’m now the clan’s Emperor...” he started, looking around at everyone, raising his voice a little to make himself heard, “You will be following me. We are leaving the Wind territory.”

This was met with outcry.

“No!”

“We can’t leave!”

“What if Khan and Tarcy come back?”

“This is our home!”

Janto let out a sigh, shaking hsi head, before gesturing for Sinizad to get back onto AT-AT. He watched the Chiss climb up the war machine, before looking at the clan, a cruelness shining in his bright eyes.

“...It is no longer your home. And now...” He raised his hand, and AT-AT whirred to life, taking aim at a few of the dens surrounding them, “You have one hour to gather what you can. Take only what you can carry. For if you’re not all back out here within the hour...”

He dropped his hand. AT-AT’s head swiveled around, and took aim at the library. Within to shots, it practically exploded, and was destroyed. Ryn nearly fainted on the spot, as all of his word was destroyed within seconds.

“NOW!”

At Janto’s cry, the clan scrambled back into their dens, packing what they could. At his side, other than Commandant and Major, was Kinosri, Erin, a pastel colored Imperial, and a brightly colored Coatl. Janto turned slightly to look at them all, muttering a soft order to Kinosri, before turning back towards the clan, just simply waiting.

And, within the hour, everyone was gathered back in the center of the clan. Some were carrying loads with them, while others only had a few items in bags. Janto nodded with approval, recounting to make sure everyone was out. Well, even if they weren’t done packing...

“Good. You listen well, for a clan of nobodies.” said Janto simply, shrugging, “You’ve much to learn. But it’s good to have loyal, obedient peoples. Makes for a better Empire...” He heard the murmurs of distrust, and fear. He could practically taste the nervousness and fear in the air, from the clan. It was hard to tell where it originated, and which individuals were the ones giving it off. But it didn’t matter.

Tilting his head up, he looked at AT-AT, seeing Sinizad perched up there, “Tlas’iniza’doazzag!” he called out, using the Chiss’s full name, “Fire at will!”

Sinizad nodded, slipping his goggles over his eyes...as AT-AT started spitting out laser bolts.

Cries of anguish and fear rose from the clan, as they huddled against one another, watching helplessly, as their clan is destroyed. Dens are easily leveled within a few blasts. The healer clinic is completely leveled. Maverick’s ranch is decimated. Vino and Wijn’s vineyards are gone. The nursery is destroyed, and so is Khan and Tarcy’s home.

The Windcurrent Clan was completely demolished within just a few minutes.

“Our new home--the Executrix Empire--awaits.” hissed Janto, stepping forward, “Your clan is no more. You no longer have a home. If you join the Empire, you will be given a place to live. Those that do not wish to, you will be...accommodated...though survival is entirely up to you.”

Janto moved to turn around, before pausing, “That reminds me...”

Gesturing forward, Kinosri had returned, with Isolde by his side...and a familiar Imperial between them.

“Yomigami!”

Indeed, it was the former second in command. However, he looked quite worse for wear. He was ragged. He was too skinny, and his clothes--what remained of them--hung from his body. And he was a bloodied mess. One eye was practically swollen shut, and other wounds were on his body, messily wrapped with already crimson bandages. Everyone thought him dead, until he was tossed to the ground, and let out a groan of pain. Nariko immediately rushed to his side, as did Jay and Maelgwyn.

“He’ll live.” said Kinosri idly, looking at them huddling around Yomigami’s unconscious form, “His life is not in danger.”

“I will give you all one more hour.” stated Janto, turning around, sweeping his robes with him, “Do what you must, but after the hour, we leave. If you wish to stay and die, be my guest. If you want a chance to live, come with me.”

The group left without another word, with AT-AT’s footsteps making the ground shake in his wake.

As they walked along, Erin turned to Janto, curiously, “My Lord...a question, if I may.”

“You may.” said Janto, his tone indicating he was in rather high spirits.

“Where will our Empire be?” she asked, “You said we’re not staying here, but where will we go?”

“To the Lightning territory.” said Janto, glancing over at her with a victorious smile, “I already have everything set up over there. The palace is ready to move in to, and the city around it is ready to accept more into their fold.”

Erin blinked, surprised, “...Not to question your actions, but Lightning, my Lord? Why not Light, where we both hail from?”

Janto shook his head, looking forward again, “The Light territory has given me all I needed. I need more. The Lightning territory is famous for its science and industry. I had control while in Light, but in Lightning? I’ll have power...” A wicked grin cut across his features, “Weapons of all sort at my disposal, a powerful fortress to block out the unworthy and treasonous...It’s perfect.”

“Yes, My Lord. It is.” said Erin, bowing her head respectfully, “All hail the Empire.”

Her words were echoed, murmured by the rest of Janto’s group that walked with him.

“All hail the Executrix Empire...” purred Janto, loving how it sounded on his tongue.

----------

Once everyone had gotten over the shock, the loss of their clan, they started moving. They huddled together, staying close, afraid to lose one another, after loosing their entire clan. Many were crying. Out of grief, and out of anger. Jay had switched to his dragon form, carrying the injured Yomigami, while Nariko tended to him.

“Dear...” Nuoenii appeared at Issak’s side, gently touching his arm to let him know that she was there. He jumped a little at her voice, but relaxed instantly. The explosions...while his sight was gone, he could feel each fire of AT-AT’s lasers, and could practically feel the destruction it caused. Their clan was gone. Their home was gone.

And now the pilgrimage began.

“Yes, my dear?” asked Issak, keeping one hand on his walking staff, the other holding a bundle close to his chest.

“I have to ask...” she started, looking at said bundle, “...You’ve had that bundle, since even before we had to gather our things. What’s in it?”

Issak’s lips twitched, almost smiling, before looking around. Seeing this, Nuoenii placed her hand on his shoulder again.

“No one’s listening. What is it?”

“Well...” started Issak, his voice low, “...Tarcy came by the nursery the other day....”

“She did?!” gasped Nuoenii, Arcane eyes wide, “Wha...Why didn’t you say anything? We could’ve made her stay--”

“I tried to stop her...” said Issak, pain evident in his voice, “But before I could get to the door, she was gone. And she left behind...this.”

He gestured to the bundle, nodding for Nuoenii to unravel it slightly. And so she did. Underneath all the blankets was a small, huddled hatchling. A Ridgeback. With Wind eyes, as he stared up at Nuoenii, blinking sleepily. He yawned, before curling back up into Issak’s chest, snoring softly within moments.

“I’ll be Arcanist damned...” Nuoenii breathed, covering the child back up, “...Her and Khan’s son?”

Issak nodded.

Nuoenii moved the blankets aside a little, before something caught her eye, “Ah...there’s a note on him.”

“A note?” Issak looked over at Nuoenii, “I didn’t see a note...”

He paused. Nuoenii paused. Then both started chuckling softly.

The head knight took the note away from the hatchling, and looked it over, “Ah,  he has a name...”

“Oh?” Issak looked at the note...or where he thought the note was, and was in fact a few inches off, “What does it say? What’s his name?”

Nuoenii smiled warmly--the first warm smile in many, many months, “...Alderoy. His name...is Alderoy.”

---------

And so the remnants of the Windcurrent Clan traveled Northeast, taking what they could carry. But no longer were they the Windcurrent Clan. That was left behind in ruins in the Wind territory.

Now...Now they were just a bunch of dragons, being lead into Janto’s Executrix Empire...

“Khan has sent out Aiton and Malachias to search for her.” said Yomigami, “I’ll relay this to him, so he can issue them the news. They knew of a general area to look, given you’re both Plague dragons, but now that we can narrow it down...”

Commandant scoffed, “I doubt she’d be so smart as to stay where she’s been for the past few months.” He shook his head, “She’d be further into the Scarred Wasteland than we’d like. And very few dragons here are willing to go into ‘enemy’ territory, so to speak...”

Cynfair shook his head, “No. She’ll be there.” he said, with finality, “She doesn’t love me, but she loves my knowledge of poisons. I told her I’d return--I have not. She’ll either wait...or come searching for me. My knowledge is too important to her to just leave behind. Because it...”

Cynfair swallowed, glancing down a bit in shame, his feathered crests drooping.

“...It was my concoction that killed Plagueis.” he said, softly, “I worked hard brewing that. I had no idea she’d take it and mix it in with Plagueis’ food. I thought she’d take it to study it further...”

“You’re a fool.” huffed Commandant, only to be surprised, when Cynfair didn’t argue with him.

“...I know...” he sighed softly, “I was a fool to think she loved me...She never loved me in the first place.”

Ryn placed a hand on his twin brother’s back, before looking at the two, “Enough questions, okay? He needs to rest. You have the information you need, now go.” Normally he wouldn’t be so short with these two...but his brother needed rest. And their questions, especially Commandant’s, were not helpful.

“Ryn, Ryn. It’s okay.” said Cynfair, patting his brother’s arm, “They need information to catch her. I’m willing to tell them everything I know. I’m over Mereda, Ryn. She needs to answer for her crimes. And...when I recover, so do I.”

“Cyn--”

“We’ll deal with your crimes later, Cynfair.” said Yomigami, his expression soft despite his words, “We’ll relay this information to Aiton and Malachias, then we’ll go from there. She will be brought to justice, there’s no doubt about that.”

“And she will answer for her crimes.” added Commandant, nodding, “For now? Rest up. Your trial will be soon after hers.”

Yomigami huffed at the Pearlcatcher, before the two left.

Now, at least, they had a location where they could search. And with Aiton being a Plague Dragon, and Malachias having lived in the Scarred Wasteland before, they’d be perfect to scout the area. Once more information was given, they could send out a hunting party.

“He’s recovering well.” said Jay, nodding, “He’s responding well to our treatments, and is recovered enough to speak. He’ll still need rest, so...for the time being, I recommend that he’s not shoved into the dungeon at the present time.”

“I agree.” said Maelgwyn, nodding, his twin tails swaying behind him, “Cynfair’s recovery also depends on his mental well being, and throwing him into that dark dungeon, alongside the beast that resides there, will hinder everything that Jay and I have put into him. From what I’ve observed...he’s not going to run. He’s said repeatedly that he’s ready to talk.” He then scoffed softly, “He’s in no shape to run, anyways--he’s healing from a dislocated shoulder, a broken wrist, and a fracture on his left wing.”

Khan nodded, taking in all this information for a moment. Cynfair had come back on his own terms. He wasn’t forced, and even went back to his twin brother’s den to see him. Ryn had not left his brother’s side, since he had come back. With the twins reunited and Cynfair safe, it was only a matter of time, before the Skydancer broke his silence and spoke.

“I don’t want to use the word ‘interrogate’...” started Khan, “But we will talk with Cynfair soon. Once we do, we’ll have a better understanding of where Mereda is, and--”

“Hunt her down?” asked Commandant, with a slight snarl. When all heads turned towards him, he stood up a little to pace, “Khan, you can’t simply let her come to us. We have to find her, before she comes here. She’s a threat to the clan.”

“We don’t even know where she is, Commandant...” sighed Khan.

“Then ask Cynfair.” said the Pearlcatcher, simply, “He said he’s willing to talk, right? So go talk with him, and bring Mereda to justice! Unless you want to put the clan in danger again--”

Yomigami stood up abruptly, “Watch your tongue, Commandant...” he growled, ears flat on his head.

“I’m just saying...” said Commandant strongly, looking up at Yomigami, before looking over at the clan leader, “We can’t allow her to hurt anyone else again. She killed Plagueis, she blinded Issak, and for all we know, she’s been hurting Cynfair this entire time. So, let’s set out and find her.”

There were murmurs of agreement, a few dragons nodding in agreement to what Commandant said. Khan looked around, before nodding himself, “...Then we’ll find her. Somehow.”

“Sounds like you need to organize a Witch Hunt.”

Everyone started, turning around at the new voice that joined them. A blue Skydancer walked in on the scene, head held high, cape billowing out behind him. His piercing red eyes looked at everyone, before they landed on Khan. A few dragons muttered curiously about the newcomer, before Khan cleared his throat, issuing silence.

“Nice of you to join us, Kinosri.”

The Chiss Skydancer nodded, bowing his head respectively towards Khan, before looking at the rest of the dragons gathered, “I am Sarki’nos’riwiu--though you may call me Kinosri. I heard you were talking about the fugitives, and decided to give my own advice on the matter.”

Commandant looked at Kinosri strangely, before settling back down, allowing him to have the stage.

“You have her mate in custody. Congratulations! You’ll deal out his punishment soon, no doubt. Once he’s recovered, that is. A dead prisoner won’t tell anything, after all.” he chuckled, before continuing on, ignoring the concerned looks, “Thankfully, we won’t have to torture him to get what we want. He’s willing to tell us where this Mereda is. And if she’s on the move, you do have others at your command that can help with tracking, right?”

Khan nodded, “I have Aiton, the clan’s spy. He’s been keeping an eye on Sephtis and Gaston for now--”

“Two Plague dragons, might I also add.” interrupted Kinosri, earning him a growl from Yomigami, “But why have the spy keep an eye on those two, when they’ve done nothing wrong? Why not have this Aiton do border control, and keep an eye out for Mereda? Why keep him here, within the clan? It doesn’t make sense now, does it?”

The murmuring grew louder, before Yomigami finally silenced everyone. Khan looked up at the ceiling...where a small form was already emerging from the walls, causing Kinosri to startle, as he landed in the center of the table.

Aiton unfurled his wings, stretching, before looking around, his eyes landing on the Chiss, before turning to Khan. Even Kinosri had to admit, that he had never even noticed the Pearlcatcher. Which was surprising, given the bright colors on the spy...

“...Aiton, I want you to travel out and see what you can gather from neighboring clans, about the whereabouts of Mereda.” said Khan, “And I’d like for you to team up with Malachias. With you two on the case, we should get results very soon.”

“And...who is this Malachias?” asked Kinosri, only to help out again, as a voice came from under him, from his shadow.

“That would be me, Blue Guy.”

The Mirror crawled out of the shadow, stretching as well, before joining Aiton’s side, “We’re finally going after that Poison Bitch? About damn time, if I must say.” he snorted a chuckle, before looking back at Kinosri, who still looked almost offended that this Mirror had popped up from under him, “...Who’s Blue Guy, anyways?”

“I am Sarki’nos’riwiu and--”

“Too long.”

“...Kinosri. I am Kinosri, a Chiss that has come here--”

Malachias waved a dismissive paw, before turning back to Khan, “Anyways, whatcha got us doing? I’ve been itching to take down this bitch for awhile now.”

Kinosri looked about ready to snap at the bounty hunter Mirror but held his tongue, taking a seat and looking up at Khan, ready to hear his plan, as well.

“No take downs, Malachias. Only information.” explained the clan leader, causing the Mirror’s wings to droop in disappointment, “Once you and Aiton gather information on her whereabouts, we’ll send in a team to capture her. She will come back here to confess her crimes.”

“Then what?” asked Kinosri, causing all heads to turn towards him, “You tried capturing Plagueis, right? And you just threw him into the dungeon, where he was eventually killed. For his crimes alone, experimenting horribly on his mate, and even an allied dragon...that alone should’ve been enough to sentence him to death.”

“No dragon deserves death.” said Khan strongly, “One can repent for their crimes, I believe. Violence is not the best option.”

“Even if that dragon has killed before?”

A hush fell over the meeting room, and Kinosri continued.

“I’ve studied what this clan is like, and how you, Khan, deal with those that threaten the clan’s peace. In sort...you don’t handle it. You shove them away, and hope to deal with them later. Out of sight, out of mind, you know?”

“Kinosri...” snarled Yomigami, “Watch what you say to Sir Khan...”

“Oh, I am. I’m just stating facts.” said Kinosri, with a shrug, “And it’s just a matter of opinion, really, but...I think a better clan leader would’ve nipped this in the bud, before it became a major problem. Now, because of that, one dragon is dead, and you still have the main perpetrator out on the loose, threatening to strike again. You’ve made this clan even less safe than before--”

“You--!!” Yomigami nearly launched over the table at Kinosri, if Khan hadn’t placed his hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

“Settle down.” said Khan strongly, his eyes never leaving the Chiss Skydancer in front of him. Ignoring Yomigami’s please, Khan rose, “...Your concern is noted, Kinosri. I’ll keep your words in mind. For now, the meeting is adjourned. Aiton and Malachias...” he turned to them, “Start your search immediately. Report back with any information.”

With that, Khan turned to leave, as the rest of the dragons filtered out. Aiton and Malachias dashed out as well, already set on their task. Kinosri and Yomigami were the only two left. As silence fell upon the room, Kinosri chuckled, causing Yomigami to whirl on him.

“And what do you think is so funny?” snapped Yomigami, “Your words were highly unnecessary, and sounded more like you were trying to undermine Khan’s authority and his credibility as a leader!”

“I was just stating the facts, Yomigami.’ shrugged Kinosri, looking over at him, “Facts that he needed to hear. Maybe now, things can change. The clan’s due for a change, don’t you agree?”

Before Yomigami could answer, Kinosri turned and left, leaving the Imperial alone to wallow in his thoughts. What could he have meant by that? Time for a change? And those words he said to Khan...ones that struck home...