Spring, 1331
The dragons had had three long nights watching against any surprise attack from the Auxian force before the situation finally changed. Mera was waiting for action at the Southern end of the castle, somewhere on the verge of unconsciousness, his broken arm throbbing and his belly groaning, wondering how much longer he could last, when suddenly Hearesecha’s voice jolted him up.
*Mera! The humans are asking for terms! They’re surrendering!*
*What?* Mera immediately turned to the black dragon running over.
*It’s over! We won! There’s a Tassurian column within a few hours' march from here!*
*We won…* Mera let that thought sink in.
The siege was over. The two dragon squadrons probably could not have held out much longer anyways. Mier’s Castle had been breached in two places, and both Mera and Kharriana’s Squadrons were exhausted from the non-stop fighting. Of the eight surviving dragons, only Falknir, Kharriana, Raphrsah and Aahlen were not seriously wounded, with the two from the 56th having been put completely out of action. Mera himself was faltering, losing his adrenaline and starting to feel weak and lethargic from his painfully broken arm.
No matter how much the dragons had suffered however, the humans had gone through worse. The Excelsior Division had performed well, but it was now falling apart. Four days of constant fighting in the nightmarish woods had taken their toll-overrunning the Other Men encampments, defeating the dragon squadrons, then pursuing the dragons, only to be surprised when the dragons went around them to take Mier's Castle and cut of their line of retreat. With limited food and water the human forces had backtracked and spent two days futilely trying to retake their own castle. It was enough to completely wear one of the best New Army units to the bone.
A lone Auxian colonel stood in front of the ramparts of Miers Castle, quietly waving a white flag. As Mera arrived upon the scene, he found Hearesecha, Raphrsah and Aahlen awaited him at the front gate, meanwhile staring at the officer in front of them with a mixture of exhausted curiosity. The human was shaking at the sight of four dragons in front of him, but he continued at his task regardless.
“Does anyone Other Man here speak Auxian?” The colonel yelled again towards the castle. “Hold off your dragons! Let me talk to your commander!”
The dragon commander frowned.
*What’s he saying Mera?* Falknir asked.
*He’s asking for a commander, but one that is a Children of the Snows. He doesn’t believe that we took the castle from under him. He thinks we must have an Other Man leading us.*
Hearesecha snorted. *They think we’re stupid. We’re mindless beasts.*
Mera forced out a weak smile. *If this ends this battle soon, than I don’t care. Where's Kharriana?*
*She's guarding the rearward approaches of the castle with Falknir. She said you'd probably know best how to interact with the humans.*
*Perhaps I do.*
***
The Other Men soldiers who had regrouped within the safety of Mier's Castle had also heard about the surrender. While some continued to guard the walls against any secret Auxian surprise attack, the majority of the Trasgu had congregated around the outer bailey, waiting for something to do. The few hundred Other Men watched silently as Mera limped up to them.
“Anyone here speak Human?” The bronze dragon called out in Auxian.
For an awkward moment, no one spoke. Finally, a voice responded.
“I do.”
Mera turned to the responder.
“What is your name and rank soldier?”
“Captain Mewe Rohs, dragon.”
“You will be my authority. As far as the humans are concerned you are Colonel Rohs, special operations. Got it?”
The exhausted Rohs shrugged.
“Sure.”
“Good.”
***
An hour later Colonel Rohs, Special Operations Commander, resplendent in a salvaged breastplate, cape, and great helm with feathers quickly stained red, was talking to the Auxian colonel along the ridgeline while Mera silently watched from the ramparts. The bronze dragon translated the conversation in his head as gradually the rest of his squadron appeared beside him.
*What did the Other Man say?* Hearesecha asked.
*What did the human say?* Falknir added.
*The Auxian commander is afraid that his units will dissolve and starve and be hunted and slowly slaughtered in the woods. He’s trying to find someone of authority to surrender his unit to.* Mera translated.
*He’s surrendering to Mier’s Castle because he knows our force is outnumbered and also broken down. He’d likely get better terms than from Pope’s angry reinforcements.* Raphrsah explained.
*Brave human.* Hearesecha muttered.
*Oh, brave like how they pursued us like deer a few days back?* Mera snapped.
The black dragon turned and frowned at her commander.
*He fully expects to die.* Raphrsah observed as she watched the Auxian colonel continue his talk. *I can sense it.*
*Well I fully expect to kill him.* Mera mumbled.
*Oh?* Falknir looked up with renewed interest.
*These humans killed Theragmorth.* Mera set his teeth. *I will kill them for that.*
*How do you plan to do that?* Hearesecha asked.
*I told the Other Men to order the remnants of the human forces at this castle to surrender. When he does, we will set upon them. What better way to ambush them when they have assembled together?*
*Nice.* Falknir smiled.
Raphrsah was silent for a minute, but finally she nodded. *Very well.*
Mera turned back to the conversation between the Other man and the human.
“Commander, you will assemble your men in front of Miers Castle." Rohs finished. "Only those who do so will be placed under my victor’s mercy.”
***
A few hours later and long columns of human soldiers marched silently down the road toward Mier’s Castle. Flags and spears were reversed, weapons held in their scabbards. The dragon-killing ballistas were not among them, having been destroyed as soon as the surrender was known. Exhausted, battered, many wounded or covered in blood and soot, the Auxian troops nevertheless marched proudly, heads held high. They had fought well, and they knew it. Now the 2700-odd soldiers would be ending their role in the war, seeing what mercies were available to them, but regardless of their fate it would end with glory.
Standing upon the ramparts of Mier’s Castle were most of the Other Men garrison, perhaps 400 soldiers in all, an honor guard of twenty with Rohs at the open gate. These troops were also bloodied and exhausted and had only held on through the sheer desperation of survival. Now to their surprise and through little contribution on their part, the scattered survivors of Plaseb’s Division were the victors.
The true architects of the victory however were nowhere to be seen. The 56th Squadron, followers of the green dragon Kharriana, were hiding in the inner bailey, resting in reserve in case something went terribly wrong with the surrender. Kharriana herself was catching a quick nap before the ceremony.
On the other hand, the 57th Squadron was not in the castle at all. They were in fact arrayed in ambuscade behind the cliff face of Mier’s Hill, listening to the sounds of the human forces marching up. Mera waited until the sounds of marching began to halt. He heard slightly muffled conversation in the Auxian language echo among the rocks.
“Where are your lords and high commanders?” Colonel Rohs asked.
“They fled, leaving their men to their fate.”
A snort.
“Not very noble of them.”
“Some of us have chosen to remain with our soldiers, and to suffer whatever fate you have in store for them. I am prepared.”
“Very well then, let us begin.”
Mera looked down from the rock he was sitting on to the three other dragons assembled around him. Hearesecha had a deep slash on her right leg sustained by a pikeman during a sally, Raphrsah had a shallow head wound when a ballista bolt grazed by, and Falknir had been cut by several swords and spears and pincushioned with a half dozen arrows. All were tired, bruised and bloody, but now elated with victory. They were prepared to follow Mera with the final terrible attack and avenge their fallen.
*Is everyone ready?* Mera asked while he massaged his throbbing broken arm. His head still throbbed, though slightly tempered by his readiness to attack.
Hearesecha nodded.
*Good. Hearesecha will initiate the attack on my mark. As soon that happens Falknir will attack from the right and I will fan out to the left and follow. Raphrsah will then work her way to the rear and complete the encirclement.*
*What should we do with them when they are surrounded?* The female black dragon asked.
The bronze dragon’s voice was an icicle. *We box them in for the slaughter and kill them all.*
Falknir smiled, but Raphrsah was slowly shaking her head.
Mera breathed deeply. *Good luck then. We will end this. For Thergamorth.*
The dragons of the 57th Squadron fanned out, grouping themselves in an arc a half mile distance from the Auxian ranks. Meanwhile the surrendering human forces were arrayed in columns in front of Mier’s Castle, awaiting the end of the surrender ceremony.
Their blue uniforms would soon litter the fields like a spring bloom, the bronze dragon silently mused.
Slowly raising his wounded arm, Mera readied his attack.
His head still throbbed.
*On my mark-*
*Stop this at once!* A roar suddenly interrupted.
Mera turned around to see Kharriana storm up to him, her squadron of dragons fanning out to shield the humans from the members of his squadron.
The green dragon got right up to the bronze’s snout. *Meratezatgh the Feral, you will not go through with this massacre!*
*This is none of your business, bitch!* Mera snapped back.
Kharriana snorted without breaking eye contact. *I am your superior officer, and if need be, I will beat the living shit out of you! You won this battle brilliantly, Feral; don’t tarnish this with a slaughter.*
*These fiends killed my friend!*
*They killed my comrades as well. This is war. Your friend simply flew in the wrong current.*
*He died because of those humans right there!*
*Calm down Meratezatgh. You lived among them; you’re not normally consumed by such bloodlust. When you lose that understanding of your opponents, you will make mistakes, and your anger will destroy you before it destroys them.* Kharriana muzzle was barely an inch in front of Mera’s as she stared deeply into his eyes, before continuing:
*The humans are as much victims as we are; after all, this is their home. The Other Men forced all of us into this battle while they regroup in the rear and for that so many of us are dead today. End this battle.*
*The humans-*
*Mera, Thergmorth would not have wanted a slaughter to be his cenotaph.*
Mera glared at the other commander, breathing heavily. The females glared right back at him, refusing to back down in the slightest. After an eternal minute, the bronze broke contact and stared off into the distance.
*You’re right.* Mera finally uttered under his breath. He turned to Hearesecha. *Forget the killing, let them go.*
The larger black dragon shrugged and gestured to her brother. Falknir took one look at the angry green dragon commander and after an annoyed snort, walked off. Raphrsah seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and nodded before forcing a weak smile. In the distance, having been alerted by the roars of the dragon’s arguments, the human and Other Men soldiers stared questioningly at the line of the great wyrms, seemingly arrayed in a ceremonial array for their benefit. After a brief pause, the surrender ceremony continued.
Mera backed up and suddenly collapsed onto his haunches. It was as if all the energy that he had held for so long had finally given out. The world swirled before him and he could barely keep his balance. Vaguely, he sensed a figure walking up to him.
Kharriana leaned over and gently nuzzled Meratezatgh on the neck.
*Thank you.* She turned and ordered her squadron out with a nod of her head before turning back to Mera. *I am sorry for your loss.* Kharriana finally uttered and before she headed back towards Mier’s Castle.
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The dragons had had three long nights watching against any surprise attack from the Auxian force before the situation finally changed. Mera was waiting for action at the Southern end of the castle, somewhere on the verge of unconsciousness, his broken arm throbbing and his belly groaning, wondering how much longer he could last, when suddenly Hearesecha’s voice jolted him up.
*Mera! The humans are asking for terms! They’re surrendering!*
*What?* Mera immediately turned to the black dragon running over.
*It’s over! We won! There’s a Tassurian column within a few hours' march from here!*
*We won…* Mera let that thought sink in.
The siege was over. The two dragon squadrons probably could not have held out much longer anyways. Mier’s Castle had been breached in two places, and both Mera and Kharriana’s Squadrons were exhausted from the non-stop fighting. Of the eight surviving dragons, only Falknir, Kharriana, Raphrsah and Aahlen were not seriously wounded, with the two from the 56th having been put completely out of action. Mera himself was faltering, losing his adrenaline and starting to feel weak and lethargic from his painfully broken arm.
No matter how much the dragons had suffered however, the humans had gone through worse. The Excelsior Division had performed well, but it was now falling apart. Four days of constant fighting in the nightmarish woods had taken their toll-overrunning the Other Men encampments, defeating the dragon squadrons, then pursuing the dragons, only to be surprised when the dragons went around them to take Mier's Castle and cut of their line of retreat. With limited food and water the human forces had backtracked and spent two days futilely trying to retake their own castle. It was enough to completely wear one of the best New Army units to the bone.
A lone Auxian colonel stood in front of the ramparts of Miers Castle, quietly waving a white flag. As Mera arrived upon the scene, he found Hearesecha, Raphrsah and Aahlen awaited him at the front gate, meanwhile staring at the officer in front of them with a mixture of exhausted curiosity. The human was shaking at the sight of four dragons in front of him, but he continued at his task regardless.
“Does anyone Other Man here speak Auxian?” The colonel yelled again towards the castle. “Hold off your dragons! Let me talk to your commander!”
The dragon commander frowned.
*What’s he saying Mera?* Falknir asked.
*He’s asking for a commander, but one that is a Children of the Snows. He doesn’t believe that we took the castle from under him. He thinks we must have an Other Man leading us.*
Hearesecha snorted. *They think we’re stupid. We’re mindless beasts.*
Mera forced out a weak smile. *If this ends this battle soon, than I don’t care. Where's Kharriana?*
*She's guarding the rearward approaches of the castle with Falknir. She said you'd probably know best how to interact with the humans.*
*Perhaps I do.*
***
The Other Men soldiers who had regrouped within the safety of Mier's Castle had also heard about the surrender. While some continued to guard the walls against any secret Auxian surprise attack, the majority of the Trasgu had congregated around the outer bailey, waiting for something to do. The few hundred Other Men watched silently as Mera limped up to them.
“Anyone here speak Human?” The bronze dragon called out in Auxian.
For an awkward moment, no one spoke. Finally, a voice responded.
“I do.”
Mera turned to the responder.
“What is your name and rank soldier?”
“Captain Mewe Rohs, dragon.”
“You will be my authority. As far as the humans are concerned you are Colonel Rohs, special operations. Got it?”
The exhausted Rohs shrugged.
“Sure.”
“Good.”
***
An hour later Colonel Rohs, Special Operations Commander, resplendent in a salvaged breastplate, cape, and great helm with feathers quickly stained red, was talking to the Auxian colonel along the ridgeline while Mera silently watched from the ramparts. The bronze dragon translated the conversation in his head as gradually the rest of his squadron appeared beside him.
*What did the Other Man say?* Hearesecha asked.
*What did the human say?* Falknir added.
*The Auxian commander is afraid that his units will dissolve and starve and be hunted and slowly slaughtered in the woods. He’s trying to find someone of authority to surrender his unit to.* Mera translated.
*He’s surrendering to Mier’s Castle because he knows our force is outnumbered and also broken down. He’d likely get better terms than from Pope’s angry reinforcements.* Raphrsah explained.
*Brave human.* Hearesecha muttered.
*Oh, brave like how they pursued us like deer a few days back?* Mera snapped.
The black dragon turned and frowned at her commander.
*He fully expects to die.* Raphrsah observed as she watched the Auxian colonel continue his talk. *I can sense it.*
*Well I fully expect to kill him.* Mera mumbled.
*Oh?* Falknir looked up with renewed interest.
*These humans killed Theragmorth.* Mera set his teeth. *I will kill them for that.*
*How do you plan to do that?* Hearesecha asked.
*I told the Other Men to order the remnants of the human forces at this castle to surrender. When he does, we will set upon them. What better way to ambush them when they have assembled together?*
*Nice.* Falknir smiled.
Raphrsah was silent for a minute, but finally she nodded. *Very well.*
Mera turned back to the conversation between the Other man and the human.
“Commander, you will assemble your men in front of Miers Castle." Rohs finished. "Only those who do so will be placed under my victor’s mercy.”
***
A few hours later and long columns of human soldiers marched silently down the road toward Mier’s Castle. Flags and spears were reversed, weapons held in their scabbards. The dragon-killing ballistas were not among them, having been destroyed as soon as the surrender was known. Exhausted, battered, many wounded or covered in blood and soot, the Auxian troops nevertheless marched proudly, heads held high. They had fought well, and they knew it. Now the 2700-odd soldiers would be ending their role in the war, seeing what mercies were available to them, but regardless of their fate it would end with glory.
Standing upon the ramparts of Mier’s Castle were most of the Other Men garrison, perhaps 400 soldiers in all, an honor guard of twenty with Rohs at the open gate. These troops were also bloodied and exhausted and had only held on through the sheer desperation of survival. Now to their surprise and through little contribution on their part, the scattered survivors of Plaseb’s Division were the victors.
The true architects of the victory however were nowhere to be seen. The 56th Squadron, followers of the green dragon Kharriana, were hiding in the inner bailey, resting in reserve in case something went terribly wrong with the surrender. Kharriana herself was catching a quick nap before the ceremony.
On the other hand, the 57th Squadron was not in the castle at all. They were in fact arrayed in ambuscade behind the cliff face of Mier’s Hill, listening to the sounds of the human forces marching up. Mera waited until the sounds of marching began to halt. He heard slightly muffled conversation in the Auxian language echo among the rocks.
“Where are your lords and high commanders?” Colonel Rohs asked.
“They fled, leaving their men to their fate.”
A snort.
“Not very noble of them.”
“Some of us have chosen to remain with our soldiers, and to suffer whatever fate you have in store for them. I am prepared.”
“Very well then, let us begin.”
Mera looked down from the rock he was sitting on to the three other dragons assembled around him. Hearesecha had a deep slash on her right leg sustained by a pikeman during a sally, Raphrsah had a shallow head wound when a ballista bolt grazed by, and Falknir had been cut by several swords and spears and pincushioned with a half dozen arrows. All were tired, bruised and bloody, but now elated with victory. They were prepared to follow Mera with the final terrible attack and avenge their fallen.
*Is everyone ready?* Mera asked while he massaged his throbbing broken arm. His head still throbbed, though slightly tempered by his readiness to attack.
Hearesecha nodded.
*Good. Hearesecha will initiate the attack on my mark. As soon that happens Falknir will attack from the right and I will fan out to the left and follow. Raphrsah will then work her way to the rear and complete the encirclement.*
*What should we do with them when they are surrounded?* The female black dragon asked.
The bronze dragon’s voice was an icicle. *We box them in for the slaughter and kill them all.*
Falknir smiled, but Raphrsah was slowly shaking her head.
Mera breathed deeply. *Good luck then. We will end this. For Thergamorth.*
The dragons of the 57th Squadron fanned out, grouping themselves in an arc a half mile distance from the Auxian ranks. Meanwhile the surrendering human forces were arrayed in columns in front of Mier’s Castle, awaiting the end of the surrender ceremony.
Their blue uniforms would soon litter the fields like a spring bloom, the bronze dragon silently mused.
Slowly raising his wounded arm, Mera readied his attack.
His head still throbbed.
*On my mark-*
*Stop this at once!* A roar suddenly interrupted.
Mera turned around to see Kharriana storm up to him, her squadron of dragons fanning out to shield the humans from the members of his squadron.
The green dragon got right up to the bronze’s snout. *Meratezatgh the Feral, you will not go through with this massacre!*
*This is none of your business, bitch!* Mera snapped back.
Kharriana snorted without breaking eye contact. *I am your superior officer, and if need be, I will beat the living shit out of you! You won this battle brilliantly, Feral; don’t tarnish this with a slaughter.*
*These fiends killed my friend!*
*They killed my comrades as well. This is war. Your friend simply flew in the wrong current.*
*He died because of those humans right there!*
*Calm down Meratezatgh. You lived among them; you’re not normally consumed by such bloodlust. When you lose that understanding of your opponents, you will make mistakes, and your anger will destroy you before it destroys them.* Kharriana muzzle was barely an inch in front of Mera’s as she stared deeply into his eyes, before continuing:
*The humans are as much victims as we are; after all, this is their home. The Other Men forced all of us into this battle while they regroup in the rear and for that so many of us are dead today. End this battle.*
*The humans-*
*Mera, Thergmorth would not have wanted a slaughter to be his cenotaph.*
Mera glared at the other commander, breathing heavily. The females glared right back at him, refusing to back down in the slightest. After an eternal minute, the bronze broke contact and stared off into the distance.
*You’re right.* Mera finally uttered under his breath. He turned to Hearesecha. *Forget the killing, let them go.*
The larger black dragon shrugged and gestured to her brother. Falknir took one look at the angry green dragon commander and after an annoyed snort, walked off. Raphrsah seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and nodded before forcing a weak smile. In the distance, having been alerted by the roars of the dragon’s arguments, the human and Other Men soldiers stared questioningly at the line of the great wyrms, seemingly arrayed in a ceremonial array for their benefit. After a brief pause, the surrender ceremony continued.
Mera backed up and suddenly collapsed onto his haunches. It was as if all the energy that he had held for so long had finally given out. The world swirled before him and he could barely keep his balance. Vaguely, he sensed a figure walking up to him.
Kharriana leaned over and gently nuzzled Meratezatgh on the neck.
*Thank you.* She turned and ordered her squadron out with a nod of her head before turning back to Mera. *I am sorry for your loss.* Kharriana finally uttered and before she headed back towards Mier’s Castle.
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Category Artwork (Traditional) / Portraits
Species Western Dragon
Gender Male
Size 1280 x 1280px
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Kharriana seems to be a good leader for her sympathy and the way she defused the time bomb of Mera's vengeance. And Raphrsah didn't appear too enthusiastic about the plot, though perhaps she didn't feel strongly enough about it to question it openly, or maybe she is apprehensive about contradicting Mera and the rest of the squadron. At the end, it seems the anticipation for more slaughter was the only thing keeping Mera going with his wounds.
Yep she is! And that's why she eventually becomes Mera's better half sixteen years later.
All of those things regarding Raphrsah are true as well-while it's not explicitly stated here, she was the one who alerted Kharriana while Mera was distracted watching the surrender talks.
Mera was sad, hurt and broken by this battle (as Kharriana mentioned here and also later) and this is not his best point. It also foreshadows some even more horrible things far into the future.
All of those things regarding Raphrsah are true as well-while it's not explicitly stated here, she was the one who alerted Kharriana while Mera was distracted watching the surrender talks.
Mera was sad, hurt and broken by this battle (as Kharriana mentioned here and also later) and this is not his best point. It also foreshadows some even more horrible things far into the future.
That is a sweet story. As for Raphrsah, escalating the issue to another authority was probably the most effective thing to do.
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