Dragon Alliance Dark Storm : Dark Storm (28 page)

“As far as the revenue that the weirs generate from the sale of those comfort and seeing crystals, as well as the mineral wealth mined within our weirs by the dwarves, it goes to the maintenance of the weir itself to pay for our assigned garrisons and legions and the general protection of our provinces. We even give 10 percent of our organic mined wealth to the Alliance general coffers as a gesture of friendship. We donate another ten percent of our comfort and seeing crystals to the Alliance church and still an additional ten percent to those we deem worthy. This was different before the last Great War when we required a tithe to maintain those needs; this is no longer necessary. It should be a benefit to the senate and the Alliance itself, since you do not need to pay to maintain half of the total Alliance Army and part of the Alliance Navy. Regarding the storage of that revenue, the dragons, having our unique armored hides, find precious metals, such as gold and silver a comfortable bedding material. Additionally, our lairs are the most protected places in the Alliance. Not a single gold drachlar has ever been stolen from us, for they are protected not only by the dragons and our garrisons but by magic as well. These are also the repository of the weir’s monies, no different than a bank or the Alliance Treasury.

“The dragons take only what we need beyond our bedding for our weirs, and the dragonriders themselves are all paid the equivalent of an army colonel except those who seek and receive commission as officers, who are paid according to their rank. Captain Mkel, the gold dragon Gallanth’s rider, is paid less than one of our brass dragonriders, for example, for he chose to become an officer, a credit to his dedication, and he is also paid much less than a senator, arbitrator, or merchant, for example,” he stated as he looked directly at Senator Terrjok and then Senator Tekend and the other Enlightened senators. They had to divert their gazes temporarily, for no one could withstand the truth stare of a gold dragon.

“Our riders give us enhanced powers through the emotions we receive from them. This allows us to recharge our breath weapons faster, teleport greater distances and more often, and strengthen our defensive magic shields. This is our gift from the Creator to help us in our mission to look over those whom we serve. We feed and are empowered by the love from our riders, in a similar way that the chromatic dragons derive power from the fear of their victims. All the dragons and riders, as well as the weirs in general, answer to Lord Michenth and General Becknor. We work hand in hand with the leadership of the Alliance military and the premier, even former premier Bilenton, for the best interests and safety of the Alliance.”

Mkel thought of how many times he and Annan had talked over the issue of him taking a commission instead of just being a dragonrider like his friends Slidess, Bkert, and Dkert. But he thoroughly enjoyed having the command of his garrison rather than relying on some outsider to command it, for Gallanth and his men appreciated that. She and Michen were without basic want. Yes, there were things he would have liked to get for them, but they were superfluous and not necessary.

“The Articles of the Alliance, which your Founding Council wrote, give the weirs autonomy based on our unfaltering service to the republic. This was also instituted to give our balance to the central government and ensure a despotic premier would not overthrow the senate and declare himself a dictator, my good senators. I know, for I was there when it was signed,” Therosvet brashly stated, for he had not the patience in dealing with the insolent POEs and enjoyed injecting a small jibe referring to the tendency for dragonriders to live extremely long lives due to their bonding and the jealously that many of the Enlightened had in regard to that.

“I would tend to question the word of dragons as of lately, especially with the rising tensions in the east and on the oceans. I would also like to second the Enlightened Senator Terrjok’s initiative to propose a change to the Articles of the Alliance to allow civilians the right of the vote as well as the donation of the weirs’ comfort crystals, along with the healing stones to the senate for our distribution. We should engage in a renewed pursuit of peace with Shidan and the Morgathians, for we feel their intentions have been misunderstood since the Great War, as well as peace with the chromatics, orcs, and drow, by sharing our wealth. A call for a more aggressive cut to the military budget as in the tradition of Premier Bilenton is necessary as well. Then there is the very name of the avenger dragons. I state it is too harsh and brings on an aggressive connotation,” Senator Kushien stood up and interjected.

Mkel and most of the dragons and dragonriders knew that the Enlightened Senators had their eyes on the precious metal and gem wealth of the weirs, especially the mithril of Draden Weir.

“President Gindren, I must address this scurrilous accusation regarding the honor and truth in the words of the dragons,” General Becknor stood up and demanded.

“Please proceed, Rider of Michenth,” Gindren responded.

“For a reminder to all the learned senators assembled here, Article One of the Alliance constitution, which gives the right of free speak to all citizens and civilians alike, also clearly states that the word of the metallic dragons holds the strength of law. Dragons do not and cannot lie. Two thousand years of history tells us this, unlike the many ‘enlightened’ assembled among you,” he stated as a murmur arose from the POE section of the senate, but he continued without regard to their muffled protest. “Challenging dragon law and word or leveling an unsubstantiated accusation is a direct interference with the matters of dragons and the basis for the Alliance itself. Those who do must be prepared to accept the consequences, and let me assure you that dragons and riders do not threaten, but promise, with the delivery of such justice being swift.”

“In regard to the naming of our newest cousins, the avenger dragons, we, as the dragons of the Alliance, those who defend the weak and the innocent, reserve the right of vengeance on behalf of all of you. We and our riders have borne the brunt of battle these last few decades. If there is any question of this, I would be delighted to entertain it, personally,” Valianth added to the senior dragonrider’s comments.

There was an uneasy moment of total silence in the Great Senate Hall until Senator Kushien stood back up and boldly, but rather stupidly, brought a point of contention. “I would question the validity of any word that does not come from this senate and especially not from an Enlightened perspective, for the true freedom of speak can only be attained through that prism,” he espoused.

“That is a rather narrow view of freedom, Senator, and any thought and action that is that small or narrow is bound to be crushed under its own ignorant weight,” Colonel Therosvet responded angrily. One of the Enlightened senators next to Kushien almost grabbed him to pull him back down, knowing that he had crossed the line and was about to be expelled from the senate.

“I will not sit down; these dragonriders are nothing more than dragon pets or puppets!” he yelled out.

“Senator, somehow I sense a hint of jealousy. For some unknown reason, there has not been even a single POE or ‘Enlightened’ member selected as a dragonrider. Our being chosen is based on having a good, honorable soul; being trustworthy, courageous, caring, a true honest caring; and for loyalty, as well as just having faith. All of which are not Enlightened traits,” General Becknor replied with a smile that brought about more grumbling from the POE section of the Senate.

“I agree with the Alliance’s senior dragonrider, too often in exchanges with the Enlightened, truth is the true victim. All the gold in the Alliance cannot buy a dragonstone. These are the things of honorable and dedicated souls, my good Enlightened Senator, and they are the ultimate check and balance on a government gone wrong. You and your ilk cast a shadow over the city of light that Draconia has become,” Senator Santoric replied.

Senator Gindren began to pound his hammer hard to regain control of the gathering when Valianth spoke out in the typical loud and commanding voice of a gold dragon.

“Senator Kushien, you, like us, can be summed up as a necessary evil; this, however, all depends on one’s relative point of view,” Valianth replied aiding Gindren in silencing the senate body.

“Guards, I want Senator Kushien expelled from the hall for his scurrilous remarks,” Gindren demanded as six armor-clad Dragon Knights moved in and grabbed the vainly struggling senator and half-escorted, half-carried him out of the hall to a room in the periphery of the building.

“Valianth, Gallanth, General Becknor, and all weir guests, I want to apologize on behalf of the senate for Kushien’s remarks. The dragons and the weirs in general represent the stability in our society. This fact cannot be denied no matter what illogical argument is presented.”

“Senator Gindren, I must interject, we also have forgotten the contribution of our elven partners here in the Alliance, in just how their connection to our republic is overshadowed by the weirs and dragons,” Senator Terrjok vainly attempted to change the subject and drive a wedge between the strong ties of the elves as a separate kingdom and the weirs.

“Senator, while the elves can create small magic feats, only through the dragons and dragon blood can true magic exist. To deny or dismiss this is foolish, bordering on the ignorant.” Eladra stood up, which immediately grabbed the attention of all in the hall. She stopped Terrjok’s move in its tracks.

Jodem whispered into Mkel’s ear of Terrjok’s family’s history, “He is a senator from the Denar Province, who is heir to his wife’s family, which has an almost monopoly on the spice trade in the whole region. Many of these recipes were supposedly stolen from the halflings. A local Enlightened Party magistrate made his judgment in a court case in Terrjok’s favor. They have a strong tie with the Tekend family, who transports their products all over the Alliance coast and to ports overseas. The POE influence in the Truth Saying guilds has also led to a rise of patriotic orators, who attempt to counter the distortions that those guilds espouse.”

“Thank you, Queen Eladra. Your comments are taken without question, as always. We will now call this to a vote to end the debate. The proposal before the senate is to request the weirs to place all revenues of the sale of the dragon-created comfort crystals and all others in the senate coffers for redistribution, even though this governing body does not have the authority to demand so. All in favor say, ‘Yea,’” and about one-third of the senate body cast their vote with their seeing crystals, while they in unison said, “Yea.”

“All opposed,” and the remainder of the senate voted with two-thirds of the political body almost shouting, “Nay.”

“The proposal is defeated.” As he said that, there arose a low grumbling from the Enlightened senators.

“The next point of order before the senate is the discussion on a change to the individual rights clauses in the First and Second Articles of the Alliance founding document, regarding the owning of weapons, the right of franchise, and the address of the military’s budget,” Gindren announced to keep the gathering moving.

“Yes, Senator Gindren, we as the Enlightened Party wish to address the concerns of a group of civilians and several citizens regarding their objections to intimidation by those in our republic who exercise these so-called rights of arms. As a measure to achieve a more common safety climate, it would be wise to place a disarmament policy among the general public, thus making our cities and countryside a safer and more secure environment. The question is why a citizen or civilian, in our so-called protected republic, needs a sword or bow? Is this not what the Alliance Army and Navy and the weirs are supposed to do? Our fine police forces provide this environment for all, therefore making it unnecessary for our people to be armed or need to be able to protect themselves,” Senator Tekend spoke up with his thick Ferranor regional accent, which seemed to make his very broad reddish face and wavy gray hair more insulting.

Mkel and Jodem whispered of the well-known fact that the Enlightened Party in general was against the use of arms by the public and wanted to eliminate private ownership of weapons. This was their attempt to make them easier to control and unable to resist a stronger central government, again under the guise of safety for the general population, and to make fundamental changes to the Articles of the Alliance easier as set by this precedence.

“Senator, it is clearly stated in the Second Article that the right of all, and I repeat all, citizens and civilians, to possess and maintain any and all types of weaponry they choose for both their personal security and to aid in the defense of the Alliance, if so called upon, cannot be questioned, unless that right has been abused by that person. To answer the argument of the Enlightened senators, you can’t have it both ways. You say you support the republic governmental system of the Alliance, which means fair representation in majority vote rule, while still protecting the rights and voice of the minority opinion, but the minority can’t trump the rights of the majority. A small part of the population that is intimidated by those dedicated citizens and civilians who possess weapons as their right for recreation or self-defense, shall not impede on the rights of the majority,” Senator Zelmellor stated.

“Our First Premier and Founding Council Member Warrenton even stated, ‘A free people ought to be armed.’ This is now even truer than it was in those days,” Senator Zelmellor stood up and continued with his Atlean plains drawl and his tall, venerable appearance. In spite of his seasoned age, he still commanded a great deal of respect and charisma. A true patriot, he was a staunch defender of the military and strict about the adherence to the articles, especially the Second Article.

“If you read the article with a more intellectual perspective, Senator, you will conclude that it was meant to create a training pool for either the Alliance Army or to defend against the weir’s forces, if necessary. But we know we can trust our weirs and the dragons now can’t we? This is no longer needed as a measure of protection for the republic, it is no longer necessary,” Tekend arrogantly responded.