Chapter 1 Seat of the High King of Dragard

The throne room was quiet. Normally at this hour, courtiers and administrators would be bussing up and down the halls. However, right now, the King sat on his throne with eight of the kingdom's most elite warriors before him. Over the past fifteen year's these warriors had entered service and risen through the ranks. However, in the last 7 years, they had formed the Dragon Squad and proven themselves to be the top fighters around. Each was dressed in full formal regalia, complete with impressive gold knotwork on their shoulders for rank, having just come in from the public promotion ceremony.

"My gods of war, come forward." Said the king, gesturing to eight.

"With your new rank as of gods of war, you will serve under the supreme commander, and while your terms of required service are up, your rank is beyond your active service. I request you each take charge of a province. You are not responsible for the day-to-day operation, that is still the lord governors. However, in what capacity you see fit, you are in charge of the military forces of your given province. Jackson, as first among the gods of war, I am assigning you to Rhodes. Being in the west, you will have easy access to the capital here but also be able to support Asrana who will be assigned to Warrenton in the Northwest."

"Yes, My lord," said Jackson, bowing and accepting a sealed tube of orders.

"Anika, as second, I am placing you in charge of Placida to the east of the capital. Port Manai and its garrison will be under your purview, but I am sure you will spend much time in Tirana dealing with Lord Reva."

Anika stepped forward and accepted her tube, a look of distaste crossing her face at the mention of Lord Reva.

"Gad, Malachi, and Carter, you three are assigned to the southern provinces of Ruatha, Parcia, and Karth respectively. Hopefully, you can encourage the farmers there to send more food supplies north and avoid too much of the fighting."

"Thank you, my lord," said the three, accepting their orders and stepping back.

"Zev, I give you the unenviable task of dealing with Coutre. It is beautiful coast there, but you are Cutoff from Placida to the south by the Drahgfir mountains. Coordinate with Nash who I am assigning to Ashai."

"Yes my lord." Said Zev.

"Nash, Asrana, step forward." Said the king. "you two will bear the brunt of any hostilities to come. The Empire agreed to six months of ceasefire, but that is already half gone. If things start back up, it will be up to you to defend the walls, and garrisons. Call in aid as you see fit. Asrana, take charge of Warrington province, and Nash, you will have the province of Ashai."

"Yes my lord." They each replied.

"Any questions before I release you to a much deserved time away from the front lines?" asked the king.

It was Anika who stepped forward. "My lord.... Andrew? He was not at the promotion ceremony and was not mentioned..."

The king sighed. "O he was there, don't worry. He saw you each raised to gods of war. However as for the rest... at his request, he was left out. As for where he is now, he is already on his way to the airfield I imagine, where there are planes ready for each of you."

Jackson and Anika glanced uncertainly at each other before bowing formally to the king.

"We serve the kingdom, and we will listen for the command of the supreme commander." The eight gods of war said as they bowed formally, and retreated to pack, and head to the airfield.

After the gods of war departed, a hook-nosed advisor stepped out of the shadows and sneered, "they serve the kingdom and the supreme commander, but how about their king?"

"It is the pledge of the elite dragon brigade and has been since its inception, even when there were no gods of war yet, nor a supreme commander in place," said the king in a tired tone.

"then why have you not ordered it changed?" queried the advisor.

"It is tradition, Freemont, and they have served their terms faithfully. There is no need for you to pick a fight with them," replied the king.

"And DeVos? Will you hold their conscription term upheld?" Freemont pressed.

"They sent us Andrew. He may not have been DeVos blood, but with everything he and the Dragon squad have accomplished, why should we make a fuss about it? If they had not sought him out, the kingdom may not be standing."

Freemont frowned and held up a document. "The man was likely just a street orphan from what my sources say. How is that upholding the conscription decree for 8 years of service of a member of each high family?"

The king glared at his annoying advisor. "I know what the degree says, I signed it and enacted it! The spirit of the law was preserved and the kingdom is better off because of it. Drop it!"

"Yes my lord" Freemont said, stuffing the intelligence page back in his pocket.