When I arrived at my landing pad at the harbor, I found Darhla and Shryke waiting on me, in their elven forms. “What might I do for you this day?” I asked curiously.

“We would go with you.” Shryke said.

“Do you know where I am going?” I asked.

“No, but we have heard of the attack on our land and would help you as we may.”

I was slightly surprised, not so much about wanting to help, but by the “our land”. Twould seem they had found a home here.

“I would be honored to have you, for this strike as well as the one that will come later.”

I asked Arienach how I could take them with me, as this was a new concept for me. He laughed and asked how I had gotten the gold when I met with Haladoria and Dorvus or how I had gotten to Dragonhaven. So, open a portal behind me? I only heard a chuckle, but felt a sense of pride in my mind.

“Follow then. Once I go, there will be an opening that you can follow through.”

They glanced at each other a little uneasily, but both nodded. “We will follow.”

“When we arrive, we will be going moonward. There will be a small harbor bearing to your left. Fly to the entrance of the harbor but do not enter it. If by chance any get away from me, stop them from entering the harbor. We are hunting black sail ships.”

“What lies in the harbor?” Darhla asked.

“Possible allies. I know them to be elves, but I know not where we stand with them.”

“Then why not just wipe them out as well?” There was no malice in Shryke’s voice, only curiosity.

“Because it is hard to befriend the dead. We will not be their enemy unless they make themselves such.”

I watched as the new concept, at least new to them, was pondered.

“We will do so.”

When we arrived, I dropped down to a low glide over the water. Darhla and Shryke split to the left. Two of the black sails were engaged with a watch tower that I had not spotted, about a mile before the harbor. I watched as Darhla took one and Shryke took the other, blowing them both out of the water. Then they proceeded to their places over each side of the harbor mouth. I took my time while this was happening to study the ships as we approached them. There was one that looked different from the others. It was a slight bit larger and flew some type of flag.

I decided not to attack that round and simply overflew the fleet, taking a few of their masts with me. I could hear the screams and shouts of rage as I shot over them. I flew out ahead of them then turned in the air and came back. Canting to the right, I carefully took out the ships closest to the harbor, taking care to not touch the large ship. Then I repeated the maneuver for the other side.

We were almost on the harbor by this point and three survivors tried to run for the harbor. They met with destruction from Darhla and Shryke. As for the larger one, I took his masts off, then his catapult and left him to sit.

Flying to the moonward side, I found a large flat area. No arrows or other projectiles were forthcoming from the elves, so I landed and shifted. Darhla and Shryke stayed where they were, landing, but keeping an eye on what was left of the big ship. I waited there, facing the outer wall.

After a time, the outer gates opened and a column of troops came out and marched towards me. I walked to meet them. As they drew close, they formed a line in front of me and stopped, lowering their spears while the line behind them drew arrow.

I smiled and said. “Greetings, I am called Michael.”

A few of then glanced to each other while I heard laughter from behind them.

“Greetings to you as well, Lord Dragon. I am called Alistor of the clan Estaria.”

“I am glad that we may talk. I do not wish your people harmed this day.”

“I am glad that you do not wish to harm us lord dragon.”

“Michael, please. I get the lord enough back home.”

The tall pale elf came forward and we looked each other over. Then he spoke.

“What are you in the hierarchy of the dragons?”

“Oh, you know of us?”

“We made a study of your kind and have kept it for many generations. I am sorry, but my studies sometimes goes before my diplomacy.”

I laughed. “That is a good priority if you would ask of me. I am the eldest ancient.”

I heard a rattle as the spears dropped behind Alistor, who dropped to his knees looking somewhat paler than he had.

“I... I had heard... your name was Arienach...” He stuttered.

I sighed then smiled sadly. “Please rise, I mean you and your people no harm. I am Arienach. Michael Arienach. Again, please call me Michael.”

“Nice save. I like that name as well and it is an apt description now.”

“What may we do for you... Michael.”

“I would ask to borrow this space for a while, I wish to know of the ones who are on that black sailed ship.”

“They are scavengers. One managed to rise to power in the south and has taken the major seaport in this land. Most others would not oppose him and any that sent diplomats to talk, lost them to slavery.”

I heard a loud crash. Glancing over, I saw Shryke return to his perch. He glanced over and I motioned him to join us.

“What happened?” I asked as he landed.

“Oh, a tiny boat tried to sneak away from the far side of the ship.” He cocked his head. “You know, there is no way to disable one of those little ones, they blow apart too easily.”

“Do not worry yourself. Shryke, this is the high elf Alistor, Alistor, this is Shryke.”

To my surprise, Shryke managed a very good bow.

“I am honored to meet you, Alistor.”

“We never knew...” Alistor said in a quiet shocked voice. “We had no clue...”

“My pardon? What did not you know?” I asked.

“We never knew that you could talk. Our chronicles list you all as nothing more than savage beasts.”

Shryke laughed. “We are savage beasts. Michael seeks to change that.”

I glanced at Shryke then shrugged. “We are working with the people over on the continent to the south moonward side of you.”

Alistor’s shock was evident. “The people?”

“Yes, the Horiel clan, the Rockheld and about a handful of others... I am lousy with names, though I am trying.” I chuckled.

“Rockheld? I have never heard of such.”

“They are dwarves.”

“Dwarves?” His eyes widened comically.

“Yes, our people are made up of all of the races who care to join and live in peace. Many new ideas and much art has arisen from the joining.” I replied.

“How did you... how was it managed?”

“Quite by accident, actually. Green skins... I know them as orcs, captured Calalistos and the surviving elves sent a party of hunters north. They tried to take my herd of cattle. I let them have half, then arranged trade with them and it developed from there.”

Alistor sighed. “So the orcs hold Calalistos.”

“No, I removed them.”

“I can see this story requires quite a bit of telling. Mayhaps another time? What will you do about the scavengers to the south?”

“Well, we have a plan to take care of them, once we can make sure the slaves are protected. We are studying the problem as we speak. If you would, I would like you to come to my city and talk with some of the other leaders so that we would know more of what we face.”

“If I may go reassure my people, I would be honored. How would I go there? It would take at least two days by ship.”

“Have you ever thought to ride a dragon?”

Alistor turned white and swayed on his feet. One of the spearmen came forward to steady him.

I smiled. “You can bring one other. Make sure that they do not fear high places.”

“I will go and talk with my people now.” He said weakly. “I will be back in a few hours. Feel free to use this space.”

As he left, I opened a portal and pulled the ship through it. It landed with a crash and rolled to one side. I was sure it would not be comfortable to be in it at this moment, but I waited patiently for the humans to emerge. I noticed Alistor and his guard looking back for a few minutes then head back to their city.

Darhla joined us as the first of the humans left the shell of their ship. I studied it, noting details of it’s construction. From what I could remember of my life before I came here, it would be a very slow design. Rounded hull would not make for any great stability on heavy seas either. I walked around it, then met with an over large human in plate armor who tried to take my head off with an axe. After the axe broke, I took his head off with a flick of my wrist, conjuring my mana blade.

The others decided to calm down a bit at that point.

“Are there any left in your ship?” I asked.

“What’s it to you, dragon?” The gentleman talking spat the words.

“I seek their safety as in a few moments, that hull is going back out where it was and it will be destroyed.”

He stared at me for a few moments then yelled. “Come on out or die. He means to destroy what be left of it.”

About two dozen warriors came out and lined up behind him.

I looked them over. “Greetings, I am called Michael. Now tell me of what happens in the south.”

He stared at me defiantly. “Why would I tell you that?”

I grinned at him. “Because we missed breakfast to come here?”

He started to reply, then suddenly his face paled and he took a step back.

“So... would you rather talk or be breakfast?” I continued.

Shryke looked over the top of the ship and licked his lips. Suddenly, they were not so defiant. Taking the opportunity, I ported the ship back out to sea and sent a full magma blast to it. The harbor stopped the worst of the tidal wave, but it washed all of them off their feet and sent them into the side of the cliff behind us. A cloud of steam and spray mushroomed up from the doomed ship. A few of them were damaged, one was killed, but there was no defiance left. Then we talked.

The villa used to belong to the old town mayor. King Ralph (you’re kidding, right?) worked for the mayor when he wasn’t out stealing everything in sight. He made some less than reputable contacts and gathered a like minded group (thieves) together and then killed the old mayor in his sleep. By the time the town figured out that happened, they had control.

The army was only a local militia and they went along to keep the peace until the slaves started showing up. Good old Ralph also got in contact with a band of pirates. Which was where his fleet had come from. Ralph let them use the port and built on that. At first, the black sails were kept hidden from the merchants till enough was raided to start serious ship building.

Once they started talking, they didn’t shut up. No they didn’t know about the fate of the other fleet. No they didn’t know what else Ralph had planned. But they did know about the slaves and who was minding them. Mostly pirate crew. So when we went in against the slave pens, we wouldn’t have to pull punches.

Alistor returned with a contingent of guards and the pirates were marched off to see their new lodgings. He brought with him a elf maiden named Rainia.

“Welcome Alistor, are you ready to fly?” I asked as the pirates were led away.

“Greetings Michael. I would introduce you to Rainia, my adviser. Rainia, this is Michael Arienach.”

“Tis a pleasure, milady.” I said with a half bow.

Rainia furrowed her brows for a moment. “Arienach as in the dragon Arienach?”

“Yes milady.”

She fainted.

After she recovered, Darhla knelt down and let her climb up on her neck and slide back so she was just in front of her wings. It seemed that once she was actually on Darhla, she calmed down. With what I knew of our reputation, it must have been terrifying walking up to an adult dragon. She pulled a set of goggles out of her bag and a long scarf. Alistor followed suit.

“Twould seem you came prepared, is this the standard dragon riding outfit?” I jested.

Alistor laughed a bit. “No, but if you are in with a group riding horseback, you learn to protect your eyes.”

“Tis a wise precaution. I think I am going to port to Calalistos then fly up to Dragonhaven so you can see the sights, if you wish.”

“As you wish lord dragon.”

“Michael.”

The elf chuckled. I was starting to wonder if it ran in the race. With us all set, I shifted. I heard a gasp from Rainia, followed by “magnificent”. We took to the sky and I circled to make sure our guest were doing alright, then opened a portal to Calalistos, out over the water.

We flew in over the port and then across the city. Alistor and Rainia were actually waving back at the people who came running out to greet us. I kept a fairly slow pace so that Darhla and Shryke could keep up. Then followed the river up to Dragonhaven. It took just over an hour. I let Darhla and Shryke land first and they let their passengers dismount and then they shifted and moved off the pad. I came next. By the time I landed, Haladoria, Cornal, Dorvus and much to my surprise, Graniel were waiting on us.

“Graniel! Well met. Greetings all.” I smiled in greetings. Graniel grinned but said nothing.

Haladoria came running up and gave me a hug, much to my shock. “Michael, all went well?”

“It went quite well. Let me introduce Lord Alistor of the Estaria clan and his adviser Rainia.”

The dwarves and elves bowed. I noticed the look of shock on Rainia’s face, with Alistor just looking perplexed.

“Lord Alistor, Lady Rainia, this is Haladoria of the Horiel, Graniel her ranger, Dorvus, chief of the Rockheld clan and his second, Cornal.”

“We be greeting you, welcome to the dragon empire.” Dorvus said.