High Dragon Tempest, Cyclone, The Warriors, Hunters, and Councillors were gathered around the meeting stone in the center of the camp, discussing strategy on how to deal with the Vrykul encroaching on their land.

Thunder, the leader of the hunters, was pointing to a map of the land that they had drawn in the ground. The Vrykul forces were coming from a fortified village known in the Vrykul tongue as 'Hrydshal'.

"Our best chance to minimize casualties is to send a small attack band to their gates, draw them into a trap and have the rest of us ambush them from the sky." Said Thunder.

Cyclone shook his head. "They wouldn't fall for it. They know their best advantage is to stick to their walls and keep us within Harpoon range. They wouldn't risk straying too far from their village."

"Then we bombard them." Said Tempest. "From long range. Surround Hrydshal and force them to come out and face us."

Councilman Storm seemed weary. "All of these options will come with heavy casualties on our side. Is there no other way to deal with this threat without sacrificing our own?"

"I know a way." Said a voice in the crowd. Tempest and the others perked their heads up to look at the crowd. The voice sounded like it came from a female dragon.

As the crowd parted, Glade made her way to the center of the camp to join them.

"I'm surprised." Said Tempest. "I didn't expect you to be here, Glade. You say you know of another way?" He inquired.

Glade nodded and smirked. "We trick them into backing off."

Councilman Storm scoffed. "Trick them? How do you figure that?"

"I will deceive them." Said Glade. "For many many years there has always been a three-way free-for-all between my old clan, your clan, and the Vrykul. All of us have been at each other's throats for as long as I can remember, and it kept a balance of power between the three of us. We can deceive them because you have me in your clan." Continued Glade.

"The Vrykul know nothing of what happened at the Battle of Stormheim. As far as they're concerned, the balance of power is still intact. I suggest that I and someone else go to the enemy's gates and trick them into thinking our clans have formed an alliance." Said Glade.

Tempest rubbed his chin. "To treat with them?"

Glade nodded. "Exactly. Make it seem like I am the ambassador of my clan, joining forces with your clan. They know they can't defeat both dragon clans combined. They'll have no option but to work out a deal with us." She said.

"Hmmm." Cyclone hummed. "Very clever. Do you think they would buy it?"

"Absolutely." Glade said. "They know nothing of my involvement in this clan. If they see a purple dragon and a blue dragon standing side by side, they'll know we mean business."

Cycloned seemed intrigued. "All valid points. Do you approve, Highdragon?"

"Sounds like a decent plan to me. Will you be going along side her, Cyclone?" Said Tempest.

Cyclone nodded. "I will. In case things go south, have the clan hidden behind the tree line. If things go wrong I'll signal with a thunder strike. It's very important that they think we come alone and in peace. If they see you all outside the gates they'll see it as a threat of war."

"Understood." Said Tempest. "I'll get the clan ready."

Cyclone and Glade turned to face each other. "I sure hope your plan works." Said Cyclone.

"I think you overestimate the Vrykul. They're not as intelligent as the smaller humans." She said.

He nodded slowly. "We'll see."

A few hours later the sun was at the highest point in the sky. Glade and Cyclone were standing shoulder to shoulder alone in the field right outside Hrydshal. They started to walk together until they came to the gates of the village. Once they reached the gates, two Vrykul on top of the gate pointed their bows at the two dragons while one captain stood up.

"Halt!" The Captain said. "State your business, dragons, or be fired upon."

"We seek an audience with your thane. We come alone and in peace." Said Cyclone.

The Captain disappeared for a moment to seek approval to let them in. As Cyclone and Glade waited outside the gate to be let in, Glade leaned over to whisper into Cyclone's ear.

"Let me do the talking in here." Glade said.

Cyclone leaned back over to her. "How can I trust that you'll say the right things?"

"Trust me." Said Glade. "Nithogg's clan was closer to Hrydshal than your clan was. We had to deal with them a lot more than you did. I know how they think, how they negotiate. If you want peace without bloodshed then you're just going to have to trust me." She said.

Cyclone sighed. "Alright." he said reluctantly. He knew deep down that Glade had a good heart but he didn't know anything about her experience in diplomacy. He feared that she might say something to put them in danger. Nonetheless, he stayed quiet.

The gates in front of them started to slowly open. The captain gestured for them to come forth.

When Glade and Cyclone were inside the village, they were greeted by many spears, axes, and bows pointed at their heads as they were escorted to the throne of the thane.

As they walked through the village Cyclone looked around, seeing many warriors covered in armor with frighteningly decorated helmets and sharp weapons. It was hard to be at ease when they were surrounded by such a ferocious looking army.

They were escorted to a large wooden castle. The guards backed off and formed a circle around the two dragons before kneeling down. Cyclone and Glade looked up to see a large hulking Vrykul adorned with a spiked gray helmet, a double edged halberd, and a long gray cape that slid across the ground as the thane of the vrykul slowly approached them before standing still in front of them. He rammed his halberd into the ground beside him and folded his arms. Both Cyclone and Glade sat down.

"Glade." said the Vrykul.

"Thane Irglov." Said Glade.

Cyclone perked up with surprise. He didn't expect the two of them to know each other.

The Vrykul Thane kept his arms folded and looked over both of them from their heads to their feet. "Who is this?" he said with a deep dark voice as he looked at Cyclone.

"This is Cyclone, ambassador of Highdragon Tempest's clan." Said Glade as the Vrykul turned his attention toward her. "

Irglov scoffed and spat on the ground. "What is this?" he said to her.

"This is the end." Said Glade. "Nithogg and Tempest have set aside their differences and joined forces. You can't stop the combined might of both of our clans, Irglov."

Irglov started to laugh with a deep-throated chuckle. "You expect me to believe that two blood rivals would suddenly join forces in such short notice?"

"I don't care what you believe. What I believe is that if you don't listen to what I have to say, your little village is going to go up in smoke." Glade threatened.

Cyclone seemed to get more nervous. He wasn't accustomed to this style of brash negotiation.

Irglov spat on the ground around and kept his arms folded. "What do you want?"

"I want you to stop expanding your territory into Tempest's land. They are allied with us and you will give them the same respect and distance you gave to my clan." Glade said.

Irglov huffed. "Tempest has enough land. My clan can use that land to build houses on. The other surrounding ground is too steep to build on."

"I don't care." Said Glade. "They were there first."

"We won't give it up without a fight." Said Irglov.

Glade nodded. "Under normal circumstances I would agree. You could probably stand a good chance against Tempest's clan but you won't stand a chance against the two of our clan's combined."

Irglov shook his head. "You underestimate our might. We can stand against you."

"Do you really want to risk it?" Said Glade. "I don't think you do but perhaps we can work out a deal where no bloodshed is involved."

Irglov smirked and stroked the beard on his chin. "I'll duel you for the land. I will accept nothing else."

Glade nodded. "I expected as much from you. You have a deal but first let's sweeten it some more shall we? If I win I want ten of your largest cattle to feed my clan."

"And If I win, I get to break off and keep both of your claws to make weapons out of." Said Irglov pointing to both Cyclone and Glade's feet. "Front and back claws." He said with a grin.

Glade grinned as well. "Deal."

"Woah woah woah." Cyclone said scooting Glade aside for a moment to speak with her. "What are you doing? You're betting both of our claws on a duel? Why are you trying to 'sweeten the pot' anyway?" He said shocked and a bit angry.

"I need you to trust me, Cyclone. Remember?" Said Glade.

Cyclone stared at her for a moment, not sure what to think or say. He obviously didn't feel comfortable having his own claws being used as a gambling token.

Before Cyclone could respond she turned back to Irglov. "You have a deal."

"Outside the gates in fifteen minutes." Said Irglov as he motioned for his guards. "Give her whatever she needs. Food, water, whatever." He said before going back into his castle.

As his guards began escorting Cyclone and Glade out of the place Cyclone continued to express his doubts.

"This wasn't part of the deal." Said Cyclone. "Why are you digging us deeper into this mess?" He said, annoyed.

Glade shrugged. "I know these Vrykul. Irglov isn't going to fight me directly. He's their leader and he can't risk being maimed and rendered unable to lead his people. He'll send out a champion to fight in his honor, most likely a spellcaster."

"What happens if you lose?" Said Cyclone.

"Claws grow back. But I don't plan to lose mine today." She said as they were finally escorted out of the village and onto the open field.

"I should be the one to fight him, not you. I couldn't ask you to stick your neck out like this for a clan you've only been apart of for a few days." Said Cyclone as they sat beside each other, waiting on Irglov and his champion.

Glade looked at him and smiled. "You don't have to ask, I want to do this. Your clan is my new family, and besides you're going to be a father soon, Cyclone. I want you to be happy and healthy so you can raise your children the right way. I don't want your family to see you all beaten up and bloodied. Who knows, maybe if i'm successful the dragons back at camp will stop staring at me like i'm some kind of stranger." She said.

Cyclone smiled back and was touched by her courage. "Well the clan is watching right now. They're hidden behind the treeline. If ever there was a time to prove your loyalty to the clan it would be now."

She nodded. "True." She said. "In case don't make it out of this with my jaw intact, tell Thunder that I always thought he was kind of cute." She said with a smile and slight chuckle.

Cyclone's eyes widened with surprise as he looked at her, but before he could say anything the door in front of them started to open.

It was several minutes later and Glade was standing face to face with Irglov's champion. The champion was wearing robes like a spellcaster and had fierce black and white war paint adorning his face. Both of his hands crackled with lightning power. He carried a long two-handed sword on his back with several daggers and swords surrounding his belt.

Cyclone patted Glade on the shoulder. "Good luck." He said.

She shook her head. "I don't need luck." She said feeling confident.

Thane Irglov stood between the two combatants and began to signal the fight to start. "Fight with honor, Dragoness, and we will keep our word. Now, Begin!" He shouted before backing off to give them some room.

Before Glade could even turn her eyes from Irglov to her opponent, the champion was already charging at her with lightning-charged fists. He struck Glade across the face, shocking and knocking her back. When Glade regained her footing, her lip was bleeding but she was nowhere near done with him.

Glade reared up on her hind legs and started beating her wings rapidly, sending a mighty gust of wind towards his direction in hopes of blowing him away.

Before the champion could be blown away he quickly drew his sword and struck it into the ground before grabbing hold of it. He held onto the hilt of the blade steadily to avoid being blown away. He held onto the sword with one hand and with his other hand he charged his fist with lightning before grabbing a dagger and hurling it in her direction.

The lightning charge gave the dagger increased speed and resistance to the wind she was channeling. Glade had to stop beating her wings to cover her face from being struck. She held up her front leg to shield her head until the dagger struck her front leg, piercing through to the other side.

She growled and quickly pulled the knife out of her leg with her teeth. As she was removing the knife, the champion drew his two-handed sword from the ground and began to rush her once again.

Before his sword fell upon her, she raised her front leg and managed to interlock her claws with his sword, stopping the blow. She then swept her claws to the side, hurling his sword far away before back-hand smacking him across the face. The blow caused him to stumble back but he managed to stay standing.

Glade didn't give him a even a second to recover. She immediately took in a deep breath before exhaling pure lightning upon him. The champion quickly shielded himself with a lightning shield which he maintained for as long as he possibly could.

After about ten seconds of heavy breathing from Glade, she suddenly charged her tail with electricity and did a full circular spin to strike him with her tail. The force of her attack shattered his shield and sent him flying back many yards before landing on his back.

The champion got up, entered a frenzied state, and started flailing his arms into the air as fast as he could. With each swipe of his hand he send a small lightning arrow towards Glade's direction. Given how fast he was swiping, he soon began unleashing a volley of arrows upon her.

Glade quickly shielded herself with her wing which absorbed most of the attack. As she started to take damage from the assault she began charging a spell which caused her throat to glow a bright blue. She unshielded herself for a moment to unleash a destructive ball of energy toward him.

The moment she unshielded herself she started to take heavy damage from his strikes but she managed to unleash her ball of lightning. Once the lightning ball was near the Vrykul champion it exploded creating a deafening blast and a flash of blinding light.

When next Glade looked up, she had char marks all around her body, but the champion was laying on his back on the ground in pain. She quickly ran over to him and attempted to pin him down with her front left foot. Before she could pin him, the Vrykul shielded himself once more protecting himself from her grasp.

Glade reared up on her hind legs once more and came crashing down upon him which shattered his shield and allowed her to pin him to the ground, each of her claws pinning down his arms and legs.

"You are beaten." Glade said to the champion before giving him a fierce headbutt. With her skull being ten times thicker than his, she easily knocked him unconscious.

She stepped away from the fallen Vrykul and approached Irglov once more. "The cattle, Irglov." She said wanting to collect what was hers and leave.

Irglov folded his arms and wrinkled his brow as it was difficult to admit defeat. After a while he started laughing and clapping his hands. "Well done. Either you fight with legendary prowess or I need to find better champions."

"Both." Said Glade, not amused.

"Still though..." Said the Thane. "I can't help but have my doubts. How do I know your clans are really working together?" He said.

"You want to find out?" Glade threatened, her tone becoming more serious.

Irglov paused for a moment as he grinned at her. After a while he huffed and spat on the ground. "Bring the cattle." He said to one of his henchmen.

As Glade watched them escorting the cows outside of the gates she looked back to the Thane once more. "I expect you to keep your word. Keep out of the valley at the base of the mountain." She said, intending to stop his forces encroaching on Tempest's land.

Irglov watched as his men handed over the cattle to her. "Till we meet again, Dragoness." he said picking up his weapon.

"We won't." Said Glade before she snatched up the rope that all the cows were tied to. She then proceeded to make her way towards Cyclone who was still in the crowd.

Cyclone seemed shocked. "Wow." He said. "If you weren't welcomed among us before you sure are now." He said to her with a smile.

Glade huffed. "You seem surprised. Did you doubt my skillset?" She inquired.

"I did before. I don't now." Said Cyclone as he looked her over. He noticed that her front leg was bleeding heavily from the dagger strike. "We should get you back to camp and get that leg treated."

"After I deliver these." She said, looking back at the cattle.

Cyclone looked over the ten fat cows. "The clan will make good use of these."

Glade nodded. "I'm taking one for myself. Worked up quite an appetite." She jested.

Cyclone chuckled. "You've earned it." He said as they both turned around and began walking back to camp with the cows leashed right behind them.