Chapter VI
"M'lord," Spectre bowed to the dragonlord, hardly able to hide the smirk he had been wearing for the better part of a day.
"I trust you bring me good news, Brother?"
"Of course, of course. We've met minimal resistance in the southern Mirkilains. Our armies have pushed through the woodlands and are digging in. We should have our position fortified and ready for any retaliation within the next few days."
Armageddon nodded faintly in acknowledgement of the news, brief as it was. "Minimal resistance bothers me, Brother. Where are their armies? More importantly, where are our 'Cousins of the Light'? The way things are going now, you might think Paladine had forsaken them completely. I know he would never do such a thing."
"Mounted cavalry?"
"Nowhere to be seen, and they should be the first to respond to a threat like us. However, none of our scouts, none of our spies, and none of our forces have met up with any resistance bolstered by so much as one dragon. Our own are spread thin now, too, which is all the more disturbing." Armageddon sighed, turning to walk further into the catacombs that was his sanctuary.
"Perhaps they are lying in wait." Spectre hurried to catch up, falling in step with the larger beast. "Should we stay the offensive and wait for Thakisis to bolster our own numbers? Perhaps the gods know things we do not, and there are unseen factors at play here."
"Unseen factors?" Armageddon glowered at the other dragon. "The Queen would inform me if there were factors involved in this war that we are not aware of."
"Unless she has reasons for keeping them in silence, M'lord. Who are we to judge the reasons or motives of the gods?"
"And who are you to question me, Brother?" Armageddon snorted softly. "We will see when the time comes, I suppose. The Queen has told me to expect a visitor soon, someone she's instructed to come here and assist with the war. Keep your eyes open."
Spectre was hesitant to say anything, but finally managed a slight nod. "Of course. Dragon, I assume?"
"No. Mage, human no less. However, she assures me that his role in this war will be integral to our success. You will meet him, treat him accordingly as he is an ambassador."
"If you don't mind my asking, M'lord, why would she send a mage?"
"A first step in ensuring that our enemies never rise against us again. You will know more when the time comes, but until then I cannot betray too much knowledge."
The two came to a halt outside of the massive doors that led into Armageddon's own personal chambers, a place Spectre had only seen once before, and that had been prior to the dragonlord's return. Ever since Armageddon had rebuilt the facility, no one had ventured so much as a peek at the interior. Everyone, though, could feel the darkness that seemed to hang over the inner catacomb, though.
"Go meet my guest, Brother, and take time to rest. Traveling as much as you do can leave a dragon weary." Armageddon hesitated, about to say something further, but simply followed the command up with a nod before stepping into his chambers.
Spectre watched him go, the doors opening and closing of their own accord, the boom from them hitting the stops on the threshold echoing through the catacombs. He stayed, staring at the closed doors for a few moments, sorting out the torrent of thoughts that were going through his head.
No significant battles, but near half the continent had already fallen to their control. Paladine's children were nowhere to be seen. The gods had to be up to something, or knowing things the other did not, but the details were veiled from everyone, perhaps even Armageddon himself, whom Queen Thakisis usually kept well informed.
And then, there was this mage.
Spectre turned and started back towards the entry levels of the catacombs, he would most likely rest in the sanctuary that was on ground-level, it always had a welcoming feel about it. Of all the thoughts that ran through his mind, the one recurring, nagging vision came from the mention of a visiting mage. Armageddon had mentioned that he would bring the first step in ensuring the enemy was defeated soundly, but why a human mage would be entrusted to such a thing was beyond his knowing. Dragons were the chosen children of Thakisis and Paladine both, that something so key to victory for either side would be entrusted to a human was taboo; the word 'heresy' was something that could be easily assigned to the notion. Of course, he could not question Thakisis' motives without being labeled a heretic himself.
Things still failed to make sense, and with Abshalom acting the way he was back at the front, frustrations were beginning to compound upon one another. Letting a human commander of an enemy force live was one thing, but allowing him to flee rather than be taken prisoner for questioning was folly. Perhaps, though, they were all tied in somehow. The mage brought knowledge from Thakisis, knowledge that made Paladine fear for the well-being of his own children. That, in and of itself, would make sense, but then Abshalom and the human Knight were nowhere in there. Loose threads at best, and Spectre dismissed the thought entirely. Paladine, a god, would never fear a human. Moreover, no dragon, dark or light, would fear a petty mage.
Spectre snorted softly, just to vent some of the frustrations, before hunting out a good, dark corner to lie down. It was time to get some rest. The mage would not be arriving any time soon, after all. No human mage had been reported in the area, and from the valley's entrance it was still a good half a day's walk just to get to the Citadel. There would be more than enough time to make accommodations ready for the guest. Until then, he would gladly take time to sleep, let dreams come, and forget about the daily nuisances that seemed so prevalent.