Call of the Ancestors

Chapter 4: Unexpected Commands

It was late afternoon and Miarko had no idea what he was doing.

The captain's desk was not the most organized. Papers from weeks prior sat in rather disarray around where he sat, and it was slightly clear that he did not keep his reports in the highest of regards. That was not why he was upset, however.

A single paper sat in the clean portion of the desk, the area that sat in front of where the Fire Captain sat. The title was written slightly heavier, darker and larger than the rest of the text, in an effort to make it more easily readable. It was important.

Attack on Avalarian traders: Potential of the Anointed Ones

It was a new thing for the Captain to have to write words such as those. Bandit clans had never had...potential before. They had been, well, Bandits. Sure, there had been the 'Claws attack on the city several years prior, but that had been on the small settlements that lied outside the walls. Never before had the Captain needed to report on the details regarding the power potential of a group of cutthroats.

Could he even call them that any more? The 'Noints, as the recruits had begun to refer to the group, had apparently mustered together one of the most well organized groups that Miarko had ever seen. Caravan attacks were common without escorts, as such often were expensive, and hence usually only caravans from well off places such as the Dragon city itself and others could afford such services. This, however?

Attacking fully-guarded transports with professional mercenaries? That had happened only a handful of times throughout Miarko's entire career. Now it was happening on the weekly. And there was next to nothing the DOW could do to stop them. As the attacks seemingly was sporadic, almost to the point of random with no clear patterns to follow. Yet so perfectly executed that nearly no traces were left to show that they had been the ones responsible, neither to where they go after said raids were complete. It was clear that the 'Noints had intel inside the Warfangian army, and of the DOW itself. If either group went for a caravan, they would just attack another, more vulnerable one.

The question remained, however...Why? Why attack this many caravans? Some of the goods have been left behind in the last attack, some high-profit. It wasn't beneficial to leave behind so much profit. There was only one thing that connected each attack.

All of the occupants of the caravans were missing. Even the animals tasked with driving the carts forwards sometimes, if they hadn't been slain during the attacks.

What the 'Noints were doing with as many individuals as they had taken, Miarko couldn't say. But it was something that they all needed to get to the bottom of. They had to.

There was a light knock at the door, breaking Miarko from his thoughts, "Come in," he said, propping up in his seat to look more professional.

Lieutenant Terron's green scales came into his gaze, and the Captain relaxed slightly, "Lieutenant," he said, "What can I do for you?"

"Captain," began Terron in his always-authoritative sounding voice, "The directors wish to see you and your report details."

"Why?" asked the Captain, confused, "They were there with us. What else do we need to go over?"

"I don't know, Captain. They just said to get for you. It wasn't urgent, I can tell you that at least," replied the Lieutenant.

Miarko sighed, nodded and said, "I'll go up in a minute. Thank you, Terron. You're dismissed."

Terron turned towards the door before Miarko spoke up again, "I mean that. You're dismissed. Take the rest of the day off."

Terron nodded with an understanding smile, saying, "I understand, Captain. See you tomorrow."

The Lieutenant left the room then, leaving the Captain alone. Miarko gathered his thoughts and walked towards the door. Closing the door behind him, he began his trudging up the stairs slowly. He took a moment to look out on Warfang through a window which he was passing on his way up. It was late afternoon now, he had but an hour or two before he was expected at the café down below. He was hoping that this meeting didn't take longer than he hoped. Making it up to the top floor, he knocked on the door lightly.

A moment later, Cynder opened the door. Oddly, the other director was nowhere to be found in the office.

"Captain, please come in. Have a seat," she said, rounding the desk and sitting back down herself.

Miarko walked slowly to the chair on the other side of the desk and sat down. There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence as the Captain wondered what the Director could possibly need at this time.

"Madame Director," he began slowly, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Captain…" she said, her head facing downwards for a moment, "I'm not sure how to begin this conversation. I assume you have no idea why I called you here."

Miarko shook his head, "No, Madame Director, I do not."

"Well," she began, seemingly choosing her words carefully, "As you know, I am...well involved with the DOW. I try to meet with each captain and Lieutenant every month for performance and personal reviews. I have held two such meetings today and yesterday, and there have been some...rumors circulating about your personal life that I need clarification on."

Miarko could already see where this conversation was leading, "Ah. That."

"Captain, it is not my job nor my place to tell you what to do with your, ah, personal endeavors," said Cynder, staring him in the eyes now, and her usually kind jade eyes was now giving a feeling of unsettling sternness, "I do not have the time or patience to deal with such things. Only when they impede the operation of this organization are they brought to my attention."

"Meaning?"

"The individuals I spoke to told me two things, Captain," she replied, "That you are something a philanderer, and that you are taking out Captain Sethelis this evening. Am I correct?"

Miarko lowered his head as he spoke softly, "You are correct on both counts, my lady."

"And this leads to the fact that you have lied with upwards of 30 females just this year alone?"

"Yes, madame director."

Cynder sighed and put a paw to her face, "That is something to process, Captain," she remained silent for a few moments before continuing, "Then you know I must ask, what are your intentions regarding the Shadow?"

"I can't tell you that at this time, Madame," replied Miarko truthfully.

Cynder nodded with her eyes closed, "I understand. 'Where the night takes us,' is a term I've heard before, Captain."

She remained silent for a few moments more before looking up at Miarko, "Captain, I'm not one that normally gets involved in intra-organizational relationships, but I must step in. I am afraid that I cannot permit you to 'romance' the Shadows' Captain. This would be a distraction for all those involved in both platoons and I cannot allow such a thing to transpire while we are facing the Congeria situation."

Miarko looked down in defeat. He had expected such a thing to happen if the Director found out. Intra-organizational relationships were not normally frowned upon, but the Fire Captain had achieved something of a sinister relationship over the years in that regard. He did not agree with the decision, but he did understand it.

"I...Understand, Cynder," he replied simply as he looked back up at her and inquired, "We have a meeting this evening, as you know, Director. Should I-"

"I will send Lieutenant Terron to fetch her. You are not permitted to see her outside the walls of this tower," replied the Director firmly, unwavering, "This cannot serve as a distraction to our current objective."

Miarko, still not meeting her gaze, replied, "Is there anything else, Director?"

"No, however I wish for you to stay here until I tell either you or Captain Sethelis otherwise." replied the Black Dragoness as she turned around and faced towards the window.

Miarko felt as if a a very heavy weight had been laid upon him all of a sudden.

What a day.

Having a surge of inspiration once or twice cannot hurt in the great journey most commonly referred to as "Life". Life is usually uplifted or downright pulled into chaos by such surges. They can be within the mind of one or several groups of individuals. It was safe to say that Sethelis was experiencing one of these surges.

She had prepared for this single event for…way too many hours. At least many more than an average dragon would have.

But since when had average made the cut?

The dragoness looked over everything one more time. She had made a quick swoop up to her office, making sure she had no paperwork demanding her presence any further than what she could've afforded to skip. She had arranged so that her schedule was free for the evening, and luckily enough, she had somehow made it possible. A Shadow was actually on the job at all times, 'round the clock. But even if it seemed like every Shadow were just as busy as an commanding officer with a squad of their own they were a surprisingly big compartment consisting of several teams.

These units, usually consisting of up to five people, usually didn't know about any other divisions in the compartment other than their own. This minimized the risks of someone going rogue or being able to either accidentally or willingly tell some secrets to people who weren't supposed to know. The only people whom sat on such top secret information were the two Directors, Spyro and Cynder. And Sethelis of course, being the captain of said compartment. She was responsible for keeping lots of secrets, many of which she didn't want to know in the first place.

However… This was unlike getting to hear any other secret which had ever been conceived during Sethelis' whole career.

No, this was something that went far and long out of her, honestly, pretty small comfort zone. She had read books on how to be social, what to talk about, what to not talk about. What to do and not to do."It is merely like upkeeping a cover, except I am going undercover as myself. As Sethelis, and not as the Captain of the Shadow department. And my cover is… Uh… Myself. With my mission to actually getting to know a hot-... A very striking dragon." The dragoness thought to herself as she flew, the lovely weather and afternoon sun this warm mid-late summer evening which shone down on the glistening streets and buildings was warming her, not a single cloud as far as the eye could see.

And as she was making her way, gliding through the air gracefully with a few flaps with her wings, taking her towards the floating island of the DOW tower and the smaller part of "Culinary Street" which had been taken with it, she could actually feel a strange form of excitement. Culinary Street was a pre-war popular road near the heart of the city. It was lined with shops, cafés, bakeries and restaurants and usually was known as one of the many cultural centres of the grand Dragon City.

Now a big part of said street was up in the sky, which was both appreciated by the DOW soldiers and those visitors who felt like taking a lunch in the outdoors with a lovely view. This did spell some trouble, however, since most of the road had needed to be rebuilt, given the fact that a big chunk of the neighbourhood had been taken to the skies, restricting clientele for the establishments remaining below the floating island.

The dragoness would land, not without wobbling a little, given that she is one leg short, upon the stone-tiled ground, her claws clattering against the hard surface as she limped over towards the little lovely outdoors service area of the closeby and most popular establishment. She had been planning to wait for the Captain there, as he'd probably come around any minute now.

So Sethelis sat down on her haunches at a table, getting herself comfortable, her wings pressed against her back as they always does when she is slightly nervous, awaiting the Captain of the 17'th to arrive… However, after what seemed like hours, someone addressed her., but it wasn't a voice she was familiar with.

"Uh...Captain Sethelis?" came a voice from behind the Captain, "Is that you?"

Sethelis would turn around, a fleeting and yet slightly surprised look on her face, before she saw that the dragon was wearing armor of the DOW withe the mark of an LT. Her facial expression went from confused to factual.

"Yes, that is me, now if you don't mind, I am awaiting an associate, so please be brief." She requested the Earth dragon.

"Uh, indeed. I'm aware that you're awaiting the arrival of Captain Miarko, correct?" spoke the Lieutenant.

Sethelis would nod, "Yes. Did something come up?" She asks, the Captain corrected her eyepatch slightly as she spoke, looking over at the Lieutenant with an attentive eye.

"Yes...I've been sent to let you know that Captain Miarko can no longer attend this evening by the order of Director Cynder. She would speak to you, when available," said the Lieutenant, clearing his throat as he finished.

Sethelis would stand up, her wings fluttering slightly, turning to face the Lieutenant fully. "Then what are we waiting for? If the Captain can't come, and the Director is requesting me…" She stated, looking over at the sun for a brief moment; It was indeed starting to set. "Then I see no need to keep her waiting. Walk with me."

A short time later, both the Lieutenant and Captain found themselves outside the door of the Directory. Most of the offices had been empty on their flight upwards. Most of the occupants had departed for the evening, but the light near the top of the tower was still lit.

The Lieutenant nodded and offered a paw, "My apologies that we had to meet under such circumstances, but I, uh, wanted to introduce myself at least. Lieutenant Terron, 17th Platoon."

Sethelis took a deep breath, her nostrils flaring slightly. She got slightly snapped out of her calming state by the voice of the Lieutenant breaking the silence which had lasted during the majority of their journey up along the dwindling length of the tall DOW tower. Sometimes Seth caught herself wishing they had one of those elevators installed inside, even if she very well knew it'd be more efficient to simply fly…

"Don't you worry, Terron. You were merely following orders, I assume. Sethelis, Captain of the Shadows," She said, giving him the paw he seemingly sought for. She said, "Consider yourself dismissed, LT," over her shoulder, before knocking on the Madame Director's door. Even if she is sought after, Sethelis likes to address her arrival to higher command.

"Enter." came the voice of Cynder, and Sethelis stepped inside.

She would be greeted with the sight of Cynder behind her desk, and at one of the cushions in front of it was Miarko. The Shadow Captain would raise a scaly brow, limping over. "You requested my presence, Madame Director?" She says, looking over at Cynder and paying the Fire dragon next to her no attention for now.

"Yes, thank you for coming on such short notice," she said, "I'm sorry for retrieving you at such a late hour.

Sethelis would shake her head dismissively at the Director pardoning her actions. "You know that a Shadow never really rests." She explained to the dragoness across the desk, "May I sit?" She proceeds to ask. "Standing on three legs is rather tiresome compared to all four, as you should know…"

"Please do," she said, motioning to a chair on the far side of the room, "I assume the Lieutenant gave you a brief overview of the situation?"

Sethelis would once more gain the look of confusion. This was the second time this very evening. She went over and got herself the chair, placed it before the desk and got herself up and sat down on her haunches. Feeling the comfortable cushioning making it a near heavenly experience to just rest her legs after the long climb of the stairs to the Directorate floor. "I am afraid I was practically left in the dark, something I normally doesn't appreciate. All I know is that Captain Miarko here couldn't come to a appointment and that you requested my presence." She explains, putting a blue-grey paw on the shining polished oak surface of the desk.

"I apologize for interrupting your, ahm, appointment, but this is something that cannot go forward," replied the Director sternly.

"Seeing as how you are seemingly unaware of it, I must inform you of the reputation Captain Miarko has within these walls. He is something of a philanderer, Captain Sethelis. Adulterer. A ladies' man, if you will. While he has not deigned to inform me of the full potential of your relationship, he has admitted to bedding upwards of 30 individuals in the last year. I have forbid him from seeing you as a result, which is why I will not allow you to see each other outside these walls. Is that clear?"

Sethelis, who usually tried to keep internal struggles to a minimum in the face of authority who was above her in rank and file, let her maw fall wide agape for a mere second. Her jaws snapped themselves shut with a force that arguably could've snapped a thick tree branch in half a moment later, however. She tried to raise a paw as if to further her point, sadly she accidentally tried to move her restricted limb, leading to a pain striking her like lightning. The dragoness grimaced slightly, before trying to ignore the pain which pulsed from her healing bones.

Her fangs remained closely shut as she addressed her one word of opinion:

"Fuck." She blatantly says through gritted fangs.

She cleared her throat and shuffled slightly in her seat upon uttering her next sentence. "Pardon my language, Madame Director. But I must object here. What we do outside of these walls are most likely none of your concern. Do you not trust in my abilities to keep work and relations apart and separate? Because that is what I have been doing for the past six years!" She said, her eye meeting the adamant gaze of Cynder, whom didn't seem to take any pity in the Shadow Captain's words. Sethelis hadn't noticed the volume of her voice rising as she was talking, and at the end of her sentence she had almost been at the point of yelling.

"Simply put, Captain," she responded, unfazed by the Shadow's attitude, "It is not you I do not trust. It is him," she said, pointing at Miarko, "Bringing his ways into this organization would be a distraction for both of you and the platoons themselves, especially the 17th. I will not allow his childish treatment of females to roll over into this organization. That is final."

"But I…" Sethelis was just about to object again, looking over at Miarko for a brief moment, as if to go to the male for advice on what to say. Her look asks him one single question. If looks could talk, hers would say "You're good with words, talk her out of it!".

Before she sighed in defeat, Sethelis' shoulders seemingly lowered as if she had held her breath through the entire conversation. "... Yes, Madame director." She said, admitting crushing defeat, looking down at the desk as if she was a hatchling being scolded for raiding the pantry for the sweets.

"Captain Miarko, Captain Sethelis. You are both dismissed. I expect no further inquiries on this subject," said the Director. She then promptly turned and left the room and headed towards Spyro's office, leaving the two alone. Sethelis and Miarko simply sat there in a minute or two, neither of them uttered a word.

Until Sethelis decided to break the silence which seemingly spellbound them both,

"So… 30, huh?"

"Yes," replied the Fire captain simply, not uttering any other words.

"... And was I supposedly merely number 31?" Sethelis then proceeds to ask, looking over at Miarko slightly, She would use her tail to angle the Captain's chair so that the two were sitting snout-to-snout.

"Not necessarily," he replied, a blank state on his face.

Sethelis' one eye met Miarko's two for a brief second. He seemed slightly… Empty to her right now, if she could put it that way. A dead gaze.

"So… No more flirting in the waiting room, I suppose?"

"No."

"Nothing? This is the end of the line?" The shadow dragoness asked, she felt like she wanted him to say something else. Something other than that one cursed word.

"I'm sorry." he replied as he stood up from the table and exited the room; Sethelis could hear scraping on the balcony outside a moment later, and the unfurling of wings.

With that, he was gone.

Sethelis simply sat there in the chair, in the near-empty office which appeared slightly darker all of a sudden. Looking at the door which Miarko had left open slightly. She could feel a very unhappy feeling in her chest right now. And she didn't like it, not one bit.

AN: First off, you have my apologies.

Second, thank you to the many of you that have been reading this story so far into its brief existence! We have had around 1,000 hits so far and a few of you have honored us with follows, favorites and reviews. Please know that we read every review and PM, but don't have time to get back to all of them. All the same, we appreciate each and every piece of feedback we receive!

Thank you again for reading, and we'll see you again very soon.

-Mike & Hawk