My Dragon Cultivation System: Rise Of An Empire

Aeron leaned forward. "So, Chief Uzek, what do you say? Are you in? Or will you stay here and watch your people perish in a defeat that is already certain?"

Just then, the door opened. A young lady walked in carrying a tray. She moved around the table, pouring drinks into their cups. Aeron's eyes followed her every step. There was something about her face, something familiar. She glanced at him once, gave a small smile, and then left the room quietly.

"Who is that?" Ronan asked, unable to hide the way he stared as she disappeared through the doorway.

Uzek's lips curved into a small smile. "That was my daughter, Miriam. And you look at her as if you know her."

"I think I do," Aeron said slowly. "She seemed very familiar."

"You are not very good with faces, young rider," Uzek said. "She told me herself how you hesitated to strike her before they captured you on the plains of Shatals."

Aeron's eyes widened. "So that was her. I knew I had seen her before."

"Yes," Uzek said with a nod. "That was her. And what you did there proves that you are genuine. I will not go to Dorch because of the writings of King Rollo. I will go because of your word, young dragon. I will trust that you are honest, and I will place the life of my people in your hands."

"So you accept our offer then?" Aeron asked.

"I do," Uzek replied. "But only on one condition. You will not only provide us shelter, you will provide us food as well."

Aeron frowned. "You are in no place to ask that. Such provisions cannot be made. Your people will provide their own food. We are already helping you more than enough. Don't you think so?"

Uzek's face hardened, but he said nothing.

Aeron broke the silence. "When are we expecting you?"

Uzek leaned back in his chair. "Oh, we are right behind you. We do not waste time. Just keep your gates open."

"We are done here then," Nyella said suddenly, rising to her feet. The others followed her lead, standing quietly.

"What is the rush, princess?" Uzek asked. "We haven't even caught up yet."

Nyella turned to him. "I have nothing to say to you. We only agreed to fight a common enemy. Beyond that, there is nothing else between us."

She walked toward the door. "Besides, we have a war to prepare." She said and without another word, they all left.

"..."

It was evening on the same day Aeron had gone to the nomads' camp. Only a few hours had passed since he and the others returned to Dorch, and already the city gates were filled with movement. Thousands of nomads were streaming into the kingdom in a long line that stretched as far as the eye could see. Their entrance and their many wagons gave the streets a restless noise.

The people of Dorch stood on either side of the roads, whispering among themselves. Some muttered that the nomads would bring ruin. Others said nothing but held their children close. No one was pleased, yet none dared stop what was happening. They all knew there was no other choice.

From the high balcony of the palace, Aeron and Nyella watched the long line of nomads.

Nyella broke the silence first. "What if something goes wrong with this? What if they bring trouble inside our own walls? What if the fight begins here, among ourselves?"

Aeron's eyes remained fixed on the road below. "We can only hope it does not come to that. If a fight breaks out here, then all of us are already dead, long before the Hydra even arrives."

Nyella lowered her head, but she did not argue. Both of them knew he was right.

Just then, the sound of boots approached from behind. A guard bowed before them. "You are summoned to the war room by His Majesty."

They exchanged a glance and left the balcony together.

Inside, the king sat at the table with his generals. Maps and scrolls lay scattered across it.

"You called for us, your majesty," Nyella said as she entered the room with Aeron.

King Rollo looked up at them and nodded. "Yes, Princess. Every sign, every forecast, tells us the war will break out in a matter of days. Time is no longer on our side. We must have to prepare efficiently."

Before Aeron could speak, another voice said from the corner. "Oh yes, we do."

They turned in surprise. It was Chief Uzek.

He stepped forward with calm confidence and then looked at the king.

Rollo's face darkened. "How did you get here?"

Uzek's lips curled slightly. "Oh, my dear Rollo. Is this how you greet a long-time friend?"

"You are no friend of mine," Rollo said coldly. "And I asked you how you knew we would be here."

Uzek spread his hands as if amused. "We are preparing for war, are we not? Besides I was on my own and you invited me. Then why should I not join in the planning when I have thousands of soldiers of my own? Do you plan to exclude us now?"

He folded his arms together and continued. "So, ladies and gentlemen, let us not waste time. Let us continue our discussion, for the table is finally complete."

Everyone kept quiet, staring at him until they heard the sound of birds flying away.

It was faint at first, then louder. The sound of wings. Countless wings.

One of the generals frowned and muttered, "Birds?"

They rushed to the window.

What they saw froze them where they stood. The sky itself had vanished. It was blotted out by a storm of birds, thousands upon thousands fleeing south.

"No way. Could it be that…" Aeron whispered.

Nyella's face went pale. "The Hydra is marching upon us."

"So soon? Do we still have time?" Aeron asked quickly, turning to the king.

King Rollo's voice was low. "We have only about thirty-six hours before the war begins." He said.