Chapter Three - "You Want To Do WHAT?"

YEP, ALL OF THIS IS GOING UP AT ONCE, NOW!! HUZZAH!!

Chapter three

“You Want to do WHAT?”

          When they arrived at the training field, a large crowd had already gathered to hear what had happened.  As Drygon recounted his story, and told them what he had told Articae, Art was surprised to see that very few people reacted to the news that Shadon knew where they were.  When he mentioned this to Ajnin, she said,

                “Well, I suppose that, since most people �" the adults, anyway �" have done time under Alexi in her intelligence-gathering business, they would have learned things that would have either told them outright or at least allowed them to figure out that Shadon does know where we are.  Also, even the people who haven’t had time under Alexi have still been trained to shield their emotions, so I’m actually surprised that anyone reacted.”

                “Well, you would have an explanation for that, wouldn’t you, now,” Art grumbled.

                “My dad explained it to me at one point, I think.  So yeah, I do.”

                They looked up as Drygon walked over to them.

                “I need to write a letter to King Ciasmos,” he said, “and I’d appreciate it if it were quiet while I do so.”

                “Isn’t your study soundproof to begin with?”  Art inquired.

                “It is, but I’d still appreciate quiet.  Even if I can’t hear anything from outside, people shouting can still be distracting.”

                “Well that’s an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one,” Ajnin said, “but I suppose we can be quiet if you insist.”

                “I do,” Drygon turned and walked away in the general direction of his house.

                “He does know I live in a different house, right?”  Art asked.

                “Yeah, he’s just distracted, I suppose.  He doesn’t typically like his schedule being messed up.”

                “I guess that makes sense.”

                “Only because you’d be exactly the same way.”

                “You mean I’m not?”

                “Well, you don’t have a schedule to begin with, so it’s kind of hard to tell, but I imagine you would be.”

                “Ah, touché.  Anyhow, I’d best be off.  Training and such, as you know quite well.”

                “Same here.  I’ll see you later, then.”

*****

                Shadon stood in his study, looking through the enchanted window in one wall at a black hole.  Stars and galaxies, gas clouds and planets all being drawn toward the irresistible darkness within, then gradually fading as even the light they gave was drawn in.

                There was a knock on the door.

                “Enter!”  Shadon did not turn from the window.

                The door opened and a man in military dress walked into the room.  Still not turning, Shadon spoke again.

                “Well?”
                “Your Majesty,” the man began nervously, “I have come to report on the attack made on the dragon breeders.”

                “Continue.”  Shadon’s voice betrayed no emotion.

                “Well, obviously it failed, as was the plan, but the captain is alive and in custody.”

                “Very good, General.  You ensured the false memories were implanted?”

                “I oversaw the operation myself, my lord.”

                “Excellent.  You have done well.”

                “Thank you, my lord.”

                “We want you to kill him.”

                “You want me to what?”

                “Need we repeat ourself, General?  Kill him.  We want you to kill the captain.”  Still no emotion.

                “Very good, my lord…  May I inquire why?”

                “General, what are we looking at right now?”

                “I don’t know, my lord.”

                “This is a black hole.  It has such a strong gravitational pull that it sucks in even the light that gets too close.”

                “I see.”

                “Some �" including ourself �" would compare us to that black hole.  Anything that gets too close will have even the life sucked out of it.”

                “Very good.”

                “It does not do to ask too many questions, General.  It implies a closeness to us you do not want to have.”

                “Yes, my lord.  I will keep that in mind, my lord.”

                “Good.  Now, in answer to your question, we know the dragon breeders have the spells necessary to extract memories from a necrotic host.  We also know that they have our captain in custody, and they are aware that we know.  Now, if we left the captain alive, they would become suspicious of any information they extracted from him, because if it was important �" or accurate �" we would do something about it.  However, if we kill him, they will assume he knew things we did not want known �" accurate information, if you will.  Do you see?”

                “Yes, my lord.  Most clear.  I shall attend to it at once, my lord.”

                Bowing nervously, the general backed out of Shadon’s study, closing the door behind him.

                Shadon smiled �" a smile totally void of any warmth or humor, intended to scare the sanity out of whomever was its target.  He looked very much like a shark, right before it takes a bite out of a dolphin.  Drygon had no idea what was in store for him.

Author's Note

Yep, my style is back. Hmm, I wonder where that came from...