Go to War
This is a sequel to my Let's Go to War (fodderlocke) where Tantris was preparing for war via gaining information in exchange for an army.
Now it's really time to Go to War!
"I did what you asked, now where is my army?" Tantris glowered at the smaller dragon. Powerful or not, he wasn't going to let the strange Pearlcatcher push him around; he'd gotten the information like asked and now it was her turn to hold up her side of the deal.
The larger dragon next her her tensed, a growl rising in her throat. Tantris didn't flinch. Those new breeds- obelisks- didn't intimidate him. What was Earthshaker thinking? Fluffy guard dogs... honestly... The guardian had to force himself not to roll his eyes. Next to him however, his tundra commander, Rabbit, shuffled and stared back at Sanctus' guard warily.
Sanctus seemed to ponder his words, her glowing eyes unblinking while her wings hung, half expanded in preparation to take flight. "...Of course. You did well enough. I suppose I should honor our arrangement."
It wasn't like she'd already said she was going to bring the troops. In fact, they could be seen waiting for her order to come forward behind the rest of the escort. She raised a clawed hand, gesturing for the warriors to come forward.
"Five?" Tantris snarled. "That's no army!"
Sanctus glared right back at the furious guardian. "I am not doing all the work to win this... petty war for you. Had you won the first time you wouldn't have needed my help at all- nor wasted my time or my kingdom's time to gather these five for you."
"Our deal stated-"
"Take it or leave it." She backed away, flaring her wings out completely before taking off. The pearlcatcher hovered momentarily out of his reach. "My kingdom has its own war to prepare for... Perhaps if your civil war with this Arcane realm proves beneficial, I'll continue supplying your efforts."
Sanctus took off, her followers quickly taking off after her as well and leaving Tantris with his meager start to an army. The guardian huffed, faintly regretting taking out the former army he'd been building- as weak as they'd been. The five soldiers with him shifted around, sensing his displeasure.
"Rabbit, make sure they don't fall behind, we still have some stretch of ground to cover before we make camp and official start this war."
***
"Eris, we have word of your, er, brother's, return."
The spiral looked up at the messenger, her previous bored expression fading as she stood from her throne. "Tantris? Do you have word on why?"
"He wishes to take your throne, my queen."
Her multiple eyes widened in feigned shock and hurt. "My throne? After his last defeat I... I had hoped he'd finally taken my offer to rule together."
There had never been such an offer. Tantris had started a civil war after his father made her queen upon his passing. After all she'd gone through, growing up an orphan on the streets to being adopted as the youngest royal, she hadn't been about to let her older 'brother' take that away from her. Eris certainly wasn't now either.
"What do you wish to do?" The messenger inquired, prodding her from her thoughts.
"Alert the guards, prepare the army." She sighed as if saddened by the idea of having another war. "I do not wish more deaths after our first battle but... if Tantris brings war then we must fight back. To protect the realm."
"Right away, my queen."