Dragon Flyz/Skeleton Warriors AU - in progress

[strongheartmaid.livejournal.com]

Lord Joshua sat in his private chamber outside of where council met, going over the documents from the last meeting. He winced at the sheer amount of documents he had waiting for him, but then, such was a price to pay for being on council [and being the one responsible for the caretaking of the four heirs of the kingdom]. He picked up the top document, his eyes skimming over it, a frown slowly forming on his features as he read the intel report from his trusted aide (and foster son), Dram. Baron Dark - now /that/ was a name he hadn't heard in a long time. Now, what did that pompous blowhard want this /time/? And more to the point - why was Prince Z'neth meeting with him in secret and what could they be discussing? He let out a minor steadying breath. He'd worry about that headache later - right now, he had to attend to the continued issue of the safety of the kingdom. He did make a mental note to talk to Z'neth later. He owed it to his old friend to keep his children safe - and consorting with Baron Dark was decidedly not a safe move.

He set that document aside and picked up another, leaning back in his chair to read it. Ah, a much more pleasant topic to be sure - the response from Orak, the governor of one of their outlying provinces. A smile crossed his features - a confirmation to what they had discussed, the second born son, Prince Summit's betrothal to Orak's only niece, Lady Miriam. Joshua snorted at the minor note that in addition to that union, that Orak would appreciate it if Joshua would give his blessing to his nephew's union with that soldier that Summit was personally training. Well, he saw no issue with Lt Amod and Lord Zarkan's union - the two had more than earned that, especially when it had been Zarkan himself that had saved the life of his daughter. It was long overdue to reward the pair but, well, now he had the reason. He'd contact Orak later and give him a verbal confirmation, in addition to the written one. Satisfied, he turned his attention back to the pile and immediately wish he hadn't.

Another sixteen marriage requests for the only princess of the royal family. Apparently they were slacking since last week it had been nearly triple that, he thought with a bitterly amused snort. Ah, wait, fifteen marriage requests for Princess Apex. One was for his daughter, which had him arching his eyebrows as high as they could go. How the devil did he not see this one coming? He knew they had been friends since childhood - but how did he not see the crown prince himself requesting permission to, at least, court his daughter? Well, he'd let Prince Z'neth know that he could court his daughter - but he'd tell him later. Business first, pleasure later. He skimmed the various requests for Apex and snorted at half of them. Personally, he was tempted to throw them all in the closest fire pit and just hand her over to that young soldier who was guarding her, but no, he had to let Apex take a look at them. Then he could toss them - and then he could subtly push that young soldier..

Now, what was.. Ah, there. He picked up a document and settled back to read it - a report from Prince Peak's tutor. He groaned at reading it - once again, Peak had skipped out on his martial training in favor of more artistic pursuits. True, they had been at peace for heaven knew how many years, but peace wouldn't last forever and Peak would have to be ready to fight. He took a steadying breath. How best to rectify this? Perhaps the right incentive - that young female soldier, what was her name, Nora? Yes, Nora. Now, to convince her.. He winced.

"Something wrong, Father?" Dram asked as he approached his father, a tray of hot drinks in his hand.

"The only thing *not* wrong is that Orak's agreed to Miriam and Summit's wedding," Joshua said, taking one of the drinks once the tray was on the desk. "Z'neth's been meeting with Baron Dark, I have fifteen new marriage requests for Apex and one for your sister, and Peak's been skipping his military training lessons." He took a sip of the hot drink and looked at his only son. "Did I commit a crime in some past life to warrant all this headache?" he asked honestly.

"Not that I'm aware of," Dram said, settling into his usual chair. "So, little sister got her first marriage request," he said, chuckling.

"Don't remind me. I still see her hosting tea parties with her dolls when I look at her," he sighed, taking another sip.

Dram laughed, a deep booming laugh that echoed in the small room. "Don't let her hear you say that."

"Glad to find you two find something amusing," a familiar figure said as he emerged from the shadows, a minor wry smile on his face at once again catching the pair off guard.

"Fryte," Dram greeted, rising to hug the elder male. "It's been far too long."

Fryte snorted. "Not long enough, imp," he said before turning his attention to Joshua. "So, situation?"

Joshua let out a weary sigh. "Z'neth's been meeting with Baron Dark."

Fryte's left hand reached up to his face, sliding down the scar that had been left there during a battle with the Baron many years ago. There was a reason the baron had been expelled from council and lived on the outskirts of the golden city. "I see," he said, arctic tones dripping in his voice. "I'll talk some sense into the prince."

"Thank you," Joshua said, looking relieved. He knew Fryte would handle this - he had complete faith in the elder warrior. "I just can't figure out why Z'neth would be meeting with Dark in the first place. It's guaranteed that Z'neth will be the next king so it's not like Dark can help him claim his throne."

Fryte rocked back on his heels as he thought. "Dark could have promised his aid in the fight against that rogue faction lead by Dread."

Joshua dropped his head to the table, a loud thunk filling the air. "If it's not one rebellious faction, it's another. Remind me again why we didn't banish Dread's faction to the Wastes?"

"I haven't figured that out," Fryte said. "I think Council's afraid of doing it, especially without King Aaron's blessing. Although, we all know Aaron would banish him, especially after how many attempts on the royal family by one of Dread's minions?"

"I've lost track," Dram said dryly.

-

Summit wiped the sweat off his brow after he finished sparring with his younger brother. "You're getting better, Peak. Few more years and I'll really have to start worrying about you beating me," he said.

Peak gave a tentative smile. "Thanks, I think," he said, not sounding at all thrilled with that pronouncement.

Apex offered her two brothers towels so they could clean up. "Something the matter, Phillip?" she asked, switching to their private names.

"I.. I just don't think I'm cut out to be a warrior, Ailyn," he admitted. "Not like Sean or even Zhane."

Summit moved so he could ruffle his younger brother's hair. "Well, nothing says you have to be a warrior, but it's a good idea to learn. Just so you're able to defend yourself. Zhane and I won't always be around to protect you." He paused, noticing a lack of a certain older sibling. "Just where is he anyway?" A frown crossed his features as he mulled over where his elder brother could have gone.

"I don't know, Sean. It's gotten Uncle Joshua worried," Apex added.

-

Z'neth dismounted his hoverbike and strode into the inner sanctum of Baron Dark's lair, located on the outskirts of the city. He could feel Shriek's gaze on him as he walked by and he fought back the urge to shudder at the thought of her attention on him. There was something dark and twisted about that Amazonian beauty and he wasn't quite ready to figure out what that was. "You wanted to see me, Baron?" he asked, catching the Baron's attention. Whatever other mischief that man was plotting, he wanted no part of it.

Dagger clearly jumped at the sudden voice but stilled his tongue. There was a time and place of his jovial nature and now was not it. He glanced up at his master, who was clearly pleased about something.

"Ah, Prince Z'neth," Baron Dark said, a pleased smile crossing his features. "I see you received my missive and I'm quite pleased you've joined us."

"I'm only here because you said you had information on Dread's movements," he countered. He had only agreed to this ..temporary.. alliance because of that - not because of anything Dark could offer him. "Now, shall we get down to business?"

Dark gave a mock wearied sigh. "As my prince," the words nearly came out with a sneer that Dark only managed to stop before it became obvious of his true feelings for the whelp before him, "commands. This way, if you please." He rose from his spot in front of his computer and guided the younger male into another room, one where he kept his maps.

Z'neth followed him at quick clip, not wanting to linger there any longer than he had to. Hopefully, this wasn't as bad as a mistake as he thought it was. Hopefully, he'd be able to come up with a logical answer that Uncle Joshua would believe. He honestly did hate disappointing the old man.