League of Improbable Riders

2

Jareck and his Angry-Attacker, Fury, glared at Shaska and Taz as they stood before them on the other side of the desk that Jareck worked at.

Shaska wasn't daunted: Jareck looked like that a lot, while Fury always looked like that.

"Stop harassing Borte and Rasak," Jareck growled. "They're valuable generals, and I can't afford to lose them."

His face grew darker as he noticed her indifferent expression.

"Just because you're my little sister doesn't mean you have the right to be a brat!" he exploded, as Fury roared at Taz, lashing her long tail agitatedly. "I am the captain; I am your commander. I made you my second-in-command for a reason! You have potential to be a great leader, Shaska, but you won't use it!

"I made you my second, and I can take that title from you if I need to," he continued more calmly. "We can't win this war if Borte's not a general, and I can't let you drive him away. I know he can be a bit of a turd at times, but I'm commanding you to leave him alone. What would Mum and Dad think of you?"

Shaska bit her lip and hung her head; she was beginning to understand why Taz hated being growled: Jareck was getting good with his words, and Fury was probably better.

Ever since their father had died when Shaska was six—their mother had died when she was eight months old—she had been raised by Jareck, and she often felt confused as to whether he was her dad or brother.

"Alright, I'll try to avoid him."

Jareck gave her a sharp look, suspecting that she would only avoid the cranky general and his dragon for her own sake, but said nothing about it.

"Good," he said instead. "You may leave."

Shaska nodded and climbed up into Taz's saddle, moments before he turned for the door.

"Oh and, Shaska, Taz," Jareck said as Taz nosed the door open and prepared to exit the room, "don't let Rogue or Shadow pick on them, either."

Shaska sighed, "Fine.

"Come on, Taz, let's get out of here," she muttered.

Taz rumbled willingly as the great doors banged shut behind his tail, then he leaped into the air and sped first north, then west; toward Rogue's rooms.