Prince of Dragons

Chapter 36 - Threats

"Jamian, this is pointless."

Merigunde, the Second Servant of Darfith, forcefully pushed aside the canvas as she walked into Jamian's tent. The First Servant, who was sitting at his desk, looked up in surprise.

"Is something the matter?" he asked.

Merigunde slammed her fist on his desk. "You bet something's the matter. Your squad just returned. Or what remains of it, at least."

"And?" Jamian asked.

"Gods, you really don't get it, do you?" Merigunde cried out, reverting to the Northern language of her youth. "You underestimated the earl! He killed most of them: only a few got away. They did hardly any damage!"

"Then I should just send in more Servants," Jamian said, leaning back.

Merigunde rubbed her forehead. "You are sending people to their deaths, Jamian! And in the meantime, the earl has reached the mountains! We need to march out and protect lord Darfith, every single Servant in this camp!"

Jamian stood up. "I have orders to stop the earl's army!"

Merigunde sneered. "And so far, you have failed tremendously. Look, we still have the advantage of knowing where Darfith is. The earl does not, as far as I know. We can still reach Darfith before they do, but we need to act now."

"I cannot fail!" Jamian said. "I don't care how many Servants I'll have to send, I cannot fail!"

"Oh, shut your arrogant mouth for once!" Merigunde said. "Those are your people you're sending!"

Jamian laughed. "My people? My people? I am the First Servant! They are my subordinates, nothing more! Out of all Servants, lord Darfith chose me to take the lead. I am more like the dragons than all of you combined!"

Merigunde rubbed her forehead. "You know nothing about being a leader," she said, before turning around and leaving.

She walked back to her tent, staring straight ahead. Once again, Jamian had proven himself incapable of leading the Servants. And now, in this time of crisis, the Servants could not use an incapable leader. If they ever wanted lord Darfith to take over Garowain, then they would have to act now, before it was too late.

She entered her tent and immediately went for her bag, which was lying on her camp bed. She lifted a ball out of it, which was wrapped in a cloth. Carefully, she brought the object to her desk, where she laid it down and unwrapped it, revealing the object to be made of crystal. She laid her hands on the ball and closed her eyes; the crystal was cold.

Slowly, her mind and lord Darfith's were connected.

Lord Darfith, she thought, your Second Servant Merigunde speaks to you.

Merigunde, Darfith thought, what is the matter?

She decided to get straight to the point. Jamian has failed. The earl has reached the mountains. I suggested that all Servants in this camp travel to your cave to defend you, now that we still have time. Jamian disagreed. She paused briefly, then added, You made me a promise, lord Darfith.

I did, Darfith responded. Take over and get to the mountains. Be quick.

Was that... fear in his thoughts?

I will, lord Darfith, Merigunde thought to him. Thank you.

Hurry, Darfith only said.

I will, Merigunde said again. Then, she broke the connection.

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