War of Dragons (46 page)

Kanesh nodded. "Very unfortunate. Some losses were to be expected, but that camp was thought to be safe. So many prisoners lost; still, your efforts have more than compensated for their loss."

Perak nodded curtly. Kanesh knew that despite how much he had contributed to it, Perak was not a fan of the breeding program, which Kanesh saw as one of his failings. Not his distaste for the program—no, that was something that Kanesh shared. It was his inability to hide it which let him down. The program was a pet project of Zygar's and open hostility to it was unwise.

The two generals were ushered into a large room that had been hastily renovated for Zygar's use. The changes were not aesthetic improvements, Kanesh noted, noticing the faded patches where paintings must have stood. He wondered what they would have looked like, and whether he would be able to locate them and spirit them away to his own, secret collection. Perak would not have noticed this sort of detail; at least had he noticed he wouldn't have given it a second thought. Utilitarian type, not that different to Zygar and without any vices that Kanesh knew of. A mistake that, Kanesh thought to himself. Perak would wake up one day and realise that he had reached old age without ever having enjoyed himself.

General Zygar burst into the room, followed by Generals Farak, Xanot and Tarek. He nodded briefly to Perak and Kanesh before impatiently waving them back into their seats as they began to rise. He had barely sat down before beginning the meeting.

"So, General Farak, are you ready to present your plan?"

Kanesh glanced around the room at the attendees. Zygar had gathered together just five of his generals; Farak, a veteran and celebrated general who was now responsible for leading the attack on the Red Dragon's capital city; Perak, as the new Commander of the Army of the North-West and the architect of the surprise attack on the numerous smaller settlements surrounding the Reds key strongholds of Obud, Black Rock and Newcastle; Tarek, youngest ever general in the Blue Dragon's history and brains behind the highly successful and innovative bombing operation that had enabled the capture of Obud and Black Rock; Xanot, Commander of the Far West Army that had defeated the Reds in their Southern Principality and taken Black Rock, and a recognised expert on the region; and Kanesh, who was wondering why he had been included, before recalling that he was now one of their peers. Farak rose to his feet and approached the large map that covered the wall behind him and cleared his throat before beginning.

"The plan is a relatively simple one and has, in effect, already begun. Colonel Nabegar's dragons have begun to clear the way to Furnace, flushing out any Reds still remaining in the Eastern and Southern Principality. Xanot has concentrated his men on the north-west of the Southern Principality, ensuring the Reds don't try and attack from their Western Principality. I intend to attack their capital from the south; flying through their Eastern Principality near the border with the Southern Principality. Colonel Nabegar will lead the first wave and clear the skies above the city and then Colonel Sadik will lead the bombing mission, as he did so successfully on Obud and Colonel Tiam will finish them off on the ground."

Kanesh nodded politely, but was unimpressed. Farak had shamelessly given the key command positions to his own colonels. Farak and Nabegar were related and Kanesh suspected that this was the only reason Nabegar had become a colonel. He had never met Colonel Tiam and wasn't sure if he wanted to. She was the highest ranking woman in the army, so he had made sure that he had read her file and found that she had a reputation for being particularly unpleasant. Sadik was competent and was pleasant to talk to, but Kanesh had read his file as well and knew all of his dark secrets.

"Not so much a new plan, then," Zygar commented. "Sounds like your plan for Obud."

"A very successful campaign," Farak declared.

Zygar frowned. "Sadik and Tiam are not bad choices, but use Kessick for the first wave. The man's a fool but he inspires the men and knows how to lead in the air. I have my doubts about Nabegar; he was lucky over Obud and without Perak's intervention the result would have been very different."

Farak's eyes narrowed for a moment, throwing a sharp glare at Perak, but he merely nodded in agreement. "Being Furnace, a larger force would be required. I suggest that you put a number of Divisions from Xanot's and Perak's armies under my command to bolster both the air assault and the bombing run."

"You need no more dragons for the bombing run," Tarek responded sharply. "If the air is clear then the numbers you have already will be enough."

Farak glared at him, irritated by the interruption and by being challenged. "This is Furnace, their capital. There's no reason to hold back on this one. Extra troops will allow us to win with greater ease."

"Or a greater opportunity for losses," Tarek countered. "My dragons are not easily replaced, having had months of intensive training. You have more than enough to flatten Furnace; any more would be unnecessary. We still have Newcastle and the West to take; we can't risk not having enough for those attacks."

"They won't be lost!" Farak snapped. "If I have enough troops I'll wipe out the Reds with hardly any losses."

Zygar raised his hands, signalling an end to the discussion. "I see you have reservations about the plan, Tarek. Do you doubt our chances of success?"

Tarek shrugged. "This is their capital. Their defences will have been strengthened by those that fled Black Rock and Obud and if they have any sense the West should have sent reinforcements. They'll know what to expect, having seen what we did in the cities they lost, so have a chance to plan a response. Given the size of our army I don't think they can beat us, but I see no reason not to be cautious; besides, I don't see extra bombers can help. Farak just needs extra dragons in the first wave."

Zygar stared at Tarek coolly for a moment before speaking. "Does anyone else share his concerns?"

Xanot spoke up immediately. "I'm not keen on moving too many troops to the east. There are far too many dragons in the area as it is. If my dragons are needed, then they could join up with Farak's forces on route to Furnace."

Zygar rolled his eyes. "You're not still worrying about that stupid creature are you?"

Perak and Tarek exchanged confused looks. Kanesh decided to enlighten them. "General Xanot is concerned that having too many dragons near to the Circle of Death might attract the monster. Farak's command centre is not that far from the Circle."

Perak was still a little confused. "Why haven't you moved into the land you've captured? I thought most of your men were here."

Farak shook his head. "Enough to defend the place, don't you worry about that. But most are still in my old command centre outside of the Reds' old territory. There isn't another suitable location for so many troops. We'll relocate once we've taken the capital."

"Could the monster actually threaten our troops?" Perak asked. "Has it ever left the Circle before? I thought it was bound by the Circle."

"We think it may have ventured outside—" Xanot began before being interrupted by Zygar.

"Not that we know for certain and it definitely hasn't travelled that far before. Xanot, your troops will join Farak's before they leave. You're to send two divisions."

"Two divisions isn't that many—" Farak grumbled, but was cut off by Zygar.

"What about you, Perak? Any concerns?"

Perak shrugged. "Taking Newcastle first would be my preference. Leaving it till later means a longer border to defend and the plan was always to take it before Furnace."

"Newcastle can wait," Zygar replied. "They haven't the numbers to counterattack. If they did it would be a blessing. They'll be much harder to kill if they stay in that wretched city."

"The Browns," Xanot began. "We should be dealing with them. They're capturing too much land, and they'll—"

"Wait till later," Zygar finished. "The Browns can be stopped but we can't take too much of their land. Not until we're ready to fight the Golden Dragons as well. Farak, you'll have to make do with what you have. Your numbers are more than enough to take Furnace and I don't want to leave ourselves exposed elsewhere. But I approve of your plan, with one word of caution; do not be reckless with our troops. Learn from Pushak's mistake. Bring me the full details tonight once you have finalised the plan."

"General, I think my men may be of use here," Perak ventured. "Not in the same capacity as last time, but I see a way in which they can play a part."

"Not too many," Zygar replied. "The Northern Army was badly weakened by that fool Pushak. Newcastle and the North needs to be contained."

"Just a few thousand," Perak replied. "They won't be missed."

Farak shrugged. "I'd prefer a lot more. What's your plan?"

"The two of you can discuss it later," Zygar interrupted. "I have other matters to attend to. Farak, Tarek, Xanot; you may leave us."

The three generals glanced at Perak and Kanesh, wondering why they were being kept back, but their blank expressions showed they were just as surprised as they were. Zygar said nothing till the three of them had left the room.

"The General is not well," he began. "He hasn't been for some time. We've kept it as quiet as long as we can, but it can only be kept a secret for so long."

Perak looked confused, clearly having no idea who Zygar was talking about. Kanesh decided to spare him any embarrassment and spoke up before the younger man could. There was only one person Zygar would refer to as the
General.

"That is only to be expected at his age. He was not a young man when he handed over to you, and that was almost twenty years ago." Zygar was referring to his predecessor, General Amok, who had ruled as Prime Minister ever since retiring as head of the Blue Dragon Army.

Zygar shrugged. "Well, he's made no secret of the fact that he'd like to retire soon. Much as I'd like to keep him in the role, I can't risk him dying as Prime Minister—especially not during a war and without having named my successor."

Kanesh struggled to contain his excitement. Zygar must have chosen his successor and was about to tell them, meaning it would have to be one of them. It could only be him. Zygar would never expect someone as young as Perak to run the army and especially not a newly-promoted general. Of course, that applied to him as well….

"Has General Amok's health deteriorated any more over the last few days?" Perak asked. Kanesh barely managed to hide a smirk. The question was so unlike Perak, who never had any interest in anyone's health and despised small talk.

"We're not here to discuss his health," Zygar replied. "No, we're here to discuss what we do about it. The General, and probably most of the army, has been asking who I will name as my successor ever since General Regan died earlier this year. He wants me to name a successor, allow him to retire and then name myself the new prime minister and hand over power to a new head of the army."

"Well, it is the way that it has always been done," Kanesh agreed.

"Not always," Perak replied. "Twice both positions have gone to new faces and occasionally the head of the army has left with the prime minister staying.   There's no obligation to follow the normal convention."

Zygar smiled. "Quite. And so it will be today. I am not ready to retire quite yet; I have much more that I need to do. When I finally retire, many years from now, the Reds, Browns, Golds and all the rest will be history. Until then, I'm staying. Which is why you are both here. Kanesh, you will be my new Prime Minister. I'm sorry to say that your spell as Head of the South-West Army will be the shortest on record. No reflection on your leadership, I assure you; just your political skills. You'll be a fine Prime Minister. Perak, you will be my successor. You didn't manage to become the youngest general, but you will be the youngest one to be named successor. Expect a long wait, but should you survive, you will be the next head of the army. Any questions?"

Kanesh and Perak were speechless. Neither had expected this; Perak, like Kanesh, would have known that he was too young to lead the army and would have been wondering why he was even in the room. Kanesh hadn't considered the possibility of taking over from General Amok and was struggling to get his head around it. Perak was the first to speak.

"When will it be announced?"

"In good time," Zygar replied. "The attack on Furnace takes priority, so not till after then. Convention requires than I announce to the generals first, so that'll happen after the attack. Before it's announced I'll need to discuss with you the changes I will be making to the army after the war. You'll no longer be part of the army, Kanesh, but you will be needed to make the changes work."

"Of course. Thank you. You won't regret this decision." Any disappointment over being passed over for head of the army had quickly evaporated with the realisation that that was never likely to happen anyway and he had just been elevated to a position that he had never thought possible. He glanced at Perak, whose expression was completely unreadable. He was a cold one. He was glad that he had Zygar and not Perak to work with; Zygar was no less ruthless or determined than Perak but at least he had a human side.

"No, I don't think I will regret this decision. I expect there will be a couple of disappointed generals, but they'll live. Remember, both of you, not a word to anyone until I announce this decision. Dismissed."

Kanesh and Perak left the room wordlessly, not speaking till they were outside the house in the warm sunshine.

"Congratulations, Perak," Kanesh said, extending his hand. "Hard to believe we were both just colonels a few days ago."

Perak shook his hand, his expression serious and hard. "I never doubted I would reach this position. Zygar singled me out years ago and has entrusted much to me already. This was always to be my destiny."

Kanesh gave him a wry smile. "Perhaps the timing caught you by surprise?"

Perak actually laughed at this, something Kanesh had never seen him do. "I'll concede that. Congratulations, Kanesh. Prime Minister."