Fractured Darkness

Fractured Darkness
Chapter 5: Negotiations And Deals

By: Major Frostwing

I walked with my squad of only eight soldiers towards the meeting point of the griffons. I flicked my hands as they all scattered taking up positions to defend the griffons in case something went wrong. Only Mythril stood by my side. "Sir. I feel as if we are switching our allegiance away from Equestria." Mythril said maintaining her stoic gaze.

"Remember Mythril. You serve me first and foremost." I said as she nodded her head.

"Of course sir. But you know what I mean." I shrugged my shoulders after thinking it over.

"I see what you mean but I still serve Celestia and the other princesses with all my heart. Equestria is just a country full of nobles and hard working people just like any other country. We follow orders and right now my orders are to remain hidden and observe the happenings of Equestria." Mythril bowed her head.

"I didn't mean to question our orders sir." I waved my hand dismissively.

"You are allowed to voice your concerns Mythril. It is why you are my student in the magical arts. You question and are genuinely curious. but you do know what happens to those that let their curiosity get the better of them." Mythril bowed her head once again.

"Your words fill me with pride sir." I patted her shoulder smiling down to her.

"Relax Mythril. You are supposed to be my partner in these talks." Mythril looked conflicted due to her standard training and how laid back I can be. "They will be here shortly so try to relax before they get here." I told her as I flicked my wrists summoning a table along with an assortment of chairs for said table.

"I will try sir..." Mythril took a few deep breaths as I saw her finally start to loosen up.

On the horizon I saw the delegation escorting their leader towards us. "Deep breath Mythril. Now the hard part." I said snapping my fingers loudly. That was the signal that my soldiers needed and as one I could no longer feel their magical signatures. I took a deep breath letting it out slowly as I suppressed my magic as far as I could. "Game time." I said as I flicked my wrists moving the chairs back a bit so everyone could sit comfortably.

The delegation landed with the thuds of feet impacting the dirt. "Ambassador Rippled Wind. A pleasure to see you once again." I said bowing slightly. I heard the drawing of a blade as I looked up to see one of Wind's bodyguards with his sword at the ready. "Boy that is not the wisest of moves." I said standing up straight.

"Neither is having an entire squad at the ready to strike us down if something were to go wrong." I cocked an eyebrow at this griffin before smiling.

"How rude of me. It seems we are both at fault here." I said with a shrug.

"Think nothing of it Jon. I know how... peculiar you can be. Especially concerning the circumstances. I hope you can forgive Adamantine's rash actions." Wind said as I chuckled.

"Think nothing of it friend." I waved my hand casually as my soldiers all stood as one moving down to meet us once again. Neither of them even showed signs of aggression. That was until on of the griffin's raised his pistol only for all the guns to train on him. "I SAID!" I yelled catching the attention of my soldiers. "Think nothing of it." I said as they lowered their weapons taking up position's behind me.

"Such control over your soldiers Jon. I just wish my soldiers showed the same amount of restraint." Wind glared at his soldiers which they cowered under his gaze.

"In all due respect Sir Rippled Wind. My squad is naturally... Twitchy." Mythril said as I gave a hearty laugh.

"Understatement my dear Mythril."

"Who is this young lady Jon? She seems rather different from your other soldiers." Wind said taking his seat which I followed suit.

"This is Mythril. One of few who is the leader of a squad of troops. She is also my personal student in the magical arts. Limited of course." I said matter of factly. "Would you care for a demonstration?" I asked Wind as he waved his hand dismissively.

"If she is your personal student then I shudder at the mere thought of what she could do. Limited or not." Wind said before one of his bodyguards a rather big brute from his size stepped forward.

"Sir if I may?" The brute said catching our attention. "I wish to test my honor against Lady Mythril." I smiled at that.

"Oh ho ho. Look at the balls on this one." I said as I flicked my eyes to Mythril. "I am ok with it if you are Wind." I said steepling my fingers calmly. "Non-lethal of course."

"Snow Beak... Do you realize what it is you are asking for?" Wind asked as Snow nodded. He could only sigh as he waved him off. "Non-lethal. Make it a worthy fight for your honor." I leaned back in my chair looking to Mythril.

"Mythril. Go Play. Go... And make it hurt." I saw Mythril's eyes shrink before returning to normal.

"By your command." Mythril said jumping a distance away from us.

"She will only be using hand to hand and very little magic. On your mark Wind." I said as he sighed.

"Fight." He said as Snow charged towards Mythril only for a fist to impact against his beak knocking him backward. Snow quickly regained his footing only to catch a wicked hook to his ribs. Snow buckled slightly from the impact taking a step back.

"You. Little. Bitch." Snow muttered out clutching at his wounded side. "I'll gut you for that." Snow drew a blade off his hip readying himself as Mythril raised her fists as they covered themselves in a blue aura.

"Non-lethal..." Mythril muttered as her magic flickered slightly which caught my attention. "Non-lethal." She said with finality. She teleported forward swinging with her right fist which impacted against Snow's blade resulting in a shower of sparks. I continued to watch the fight closely ignoring the cheering of Wind's bodyguards as on of their own fought against one of my own. Mythril continued to swing with precision hitting Snow's blade in the same spot over and over again.

"That blade is going to shatter." I said calmly as the blade began to crack. Mythril threw one last punch shattering the blade before going for another punch only for a gunshot to ring out catching Mythril in the shoulder. I flicked my eyes to one of the body guards as he lowered his pistol. I looked back to Mythril as she glared down the one who had shot her. "Mythril darling... Break him." I said with cold finality as Mythril looked to me then to Snow. She let out a roar of anger as she charged at Snow tackling him bodily to the ground punching with reckless abandon. Snow could only let out a strangled yell as he was punched in the throat and face over and over again. Wind looked to me then back to the fight.

"ENOUGH!" Wind yelled but Mythril continued to strike ignoring Wind. "I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!" Wind ordered but Mythril continued.

"MYTHRIL!" I yelled as Mythril's fist stopped. She stood once again letting out a shuddering sigh before composing herself. "Heal him Mythril and then yourself." I ordered as she saluted me before carrying out her task. "And you." I said looking to the soldier that shot Mythril. "Be very VERY happy that our countries are not enemies. But punishments are still in order. Wind if I may under your country's code of duels. Anyone who interferes with an honor bond duel between two parties fighters is subject to punishment. Do I have your permission to carry out this punishment?" I asked as Wind looked to the bodyguard that broke the rules of an honor bound duel before looking away coldly.

"Normally an agreement would be worked out but My honor was also tarnished along with Snow's by his interference." Wind looked me in the eyes before bowing his head. "Do as you wish."

"But sir! You can't be serious there was no honor in that duel. especially against that... THAT THING!" Wind stood abruptly seizing the bodyguard by his armor before tossing him to the ground stomping down on his downed form.

"YOU TARNISH OUR HONOR AND THEN YOU DISRESPECT NOT ONLY ME BUT A NATIONAL HERO AND HIS SOLDIERS! DO YOU HAVE NO RESPECT!? DO YOU HAVE NO HONOR!?" Wind demanded as he continued to stomp down on him. "ACCEPT YOUR PUNISHMENT LIKE A REAL GRIFFIN!" Wind gave one last stomp before returning to his seat. "I leave his punishment to you Jon." Wind said adjusting his messed up suit.

"This is why I like you Wind. You don't take shit from anyone." I said getting to my feet walking to the downed soldier lifting him up to his feet before throwing him a distance away where he landed on his feet. "But this is quite a transgression against my dear Mythril. Her honor is damaged because of you... And I don't appreciate that. I should throw you to her without restraint but no... That would not solve the issue. So instead I will give you a choice. Kneel before Mythril and beg for her forgiveness... Or take your beating." The bodyguard looked to Mythril before looking away.

"A griffin takes his punishment." He said before looking up at me. "I will take my beating. So send her to issue it." I saw the cold resolve in his eyes and I just couldn't help myself. I laughed. I laughed hard to the point I thought I was going to snap. He only looked at me confused.

"I'm sorry. You must have misunderstood me. I never said she would be the one issuing the beating." His eyes widened before fear took hold of his heart. "I'm going to issue it. So prepare for the worst beating of your life." I snapped my fingers as I teleported above him fist primed as I knocked him into the ground with a solid punch to the back of his head. I landed looking down at my prey as he let out a groan getting to his hands and knees. I kicked him in the ribs feeling the weak bones shatter. He let out a scream of pain followed by ragged coughing. I seized one of his wings in my magic. "Your wings are a symbol of that pride and honor you griffins hold so dear. Allow me to strip it away." I clenched my hand into a fist breaking the brittle bones without remorse. Another scream of pain before I repeated the process with his other wing. "I believe that is enough. Mythril!" I called out as she looked to me. "Do you think he has paid for the damage to your honor?" I asked as she looked down at the broken Griffin.

"I believe so sir." Mythril responded as I nodded my head.

"I agree." I stepped over the broken body making my way back to the table. "What about you Wind? Do you think your honor has been restored?" I asked setting my hand on the table.

"Without a doubt." Wind said as I shrugged sitting down once again. "Shall we start these talks or shall we continue this little... Demonstration?" I shook my head.

"Let us discuss what we came here for." I said as Snow and Mythril returned to their respective positions. "I have been exiled from Equestria under a code that was made thousands of years ago. I am to never return under punishment of imprisonment and or execution. My soldiers are being hunted down to be dragged to their own executions. I would not ask of this to you Wind but I have no options. I am willing to offer the services to your kingdom for this. But you know I will not willingly fight your wars for you. Nor will I betray Equestria even though they have banished me." I laid out all the information to him there was no point lying or trying to deceive him.

Wind let out a low whistle thinking it over. "We could always use more dependable soldiers in our ranks. Would you be willing to train some soldiers as you have your own?" Wind asked as I sighed.

"You have to understand those that I train have loyalty to me before all else. They will only follow my orders as you have seen with dear Mythril." I said motioning to her. "If I tell them to follow your orders they will but if I give an order they will follow it before your order." I motioned for one of Mythril's snipers to move forward. "Take Red Dawn for example. If you were to order to shoot me in the back of the head right now she would instead shoot you... Certain code words and certain orders have different results." I stood from my seat as Red Dawn took my seat. "This is the loyalty of my soldiers. Red Dawn. Cut off your trigger finger." I ordered as Red dawn drew her knife without hesitation and cut her finger off. She continued to sit there not once flinching I patted her on the shoulder and she stood saluting me. Wind and the other griffins were speechless. "Grab your finger and have Mythril reattach it." I told her as she nodded following my orders.

"By the gods..." Wind whispered as I once again took my seat.

"The soldiers I train all have this level of loyalty without the need for brainwashing or magical interference. They each understand my orders and are completely conscious of their actions." I looked over my shoulder at Red Dawn as she flexed her finger looking it over closely. "All good back there Dawn?" I asked as she looked to me.

"I will be alright sir. Just don't make me do that again. It really hurt." She said as I gave her a small smile.

"I'm sorry Dawn I won't make you do that again." I looked back to Wind steepling my fingers. "If you want me to train soldiers I will but they will be loyal to me first and foremost. You have my word that they will not be used against you." Wind thought this over for a long while before leaning forward extending his hand to me. I seized the hand giving it a solid shake.

"We are in accord. Now let's get you to the capital I will have a fresh set of troops sent to you." I held up my hand stopping him.

"I would like ten of your most dangerous criminals to be trained as soldiers." At this Wind looked offended and his bodyguards began to voice their anger right up until Mythril slammed her fist on the table silencing everyone.

"I would like for all of you to know that one of our best squads in hostage rescue and securing areas happens to be comprised entirely of criminals." Mythril said before I set my hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry sir." She apologized quietly before I waved her off.

"As Mythril has stated. My own army contains criminals who have been broken down and trained as soldiers. Their knowledge of the criminal world and it's inner workings are essential for urban warfare. If you give me these criminals I can have their honor restored and prove that with enough training they can be the best of the best. There are no washouts..." I said calmly rolling my wrist. "Are we in accord?" I asked Wind as my eyes flickered with corruption.

Wind once again remained silent as he thought over my words before letting out a defeated sigh. "I will make it happen." Wind said rubbing his forehead. "I see why no ambassador wants to enter talks with you Jon. You shave years off of one's lifespan just with words." I let out a laugh standing from my chair with Wind.

"I can't wait for you to see the second generation of soldiers." I held out my hand as Wind seized it.

"I can't wait to see what you do." Wind said with a cocky grin.