�Maro, how nice of you to join us,� Tommy Jorble spat, his blue eyes looking murderous against his platinum hair. I glared at him. Paluquo hissed.
�That will be enough Tommy. Maro, why were you late?� Misheno Olpken asked. My eyes went right to her, wide in fear.
�Well Miss Dunick wanted to talk to me after school, then I was running here and I saw something out of the corner of my right eye. I turned and looked. It was the Uinop Leader. I figure they�re gonna try and sneak attack us. I guess it�s a good thing I was late!� I finished panting and holding my knees. Paluquo sitting on the floor beside me not saying a word or making a sound. I stood up straight and looked at the impact my word had on them. Are group consisted of people ageing from 9 to 17. After 17 you were considered an Olbalt. Misheno looked calmest out of everyone.
�The Uinop.... Hmm!� She seemed perplexed, � did you see how many of them there were? How far away were they from are Head Quarter? Do we have enough time to prepare for them? Are the weapons in good enough condition to fight?�
�I saw five, or six. But they�re probably launching a full attack. By now they�re probably only few minutes from here. If we hurry we could defend are selves. Are weapons are always ready, I personally make sure of it.� I answered all questions trying to hide the fear and pride in my soul. I was the youngest officer and there for always the one to be questioned. (I had always been favoured) I was a mere 13 years old and had been in the maufia since I was 9. You normally had to serve five years before you could gain a higher rank, but I was �special�. I had been made Weapons Major when I was 10, just one year after joining. Tommy had been made Supplies Officer (I was one rank higher then him) at the age of 12, so that each of use were made high ranking people in the same year. He always resented me, though. He thought I was too young to handle the rank of Weapons Major but I had proved him wrong many times. Misheno Olpken was 16 and three years older then I. She was the Leader some said that it was only because her brother Androsane Olpken had been her predecessor. He had been by far the greatest Leader in Tyquino history. Misheno was okay, but Androsane was by far her superior. He was the one who had made me Weapons Major at the age of 10, seeing potential in me, I guess.
�Well that�s excellent! Gord, assemble the troops! Tommy, get the weapons and Timero, sound the alarm, we are going to be under attack. Maro come with me,� she turned and lefts as I got up to fallow her. Tommy was glowing. I was petrified. What had I done that Misheno Olpken wanted to talk to me? Paluquo shuddered beside me. Jopiniks was staring into his eyes. His scales went dark green. That�s how I knew how he was feeling. His plain little scales.
I had been told my some one, I forget who now, that his scales wouldn�t always be so plain. I never thought that possible. Little Paluquo was just a plain little Draguna. He had little green wings to match his scales but hadn�t mastered flight at that particular time.
When we reached Misheno Olpken�s privet rooms I was scared. Very few people were permitted in here. At the desk I saw an Olbalt. It was a man to be sure, but I could have ever in my entire life have known who he was. He was a �handsome� man with dark hair and greyish eyes. He was tall, taller then Misheno Olpken. He wore elaborate clothes of indigo and gold. I cowered at the sight of him.
�Why, hello young Maro. Misheno, leave Maro and me alone for a couple of minutes. I need to talk to him. Don�t worry, you�ll have your Weapons Major back in just a few minutes. Close the door behind you, please,� the man said to Misheno Olpken, as if he didn�t know who she was. No one around here ever called her just plain Misheno, which was disrespectful. She closed the door and the man turned to me.
�Ah! Maro Doicheo, how long it has been! Paluquo, how are you doing my fine green friend?� At this he swept Paluquo and I into his massive arms, nearly constricting me to death. I gasped for air as soon as I got free of his arms. He chuckled at my reaction.
�Do you know who I am Maro Doicheo?� He kept using my last name as though I were of the highest status of all, Grand Cosnoiseur, the one who decides who goes were, when and why.
�No sir, I do not know who you are. Please, just call me Maro, it suits my status,� He bellowed grandly as though I had just said some hilarious joke. I was baffled at this. What had I said to make a grown man hysterical? Oh! I was almost furious at my incomprehension. He looked at me then to Paluquo before he sat down and gestured to us to do the same. Paluquo was still dark green going darker by the minute. I wonder what had disturbed my normally happy Myto. A low hiss started to issue from his throat. I looked at Paluquo with what must have been shock.
�Don�t worry about Paluquo Maro, he�s just a little�Upset to see me. That�s all....� There was something about his voice that made me shake. I didn�t like him. Paluquo didn�t like him. That was enough for me. I remembered that the Uinop were attacking and coughed politely.
�Excuse me sir, but right now I need to go and help prepare for the��
�The Uinop? Don�t worry about them. You�ve beaten them before and you�ll beat them again. I�ve� Uh�made arrangements. Paluquo, stop growling at me, I�m not here to hurt you or Maro,� he said in a calm voice as though this was a conference. I shuddered despite myself. Paluquo didn�t stop growling.
�Sir, I don�t mean to be rude, but who are you?� I asked meekly.
�You still don�t know who I am? Ah, well I guess you wouldn�t would you? Maro, I�m� I�m�� he was interrupted my a knock at the door.
�Come in,� he said visibly shaken.
�Sir, I need Maro back, we�re under attack and we�re out numbered four-to-one. I need every body that can fight,� Misheno Olpken spoke daringly. I was relieved at that for a moment, then chilled to the bone.
�Yes, Maro go now, I�ll talk to you tomorrow. Don�t get yourself hurt, too bad,� and with that the strange man left with me feeling very bewildered.
�C�mon soldier, you�re needed in the battlefield,� and I was left for only a brief moment then ran to my locker, I needed my equipment for the battle.
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