More sinister indeed

You guide your prisoner, a scar-covered man in his late thirties, through your camp heading towards the drake's roosts questioning him on the way. This is no amateur adventurer, the quality of his gear and the way that he carries himself speak of years of experience. No doubt this is one of the many mercenaries that the gold of Athenapolis has attracted over the years.

"Sir, would you tell me why you tried to ambush me?" The archer, no doubt expecting to be tortured, is visibly confused by your casual approach.

"I have no idea what your talking about." His mumbled denial sounds as half-hearted as any you've ever heard.

"I know you're working for someone and if you tell me who, you won't end up dead like your friends."

"Go to Hell! You shouldn't even be here; this war has nothing to do with Kalion." This time there is more fire in his response; the man does have some spirit left after all.

"So, you admit that this is because of my involvement here then?"

"Of course it does!" The scar-covered man snorts angrily. "A third party showing up interfering with many people's agendas? Let alone plan on interrupting the Guild's **** auction?"

"Then you do work for the **** Guild?" You are not surprised to learn that the slaver's guild wants you dead, this is not the first time they've tried.

"Fuck no! I wouldn't trust them as far as I can throw them. Have you ever even seen any of those fat ugly merchants with their coffles of naked women on display?" Just how sheltered do people think the young King of Kalion is? Just because you are vehemently opposed to the evil institution doesn't mean you haven't be exposed to it on multiple occasions.

"Aye I have. An extraordinarily bold slaver came to Kalion when I was 18 offering to sell a selection of pretty young slavegirls to my foster father for my birthday," you show a little of your own fire this time. "My father, King Acillies, had him beheaded on the spot and then freed the 14 slaves it took to carry him on that stupid walking throne." For a blink of an eye the man's gait breaks before resuming his even strides. "But you still haven't told me who you serve." Something seems to change in the man's attitude towards you.

"I would if I could, Sire, but they hold my family hostage and will execute them if I talk."

"I'm sorry to hear that." You are too, this is no act to get information. "I can't let you go, but I can offer you a chance to live and I might be able to rescue your family."

"I guess I have ****." The scar-faced archer snorts sadly. "I'll accept your generosity, likely my family will be dead anyway once they realize I failed." Surprisingly, you sympathize with the man but finding his family in a city the size of Athenapolis will be next to impossible, so you offer the man no false hope. He doesn't seem to be expecting any and continues telling you what he knows.

"My employer is a man who represents some of the richest merchant families in the city, I'm not supposed to know this, but I overheard something about Apollopol's nobility. Not sure who, but they have a plan to break the siege by treason within the United Armies, and your sudden arrival is messing up their schedule."

You arrive at part of your camp where your drakes are and cut the bindings on your prisoner as you look over the 13 (14 including Spook) drakes that came with your forces. You spot a smaller drake you believe to be named Raka and her Rider Lyra, a tiny women who you use mainly as a scout but is a crack-shot with her bow, even shooting downwards from the back of her moving mount. You escort your ex-prisoner to Lyra.

"Lyra, may I ask a favor of you?" She turns, looks up, and blush's a deep red when she realizes who you are.

"Anything for you, Your Majesty." You find her girlish embarrassment cute but are pleased that she drops whatever she was doing to obey your command.

"Lyra, I need you to fly this man back to Kalion, take two Riders and return with 40 more Riders in about a week"

"Forty Sir! That seems little much don't you think?" You are not surprised at her reaction. This leaves your city with fewer than twenty drakes to patrol the skies, and unlike other leaders you've always encouraged your troops to speak their minds.

"No Lyra if the information I got is true, then we will need them here." You explain, "Our current land forces are outnumbered but we are more efficient and should hold, but it won't matter if we lose the sky."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will leave imminently and return within the week."

"May the winds favor you, Lyra."

"Aye Sir," She salutes and returns the traditional Kalion salute. "And the land be always firm beneath your feet."