Conclave of the Clairetti

by Talidin1337

War Is Near

Chapter 5: War Is Near

Drapney met with Draighholl on the other side of the Mountain, her armor still stained with blood.

"Oh sweet goddesses, are you alright?!" Draighholl said with concern, obviously noticing all the blood.

"Don't worry Draighholl, this isn't my blood" Drapney replied, removing the pieces of armor from her body. She was tired, but only slightly.

"We need to wash the blood off of these" Draighholl stated, his concernern leaving his mind. He only mourned for those whom Drapney had slain. "Did you kill them all?"

"No, most surrendered. I tried to keep casualties at a minimum."

"The blood doesn't seem to think so"

"I was moving fast, their veins just exploded when I hit them." Drapney then realized what Draighholl was trying to say, "Look, if I didn't do this now, many more would have died when they finally decide to attack. The others won't be as forgiving."

"But death. I knew that it was coming, but now that it happened, I'm not so sure about it".

"I could've broken all of their bones and left them alive, but that wouldn't be enough to convince them."

"How do you know?"

"Because they are the Groulgs, a race that respects strength and death rates. If I didn't kill them, they would think that we are weak, and decide to go to war. Then what Draihholl? I did what I needed to do"

"How many exactly did you kill"

"One third of their forces"

Draighholl seemed relatively content with that answer. "What do you plan on doing now?"

"Return home"

"And?"

"There will be no war for a long time Draighholl, I'm going to begin looking for my sister"

Draighholl grinned slightly, "You know he's not going to let you go."

"But I have to try, if I don't, how could I live with myself?"

"It will be a long journey"

"One I am willing to take"

"You will find dangers along the way. We are far, far from the boarder"

"Too far, I've strayed to far away from Derpy, and it's time I make the treck back."

Draighholl was pleased by her answer. "I understand, I would never be able to look at my reflection if I didn't try to bring Zecora back"

"Exactly" Drapney said, placing the crimson stained pieces of armor into a bag, and carried them down the mountain. Draighholl followed, and no words were said.

They finally made it down to the foot of the maintain, where surprisingly, three Clairetti officials were waiting. Their golden armor was similar to Drapney's, but each suit was uniquely different. The one in the middle's helmet covered his entire head, and had a blue star etched in the top, indicating that he was among the special forces. He alone approached Drapney, his golden face mask hid his expression.

"Drapney of House Falkren" The Clairetti official opened, his voice sounding deep through the helmet.

"I am she" Drapney replied. Draighholl was behind her, but the other Clairetti didn't seem to mind his presence.

"We are here to receive a report on your progress" The Clairetti official continued,

"Allied Casualties, none. Enemy Casualties, 1/3. They called for reinforcements, but it made no difference. The remainder surrendered and retreated. Mission is a success." Drapney formally answered his question.

"Go" The Clairetti official commanded, turning a head towards the Clairetti on the left. The chosen Clairetti flew away into the distance back to what looked like home base, probably to tell them what Drapney just said. "There is more. You are to accompany us to the North as a replacement, to spy on the Groulg forces, and confirm their defeat."

Drapney's heart sank at the notice, she really wanted to go on with her quest, but orders are orders, and she will obey them. "I accept this notion" she said without hesitation.

"We are to embark on this mission. Effective immediately. My personal notion requests that we leave the Zebra."

Drapney turned to Draighholl, "Do you mind?"

"Not at all" Draighholl replied, "I'll travel back to home base. You be safe out there"

"I will Draighholl. Goodbye for now"

"Bye" He said, then continued onward to walk pass the other Clairetti, and onward towards the East Clairetti HQ. The other Clairetti didn't turn their heads as he walked bye.

"Suit up, we leave immediately." The Clairetti ordered. Drapney romped her pack and efficiently pulled out the armor that lay inside. The other Clairetti noticed that it was covered with blood, but didn't seem to care. It actually made their fellow Clairetti look surprisingly threatening, which may be useful later. Drapney finished putting her suit on.

Each Clairetti customizes their own suit of armor, as long as it's golden. The other two Clairetti before her now were focused on medium strength armor, making them less agile then she was, but in every sense, they were still just as deadly. Drapney's light armor attire grew unknown attention from the other Clairetti. It was normal that a female would wear light armor, but Drapney barely wore anything. All she wore was the wing guards, a small helmet, and shoes. No chest plate, back plate, or legging armor, well, except for her back legs. They also noticed that her sword was unique, because it had a protracted handle that allowed for easier handling, as well as balanced weight distribution. With that in mind, they knew that Drapney focused on speed and agility, which many Claietti did, but Drapney was exceptionally unique. The most unique part about her costume was the golden cloth she placed around her face, which the lesser Clairetti took into consideration as a good idea for a light armor idea, considering that cloth was practically weightless. The non-official Clairetti felt attracted to Drapney, but didn't present any of those feelings in order to maintain a professional look.

Now knowing that Drapney was ready, the Official Clairetti continued orders. "We leave now" He said, then flew up into the air. Drapney and the other guy followed, and they shifted to fly northward. The wind blew through the cracks in their armor, giving them a wonderful chill that excited them. Clairetti loved flying. As they flew, the Official Clairetti slowed to be right next to Drapney.

"My name is Bagod. I am an emergency squad leader, and have been assigned you and him" he said making a motion towards the other Clairetti, "I am to be in command of you two until either one of you is relieved from my duty. You are to obey my orders as commanded when I give them to you. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir"

"Good. As you where." He finished, and flew up back to the front of the trio.

Drapney wasn't disturbed by the strict confrontation she just had with Bagod, it was protocol for an officer to first introduce himself, second, state his position and authority, and then third, give his expectations. He was also supposed to declare what their mission was, but he had already previously done that. Drapney was certain that he gave his starting group a similar talk before they left to pick her up. So thus, all was well. The Clairetti are very military oriented, and it constantly annoyed Drapney. Everything had to be under protocol, and everything needed to be uniform. But as a Clairetti, Drapney grew used to it. The Clairetti allowed much room for individualism, but in a war zone, you better do everything perfectly of face consequences. Drapney personally didn't understand why they needed such recision, considering that they were a fierce enough force without it, but it did make them that much more threatening.

Two hours later, they touched down for a break near a pool of water.

"We will rest here for a bit, rehydrate yourselves" Bagod stated.

Drapney and the other Clairetti removed whatever piece of armor covered their faces and took a drink form the pool of water. The other Clairetti raised his head first.

"Hi, my name's Povnik. I just thought I should introduce myself while we had time."

Drapney raised her head from the pool. "Hi, I'm Drapney"

"So I've heard" Povnik said with a grin.

"From House Falkren huh?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Just trying to make small talk."

"Well, it was nice to meet you Povnik"

"Same here"

"Are you finished?" Bagod asked,

"What's his problem anyway?" Povnik said quietly to Drapney,

"He's our commanding officer Povnik, show a little respect." Drapney remarked as she walked past him.

Povnik obviously didn't hit it off well with her, and he was bothered by that. They reapplied their face masks and lined in front of Bagod. He was the first to fly off, and they followed. Thus continued their journey.

They flew for the final hour of distance before landing again. Now back on the ground, hidden in a groove of trees, Bagod turned to give his next order. "We are nearing the Groulg headquarters. Keep low, stay quiet, we will travel on foot for the rest of the distance" Drapney and Povnik nodded in understanding.

They then ran through the forest, barely making a sound. Not very much time passed when Bagod stopped their pace. He then made signs with his hoof to stealthily travel to the East of where they stood, where they could find a better entrance point. Apparently the Groulg liked to clear entire openings of trees to build a base, or outpost, or whatever. Probably so they could see their enemy coming. Bagod succeeded in finding a sufficient advance point, but only allowed Povnik go in that direction. Apperently he wanted them to enter in three different directions, get as much info as possible, then return back to the forest; but he was going to chose the advance points. With a motion of his hoof, he ordered Drapney to follow him. After he found a second sufficient advance point, he ordered Drapney to go that direction. He himself kept going to find a third point where he could advance. Drapney, obeying orders, swiftly and quietly advanced from the forest into the base. It was quite a large settlement, maybe a town of some sorts. She succeeded in entering the town without being spotted, and stuck to weaving through alley ways. This was a town, because it was to big to be a military base, and random Groulg citizens were walking around. Drapney found a storage house somewhere and decided to make it her retreat point, in case something bad happened. Surely, Povnik also had such a place planned out, and as for Bagod, she didn't know if he had found a good advancement point yet. Her goal was the town center, where the military personal where supposed to be. She climbed to the top of a roof in order to get a better look, and while she was up there, she could see the town center clear as day. It was indicated by a tower in the middle, constructed of stone. She also noticed Povnik out in the distance, apparently doing the same as she was. No sign of Bagod was noticeable. Drapney then traveled on the rooftops headed towards the center. She almost made it to the central tower, but there was a moat of open space that stretched from the building she was standing on, and all the way to the middle tower. She couldn't reach the tower without being spotted.

She began circling the tower to find a good advancement point. It took a while, but she found one. There was a sewer that went under the building just big enough for her to fit in, but she would need to time it just right in order to not be seen by any of the Groulgs. She waited for the right moment, then bam! She bolted off of the roof right towards the sewer entrance. With a kick of her hoof, she busted the bars open, and slid inside. She hopped no one would notice. Making it with six seconds to spare before the next Groulg came across that way, Drapney was in. Drapney found that sewer led only to waste areas, and thus the stench was strong, but she continued onward. She found one of the tunnels leading to a bathroom and she went up it. Kicking the bars open again, Drapney slid inside the bathroom, no one was around to hear her. She then stealthily exited the bathroom, looking around corners and using her ears to distinguish wither she was safe or not. Before long, she made it up level by level to the top. Not many people seemed to be in the building at all, maybe the sliders haven't returned yet, and they beat them to it. Just as this thought went through her mind, Povnik came around the corner. He gestured that he didn't know what was going on. Apparently he hadn't found anything either. 'Is it possible they we're looking in the wrong spot?' Drapney thought, then turned away from Povnik to look out a window. Sure enough, a window was found, and she peered out of it. She was right, they were looking in the wrong place. The Groulg battalion and some Groulg leaders were walking down a road away from the central tower. Drapney motioned for Povnik to look out the window. He did as was told, and nodded at the understanding of what Drapney was trying to show him. They then mentally agreed to advance. They waited until the time was right, and jumped out of the window onto the adjacent roof. Now moving together, they traveled from roof to roof, following the group of Groulg Officials. The Groulgs then entered into a large building which apparently was their command base for this town. Drapney and Povnik worked together to find a good entrance point, which was easy, considering that the command building was right next to the surrounding buildings. They simply jumped through a window that was located somewhere on the building, and continued to travel through the building. They stopped briefly, due to finding the meeting room. Assuming different positions, they got ready to hear whatever conversation was emanating from the room.

"How was our success at the War Initiate Outpost?" One of the Groulgs asked,"Are we ready for war?"

"I highly advise against that counselor, we lost at that battle"

"What do you mean lost?"

"We were defeated, by one pony."

"One pony?"

"Yes, we have plenty of witnesses to agree with my statement."

One by one, about six Groulgs Drapney had allowed to live entered the room. "It's all true, the Clairetti sent only one unit, and that single unit cut through a third of our forces" The Groulg said with fear. "If that was just one, imagine what a whole army could do to us?"

"Did you kill that single pony?"

"No, the rest of us were spared, so we could retreat."

The Master Groulg stood from his seat, unsheathed his weapon, and walked up to the first Groulg that failed in the battle. With a swing of his arm, he cut the poor Groulg's throat open, it now dieing on the floor. "You are weak" he said as he killed the next Groulg, "Pathetic excuses as warriors" then killed the next, "so much you can't defeat a single pony?!" then the next. "And you retreated?! You didn't fight till the end!" and the next. The last of the six Groulgs stood in terror when the Master Groulg got to him. "If what you said is true, then you don't deserve to live!" He said, then killed the last Groulg. The other head Groulgs sat in shock.

"Sir, it wasn't their fault"

"I gave them reinforcements, I gave them General Groddier, and they failed to eliminate ONE Pony?! Where is General Groddeir anyway, he's supposed to be in this meeting!"

"He's dead sir. According to the survivors, he was the first one the pony slayed. They said she toyed with him, like a snake who traps a mouse."

The Master Groulg sat hard in his chair. He didn't believe anything they were telling him. "But it was just, one, pony"

"No sir, it was a Clairetti"

The Master Groulg sat and thought for a bit. "How are we going to tell Zod that his brother died?"

The other Groulg leaders sat in silence, none of them wanting to vaulenteer.

"Is all that you have said true?" The Master Groulg asked for the last time.

"We have a glut of witnesses to prove it"

"But Groddier was one of our best, and he was toyed with?"

"Like a doll"

The Master Groulg stood from his chair. "We must not allow ourselves to go to war with the Clairetti race, least we ourselves become extinct" Apparently, learning that a general he highly respected was defeated in battle by one Clairetti was enough for him to change his mind about continuing on with war. "I will go to Zod"

The group then raised from their seats and left the room. Povnik felt relieved, like a mission accomplish kind of relief. But Drapney gave a look from her eyes suggesting that they were't done yet. They now had to follow the Master Groulg to this Zod guy and listen in on their conversation. Leaving the building the way they came in, Drapney and Povnik trailed the Master Groulg all the way back to the Central Tower. They both made it back into the building with ease, and quickly searched the building in search of the Master Groulg to see where he went. Apparently, there where six other meetings just like the one they listened to, because there were five other Groulgs plus the one they followed that were all walking in a line. Being as stealthy as they could, they followed the Groulg officials. They saw them all enter in what looked like a janitor's closet, but was actually an entrance to a flight of stairs that meant under the building. Drapney began searching for another route to take, because if they went down the same path, they surely would be caught.

Drapney chose the sewers again, and broke her way into the tight tunnels. Povnik followed due to lack of a better idea. They then came to a fork, but Bagod met them on the other fork, so now all three where reunited together. Bagod motioned to follow him through the tunnels, and then allowed him to pass. Turns out that the sewer had an entrance right under where they were having the meeting, and Bagod decided it was best that they remain in the tunnel while they listen in on the Groulg's conversation.

"Chief Zod" one of the leaders spoke as they approached the apparent master of the whole race, "we have come with a verdict of advice"

"Speak" Zod said with a deep voice.

"We should not go to war with the Clairetti" Someone else stated.

"Explain" Zod ordered.

"At the battle, we had increased reinforcements, and elite warriors. We even sent your brother, Groddier, to ensure that the battle would be one. The enemy sent only one, sparsely armored soldier."

"Then mock our strength, that is enough to declare war!"

"My great Chief, there is more. That single enemy unit cut through one third of our forces and the rest retreated in fear. The single enemy unit was a force not to be reckoned with, and it was only one!"

"Oh how weak we truly must be if we cannot defeat a single pony counselors!"

"We have many witnesses that advise against going to war with the Clairetti Race, your Majesty"

"I refuse to believe that a single enemy unit crippled our forces in such a way. Stories like those only come in Legend!"

"Then sir, the Clairetti are Legends."

"How many casualties exactly?"

"50 dead"

"No wounded?"

"The enemy didn't make mistakes like that your majesty".

"Get out of my sight! Come back when you have the truth about the battle!" The Chief said, turning away from the sight of the other Groulgs so he wouldn't have to see them for another second.

"Sir, there's more." The Groulg Drapney and Povnik were trailing interrupted. "It's about your Brother, Groddier. He's dead"

The Chief grew silent and slowly turned back around. "By the Clairetti?"

"Yes, my Chief."

The Chief remained quiet. It was a while until he spoke again, but he did speak. "Did he die a warrior's death?"

"Toyed with, your Majesty. He was a plaything in the hands of the enemy unit, in order to be made an example to the other forces."

The Chief gripped onto something with anger. "My brother? Died a fool's death!?"

"Yes, my Chief."

"Proper burial!?"

"Abandoned in the field."

The Chief unsheathed his sword, walked over to the Groulg that gave him the bad news, then stabbed him in the gut. The Groulg dropped to the floor dead. 'How ironic' Drapney thought. The Chief then looked up at the others, who shied from his view. "Today, we march to the Clairetti homeland, and destroy them all! All their women! All their children! We will show no mercy! Prepare ALL of the forces, either we go extinct, or they!"

"Sir, please, we shouldn't…:

"I just gave you an order! You'd be wise to follow it!"

The other Groulgs nodded in understanding and hastily left the basement. Bagod motioned for them to leave the tunnels as soon as possible. Povnik, Drapney, then Bagod exited the sewer entrance and ran for the nearest exit, they no longer worried about stealth. Povnik broke right through a stone wall and continued running at ground level, Drapney and Bagod rushing behind them. When they where out in the open, they flew off into the sky. Many Groulgs where frightened when they saw them break through the wall, and many soldiers tried to chase after them, but being unable to fly, they couldn't do anything. Drapney, Povnik, and Bagod all flew as fast as they could to the South East, where the Homeland would be located, being the bearers of bad news.

Word spread quickly through the Groulg town that three Clairetti spies had been in their territory, and the Groulg counselors were very worried about what information the Clairetti may have acquired. Little did they know, the Clairetti spies had received all of their information.

***

Drapney and the crew hadn't stopped the entire way there, and made it back to the Homeland in three and a half hours. The land, once a barren desert, was now a beautiful valley with green grasses, tall trees, and gorgeous flowers. It was all engulfed by two cliff/hill faces that stretched all the way from the entrance to behind the fortress, it wrapping around the land like a U. Within the U, there would be little pockets of area the would be made into different things, like a training ground or a market place. The landscape was a symbol of self control, a triumph of Clairetti power. The Clairetti would destroy all that they touch, but generation after generation had learned to be gentle, and to demonstrate their newly acquired skills, they made a paradise out of their desert. Most building remained under ground in dug out caves, but some surface structures remained, like the Clairetti Monument, which was a Female Clairetti Pony, dressed in wavy cloth, standing upright, and holding a spear. It was a statue of the first Clairetti to learn to control her abilities, and her lessons are used in teachings today. Some joke that Drapney's sword was the broken end of the actual spear, but truth was, Drapney had designed it after that spear in order to show respect to the historical hero.

The squadron landed softly onto the ground, other Clairetti around them going about their normal day to day business. Bagod and the others headed straight for the Command Center, the largest surface building the Clairetti had constructed. It was a fortress, another land mark of Clairetti Triumph over their curse. It, as well as the statue, where the only permanent constructions the Clairetti had made, trying to keep a low profile, and strike fear into their enemies at the same time. The gates lay wide open, and the trio walked right inside. Finding the House Counsel where they should be, waiting in the meeting room, the trio approached the table in the middle.

"Report" One of the counsel members commanded.

Bagod took the role as messenger, "The Groulg forces are angered at a loss of a valued member, and march even now to attack us here, at the Homeland"

"Estimated arrival?"

"Information unavailable sir."

"Thank you commander, you and your team are relieved of duty from the given missions. You three are to join the Ranks and prepare for war when the Groulg forces arrive."

Bagod bowed his head and crossed his upper right leg across his chest, the signature sign of respect given by all Clairetti. He then turned and left, Drapney and Povnik followed behind him.

When they exited the building, they parted ways, possibly never to see each other again. Drapney went to the Waterfall to wash the blood from her armor. Clairetti mothers were there with their foals, gathering water, or bathing them. Drapney approached with her bloodied armor, and began to wash it.

"Wow, you must've had a lot of fun" One of the mothers approached,

"heh, don't kid Lanlon, I know you hate seeing blood on a soldier's armor."

"Indeed I do, so how many did you kill today? Ten? Fifteen?"

"Fifty"

"Oh wow! Fifty! Is that a new record?"

"Yes, and I'm not proud of it."

"And that's why I like you Drapney, you mourn for those you slay."

Drapney smiled a bit, "Thanks Lan"

"No problem. So what's it going to be? Are we going to war?"

"Yes, they will be here soon to kill us all, or so they'll try"

"Wait, they're coming now?"

Drapney looked up at Lanlon, "Hide your children inside"

Lanlon looked a little scared, but she knew everything would be fine. They were the Clairetti after all. "So, the testing battle didn't convince them to stop?"

"No, it simply made them angry"

"We're not in any real danger are we? I mean, the battle went well right?"

"Oh of corse" Drapney said with a forced smile on her face, "I was the only one in the test battle, and I scared their forces away. There isn't any real danger, just numbers. It is possible that they run past our initial forces and here into the main courtyard. That's why I say you should hide your children. They won't win against us though, all will be well."

"Whatever you say Drapney, I trust your judgement"

Drapney finished washing off her armor, given that she didn't have much armor to wash anyway. "Well alright, I have to report to the front. War is about to start and all"

"Goodluck" Lanlon said,

"I'm not the one who needs it" Drapney replied as she walked towards the Gathering of the Forces, the set location when all available soldiers go and wait for orders, which conveniently is located at the front of the Homeland, so incase you were given no orders whatsoever, so would just stand there and keep any enemy forces from entering the Homeland. It was a good strategy. Since it's creation, no enemy has made into the Homeland.

Drapney walked into the crowd of about 2000 Clairetti. Normally, there would only be about 500, but the threat of someone attacking the Homeland encouraged many Clairetti from the far reaches of the world to come and aid in the assault. Victory was nigh, who could defeat them now?

The crowd waited for orders, or for the sight of the Groulgs.

***

The Chief of the Groulgs sat in prayer. He was reaching out to the Spirit of Chaos for aid, understanding that the Clairetti would be no easy task to overcome.

"Please, Spirit of Chaos, my beloved brother was slain by a Clairetti! He died a Fools Death, and was left on the battlefield to rot! I want revenge, and I am sure you can sympathize with that. Allow us, the Groulgs, to be your saints, and bring Chaos to where you yourself cannot be. Bless us with the power to defeat the Clairetti, for revenge, and for mayhem! Make them beg beneath our heels! And then squash them with no mercy!" The Chief's prayer was strong, and the Spirit of Chaos appeared to him in person. Discord stood in the Chief's midst.

"Hm hm hmm" Discord laughed maniacally, "So, your Majesty," Discord said with a sarcastic smile and a mock bow, "you are in need of my power I hear?"

"The Spirit of Chaos" The Chief said in amazement, he couldn't believe that their god actually showed himself to him.

"I have heard more than the prayers of you, your majesty, but many of your people pray to me as well."

"So they do, we are honored by your presence!"

"Mm, yes, well. I am willing to give you what you want, for a price that only you can pay."

"Yes my lord, anything!"

"Oh, it's nothing special, just a single glass of water"

The Chief looked confused. "All you ask is for one glass of water, my lord?"

"Yes, that is all that I require"

"My lord, we will give you a hundred glasses of water!"

"You are too kind, but I only ask for one."

"In the name of Chaos, we shall do as you ask." The Chief said, bowing before Discord.

"Now as for your victory." Discord made a motion with his paw and summoned a staff. The staff was decorated with a multitude of snakes curled around it. "This is the Medusa Staff, it can only be used once. Speak the spell engraved on the pole, and watch as your enemies stand helpless to do anything. Oh, and be sure to make sure that the snakes are pointed at your enemies."

"We will not fail now, my lord. We are forever grateful for this gift."

"You must return that staff to my possession after it has been used. And remember, I want that glass of water"

"You will have your Staff, and your Water when the battle is finished my lord"

"Good" Discord said, then disappeared out of the presence of the Chief. The Chief clutched onto the staff.

"We will not fail now." The Chief said.

Discord reappeared in his castle, everything within being subject to one thing or another that Discord has done to it. Discord laughed, and laughed, then laughed harder. He looked at a picture on the wall of a red and black centaur standing upright. The engraving beneath the picture read 'Tirek, The God of Hatered'. "My Dearest Master, I am a step closer to your freedom." Discord said, a sickening smile creeping into his face.

Author's Note:

Chapter 5, I hope you enjoyed it! Today was a pretty good day, I published two chapters! I feel productive.

Like always, I'm open to questions, comments, criticism, anything you have to say, I'd love to hear it.

Special thanks to all of my readers that have read up to this point, I am very, very happy to know that you enjoy this story well enough to keep up with it, and I appreciate and love you all. You are what encourages me to write more chapters. Thank you!

Comments

[Talidin1337]

4100939 I thought four bits was a good price considering all the ingredients needed to make a muffin, but I see how it looks like a lot, and I almost agree.