Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
|
Post by Baxter on Oct 2, 2012 17:26:25 GMT -5
Baxter’s first response was a bewildered silence, having not expected the guard to answer him in such a way. His confusion quickly gave way to anger, however, both at the fact that the dog had the audacity to speak to him like that and that he had been partially right. Winter wolves doing mercenary work for dragons was not infrequent. It was never something Baxter was proud of, just one of those things you put up with. You weren’t going to be the only one in your pack who didn’t accept an assignment just because a dragon was the employer. At least not twice. Baxter had learned that the hard way.
“Listen, dog,” Baxter said, keeping his arms folded and his back against the bridge. “I've done work for dragons, but at least it’s been my choice. Your kind, on the other hand, kneeled down at the first chance they got. If it wasn’t for one of my type taking sympathy on you, you’d still be digging through the dirt with a chain around your neck. And probably enjoying it too! I’m not just better than you because I’m smart enough to see what’s best for me, or because I’ve got enough spine to act on it. More importantly, it’s because I can do these things on my own. Under one of my type your people became one of the most powerful and respected nations in the world. But once he was gone and you were back on your own, you went back to being the pathetic mutts you were before. Only this time, the dragons weren’t there to catch your fall.”
“And on that note, if you think me being here is a mistake, I would love to hear your justification for the ten dozen other groups your warlord’s asked to fight with you. Seems he doesn’t really put that much faith in you, otherwise he wouldn’t have included a bloody dragon as part of your invasion!” Baxter allowed some silence to pass, letting the words sink in. “It’s a shame, really, because I honestly think you could win this war by yourselves, at least with some proper leadership and training. Too bad Sharp doesn’t seem to believe that for himself.”
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Oct 2, 2012 19:10:12 GMT -5
"Your choice hmm? How long would your kind survive in the Northern Barrens without any dragon enchanted equipment?" Asked the guard, "How would Silverback had been able to unify our people and defeat the matriarch without Winter's Breath? You owe all of your success to those little trinkets the dragons give you. Even a better question would be, how many dragons have your types even killed? We nearly drove them to extinction." He said, still unmoving and staring at the horizon.
"You are free because the dragons who made you were few and arrogant. We are free because we earned our freedom. Now we have others working for us and helping us destroy our enemies, whereas you are still sad fools who reside in your packs, thinking you're special because of the dragon magic that keeps you alive."
|
|
Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
|
Post by Baxter on Oct 2, 2012 20:05:40 GMT -5
“You brainless coward! You wouldn’t last half a second in the barrens with dragon-enchanted armor!” Baxter hollered at the guard. “When the dragons tried to enslave us, we fought back. Your kind, on the other hand, took their sweet time, living centuries under their control. You take pride in breaking your chains, but we didn’t give them a chance to put them on us in the first place! The fact is that you were completely complacent under dragon servitude. You wouldn’t have even thought about breaking free if it wasn’t for Silverback!”
By now Baxter was no longer leaning against the bridge, though he hadn’t moved from where he was standing. His vision was locked tightly on the guard, blocking out most everything around him. “You dogs can’t think or act on your own, that’s why you spent centuries under dragon rule, doing whatever they told you. You couldn’t break free until you had someone to tell you how to do it! You only became great when you found outside leadership, someone who saw your full potential and showed you how to take advantage of it. As soon as he was gone you were completely lost. Now you’re stuck without a leader, and as worthless as you were before.”
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Oct 2, 2012 21:13:05 GMT -5
"Ah forget it, I'm not going to bother arguing with you. If you think Silverback could have done half of what he did without the Silver Core, you're deluded." The guard said, "Either way, if you idolize Silver back so much, why the Hay do you look down on those he thought of as equal?" The dog asked,finally looking at Baxter. He was obviously not afraid of him, nor did he seem to be the least bit invested in the argument. As though he hardly cared on whether or not Baxter understood him.
The sky was bright and unclouded, stars shun brightly and a warm breeze blew through the village. It was quite refreshing.
|
|
Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
|
Post by Baxter on Oct 2, 2012 23:06:10 GMT -5
“If Silverback ever considered your kind his equal than that was clearly the biggest mistake he ever made!” Baxter stated. At first he wanted to be more furious with the guard’s apparent indifference, but the archer was beginning to find that his temper was actually cooling. Maybe it was just that the guard was looking at him now, or simply because he hadn’t made another comment about the wolf-dragon paradox. “He may have respected the diamond dogs, but they weren’t his equals,” Baxter said solemnly. “You're right, Silverback wouldn’t have been able to do much without the Silver Core, but the Silver Core would have been nothing without him. That’s a leader dependent on a group and a group dependent on a leader, not equality.”
“In life there are no equals, not even among your own kind. You’re not the equal of a gem-worker. You’re different, different roles. It’s about knowing what you're best at and recognizing your shortcomings, helping make up for others’ while they make up for your own. A group can be a powerful and respected force, but they’re lost without a leader. A leader can bring out the best in individuals, but he’s nothing without a group to lead. Not equality, different roles.”
The winter wolf leaned back against the bridge, folding his arms again. “I look down on your kind because you’ve shown under leadership you can be great, a feared and powerful people. Now though, on your own, you’re nothing.” He looked down at a spot of ground in front of him before adding, “And all the leaders don’t care enough to change that.”
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Oct 3, 2012 2:22:55 GMT -5
The dog snorted, "His greatest mistake? Funny, if it wasn't for that mistake you'd never would have heard of him. It was because he saw us as equal that he wanted to help us break the chains of the dragons, perhaps it had a lot to do with his frustration with his own kind, who sold their lives for shiny trinkets and could not be convinced to live otherwise. And what you just described, is exactly Equality, a leader needs a group as much as a group needs a leader. An alpha without a pack is worthless, a pack without an alpha will eventually obtain an alpha."
The guard stiffened a bit, "After all, you may be a big shot in this army, but not because you're an outstanding warrior, you're an archer, a pup's job. No, you're a big shot because of your friend." He threw the mean comment. How he knew so much about the going ons of the army and Diamond Dog philosophy was unclear, as most Diamond Dogs Baxter met were rather dim witted, but it was obvious he knew how to strike a nerve.
|
|
Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
|
Post by Baxter on Oct 3, 2012 17:33:35 GMT -5
Baxter remained silent as the guard spoke, not finding himself wholly disagreeing with what was said. Maybe Silverback had seen the diamond dogs as equals, and maybe that was why he had helped them break free in the first place. But even if that was true, that didn’t make them equals. If they really were equals than the dogs would have broken free from the dragons long before his arrival. Or when he was gone, they could have continued prospering without him. But no. Wolves and dogs weren’t equals. They were different. Besides, his entire logic regarding a leader being equal to his group was stupid. The whole point of an alpha was to bring forward someone who’s better than the rest of the group in order to lead them. There wouldn’t be an alpha if everyone was just equal.
One line stood out the most from all the others, though. “Perhaps it had a lot to do with his frustration with his own kind, who sold their lives for shiny trinkets and could not be convinced to live otherwise.” Baxter had no response for that. The statement reverberated inside him, leaving a pit in his stomach.
The guard hadn’t let up, though. He continued by demeaning the wolf’s importance in the invasion. At least Baxter could retaliate to this. “I wouldn’t be down here if I didn’t have something to offer,” Baxter said. “You can mock the fact that I use a bow instead of a sword, but at the end of the day I’m still worth ten of you several times over. I’ve proven that, and Sharp seems to think so too. If I was your equal, I don’t think he would have made the investment.”
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Oct 4, 2012 15:28:18 GMT -5
"Or," The Diamond Dog suggested, "The price of hiring you was a reasonable loss in order to obtain Ice Fang." The mastiff said casually, now turning back away from Baxter. "Sharp might not seem the most clever, but he knows exactly what he's doing. There have been many alphas in many packs that were completely worthless, but he has a sound plan. So far, we're not only winning, but scored major victories. Winter Wolves had little to nothing to do with that, didn't they? Seems like your theory proves rather false. Though I ask you, what true leaders do Winter Wolves have? Have they ever done anything great in their life? I'm not a scholar, but I don't know anyone who's heard of a famous Winter Wolf other than Silverback and he among you is still considered but a lesser minion." The guard shrug, "We can argue this all night, but you know I'm right. You know your delusions of grandeur regarding your species are false. You're just trying to project a fantasy of yours unto reality. But it's alright," He said, his eyes flashing, "There's plenty of us," He lingered on the 's' sound, "To keep you in check."
|
|
Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
|
Post by Baxter on Oct 4, 2012 16:48:35 GMT -5
The guard’s suggestion pricked at Baxter, creating a small crack of doubt as to whether Ice Fang had really requested Baxter’s inclusion. He was quick to pave it over with his own words, though. “You think Ice Fang’s only down here because he asked Sharp if I could tag along? He’s got his own reasons for being here, and I’ve got nothing to do with it. Sharp asked for the both of us because he’s desperate, because he didn’t think one wolf was going to cut it. Just look, he’s brought in every outside force he can find to be part of this invasion. He clearly doubts you can win this war on your own.” The guard was just trying to get to him, that was all. Ice Fang wouldn’t ask any wolf be brought along as a contractual condition. The notion was stupid.
“And maybe the wolves haven’t had any great leaders because none of them have stepped up to lead.” The archer was making a concession here, but it was also something he believed personally. “My kind is apathetic, I’ll give you that. We don’t care about much but who pays us the most. Silverback’s proven what we’re capable of, though. And more importantly, he's proven what you’re capable of under winter wolf leadership.” Baxter smirked at the guard, adding “There’s only been one wolf who’s been a great leader, but he’s also been the only one. Your kind, on the other hand, have tried and failed for several thousand years to reclaim their former glory. The only reason you’re winning now is because you’re letting others fight your fights.”
“If it was up to me,” Baxter said, “The wolves would be leading you right now. Then maybe you’d regain some dignity on your own, without other armies to do it for you.” Now that there was some silence between them, something else popped into Baxter's head. He hadn’t thought too much about the last words the guard had spoken, but he was now beginning to realize their strange nature. “And what do you mean keep me in check? You’re a guard. You’ve got no jurisdiction over me. Seems all you do anyway is stand there and give directions.”
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Oct 4, 2012 17:22:57 GMT -5
The guard chuckled, "Did Blackmane capture Fillydelphia? I don't think so." He smirked, "Co-operation is not cowardice. Otherwise, I could just say the same for you, your dragon weapons do your fighting for you. After all, what good is a Winter Wolf without a dragon weapon? Probably good enough to be an archer, away from combat, cowering in the woods." He laughed.
"Wolves can't even lead themselves out of their greed, let alone win a war against the ponies and the griffons. Your pack members fight each other for dominance constantly to get the big shinies from the dragons. Our kind has been fighting pony and griffon oppression for ages. We drove the Blood Fang pack to the Zebra territories, whereas your kind is still being pestered and killed by the ice queen. Ironic isn't it?" He asked, "Accept that reality that just because one of you was a great leader, it doesn't make your whole kind superior. In fact, since Silverback was the odd one out, I'd say it shows the exact opposite." The guard waved him off.
|
|
Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
|
Post by Baxter on Oct 4, 2012 20:37:18 GMT -5
Baxter growled at the guard. Now the dog was clearly trying to get to the wolf, and it was working. The archer comment hadn’t even been an argument. It was just another way to mock him. “Shut up!” Baxter yelled. “You’d end up stabbing yourself if someone let you hold a dragon weapon for five seconds! A powerful weapon doesn’t make someone powerful just by holding it. It takes skill to use it, skill you don’t have! That’s why I’m a better warrior than you, because I’m more deadly with a bow than you could ever hope to be with any weapon! Heck, I’d probably be more deadly with a spoon!”
“It’s easy for you to mock my skills, any wolf’s skills for that matter, because you don’t have them. All you do is stand here, trying to make yourself feel better by playing down traits you’ll never have. You can’t even hope to survive what you ridicule us for. In fact, seeing you trying to survive in the barrens with what we have would be a joke. The Ice Queen wouldn’t even bother with you, because everyone knows something else would have killed you long before she could even get the chance! She harasses us because we can withstand everything else up there. In fact, it annoys her because even though she does try to kill us, we still survive. You drove out the Blood Fangs because they were weak. We endure the barrens because we’re strong, because we are superior!”
Baxter had almost had it with the guard. He couldn’t believe he had toned down his temper earlier for this cretin. The guard’s only goal seemed to be to prove Baxter wrong, to anger him, to make him accept blame for his people. Dogs weren’t supposed to insult you. They were stupid and cowards. When you barked, they whimpered. Not this one, though. This one was different. And Baxter didn’t think he could put up with him for much longer. If he hadn’t suspected the possibility of tattling, he would have thrown a brick at him by now. The idea was still tempting.
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Oct 5, 2012 8:19:30 GMT -5
"When it comes down to it, we had to slay hundreds if not thousands of dragons in order to buy our freedom, whereas you only had to deal with several solitary ones for yours. And even that you did not do, but instead entered into contract with them so they had their way after all. So how are you, who remained solitary, and unknown and small, better than us, who changed the course of history and brought our oppressors to near extinction?" The guard asked with a smirk.
"Your talk of the Blood Fang being weak is nothing but more evidence of your ignorance. The Blood Fang terrorized zebra, ponies and dragons alike. Their lowliest warriors are only initiated by having to fight and kill the alpha of another pack, the chieftain of a zebra tribe, the captain of a pony garrison, or to steal a dragon's egg... during the day."
|
|
Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
|
Post by Baxter on Oct 5, 2012 13:40:56 GMT -5
Baxter had lost his patience with this exchange. Nothing he could say would change the guard’s mind, and all this time and energy was just being wasted on getting the wolf worked up. The two could keep at it until morning, but all they would end up doing is continuing to stack arguments. Besides, Baxter didn’t want to give the guard opportunity to make more of his smug little insults. “I’m done talking to you,” Baxter said simply. “Your skull’s obviously too thick for anything to get through it, and I’m not going to continue to stand here while you list off stupid arguments from stupid logic. It’s no wonder they have you on guard duty. You clearly lack the mental capacity for anything else. If you still think your kind is above the winter wolves in any way, than the only thing to blame is your own stupidity.”
As soon as he was finished, Baxter turned and crossed back over the bridge, not waiting for the guard to bait him again. The buildings once again became more frequent, but most of the dogs seemed to be indoors now. The archer rubbed his eyes as he continued towards the center of the encampment. It felt late, and putting up with the guard had drained a lot of his energy. He stopped and looked in the direction of Ice Fang’s temporary residence, wandering if the other wolf was still with Sammie and Maxime. Probably, and Baxter wasn’t in the mood for running into them again.
Nearby Baxter could hear the sound of someone rummaging loudly through one of the ruined buildings. Looking to his side, the wolf could see an abandoned home missing a very large chunk of its right wall. He took a few steps closer, sure enough finding another diamond dog inside digging through what the former owners had left behind. The dog had its back to Baxter, likely not noticing the wolf approaching until he was just outside the mostly missing wall. “And what are you doing?” Baxter asked, his tone a mix of tiredness and accusation.
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Oct 6, 2012 6:03:15 GMT -5
"Work. Work all day, work all night, work all time. Forever. Need to clear, to clean, to make good for living. To find metal to make weapons, wood to make arrows and spikes, magic to charge gems. Work, always work." The dog continued his work, not looking back at Baxter, "Good to work when alone, if find something useless but pretty, can keep."
In another room of the same building he could hear mixed diamond dogs voices laughing, and some some bubbles surfing the air out of the room. Apparently a group of dogs found a pony blow toy and were just sitting around playing with it before they went to sleep.
"If you want to work, work on other side, I work here. Only fair, I came first." said the dog, throwing some books over his head, one nearly hitting Baxter.
|
|
Baxter
Diamond Dogs
High Templar Winter Wolf
"Wars are not won by the weak-willed."
Posts: 238
|
Post by Baxter on Oct 6, 2012 11:19:30 GMT -5
Baxter simply watched the dog sift through the items in the room as he spoke. He was certainly dedicated to what he did, especially if he was still at it this late. Some laughter coming from a doorway across the room created an immediate contrast. Seemed like a few other dogs had decided to mess around with a pony toy they had found instead. The laughter was accompanied by a few bubbles gliding out of the doorway. Baxter watched as they harmlessly floated through the room, popping after traveling a short distance. Meanwhile, the busy dog was tossing aside some books he had found, two of which landed on the floor a few feet in front of Baxter while another flew past the wolf’s shoulder. His eyes shot over to the dog, giving him an annoyed look but not saying anything.
Baxter took a short step through the massive hole, making his way to the wall opposite the dog and hopefully out of his line-of-fire. Some more laughter came from the nearby doorway, followed by a flurry of bubbles. “Your friends don’t seem so intent on working,” Baxter said plainly, motioning towards the other room.
|
|