Chapter Sixteen
It was early spring, and the snow still lay deep upon the mountains around the valley. Ashley gazed out the kitchen window at Beaver Mountain, wishing she could speak with Snowden. She could barely make out where the cave to Snowden’s lair was. The area around it was still buried in white. It would be at least another month before it would be safe to go check on the dragon.
“Thinking about Snowden?” asked Stephen, walking up to his sister.
“Yes,” responded Ashley, looking over at her brother. Stephen was sixteen now and she had just turned eighteen.
“It’s hard to believe that the dragon can sleep the entire winter.”
“He has for generations,” Ashley replied with a peaceful smile. “It means the valley is safe, and we have had nothing to worry about over the winter.”
“Least of all this new dragon Snowden told you about,” Stephen commented, his eyes glancing out the window.
Everyone in the immediate family knew about Braxam. Their father had informed them of Snowden’s frightening revelation when he and Ashley had come down from Beaver Mountain in the fall.
“No one has heard anything about another dragon,” Ashley responded with relief in her eyes. “Snowden thinks Braxam is around somewhere. Our valley is just too good of a feeding ground for him to have left.”
“Perhaps Braxam is sleeping like Snowden,” Stephen suggested, his eyes taking on a worried look. “If so, he could wake up when it gets warmer. That may be why no one has seen him.”
Ashley was quiet for a long moment. She brushed her blonde hair back behind her shoulders with her right hand. She needed to go and put a ribbon in it to keep it in place. This worry about the new dragon had haunted her all winter. The Sorensons were going to be a big enough problem shortly. They didn’t need to have to worry about a dragon also.
-
Harmon was sitting at the kitchen table talking to Katrina. Glancing over at the window, he noticed their two children were looking out the window toward the mountain and talking in low voices.
“It’s starting to warm up pretty quickly,” he spoke, looking over at his wife.
Katrina nodded. She almost wished it was still winter. If it were then they wouldn’t be worrying about the Sorensons. Taking a sip of her tea, she closed her eyes briefly and wondered why her family had to be sorcerers. Opening them back up, she looked over at her husband.
“How soon do you think it will be until the Sorensons show up?”
Harmon reached across the table and laid his hand on his wife’s arm. “It could be anytime. That’s why Stephen and I are riding into town tomorrow to talk with Mark and Robert. We need to decide for sure how we’re going to handle this.”
“I thought the three of you had already discussed that,” said Katrina, her blue eyes looking seriously at her husband.
She just wished her kids weren’t going to be involved in this. It was bad enough that Harmon would be in danger. The thought of Stephen or Ashley getting seriously hurt was something she didn’t want to think about.
“We have,” Harmon responded with a heavy sigh. He knew his wife was really concerned about the kids. “We need to discuss how Mason, Justin, and Stephen are going to be involved.”
“Do the boys have to be involved in this?” Katrina asked with a chill running down her back. Just the thought of any of those three boys facing the Sorensons was distressing. They were so young to have to take on adult responsibilities.
“You know they do,” Harmon responded, his eyes taking on a haunted look. “We don’t know how many Sorensons will be coming.”
“And Ashley?” continued Katrina, glancing over at her young daughter.
“Ashley will be involved too,” answered Harmon, evenly. “She is the strongest of us all and may be the only real chance we have against the Sorensons. You have seen what she can to with her sorcery.”
“If Ashley’s involved, that means Todd will be also,” Katrina said. “Todd won’t let Ashley go up against his family unless he’s at her side. Those two are deeply in love Harmon, just like we were when we were their age.”
Harmon smiled at his wife. “That was a long time ago, and some things never change.”
-
Across the valley near Crayton, the Sorensons were meeting in Jacob’s large farmhouse. It was time to go to Plainview and lay down their new demands to the villagers and the Andrews.
Jacob looked around the assembled group and smiled; the Andrews wouldn’t stand a chance. If they tried to resist, they would be crushed. “We leave this afternoon. We will spend the night in Glendon and then ride to Plainview in the morning.”
“It’s about time,” Kensett muttered with a satisfied nod. “We should have done this last spring.”
“But now we have an even better excuse for our demands,” Jacob responded, his dark eyes focusing on his brother. “My wife and son have been in Plainview for the entire winter. That’s a violation of our original agreement about keeping our families separate on opposite ends of the valley. They couldn’t have stayed in Plainview without the Andrews’ permission.”
“Then we give them our demands,” Randle Sorenson commented. “We make it very plain that they comply with them or else.”
Randle was one of Jacob’s cousins and just a year younger than Kensett. Besides Randle, Trevor, Alvin, and Brett would be going along to Plainview. All were older men who shared Jacob and Kensett’s views on who should be in charge of the valley.
“What about Todd?” Randle asked curiously, his dark eyes gazing at Jacob. “What if he sides with the Andrews?”
“I will deal with him if he does,” Edward commented dryly. “My little brother will be a fool if he sides with them. He knows what the consequences will be.”
Jacob nodded his head in agreement; Todd was soft like his mother. He wasn’t made out of the same metal as Edward. “We’ll deal with that problem if and when it comes up.”
Later, while everyone was preparing to leave, Jacob walked over to Edward and pulled him over to the side. “Is your dragon ready if we need him?”
“He’s ready,” Edward spoke with narrowed eyes. “All I have to do is call him.”
“It’s still hard for me to believe you can speak to this dragon,” Jacob continued as he watched the others start to mount up. “I can’t see us needing it, but it might be a useful bargaining chip. It might just get the Andrews to go along with us without a fight.”
“They can’t win,” Edward said with a short, derisive laugh. “Their sorcery is a joke. I could take them all myself.”
“Perhaps,” Jacob replied. He knew Edward was probably right. “But they could be useful keeping their section of the valley under control.”
A few minutes later, everyone was mounted up, and the seven Sorensons started toward Glendon. If all went according to plan, they would make their entrance into Plainview just after noon the next day.
-
Harmon, Mark, Robert, and Alfred Dotson were sitting at a table in the general store. They were discussing the upcoming demands they expected to receive from the Sorensons.
“So you’re not going to agree to their demands this year?” Alfred asked. He had already made it clear that he had no intention of turning anything over to the Sorensons.
“No, we’re not,” spoke Harmon, leaning back in his chair and putting his right hand on the table.
“That’s good,” Alfred responded with satisfaction in his voice. “I know many of the other villagers and farmers feel the same way. Why grow any crops or make any extra trade goods if the Sorensons just take them?”
“It may not be that easy,” commented Mark, glancing over at Alfred. “The Sorensons aren’t going to take no for an answer. From what I’ve heard, they pretty well have complete control of Glendon, and that means they control all the roads and passes to New Haven.”
“Can’t you use your sorcery to make them at least reopen the roads and passes?” asked Alfred, frowning. “T
hey’re demanding too high of a payment to use them; it’s not worth going to trade. You three are sorcerers; can’t you do something?”
“We may be sorcerers, but the Sorenson’s sorcery is much stronger. It always has been,” replied Harmon, trying to make Alfred understand.
The door to the general store flew open, and Stephen rushed in. He looked excited, and his face was flushed. “The Sorensons just rode into town!” he exclaimed loudly. “There are seven of them, and they are heading toward the tavern.”
Carolyn heard Stephen and strode quickly to one of the store windows and looked out. “I see Edward, Kensett, Jacob, and four of their cousins. I think the cousins are Randle, Trevor, Alvin, and Brett.” She turned back to gaze at Harmon. “Randle and the other three have pretty powerful sorcery powers.”
Harmon stood up and walked over to the windows with Mark and Robert close behind. Looking out, he saw the Sorensons dismount from their horses and go into the tavern. Glancing over at Carolyn, Harmon noticed she looked very pale, and a frightened look had appeared on her face.
“I want you to go out the back door and have Todd saddle your horse,” spoke Harmon, coming to a quick decision. “Go out to my house and tell Ashley the Sorensons are here and that I need her here as soon as possible.”
“Ashley?” said Mark, looking confused. “Why Ashley?”
Harmon turned and looked at his brothers. “Because she can talk to Snowden. We may need her to summon the dragon.”
“She can talk to Snowden!” Mark exclaimed with surprise in his eyes. “How is that possible?”
“I’ll explain later,” replied Harmon. “Just go as quickly as you can, Carolyn.”
“A dragon!” Carolyn said, her eyes growing wide. “You have a dragon?”
“Yes,” replied Harmon, taking her arm and guiding her toward the back door. “It’s a family secret, but we may need the dragon to control the Sorensons.”
Going back to the front of the store, Harmon glanced toward the tavern. The Sorensons were all inside. “Stephen, go get Mason and Justin; we may need them shortly.”
“Justin should be over at my house with Mason,” Mark informed Stephen. “Use the back door of the general store and go down the alley. All three of you need to come back the same way.”
“What’s going on?” Alfred said from behind them where he had been standing listening. “What’s this crazy talk about a dragon?”
“Don’t worry about it, Alfred,” Harmon said, looking over at the storekeeper. “I need you to go outside and pass the word for everyone to get off the street. They’re to stay inside until this is over.”
“What do we do now?” asked Mark, taking a deep breath.
“We wait,” Harmon replied, his eyes focused on the tavern. “At some point in time, the Sorensons will send for us. Then we will see what’s going to happen.”
“You don’t think you can just reason with them,” Alfred said still not understanding what was going on. “Can’t you just explain to them that we’re not going to hand anything over this year?”
“Alfred,” replied Harmon, trying to be patient. He turned toward the storekeeper. “The Sorensons aren’t going to take no for an answer. They want our crops and trade goods one way or another.”
A sick look came over Alfred’s face as he realized just how badly he had underestimated the situation. He opened the door and quickly began going to the people outside, telling them to get off the street.
Inside the store Harmon, Mark, and Robert settled down to wait. They didn’t think it would be long.
-
Ashley was inside with her mother helping to wash the morning dishes when they heard a horse outside. Going to the door, Ashley was surprised to see Carolyn slide off the saddle and hurry toward the house. Opening the door, Ashley stepped out on the porch.
“What’s wrong, Carolyn?” Ashley asked. Carolyn had a panicked look on her face.
“Jacob and the rest are in the village,” she spoke, breathing heavily. “They’re over at the tavern. Your father said to come and get you. He said something about a dragon.”
Ashley was quiet for a moment. She sensed her mother behind her, and turning saw a look of deep concern on her mother’s face. There was no point in keeping her secret any longer. Turning back to Carolyn, Ashley spoke. “It’s not just the dragon, Carolyn. I’m also a sorceress, possibly stronger than Edward. That’s the real reason my dad needs me. If there’s a fight, my job will be to handle Edward.”
“Oh no, Ashley!” Carolyn cried, her eyes growing wide. “You can’t face Edward, he’s too dangerous!”
“Nevertheless, I shall. Now go inside with mother while I go saddle my horse, and stay here until this is over. You should be safe inside the house.”
Without another word, Ashley rushed down the steps and ran toward the barn. She needed to saddle Spirit and get to Plainview as quickly as possible. Hurrying into the barn, she brought Spirit out of his stall and rapidly began putting on his saddle. She felt tense and nervous. Very shortly she would know just how powerful her sorcery actually was and if she could stand up to Edward.
Katrina and Carolyn stood on the porch as Ashley rode Spirit at a gallop out of the yard and toward the village.
“I don’t understand,” mumbled Carolyn, confused.
“Come with me dear and I will explain,” Katrina replied with a heavy sigh. She hoped Ashley knew what she was getting into.
She was glad Carolyn was with her. The idea of being home alone, while her family faced danger, didn’t appeal to her at all. It was going to be bad enough as it was. The two women went inside and closed the door behind them. There was nothing more they could do but wait.
-
The three boys had made it into the general store through the back door. All three looked excited and nervous.
“How do you want to handle this Harmon?” asked Mark, taking a deep breath and looking toward the tavern. The Sorensons were still inside.
“I think we just tell them there will be no agreement with them this year and ask them to leave. Hopefully, when they see all six of us, they might have second thoughts about causing trouble.”
Robert shook his head. “That will never work. Jacob and Kensett are set on controlling our section of the valley. I don’t think it matters what we do, there is going to be a fight with the Sorensons.”
“Dad, they’re coming out of the tavern,” said Stephen, gazing out the window. “They’re headed this way!”
“They must know we’re in here,” Mark spoke with a frown. ‘I guess we can’t delay this any longer.”
“You three boys stay in here for now,” Harmon ordered. “Don’t come out unless we tell you to.”
The three nodded as they watched their fathers open the store door and step outside. With apprehension, they watched the three walk down the store steps and out into the street.
Stephen held out his hand and saw it was shaking. “I’m scared,” he confessed, looking over at Mason.
Mason smiled back weakly nodding his head. “All three of us are. We just have to have faith in our fathers.”
And Ashley, Stephen thought quietly to himself. He looked back out the window hoping that Ashley would arrive quickly.
-
Jacob Sorenson saw the three Andrews brothers come out of the general store. He took note of the determined look on their faces. “You may get your wish, Edward,” he said softly to his son who was walking next to him. “I don’t think they’re going to agree to our demands.”
“Doesn’t look like it,” Kensett muttered not really surprised. He had suspected Harmon Andrews would be a problem. He had been surprised when Harmon had agreed to their demands the previous year.
The two groups stopped about twenty feet apart and stood gazing at one another. The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Both sides looked determined.
“Hello, Harmon,” Jacob spoke in an even voice. “We’re here to make our demands for this comi
ng year.”
“We figured that,” replied Harmon, wondering how long it would be before Ashley arrived. Ashley and Snowden were his secret weapons.
“Things are going up this year,” said Kensett, spitting on the ground and looking intensely at Harmon. “It’s expensive to maintain the roads around Glendon and the mountain passes to New Haven.”
“And how expensive is that?” Harmon asked, his eyes staring at Jacob.
“Forty percent of everything you grow and twenty-five percent of all your trade goods,” Jacob spoke, his eyes unwavering.
“Forty percent!” uttered Robert with anger in his voice. He glared at the Sorensons. “You can’t really expect us to do that!”
“There are only three of you and seven of us,” Kensett commented with a sneer on his face. “You have no other choice.”
“I think it’s pretty even,” a voice behind Harmon spoke.
Turning around, Harmon saw Todd and the three boys step out onto the porch of the store. All four had their amulets out in plain sight. He wished they had waited until he had called for them, but it was too late now.
“Hello, little brother,” Edward said with a pleased smile. “I was hoping you would make an appearance.”
“Edward,” replied Todd, looking at his brother and showing no fear on his face.
“Forget those boys,” ordered Jacob, glaring at Edward. “They’re of no importance. Turning his attention back to Harmon, he asked, “Do you agree to our demands or not?”
Harmon was silent for a moment as he pulled his dormant dark blue amulet out from beneath his shirt. His brothers did the same. “No, I don’t think so. Not this year.”
Hardly had Harmon spoke the words when Edward and the other Sorensons struck. With a sinking feeling in his heart, Harmon knew their sorcery was no match for the Sorensons.
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