Laylana stroked a copper dragon’s neck. The copper dragon licked her face with her black tongue. “How many saddles should we make? One for each of them?” she said to Nath.
“That and more.”
“More? Why?”
“Just make them adjustable,” Nath said, speaking to one of the tanners. “You’re going to need all the help you can get in case there’s an evacuation.”
“I thought we were going to be taking to the air and fighting against the wurmers.”
“Have you ever flown on a dragon before?”
“No.”
“Well, it’s not any easier than riding a horse. And if you fall off, it’s typically a long, long way down.”
Laylana’s eyes grew. “I just assumed, since the others made it, that we elves could manage.”
“That was a short flight.” He gave her a punch in the arm. “Don’t worry, you and your people will figure it out when the time comes. After all, you don’t have a choice.”
***
Inside their sanctuary, Brenwar opened the war chest before all present. “Take what you need,” he said to Ben and Rerry, both of whom were particularly wide-eyed. Ben’s mouth watered. He stretched out his hand.
Brenwar slapped it away. “Don’t get drool all over it. That’s disgusting. It’s not a pork chop.”
Ben and Rerry rummaged through the chest. They grabbed vials and stuffed them into their pockets and sleeves. There was a ring and a small folded blanket. Ben took them both. Rerry grabbed a small dagger. “What’s this?”
“A pointy blade,” Brenwar said. “Are you finished?”
Rerry and Ben looked at one another. “I suppose,” Ben said.
With a grunt, Brenwar closed the chest. He stuffed it into Samaz’s arms. “Don’t lose it, now. I have to go.”
“Go? What do you mean?” Ben said. “You aren’t sliding out with Dragon, are you?”
“I’m just going into the next room. I’ve got a letter to write.”
Rerry and Ben laughed.
“Write? You? Are you certain you want to fool with a quill? You could put your eye out with it.”
He stuck his skeleton finger in Ben’s face. “Or I could just put your eye out. Now behave yourself.”
Brenwar moved into a small alcove that served as a study. Rolls of parchment, a quill, and ink lay on the table. He sat down, picked up the quill, and dipped it into the small jar of ink. He started to write.
GLENWAR,
There comes a time in every dwarf’s life when he knows the end is near…
***
CHAPTER 17
Nath met with everyone back inside the sanctuary. “Now that we are within, we just need to find a safe exit. Sansla, how did you circumvent the titan army—aside from the obvious fact you are roamers who typically slide by just about anything?”
“The dwarves aren’t the only people with roads beneath the land. The subterranean levels of Elome are a well-kept secret.”
“This I have to see,” said Brenwar.
“I’ll see you out.” Laylana got up.
“We both will,” added Inslay.
“I’m grateful, but I find it difficult to abandon you at the critical time, Laylana. I’d feel more comfortable if I were able to leave you with friends among you.” He eyed several of his friends. Most of them were looking away. “I don’t suppose there will be any volunteers, however, to keep an eye on things.”
Not an eye was to be found gazing at him. Nath didn’t like it. He didn’t feel comfortable leaving the elves to themselves. He felt he needed someone there to keep an eye on things. The elves had been cooperative—maybe a little too much so. It gnawed at him.
“To be truthful, I’d feel better if some of you stayed within the safety of the elven realm. It would give me comfort to see you do so.”
No one said a word.
“I could order you to do so.”
“And we wouldn’t listen,” said Ben. “Sorry, but we’re in this to the end—even though it pains me a little to leave this place. It’s quite cozy here among the elves. Perhaps when it’s over, I’ll bring my family and settle down here, if they’ll let me. I think Margo would like it.”
“You can have it if there’s anything left.” Brenwar looked over at Laylana. “Lead the way. I’m curious about these gopher holes you dug. It won’t surprise me one bit if it collapses on us.”
The tunnel entrance was big and high enough to walk a herd of elephants through. Great beams of ash wood held up the tunnel walls and ceilings, much like the work one would see in mineral mines, but bigger. They all stood in a juncture where there were four tunnels in separate directions.
“This is impressive.” Nath cast his glance from one mouth to the other. “I never suspected.”
“The elves have made plenty of contingencies over the centuries. It’s why the orcs never get an upper hand on us. We’re always a league ahead of them,” Inslay said.
Inside the junction, Sansla reunited with a larger group of roamers. There was also another group of elven soldiers about a hundred strong, all armed to the teeth in elven steel and wearing woodland battle garb.
“Who are they, Laylana?” Nath asked.
“Elven forces, at your service.”
“To be frank, Laylana, the smaller our group, the better. I appreciate it, but you’ll need them here.”
“I’m sorry to say it, Nath, but they are sworn to accompany you at all costs.” She clasped his hands. “Do me this honor and take them? They are some of Elome’s finest.”
“Thank you. Sansla, you take your group. I’ll take mine.”
They divvied up two satchels filled with orbs of destruction that the elves had crafted for them.
“We’re splitting up then?” Selene said. “Are any of us accompanying Sansla?”
“There’s no need,” Sansla said, “though I appreciate the offer.”
“Certainly you’ll need spellcasting at your disposal?” Selene recommended.
Sansla had a second satchel strapped over his shoulder. He opened the flap and reached inside, removing a gemstone so brilliant it bathed the entire underground in light. Many shielded their eyes. “Behold, the Occular of Orray. It shall protect us.” He put it back inside the satchel. His blue eyes slid over to the mouth of one of the tunnels. “We’ll head north, to the hive near Thraag.”
“Take fifty of Elome’s finest with you, Sansla,” Nath said. “And him.” A tiny dragon with royal-blue scales that shimmered like metal crawled out from under Nath’s hair and rested on his shoulder. “This seeker will be a go-between for us if needed. Take care of him, Sansla.”
The seeker jumped onto Sansla’s shoulder and nestled in his hair.
Sansla departed with his roamers and fifty more elves.
“We’ll go west then, toward the ruins of Barnabus. How far do these tunnels go, Laylana?”
“More than half a league. Good speed, Nath Dragon.”
“Once I get out, I’ll send what aid I can. These tunnels can be a vehicle to victory or retreat. I hope you make use of them wisely.”
“We will.”
Nath motioned to the elven soldier in command of the small force. He was the only one in an almond-shaped helmet made from tanned leather. “Lead the way.”
The elven commander gave a bow. “Yes, your majesty.”
With a nod of his head, half of the remaining elven force marched quietly into the tunnel. Nath and his full company followed after them, with the second half of the elven force in the rear. It left him with a boxed-in feeling. Brenwar continued to look over his shoulder. He glanced up at Nath a couple of times.
Selene found his eyes more than once too. She whispered in his ear, “Do you have a strange feeling about this, or am I the only one?”
“I can’t imagine we’re about to be betrayed.”
“Yes, but things are moving along a bit too perfectly.”
“Agreed. Be ready.”
CHAPTER 18
“Pepper?” Bayzog said. “I know that name.”
“Well you should,” Pepper said. Rip cut his bonds away. Pepper dusted himself off and rubbed his wrists. “Now, what was I saying? Oh yes, you should know me. I’m Pepper, halfling extraordinaire.”
“No, that’s not why I know your name. Nath Dragon spoke of you.”
“Who?”
“I’m fairly certain you’d remember Nath Dragon if you saw him.”
Rip lay in the grass rolling back and forth, laughing in glee. “I can’t believe I’m out! I can’t believe it! After all these, well, I’m not sure how long it’s been, but I’m free!” He sat up and pulled a daisy and blew out the seeds. “Oh, I can’t wait to get back to Quintuklen. I’m going to feed on plates stacked up to my eyes. You’re free, halfling. I suggest you let those little legs of yours take you as far as they can from here. You don’t want to wind up in that pit.”
Rubbing the thick patch of gray hair on his head, Pepper strolled over to the well. He pushed up on his tiptoes.
Bayzog grabbed him by the collar and hauled him back.
“Hey!” Pepper objected. “I’m my own halfling. There’s no need to be tugging me by the shirt like I’m some child. I’ve lived eighty years, you know.”
“That makes you a child in my eyes,” Bayzog said. “I’m far past the century mark.”
“Oh,” Pepper said, noting Bayzog’s eyes. “A part elf. How exciting. Well, see you around.”
Bayzog held the small man fast. “What did the staagan want with you?”
“I don’t know. I was just making my way through on the thunder beard when they came. The next thing I knew, I was bound up like a ham for feasting.”
“I’ll tell you why they snatched him. They’re insane, that’s why!” Rip came to his feet. He was an imposing man in his battered legionnaire armor and had a strong jawline. “We were having a polite conversation when they put the net on me. I was in the midst of a hunting celebration after the war. Never hunt alone. I won’t do that again. At least not in these woods. My victorious celebration became a nightmare.”
Still holding Pepper fast, Bayzog asked, “What war are you talking about?”
“What war? Why the war of all wars. The war against the black dragons.” Rip patted his sword pommel. “I fought right alongside Barnabus himself, I did. Steel in hand. Hordes of evil over our heads.” He paused. “How did Barnabus wind up down in that pit? It was him, yet it wasn’t. He had claws. I don’t remember him having claws.”
“Who is this Nath Dragon fella you talk about?” Pepper asked. “I don’t know any …oh, wait a moment. Is he that golden-eyed fellow with flame-red hair? He’s a crafty one, that one is. He killed giants and made us move from one side of the world to another.”
“You’re talking about Barnabus,” Rip argued.
“No, I speak of the man called Nath, I think. Can I go now? I have a family that needs feeding.”
“And I’m heading back to Quintuklen. I’m most certain my family misses me.” Rip rushed into the forest.
“Rip, I think we need to clear a few things up. The dragon war you speak about, well, that was over five hundred years ago.”
Rip whirled around. He drew his sword. “You lie!”
“I wish that were the case. Which begs the question: if you’ve been gone for centuries, then how long have I been gone? Pepper, tell me, when was the last time you saw Nath Dragon?”
Pepper shrugged. “I don’t know. Life is so hazy these days. A decade, I suppose. No, wait! No, I’m not sure.”
Bayzog’s spirits sank.
The color in Rip’s cheeks vanished. He sheathed his sword. “If I’ve been gone so long, I need to see it for myself. I must. You coming?”
“I think at this juncture, it’s best we stay together. Pepper, you’re coming with us.” Bayzog glanced back at the well. It was a gateway to other worlds that were dark and dangerous. It needed destroying. But for now, it was the only way to save Balzurth. The Dragon King had given him a mission to find Nath. He would do just that.
“I don’t have my bearings, Rip. Are you still familiar with this land?”
“Like it was yesterday. Quintuklen, then?”
“Yes, but mind you, there are forces here now the likes of which you’ve never seen before. Giants roam the world like men.”
“Giants, eh? I’d be more than happy to stick my steel in them. But I’d rather find something decent to eat first.”
Following Rip’s lead, they maneuvered through the woodland for miles before they slipped out of the woods and onto the steppes. The air was chilly. Snow dusted the grass field. A brown road wound north like a snake.
“The landscape has not changed,” Rip said. “I find it comforting. That road is the same one I’ve known since I was a boy. Perhaps your summations are in error.”
The road had deep ruts in it. Footprints in the grasses were huge. Rip was down on one knee. “No, you’re right about the giants. There are many. Thousands have passed over this road recently. A full army. I thought the war of wars would have ended them all.”
“War will never end so long as the hearts of the races are wicked,” Bayzog said. “I’m not certain war will ever be eradicated. Not on Nalzambor, anyway.”
“If we were all halflings, life would be better. We would desire quiet and peaceful lives.”
A rumble caught Bayzog’s ears.
Rip’s eyes enlarged where he squatted.
A host of soldiers clad in armor and riding giant horses thundered down the road toward them.
“Not those things again,” Pepper said.
Bayzog kneeled. “You don’t think they’ve seen us, do you?”
Rip pulled his blade. “I fear they have.”
CHAPTER 19
“We are almost at the end of the tunnel,” the elven commander said to Nath. “I thought you should know that.”
“I was starting to wonder. Thank you for your service, Eslin. I am honored.”
“I’ll make no bones about it, your majesty, it’s an honor. I’ve looked forward to the day when I’d fight alongside the dragons once more.” Eslin was a middle-aged elf with a seasoned look about him. He had the calloused hands of a weathered veteran.
“Am I to take it that you were in the last dragon war, or the one before that?”
“I was of early age in the Great Dragon War. Back then I could have sworn the world was about to fall around us. It was an ugly thing. But there stood Barnabus, taking the world on his shoulders, bold and fearless. You bear a remarkable resemblance to him, your unique armor aside.”
“I’ve heard that.”
The elves forged ahead at a quick pace until the tunnel narrowed into a smaller pipeline. Shoulder to shoulder, the small force pushed through. It opened up behind a waterfall.
Half a score of elves were already there and waiting.
“Guardians of the pipeline,” Eslin said to Nath. “They protect our secret.”
“Well done. I never would have guessed.”
Nath followed Eslin and his men up a ridge of rocks that traversed by the river up into the woodland. They were well beyond the boundaries of elven land. Tall treetops stood between them and the distant Elome.
“We’ve got a long journey ahead of us toward the ruins of Barnabus. We should make haste, and I’d prefer to fly.”
Selene took him by the arm. “Don’t you dare fly off and leave us down here. You’ll draw trouble to us. Be patient.”
“The titan army’s forces are growing, Selene. We need to know what we’re dealing with. I need to keep the elves apprised.”
“And how do you propose to do that? You can’t be two places at once.”
Another seeker crawled out of Nath’s hair and onto his shoulder. The little dragon was bright green.
Selene’s eyes lit up. She stroked the head of the little beast. “They are so rare. Where are they coming from?”
“Wherever I want. They’ve become very fond of me, and I of
them. Aren’t they adorable?”
“I’ve never seen one who wasn’t.”
Nath hung back with Selene while all the others headed into the wintery landscape.
“You have more up your scales, don’t you, Nath.”
“Let’s just say I’m a lot more connected now than I once was. I can sense things in nature. I can hear the dragons hidden among the reeds. They respond to me now. Our forces are gathering, but I need to get word out to Grahleyna, wherever she may be. A seeker is after her now, and Slivver of course. I need to take to the air. I won’t be long.”
“I cannot deny you, but I can complain.”
Nath noticed Brenwar hanging back from the others. He had a scroll in his skeleton fist. With his eyes closed, he spoke to the scroll in Dwarven. The scroll transformed into a large leaf. The wind picked up and took the leaf from Brenwar’s open hands and carried it into the air—up, up, up, and out of sight.
Brenwar caught Nath and Selene staring at him. “My business. Let’s go.”
“I didn’t realize you had a knack for spellcasting,” Selene said.
“I don’t. That’s something from the chest. I sent word to Morgdon, if you must know.” Brenwar stopped between them. He looked up at them both and moved on, saying, “Let him fly, Selene. That’s what he has wings for.”
Nath gave the emerald-green seeker a nudge. The little dragon darted into the air. Nath hung around a bit longer, walking with Selene. “I’ll let the seeker check things out before I take to the sky. Will that make you more comfortable?”
“It’s not you flying, it’s me not flying.” Selene ground her teeth. “I want to fly with you.”
“It will come in time, Selene.”
“Just go. I’ll keep an eye on things down here.”
Nath’s wings began to spread. He stopped. “Selene, if anything happens to me, you need to see this through. Finish off the wurmer hole. If we defeat those demons, we can win this.”
“Yes, well, they are only a fraction of the world that has turned its way from sanity on account of the spirits.” She tilted her head. Nath gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “Don’t be gone long, Nath. A few hours at most.”
Power of the Dragon (The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Book 9 of 10): Dragon Fantasy Series (Tail of the Dragon) Page 6
