Dare to Believe: Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy Bundle (Series Bundle Andy Smithson Bk 4, 5 & 6): Dragons, Serpents, Unicorns, Pegasus, Pixies, Trolls, Dwarfs, Knights and More!
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“Leave them. If we don’t move, we’ll be like them very soon. I’ll explain once we’re clear of the hungry grass.”
“Hungry grass?” Andy asked.
Hans shook his head and waved vigorously. “Get Hannah. Let’s go.”
Alden approached and urged, “Come on Hannah, we need to go.”
Ummm. Mmmm. Ummm, came her oblivious reply.
“We can’t wait!” Hans admonished, his pitch rising.
Sergeant Terric approached, bent and picked Hannah up, tossing her over his beefy shoulder. She did not resist other than to exclaim, “Hey, I need my food!”
“I’ve got it!” Alden replied, sending Andy a worried look.
In no time Andy had a stitch to accompany his hunger pangs, for the pace Hans set proved to be a vigorous run.
“I need food!” Hannah yelled several times, squirming. Andy saw the sergeant clench his jaw, tighten his grip around Hannah’s waist, and assume a laser focus on what lay ahead.
I hate running! I’ve got to eat! Andy’s thoughts ping-ponged as he clutched his side.
“You can do this,” Dad’s voice sounded in his head. “Hans would not have insisted for no reason.”
Andy sucked in a deep breath, the pain in his side sharper than ever. He stared at the passing ground, unable to look around. Step. Step. Step.
I need to eat! I’m going to pass out! Oh, my side kills!
Step. Step. Step. Step.
“Five hundred yards!” Captain Baldric gasped.
“I need food!” Hannah protested somewhere nearby.
Step. Step. Step. Step.
I’m gonna die! I need to eat!
“You can do it!” Andy’s inneru encouraged above the din.
“Two hundred yards!”
Step. Step. Step. Step.
Another deep breath. My side!
Andy lunged clear of the dense grass, barely missing Alden who sprawled on the ground with Calum standing at attention on his undulating chest. Captain Baldric stood bent over, hands on his knees, panting. Sergeants Ranulf and Hammond paced, hands on hips, sucking air into their hungry lungs. Sergeant Terric crumpled to the ground, setting Hannah down gently, then rolled to his back, eyes closed, chest heaving. Sergeant Fulk stopped, barely winded, and Hans slid off his piggy-back ride.
After Andy’s stitch finally let go, he sat up. Hannah sat where the sergeant had dropped her, wiping remnants of food from around her mouth. Her expression revealed confusion.
“Hans, can you please explain what just happened?” Andy requested.
Hans stood and surveyed his audience, then asked, “Anyone starving?”
The sudden absence of hunger pangs dawned on them all.
“But…” Andy began.
Hans raised his hands. “Hungry grass is also known as fairy grass. It is said fairies plant the grass after cursing it. Anyone walking in it is doomed to perpetual and insatiable hunger. I had heard tales of such grass in Cromlech but had never experienced it until now. We were lucky to escape.”
The congregation on the ground furrowed their brows and Andy voiced his disbelief. “Hans, that sounds kind of, I don’t know…”
“Out there?” Hans finished the sentence.
“Yeah.”
“I have to say, I didn’t believe it either, until now. When we happened upon the first traveler, I didn’t think much of it. But when Hannah started complaining of intense hunger and everyone else echoed her sentiment, it got me thinking. Then, when we came upon the second traveler, I knew we were in trouble. I went with my hunch.”
“Well, I’m glad you did,” Captain Baldric agreed.
“I’m still not sure I’m right, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Hear, hear,” Sergeant Terric echoed.
“So why did Hannah react…like that?” Alden questioned, petting Calum.
Hannah squirmed, studying the ground.
“No need to be ashamed, Hannah,” Hans encouraged. “You were actually the key to my figuring it out.”
“Me?” she questioned, turning her gaze.
He nodded, then added, “We all know you have a special gift, the ability to sense things more acutely than the rest of us. When you reacted the way you did, it showed me what was in store for all of us if we did not act. So, in a way, you saved everyone’s life.”
Hannah forced the corners of her mouth to rise.
“Shall we move on now that everyone has recovered?” Captain Baldric interrupted.
As one the company rose and followed the captain, who set a manageable pace. No one uttered a word as they trod four abreast behind him through scattered clumps of waist-high grasses. The other soldiers resumed a protective ring about their charges.
Seeing an opportunity to diffuse some of the tension, Andy shared, “Before I returned, I received a clue about the next ingredient I need to collect.”
“What’d it say?” Alden questioned.
“I’ve read it so many times, I’ve memorized it. It says,
“A song so pure
Trills listeners to tears.
A sacrifice, a giving,
And new life appears.
Yellow, crimson, orange, or red,
Fire-touched or unscorched, shed.
A quill of this warbler
No creature hath bred.”
“I know it’s talking about getting a bird’s feather, at least part of it is, but what kind? And the bit about a song and new life, I’ve no idea.”
Hooh-hrooo, Alden’s passenger contributed.
“Thanks, Calum, but I don’t understand bird,” Andy joked.
“You may not understand bird, but Calum might just be on to something,” Hans interjected.
“What do you mean?” Hannah queried.
“It says the bird in question trills beautifully,” Hans iterated. “What birds fit that description?”
Hooh-hrooo, Calum offered, drawing chuckles.
“Yes, ring doves definitely fit that, but they are the wrong color. It mentions yellow, crimson, orange, and red. What do those colors remind you of?”
“A fire?” chimed Alden.
“Yes.”
“A bird with a beautiful song that’s the color of fire,” Hannah summarized, her brow furrowed.
Hans nodded.
“But it says ‘no creature hath bred,’” objected Andy. “How would that be possible?”
“I know of only one bird fitting this description,” Hans intoned.
“Okay, and…” encouraged Andy.
“Wait! I think I know what it’s talking about,” Hannah exclaimed, flapping her hands.
Andy and Alden exchanged glances to raised eyebrows.
“A sacrifice, a giving, and new life appears,” Hannah reiterated. “It’s talking about a phoenix.”
Hans nodded. “I think so.”
“My Grandpa Smithson lives in a place called Phoenix—Arizona, that is.”
The three stared at Andy blankly.
He waved a dismissive hand and added, “Never mind. What’s a phoenix?”
“A bird that, when it grows old, burns itself up and is reborn from its ashes. It’s said to have a beautiful song, and it’s tears are similar to dragons’ in their ability to heal,” Hannah replied.
“Really?” Andy questioned. “How do you know so much about phoenixes?”
“My parents tell us stories before bed. There’s one called ‘Flaming Flumage Flaunts Her Fluff.’”
It was Andy, Alden, and Hans’s turn to stare.
“It’s about this silly bird that’s all proud of her plumage, which is unlike any of her friends’—it’s red, orange, and yellow. She goes flaunting herself around town making everyone jealous. Then one day, she goes up in flames but miraculously rises from her ashes. Having learned her lesson, she ends up apologizing to the top flum for her behavior.”
Andy and Alden cracked up. Hans struggled to keep a respectful expression.
“There’s more to the story than th
at, but those are the highlights. It’s supposed to teach kids not to behave that way,” Hannah added. “Hey, don’t laugh, I didn’t make it up.”
As Hannah had recounted her tale, Andy’s brain raced. Something about the bird tickled his thoughts, but he could not place it.
“Wait a minute!” Andy exclaimed after calm returned. “Wasn’t it a phoenix in the legend Jada and Naria told us?”
“I hadn’t thought about it being the same bird, but yes,” Hannah confirmed.
“Would someone mind filling me in?” Hans requested.
Andy nodded. “I’ll do my best. Hopefully I remember most of it. It started a long time ago here in the kingdom of Cromlech. There was this king and his daughter, who he loved a lot. They were the last of their royal line. Something bad happened and his subjects ended up leaving him for a different king. I don’t remember all the details.”
“Ah, that legend,” Hans smiled. “Yes, I know it well. Shall I recount it for you?”
The trio nodded.
“With no one left in his kingdom, the bereft king despaired, and the castle and the kingdom fell into disrepair. The king and his daughter wandered about barefoot, their silk and velvet clothes now patched and faded. One day they came upon the ruins of a grand hall, its beams charred and its stones crumbling. Stopping to investigate, the king spotted something gold glimmering under the debris. With some digging, he unearthed Methuselah.”
Andy moved his hand to his blade’s holster.
Hans paused. “Yes, the very sword, Andy.”
Andy smiled.
“As the king stood marveling at the sword’s beauty, a heavy roof beam fell on his daughter, killing her. Beside himself with grief, the king cried out for justice, for no magistrate should suffer the loss of everything—his subjects, his daughter, his kingdom. A unicorn appeared, assuring him he had been granted favor. The unicorn watched as the king prepared a funeral pyre for the princess. When her body had been laid on top, the unicorn offered its horn as a gesture of comfort, which the king accepted. He placed the horn with his daughter’s body and lit the fire using Methuselah.”
“Jada and Naria said the king also used Methuselah to cut the horn off,” Hannah interrupted.
Hans hesitated. “I guess they would know, wouldn’t they?”
He continued. “As the flames spread, the king marveled to see a large bird rise up from where his daughter’s body had lain. Its feathers were yellow, orange, red, and crimson. The king cried out, “Aray! You have become as your name, a ray of hope, like the sun.” It soared up and circled the king, singing a song sweeter than any he’d heard. His heart rejoiced, for he knew his daughter had overcome death itself. The unicorn called her a phoenix, for she had been a maiden of unsurpassed beauty and the bird equaled her former grace.”
Hans paused for a moment, “There’s only one problem.”
“What’s that?” Andy queried.
“I’ve never seen a phoenix in these parts. I’ve certainly never spotted one.”
“Great, so what do we do?” Andy queried.
“Did you know the Giant’s Ring was constructed on the spot where legend says that old building and the funeral pyre stood?”
“What’s the Giant’s Ring?” Alden questioned.
“Only the center of power for Cromlech’s healers. We’ll be passing near there on our way to the castle. Once we find Princess Yara, we can go see the ring. Perhaps we’ll find something of use to your quest.”
Andy nodded. I sure hope so.
Terwit terwoo, oop-oop-oop. Terwit terwoo, oop-oop-oop.
Everyone’s eyes jetted toward the bird, now standing on Alden’s shoulder.
Terwit terwoo, oop-oop-oop. Terwit terwoo, oop-oop-oop.
“Zolt!” yelled Andy, spotting several heavily armed vulture-men materializing from behind a large rock outcropping off to their right.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Going Batty
Shiiiiing. Shiiiiing. Shiiiiing. The sound of seven swords being drawn filled the air. All but Sergeant Terric, who started whirling his spiked flail above his head, paired up and braced in ready positions.
“Arrrrr!” the zolt yelled in a chorus of high-pitched, nasally cries as they streamed forward, swords raised.
There’s got to be at least fifty of them!
Twang. Twang. Twang. Sergeant Hammond got off three arrows in rapid succession, felling as many enemies. Twang. Twang.
While the arrows reached their targets with deadly accuracy, the horde continued forward, closing the gap to one hundred yards. Twang. Twang. Twang.
Fifty yards to impact. Twang. Twang. Twang. Twang.
Twenty yards. Ten.
“Arrrr!” Sergeant Terric matched the bellow as he charged forward. Three zolt met their end as the sturdy man plunged headlong into the fray.
Clang! Thawk. Chiiinggg. Clang. Clack!
The enemy hit the wall of soldiers surrounding their charges, but the zolt numbers instantly overwhelmed the practiced officers and several attackers leaked through the line.
“Cover my back, Hannah!” Andy yelled to his partner as he engaged a particularly muscular adversary.
Clang. Clack! Clang. Swuat.
Out of the corner of his eye, Andy saw one zolt, then a second fall to the ground, Hannah’s handiwork. Andy jumped over the bodies, avoiding a downward slash from his foe. No sooner had he done so than the battle slowed for Andy as Methuselah found the opponent’s exposed midsection.
Andy whirled about and sliced the next adversary that ran at him, finding purchase between the man’s ribs. Pulling Methuselah free, Andy blocked a blow from the next attacker’s blade just in time. He parried and thrust, but despite Andy’s speed advantage, this zolt would not go quickly.
“Uh!” Hannah yawped nearby.
Focus fixed, Andy blocked another blow as he leapt a fallen zolt. A jab found its mark with his pursuer and the enemy howled as it fell to the ground.
Hannah yelled, “Dirty flea-bitten scum!” as she dealt a quick blow to the neck of her foe.
Andy smiled, then quickly engaged a team of two zolt. His speed proved overwhelming, for as they surrounded him he ducked the pair’s first blows, and as they recovered he thrust Methuselah through the belly of one. The second lasted only long enough to clash swords once more before it sprawled to the ground.
Andy turned his head quickly, searching for more attackers, but none immediately appeared. He located Hannah close by where she stood over two more corpses, her jaw set and brow furrowed. Andy scanned the field and saw Alden and Hans best three zolt as they headed down the middle of the fray.
Another beefy zolt charged. Andy waited until the last second and faked right, diverting the enemy away from his partner. In the time it took the bird-man to stop and turn, Andy rounded on his adversary and took a downward slice, ending the contest.
“Take that!” Hannah yelled from behind. Andy turned to discover two more zolt bested, unmoving.
As the enemy’s ranks thinned, time resumed its normal pace for Andy, and he watched Sergeant Fulk fell three adversaries while his partner, Captain Baldric, took down another two. From his peripheral vision, Andy spotted burnt-orange hair and turned in time to see Sergeant Ranulf eliminate two more.
A guttural bellow sounded across the field as Sergeant Terric eliminated three more foes with a flick of his flail.
Terwoo woop, oop-oop-oop. Terwoo woop, oop-oop-oop.
Now what?
No sooner had the enemy’s ranks expired than reinforcements arrived. But as the next fifty-plus enemies landed and transformed, the ground shook, causing a pause in the fighting.
“There!” Sergeant Ranulf barked, pointing across the open field as the ground trembled again.
A white beast standing twenty hands high at the shoulder with the tail of a lion and a single jet-black corkscrew horn stormed toward the fracas.
Terwoo woop, oop-oop-oop. Terwoo woop, oop-oop-oop.
The zolt took flight en masse as the e
arth rattled.
“Run for the caves!” Alden yelled, pointing at the rock outcropping from which their foul enemy had emerged.
It took no encouraging. The nine bolted for the safety of the rocks, leaping fallen adversaries in their path. From the pounding beneath his feet, Andy knew their pursuer gained. He chanced a look back and immediately wished he had not.
Crap! It’s only ten yards back!
Hannah made it to an opening in the monolith first and scrambled through, followed immediately by Alden and then Hans. Andy panted after coming to an abrupt stop, then watched the captain and sergeants burst through behind him.
Baraag! Baraag! trumpeted the beast.
“Whew, that was close!” Hannah exclaimed.
“I’m guessing that karkadann was trying to protect your ring dove,” Hans gasped.
Hooh-hrooo.
Despite the dimness, Andy caught Hannah frown at Alden.
“Well, whatever provoked it, we have a problem,” Captain Baldric announced. “Unless we can find another way out, we’ll have to wait for our friend to leave.”
“Look!” Alden interrupted, pointing to an opening at the back of the cavity.
They meandered single file along a corridor between fallen boulders that looked familiar to Andy, though he couldn’t quite place them. Gray rock slabs jutted up at sharp angles to form a peaked roof through which slivers of sunlight penetrated, illuminating floating dust particles. The passage smelled like clay, a bit damp and musty.
After walking for several minutes, sometimes erect and sometimes hunched over, Andy queried, “Where do you suppose this will take us?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t know this tunnel system existed, but it seems like we’re headed southeast and in the right direction,” Hans replied.
“Well, I’m glad we can walk under cover seeing as the zolt know I’m back,” Andy thought aloud.
No one responded.
At least we don’t have the bellicose on our trail…yet.
As the sun’s rays grew longer and the cave dimmer, recollection that had been tickling Andy’s memory finally assembled its pieces. “My dream!”
Alden looked back. “What?”