by LeRoy Clary
The first rule of the Dragon Clan is protecting the family. The second is secrecy. His father had said that loyalty is third. He had also said, sometimes one conflicts with another. If loyalty is third, and being loyal to Quint places his family in danger, does he have the right?
He didn’t share the thoughts as he paused to examine a possible route ahead. The gap between two hills grew more than enough foliage to conceal them from the hilltop on the right, but to get there, they would expose themselves for at least a hundred paces. The alternative would route them ten times further, but probably would be safer.
Normally there would be no question about taking the safer route, but time was the other factor. Arriving in Northwood a day late was not acceptable, but not arriving there at all was worse.
He motioned with his hand for the longest route and saw a nod of agreement from Quint. “Go slow during the first part. No noise.”
Ander looked both scared and excited. Raymer smiled to himself. Ander wished for excitement in his life, and his wish had come as true as if a magic queen had tapped her wand on his forehead.
He saw movement up on a ridge. He froze.
Only his eyes shifted as he glanced around. They were in shadow, but not a deep shadow. The molted design of the leaves of a tree was all that hid them. He looked up again at the ridge.
Nothing there, but he knew something had moved. Maybe a mountain goat or deer. Slowly, he turned his head and imagined what a man could see from that perch. He could see the entire area, and look right down on them. The shifting shadows wouldn’t hide them for long.
There was a wide valley to his left, one they had avoided because it was too exposed. A good thing they had. A lookout up there would have his eyes fixed on the valley, examining everything. But he wouldn’t watch directly under his feet unless movement, sound, or color drew his attention.
Their filthy clothing would help hide them. Ever so slowly, Raymer caught the attention of both men behind him and raised his eyes to the ledge, telling them without words where the danger lay. If he moved a little closer, he would be able to throw a rock up to where the man stood.
Raymer eased one foot ahead. When it settled, he shifted the other, his eyes shifting from where to place the next foot to the ledge above. He saw the man make a half turn, facing almost away. The faint conversation drifted down. Raymer moved faster while the man was distracted, hoping his peripheral vision didn’t catch them.
Ten more steps and they were almost under the canopy of branches and leaves when the guard spun. His face looked directly at them. Thankfully, all three had stopped, Ander in mid step.
There hadn’t been any noise, so he must have seen something. After several long, slow breaths to calm himself, the guard turned away. Raymer held up his hand for them to remain still. He had played hide and seek games growing up, and a good method to locate a foe was to play dead then suddenly turn.
The guard did exactly that. He had noticed something and became suspicious. When he didn’t see it again, he tried to trick them by looking away, then spinning and trying to catch them.
When it didn’t work, he eventually looked off into the distance again, but now and then his attention returned to their location. The third time he did, they were safely under the heavy canopy and moving down a game trail out of his sight.
Raymer kept his eyes on the ground searching for any signs of the heavy boots soldiers wore, as well as watching the tops of the few hills they saw. While moving south, the hills that carried travelers to the north side of Bear Mountain became more broken, with jagged granite creating obstacles they had to bypass. The ground became rougher, with sharp rocks.
“Time to test these sandals,” Raymer whispered.
“Haven’t seen any of the soldiers for quite a while,” Quint said. “Are you sure you know where you’re going?”
Raymer smiled, “I’m sure I don’t because I’ve never been there. But I have directions in my head.”
“If you can get us through to the south I think we’ll be fine. They are not marching yet,” Quint said. “Too bad the army prevented us from locating the cave with my supplies. Now I suppose we’re truly on our own.”
Ander said, “I think nearly all the troops are in place for the advance, and they’ll start moving west at night. They’ll pause and sleep during the day so they won’t be discovered. A sneak attack may end the battle almost before it starts.”
Quint almost smiled. “Much the same as my thoughts. Since when did you learn military tactics?”
“When I learned to outsmart beautiful women while courting them. Soldiers are far more predictable. I got the women.”
In other circumstances, they might have laughed and boasted of their conquests, but for now, Quint just placed a massive hand on Ander’s shoulder for a brief second and smiled.
The ground became rougher in the late afternoon, some places forcing them to climb small cliffs, or drop down steep areas where they had to sit and slide. But they saw no more soldiers and their pace increased. Raymer kept Bear Mountain to his right and adjusted their course whenever he caught sight of the peak. However, it seemed no closer.
Quint said, “My sandals are doing great. Nice work, Ander.”
Raymer glanced at Ander and found a face flushed pink and a smile that couldn’t have been wider.
A small river slowed them from heading west until they found a fallen log upstream that allowed them to cross the deepest part. Swimming was not the problem, but getting wet shortly before sundown when they didn’t dare light a fire was. They managed with being wet up to their knees and didn’t slow until darkness forced them to stop.
Huddling under a cedar where the fallen needles had built up a few inches, as soft as any mattress, Ander smiled.
“What’s so funny?” Quint demanded.
“Nothing. It’s just that I was bored. Look at me now.”
Quint said, “You look like dog crap. Your clothes are filthy and falling apart. A dog wouldn’t drag you home.”
“Exactly. More has happened in the last two days than in my entire life.”
Quint growled, “Then too bad for you.”
“Exactly. There I said it again, but that’s my feelings.”
“We may die tomorrow,” Quint said.
Raymer held up his palm to Quint. “Knock it off. I understand what he’s saying. If we die tomorrow, he will have something to brag about in his afterlife.”
“That makes no sense,” Quint said, spilling his food from his blanket and wrapping it around his shoulder to fend off the chill. He turned to Raymer. “I have the impression there’s more to what we’re doing than you’ve told.”
“I’m torn in my thoughts. I may violate a trust.”
Ander scooted closer, “How so?”
“In my world, there are laws. Family comes first. Then secrecy of everything about the Dragon Clan. Third is loyalty. I’m worried that my loyalty to Quint, and now to you, violates the first two laws.”
Quint hesitated before asking, “How?”
“I’m taking you to a place that does not exist except for the few of the Dragon Clan and a very few who are not part of the family. A southern route pass Bear Mountain is unknown. Anyone who attempts to venture there is turned back, and very few ever try because of the tales.”
“Like what?” Ander asked.
“My people in the Raging Mountains also watch for intruders. Instead of killing them, we frighten them away. At night, usually. We sneak into camp and place the bones of sheep or calves beside each sleeper for them to wake and find the next morning. We leave the fake footprints of beasts that cannot exist in the dirt. Sometimes we make strange noises with two pieces of wood rubbed together, or rattle antlers.”
Quint said, “That almost sounds like fun.”
“It can be. Near my home, I’ve watched hunters wake to find dead chickens hanging from branches all around a campsite. Just five or six dead chickens swinging in the breeze and the hunters talk with e
ach other and get themselves scared. Next thing you know, they’re packed up and running home with tales that are probably ten times what really happened.”
Ander nodded, “I can see that happening.”
Raymer continued, “Do it often enough, and people spread tales and lies. Nobody comes near our homeland these days. The same is probably true of the route we’re taking.”
Quint said, “You’re telling us this so that if strange things happen, we won’t be scared, but you’re also violating your family’s trust by telling us. Showing us the way also, may put them in danger if we tell others about it.”
The night closed down as clouds obscured the stars, and the night sounds increased as if encouraged by the darkness. Two owls traded hoots, a chipmunk scurried near them before disappearing in a rattle of leaves. The flap of bat wings came and went. Raymer allowed the night sounds to envelop him with their normalness. The night music was soothing.
He said, “There is another consideration, too. I do not know the members of the family of Dragon Clan we might encounter. They may have different rules than my family. If three strangers came to our lands, knew about us, and some of our secrets, we might not let them live to tell about it.”
“We’ll promise not to tell,” Ander said, but his joke fell flat.
Quint turned to look at him. “Would you trust the lives of your family to three strangers?”
“Well, no.”
A strained quiet had descended on them before Quint spoke again, this time to Raymer. “I will make you one promise. If we should be successful, I will guarantee that you and your family will have the gratitude and debt of my family for all time. I will promise that with my life.”
The last of the day’s light faded, and the moon had not yet come up, but their eyes had adjusted enough to make out shapes. All of them ate from their diminished food stores, then with blankets draped around themselves, they sat still lost in their own thoughts. The silence dragged on.
Quint asked, “Still having fun, Ander?”
The answer came after a short time, “Fun isn’t the right word. Adventure is closer, but not right. Has my heart slowed since that wall fell in? No. Would I do it all over again? Yes.”
“You’re an idiot. Raymer and I have reasons to do this.”
Ander snickered a soft sound that conveyed his eagerness and joy. “I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Raymer said, “I understand. And by the way, these sandals you contrived are still in good shape. We have a spare pair. Thank you.”
“What we need is to get the two of you some decent clothing that won’t tell the world you’re escaped, prisoners. Maybe a few bows instead of these poles we’re carrying, so we look like hunters,” Ander said.
Quint said, “Those poles you’re speaking of in such a disagreeable manner are called staffs. In the right hands, they are far better weapons than swords or knives and deserve respect.”
“I’ll take a sword, any day,” Ander said.
“I’d call you a fool, but ignorance of the truth is all too common in royal lines,” Quint snorted.
“You should know,” Ander snapped.
Raymer didn’t miss anything during the exchange, especially the fact that Quint didn’t deny the accusation. He liked the idea that Ander stood up for himself. He also liked the idea that Ander seemed to instinctively understand Quint’s direct humor. Most didn’t.
Ander said, “That old man back there, he said some things we should talk about.”
“We are,” Raymer said. “If what he said is the truth, and I believe it was, we probably do not need to fear pursuit. We made it.”
“Yes, like leaping from one fire into another,” Quint said.
Raymer drew in a deep breath, enjoying the mixture of scents of the forest. The cedar and pine, the moist earth they stirred with their feet, and the chill of the night. “We’ll get there in time to warn them.”
“You’re sure?” Quint asked.
Raymer felt Ander’s eyes on him. He shrugged. “No, I’m just trying to reassure you and make you feel better.”
Quint laid down and rested his head on his forearm. His breathing grew steady and deep. He said in a voice so soft the night breeze carried the word away, “Thanks.”
“It doesn’t count until this is over. I have a feeling that tomorrow you may not be thanking me,” Raymer said.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Raymer woke with the first light, but he was not the first. Quint had sat up some time earlier. He didn’t move. When his head turned, he saw Raymer awake and said, “You know? I never thought we’d make it out of there alive.”
“Me neither.”
They sat in silence, watching the sunrise.
Ander woke with a start as if wondering where he was. Raymer watched him carefully. A man waking is usually without his normal defenses and if there was any reason to fear Ander this might be the time he’d slip. Instead, he sat up quickly with a smile on his face. When he saw Raymer watching, he said, “This is the second time in my life I’ve slept outside. Last night was the first.”
Quint said with a sly edge to his voice, “You’re really becoming a regular outdoorsman.”
“You really think so?” Ander asked, then laughed as he realized Quint was kidding.
The morning was cold. None of them was anxious to climb from under their blankets. Quint turned to Raymer. “What’s our plan?”
“There’s a King’s Highway somewhere to our west. It travels south and north, so we will find it sooner or later. I don’t know how far. When we reach it, we head south, I’d think. On the right side of the King’s Road is a hunk of granite sticking up out of the ground like half a watermelon. Taller than us. We turn off the road there and continue west.”
Ander said, “What if we meet someone?”
Raymer glanced at Quint and shrugged. “Better if we don’t.”
“If we do?” Ander continued.
“They will know we’re escaped prisoners from our clothing. People talk, especially in small towns. But I don’t think it really matters unless it’s the king’s men that we meet up with. There’s a training center for young officers in the area,” Raymer said.
“That’s not good,” Ander said, his eyes watching the sun just beginning to show through the trees on a far off hill. “But, I have gold in my purse. If the situation presents itself, we can buy food and horses.”
“Speaking of food, better eat what you have and let’s go,” Quint said. “And when you get a chance, you might check that purse again. If I’m not mistaken a vile and ugly thief stole it from you.”
Raymer said, “Thanks, my friend. Ander, I have your purse. I paid for the horses with your gold. You’re welcome to what’s left.”
Ander patted his waist, then said, “If I haven’t missed it by now, it must not be important. Wouldn’t it be better to save it for later? For an emergency?”
“We need energy now. I think we’ll find more food along the way. How far to this family of yours, Raymer?” Quint asked.
“Two, maybe three days.”
“The army is beginning to move on Northwood, and they may have less distance to travel than us,” Quint said. “We really don’t know how long it’ll take to cross over that secret mountain pass of yours.”
“Or if my family is still even living there. And, we don’t know if they will help us if they are.”
Quint stood. “Will they prevent us from going on?”
“I’ve never met them. If I were not part of the Dragon Clan, they’d make sure we didn’t continue. But I am. They’ll know me by my mark.”
“That ugly thing on your back. I hear all of you have them,” Quint said, gathering his few things and keeping his eyes averted from Raymer as he chuckled at the long-standing joke between them.
Raymer also gathered his remaining food and tied it inside the blanket. “Then you need to take another good look at it, my friend. The design on my back is nothing less than a work of art.”
> “Mark of a devil god, some say.” Ander contributed, then added, “Of course I’ve never seen one for myself.”
Raymer turned and pulled his shirt up to his shoulders where Ander couldn’t help but look at his back.
“Seven Gods Above, would you look at that? It’s like fine art, isn’t it? That is a mean, angry-looking dragon. He looks like he could jump right off your back and take a bite of me,” Ander said in an awed voice.
Raymer caught Quint’s eye and said, “Mean? Angry? Last time I looked it was as friendly as a kitten. You better hope it isn’t looking at you that way.”
“Why not?”
Quint picked up on the humor and said, “I don’t understand, Ander. I see a friendly dragon, one with a smile. I wouldn’t want that thing jumping off his back and onto me.”
Ander backed a step.
Raymer and Quint could not hold back the laughter any further.
“Very funny,” Ander said, his face pink. “But it really is the best-drawn tattoo I’ve ever seen.”
“It’s not a tattoo. I was born with it.”
Ander said, “I’ve heard, but didn’t believe it. Can I see it again in a better light?”
“You don’t believe me about being born with it. But, yes. I’ll show you later,” Raymer said. “Each of our marks is different, and we’re proud of them. Ready to go?”
Raymer took the lead again since he generally knew where they were headed. There was more to the directions, but he hadn’t shared them. The others obviously suspected that to be the case. He still struggled with his decision to take two people who were not of the clan to one of the secret strongholds. When rumor of a stronghold reached the king’s men, it went directly to the king’s ear, and troops were dispatched to murder each and every one of the clan, no matter the age or sex. I won’t let that happen.
Raymer found an animal track that went in the right direction which was well before the underbrush had become thick and tangled. Working their way past the hanging vines, thorns, stickers, and nettles, would make the trip take several more days than they wanted.
The downside was that in the forests animals are often not the only ones using the paths. Raymer had been raised in forests similar to these, and he kept one eye on the ground and one ahead. His mark would warn him if a dragon flew near. He almost felt safe.
