Clearing the Web

by Cary J Lenehan

  He called Goditha and then waited for Rani to call back. While waiting he strung his bow and put it in its quiver, making sure that it and his arrows were laced down. Now the gong sounds loud in its tocsin, calling the village to attention. Next, I eat. I have no idea when next I will get a chance.

  He paid particular attention to his felt guardian in his prayers this morning, as he explained what he would do and asked for help. He had just explained about the children, and was working on his sister and his köle when Rani called.

  Goditha

  I wonder what he wants. “The dragon is coming to attack us now. I will soon go and try and draw it away from the valley, while everyone prepares to fight it. If I fail to return, tell my köle that I love them and the children, and regret that I do not have husbands for them yet. Tell them that they will belong to my sister if I do not return. She will have to do what I did not. Get Rani to call me when she arrives up there.”

  Oh shit. I need to do something…the gong. She watched herself walk over to the gong and take its beater in her hands from where it hung. The shaft feels rough beneath my hands. Am I just more sensitive?

  “Booong…” Once, its voice rings through the valley. The morning bustle below, even that of the children, is already silent as all look up towards me on the roof.

  “Booong…” The sound of the second stroke starts them moving again. Heads and bodies are popping out of doors and windows; others are diving inside to get armour and weapons. All are still silent.

  “Booong…” It is the third and final stroke and the confirmation of what is about to descend on us. There are tears on my cheeks. Noise is starting again, a cacophony, as people yell and call to each other and rehearsed plans are put in place. All I can do is wipe my face and stand here. Will I still have a family when this is over?

  I can see Rani running, holding the sari she is wearing up at the front. It is a garb not meant for running in. She is stripping it as she runs to me. All those others who might have to fight head off to prepare for what is about to come. Ruth is calling for the children, even the babies. They are off into the mine where, even if the worst happens, they may still survive and let our village keep going through them.

  Hulagu

  “What is happening?” Rani asked.

  “I managed to see it soon after it took off. I have watched it carefully. It is coming straight for us, but even such a beast will take at least half an hour to reach us. It is a long way away. There is time for the good Father to make his service. If I fly straight out, I may be able to delay it further.”

  He explained his logic to Rani. She is muttering to herself, so she is probably unhappy, but her general silence must mean she agrees with me. “So, I am about to set off. Give my respect and best wishes to all, and I wish you good hunting in your task. May we all fight with honour and may our deeds today live long in the tales of the bards.”

  “Fight well, but try and stay alive,” comes the reluctant reply over the Talker. “There is far greater honour in having the sense to retreat at the right time than in throwing your life away foolishly. Do you hear me?”

  “I hear your words, and I will heed them. I know that I wish to hold my children again, but I am leaving now. I am going to leave the talker here for whoever will come out next to relay what is happening. I will leave everything that I do not need to fight with.

  “Please pass my regards to everyone and good hunting. I will see you all later, perhaps in this life, or perhaps in the spirit lands where we all shall go one day. Today, it will be as the spirits will it.”

  Chapter LIX

  Canute Jakubsen

  1st Undecim

  I have given the alarm. I will bet that I am the first, anywhere, to see it on the move. Not only is its mountain closer to us in Dwarvenholme, but its exit from its lair is silhouetted against the sky from here at the watch post.

  We were told of its presence by the Mice and by Thord, and the tales of our race have mentioned it with respect and fear, but none of those now alive have seen one of the few red dragons that are known of this close before. It has always been a distant object in the sky to those now alive.

  The horns of alarm are blowing but, even as I watch, it flies across my sight. It is ignoring the closer target for one that it seems aimed at like an arrow. I admit to mixed feelings. It must be going to Mousehole.

  I wonder if they will survive and, indeed, if they do not, what will happen to the village and its riches. I am on duty, but behind me I can hear an argument. Some are saying that the Mice will indeed triumph, and that we should be getting ready to head towards the dragon’s lair to see what is there. I am betting that our Mayor will take caution over avarice.

  Togrül dol Glavan

  Life in this westernmost Darkreach outpost on its distant and lonely mountain, the one that is called Forest Watch, is generally boring. It is not as cold or dangerous as life can be in the other outposts in the actual mountains. I will take boring. We can see several roads with our strong telescopes, but we have few visitors.

  Lately, my movement log has begun to show more entries as Dwarves return to their home, and occasionally we even see one of the people from this new village with the unlikely name flying through the sky.

  In the entire history of this outpost it is usually only once a year, and sometimes not even that, that the sergeant in charge gets to record the giant dragon and its movements, as it seeks food before returning back to its lair to sleep.

  Once, in a time still recorded from during The Burning, it had destroyed most of this outpost and eaten their mounts. Only a few of the garrison from then had survived by hiding and by good fortune. The volume recording that day, kept below in the record room, has blackened edges.

  Now, during my turn on watch, and my hand of months of this tour in charge, I get to see the great beast in the far, far distance, near three hands of hands of thousands of paces away. To the naked eye it is just a dot in the sky, but using the telescope mounted on its post on the eastern wall it can clearly be seen.

  From its course, it is no menace to us and our mounts, or even Mouthguard this time. It is heading straight for the new village. Standing orders said that everyone has to be woken up when it is seen, so I have a scout on the iron triangle sounding out its alarm.

  After everyone had been roused, they all stood on the walls and watched. As per orders, I will consult with my second patrol commander and our mage, and we will order the beacon fire to be lit.

  Regardless of what happens, Mouthguard needs to know that something is afoot in the mountains and life is not likely to be the same again. Once the fire is alight, and I have seen an answering light from the distant keep, I will order the dumping of copper dust into the fire to turn the flame green and indicate that the menace is not a present danger to the Empire.

  We really need something better than this. It may have served for more than a thousand years, but I am sure that we can do better.

  Once they acknowledge, it will be up to them to send out their patrols toward me and, once I know more of what is happening, I will send my second sergeant out with her Kichic-Kharl troops to find out more about the dragon. I had better get them and their wolves ready to set out as soon as there is something for them to go towards either in the south-east or, perhaps, in a more southerly direction. Waiting will see.

  Chapter LX

  Rani

  1st Undecim

  Rani hurried down from the roof of the hall to find almost the whole village, except those who had been designated to care for the children, gathered. They need to hear what will happen next. Thoughtfully she looked out at them all.

  “We have nearly half an hour before the dragon will reach here. Bianca, you have just come off watch and are not rested. You will not be going out.” Bianca looks downcast, and Anahita pats her shoulder, but Christopher looks relieved.<
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  “Bryony, when we are finished here, take some of the strong arrows and go to the watch point. You have an essential role. You are to communicate what happens outside to us inside the valley, and to direct the priests on the carpet to where they are needed. You are to use your arrows as you need if the dragon comes close.” She and Stefan are not worrying about anyone watching as they say goodbye. Next, then…

  “Thord, you are to go onto the hill over the mine on Hillstrider. Your job is the same as Bryony’s, but from the other side of the village.” Thord nodded.

  “Elizabeth, you are to go with the children. I have decided that your weapons are too short a range for this task. This leaves Eleanor taking the carpet with the priests. I do not want to hear of any of you on the carpet getting in combat, or indeed going anywhere near the dragon. It is your job to find the fallen and the damaged and to heal them as you can.”

  “Astrid, you will be in charge of the attack. You know how to attack a whale with small boats when it can eat you all. Now is the time to apply this in the air. You will have Kãhina, Anahita, Valeria, Ayesha, Basil, Lãdi and Aine,” she said, naming a mix of the best riders blended with those experienced at fighting on horseback and with longer range weapons. “You will each have two wands, two molotails, and as many arrows or sling bullets as you can carry.”

  “Stefan, as we have discussed, your role is to be the most dangerous. You must get close, and go for the heart or the head as it seems best. You will have Ayesha’s ring to help you but, like mages, dragons can resist magic, so it may be able to see through the glamour of the ring. Do not rely on it, but be like Astrid is with her ring. Try to be just as stealthy with it on as when it is not in use. How you can do that in the air, I am not sure, but try.”

  “As for tactics, do what Astrid says, but remember all of you, that Stefan will be trying to get close to the dragon from underneath. Try not to fire anything there. Remember that your wands have just a little bit more range than its breath probably does, and it will only take one breath from the beast to kill you. We have been able to give you no protection from its breath, or its teeth for that matter. You will have no second chances.”

  “We think that you are faster. Try and attack from the rear or the sides or, even better, from above its tail. Its breath should not reach you there. If you can, concentrate your fire on one spot and try and weaken something. If you can bring it down, then it should take damage from the fall and…I have said all of this before, haven’t I?”

  The chorus of nodding heads says yes. “In that case, I believe that the good Fathers want to see you all in the healing chapel regardless of your religion. It is small, but all of those going outside must be there, and as many others as we can fit in.”

  Christopher

  We must be quick. Short confessions and absolving for those of our flock who practice the rite, and once these are all dealt with inside the chapel, it is time for a few words. “As those who were at Orthros would know, today is the Feast day of the Archangel Michael.” He indicated the image on his crucifix.

  “Michael is sacred both to Christians and Muslims as the Strategos of the Heavenly Host and he has special patronage over victory. He, like St Georgiou, is usually depicted in victory over a dragon as a symbol for the devil. Today, we will be contemplating this image for its more literal meaning.

  “We will be praying over you and asking God to increase the luck of all who are involved in our enterprise, if it pleases Him to do so, and I hope those not of our faith will not be offended. I am sure that God, however you worship Him, will listen to our prayers in the spirit in which they are meant.” It is time now for me to gather mana from Father Theodule and to say the words of the Miracle.

  Done and I feel content. Now the benediction and… “We also have had these tokens made for you to wear and we have blessed them beforehand.” Theodule began handing our strips of purple cloth, which had two conjoined Greek letters painted on them in gold.

  “There is a legend that has been passed down in our church of an ancient ruler who had a vision from God with this symbol in it, together with the words ‘touto nika’ or ‘conquer with this sign’. I hope that this charm will also aid our task. Feel free to take one each.”

  “I will take two,” said Anahita. “I will take one for Hulagu, in case I can give it to him.” People took the strips of cloth from Theodule and began to tie them about their persons, or have others tie them on them. Partners and friends are using them as a way of perhaps saying goodbye, exchanging a kiss or a hug as the task is completed.

  As they dispersed Rani moved up. “You used all of your mana then, didn’t you?” Well, yes. “How then will you cure us if needed?”

  Christopher sighed. “We have storage devices with us with more mana of course, and we had Lakshmi make us more potion of Sleepwell.” He held up his hand to forestall what Rani was about to say. “Yes, we are well aware of the risks. Remember that I know too well the pain that the addiction brings…and I may not be as lucky next time around. We will take as many doses as we need to administer the cures we need to make.

  “It is better that we should have people alive to tend us in our pain than that we go without the pain and have none survive. For it is written in the Gospels that: ‘greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ Others are going forth to physically combat the beast and put their lives in danger. Can we in conscience do any less?

  “We have discussed this between ourselves, and with our spouses. The Presbyteras are not happy with the decision, but they accept the necessity of what we do. I ask you not to mention this to anyone, lest they be reluctant to take healing from us. Now, let us go out and do what we have to do, and may God have mercy upon all of our souls.”

  Bianca

  Everyone is running to their saddles as last goodbyes are said. Basil and Astrid are the only couple who are flying out, and neither wants to be the first to drop their hand. I may lose my husband, my new brother, and his köle and thus be responsible for six children.

  Thord is already headed out from the stables and heading past those going to the mines. Astrid has promised him that they will get drunk tonight. For once, I hope that they can. Bryony will be dropped off by the carpet at the lookout, and so she climbs on that.

  One by one they ascend into the sky. Astrid has called for the riders to form line behind her and, waving sombrely to those staying, they are headed to the gate. The mages are headed towards the roof. I hope that they will not be needed, for if they are, then the rest will be lost. Now I need to gather the rest of the adults, get breakfasts and other essential essentials and follow the last of the children into the mine.

  Chapter LXI

  Hulagu

  1st Undecim

  Hulagu sped through the sky, climbing as he did so and veering to the right. If I am lucky, the dragon will ignore me until I attack. No, that isn’t going to happen. It is a long way off still, but it looks like it is rising in response to my move. That means that it has seen me, reckoned me to be a threat and so left its straight course.

  He kept going, travelling as fast as he ever had and moving to the side. Looking at the forest below the dragon though, it seems to me that the dragon may be travelling nearly as fast as I am. Maybe our advantage in speed will be less than we had hoped. I pray to my guardian spirit, to the Khünd Chono, that I have the ability to dodge better than my opponent; otherwise this will be a short fight.

  At least ten minutes have passed. Glancing to my left, I can see glimpses of the river, the one that we now know to be the Tulky Wash, as it flows from its origin on the Mountain of the Dragon down into the Swamp. Looking to my right, I can see snatches of the road to Dwarvenholme from the Gap.

  I am veering right and am now higher than the Mountain of the Dragon itself. The dragon seems unsure whether to keep following me, or to turn more directly back
towards the valley. It doesn’t have much time to decide but, being such a massive beast, it seems to be far happier when it travels in a long glide, only flapping its wings when it needs to. Maybe that will force its decision.

  However high it goes, I have to go higher. He checked and tightened the straps that held him to the saddle, checked once again that everything was secure and not going to fall off when he made sudden moves and then readied a wand.

  It has decided. It has given me a look, and now drops into a glide for Mousehole, ignoring me as a small object flying above it. Hulagu kept climbing but stopped moving further towards the main mountain ranges.

  The time came when they passed each other. The dragon briefly turned its head up and back to check on me again. It seems to have some difficulty with taking a prolonged look in any direction other than down. Anything else makes it steer erratically. I suppose that a dragon must spend most of its flying life looking down for prey. There is little to interest it that will be higher in the sky than it. I am about to change that.

  He put the saddle into a dive. It is a risky move, but I am going to get close to it for my first pass. I want its attention. I have the rising sun to my left, and am coming out of the clear sky in a near vertical dive. It is something that the dragon probably cannot do. It may not think of this as something that can be done to it.

  I want to pass close by the back of the left wing. I can see one of the ribs near the end of the wing. It is like the wing bones of a bat; those that stiffen the wing, rather than the single outstretched bone of the flying furry lizards. That is my prime target. The dragon is looking behind, trying to spot me. It looks to the other side and away from me.

  He went past firing the wand in a blast of lightning. Hit. He swooped down past the wing and under the dragon’s tail as a gout of flame washed above where he had been. The dragon is turning around to look for me as I complete my loop around its tail and again fire…and hit, at the same spot…dropping down.