by Tom Liberman
“I’ve never heard of that plant,” said Sorus as he began to work on the horns of the dragon. “This isn’t a really big one is it?”
Jon looked at the dragon, walked around it, and finally shook his head, “Not really, but big enough. It’s no baby.”
“It knew your name,” said Sorus as he finished the first horn and started on the second.
“You noticed that.”
“I did.”
“I noticed it as well.”
“What do make of it?” said Sorus with a final hack through the last of the thick horn, and the young knight pulled it out.
“I’m not sure,” said Jon. “It means someone knows I’m here which surprises me. This dragon must work for that someone but I don’t think it is going to tell us.”
“No,” laughed Sorus and put the horns in his pack. The exercise warmed him considerably although he still shivered in the damp clothes. “It’s a long walk up those stairs and Sir Germanius isn’t exactly a featherweight,” he said dubiously as he eyed the fallen knight.
“You’re right,” said Jon. “Help me take off his armor and that should lighten the load enough. We don’t have anything to make a bier out of so I’ll throw him over my shoulder. He’s an old man and might not be all that heavy.”
A sudden strange sniff or grunt sound came from somewhere on the far side of the cavern and Jon looked at Sorus. “It’s time to go.” He bent down and picked up the body of Sir Germanius, threw it over his shoulder, armor and all, and began to walk quickly towards the entrance door. Sorus followed, although he looked back several times to the rear of the cavern for the source of the strange sound but never spotted anything.
Soon they began the long trip up the stairs as Jon carried Germanius, and to Sorus, suddenly incredibly tired and his legs sore, it felt like every step was a mountain to climb. The journey seemed endless to the lad and his breath came in labored gasps long before they reached the half-way point. “I … gasp … don’t think I can make it …,” he said to Jon and leaned up against the wall, but one look at the gray knight, who carried dead Germanius over his shoulder, his own face red with exertion, told him not to say it again. “I’m sorry, I’ll make it. Can I take him?”
Jon simply shook his head and began to put one foot in front of the other as they moved more slowly with each step. They took several rests on the journey and it seemed to Sorus that the trip back was at least twice as far as the trip down. After who knows how many hours, they suddenly saw a dim light from up ahead and soon enough found themselves back in the cave where they first ambushed the dragon child and his goblin cohorts. Jon let out a huge groan, dropped Germanius to the ground with a thump, fell to his knees, and then to his hands. Sorus leaned up against the wall where the funny little key still stuck out of the notch. Almost without thinking he reached up, twisted it, took it, and put it in his pocket.
“We could sleep here,” said Sorus and put his head back on the wall and closed his eyes as a sudden tremble indicated the passageway was closed again. “It’s probably safe.”
“The horses,” said Jon slowly as he climbed back to his feet. “Well get to them, ride down, and then camp at the base of the mountain where we built the cairn for Mikus.”
The mention of the mayor’s son was like a splash of cold water on Sorus’s face as he remembered the death of the day before. “It was only yesterday,” he said with a shake of his head, and his mouth hung open in wonderment. “I … it’s hard to believe all this happened in a day.”
Jon nodded and bent down to pick up the old knight but failed in his first attempt to hoist him. “Here,” said Sorus, moving over, “you take him under the arms and I’ll get him by the legs, it’s not that far down the hill to the horses and then it’ll be easy.”
Jon nodded and the two picked up their burden and began to walk slowly down to the horses.
Chapter 10
A fleet of three flat-bottomed ships made their way along the coastline while Usharra Dushallama stood on the deck of the largest and watched the land slowly slide past. The terrible weather that delayed them as the rounded the tip of the Dorian peninsula no longer forced them into inlets, although the cool breeze from the south caused the blue scaled dragon child to shiver and hug his thin hide cloak close about his body.
“Would you like another cloak?” said the red scaled officer as he moved up next to Usharra. The man wore a Dorian style heavy fur cloak wrapped around his sturdy frame.
Usharra shook his head and shivered, “I do not wish to wear any clothes of the Dorians,” he said with a shrug. “There are those who accuse me of dereliction of loyalty to Darag’dal,” he went on and stamped his feet on the ground. “What is the status of the other ships?”
“The Green Dragon is barely seaworthy,” replied the officer with a shake of his head and his tail moved with a similar motion. “The Gray Crocodile is in somewhat better condition but our warriors must work the pumps every hour of the day. Our own ship suffered seriously during that last storm and it slows our progress greatly. The hull cannot take more stress and another storm might well sink us. I reiterate my request to stop at a port and effect repairs. Soon we will pass Delcius, the most western Dorian city. Once we pass the human realm there are only the orc nations of Knog’dal and Adas Jdar neither of which will offer us any ports. If we do not stop here then the entire mission might well end at the bottom of the Southern Sea. Our ships are designed for coastal work not this ocean going travel.”
“I hear your request,” said Usharra and looked at the volcano that rose up out of the morning mist. “We cannot risk word of our mission reaching the freeriders and unless we risk immediate sinking, I cannot accede to requests. I am sorry, my friend.”
The red scaled naval officer stood silently for a moment as the tall volcano came more clearly into his vision, pulled a piece of sealskin parchment from a pouch at his belt, and studied it for a moment. “I think that’s Black Mount,” he said, “although there are so many of them along this coastline I’m not completely certain. We passed the Five Volcanoes yesterday.”
“You’ve never been to these seas before?” said Usharra and looked over the shoulder of the red scaled naval officer and at the chart.
He shook his head no and then handed the chart over to Usharra. “This chart was purchased from Dorian tradesmen but it is several years old at least and probably not completely accurate. If you don’t mind me saying, High Priest …,” he said as his tail once again moved back and forth in an agitated fashion and the red scales around his mouth suddenly turned a slighter deeper shade.
“Go on, captain,” replied Usharra.
“We do not belong in these lands; our people cannot stand the cold, our soldiers cannot march over open expanses, we are suited for the fens and swamps where the shoe wearers do not fare well. If the High Council persists in these expansionary exercises it bodes ill for Darag’dal,” said the captain looking directly at Usharra.
“I am a member of the High Council,” said Usharra his own green scales shaded slightly darker but his tail moved only slightly.
“I am well aware of that,” said the captain. “That is why I bring my concerns to you,” he said as his scales returned to their more normal color but his tail still waved in an agitated fashion. “Your own objections to this current scheme are well known to we in the navy and you have an ally if necessary.”
“What you say is treasonous,” said Usharra looking back towards the shoreline and the tall volcano. “If the High Council finds out, they will execute you.”
“My loyalty is to Darag’dal, minister,” said the captain and held his head high, his tail moved only slowly now, and his skin returned to its normal shade of red. “Not the High Council.”
A small smile appeared on the mouth of Usharra watching the motion of the ship, “Your loyalty is noted, captain,” he said as his own tail moved back and forth at a languid pace. “There are many aboard who do not share your opinion, particularly the general
and his staff,” he continued in a quiet tone. “However, the time may well come that I need your support. Until that time though I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself.”
“I understand completely, councilor,” said the captain and turned his gaze towards the shore again just as a spectacularly bedecked dragon child moved onto the deck, his uniform covered with bone medals and patches.
“General,” said Usharra. “The captain and I felt the condition of the ships might merit a stop at the next available port.”
The general, a red scaled dragon child with a thick crest on his head and two small horns over his ears, curled his lip in a sneer as his scales turned almost black, “Out of the question, Usharra,” he spat without a moment’s hesitation. “Secrecy is vital to the success of our mission. Our troops are inexperienced in battling on land and our reports indicate the enemy are expert horsemen. We have little hope of standing against such forces on foreign terrain. Surprise is our most vital ally and we cannot compromise it, no matter the risk.”
“I understand, general,” said Usharra and bowed deeply. “I agree completely but felt it necessary to pass along the captain’s concerns. The ships are badly damaged from the storms we encountered rounding the point and the concern is legitimate.”
“If we sink our warriors can swim ashore,” said the general, “and we can regroup and continue the mission through the orc territories if necessary.”
“Without their equipment,” said the captain and turned his head to face the general.
“With Sakatha’s guidance we will overcome any obstacle put in our path,” said the general with a nod to the captain. “Concern yourself with the ships and leave military matters to me.”
“Yes, sir,” said the captain and also bowed but not as deeply as the councilor. “Remember that I am the commander of this fleet as long as we remain at sea.”
“I remember well enough, captain,” said the general who returned the polite bow although his tail moved in an up and down fashion and he exposed his long and sharp teeth. “You would do well to keep in mind that any failure of the navy in this matter will be reported to the high council without regard for previous service.”
“I take the meaning of your words,” said the captain and this time he did not bow at all. “Yet, I remain the captain.”
“And I,” said the general, “remain the commander of this mission.”
“I,” said Usharra, “am the overall commander of this mission and that is a fact.”
“Of course, councilor,” said the general turning to Usharra and nodding his head slightly. “Naturally this is a dangerous mission and if an unfortunate event might deprive you of the ability to command I stand in readiness to continue the mission.”
“That is always good to know, general,” said Usharra. “I am aware that I can count on you to perform to the best of your abilities. It is that simple fact that drives me to continue in my current role.”
The general stood for a long moment and stared at the councilman as his tail moved back and forth in increasingly agitated fashion until he finally nodded his head and walked over to an unoccupied portion of the deck.
“At our current rate of travel how long until we arrive at the disembarkment point?” said Usharra to the captain.
“At least another week and that is if the charts are accurate,” said the captain and shook his head sadly. “The ships are slowed to half their normal pace and traveling at night is particularly hazardous.”
“Affect what repairs you can,” said the councilor, “we will arrive when we arrive and not before.”
Chapter 11
“I’m telling you all,” said Thorius Brokenhand as he stood on a table and looked out over what appeared to be the entire town’s population of Black Dale. “It was just reported to me that there are Lizardmen roaming in Elekargul and that it is expected that we will do something. I’m to muster as many knights as possible and set up a defense of the town.”
In front of the mayor stood a throng of perhaps two hundred people that included the majority of those who lived in town. They gathered outside the temple of the Black Horse because their numbers could not fit into any other building. The crowd was mostly women and young men although all the knights doing their twelve month of civilian duty stood by as well a fairly large number of farmers and herders who lived on the outskirts of the region.
“That doesn’t make any damn sense, Thorius,” said Odellius near the front of the crowd. “For a minor threat like this the men serving their twelve month in patrol do the job. We’re on our civilian twelve month and only a state emergency can change that.”
“I’m telling you, again, that this is a state emergency. I got a message from the First Rider just an hour ago to that effect. The lizards landed some sort of an expeditionary force up the coast from Black Roost and they are heading north towards us. The First Rider wants us to muster and head south and try to intercept them.”
“That will leave the town completely undefended,” said the Thaddeus Redhand as he moved up to stand by Odellius. “The whole point of the system is that towns are defended by knights on civilian duty while the men on patrol take care of outside threats.”
“Are you prepared to defy me on this, to defy the word of the First Rider?” said Thorius and held up a piece of parchment.
“Are you sure it’s from the First Rider, have you examined it closely?” said Thaddeus.
“Thaddeus,” said Thorius as he waved the paper in the air, “I’ve taken every precaution, this is a real threat. There could be thousands of them soon enough if they’ve launched a fleet from Darag’dal. Now, I want every able bodied knight to meet tomorrow morning at the west gate. Bring as much in the way of supplies as you can carry. We might be gone for an extended period. Are there any questions?”
The men in the crowd mumbled to themselves for a moment and it looked like things would end right there before Odellius spoke up again, “Thorius, I know you’re up to something.”
“And…,” said Thorius.
“And I’ll be staying here in town unless you show me that message from the First Rider,” he replied and, as he moved forward, his huge bulk bumped into the table and almost sent the mayor reeling to the ground.
“And if I show it to you and it meets with your approval you’ll follow my orders and not question me in the future,” said Thorius after he regained his balance and stood with his eyes towards the crowd.
Odellius ndded his head once and held up his hand for the paper. When the mayor handed it over Odellius examined it closely for a few moments and then handed it back, “It looks real enough,” said the big knight with a nod to the mayor. “I’ll be there in the morning but this makes no sense. Send a boy out to find the First Rider to confirm it,” he said.
“I give the orders here,” said Thorius as he glared down at Odellius. “You said you would obey my orders if the note proved genuine. Now, are you going to obey or are you going to be an oath breaker?”
The crowd went suddenly silent at this insult and the great knight looked up at the mayor with a look of disdain on his face as his lips curled down and he shook his head, “I said I’ll be there in the morning and I will be,” with that the big knight turned to face the people and nodded his head. “I’m a man of my word as you all know and I’ll go with Thorius Brokenhand.” Then he turned and left the little crowd and headed towards the mason’s shop where he lived.
“My son will be back with Germanius and the Gray boy soon enough,” said Thorius still on the table as he addressed those in the crowd that remained. A large number of the guests began to follow Odellius out of the yard but the majority stayed and listened as the mayor outlined his plan.
Chapter 12
Jon and Sorus woke late the next night after they slept all day and part of the night and then immediately turned in again for a few more hours of fitful rest until the morning sun alerted them to the new day. Sorus stood up and stretched mightily as his gaze fell on t
he twin rock piles that housed both Sir Germanius and Mikus and then he yawned again. “I don’t think I’ve ever slept so long before,” he said to Jon who lay on the ground and blinked his half-open eyes lazily. “We should get back into town. If we ride hard we might make it before nightfall.”
“No sense in rushing,” said Jon, as he also looked at the piles of rocks. “It’s not good news we bring.”
“More reason to get there sooner,” said Sorus. “Thorius needs to know his son died, and the town should know about Germanius and that dragon. If we delay, it might look like we didn’t want to come back as quickly as possible.”
“That’s true,” said Jon, stifled another long yawn and rolled over onto his side.
“C’mon Jon,” said Sorus and gave the sleepy giant a swift kick. “I’ll start packing up the camp and you find the horses. Remember, we turned them loose yesterday so they could find water and good grass after being hobbled for so long.”
“Mmm,” said Jon from under this blanket. “I remember.”
Sorus kicked him again, this time a bit harder, “Jon, I’m serious. We need to get back to town as soon as possible. I’ve been thinking about it, the mayor doesn’t like you to begin with and now his son is dead. We’re going to need to explain things.”
“All right, all right,” said Jon as he rolled over and sat up. “We’ve got the dragon horns to prove it and my sketch. No one could believe I drew that thing from my head. The mayor isn’t going to like me no matter what but this will prove I’m here for a reason and maybe I’ll finally get to talk with the First Rider. Once that happens everything will come around.”
“I hope you’re right, Jon,” said Sorus and busied himself with cleanup operations on the pots and pans accumulated from the huge meal the two made for themselves when they got to the base of the Mountains of the Orc. He remembered how they ate in silence and avoided the corpse of Sir Germanius laid nearby. It took them almost an hour to fill their bellies, but then they managed to drag themselves over to the rocks and finish the job with a second cairn. Finally, exhausted and weary, they fell into the sleep of the dead. Now, under the light of day things seemed slightly different. Sorus looked at Jon again and wondered what reception the town might give them. With Mikus and Germanius dead, they were the only survivors and maybe things wouldn’t go so well back in town. Sorus decided not to tell Jon any more of his misgivings as the young knight seemed so confident.
