by LeRoy Clary
There was one map of the drylands in far too much detail to be comfortable. It even showed the double-blind canyon where Oasis Lake was now located. It was an older map. All but the lake was shown, including the large stream that fed it. People trying to cross the drylands with a similar map would walk right into Oasis searching for water.
Before he panicked, he calmed. Over the years, there were probably hundreds of similar maps made. The watchers would keep people away. He went to the cabin the girls used and found it empty. He went to the top deck and joined them. The coastline was now coming into view.
They watched the town of Fleming grow from the rocky shores. When the docks were in view, Kelby spotted her father and Bear standing side by side, waiting. They must be greeting all the ships arriving in port. She waved and called. When the gangway was in place, she was the first off the ship and into the arms of her father.
Gray introduced Anna, and all five of them strolled up the hillside to the Red Bear Inn. Kelby told her story, and of her rescue by Gray, almost excluding any help by Anna. She explained that it took, at least, three days before she felt herself, and how the entire town of Shrewsbury was under the influence of a drug. But there were people who remained normal. Then she explained the construction of the buildings and the repairs to the docks.
Bear said, motioning to Kelby’s father, “We also have news. King Ember has made several veiled comments about ending the Dragon Clan threat and expanding the kingdom. He is also secretly massing an army to the south of the kingdom as if he might invade Kamer, but that is a diversion, we think. The troops will be closer to Shrewsbury than we like.”
Gray caught on. “You’re thinking that instead of an army from Breslau invading us at Shrewsbury, King Ember is planning on sending his troops over there.”
“Actually, we believe that is what he wants us to think,” Shailer said, stroking his white beard as he smiled at his daughter. “In my research, I have found that I trust little of what the king says or does. He is a fool. Remember his failed attempt to attack and defeat the Northlands only a year ago?”
“Fleet was there,” Gray said.
“Would you consider that a plan made by a master tactician?” Shailer asked.
“No. It all hinged on secrecy, although it might have succeeded if Raymer had not used his dragon to attack the army.”
Bear said, “I will agree that the initial attack might have taken Castle Warrington, but the Earl would have rallied his men in other parts of the kingdom and counter-attacked. King Ember would have eventually lost because he had no supply lines. His army would have starved in a month.”
Gray listened carefully. Bear sounded as if he studied the engagement enough to know what he was talking about. A serving girl placed mugs in front of each of them. Bear asked her to deliver bread, butter and preserves to the table. The dining room was nearly empty, and he suggested that she seat any patrons at the far end. Being the owner had its privileges.
“How does that relate to Shrewsbury?” Gray asked when she departed.
“Our king is a fool when it comes to war. He is overconfident and believes himself a military genius. Let me tell you what Shailer and I believe is happening and we desire your input.”
Gray nodded for him to continue.
“We think that our greedy king was approached by another. A deal is struck for King Ember to send troops south near Kamer. He will have them in position to send the troops to Shrewsbury to sail across the Endless Sea to Breslau and help their king defeat his enemies. First, they have to repair the docks and then they constructed lodging for King Ember’s troops before they sail. In return, the other king will support Ember.”
“That sounds exactly like what’s happening.”
Shailer said, “But what if it’s not?”
Bear continued, “Suppose the other king double-crosses him and lands his ships filled with troops in Shrewsbury, instead of the other way around. Shrewsbury is where all the supplies are waiting for Ember’s soldiers. All of Ember’s troops are then massed far to the south where they cannot protect his royal city of Princeton. The other army is between the castle and Ember’s troops. They have a good road to march north.”
“The war is over before a single arrow flies,” Shailer said. “They capture the castle at Princeton along with King Ember.”
Gray almost added a comment about the others, and the green dragons but bit it off. His eyes went to Anna. She hadn’t missed a word. Her bowl of meat stew sat full, untouched.
Gray said, “We would have a new ruler from across the Endless Sea.”
Bear nodded and gave a sideways glance at Shailer as if asking permission to continue. “We all know how bad a ruler, King Ember is. We have no idea of how much worse a foreign king might be. He’d care little for us, but expect taxes to fill his treasury and repay the costs of the war. At least, that’s the way it has always happened for a thousand years.”
Shailer said, “They might even bring their green dragons to enforce their rule. The owners of the green dragons may be working with, or for, the other king. They may be jealous of any who have similar powers over dragons.” He kept his eyes on the pipe he couldn’t seem to keep lit, his voice soft but powerful in what he had to say.
A quiet filled the room until Bear added, “I care little for our king. However, I’m afraid we’re soon to have another, one harsher, who will be quick to punish. From the little we know of his methods. We can infer that he’ll rule with an iron hand, giving preference to his home kingdom.”
Gray understood Shailer’s explanation had directly threatened him and the entire Dragon Clan. Or maybe that was not precise. He had perhaps intentionally warned the Dragon Clan instead of threatening it. One way or the other, the invaders had to be prevented from defeating King Ember.
The irony was not missed by Gray. The Dragon Clan would have to fight on the side of the hated king who had lost his father to a dragon, the same king who had made it a lifelong goal to kill all the Dragon Clan. Gray said, “This plan sounds like a story a father tells a son to illustrate a lesson instead of the truth.”
Bear leaned across the table and fixed Gray’s eyes with his own. “The real question is what do you believe?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Gray sat through the evening at the Red Bear Inn with the four others, his fears rising with almost every statement by Shailer or Bear. While the two men talked, Kelby, Anna, and Gray listened as if in trances.
If Shailer was right, King Ember was about to be sucker-punched. An invader pretending to help him was going to double-cross him and rule two kingdoms. King Ember was arrogant and proud, with limited military experience. He’d removed any generals who spoke their minds or disagreed with his over-eager conquests and replaced them with generals too afraid to disagree.
But the safety of the kingdom came well after the safety of the Dragon Clan. The greens had already killed at least one of their dragons. They had also raised awareness for the normals in the Summer Palace when the dragon had attacked and caved in the wall. People were again scared of dragons after years of peace. Feelings were again turning against the Dragon Clan.
The invaders, known as the others, were setting up circumstances where they could turn the population against the Dragon Clan with only a few more instances of dragon attacks. After that, they could reveal the locations of the various families, sit back and enjoy the destruction of them without endangering any of their people.
Anna moved her chair closer, whispering, “I leave for home in the morning.”
He nodded. She understood how important the information was, but they’d keep it to themselves for now.
As if hearing her, Bear placed both of his massive palms on the table with a loud smack to draw the table’s attention. He looked at Anna. “You will depart well before the sun. Take your warnings and information to your family and spread the word. Perhaps they can help. Six gods know we need their help.”
Gray flashed a look to stil
l Anna’s words. It was a time for her to remain quiet. She gave only the slightest of nods that she understood.
Bear continued, his attention focusing on her. “There are people here, Caldor and a man called Prater are two of them, who I believe work in conjunction with the invaders and against all of us. Prater seems to have a habit of being out on the road between Shrewsbury and Fleming, very near where you people emerge from the drylands.”
“What’s that go to do with us?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Bear spread his hands wide, as if totally innocent of all but accusing them of being Dragon Clan. Then he continued, a smile trying to calm his sharp words. “I have had my people searching for Prater since he escaped from my custody. Perhaps ‘released’ is a better word, but the point is the same. Where is he? If he is observing people using the road, and he has an interest in one—he will follow.”
Anna said, “I’ll watch behind. Thanks for the warning.”
“Prater is extremely good at what he does. Do you really want to pit your skills against his with your family at risk? I think not,” Bear answered his own question. “There are other ways to enter the drylands that will not expose you to discovery. I will offer a pair of my men to escort you from my Inn to the drylands, then they will split up and ensure nobody follows. Will you accept my offer?”
Without glancing at Gray she nodded. “And I will thank you and pass on word of your generous help.”
Bear chuckled and asked, “Tell me true, Anna. Are you twelve or thirty?”
“What kind of question is that?” she laughed.
“You look twelve, but your actions are those of a mature and intelligent woman.”
“I’m not twelve; I act that way because it gives me leeway to be misunderstood and accepted as a child. I’m fourteen. Those two years make a fair difference.”
Bear beamed. “That they do. You’re playing a role, as are all of us. My men will be here before dawn. One may tap on your door to make sure you are off before daylight. Don’t worry about supplies. Food, water bottles, blanket, tarp, and a pack will be waiting for you.”
“Prater will not be finding me there either. I’m going on to the Marlstone Islands with the Pearl. I’ve had an incident with the Captain, but feel he’s a fair man.” Gray said.
Speaking for the first time in a long while, Shailer said, “The Pearl sails a triangle of ports. After she leaves the Marlstones, she sails for Shrewsbury.”
Bear agreed. “For your sake, I’d avoid Shrewsbury, even if you do not intend to go ashore. Things also happen in port. Men climb the anchor ropes of ships and slink about. Thieves and murderers bribe their way aboard if there is a prize to be had—such as a reward for the head of a man with harmful information to a king.”
Gray swallowed hard. He hadn’t thought it through, and Bear was right. He’d return on another ship.
“Have you enough coin?” Shailer asked.
“I have enough. Two golds are still in my purse.”
Shailer shook his head and said to Kelby, “Step out the back and ask two of Bear’s men to accompany you to the store. Take one of Gray’s gold coins and exchange it for smaller coins.”
“No need for that,” Bear said, holding out his hand.
When Gray fumbled the coin free, he placed it into Bear’s hand. Bear motioned for the fat woman who sat at the entrance and waited for her to stand at his side. He pressed the coin into her hand and told her to return with silver and copper. He said to Gray, “Can’t rightly buy yourself a meat pie with a coin that can pay for a house, can you? You’d starve before you found a vendor to be able to accept that gold.”
“Besides, it makes you appear rich enough to steal from. If you have one gold, you may have another. Never display your wealth,” Shailer explained. “We’ll watch every ship returning from the Marlstones. You can also have a message delivered here at the Red Bear. Any sailor will do that for a few coppers.”
Anna said to Bear, her voice firm, “The men out back that were going to escort Kelby. Can they take me to the drylands tonight?”
“You do not need sleep?” Bear asked.
“I’ll sleep better away from this awful place where I can trust only four people.”
The fat woman returned with a leather purse filled with coins hidden in her large hand. Bear whispered into her ear, and she nodded and disappeared out the back door. Bear said, “The travel requirements will take a short while to gather, and then you may leave. Two of my most trusted will shadow you, and I promise nobody else will follow.”
Anna had her jaw set, but she nodded her thanks. Gray felt relieved. He had not looked forward to sleeping at the inn. He felt safer on the Pearl.
Bear handed him the heavy purse under the table. “Hide your other gold coin well. Split this into at least three piles, one of which you will keep on your person at all times.”
“I know to do that, but appreciate the mention of it.”
“Then appreciate this, too. On the main island where you will dock is an inn called the Red Flame. I own it. I will notify the manager, a man called Chambers, not his real name. He will provide shelter, coin, a place to hide in the basement, or weapons. Chambers, remember the name.”
“Chambers, because he rents ‘chambers’ at the inn?”
“That makes it easy for you to remember. And it’s a code-word so he will know I have sent you. He’s to provide you with whatever you need.”
“How do I thank you both for all of this?” Gray asked.
Shailer shrugged, “It seems that we have been placed on the same side of a conflict. Helping each other may result in benefits for each of us.”
The answer was vague and hinted at more, but Gray understood enough had been said on the subject. He stood. “I will see Anna off, then sleep on the Pearl tonight. I know she does not sail until midday, but that’s where I’ll spend the night.”
The fat woman returned and flicked her eyes to the rear door. Anna stood and gave each a quick hug, then quickly departed. Gray felt as if part of himself had gone with her.
Bear spoke to the woman again, giving her a list of items, including a bow, staff, and writing materials in a waterproof wallet. She went to the rear of the room again, returning only moments later.
“Leave by the back door. My men will escort you.”
Shailer said, “Before your ship departs I will have a few maps and charts delivered. They may help.”
Gray found himself on his feet, shaking hands until he faced Kelby. As he reached out for her hand, she slipped by and then kissed him softly on his cheek. Before he could respond, she spun and fled.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Aboard the Pearl, Gray carried the supplies Bear provided to his cabin. Instead of remaining inside, he went to the deck above and fell into the chair, reviewing all that had happened and what was discussed at the Red Bear Inn. The night air was chilly. He had a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.
The chair faced the city. Lanterns flickered their soft yellow light on street corners and the doors of establishments catering to the night crowds. Windows were squares of yellow on a dark gray background. Faint music drifted across the water from at least two different places. He didn’t hear the Captain approach.
“Nice night to enjoy the air. Hopefully, I’m not intruding.”
Gray found himself on his feet as if he was a common sailor addressing the Captain. He felt foolish, so extended his hand.
The Captain shook, then said, “I owe you an apology.”
“Sir?”
“After our talk, I told the bos’n of your charges. He wasn’t happy with you and called you a name or two, which he now takes back.”
“He found something?”
“That he did. As you indicated, there were men who I could strike off a list of suspects, leaving the bos’n and me with three. The bos’n was able to eliminate one more of those. He ordered the crew on deck with no warning and performed a search of their quarters. You may have felt the br
unt of that inspection.”
“He found the chart?”
“Not right off. He did find one of the men had smuggled three bottles of spirits aboard. A violation of our ship’s articles. But another had some papers written in an unknown language. Not old, mind you. Just different. That got the bos’n to thinking. The crewman had been a little too quick to ask certain questions, too much interest in the ship’s affairs.”
Gray waited. The Captain struggled with the story, stretching it out far too long. In the process, he had to admit he wronged a passenger. That could not be easy. He settled back and allowed the Captain the courtesy of continuing at his own pace. Gray had all night if needed.
“It seems that crewman only went ashore when we reached port at Marlstone. We hired him on there, too. He replaced a crewman that disappeared while we were in Marlstone, so the pieces came together. Then the bos’n remembered he had ‘volunteered’ to help the cook as part of his duties, a job not often valued. He carried food daily from the locker to the galley.”
“I assume the locker is ‘locked’?”
“To prevent pilfering by the crew, but he was given a key. The bos’n went to the locker and searched. Above a beam, he found the missing map, along with another depicting the far coast.”
The Captain leaned on a rail with an elbow as he talked, his eyes on the lights much as Gray’s had been. “Did you confront him?”
“Not right away. The bos’n and I conducted interviews with the men he worked closest with, telling each to remain silent or I’d put them off my ship with a word to the other captains. I let them know they were being betrayed by him. The day we arrived in port, the crewman we’re discussing was taken into custody by the bos’n and first mate.”
“They questioned him?”
“That they did, and none too kindly. He admits to being provided with funds to purchase any maps or charts of any lands across the Endless Sea. He says it has been happening for years. They buy or steal them. Then destroy each.”
