by LeRoy Clary
“Of course.”
“There is a bench in the shade ahead. If you don’t mind, we can sit on it and talk about whatever is on your mind, Fleet. Are you called Fleet because you run so fast?”
It was easy to see that the old man was a master of manipulation and social interaction. Fleet understood what was happening and why, yet didn’t resent it in the slightest, in fact, he enjoyed the time to feel out what he had to say to the council, and if there were information he wanted to stress, Sawyer would help him with his presentation.
“I used to run all the time, and I wanted to race the fastest. The name came naturally.”
Sawyer rubbed his chin and covered the beginnings of a smile. “Did they ever consider quiet as a name for you?”
“You’re not the first to suggest a similar name.”
“And you do not pour out your information like water falling from an old bucket. You do it your way. You did not come here seeking a possible wife, you came with a warning. That sounds ominous. Tell me about it.”
“A clan member from the Raging Mountains was found and imprisoned at King Ember’s Summer Palace two years ago. He spent a year in the dungeon. Someone passed him carrots and apples through the window. He has no idea who. He was working on escaping when a dragon flew over the palace walls and landed in the square outside his cell. It shoved the wall until it collapsed. Raymer and another man escaped.”
Sawyer had closed his eyes while Fleet spoke, but only to better picture what he said because as he opened them, they were bright and filled with questions. “He probably believed the dragon was called down by one of my family since we live so close to the palace.”
It was not a question. Fleet simply nodded and further appreciated the insight and understanding the old man displayed.
Sawyer said, “I believe you have already determined it was not one of us.”
“My family was concerned why you would openly order a dragon to attack a palace so close to your home and draw the wrath of the king’s army.”
“While the king hates us, his failed invasion of Northlands last year has severely affected what he can do, and the Earl of Northlands at Warrington has all but seized control. The Earl is unusually friendly to the Dragon Clan and removed all rewards posted in his lands. Of course, we are located in King Ember’s lands, but tensions here have also eased.”
Fleet appreciated Sawyer filling him in on what he knew. It saved repetition. “Tessa mentioned people, not of the clan, people called ‘others’ because she has no better name.”
“Yes. Have you any information about them? They are new to this land, and we know next to nothing about them.”
“To the best of my knowledge, nobody in the two Dragon Clan families that I know have ever heard of them, let alone have information.”
“I feared as much,” Sawyer said. “But let me tell you the little I know, or believe I know of them. They do not come to us in the traditional manner, as you did. They do not seek us out and display their backs. In fact, they seem determined to avoid us.”
“How long have you known about them?”
“A year. Maybe a little longer. We heard rumors and suspected it was members of your family or another nearer Princeton. But as we encountered more rumors and actions, we suspected it was people not of the Dragon Clan.”
Fleet said, “But they can call down dragons!”
“Yes, it seems they can. Do they have birthmarks on their backs? We don’t know. Are their actions drawing unwanted attention at a time when relationships are mending? Yes.”
“Are they enemies?”
Sawyer hesitated. “I would amend your question if I may. Are they intentional enemies? I don’t know. Are their actions doing us harm? Yes. Do we need to seek them out and try to understand what is happening? Yes.”
Fleet said, “That is not my mission.”
“Perhaps yes, perhaps no. We will discuss it at council this afternoon. First, we eat and then you will tell your story again. We’ll decide what is best for all of us. Together.”
Fleet realized the old man had managed to back him into a corner of sorts. His mission was to find information about who had helped Raymer escape from the dungeon, and Sawyer worded things so that he would have to continue searching. Oddly, he didn’t feel as upset as he might.
Sawyer said, “I believe our noon meal is about ready. I see them waving to us to join them, so if you’re ready, we can walk down there.”
“Your lake is beautiful from up here.”
“Yes, when we first came to this valley, they say the stream had continued to the edge of the desert before it disappeared in the sand and heat. My ancestors spent years digging the ground and transporting the rubble to block the entrance to this canyon. Then they planted the vegetation to hide the entrance and keep people out. Eventually, a dam was built, and the lake became our centerpiece.”
“I have not bathed in days.”
“Then you should swim and clean yourself. Before or after you eat. Whichever you prefer.”
Fleet noticed that Sawyer seldom ordered people to do things. He gave them a choice, even when one was more preferable than the other. Fleet knew grime caked on him from the heat of the desert and the blowing sand. He knew he smelled. “I’ll eat after I clean up.”
Sawyer smiled. “Whichever. I will go eat, and you can join us when ready.”
At the edge of the lake, he found a beach where several children played under the watchful eyes of two older girls. Five children chased and played in the water. Every bareback displayed the image of a dragon, some black, one green, the rest red. When he pulled his shirt over his head, two boys raced to him and looked at his back. Then, without words, they ran off screaming as if scared of his dragon, but they also laughed.
The incident was probably trivial to a person not of the clan, but it made him feel that these were his people. He walked into the tepid water chin deep and held his head under, enjoying the soothing effect on his sunburn and sore skin. While warm, the water was far cooler than the hot, blowing air.
Refreshed, he dressed and strode up the slight incline to the people massed around ovens made of stone, most had cooking surfaces on top. There were tables and chairs made for outside use, and in one place a set of five steps led to a small stage where three chairs were located. Others were already placed in front, waiting.
People greeted him and offered their names, few of which he remembered. However, there was one dark haired woman with eyes that danced. She seemed to pay him far more attention, and more personal attention as she helped him select food for his plate.
“My name is Wren, like the bird.”
“Fleet.”
“I know. Everyone is talking. After seeing you I was wondering if you came seeking a wife, but you are on a mission for your family. See? I know everything.”
Fleet felt his cheeks warm, and not from the sun. He followed her as she walked to a table for two, his dish in her hands. As his eyes slid from the back of her head to her swaying hips, she turned. A smile was still on her lips as she sat the plate on the table and sat opposite.
She said, “Tell me about your home.”
Fleet stammered and stuttered, but managed to answer. Soon he was laughing and talking more than he had to anyone that he could remember. As he told her anything about his home, family, friends, or life, she immediately wanted more information. As he finished eating, he realized that the entire meal had him speaking, while Wren listened.
Sawyer approached and asked if he was ready to address the family.
Fleet was taken by surprise. “I thought I’d speak only to the council.”
“If you did that, then they would have to repeat all you said, and there would be misunderstandings. Here, we all may listen, but only the members of the council may speak or ask questions. They will, of course, be seated closest to you.”
The simplicity of the meeting impressed him. Many times he had heard slightly different variations of the council mee
tings at Bear Mountain. This way all would hear his warning and if they had information to add they could request to speak. He pointed to the stage. “Do I take a seat up there?”
“Everyone can hear you better from up there. The trees behind will shade you and all who listen. Some will have duties to perform and will leave us while others will quietly join. Other than that, only council members will ask questions of you, others may whisper their concerns to be voiced by the council.”
Climbing the stairs, he said, “I don’t know where to begin.”
“Tell it the same as you told me. Their questions will fill in anything else. But you can ask for a break when you tire. I suspect this meeting me go on until well after dark.”
Fleet shot him a look to see if there was a joke to be had. He didn’t see one. Taking a seat signaled everyone else to sit. The five seats nearest were obviously the council, and Sawyer sat beside him.
Sawyer called for attention and then asked each of the council to share their name and family position. Two were men, three women, including Tessa, the head of the watchers who found him in the drylands. She hadn’t mentioned she was on the council, but he was not surprised. Each gave their information quickly as if they wanted to move ahead.
When they finished, Sawyer looked at him and nodded. Fleet stood. Sawyer said, “That’s not necessary, son. This is informal and the way we do things. Sit and talk with us, not to us. You don’t have to make a speech.”
Fleet began by introducing himself, talking about his home, and then quickly outlining the problem of an unknown person calling on a dragon to help Raymer escape the dungeon. To his surprise, the first questions were not about the unknown person or persons. It was about the political change in climate with the Earl of Witten and King Ember. They wanted to know what he knew of the situation.
He slowly explained the story of Raymer and Quint, the eldest son of the Earl, who was held in the cell next to Raymer. He told how Raymer had helped Quint and together they had prevented a war. He told them of the small part he’d taken in it, as well as confirming that for now, the king had far more serious concerns than the Dragon Clan. Then they turned to the topic of the people they called ‘others’, and most pronounced the word as if it left a bad taste in their mouths.
Fleet addressed the council, ignoring those seated behind. “These ‘others’ are related to us in some way, I assume.”
Blank expressions greeted him. One woman shrugged.
Tessa broke the silence. “We know as little as you about these new people. I will tell you what we know, or think we know and anyone here can correct me or add what they may. To our knowledge, nobody of the recognized Dragon Clan has ever spoken to them. They appeared if that is the right word, about three years ago when we first spotted their green dragons.”
“They are all green?” Fleet asked.
“One of them attacked the Summer Palace.”
“Do you mind if I ask how you know that?” Fleet said, trying to be as cautious as possible because he’d been told few of them left the valley.
“I was there,” Tessa said it sharp and ended any further speculation.
But Fleet was not finished. “Did you search for whoever called the dragon down?”
“Of course. Discreetly.”
“Raymer, the prisoner in the cell, told us that before the green dragon attacked, three apples were given to him by a hooded figure with bare legs. Legs like a young boy or possibly a girl. A few days later, in the confusion of a fight in the marketplace, someone left him a bunch of carrots. He didn’t see who.”
Tessa mused, “A child? That’s interesting from several aspects. How sure is he that it was a child?”
“Raymer said that the glimpse he had was of a person at the awkward age of ten or eleven, when their legs are too long, like those of a colt or fawn. Those are his exact words, I believe.”
A man sitting beside Tessa looked like a farmer, his eyes were intelligent, said, “We assume only adults can call down dragons in times of distress. However, there are older stories of children doing the same. However, this was not a time of distress. It was a measured, calculated attack by a person with the ability to order a dragon to attack and knock down a stone wall.”
His assessment unleashed a barrage of viewpoints. Fleet settled into his chair and listened, barely speaking again until the sun was low in the sky. One of the council had asked a question of Sawyer. His answer said something that caught Fleet’s attention.
He leaned forward and said, “Fleming? Where’s that?”
“East of here, about two days hard walk across the drylands,” Sawyer said.
“That’s where the green dragons were first spotted?” Fleet persisted.
Sawyer used one hand to wipe the long white hair back from his forehead. He paused, sensing something in Fleet’s tone. “Yes, as we said, about three years ago. The residents of Fleming spoke rather freely about all the dragons in the air. I believe they were the first dragons spotted there in a long time. Our reds usually do their hunting further south, in the Sabretooth Mountains. Good deer and elk, and some mountain goats.”
“Dragons, you said. That means, at least, two of them.” Fleet felt his heart beating faster. “And they were first seen near Fleming. What else is near Fleming? Dragons usually want a warm, high place to nest.”
Sawyer said, “There is nothing around Fleming like that. It is flat, and the city is built around the bay.”
“Bay? Fleming is a seaport?” Fleet asked.
“Well, yes. It’s on the Endless Sea.”
Fleet found himself on his feet. “I need to leave.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sawyer said, “Calm down Fleet. We still have questions, and you need to rest and recover from your ordeal in the drylands before you depart. Of course, you’re free to leave if you insist, but please stay another day or two and leave prepared. We may even ask that one of our people travels with you.”
Fleet accepted a mug of cool watered wine and sat back down but failed to relax. A girl held out a plate of sliced meats and two kinds of cheese. He reached for some of each, but his mind was far away. He hardly listened to the others talking until he faintly heard of a massive green dragon attacking a red and he shifted his attention to the speaker. Hundreds of people had watched as they twisted and fought over the edge of the Endless Sea a year ago. They repeatedly flew at each other, talons extended, spitting dragon slime, and screeching at each other loud enough for the entire city to hear.
“What happened?” Fleet demanded.
The man telling the tale said, “A lot of people in Fleming were hurt from the falling dragon slime, and in a few places it caught fire.”
“No, the fight. What happened?”
Sawyer took over. “The story is that they dived at each other the last time and tangled, both refusing to let go. They fell into the water, far out to sea. Only the green flew away.”
“Dragons fighting each other. I have never heard of that.” Fleet said, his breath short.
A voice near the rear whispered, “They don’t swim, either.”
Sawyer put his arm around Fleet’s shoulders. “This can wait. Just because you found a few facts you didn’t know yesterday, does not mean you have to panic and rush off. Why don’t I show you to where you’ll stay tonight, and in the morning we’ll talk again? Small groups. Work out some details and figure out what will be best for you. We may find other information you require.”
Fleet’s head was spinning. His reaction was to do something. Now. Anything. He wanted to leap to his feet and begin running in the direction of Fleming as fast as he could, but he also admitted to himself that he didn’t know what he’d do once he got there. However, the idea that two green dragons had been flying over a city where none had been before told him it was the place to find the people called ‘the others.'
What did they call themselves? The only reason for the sudden appearance of two green dragons was the city was that it was a seaport.
A seaport on the Endless Sea. He had drawn the conclusion instantly that the others came to this land by ship. At least, the men did. Maybe women and children, too. The dragons must have flown.
Fleming held the answers he wanted, Fleet felt sure of it. He had now performed the first part of his task. He had warned the drylands families of what he knew, and what they suspected. But he still didn’t know who had helped Raymer escape. Or why.
He walked with Sawyer as if in a daze, and tried to be polite as the old man guided him to a small house and opened the door and showed him to a pallet. Fleet settled down and allowed his mind to wander, a method he’d used many times to sort things out. His mind wandered here and there, without conscious control until it stumbled onto important aspects of the problem.
However, as it wandered his eyes closed. He opened them to find light streaming in from the small windows. Outside his room, he found a basket with rolls of hard bread, fruit, and a pitcher of fresh, cold water on a small table beside the door. He looked outside and found three chairs sat under an apple tree. Nobody else was in the house, so he carried his food to the chairs and sat outside, watching the morning activity of the village.
As he ate a tan dog wandered up to him and sniffed him. It seemed to like what it smelled because it curled up at his feet and went to sleep. Fleet ate slowly and watched the residents while trying to filter all he’d learned.
People went about their daily work. A woman hung laundry, another woman herded toddlers to a play area. An older child stood guard over a small flock of sheep that he pushed to a pasture while the sheep tried to eat the grass where they were. People of all ages worked in vegetable gardens before the day grew hot.
A few waved or nodded in his direction. Sawyer strode up to him.
