by C. E. Swain
"That is good because you do not smell very good, and you would taste even worse. I would most likely become ill if I had to eat you."
Javen bent down and sniffed his clothes, and the rest of the men smiled at him as he did. Danorathin turned his head and looked into the woods before laying his head back at his master's feet. Very seldom did a dragon talk to anyone other than his rider and master, and Litlorn knew this.
"You are a lucky man, Javen." He said.
"Why, because he does not want to eat me?" Javen asked, with an annoyed look.
"No, because very few men that are not a rider, have ever had a dragon speak to them. It is an honor to hear the words of a dragon."
"There are men at the bridge that hide on both sides, but not very well." Danorathin told Menimeth.
"It is two days ride from here, so we will keep to the road until midday tomorrow." Menimeth said to Danorathin without speaking, aloud. "Would you scout the way ahead for us? And try to avoid detection, I do not want them to know about you yet."
"Yes, and no one can see me if I do not wish to be seen."
"Thank you my friend."
"We need to get moving if we are to get there." Menimeth said to his friends.
"What about the boy, Is he to run from tree to tree all the way there?"
"Boy, what boy. Oh I see, where is he?" Menimeth asked as he looked at the trees by the road.
The other men of the group began to look around, after hearing what Menimeth said, searching for the boy.
"He is by the big oak with the brush under it, behind the funny one with the horses with no riders."
"You can come out now Chanry, you cannot run all the way there." Menimeth said to the boy.
Chanry rose from the brush, and walked to where the men waited, and looked at the dragon that was beside his master.
" Why are you here Chanry?" Menimeth asked the boy, as he looked down at him, and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm going with you," he said, with a look of determination.
"If I sent you back, would you stay?"
He put his hands on his hips, and looked at Menimeth and said,
"No, I am going wherever you go."
Menimeth looked at Kyler and said.
"Go and get a pony form Argnon, and meet us down the road as soon as you can."
"Ok Meni." He said, and turned his horse in the direction if the trees, and the shortest route to Argnon.
"He can ride with me." Litlorn said, and bent down from his horse to help Chanry up.
Danorathin turned, and leapt into the air, as Menimeth once again mounted Donner. Chanry sat in front of Litlorn, and the group rode south, and in the direction of the chapel once again. Kyler caught up with them around midday with the pony, and had Chanry's belongings loaded on it. After tying his bag to the packhorse, and getting Chanry on the pony, they continued on.
It was getting late when a suitable campsite was located, far enough off the road to be concealed. The only towns on this road were passed their destination, and were cut off by the brigands. Feran was the best cook, so he busied himself with making their supper, while Javen looked after the horses, and Kyler gathered wood for the night. Litlorn cast a spell to hide the camp, while Menimeth walked into the trees, and out of sight. Danorathin Lay in a clearing, and rolled in the grass as Menimeth approached.
"The men at the bridge watch the road and wait for you, Meni. There are others that wait in the trees on the other side."
"How many do you think there are?"
"Three on each side of the bridge and five in the trees. There is one who watches the road some distance before the bridge."
"We will make our camp where the one can see us, so he will go to tell his cohorts. I must go make our plans with the others." Menimeth said, scratching behind the ears of his friend.
When he walked back into the camp, Feran handed him his supper. Sitting by the fire, he enjoyed his meal, as he thought of how best to overcome the men of the ambush. The friends talked very little that night, as they sat by the fire, and Chanry fell asleep early. Javen was not far behind him, and soon they were all asleep as well.
The next morning, the companions took their time eating, and breaking camp. Going over their plans, and making adjustments until everyone agreed to what they needed to do. They wanted to reach the bandit lookout late in the day, so making camp would look normal to him. If their plan was to work, the ambush party must think they were coming down the road, and suspect nothing.
Chanry led the way on his pony, as the group followed the road that morning. Danorathin kept Menimeth informed on what was happening at the bridge as the group drew closer, and Chanry was sent to the back to ride with Javen, later that day. Litlorn saw the lookout long before they were close enough for the lookout to see them, and informed the group of his position. Menimeth waited until he was sure they were being watched, before leaving the road, and making camp. The camp was set up back into the trees where it could be seen, but not easily.
Danorathin did not come into the camp that night to be by his master, but watched the brigands instead, and alerted Menimeth to any change in their position. When the lookout reported to the bridge, and took his place in the ambush, Danorathin relayed it to Menimeth. After supper, the companions slept for a short time, before getting up early to prepare for the ambush. When everything was done, Litlorn took his bow and crossed the road, disappearing on the other side. Menimeth disappeared into the trees in the opposite direction as Litlorn, carrying his Elvin bow, and Chanry was to stay in camp and protect their supplies. Chanry was proud of his job, and stood with his hand on his Elvin dagger. The men from Alenvale saddled the horses, and made their way to the road.
The gray light of morning was just beginning to illuminate the countryside when the riders approached the bridge. Javen and Feran were in the lead, with their swords drawn, and under their cloaks. Kyler rode behind them, and led the packhorses, as well as Litlorn and Menimeth's saddled horses. He watched the bridge closely as they advanced, and his bow was notched and ready.
Menimeth worked his way through the trees, and was to the side of the three men of the ambush party by the bridge. Litlorn was in a similar place on the opposite side of the road, and as time passed slowly, the sound of the shod horses on the stone road, grew louder and louder as his friends drew nearer.
One brigand stood and fired an arrow that grazed Feran, before disappearing into the trees behind him. Menimeth and Litlorn fired at the same time, and using the trick from the fair, dropped all six men by the bridge. Two were dead, and one was dying, while two more were hurt badly enough to be out of the fight. The sixth had recovered his bow and was aiming it at Javen, when Kyler let his arrow fly, and shot the man through the face. The brigands in the trees across the bridge from the horses had burst from their hiding place with the first arrow. They charged up and onto the bridge, and were almost on Javen and Feran seconds later. Menimeth drew his swords and cut off the riders as they crossed the bridge, engaging them before they could get to his friends. He killed one, and was fighting another who was skilled with a sword, but not enough to save his life, and he soon lay dead at Menimeth's feet as well.
The rest of the bandits made it passed Menimeth, and engaged his friends behind him. One brigand turned his horse to attack from the side, and the split second that the horse was stopped to turn, cost him his life. The arrow Litlorn had released, went through his back, and stuck out of his chest. He looked down at it with confusion on his face, and then fell from his horse, dead. Javen was knocked from his horse by a blow to the chest, as he killed the man in front of him, and landed hard on the road. Kyler and Feran fought together, after Feran was wounded, and once the outlaw was out numbered, the man tried to flee. Litlorn dropped him before he could escape, but the brigand who had knocked Javen from his horse, made it to the trees, and out of sight.
The fight lasted no more than five minuets, and nine men were dead while two were badly wounded. The
one had gotten away, but Danorathin would not let him get far enough to warn those that had sent him. Javen was bruised from the blow to his chest, and had the wind knocked from him, but was otherwise unharmed. Feran had a cut on his arm, as well as his leg, but the bleeding had stopped once they had been bandaged. Kyler stayed behind with Javen, and dragged the bodies to the side of the road, while the others rode back to the camp.
Menimeth, Litlorn, and Feran, rode into camp, arriving only to find the brigand that had escaped standing across the camp from them, holding Chanry by the neck. He waved his sword around, and cursed as he backed away from them, and out of the camp. Danorathin was behind him, but he did not see the great dragon as he backed away. The three men sat and watched as the bandit shoved Chanry forward, and turned to run. He froze when he saw the massive dragon just feet away, and turned around again to flee from this bigger threat. As he turned, Chanry plunged his dagger up and under his armor and ribcage, and into his heart. His dagger was wrenched from his hand as the highwayman fell to the ground, looking at him with dead eyes.
"Are you alright Chanry?" Menimeth asked, as he jumped from Donner, and raced to the boy.
"He said he was gonna kill me, but I showed him." Chanry said, and looked at his master with tears in his eyes.
" He would not abandon the camp to the evil man, and did not run when released, but drew his weapon instead. The boy is very brave, I like him."
"I do to my friend, and would not see him harmed."
"You did well, and we are lucky you were here to protect our camp." Menimeth said, as he pulled the boy to him.
"You really think so, master?" He asked, as he looked up at Menimeth for assurance.
"You have proven yourself a warrior, and when we get back to Argnon, we shall have to dress you like one, I think."
"Really?" The boy asked, as his face brightened, and the tears ended. "With armor, and everything?" He added.
"You would not be a warrior without it." Menimeth said, and led the boy back into camp.
"We should pack the camp and move to a new location by the stream" Litlorn said. "And rest from the fight today."
"I agree, but first we must take care of the bodies of the dead, and figure out what to do with the injured ones."
"And how can we help you?" Litlorn asked.
"If you would see to Feran's injuries, and pack the camp, I will see that the dead are buried. I will send Javen back to help, and have his wounds looked at."
"I will take this one to the bridge and put him with the others." Danorathin said, as he grabbed the man Chanry had killed in his front claw.
"Thank you my friend I will meet you there, but wait until I call you before you do. I have a plan to get some information from the ones that still live"
Menimeth rode to the bridge, and Chanry followed on his pony. He sent Javen back as he had said, and approached the two bandits that were still breathing, and stood looking down at them. The two men looked back with hate in their eyes, and though they were wounded, refused to give up any information on the men that had sent them.
"We are not telling you anything." One of the bandits said. "You ride around in that dragon armor, like you were some kind of dragon rider or something, but we know better."
"The boss will get you and your friends, he don't think much of no wanna be hero." The other bandit said, with a look of dismissal.
"Is it your wish to die today?" Menimeth asked the two brigands, with a hard look.
"You think you're one of them hero's, you won't kill an unarmed man, or a wounded one, either. We know your kind." The first bandit said.
"You can bring the body here now my friend, but could you have him in your mouth when you land. It will have the best affect, I think."
"Very well, but I shall have to chew soapstone and keep my head under the water of the stream for ten minuets to get the taste out."
"You are right, I will not hurt you, or allow my men to hurt you." Menimeth told them.
"Yeah, you are one of them goodie goodie wanna be solders like I thought." The highwayman said.
" I said we would not hurt you, but I said nothing of what he will do to you." Menimeth said, and pointed to Danorathin as he appeared over the trees, and landed in the road. The great dragon dropped the body he carried to the ground, and it landed with a loud thud. He raised his head and looked at the two brigands, as if he were about to eat them. The men turned white, and then a sick bluish color, as the dragon's head inched closer and closer.
"My god man, you cannot let him eat us." One of them screamed.
"You are of no use to me, if you will not tell me what I want to know." Menimeth said. "If you will not talk, you can at least feed my dragon.
"We will tell you what you want to know, just do not let him eat us." The first bandit said.
"Yeah, we will talk, just get it away from me." The other one screamed. "Just get it away."
"Thank you my friend for your help, you do not have to frighten them any further." Menimeth said to his dragon, but out loud where the two wounded bandits could hear him, he said, "You may go now, beast."
Danorathin withdrew his head from the brigands and looked at his master.
'This beast is going to the stream and wash his mouth out." He said, and shook his great head before turning, and walking to the stream to plunge it into the water.
"Who sent you?" Menimeth asked the broken and defeated bandits.
"Mareston, but it was Avren who gave the orders." The second, and less brave of the two said quickly.
"Who are these men, and where do I find them." Menimeth demanded.
"Mareston is at the old chapel with the rest of his men, waiting for us to come back, and report." The first man said, trying to give as little information as possible and still not be eaten
"How many men are with him, and where do they camp?"
"More than a hundred, and more are coming." The first, and bravest of the two said.
"He's lying, there are no more than thirty, and half of them are usually out of camp." The second brigand said, with a look of fear.
"Shut your mouth, fool!" The first bandit said.
"I don't wanna die, and you're the fool if you lie to him." The second brigand said.
"I'll kill you, you traitor!" The first brigand said, and pulled a knife from his boot. He tried to plunge it into the other bandit, but missed when the man rolled away. Before he could make another attempt, Kiler put an arrow through his throat, and the man made a gurgling sound as he died.
"Where do they camp?" Menimeth asked, after waiting in silence for the bandit to die, and he hoped the surviving brigand would get the message.
"Beside the chapel, and inside the wall. It was once a monastery but some of the walls have crumbled over time." The man replied, with fear in his voice.
Danorathin pulled his head from the water and looked at his master before spreading his wings and leaping into the air.
"I am going to find some deer, I am hungry"
"Then I will see you when you return, my friend."
"Who is this Avren you spoke of, and where can he be found?" Menimeth asked the brigand.
"He waits at the camp in the north, and is the second in command." The man said, as he watched the dragon fly away.
"Where is this camp in the north, and what does he wait for?"
"I do not know, I have never been there. I was sent here from the southeast, but I do know it is west of Argnon. He waits for the men who come from the east, to reach him."
"Who are these men, and why do they go to this camp in the north."
"I do not know why they come, but they travel in small groups, and they have been coming for months. Some of them are like me, but most are trained solders, that is all I know, really."
"What are you, other than a killer, and a thief?" Menimeth asked him, with a disgusted look on his face.
"I am no thief, but I have no choice but to kill when I am told. If I did not, it would cost me my life."
"It has almost cost you your life already, and still may. However that is for Argnon to decide."
"But I told you what you wanted to know." The bandit pleaded.
"You are a brigand and cannot be set free, but you could live through it if you continue to cooperate." Menimeth told him. "You said second in command, who is his captain?"
"I'm not sure, but I overheard the name Chidren once." The man said, hoping his answers would save him.
"Chidren?" Menimeth hissed.
"You do not like this man Chidren?" Danorathin asked.
"No my friend, he is our enemy." Menimeth informed his dragon.
"That is the name I heard. I was hiding in the bushes and they did not know I was there. The man they spoke of is in Kath, but he is expected to be in the camp in the north soon." The desperate, and wounded highwayman said.
