The Dragon Eaters

by Duke Kittle

  Chapter 3

  If not for the Akoan’s warning to Tina concerning the presence of the farmers in town, she might have been surprised by so many livestock striders and lesser thunder lizards in the streets. The pungent smell was enough to make Tina cover her nose.

  The structures of the town were fairly rudimentary. All of them were made from wooden planks with a few years of weathering showing. There were only a few feet between buildings to make small alleyways, most of which were currently occupied by wandering striders. The alleys seemed like good places for the smaller lizards to avoid the larger thunder lizards. Even so, Tina caught sight of one shopkeeper using a broom to try to shoo a thunder lizard away. The thunder lizard had been trying to sharpen one of its horns on the corner of her shop.

  When Tina reached a section of the dirt road through the middle of the town where the thunder lizards were so tightly packed that they blocked the road, she decided to make use of the tight grouping of the buildings. She walked to the corner of one house and made sure the cords of her rucksack were pulled tight. With nimble claws and practiced grace, she gripped the corner of the building and climbed. Her pace was rapid, and she reached the lip of the rooftop in less than a minute.

  Tina hauled herself up onto the rooftop and crossed. She glanced down into the crowd of thunder lizards below. For all their size, the lesser thunder lizards were very docile, even friendly. But that wouldn’t stop one from accidentally stepping on her.

  When she reached the peak of the roof, Tina stopped to get a better look around the town from a higher vantage point. Just as it had appeared from the pier, the town was nestled between two hills with a log wall surrounding it. From the inside, she could see the reason the wall hadn’t extended farther to the outside of the hills. On top of the hills on the inside of the outer wall stood a second, lower wall. The space between the two was easily one quarter the size of the town. Even from her elevated position, she couldn’t see inside the walls, but could infer from previous designs she’d seen that it was a prudent design for protection of the townspeople should the city be overrun. From the safety of the two protected and elevated positions, invaders could be picked off by archers firing from both sides of the town. Neither wall could be attacked without harassment unless its twin had already been either breached or destroyed.

  Diverting her attention from the battlements, Tina looked toward the center of town where Kravek had directed her to seek out the governor, Harkon Keldo. She saw an open town circle with roads leading off in the cardinal directions and one building larger by a single story than the others around it. Tina guessed it to be the town hall by the people standing outside, looking in through windows on its face, and standing in its open front doorway.

  With the gap between rooftops being only a foot at most, Tina was able to make her way around the town circle by running from rooftop to rooftop and jumping the small gaps. Rather than entering the town hall and disrupting the meeting to introduce herself, she decided to climb through one of the windows on the second floor.

  The room she entered was filled with empty chairs lined up in front of a lectern which stood at the head of the room. She thought it resembled a lecture hall back at the wizard guild in Kerovnia. At the front of the room, next to the lectern, she could see a closed door. The sound of voices coming from the first floor told her a meeting was already in progress. She crossed the lecture room and slipped through the space under the door, having to take off her rucksack in order to do so. Once she had retrieved it, Tina passed down the hallway outside the lecture room and descended a set of spiraling stairs.

  She had only hopped down a few steps before she saw the stairway open up to the floor below. The room was filled with badgers and weasels dressed in simple clothing, and most of them were stained with soil. The smell of the earth in their clothing was almost as strong as the scent of the livestock outside, but not nearly as unpleasant. Tina deduced they were the farmers to whom the livestock belonged.

  A few steps down, a badger was leaning against the railing of the stairs and watching a fox twenty feet away who was standing on an elevated platform at the front of the room. It looked like a stage, though the one speaking from it didn’t have the garb of an actor. From the volume of the chatter coming from the crowd, it sounded to Tina as if they weren’t too pleased with whatever had just been said.

  Keldo held his hands up, speaking loudly, but calmly as he tried to get the attention of the room again. “My people, I beg your patience.” It took a few moments, but the crowd finally became quiet. “As I have already told you, the last time I spoke with the Council of Stars, they assured me they would send a wizard to calm this situation with the dragons and these monsters who have encroached on both our territories and those of the dragons. I have already been informed that the ship he is to arrive on is in port, and Captain Cephalin will be bringing him here with all due haste. You may address the wizard with what questions you like, but please know that the sooner the wizard is able to do his work, the sooner this problem will be resolved.”

  One stocky badger at the front of the crowd stepped forward and spread his hands. “Governor, the last time you tried finding a solution to our problems with a wizard, it ended badly. What makes you think a solution with another wizard will be any better?”

  Keldo lowered his hands and bowed his head. “I admit that I was at fault for the wizard’s rash decision. And I also must admit I hired the wizard privately without the sanction of the Council of Stars. It was a decision I regret, but I tell you now, this change of heart from the High Theorist of the Council of Stars will most assuredly see an end to our trepidation.”

  Keldo tried to reassure the crowd with a smile. “We all know the skill of the magic users of the Council. Everyone here was born within a breath’s reach of Kerovnia.”

  Tina wiggled her whiskers. She didn’t like the manner of the governor’s smile. It was a kind of smile that hid deceptively sharp teeth.

  One woman near the back of the crowd called out. “How are we supposed to know we can trust this wizard? The High Theorist condemned the building of this town and intervened when even the king wanted to send us aid!”

  Governor Keldo folded his hands into the sleeves of his robe and bowed his head. “I have assurances from the High Theorist and from the king. This situation will be sorted out in good order. Even if you do not trust the word of the High Theorist, surely you will trust the promise of the king.”

  Tina wiggled her whiskers again. Though the reassurance had certainly calmed the crowd, she was not aware of any promise made by the king of Levansia. But Keldo was apparently using a political device in order to silence further objection. Any objection raised against the king’s promise could be interpreted as treason. The fact Keldo was lying told Tina, should any further question arise, Keldo would probably use that device to stifle it.

  The stocky badger at the front of the crowd spoke up. “Governor, if the wizard is able to deal with these monsters, what happens next? We can go back to our homesteads and return to our work. But what about the Maldavians?”

  The governor nodded to the badger. “An appropriate question, Lazur. We have had our conflicts with the Maldavians in the past, but the Council of Stars has a good relationship with the dragons. I will see to it personally that the wizard speaks with the Maldavians on our behalf.”

  Before another question could be raised, a commanding voice came from the doorway. “Clear a path!” Heads turned at the sound of the voice, and Tina noted it had come from the wolverine she had seen on the pier only a short while ago. His order apparently carried some weight as the farmers stepped aside, having to squeeze more tightly against the walls.

  Captain Cephalin's guards followed behind as he approached the stage on which the governor stood. The captain stepped up onto the platform and moved next to the governor, speaking quietly enough to keep his words from the farmers, but not quietly enough to ev
ade Tina’s hearing. “The captain of the Thorn’s Side said the wizard left her ship just before I arrived, but I have not seen him about.”

  “Nor are you likely to at this rate.” Tina muttered to herself. She made note of the stocky badger who had been challenging Governor Keldo during the meeting. His muzzle was a little broader than usual, and his gaze was keen and discerning. She marked his face into her memory, and then she rose to climb back up the stairs.

  “Captain Cephalin!” A call came from the front of the building as a female mink shouldered her way through the crowd. The farmers finally cleared room for her once they recognized she was also one of the guards.

  The wolverine looked out from the stage. “What is it, Lieutenant Copaire?”

  “Sir, there’s been another report from one of the scouts that a Maldavian is wandering in the woods.”

  “An emissary?” The governor stepped forward.

  “No, sir. The scout reported that it was wounded. It has an Albatross with it.”

  Captain Cephalin folded his arms. “Is that all?”

  The mink looked surprised at the captain’s lack of concern. “Sir, it’s injured.”

  Tina’s ears straightened up and faced the mink as she listened intently. She was aware the colony had trouble with the Maldavians before the arrival of these Dragon Eaters. It surprised her that this Lieutenant Copaire looked concerned with the Maldavian’s well-being.

  When the captain didn’t respond, the mink hesitated before she spoke again. “Sir, a wounded Maldavian will attract the Dragon Eaters, even in daylight…”

  Tina listened to the reason the mink had given, but her face, her demeanor, and her uncomfortable posture suggested she had just given an answer the wolverine would accept. But it looked to Tina as though the mink was showing genuine concern.

  The wolverine grunted. “If those monsters find it, they’ll put it out of its and our misery. Tell the scouts to stay well clear of the area and return to your post.”

  Lieutenant Copaire looked disappointed in the decision, but cut her brisk salute. “Aye, Captain.” She turned away and left the room.

  Tina adjusted her glasses. She’d seen enough for the time being. She climbed back up the stairs and returned to the second floor. The captain and governor may not have cared about a wounded Maldavian, but it was certainly a concern for Tina.

  Once she was back to the second floor of the town hall, Tina climbed out onto the roof again and ran to the edge. She caught the mink at the edge of her vision and took a moment to observe the buildings next to the town hall. The direction in which the mink was going was covered well enough by the buildings. Tina would be able to follow on the rooftops. And so she did.

  The mink was not difficult to follow as she wove her way through groups of livestock in the street. Tina noted that the lieutenant was taking a straight course back to the western gate of the city. The gate was closed as opposed to the eastern gate through which Tina had entered. She came to a stop on the building nearest the wooden wall and watched as the mink climbed the stairs leading back up to the platform which ran the length of the wall. Lieutenant Copaire called down to the other side, relaying Captain Cephalin’s orders. Tina could not see the scout, but her ears were sharp enough to hear the sound of the scout’s voice.

  “Understood, Lieutenant. What about Lazur Thulfa’s farmstead? It’s just on the edge of his field.”

  “Captain Cephalin’s orders stand, Corporal. Carry them out.” The lieutenant cut her salute, and then walked away from the gate.

  Tina seated herself on the rooftop and rested her chin in her hands. She remembered the governor calling the stocky badger by the name of Lazur. She could only hope he was the same one. But Tina also wondered how willing this Lazur would be to help her, especially since he seemed to be more concerned about the people.

  The Council of Stars hadn’t exactly been Likonia’s greatest advocate. But Tina wanted to meet with the wounded Maldavian, and she would need to assess the character of the badger soon enough. She pushed herself up from the rooftop and made her way back to the town hall. She hoped that if the meeting had adjourned, she might still be able to catch Lazur Thulfa before he was gone.

  Tina was able to make it back to the town hall within a matter of a few minutes. By the time she returned, the farmers who had been gathered within the town hall were dispersing. Perched on top of the front awning, Tina was able to spot the stocky badger easily since he was one of the last to leave. Tina touched the armlet she wore which was shaped like two arms clasping a circle-cut sapphire, and the gem glowed dimly.

  Just as Lazur walked out from under the awning, Tina leapt down and landed on top of his head. The circle cut sapphire flashed once as it absorbed the momentum of Tina's fall, both preventing injury to herself and keeping Lazur from feeling her land. The spell then faded, and Tina lay flat in the hair on top of the badger’s head to avoid detection. The mouse woman then cupped her hands over her mouth and quietly spoke into Lazur’s ear.

  “Excuse me.”

  Lazur stopped and turned, looking around for who could have addressed him. When he saw none of the other farmers looking at him, he reached up and scratched his ear.

  “I don’t mean to alarm you, but you will not see me if you look for me.” Tina continued to speak quietly. “I need to speak with you in private.”

  Lazur wrinkled his forehead. He looked down, then up at the roof, but saw no one there. “Who…?”

  “You will not see a wizard who does not wish to be seen, sir. Please, walk somewhere private so we may speak.”

  The badger grunted. He walked around the corner of the town hall and came to a stop once he was standing next to a small wagon where a pair of lesser thunder lizards was munching on hay. He spoke with a grudging tone. “This private enough?”

  Tina leapt down from the top of Lazur’s head and landed gracefully on a corner of the wagon. She folded her arms and turned to face Lazur, clearing her throat to get his attention.

  Lazur looked at the corner of the wagon and blinked. He leaned down and rested on his haunches to look at Tina at her eye level. “What in Ulfengir’s name…?”

  Tina pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. “I apologize for the method of my greeting, but at the moment, I think it necessary.”

  “Necessary to lead me into a private place for a conversation with someone no taller than the length of my foot? What is it you want with me, wizard?” The tone with which Lazur spoke the word wizard made it sound as if it tasted bitter in his mouth.

  “First of all, I should introduce myself. My name is Tina van Schtoffen.” Tina bowed her head in greeting.

  Lazur snorted. “Lazur Thulfa. And I haven’t got a lot of patience for wizards, Tina van Schtoffen, so get to the point.”

  “As you wish.” Tina folded her arms across her stomach. “I need your help. You heard Lieutenant Copaire’s report in the town hall a few minutes ago, I take it?”

  “Eavesdropping on a town meeting isn’t the best way to ingratiate yourself with the locals, wizard. But what of it?”

  “I have come to understand that the sighting of a Maldavian was made near your farm. I would like you to take me there so I may speak with the dragon and its Albatross.”

  Lazur lifted one eyebrow and scrutinized Tina. “Would you? Can you give me a reason to oblige you, wizard?”

  Tina wrinkled her muzzle, her whiskers wiggling. “I am the wizard sent here by the Council of Stars, as you have probably already guessed.”

  “Then why don’t you introduce yourself to the governor? I’m sure he’d be willing to offer you any help you need, as long as it serves him.”

  Tina shook her head. “I will make myself known to the governor in time. But thus far, his character has not impressed me as one of trustworthiness.”

  “Only the man with one finger can lay blame without also accusing himself.” Lazur pointed at Tina
with one finger, showing that three of his other fingers were pointed back at himself. “You won’t find a lot of friends in this town, wizard. The Council of Stars left everyone in Likonia to bleach in the sun while we starved through winters and droughts.”

  Tina adjusted her glasses. “Yes, I am aware of High Theorist Mythran’s decision years ago. But I should also tell you the Council of Stars has sent me here to help this town.”

  Lazur snorted again. “I don’t mean to discount anyone for their size, Tina van Schtoffen, but do you know anything about the monsters we’re dealing with?”

  “Very little. But they are who I am here to learn about and sort out. And I would appreciate your help in doing so by taking me to your farmstead.”

  Lazur rubbed the tuft of fur on the end of his chin. “Why should I trust you, wizard? How do I know that the Council of Stars hasn’t actually sent you here to drive us from this land so you can give it back to the Maldavians?” Tina looked at Lazur in a confused manner, and Lazur shook his head. “Don’t think me dumb just because I work with my hands, Tina van Schtoffen. I don’t think there’s anyone in Likonia who doesn’t know why your High Theorist stopped the king from helping this colony.” He pointed at her again. “The wizard’s guild and the dragons have been trading goods for years.”

  Tina crossed her arms at the small of her back. “It is true that the Council of Stars sided with the Maldavians years ago, Lazur. But do you really think you’re trusting the right person in Harkon Keldo? After all, he is the one who led your people here, and he is also the one lying to you even now.”

  Lazur half-smiled. “He lies about a lot of things, wizard. What lie are you referring to?”

  “The one he spoke of in which the king promises help outside of the High Theorist’s decisions concerning this town. He will not go against Levansian law, and I guarantee you Harkon Keldo in particular does not have his ear.”

  “I expected as much.” The badger straightened up. “Still doesn’t tell me why I should trust you more than him. At least his aims, whatever they are, have kept this town alive.”

  Tina adjusted her glasses. The badger was a little more shrewd than she had given him credit for, she had to admit. “Then perhaps I should tell you the real reason the High Theorist stopped the king from intervening on this town’s behalf. He wasn’t just concerned about the Maldavians controlling this territory. Did you know that your town is within a hundred miles of the Maldavian Monolith?”

  “Maldavian Monolith, huh?” He folded his arms. “And what exactly is a Maldavian Monolith? Some dragon holy site?”

  “The Maldavian Monolith is far more than a holy site for them.” Tina brushed her fingers across her brow. “I’m sorry. I could explain it to you as many times as you have the patience for, but it’s unlikely that someone without an education in magic will truly grasp its significance.”

  Lazur wrinkled his nose. “There’s an old saying that if you can’t explain something simply, you don’t know it well enough.”

  The corners of Tina’s mouth curled up slowly. “A fair point. Very well. The Maldavian Monolith is a spire of stone surrounded on all sides by mountains containing the dens of hundreds of dragons. To them, the monolith is the resting place of Shahdazhan, the Dragon King. The dragons are magic incarnate, and the monolith acts as a focus and central hub for the flow of magic in this part of the world.” Tina pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her muzzle. “That is why the High Theorist of the council did not want Harkon Keldo and your people to settle here. Your presence threatens both the Maldavians and the monolith.”

  Lazur unfolded his arms. “A threat to the monolith? If that’s true, instead of barring the king’s help, why didn’t the High Theorist try to find an alternative? Why not come and speak with us or help us relocate?”

  Tina observed Lazur briefly as she studied his expression and the tone of his voice. His demeanor was genuinely flabbergasted. “It would seem that Governor Keldo has been keeping you and your people more blind than you know. The High Theorist, Sythus Mythran, negotiated with the governor repeatedly, but he would not agree to move this colony farther north or south.”

  The stocky badger sighed. “That is news. There must be something here Harkon wants.”

  “You seem to know him very well.”

  Lazur gestured toward the town hall. “I’ve known him for a long time.” The badger folded his arms again. “You’ve put some trust in me, so I’ll offer you the same courtesy. If you want to see this Maldavian near my farm, I’ll take you there.”

  Tina smiled. “I greatly appreciate your help, Lazur. Once we are near, I should be able to find the dragon myself.”

  Lazur knelt down and put himself back at eye level with Tina. “I have to ask. I know the Mateesh people are short, but you really seem to have gotten it to excess. Why are you so small?”

  Tina was used to such a question, and so answered it without hesitation. “I was cursed by a wizard when I was still an apprentice.”

  “I would have thought something like that would make you hate magic.”

  Tina shook her head. “I hated the man, not his means.”

  Lazur snorted and straightened up again. “I see. Well, I am going to need a little time to get ready to go. Someone’s going to have to look after my livestock, and I need to get a few things for the road. It’s a three hour walk on foot.”

  Tina didn’t like the idea of delays, but some could not be helped. “Time is a concern. If there is a stable in town, we—“

  Lazur held his hand up to stop her. “What you see in the street is what we have for animals. Most of the long striders were either killed by the monsters or are reserved for the small cavalry group who came with Captain Cephalin.”

  Tina took a moment to consider. “I see. In that case, I will arrange our transportation. In the meantime, while you see to your animals, can you recommend a place for me to stay in town?”

  Lazur looked Tina over. “Hole in the wall?” He chuckled before pointing over his shoulder. “Small inn at the edge of town called the Stumble Drum. It’s mostly for visiting sailors. It’s hard to miss. There’s a wide canvas stretched across the front of the second floor.”

  Tina curled her tail around her legs. “Thank you, Lazur. I will meet you at the western gate when you are ready to leave.”