Rake's Story

by LeRoy Clary

  “You’re right. It doesn’t matter if it is a difficult journey, or what kingdom and or land lies beyond. Remaining where we are means death at the hands of one invader or another.”

  “Rake, that is not what it means. There are other options.”

  “Name a few.”

  She ticked them off on her fingers. “We could join forces with Knavesmire. Or join Breslau. We could rally everyone in Oakhaven, naturals and Dragon Clan, and make use of the Brownlands to defend us. An army crossing the Brownlands would be thirsty and weak when arriving and that would be when we should attack them. We could poison the waterholes and make it almost impossible to cross the Brownlands. And there must be more ideas. I’m not an elder, but they can decide.”

  Rake felt better after she chastised him. Perhaps she was right and there were options. That’s why there were elders in the Dragon Clan. They knew and understood far more. His eyes fell to the eggs again and his mind shifted to them. He blurted out, “If you hold a chicken egg up in front of a candle, you can see what’s inside. Maybe save us a trip if the eggs are not going to hatch.”

  Cinder reached down and touched the leathery shell and pushed it in a little. “As I already said, the chances are that they are fertilized. Besides, the shells are too thick. A candle held so close we can see through the shell might injure the chicks.”

  She was right. “How warm do they have to be kept?”

  “Dragons are not warm. That’s why they seek out the slopes of volcanoes. My impression is that we just do not let them get cold and they will be fine.”

  “Meaning we need to keep them warm even at night, I suppose? How are we going to do that?”

  Cinder said, “The warmth of our bodies should do it. The days are warm enough in our rucksacks. But at night, we sleep with them.”

  “What if we roll over and crush one?”

  She turned to him with the same sour expression she’d wear if she took a bite of an unripe apple. “We’ll place rocks around them. Big ones, the size of the eggs so we won’t roll over them, and if we do the eggs are protected. Come on, Rake. That’s a small and easily solved problem. How are we going to escape Mercippio without bounty hunters following us every step?”

  “For you, it will be easy. Wear your robe. They don’t know about it, yet.”

  “Too many have seen me wearing it while with you. Too many rumors. Same for you. Even if we sent Moon to buy new ones at the market, anyone wearing the garb of a desert wanderer will be suspect.” Cinder slowed the tumult of words before continuing. “We could sneak away at night, maybe.”

  “Hadrian and the others will have people on watch. All night.”

  Cinder said, “This is just like you. We have a hundred large problems to face and you’re worried about a small thing like getting away from the city undetected.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  While Cinder might think escaping from Mercippio with the six dragon eggs was a small problem, Rake tended to take problems in order, no matter the size. At least a dozen major hurdles lay before them. However, she was also right.

  He looked at the dragon eggs beside his left foot again and realized their presence changed all their tentative plans. Instead of their search taking them west, possibly to Breslau and even to the Endless Sea, they were going to turn around and head for the mountains and a rumored small volcano. Just them and the eggs.

  Reflexively, his head snapped back, his eyes wide.

  “What is it?” Cinder asked as she leaped to her feet and looked around the room in fear.

  “Sorry,” he muttered. “I just had a stupid thought.”

  “Another one?” she asked, calming down. “That shouldn’t come as a surprise. What was it this time?”

  “I just thought that it’s not just us and the eggs, now. I forgot about Sadie, Fran, Moon, and even Demi. I only saw the two of us ahead a few months.”

  Cinder didn’t laugh. Instead, she slowly nodded, and her voice was soft, “In many ways it is. Sadie and Fran can go warn the Dragon Clan and explain the situation to our families. Moon can stay here and help Demi.”

  “Meaning?” He asked.

  She hesitated. “It is just about us. You and me. We might be the future of our race. If not us, the eggs. And if not them, what we decide here in this inn may change our lives and those of everyone we know or have heard of.”

  “That is farfetched, don’t you think? We are just ordinary people.”

  Cinder didn’t answer right away, which indicated she was weighing her words carefully before speaking. “Maybe,” she conceded. Then she added, “Or maybe not. Those eggs will hatch and then what will we have? Six hungry mouths to feed. How are we going to do that, especially after they grow larger than us? But think longer-term. Suppose they imprint on us like geese do, thinking we are their mother and father? What if they fight alongside us and our people? What if?”

  Rake had problems thinking that far ahead. His normal routine seldom included more than what he’d do in a single day. He said, “Knavesmire might have a hundred. Or even two-hundred dragons. Who knows?”

  “Ours may breed. The old and the new. Hey, that’s an idea. What if they crossbreed and retain the ability to sense us while becoming smaller and fighting in packs?”

  She had an answer for everything. And she was often right or made him think before responding. He let her statement linger. He had no idea how old a dragon needed to be before breeding but suspected ten years at a minimum.

  The party outside on the street was getting louder. More people joined in. Below, in the dining room, more of the party raged, as if the people were determined to enjoy themselves since they hadn’t had reason to celebrate for some time.

  The problem was that they would all go home tonight and return to their old problems the following day. That thought took him back to what he and Cinder would be doing tomorrow and the day after. It was a circle. The ideas and thoughts flowed like being swept away in a river that traveled around a great mountain, and he drifted along with the current, never reaching a shore. A great circular river.

  He forcibly pulled his thoughts back, eliminating all but what was required to barge directly ahead like a bull. “Forget the far future, the coming war, the Knavesmire invasion, and anything that might happen beyond three days from now. What do we do?”

  “So, it’s back to us again? First, we escape the city—hopefully without pursuit. We meet with Fran, Sadie, and Moon before going and explain their tasks and what we are going to do, but without mentioning the eggs. That is the one thing we must keep to ourselves.”

  “I agree,” Rake said. “The eggs are too important, and we don’t know who can keep that sort of secret. Not that I distrust any of them, but the temptation to tell someone is too great. Any idea of how we can escape the city without being seen? In the middle of the night?”

  “That won’t work, as you said. This place will have a dozen hired thugs and bounty hunters watching it all day and night. They know where we are and that presents a problem. We can’t even go outside again. The large rewards will draw more of them here.”

  Rake said, “I was thinking about how Moon crawled under the inn to make his grab for that coin at my feet. Maybe we could creep under the inn and escape that way?”

  “And that went very well for him? Actually, I guess it did, but you get my point.”

  “Speed? We could run. I doubt if any of these city people could keep up with us. Not over a distance.”

  “But they can follow. Track us. And they have fast horses.”

  Rake sat and smoldered. She had an objection to his every suggestion. It was getting irritating and even worse, she was usually right.

  Cinder now wore a smile. He didn’t like that. Not that she was not prettier with it than her frown, but she directed it at him. He was about to become the butt of another of her jokes. She said, “Tomorrow afternoon, we will have another party. A larger one. Everyone’s invited. I’ll pay for food and ale, maybe a little goo
d wine, too. We want men to bring their wives and the party will last all day and into the night.”

  Her smile had widened as if she was about to burst into hysterical laughter. Her eyes sparkled, and her voice tended to choke.

  He said, “I don’t get it. I mean, I am worried about our future and the problems of escaping and you’re planning another party.”

  “And inviting everyone. Don’t forget that.”

  Rake understood she was toying with him. He settled down and waited. And waited.

  Finally, she said, “You’re no fun. Well, here is my idea, so feel free to explain why it won’t work. With as many people as we can get here, you will dress up as a woman, and me as a man. When people begin leaving the party, we just walk out of here with them, as if we are an old married couple. We may even devise a diversion, but while they are watching for a large man and a beautiful woman, a tall woman and small man will stroll right past them.”

  Rake looked at her, his mouth was agape.

  “Well, it was your idea, to begin with, so I’ll give you half the credit,” she said. “When our descendants tell the story of this, and they will, you will receive half the credit.”

  Rake found his mouth wouldn’t function—and that didn’t matter as much as it might have because he’d also lost his voice. Cinder stood, took his hand in hers, and tried to get him to join her in dancing to the music drifting up from the dining room. His feet also failed him.

  He sat again; his mind too full of thoughts to follow any single one. Cinder sat beside him, then laid back as she talked of nothing and everything. He told her of his recent plans, which required him to leave home and explore the world. His plans had grown from a simple idea of living on his own and raising a family with a comely woman, to a grand scheme where he’d rule over a vast farm with dozens of workers like the king of a small province might.

  He was expanding on the possibilities when he heard her first soft snore. Turning, he found her lying across the bed, sound asleep, a faint smile still on her lips. His anger flicked into existence, then faded away almost as quickly. After the day they’d had, she deserved to rest.

  He blew out the pair of candles as he removed his outer clothing and stood at the foot of the bed wondering what to do about the woman sprawled across the bed instead of sleeping up-and-down the long way as she should be. Waking her might get his throat slit, as he remembered her threatening. The bed was narrower than tall, and he considered sleeping across it like her, but that promised an uncomfortable night with his legs hanging over the side.

  With a sigh, he crawled in and gently moved her feet to where they belonged. Cinder had mentioned her sister also complained about her being greedy with the covers and bed, so he assumed she was used to people moving her while she slept.

  She didn’t wake as he rolled her to the far side, giving him barely enough room to lay down. No sooner had he positioned himself than she rolled over and snuggled beside him—far too close for his comfort. He eased her away. She shifted positions and moved closer again.

  In the dim light Rake saw her knife standing upright, the tip driven in the floorboard for an easy reach if she should need it. He should have moved the knife before getting into bed. Now, it was too late. Getting up would certainly awaken her.

  He sighed again and closed his eyes.

  “Good-night,” she whispered.

  How long had she been awake? He had no idea. But her trust in him buoyed his spirits and despite the music, the singing, and the problems they were about to face, he slept.

  Morning came quickly as Cinder tried to extricate herself from the arm he had thrown over her. He woke and groaned. A full day and another night of sleep may have revived him. He considered sleeping until midday, but there were too many things to take care of.

  When they managed to stumble downstairs, Demi waited with an herbal tea, warm bread, and cheese. She said, “It was a long night and Moon will be sleeping late. Fran and Sadie also stayed up late.”

  Rake took the lead in the conversation, “We have a plan to leave here and need your help.”

  “There are so many hired thugs and bounty hunters out there nobody can leave, especially you two.” Demi sat opposite them and waited.

  Cinder laughed and said, “We know. You have to go to the market and buy food today, a lot of it. And more ale and wine for the party today.”

  “Another party?” she groaned as if that was a problem, but her smile belied her attitude.

  “Take Moon with you to carry it all. While you’re there, we want you to buy clothing for a man, my size. A hat, too. Buy city clothing that will help me hide I’m a woman and blend in with the crowd.”

  “I can do that.”

  “And for Rake, we need a dress.”

  Demi broke out in a full laugh.

  Cinder continued, “A long dress, maybe blue to match his eyes, and a bonnet or something to cover his hair. Our idea is a party for as many people as we can get to come, and as they leave, so do we.”

  “That may work, I think,” Demi said. “Fran and Sadie can carry your packs and weapons and hide them inside sacks and leave them hidden beside the road for you. By the time they figure out you’re not here, they won’t know when or how you left.”

  “Good idea,” Cinder said. “I have enough money to pay for the food and ale tonight.”

  “So, do I,” Demi said. “After last night.”

  Cinder opened her purse and removed four coins. “I insist. And part of that is for future wages for Moon. We would like him to remain with you.”

  “I will gladly keep him here, and I will pay him.” Demi made it sound final as she pushed the coins back.

  Cinder shook her head. “No, you don’t understand. We, or friends of ours, may need to talk to him in the future and we need to know he’ll be here. Take the money and put it away, or do whatever with it, but we must have Moon here. He knows Breslau and our people will need that information.”

  Demi made no move to accept the coins.

  Rake said, “Listen, if your inn closes in the future, our friends may not be able to find you and Moon. Take what we are offering and if you find you do not need it to repair the inn after an “accident” or lack of customers, return it to us. Is that fair? You’d be doing us a great favor.”

  Demi snatched the coins from her hand and slipped them into a hidden pocket of her skirt. “If you put it that way, how can I refuse? More tea?”

  Rake said, “The woman who sells meat on a stick at the market didn’t show up yesterday. She mentioned she couldn’t find anyone to sell meat to her.”

  “I have people what will sell to her.”

  They talked more as Demi cracked eggs and sliced a ham. Rake started to tell her he was happy with the bread and butter, but a new person emerged from a room upstairs and descended the stairs.

  Demi shot a smile at Rake and said, “Seven new guests rented rooms here last night. Easier than stumbling home. More than I’ve had in months.”

  The newcomer pretended to cover his ears with the palms of his hands to shut out the loud talk. “I couldn’t go home in the condition I was in.”

  “Your wife is going to have a few words for you when you do get there,” Demi said. “You might tell her there is another party here beginning this afternoon. She’s invited, along with all your friends. The ale will be free.”

  He grinned as he took a seat at another table, then his grin diminished as he said, “The overseers from Breslau aren’t going to like that. I heard they were plenty upset last night.”

  “Overseers, are they now?” Demi asked in a snide tone. “Is that what they are calling themselves?”

  The man glanced away, not willing to defend or argue with the headache he probably had. A night of drinking and celebration does that.

  Demi served him a plate and left to wake Moon. When she returned, she said, “All three will be down shortly. I thought you might want to talk to them since you’ve made your plans. Besides, Fran will h
ave to watch the inn and serve guests while I go shopping.”

  Rake didn’t miss her emphasis on the last word. A glance at Cinder told him she hadn’t either. He said, “She’s right. But our plans were skimpy last night, and maybe we should talk about them again before the others arrive.”

  She shrugged and looked off to one side.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked.

  “Nothing.”

  That meant something—only he didn’t know what. But there are times when he knew to be silent. At the sound of footsteps on the stairs, he turned to find Fran and Sadie. They smiled their good-mornings and took seats opposite of Cinder and Rake.

  The enormity of what they faced took Rake by surprise. He realized how complicated the future was to become but hadn’t counted on it beginning today. He faced two new friends and would have to tell them part of the plans while withholding the most important items, which were the dragon eggs.

  Not a hint of them could be shared. However, he and Cinder hadn’t discussed what they could say to justify what they planned—and what they wanted Fran and Sadie to do. Rake tried to catch Cinder’s attention, but she refused to make eye contact. The same problems were probably in her mind.

  Fran’s hair was wild, sticking out at all angles. Her infectious smile was lacking, and bags were under her eyes. She acted weary and tired. Rake turned to Sadie and found her eyes locked on him, bright and eager. And wary, as if she knew he had things to say she wouldn’t like.

  Rake tried again to get Cinder to talk, then gave up and began, “Listen, we have a plan. Sorry to exclude you. Well, we didn’t exclude you, not officially. We made a plan without consulting you.”

  “Spit it out,” Cinder hissed.

  “We’re alone in here, but keep your voices down. Cinder and I are leaving tonight. Demi is out buying disguises for us, as well as what’s needed for a party. A large one. In the mix of so many people, we will slip out and avoid the bounty hunters.”

  Sadie said, “It’s not like you to run away.”