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That night they built a small, well-hidden fire in an effort to avoid any confrontations with Kaviel's minions. Damion and Snowfeather disappeared into the darkness of the forest and brought back a large boar to help restore their meat supply, and the centaurs provided an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Since the centaurs were strict vegetarians, the companions were forced to supply their own fresh meat.
“Do you really believe Kaviel will remain in this forest after the beating you gave him?” Garth asked, chuckling in amusement. The others had filled him in on Damion’s encounter with Kaviel, and, though he was upset about missing the action, he couldn’t help but find the scar-faced man’s suffering amusing.
“I guarantee he's holed up in the dragon's lair, ranting about losing Kariah, and nursing his wounds.” Sly assured him. His expression grew thoughtful. “If I know him like I think I do, he'll attempt to buy more time. We will have to be careful. He can be very unpredictable when cornered.” He glanced over at Dar, who was returning from the centaur village. “What’s the news?” He asked curiously.
“The centaurs have sent messengers throughout the forest to find all of those who are willing to help.” The tiny Alena informed them. “They are going to gather them together in a clearing a couple of miles from the dragon's lair.”
“What creatures will lend their aid?” Kariah asked curiously.
Dar shrugged. “Most creatures who call this forest home are peaceful creatures that have no concept of war. Those creatures that do, like ogres and giants, are too stupid to distinguish friend from foe. They just try to kill and eat it everything that moves.” He shook his head. “The harpies may join the battle, just to enjoy the chaos, but one cannot predict what they will do.”
“What about the centaurs? How many of their warriors will be joining us?”
“About two hundred.”
Kariah gasped. “But there are over a thousand creatures camped outside of the cavern's entrance!” She grabbed Damion by his arm. “I was able to see the camp, and there are far too many dragonspawn and goblins for such a small army to succeed! The centaurs will be slaughtered!”
“All we need from them is a small distraction.” Damion reassured her gently. “If they begin showering the creatures with arrows, drawing their attention away, I should be able to slip in unnoticed. Then the centaurs can just fall back into the forest and leave the rest to me.”
They set off the next morning after being awakened by K'thar and Layi, who volunteered to lead the companions to the clearing where the army was gathering. Dar had disappeared sometime during the night, and didn't return until the others had finished breaking camp. He emerged finally from the foliage followed closely by a beautiful young female child.
“You could have given us a little warning before disappearing like that.” Damion commented as they approached. “We were beginning to worry.”
Dar shrugged. “Everyone was sleeping, and I didn't wish to disturb anyone.” He gestured to the young girl. “This is Kytra. She is an Alena, like me. She’s an old friend who has volunteered to help.”
Kytra smiled sweetly. “Dar hast explained your plan to me. Worry not, friends. My people will do our utmost to help provide a distraction. We are very skilled at trickery and deception.”
Sly laughed. “We already know! Dar has demonstrated this fact to us any number of times!”
Dar shot the little man a withering look, but said nothing.
“Several of my people went out in search of the giants and ogres to try and lure them towards the Scarred One's camp.”
“Why would you want to do that?” Garth asked, twirling a lock of his flowing beard around one thick finger. “I thought they couldn’t distinguish friend from foe.”
“They can't. They only understand the concept of dominance.” The girl replied, smiling broadly. “But if we can stampede a couple of them through the camp, it would cause a major disruption!”
Layi began to laugh. “That’s brilliant!”
The centaurs took the lead, allowing Dar and Kytra to ride atop their strong backs, while the others followed behind on their own mounts. They led the companions quickly through the dense forest, following well-worn trails in which they were obviously familiar.
“So, what's the plan?” Sly asked Damion, pulling his horse next to Storm.
“Once the goblins and dragonspawn are distracted, I'll slip into the camp and face the dragon.” He said simply. “Then, when I am finished with the dragon, I'm going to get my hands on Kaviel!” His eyes flashed dangerously, and he clenched his fists tightly. “And this time, I will not let him escape!”
“You are not planning to kill Tempest, are you?” Kariah asked fearfully. She had been riding atop Storm with Damion, and overheard his every word.
“If I must.” He answered gravely. “If there is no other way but to kill the dragon to reach Kaviel, then that's what I will have to do. Nothing is going to stop me from killing him this time!”
“But she's innocent!” The elf maiden cried. “She’s being forced to follow his orders! You can't just kill her!”
“She’s right, you know.” Sly murmured gravely. “If you slay the dragon, you'll be no better than Kaviel. Don't lower yourself to his level.” He stared at Damion earnestly. “You cannot let yourself become what you're fighting against.”
“If you can just get the Dragon Gem away from Kaviel, you can release Tempest from his power!” Kariah pleaded. “She will turn on him, then!”
Damion sighed, then fell into a troubled silence. Sly was quite correct in his warning. He had been traveling a thin line that separated righteous anger from outright blood lust. He had come very close to becoming nothing better than a ruthless killer. This thought troubled him as he rode to face the man that had turned his entire world upside down.
It was nearly midday when they finally stopped to rest the horses. The humid forest had become blisteringly hot, and thousands of swarming insects hovered in the heavy air, making it very difficult to breathe without inhaling a mouthful of bugs. They paused at the edge of a natural spring to rest themselves and allow horses to drink. The water was clean and cold, and tasted as pure as melting snow. It went a long way in cooling and refreshing the companions.
“By the gods!” Garth suddenly exclaimed, covering his nose. “What is that smell?”
Dar sniffed the air, then groaned in exasperation. “Harpies!” He spat, staring up at the canopy above.
“If they art close enough to smell, they hath already caught our scent.” K'thar warned. “An attack is possible, but they may leave us be.”
“How can they smell anything over that noxious odor?” The sturdy dwarf asked, his face an odd shade of green.
“That question hast also crossed mine mind on occasion.” Layi murmured with a disgusted look on her face.
A loud screeching laughter suddenly echoed through the forest, and the noxious odor began to grow stronger. There was a loud ruffle of feathers as several filthy creatures appeared overhead, gliding down on short stubby wings from the treetops above. They circled them several times before swooping down and landing heavily on the ground before the companions.
The harpies were strange-looking creatures that were approximately four-feet tall, with heavy squat bodies that were covered with large filthy feathers. Their heads were oddly lopsided, and were completely devoid of feathers or hair, lending greatly to their bizarre appearance. Their nearly human-like faces were encrusted with filth, and long sharp fangs protruded from their mouths. Their tiny eyes were completely black, and gleamed evilly as they stared.
“Greetings, Layi and K'thar.” One of the foul-smelling creatures cackled in a screeching voice, defecating on the ground, then jumping up and down in it, splattering it over the other harpies. “I sees you brings Alenas and humans into our territories. Ares they, perhaps, gifts?” The harpy was drooling hungrily.
“They art not gifts, Snog.” Layi spat, giving the creatur
e a disgusted look. “Thee and thy flock shalt have to scavenge something else to dine upon!”
The harpy laughed an insane laugh. “Whats about the little dwarveses? Surely you haves no needs for thems?” The other harpies began to hop up and down again, cackling excitedly. “I’s never eaten dwarveses before. I's am wondering what they tastes like.”
Garth snorted in amusement. “I think you'd find me rather tough and stringy. Besides,” He hoisted his battle-axe and fingered it lovingly. “You'd find me a hard meal to stomach.”
The harpy cackled at his threat, then looked back to Layi and K'thar. “Why does you brings humans into our territories? It hases something to do with the dragonses, yes? You goes to battle with the goblinses and dragonspawns and dragonses, yes?”
Layi rolled her eyes. “It is true, Snog. The time to fight and drive the vermin from our forest is upon us.”
“Fight!” The harpy screeched insanely. “Fight!” The other creatures quickly took up the chant, hopping up and down with excitement.
“If thee and thy flock wish to join the fight, then go await us near the dragon’s lair. Thou shalt know when it is time to attack.”
“What if we wishes to fight now?” One of the other harpies screeched, flapping its dirty wings.
Faster than eye could follow, K'thar drew an arrow, notched it, drew it back, and released it, all in a single motion. It flashed through the air and buried deep into the flapping creature's chest with a loud thump. The force of the arrow of sent the creature hurtling backwards into a tree, where it hung suspended, the head of the arrow buried firmly in the tree's trunk. The harpy began flapping its wings frantically in an effort to free itself, while its companions continued to laugh and hop up and down in insane glee. Its struggles soon grew weak, then ceased altogether.
“Nice shot!” Sly exclaimed, clapping K’thar on the shoulder.
The blond centaur smiled a modest smile.
“Gather thy flock and meet us near the dragon's lair.” Layi repeated to remaining harpies. “We shalt attack two nights hence, after the sun sets.”
The harpies began to chant again. “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Then, one by one, they threw themselves into the air, cackling insanely as they flapped their wings frantically to keep their heavy bodies aloft.
“That was interesting.” Damion murmured, watching the disgusting creatures as they flew away. “Can we actually depend on them to show?”
“They wilt show.” Layi said frowning. “Who they attack mayst still be in question. It doth be possible they wilt betray us to the enemy, then watch the battle and dine upon what remains.”
Kariah gagged at the thought, and turned an identical shade of green as Garth. “They are disgusting creatures! How could anything be so horrible?”
“Harpies art more annoying than horrible.” K'thar trotted over and yanked the arrow from the dead harpy's chest. “They doth delight in dropping their dung upon the unsuspecting from above. Their dung contains a powerful acid that doth burn the flesh, leaving horrible scars in their wake. They usually attack in numbers, using their ragged talons as weapons, and rarely attack anything bigger than themselves, although it’s not unheard of for them to attack larger prey. As long as thou dost avoid letting them catch thee by surprise, they art harmless.”
The companions pressed on, pushing through the undergrowth at a quick trot. It was nearly midnight before they finally stopped to make camp. They had a quick dinner of stew that Kariah whipped up from the vegetables and wild boar, then set out their bedrolls and stretched out to rest.
They hadn't been asleep long when a deep earsplitting bellow sounded through the forest, causing everyone to jump from their bedrolls in fright. The horses began to paw at the ground nervously, and Storm neighed loudly, tossing his head back fiercely. Something huge was crashing its way through the forest, moving straight for their camp. Another bellow echoed through the forest, this time much closer than before.
“What is it?” Gretta whispered, scrambling to her feet.
“The cyclops.” K'thar answered a worried voice. “It was our hope to avoid encountering it.”
“Will it attack?” Kariah asked worriedly. She was huddled next to Damion with one of his huge arms draped around her for protection.
The blond centaur nodded. “Undoubtedly. It doth sound hungry, and there is plenty for it to eat right here.”
“I’ll deal with it.” Damion declared confidently, drawing the Dragon Sword.
“You mustn't kill it!” Kytra cried, rushing forward with frightened eyes. “It’s the last of its kind! It is protected by the forest! To kill it is to defy Mother Nature herself!”
Damion sighed heavily in resignation, then returned the Dragon Sword in its sheath. “Very well. I will be sure not to kill it. I'll just try to frighten off.”
Just then, an enormous creature burst into view about forty yards away, bellowing in a deep, resounding voice. It stood well over ten feet tall, with a massively overdeveloped chest and arms, and huge tree trunk-like legs that were wrapped in animal skins and tied into place with sinew. It had a tiny head perched atop its huge shoulders, with a single eye located in the center of its sloping forehead. Its face was oddly flat, and its nose was little more than two tiny holes in the center of its face. Long strings of drool hung from an open mouth that was bristling with sharp, jagged teeth.
It saw the companions and howled another ear-splitting bellow, pounding the ground before it with a huge club that appeared to once have been the trunk of a fair-sized oak tree.
Damion groaned, shaking his head. “These things can never be simple, can they?” He demanded of no one in particular. He sighed again, and then strode forward to block the creature’s advance.
The cyclops watched in confusion as Damion moved towards it. It was obviously accustomed to creatures fleeing its presence, rather than approaching it.
Damion stopped before it, and gave it a hard look. “Shoo!” He growled fiercely, motioning for it to return to the forest.
Sly burst out laughing in spite of himself. “Shoo?” He gave Damion an incredulous look. “Did you really believe that would work?”
“Shut up!” Damion snarled irritably. He turned back to the cyclops. “Keep moving!” He bellowed at the enormous creature. “Go! Get out of here!”
The cyclops's single eye suddenly narrowed, and it took a swipe at Damion with its heavy club. He easily ducked beneath it, then dashed forward to attack, but was immediately driven back as the creature changed direction mid-swing, nearly removing his head. He tripped on a tree root as he scrambled backward and crashed hard to the ground a few feet from the angry beast.
It roared triumphantly and raised its massive club high above its head, preparing to crush him with a massive blow.
As it stepped forward to deliver the fatal blow, Damion lashed out with a powerful kick that caught the cyclops hard in its fur-covered crotch.
“Erp!” The huge creature froze mid-swing, its single eye wide with surprise and pain. It released its grip on its massive club and grabbed its crotch, moaning pitifully.
Damion instantly rolled to his feet and threw a powerful uppercut that caught the moaning beast hard on the point of its tiny chin, launching it backward through the air where it landed with a resounding crash. It lay unmoving, drooling heavily from its slack jaw.
Dar ran up to the unmoving creature. “It’s only unconscious. It'll be out for a few hours and awaken with a massive headache, but it'll survive.”
Damion turned away, and returned to the camp, ignoring the snickers of laughter from his companions. He quickly began to gather their belongings, his face flaming red with embarrassment.
“I don’t remember ever teaching you that move!” Sly chortled, wiping the tears of mirth from his eyes.
“You didn't.” Damion answered brusquely, loading his bedroll onto one of the spare horses. “I just made it up.” He fixed little man with a dangerous look. “I can demonstrate it again if you'd like.”
“So, what now?” Dar asked as he assisted in breaking down the camp.
“We keep moving.” Damion replied. “I don't think it would be a good idea to hang around any longer.”
“The warrior speaks wisely.” K'thar was clearly impressed by Damion’s prowess, and watched him closely. “It is not advisable to remain nearby when the cyclops awakens. It's likely to become very angry.”
“I would be angry too if I was kicked below the belt.” Sly guffawed, then quickly darted out of Damion's reach.
They quickly finished packing up camp, then set off deeper into the forest, leaving the huge cyclops where it fell.
Omensent: Birth of a Dragon Lord Page 46