The Quest For the Black Dragon

by D.E. Dunlop

  “It’s hard to believe we’re only gonna get one more kick at this cat.” He said almost absent-minded.

  “Yeah, what do you think we should do with these dragons anyway?”

  “I dunno. It was your idea to take them.” Earl replied. “Hey, what’s goin’ on over there?”

  A large dark mass slowly emerged over the eastern horizon with banners flying. Sky pulled an ancient pair of binoculars from his tunic to get a better look.

  “Too far to see the insignia. There’s a hell of a lot of them though.” He said.

  “That’s Katharine.” He said with shock after a few more minutes.

  “She must be the ‘ancient beauty swayed by power and greed.” Earl remarked.

  “No denyin’, she’s a looker.” Sky agreed.

  “With a heart as cold and hard as steel. We’d better scram before she sees us.”

  “Too late. They just picked up speed.” Sky shoved the binoculars back, wrapped his newly greying red hair in a ponytail with a leather lace and looked anxiously at the distant tree line.

  “We’ll never make it.” Earl said looking in the same direction. “The archers’ll have us easy if we try.”

  Sky looked at Earl with a sly grin. “We could charge them.” He suggested.

  Earl shook his head. “All these years I thought you were crazy, but as it turns out you’re just insane.”

  “They’d never expect it.”

  “And we’d never live.” Earl said looking around nervously.

  “What about magic?” Sky inquired.

  “Okay, let’s charge them. I think I might be able to do something.”

  Sky was already on his horse. “Really?” He sounded excited.

  “I can’t promise anything, but I’ve got an idea.” Earl jumped on his horse. “Charge straight in toward the southern quarter. When they change archers for infantry cut hard to the south. Once we’ve passed race hard for the forest.”

  **********

  “Why didn’t they just shoot you as you approached them?”

  “They tried, but I cast a spell that made them think we were about thirty meters further away.”

  Grey Eyes scratched his head.

  “Oh, it wasn’t easy. I thought my heart was going to explode. My pulse was hurting my head. We dove into the forest head long and crashed as deep as we could through the cedar. Fortunately the cedars were thick enough to make pursuit difficult. We had to walk, mind you, but whenever confrontation was inevitable it was low numbers. We snuck through the forest and followed the shoreline as much as possible. Any time we came near the outer edge we were blocked by the army and quickly retreated into the bush. We lost them in the mouth of the marsh and came out into the open on the north side. We thought we were in the clear, but they picked up our scent three days later. We had been travelling west along the north bank and a small band of soldiers caught up to us in the forest of Hockley Valley. There were only six so we stood our ground. We had to kill four of them, but the other two escaped and went for reinforcements. Unfortunately for us they scared off our horses so we lost all our gear and supplies. With no supplies or food we thought it best to head straight for home. Before we knew it the dogs were on our trail again. They chased us back and forth across the land, in and out of time and circles for months, even years. We’d go as much as a year without incident and they would show up again.

  “Where’s Sky? Did they catch him?” Grey Eyes asked with concern in his voice.

  “Well, eventually they chased us down to Mono where we found refuge with a very kind woman named Sheila, or at least we thought she was a kind woman. She turned out to be some evil witch who tried to seduce us and steal our life force. Sky, of course, made it worse. He pretended to fall in love with her just so he could get close enough to steal the ruby she wore on a fine gold chain around her waist. You know how he couldn’t resist a good swipe when he saw one. When she realized he was playing her she was furious and cursed him and his lineage. He thought that was great and laughed about it.

  “So what happened with the curse?”

  “I don’t know for sure. On our way out of Mono we decided to go separate ways. I’ve never seen him since. I heard on the wind that he went mad some time after starting a family.”
“This would explain the rumours I heard on the wind.” Grey Eyes said after a moment of reflection. “A number of years ago I heard a couple of Story Tellers had been killed. There was one in the south and one near Warminster. I thought it suspicious and now I know why.”

  “Grey Eyes.” Waiting Fox called sternly as he came into the hut. “Oh, you’re up. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m doing well, thanks. You must be Waiting Fox.”

  Waiting Fox nodded.

  “Have you learned your lesson?” Grey Eyes chuckled.

  “You got his horse in the hip. Now I have to lend him mine and take care of his until it’s healed. I won’t lend you my bow again.”

  “I convinced him to let me shoot his bow and I got the neighbours horse.” Grey Eyes explained and both old men laughed heartily at Waiting Fox’ expense.

  “Sit and listen young man. Hear Earl’s tale. There’s broth in the pot and help yourself to the bread.” He turned slightly back to Earl. “So…where were we?”

  “When we left Mono we decided it would be best if we went separate ways and lay low. He went west and I went northwest. We haven’t seen hide nor hair of each other since. I settled down in Innisfil, between Minet’s Point and Big Bay Point. It’s very quiet and peaceful, lots of forest and good farming soil. It’s off the beaten track so I figured nobody would have any need to go there. A few years passed without incident and I realized it was getting to be time I had a bloodline. So, I went into Bayfield for a while until I met a beautiful young lady with radiant blue eyes. Her name was Kas. We fell in love quite quickly and got married. Of course, back then I didn’t look any older than thirty. We moved back to my little farm where we raised three boys. I tried each one for apprenticeship and each one thought I was crazy. So I waited patiently for my grandchildren and great grandchildren. Every one of them wanted nothing to do with my crazy stories. Finally, my first great, great grandson took to storytelling like a fish to water. I was overjoyed and began to tutor him in the ways to the Story Tellers. I also had him enrolled with the Brotherhood of Anon and fencing through a friend of a brother in the order. This man was good enough to stand against Kozlov himself.

  We only got a few years into his training when the Sitts showed up again. I had just dropped Tinne off at home when I heard, on the wind, that danger was afoot. When I arrived at my cottage it appeared foreboding from across the clearing. I knew it was time to leave or great danger would befall my family. They caught up to me a couple of weeks down the road in Phelpston. A group of ten with dogs nearly cornered me in a back alley.

  “How did you get away from ten soldiers with dogs?” Waiting Fox asked.

  “Fortunately the back alley was behind the tavern. I led them in there and let the locals know they were from Sitty.”

  “That would do it.” Grey Eyes nodded. “Those Phelpston boys don’t care much for Sittyans.”

  “For a year and a half they chased me. They chased me on horse, they chased me on foot, with dogs and Spirit Hunters and here I am. How did I get here in the camp, anyway?”

  “On a stretcher.” Grey Eyes chuckled dryly.

  “The hunting party saw you and a soldier and the dogs tumble over the bluff and then another soldier came along. The second was angry and kicked his helmet around. It looked like he was searching your pockets for something and he left in a huff.” Waiting Fox explained.

  “So, what is it you’ve come to us for, my friend?” Grey Eyes asked.

  “We need to stop the queen before she gets to Bayfield.” Earl said.

  “How do you know she will try to over throw the north, besides the last Telli
ng, that is? Is there…Oh, yes, the next telling quickly approaches. She will probably exhaust every resource to get that rock before then.” Grey Eyes reasoned. “Where is the stone, by the way?”

  “I left it with a trusted friend.” Earl replied. “I told him to hide it somewhere inconspicuous and out of plain sight.”

  “And that friend?” Grey Eyes pressed.

  “Gone the way of mortal man, I’m afraid.” Earl said.

  “How can we possibly stop an army? We’re only a few hundred people.” Waiting Fox interrupted impatiently.

  “You have to get rid of that sword.” Grey Eyes said taking note of the young man’s increasing lack of patience.

  “I’ve heard it said, Grey Eyes, that whenever you speak it comes to pass, regardless of the presence of the…” He stopped himself from mentioning the Gorchan, but his old friend knew what he was referring to.

  Grey Eyes lifted his head to face a little above his audience.

  “So, you want me to speak against the advancement of Katharine?”

  “Well, yes. It’s the only way I can think of. There’s no army north of the marsh that can stand against her; especially when none of the townships will join together for anything.” Earl said with obvious frustration.

  “I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way, my friend. I can only speak what the Master bids.” Grey Eyes said solemnly.

  “Not even once?” Earl pressed. “If the whole north was in jeopardy?”

  “I cannot speak against the Queen.” Grey Eyes remained firm in his conviction.

  “But she is evil and will destroy all that is good. You’re our only hope.” Earl continued to plead.

  “What was spoken must come to pass, regardless. The Master will not revoke it. How can we rightfully go against the story we have spoken simply because we don’t like the way if affects us?” Grey Eyes expounded and sat silent for a moment rubbing his chin while Earl and Waiting Fox sat and stared at him.

  “We have to do something or we will be wiped out as well.” Waiting Fox said.

  Grey Eyes cleared his throat after another couple of minutes of apparent pondering. “I will enquire of the Master, but I make no promises.” He got up and left the mikiwam. Earl and Waiting Fox watched as the old man made his way slowly across the camp and entered into an ornate longhouse on the other side.

  Earl and Waiting Fox stepped out and tended to the bon fire. They sat around the fire for several hours talking. The sun set and the stars came out. Their ears filled with the sounds of evening and the sky lit up with the unhindered glow of the Milky Way. The community gathered around for a night of visiting and storytelling.

  The rising sun found the two men sleeping in muskoka chairs beside the smouldering embers. Waiting Fox opened his eyes and watched a chipmunk stuff some food in his cheeks while sitting on Earl’s lap. He looked around, but there was still no Grey Eyes. Two days passed with no word. On the third day Grey Eyes came out of the longhouse. Earl and Waiting Fox stood anxiously.

  “We may help you when it is time.” Grey Eyes said at last.

  “What does that mean?” Earl asked.

  “Exactly that. We will help you when it is time.” The old shaman answered.

  “You mean you’re not going to speak against the queen?” Waiting Fox exclaimed.

  “You still have not disposed of that sword.” The old man said to his apprentice who turned to sulk at the fire.

  “Three days and this is the answer?” Earl sighed. “Did he say when?”

  “Not yet.”

  Earl continued to stare at his friend with disbelief.

  “Well, I had better be going, if I hope to be of any use.” Earl mumbled at last.

  Grey Eyes reached out to find Earl’s forearm. “One more thing I can tell you, my friend. Many lives will be lost, but when it is time we will help and the Master will go with us.”

  Earl shivered slightly. He wasn’t sure what to think of all this Master stuff. He wondered if, maybe, Grey Eyes hadn’t gone off the deep end.

  “What will you do, sir?” Waiting Fox asked of Earl.

  “I don’t know. If I go to my family I will only endanger them. Yet, I need to train my apprentice…I will think of something.” He said as he turned and wandered off into the forest. “Maybe its best if I don’t do anything.” He said to himself. “It’s not right to go against the story. I only hope Owen doesn’t ruin the boy.”

  Earl returned to the forests surrounding Bayfield. He decided it would be too risky to go back to his family. He or Tinne could mention the Gorchan and the Sitts would have the Black Dragon in no time and lay waste to all things good. Instead, he would remain in the area. He planned to meet Tinne at the Telling and coach him in his first Telling. Until then it would be best if he didn’t even know if Earl were still alive. “All these years waiting for one to believe me and now I have to hide from him.”

  **********

  The bon fire crackled and popped in the night. Many small orange faces sat around it, accompanied by one old face with empty eyes, of course one could not tell at first because the old man sat with his eyes closed. He listened to the night sounds, the crickets, the frogs and the mice in the underbrush, the fire and the fidgeting children. He absorbed the soothing warmth of the fire and captured some of it in the blanket he wore over his shoulders. His apprentice sat beside him with his eyes closed as well.

  One of the small boys started to make faces at the old one across the fire. The boy’s brother elbowed him in the ribs. “He can see you.” He warned with a whisper.

  “His eyes are closed.” The first boy argued.

  “And he’s blind.” His brother said with a tone that said, that doesn’t matter, he can still see you.

  The boys looked at Grey Eyes. He was smiling and his empty eyes were open. “Something wrong with your face, Small Shinbones?” He asked with a chuckle.

  Waiting Fox opened his eyes, but missed the joke.

  “No, sir.” The young boy said with a small sheepish voice.

  “Tell us about the Great Warrior, Grey Eyes.” Another child piped up.

  Grey Eyes raised his grey eyebrows. “You think you’re brave enough to hear about the Great Warrior?” He asked, leaning back slightly.

  The children all hushed each other until only the sound of the fire could be heard.

  “It was many thousands of years ago in a time when giants roamed the land. The Great Warrior was so magnificent that even kings refused to speak his true name. They just called him the Great Warrior. He was feared by angels and demons alike. He carried a sword that was not a sword. It was so sharp it could cut a man’s soul from his body. One swing of that sword that was not a sword and entire nations fell. The world has never seen another so mighty as he.” Grey Eyes paused with his eyes closed.

  “Was he friendly?” One of the smaller children asked from behind her sister where she had been cowering.

  The old shaman smiled again. “Was he friendly? What do you think, Sparrow Tail Feathers?” He replied.

  “I think he’s scary.” The young girl answered with her hands in front of her mouth.

  “Oh, there’s no need to be afraid of the Great Warrior, little one, especially if you’re a child.” The old man comforted.

  “What happened to him if even the giants and demons were afraid of him?” A child asked.

  “He had to go away.” A small girl said.

  “He didn’t go away. He got killed.” An older boy said with a sound of disgust in his voice as if to say the other was an imbecile.

  “He can’t get killed, he’s the Great Warrior.”

  “Where is he then, Smarty?”

  The children all joined in the argument. Their voices rose considerably as they bickered back and forth.

  “He scared all the bad guys away and now he’s on sabbatical.” One of the older girls said.

  Grey Eyes chuckled with
his head down. Waiting Fox watched patiently listening. He, too, began to chuckle about the debate.

  Waiting Fox cleared his throat. All the small voices faded into cricket bows. Grey Eyes was a wise man of few words, but Waiting Fox, though not yet as wise as his mentor, was a man of even fewer words.

  All eyes were on him and every tongue was silent. Grey Eyes had raised his face and when Waiting Fox looked at him the old man nodded as if he had actually seen him.

  “The Great Warrior had one weakness, the children. His enemy, the evil prince of the land, had captured all of the children and threatened to destroy them unless the Great Warrior surrendered his own life.” Waiting Fox explained.

  The children remained silent with their jaws slack.

  “How’s he supposed to come back, then?” A child argued.

  “You said he would come back.” A couple blurted out in unison.

  Grey Eyes smiled at their concern. “Remember, life is a story told by the Master Story Teller.” He said. “All things are possible for the Master. It’s getting late. You children should get to bed.” He instructed.

  Chapter 17

  Jessie Returns

  The cool, crisp, early spring breeze ran its hands through Jessie’s loose black curls. His face was expressionless while he stared out across the plain. From the sentry tower he was in he could see several hectares across the open fields while remaining well hidden within the tall trees of the Penetanguishene forest. There were small groves of maples and various other trees scattered across the expanse. The rising sun spread its highlights all over the scene. Jessie’s gaze was fixed on some unseen object or time beyond the horizon. His heart was fixed on the one he loved. His mind was vexed because he did not know her fate. She had gone out with a patrol to engage the Sitts on that long gone, but not nearly forgotten, night. It was seven or eight months since that time. The disgrace and humiliation screamed in his head amidst the memories of the retreat.

  “I’m sure she’s fine, buddy.” James said to his captain while slapping him reassuringly on the shoulder.

  “I know she’s alive.” He replied. “She’s at the mercy of Maynard. That’s what bothers me most.”