She tilted her head. “Mind medicine? Does your mind need medicine?”
“Yes, quite ill, my mind is,” Paedyn responded. “Any pipe tobacco or pipe weed in one of those jars?”
“Ah, yes, but that does much more for you than settle the mind, dear one. For some people, it helps tremendously.”
“Oh, yes.” Paedyn smiled. “I know. I’m one of them.”
She shook her head, grabbed ten different small jars and placed them all in a bag.
Devarius peeked over his shoulder, making sure no dragonriders were about to burst through the door.
“How much?” he asked.
“Eight gold.”
He nodded, retrieved eight gold pieces from his purse, and laid them on the counter. “Thank you.”
Devarius and Paedyn spun around and headed out the door. Dasyra had just reached the dragonriders. Devarius grabbed Paedyn’s sleeve and dragged him around the corner into an alley.
“What next?” Paedyn asked.
“We find our way out of here before those dragonriders find us.”
“What about the cloth?”
“It’s too late. Dasyra didn’t give us enough time.”
“We should have had a talk with her about when the proper time to turn against us was.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Devarius said.
They traveled through the alleys at a fast pace. Devarius stopped abruptly, causing Paedyn to collide with him.
“What is it?”
“Exactly what we’re looking for. A woodworking shop.”
Paedyn grinned. “I told you my plan would work.”
Devarius raised his eyebrows. “We’ll see.”
They rushed to the shop. Careful to make sure no one saw them, Devarius slipped inside. A man in his late forties sat with his back to the door, carving a small wooden boat. Devarius quietly stepped behind him, slid his left arm over his neck, and pulled it back tight with his right hand pulling his left fist. The man kicked and tried to grunt, but no words came with Devarius blocking his air passage.
“I’m sorry,” Devarius whispered.
The man struggled for a few more minutes before he slumped in Devarius’s arms. He gently laid the unconscious man on the ground.
“Hey did you—” Paedyn paused, glancing to the man on the ground. “Is he?”
“He’s alive. Did you find any boats?”
“Better. I found a wagon, horses, and eight canoes in the shed next to the shop.”
“Since when are we ever that lucky?” Devarius asked.
“Since never.” Paedyn grinned. “Hey ... is that a toy boat?”
Devarius looked to the small wooden boat on the bench.
“Yes,” Devarius said.
“Can I have it?” Paedyn asked.
“What?”
“I’ve always wanted a toy boat.”
“No,” Devarius said.
“But ... why?”
“He’s not finished with it. Now, come on, we have to get out of here.”
“Can we get one at the next village we stop at?”
“We’ll see,” Devarius said.
The pair packed the eight canoes they had found onto the wagon. Devarius loaded the wagon with their supplies and several bags of grain he found for the horses. He fed some to the horses as Paedyn prepared the wagon for their journey. Devarius covered their supplies with cloth to hide them from prying eyes. When they were ready to leave, Devarius paused, tiptoed back over to the workbench, looked at the unconscious man on the ground, and sighed. He unfastened his coin purse and looked inside. They only had twenty gold coins left. Devarius set the coin purse on the desk next to the toy boat and went back to the wagon. He knew it wasn’t enough to pay for the wagon or the canoes, and especially not the horses, but hopefully the man could see that they needed the supplies.
“Ready?” Paedyn raised his eyebrows.
Devarius climbed atop the wagon next to him, grabbing the reins of the horses. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Paedyn grinned. Devarius flicked the reins. The horses sped out of the rear of the wood shop and into the night. They studied their surroundings carefully as they made their way toward the main entrance of the city. Both suns had already set. The sky was dark, with only slivers of the orange and blue moons illuminated to the north and south. Devarius hoped if Dasyra had blabbed to the dragonriders, they’d be searching the rear of the village where they had slipped in. Usually, no one looked directly under their dragon’s belly for something.
When they reached the main streets of the city, the dragonriders were nowhere to be seen. Devarius let out a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding as they made their way to the entrance.
A guard halted them at the gate. “Awfully late to be heading out tonight, isn’t it?”
Paedyn grinned. “Supplies are needed north in Kaed.”
“It’s a dark and ominous night out there. Are you sure it wouldn’t be best to stay the night here in a warm bed and travel in the morning?”
“Best? Perhaps. But I’m eager to deliver these supplies. When I deliver the supplies promptly, the warm bed comes free.” He winked.
“Ah, I see. Well, safe travels then.”
Devarius flicked the reins again, and the horses sped out of Trevium. The men relaxed for a moment, allowing themselves a flutter of hope.
“All right. I’ll give you credit. Your plan worked.”
“I told you my plan was foolproof.”
Devarius laughed. “We’ll see. We’re still not safe yet.”
Chapter 12
Captain Vesryn stood next to Tirask in the city of Trevium, scanning the merchant shops and streets for any sign of the traitors. Being the closest city to where Tirask had captured the renegades in the forest, Vesryn thought it likely they would have to stop for supplies. He didn’t believe the entire party would come through the gate as they had in Kaed, unless they were complete fools, but a few of the party might try to sneak through. That was why he needed Tirask with him.
“Do you see anyone you recognize?” Vesryn whispered.
“Not yet.”
“Keep looking.”
Tirask nodded.
Being the largest city in the northwest, Trevium was full of travelers from the region gathering supplies. Vesryn kept an eye on the main gate, searching for anyone suspicious.
Determined footsteps pattered toward him from behind. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword as he turned around. A woman strode over, wearing a brown cloak and hood. Blonde hair fell out the front. Tirask noticed the woman as well. He, too, responded by palming his weapon.
“That looks like the woman from the renegades,” Tirask whispered.
“Who?” Vesryn asked.
“The woman whom I convinced to tell us where they were going.”
“Nice. Perhaps you persuaded her it’d be in her best interest to leave the party of traitors.”
When the woman reached them, she bowed. “Milords ... I have come wi-with—”
“You have information on the traitors.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Vesryn scoured the surrounding area with his eyes, keen to pick out suspicious behavior. The streets were busy, and nobody was likely to be listening. However, he’d feel better conversing in a more secluded area.
“Where are they?” he demanded.
“Not in the street,” she whispered.
“Come with us,” he ordered.
She nodded her acquiescence.
Vesryn led the small party down the street to a local pub, the Bickering Bison. He found a table in a corner away from the crowd and eavesdroppers. A serving maid appeared. Vesryn ordered two pints of ale and a glass of wine. After the woman brought back their drinks, Vesryn took a long gulp of his ale, then turned to the woman.
“Where are they?” Vesryn repeated.
She glanced about nervously, her body shivering. “First, I want a full pardon. I did not wish to get involved in any
thing like this. I just got caught up in it, and I had nowhere else to go.”
“A pardon?” Vesryn scratched his chin. He took another gulp of ale, then wiped his mouth. “That can be arranged.”
She continued to glance about. “A couple of them are here, gathering supplies.”
“I gathered as much. That is why we’re here. Where are they?”
“My name is Dasyra.”
“You’re avoiding the question.”
“Are you going to give me a full pardon or not?”
“Yes,” Vesryn said through clenched teeth.
She handed him a small parchment. “Write it.”
Vesryn snarled as he grabbed the small paper and scribbled a pardon for her. When he handed it back, she inspected it before rolling it and shoving the note into her bosom.
“How did you convince them to let you tag along, especially after divulging their plans to me in camp?” Tirask asked.
“I was the daughter of a merchant. They had limited coin, and planned to bring no women to the city. I knew they needed a woman to barter items for them. I know the cost of supplies, so the merchants couldn’t dupe them. They also needed a woman to help them select ‘women’s’ things—or at least, so I told them. I saved them a lot of gold by tagging along with them today.”
“And I’m sure by now they know you’re missing?” Vesryn asked.
“Yes. I was traveling right behind them, when I slipped away to come to you.”
“Then they’re either long gone or about to leave ... What information do you actually have? So far, this is useless ... hardly worth a pardon.”
Her eyes bulged. “They’ve changed their plans.”
“Oh?” Vesryn asked. “Why?”
“They had no real reason to head to Laeraed in the first place. Except it was the easiest path to travel. When following the river, it’s easy to stay on a straight path south, and there’s plenty of water for the journey by refilling in the river. That’s the only reason Devarius picked it. He had planned to stop in each village along the way to see if he could learn anything about the Resistance. Since you’re surveying that direction, he decided to travel another way.”
Vesryn and Tirask exchanged a meaningful glance.
“What about the old man who hid you in his barn? Wasn’t he part of the Resistance? Didn’t he tell you to go that way?” Tirask challenged.
“Him? I don’t know anything about him. Devarius mentioned nothing about him to anyone. I just think the old man was nice enough to let us hide in his barn when the entire village guard was after us. We were planning on going to Laeraed well before we showed up in Kaed.”
“I see,” Vesryn acknowledged. “And where is Devarius heading to next?”
“Sephreal.”
“Why Sephreal?”
“He says it’s a large enough city that there’s bound to be someone there who knows about the Resistance.”
“Except now he knows you’ve betrayed him and will direct us to Sephreal.”
Her eyes bulged. “Still, he will have to gather the rest of the party. He left them at the lake northwest of Sephreal.”
Vesryn scratched his chin. “If he’s not going to Laeraed, and he’s forced to turn away from his new plan of Sephreal ... where will he turn?”
“Ceydar?” Tirask suggested.
“Perhaps. Well, we’ve wasted enough time here. We better reach the lake before them,” Vesryn said.
Tirask nodded.
“Why have you betrayed your companions?” Vesryn asked.
Her eyes focused, becoming hard. “I am not as foolish as they are. There is no hiding from the Dragonia Empire. I’d rather be on your side.”
“Smart.” Vesryn grabbed her arm and forced her out of the pub. “You’re coming with us.”
They made their way through a few alleys until they reached the barracks in the less populated area of the city. Two dragons sat in front of the building. When Vesryn and Tirask approached, dragging Dasyra behind them, the two dragons looked up. Tirask quickly climbed atop his dragon. Vesryn was a little slower. He climbed onto his dragon first, then heaved a trembling Dasyra in front of him.
“How do you feel about flying?” Vesryn asked.
“I—”
“Good. Hold tight.”
She gulped.
The dragons’ wings spread out. They leapt into the air. Dasyra clutched Vesryn tight as they ascended into the sky.
Chapter 13
Devarius let out a deep breath. Their wagon reached the river south of the city. He searched all around for his companions, but he didn’t see them. Aquila should have been awaiting their arrival. They slowed their wagon, but still saw no sign of any living being. He hoped they hadn’t remained by the lake. Devarius trusted Aquila had been able to convince the others to leave the lake. He moved to head toward the lake, and Aquila’s head appeared out of the brush. Devarius took a deep breath; relief flooded through him.
“Is everyone safe?” he asked.
Aquila nodded. She rushed out of the bushes to embrace Devarius, startling the horses. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
“Yes, I was just worried about you. Your plan didn’t seem safe.”
Devarius smiled. “Nothing about our journey is safe.”
Aquila gulped. “Yes, I know.”
“Did everyone listen to you?”
“Yes ...” Aquila paused. “They were reluctant at first. No one knew why the plan had changed. Everyone thought we were supposed to stay by the lake and await your return.”
“Good. Everyone was supposed to.”
“Dasyra?”
“Two dragonriders were in the city. First chance she had, she went to them.”
Her eyes bulged. “She betrayed us?”
Devarius smiled. “Yes. Don’t worry, we had anticipated it and incorporated the betrayal into our plan.”
“You knew she would betray us?” Her mouth opened wide in disbelief.
“We had a suspicion. She’s always argued it’d be best to plead to the Dragonia Empire that we were innocent.” Devarius shrugged.
“You didn’t tell me that part of the plan.” She frowned.
“That’s why we didn’t tell you,” Paedyn chipped in.
Her forehead creased.
“Don’t worry. She’ll lead them to the lake and then to Sephreal.”
Aquila bit her bottom lip. “You’re using her to steer them away?”
“Yes,” Devarius said.
“That’s ... cruel ... but brilliant.”
“Thank you,” Paedyn said, beaming. “It was my idea.”
Aquila’s face twisted as she glanced at Paedyn. “You have ideas?”
“Pssht.” Paedyn waved his hand toward her. “Don’t be jealous.”
Aquila smiled.
The rest of the party appeared out of their hiding places in the underbrush. Devarius and Paedyn gathered everything from the wagon. The night was late, but they didn’t have time for rest. They carried all of the canoes to the shoreline and stocked each with supplies and food. Devarius wished they had a large boat instead of several canoes, but he was glad they didn’t have to walk. Devarius made sure to assign at least one competent rower to each canoe. Once all the supplies were loaded, he emptied the rest of the horse grain and untethered the horses from the wagon. Devarius left them free to graze and hoped they would make their way back home. He prayed the dragonriders would be gone by then. Devarius counted on Dasyra’s betrayal to lead them away fast.
“Listen, I know everyone is tired, but we can’t delay. We’re going to row most of the night. However, we are moving with the current, so we should reach the mountain in a few days instead of weeks.”
Devarius watched his twenty-eight companions. Many of them struggled to keep their eyes open, dozens of them yawning every few seconds, and the children fell asleep, one in their mother’s arms, and the other in the arms of a young man. Eve
ryone groaned when they got into the boats, but they kept their heads up as best they could. Even the dogs looked tired. The trip from the lake to the river was a long one with such a large party, and they’d made it without him. Aquila had done well to push them hard to reach the river. At least they could rest their legs, but their journey was far from over.
AFTER TWO SOLID DAYS of traveling by river, Devarius saw the mountain peeking up from the horizon. His face relaxed. He knew the journey by foot would have taken a week or possibly two with such a large party. Laeraed would be visible soon. He cupped his left hand to his face to block the rising red sun. He looked south. The town of Laeraed could barely be seen as a small cluster in the distance.
He carefully stood in his small canoe and waved to get everyone’s attention. “It’s time for us to get off the river. I need you all to direct your vessel to the right. We need to be on the west side of the river. Everyone nod in response.”
The wind and running water made his voice incomprehensible to many of his companions. Devarius waited as everyone passed the message down the line of canoes, then held their oars securely. He nodded. “Now.”
He slid back into place in his canoe and paddled hard to the right. It took a lot of strength to steer away from the strong current, but he shifted his canoe just enough. It collided into the bank with a thud. Devarius helped Aquila out of the canoe. Together, they lifted a child, Faelyn, onto shore. Devarius stayed by the bank, helping others onto dry land until everyone was safe. He was relieved they had all made it ashore safely. He didn’t want to have to swim to retrieve a stray canoe.
“I know everyone is hungry and tired, but we can’t take a break yet. The red sun has risen, and the orange will be quick to follow. We need to slip into the forest just north of here to take cover. Then we’ll have a day of rest. We still have another week of travel before we reach Vaereal. Hopefully, our journey will be over soon.”
“What should we do with the canoes?” Paedyn asked.
Devarius scratched his chin. He’d almost forgotten about them. “Please help gather your canoes and carry them into the forest. Hide them in the bushes and bury them with leaves. We don’t need to leave them by the river for the dragonriders to find.”
Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns (Dragonia Empire Book 1) Page 6