by LeRoy Clary
“That will be worth a chuckle for years to come,” Robin said. “The Slave Master would never have been fooled like that, and neither would the Weapons Master, I’m thinking. But your little display will tell them they’re not searching for a boy, but a girl.”
Brix looked as if all the air in his body left. His shoulders sagged, and his head hung to his chest.
Camilla placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Brix. They would have found out sooner or later. What difference does it make?”
“None at all,” Robin confirmed. “Except that, it gives us a time to run. A head start. We’re rested and leaving now. It’ll be light soon, and we can travel slowly until then.”
“What if they traveled all night?” Camilla asked, glancing over her shoulder.
“We can always hope,” Robin said with a smile. “If so, they’ll be too tired to keep up with us today.”
Brix attempted a smile and failed. He looked at Robin. “You’ve never told us where we’re going.”
“Remember seeing Bear Mountain? The one with the white peak? Just to the south of it is a small pass no one knows about. There are no roads and no trails, but my man from long ago told me about it.”
“So we go searching for that pass as fast as we can. What then? The King’s men will just follow our tracks.” Camilla stated, as she started rolling her bedroll into a tight bundle and tying the rope around both ends. “They’ll catch up with us one day. We should set a trap.”
Robin placed the sling for her bedroll over her shoulder and said, “Listen to me. Both of you. I just said too much. Forget what I said about that pass. It’s a secret only a few know, and I shouldn’t have said anything. If we’re captured, our story is that we were going to climb the north side of the mountain.”
“Why would we do that?” Camilla asked.
Robin smiled in the faint light. “Because we will all tell them there are dragons roosting up there. We were taking you there to choose a dragon of your own.”
“That’s crazy!” Camilla snorted. “Dragons like to be warm.”
“Up there is where the volcano has so much heat it melts rocks. The dragons love it there. When you tell a lie, tell a big one if you want it to be believed. If we all stick to that story, we’ll be fine. Now, let’s get our feet moving.”
Brix fell in last. “Is it all about dragons?”
Robin answered, “No. Dragons are just like any other animals. Each has its place in the world. Sheep, horses, goats, even mice all have a purpose, and they don’t decide what is right or wrong. They just exist. Men are what it’s all about, Brix. Men. Some good, some evil, and most are just like the animals—they have a purpose and live for reasons they don’t decide.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your father is a spinner of ropes and twines. What did his father do before his heart gave out a few years ago?”
Brix said, “He was a spinner, too. A good one.”
“Was that good or bad?”
Brix marched along a few steps before answering. “Neither.”
“Exactly. Your grandfather was a good spinner in life, but his position in the world was not bad or good. He may have done some good things, and he might have done some bad. But overall, he was just living his life as ordained, like any bird, fish, or cow. The only difference is a man can decide to be good or bad.”
Brix stumbled along in the darkness before speaking again. “I think I see. And you’re telling us to lie about the dragons on the mountain to keep us from telling them about where we’re really going. But that has me wondering. Where are we really going and why?”
Robin called over her shoulder, “Those are questions I’ve been trying to keep from you and for now; it suits my purpose of keeping it that way. If things work out as I hope, we’ll all know those answers in a day or two. If I’m wrong, there are other options.”
“But you won’t tell us,” Brix persisted.
“I have never liked people who give up too easily, nor do I like those that never give up. Which are you going to be, Brix?”
Camilla laughed at Robin’s response and said, “The sun is coming up. The stars are already fading.”
Robin said, “Right you are, little girl. Now we’re going to see what the two of you are made of. I suspect the King’s men are close behind us, and believe me when I tell you that none of us wants them catching up with us.”
The words chilled Camilla. She picked up her pace until she stepped almost on Robin’s heels. Robin smiled at her as she increased her pace, with another glance at Brix.
Robin never slowed as she led the way up the side of one pine covered hillside and down the other. The path had long ago faded into nothing, but around mid-morning, they stumbled on another leading roughly in the right direction. When crossing a stream, they paused long enough to scoop water into their mouths, then jogged to catch up again. Each of them ate from their stores in their bedrolls. Camilla passed apples to them.
There was no time for breaks or talking. Robin kept an eye on them, urging them to move faster a few times.
As they climbed the slope of another small mountain, Camilla pulled to an abrupt halt. Brix almost ran into her from behind.
Robin turned. “What is it, child?”
“My back itches.”
“You feel it?” Robin asked.
“Think of it like spiders walking all over my mark. An itch I can’t reach to scratch.”
Brix had listened to them talking and said nothing. He glanced behind them a time or two, as if fearful the King’s men were right behind, and checked the sky. He saw a red dragon so high it was hidden by clouds, part of the time. “Is that what you’re talking about?”
“Yes,” Camilla said, not sure of what else to reveal, but feeling guilty for not telling Brix everything. The dragon continued on its way, flying with long, easy flaps of its wings. It flew out of sight.
“You knew it was there before you saw it?”
“Yes.”
“Can you tell it what to do?” Brix asked, seemingly accepting her word without question.
“I know nothing about dragons or what I can or cannot do. I know my mark tells me if a red dragon is near, and I know it hurts if there is a danger. I think.”
Robin said, “Camilla, keep moving. If you have anything to add, do it while we’re walking, unless we’re in trouble.”
Brix fell into line and tried to keep up as they crossed an area with a shallow swamp that smelled of sulfur. “What if a black dragon or a green one is close to where you are?”
“I’m just like you,” Camilla said. “I feel nothing.”
“Not like me. You’re special. What happens if you tell a red dragon that is flying past you to turn left? Does it do it?”
Camilla thought about it before answering. “I never tried. What do you want me to do, stand out in the open with a red dragon above and shout for it to turn while hoping it doesn’t eat me?”
Robin snorted a laugh. “I like your attitude, but Brix is making a good point. If you ‘feel’ a red dragon, can it also ‘feel’ you?”
“How am I supposed to know that? But I’m getting the feeling you know more than you’re saying,” Camilla huffed as she tried to keep up with the older woman. Shouldn’t Robin be the one lagging behind? She’s old.
A few steps further and Robin said, “There are things I know, or have been told. Some may be true, but there’s no use speculating right now. You’ll learn all you want in a short while, and maybe some you don’t want to know.”
Camilla’s spirits lifted. For the first time in memory, she walked with friends. They were trying to protect her and help her escape. The two of them could probably slip back to Nettleton, and avoid any punishment and live as they had before, yet they stayed with her. It felt good.
Then it didn’t. They risked their lives for her and what had she done for them? Endangered them as if they owed her their lives. The more she thought, the more she realized how se
lfish she had become with her only two friends. Should I run away from them?
She gave that some thought and came to the conclusion that running would simply slow them down while they searched for her. It almost guaranteed their capture.
As the morning wore on, stiff and sore legs caused her to stumble several times. She ate another apple and watched where Robin stepped while changing from thoughts of fleeing to others of safety. She also reconsidered the conversation with Brix earlier about dragons.
At the top of a rise, she spotted the peak of Bear Mountain off to her right, again. Clouds obscured the top, and others floated higher in the sky. The slope they had climbed was steep. Twice they passed patches of snow left over from last winter. The air felt chilly, but not yet cold. Camilla said, “Can we rest? I can’t catch a breath.”
Robin sat on the ground, her eyes on her feet, and her mouth slack. She breathed so hard she panted and looked like she couldn’t walk ten more steps.
Brix had fallen behind on the last slope, and when he caught up, he looked no better. He used his staff to lower himself.
Camilla said, “We’re passing south of the mountain. It can’t be much further.” She stood and looked ahead where hills, large enough to be small mountains, and full sized mountains blocked their way. It looked like a solid wall. “Robin you’re sure this is the right way?”
Robin looked up, her breathing returning to normal, but her eyes dull and her movements slow. She nodded. “The air up here is harder to breathe.”
“Is it the right way?”
Robin turned to face the solid wall of mountains and hills that continued for as far as she could see. Her eyes slid along the peaks and ridges until they rested on one spot. She smiled.
Camilla said, “Where?”
“See those three small peaks? Just to the right of them, there is snow on another mountain?”
“Yes, I see.”
“That mountain is farther away, at the end of another valley. We’re walking east toward that mountain. Before we get to it, a long time before we get to it, there’s a steep valley running from those three peaks north and south. That’s our route.”
Camilla memorized the peaks and mountain. “Your man with the dragon mark told you about it?”
Robin smiled. “Yes. If we get through there, I think we’ll be safe.”
Brix said, “How cold will it be tonight?”
Robin’s smile faded.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The Slave Master looked at the Weapons Master, then at his injured leg. Their eyes passed unspoken messages back and forth. “Can you stand?”
“With a crutch or cane, I can walk.”
The Slave Master looked around and saw no suitable sapling nearby.
The Weapons Master said, “I have my knife. If I crawl back to the road, I can make it. The first sapling that suits me will become a crutch or cane.”
“Nonsense,” Edward said. “Use my shoulder for support, and I’ll get you to the road.”
A look of respect crossed the Weapons Master’s face for a fleeting instant. Then he said, “I appreciate the offer and will fondly remember it as a genuine response. But, you’re going after the dragon boy. Or girl. The one you let escape with trickery.”
“But you need help to walk. I’ll do it.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” the Slave Master snapped. “The three of us are here to do our King’s bidding, not saving each other. I promise you that we’d leave you drowning in a heap of horse dung if it allowed us to complete our mission. I still might, if I find enough dung along the way.”
Edward said, “I’m tired. I followed them all day, then waited for them to sleep. I never got any.”
“Stop the royal bitching. You’ve had less sleep than either of us, and we’re twice your age. I intend to catch them before they move too far. They won’t expect us to travel that fast.” He nodded a farewell to the Weapons Master and turned to the trail across the rocks and boulders.
Edward followed him, retracing his same route. However, his mood was better, despite the harsh words. The two men were the King’s own henchmen, the ones he only dispatched on the most critical missions. His most trusted, and most powerful. Others rightfully feared them and leaped to gain the least bit of approval. Edward had seen the respect in the eyes of the Weapons Master when he had offered to walk him to safety. He’d also caught the fleeting glance the two exchanged.
Today he earned the respect he craved. Better yet, he’d earned it from two very hard men, and he hadn’t been trying to act the peacock, trying to impress them. He had just done what he believed was right. At a particularly difficult swampy area, he said, “Want me to take the lead? I’ve been this way twice.”
The Slave Master looked confused for an instant, then nodded.
Edward stepped ahead and swelled with confidence. “Step on the clumps of grass and move on quickly because they sink.”
“Shut up and get a move on before I leave you.”
Leave me? Edward quickly stepped across three more of the floating islands and placed a foot on a log he’d stood on earlier. A small hop and he found firm footing for both his feet. On impulse, he bent over, grabbing his ankle as if he’d twisted it. The end result was that he stood on the log while the Slave Master behind him sank deeper and deeper.
“Hey! Move on you damn fool.”
Edward glanced back. The Slave Master stood in muck to his knees with nowhere to go. “I think I’m all right. Just give me a second.”
Edward finally stood and stepped to the next thick clump of grass and weeds, and the next. He heard splashing and cursing behind, but didn’t dare look. He suppressed a smile. Who spanked who?
It was a dangerous game. If the Slave Master caught on it would cost Edward, his life. He considered leading him astray but realized that would never work. He picked up his speed on the next slope, hoping to tire the man. He must be close to sixty, even if his body looked like that of a twenty-year-old. One step after another, uphill, then down. Then up the slope of a mountain and down the other side.
No matter how fast he moved, the sound of the Slave Master remained right behind. They arrived at the place where the others had camped. Believing they would be gone, he made no attempt to sneak up on them. The Slave Master elbowed him as he stormed past.
“Wait here,” he snapped as if he was speaking to the old Edward, the inept boy who was the son of a powerful man.
The Slave Master bent and examined several tracks. He moved under the tree they’d slept under and looked at some more. He glanced up at Edward. “You hid over there?”
Edward glanced at the nearby trees and nodded.
“When they slept you crept up on them? Why?”
“I have my knife. I wanted to slit their throats before they knew I followed.”
“The old woman slept there. The boy and girl over here. How did you know which throat to cut?”
“I didn’t. I planned to use my knife to slice once left to right, and then again, right to left. Cut both the young ones, then turn and cut the old woman before she fully woke.”
The Slave Master rubbed his chin and thought before speaking. “I think I’d have done it the same way. What went wrong?”
“The girl. She must not have been asleep. Just as I was about to attack, she rolled and had a staff under her blanket. She used it to hit my shin. Twice.”
“And you went down.”
“Then she hit me again. On my kneecap. And later on my elbow.”
“Ouch. Did you know it was a girl?”
“I heard them talking. Otherwise, I would have said a boy.”
The Slave Master examined the campsite again. When he finished, he looked at Edward, who still had not advanced since being told to remain. “You had the right idea. The King is terrified of dragons since his father was flown away and dropped. We’re going to kill this dragon girl. I’ll give you credit for the kill.”
“Why?”
“When you are the
Earl, people must respect and obey you. It’s just politics.”
“If I’m given credit, my father will be pleased with you. Is that why?”
“As I said, it’s just politics. Time to move on. I’ll take the lead.”
Edward fell in behind and looked at the back of the Sword Master with distaste. Just politics. The two words gagged him. Give the pampered twit credit for the kill in front of the King and the Earl, and in their eyes the Sword Master could do no wrong. His every wish would be granted. And when the King and Earl died, both being old men, the young Earl called Edward would be there to remember and grant favors.
Favors to a man who threatened to spank him this very day.
After crossing the ridges and slopes of more hills and small mountains, they moved slower. The Slave Master paused on one treeless ridge where he could see ahead. “They’re passing south of Bear Mountain, but there is a line of smaller mountains there. My guess is they’re going to head east for just a while longer, then turn south and move parallel to those peaks in the distance.”
“Are you thinking of turning south here and cutting them off?”
“No. What bothers me is that they’re moving too deliberately. Almost as if they know where they’re going.”
Edward said, “If they have a destination in mind, there’s nothing ahead.”
“Turning north takes them up Bear Mountain, and that’s impossible with the snow. East is solid mountains, and we are behind them so they can’t move west. They have to turn south.”
Edward remained quiet. While the Slave Master sounded like he’d figured it all out, Edward hoped he hadn’t. The boy and girl and even the old woman had seemed like good people who were scared. The people at the inn in Nettleton were far nicer than the King’s men. Edward questioned which side he’d rather be on if given a choice.
He’d heard stories from the time he was small of the exploits of the King’s men. People from other kingdoms taken as prisoners and slaves. When opponents surrendered, the officers were often killed in front of their men as lessons. That was just before they were made to work in deep mines, or worse. Just politics.