But over time, and due to the successful harvesting of draestl, Old Draestl outgrew the castle to become the city that it was today. Wayd looked down at the buildings. There were hundreds of them, and every building was built defensively as they branched outside the castle. They were built of solid stone along roadways that zigzagged to create natural chokepoints for an invading army. Eventually the growth became so massive that the city nearly filled the entire valley, and shortly after, the draestl deposits began to deplete.
Knowing that their livelihood was at risk, the citizens began to explore deeper into the valley, where they discovered an endless series of caverns filled with richer deposits of draestl a day’s ride to the south. Workers commuted for a time before they began to settle the current city of Draestl. Draestl became the central point for mining draestl and the base of operations for all military activity in the north, and quickly outgrew Old Draestl. It also forced Old Draestl to change. Providently, Old Draestl was positioned as a natural barrier to enter the Draestl Valley, so instead of abandoning it, the city was retrofitted into a military fortification, and a new outer wall was built around the entire city of Old Draestl, becoming what it was today.
This morning, Old Draestl was already active as folks prepared for the day. Children darted in and around homes as they escaped from chores while their parents hurried to set up shop. While Old Draestl was primarily a military town, there were enough families accompanying the soldiers that it was a bustling city that attracted every type of opportunist. There were local taverns, inns, blacksmiths, thatchers, and more. And while Old Draestl was small compared to Draestl, it was still the home to several thousand people.
And it had been Wayd’s home for the past year. Though he enjoyed his visits to Draestl, it never felt like home the way Old Draestl did. He wished that Alaina could be here with him to experience it for herself.
But that’s for another day…
Wayd cleared his mind and focused his attention back to the task at hand. They reached the outer parapet and walked onto it. The wall stretched nearly across the entire pass, and had a series of seven towers placed strategically across it. Each tower was manned with several ballista and catapult so they could be prepared for any type of assault. Wayd had inspected them daily for the past few months, and he knew they were prepared.
As they moved along the parapet, soldiers snapped to attention and saluted them. Wayd nodded and saluted in return, taking the lead as he knew Malithan would want. At first Wayd shadowed Malithan, but under General Fadden’s direction and Malithan’s recommendation, Wayd was required to take the lead so he had ample experience, since he was next in line of command at Old Draestl.
Wayd was flattered that General Fadden wanted him to get the experience. He actually found himself desiring to succeed in the military now, which was far from the person he was prior to accompanying Stoth’s caravans.
So much has changed.
He remembered the first few times he inspected other captains’ companies and how uncomfortable he was. But now, as he locked eyes with soldiers from different companies, it felt natural.
Experience and preparation are the best way to eliminate fear, Malithan always said.
They moved toward a tower and he walked up to the ballista to inspect them. The soldiers were keeping everything clean and tidy, and Wayd nodded his approval. He was pleased when they smiled at the recognition. It was hard to envision himself as a leader, but it was becoming easier with time.
He stopped for a moment and looked out at the valley. They could see for some distance—despite the glare of the rising sun—as the tree line was several hundred feet away, but it still made Wayd uncomfortable not knowing what was within the trees themselves.
“Have the scouts returned with the morning report?” he asked Malithan.
Malithan shook his head. “Not yet, but they are due back any minute. Gareck Bo is leading them,” Malithan said with a smile.
Wayd knew that already, but it still didn’t help ease the unknown. But Gareck is one of the Wolves, and Wolves are the finest scouts in Old Draestl.
But he couldn’t stop wondering about the Draebek. Are they out there?
“Thinking of them?” Malithan asked.
Wayd nodded. “Always, aren’t you?”
Malithan nodded. “Just because we haven’t seen Draebek in a while doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.”
“I know they are out there,” Wayd said softly. He wished he could stop worrying, but he couldn’t shake Thraegar’s promise that he would come for him. Wayd believed Thraegar. “It is a little odd that we haven’t seen them at all. Not even small groups.”
“Are you doubting that they are out there?” Malithan asked with a raised eyebrow. “I’d think that you of all people wouldn’t become complacent.”
“Not doubting,” Wayd defended. “I’m just wondering where they are, and why they have taken so long to do anything.”
“He’s uniting the dwarves,” Malithan stated as he said a quick prayer under his breath. Wayd knew it was for Jessthry.
“But that’s why we are here,” Wayd said encouragingly. He swallowed hard and then continued down the battlement.
There were ballista every dozen feet, with munition stacked against the battlements in between. Eight men were stationed at each ballista. One to aim, four to reload, and the other three to assist and relieve where needed. Other men marched up and down the parapet with bow or crossbow in hand, manning the walls to ensure that they were prepared in case of a sudden attack. Wayd was pleased with how well organized they were, so he continued forward.
Wayd led Malithan from the battlements down into a central courtyard directly behind the main gates of the outer wall. Two towers stood on each side of the main gate. The courtyard also served as a gathering place for the military. There were sleeping quarters, a large mess hall, the armory, and storage facilities along its perimeter. It was the main entrance to Old Draestl, and beyond the courtyard were the streets that led to the castle.
“You’re getting more comfortable with this,” Malithan observed as they entered the courtyard.
Wayd was pleased with the compliment. “I still don’t like bossing around men that aren’t my charge, but it is becoming easier,” Wayd replied.
“You are a leader, Wayd. But there are two kinds of leaders,” Malithan began. “Leaders who lead the men they are given charge to, and leaders who lead all men. If you are only the former, how can you ever expect to take over should something happen? If I died this instant, Old Draestl would fall under your command.”
“I know,” Wayd agreed. “I’m grateful that it’s becoming easier.”
“Experience and preparation—” Malithan began.
“Are the best way to eliminate fear,” Wayd finished.
Malithan raised an eyebrow. “I guess I’ve used that line on you before?”
“A few hundred times,” Wayd said.
Malithan laughed, then softly said, “Let’s head to the mess hall. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Wayd said as he followed Malithan toward two large wooden doors that led to the mess hall.
They entered a large great room lined with long wooden tables with several dozen chairs on each side. It was already bustling with activity, as the Dragons were beginning their breakfast. From the strong scents in the air, they were having eggs, bacon, ham, potatoes, vegetables, and fresh baked bread. As soldiers made their way with trays full of food, Wayd’s stomach growled.
As he approached the kitchens, there was a commotion at the doors, and he turned to see what it was. The doors had banged open, and there were several shouts from the entrance. Then a figure appeared.
The figure stood as stoically as he could, but his clothes were torn and tattered, and he had to reach out a hand to hold himself up against the wall. He looked like he had just returned from battle.
People stood up and began to swarm the newcomer, a
nd questions were thrown at him as they tried to discern what was happening. Who was this person? Why was he so disheveled? What was happening?
But Wayd had seen the Alderidon Wolves emblem in the upper corner of the man’s tattered uniform and recognized him immediately. Jesop Flak.
“Jesop!” he yelled as others continued to surround Jesop. Wayd pushed his way through, and Malithan shouted for men to move out of their way.
Wayd reached Jesop and gasped when he regarded his friend. Blood was streaked down the side of his face, and he held his right arm gingerly. His sword couldn’t be found.
“Captain!” Jesop exclaimed as he saw Wayd approach. Though the man looked exhausted, there was a vigor to him as tried to step forward, but as soon as his weight shifted away from the wall he lost his balance and stumbled forward. Wayd caught him with both arms to keep him from falling.
“Slow down, Jesop. Take it easy,” Wayd said as he helped balance him.
Malithan crouched down beside him. “Dear Creator, is that Jesop?” he asked, concerned.
Wayd ignored him, focusing his attention on his friend. Jesop’s eyes kept moving back and forth as if he was looking for something. There was no mistaking the fear in his eyes…
“Jesop,” Wayd said softly. “What happened?”
“I’m sorry, Captain,” Jesop said. “I tried to…but…I couldn’t…”
“What, Jesop? What happened?”
Jesop suddenly reached out with his good hand and grabbed Wayd’s hand. His skin was hot like fire, and Wayd worried he was running a fever.
“Captain,” Jesop managed to mumble again.
“Go get help!” Wayd called out. He had no idea what was happening, but knew that Jesop needed medical attention quickly.
Then he turned back to Jesop.
“Stay calm, help is on the way,” he said.
Jesop seemed relieved for a moment, but then he released Wayd’s hand and clutched his stomach in pain. He started falling, his good hand catching most of his fall, but his other gave out and he tumbled to the floor, crying out in agony. He started to seize.
Then the shaking stopped. Jesop crawled to his knees. “Sorry, sir,” he said as he climbed to his feet. “I don’t know what’s going on!” He was obviously weak, but he could support his weight now and seemed more at ease.
Wayd exchanged a glance with Malithan, who raised an eyebrow. There were mumbles of confusion. The stark change was so drastic, no one had any idea what was going on.
“Jesop, what happened?” Wayd asked softly as he moved forward to extend a hand.
“They attacked me, Captain! They were everywhere!” Jesop said. The uneasiness was back in his eyes. Then he doubled over in pain again. “What is happening to me?!”
Wayd put an arm around him. As his hand touched Jesop’s, he recoiled in shock at how hot the man’s skin was. It was even hotter than before. “Jesop—you are burning up! What happened?”
Jesop stumbled over. Wayd tried to keep him from falling, but the man’s knees buckled and he fell to the ground, writhing in pain again.
A pungent smell began to permeate the room. Wayd thought it odd that he recognized it at a moment like this, but it was strong. He couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was…
“What is happening?” Wayd asked softly. He searched for anyone who might have an answer, but blank stares returned. He looked down at Jesop and said a quick prayer. “Where is help?” he exclaimed.
The seizing stopped, and Wayd bent lower, hoping that Jesop was recovering.
“Jesop,” he asked carefully. “Are you alright?”
Jesop lifted his head, and Wayd stumbled back in shock. The man’s eyes were golden.
“Your eyes!” Wayd exclaimed.
Jesop touched them, and then the contorted look of pain and confusion subsided to one of doubt and fear. “They made me drink it. It all makes sense now. It all makes—”
He let out a howl as he fell forward, arms extended to catch his fall—even his broken arm, which was suddenly able to hold his weight. Then he screamed out in pain as something ripped through his skin. Wayd was shocked at seeing it erupt, and thought it was some kind of living creature until he recognized the shape of the green form. Scales.
Sudden realization struck. The hot skin. The pungent smell…sulfur.
“He’s transforming!” shouts sounded.
Wayd stared, transfixed, as his friend began to transform. He tried to move away, but he was paralyzed in place and he watched as Jesop’s skin was torn apart and replaced by hardened scales that erupted from within.
Suddenly the doors banged open and Templar Arthron appeared. The older Templar rushed forward, his dazzling black armor and draestl sword flashing. Seeker Kalaia—garbed in pearly white robes and a black staff that shimmered runes of power—rushed in beside him.
Wayd turned to Jesop, whose face had just transformed into a dreadful dragon’s. He stepped back, overpowered with a sense of fear and awe. Jesop was now a magnificent creature, its green scales as thick as plate armor and gleaming against the mess hall lights. As it breathed in, its scales shimmered across thick muscles that it appeared to be testing for the first time. It cocked its head slightly and flicked out a forked tongue as if it was tasting the air. Its eyes were deadly and golden, penetrating through Wayd’s soul as it regarded him.
Wayd couldn’t believe that his friend was now a dragon.
The dragon reared its head, and fire erupted from its mouth. Men scrambled away in fear. Trained men. Wayd wanted to run himself, but he stood frozen. In shock that his friend had just transformed.
Kalaia raised her staff, and a brilliant light exploded from it, forcing the dragon to lower its head as dragonsbane blasted it. It distracted it long enough for Templar Arthron to charge.
Wayd watched in admiration as the Templar engaged. His sword flashed quickly and sliced into the scales of the dragon. The dragon swung its tail, crashing into a table and sending men flying backward, but Arthron had anticipated the attack and stepped to the side, striking again with his sword. The dragon howled in pain as it tried to blast anything and everything with fire. The dragon enraged.
Kalaia removed a vial from her cloak and tossed it toward the dragon, then raised her staff. As the vial reached the dragon, she twirled her staff and the runes ignited. The vial exploded.
The dragon crashed to the ground and rolled as if it was trying to put out an invisible fire. Wayd figured the vial was dragonsbane, and watched in awe as the dralchom began to disintegrate the dragon’s scales.
The distraction was enough, and Arthron jumped forward and brought his sword down. The dragon’s head lopped free.
Wayd stared, shocked, as the dragon transformed back into Jesop Flak. It happened so quickly that for a moment Wayd wondered if the battle had actually happened. But when he saw Jesop, decapitated on the floor, he knew for certain that what he had witnessed was real.
Malithan stepped forward. “Templar Arthron, your timing was opportune.”
Templar Arthron nodded. “It was Kalaia. I couldn’t feel it—which meant that Jesop was Vahiad.” He shook his head. “But I was distracted. Wayd, Malithan—I have felt a dozen of these impressions over the last few minutes. Dozens! Kalaia has felt double that! We had difficulty knowing that it was happening here.”
Wayd felt his stomach knot. “Here? In Old Draestl?”
“All around,” Kalaia answered. “Something is coming.”
There was another loud bang and the door crashed open again.
Wayd felt a rush of relief as he saw who stood there. But his relief quickly turned into fear as he saw the horror reflected in the eyes of his best friend.
“Wayd,” Owen exclaimed. He stopped for a second when he saw Jesop and let out a curse. “Dear Creator, what in the bloody name happened to him?! Curse me and turn me into a dragon!”
“Poor choice of words,” Gauden Thyme said as he stepped into the mess hall and regarded Jesop’s body. “May the Creator have merc
y on his soul.”
“What happened?” Wayd asked. “Are the Wolves here? What is going on?”
“Draebek,” Owen said as he turned with a ghastly look. “It has to be. Bonnie and Annette have been going crazy with impressions they have felt. They say dragons are everywhere. We rushed back as fast as we could…had to march through the night! But…” He trailed off as he stared at Jesop’s body.
Malithan stepped forward. “Men, to your stations. We may have a battle on our hands. To your stations!”
The mess hall burst into action.
3
An Old Enemy
What if the Draebek returned? Were we prepared if they did? We often asked ourselves those questions, but never prioritized the time to answer them. I fear this may be our undoing…
Wayd followed Malithan as they rushed from the mess hall toward the main gate. Warning gongs sounded, men rushed to their positions, citizens scrambled toward the inner city castle, and the sounds of commands, loading ballistae, and other siege weapons filled the air.
Wayd couldn’t stop the pounding in his head. His heart thumped with adrenaline and he had to force himself to take deep breaths to maintain his nerves. But the exercise was useless as fearful thoughts cascaded through his mind. He thought of Jesop transforming into a dragon and wondered what was out there. He tried to ignore the name that kept surfacing in his memories. He shuddered.
Focus on your training, he thought as he reached the stairs to the tower of the main gate. Fear can drive focus if you prepare. He continued to repeat Malithan’s frequent sayings as he climbed the stairs, and by the time he reached the top, his feelings were partially calmed.
The other captains had already arrived, and each company’s leadership was gathering in their designated places. Wayd separated from Malithan and took one final deep breath as he made his way toward the Wolves’ location. He could feel the entire tower shake as the portcullis was lowered and the drawbridge closed. The sound of chains clinking as the pulley systems enacted their defenses rose above the shuffling of soldiers. The whole thing put Wayd at ease.
Siege of Draestl Page 3