Dragon Hero III: Drayken Reborn

by C Woodward

  Well, I was right; as soon as I stepped in I saw everyone sitting at the big tables. There were a few resting dragons in the back, not caring about the discussion. Talestria, Amgati, Jerak, and Nahryn were present, as well as a few other figures. I also noticed two druids sitting at the table. I had no idea how they got here so fast.

  "Good. Now you are here," Nahryn responded upon my arrival. She stood in front of the table with her hands on top of a map.

  I quietly sat down next to Talestria. She flashed me a smile and looked back at the map.

  Nahryn glanced at the druids, "You said you saw the Lyonus army heading north?"

  One of the druids nodded, "Yes. They should be at the staging area in about six days."

  "Staging area? Lyonus army?" I questioned.

  Talestria answered, "The arch mage of Lyonus spread word about Xum'gol's plan. He rallied up a small army to help with our fight."

  "Wow, that is good news!" I responded.

  One of the druids nodded, "Yes, we will also lend our aid in this fight. Our order has no love for the undead and we also will protect the source rune with our lives."

  Nahryn looked at Talestria, "You said the others will arrive soon by ship?"

  Talestria responded, "Yes. Milunus told me that they will be coming to the coast in a few days."

  Nahryn nodded and started talking to the druids. I took this time to whisper to Talestria.

  "Who is coming by ship?" I whispered.

  Talestria whispered back, "Falstrid and the others. That is part of the reason why I am here. To bring news that our friends are going to dock near so they won’t have any problems with the dragons."

  "Ah, that makes sense. So Falstrid is coming?" I whispered back.

  Nahryn butted in, "Blake. What are your thoughts on this?"

  "Um, sorry. I was talked to Talestria about the ship," I apologized. I stood up and leaned over to get a better view of the map. There was a big circle around what looked to be the dead shore. It appeared to be enclosed on all but one side near the mountains. Nahryn placed small rocks and bone carvings to display positions. I could see the Lyonus group would be placed at the south side of the opening. We and the druids would be directly at the top and middle.

  "What lies within this opening?" I asked.

  "That whole area is a large swamp," Nahryn answered.

  "There will be a large threat of undead there,” one of the druids added. “The gate they constructed there will make things more difficult."

  "There is a gate there?" I asked.

  Talestria replied, "Yes, the druid scouts spotted a gateway there. It seems our demon friend has figured a way to create them."

  Amgati sighed, "I wonder how he mustered a large force in such short time." He folded his arms and added, "He is able to rally any of his cultist followers from all over and gather who knows how vast an army of dead."

  "Not to mention any of the dead ferals that lie there," Nahryn chimed in with a solemn tone.

  I stared at that part of the map, "It is no wonder that Koj and I found those cultists by the ruins. They must be trying to revive the dead there."

  Nahryn looked at me, "Koj told me all about it yesterday. It is good that you cleansed the land when you did."

  "That and Gratius wiped them out before we got there," I mentioned.

  Talestria chimed in, "Considering how my uncle and Xum'gol must have betrayed him to acquire their goal, it is no surprise he killed Xum'gol's followers."

  Amgati frowned at that but decided to keep his mouth shut. Talestria glanced at him and then lowered her head. She placed her hand on my lap and sat a little closer. She wasn't proud of what her father and uncle did.

  "Gratius was a monster and his destruction allowed our master to claim the land. There was no way Xum'gol's followers corrupted the remains of our people there," Nahryn responded proudly.

  I tapped my claws on the table staring at the map. I estimated Xum'gol had plans of his own to fend off our attack. I didn't want us to just march straight in and become fodder to who knows how large an army.

  "Something on your mind Blake?" Nahryn asked.

  "Yeah. Xum'gol knows he is going to be holed up there for a long time. He isn't going to make it easy for an army to get in," I explained. I nervously tapped on the map a bit and noticed my clawed finger tapping above it. "How hard would it be to travel through the mountains here?" I asked.

  One of the druids leaned over, "Most of the mountains there are impossible to traverse. Not even a hearty goat could climb around them there."

  "Yeah. I thought so, but what if..." I muttered out loud.

  "You have an idea Blake?" Talestria spoke to me.

  I turned to her, "Yeah, I do." I looked to everyone else and grabbed some of the map marker pieces. "Xum'gol is no fool. He wouldn't waste his numbers guarding the enclosed areas," I thought out loud.

  Amgati chimed in, "He will still not let them be open. Even the last time he only played along with our plan."

  "Yes," I replied. "But, he isn't trying to trap us. He is trying to keep himself holed up," I added. I began to place the pieces on the board like a strategy game.

  Talestria leaned over, "Blakey, what is your plan?"

  I grinned, "You know how I made that strategy board game?"

  "You mean the one that you tried teaching Jerak to play but failed?" Talestria answered.

  Jerak protested, "Hey! That is a hard game to learn."

  I smiled, "Yes, it is tricky. It is also based on strategy games back in my home world. You see Xum'gol is crafty, but he isn't a tactician. Sure, he can plan out well but he has no military experience nor will he be there to command his army. I also doubt any of his cultists are any better."

  "The undead only follow their master's orders," Amgati spoke while understanding what I am plotting.

  "Exactly! So we have this tight opening and these mountains to block any ground entrance. But…" I explained.

  Nahryn interrupted as she got my idea as well, "Our dragons can just swoop down into the unguarded areas."

  "That's not all," I went on. I felt like I was on a roll. "Instead of marching in with our troops and simply sending our air forces from the north, I suggest a full on bombing run," I looked around then remembered no one knew what that meant. I let out an awkward laugh, "Well, we have the ground forces fortified here outside of range. They will give a signal. That will alert the dragons to swoop down from the north and light up the area behind the front lines."

  "That could really wreck them, and might even take out their control," Amgati said.

  "It is a simple flanking tactic. With feral dragons being able to swoop in and line the area with fire, it can make a quick, uniform strike," I said cheerfully.

  "Can we use the big dragons in such a way?" Amgati asked.

  I look at Nahryn, "Can you get some of your people to fly with them and help them to fly in a formation to burn the line of the area?"

  Nahryn nodded, "Yes, if we get a few people among them." She looked at me, "You want them to incinerate a strip of land?"

  I grabbed a writing coal and drew a line on the map, "You have them wait here by the top of the mountains. Once they get the signal, they burn a line and keep going to the southern mountains. Just keep moving south until they reach the other side and then help support the front."

  "What would the signal be?" Nahryn asked.

  I shrugged, "A loud horn or whatever. I am sure we can find something that can be heard."

  One of the druids looked at me, "This sounds like a good plan but it might not be enough. There are undead dragons there. They might cause problems."

  "Yes, that could be a problem, but if we send the flank in fast, the cultists and the undead will not be able to react to our tactic. The front line will draw most of the attention. But this should cut down a lot of the threat," I explained. The skeleton dragons could be a problem.

  "What about us?" Talestria asked me.

  "We will fly up ahead o
f the siege and come in further north, almost directly where Xum'gol should be," I said as I tapped on the map.

  Jerak scratched his head, "So a few of us will face Xum'gol and whatever men he has with him?"

  I nodded at Jerak, "Yup that is the plan."

  Jerak grinned, "Well, be sure to have me there! I want another go at that monster!"

  Amgati shrugged, "I guess I can tolerate another flight."

  I laughed, "I am glad to have you guys as friends."

  Nahryn smiled, "So we will wage war against Xum'gol. We should be able to get everyone ready in a few days."

  The two druids stood up and one of them spoke, "We will send word to the General Valks of the Lyonus army."

  The other added, "We will also take care of any would-be spies that might spoil our plans."

  "You sure you can accomplish that?" Talestria asked.

  The druids smiled, "Let's just say nature has more eyes than Xum'gol."

  Amgati smirked, "I don't think we have to worry about spies then."

  I sat back down and tried to think of anything else to add. The meeting ended shortly after the druids left. I still wondered how they got here to begin with.

  A drayken man walked in inside, "Nahryn! The ships have arrived!"

  "Ships? There is more than one?" I wondered.

  We marched out of the building and walked to the west. Over the hills and farms we saw the top sails of four ships in the harbor.

  Nahryn stopped in front of me, "I almost forgot to give you this." She handed me an oval stone. The stone was flat one side and dark green, almost black in color. She placed it in my hand, "I found this in front of the altar the other day. It materialized around the same time you defeated Gratius. I am sure the Dragon Spirit wanted you to have it."

  I grasped the stone and felt something I haven't felt in years, not since the Dragon Spirit first contacted me. It was obvious that he was giving me a boon of power held within the stone. How do I use it? I had no idea. I stared down at the shiny stone and placed it in my pouch. I guessed I would have to find out sooner or later.

  "Rejun!" Jerak called out in joy. I turned to see Jerak giving his brother Rejun a big brotherly hug. Then he playfully punched his arm.

  Among Rejun were some familiar faces. I saw several mages including Falstrid and Bolam. Behind them were a few paladins and a heavily armored group of dwarves with King Wotmire leading them. I saw Teltar in military dwarven armor among the ranks. He still carried his large sword and his sleepy expression on his face. He always looked sleepy and indifferent. Funny guy.

  Amgati walked over as he saw a few elves among the group. He shook their hands and smiled, "I sure have tales to tell you brothers." The other elves looked equally happy to meet Amgati again.

  "Looks like a reunion," Talestria said.

  "So where is Blake?" a loud voice called out. I looked over and saw three Minotaurs, one being Torkuhl.

  "Wow, even Torkuhl is here," I called out. A few familiar faces turned my way as I said that. I could see them looking surprised as they realized what I had become. Everyone was really surprised, even Teltar.

  Torkuhl was the only one still confused in the lot, "Did that dragon called my name?"

  Oh, it will be awkward explaining all this.

  Chapter 13

  I couldn't help but feel embarrassed having to explain everything. Thankfully Talestria and Jerak helped explain as well.

  "Well, I had an idea this might happen but it’s still quite a surprise," Falstrid said as he adjusted his glasses.

  "No matter to me!” Wotmire remarked. “I see it as a more suitable form to knock Xum'gol back into the underworld where he belongs." He looked at Clagmir's sword that was sheathed on my harness. He changed to a sorrowful tone, "Can I see that?"

  "Oh sure," I replied as I carefully handed over Clagmir's sword.

  Wotmire examined it closely and his eyes filled with tears. He swallowed his emotions and handed it back to me, "I think Clagmir would be fine that you had his sword." He wiped his eyes a bit, "He was always eager to fight evil. He was a good man. I will miss him. But you will be the biggest pain to Xum'gol's rear end. It is only fitting you place Clagmir's sword up in there." Wotmire laughed and then teared up again.

  Falstrid put his hand on Wotmire's shoulder, "My sentiments exactly." He turned to me, "So, have you conjured up a plan?"

  I nodded, "Yes. We figured a plan but I wouldn't mind running it by you two first."

  "Good idea. I am curious how your out-worlder brain works," Wotmire remarked.

  I took them to the large building and shown them the map. Nahryn and the elves followed us. Out of all of us, Wotmire had the most experience when it comes to this stuff. He served in the dwarven army and knew Xum'gol well.

  Wotmire stroked his beard and placed his prosthetic hand on the map. He appeared to be deep in thought as he stared at all the pieces.

  "Well? What do you think?" I asked.

  "I approve, mostly," Wotmire commented. Before I could ask what he didn't like he added, "There is one tiny problem with it."

  "What is it?" I asked.

  Wotmire looked at Falstrid and turned to me, "Where is the part where we join you?"

  I shrugged, "Well, we plan on some trouble once we get in."

  Wotmire laughed, "I'd be disappointed if we didn't."

  There was no sense arguing with them. Both Wotmire and Falstrid were very determined and I was quite relieved they were accompanying us.

  "I hope you two don't get airsick," I joked.

  "Airsick? Is that like seasick?" Wotmire asked.

  Falstrid smiled, "He means we will be spending some time up in the air."

  Wotmire turned to the resting feral dragons and seemed to debate with himself. He stroked his beard as he sized-up conditions of the situation. He turned to me and calmly replied, "Not a problem!"

  Nahryn butted in, "We don't have too many ferals to spare if we are going to lead a successful strike from the skies."

  "So we can only bring so many over then," Falstrid pondered out loud.

  "Um, how many dragons can you spare?" Wotmire asked Nahryn.

  Nahryn, "We have plenty for a hearty attack, and more from across the land will come to our aid. I’d say there are enough to carry about eight people."

  "Since I can fly on my own I am not included in that," I added.

  "So who are we going to bring to this party?" Wotmire asked.

  "Party already made," Jerak called out.

  I turned and saw by the entrance Talestria, Jerak, Amgati, Teltar, Bolam, and a reluctant Rejun standing there.

  I looked at Falstrid and Wotmire and they just smiled. I looked back at the group, "Well I couldn't ask for a better setup."

  "Ha! This is going to be battle for the ages!" Jerak said joyfully. He slapped his brother on the back.

  Rejun grumbled, "I hope it is safe to ride those things."

  "Oh, it will be fun!" Jerak said. He was really excited.

  Amgati groaned, "That is a matter of opinion."

  Bolam laughed, "I can't believe I will be riding one. Such a feat is unheard of back home."

  Teltar shrugged, "It will be interesting."

  Wotmire walked over, "Teltar boy! You will finally see what damage your King can do!"

  Teltar nodded, "Yes, your majesty. It will be an honor."

  Wotmire walked over and playfully smacked Teltar on the back of the head, "Ease up! You act like you’re in a funeral!"

  "Sorry, sire," Teltar apologized while trying to force a smile.

  Wotmire looked at me and shrugged, "The boy is a fighter but has the personality of a rock."

  Teltar looked at me and shrugged.

  I laughed, "That's the way he is. Glad to have him."

  Bolam walked over to me, "I have so many questions. First, when you changed, did your vision change? How about your other senses?"

  Falstrid walked over, "Bolam, I am sure Blake will enlighten us on the alterations of
his transformation after things are complete. Now go help the mages get ready."

  Bolam smiled and nodded, "Yes, master Falstrid," and walked off.