by Charles Lamb
Therefore, it was with a broad smile that he greeted the five, plus wolf, as they crossed the gangway and returned to the ship.
“Your orders, Sire?” he asked as the Lord Protector came on deck.
“We have supplies being delivered within the hour. Once they arrive, we need to get the horses out of the hold and readied."
“Yes, Sire, and where would you like us to moor? Or would you prefer we anchor in the bay?” the captain asked cautiously.
“At your whim. I will gladly pay to leave you right here if that is your wish.”
“That would be most satisfactory,” Yeagars replied with a smile.
----*----
After leaving the captain, Alex and Cassie went below to their cabin to prepare to leave. He was happy to be back on the ship and working to rescue Cassie’s mom. While the women had gone with the Guild Master, he and Leander were led to the Guild archives to search for any references on the local dragon population.
After several hours, the two were able to determine which types of dragons they were dealing with. In the Dragon’s Teeth Mountains, they expected to find a Red Dragon. A fire breather, they were notorious gold hoarders, and preferred to fight with their claws to prevent damaging any treasure their opponent might carry, but would use a fiery exhale if necessary. A confirmed meat eater that preferred mountain caves, it fit everything they knew.
As for the Sea Dragon at Lake Vishap, it was most closely described as a Wyvern. Although neither Alex nor Leander remembered seeing more than one pair of wings, high on its serpentine back, and no front legs, its fire breathing abilities were without question.
“Were you able to locate weapons to use on the dragons?” Cassie asked, as she packed the saddlebags.
“I have other ideas about dealing with the Red Dragon in the mountains, but the Wyvern’s scales can be pierced by a fire glass tipped spear. I think they mean obsidian, but Leander seemed to understand the reference,” Alex replied.
“I have never heard of obsidian, but fire glass is very rare. It comes from the same fires, deep in the earth, that heat the eggs dragons are born from.”
“Well, supposedly, there is such a spear held in a temple on the coast, south of Tazmain. While not exactly on the road to Lake Vishap, it is a necessary detour. The best part is it’s a temple to the sea god, so hopefully Kelby can convince any retainers to lend it to Leander.”
“We are going to the mountains then?” Cassie asked, as she finished closing her saddlebags.
“I still feel that’s the most likely place to hold your mom. We only hear about Tantalus sending the Wyvern to do his dirty work at sea, not the Red Dragon, and that would leave the lake unprotected.”
“But we need to be sure,” Cassie stated more than asked.
“Yes we do,” Alex replied as he indicated to Cassie to lead him out of the cabin to begin their quest.
Chapter 8
All five walked their four mounts through the streets of Tazmain, as they crossed from the waterfront to reach the far side of the city. Kinsey helped lead the way, again looking pleased to be active and free of the confinement of the ship.
There had been a conversation-- well, argument really-- at the docks concerning Kelby and her mode of transportation.
“Alex, do we need another mount for Kelby?” Cassie asked, showing a rare moment of concern over the mermaid.
“Mermaids do not ride horses,” the little redhead announced.
“Then how do you propose to keep up?” Alex asked, assuming they would pick up a horse at a location provided by Guild Master Robeck near the town gates.
After a moment’s consideration, she slid up next to Leander, making the man visibly uncomfortable.
“I could ride behind him,” she said with a dreamy smile, her flirt turned up to full.
“She will ride behind me,” Abrianna stated flatly, showing visible signs of self-control over the flash of jealousy.
Alex smiled at the exchange. While he sympathized with Leander, he was just happy not to be the recipient of her unsolicited attention, for a change. By the time they reached the far side of the city and passed through the city gates, the groups split into two, and headed off into the countryside, one south and one west.
----*----
Cassie and Alex had been riding for the better part of the afternoon, moving at a steady pace, but not rushing. They did not want to attract undue attention to themselves, so did their best to appear unhurried. The forested countryside outside of the port city quickly gave way to rolling green hills with clusters of trees intermingled throughout the area.
Alex had Cassie to his left, with Kinsey trotting along at his right side, as they moved along the well-traveled dirt road. It always amazed him that no matter how long or hard he rode Shadows, the mare never seemed fatigued. Rose appeared to be made of the same stock.
It was as they were trotting along that Alex heard a low growl from Kinsey. Scanning the area, he discovered a small herd of wild horses grazing in the open field to his right. Upon closer inspection, he noted something strange about the group. It was when one of the larger members, likely a stallion, lifted its head that he clearly made out the horn protruding from its forehead.
“Unicorns?” he asked aloud, attracting Cassie’s attention.
“So they are,” she replied, apparently uninterested.
“No, Cassie, those are real unicorns!” Alex replied as they drew closer. Stopping Shadows and hushing Kinsey’s growl once more, he dismounted and started out, walking into the field toward the herd.
“Ah, Alex…” he heard Cassie say from behind. Waving her to silence, he continued to close the gap between himself and the small herd. By now, several of the adult unicorns had stopped grazing as well, and all were watching his slow approach.
Suddenly, when he was no more than ten feet away, the one he took for the male snorted loudly, pounded one hoof, and then sprang forward. With its head lowered, it drove hard toward Alex as if to skewer him on its point.
A surprised Alex dove to one side, narrowly avoiding the horn, only to find a second unicorn charging in his direction. Leaping again, he hit the ground, and then rolled to clear the hooves of the first, stamping the ground where he had just dropped. Alex continued to scramble, never making it completely to his feet, before a horn or a hoof caused him to leap, roll, or dive.
It was then that Kinsey leaped into the open space, growling and startling the two aggressors, causing them to retreat. She continued to threaten the pair as they paused their retreat, watching to see if they were being pursued.
With that, Alex took the opportunity to regain his feet, and began to quickly back away from the first unicorn as it watched his every move. With Kinsey at his side, the two hastily returned to an astonished Cassie, while brushing off the dirt and grass sticking to his clothing.
“What were you thinking?” she asked in an irritated tone.
“They are unicorns! They are supposed to be friendly,” Alex replied in frustration.
“Says who?” she replied in an exasperated tone. “Alex, a unicorn is a wild horse. A nasty, temperamental beast at best, and it has a weapon on its forehead! Where would you ever get the idea that they were friendly?”
Alex quickly mounted Shadows as Cassie sat shaking her head while watching him. Soon the three were quickly out of the area and away from the herd, who had returned to grazing.
“Friendly Unicorns!” was all Cassie would say, as she shook her head in disbelief.
----*----
Elion stood by the scrying pool next to the elf monitoring Alex. As he watched, both Alex and Lady Cassandra were astride the two winged horses he had provided the pair, headed to the Dragon’s Teeth. Elion had required around the clock observations of the group beginning with their departure from Windfall.
They had tracked his activities across the sea, into Freeport and on to Tazmain. Although still far from a full-fledged wizard, Elion was impressed with the way Alex handled the Wyvern
as they crossed from Freeport to Tazmain. He was also concerned at its appearance.
As Alex’s powers continued to grow, and with that, his ability to control them, Elion was becoming worried. Harmony was about balance and Alex was brought here just for that purpose. Putting the kidnaping of Lady Amelia aside, as Royals were always being ransomed for one cause or another, the escalations involving Tantalus and his dragons were alarming.
Dragons had been a devastating weapon used by the Dark Elves in the last conflict. Banishment rather than extinction, as the humans believed, had been their punishment. For them to be brought forth in this fashion indicated that Alex was perceived to be a threat to the balance. His powers were unmatched by any human aligned with the dark side and therefor something to be countered.
His thoughts were interrupted as Elion observed the two riders stop at the edge of a field. He saw Alex dismount and approach a small herd of grazing unicorns. He watched in amazement at the encounter, with the black wolf finally intervening on Alex’s behalf.
Elion turned and left the room after he saw the two riders resume their trip. As he did, he considered that maybe the Dark Elves were overestimating things.
----*----
Abrianna was riding along next to Leander, with Kelby behind her on her horse. While the mermaid had not uttered a single complaint in the last few hours they had been riding, Abrianna couldn’t imaging sitting behind her saddle was all that comfortable.
That’s not to say she had been quiet the entire time, as she had asked a million questions about Windfall, Great Vale and the lands east of the sea.
“So you have never made the journey to the east?” Leander asked curiously.
“That is a great distance, ever for a mermaid. To make the effort to travel so far, one usually has a reason and until now, I had none. Besides, I hate to admit it but mermaids can be a bit cliquey.”
“You would not be welcome?”
“Maybe, maybe not. That’s why you don’t make the trip on a whim.”
“We should be thinking about a place to stop for the night,” Abrianna said, interrupting the exchange. She didn’t mean to intentionally break up the conversation between the two, but she wasn’t sorry. There was just something about that flirty mermaid that set her on guard.
“There isn’t an inn between Tazmain and the temple. It’s meant to be reached by travelers giving thanks to the gods of the sea. Such gratitudes are delivered by sailors, survivors of great storms, or their families upon their loved ones safe return,” Leander explained.
“So we will be camping then?” Kelby asked, appearing excited at the prospect.
“It would seem so,” Abrianna replied, confused at the question.
“Wonderful! I have never camped before, this will be fun!” Kelby answered, more excited than before.
“Yay,” Abrianna said quietly to herself.
----*----
The unicorn encounter had left Alex in a less than cheery mood. He thought he had finally encountered a magical creature he could enjoy, only to have his delusions crushed as they nearly got him killed. He pushed the thoughts aside as he considered the road ahead. The route they had chosen to travel was a major roadway, reaching deep into the eastern countryside; they soon reached a travelers inn.
Stabling both Shadows and Rose for the night, the three entered the inn, finding it to be about half-full of patrons. Kinsey received the usual stares and whispered comments, but no one stepped forward to prevent her from following Alex and Cassie to a table in a corner. As they entered, Alex noted two Rangers sitting at a table on the other side of the room.
He was tempted to go speak to them, but remembered he no longer wore the colors of the Ranger’s Guild. Their presence did give him an odd sense of security in the strange surroundings. Once seated, the two waited quietly until a serving woman approached, keeping one eye on Kinsey, tucked behind Alex next to the wall.
“What can I get for you?” the woman asked politely, while drying her hands on her apron.
“We would like a room for the night,” Cassie replied before Alex.
“With or without a bath?” the woman asked.
“With, please,” she replied with a smile.
“Room with a bath is eight coppers for you two,” she replied quickly, and then added more slowly, “and three more for the wolf.”
“That will be fine,” Alex replied before Cassie could challenge the increase. Pulling a silver from his pouch, he placed it on the table before speaking.
“I believe we would both like strips, with today’s bread. Also a bowl and a bone for Kinsey, and a pitcher of water, please,” he said while indicating Kinsey laying against the wall.
“Yes, sire,” the woman replied, while snatching the coin up and hurrying away.
“That’s robbery!” Cassie hissed, after the woman was out of earshot.
“And we are trying to be inconspicuous. Fighting with the help over prices will just draw undue attention to us,” Alex replied.
“I’m sorry,” she replied, “I think I am a little on edge.”
“It’s ok, and yes I would expect you are. We are still a day’s ride to the lands listed on the map,” Alex said while producing the map he had lifted from Tantalus’s office. Unfolding it, he placed it between himself and Cassie, and away from prying eyes.
“We will arrive here by late afternoon tomorrow,” Alex said pointing to a spot just past a split in the road. The map showed they would hang to the right, heading towards the mountains labeled Dragon’s Teeth, while the left fork led around the southern end of the mountain range.
“You think my mom is there?” Cassie asked hopefully.
“Maybe,” Alex replied slowly, “but be prepared that she may be further into the mountains.”
Before Cassie could reply, a sound indicating the server was returning caused Alex to casually refold the map and tuck it away. The woman set the water pitcher and cups on the table. She had also included the bone and bowl for Kinsey in the trip. She then left without a word.
“We must be prepared to venture into the mountains if necessary is all I am saying,” Alex added after she left.
“I understand,” Cassie replied, a bit disheartened.
Dropping the subject for now, Alex did a quick check of the water in the pitcher, both cleansing and chilling it in the same exercise. By the time the woman had returned with their food, he had poured for both Cassie, Kinsey and himself.
After she had set the plates down, she began to turn before Alexi interrupted her.
“Excuse me, but we are not from here. Could you tell us anything about the House of Drakon holding up the road? We heard they raise cattle there.”
“You don’t want anything to do with that place!” the woman replied sternly, the fear clear in her eyes.
“We were told in Tazmain that the trader raised beef there. We were thinking of approaching the master of the house, but wanted to view the herds before doing so,” Cassie replied, expanding on the fiction Alex was creating.
“We buy a small amount from them, but most is never sold. Even so the herd never grows,” she replied quietly.
Feigning curiosity, Alex asked, “Where does the beef go?”
Leaning in to the couple, the woman looked around before replying.
“There are rumors that Tantalus keeps a dragon in the mountains. He keeps it happy by shipping cows, sheep, and pigs for it to feast on.”
“Why would anyone do that?” Cassie asked, making even Alex believe the question was genuine.
“Do you not recognize the name? Drakon, in the ancient tongue, means dragon. Long ago, Tantalus’s family ruled much of these lands, using their flying dragons to overcome any who would challenge their rule. They were a great power during the last war, and their dragons ruled the sky. One day, a powerful white wizard came from the east, and vanquished the dragons, overthrowing the House of Drakon. The loss of the dragons removed the tyrants’ power, permitting the people to rise up and
take their freedom back.”
The mention of a white wizard from the east caused both Cassie and Alex to look at each other.
“So, the dragons are back?” Alex asked.
“No one knows for sure, but if there were more than one, we think Tantalus would already be king. People whisper that he is in league with a Prince in the east, although those stories have dried up. News from the sailors talks of a great battle with a powerful white wizard, and Prince Renfeld in exile,” she finished.
“If he has one, why didn’t Tantalus send his dragon to help Renfeld?” Alex asked, curious now himself. Had there been a dragon on the battlefield, he wasn’t sure he sure the outcome would have been the same.
“House Drakon lost their dragons to a white wizard once before, he would not be willing to risk a repeat of that,” she replied.
“How do you know all this?” Cassie asked, looking somewhat suspicious of the serving lady’s knowledge.
“You have never worked in a tavern, or you wouldn’t ask such a question,” she said with a smile, before turning to leave.
“Wait,” Alex said; he retrieved another silver and tossed it to her.
“I think it best that we forget this conversation ever took place,” he said with a smile. Catching the coin in midair, the woman quickly pocketed the silver, and nodded in agreement before leaving.
“Do you believe her?” Cassie asked, once the two were again alone.
“No reason not to; she certainly supports everything we learned in Freeport,” Alex answered.
The two had been eating the whole time they talked to the server, neither realizing how hungry they had been. Alex pushed his plate aside, allowing him to take Cassie’s hands in his as they sat. He could see out the windows of the inn that the sun had set and it was now quite dark outside.
“Can we go to our room now?” was all Cassie would say as she got up, not waiting for the answer. Waving the server over, Alex requested she show them to their room. With Kinsey close behind, they headed upstairs to settle in.