Siege At The Settlements (Book 6)

by Craig Halloran

  “Dwarves are heavy. And the giant bats didn’t like them. But they got them here, didn’t they?”

  “Humph.”

  “Of course, if I could summon dragons,” Bayzog said, reaching down and picking up a shard of the amulet, “that would be fascinating. I need time to investigate this.” He narrowed his violet eyes. “Interesting. It’s warm. Almost living.”

  Everyone leaned in for a closer look.

  “Say,” Nath said, “where’s Gorlee?”

  Glitch!

  Pain erupted in Nath’s side.

  Dormus had jammed a glowing dagger between Nath’s ribs. “Death to Nath Dragon!” the Overseer yelled. “Death!”

  CHAPTER 12

  Narnum. The Free City that wasn’t so free anymore.

  “Any news?” a woman said, looking over the balcony of the tallest tower in the city.

  The tower stood hundreds of feet tall. The proud centerpiece of civilization that housed some of the finest citizens of Narnum and Nalzambor. The Clerics of Barnabus controlled it now. They came. They conquered. They hurled those who resisted from the tower, one right after the other. She could still hear their screams. Their terror. Lamentations.

  A man approached from behind and stood at her side. She was a tall woman, but he was still much taller than she. A great heavy mace hung by his side. He had tattoos all over his forehead and some on his face. His voice was deep and powerful.

  “Nay, my queen,” he said. “No confirmation that he lives.”

  She turned toward him with narrowed eyes. Her black satin hair spilled over her shoulder. In her robes and décor she was everything a queen should be. An evil queen. She was Selene.

  “You still can’t help the flattery on your tongue, can you?” she said, placing her hand on his broad chest. “And after all that I have put you through.”

  He bowed his ugly head. “I worship you. That’s why I die for you.”

  Selene chuckled and tipped up his chin. “Kryzak, you’ve done almost everything a queen could ever ask. You’ve conquered cities. Crushed our enemies. But you have not found me Nath Dragon.”

  Kryzak stiffened. His face snarled a little. “I am not the only one to fail. Just let me have one more chance,” he pleaded. “One more chance to kill Nath Dragon.”

  Her black-scaled tail slid over to his cheek and stroked it.

  Kryzak’s hard face showed faint little scales. His great hands were like a lizard man’s. She had killed him decades ago when he failed, and she had brought him back part draykis.

  “These scales have served you well, Kryzak, but I will not waste my creation in vain.” Her tail fell away from his cheek and rested on the balcony’s edge. “We’ve conquered most cities, but now a glimmer of hope remains. Gorn Grattack is not pleased. Dragon Home still stands. Nath Dragon still lives.” Her clawed fingers dug into the rail. “We cannot have this.”

  A dragon swooped by. It was coppery in color, with a black tail and faintly glowing eyes. Bigger than a man, it perched itself on one of the towers nearby. It wasn’t alone either. Dozens of dragons sat perched and flying through the city like great birds of prey.

  One dove into the streets, snatched a man up from the ground, and dropped him a hundred feet.

  Selene chuckled. It was her way of keep a firm grip on things.

  “I found him before, Selene. Let me find him again. With the aid of the dragons—”

  “No,” she said. “Come with me.”

  She went back inside her room and made her way to a map of Nalzambor on the wall. Bright spots sparkled in a variety of places.

  “These villages and towns are where it is rumored that he was seen. He’s smart. They move all over this world like ghosts. But now, I’ve placed more dragons inside these nuisance cities.” She frowned. “He’ll hit one of them soon enough, and when he does, we’ll be ready. He can’t hide forever.”

  “Then can I take him?”

  A small feathered dragon flew inside and landed on a large perch that hung from the ceiling above the map. It stretched its neck out.

  “Ah, my pet returns,” Selene said, stroking its feathers. “And it has a little something in its mouth.”

  It purred.

  She removed something from its mouth. A small glass bottle with a note in it. The tiny scroll became larger the more she unrolled it. It had an image of a man on it and a map below it.

  “Humph,” she said, handing it to Kryzak. “Is this who I think it is?”

  He took the scroll and stared at it. “Aye, it’s Nath Dragon, and he’s just outside the settlement. This is great news. I will not delay.”

  “No, Kryzak,” she said, snatching back the scroll. “I need you here. I’ll send my own dragons out to play.”

  CHAPTER 13

  “Stay put,” Bayzog said, holding Nath down by the shoulder.

  They were inside one of the homes of the settlement. Nath lay on a small bed with his head propped up by some pillows. For the past two days, Bayzog and some others had been tending to Nath. The wound Overseer Dormus had given him was deep. Nath’s situation had turned grave.

  “I want to see Dormus,” Nath said, brushing the long hair from his face. He coughed. “I have questions I want answered.”

  “Brenwar is handling that,” Bayzog reminded him. “You need to keep your blood down. The poison still works its magic yet.”

  Nath snarled and grunted.

  The healthy gleam he always had in his face had faded, but it had been much worse a day ago. The mortal wound had put Nath into a coma of sorts. They had applied salves and administered potions but nothing took at first. Anyone else struck by the blade would have certainly died from it by then.

  “Have you made anything of that blade yet?” Nath said. He reached over, coughing, and grabbed a jug of water. “How did that sluggard come to acquire it? It’s almost as if that blade was designed for me.”

  Bayzog plucked the blade out of a nearby table. “It’s a Dragon Skinner. You know them well. Usually, the Clerics lend them out to poachers, with strings attached, of course.”

  Nath sneered and held out his hand. Dragon Skinners were made by the Clerics of Barnabus from enchanted and carved dragon claws. It was said that a well-forged one could peel an eyelid from a gnat and the edge was difficult to notch or chip.

  “Let me see it.”

  Bayzog hesitated. His friend had been in bad shape, the worst he’d ever seen him. Yet it didn’t seem possible that such a small blade could kill him. It was several inches long with a stout blade and handle with two notches on the end. He handed it to Nath, who eyed it with suspicion.

  “Strange. I remember it had a glow to it. Like a firefly.” He flipped it around in his hand and thumbed the edge.

  “Nath!”

  “What? It can’t still be poisoned, can it?” He coughed again. Harder this time. His face flashed in pain. He stuck it back in the table. “I hate those blades. And those Clerics.”

  “Me too,” Bayzog agreed. He lifted his robes over his toes, sat down in a chair by the bed, and thought about the dragons they’d seen flying away the night of the battle. At the time, he had assumed they were flying off because they no longer were under the power of the crystal amulet. But given the evidence now, he wasn’t so sure. “I think we have some problems that need discussing.”

  “Go on,” Nath said.

  Bayzog leaned forward with his black brows furrowed.

  “They’re on to us. Why else would they let someone like Dormus have an enchanted Dragon Skinner? The evil curse of a Cleric of Barnabus is what poisoned it. The evil courses through the blood and right into the heart. It can kill,” his eyes flicked up at Nath’s, “or corrupt.”

  “I’m fine, Bayzog,” Nath assured him.

  Bayzog wanted to believe it. Nath’s behavior had been nothing short of brave and exemplary of late. Still, it seemed Nath had taken the bait. Placed everyone in danger. He’d been sent to scout, but something had gotten to him. He should have wait
ed. Bayzog let it go. He’s done well. I’ll trust him for now. He reached inside his robes, grabbed something, and tossed it on the bed. It was a shard from the amulet. The light was dim that once glowed.

  Nath picked it up, inspected it, and said, “What do you make of this?”

  “It’s crystal from beneath the cities that float above the rivers.”

  “What? Floating cities?”

  “They’re near the river cities far in the west. I’ve never seen them, but I’ve come across the histories plenty. These crystals store magic and hold it a long time. I believe the Clerics of Barnabus have cast spells in them that control and charm the dragons.” He leaned back. “At least, the dragons who are not willing.” He ran his fingers over the wound on his head. “The dragons, to my good fortune, weren’t entirely evil.”

  “But they had black tails,” Nath said. “Are you saying the black-tailed dragons aren’t all evil? They didn’t have black tails before.”

  It was a good question. Bayzog wasn’t entirely certain about it either. Dragons, good or evil, had personalities of their own. Just because they were aligned with evil didn’t mean they would do everything they were told.

  “I think they had to follow the commands of Dormus, but when the spell was broken, they decided to conduct other business they might have been given.”

  “That being?” Nath said, toying with the shard.

  “I suppose they were looking for you.”

  Nath’s expression didn’t change. They both knew it was only a matter of time before the Clerics of Barnabus figured out who was behind the raids, but at least he and his friends had managed to fortify some of the forces of good in the land.

  Nath sat up with a groan, holding his side. “We’d best be leaving then, Bayzog.”

  They’d spent enough time in the settlement. However, they always waited for help before leaving, and no soldiers or Legionnaires had yet arrived.

  Nath made his way over toward the door and donned his cloak. “You coming?”

  “Where are we going? To liberate another city? The risk, I fear, is too great. And you aren’t fully well yet.” Bayzog waited. He wanted to see what Nath decided. He was the one who had led them this far, and they’d accomplished much for it. But what would his next step be?

  Nath folded is arms across his chest. “Do you really think they have dragons in every town, village, and city?”

  “Their numbers are great and the black-tailed dragon sightings are increasing. Sasha says they pass through the skies like flocks of birds.” It was Bayzog’s turn to sigh. He missed Sasha. His sons. It had been far too long since he’d seen them. “The good dragons are sights unseen.”

  “The good dragons burrow. Wait.” Nath shook his head. Disappointment marred his face. “Good for them.” He leaned against the door. “If we’ve been rousted, then maybe it’s time to try another tactic.” He tossed the shard to Bayzog. “I think it’s time we learned more about these stones. Get to the heart of who’s creating the amulets. Dragons should not be so easy to control.”

  Bayzog agreed. “They just need to be a little willing, Nath. The rest is surprisingly easy.”

  “Are you saying it’s easy to control people?”

  Bayzog went after the Elderwood Staff that leaned in the corner of the room. Its polished wood felt soft in his hand. He tapped it on the floor.

  “The heart is easily misled. It wants what it wants and can fall prey to that. To a mouse, it’s all the cheese it can eat. To a dragon, all the precious stones it can have. A dwarf, precious metals. These things don’t fill you, but these things can fool you. Evil promises all of that ...”

  “… but it’s love and goodwill that last forever,” Nath said, finishing Bayzog’s sentence. “Yes, I know. It’s not the first time I’ve heard that.” His gold eyes brightened. “I say we head east to this floating city. Maybe we can put a stop to some of this. It can’t be easy to mine those crystals. It must take special skill to do that.”

  Bayzog nodded. “It will be heavily guarded and very risky.”

  “So is everything else,” Nath said, opening the door. “Perhaps our prisoner can add some insight to this.”

  An ancient dwarf stood in the doorway, ready to knock. He had a worried look about him.

  “Gorlee?” Nath said. “What’s wrong?”

  “Overseer Dormus … he’s escaped.”

  CHAPTER 14

  “Brenwar, what happened?” Nath said.

  The town didn’t have a jail or a dungeon, but a barn had been set up with stockades and chains that dangled from pegs mounted into the posts and rafters. One of the stockades was open. Brenwar had a deep crease between his eyes, and his bearded face frowned. Two dwarven warriors lay on the floor. There was blood in the hay and they weren’t moving. Several dwarves were gathered around. Some of the townsfolk were inside as well. Brenwar didn’t reply.

  Gorlee and Bayzog had sad looks in their eyes.

  “Were they sleeping?” Bayzog said.

  “No dwarf ever sleeps on his post,” Brenwar growled. “Something tricked them. Magic.” He kneeled down beside them. His thick shoulders sagged and he closed his eyes. “I’ll avenge this. We’ll catch that Overseer and kill him.”

  An orc prisoner snickered. One of the commanders. He was one of a few Soldiers of Barnabus that still lived. His hands were bound behind a post. The others rattled their chains, laughing from the floor.

  Nath made his way over to him. His blood was boiling. “Who did this?”

  The orc licked his lips and looked up at him through a busted eye. “Someone that did what should have been done. Killed the little bearded halflings like sleeping children.” The orc smiled. “I thanked them, I did.”

  Nath drew back his fist.

  Gorlee caught his arm. The changeling was strong as a dwarf, even in his ancient form. “We’ll find them,” Gorlee said. “We don’t need his help and they haven’t been so long gone anyway. Ease yourself, Nath.”

  Nath pulled his arm away. He got in the orc’s face. Eye to eye. “Who did this? The Overseer, or someone else?”

  “Ha!” The orc spat on the ground. “Even if I saw everything, I wouldn’t tell you.” The orc stretched his muscles against the bonds that had him chained to the post. His hairy chest swelled. He sneered with his chin jutted. “And you couldn’t make me, Demon.”

  Nath had heard that word before, but it had been a long time. Sometimes, he forgot he’d been asleep for twenty-five years. They had called him a demon in Quinley and Quinktuklen. He hadn’t liked it then, either. He grabbed the orc by the metal collar on its neck and lifted it to its toes.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me anything?”

  The orc chuckled, snorted, and spat at him.

  Hock-too!

  Nath shifted his head aside. Avoiding it.

  He hated orcs and it wasn’t the first or last time they’d tried to spit on him.

  “Let me take him,” Pilpin said. “I’ll beat the answers from him! Beat him like a castle rug, I will.”

  The dwarves stirred. Their faces were angry. Anytime a dwarf died, they took it personally. It was even worse when the crime was in cold blood. This wasn’t a battle. It was murder. It was a wonder the imprisoned soldiers weren’t already in pieces.

  “Heh, heh,” the orc said. “Go ahead. Turn the little one loose on me. I’ll squash his fuzzy head.”

  Nath stepped in the way and the dwarves held Pilpin back.

  “Unbind him,” Nath said.

  The orc’s eyes got wide. “What is this?”

  “A game.”

  “What sort of game?” the orc said with his throaty voice.

  “Let’s call it a game of strikes.”

  The orc cocked his head.

  A dwarf grumbled and unbound the orc’s hands.

  It rubbed its wrists and spat again, yellow eyes wary. “Keep talking, Demon.”

  Demon. No, Nath still didn’t like that word. The fact that the orc said i
t was worse. It was something the Soldiers of Barnabus had been told to use against him, he assumed. Paint a picture of the hero as a demon. Put doubts in the minds of women, children and men.

  “I’ll give you the first strike.” Nath stuck out his chin and tapped it with his finger. “If you knock me out, you win. You and your men can have your freedom. If you don’t knock me out, I get to hit you back.” He stepped over to the post the orc had been tethered to a moment earlier and took aim with his fist.

  The orc grunted.

  Nath balled his fist, cocked his arm back and punched the heavy post.

  Wham!

  The post broke and doubled over.

  Crack!

  The roof sagged. The entire barn shook. Hay fell from the rafters.

  The orc’s eyes were as wide as ever. He cringed a little.

  “Now remember, Orc,” Nath said, dusting his hands, “you get the first shot. Make it a good one. If it doesn’t work, then it’s my turn. Just hope my strike won’t kill you.”

  The orc took a giant swallow, balled up his fists and raised them up. Sweat dripped from his heavy brows. His eyes drifted over to his wide-eyed men.

  “You aren’t scared to hit me, are you?”

  The orc lowered his shoulder and shifted his feet. His eyes were hard and ready. His fists looked like they could hammer nails, with callouses and scars all over them. He’d probably cracked a few skulls with them. He cocked back his elbow and started to swing.

  Nath grinned.

  The orc dropped his fist and blurted out, “It was the satyrs! It was the satyrs!” He fell to his knees. “Please don’t hit me in the face. Please!”

  CHAPTER 14

  On horseback, Nath and company rode from the settlement and beyond the farmlands. It was quiet. The skies were darkened by grey clouds, and a cold drizzle fell all around them. Nath led, his keen eyes picking up on the satyrs’ hoof prints. There were two of them and Dormus must have been riding on horseback with them. The gait between the tracks was long. They’d galloped and fled, through the farmlands and into the mountains.