Together they turned and sprinted toward the gate. It closed behind them just as another dragon roar rang out. People all around him were shouting, preparing for another attack.
"Go." Uncle Loren pushed him in the direction of the dragon knight barracks and ran off down the road that led to Melatheen's house.
Finally, Renick was able to make his legs move, and they carried him to the familiar door. The little window slid open, but before the porter could say anything, Renick practically shouted, "I need to speak with Grahm. It's urgent."
The porter took one look at Renick and needed no further convincing. He left the window open, and Renick could hear his footsteps retreating quickly into the building. With a sigh Renick turned around and leaned against the wall, trying to rest his aching muscles.
Grahm threw the door open and looked around. He spotted Renick and asked, "Thane?"
"Injured—he's hurt pretty bad."
"Where?"
"Melatheen's."
Without another word Grahm started rushing away.
"Wait." Renick jogged to catch up with him and then they walked side by side. "I … I need to tell you something. In private."
Grahm hesitated. Renick could tell he was torn between concern for Thane and the urgency in Renick's plea.
"Thane asked me to tell you."
That stopped the old knight. He turned and looked around. "Is this private enough?"
Renick nodded, not because he necessarily felt that this really was the best place, but more because he could not think of anywhere else to go. And they did not have much time. Grahm was watching him expectantly. "Something happened to us while we were lost in the forest, something we haven't told anyone."
"I suspected as much." Grahm moved to the side of the street and sat on a barrel. "Come, sit. I have a feeling this is going to be a long tale."
"But we don't have time—"
Grahm sliced his hand through the air to silence Renick. "If I am to help, I need to know everything. Now start at the beginning."
Renick relented and perched himself on the barrel next to Grahm. They leaned their heads close together so that Renick could talk in a low whisper. "You see, it all started when we found this baby dragon …"
He told the whole story. About finding Plyth in the woods with a broken wing, and then being chased by the dragon hunters. Of hearing Plyth speak to them, giving them a warning. And then the incident with Horrin and how Wrytha helped them to escape. He shivered when he talked about the cave-in and how they tried to save two dragons, remembering the event very vividly. He then explained how their rescue attempt led to Lainey getting her magic. Eventually his tale ended in the dragon hall, where the Dragon Kind made the three of them part of their society and charged them with the secret of their existence.
"Folgyn is one of the Dragon Kind. He wants revenge because Lord Krane killed his mate. He's got Lainey and threatened to eat her if we don't bring his prey to him in three days." The weight pressing down on Renick's chest felt lighter. Sharing the story helped.
For a while after Renick finished Grahm did not say anything. He had been mostly silent through the entire story, only speaking to ask brief clarifying questions. His arms were crossed and he had one hand resting on his chin, deep in thought.
"The question is how do we stop Folgyn without upsetting the Dragon Kind?" Grahm said at last.
Renick realized that he had not expected Grahm to believe him so easily. Talking dragons sound too fanciful to be real, but here Grahm was, taking it all in stride. "You believe me?"
Grahm chuckled. "Renick, my boy, there are two things I know for certain. One, that you do not lie. And two, that Thane wouldn't ask you to lie to me. Your words somehow ring true to me. I trust you, Renick. Now, let's save Lainey."
An itchy feeling that made Renick fidget settled into his chest. He pushed it aside and focused on the task at hand. He shrugged. "Wrytha was going to see if she could get Folgyn … Stricken … I think it means he'll be cast out. If that happens, the dragon knights could stop Folgyn without angering the Dragon Kind. But Wrytha warned us that we can't play a direct role in his demise—"
"Because you're subject to their laws," Grahm finished for him.
Renick nodded, impressed with Grahm's understanding.
"I think we should assume that Folgyn has been cast out. I must go see Thane, and then we'll come back here to plan."
"Plan what?"
"We're going to set a trap for that blasted dragon."
Chapter 27: Making Plans
Renick stood outside Melatheen's house while Grahm stopped in to check on Thane. Renick knew that his friend was resting peacefully, but still the image of Thane's burned and beaten body hovered in his mind. The best thing to do for Thane would be to bring Lainey back so she could heal him.
The door opened and a very somber-looking Grahm emerged. "Come, we must hurry." He turned and started heading back toward the dragon knight barracks.
"Shouldn't we, um, make a plan?" Renick asked.
"Talk and walk—it saves time."
With a little jog, Renick caught up to the old knight, who was already deep in thought.
"We must avoid Horrin," Grahm said as they rounded one corner. "He'll want the … um …"
"Heart stone," Renick offered.
Grahm nodded. "So we need to be able to take this dragon down without giving him a chance to get its heart stone."
"Won't that be difficult? He is helping the knights track him down."
"Interesting, that a trained hunter can't find the dragon when three children can," Grahm said, almost like it was to himself.
Renick just shrugged. "Maybe he wants to find Folgyn before the knights do."
Grahm practically skidded to a halt. "Renick, my boy, you're brilliant!"
"Uh, thanks?" Renick was not sure what had been so amazing about his words. He was just saying the first thing that came to mind.
Grahm struck his hands together. "Horrin wants to fight Folgyn on his own so that he can get the heart stone. Which means that if he has an audience, he won't go for it." Grahm paced back and forth for a moment and then turned to face Renick. "Do you know how to destroy the stone, or how much time they have after the dragon's death to collect it?"
Renick shook his head. "When Lainey got her stone it happened right away. But I heard the hunters talking about finding Plyth's mom after we did, and that was quite a while."
"Hmm." Grahm crossed his arms and leaned one hand against his chin. "Perhaps it's the difference between being given a stone and stealing it."
They continued walking toward the dragon knight barracks. Renick was glad to have someone older helping shoulder the responsibility. He hoped that Wrytha, Plyth, and the others would understand the need to divulge their secret. After all, they were in a dangerous situation. Having someone like Grahm to confide in, to take over the planning and leadership, was a relief to Renick.
"So, Renick-Trusted," Grahm smiled as he used the name Plyth had given Renick. "What do we do now?"
A sudden panic seized Renick's chest. Grahm was not planning anything yet. It was up to him.
"I … don't know."
"What do you think we should do?" Grahm's voice sounded different than usual, like when Renick's father would ask him questions to teach him something about the care of dragons. Was Grahm using the same trick?
Renick thought for a moment about what they really needed to accomplish. "We should set a trap for Folgyn and get Lainey back."
"Excellent, and how should we trap Folgyn?"
This time Renick stopped. He reached down and fiddled with the edge of his shirt as he thought. "We need to draw him out of the forest so we can surround him."
"Good."
Encouraged, Renick continued, voicing ideas as they came to his head. "We could get him to chase us. But he won't leave Lainey unguarded. We'd have to sneak Lainey away—so he'd have to be sleeping. If we could go during the day I'm sure he would be …" His mou
th could no longer keep up with the flood of ideas. He stopped talking and just let the plan formulate on its own.
"And?" Grahm prompted, an oddly proud look on his face. Renick stood up a little taller.
"Got it. We go to Folgyn's cave during the day. He'll be sleeping. We snatch Lainey back and then wake him up. Uh … preferably when we're already a good distance away. Folgyn will chase us out of the forest and right into our trap." Satisfied, Renick gave a sharp nod of his head.
Grahm smiled. "How do we trap the dragon?"
Renick shrugged. "I don't know. We ask Horrin—he's the expert."
With a hearty laugh, Grahm slapped Renick on the back. "Excellent. You have a gift, Renick. Now, head home and get some rest. We'll present our plan—"
"No," Renick said, cutting off Grahm's words. "Lainey is in danger, and Thane is fighting for his life. This is no time for me to rest. I'll be fine."
The old knight considered Renick for a moment. He squared his shoulders and faced Grahm confidently. At last Grahm spoke. "Very well, let's go find that scoundrel Horrin and his limp lackey Gunther."
They were only one street away from the barracks. When they arrived, Grahm led Renick straight past the porter, who looked up and nodded at Renick. It was an odd movement that seemed to say much that Renick did not understand. He wondered if he would ever get the chance to ask the porter about it.
As soon as they entered the barracks, they were ushered to a room where Sir Gregori and Horrin were waiting. Word had spread about the attack on Thane.
"You there. Are you the boy that was with Thane?" Sir Gregori asked, pointing a finger at Renick.
Renick took a step back and nodded.
"Where's the dragon?" Horrin demanded. His one eye trained on Renick, watching him, boring into him.
He could not breathe. Renick swallowed and tried to find his voice. "In the forest." The words came out sounding small. Renick stood up straight. "He's in the forest and he's got my friend, Lainey." That sounded much more confident.
"The boy will lead me there. Gunther and I will—" Horrin started to say but Grahm held out a hand.
"With all due respect, the boy and I have a plan already."
Horrin's eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. Renick wanted to take a step back again, wanted to retreat and hide behind Grahm, but he did not. He stood his ground.
"Go on," Sir Gregori said.
"We'll go into the forest, rescue the girl, and draw the dragon out. We need you hunters and all the knights to lay a trap for us to lead it to." Grahm had such a commanding voice. No wonder everyone listened to him. Renick wished he could be like that.
Sir Gregori nodded. "We can do that."
The three men moved over to a map and started discussing the best location for the ambush. They were all pointing to places and talking. Renick could not follow everything they were saying and started to feel a little impatient. Every minute that passed was another that both Lainey and Thane were in danger. Lainey could heal Thane, and Renick knew that if she did not reach him in time she would never forgive herself—even though it was not her fault.
"You," Horrin said pointing to Renick. "Show us where the dragon is."
Renick took a step forward, his hand hovering over the map. He was not sure what to do. They already knew he had been to the dragon's cave. Could he choose a different spot on the map or would that mess up the whole plan? Before Renick had a chance to decide what to do, Grahm came to his rescue.
"That's inconsequential. The boy and I can lead the dragon out of the woods at any point; we just need to know where."
Horrin's teeth ground together but he turned back to the map and the discussion with the other two men.
"Done," Sir Gregori declared not much later. He shook first Grahm's hand and then Renick's. "Good luck. We'll see you at the site by midday."
Grahm led Renick out of the barracks and Trevinni. Once they were inside the line of trees and out of sight of prying eyes, Grahm turned to him. "Lead the way."
Chapter 28: A Daring Rescue
Renick felt exposed in the light of midday, even though he was crouching as low to the ground as he could and was surrounded by trees. Keeping his eyes on Grahm, who was moving slowly through the forest, Renick tried to copy his careful movements. Grahm would whisper instructions every once in a while, teaching Renick how to sneak undetected. He wished he had known this when they were lost and trying to avoid the dragon hunters.
"Trust in your plan," Grahm told him. But it was hard for him. Renick could already see the flaws in his plan. For example, they were not sure Folgyn would be sleeping. The fact that he tended to attack at night would suggest that he was, but if Folgyn was awake, their task would be a lot more difficult. He did not think he could trust in a flawed plan.
He took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves.
In front of him, Grahm held up his hand to indicate he should stop. Renick froze. Maybe he did not have to stop moving altogether, but with a murderous dragon close by there was no point in taking chances. Then Grahm waved him forward. When Renick was right next to him, Grahm pointed ahead of them. Renick peered through the trees. Between two large tree trunks he could see the gentle rise of the dirt mound in which Folgyn's cave resided. They were coming at it from behind—the element of surprise or something like that, Grahm had said.
Grahm put his mouth close to Renick's ear. "We're going to crawl over the hill and try to get a look. We're downwind, so he shouldn't be able to smell us," he said in a whisper so low Renick almost did not catch all the words. Renick nodded his understanding and they started moving forward again.
It was awkward trying to crawl uphill through the undergrowth and the knobby roots that stuck up from the dirt. Renick managed to not make much noise, but Grahm was completely silent as he moved. Renick had to keep looking around to see where he was.
At length they reached the top of the hill. Slowly and carefully Renick pulled himself along the edge until he could see the small clearing below. Folgyn was sprawled across the opening to the cave, blocking it almost completely. His head was resting on the ground and his chest moved in and out regularly. Renick's tense muscles relaxed a little. The dragon was sleeping.
He could not see Lainey, so he moved to the left a little bit. She was sitting just inside the cave. Her head moved toward him and so Renick knew she was awake. But why was she staying there instead of running away? Shifting his position, Renick saw what was keeping Lainey there. With his body, neck, and tail Folgyn had blocked the opening to the cave in such a way that Lainey could not squeeze by without brushing up against him. More than that, one of his claws was resting over her left leg.
Grahm tapped Renick's shoulder and tossed his head toward the tree line. Once they were safely concealed in the dense forest, Grahm spoke in a low whisper, "Thoughts?"
"Do you have a rope?"
"No."
Renick waited for Grahm to say more, but the old man just watched him. "Right, then …" He looked around. There were some vines hanging from the trees, but they were thin and dry and would snap easily. So they could not make a rope, and he would have to think of something else. "I could jump down into the cave from the top. But—"
"How would you get back out?"
"Yeah."
"Could you climb?"
Renick closed his eyes and tried to remember what the sides of the cave had looked like. They were riddled with roots. And they would not have to climb all the way to the top, just enough to get around Folgyn's head or tail. Renick decided going past the sleeping dragon's tail would be the best option. He nodded to Grahm. Then he remembered something from when they were lost in the forest. About when they found the waterfall and had to turn back because of how steep the climb was. "Wait, I don't think Lainey can."
Grahm pressed his lips together. "I'll wait on the other side, so we can both help her."
"Yes, that would work."
"Good. Ready?"
Renick nodded and they retu
rned to their perch at the top of the hill. Taking a few quiet, deep breaths, Renick steadied himself. Turning around, he lowered himself down feet first over the edge. Once he was hanging from a sturdy looking root he kicked with his feet just enough to start swaying a little bit. He needed to aim just right or he would fall on top of Folgyn. Renick shivered at the thought.
He crammed his eyes shut and let go. The dirt under his feet made a dull thud as he landed. Folgyn shifted a little and Renick remained still until the dragon's breathing pattern was regular again. Then he turned to Lainey.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she had a hand clasped over her mouth. Probably to keep from screaming or sobbing. Renick was glad she had been able to stay quiet.
He moved to her side and whispered. "I'm going to try and dig you out."
She nodded and then grabbed his arm. "You came for me."
"I promised I always would." They exchanged sad smiles and then Renick got to work.
Renick once helped his father roll over a sick dragon. It had been just the two of them in the middle of a stormy night with no way to get help. They had dug a hole next to the dragon's back and then slowly shifted the dirt away. Eventually it slid into the ditch and rolled to its other side. Renick's plan was to do something similar, except with Lainey and without the rolling.
He started to dig a trench next to Lainey's trapped leg. The dirt was hard on top but looser underneath, so once he got going the hole was dug in no time. Then using one hand he gently removed layer after layer of dirt along the side until the ground fell away under Lainey's leg. Renick helped her scoot back and then stand up.
Lainey threw her arms around Renick's neck and hugged him tightly.
Renick grunted. "Can't … breathe."
She released him and mumbled an apology. Renick pointed to the side of the cave where Folgyn's tail was twitching back and forth ever so slightly. He motioned that they were going to climb up and around. Lainey looked doubtful, but she nodded. Renick stepped closer to her and whispered, "You can do it, and Grahm is waiting on the other side."
Burned: Dragons' Trust Book 2 Page 12