by Jenner, M
“Well, it’s obvious you don’t need me – I’ll just go out the way I came then,” Ty said, turning round.
“Okay, everybody calm down,” Kern said. “Thank the gods you’re not dead, and thanks for coming. Now open the damn cells,” he finished, with a hint of sarcasm.
“Unbelievable,” Ty muttered, and he set to work at Pedlyn’s cell door. In a matter of minutes, all three companions were freed.
“What’s your plan then?” Pedlyn asked, taking a short sword from Ty.
“What’s my plan? I don’t do plans, and unless you can squeeze your fat head down that drain over there, we are leaving through the front door,” Ty answered.
Kern walked to the main door of the room and listened. “Right – we know the way out. It’s along the corridor and up a couple of flights of stairs to the back door. We’ll definitely encounter some guards, so be on your game.”
“What happened to your nose?” Ty asked, knowing that answering would hurt Kern more than the actual injury had.
“It was your mate, Bok,” Kern answered.
Then Ty remembered. “Bok! That’s it!” He rapidly explained the red-robed man’s death and how he had fallen with the body, as his companions listened in fascination. He decided not to mention the dragon, and hoped he would survive this, lest the last dragon die in a cupboard.
Finally they were ready to make their escape. Kern slowly tried the door handle; it was locked, he shook his head at Ty. Within seconds the thief had unlocked it. Such a basic lock, he thought, and so old.
Kern edged through the open door and cautiously looked down the corridor. It was empty but he could hear voices coming from the end. The group tiptoed slowly down the corridor towards the T-junction at the end, the voices growing louder as they approached.
Leaning with his back to the wall, Kern looked back at the others and held up three fingers of one hand, his sword raised and ready in the other. One finger folded to begin the countdown, then a second; then his hand swept down and he spun around the corner, swinging his sword as he went. The guard was slightly further away than Kern had anticipated, but still near enough. The sword crashed against the guard’s armour, and the second guard lunged forward, drawing his own weapon.
Galandrik stepped forward into the space under Kern’s outstretched arm and sank his blade deep into the second guard’s throat. The wounded man dropped his weapon and fell to his knees, grasping Galandrik’s sword as if to tug it free – then fell onto his side and died.
The other guard, seemingly frozen in fear, reached hesitantly for his weapon but then quickly raised his hands above his head. “Please, please don’t kill me,” he begged, “I have a family!”
Galandrik recognised him as the guard who had pissed into his cell. “You hate dwarves, do you?”
“I was only joking, master dwarf!”
Galandrik let the guard continue to beg for a few moments before interrupting him. “Get it out now and let’s see you piss,” he said angrily.
“You… you… you want me to get it out now?”
“Or die,” the dwarf snarled.
Slowly the guard undid his leather straps and dropped his trousers. Ty shifted as if he were about to say something, and Kern held up a hand to silence him.
“Hold it in your hand,” the dwarf ordered.
The man’s hand was shaking like a leaf, but he obeyed.
Galandrik raised his sword high and roared, “Now say goodbye to it!”
The guard fainted and sank to his knees, slumping over on top of his dead companion with his bare behind sticking up in the air. Galandrik looked at Kern and smiled cheerfully.
“You wouldn’t have, right?” Kern asked uncertainly.
“You’ll never know,” Galandrik said, still smiling as he stepped over the unconscious guard.
“Should we cover him up?” Pedlyn asked, looking down as he followed Galandrik.
“No, let the rats wake him,” Ty laughed.
At the end of the corridor were steps leading up. “Right – it’s up here and along to the left about twenty paces,” Kern explained, “and there is the door that leads out. The guards patrol that door on the outside.”
“Surprising there are not more guards inside here,” Pedlyn said.
“No one’s ever broken out – or in – before, that’s why,” Ty answered boastfully.
“I have an idea,” Kern announced. “I’ll knock on the door and when it’s opened, I’ll drag the guard in.”
“Still full of good ideas, I see,” Ty sniggered. He got a shake of the head from the ranger in return.
Kern banged three times on the door with the hilt of his sword. The jangling of keys could be heard, and after a few seconds the door started to open inwards.
“You’re too early, Jakob,” the guard said as he opened the door. Kern grabbed the guard by the scruff of his tunic and dragged him inside. The guard’s shock was evident on his face, but before he knew anything else Pedlyn’s elbow had smashed him straight in the nose, and he sprawled on the floor unconscious. Kern looked outside. “All clear,” he whispered.
Galandrik looked at Pedlyn with a shocked expression – he would never have expected such a devastating elbow from the mild-mannered elf.
“I don’t know where that came from,” Pedlyn said, rubbing his arm while Galandrik shook his head in amazement.
“You see that tree over there? There is another tree behind it; I tied a rope to it before I broke in,” Ty announced proudly. “We can climb it and get over the wall quickly.”
“Who’s a clever boy then?” Galandrik whispered back.
Ty grinned, too pleased with himself to realize that the comment had been made in jest.
“Get back – two guards are coming,” Kern said, closing the door. They heard voices from outside, getting louder and louder.
“Piko, Jakob, Tiran,” they heard one of the guards call.
Kern put one finger up to his lips.
“Where the hell has Piko gone? I bet he’s playing dice again with Jakob,” the guard complained.
“Go down and find him. If he is, I’ll have his guts out,” a second guard said. The door was pushed open; the guard looked horror-stricken to see the party on the other side of it, but before he could scream Galandrik had cracked him with the hilt of his sword.
The second guard ran shouting, “Under attack!! We’re being attacked!!”
Ty stepped out into the night air and pulled a knife from his belt. He flipped it and caught the blade by the tip, then launched it; it struck the guard behind the knee, and he fell to the ground, still screaming.
“Why didn’t you kill him?” Kern shouted. “He’s loud enough to wake the whole town!”
“You’ve knocked the last two out; I thought we were being subtle,” Ty replied angrily. He ran towards the rope, followed closely by the others.
Ty and Pedlyn began climbing the rope as three guards ran around the corner of the building; Kern and Galandrik stood to face them at the bottom of the rope.
“Over there, behind the tree!” the guard on the ground shouted, holding his leg.
“Up you go, dwarf, no time to argue,” Kern bellowed.
“You’ll never take all three of them on your own,” Galandrik replied, refusing to move.
“There will be another three after these. Go!” Kern insisted.
“Come on, let’s move!” Ty shouted from above.
Galandrik didn’t budge as the guards closed in on them. Kern parried one blow and struck armour with his riposte, but his short sword was no match for the guard’s armour. Another guard launched an attack at Galandrik, and with a parry he shouldered the guard to the floor. Before the dwarf could step in for the kill the third guard jumped in and sliced at Galandrik; he dodged the attack but not quickly enough, and it slashed across the top of his arm. Stepping back Galandrik then countered another attack, his blade slicing the forearm of the guard.
Kern rallied again; he landed blow after blow on his a
ttacker but to no avail. He was weary and underfed, and each swing drained him more.
The guard pressed his advantage and launched several blows at Kern. He parried and blocked, but a sudden rush of fatigue hit him and he fell backwards. From the ground he parried another blow, but his sword was knocked from his hand. The guard, seeing his opportunity, stepped in and raised his sword above his head. Kern knew he was looking at his own death, and he shut his eyes.
Looking down, Ty saw Kern fall; he moved to the edge of the branch, drawing two daggers as he went, then turned around and leapt. Landing behind the guard’s back he struck, stabbing twice in between the guard’s armour, sinking deep into flesh. As the guard fell forward, Kern rolled out of the way and grabbed the guard’s sword.
Kern saw that Galandrik was struggling; with his free hand he picked up his abandoned rusty short sword and threw it with all his might. It stuck Galandrik’s opponent full in the face, hilt first, spinning him round and giving Galandrik enough time to pick his spot. He stabbed the guard in the back of the neck, just below the helmet line. The last guard stood facing the party – and hesitated. Ty, Kern, and Galandrik all ran screaming at the guard, who dropped his sword, turned, and ran. They let him go and scrambled up and over the wall as quickly as they could manage.
Soon all four were on the outside, running through the small side alleyways with Ty leading the way. When they reached the Red Horse, after making sure no one was about Ty led them into the stables. A few of the horses whickered at the intrusion, but most ignored the party.
Finding an empty horse bay, they entered and sat down on the fresh hay.
“I thought that was it then. I couldn’t do anything,” Galandrik said, lying back in the hay.
“Me too,” Kern agreed. “We haven’t eaten in days, and swinging that sword felt like swinging a ton of rocks.”
“Are we staying here tonight?” Pedlyn asked.
“I don’t think that would be wise,” Kern answered. “Every guard in the town will be looking for us.”
“Yes, unfortunately we must move north as soon as possible,” Ty added.
Pedlyn stood, a look of regret etched across his face as he looked around at the others.
“You’re not coming, are you?” Ty questioned.
“No. I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I would be useless. I need books, herbs, magic – there’s no point. I would only hinder you all, and I know you couldn’t afford to buy what I need so I will take my leave. There are people I know here who can help me stay safe.”
Kern stood and held out his hand. “My thanks,” he said, “and may luck be with you.”
Galandrik did the same. “I will always owe you, elf,” he said.
“Be lucky!” Ty said, remaining seated.
“Thanks again,” Pedlyn said, smiling. “I hope you get out of here safely and do… whatever it is you do.” At the entrance of the stable, he looked left then right, and with a last swift wave he was gone into the night.
“We couldn’t afford everything he needs? What a cheeky –”
“Leave it, Ty. He did just save Galandrik’s life.”
“And what did I just do, then? I don’t expect paying for it!”
“Neither did he,” Kern answered wearily.
“Whatever.” Ty stood up. “I think we can go upstairs. There is a back entrance so we won’t have to walk through the front; it’ll be shut or nearly shut now, anyway.” After making sure the coast was clear, they crept around the side and through a back door, up some stairs, and into Ty’s room. While Ty locked the door, Kern slumped in a chair and Galandrik sprawled on the bed.
Ty paused in front of the cupboard; then sheepishly he said, “Right, I have something to show you.”
Kern leaned forward and said. “I don’t like the sound of this.”
Galandrik covered his face.
Ty explained the story with the dogs and the corpse, how he had left the egg on the ground and turned his back on it for a few moments.
“Don’t tell me somebody robbed it. Have you lost the egg?” Kern said, standing up in alarm.
“No, I haven’t lost the egg – well, not exactly,” Ty said. Turning round, he slowly pulled the cupboard door open. The dragon sat on the backpack looking up expectantly. Ty looked over his shoulder at Kern once more, then stepped to the side, revealing the dragon.
“Oh my god, it’s hatched?!” Kern said.
Galandrik sat up and looked. “Where’s the other one?”
“The other egg? Still in the chest. I didn’t know what to do,” Ty replied, bending down. He gently picked Sleeper up and walked to Kern, cradling the baby dragon. When Kern reached out to stroke the dragon, Sleeper snapped at him, squealing and trying to flap his wings.
Ty stepped back. “Whoa, I know he’s an ugly brute but take it easy,” Ty said, smiling at Kern. “Watch this,” he continued. After placing Sleeper down on the floor, he pulled the box from the top of the cupboard. Reaching inside he pulled out a mouse and dropped it on the floor, Sleeper pounced, almost flying toward it; soon he had gulped it down.
“Nice,” Kern said, sitting back down to watch as the second mouse met the same fate.
“Yeah, he’s partial to the odd mouse.”
“He doesn’t mind rats either, by the look of it,” Galandrik said, watching as Sleeper stood on Ty’s foot, waiting to be picked up.
“Ty, can you go get some food? I’m starving,” Kern asked.
“All right. I need to get a bath first, because I absolutely stink.”
Kern saw Galandrik open his mouth as Ty placed Sleeper back in the cupboard, and he quickly shook his head at Galandrik, knowing that whatever comment he’d been about to make would probably have resulted in Ty not bringing back any food.
When Ty returned an hour later, he was cleaned up and carried a bag full of bread, cheese, fruit, vegetables, and a couple of water canteens. Standing in the bedroom he looked on for a moment at his snoring companions.
He woke them, and they ate heartily, seeming to revive a bit with the food. But it wasn’t long after finishing the meal that Galandrik’s head began to nod, and he soon started to snore again. Ty reached into the cupboard and pulled out a blanket, which he tossed to Kern. Kern curled up on the chair and thanked him wearily.
“I am popping out again to see what chaos you have caused.”
Kern smiled. “And Ty… thanks for today.”
Ty turned around, pride swelling his chest. “Oh, it was nothing. I simply found the sewer entrance, slid in when no one was look–” He stopped mid-sentence as he heard Kern start to snore. With a shake of the head he turned and left the room, locking the door behind him.
Chapter Twenty: The Last Stretch
Kern awoke early the next morning and sat up stretching his neck, which was aching from the uncomfortable night’s sleep. Galandrik sat at the small table in the corner of the room, eating a big bowl of beef stew; the previous night’s leftover bread and cheese covered the table.
“Good morning,” the dwarf said around a mouthful of his breakfast.
“Good morning,” Kern replied, standing up; he stretched and pulled out a chair next to the dwarf. “Where’s Ty?” he asked, sitting down ripping off a big chunk of bread.
“I don’t know. I woke and this was here – I didn’t need to be asked,” he replied, filling Kern’s bowl with beef stew.
Apart from the selection of food Ty had managed to grab for them in the early hours of the morning, this was their first decent meal since Forkvain. Their three nights without food in the cells were still fresh in their memories, and the polished off the pot of stew in a very short time. As they were picking over the crumbs, the door opened and Ty walked in with an enormous sack slung over his shoulder. He swung it off and it landed on the bed. “I’m never doing that again,” he said, struggling to catch his breath.
Kern stood up and walked over. “What’ve we got?” he asked.
Ty emptied the contents of the sack onto
the bed: Rations, rope, torches, daggers, two complete sets of leather armour, three small backpacks, and small crossbows complete with bolts.
“Where’re the big weapons?” Galandrik said, standing up with hands on his belly.
“In the stable with our horses,” Ty said. “And this is it – there’s no more gold.” He helped himself to some bread and used it to sop up what was left of the stew.
“Are we skint?” Kern asked.
“No, I am skint! I had to sell gems and everything. This room plus the horses has done me in! I am officially broke,” Ty said, wiping gravy from his chin.
“Not even a silver coin for a bath?” Galandrik asked.
“No, and you’d be spotted anyway,” Ty said. “There are guards patrolling every street corner, and double on the gates,” he added.
“How can we leave then?” Kern asked, picking dirt from his fingernails with a dagger.
“No idea. Jump the wall on your horse?” Ty replied with a smile.
“I think the dwarf may have trouble there, on his little pony,” Kern laughed.
“Hey!” Galandrik objected.
“Catapult him over?” Ty suggested, dropping a mouse into the cupboard for Sleeper.
Just then there was a knock at the door. “Who is it?” Ty said in his grand trader’s voice.
“It is I,” came the response.
“And who is ‘I’?” Ty said, exchanging a wary glance with Kern.
“It is I, Pedlyn,” the voice revealed.
Ty quickly unbolted the door and pulled it open. “Hello…wait, you’re not Pedlyn!” Ty said, looking at an old man leaning on a stick.
“Yes I am, now get out of my way before I fire another lightning bolt at you,” the old man said, shuffling past him. “Hello Kern, Galandrik,” he continued.
“Who are you?” Kern asked in alarm, brandishing his dagger.
“I told you, I’m Pedlyn,” he replied, reaching into his cloak pocket.
“Careful what you pull out, old man!” Kern said, holding the dagger up higher and moving one step closer to the hunched figure.