by GARY DARBY
“Oh, I don’t think she’d use her sword.”
“You don’t sound convinced.”
“That’s because I’m not.”
I blow out a breath that lifts my bangs. “How I wish Phigby were here. He’d see right through this problem in a moment and come up with the right answer.”
“If you’re wishing,” a voice comes from behind, “wish for ten armies of dragon knights, a hundred cohorts of Amazos and about a thousand of those Dyrfolken thunder lions. Wish big or don’t wish at all.”
“Thanks, Amil,” I reply over my shoulder, “next time I’ll remember that.”
“The hunters are back, and you might want to hear what they have to say. It’s not good.”
Snag gives me an ominous glance and we both scoot back from the edge. We hurry to where the company’s gathered. One look at their faces and I know that Amil’s, “It’s not good,” is an understatement.
Alonya is the first to speak. “Wilders,” she growls.
“We saw them,” I answer. “Two sets of four.”
“There’s even more farther south,” Cara asserts. “We saw at least three maybe four cohorts of them. Odd, they’re just lazing along, but it’s obvious that they’re looking for something—or someone.”
“Not to add to our woes,” Tavin adds, “but we saw a host of Blackguards crest a hill to our south.”
“Their Fire Hounds sniff the ground in all directions,” Pim describes, “and cast about as if trying to catch a scent.”
“Two guesses as to whose scent that would be,” Amil rumbles, “and your first two guesses don’t count.”
“Wilders to our front, sides, and Blackguards to our back,” Snag growls and turns to me, his eyes hard. “You know what that means?”
“As Amil said,” I nod, “two guesses and your first two don’t count.”
I draw in a deep breath. “We’re trapped.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“I’ve done it again,” I hiss, “led us straight into a trap!”
“Stop it, Hooper,” Cara says. “This is no one’s fault, least of all yours. We had to find a way to get to Phigby. This is our best chance even if we do sit between Wilders to our front and Blackguards at our back.”
“Besides,” Alonya grunts, “I’d have been amazed if we hadn’t found ourselves in this situation or something similar. I would be much more worried if Vay didn’t have her scum out searching for us.”
“How so?” Pim asks.
Alonya shrugs. “Vay wants to find us for a great many reasons, one of which is that there’s a good chance she knows her three sisters told us of her portal and its importance to her plans. Right about now, I suspect that one thing that’s eating at her is that she’s fretting over just how large a force we will bring against her gate.”
Her lips lift at the corners in a tight smile. “She also knows that despite her best efforts we’ve not only survived but we’ve made friends, even allies, along the way. She can’t help but wonder and worry if they’ll join in this particular fight.”
“Aye,” Amil nods, “for sure and for certain she’s worried that we’ll bring some new friends along to the party. Hopefully she’s spread herself so thin elsewhere that she’ll be in for one whale of a fight to save her portal.”
“You need more friends for party?” Pip calls up.
“We go back to fairyland, bring back lots of friends,” Kyr grins.
“Have big party,” Sim laughs. “Lots of good food, good—”
“Him not talk about that kind of party, dimwit!” Kyr spits out.
“Him not?” Sim replies scratching at his head. “But him say party.”
“Fight and punch party!” Kyr snaps. “Like this!” With that he starts whacking Sim and a moment later, all three are on the ground, wrestling.
Alonya reaches down, pulls them apart and gives them a dusting off while muttering, “Keep at it and I’ll throw you a party myself, with the flat of my blade.”
The three squeak and run behind Alonya’s legs, timidly peeking out a few moments later.
“Well,” Talia sighs, “the fact is, we didn’t bring any others with us, so it’s up to us to do what must be done.”
“No,” Snag replies, “we didn’t, but maybe we should have.”
“Do you really think,” I respond a bit harshly, “that Phigby could last the time it would take to bring such an army this far north?!”
“Easy, Hooper,” Cara says, “I don’t think anyone is suggesting we turn back, fight our way out of here and head south to try and build an army just to return and do this again.”
“Sorry,” I reply, “but that’s what I thought I heard.”
“I spoke out of turn,” Snag admits, “and without proper thought. I apologize. You’re right, most likely Master Phigby has been hard put just to survive these past few days. Any further delay and our rescue attempt will be in vain.”
“Good,” Amil declares, “now that we’ve got that out in the open, had a civilized discussion over it and moved on, just how do we get to that mountain unnoticed by either Wilders or fire-breathing bloodhounds?”
“It’s obvious we can’t sky,” Alonya states, “so we’ll have to sneak through the forest tonight at its darkest.”
“Easier said than done, my lady,” Snag replies and glances toward me.
“While you and the others were out hunting,” I reply, “Snag and I took the time to study the ground between here and where we think is the opening.”
With a little sigh, I explain, “The trees are set too close together. Regal will look like a giant burrowing mole going through the woods, knocking trees over left and right. Even the other dragons will find it a tight squeeze.
“Most likely, we’ll have to double back at times just to find a way forward where they won’t bring a tree or two crashing down. Going in a straight line is definitely out of the question.”
“We’ll look like a squiggly worm,” Amil growls, “crawling along the ground.”
“Could take us all night,” Tavin declares.
“What if it’s more?” Cara asks. “What if we’re caught by daylight before we reach the opening?”
“We’ll be seen by those Wilders,” Amil grunts, “as easy as a hawk spots a mouse in the grass.”
Alonya’s not spoken, just stares at me with narrowed eyes. “Tell me,” she growls, “you’re not seriously considering leaving Regal behind?”
I shrug and confess, “In all honesty, yes, I considered it.” I throw up a hand as Alonya’s face clouds up and I see the lightning in her eyes. “But no, we all go, or none of us do. We’ve gotten this far together, we’ll do this together.”
“Or end this together,” Helmar mutters in a small voice.
I snap my head toward Helmar but his eyes are down, staring at the ground. For a moment, I can’t help but wonder, was his comment a subtle threat? A warning? After all, the ode book did warn me to beware of the friend.
We’re all quiet until Amil, scratching at his head, says, “All right, you’ve got me. We can’t sky and we can’t sneak through the forest. Where does that leave us?”
“I’m not sure,” I reply, “but my head aches just thinking about it.”
“We can’t sit around and do nothing!” Cara blurts out. “You said it yourself, Hooper. Phigby’s running out of time. We’ve got to find a way through those mountains.”
“Maybe,” Pim suggests, “we give up on the idea of going under the peaks? We could still try and fight our way through one of the lower mountain passes.”
Nodding, I reply, “I thought about that too, but with those buzzards out there now, it would mean we have to fight through them first and—”
“Then again—when, and if,” Tavin points out, “we find a suitable pass that’s close by. Otherwise we’d be in a continuous running battle with those vermin.”
“Aye,” Amil grunts, “they would keep us away from any likely-looking passes, fight us all the way.”
> “Not only that,” Snag adds, “most certainly they would alert Vay, who—”
“Would send even more of her pets into the fray,” Alonya snarls.
“They would be like wave upon wave,” Talia nods, “crashing on the seashore.”
We grow quiet, with our own thoughts, trying to think our way out of our dilemma. After a bit, I say, “I’m not doing any good here, I need to have a little time alone and try to clear my head.”
I pace the distance to Golden Wind and slump down against her leg. She rouses just long enough to whisper, “Do not let discouragement and lost faith be the answer to your problem, Hooper. Sometimes the most obvious path is the last to be seen.”
“The most obvious path is the last to be seen?” I mutter, but she doesn’t answer, her eyes closed in sleep.
At footsteps, I glance up to find Cara standing in front of me, fists on her hips, and staring at me. “Go ahead, get it off your chest.”
“Nothing on my chest to get off,” she answers.
“Really? I know that look. You’ve got something on your mind and you’ve just got to get it out.”
“What I need to ‘get out’ is that you’re right, you need some time to get your mind off our little problem and think about something else.”
“Little problem?” I snort.
“Maybe not so little,” she admits. “But you need to relax for a few moments. Take a nap. Don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye out. But for now, you’re off duty, mister.”
“Cara, I can’t—”
“Yes, you can. We’ve all agreed that you’re a bit on the frazzled side. You need a few moments to let your mind catch its breath.”
“Let my mind catch its breath? I never heard of such a thing.”
“That’s because I just made it up. Now, unbuckle your sword, ease down, and get comfy.” She must have seen the hesitant expression on my face because she adds, “If you don’t, so help me, I’ll do it for you and I won’t be gentle.”
I blow out a breath and let my eyes search Cara’s face. There’s no doubt she means every word. I hold up a hand in surrender. “All right, I’ll rest for a few moments but I won’t take a nap.”
She shrugs in answer. “Suit yourself.”
Cara stays just long enough to watch me undo my scabbard belt, lay it aside Galondraig and ease myself into a more comfortable position. When I’m down, she spins and marches away.
“Nap, the girl says,” I mutter under my breath. “Think about anything else, she says, other than the fact that we have our heads in a noose that’s about to snap tight around our necks.”
I yawn and shake my head, trying to clear my muddied thoughts. “And she says I’m the one frazzled?” I yawn even harder. “She’s the one . . . who . . . may . . . need . . . to . . .”
I don’t know how long I’ve slept when my eyes pop open, I jump to my feet and as I buckle Galondraig around my waist my eyes search the camp for Talia. Spotting her, I run over to where she has her head down and her arms wrapped tight against uplifted and bent knees.
Reaching over, I gently tap her on the shoulder. Her head snaps up. “My turn for the watch?” she yawns.
“No,” I reply and grab her hand, pulling her to her feet. “But I have an idea, and since you’re an expert in this sort of thing I need your help to see if it’s even feasible.”
“Wha—” she begins but I interrupt, saying, “Best if I show you instead of trying to explain.”
I motion toward the line of trees and brush that obscures the valley. “The overlook, c’mon.”
She grabs her Wave Master and together we hurry over to the tree line where we crouch down and scoot up to the precipice where Amil is keeping watch over the Wilders who still sky over the river valley.
Crawling up beside the big man, I point down at the broad vale. “What if . . .” I hurriedly explain my idea, adding new points as I talk through my notion. The longer I speak, the rounder Talia’s eyes grow.
When I’m finished, Talia doesn’t speak, her eyes still on the valley below, but that doesn’t stop Amil from stammering, “Hooper, you’ve come up with more than crazy ideas before but this one tops them all. Even for you, you can’t be serious.”
“You bet I am,” I answer, “unless you’ve thought of something better.”
“Me? No, I can’t say that I have, but still—”
“But still,” I interject, “we not only need a way out of this trap, but a way to get inside that mountain and hopefully beyond. As crazy as it sounds, I think we can do this and it’ll do both of those things for us.”
I turn to Talia. “But as I said, you’re our expert on this sort of thing. Do you think it’s possible?”
“Possible?” she replies. “I guess so. But I’m with Amil, it’s crazy. Definitely crazy.”
“All right, I’ll take a definite crazy as a possible yes. Not a resounding yes, but it’ll do. C’mon, let’s get back to the company and see what they think.”
“What they think?” Amil asserts. “I’ll tell you what they’re going to think. That you’ve come up with some wild ideas before but this one absolutely takes—”
“The cake? How I wish I had one to take, cake would taste really good about now.”
We scoot back from the bush-lined edge and quickly gather the company. “I have an idea—”
“A crazy idea,” Amil adds under his breath, “but what’s new with Hooper?”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I reply. “So, here’s my idea.” Quickly I rush through the high points and then turn to Talia. “Talia thinks we can do this, though I admit, like me, she thinks it’s a little risky.”
“Little?!” Helmar snaps. “Those mountains over there are little compared to your gamble. Why, we’ll be right under the noses of those Wilders or had you forgotten that?”
“No, I haven’t forgotten.” I take in a deep breath. “Sometimes you have to risk everything in order to gain everything.”
“What about Regal?” Tavin points out. “Are you sure he won’t—”
“Stick up?” I reply and shake my head. “We’ll find out soon enough, as I intend to send him and Wave Rider out first. If Regal can make it, then I’m pretty sure the rest of us can.”
I turn to Alonya. “Though I’m not sure you’ll be able to ride him. You might have to be alongside.”
Alonya nods. “I can do that, though after my last experience with something this similar, I don’t exactly relish the thought.”
“It’s going to be icy cold,” Helmar points out. “It’s ice- and snow-fed and—”
“Colder than Vay’s heart,” Amil adds.
“We’ve been in cold before,” Cara replies, “or had you forgotten, and made it through.”
“Just barely,” Helmar growls, “and only because Hooper used the gemstones.” He whips his head around to me. “Are you planning on doing the same here?”
“This close to Vay?” I snort. “Now, that would really be crazy.”
“Would it matter to you, Hooper,” Amil questions, “if I told you I can neither swim nor hold my breath underwater?”
“Hmm,” I reply, “that is a problem. Tell you what, you can stay behind with Scamper and Silky. I haven’t figured out a way to get them over there yet.”
Amil’s eyes flick toward the two furballs who are investigating a hole at the base of one of the trees. “No thanks, I’ll manage somehow.”
“Thought you would,” I nod.
“Hooper,” Pim begins, her eyes grave and full. “You’re weren’t serious about leaving those two behind?”
“Of course not,” I reply, giving Amil a grin, “that was for Amil’s benefit to make sure our best axman and storyteller came along.”
“Especially,” Alonya grins, “as he’s going to tell us the tale about Umbria.”
Amil bunches up his face, his face showing a dark scowl. “Add to your titles,” he growls at me, “that of Trickster. And to you, Your Majesty,” he retorts, “I would think
such things were beneath your dignity and station.”
Alonya grins even wider. “Remember, out here, I’m just Alonya, an Amazos warrior.”
“So I see,” Amil grumbles.
“So,” Pim asks, turning to me, “you have thought of a way for Scamper and Silky to get to the opening?”
I point toward the sleeping sprites. “Them. They may have to make several trips but they can do it.”
“Aren’t you afraid they’ll be seen?” Pim counters.
“No, they’ll be able to sky under the tree canopy and it’ll be too dark. I think we stand a greater chance of discovery than they do.”
“So,” Amil questions, “just when do we start this wild-hare scheme of yours?”
“As soon as it’s dark enough,” I reply, “we’ll make our way down to the valley floor.” I give a little shrug and say, “After that, if it works, it’ll be a matter of the dragons moving slow and easy, following nose to tail, and no splashing.”
“No splashing, the man says,” Amil mutters. “If I start to drown may I have permission to splash?”
“No,” I reply straight-faced. “I expect you to drown quietly and without a fuss so that you don’t alert the Wilders.”
Amil blinks several times before we both slowly break out in grins. “I’d say,” Cara remarks in a dry voice to me, “that we add wannabe court jester to that list.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Just past nightfall, Marce heads down the sharp hillside, looking for a suitable and concealed path to lead the company down to the river. I hadn’t wanted to send her alone but she was adamant that she could do this best without a companion and that by having two we only increased the likelihood of discovery.
Knowing how good her “lurking” skills are, I relented and let her go alone. Now, my companions and I wait in the darkness for her to reappear.
With each passing moment that Marce doesn’t show, my unease grows. “This is taking too long,” Cara hisses at my side. “She should be back now.”
“I shouldn’t have let her go alone,” I moan.
“Easy, Hooper, Cara,” Tavin says quietly, “Marce knows what she’s doing. I suspect she’s taking her time to find the best route down, which is not necessarily the fastest.”