by Rick Brown
"The only reason I can't complain about this plan is because I cannot think of a better one," Ryan admitted.
“Look, we have three magic users here,” Lee continued. “With Father Yagen, Abi, and myself we should be able to do some serious damage to the beast even if my sword fails. If it’s entangled in a net, all the better.”
Barad sighed. “Ok, well we’d better move while the things still asleep.” Going to his horse, he untied the net that was bundled there. “I hope this net holds up.”
“What about the horses?” Abigail asked.
“We’ll tie them up here. The plan of using them to pull down the netted dragon fell apart as soon as we entered this cave. They’ll be safer here. We’ll still use them to get the gold back,” Lee answered.
“Oh, they won’t be able to carry this much gold,” I told him, a silly smile covering my face as I once again pictured the pile of gold. “It’ll take a wagon train to get all the gold out of this cave.”
Lee smiled. “There’s really that much?”
“More,” I grinned back.
Brianna and I led the group back towards the sleeping giant. Carefully, I led Lee up to the alcove so that he could take a look. I could tell by listening that the dragon still slept. As Lee looked around the corner, I could see his jaw drop. After a moment of gawking, I had to pull him back from the entrance.
I could see the wheels of his mind spinning as he considered what he had seen. I knew from personal experience that the vast amount of gold in there was overwhelming. Carefully, I guided Lee back to the group.
“Is it true?” Barad whispered excitedly. “Is there as much gold as they said?”
Lee nodded as if in a daze. “More. More gold than you can imagine.”
“So, what do we do?” Barad asked.
Lee shook his head. “Sorry. First, we should find a way to put up the net. I can levitate someone above the alcove entrance. Maybe they can wedge it between some rocks.”
“Well Laddie, I can tell ya it won’t be me,” Orlik said as he emphatically shook his head.
“No, you’re soon to be King of the Dwarves, I wouldn’t ask that of you. Lenux, however, is not,” he said as he turned to me. “So Lenux, I’ll levitate you up. With your climbing experience, you can grab onto something if there’s a problem.”
“Why would there be a problem?” I asked worriedly.
Lee gave me a reassuring smile. “There won’t be, I just like redundancy.”
“Sure, but why do we need redundancies?” I asked again.
Carefully, I wedged the corner of the fishing net into one of the crevices over the alcove entrance. It wasn’t as easy to hang as Lee had optimistically made it sound. The net was far heavier than it looked, and the weight continually fought against me as I tried to make it stay in place.
Finally, I felt confident the net wouldn’t fall prematurely and waved for Lee to bring me down. I was beginning to feel the pressure as the cave started to lighten with the first signs of dawn. I wasn’t familiar with the sleeping patterns of a red dragon, but I didn’t feel this lizard was the type to sleep in.
Brianna had already stretched the net across the span of the alcove opening, which was enormous. It had to be to fit its current occupant. I led Lee across the opening to the other side, where the second corner needed to be hung. I picked up the corner and took a deep breath, turning to Lee, I gave him a nod.
With a jolt, I started levitating into the air. I would need to talk to Lee about being a little more gentle about these lifts, but now wasn’t the time. I felt a moment of panic as Lee lifted me too close to the wall, scraping my knee across the edge. Gravel fell from the wall, tumbling to the rocky floor below. I held my breath as the small stones landed, sounding like drum beats to my ears. Lee froze me in midair. I hovered there as we both listened for any sign that the dragon was disturbed. Using my hearing, I carefully monitored the beast’s breathing. Once I was convinced that the dragon still slept, I signaled to Lee to continue lifting me.
The one good thing about dawn breaking was I could now see better. It only took a moment to locate a nook that could hold the netting. Using both hands, I lifted the heavy rope over the crevice edge and wedged it in. Once I was confident that this one too would stay put for anything short of a dragon walking through it, I signaled Lee to lower me down. Quickly we made our way back to the group, who could do nothing but wait.
“How did it go?” Barad asked.
“Lenux did it,” Lee whispered with a light pat on my back. “The net is in place.”
“So, now all you have to do is walk up to a sleeping dragon and kill it with one blow. Easy right?” Abigail asked. “This doesn’t sound like a bad idea to anyone else?”
“It’s what the gods wish to be done,” Father Yagen reminded.
“Yes, but they didn’t say how. As far as we know, they’re out there somewhere shaking their heads in disappointment,” Abigail pointed out.
“Good plan or not, it’s the only one we have,” Lee whispered back. “Unless someone has been struck with inspiration and left it unsaid. No?” Everyone sat quietly. “Then this is our only plan. That makes it the best.”
Abi stepped across the group and gave Lee a hug. “Just be careful.”
Lee smiled back. “I always am.”
Chapter 31
(Lee)
After all the debate with Abi about how sound this plan was, a lot of doubt crept in as I stood just outside the alcove entrance. Through the netting, I could see the enormous figure of the dragon inside. Looking at it, my sword felt very small in my hand. Taking a deep breath, I pulled the netting back far enough to slide through.
Carefully, I stepped around, just outside of the magnificent pile of coins. At any other time, that would have been enough to overwhelm me. However, right now there was an even more immediate concern about the beast nesting on top of the fortune.
Glancing around, I could not see a way to reach the dragon without walking up the pile of coins. I didn’t have Brianna nor Lenux’s ability to silently creep my way up the pile without disturbing the coins and making enough noise to wake the beast. Finally, I realized the easiest thing to do would be to levitate myself up.
I stared at the monster trying to decide where to strike. Looking at the dragon's enormous chest, I started to worry that I could not reach the heart. Not through its thick armor-like scales. Likewise, the creature's skull looked to be carved from stone. The idea of striking through that seemed even less likely. Now that I stood before the creature, I wished I had asked Alynon for a little more advice on how to attack the beast.
Sighing, I decided the only viable option was the neck. It was long and slender, unlike any other part of the dragon. Unable to think of any other reason to delay, and trust me, I tried to think of some, I levitated myself into the air.
Once in the air, I realized the top of the dragon was uncomfortably close to the cavern ceiling. I would have to be careful if the monster started thrashing around. I lifted myself until I hovered just over the dragon's scaly neck. Holding the sword's hilt in both hands, I held the point only a mere foot over the dragon's flesh. As I lifted the blade, one golden eye of the beast opened, with its head crooked against its tail, it stared directly at me.
If a dragon is capable of showing shock and anger in its somewhat expressionless face, this dragon did. Wasting no time, I released myself from levitating and dropped onto the dragon's neck. Using all the force I could muster, I drove home the blade.
Instead of the beast’s death that I was expecting, however, came an alarming turn as the creature stood, letting out a deafening roar as I hung onto the blade hilt for all my life. Fire burned through the chamber as I quickly shielded myself from the torrents of flame around me.
“Look out,” I yelled into the cavern. “It’s awake.”
The dragon thrashed as it attempted to dislodge me against the hard cavern walls. Using it to my advantage, I pushed off the cavern side, driving the sword i
nches deeper into the monster. Again, with a roar, the creature sprinted forward, running into the net we had prepared as the trap.
I felt the ropes fall over me, pinning me to the dragon’s shoulder as I still held on to the sword’s hilt, Alynon’s Tear glowing from between my fingers.
“Lee!” I heard Abigail scream as the dragon charged out into cavern.
“Watch out for the fire!” I yelled out. “I can’t protect you!”
Barad ran forward, one of Lenux’s spears in his hand, with a leap, he stabbed at the beast’s side, but just bounced off as the spear failed to find purchase. The dragon roared as it found itself surrounded. Swinging around to attack Barad, the beast became further entangled with the netting. I tried to use this to my advantage, but the fishing net pulled tight, restraining me tighter to the dragon’s side.
Releasing an enraged roar, the dragon tripped, falling onto its side. Whilhoit rushed forward, using another spear, he stabbed at the beast’s exposed belly. With a hard strike, he managed to pierce between the dragon’s scales.
“Good hit!” Father Pild called out.
Angrily, the dragon pulled itself up, still enwrapped in the netting, stretching its wings, the pressure of the net lifted, and I was able to pull myself back up into a sitting position on the dragon’s neck. With another push, the sword slid slightly deeper. Flames billowed again from the dragon’s mouth. This time, the dragon took to wing, lifting us both up into the heights of the cavern.
The dragon looked upon my friends as it watched them scurry for cover at the beasts unexpected flight. Seeing what appeared to be easy prey, the dragon dove down upon the stones where Abigail had taken shelter. The monstrous jaws widening to engulf her. With a quick spin, she released a ball of fire at the dragon’s nose. In shock, the dragon launched itself back into the air.
Turning to look for easier prey, it swung its tail at Barad, sending him flying across the room. As the dragon started to close on him, Brianna rushed forward, throwing her spear at the dragon’s wing, piercing the membrane. The dragon bellowed in pain, giving her enough time to rush over to Barad. Farloc stepped forward, firing his arrows at the dragon’s face long enough for the two of them to escape.
“This be for me great-grand da!” Orlik yelled as he launched his axe with a two-handed throw. The magical weapon spun through the air, lodging into the dragon’s chest. With a roar of pain, the beast tried in vain to pull it free.
As its wings flapped, the netting started to fall from the left side, freeing half of its body. "Lee! Look out!" Father Yagen yelled as he began releasing fireballs at the dragon. Abigail joined him with her shots of lightning. Getting a short reprieve from the endless jostling, I noticed that Ryan was exposed. I threw up a quick shield over him, just before he was engulfed in the dragon's flame.
Grabbing the sword with both hands again, I used my magic to shove the sword deeper while sending a burst of power through the blade. This time the sword struck home, driving through the beast’s spine. Time seemed to freeze as the dragon’s movements stopped. Suddenly, the monster and I fell towards the cavern floor below. Only a quick shield preventing me from being severely injured. Rolling off the dragon’s neck, I slid to a stop just inches from the beast’s maw as the last of its hot breath escaped its mouth. The dragon was defeated.
Chapter 32
(Max)
“Why can’t you walk in a straight line?” I bellowed at the Alsselyian cadets. “Some of you were farmers, weren’t you? What in the hells did your fields look like, wavy lines?”
The soldiers straightened up and continued their march down the road. I had to admit, I was proud of how fast this group was coming around. The King's Guard and I trained them in protocols while they marched and drilled them with swords in the evening. Living under the rule of Dommeran had taken a toll on these folks. They were anxious to give some back.
Herrin was their leader during the march, so I promoted him to Sergeant and worked him twice as hard as the others, but he led them here, so the responsibility was his. He accepted the additional burden without complaint. He was going to make a good officer. Every evening, he joined one of the guards in their tent and he practiced reading. I wasn't going to have an officer that couldn't read an order. Educating our people was something that separated the Fox Guild from the others. It was an investment that paid for itself many times over.
During the day, I had him follow me as we rode around the men that marched. He needed to learn quickly how to command. Watching me was an excellent way to do that. “Sergeant!” I called out. “I can see the line breaking up ahead. Go put that group back into shape!”
"Yes, Sir!" Herrin called out as he pushed his horse forward. As I watched, I could see him pointing to the group, ordering them back into a marching line. I smiled as I watched. This whole group had more discipline in them than units that were together for three years. I guess living under those hardships had made them tough.
Our march to the south had been uneventful, the weather perfect for travel. Marching two thousand men across the kingdom could be a logistical nightmare. Luckily, the Army had been stockpiling rations for the war, so the men weren’t starving as we marched. Arthur was working on a deal with Stiven Waith for his town to continue growing wheat for hardtack. Making sure your soldiers had food and water could win or lose a war.
"One of the scouts is returning," Herrin announced, waking me from my reverie. I looked up to see a rider coming back down the line.
“General,” he announced as he rode forward. “Lady Itchard has directed that we make camp south of the mansion, by the river.”
“I see,” I said as I looked over at the scout, “and did you review the area?”
"I did Sir. Clean water, flat. A clear line of sight. It's a worthy location."
“Very good, well reported. Ride forward and tell whichever King’s Guard is leading right now that we shall be making camp in that area, then lead him there.”
“Yes, Sir,” the scout acknowledged, then turned and rode back to the front of the column.
“Seems a good man,” I said to Herrin.
"Yes, Sir. Private Gerral," Herrin agreed.
"When you see someone take the initiative, as that young man did, mark him. Watch him. Good thinkers are hard to find," I explained.
“Yes Sir,” Herrin said with a nod.
“Congratulations, Sergeant. You’re about to complete your first order. Transporting an army of recruits across country to their new training ground.”
“Thank you, General. It wasn’t much of a test. We just walked a bunch of men down the road,” Herrin admitted.
“You think this was foolproof, Lad?” I asked him. “Just because nothing did go wrong, doesn’t mean it couldn’t. Hells boy, I sent men shopping that never made it back.”
Herrin gave a grin at the thought. "Yes, sir."
Private Gerral led us to the field Lady Itchard had indicated. I didn’t know anything about this woman, but her choice in our camp was well thought out. Private Gerral’s analysis was correct. Clean water, a large flat area. Everything a force like ours needed.
“Sergeant Bettir, work with the King’s Guard. Have them educate you on setting up a long-term encampment. Make sure the first thing they have you do is get my tent set up,” I ordered.
“Yes Sir,” He stated as he rode off.
I found a tree and carefully stepped off my horse. It had been a long time since I had ridden this much. It was hard on an old man’s back. Not that I’d admit that to any of these whelps.
Gently, I lowered myself under the tree, laying in its ample shade. Should have ordered Herrin to set up here. I liked this spot. If the King's Guard were smart, they'd set up my tent here anyway. A privilege of being General. Setting my hat over my eyes, I dozed in the afternoon heat.
“Excuse me, General,” I heard from my slumber.
Pulling up my hat, I gazed against the blinding sun to make out the shadow standing before me. “Private Gerral,
correct?”
“Yes, sir,” He nodded.
“And what in the hells type of emergency is there that you would risk waking me?” I challenged.
“Sorry, General. I’d thought you’d want the know that Lady Itchard has requested you and your staff attend dinner at the manor tonight,” Gerral answered confidently. Good Lad. Never liked cowards.
“You made the right choice, Lad. Can’t keep a Lady waiting. Tell Herrin, the King’s Guard, and Felps to prepare. Is my tent ready?” I asked.
"Yes Sir, Sergeant Herrin had them set it up right next to your tree here. It's ready for you," he said as he pointed to the tent.
The boys are doing good today, I thought to myself.
Inside the tent, I found my dress uniform laid out on my cot and a bath prepared. Reaching in, the water was heated. Bless those wizards. Felps was traveling with us along with a couple of his people training the one hundred magic users that came in from Alsselya. I thanked Alynon every night for that gift. The Fox Guild had twenty-two magic users. We had more than any other guild. Getting one hundred people capable of using magic dropped in my lap was beyond my imagination.
A week's worth of dust slid away as I lowered myself into the bath. The warm water felt good on my old scars. Too many to count. The years of service to the guild had left their mark. At this point, I had no right to be alive. Many of my friends were not.
Taking a breath, I dunked under the water, rubbing my hands over my face and nearly bald head. I blamed the years of training cadets for the hair loss. It was less stressful to take on an enemy force than to take a bunch of children and try to turn them into soldiers. Still, I took pleasure in seeing what they became, the good ones. They made it worthwhile.
Stepping outside my tent, I made one last adjustment to my uniform. Damn, I looked good in Alsselyian blue, I thought as I smiled to myself. This old man can still pull it off.
Before the tent stood my staff. Felps, his Alsselyian blue robe already dirty. Somehow the man always seemed to look disheveled, a fine magic instructor though. Sergeant Herrin wearing a uniform we had quickly made for him before we left, and Sergeant MacGrevin of the King’s Guard. He was the second under Captain Whilhoit.