Authors: Thomas Rath
Teek hesitated at the sudden show of arms before turning slightly red with embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” he offered shyly. “I did not mean to cause such a scene but we didn’t want to be made an easy target for the enemy by making a long, deliberate approach.”
Jack cleared his throat. “And where exactly have you been playing at these pass few days,” he grumbled at the boy as Tchee hopped into the grand room away from a possible arrow shot from below. Strutting along the north wall, she peered into the darkness in its deep recesses, a slight rumble building in her throat before she settled herself to wait.
“I am truly sorry, your highness,” Teek bowed in humble obeisance, “but the mind of a roc does not always match that of its rider. The good news though, it would seem, is that I think she has convinced others of her kind to help us.”
“And what good are a flock of oversized birds?” Soyak complained.
“They keep the dragons at bay,” Jne said, flashing one of her rare smiles on the Waseeni boy who blushed an even deeper red. “They will be most welcome,” she added.
Jack’s faced brightened at the prospect. Though they could only stall the inevitable, it might be just long enough to give Thane time to return and cause Zadok’s army to lose interest. But how to deal with dwarfs, humans, and worse, Tjal-Dihn all boxed up in such close quarters? He couldn’t be sure which side would break first. It very well could be those in the keep that lost interest—unless they were given something to do. Idle hands feed wrath’s fires while those engaged direct its heat.
“And what of our way out?” Tryg’s voice broke from the shadows though he kept himself hidden still.
Jack regarded those before him. “You are correct, as we have just witnessed, that I cannot keep such secrets to my grave. But, you must all give solemn witness to keep this one to yourselves until a strategy is agreed upon for engaging the enemy. We cannot afford groups sneaking out to fight and risk the hidden entrance be compromised over to the enemy.”
All heads nodded in agreement as Jack turned his eyes on each in turn. “Very well,” he continued, “just off of this hall, through the northwestern door is a room that in all appearances is nothing more than an antechamber filled with books. But by twisting the sconce to the left of the door, a hatch is revealed in the floor that leads down to a hidden opening out the northern end of the keep. At every level a similar room is come upon with the same hidden hatch until the bottom floor where the sconce opens a concealed wall out to the valley floor. It can be accessed from any level so it is of the utmost importance that it not be discovered since all can imagine the damage it would bring should the enemy discover it.”
No one heard the very northwestern door Jack had spoken of open slowly and then close as an unkempt man with only one arm, passed through and was already turning the sconce that revealed the hatch. He suppressed a wheezing cackle as he took to the descending stairs, his mind having finalized the plan that would bring him his victory. He’d almost left his hiding place with his dagger bared when the boy and the bird suddenly appeared out of the sky. He might have gotten close enough, but with all the other weapons in the room, he’d let patience overrule his need for killing and now nothing could keep him from fulfilling his destiny. “Don’t worry none, Zel,” he crowed under his breath as he descended the second stair. “We’ll be cuttin’ ‘im good and soon.”
“Is that it?” Tryg demanded, drawing all eyes to the shadows where he stood, his voice suddenly changing in power and tone. Erl growled, abruptly standing while Tchee gurgled in her throat.
“What be ye playin’ at boy?” Helgar demanded. “Come out from the shadows where we can all be seein’ ya.”
“Gladly,” he hissed as a massive form suddenly rushed forward, the last appendages of what once was the Waseeni boy’s body transforming into an enormous red dragon. The hall erupted in surprise and fire as he belched out a wave of flame scattering the hall in all directions as people abandoned weapons and scurried for cover. Completing his transformation, Tryg’s great serpentine body rushed for the balcony edge, no thoughts on the easy kills that had flung themselves behind pillars or pressed in desperate retreat through the few closest doorways. He had the secret that would gain him favor in Zadok’s eyes and place him above his brothers and sister and an easy escape had been afforded him to the open sky. No longer would he grovel in the form of the worthless Waseeni. No longer would he be forced to suffer the human’s wolg or the strange stares he got from Domis or Teek. Should he ever meet either one again, he would take joy in devouring their flesh as he had the whole Waseeni people. He cried out in triumph as he cast himself out of the keep and into the air.
Teek was stunned by what he’d just witnessed as he peered out from behind a pillar as the last vestiges of Tryg’s body were finally swallowed up in the form that was the dragon. The blast of fire seared into his mind as he remembered the charred remains of what had once been his home and family. With it came a primal rage that suddenly flared, equaling the heat of the flames with a vengeful desire to cut down the thing that had taken all that was dear from him. With a cry of his own, he leaped from his hiding place just as Tryg’s dragon body cleared the balcony and dropped from site. As if reading his thoughts, Tchee moved with him, just a step ahead, jumping from the balcony right before Teek shot up onto the railing and flung himself into the air.
Opening her wings, Tchee caught an upward draft that lifted her slightly, catching the small boy as he landed softly onto her back and then she tucked them in and shot forward, giving chase to their foe. Jack’s and Jne’s faces peered over the railing and watched as they disappeared into the darkening sky.
* * *
The days seemed to all blur into one as they raced through the woods taking only the shortest breaks as needed for food and the least amount of rest. They were continually passed from one Kybara to another as fresh “mounts” were provided to allow them the greatest amount of speed in reaching their destination. The pack grew at an almost constant rate as others joined the race, the word spreading quickly that the Chufa had returned and war was at the forest’s edge. Aisig had joined the group once again after having left for an extended period and was carrying Thane through the Underwoods’ mist that seemed to hang on to the undergrowth.
The splendor and joyous feelings that had accompanied their reunion with the YeiyeiloBaneesh trees had still not diminished making the exhausting ride bearable as each reminisced in their minds and hearts the experience that had been a personal communion with their Tane. Each understood now the entity that was their birthright. The actual living influence that surrounded them on all sides was no longer a mere gift to be used but a living and breathing part of them that had substance and mass. Even Domis seemed to sense the sacred union that had been between the Chufa and their Tane. So much so, in fact, that he felt somewhat ashamed for having witnessed it.
Sadly, the promise of war and bloodshed was a dark specter that seemed to nag at their minds as well, picking away at the light and peace that each one so desperately fought to hold onto.
“
We are here
,” Aisig’s voice broke into their minds, disrupting their silent contemplations.
Thane dropped from his back working life back into his legs as the others did the same. Walking stiffly, the four companions broke away from their Kybara friends toward the last remaining trees that marked the outer edges of the Underwoods forest. “It’s almost night,” Dor spoke as they all peered across the countryside.
Tam’s eyes went slack as she cast herself, without hesitation, into the wind that brushed lightly across her face sending her spirit with it to scout the area. Though Thane could have followed, he didn’t feel the need to baby her any longer, instead turning his attention to a piece of bread Dor pushed at him.
“How far away are we?” Domis asked between bites into an apple he’d gotten from his pack.
“It’s hard to say,” Thane answered, “since I’m not quite certain where we are. Tam will let us know shortly.”
“
You are about a half a day’s journey from the great HuMan mountain home
,” Aisig’s voiced answered in their minds. “
I will take you there if you still wish it, though we generally do not leave the boarders of the woods
.”
“We may need all of you, I’m afraid,” Dor sighed, knowing all too well the force that threatened them.
“It’s begun!” Tam’s voice suddenly announced, startling them as she returned to her body. “The keep is under siege.”
“We’re late,” Dor spat.
“Maybe,” Tam countered, “but we may not have missed our role in this fight. A dragon approaches.”
Thane looked at his friend, a strange light glowing in his eyes. “Are you certain?”
Tam only nodded.
“You three take cover in the trees,” Thane suddenly commanded while retrieving his bow and setting the string.
Dor grabbed his arm. “Wait. We can all help with this,” he said, not willing to merely watch as his friend faced death alone. “We all have arrows.”
Thane pulled the precious arrow the YeiyeiloBaneesh tree had given him and loosely fit it to the string. “I know, but we can’t risk losing any of them should one of us miss.”
Dor looked like he would laugh. “Miss?”
Thane’s expression didn’t change. “You will have your opportunity, Dor. But I can’t afford the distraction of having you and Tam out there with me. Not to mention the fact that I want the dragon to come to me.”
Dor was surprised to find Tam’s hand on his arm gently pulling him back toward the forest. At the mention of the dragon, Domis had happily obeyed Thane’s command and was already lost to view in the thick trees. “It comes quickly,” she said in a soft hush. “We must be away.”
Thane stared after her, his mouth agape, his face laid bare with surprise at her willingness to let him do this. Dor just shook his head and followed her as they strode back into the woods. When they were lost to his view, Thane turned and rushed out quickly onto the plains, his eyes scanning the sky for his quarry.
* * *
Teek and Tchee swooped down and then shot back high banking to the left as they raced after their lumbering prey. Tryg had the secret he needed and was turning east thinking to make a quick getaway and gain the praise of his master when Tchee’s disdainful shriek caught his attention just as the large bird dropped down onto his back. It angered him that such an insignificant creature could cause such trouble to one of his majesty and power. Banking to the right, going south, he tried to shake his attackers cursing all along that Teek was not among the casualties from his attack on the Waseeni swamps. Again, Tchee pressed down on him, forcing him closer to the ground where he would have happily landed and fought, but he needed to get back to Zadok and he knew that Teek and his little pet would not face him head on.
Multiple times he made to turn east in an attempt to get back to his master, but Tchee’s assault was relentless. Miles passed beneath them as the great dragon moved its colossal body with as much speed and agility as it was able but it was no match for the smaller, lighter bird. And yet, this stalemate was as grating on Teek as it was Tryg.
Teek screamed with rage at the boy turned dragon that he had befriended and defended for this whole time unknowing of the treacherous wretch he really was. Tchee dropped on him again but her claws were no match for the armor that was the dragon’s skin and Teek knew his blow gun or dagger would have the same impotent affect. The frustration of not being able to mount a proper attack only fed his rage to the point of crazy abandon. He had to destroy this murdering menace not only in revenge for its killing his family and home but to save the lives of his knew friends. But he was uncertain in how to carry out the task. The only vulnerable spot was its eyes. Teek didn’t hesitate. As Tchee made another pass, he slipped his dagger into his mouth and then jumped from the roc’s back landing with a thud on Tryg’s back just at the base of his skull.
* * *
Thane raced out onto the plain sprinting northward his eyes searching the darkening sky above for his prey. The arrow pulsed with life in his hand as if sensing its purpose and anxious to be about its business. He hadn’t thought to quiz Tam closer on her discovery, the excitement of finally being able to fight against Zadok’s terrifying creations had spurred him on without a second thought. It was now that he wondered if he’d been premature and if his race to meet the fight would turn out to be unfruitful.
He paused at the distant cry that could only be a dragon’s wail and then almost leaped into the air with excitement when he spotted the inky black smudge taking shape as it drew closer to him overhead. He stopped and tested the line on his bow before nocking the arrow and waiting for the dragon to draw near. He didn’t have to wait long as the form materialized and he pulled back on the bow and took aim. Taking a deep breath, he steadying himself and was just about to let fly his deadly bolt when his eye caught the flutter of wings dropping down just above his prey.
Slowly lowering his bow and releasing the tension he cursed at his luck. “Teek!” He couldn’t fire and risk hitting the Waseeni boy and his bird. He watched as they raced toward him and then caught his breath as a small figure flew off of Tchee and landed on the dragon’s neck.