Dragon Clan #4: Gray's Story

CHAPTER ONE

High above the entrance to a hidden valley, Gray spotted movement where there shouldn’t be any. His breathing slowed as his heart beat faster. The flat drylands spreading below the mesa left few places to hide. The animals eking out lives down there did so with minimal food, water, and shade. Most were small. It was uncommon to spot animals large enough to see at any distance.

Still, he had spotted a flash of movement. It was larger than a rabbit, although he hadn’t managed to identify it yet. His eyes roamed the same muted drab landscape he had watched for most of his life. He saw it again. A fleeting movement from one meager piece of cover to another, just a subtle shift in desert browns as something, or someone, changed position.

“See that?” he asked without turning his head.

Anna, the youngest and newest of the watchers remained still, not answering. They lay beside each other in the shade of a shallow lean-to built on a lip of stone at the edge of the mesa. The small structure protected watchers from the burning sun by providing shade. The sloped roof and a ring of the carefully placed brush in front also helped conceal them from below.

The view was commanding. Best of all was a tiny trickle of cool water that seeped from the rock and pooled in a depression long ago chiseled into the stone. The water overflowed the shallow bowl carving and ran down the side of the rock mesa, evaporating long before reaching the bottom.

Anna finally said, “No, I don’t see anything, Gray. Am I in trouble?”

“You would be if you lied about something so important. Never lie about your duties as a watcher. Now, let your eyes drift to the floor of the desert. Allow them to find something not there earlier. But most of all look for movement first, and then color. Your eyes will pick out movement.”

“Since we went down there last spring and removed so many plants, there isn’t much for anyone to hide behind, so it should be easy to spot them. Did you really see anything out there or are you testing me again?”

“I saw it.”

“I didn’t.”

Gray’s eyes picked out a small flash of movement, again. It was probably Tessa, trying to sneak up on them again. She often tried that with the watchers, but it was her family job. She’d been trying to elude his quick eyes for fifteen years. Twice she’d done it. Only two times, but her attempts had kept him alert for countless other watches. She also assigned the shifts and ensured that each of them on watcher duty did their job well. They protected the family from intruders, an important position, and it had to be performed. He held no resentment.

Anna came alert with a start. Her body tensed. “I saw it.”

Gray had been looking at her eyes. She had not been watching the same place where he had seen movement. Maybe it’s not Tessa after all. “Be still. There might be more than one.”

“They’re the king’s men?”

She sounded frightened. From habit, Gray glanced at the sky to ensure no dragons flew. People of the Dragon Clan sometimes announced themselves by having a dragon fly past as they approached the canyon. His mouth felt like it had filled with desert sand. His eyes roamed the entire landscape, seeing nothing out of place.

“Over there,” Anna said, her attention focused on one side. “Near the wash. Look where that darker rock is near the bend.”

“I see the rock.” Gray watched until he noticed a tiny shift in color. That meant, at least, three men. A triad. All moving passed the mouth of the canyon slowly. They did not seem to be approaching the canyon. In time, they would pass by and continue south unless something changed.

“Want me to sound the alarm?”

“No. Not yet, Anna. Good job spotting that last one.”

“Will we kill them?”

A few of the family warriors could silently slip out into the wasteland and slay those skulking past, but then others would come seeking information about the missing dead. After that happened a few times, tales would spread among the normals living nearby. People would wonder why so many died. Eventually, his family home would be found and destroyed.

“Not unless we have to,” he said, never taking his eyes off the landscape. If the triad turned into the canyon mouth, Anna would race to warn the family, but there was no immediate danger unless they changed direction.

The best thing to do was watch and wait. The intruders still seemed to be moving further south, but they were always searching for anything that might point them to the location of his family home. They had searched for a long time because King Ember offered huge rewards.

The proper response was not about defeating the three men out there in the burning sun. That was easy. It was about whoever had sent those three. And all the ones before. King Ember’s father was snatched by a dragon from the center of his army and flown so high he could barely be seen. Then he was dropped down to the ground in the center of his troops. Dropped from so high up that after the rain, a puddle formed in the shape of the former king where he’d struck the ground. At least, that’s what people say.

Gray said, “Okay, go tell Tessa. Tell her they look like they’re passing us by.”

Easing to her feet, Anna whispered, “Please don’t insult me by telling me to be careful or quiet. I know what to do.”

Gray smiled, but his eyes never left the rolling, flat desert in front of him. Now that he had located the triad he relaxed to a degree. They always traveled in threes. A shift in color told the third was moving again. Anna vanished as if she had never been at his side.

Those below were the first of the king’s searchers they’d seen since before winter. But instead of exploring each canyon and searching for clues, as was normal, they were skirting past the entrance as if they had a destination further south in mind. While too far off to see detail, they appeared to move with unusual purpose. Whatever it was, the Dragon Clan needed to know. Normals had hated the Dragon Clan for hundreds of years. King Ember despised and feared them.

Any information on the actions of a triad was important. But the vastness of the drylands held its own secrets and death came slowly to those unprepared, unwary, or stupid.

Days further south, near the port city of Fleming, another Dragon Clan had first appeared three years ago, a mysterious group unassociated with all of the other families. At least some of them were living there. The others, as they called them, and they may have come from across the Endless Sea. Fleming lay, at least, two full days of hard, dry, travel away. Three or more days when moving slowly, as the triad below, maybe more. Still, Tessa might wish to send a warning of the triad to the new Dragon Clan near Fleming—and Gray decided he would volunteer for the mission.

Ever since meeting Fleet a year ago, the clan member from the slopes of Bear Mountain, Gray yearned to venture out of his home and make his own mark in the world. Well, that was more than he allowed himself to think about. But since meeting Fleet, Oasis seemed smaller, restrictive, and unexciting.

The triad used the growing afternoon shadows and moved further out on the flat desert floor. They should head in a more northerly direction where they might find water. In their present direction, at the slow pace they moved, all would die. Nobody could carry enough water to last more than two days and still be able to walk. This triad was moving at half the speed of travelers, so their trip would take more than four waterless days.

Tessa appeared silently at his side. She moved so quietly he hadn’t heard her approach, but he tried to hide his surprise. Anna must have found her quickly.

Tessa was older than Gray’s mother and taller than him. Over her lifetime, she had accumulated enough knowledge of soldiering and hunting to make her the envy of the family watchers. She remained at his side, still and silent, until she knew what she was looking at.

Tessa said, “I’ve spotted two of them.”

“The other’s out front. The scout.”

“I see him now. They’re probably from Princeton or the mountains. Not around here. Only idiots, or people who don’t know the drylands, would be out there in the late afternoon. What bothers me is their direction. Why go that way? There’s no water in that direction until they reach the Endless Sea, but they’ll never get that far. They’re as good as dead.”

Gray waited, allowing her to work it out for herself.

She watched until they were almost out of sight. “Their water is probably already gone. I’m still worried. Even though they’re ignoring the entrance to our canyon.”

“They think something dangerous is right in front of them.”

“Yes, they’re not sweeping for clues. They act like they know where they’re going, but there’s nothing in front of them but emptiness.”

This is the time. “If you send people after them, I want to go.”

Tessa pulled away before answering. “The council will decide. Come.”

Gray didn’t like the response. He waved an arm. “We can’t leave the watchtower with a triad out there.”

“Of course not. Anna will watch them.”

“She’s inexperienced and not here.”

“Even so, I’ll send her back, and she will watch and notify us if anything changes.”

Keeping up with Tessa proved to be difficult. Her long legs carried her up the valley faster than some people ran. She spotted Anna in the distance and waved to attract her attention. A fast explanation to the girl sent a hesitant Anna alone to the ‘watchtower’. Tessa and Gray traveled up the valley to where a spread of juniper and cacti grew so tightly packed together it appeared impenetrable.

She led the way into the thick shrubbery and ignored the branches and scratches that came with passing. When the branches grew too thick to pass while standing, she dropped to her knees and crawled. Gray followed in the soft sand.

He always appreciated that any stranger exploring the dead-end valley would never realize that beyond the impenetrable appearing juniper and cacti covered wall of the canyon was another blind valley. It butted up against tall, craggy cliffs of barren mountains. The family carefully cultivated the juniper and cacti, as had been the case for longer than anyone knew.

Just beyond the cacti, he stood up and climbed the last of the slope, well behind Tessa. Inside the second canyon, he paused at the rim to peer at the familiar sprawling valley where he could see sturdy houses, grasslands, and a stream that fed a lake. Most called it Oasis. A green place of water and gardens built in a desert. His home.

Even from the distance, he saw four children playing a game of tag near the shore. Someone was fishing in the lake from a rowboat. Near the small dock, a pair of teenagers shoved and pushed, each trying to get the other to fall into the water. In the rugged mountains beyond the valley, dragons roosted, usually the smaller reds. Now and then a black or green dragon stayed a season, but seldom more.

Last year Gray had listened to stories told by Fleet, a watcher from the Bear Mountain family. Raymer had become bonded with a dragon. Fleet visited the dragon lairs near his home for months until they finally allowed him to approach. While they never encouraged his visits, they, at least, tolerated him. After hearing Fleet’s stories, Gray started visiting the reds roosting near his home.

Only two dragons were there last spring. One of them sat on a clutch of eggs. He knew better than to go near her. The other dragon eyed him carefully but did not seem to object to his presence, as if it understood he was Dragon Clan. As they spent time together, Gray became more sensitive in recognizing the touch of pain on his back when a dragon was near. He could feel the tingling sensation now. The touch was light, persistent, and somehow reassuring.

Sawyer, the family clan leader, was already sitting in the shade of the apple orchard with the other council members gathered around. His white hair and beard gave him the appearance of age that his quick actions belied. Tessa glanced behind. Gray still followed, ignoring her impatient expression. She stopped in front of the council and without preamble gave her report. It was concise, abrupt, and it provided the brief account of the information about the triad, including her questions as to their direction. She ended her report by suggesting one of her watchers should follow those soldiers deeper into the drylands.

Only then did she sit. Gray found himself alone on his feet, yet he did not feel uncomfortable. After being on watch and lying down all morning, standing was a relief. Only four of the council members were present, but that was more than enough to send out a watcher.

“I want to go.” Gray heard words escape from his mouth before he was prepared to speak.

All eyes turned to him. He felt the judgment in them. In more than ten years of being a watcher, he had never once volunteered for family service beyond the canyon walls. He sensed their unasked questions but lifted his chin defiantly and waited. There was so much more he could say to them, but sometimes silence says more than words.

Sawyer looked back at Tessa. “Your opinion?”

She said, “We need someone to follow the triad. I don’t like the idea that it passed right by us. I also don’t like their direction.”

“Because they’re heading for Fleming?” Sawyer asked. “Or because they will never reach it?”

Tessa stood and paced as she spoke. “When Fleet and I were in Fleming, the others didn’t exactly welcome us. They had their green dragon attack Fleet’s. Considering that, do we owe them a warning?”

The clan leader remained calm and spoke softly. “We’re in danger because of their green dragons. One may fly over us any day and discover the location of Oasis. They may tell the king. Our lives here will end on that day. Yet, it’s true their greens continue attacking and killing the dragons we protect. You don’t know what’s best for us to do now, and neither do we. We’re fighting for our existence.”

“We’ve made changes,” Tessa relented.

“Yes. We now have three routes to escape our valley if we should be attacked. Each member of our family now knows of them, where to meet, and some know the routes to other families. We have made progress, but we can’t allow these circumstances to dictate our lives.” Sawyer gave a single nod to the other council members as if his words were stone.

Emma, a woman almost as old as Sawyer, and far more outspoken said, “We have two choices. We can venture out and protect our family by knowing and planning for what’s coming, or we can play turtle and pull our heads into our shells and pretend nothing dangerous is out there.”

“I want to go,” Gray repeated, seeing a chance to reinforce his position.

Sawyer turned and met eager eyes with his calm demeanor. “Tell me why.”

That was not the answer or question he expected. But he was prepared to fight for the right. They waited for him to speak. He chose his words carefully. “I don’t have a firm reason, at least not one I can clearly define. But I spotted the triad on my watch, and it’s time I do more than lay up there day after day.”

Sawyer and the others still waited for more. All looked at him expectantly, but patiently, as if knowing there was more to come.

“Ever since Fleet came here to warn us, I’ve had this feeling of inadequacy. Like I should do more. Fleet traveled all the way here from Bear Mountain. I’ve heard some of his stories. He’s a hero. So is Tessa. In a few days, Fleet accomplished more than I have in my entire life. Does this explanation make sense?” Gray lowered his eyes, knowing he sounded like a child and deserved their scolding.

Emma smiled, a rarity in itself. Her normally sharp voice said softly, “Gray, there is probably no better reason in the universe than the one you just gave. I vote for Gray to follow them.”

Sawyer nodded in solemn agreement as he asked, “Alone?”

The heads of all four on the council shook in unison. They all disagreed that he should go alone. Emma said, “The triad is out there. They’re dangerous men. We’re in agreement that we must know their intent, so there’s a time issue, and we cannot debate this for days. It’s simple. Whose skills will compliment Gray’s?”

“Tessa?” Sawyer suggested.

Emma shook her head, “No, she’s too valuable to risk, again. Soon she’ll sit at the head of this council, and she’s already risked herself being out in the world. We need someone else to learn what it’s like out there.”

Tessa said, “Stinson. He’s young, headstrong, and he’s restless. He cannot be trained to be a watcher. Yet he does little in the way of chores, and is a constant distraction.”

Gray felt his heart nearly stop beating. He wanted to shout that Stinson was the last person he wanted to accompany him anywhere. However, voicing his disapproval might cause the council to rethink his own appointment.

Sawyer glanced at the others for confirmation. Nobody objected. His attention returned to Gray, sensing the reluctance and resistance to come. “Make no mistake. This will be your job. You are in charge. I know Stinson will be difficult, but you will have to make him understand he is there to help you. Before you depart, I will speak to him. For now, he is your second, but that may change.”

Emma added, “We do not send our people into the world often, but when we do, there must be a purpose, and often there is more than one. Stinson needs to grow and understand family responsibility. Since you may be near Fleming, there’s a man who helped Fleet. Caldor is his name. We do not know who exactly he is, what his intentions are, or if he’s still there. Since he has helped us before, you will seek him out and introduce yourself.”

Tessa said, “Gray, there’s much more you need to know about Fleming, but I want you and Stinson to leave today before the triad dies of thirst. There are perhaps things you can learn from them if you reach them before all die. Go pack your things as fast as possible, Sawyer will talk to Stinson, and we will meet back here. I will accompany you into the desert this afternoon and return tonight.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Gray said, reluctant to appear that he needed more help. If he was to be in charge, he needed to act like it.

“Yes, I do. There’s too much to tell you without delaying your departure. How to act, where to sleep and find water, the inn where you will stay if you go to Fleming, and more.” Tessa drew nods from all the adults with her words.

Gray raced off to his home, wearing a grin and threatening to grow into a smile that reached each ear. His mind swirled with thoughts of mighty heroes, fighting dragons, champions, beautiful women, and excitement. Even the idea of Stinson at his heels didn’t bother him. He reached for his bedroll, remembering the many cold nights he’d spent at the watchtower.

His old yellow dog, the one he’d grown up with, lay on the floor and watched him pack. He tried to avoid the accusing eyes and couldn’t. Then he heard his name called from outside. He gave the dog a pat on the rump and went outside, the dog limping at his side. Then the dog came alert and issued a single low growl of warning.

The younger man, Stinson, stood on the porch. He was the last person Gray wished to see at his house. Stinson stood blocking the doorway, hands on hips, a snarl on his face. His travel bag sat fully packed at his feet. His voice grated. “So you managed to get yourself appointed a general, huh?”

“The council put me in charge of this trip, yes.”

“That old man, Sawyer, already gave me a pep talk. But if you expect me to bow down to you, think again.”

Gray calmed himself and drew a deep breath before speaking. “There’s danger out there in the drylands. A triad sent by the king. If we fail our mission, it might lead the king’s troops here.”

“Sawyer gave you the same load of bull crap, huh?”

Gray realized Stinson’s attitude could cost his home and the lives of his family. As the leader of the expedition, Gray’s first priority would be to do what was best for the family. Family always comes first. In a flash of insight, he realized that, under the wrong circumstances, he might have to kill Stinson to protect the family.

He set his jaw. He was sworn to his duty and took his responsibilities seriously. I’ll do what’s needed.