Dragon Clan #4: Gray's Story

CHAPTER TEN

Before the sun rose, Gray had gathered his belongings and was ready to travel. The morning air was sharp, and sea odors filled it. As he eased his door open, he almost tripped over a cloth sack in the dark. The food Bear had promised. The sack had a looped rope to close it and provide a strap for his shoulder. It weighed at least twice as much as he expected.

How much does he think I can eat? Gray walked quietly down the stairs, checking for Bear’s guards and finding none, yet knowing they watched his every move. He left the inn and turned back the way he’d entered the city. The same road that had carried him into Fleming carried him out.

There were few people out, and the day had not yet dawned. A baker shook flour off an apron. The air was damp, an odd feeling for a man raised in a desert. He carried his staff in his left hand, his new quiver over one shoulder, and the bow over the other. His water bottles were filled, his body recovered from his last trek across the drylands, and his mind active and excited. His trip had produced more information in a short time that he believed possible.

Yet he kept his eyes busy searching the darkness as he left the large buildings behind and passed by the small farms and houses at the edge of the city. He did not spot one of Bear’s people yet had no doubt he never walked alone. As the sun peeked over the horizon, the last of the buildings of Fleming was behind.

A few people walked on the road. Most of them carried produce or wheeled carts of goods for sale in Fleming. Most either said good-morning or nodded a greeting. All were headed into town. Gray kept watch on tall hills or places where the road could be watched. More of Caldor’s people, or simply highwaymen, could be there.

Much later he found where he’d emerged from the drylands onto the road. The stream where he’d filled his bottles was out there somewhere. So was Stinson. At least, his body was. Gray couldn’t transport it back to Oasis, but he could locate it and give it a burial.

He glanced around to make sure no eyes were watching and then left the road. He walked on hard, bare rock for several steps, leaving no tracks. Then he headed for the stream where he’d left Stinson, expecting to find him around every turn and bend.

The stream was there, but Stinson was not. There was no sign of him. He might have tried to return to Oasis. Without water, he would never have made it, but with Stinson you never know. He may have rested a couple of days at the stream and then headed home. If so, he could still be alive and ready to attack Gray anywhere along the way.

Gray was still fresh as he topped off his bottles and drank as much as he could hold. If he moved fast, he would spend only one night in the drylands. By tomorrow night, he could be at the spring, and home the day after. It would be a hard trip, but what he wanted was to tell his tale, so he could return and strike for Shrewsbury.

The day passed quickly, and instead of halting early he continued on into the dark. A dry camp without fire passed too. Late the next day he camped at the seep. He built a small fire and kept watch. If Stinson were going to attack him, this would be the spot. He searched for any indications of anyone camping there and found none. Stinson would not be so careful, and he would have burned all the wood stored for emergencies.

Gray slept well and walked into the drylands with first light. In the late afternoon, he crossed the desert and looked up to where the watch post sat on the tip of the mesa. He gave a wave and walked on, sure that he’d been spotted, and there would be people waiting to hear his story.

He was right on all counts. Tessa joined him near the mouth of the canyon but only nodded. She made no mention that he was alone. She asked no questions. She’s waiting to hear my story at a family council.

As he entered Oasis, he paused, as he usually did, to enjoy the view of the green valley and the sparkling lake. The boats were pulled onto the shore, no children played in the water, nobody worked the gardens, and all activity seemed to have ceased. He felt the reassuring touch of the roosting dragons, which made him feel comfortable and secure.

The people were all gathered at the council spot, sitting in the shade of the tall apple trees. His entire family was waiting. As he drew near, he noticed that for the first time in his memory, there was no conversation, just accusing eyes. Tessa eased away and took her seat with the other council members.

Sawyer, the family elder, stood and welcomed him. A short, abrupt welcome that seemed to lack sincerity. Or perhaps it was a worry. “We do not wish you to have to repeat your story many times, and we do not wish any to misunderstand, so we’re all going to hear you at the same time.”

Gray slowly climbed the two steps to stand on the small stage so that all could see and hear him. He felt like a highwayman facing those he’d stolen from. Remembering Stinson that might not be too far from the truth.

Sawyer raised his voice as he faced the crowd, “We will hear Gray’s tale, and only I will ask any questions or ask for clarification. To do otherwise means we will never finish. After his telling, I am sure Gray will respond to questions.”

People, his friends, and family, those he’d grown up with and children all waited for him to speak. Gray drew in a breath. Where to begin?

“I’m sure you’ve noticed that I returned alone.” The statement was greeted with a few nods and many blank expressions. He told of Stinson’s actions in basic terms, not wanting to criticize the dead. Then he continued with the discovery that the others were probably arriving in Shrewsbury, not Fleming. He talked of the blank places on the charts and maps, and then he told them of Shailer’s suspicion that King Ember owned the single ship that sailed between the two lands, and of the stores warehoused near Shrewsbury.

While the rest of his story, including Stinson’s death, was accepted in silence, the statement about the King brought some to their feet. Others were too stunned to move. As expected, the news that the king might be involved came as a total, and scary prospect. If King Ember had somehow joined forces with the others, the danger to the Dragon Clan had escalated to extreme proportions while they were not aware that anything had changed. All sensed the danger looming.

Sawyer held his hands up for quiet, and from further questions shouted at Gray. Then Sawyer asked if there was more to share.

Gray continued, telling them of Bear, the owner of the Red Bear Inn, and of Shailer, the bookstore owner. He told them of how they supported him, and that Kelby was being sent to Shrewsbury to pass on information about the others.

“Why would they care?” Sawyer asked.

All movement and voices halted. Gray said, “I didn’t ask. But, Bear identified me as clan from the first and worked to help me. I believe they are helping us for reasons of their own. The man I went to see, Caldor, came to me and lied. He said he did not know the man I met on the road, but I’d seen them together. Bear warned me that Caldor was not our friend.”

Sawyer stroked his beard before stating, “One man’s word against another?”

“No there was another. Prater. He met me on the road and escorted me into town. He tried to make friends, but something didn’t feel right. Later, I saw him meeting with Caldor, but then he denied it. He also broke into my room at the inn and searched it.”

“Did they catch him in the act? If not, how do they know who it was? It could have been a common thief, right?”

“No. I left several coppers where a thief would find them. They were not taken from my room.”

“Then how do you know your room entered?”

Gray already tired of the questions but held his temper. “First was the candle holder. The holder for the finger was turned so a right-handed person could not use it. I had used it the night before, so it had to be moved. There were a few other things, too.”

Instead of arguing, Sawyer nodded. “Smart of you to notice.”

“Bear had one of his people check it out. He found a ladder on the roof next door and marks where it had rubbed the wall of the inn. Then the person entered only to my room. No other. That was on the morning of the first full day I was in Fleming.”

Sawyer said, “You are now expected in Shrewsbury?”

“Yes. I promised. Besides, I want to get a look at the peninsula where the greens might roost. I should say, where I think they roost. If they do, it points to Shrewsbury as the logical place for the others to depart from their ship.”

“Why do you believe the King is involved?”

The skepticism was there. As well it should be. Gray had withheld one critical piece of information that had convinced him. He crossed his arms and raised his voice slightly. “Shailer acquired the shipping manifests for the Lady Marion, a large cargo ship. It does not carry much cargo each voyage, and according to the manifests, no passengers. Shailer determined that the ship had a new owner as of three years ago when it began sailing between the four ports it sails today.”

The people waited. Gray did, too. He let the information sink in, as well as the timeline. Then he continued. “Carrying no passengers, and the limited cargo on the manifests, the Lady Marion has failed to make a profit on a single voyage in three years.”

That got everyone thinking. Sawyer said, “The obvious conclusion is that the ship operates for other than profit.”

Gray inserted, “Who can afford three years of losses? It is owned by a company with the name Ember Shipping.”

Several in the crowd nodded their agreement. Sawyer stood, turned to address all, and said, “I believe this is the most critical time in our history. The information Gray has brought to us may save the Dragon Clan from extinction, but only if we act. I want volunteers for runners to carry this information far and wide. Every family of the Dragon Clan must be aware of it.”

Several hands went up into the air.

Sawyer continued, “The information is so important that I want two runners sent to each of the other families, and they will not travel together. If one is captured, the other may get through. Then those families will send out runners to others. Our council will meet to decide what we must do to avert this threat.”

Emma, the oldest on the council, said, “Do you think we are reacting too quickly and strong? After all, a young man’s room was searched, and a man we do not know has a wild theory that involves the King and a rogue ship. Perhaps we should all take a deep breath and relax.”

Sawyer was still on his feet. “No! I see now what is happening and how they intend to bring on another war against us. Gray has told us enough. I can answer the question we sent him to solve. That is, why did the others help Raymer escape the dungeon at the Summer Palace?”

Gray, as well as everyone else, remained silent. I didn’t tell him why.

Sawyer continued, “It’s so obvious. They didn’t ‘help’ Raymer escape. They ordered a dragon to land in the middle of a busy market and set fire to it. The dragon collapsed a dungeon wall like it was made of paper right before them. The dragon made it ‘look’ like it helped Raymer escape, but what was really accomplished was that after so many years of peaceful coexistence between the Dragon Clan and ordinary people of the kingdom, the peace was shattered, and the dragon attack blamed on us. Fear and rage are back. Hundreds watched a green dragon attack and helped one of the Dragon Clan escape while it destroyed much of their castle, killing and injuring hundreds.”

Gray felt his face turn red as his fingers curled into fists. He glanced at the people of his family and saw the same tense expressions he wore. Sawyer had figured it out.

The Dragon Clan was going to war.