Dragon Clan #4: Gray's Story

CHAPTER TWELVE

Anna turned her head to the jagged peaks and watched them as they walked the road. She stumbled, but caught herself, her eyes focused on the mountains to her left. She missed nothing.

Gray noticed the road had grown narrower than it had been near Fleming, and not as well maintained. Fleming was a large city with much traffic. Shrewsbury, a small port town, didn’t need a large road because fewer feet and wagons traveled it. He had not seen one person all afternoon.

Glancing down at the surface of the road showed it was covered in wild grass, not the gravel of the road near Fleming. He didn’t see where a single wagon had passed, and as he searched, he didn’t see footprints from today, yesterday, or the day before. It was as if the road was unused.

“If you look close, it is like there are two rows of peaks,” Anna said, pointing to the mountains.

He looked. She was right. Almost parallel ridges of peaks leading out into the sea. They turned from the road and crossed a flat area covered with knee-high marsh grass that had sharp ends. The spines were like needles and penetrated their pants to stab their legs, but the end of the grassland was in sight. They continued.

Anna hadn’t spoken since the comment about twin rows of peaks. She said, “No scat, hoofprints or footprints of large animals since we left the road. Dragons probably ate them all.”

Another thing he might not have noticed, but Anna did. Already she was proving her worth. Where the grass with the needle points ended, the ground rose slightly, and the hills rose so sharply and rocky that plants only grew in the shallow valleys between them.

Movement caught his eye. “Halt!”

Above, far away, flew a dragon so small it looked like a bird. A trace of green glinted. It was flying away from the peaks ahead, not in their direction. He said, “Feel anything?”

“Yes, the red.”

Again she was right. He could sense the presence of the same dragon that had accompanied him for the last six or seven days, but with a green dragon as close as the one that had flown in front of him, the sensations should have increased from a tingling to a sting. Instead, he had felt no change.

“I want to move closer. I’m not sure if we want to feel the greens or not. If we sense them they will sense us, so be aware. Let me know if you feel any change, no matter how small. One of us might be more sensitive.”

Anna nodded. “How close are we going to get?”

Another good question. “I can’t answer. Assuming we do not sense them, and if they are roosting out there, we’ll only go close enough to observe and to make certain they can’t tell if we’re there.”

“If we can’t feel them, how exactly will we know?”

Gray pushed ahead, keeping to the cover of black lava and the shrubs that grew from cracks and crevasses. Plants grew from any low spot that collected dirt, but none was large. He moved from one to another in dashes of movement, often pausing to observe what lay ahead.

Anna was directly behind. She said, “Know what? I feel like one of the men in that triad, moving like this.”

Her observation brought a smile, but also the acceptance that she noticed things, a valuable skill. She seemed to be more acutely aware of their surroundings than him. Gray felt more comfortable than at the beginning of the jagged mountains because of her keen eyes. He picked up the pace, although he still paused every few steps to make sure nothing was watching their progress.

They moved on. There were any number of walls, cracks, and slopes to hide beside. They offered minimal protection, but the damp air couldn’t be avoided. It hung over the mountains like a pall of dense smoke, leaving a wet feel to rocks and shrubs. The area was probably overcast with the fog most days. The footing was slick on bare rock.

Anna didn’t protest or complain. She didn’t ask for a fire. Her blanket was wrapped around her shoulders and over her head like a hood. She sat with her back to a short wall of lava, her eyes excited.

Gray sat next to her. “Stay close and keep warm.”

In the afternoon, a soft breeze blew it away. They stood on a crest where they could see far ahead. A volcano smoked in the distance. Not all was fog. Even as he watched the volcano belched steam and smoke. Some rose into the sky while the rest drifted down to the ground.

“We wait here,” he said.

“For what?”

“Until dark. The dragons at Bear Mountain roost up on the slopes because they like the warmth of the volcano rising up from the ground. I’m betting the greens roost on the volcano, too.”

Anna said, “Then we have to get closer to see.”

“Yes. I’ll be satisfied if I see one land or fly from there. This is not close enough. We have more important things to find out.”

They spent the late afternoon watching through the swirling mists but saw no dragons. Near dusk, they moved closer. A slope across the valley between the two parallel rows of peaks provided a reasonable view of the volcano.

After darkness had fallen, they gathered shrubs and limbs from stunted trees. They built a crude blind, not unlike the one on top of the ridge where they watched the desert at their home. A few larger limbs provided the ribs for a roof. Smaller branches and shrubs filled it in. More were placed in a ring around to conceal them and keep out some of the damp and cold.

They spent a miserable, damp night together and watched with foggy eyes as the sun came up. Soon after, a green dragon took flight. Then another took to the air, both flying north, so there was no danger of them being spotted as long as they stayed under cover and remained still.

“That confirms it. They roost on the slopes of that volcano,” Gray said.

“Feel anything? I didn’t.”

“Just the normal tingle of that red. I hope it stays where it is, and they don’t fight. Two or three against one will get ours killed.”

Anna, still sitting with her blanket around her head and over her shoulders, said, “But if they do fight you’ll grab your bow and run to the rescue.”

It was not a question. It didn’t sound like criticism. Just a simple statement of fact that reminded him of where his loyalties were. Would he protect the red and risk his life while doing it? The answer seemed simple when compared to another question. If one of the greens attacked him would the red risk its life to fly to his rescue? Yes, it would. Could he do less?

They watched all day, huddled against the cold but determined to observe the dragons and their behaviors. They hoarded food and water, stretching it to last three full days.

They found the dragons flew off every dawn, returning near dark. There were four of them. Three were similar in size, but the last was much larger. While they roosted together, they spent their days alone, or at least, they flew off alone and in different directions.

The first day revealed nearly all, but Gray decided to spend a second night and day. Anna didn’t object. However, when he suggested a third day in the damp and cold, she remained silent, her eyes locked on his. Then she said, “One more day. Then I leave and wait for you near the road, if necessary.”

She hadn’t argued. She stated a fact and by dawn on the third day Gray wished she had successfully talked him out of the third day. The dragons had flown off, and none returned all day, until dusk. He waited for the light to fail. Gray pulled his blanket tighter around his shoulders as he stood. “Let’s start back to the road and maybe we’ll get out of this damp, cold air.”

“I’ve never been in a nasty place like this, and if I never am again, it will be fine with me.” She stood and reached for her pack and bow. “I’m a desert dweller. Everything here is wet.”

By the time they reached a place near the road again the air was clear, warmer, and the sky black, only stars providing the light. They passed a pile of jumbled rocks that would provide shelter but decided to continue on. A small clearing provided enough space to spread their blankets and get at least a little sleep.

When morning came, they kept their blankets spread to dry, while they sat and absorbed the warmth of the sun. Both napped again, but finally stood and prepared to leave. They paused and watched the road ensuring it was clear, then they walked along it with determination to get as far as possible. If Gray had read the maps correctly, the trip was a day of fast walking. Two, if they slowed.

The first stream filled the nearly empty water bottles. They traveled until almost dark, pausing only long enough to grab a handful to eat, or to again fill their water bottles. The number of streams crossing the road increased and the land turned greener, first with a few small trees, then larger ones. By the end of the day, they were passing through a sparse forest of oak, maple, and other hardwoods.

Gray said, “I feel like I’m being closed in.”

“This road is like walking into a tunnel. Anything can jump out from the sides of the road, and you’ll never even see it before it attacked.”

A small river crossed the road. As they forded it, Anna said, “The bottom is covered with rocks. The rest is mud.”

She was right. People had spent considerable time carrying rocks to the ford. However, the road was narrow compared to what it had been nearer Fleming, almost a wide path. They had again not passed a single traveler all day. A small meadow was on the bank of the river, a fire pit waiting for them.

Anna said, “I want a fire tonight. A big one.”

“Getting dark, anyhow. We stay here.”

“My fire? I’m still damp, and so are my things.”

“Gather wood before it gets too dark. We’re not doing anything others on this road don’t, so a fire is natural.”

She ran to inspect the camp site, selected a place for her bed, and started gathering sticks and branches. She pulled larger branches, some as big around as her arm and as long as she was tall, to the fire pit.

When Gray set up his bed and looked at the growing pile of wood, especially the larger limbs from trees, she shrugged. “Push-wood.”

“I know what push-wood is. Let it burn in the middle and when it burns in half, push the two ends together.”

“Smarty. Tessa told me to do it this way while I was on watcher duty.”

“She told me, too. Also, when we were on duty.”

They laughed. With the fire burning cheerfully as the day ended, Anna said, “We may as well start acting our parts. We use our real names, and our missing brother’s name, Billy.”

“No. Axe.”

“Or course. Your real brother’s name,” Gray said, understanding at once. “That’s better. We know what he looks like and how he acts. Okay, you can barely remember our mother. You were too young, but I do. We didn’t see our father much because he was always soldiering for the king.”

“Axe was not a good enough farmer to grow the wheat and rye to sell and pay our taxes,” Anna added with a gleeful voice as she stirred the fire and placed the first of the long branches across it. “Besides, our ground was not the best for a farm. Not enough water.”

Gray said, “Half a year ago the taxmen came. They burned the farmhouse and the barn, then sent us away.”

“But I rescued the milk cow and dog. I was a hero,” she giggled.

“Don’t get too many details into the story.”

She stiffened and snapped at him, “Not enough detail is as bad as too little. I saved the dog and cow, and we took it to where we’ve lived for the last months. With our grandma.”

“But she lives on a small farm and can’t support us. Axe had left before the tax collectors came. He had heard from a knife sharpener there was work in Shrewsbury so went there.” Gray liked the story. It had enough detail. More than enough on some facts, but Anna was right. The little lie about her saving the dog and cow was enough to sell it to anyone listening.

Anna said, “We haven’t heard of him in a year, so we decided to find him.”

Gray paused, considering the story from all aspects and found one flaw. “I have two gold coins hidden with my things.”

Anna shrugged.

Coins were not used in the family, and she didn’t understand the implications. Gray said, “One gold coin will buy a small farm. Two, a large farm with good animals. If we’re poor, I cannot chance them being found, or our story rings false.”

“You have others? Besides gold coins?”

“Silver, small and large. Copper, and snits.”

“Snits?”

“Copper coins cut into slivers for small purchases. A slice of meat with bread costs a snit,” Gray explained.

Anna stared into the fire and held out her hands to warm them. “Easy enough. We hide the gold coins before entering Shrewsbury. We can always collect them when we leave, or fetch them while were there if we need them.”

The obvious solution made him cringe inwardly. He should have thought of that. She would think him dense if he kept on making mental errors like that.

“I do have to repeat a request,” she said. “I really wish you’d stop testing me with silly things like you just did. You were going to hide the coins all the time but wanted to see if I would figure it out. Either that or you wanted to make me feel good. Stop it. Treat me like an adult.”

Gray nodded. If she only knew, he hadn’t presented her with any tests.

The following morning dawned bright and clear. They were barely on the road when the first traveler, a young man, approached them. He was going in the other direction. After greeting them, he asked about the road to Fleming. Gray provided information and in return asked about Shrewsbury.

The young man said, “It’s a tough place. Can’t even find food to eat for two days. The constable inspects everyone new, and they don’t take to outsiders. Just a warning for you folks.”

“Is there an inn?”

“Used to be one. It got bought about three years ago and closed. Now travelers got no place to stay, so most don’t go there anymore.”

Three years ago. Right, when the others first arrived. Gray handed him the last hard biscuit from his pack, as well as a few dried grapes. He nodded for him to continue talking.

“Most other businesses quit about that same time, so there’s no work to be had. That’s why I’m heading to Fleming.”

The young man needed a break. The sole of his boot flapped, and his clothing was almost rags. Gray said, “When you get there, find the Red Bear Inn. Inside, ask for a man named Bear and tell him that Gray said you’re a good man to work for him. He has jobs.”

The young man’s eyes came alive. “You mean it? There might be work?”

“I think Bear can always use a good man.”

Suddenly the young man couldn’t wait to depart. They watched him leave, walking much faster than he had when coming towards them.

Anna said, “That was nice of you. Will Bear give him work?”

“I think so.”

“The others came and closed the inn, bought up the businesses, and have the constable checking out new people. This is not going to be as easy as we thought,” Anna said.

“We should get there late today, but I expected to stay at an inn and poke around for a few days. I think our plans just changed. Our story too.”

“What’re you thinking?”

“We spend a day or two camping outside the town. Watch. Learn. When we go in, we look for passage to the Marlstone Islands.”

“The reason we’re going there?”

“Same as before. Axe was supposed to go there for work if he found none in Shrewsbury. Our father has a brother there.”

“I like it. We can learn until our ship is ready to depart, but we may have to wait for days before the right ship can take us.”

“I have a friend who will be at a bookstore. Her name is Kelby. If anything happens to me, you go see her and tell her who you are.”

“Gray, you really are impressing me. You act like a dolt, but you actually know what you’re doing.”