Dragon Clan #4: Gray's Story

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Gray sat through the evening at the Red Bear Inn with the four others, his fears rising with almost every statement by Shailer or Bear. While the two men talked, Kelby, Anna, and Gray listened as if in trances.

If Shailer was right, King Ember was about to be sucker-punched. An invader pretending to help him was going to double-cross him and rule two kingdoms. King Ember was arrogant and proud, with limited military experience. He’d removed any generals who spoke their minds or disagreed with his over-eager conquests and replaced them with generals too afraid to disagree.

But the safety of the kingdom came well after the safety of the Dragon Clan. The greens had already killed at least one of their dragons. They had also raised awareness for the normals in the Summer Palace when the dragon had attacked and caved in the wall. People were again scared of dragons after years of peace. Feelings were again turning against the Dragon Clan.

The invaders, known as the others, were setting up circumstances where they could turn the population against the Dragon Clan with only a few more instances of dragon attacks. After that, they could reveal the locations of the various families, sit back and enjoy the destruction of them without endangering any of their people.

Anna moved her chair closer, whispering, “I leave for home in the morning.”

He nodded. She understood how important the information was, but they’d keep it to themselves for now.

As if hearing her, Bear placed both of his massive palms on the table with a loud smack to draw the table’s attention. He looked at Anna. “You will depart well before the sun. Take your warnings and information to your family and spread the word. Perhaps they can help. Six gods know we need their help.”

Gray flashed a look to still Anna’s words. It was a time for her to remain quiet. She gave only the slightest of nods that she understood.

Bear continued, his attention focusing on her. “There are people here, Caldor and a man called Prater are two of them, who I believe work in conjunction with the invaders and against all of us. Prater seems to have a habit of being out on the road between Shrewsbury and Fleming, very near where you people emerge from the drylands.”

“What’s that go to do with us?” she asked.

“Nothing,” Bear spread his hands wide, as if totally innocent of all but accusing them of being Dragon Clan. Then he continued, a smile trying to calm his sharp words. “I have had my people searching for Prater since he escaped from my custody. Perhaps ‘released’ is a better word, but the point is the same. Where is he? If he is observing people using the road, and he has an interest in one—he will follow.”

Anna said, “I’ll watch behind. Thanks for the warning.”

“Prater is extremely good at what he does. Do you really want to pit your skills against his with your family at risk? I think not,” Bear answered his own question. “There are other ways to enter the drylands that will not expose you to discovery. I will offer a pair of my men to escort you from my Inn to the drylands, then they will split up and ensure nobody follows. Will you accept my offer?”

Without glancing at Gray she nodded. “And I will thank you and pass on word of your generous help.”

Bear chuckled and asked, “Tell me true, Anna. Are you twelve or thirty?”

“What kind of question is that?” she laughed.

“You look twelve, but your actions are those of a mature and intelligent woman.”

“I’m not twelve; I act that way because it gives me leeway to be misunderstood and accepted as a child. I’m fourteen. Those two years make a fair difference.”

Bear beamed. “That they do. You’re playing a role, as are all of us. My men will be here before dawn. One may tap on your door to make sure you are off before daylight. Don’t worry about supplies. Food, water bottles, blanket, tarp, and a pack will be waiting for you.”

“Prater will not be finding me there either. I’m going on to the Marlstone Islands with the Pearl. I’ve had an incident with the Captain, but feel he’s a fair man.” Gray said.

Speaking for the first time in a long while, Shailer said, “The Pearl sails a triangle of ports. After she leaves the Marlstones, she sails for Shrewsbury.”

Bear agreed. “For your sake, I’d avoid Shrewsbury, even if you do not intend to go ashore. Things also happen in port. Men climb the anchor ropes of ships and slink about. Thieves and murderers bribe their way aboard if there is a prize to be had—such as a reward for the head of a man with harmful information to a king.”

Gray swallowed hard. He hadn’t thought it through, and Bear was right. He’d return on another ship.

“Have you enough coin?” Shailer asked.

“I have enough. Two golds are still in my purse.”

Shailer shook his head and said to Kelby, “Step out the back and ask two of Bear’s men to accompany you to the store. Take one of Gray’s gold coins and exchange it for smaller coins.”

“No need for that,” Bear said, holding out his hand.

When Gray fumbled the coin free, he placed it into Bear’s hand. Bear motioned for the fat woman who sat at the entrance and waited for her to stand at his side. He pressed the coin into her hand and told her to return with silver and copper. He said to Gray, “Can’t rightly buy yourself a meat pie with a coin that can pay for a house, can you? You’d starve before you found a vendor to be able to accept that gold.”

“Besides, it makes you appear rich enough to steal from. If you have one gold, you may have another. Never display your wealth,” Shailer explained. “We’ll watch every ship returning from the Marlstones. You can also have a message delivered here at the Red Bear. Any sailor will do that for a few coppers.”

Anna said to Bear, her voice firm, “The men out back that were going to escort Kelby. Can they take me to the drylands tonight?”

“You do not need sleep?” Bear asked.

“I’ll sleep better away from this awful place where I can trust only four people.”

The fat woman returned with a leather purse filled with coins hidden in her large hand. Bear whispered into her ear, and she nodded and disappeared out the back door. Bear said, “The travel requirements will take a short while to gather, and then you may leave. Two of my most trusted will shadow you, and I promise nobody else will follow.”

Anna had her jaw set, but she nodded her thanks. Gray felt relieved. He had not looked forward to sleeping at the inn. He felt safer on the Pearl.

Bear handed him the heavy purse under the table. “Hide your other gold coin well. Split this into at least three piles, one of which you will keep on your person at all times.”

“I know to do that, but appreciate the mention of it.”

“Then appreciate this, too. On the main island where you will dock is an inn called the Red Flame. I own it. I will notify the manager, a man called Chambers, not his real name. He will provide shelter, coin, a place to hide in the basement, or weapons. Chambers, remember the name.”

“Chambers, because he rents ‘chambers’ at the inn?”

“That makes it easy for you to remember. And it’s a code-word so he will know I have sent you. He’s to provide you with whatever you need.”

“How do I thank you both for all of this?” Gray asked.

Shailer shrugged, “It seems that we have been placed on the same side of a conflict. Helping each other may result in benefits for each of us.”

The answer was vague and hinted at more, but Gray understood enough had been said on the subject. He stood. “I will see Anna off, then sleep on the Pearl tonight. I know she does not sail until midday, but that’s where I’ll spend the night.”

The fat woman returned and flicked her eyes to the rear door. Anna stood and gave each a quick hug, then quickly departed. Gray felt as if part of himself had gone with her.

Bear spoke to the woman again, giving her a list of items, including a bow, staff, and writing materials in a waterproof wallet. She went to the rear of the room again, returning only moments later.

“Leave by the back door. My men will escort you.”

Shailer said, “Before your ship departs I will have a few maps and charts delivered. They may help.”

Gray found himself on his feet, shaking hands until he faced Kelby. As he reached out for her hand, she slipped by and then kissed him softly on his cheek. Before he could respond, she spun and fled.