Dragon Clan #5: Tanner's Story

CHAPTER THREE

They spent the day peering at the town from the edge of the forest, noting there were no children, dogs, cats, or other animals. All the adults moved at half-speed, as if partially asleep. The usual noise and bustle of activity of a small port town were absent. The only people who acted at average speed were those few in charge of others, and the pair of Dragon Clan when they caught one of the several glimpses of them.

“The residents are drugged,” Carrion said. “Something put in the water would be my guess.”

“It might be the food.”

“It’s the water,” he said decisively.

Tanner couldn’t help himself. “It could be something in the air.”

Carrion flashed him the same look parents give their children when they say something stupid, then said, “The constables and head guards breathe the same air. It’s the water.”

“After dark, I’m going to sneak up to that house near the end of the street,” Tanner said. “That chicken coop will have eggs, and they won’t miss one hen.”

“Good idea. Go around the back of the coop and dig a small hole under the fence so it looks like a fox or weasel was there in case the hen’s missed. Then slip inside the coop and grab your chicken. We need to back off far enough where we can keep an eye on things, but not be caught.”

“The headland? Keep an eye on the ships departing and arriving from there?”

“I like that,” Carrion said. “Out beyond the breakwater they’re building will get us out of sight and let us watch for ships. Probably nothing is going to happen until a ship gets here.”

“We can’t get on the first ship because of those clan members. The next one will do.”

Carrion said, “Food is going to become a problem. I’m wondering if we should break into that store in a few days and load up on warm blankets and food.”

“That would work—unless we’re captured and then punished as thieves instead of curious visitors.”

“Then we don’t get captured. Besides, from what I see, the punishment might be about the same for either of those things. The only problem with it is that they’ll know someone else is here and begin searching for us.”

As usual, Carrion had managed to put it all into perspective. A few eggs and a hen would feed them for a day, or maybe two. The slow advance of the mission dictated that they might have to leave, locate a source of food, and return. The problem was that they would not know what happened during their absence, and they couldn’t support the other clan members if they got into trouble.

During the day, they had watched as the clan members had gone from one store to another, and finally to a second story room. At any time, at least, one man, and often two watched them. One was the same constable who had taken their knives and identified himself as a constable, but anyone could use the title. They didn’t move with the slow mannerisms of the local residents and appeared to be working in conjunction.

Shortly after dark Tanner dug his little hole under the fence with a stick and then entered the door in the dark, cooing softly to calm the flurry of protest. The chickens settled down, and he quickly gathered six eggs and a hen. A twist of the neck and he was outside. Carrion watched for trouble from the edge of the trees.

They moved carefully, going deeper into the forest, and higher up on the slope of the mountain. An animal trail crossed their path, and it took them in the right direction. When they caught sight of the breakwater again, they were well passed it. Traveling further carried them to a point of land where a fire couldn’t be seen from town.

Still, they were cautious. Shrewsbury seemed paranoid, if slow. They hadn’t eaten since the evening before, and the chicken was roasting over a small fire. None of it was left when they finally went to sleep.

When he woke, Tanner glanced at Carrion and leaped to his feet. The man appeared to have died in his sleep. Then his chest moved. He lay on his back, eyes closed, his breath coming slowly and evenly. Bonded with his dragon.

Tanner watched. He’d only seen this a few times, and it still fascinated him, as it did all Dragon Clan. Since it was daylight, Carrion was probably peering through the eyes of the red, seeing what it did and directing it to fly where he wanted. Breaking the connection by talking or touching Carrion would cause instant rebuke.

I wish I could do that. But so did all Dragon Clan, and any others who heard of it. Why some bonded was a mystery. There were stories of men who lived with dragons their entire lives, supplying food and protecting them, but they never bonded. Other stories told of a bonding happening in a single meeting.

The eggs were beside the cold fire pit. He was contemplating the best way to prepare them when his back tingled. He glanced at Carrion. He wouldn’t bring that red here.

The feeling grew stronger. Instead of the familiar stinging that increased when a dragon drew near, his back heated and became painful. It intensified until he fell to the ground, his back arched. From between eyelids squeezed almost closed, he saw Carrion squirming on the ground, howling in pain. Then he joined him as he screamed.

A single glance at the sky revealed a green dragon flying by, its long neck twisted so the red eyes could center on Carrion and himself. It appeared puzzled, and perhaps in some pain from the erratic beat of the wings and the speed in its retreat.

Carrion rolled in the grass before mumbling, “What the hell was that?”

“A green.”

“Our greens sting like tiny insects. That hurt my whole back. From what we’ve heard their green cannot touch us, but something is wrong.”

Tanner pulled his shirt up and tried to see over his shoulder. “I’ve never heard of a dragon causing pain like that. It was like poison.”

Carrion’s eyes went wide as he looked at Tanner’s back. “Here, let me see that.” He went to Tanner and lifted the shirt higher, whistling softly as he looked at the image of a dragon with fangs displayed. Each line was raised as if struck by a whip. Some seeped blood. “A single dragon like that would put an entire Dragon Clan family on the ground so they couldn’t protect themselves.”

Tanner said, “Let me see yours.” The shirt was already stuck to Carrion’s back in places, the welts oozing and red. Touching one line of the birthmark gently made Carrion wince. He looked at the sky to make sure it was empty. Next time Tanner would use his long bow to make the dragon keep its distance. He pulled a single arrow and placed it beside the bow. “What if it had flown closer? What would have happened?”

“The pain would have been worse,” Carrion snapped. “But did you notice the reaction of the green? It didn’t seem to like being so close to us any more than we liked it.”

“It almost seemed puzzled to have any reaction at all. It looked at us and then flew faster.”

“And turned away because of us. I’m wondering if it has ever sensed a person, let alone a Dragon Clan.”

Tanner frowned. “Are you thinking that it might be a third species?”

“I don’t know what I’m thinking except that our family needs to know about our ideas and plans. I need a pen, ink, and paper. We have to write down what we’ve found, and send it home.”

“They will think us as crazy as King Ember.”

Carrion said, “Maybe. But they will send out messengers to the other families and then make plans. My red has been exploring the cliffs around that old monastery. There were a few guards, but they ran off when he swooped low over them, leaving five large wooden crates on wagons sitting in the middle of the road.”

“They were going to store them in the buildings?”

“Yes. My red tore two open and spread the contents from here to there. One contained hard leather helmets for soldiers, not our king’s colors. Another held short swords with broad blades, sharp on both edges and a point for stabbing.”

Tanner said, “I’ve never seen weapons like those.”

“I have. They’re for fighting in close quarters where swinging a full-size sword is restricted. Like hallways, alleys, and below decks of ships. The bigger question is why are military weapons and gear in another king’s color being stored so close to Shrewsbury.”

“Is there a lot of it?”

“Enough to outfit all of King Ember’s army twice over.”

Tanner ignored the pain on his back. “What are we going to do?”

“Well, I was hoping that my leader had a few good ideas. That would be you.”

“I asked for your opinion first.”

Carrion smirked, enjoying another opportunity to tease Tanner. He said, “If it were up to me, I’d ask a bonded member of the Dragon Clan to use his dragon to tear apart another crate or two, keeping the wood with the shipping information apart. Especially the pieces that have the green dragon stenciled on it. Then I’d have the red dragon gather up a claw full of the strange weapons and stenciled wood and fly them to our home.”

“What else?”

“I’d do the same thing again, but deliver everything to King Ember’s castle. Fly over and drop it. That might cause a few questions to be asked.”

Tanner nodded in agreement. He said, “I’m beginning to think with those weapons, the work being done on the Shrewsbury breakwater and docks, and the drugged people of the town, all add up to one thing.”

“An invasion. Coming soon,” Carrion said with no trace of his usual humor or sarcasm.

“I have an idea.”

“Well, that’s why you’re along. Tell me.”

“It’s just beginning, but hear me out. We do what you said, which will take at least two days. That should warn them, but it won’t stop the invasion, but maybe we can.”

“Us? You’ve lost your mind, boy.”

“Maybe. Tell me what’s wrong with this idea. The clan members will get on a ship and sail away. We wait until their ship is gone, and by then your dragon has returned and attacks Shrewsbury. It can burn down the docks they’ve repaired, and the town.”

Carrion stroked his beard. “I’m not up to killing so many innocents on a whim.”

“We don’t have to. Help me out with my idea instead of fighting me. Your red uses his dragon-spit to catch fire to the docks. Nobody will be on them. The wood is coated with tar and once burning it’ll keep going. Then the dragon attacks the rear of the houses closest to the water. The people will run away from the flames and the waterfront. Then the red sets fire to more of the town, forcing the people to keep moving inland.”

“I like it. We start with the piers and docks and work our way inward. With so many places burning there will be total confusion, but few hurt. Hardly any. It won’t stop the invasion, but it might delay it long enough for King Ember to bring his troops here and make a stand,” Carrion said.

“What can I do to help?”

Carrion spread his blanket on the ground and lay face down, his back too sore to lay upon. He said, “Keep watch over me. This will take most of the day.” He closed his eyes and remained still, Tanner sat watching the surroundings as Carrion’s protector and bodyguard.

Tanner sat on the grass looking out over an empty sea. His back also hurt. A glance down at his hands revealed they had started to shake. He felt colder than the damp air accounted for. The realization of his actions sank into his mind. He had discussed causing an entire city to burn as if he was a king. Even a general wouldn’t make such a decision without authority or permission, yet he’d ordered it because of a few helmet and oddly shaped swords.

His hands continued to shake. He couldn’t make them stop. He glanced at Carrion to make sure the older man didn’t wake and see him breaking down. Tears blurred his vision. Tanner calmed himself, repeating over and over that he had plenty of time to change his mind. It would take all day and maybe two for the dragon to deliver the weapons to his family and then to the army.

Plenty of time. When he glanced out at the ocean again, he found a ship sailing for Shrewsbury.

Maybe there was not as much time as he thought.