Dragon Clan #6: Anna's Story

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

That got their attention! Their reaction was as if she had struck each and every one with a stick of firewood. Right between their eyes. She saw shock, fear, disbelief, and even humor in their faces. They no longer sat still. A few were on their feet, others talked over their neighbors, and one man pushed another in the chest.

Hanna quickly stood and tried to regain order, finally resorting to shouting. When she had the attention of most of them, she turned to Anna and said pointedly, “Young lady, perhaps you’d like to clarify that. So we understand your intentions.”

“I would be glad to,” Anna said, keeping her voice calm and controlled. “I am going to start a war.”

Pandemonium broke out. Hanna scowled and pointed to the chair. Anna sat.

But Raymer stood his voice boomed over the crowd like a thunderclap. “All of you! Shut up. You came to listen to Anna, and now you listen only to yourselves.”

“She’s just a girl,” A man’s voice called.

Raymer stepped forward to the edge of the stage and snarled, “Just a girl! I’m twice her size and have taken on a battle with the whole of King Ember’s army, which you all already know. Yet, I follow her today without reservation. If she goes to war, I follow. I’m done talking.”

He sat and suddenly it was very quiet. Nobody had expected that from Raymer, but Anna admired how he had challenged them and then sat and refused to speak. That stilled them more than anything. It was a tactic she might use in the future.

Hanna was again standing, not seeming so tall and regal anymore. She almost appeared defeated as she asked Anna if she would speak again.

Anna stood and placed both hands behind her back and held them as she tried to find the right words. She hadn’t meant to say she was starting a war, it had just come out naturally. “If a large man, a man the size of a bear walks up to a line of people and smashes in the face of the first one in line with his paw, then moves to the second and does the same, what will you do if you are third in line? Fight or run?”

She paused, knowing her illustration had several flaws, but before allowing anyone to protest and point them out, she continued as if she had planned this. “Now let us suppose this happened to a line you were not in, but you watched it happen. You are standing in another line a few steps away. There is a spear at your side. The man, the size of a bear, finishes slaying all in the first line, and he turns to face your line.”

Again she paused to allow everyone to picture the situation in their minds, then she lowered her voice slightly, and leaned forward. “Do you use your spear, or do you say, ‘He has done me no harm so why should I start a fight with him?”

She saw the reactions changing to one of support for her. “I say that I throw that spear. I am not one who will wait until that bear of a man has his fist raised to smash my pretty face.”

Somebody snickered. Another started to laugh, and then all were laughing as Anna recalled her words. She hadn’t meant to use the word pretty. Pretty face. That word had managed to release the pent up emotions and fear and turn it into laughter and joy. In the confusion, but sensing the time was right, she sat again.

Raymer placed his hand on her knee, but she felt it shaking with laughter through his palm and refused to look at him. Hannah eventually stood and called for the end of the meeting, and then asked those that she’d spoken to, gather near a fire pit where the children had started a warm blaze.

Thief was again circled by a ring of children of all ages as Anna carried the chair and went to sit beside the fire. Hanna had invited two others, beside Tanner and Carrion. Raymer joined them and without a formal agenda, they started talking. The afternoon slipped away, and even darkness fell unnoticed. Food and drink were brought, but the conversation continued.

Anna picked their brains for any information she hadn’t heard via the messengers. Since they were the last two to interact with Breslau and the only ones to travel there, a single afternoon was not enough to share everything.

Tanner was sincere and eager to answer questions, but Carrion had turned flippant and seemed eager to get away. Irritated, Anna said directly, hoping to shame him into paying attention and responding properly, “Do you have something else you need to do?”

“Yes. I need to find someone to care for my dog, and to watch my place.”

“Why?” Anna asked.

“You don’t think I’m going to let you go there alone, do you?”

Raymer snorted, “What about me? I’m with her.”

Carrion shrugged, “I think that if your dragon gets attacked by one of those greens of theirs, it’ll stand a fifty-fifty chance of winning. If a green dragon attacks both of ours, I figure the chances improve to about ninety percent in our favor, maybe better.”

Tanner said, “I’m going too. I need to check on my investment. I bought a ship, you know?”

Hannah looked at the other two who had said little, “Anyone else going with her on this venture?”

Anna said, “Wait before you answer. I have a request. This family is closest to Shrewsbury. I think that Baldour is still going to land their troops there so I will ask that you send out two people to watch the harbor. If ships land, send runners to all the families to hide.”

“It will take them time, if ever, for them to locate us. King Ember has been searching for a lifetime,” Hannah said, her imperial tone returning.

“Nope. Part of the army may march directly here. You forget they also have dragons to spy from the air, but they also have a traitor from my family named Stenson. He’s not quite right in the head, but he went to work for them on a ship, and he knows where at least three families of Dragon Clan live . . . . Including this one.”

Hannah blanched, and her eyes narrowed as she considered the information. “Why was I not told this before?”

“Because I have just put together all the information—and since he was part of the Drylands Family I knew him better than most. My point remains the same. The Highlands Family is in the most jeopardy when the invasion comes, and if I were you, I’d be heading for those hills where we sent the dragons, and beyond.”

Hannah said, “You mentioned sending two watchers. Why?”

“It only makes sense. One might get injured, or captured. Besides, one needs to return here with the warning for you, and the other needs to run to the Drylands Family and warn them. Each of you will need to send out more runners for every family to flee until this war is finished.”

“When I hear your words,” Hannah said, “I think you must be fifty, wise and learned, but when I look at you, I see a little girl.”

“Then don’t look at me,” Anna snapped, drawing a laugh from Carrion and Raymer, while the other three men sat still, their faces almost stunned at Anna’s response. However, Hannah only smiled and settled back into her chair more comfortably.

Hanna said, “We still have much to discuss, I suspect. Please continue.”

They did. When the two visitors were finally shown to a small hut to sleep, all fires, lamps, and candles were already out. The Highlands were dark, and dawn was not too far off. Thief was already asleep and breathing the deep, soft snores of one who had been asleep a long time. They moved quietly as they spread their blankets onto the sleeping mats.

Anna lay awake on her back, thinking, when Raymer’s whisper reached her ears, “You did a good job out there tonight. Especially at first when everyone wanted to just sit on their arses and think all is well with the world, and you told them you’re going to start a war. I almost filled my pants. Win or lose, that line will be repeated in the Dragon Clan a thousand times.”

“I didn’t mean to say it that way.”

“Always speak honestly to a group. Isn’t that what your Grandma says, pretty girl?”

How in blazes did he know that? And does he have any idea of how I’m going to pay him back for the ‘pretty girl’ remark? His soft snores cut off her questions before it reached her lips, but there would be a time in the near future when he would tell her how he knows. And he would pay.

She fell asleep remembering telling Hanna not to look at her if she saw a little girl speaking. That was another story that would travel from family to family and be long remembered, yet it had also been unplanned and a slip of the tongue. She wondered how many other heroic actions or words of heroes had been the same sort of accidents?

Waking found the village alive with morning action. Goats were being milked, chickens fed, breakfasts cooked, and people beginning their day almost normally. But Anna sensed an undercurrent of anticipation and fear. A bench sat outside the door to the hut they used, and she sat in it and watched, sensitive to the what her eyes and ears were seeing and hearing that she was not.

A woman walked from a hut with a small decorative basket held to her breast. She carried it to another as if it was ready to turn to ash and blow away in the slightest breeze. She’s packing her valuables so she can escape if needed. A mother shouted to her children to stay near. They protested, and she barked at them to obey. Scared. A muscular man she’d met but didn’t remember his name put an edge on a long blade he probably hadn’t carried in years. When his thumb bled from testing it, he placed the belt around his waist and slipped the sword into the scabbard.

Hannah walked to her and said, “Your family chose the right person to represent us. I thank you. Now, I have taken the liberty to have food packed for your travels. Tanner and Carrion will be ready to leave when you are, and I’ll offer more people if you accept them.”

“I believe the five of us is enough,” Anna said.

“To start, and win a war? You need only five and one is not even of the Clan? I will also offer to watch over Thief if you will agree to leave him here. He is childlike, and we will care for him well. The children already love him.”

Anna shook her head. “I cannot do that to him. He’d already saved my life twice. I owe him respect, and besides, he’ll just follow us anyhow.”

Hanna said, “Your relationship reminds me of Carrion’s and that ornery red dragon of his. I think ‘respect’ is the perfect choice of words.”

“Speaking of the perfect choice of words, I cannot help but notice yours.”

“Ah, that is perceptive of you. No, I have not lived here in this village for my entire life. There was a time before, but you must prepare for leaving so you and I will discuss it in the future. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Anna hesitated, then said, “When you send out messengers, have one stop at the Drylands and tell my family where I am and that Raymer and I are now going to Racine.”

“That has already been handled.”

Raymer threw the door open and grinned at them. “Where’s that scallywag, Thief?”

“Scallywag?” Hannah asked, withholding a smile.

“I heard you talking about perfect words and that’s one I’ve always wanted to call someone. This seemed like a good time.”

Hannah chuckled and said, “I’ve always wondered why dragons bond with some and never others. Now that I have seen you and Carrion together, I see a pattern. Irreverent, fun, disorderly, and often disrespectful are but a few of your common traits.”

He bowed deeply. “Even though we don’t know each other well, I sincerely thank you for the kind words.”

Hannah couldn’t help but laugh, and Anna joined. She rose and went inside, finding Raymer had packed all their things and rolled their blankets tightly. Even Thief’s.

After a quick bite, they were following Tanner as he led the way. Fog again rose, and direction and distance became confused. The sun seemed to try penetrating, but the fog held it off. The fog still lay over the Highlands when they arrived at the edge of the forest. Shortly after midday they reached the road that would take them to Racine.

Carrion called for a halt at a stream and said, his first words of the day, “Can I make a suggestion?”

His eyes were on Anna. She nodded.

“We can go to Racine as you plan, but if we backtrack on the road we can make good time, and I’ll show you where the green dragons are roosting.”

“Why not tell Hannah and let her spread the word?” Anna said. “I have been there before, as you well know.”

“Four of us carry bows and might be considered experts. We know how dragons act and their habits, and we know where they will be at night. We could kill them and not have to face them at a later date.”

The idea repulsed her. She snapped, “We are Dragon Clan!”

“But those are not our dragons. They actually kill our dragons. And they will help Breslau when they attack Princeton.” Carrion shut up and waited.

Anna considered and looked to Raymer for support. She decided they had larger problems and would not kill the dragons.

As she started to speak, Carrion held up his hand to interrupt and said quickly, “Quiet! Remember, we destroyed two eggs last time. It occurs to me that there may be more since then, and depending on the timing, chicks. Chicks that may be old enough to fight us during the invasion. Killing them now may save hundreds or thousands of lives.”

Anna let out a sigh. “Okay, we go kill them. But one other item we need to discuss.”

“I’m sorry I was rude and told you to be quiet.”

“Not that. You were right. As of now, you are in charge of the expedition until after the killing of the green dragons,” Anna said.

“But . . . You can’t do that,” Carrion protested.

She puffed out her chest. “I am in charge as appointed by the heads of two Dragon Clan families. As any good general would do, I am appointing the man best qualified for a job.”

“You can’t . . .”

“I can, and I have. You do not have the right to question my authority. Shut up until you’re ready to tell us what to do.”

Raymer said, “You’d better listen to her.”

Thief started to laugh and choked it off at the look Carrion flashed him. Tanner turned away where nobody could see his face, but his shoulders were shaking.

Carrion drew a deep breath and said, “Okay, we need to arrive nearby just before dark, so we have to hurry.”

He set a brutal pace that Anna suspected was in response to her appointing him to the leadership position, but as she huffed and puffed to keep up, her every conclusion was that she made the right decision. He had been there, he knew more about dragons, and he had slain one at that location, in addition to destroying eggs in the nest.

Their stops were few and short. They passed only three others on the almost deserted road, a farmer and two sons. Near sundown Carrion pointed to a stand of boulders on the right side of the road and said, “This is where we turn off, and it gets dangerous.”

At the boulders, he paused and waited until they were all comfortable. “We have to get close to them by morning. This is dangerous because we don’t know how many there are, but there were two. Three or more may be a problem. But waiting another day to survey the situation is one more day that we give Breslau to invade us. I’d hate to lose our homes because of a single day.”

Nobody spoke. Anna felt a tinge of fear, but more of excitement. She motioned for him to continue.

“Raymer, bring your dragon in close. Have it follow mine. I know where they can roost and be ready to attack at sunrise.”

Raymer’s eyes faded as he communicated with the dragon and Carrion continued with the others, “We’ll talk more as we move, but the general idea is that wewill creepp in close to them tonight. At dawn, before they stir, our reds will fly in and attack. Hit them hard, and then fly away. It will be up to us to finish them off, but again, there may be more than two.”

Anna said, “We will destroy any young?”

“Young and eggs, both. I know it’s disgusting and against all we know and believe. If you find that you cannot do it, leave after the battle, and I will do it.”

Raymer was listening again. “After our dragons attack, you said?”

“Ours will fly in low and between two hills where they won’t be spotted. With luck, they can take the heads off the two greens and be gone in a heartbeat without injury.”

“If there are more than two?” Raymer persisted.

Carrion said, “You and I can only control so much of the natural instincts of our dragons, but if there are three, ours should still prevail and escape.”

Raymer wouldn’t let it go. “What if there are four. Or more?”

Carrion said, “In that case I may order us all to hunker down for the day, or until they fly off to hunt, and then we escape and leave them alone. Now, we have quite a ways to go and prepare for the attack.”

They moved down a trail single file with less talking as darkness fell. Carrion set a slower pace, and as they neared the nesting area, he moved slower and cautiously, often going ahead a hundred paces or more before motioning for them to catch up.

Just as the moon rose, he called a halt and whispered, “No more talking. They will be down the slope from us, so no noise. If one wakes, halt and don’t move. We need to get within range of our arrows because we won’t have time to move closer in the morning.”

Anna reached for her bow for the first time since leaving the Drylands and felt the comfort of the thick grip, even though it remained unstrung. Even in the dark, she could string it and pull the first arrow in the time it took most to think of doing it. Her short bow used shorter arrows, but each was tipped with a shard of flint, worked to an edge that sliced through flesh like dragon’s teeth through deer.

That was not the example she should have thought of, and she tried to shake it off with a shudder. Carrion moved far slower, and Anna smelled the dragons and the spit they surrounded themselves with that protected their eggs and young from varmints. Even rats stay away from it.

The sky held clouds hanging low and thick, preventing light from above. She felt as if she followed a shadow, and was in turn followed by three almost soundless beings who moved without bodies. Anna realized that for the first time in days she was in danger, and she was not in charge. She didn’t enjoy the feeling.

A dragon snorted. Carrion paused. The dragon was close. Closer than she expected, or wanted. Even straining her eyes didn’t bring the dragon into view, but she heard the smallest rustle of thick leather skin so close she felt she could touch it.

Then another sniffed. It may have caught the scent of them. She held still and waited, hoping the others did the same. But something was missing. Carrion was gone.

Anna clenched her teeth to keep from speaking or calling to him. She eased one more step ahead and waited. Then another. A hand touched her ankle, and she almost whimpered in fear until she realized Carrion was pulling her down.

He lay behind a small stone ridge no taller than her knee, yet it afforded protection. She moved past Carrion so the next in line could join her. At the end of the ridge, she waited and listened. Now and then she heard a rustle or adjustment, but always from the dragons and not any of them. If one of her people cleared his throat or sneezed, the dragons would be alerted. Just one sound.

She realized that she could make out the form of a dragon in front of her, maybe fifty steps away, but she might as well be in the nest if it found her and attacked. She’d seen the incredible speed of them, and with the neck extended it could be on her before she could flee two steps.

The sky was growing lighter. Dawn was coming, but not for a while. Carefully, very carefully, she strung her bow and laid five arrows side by side in front of her, keeping the others in the quiver within easy reach.