The Dragons Bane

“Someone or something has been here, it may still even be inside. How do you want us to handle this, Mizdar?”

“We’re just going to sit out here and watch for a while. If there is someone or something still inside the camp, we should see some sign. Just before dark, we’ll send the fighters in.”

We all nod in agreement.

“Clandistra, can you let Nordok and Seldor know? I want them to maintain their positions until it starts to get dark, then I want them to come back here to join up with Delgar. Hopefully the three of them will be able to handle whatever they may find inside.”

“I’ll tell them what’s going on.”

“Thanks. Oh, and tell them to stay alert till then. If whatever it was has left, then there’s no telling whether or when it may return.”

Clandistra nods and stealthily leaves to let the two fighters know what is going on and what Mizdar’s plan is.

“Well, I guess we can sit and take a breather,” says Mintock, before assisting Clernon to help Dimlar to a comfortable spot out of sight behind a tree.

“Delgar, I want you to watch our back, position yourself back that way about 50 feet or so.”

“Aye, let me drop these packs and I’ll be off.”

Mizdar then comes over to talk with Dimlar. “We may need you later, if you feel up to it. I’m hoping you can help when we go to find out what happened at camp.”

“Aye, if I can but sleep till then, I should be up to it.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Mizdar then motions to Clernon to follow him. After moving out of earshot of Dimlar, he asks Clernon’s opinion. “So, will he really be alright in an hour or so? I won’t let him go if you don’t think he’s up to it. I don’t want to see him get himself killed trying to fight when he isn’t able.”

“Well, I’ll know more when we are ready, but right now the only thing wrong with him is the severe exhaustion from the wound he suffered combined with the healing spells.”

“Well, when the time comes, if he thinks he’s up to it but you don’t think he should go, give me a nod and I’ll make up some reason to keep him here.”

“Fair enough.”

“Meantime, let’s get some rest.”

“God knows we need it,” agrees Clernon, as they head back to the others.

Darkness is fast approaching, but there has been no sign of anything or anyone in our camp. Mizdar decides it is time to find out what has happened in there while we were gone. Giving a quick birdcall, he signals the others serving as scouts that it is time to come back.

“Do you have a plan besides just walking in there?” asks Mintock.

“I’m not sure if you would call it a plan, but yes, I have an idea of what we are going to do.”

“Well, that’s more than I’ve got. It must be tough having everyone look to you for all the answers all the time.”

“Sometimes, but the hardest part is when someone dies because of something I asked them to do.”

Mintock thinks it over for a minute before replying with a grin. “Better you than me.”

“Thanks,” Mizdar replies with a grin.

Mizdar then checks on the sleeping Dimlar, an alert Clernon by his side. “How is he?” Clernon responds with a so-so motion of his hand. “Leave him sleep, I doubt there is anything left in there anyway.” Clernon nods his understanding and approval.

The others are fast approaching our hiding spot, careful not to make too much noise.

Once we have all assembled, Mizdar begins to give instructions. “Approach the entrance with caution. Even though it is unlikely that anything is still there, I want you three to play it safe. Understand?” The three fighters nod their heads for an answer.

“Only one of you, preferably Delgar, should sneak up to the entrance and peek inside, the other two will cover him. If you don’t see any signs of a foe, signal with the birdcall and we’ll start heading over to join you. If there is something in there, try to retreat without alerting it and come back to let us know what we are up against. And I know each of you knows the emergency signal.”

“Aye, we scream fer help.” Delgar’s answer sends a chuckle around the small group, relieving some of the tension.

“You three can leave whenever you are ready.”

“We’re ready now,” says Nordok.

“Aye.”

“Then get going, and good luck.”

The three fighters quietly leave, heading toward our camp with Delgar moving ahead of the others, his boots giving him the advantage. He approaches the camp and sneaks close to the partially destroyed wagon, clearly visible now that the concealing camouflage has been mostly knocked down. After a brief wait close to the wagon, Delgar decides to throw caution to the wind. Boldly walking up to the entrance, he looks inside. Seeing nothing, no horses, no creatures, he steps inside.

Delgar notices that the place seems to have been ransacked, but the fading light prevents him from discovering anything further. He will need the light of a lantern to be able to read any tracks left by the intruders. He gives the birdcall that will bring the others. Nordok and Seldor have positioned themselves about 20 feet out from the wagon and about 20 feet to either side of the path that the rest of us will take to reach the camp. They are ready to provide covering fire for us as we approach the camp.

Meanwhile, as soon as the three fighters leave, Clernon awakens the sleeping dwarf with a gentle shake. “What, it be time already?”

“Yes, we are returning to the camp shortly. Get ready.”

“Aye.”

The rest us don our packs, with Mizdar and Clandistra each taking two of the fighters packs in tow. Mintock and Clernon help Dimlar to his feet, prepared to assist him back to the camp. A single birdcall signals us to come forward.

By the time we reach the camp, Delgar has already pushed the broken wagon aside, clearing away the pieces from the entrance. Mizdar, being the last to enter, signals Nordok and Seldor to come in.

Once we are all inside, Mizdar asks Delgar to use the wagon to block the entrance as best as he can, providing some added security. Once that is accomplished, we use the last of the fading light to look around at the destruction of our camp. The extra supplies are scattered, except for the food, most of which seems to have been eaten.

“I want all eight lanterns lit. Then I want to know what happened here, so watch your step, whoever or whatever did this must have left tracks.”

When all the lanterns have been lit, flooding the inside with light, we spread out, looking for identifying signs of the intruders. Clandistra is the first to spot the bear tracks, clearly visible over the hoof prints of the horses. And while there are several small puddles of blood, there is no indication that the bears have killed our horses.

“Well, at least we know what happened. It could be worse, the place isn’t covered with the half-eaten remains of our horses,” observes Mintock.

“Aye, they look ta ‘ave bolted, mayhaps we be findin’ ’em in the daylight,” suggests Delgar, trying to sound hopeful.

“Yes, we will search for them at first light, tomorrow. Meantime, let’s straighten this place up,” orders Mizdar.

We quickly get the camp organized, letting Dimlar rest as soon as the tents are spread out and the bedrolls laid out upon them. Clernon and Clandistra quickly gather the scattered firewood and soon have a fire going, warming the place somewhat.

By the time we have the camp organized, Clernon, assisted by Clandistra, is already attempting to prepare us a warm meal from the rations in our packs. Delgar and Mizdar are examining the wagon, hoping to repair it to some degree of serviceability in the event that we find any of the horses. Most of the extra gear has simply been scattered, and is unharmed. Seldor, Nordok, and Mintock, having sorted through the mess, are busy organizing the supplies and removing the destroyed stuff to the unused corner.

As soon as we finish eating, Mizdar assesses our situation. “We have enough rations to make it about two thirds of the way to the castle, if we can find the horses. We can add to our food supply by hunting. A few deer should be enough to get us back. The back wheels of the wagon are destroyed beyond our ability to fix, but two or three horses can still drag what is left. We will just have to tie everything onto it tightly. Of course, everything hinges on whether we can find most of our horses.”

“Aye, without the horses, I be a goner, fer sure.” Dimlar’s stress over his plight is clearly his primary concern.

“Well, don’t fret too much, Dimlar, because I’m sure that we will find the horses in the morning. After breakfast, I want Seldor and Nordok to fly up and scout the area, I doubt the horses went too far. The rest of us will follow on the ground. With any luck we should have our mounts back before the midday meal and be on the road home by the afternoon. Meantime, unless someone has anything to say, I suggest we call it a day and get up with the sun tomorrow morning.”

“Aye, sounds good to me. I be standin’ first watch,” volunteers Delgar.

“Ok, Nordok, you want second? Followed by Seldor on third?” They nod their acceptance.

“Who wants to keep who company?”

“I’ll stay up with Delgar, I have some studying to do,” offers Mizdar.

“And I will stand with Nordok, we have some things to discuss,” says Clandistra, intending to return to the topic of Nordok and Timora.

“And I will of course take third, and breakfast will be ready as usual, now that I have some real food to cook with.”

“I will also stand third, I want to think, but I’m too tired right now. Let’s turn in. Sunup will be here all too soon.”

Sunup did indeed come all too soon, this far north, this time of year, the night seems to get shorter and shorter by leaps and bounds. But Clernon was up well before then, working his culinary magic. Somehow, he managed to have a hot breakfast waiting when the rest of us woke up.

Dimlar, fully recovered after a good meal and some sleep, is anxious to be leaving. He has been doing his best to hurry the rest of us along, even to the extent of cleaning up our dishes as soon as we finish. He even tried to clean Delgar’s plate before he was finished, giving the rest of us a good laugh when Delgar tried to stick his fork in Dimlar’s hand.

“Well, we had better get a move on and find the horses.”

“Aye, afore me brother tries ta hitch ME up ta the wagon,” growls Delgar, still grumpy over the incident at breakfast.

“Nordok, you and Seldor should fly up kinda high at first and get an idea of the lay of the land. Circle around and try to see if you can spot the horses. If you do, come down low and wave, then head towards them, we will follow. If you can land near the horses and catch them while we are on the way, all the better. But I want you two to stay together, there could be flying creatures out here that might not like you two intruding on their territory. And bring your swords, bows, and ropes. Are we all set?” Everyone nods. “Then let’s go.”

Once we have each grabbed a rope in addition to our weapons, we head out of camp. It is too bad we left so many misleading trails, the tracks left by the horses when they bolted are quickly indistinguishable from the rest, making it impossible to track them from the ground. However, we have been able to come up with a general idea of the way they were headed when they bolted. So, at the first good-sized clearing, Seldor and Nordok fly skyward, intending to focus their search in the direction that the horses headed when they took off.

The two of them fly up until they can see the whole of the small valley that holds the ruins of Myth Dranor. They are high enough that they can even see where the valley ends and the river bends to the south. The two flying fighters first acquaint themselves with their surroundings, making sure they know roughly where the others are. Then they begin to look for movement, hoping that the horses are on the move.

After checking on several large animals moving swiftly through the forest only to discover that they are just deer, the two come to the conclusion that the horses are probably still sleeping somewhere. They then begin to slowly circle the hill, looking through the sparse canopy of trees and brush that now hide much of the ruined castle.

“What’s that?” yells Seldor, pointing.

“What?”

“Over there.”

“It might be some of the horses. Let’s check it out.” Flying over to the area, the two can see three of the horses, still fast asleep on their feet.

”Let’s go get the others and have them come this way, the rest are probably around here too.”

“Good thinking,” replies Nordok, as the two take flight back to the others.

The others are still in the clearing where Nordok and Seldor left them. “What do ye suppose be taking them so long,” asks the impatient Dimlar.

“It has only been 15, maybe 20 minutes,” notes Clernon.

“Aye, ye’ll have ye beard in a knot, ye keep on bout that stupid rot. Be patient, we ‘ave plenty of time afore things start to fallin’ off of ye.”

Another 15 or 20 minutes go by before Clandistra’s sharp eyes spot their flying companions returning. Deciding to land, the two fighters come to ground by the rest.

“We found three of the horses over that way about a mile,” says Nordok.

“And I thought I saw another one a little south of the three when we were heading back,” adds Seldor.

“They are more difficult to spot than we thought, the three we checked on were still sleeping. Hopefully they will wake up soon and start to move around, so we can spot them easier.”

“Yes, they will be up and moving soon, horses are always hungry, but they are not nocturnal. We should have thought of this last night,” realizes Mizdar.

“Aye, then I could still be in my warm bed, fast asleep.”

“Well, let’s catch the three horses, anyway. You two lead, we’ll follow.”

With a nod, Seldor and Nordok leap back into the air, heading towards the sleeping horses. The rest of us, hindered by the ground cover and the ruins and rubble, slowly follow in the direction of the flying duo.

When we finally get close to where the three horses are supposed to be, Seldor and Nordok fly down to us with some last minute directions.

“The three of them are only about 100 yards ahead. And we spotted two more about 200 yards south of them,” says Seldor.

“Why don’t we go and get the two and bring them to the clearing where the others are while you groundlings round up these three,” offers Nordok.

“Yes, that would be best,” agrees Mizdar, obviously tired of walking through the tough terrain.

Seldor and Nordok, once more leaping into the air, head toward the two horses. Landing beside them, Nordok realizes that one of them is his own mount.

“Here boy, come on,” he says soothingly so as not to startle the horse. As the well-trained and now awake horse obediently walks over, Nordok continues to talk soothingly to him. “Yes, you are a good horse, did you miss me, that big bear scare you?” The whole time he is talking to the horse he is also getting the rope around its neck, planning on riding him back to the others.

Seldor has also been talking to the other horse, calming him so as not to cause him to bolt. This horse is Mintock’s mount. Seldor finally gets close enough to the other horse to be able to slip a noose around its neck. Once they have a rope around the neck of each horse, they use their flying ability to easily get to the back of each horse. Riding bareback, they quickly cover the ground between them and the others.

The other three horses, with a few whistles from their riders, are good enough to gallop over to their owners, obviously glad to see them.

“Snowbunny, I am so glad we found you!” says Clandistra, obviously very happy to have found her mount of several years. The other two horses belong to Mizdar and Seldor.

Nordok and Seldor ride up to the others, bringing the two horses to them. Now that we have five horses, everyone can ride while Seldor and Nordok fly about looking for more mounts. The two dwarves, who normally ride ponies, share Nordok’s horse nervously.

“I be not likin’ horses, it be too long a ways to the ground fer the likes of me.”

“Aye, but it be better than walkin’,” comments Delgar.

Seldor and Nordok, once more flying, continue their search for more of the missing mounts. Luckily, the warming morning air has caused the horses to begin their foraging, and none of them have wandered too far from each other. Once the horses have begun to move, they distinguish themselves from the other shadows, making it easy to spot them. Nordok and Seldor are soon able to find four more horses and one of the ponies.

Leading the rest of us to them, we find the horses seemingly glad to be reunited.

By now it is midmorning, and we haven’t been able to find any sign of the remaining horses or the pack mules. And Dimlar’s pony seems to have vanished as well.

“Well, we have enough to make the trip home, anyway. I suggest we get back to camp and prepare for our departure. After we have everything packed up and loaded, we can have an early meal and get going.”

“Aye, but Mizdar, what bout me pony, I canna ride atop one of these big beasts all the way home.”

“Well, maybe we will get lucky and find Nugget on the way back to camp. Otherwise, it will be a choice between the horse or walking, my little friend.”

“We could just tie you onto the wagon, at least that way if parts of you start to fall off, we won’t have to stop to pick them up,” teases Nordok, causing many of us to laugh.

“’Tis no laughing matter, as ye all be seein’ when I be havin’ to be spoon-fed like a child cause I be havin’ no arms to feed meself wit.”

And of course picturing that just causes us to laugh even harder, much to the chagrin of Dimlar, who really thinks his arms and legs will start falling off any day now.

“Well, we might as well fly back there, maybe along the way we will spot the rest of the animals,” volunteers Seldor.

“Yes, I’m for that. I like flying. The feeling of soaring through the air is so fantastic I just can’t describe it.”

“Well then, you two get up there and find us some more of the animals,” says Mizdar.

“Oh, if you happen to spot a deer, we could sure use the food. Unless you like to eat dried up rations, that is,” suggests Clernon.

“Aye, some real meat will sit nice in our bellies,” adds Delgar.

“And cleaning the deer now will delay us less than when we are on the road,” observes Mizdar in an attempt to silence the protest he knows Dimlar is about to make.

Dimlar, already having his mouth open as he was indeed about to say something about the need to get moving, quickly closes his mouth and remains silent on the subject. Instead, he complains “are we gonna stand here all day or are we gonna get somethin’ done.”

“Aye, an early breakfast deserves an early midday meal. Let’s be going.”

Seldor and Nordok, leaping into the air, fly back towards camp, keeping their eyes open for any sign of either their animals or their supper. The rest of us ride back to camp, leading the extra horses with the makeshift reins.

About two thirds of the way back, Nordok and Seldor come flying over to the rest of us with the news that that have found the pony and two of the mules.

Seldor breaks the bad news. “The bears ate most of them, the puddles of blood in the camp were probably theirs. Being slower than the horses, they probably were wounded inside the walls of the camp as they tried to flee. And then the bears tracked them down and finished the job.”

“Me poor Nugget, he deserved a better end than in the belly of a bear.”

“But on the bright side, we managed to drop a deer. We gutted it already, it is about fifty yards off the route you are taking back to camp, we’ll show you where to turn off when you get near it,” says Nordok.

“Good, we can use the meat, I am definitely tired of eating dried rations,” replies Mizdar.

“Well, I guess its back to the skies for us, Nordok.”

“Let’s fly,” answers Nordok gleefully as the two leap back into the air.

Once we are all back at camp, Clernon and Seldor clean the deer while the rest of us begin to break camp. Nordok and Mintock are saddling the horses. Mizdar and Clandistra are gathering everyone’s packs and any gear that isn’t in use, bringing the stuff over by the wagon, where Dimlar and Delgar are loading our gear up in the broken wagon.

“’Tis a good thing bears don’t like grain, or the horses would be starved long ere we got home, an’ there wouldna be ought left of ye by then, neither,” says Delgar with a straight face.

“Aye, we fared better ’n we could ‘ave. Now at least I be havin’ a chance to make it back afore the rot takes too much of me,” responds Dimlar, oblivious to Delgar’s jibe.

“Well, exceptin’ what we be usin’, that be as much as we be puttin’ on the wagon.”

“Aye,” agrees Dimlar.

“Well, the horses are all saddled and ready, at least the bears didn’t damage the riding gear too much,” comments Mintock.

“Yes, the bent bits were easy enough to fix and some teeth and claw marks on the saddles won’t bother anyone.”

“I wonder how long it will be before we can eat?”

“Really, I’m hungry, that early breakfast didn’t last long in my stomach. Let’s go and see what’s up with Clernon and the food.”

Everyone seems to have the same thing on their mind, approaching Clernon and Seldor where they are cooking up some of the deer meat into a stew.

“How long till we can eat?” asks Nordok, his stomach growling loudly.

“Hold your bottomless pit for a few minutes longer and I’ll gladly quiet that growling coming from it.”

“Get your plates ready and find yourselves a seat. When it is done we’ll come around and fill your plates. Meantime, why don’t we go over the plan for this afternoon,” suggests Seldor.

“That’s a good idea. We have recovered nine of the horses and Delgar’s pony. But since we need three of the horses to pull the wagon, one of us will have to carry Dimlar.”

“Or we can each carry a piece of him, when they start falling off, that is!” interrupts Nordok, causing a few chuckles.

“That’s enough, I think we have worn that joke out.”

“Aye, ‘tis not that funny when you be the one losin’ parts off ’n ye.“

“Anyway, do I have any volunteers to carry him?”

“He can ride my horse, I think I would prefer to fly,” offers Nordok.

“Well, that may be possible for some of the day, but I don’t think you will be able to fly all day.”

“Since I weigh the least, he can ride with me,” offers Mintock.

“Yes, the added weight is a concern. So be it then, Dimlar will either ride Nordok’s horse when he’s not using it, or he will ride with Mintock. Any objection to that, Dimlar?”

“Nay.”

“Well then, I think the food is ready, so let’s eat as we continue with our plans for the day.”

Seldor and Clernon, having decided that the stew is done, serve us. Seldor is carrying the kettle of stew around the group, and Clernon is dishing it out onto each of our plates, giving everyone a generous portion.

“Eat up, make it last till supper, cause we’re not stopping till darkness falls,” warns Clernon.

“I overheard my fellow birdman Nordok offer to let Dimlar ride his horse. I will also try to spend as much time flying as possible. Maybe Nordok and I can take turns flying while the other rides my horse.”

“Aye, an’ we be makin’ better time, too,” adds Dimlar.

“Also, with one of you two flying around up there, we should have ample warning of any possible attack, at least during the day,” mentions Mintock.

“Aye, then mayhaps there be no surprises while we be riding down the trail,” agrees Delgar.

“Now, is everything packed up and are the horses ready?”

“Aye, all but what we be usin’,” replies Delgar.

“What about the wagon, will it make it all the way back to the castle?”

“I dunno if it be lastin’ till the bend, but every mile be a mile closer.”

“Well, when it breaks, we’ll have to decide what gear we can do without and load the rest on the horses. We can each take turns walking, while some of us get to ride the horses that aren’t loaded up with gear.”

“I don’t look forward to that. I guess we better take it easy if the wagon is that bad off.”

“Well, at least you and Nordok can fly most of the day, it’ll be the rest of us with sores on our feet at the end of each day,” responds Clernon.

“Yes, but at least you can heal yourself,” teases Nordok, smiling.

“If everyone is done eating, then I suggest we get the dishes cleaned up and take care of any personal needs so that we can leave. Clernon, is the deer cut up and stored safely?”

“It’s quartered and wrapped up, but it still has to be loaded and secured to the wagon.”

“Well, see to it, we’ll take care of the dishes.”

Within about fifteen minutes everything and everyone is ready to go. Everyone but Nordok and Delgar saddles up and begins to make their way out of the ruined structure that served as our camp. Nordok takes flight to scout the area for trouble while Delgar leads the horses that are pulling the wagon until it is free of the rubble-strewn entrance before he climbs up on his pony. Nordok flies low over our heads, giving us the all-clear sign before going higher once again.

“So, who should be the one to tell Hithgard about the two dwarves?” asks Deth, Dren’s senior henchman.

“I haven’t decided yet,” replies Dren.

“He will surely devour whoever tells him.”

“He may eat all of us anyway, when he finds out that we failed to kill or capture them. I thought we had them for sure. I still don’t know how they managed to kill Lother and his pugbear brothel, let alone move that stone he closed off the tunnel with.”

“Well, they will be back, their kind always is.”

“But the next time, we mustn’t fail. We let them get in, then let the guards capture them.”

“And what if they should escape again?”

“There will be something else that will serve as backup outside waiting for them that they will definitely not survive.”

“What about Rondolf? I never really cared much for those stupid jokes he’s always telling.”

“Me, neither. Tell Rondolf I feel sick today and I need him to deliver a parchment to the dragon.”

“Are you going to include anything about the Elven girl?”

“What, and have him go into a rage and eat all of us for sure?”

“Maybe that is the wisest of choices at the moment.”

“Yes, we can’t serve him if we are dead, now can we? We are just lucky we killed the ones that knew of her existence before they could tell anyone else. At least now nobody can tell Hithgard, no matter what the dragon does to them.”