(Dragonkin) Dragon Rider (29 page)

   Danorathin came in low and attacked the rear of the enemy, disappearing as fast as he appeared. The next time, he came in from the south, and after that the north. The outlaws fled into the trees to escape the dragon, and that was when he cast the spell. Menimeth repeated the spell he had used to allow the solders of the empire to escape, "DrathinVoran-Cathantry-Adrada-Fathean." And a wall of fire sprang up from the trees, driving the outlaws out of them, and into the clearing beyond.

   Darik stood at the tree line across the clearing from the enemy, and a ball of fire flew from his staff as the outlaws came from the burning trees. It hit the outlaws and drove a path through them two men wide, and into the burning trees behind them. Burning men dropped to the ground dead as it did, but before the brigands could react, another path of burning men lay dead on the ground. With a yell, the brigands raced across the clearing to attack the mage and end the threat he posed. When they were all within the open ground, the next volley of arrows from both sides tore into the outlaws, dropping many as they ran. The dragon rider landed in the middle of the startled bandits when the last volley of arrows had been fired, and the solders of the empire poured from the trees all around them, and the battle for the north had begun.

   Menimeth was in the center of the enemy forces, and was cutting them down as fast as he could reach them. His swords flashed as they circled him in a deadly dance of death, and all that opposed him were cut down in that wall of steel. Danorathin grabbed several of the outlaws and leapt into the air, throwing them as far as he could before returning for more. Balls of fire were flying through the air, and swords were flashing in the sunlight, as the battle raged on. Men were screaming, and the sounds of battle were everywhere as the men of the empire fought for their land, and the enemy was being pushed in on themselves.

   Several brigands rushed Menimeth, but Danorathin landed on them and most were killed outright. The claws of the massive dragon killed the others, and the dragon turned to face the new threat. The men of the empire surrounded them, so the brigands turned on the dragon and his rider. They hoped to kill them both, but never had the chance.

   Menimeth raised his swords above his head, and the words flowed from him, smooth and clear.

   "Drathin-Varadin-Dreather-Kathasren-Lanorda. Esecandri-FarthinDradam-Escovran" His swords began to glow brighter, and the wind picked up, as the outlaws rushed him. Within seconds, a bright flash of light flew from the swords in his hands, and burned a hole through all of the remaining outlaws. A look of surprise was on their faces as their souls were ripped from them, and absorbed into the swords of the dragon rider, before they dropped to the ground dead.

   Menimeth became very weary, but he could feel the power of the ring he wore as it filled him with strength and stamina. It would not protect him from harm, but it would keep him from succumbing to the draining affects of using magic. He would still need rest to regain his strength, but it was not a pressing concern, since he had gained the power of the men he had killed.

   The Brigands were defeated, but it cost the empire dearly. Another Sixty-two men were dead, and close to one hundred more were wounded. In the battle for the north, the empire may have won, but the enemy had done what Arnoran had intended. The empire could not afford these kinds of losses to its solders, but they had killed more than six hundred of the enemy. That would cut the forces Chidren would have to carry out his objective in the west, down some, but it would not be by much.

   Menimeth and his dragon flew to Grimmen, to have wagons sent to retrieve the dead and wounded. Supply wagons were already in the north, and they had reached the camp Litlorn set up earlier that day. They were unloaded, and as many of the badly wounded as they could fit in them, were carried back to the city in the east.

   Litlorn led a group of solders to the first battleground, and stripped the dead of all the armor and weapons they possessed, along with everything else of value they could find. The bodies of the enemy were tossed into a ravine and burned. The solders led the packhorses back to the camp, stopping at the second battleground to collect what they could from the dead brigands there as well. When the task had been completed, and the bodies were stacked into a large pile, they were also burned with the help of magic.

   Menimeth was in the camp when Litlorn and Darik returned, and Litlorn limped from the arrow that had found its way into his leg. It was not a bad wound, but it kept him from walking very far. His horse was retrieved along with Darik's, and they traveled with the first of the solders to return south. Menimeth waited until all of the wounded were treated and in tents, waiting for the wagons to return them to the city of Grimmen. The wagons would take several days to reach the camp, but Menimeth needed to return to the south much sooner than that. The evil they had felt earlier was still on the great road north of the dragon rider capital, and it must be eradicated before he could return to the Dragon Tower.

   Menimeth and his dragon flew west, and looked for any brigands that may have escaped the battles. They would turn south when they reached the great road, but that was a long way from where they were now. They were just passing the fire from the first battlefield, and could see no movement ahead. It was very likely that there were no more solders of the enemy, anywhere between the camp in the west and the ruined lands, but he doubted it.

   When they reached the great road, the evil was much stronger, and south of them. Danorathin could feel the dark magic that flowed through the one who was on the road, and it still looked south and east. They turned south, and would soon be close enough to see whoever was on the road in front of them. Events were taking place much faster now, and Menimeth was about to find that out. He would be ready for whatever he found, and would do what was best for the empire.

   As Litlorn and Darik rode south with the solders that were the first to leave the camp, they accompanied the wagons with the wounded, and watched for enemies along the way. They rode to Grimmen, but most of the solders that were with them were not from the east. Most of the wounded that traveled with Litlorn were from there, but they would all survive, and heal in time. Very few of the wounded were seriously injured, but the ones that were, stayed in the camp to heal before they were moved. It would be weeks before all the men were back in their realms, and the bodies of the fallen were buried at the tombs of the east close to Grimmen.

   The march to the west was coming soon, and the men who fought in the north were allowed to stay in their realms if they wished. It was a far harder campaign than it should have been, but at least they would not have to fight those solders in the west, later. Of the ninety-five men that were killed in the battles, fifty-two were from the eastern realm. When they reached their home, they would be buried as warriors, and remembered for their bravery. One quarter of the forces they had sent to the north, would never return to Grimmen, but would be laid in the tomb of the fallen.

   When all of the solders from the south reached Grimmen, Litlorn and Darik began the journey back to Glansford. It would take several weeks to reach the bridge across the Eastern Imlador River, and Litlorn hoped to be healed by then. Glansford was only a few days from the bridge, and Litlorn expected it to be busy when they arrived. Soon they would reach the city, and even Litlorn would be surprised at the changes there. It would far be busier than he expected, and would become much worse as the days passed.

Chapter Twenty-Two

   Feran walked his horse down the great western road, and thought about the events of the last few months. The last time that he rode down this same road, the dragon warrior was teaching them how to fight. They had been worried about the fair until he came along, but the fair seemed so far away now. They had learned so much from the warrior that they no longer feared to compete in the events, and had changed from boys to men almost over night.

   His wife was amazed at the change in him, and she did not want him to leave again. It was hard for him to do so, but he had to get back to his friends. They needed him, and he would not let them down.

   The money he gave her would last them for years, but it was nothing compared to what he would have when they saw each other again. Kiler's father, and the other men who were released from the army, had returned home again after more than three years of fighting. The village had all turned out to see them and welcome them back, but everyone talked about Feran's armor and weapons instead. When he departed for the fair he was dressed like a farmer, but now he was a warrior, and was wearing the colors of the old empire. His armor was worth more than ten year's income for the entire village, and the people, took notice. Javen's father was speechless, and his mother fainted when they opened the coin purse that Javen had sent them. They would never again have to worry about money, but it was only the beginning.

   When Feran had ridden out of the village to return to Menimeth and his friends, all of the people watched him until he was out of sight. He told them about the dragon and the warrior that was his rider, and that the king had returned. The Great Dragon Empire was whole again, or would soon be, and the villagers would see solders on the road dressed in red and white. The dragon symbol would identify them as solders of the empire, and they would protect the villagers if they were in need. Feran did not think they would have believed him if it were not for his horse and his armor, But they would find out the truth before long.

   The Bridge over the Grayling River was just ahead, and he knew he would soon be in Argnon. News of his friends would be at the Red Falcon where Farlin was, and Feran would stay the night and learn all he could from his friend. He could almost taste the roasted meats and the cold ale that the tavern was known for he thought. However, it was the Blackbeer in the morning that he longed for the most. No one made Blackbeer like Farlin did, and was famous for his Blackbeer throughout the western realm.

   Feran heard the men before he reached the top of the hill, and moved off to the side of the road and into the trees. When he crested the hill, he saw the two men standing in front of a wagon, with an old man and young women sitting on the seat. He rode through the trees until he was even with the men, and stopped to listen.

   "Look old man," The larger of the two said. "You don't seem to understand, we didn't ask you for your wagon, we are taking it."

   "Yeah, and that pretty little granddaughter of yours is coming with us." The second man said.

   "Leave us alone and get out of the way." The old man in the wagon said, and started to move his wagon forward.

   "You better stop right there, old man." The larger man said.

   "Get away from us." The girl cried. "Leave us alone."

   "You won't be saying that when we're done with you girl." The smaller man said, and reached up and grabbed the rains to the horses that pulled the wagon.

   The bigger outlaw, and the first one Feran had heard talking, pulled the sword from his scabbard and began to advance on the old man. The smaller bandit started laughing at the two in the wagon, and taunting them. Feran pulled out his sword and rode from the trees beside the road, and the two outlaws turned when they heard him speak.

   "You men need to leave and not come back, or it will go badly for you." Feran said.

   "Just who do you think you are sonny?" The larger outlaw said, and turned to advance on Feran.

   "That will not matter to you soon, so it is not important." Feran replied, and slid from his horse.

   The smaller outlaw withdrew his weapon, and both men advanced on Feran with the intention of killing him quickly. The smaller man came around his friend and attacked Feran from the side, as the larger man swing his sword at Feran's head. Menimeth had taught him to watch for that move, and what to do if it happened. He stepped to the side and swung his sword from the ground, up and out to the side the attack was coming from, and the smaller brigand was down on the ground and mortally wounded with that one swing of Feran's sword. The larger outlaw was killed seconds later when he missed his attack again, and was caught off balance from the force of the attempt.

   The old man and his granddaughter became afraid until Feran told them who he was, and where he was from. When he told them he was a member of the Dragon Guard, they became very excited, and thanked him for helping them several times. Feran stripped the useful items from the dead men, and loaded it on his packhorse before dragging them into, and burying them in the trees. He escorted the wagon across the bridge, and to the safety of Rivervale, before getting a room for the night. The young woman watched him the whole time that they were traveling, and it made him uncomfortable. He kissed her on the cheek, and shook the old mans hand before he departed, and the young woman, who could not have been more than sixteen, almost fainted when he kissed her.

   The next morning, he was in the main room of the inn drinking Blackbeer before the sun came up. He was almost to Argnon and the Red Falcon, and he was eager to get there as soon as he could. It had been four months since he rode from Argnon with the men from the village, and most of that time was spent on the road. Yesterday was the first time that he had seen any outlaws since leaving Argnon, and he was surprised to find them where he did. He thought that most of them had been wiped out at the monastery, and the rest had fled from this part of the realm.

   Feran rode out of Rivervale as the sun was rising, and made his way east. The morning grew warmer as the sun rose higher in the sky, but he seemed not to notice. His thoughts were of his friends and the adventures that lay ahead of them, as well as the man whom they followed. He was the king and their leader, but most of all he was their friend.

   There were more people on the road now, and they did not seem as frightened as they had been several months ago. He noticed that the towns were busier than in the past, and the residents were friendlier as well. They all still watched him as he passed them on the road, and he heard their whispers as he did, but it was just the way people were. It reminded him of the first time that they came through here with Menimeth. The people had whispered when he passed them then, also, but Feran paid them very little attention. One day these people would be used to seeing warriors on the roads of the realms he thought, but had no idea how true that would be.

   The sun was setting in the road behind him, as he reached the top of the hill, and saw the towers of the castle at Argnon before him. As he drew closer to the town, and the lights of the lamps became visible, he felt as though he was being watched. The feeling grew stronger as he passed the hill just outside of town, but he could see no one in the everincreasing darkness. He turned away from the castle when he reached the smaller road that ran between it and the town, and stopped at the Red Falcon inn.

   Farlin was glad to see him, and brought him a mug of ale when he sat down at the table in the main room of the tavern where Menimeth always sat. A room was made ready for him while he drank his ale and waited, and his horses were unloaded and taken to the stables in back while his bags were taken to his room. The things he stripped from the outlaws were given to Farlin when they were brought in, and he put them in the room that he had saved for that purpose, and locked it behind him. Feran ordered some of the roasted meats and aged cheeses that Farlin served, and when they arrived at his table, he devoured them with alarming ferocity.

   He noticed the face that looked into the window though it was only there for a second, and thought he recognized him. He had seen that face before, but could not place it, and something inside him warned that this man was not friendly. He would have to be on his guard until he was sure of the man's intentions, and trust no one he did not know, well.

   He felt more than heard the man in the shadows when he entered his room. He pulled his sword out just in time to block the attack, and countered with a blow to his attackers head with the pommel of his sword. The man backed off just long enough for Feran to get set, before he came in swinging his sword at Feran's head again. Missing his attack put the man off balance, long enough for Feran to step to the side, and when the man turned to face him, Feran rammed his sword into the man's chest. The sword went through the man and his armor, and stuck out the other side almost two feet.

   Farlin came running into the room with his belt knife out, but the man was falling to the floor dead before he could help. He was appalled at the attempt on his friend's life, and apologized to Feran several times. The man's name was Rylee one of the onlookers told him, and he was one of the outlaws that had traveled with Grif before he was killed. Feran found the papers that Rylee had used to mark down the times the guards were changed, and when the patrols came and went. The regent was due back very soon, so Feran decided to wait for him, and give him the papers he found on Rylee. He would need to know about the threat, and make adjustments to his timetables for the guard.

   Farlin stripped the man of his belongings, and put the items taken from him in the room with those Feran had given him. He could not believe that Feran was attacked in his room, and would not accept Feran's money for as long as he was there. Feran assured him many times that it was not his fault, but Farlin would not hear it, and in the end, Feran gave up and accepted it.

   It was two weeks before the regent arrived in Argnon, and the castle he had lived in all of his life. His forefathers had defended it in the time of the lesser wars, and from that time until now. Falendor acted quickly after returning to his home, and ordered Captain Brannor to send solders to bring the people from the northern towns and villages to Argnon. The crops could be replanted, but the people could not be replaced. They were to allow the people to bring all they could with them, and it would be kept as safe as possible.

   Kyler and Javen entered the Red Falcon, and found Feran sitting in the chair Menimeth always used. He leapt from the chair when he spotted them, and they embraced as warriors did when reunited after a long period of time. Feran noticed the new clothes with the badge of Captain on both his friends, and asked them about it.

   "You are both captains now? I was only gone for a few months, and missed it all."

   "Meni sent us to find you." Javen told his friend. "And told us to stay together no matter what."

   "That is true." Kyler said, confirming his friend's enthusiastic remarks. "We are to stay together by order of the king."

   "Order of the king?" Feran asked and looked at Kyler curiously.

   "Meni is the king now, but he does not like it. We are to find you and return to Glansford, and he said we were not to get hurt before we returned. That is why he said it was an order, and we do not out rank you because these are for you." Kyler said, as he handed Feran the packages they carried. "We are all the same rank. And we are to train the armies of the empire."

   "Train the armies of the empire?" Feran asked.

   "Yes, and it will be a long night if you are to repeat everything I tell you." Kyler told to him. "We are to train and command the armies of the empire when the west is cleared of Arnoran's solders."

   "What else did I miss?" He asked his friends.

   " Javen is in love, but that is not very important." Kyler said. "But the girl is very beautiful."

   "Where did he meet this woman of his?" Feran asked, as he looked at Javen with a smile. "In Corlindum?"

   "No, she is a local girl from here in Argnon." Javen replied, smiling.

   "One of the servant girls from the castle?" Feran asked, winking at his friend as he did.

   "No, she is not a servant in the castle, but she does live there." Javen said. "And she is very beautiful."

   "What woman lives in the castle that is not a servant?" Feran asked Kyler, puzzled by the mystery. "Who could Javen hope to win? Only the regent and his family live in the castle besides the servant girls."

   "I would have agreed with you two months ago," Kyler said to him, giving Javen a wink. "But after two months of watching them ride together on the return trip, I would say the regents oldest daughter is more in love than Javen."

   "The regents oldest daughter!" Feran exclaimed, shocked by the revelation.

   "Yes, and you are doing it again." Javen said.

   It was late in the night when the tales were told, and the friends went off to their rooms. The patrons that were usually gone long before, now, still sat and talked about the news given them by the warriors of the Dragon Guard. A dragon had returned to the empire, and a king sat on the throne in Glansford they had been told, but it was hard for them to believe until the identity of the king was revealed. Farlin spent most of the evening at the table with his friends, and marveled at the tales they told as well.

   The next morning found the three captains of the empire sitting in the Red Falcon, drinking Blackbeer. Wearing their new badges of rank, and in the colors of the empire, they discussed the days planned activities, and the impending return trip to Glansford. An inspection of the landscape around the castle was first, and the three men were to speak to Falendor later that day.

   The people of the northern part of the realm began to slowly arrive in Argnon, while the solders were scouting the north in larger patrols. Most of the people would travel on to the east and the safety it provided, until they could return to their homes, but some would stay and help in the coming fight. It would be months before most of the people could reach Argnon, and the road to the east, but Falendor was determined to save the people of his realm. Those solders that did not patrol the north were assigned to the castle at Argnon, and the protection of its inhabitance.