Flash Fiction #709 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/7

 

Callum couldn't decide if he or Ryson was more surprised by the Queen's admission.  Tsak and his people pushed ahead by a few yards and left the three to deal with this problem.

Then Callum rethought it.

"Everything went well," Callum announced before the other two could start arguing.  "That Kono knew is good.  She knows you well, Ryson. She would spot a problem."

"And now is not the time to debate something that has already worked," Ryson added.

Kono looked surprised, but she nodded in agreement.  Callum kept out of that exchange.  They would get to him eventually.  After all, they had not discussed his magical ability yet.

And maybe now was the time to use his power to make this journey work.  The dragons were not awake in the core yet -- at least not the majority of them. He lifted his hand and tested the air, feeling out the small tendrils of magic that were normal in the wilds.   Then he found one stronger than the others and traced it to a close trail.  It was not a dragon trail, but something powerful had used it and was heading upward, just like them.

"Callum?  Can I have my own horse now?" Kono asked with a hint of frustration.

"No," he replied, and then rushed on.  "We are all going to walk. Something powerful is moving along a path close to here. It is heading upward, and I can't believe that is a coincidence.  A feeling in the air whispers of trouble, and more than us are heading for the core."

He slid off his saddle and caught Kono as she came down.  No one argued. Two of Tsaks people took the horses in hand and headed back to join the others.

No one questioned what Callum had said.  He found that more troubling than the problem they faced. How could they think he was an expert on any of this?

Who else did they have?

Callum led them to the new path with no trouble.  Whatever had passed here had made no attempt to hide its magic or the footprints in the soft earth.

"Gryphon," Tsak warned and shook his head.  "We don't want to get too close.  Nasty claws and never happy to see humans.  I suggest we keep our distance, at least until we find out what is going on.""

"I think it is moving at a good pace," Callum added.  "I am more than willing to let it face any trouble without us."

So they didn't rush forward.  Callum found it easy to track the creature and knew when they got too close.  The gryphon stopped shortly after sunset.  Callum and his companions were glad to do the same. After setting up camp, Callum wrapped a blanket around himself and slept.

And awoke to morning light and the face of the gryphon looking down at him.

"You are the slowest humans I have ever seen," it proclaimed. The deep, rumbling voice awakened the others.  "Can we go now? Or should I get a head start and see if you ever catch up with me today?"

The others were starting to sit up. The three desert men who had been on watch stumbled back to the fire, looking dismayed and afraid.

"Magic," Callum said as he stood. The gryphon was barely an arm's reach away, and he was huge.  "You used magic to make us sleep.  I didn't even feel it."

"I thought if you got some sleep, you might move faster today.  We still have a long way to go to the core."

"You know why we are here," Ryson said as he stood.  "Why are you?"

The gryphon took a few steps back, rustled his wings, and sat down.  Something was bothering him. 

"Gryphons and dragons do not get along," the gryphon admitted.  "Granted, we don't get along with humans either, but that is a different problem. Long ago, a young gryphon male stole a dragon egg and disappeared into the wilderness. They were never found."

Kono stood and tried to straighten her clothing.  She looked at their visitor. "A gryphon took the eggs again? Or do you suspect others?"

"I suspect every creature in the world. We will have to narrow the list down."

Callum still felt uneasy about the magic that had made them sleep, but he could admit to himself that he felt better for it.   The gryphon could have done worse than make them sleep.

But Callum mistrusted it.  

Flash Fiction #708 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/6

 

Ryson turned to follow Callum and Kono.  The drums grew louder, and if he didn't keep control, they would drag him back in again.  He cursed softly and hurried out to join his companions, including Tsak and Rimal.  Six others were on horses, and Callum had Kono with him, which was good and bad. It kept her safely in sight and under some control, but it meant Callum wouldn't be ready for trouble.

Ryson would stay close.  Focus on protecting them.  Block out the drums.

Why were they back again?  Were they working for the dragons still?  It had seemed to Ryson that they were wild cards the last few years, perhaps forgetting their oaths to the dragons while the glorious creatures slept in the core.

Could someone have lured them away from that service?  They had assumed someone had taken dragon eggs away from the core, and they would awaken now and destroy half the world looking for them. 

Ryson mounted his horse, tied his bag on the saddle and rode up to keep pace with Callum and Kono.

"I want my own horse," she demanded.

Ryson ignored her.  "Would a broken oath bring the dragons out of the core?" he asked.  

"Who has command of the berserkers?" Kono asked.

"Oaths sworn to dragons take on a power of their own," Callum answered.  He looked troubled, and Ryson felt a new thread of worry. "Except in the century when the dragons are active, they rarely leave their secret valley.  Is that right, Ryson?"

They were already leaving Lord Tsak's camp behind, but the sound of the drums followed them.  He snarled in that direction and then pulled his wandering thoughts back.

"A century is a conservative guess," He replied and called on all of his court training to stay focused.  "They took to their core -- their nest -- well over a century ago, but humans didn't realize they had retreated for over fifty years.  Maybe we shouldn't apply human time to them."

"Which means we can't guess if they are coming out or not," Kono added.

"Best to assume they are," Callum replied.  He shifted as though uncomfortable.  "I spent some time at the Temple of the Stars and learned a path to magic from the All-High Priest Bryten.  He found me on a backwoods trail between two nameless villages in the south.  He said there were things I needed to learn, and it wasn't all magic.  Bryten also taught me how to communicate with dragons. He knew I would be here."

"And what does that mean for us?" Kono asked.

Callum looked over the group, although Ryson wondered what he actually saw.  There was distance in that stare, but no one tried to call him back.

He finally focused on Ryson and gave a nod.  "We need to reach the dragons as soon as possible."

No one argued, although none of them thought it would be easy.

Ryson felt an odd sense of dread as he watched Callum leading them up the nearest mountain trail. His cousin had rarely taken a leadership role in the past, and doing so now seemed odd.

Why did he want to protest? Had he expected that position, or did he distrust Callum? 

"Stop brooding," Kono said as she reached over to tap his leg.

"I am not brooding.  I am arguing with myself."

"There is a conversation that would drive all of us mad," Callum added.

Ryson gave a short laugh of agreement.  He stopped listening for the drums -- the others would hear them, too.  It was not just his problem this time.

"Lord Bear -- the answer to who leads the Berserkers.  He and I do not get along."

"He was the one who captured you," Tsak said.  "He wanted access to your queen and your cousin."

Ryson felt a chill go through him as he turned back to their companion, but Tsak lifted a hand in a gesture of peace. Ryson had moved his horse so that he was between the desert man and his friends.

"That was more than a lucky guess," Ryson said, his voice calmer than expected.

"You were not their only prisoner.  We freed three others.  I doubt you remember that part."


"Others," he whispered.  They were gray shapes in a dark scene in his mind. Blood ran down his face.  Someone growled --

"Ryson," Kono said, calling him back.

He blinked as he looked at her, pulling Kono's face into focus.  Callum remained a blur, as if Kono was his only link to the real world.

"I told you not to trust me."

"You have given me no reason," Kono replied.

"I was in the hands of the berserkers.  I don't know how long they had me.  I can't be certain I didn't give them what they wanted."

"You never turned on us," Callum replied.  "You had time and chances."

"We found you already escaped from them," Tsak added.  "Don't you remember?  I think you are the only one who ever got free on his own."

"I remember little, and most of that is ... unpleasant.  I can see you sometimes.  I wanted to die.  You would not let me."

"And I will do the same again, if needed.  Lord Bear is coming for you because you are the only one who got away."

"But you saved others."

"We got them free, but the drums called them back.  We killed them rather than let Bear use them against their own people.  They were not as strong as you, Ryson.  They couldn't hold out."

"How could you trust me?"

"It was a slow process."

"But they told me.  It was my decision to keep working with you," Kono added.
 

Flash Fiction #707 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/5

 

Kono stood by the entrance to Tsak's tent.  Men and women moved around her with no trouble, and no one looked bothered. These were people used to trouble.  Kono watched until her cousins disappeared and then followed Tsak into the tent.
Swords, shorter blades, bows and arrows, and shields lined the interior of the dark tent.  A few people gathered at a table, scooping food onto plates. They made room for Tsak and Kono.  She took a little of almost everything, uncertain of what might not agree with her, especially now.

Most of the people sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor, but Tsak led Kono to a table with two chairs.

"We must be conscious of our dignity," he said, and pulled out a chair for her.  "One does not sit on the ground to eat with the Queen."

"Can you teach that to Ryson and Callum? They don't seem to think much about my dignity."

"You wouldn't change them," he replied and nibbled on some bread and honey. "They do what is right. Ryson is doing far better.  It was time the three of you formed your team again.  You have proved it by being here and not in the hands of your council. And now we can discuss an alliance.  Eat your food.  We are going to be on the move soon."

Kono wondered whether he had deliberately tried to confuse her.  More likely, she was exhausted and not following the conversation well. She forced her attention away from the opening of the tent.

Then they talked business, from trouble with the council to berserkers and dragon cores.

And finally they got to the part about the alliance.

"Won't your people protest such an arrangement made with your hold on power precarious?"

"The council will cause trouble, but they are not as popular as they think.  They protested my alliance with the sprites, but even with this journey taking me away from the castle, they have not tried to end that agreement."

"You know this."

"All treaties and such require the queen to take a magical oath.  If that oath is broken by either side, I will know." She toyed with a piece of cheese. "But you knew this."

"I knew rumors," he corrected.  "Having it confirmed explains some odd behavior by members of your family.  Ryson and Callum --"

"It only affects the ruler of the snowlands."  She smiled suddenly.  "Those two don't need anymore oddness.  However, you can trace some of their actions back to things I told them."

Tsak fell silent and gave Kono a chance to eat more of the excellent food.  She stared at the opening to the tent, hoping to see Callum and Ryson return. It wasn't that she didn't trust them -- after all, she sent them on missions all the time.

Ryson worried her.  Callum had let her know who had captured their cousin, but they had not spoken about it further. She wante to speak with Ryson --

"They will be back soon.  Let us talk about becoming allies," Tsak said.


She thought he had meant just to distract her, but before long, Kono could tell he was serious about the alliance.  Before long, Callum and Ryson arrived and joined in the conversation. It was a pleasant reminder that they were better trained than the council at dealing with others.

"Part of my people will remain here to clean the area and bury the dead. They will catch up with us.  I also have matters to handle before we leave.  I suggest the three of you rest while you can. There are pillows and blankets in the corner.  No one will bother you."

Kono thought she should help in some way -- but this was not her place.  Callum and Ryson waited until she had settled in a little nest of soft warmth, and then they took their places as her guards.  She hoped they slept.  There would not be a safer place.

"Wake up, Kono," Callum said.  He even dared to shake her by the shoulder.  "We have to go, Kono."

"Throw her over your shoulder and get her to the horses," Ryson ordered.  "I will be right behind you."

Kono tried to push herself out of the blankets, but Callum lifted her and carried her out, though not over his shoulder.  She caught a glimpse of Ryson gathering things he shoved into a pack while others stripped the tent and packed everything away.

Tsak shouted something to his people.

And somewhere close by she could hear thousands of drums.

Flash Fiction #706 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/4

 

Blades appeared in three hands.  Ryson and Callum took places at the Queen's side.  Ryson was glad to see Kono's hand stay steady as she held the knife she usually wore hidden in her belt.

Lord Tsak looked at them with open amusement as if they were children dressed up and playing games.  Ryson didn't like it.  He had known Tsak for years.  So had Callum, and neither had ever had anything bad to say about him.  This was ...

Not what it seemed.

"You have the Queen.  What does the Council want you to do with her?" Ryson asked.

Tsak grinned brightly.  "You know, they were in such a hurry to hire us that they never actually said what to do with her. I suggest a leisurely trip down to the desert.  The area is lovely this time of year, and I know of a wonderful secluded cabin by a watershed stream.  My people will finish up here."
Blades disappeared again.  Tsak walked with them as if they had never drawn a weapon on him. The battle had quieted for a moment, but came back in full force now, giving Ryson a chance to vent a bit more frustration before they reached the guarded camp where they were suddenly surrounded by calm.

Kono brushed ineffectually at her clothing and hair. She gave up.

"Did the council happen to mention why the Ice Sprites came to us?" she asked.

"Something about treachery, your cousins, evil --"

"Dragon Core awaking," Kono said.

That did stop Tsak.  He looked at the three and frowned this time.  "That would make sense of the berserkers, wouldn't it?  They were always the first line of defense for the core."

"That is not part of our lore," Callum said.

"We have made an art of finding out what we can about the dragons.  We live on the edge of their land.  While they sleep, it is no trouble.  If the core is waking --"

Tsak paused and appeared to consider the news in more detail.  Ryson knew that feeling.  It also occurred to him that, except for some incidental matters like the berserkers, they had no sign of dragon trouble.

"The sprites said the core is waking," Ryson said.  "We all know it is not their time.  The only thing that would wake them early would be --"

"No one would steal dragon eggs, would they?" Kono asked and looked appalled at the idea. "I know there are always tales of fools who make the attempt, or a rumor of an egg turning up somewhere.  No one takes it seriously.  Do they?"

"I always dismissed them," Callum replied and frowned.  "Tales told in village taverns, usually with a lighthearted ending. Maybe others aren't taking the danger seriously enough."

"And putting the entire world in danger," Kono added.

"It is a possibility," Tsak said with a dark frown.  ""And that means we have to go check."

No one, including Tsak and his guards, looked happy with that idea.   No one argued against it, though.

"We will spend the night cleaning up the mess here," Tsak said, as though they had all agreed to the plan.  "Create a map to show the way, if you would.  We are desert people.  I know few of the mountain paths."

Ryson thought that sounded wise.  The drums were almost silent, and Ryson listened as first one, then another died out.  One left, but it soon fell silent as well.

Callum caught him by the arm when he swayed.  "It's done?"

Ryson listened for a moment longer and then gave a true nod of relief.  "Done," he agreed.  "I am going to make certain the drums are dead.  There might also be information we want to see.  Who put them in action?"

"I will go with you," Callum said.  "Kono, you might tell our host about the meeting with the sprites and the trouble with the council."

She looked likely to argue but quickly changed her mind.  

"I am sending Rimal, my son, with the two of you.  This is not a sign of distrust," Tsak said.  "I only want to be aware if you fall into trouble."

"We appreciate the help," Ryson answered, surprising his two companions. "I have known Rimal for years, as has Callum.  We all know this is more than just us in danger, and it doesn't help that we don't know what is going on."

"Is there anything you can tell me about this mess?" Rimal asked as they walked away.

"One thing," Ryson answered.  His hand went to his face. "I wouldn't trust me." 

Flash Fiction #705 -- A second Tale of the First Alliance/3

 

Despite knowing that the Ice Sprites were nowhere near this dry, hot lowland, Callum still looked for bright spots in the landscape and sky.  Their allies rarely left the highland snowfields.  Callum had first considered running to higher ground, but the enemy drove them downward instead.  They'd had no choice.

Heavy boots stomped along the nearby path, but none of the berserkers came closer. Many of them growled and yelled. They occasionally howled, but they kept moving onward.

Callum had to force himself to stop listening to the drums.  They kept wandering back into his thoughts so that words were hard to hear in his own head.  Think! Thunk.  Move thunk away thunk.  Damn drums!

"No, wait!" Callum caught Ryson by the arm and then snared Kono.  "We have to stop the drums!"

"They have guards," Kono said.  "We won't have any better luck with them than going after the army."

"Not them.  The drums."

"The guards, the drummers --" she protested.

But Ryson nodded with more enthusiasm than he'd had since they left the castle.

"The drums control them," Ryson said with a frantic look through the bush. "If we can silence enough of them, some others will start losing the beat, and the berserkers will fall out of formation.  The drums -- "

"Let's do it," Callum agreed. He crawled out.  Another group of drummers drew closer.  "Kono, you --"

"If you say I need to stay hiding --"

"You will have to guard us both."

"Oh."

"Whatever you do, don't pick up a drum," Ryson said.  He prepared to stand.  "Neither of you. Don't let them touch your skin.  They can claim you."

Then he threw himself out into the path of oncoming drummers.

Callum and Kono growled identical, impolite words, but it was too late to stop Ryson. He had already drawn the attention of three drummers and their companions.

"You idiot! I had a plan!" Callum shouted and kicked someone coming at him with a knife.

"Good," Ryson replied and ducked under a spear.  "We need a plan."

"A bit late," he answered.

"Go for the heart," Ryson ordered.

"I thought we were attacking the drums."

"Yes. The drum's heart."

Of course.

At least Ryson made quick work of demonstrating the attack. He squatted and soared like a frog -- a big frog with two sharp blades -- and stabbed straight into the drum with one hand and into the chest of the drummer with the other hand. Both drum and drummer fell dead at Ryson's feet as he stood again.

"Now he's just showing off," Callum stated.

They were fast in the middle of a battle with no time to discuss fighting styles.  Callum noted one important fact, though.  The berserkers, with no enemy they were pointed at, were not good at fighting one-on-one.

Their leader was not directing anything.  What was he doing if not trying to capture or kill the prey they had so close?

"Aiiieeeai!"

It wasn't until that moment that Callum realized the army was not after the three of them.

"Callum!" Ryson shouted as he snagged Kono and dragged her along.  "Did you hear --" 

"Battle cry of the Dradeni desert tribe.  I suspect we fell into a trap meant for someone else."

Kono killed another drum and a companion while Callum took on the drummer. By then, they had welcome company as a dozen Dradeni rushed down the trail and pushed back the next line of drummers.  Callum had the feeling they'd been watching; they killed the drums first. Then they shoved berserkers at each other and let them wear down the number of enemies. It looked the wiser way to win this battle, but Cullan didn't think they would hold Ryson back for long.  Even the queen fidgeted.

Two older Dradeni backed away from the last of the battle and crossed to where the three stood, still gasping.

"Lord Tsak," Ryson said as he and Callum gave polite bows.

"How is it that anything survived with these two rogues involved? And the queen in their company?  This must be fate that your council hired us to find you, Queen Kono."