Dragon Clan #4: Gray's Story Read online

  Gray was still fresh as he topped off his bottles and drank as much as he could hold. If he moved fast, he would spend only one night in the drylands. By tomorrow night, he could be at the spring, and home the day after. It would be a hard trip, but what he wanted was to tell his tale, so he could return and strike for Shrewsbury.

  The day passed quickly, and instead of halting early he continued on into the dark. A dry camp without fire passed too. Late the next day he camped at the seep. He built a small fire and kept watch. If Stinson were going to attack him, this would be the spot. He searched for any indications of anyone camping there and found none. Stinson would not be so careful, and he would have burned all the wood stored for emergencies.

  Gray slept well and walked into the drylands with first light. In the late afternoon, he crossed the desert and looked up to where the watch post sat on the tip of the mesa. He gave a wave and walked on, sure that he’d been spotted, and there would be people waiting to hear his story.

  He was right on all counts. Tessa joined him near the mouth of the canyon but only nodded. She made no mention that he was alone. She asked no questions. She’s waiting to hear my story at a family council.

  As he entered Oasis, he paused, as he usually did, to enjoy the view of the green valley and the sparkling lake. The boats were pulled onto the shore, no children played in the water, nobody worked the gardens, and all activity seemed to have ceased. He felt the reassuring touch of the roosting dragons, which made him feel comfortable and secure.

  The people were all gathered at the council spot, sitting in the shade of the tall apple trees. His entire family was waiting. As he drew near, he noticed that for the first time in his memory, there was no conversation, just accusing eyes. Tessa eased away and took her seat with the other council members.

  Sawyer, the family elder, stood and welcomed him. A short, abrupt welcome that seemed to lack sincerity. Or perhaps it was a worry. “We do not wish you to have to repeat your story many times, and we do not wish any to misunderstand, so we’re all going to hear you at the same time.”

  Gray slowly climbed the two steps to stand on the small stage so that all could see and hear him. He felt like a highwayman facing those he’d stolen from. Remembering Stinson that might not be too far from the truth.

  Sawyer raised his voice as he faced the crowd, “We will hear Gray’s tale, and only I will ask any questions or ask for clarification. To do otherwise means we will never finish. After his telling, I am sure Gray will respond to questions.”

  People, his friends, and family, those he’d grown up with and children all waited for him to speak. Gray drew in a breath. Where to begin?

  “I’m sure you’ve noticed that I returned alone.” The statement was greeted with a few nods and many blank expressions. He told of Stinson’s actions in basic terms, not wanting to criticize the dead. Then he continued with the discovery that the others were probably arriving in Shrewsbury, not Fleming. He talked of the blank places on the charts and maps, and then he told them of Shailer’s suspicion that King Ember owned the single ship that sailed between the two lands, and of the stores warehoused near Shrewsbury.

  While the rest of his story, including Stinson’s death, was accepted in silence, the statement about the King brought some to their feet. Others were too stunned to move. As expected, the news that the king might be involved came as a total, and scary prospect. If King Ember had somehow joined forces with the others, the danger to the Dragon Clan had escalated to extreme proportions while they were not aware that anything had changed. All sensed the danger looming.

  Sawyer held his hands up for quiet, and from further questions shouted at Gray. Then Sawyer asked if there was more to share.

  Gray continued, telling them of Bear, the owner of the Red Bear Inn, and of Shailer, the bookstore owner. He told them of how they supported him, and that Kelby was being sent to Shrewsbury to pass on information about the others.

  “Why would they care?” Sawyer asked.

  All movement and voices halted. Gray said, “I didn’t ask. But, Bear identified me as clan from the first and worked to help me. I believe they are helping us for reasons of their own. The man I went to see, Caldor, came to me and lied. He said he did not know the man I met on the road, but I’d seen them together. Bear warned me that Caldor was not our friend.”

  Sawyer stroked his beard before stating, “One man’s word against another?”

  “No there was another. Prater. He met me on the road and escorted me into town. He tried to make friends, but something didn’t feel right. Later, I saw him meeting with Caldor, but then he denied it. He also broke into my room at the inn and searched it.”

  “Did they catch him in the act? If not, how do they know who it was? It could have been a common thief, right?”

  “No. I left several coppers where a thief would find them. They were not taken from my room.”

  “Then how do you know your room entered?”

  Gray already tired of the questions but held his temper. “First was the candle holder. The holder for the finger was turned so a right-handed person could not use it. I had used it the night before, so it had to be moved. There were a few other things, too.”

  Instead of arguing, Sawyer nodded. “Smart of you to notice.”

  “Bear had one of his people check it out. He found a ladder on the roof next door and marks where it had rubbed the wall of the inn. Then the person entered only to my room. No other. That was on the morning of the first full day I was in Fleming.”

  Sawyer said, “You are now expected in Shrewsbury?”

  “Yes. I promised. Besides, I want to get a look at the peninsula where the greens might roost. I should say, where I think they roost. If they do, it points to Shrewsbury as the logical place for the others to depart from their ship.”

  “Why do you believe the King is involved?”

  The skepticism was there. As well it should be. Gray had withheld one critical piece of information that had convinced him. He crossed his arms and raised his voice slightly. “Shailer acquired the shipping manifests for the Lady Marion, a large cargo ship. It does not carry much cargo each voyage, and according to the manifests, no passengers. Shailer determined that the ship had a new owner as of three years ago when it began sailing between the four ports it sails today.”

  The people waited. Gray did, too. He let the information sink in, as well as the timeline. Then he continued. “Carrying no passengers, and the limited cargo on the manifests, the Lady Marion has failed to make a profit on a single voyage in three years.”

  That got everyone thinking. Sawyer said, “The obvious conclusion is that the ship operates for other than profit.”

  Gray inserted, “Who can afford three years of losses? It is owned by a company with the name Ember Shipping.”

  Several in the crowd nodded their agreement. Sawyer stood, turned to address all, and said, “I believe this is the most critical time in our history. The information Gray has brought to us may save the Dragon Clan from extinction, but only if we act. I want volunteers for runners to carry this information far and wide. Every family of the Dragon Clan must be aware of it.”

  Several hands went up into the air.

  Sawyer continued, “The information is so important that I want two runners sent to each of the other families, and they will not travel together. If one is captured, the other may get through. Then those families will send out runners to others. Our council will meet to decide what we must do to avert this threat.”

  Emma, the oldest on the council, said, “Do you think we are reacting too quickly and strong? After all, a young man’s room was searched, and a man we do not know has a wild theory that involves the King and a rogue ship. Perhaps we should all take a deep breath and relax.”

  Sawyer was still on his feet. “No! I see now what is happening and how they intend to bring on another war against us. Gray has told us enough. I can answer the question we sent him to solve. That is, why did the o
thers help Raymer escape the dungeon at the Summer Palace?”

  Gray, as well as everyone else, remained silent. I didn’t tell him why.

  Sawyer continued, “It’s so obvious. They didn’t ‘help’ Raymer escape. They ordered a dragon to land in the middle of a busy market and set fire to it. The dragon collapsed a dungeon wall like it was made of paper right before them. The dragon made it ‘look’ like it helped Raymer escape, but what was really accomplished was that after so many years of peaceful coexistence between the Dragon Clan and ordinary people of the kingdom, the peace was shattered, and the dragon attack blamed on us. Fear and rage are back. Hundreds watched a green dragon attack and helped one of the Dragon Clan escape while it destroyed much of their castle, killing and injuring hundreds.”

  Gray felt his face turn red as his fingers curled into fists. He glanced at the people of his family and saw the same tense expressions he wore. Sawyer had figured it out.

  The Dragon Clan was going to war.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  It was near dark when the final questions were asked, and Gray answered. Nearly all had remained to the end. Normally, council meetings were a social time and most departed as it grew boring. This time was different.

  The questions flew at Gray one after another, and the answers tended to support the conclusion Sawyer had made. The dinner meal was skipped as Tessa took Sawyer’s place on the podium. She asked for the volunteer runners to meet with her near the dock, where she would pass out assignments and instructions. She wanted them to depart before sunrise.

  Sawyer stood again and said, “Gray has done a service to all of us. Now he needs to rest so he can leave again. I suggest that he also leave early, so while I know most of you would like to congratulate or compliment him, I ask you to save it for his next return. The council does have need of a little of his time to settle a few minor issues in private.”

  In other words, go home. Gray tried to anticipate the ‘minor issues’ he spoke of, but nothing came to mind.

  The entire council did not stay. Gray must have missed some signal that made all but Emma, Sawyer, and Tessa remained before she departed to dispatch the runners. The four of them huddled around a small fire to talk.

  Sawyer took charge, as normal. “First, thank you from all of us. Now, to other issues. Stinson is dead. Perhaps because of injuries, you caused when you struck him, perhaps because of his own actions. However, he was not your responsibility. He was ours. We chose to send him, with our hopes in your hands, but the reality is that if any is to be held responsible, it is me.”

  When Tessa and Emma started to object, he shushed them, as if they were wayward children. He continued, “You will leave tomorrow, but will not travel alone.”

  “What?” Gray blurted out.

  “If anything, your visit here proves that at least one other must go with you. That person can return with important information, so you do not have to.”

  Tessa said, “I’ll get my things ready.”

  “Not you,” Emma said. “We need you here.”

  “Then who?” Tessa barked, her tone demanding.

  “Anna,” Sawyer said, as Emma nodded her approval as if they had agreed before the council.

  Gray said, “Anna? She’s not even fully trained to be a watcher, yet. What is she, thirteen or fourteen?”

  Tessa allowed a slight smile to grow, her first for the entire afternoon and evening. “Yes, I like it. She’s smart, quick, and will attract no romantic attention from sailors or tradesmen in Shrewsbury. Young women will not see her as a threat. To most, she will be all but invisible, but has learned her drylands survival lessons well.”

  She’s a child. Gray wanted to go alone but saw the wisdom of a partner, just not a girl he was teaching to watch the empty desert only a few days earlier. Thinking of her, he had seen her splashing and playing with the other children on a couple of summers ago.

  “Can I take a child into danger?”

  Emma said, “Anna is my granddaughter. She will have instructions to run away from any danger. A child like her can slip past many an opponent, and she can disappear like a lamp being turned off when there are chores to be done. We will instruct her to flee before fighting.”

  “Then she will not carry a staff,” Gray said. “She cannot fight.”

  “And neither will you,” Emma said. “A staff is too directly linked to Dragon Clan. It will not work for this trip of yours.”

  Gray didn’t like the answer. He cast a guilty look at the base of an apple tree where his things were, including the bow and quiver. . . And his staff.

  Emma chuckled. “Yes, the bow is fine. In fact, I think Anna should carry one, too. I hear she’s very good.”

  Sawyer said, “Leave your things there and go sleep. When you return, there will be traveling food, fresh water, and anything else you believe you need. For now, you need sleep.”

  “But first,” Emma said, “There are two things. If there is something, you’d like to take along, tell us now. The other is that I expect you to do your best to bring my granddaughter home.”

  Gray said, “She will come home even if I do not.”

  “What more can I ask of you?” Emma said. “Now I will go inform her and help her pack. She will be waiting for you here before dawn.”

  Each laid a hand briefly on Gray’s shoulder as they stood and departed. He sat alone, thinking and wondering at all that was said, and what was to happen. He had thought he’d be the one with the information that would shock and awe the family, but it was Sawyer. He’d figured out the puzzle of the dragon attack. King Ember had been silent and not as relentless in chasing them down for the past few years. Now they know why.

  They had to stop the king, but he had a three-year head start. He wanted to eliminate all of the Dragon Clan, but he was now working with the others. If they were not Dragon Clan, who were they? It seemed the answers he’d arrived with only raised more questions. He headed for his small hut and his old yellow dog.

  The night didn’t provide much sleep. Long before dawn, he rose and walked to the council meeting area. There waiting for him was Anna. In the moonlight, she looked even younger than fourteen.

  She sat alone, watching him approach. At her feet were her bow, pack, water jugs, and a bedroll.

  Gray thought of several greetings to ease the tension, but settled for, “Ready?”

  “Let’s do it.”

  He thought it odd that a small crowd had not gathered to wish them well. It occurred to him that it would have slowed their departure. A glance at Anna told him she was worried, sleepy, and eager. Still, she was a girl and would have to be protected. Hopefully, she would not become a problem, but if she couldn’t keep up, he would send her home.

  They headed around the edge of the lake, through the tangle of pear cactus and juniper, Gray leading the way. He varied the route through the desert from the one he and Stinson had taken, to keep from making any sort of trail another might follow. After they had traveled across the flat of the desert for a while, the sky turned pink, and Anna slipped to his side.

  She said, “The runners to the other families all left before you came. They seemed excited and worried. You did well in bringing the news to us.”

  “I hope the warning is of value.”

  “You and I need to have a talk,” she said, her voice stern.

  “Well, you go first, and I’ll add in anything I think is important.” After making this same trip with Stinson, he didn’t know what to expect. For that trek, he had done all the planning and talking. Stinson had only been along to complain.

  Anna said, “You’re the boss. I’ll do what you say as long as I think running to safety isn’t a better idea.”

  “Deal,” he said. What more is there to say?

  She fell into step behind him again. When he glanced back, she wore the smile of a girl excited to do something important for the first time. She never complained, and he didn’t see her drink her water, although he once noticed her sip
enough to moisten her lips.

  They paused in some meager shade provided by a tall rock outcropping near midmorning and ate. Gray looked at the short bow she carried and asked, trying to draw her out, “Are you any good with that?”

  She shrugged, “More accurate at short range than yours, and I can draw and release faster. Your arrows will fly further.”

  Her answer was not flippant or disrespectful. She simply stated the facts as she saw them.

  He asked, “Are you carrying a knife?”

  “Two. One for show and one for stabbing.”

  “What’s that mean?” Gray asked.

  She lifted the edge of her vest to display the handle of a knife similar to his. Then she bent and pulled a loose leg of her britches to her knee. A strap went around her leg just above her calf. Another at her ankle. A sheath held a thin knife positioned on the outside of her leg, where she could reach it easily.

  “So they take the big knife at your waist and don’t search for another?”

  She smiled sweetly. “Would a sweet little girl me carry two knives?”

  “The second has an edge?”

  “Two. And a point.”

  Gray pushed the stopper into his bottle and pointed, “That way. We’ll stop a few more times but will get there mid to late afternoon. Plenty of good water.”

  “But always keep one full bottle, just in case. I know the rules.”

  Gray didn’t bother answering. The pull of the soft sand with each step had has thighs and calves aching already. The walking in the soft sand put pressure on his lower back. But he continued, hearing Anna huffing and puffing behind. He once considered offering to carry some of her weight but knew he shouldn’t.

  While resting under a sage large enough to cover their upper bodies with shade, they sat and sipped. Gray said, “I didn’t ask for you to come.”

  “I know. You think I’m too young.”

  “Are you?” he asked, trying to tease a smile out of her.

  “Only if I die.”

  The answer stunned him. He said nothing for a while and when he did the words didn’t want to escape his mouth. “That won’t happen.”