Preparations

If It Were Only A Dragon [Chapter 24]

Despite the day still being young, we decided to stop and come up with a plan for attack. One of the dark stands of trees dotting the plains was to offer shelter through the night, hiding us from sight if the dragon were to fly overhead. The cart and our mules, as well as the collection of horses, managed to fit beneath the cover of the evergreen fronds above. The men were equally able to spread out just enough while also giving the troll a wide berth, avoiding both his odor and unpredictable temper. There seemed to be no reservations about its desire for solitude at the edge of our group.

“We’d best prepare our gear in the case we face dragonfire in the coming days,” I directed my men. “As explained by the alchemist back in the capital, rub down your outer garments with the orange potion.”

“And don’t drink it,” Eriques added, rubbing at his stomach.

“We know, we heard your retching afterwards,” Strad joked loudly, gathering laughs from the others.

Apart from my squire chasing the gnoll about, volunteering to coat his fur and loin cloth in the pungent potion, the men worked quietly and diligently. As their leader who would likely soon join them in a battle of life or death, I had nothing to say to perk them up.

Sitting at the edge of the shelter, I scanned the horizon as the sun slowly spread its fiery glow across the rocky expanse of the mountains. With a rag soaked with the resistance potion, I scrubbed at the plates of armor and wrappings of leather at my knees, hoping to not miss a single spot.

Nemona appeared suddenly at my side, leaning against the craggy bark of the nearest tree. “Don’t rub off too much,” she said ponderingly.

“My mother used to say the same thing to me when I was a teenager.”

“…About armor?”

“Uh, no, never mind,” I said with a shake of my head, turning back to face her. “Just keeping watch.”

“If the dragon was about us in the skies, we would certainly hear the tearing of its wings through the air. You may put your guard down a little.”

I tossed the rag down across the set of armor, wrist tired from the repetitive movement. “By that time it could be too late.”

The elf slid down the tree and took a seat on the rough ground. “I know I’ve shared many a statement about this unkillable beast who would do us all in before we could even land a strike upon it…”

“Are you trying to make a point?” I said, glancing back at her.

Nemona puffed out her cheeks with a frown. “All I desire to say is that, regardless of the outcome, these guardsmen and these other allies of fortune all seem happy to follow your lead. Myself included.”

“In the castle’s court…” I recalled with a sigh. “I used to watch the King as he gave out orders and decrees so readily, never with any hesitation or second thoughts. I admired the strength of his leadership. Now that I am saddled with similar power and responsibility, I find it hard to live up to a fraction of his greatness.”

“Ah yes, the King, with all his wisdom and duties,” Nemona groaned. “Might you remember that the ministries handle the Kingdom’s power as well? They each have their own roles and strengths. Much like your allies here.”

I glanced back at the elf, then the rest of my party, somehow smiling and active there in our little camp under the stand of trees. “I see. I see now. Thank you, Nemona. Alas, what is my duty, then?”

The elf pushed herself up from the ground and brushed the mess from her bottom. “Organize for us a plan. And also remind them not to waste food. Some have discovered the novelty of bread soaked in a resistance potion. It seems it will not burn or blacken, even in the depths of a fire pit.”

Despite my fatigue from the journey and the scuffle earlier in the day, I could not sleep. Prince and I watched the horizon while I drew up plans in my mind. I rested briefly, but awoke with the smell of breakfast, ready to explain how the encounter would eventually play out.

“Nariza, I must ask for the use of your illusions,” I addressed the druid.

“Fine by me,” she said.

“That brainless magical livestock?” Eriques asked.

“Exactly,” I said, pointing a finger to the plains beyond our camp under the copse. “The dragon is on the move, feeding as it desires. Likely building strength for something. Having our own fake herd will attract it here. Entice to the ground to feed.”

“It is a smart creature,” Nemona spoke up. “It will surely notice that the illusory animals are not edible. It will try to depart once again, but we will need to move before that.”

“Indeed,” I nodded. “That other small stand of trees across from here. We’ll split our forces between here and there. Be ready with potions and your weapons. This may be our only chance.”

Before it had become too light, we had split our forces between both stands of trees. The men traded their light riding armor for the heavy metal plates, pairing up to secure the armor around their bodies. Coated the night before in the heat-resistant potion, they would block any flames spewed by the beast.

Acting like a real herd ready to graze for the day, Nariza’s magical bovines trudged out from the distant grouping of trees. They chewed away brainlessly at the wild grass, indistinguishable from actual flesh-and-blood creatures.

With my spyglass, I watched the second party of my allies across the way. Despite my best judgment, Eriques was to lead them. At the very least, none of them— Strad, Jennifer, the Gnoll, Nariza and the archery twins would need any specific directions. I attempted to make a hand signal across the way, only to remember that we had agreed on no such form of communication. With a bit of arm flailing, my squire noticed me and waved back, at least telling me that he was paying attention.

Nemona stayed at my side, hoping to placate Greep, the troll, and prevent him from rushing out before the appropriate time. The others brushed at the horses, readying them for a horseback assault.

Farvin paced not far from the edge of the trees, scanning the horizon. I waved at him to approach. “I promise you, we will slay this beast, avenge your home that it has burned.”

The easterner shrugged. “I don’t doubt that.”

“I’m sure you’d like to take a strike at it,” I suggested, patting at my thigh where my sword hung.

He shook his head. “I am more than content watching over the cart and passing out supplies where needed.”

I slumped down and nodded. “Apparently Nemona is interested in parts of its body, that its bones or something could hold power. How about before the elves and other magi get a dig at it, we can cut a piece free of it? To show your family at home that you played a role in this endeavor.”

“Surely I could never decide.”

I suddenly came to my senses and felt around at my belt for a tiny yet-used armament. From a narrow pouch of leather, I brought out my utility knife. “Here. You may plunge this into its flesh, just to say you did so. So what if it may have stopped moving by then?”

I passed it handle first to the easterner, who took it carefully in his palms. His mouth almost moved to form a ‘thank you’ when the sound of flapping wings suddenly tore the still air.

Its shadow passed above us first, gliding over the unfazed illusionary bovines. I dared not step too far out from under the pine canopies for fear of being spotted. Then I sighted it with my own eyes, its wide wings turning the creature in a circle, a maneuver to descend to its prey. No, the day the dragon would become they prey.

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