Knightly Desires

If It Were Only A Dragon [Chapter 14]

Our first day of travels was coming to an end. I mean, it was still a bit early, and there was a fair bit of daylight left. But my rear was sore from the saddle and I was quite hungry. Not to mention I lacked sleep from the night before.

Before Farvin could shout another complaint to guide us through another fork in the road, I caught sight of something ahead of us. It must have been going pretty slow for us to catch up. As we crept closer, I could make out that it was a fancy carriage in fine wood, drawn by a pair of tall, elegant horses.

The transport took up most of the roughly maintained forest road. Getting past it would have been more work than I wanted to exercise that late in the day.

“Could it be that Elf?” I said to myself under my breath. “It would not be too hard to believe she would travel in something so fancy.”

I got my answer almost immediately. A horse and rider slid by the carriage and hoofed it back our way. The rider wore fancy leathers and a displeased face.

“Keep your distance!” he shouted, taking up as much of the road as he could.

I held my hand up to stay my allies. Cautiously, I crept forward to address the man without having to shout like he did.

“We mean no quarrel,” I announced, lowering my head. “We are simply traveling the same path, on a task of our own. It is the King himself who has sent us our journey.”

The guard spat at the ground. “The King?” He said, far too loud for the distance between us. “Anyone who wishes to follow the King and his desires has no business about these lands!”

I wagged my hand at him disarmingly. “We are on our way. We are simply heading to the east.”

“Well keep it that way,” he said, kicking at his horse and dashing off back toward his convoy.

To avoid more conflict, we went on after them at a slower pace than normal. Not too far from our meeting point, I saw the trees of the forest split. To the north was a short ridge, atop it a great estate with various gardens and outbuildings surrounding it. Just a bit further up the road, we came across a wall of stone and wrought iron at least three men high surrounding the property.

A tall gate interrupted the expanse of walls a little ways ahead. The carriage and its company were awaiting entry there on the road. I made eye contact with them, nodding, then parking myself between them and my allies passing by. Once everyone, including our cart of supplies, had passed by, I went on ahead with one final nod.

A single, low yip called my attention back. On top of their carriage, in a little metal cage, was a creature somewhat like a dog, but a slight bit like a human. Its little hopeful eyes stared down at me, mouth panting. I put down its peculiarities as me being tired, and continued on.

A little ways down the road, still within sight of the walls and the estate, I caught up with my Squire, guiding the cart forward. “Let’s stop up here for the night.”

“Aye,” Eriques nodded tiredly. He whistled out to the others, waving them off to the side of the road.

Farvin leaned over from his seat on the cart. “What sort of people were those? To live out here so fancily, but so far from the Kingdom?”

I shook my head and glanced back. “Well, you’d never see them in Rektum. At least not anymore. Not after the Ministry of Taxation teamed up with our Ministry to enforce certain folks paying their fair share.”

Farvin puzzled. “Taxation? Where’ve I heard that word before? Don’t think I’ve ever paid for something like that, ever.”

Eriques leaned in and nudged his shoulder. “I suppose you lot out east don’t pay any taxes when you barter for everything with potatoes fresh out the ground.”

“Oi, you can get a lot for an armful of taters.” Farvin argued back.

I ignored them both and watched for any movement beyond the imposing walls. “It infuriates me that such people can get away with being so willfully belligerent to our King and Kingdom.”

“Uh yeah, being my duty to say the same,” Eriques huffed. “But look at them, not paying taxes has let them build such a crazy place. Nobody would pay taxes if they knew they could get away with this.”

I hopped off my horse and stamped my foot in the dirt. “If only that were true. People like them may pay nothing to support the Kingdom, but they also receive no protection or benefits. Most simply wander about, but some have managed to find a decent living. I’m guessing the lord of the lands within those walls has taken advantage of some of them in a sort of parasitic relationship, a little kingdom of his own.”

“I’d bet if the dragon came this way, they’d love our help,” Eriques added.

Strad had found his way back to us on foot as we pulled off into the clearing. “Did you see what they had in their possession?”

I blinked and recalled the dog creature. “Atop their carriage? It was some sort of pet.”

“A Gnoll!” he said, “Not quite a dog, somewhat like a human. Dependant on their upbringing, they can be somewhat civilized as well…”

“So… a pet?” I answered, jumping down off my horse.

“Well, they’re capable of human language and can be taught a great many things. So yes, like a pet with benefits. I had one as a child, but… it ran away,” the pudgy man sighed.

“I’m guessing you never shared any of your table scraps with it,” Eriques proposed. “That’s why it ran away.”

Strad shrugged and wandered off.

After the long day of travel, I couldn’t tell if I was more hungry or tired. A fire had already been started. After I tied up my horse, I went to inspect the cart as it was being unloaded.

Farvin and Eriques were passing down supplies to some of the other men, taking turns bringing the crates to the fire so we could start meal prep.

“Good, empty it all out,” I directed.

“All?” Eriques said, glancing about at all the still untouched supplies.

“Well, of course,” I said, hands running across the width of the cart. “Yes, for this size, it shall be necessary. I will need all this space to sleep in. Or did you expect me to sleep in the dirt with the others? Me, the leader of this expedition?”

Eriques plastered a fake smile across his face. “Well, of course not.”

“Oh,” I recalled, raising a finger to the air. “Please leave my bedding in there, of course. They had my silk pillow and mask as I requested, of course?”

My squire twisted his body about as if he were looking for something. “About that…”

“No!?”

“I’m afraid the quartermaster did not stock any such items. Nor the cream for your elbows.”

I leaned my arm across the edge of the cart. “My good squire, what is that which I value the most on a day-to-day basis?”

“Your sleep, Glad.”

“And I must be at my best to lead these men here. Especially against a dragon.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And how is that supposed to happen now?”

I felt a tapping at my shoulder. I nearly struck the person daring to ask something of me at that moment. “Yes? What?”

The scarred man was at my back, finger wagging at the walled edge of the property not far from our camp. “I bet the folks that live in that fancy buildin’ up there have a few pillows and nice blankets to spare.”

I crossed my arms in thought and eyed the man. “Let’s see, your name was… Shanks? They certainly would. But in case you haven’t been paying attention, they aren’t the friendly sort.”

The scarred man shrugged. “Not bein’ friends don’t immediately make them our enemies. I mean, if we stepped into any other town, takin’ up food and space, even ones who follow the King would be cranky.”

I wrung my hands together. “Well, knights don’t show up out of the blue for no reason.”

Shanks licked at the sides of his mouth. “But of course, you get it. That’s our leader for ya. Now what if that band of knights just had a run-in with something bad? They was bleedin’ out. And havin’ no food or first aid. They ought to take what they need, ‘specially if the knights are what is standin’ between the townspeople and the baddies. The regular people will get over it. And here? We’re just after a simple pillow, some fine bedding. An’ to help us keep a dragon from coming this way.”

I stroked my chin and nodded. The walls of the estate were clearly in reach. “You’re right. All I would have to do is explain myself.”

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The Farthest Step from Home

If It Were Only A Dragon [Chapter 13]

The lands outside of the capital city were home to endless fields, the sight of which I knew very well. Those privy to the castle, especially its higher reaches, could see out across these fields. From these lands came the inexhaustible supplies of food that fed our people.

Surprising? Some people might be confused about such a fact, so let me explain. Food does not simply appear in stores or pantries, as I believed as a young boy. No, there is no magic involved, simply hard-working people who dirty themselves in fields where the plants grow. Yes, it was a surprise to find that certain foods also grow in filth. I considered sharing these facts aloud with the men of our company, but I feared that it would distract from our task ahead.

Of course, as my leadership role demanded, I took up the front of the formation. There I was, beautifully perched on horseback. Now here’s the thing about horses. Yes, they are smelly, dirty creatures who crap anywhere without warning. But above the filth and the stench, the stature they provide offers a sense of security and dominion. Each and every fieldworker we passed outside of the capital was no doubt looking upon our formation.

I first learned to ride at the age of six atop a pony. It only took four short years for me to not cry out for my servants every time I was hefted upon a mount. The rest is history. By history, I mean all the learning to control said mount, swing a sword while upon its back, and finally to be able to step down without landing on my face. I mean, what sort of Knight would I be if I could not do all those things?

The road upon which we treaded was made of dirt, very well compacted. It led east in its straightforwardness and gave no deviations. And I knew very well it was east because of the forest in the distance. I’ll have you know, the forest was the farthest from home I had ever been. And of course, it was on my mind that there might be other roads within the forest, leading to places other than the east. The trunks of the trees began to line our path. It was at that very moment I knew we could go no further, at least with me at the lead.

But there was absolutely no telling the others that.

Under the shade there of the forest, I made an official call. “Stop where you are,” I said, hand raised to my party. “We may pause here for lunch.”

Those who had a clear view of the sky looked up for signs of the sun’s path. “It has only been an hour, Sir. Midday is still far off.”

“Thank the gods, I had to take a dump.”

“Are we really going to make progress like this?”

I turned the horse back to find my squire and the easterner in on the mule-drawn supply cart. They pushed up through the formation to join me.

“How could the lot of you be questioning Sir Gladius already, with hardly a drop of sweat on your brows?” Eriques verbally lashed them on his way between their horses. He pulled the mules up beside me there on the side of the road.

“Anything the matter, Glad? Is it saddle rash, perhaps? Oh, we have the fire resistance potions from the alchemist. They may contain the fires in your undercarriage.”

I clicked my tongue at the young man. “Pay my undercarriage no mind. I need a word with the easterner,” I demanded, climbing down off the horse.

I stood there with him at the front of the formation, looking off into the depths of the shaded forest. Instead of the gnawing calls of gulls, there was a sweet call of delicate songbirds. The smell of the sea was replaced by fragrant grasses and sweetly odoriferous flowers.

“I may need your guidance on this journey, I must admit,” I said to Farvin lowly.

“You’re aiding my people n’ my home. And I was told by your squire that I may partake in the other’s scraps to fill my stomach. That bein’ so, I will do anything for you, Sir Gladius.”

“Perfect,” I said, touching his shoulder but hanging on it no longer than needed. “Then tell me, are we headed in the right direction so far? And how many days must we travel?”

Farvin looked down the road and nodded. “This is the way east, no doubt, to the mountains. Close enough to my home. As for the journey, I can’t say as I am not familiar with the roads.”

“You did not travel by road to the capital?” I mulled.

“I went as the crow flies,” he admitted, looking off into the thicket.

I grabbed at his nearest arm, awestruck. “You are able to fly? What sorcery is that? Or perhaps you are hiding wings somewhere? And if you regularly take to the air, there is no wonder that a flying dragon beast would take notice of you.”

“What now?” Farvin puzzled, pulling his arm away from my grasp. “Nah, that ain’t it. It means to just go it in a straight line. Learned that from my grandpa. Like, a crow wouldn’t follow a road or anything, would it?”

I huffed and put my hands at my sides. “I do suppose that makes sense. But now you tell me you made it through the woods and across rivers and whatnot traveling in a perfectly straight line west to the capital?”

Farvin shrugged. “Folks always said I was full’a stamina or whatnot. And I’ve never gotten lost in my life, either.”

“No wonder it was you they sent,” I nodded, looking back at the Knights lazing about the sides of the path. “Alas, I will still need guidance east. But you riding along with me on my horse may be inappropriate.”

“I can just shout at ya’?”

“No, no, no, there is no reason to… alert outsiders about our choice of path. We must speak in code.”

“I already have enough trouble speakin’ our language, but I can give it a try.”

I wagged my finger at the traveler. “I’ve got it. If we’re at a fork in the road, you must yell… ‘I’m tired’… for right, and… ‘I’m thirsty’ for left.”

“Tired… right… thirsty… left.” Farvin said, nodding slowly, holding his hands out in front of him. “I’m sure I can remember that. Yes, I’ve got it. Not a problem.”

I patted him heavily on the back. “Very good. We shall free your home at this rate yet.”

It was not long before we set off again. My command was reinforced by the knowledge that I could lead my men to the location we desired. The woods seemed endless, bordering either side of the road. I couldn’t help but imagine what lived out beneath the brush and dense tree cover.

If there were some dangerous wild creature that sensed our passing and desired to attack our party, be it for food or simply to display its dominance, certainly we could defeat it. If our end goal was to take on a dragon, then anything else would pale in comparison. It would also reveal to us if any cowards were in our midst, those who would dare to run from a fight. I dare say, if a coward were among us, it would be better to know sooner than later.

The coded complaints of the easterner kept us going forward along the correct path without a hitch. Of course, the words reached more than my ears alone. One of my men urged his horse forward to catch up with my lead.

“Are you not going to reprimand him? His chatter will lower morale if it continues. And who is he anyway?”

I nodded, knowing that morale, not to mention my authority, would disintegrate if we were to get lost in the woods. The demanding knight had finely combed and oiled hair, with a pudgy face that looked like he had swallowed the contents of every silver spoon put in his mouth.

I shook my head, hoping to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible. “He’s come to us from the east, where the dragon was first spotted. He’s had it hard enough. At the very least, I shall speak to him when we settle down for the night.”

“My thanks, Sir Gladius.”

I nodded courteously at him. “Of course. What is your name? And while I have your ear, tell me about your post. So that I may know your strengths and how to utilize them.” I asked, hoping to determine if he had a good side.

He held the reigns of the horse proudly and puffed out his chest. “Estradus Corialis III. I am called Strad by my friends if you should desire. I come to you from the office of the Ministry of Arms itself. I’ve worked with your father, in fact. But mostly under the steward to ensure that visitors and guests follow decorum. I keep the office as a whole under a heavy hand.”

I snapped my fingers as if something had clicked in my brain. “Ah, so that’s why I know your face,” I lied. “Someone who could lead in my stead, possibly if we need to divide this company of ours into squads.”

It was surprising enough to see someone of his nature on a horse. If he knew how to swing a sword, it wouldn’t be for many strikes. At the very least, he could wrangle others through force of will alone.

“I would be happy to take on that responsibility, Sir,” Strad nodded.

“But to think that the steward would allow you to be sent off, on such an important and dangerous task.”

Strad shook his head. “No, sir. I volunteered to come along. Despite the steward’s wishes otherwise.”

I smiled and nodded at the knightly desire. “You were seeking… a new adventure beyond the walls of the city?”

The pudgy knight stared off down the road, eyes closing gently, face shining in the sun’s rays as if he had never felt it before. “This adventure called out to me specifically,” he said with a serene breath on his lips. “The dragon.”

“Is that so?”

He jerked back to face me suddenly. “There was a book I had as a child. One with descriptions of beasts such as them. And the pages popped open and revealed these magical creatures, their forms constructed of intricately folded paper. Truly something to behold.”

“How scary,” I said lowly, nodding. “Especially for a child.”

“Scary? Not at all. Even back then I could tell it was just paper.”

“Oh, is that so? I suppose I would have to see one for myself,” I said with a shrug. “Of course you’re aware that our goal is to slay this creature?”

Strad patted at his chest. “Again, I will happily lend my sword to the task. I have but one sole request.”

“I’ll see if I can accommodate it.”

“It’s head.”

“The head of… the dragon?” I asked to make sure.

Strad wagged a finger at me. “Yes. My family’s manor has many trophies of such creatures. Nearly all of the creatures in my childhood pop-up book I have seen to collecting. I even have an actual stuffed dryad to sleep beside. It has quite a beautiful form, resembling a human female.”

I almost asked if this stuffed dryad had a name, but I didn’t want to delve deeper into its details. “Wow. So, it… must be hard to find all these creatures. I would fathom that many are quite rare or simply hard to find. And most are quite intelligent and aware.”

Strad sighed and nodded emphatically. “That is the bane of collections such as I. In past hunts, my family has hired magi from the Ministry to seek certain creatures out. It can take weeks, even a month or two. Then the magi cast an incantation to trap the creature in a confined area. It is then when we get the summons. Before we engage it, the magi then use further magics and alchemy to weaken or slow it. Then, at long last, we deliver the final blow and take the trophy.”

The man looked so proud that I didn’t dare challenge anything he said. I simply hoped silently that he would never encounter Nemona one-on-one and attempt to tell her the same story.

“So, uh… I guess a dragon is one of the few things that hasn’t made its way to your walls.”

Strad looked up the sky above and wiped his brow. “That is correct. I thought that I would go all my life with one never once being spotted… As soon as I caught wind, there was nothing to stop me from joining you.”

I licked my lips and nodded. “Well, no promises, but… I’ll try to make sure we keep its pretty, toothy, scaly, fire-spouting face in mind while bringing it down from the sky.”

“My thanks once more,” Strad said with a bow of his head before jerking back up. “Oh, gods! Speaking of faces… I’ve been blabbering on for too long. The man among us with the large scar!”

I glanced back with him to our party, dutifully guiding their horses after us on the road. There was one man with such a feature, a none-too-old fellow sporting a haircut close to his scalp. I wondered how he had gotten the wound, traveling down across his nose and a bit down his cheek. He noticed my regard and sent back a smile that revealed a few missing teeth.

“I see him,” I said, engaging with the pudgy man once more. “What about him?”

“I don’t recognize him. Says his name is Shanks too, and I know I’ve never heard that.”

I shrugged. “Even in my position, I do not know every face and name.”

“Something about him is off,” Strad said lowly, glancing back every now and then.

“Well, unlike you, the rest of this lot isn’t here by choice. So being the leadership type, we should all give them the benefit of the doubt. I mean, he could have just moved to the capital recently.”

Strad sat himself up stiffly at the mention of leadership. “How noble of you, Sir Gladius. I shall not judge his book by his cover.”

“Perfect. Keep up the good work.”

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The Men at My Side

If Only It Were A Dragon [Chapter 12]

When I came down from the top of the gatehouse, Sacher offered me a near-silent clap of his hands. “Good show, Sir Gladius.”

I took a bow, arm stretched across my stomach like the actors in one of those boring plays at the theater. “Yeah, well, something about these last couple of days has given me a lot of confidence in dealing with people.”

The wise man nodded. “Amazed how easily you can craft such lies to keep our people in line. If you survive this dragon creature, you could one day rise to replace me as Adviser.”

“You doubt that I would survive?” I said, proudly sticking out my chest. “I am certain this campaign against the dragon will go well. I have gathered much knowledge and aid these past couple of days.”

“I have no doubts, just concerns, of course,” Sacher said, wagging a finger. “For I too have done my fair bit of research to know what we would be up against, this dragon.”

“What kind of wise man would you be if not aware?”

He nodded. “Yes. This flying beast, breathing fire.”

“Quite dangerous.”

“And its hard scales.”

“I’m sure they are not as impenetrable as they are said to be,” I insisted.

“There is some truth to it being intelligent, you know.”

“More intelligent than man?”

Sacher flared his hands out in uncertainty. “That will be seen, won’t it? But you must not forget about its dragon magic, to hypnotize and beguile your men.”

“Yes, well… wait, what now?”

The wise man chuckled a few times. “A joke. To make sure you have been paying attention.”

I puffed myself up. “I see. Well, even if that were the truth, there’s no way it would affect every member of my legion here. Speaking of which, Eriques?”

My squire retreated from the gate where he was watching the last few stubborn people being escorted away. “Baptize me in fire, great dragon!” I heard the distant forlorn calls.

Eriques presented himself before me, hand to his chest in a salute. “Yes, Glad… Sir Gladius.”

“The chaos of this morning… I have completely forgotten to ask. The supplies, the men— are they in order?”

Erique rubbed his hands together. “Yes. Aye. Of course.”

“Is there a problem in addressing your master, squire?” Sacher leaned in.

“No problem,” Eriques said, turning to shake his head violently. “No, just this morning, the ministry steward passed me the list of names of those who will accompany us.”

“Perfect, my squire. Gather them up so that I may get to know their faces over a feast and drinks this evening.”

“A grand fete before a perilous quest?” Sacher hummed. “Well, I shall not hold you back, then. Of course, you must have already filled out all the requisite forms for all of them.”

I smacked the wise man on the arm playfully. “Enough jokes, my good man.”

“No joke, Sir Gladius,” Sacher said more seriously, fixing his posture. “You must fill out the forms for the Ministry of Assurance and the Ministry of Estates for each of those departing on this quest. It must have skipped your mind, not a problem.”

I nodded slowly. “Ah, yes. The other ministries.”

“Simply to make sure everything is taken care of if one of your men is injured or, gods forbid, meet their end. But again, with all the preparation, none shall find a… baptism in fire and… meet their end against this dragon.”

I clapped my hands together. “Tell me, Squire. How many are joining us? To, uhm, make sure I filled out enough forms already.”

“Seven, sir,” Erique said hesitantly, glancing between me and the wise man. “Plus me, of course.”

“Overall not an unreasonable legion,” Sacher proposed.

I leaned in close to my squire and engaged with him in a low voice. “You must enunciate, my little friend, for I believe I heard seven and not seventy.”

“No, uh, you heard right.”

“Surely only the best of the best,” Sacher butted in. “And a boon, as Sir Gladius will not have to fill out quite as much paperwork.”

“No, of course not,” I said with a shake of my head. “Well, I mean, the paperwork is done. But perhaps, Squire, we change tonight’s fete to tomorrow morning, a light breakfast before we depart. Can you see to that?”

“You can rely on me.”

With all the paperwork at the end of my plume, I feared that my sword arm would go dead before it was to deliver even a single strike to the dragon. Nevertheless, I filled out the stack of parchment and got perhaps a couple of hours of restless sleep before the sun rose that following morning.

I traveled on foot to our departure point, the royal stables, where our mounts had been requisitioned. The horses had been saddled and geared with bags for everyone’s personal affairs. Further supplies had come down on the back of a covered cart drawn by a pair of mules, the lot of it to accompany us. The men were already dividing up their rations and gear; food, bedding supplies, the alchemical potions, not to mention swords and bows and arrows for our inevitable battle.

I counted the heads about the stables to make sure that there would be no stragglers. Apart from Eriques and Farvin acquainting themselves with the supply cart’s mules, there were seven knights ready to depart. It was far from the number I had originally desired, but at the very least I wouldn’t have to spend too much time learning names.

“Sir Gladius is before you!” Eriques called out suddenly, some haughty power in his voice. I assumed his role of command over others was getting to him.

The men suddenly ceased their actions and turned my way, their bodies shifting into stiff salutes. I realized at that moment that my time had come. All my study and preparation under the Ministry of Arms had led up to this moment, perhaps one of the most important ventures of my career and my life. What came out of my mouth next would set the tone among these men throughout our adventures together.

“Hi, y’all.”

Everyone looked my way, hardly blinking. I may have even forgotten to blink for a moment. I cleared my throat.

“You all, I mean. Everyone, you guys. Well, gather about.”

I felt myself being surrounded there by those loyal to me and me alone. Any words that I had prepared in my mind suddenly fled like the locals fearing baptism by fire. I had to rely simply on my mouth to create the correct words that were to follow.

“Well, as you probably know by now, I’m Sir Gladius. I do spend a lot of time in the castle, but I’ve had my own learning experiences these past couple of days. But… maybe I can learn about you a lot. How about… some icebreakers? Tell us… your name and… your post in the city. You there, first.”

The young man on my far left had fair skin and thin light hair, like a very tall, stretched-out version of a newborn baby. “I’m… uh… Richard. I work the docks.”

“And what sort of trouble do you face out there at the docks?” I asked, hoping to suss out the latent strengths of these unassuming fellows.

The question seemed to take him by surprise. “Well, uh, the fishermen usually keep to themselves and don’t cause much trouble. But oh, the gulls! What a horrible creature. The other week, they snatched a perfect bass that had just been sold.”

“Indeed. How terrible, gulls,” I commiserated. “Do you know of another horrible, flying beast, though?”

The blank stares from the others told me that many explanations would be needed over the course of our journey east. “A dragon,” I said. “That is my example of a horrible flying beast. But I suppose you will soon see first hand. Next person?”

There was an older man beside Richard, one who I fathomed from the start would have piles of experience. “Yeah, I’m Henrik. I work on the university campus, mostly near the women’s dorms.”

“The university,” I noted. “To help those whose knowledge will lead us in the future. But the women’s dorms, you say?”

Henrik crossed his arms and jutted his head back to the city. “Cause of the lads in the men’s dorms. Always wanting to sneak in and cause trouble there.”

“I… can see how that would interrupt the learning process,” I said with a nod. “Uh, next?”

“Aye, Jennifer here,” said the next knight with a husky voice. The owner of that voice was brawny, with light hair tied up at the back of their head. “I work at—“

“One moment, Jennifer,” I held my hand up. “Excuse my rudeness. Is that a woman’s name?”

“A woman’s name, belonging to a woman,” She said with a hefty nod.

“Of course,” I nodded furiously. “And not that I have any worries about having a woman in our midst. But I have this terrible habit of uttering the phrase, ‘you guys,’ without end. And so you’ll have to excuse me if I continue to do so.”

“I’ve always said ‘you guys’ without any worry of a person’s parts,” said Eriques.

“Is that so?” I said with a sigh of relief. “Well, you know what, nice to meet you Jennifer, all of you… guys. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to learn about each other, so, uh, icebreakers over. For now. Gear up, and we shall be off.”

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Love Thy Enemy

If It Were Only A Dragon [Chapter 11]

The long march from the city walls up to Hightown and the castle district was enough exertion to free me from the cooling effects of the alchemist’s potion. I even regained feeling in my toes and fingers.

Eriques was along with me the whole way, filling me in on what he had seen. “With all the commotion, you would think that one of the old coots had died. But really it’s just about this dragon business.”

“How uppity are they, thinking they have any say in what business the King has us doing?” I said with a huff.

The upper road, leading right up to the castle gatehouse, was filled with people hoisting tapestries and parchment written with sloppy charcoal messages, all the while chanting.

“Amnesty for the creature!”

“Not a beast!”

“Fighting fire with fire means the whole world burns!”

The crowd was blocking all routes for anyone who had actual important business. Luckily, the gatehouse and the guards stationed there seemed to be holding them at bay, fully serving their purpose.

“Mr. Gladius!” called a voice through the crowd. “Mr. Gladius!”

The skinny, ragged man from the east pushed and elbowed his way out of the rear of the crowd. “Farvin?”

“What is this, Mr. Gladius? Does stuff like this happen in the city all the time?”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know, and no, thank the gods. Why are you here, though?”

Farvin slumped his shoulders and glanced back at the masses. “I was sleeping out here in the street once more, no money and all. Was kinda’ hopin’ I could meet up with you again and see about the progress toward headin’ out and killin’ that dragon for us. But then I woke up with all these folks yelling. I think… they don’t want the dragon dead.”

“And what makes them think they know anything about this dragon?” I said, cracking my knuckles and preparing to split the seas. “Try to keep up.”

I forced my body into the spaces between the final, unorganized ranks of the mob. My arms did the talking, shoving anyone who refused to give way. Some of the protesters at the edges started to take notice, turning their shouts from the gates and directing them towards me.

“It is not some monster!”

“The warmonger cometh!”

“End this campaign!”

It was not their shouts alone that came my way. I felt their hands strike me, the wooden posts of their makeshift signs smacking me across the chest and back. I didn’t like any conflicts that couldn’t be solved with a sword. Maybe, just a little bit, I wished I did have my sword on me.

Eventually, I was within sight of the gatehouse. There was a representative from the court with a bullhorn to his mouth, trying to speak out over the crowd. A few of the castle guards were positioned at the gate to keep people from rushing up against the structure itself.

I reached my hand out for them to garner their attention. I received a glare, then a kick to the waist.

“Keep your distance, I’ve said!”

I felt myself falling back into the crowd. I felt more feet upon me.

“What are you doing? That was Sir Gladius!”

It was all a blur of pain and shins and shouting after that. I found myself back on my feet, barely under my own strength, being strung up between two people and dragged into the gatehouse door and beyond into the castle’s courtyard. I felt my left eye swelling and found blood dripping from my nose.

I was doted on for a bit by the court healer inside the courtyard there. Surprisingly, Eriques and Farvin had been able to follow me through with hardly a scratch. When the trauma to my eye had been reversed, I found the court Adviser, Sacher, staring down at me.

“I understand it may be below you, Sir Gladius, but there is another route up to the castle, where deliveries and servants enter.”

I forced out a grin at him. “I guess that’s why you’re the one who knows stuff. How about you tell me why all these people are out here? They don’t want the dragon killed?”

Sacher stood up and held his arms behind his back. He stared out at the gate. “It was started by someone from the Ministry of Ministers.”

“The church,” I huffed, wiping my lip to make sure none of the blood remained from my nose. “No wonder they are so headstrong and unruly. I would have personally expected the elves to be a part of this. But as I think about it, certainly I distrust the clergy more than the elves. Not that I distrust the elves. They are actually providing us with help. But these folks out here… I can’t understand why they would even care.”

“It must be one of their books,” Eriques sneered.

“You’re closer than you would think, Squire.” Sacher said, wandering about the courtyard while talking. “We had one of their members attending the court while our friend from out East here was telling us of the creature. They went off and did their own research, as they do, and came to a certain decision. After that, well, it doesn’t take much to rile up a mob with their ‘facts.’”

“And what is this prerogative of theirs?”

“A dragon is an intelligent creature, or so says their sources.”

I nodded. “I believe the elf from the Ministry of Magics said so as well.”

“And so the debate has begun,” the wise man posed. “How smart is too smart? It is wrong to kill a man, clearly. Livestock, though? A chicken for example. We give such things no second thought.”

“I might know a young necromancer who would argue with you there…” I said under my breath.

Sacher continued, eyes now fixed on the gate and the crowd beyond. “But the smarter the animal, the harder it is to conceive killing them. A hound, a horse. Is a dragon smarter than either of those creatures? Is it conscious of its actions out there in this man’s lands to the east?”

Farvin almost looked sad. Or emaciated. But the wise man was making too good a point which I had to take down. “What are you, their spokesperson? Why not have the King give an order to the Ministry of Ministers to disband this nonsense?”

“It is bigger than the Ministry, now,” Sacher said solemnly. “Unfortunately, we must have the Ministry of Arms deal with this, despite your preoccupation. As you know, we have armor and weapons within the walls of the castle available for use.”

I stared at the loud, unruly mass past the gate. The stress of the past few days suddenly welled up. “I’d love to use force, but for some reasons I’m not feeling too well. Give me a chance with my words first.”

I stomped up the stairs to the overlook above the gate. The speaker, trying to quell them still with his futile words, side-eyed me. I grabbed his bullhorn.

“You lot out there!” I yelled, pushing out every last breath. “Shut up, all of you and listen! Let me ask you this: if a man were to come and kill your wife and children and burn down your house, would you not put him to death? There is a vicious, unthinking beast out there, carrying out such an act at this very moment. It shall be dealt with in the very same way!”

The crowd cried out and thrust their hands up toward me. None budged. I shook my head and another thought appeared.

“No, I must speak the truth! Listen! An elven researcher from the Ministry of Magics has told me of the intelligence of a dragon! Superior to even our own! And they command magics that no human could ever hope to understand. And… in fact, dragons love when lesser beings like us worship them. They seek out people like you. If you keep yelling and chanting like this, well… it is sure to come here and reward you all with its blessings of fire, so that you may be baptized into its congregation of death! If you decide to stay here, we can do nothing but allow you to be burned up.”

The rumble of the mob died down for a moment, then turned to something different entirely. “Fire?”

“Did he say fire?”

“Baptized in it?”

A few stragglers peeled off the back of the crowd. Some tried to worm their way out of the crowd. Soon enough, more were pushing their way down the road, tossing their signs to the side. From up there in the high point of the city, one could almost see each and every one of them returning to their homes.

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For a Magical Thirst

If It Were Only A Dragon [Chapter 10]

The elf gathered us inside the halls of the barracks, right at the center around the stone ground of the cooking pit. He held a couple of vials of the alchemical tonics in each hand, pulled from the full pallet outside.

“Greetings all, properly and for the first time, and certainly with no ill feelings. My name is Grendl, and I come with concoctions to aid you in this quest to slay this dragon sieging our lands. Now, I’m sure you all know of a dragon’s deadly capabilities. Of all of them, what might you guess to be the one that, historically, the most people have fallen to?”

The elf spun about slowly, waiting silently for a response that never came.

“Fire is correct,” he answered his own question. “The flames that it spews from its mouth. For demonstration’s sake, I shall now summon burning flames of my own. Sir Gladius, young Eriques, if you could?”

We both ended up with the bottles cradled in our arms. Grendl stepped back and summoned a staff in his hands, which he began to trace in a circle around the stone area.

“I shall bring forth my licking flames of magic. While as hot as the real thing, these flames shall not melt off your skin nor leave residual burns, and no smoke shall clog these halls. But contact with them will certainly feel like the real thing. That is unless you make use of these tonics. Us alchemists have perfected them over the course of many decades, you should know. Listen and watch carefully.”

With a click of his fingers, the mage lit the center of the barracks ablaze with orange flames that reached the height of my waist. The other knights stepped back, feeling the heat about the room.

Grendl wasted no time. He grabbed up one potion from Eriques, leaving the squire with the other. The thin glass vial held a deep orange potion, glittering with what could have been a precious metal, or even tiny jewels.

Eriques studied the remaining concoction in his grasp. He thumbed the cork stopper until it popped open. “It looks like the richest of honey, doesn’t it?”

The elf went on with his speech. “To protect thy precious gear, you may smatter yourself and your garments with these contents of these flasks,” he said, pouring some over his opposite hand. It flowed out across his palm, through his fingers, and onto the floor, causing the flames to spatter and withdraw from the tiny section before him.

I heard Eriques cough and sputter. “I though that potions were for drinking?”

The elf jerked back. “Oh no, not this one. We call it a topical potion. Not poisonous to consume, but not exactly tasty. It is made from a creature we call ‘forge beetles.’ You may have witnessed them… tiny insects that live off the sparks and glowing flames of a blacksmith’s hearth. Quite durable creatures.”

Eriques’ cheeks swelled. He dropped the half drunk flask and dashed for the door. The sound of him losing his rations could be heard from the road.

“Next,” Grendl demonstrated, wagging the half-full vial about my face. “Sir Gladius, might you demonstrate your bravery for us? There is nothing to fear.”

“Of… course.” As it was my duty the lead, I had no choice but to agree. I walked up to the flames, ready to step into them, but the elf grabbed at my arm.

“Not so fast, boy!” He hissed into my ear. “As brave as you are, I’d like to save myself your screams of pain.”

I ignored the indiscretion of being called a boy and stopped. “I was under the impression that I am protected.”

Grendl clicked his tongue. “Your gear, but not your skin. That shall take another potion.”

I rolled my eyes at the idea. “Two potions? That seems to be a hassle of the greatest measure.”

The elf shrugged, both hands to the air. “You may take the topical potion and protect your belongings in exchange for your skin, or the opposite and end up naked on the battlefield. Alchemy is science, not magic.”

“To some those are the same,” a knight muttered.

The elf glared back before dowsing my shoes and leggings with the remaining golden concoction. “You may choose to use these potions however you like, but I am obligated to show the uses of both. Sir Gladius,” he nodded at the bottle in my hand. “Please, drink it all down and let the effect take you, while I explain further.”

The drink was mostly clear, with only a slight pale cloud to it. It touched my lips like jelly, but traveled into my throat with much ease. All about my mouth came a cold, tingling feeling.

“When battling flames, set alight by a dragon or any other natural force, the heat is unceasing,” Grendl worked the crowd of guards. “But this potion of cooling will protect the body. Sir Gladius, speak to us of the sensation.”

The hairs on my arms stood up. My neck, as well. Even down to my toes, I felt the coolness starting to spread. “It is as if winter has come early,” I dared to say, feeling a bit poetic.

The elf urged me onward toward his enduring collection of flames. “Perfect. Will you attempt this, then?”

I nodded, holding my arms across my chest. I was nearly shivering as my feet touched the flames. There was not a single ounce of pain, nor heat. The flames parted as my shins dragged through them. My teeth chattered. I span about, demonstarting my unscathed state to my men. I stopped being able to feel my fingers and toes.

“A final note,” Grendl added, finger to the air. “For extreme conflagrations, apply the orange tonic to any hair you wish to keep. With that, this demonstration has ended. Thank you all, and good luck.”

With a click from his fingers, the magicl fire extinguished itself, leaving no sign that it had ever burned. I fell to the ground, my knees knocking against each other.

“Blanket… please…” I begged through blue lips. “Elf, is it… necessary… that this effect… be so… exaggerated?”

“Again, alchemy is not magic, my good sir,” Grendl shrugged, gathering up the emptied vials. “And both are quite far from miracles. Think of it like this… you will not mind the effect when the dragon is upon you.”

After the elf’s departure, I was left under a blanket, sipping the dregs of that morning’s gruel, reheated into an even worse consistency. While I considered inducing my own bout of vomiting, Eriques returned from expelling the strange potion.

“I remember, Gladius!” He said, weakly stumbling in, face pale. “I remember what came up this morning. Before we got trapped in here!”

“Is it really so important?” I said with one last shiver.

“They are at the castle! They are protesting our campaign against the dragon!”

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