Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

S team rose from their horses and the men’s shoulders, as they climbed the steep, curving road that led to the opening on the side of the mountain. Interesting, to be sweating while sloshing through almost knee-high snow. But the suns on their backs blazed as strongly as a hot summer day. Tristan, like the other men, walked in front of his horse, the animal’s reins in his hand as he tested each step he took, careful not to step too wide and slip into the deep ravine below. Padraig urged his horse along magically as he held the reins of the horse that carried their prisoner.

A rumble vibrated the ground under their feet, and they stilled, waiting, while at the same time scanning the sky for any sign of the dragon. Even the horses seemed to sense the threat and became uncharacteristically quiet.

Giving a signal, Liam urged them forward. His gift of foresight, although invaluable in times like these, did not stop them from being overly cautious. Together they’d come to this damned place and together they’d leave. The men had vowed that not one of them would ever be left behind.

Finally arriving at a wider opening at the side of the mountain, one by one, they led their steeds to the clearing and mounted.

They rode at a steady pace until they reached a brook. Then waited, hidden in the trees as Liam scanned the area a few paces in front of them.

“He’s here,” the prisoner grunted, then without another word, he fell forward off his mount and vanished.

A dragon’s screech is something a man could never forget. The sound echoed into the trees, followed by the flapping of its gigantic wings as the beast glided into view. The body of the dragon a dark green hue, with scales that shimmered into violets and blues where the sun’s rays touched. Talons extended, it descended towards them, letting out another screech before cutting past them, flying so close the wind from its wings caused their heads to snap back. The men clutched on to the horses’ reins, to keep from falling off their mounts.

They retreated into the woods, although considering the size of the beast, no tree could stop it if it decided to come after them.

Tristan held his hand up and they stopped. “Our best chance to beat him is by getting the thing to land. I say we get it to follow us to the clearing up ahead. It will have to land to attack.”

He locked gazes with Liam. “What say you?”

Liam shook his head. “Something is not right. The dragon could have attacked us while we climbed, yet it waited for us to arrive at the brook to make its presence known. Again, he didn’t attack. I agree that if we are to vanquish it, we must get it to stand on solid ground.”

Hoping to bait the dragon, they burst from the trees as one, the horses galloping at a high speed. Tristan didn’t have to look over his shoulder to know the dragon was close behind, the combination of its low growls and the whooshing sound of its wings alerted him to its nearness.

As they neared a clearing, they brought the horses to a stop and Padraig released the riderless horse. Communicating with hand signals, they surrounded the open space from inside the tree line.

The dragon would have lost sight of the group and could only keep moving forward until the clearing. Just as they hoped, it dove straight toward the terrified horse, who barely managed to escape. The beast landed, its huge head swinging side to side before releasing a loud screech.

The knights burst into the clearing, faces taut with the anticipation of the fight. Swords were drawn, held high. The dragon reared up on its hind legs, towering over the riders, its red eyes focused, its nostrils flared. As its foot-long talons sliced the air in front of Tristan’s horse, he flung his sword into the air aiming for the beast’s heart.

The blade sank into the creature’s chest, followed by the swords of the other knights. Each weapon drove into the dragon’s flesh with a sickening thud. The beast screeched, falling backward, landing on its side and toppling trees with its enormous weight. The dragon’s tail lashed about, causing Gavin’s horse to fall over, throwing the knight. Tristan and the others jumped off their mounts, their spare swords in hand as they charged towards the downed beast.

Everything was much too easy. The fact their swords had sunk into the beast was hard to believe.

Hollow laughter filled the air as the dragon raised its head, and the glowing eyes met Tristan’s. It suddenly became clear who the dragon was. It was Meliot. It had all been some sort of illusion.

The dragon shuddered and stilled, as if dead. No one moved, waiting to see if something else would happen. Just then a small sphere rolled into the clearing. Tristan stepped forward and looked down at it. It was the size of an egg, clear like glass with a red lion suspended in the center.

Gavin came up beside him. Placing his hand on Tristan’s shoulder he studied the sphere. “Well done, McRainey.”

“Then why do I feel like this was a big fucking waste of time,” Tristan replied, picking up the sphere.

Before Gavin could answer him, they were transported back to their keep. In the great room, a meal of roasted pig greeted them.