A Dragon's Betrayal by C. L. Patterson

Author:C. L. Patterson [Patterson, C. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-09T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Maerek relieved Keane of his watch duties half-way through the night and traded spots with the archer. Quietly, Maerek continued to add to the fire and kept his senses focused on the entrance to their alcove. Though a large boulder hung over the entrance to where the traders slept, the dark emptiness of the evening changed to an even, quiet gray of dawn. Maerek could clearly see the alcove entrance and patches of rough lichen growing on the cave walls. Japeth, guided by some internal clock, woke the group as the morning began. Maerek, Ledría and the traders packed up what little they had, stowed it away in the wagon and continued through the pass.

Throughout the morning, Maerek looked up at the grey sky repeatedly, but not to take in the grayness of light. Something was gliding from cliff to cliff across the chasm and landing softly on the near vertical rock slopes. It was now midmorning, and the flying creature already followed them for two hours.

Maerek tugged on the rope and the group stopped. Maerek pointed his hand up at the air and then made a bird single with both his hands, exaggerating the motions of the bird flapping its wings so that the others could see it clearly. The suon started to grow restless and Maerek understood why. Whatever it was that was stalking them in the pass was descending on them, wingbeat by gentle wingbeat. Japeth urged for the suon to move forward, and slowly, the beast complied.

As they moved, Maerek undid the knot around his waist, walked up to the wagon, pulled out the spear, gripped it with both hands and turned around slowly. Maerek’s eyes, sharp in the almost gray light, saw perfectly where the cockatrice landed and focused his attention there. Some sensation in the back of his mind told him that there would be more than one.

A cluster of small rocks tumbled down the rock face to his left. Maerek turned, spear raised, ready to attack, but saw nothing. Again, he heard the wing beats, but this time they were coming from another direction, toward the front of the wagon. The song, warning him of the dangers of the Blades, played again in his memory, but Maerek shook his head, blocking it out and quieting his mind. Now wasn’t the time to fear. He needed to act.

The suon stopped again. Naeru tried to coax the suon to move, but the pack lizard refused. It hissed, grunted and dug its claw into the ground. Aelex tried to quiet the beast, but it was too late. Another cockatrice that perched in the rocks launched up, and the dove toward the group. Maerek didn’t need his eyes to know where it was. Its distinctive loud wingbeats pinpointing its location in Maerek’s mind.

Maerek grunted under his breath. He rushed ahead of the caravan and screamed up at the creatures, spear thrusted upward to receive their fetid flesh. The cockatrice changed direction and flew straight toward Maerek, the sharp three toed talons outstretched, ready to strike.

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