Draconian Measures by Don Perrin & Margaret Weis

Author:Don Perrin & Margaret Weis [Perrin, Don & Weis, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fantasy, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780786962020
Google: PNj_vFQoTKsC
Amazon: 0786916788
Goodreads: 92886
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Published: 2000-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Kang and his small escort force consisting of Granak and two baaz left the fortress before dawn, slipping out in the half-light, hoping to avoid goblin patrols. They had no trail to follow, but Kang and his men made good time through the canyon, running easily across the flat, rock-strewn ground. A ridge of ancient mountains cut across their path. The once-jagged peaks were rounded, like worn-down teeth, and covered with scrawny pine trees and a jumble of bushes that appeared to thrive in crevices. No pass led through the mountains. Humans would have found the going difficult. Kang and his men used their wings to carry them over deep fissures and rock falls, lift them up out of cul-de-sacs. Topping a ridge, Kang paused to catch his breath. Granak tapped him on the shoulder. "Look there, sir." Kang looked. An enormous brown blob was crawling slowly across the landscape far to the east. At first he thought he was seeing a large herd of animalsbison, perhaps, or antelope. And then he understood. Goblins. Thousands more goblins, coming to join the already vast goblin army. Kang shook his head. There wasn't much to say that hadn't already been said. But the draconians did run a bit faster. The trip over the mountains cost them a day's hard labor and everyone was glad to rest when night came. They camped out in a slit between two jagged outcroppings, lit no fire, kept two men on watch. They were up before the dawn, came down out of the mountains to find themselves on a sea of tall, rolling grass whose rippling waves lapped against a shoreline of thick forest. Slith's map showed the Ynights' keep north and east of their present location. The draconians continued on. About noon, clouds rolled in and a light, chill rain began to fall. Reaching the forest, they searched out animal trails leading in the general direction they wanted to go. "You've noted we're being followed, sir?" Granak asked in low tones when they stopped to drink at a stream. "I've seen them," said Kang. He had detected the scent of horses and humans about an hour past and guessed that he and his guards were being observed by a squadron of light cavalry. This gave him his first indication that he was near his objective, heading in the right direction. The cavalry was on his left flank. They took care to keep out of arrow range, but they made no secret of their presence. He could occasionally see one of them moving through the trees. He could hear the clank of armor, the jingle of harness, the crack of a branch snapped by a horse's hoof. The trail led out of the forest and onto a man-made road cut through the trees. The road was hard-packed dirt and some care had been taken to maintain it. Ruts from wagon wheels, hoof prints and foot prints were further indications that the road was heavily trafficked, convincing Kang that this road led to his destination.

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