Shifting the pack higher onto his back, Talon breathed in the pine scented breeze. With a grunt of resolve, he started down the road. It took no time at all for his feet to return to their soldier's quick step. Those feet carried Talon far before nightfall.
Camp was luxurious compared to what he was used to during battle. Talon had found a soft bedroll in the shabby pack. A curious and careless rabbit was cooking nicely above the fire. The bread was soft and the vegetables crisp. There was an abundance of autumn leaves that would make him a comfortable bed and the clear sky assured him of a dry night's sleep.
In the firelight Talon emptied out the pack to see what else Olwin had included. There was an assortment of clothes, some peculiar pouches of herbal mixtures, packets of dried shredded meat, and the long narrow pouch. The contents of the pouch were stiff but light. Opening it, Talon discovered that it contained a flute.
A flute?! What in the world was he going to do with a flute? Shaking his head, he slid it back into the pouch and dropped it into the pack. A light breeze brought the smell of toasted rabbit to Talon's nose and banished all thought of the peculiar old man.
An hour later Talon lay on a comfortable bedroll with a full stomach. Under a perfect sky he closed his eyes and fell into contented sleep.
The next day there were few people on the road. Talon occupied his time by planning little battles in his head. It was a very calm, uneventful day, Talon enjoyed it thoroughly. It was dark before he decided to find a place to camp for the night. He built a small fire and ate a dinner of leftover rabbit and the remnants of his loaf of bread. Talon wearily unrolled his blanket and lay down under a pine tree.
The morning did not hold the contentment of the day before. Wet drops fell onto Talon's face before dawn. He sat up and was greeted with a slap from a damp, drooping limb. His camp was now a large puddle of mud and everything was wet. With a groan he thrust himself onto his feet and surveyed the damage. Wringing out damp blankets and stuffing them inside his pack, Talon broke camp.
Dodging mud holes slowed his walking speed more than he liked. He met up with travelers as he neared a small village. He only stopped long enough to pick up some dry bread. By midday the sun began to dry up the last of the mud. Talon thought himself lucky that there had been few carts to rut up the road.
By the time evening began to fall, Talon was tired and chose the first clearing he found for camp. He took time to build a lean-to but did not hunt for fresh meat. His small smoky fire was short-lived and his meal of bread and dried meat and carrots sat heavily in his stomach as he lay down on the rocky bedroll. It was nights like this that made him long for home.
The next few days of travel seemed to fall somewhere between those first two days. Talon fell into a comfortable routine; he studied the surroundings and people he passed and got through each day with as little effort as possible.
Each night, as he dug into his pack, Talon came across the pouch that held the flute. An odd sense of invitation would flit across his mind, but he hadn't taken it out since that first night. Tonight that feeling of invitation was too strong to be denied. Without thinking, Talon drew out the pouch. He was a bit irritated to find the flute in his hands, but he was in a good mood, this had been one of the better days, and he had a full stomach and a clear sky, so he didn't toss the instrument back into the pack.
He looked the flute over. There was nothing special about it, just a thick hollowed reed with a few odd carvings near one end. With a self-conscious look around, Talon lifted it to his lips. The notes were clear and clean, which was unusual since Talon had never played such an instrument before. His fingers seemed to have a life of their own as they flitted over the holes. Talon was stunned at the music he made. The surprise made him stop playing, stare down at the instrument, and warily put it back in its pouch. He slept fitfully that night and was restless the next morning.
After a dull day on the dusty road Talon was glad to set up camp. Dry wood and a slow squirrel added to his comfort. With a full stomach Talon reached into his pack and pulled out the flute. Odd that he had enjoyed playing the thing. The thought of becoming a troubadour leaped into his mind. The picture of purple and yellow tights, bells on his ankles, a satin jerkin, and floppy hat made Talon laugh the thought away.
The embers within the ring of stones glowed dimly. Talon leaned against a boulder, idly stroking the flute in his hands and staring into the glow. It was late, but he didn't feel tired. In his semi-trance state music seemed to be swimming in his mind. Talon raised the flute to his lips and began to play. No thoughts came between the music in his head and the flute; the notes seemed to have a will of their own. Music flowed around him, as if brought to life, dancing, swaying, rising high and sinking low, spinning wildly, forming the formless. Talon was drawn into it. He felt as if he were drifting free, dancing with the music, flowing with the emotions they brought out.
A shifting ember broke the spell. Talon let his hands fall to his lap, the flute with them. After a few moments he lifted the flute to his lips and began to play again. The magical quality wasn't there, but it didn't sound unpleasant, either. Talon played random notes then began to string them together like pearls. He was amazed at his newfound ability. He paused to take a drink.
A sudden but brief wind brought the embers to life, and Talon warmed his hands.
"Do play some more," requested a deep voice from the shadows.
Talon jumped to his feet and looked around, his hand grasping for a sword that wasn't there. "Come forward and show yourself!" He looked around for some kind of weapon.
"I would rather not. My appearance always seems to frighten people. I find that shadows are so much safer."
The voice seemed large, and over dramatic, but not threatening. Talon was almost ready to welcome the stranger, but movement in the bushes on the other side of the camp made him wary. "There are more of you than you would have me think. Come into the light."
A deep chuckle answered back, "More of me… that's a good one, I'll have to remember to use that some time." A more serious tone took over, "If you insist in my coming into the light, I strongly suggest that you sit down, I would hate to have you stumbling over a rock while running away."
There were suddenly sounds all around Talon. The bushes rustled, something heavy scraped the ground. Shadowy movements began to surround the fire pit. Talon again reached for his missing sword.
When the first huge claw entered the firelight Talon stumbled back against the boulder he had previously been leaning against and dropped to the ground.
"Impressive, aren't they?" The large foot was raised and turned about in the flickering light. The long, spine-covered tail curled around Talon's rock. "Your camp's a bit cramped, if you don't mind my saying so."
"Wasn't expecting guests," Talon mumbled.
Horrible minutes passed as Talon watched the rest of the beast emerge around the fire. Greenish-brown scales as large as his head were layered across enormous thighs, spines sharper than a sword rippled along the back and tail, unthinkable claws retracted as the feet pressed into the ground.
"I have found," said the deep booming voice, "that most humans prefer to focus on one part of me, rather than the whole, less intimidating. Most tend to fixate on my jaws, though in my opinion, my eyes are my best features." Talon unconsciously looked into the large, blue eyes, then down at the hugely grinning, fang-filled mouth. "Don't worry, I just ate."
The knowledge that he was looking into the face of death made Talon more comfortable, he had faced death in the past, and was not afraid. He began to relax. "Good, I don't happen to have a cow available for you." The beast chuckled; at least Talon hoped that was a chuckle.
"My name is Graldiss. I heard your music and thought I'd drop in. It was beautiful. I didn't think humans had that much depth in them." One large eye focused on Talon. "But then, I can see that you are not an ordinary human. A bit of the Magic in you, I'd say."
"Name's Talon." He leaned back against his rock and fingered the flute. "Nothing special about me."
"Don't be so modest, just being able to keep your wits while surrounded by a Dragon is special in itself. And I can always tell when the Magic is present in a human: a kind of glowing about the head, rather like the glow of the embers in your fire. I ate someone with the Magic once, had gas for months."
"I feel safer already."
"Mmm, yes. Well no need to worry, plenty of food around. New villages are popping up all the time." He settled his head on his forelegs. "How about some more of that music?"
Talon couldn't think of a reason not to oblige his guest. He put the flute to his lips, playing a soft tentative note, then another. Graldiss began to hum, many octaves lower. Talon closed his eyes and let the music flow out. The deep rumble from the dragon underscored the gentle tune, giving it a haunting quality. They seemed to play for hours.
With a final note, Talon laid down the flute. Graldiss puffed on the fire to re-ignite the embers, then sighed with satisfaction. "Yes, the Magic is definitely there. I haven't heard music like that for ages."
Talon took a drink of water. "I think it's the flute, because I've never played one before. The old man who gave it to me must have put a spell on it."
"That may be a possibility," Graldiss stretched sleepily around the fire, "what is his name?"
"Olwin of Carthis."
"Olwin!?" Graldiss leapt to his feet, knocking Talon over with his tail.
Talon brushed the dirt from his hair and clothes. "Yes, do you know him?"
The dragon looked around nervously. "He isn't here is he?"
"No, he's not." Talon picked up his flute and returned it to its pouch. "I'm just running an errand for him. Got to pick up some rings for him in---"
"Rings!?" A giant foot stumbled through the fire, throwing soot and embers into the air.
"Hey, stop that, or I'm going to move to the next meadow." Talon brushed away the sparks and shook out the blanket.
Graldiss turned his face to Talon, "What does that old wizard want with the Rings?! They should never again see the light of day. Maybe I should toast you after all."
"Hey, calm down. I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just fetching a package, that's all. Don't get all hot about it."
"This isn't just any package you've been sent for. If I'm right, you are retrieving the Rings of Ko-Mon Po. They are magical Rings of great power. Olwin's predecessor recovered them and hid them from the world. If they should fall into the wrong hands…" Huge eyes glared down menacingly.
"Wait a minute," Talon became defensive, "I'm not involved in any of this magic stuff, I was hired to do a job, nothing else."
Graldiss withdrew his head. "You didn't know that Olwin is a wizard? Nor the meaning of your errand?"
"He just seemed like an odd old man. Never encountered a wizard before." He paused, recalling his experience in the cave. "Now that you bring it up, I guess you might be right, he did seem to do some strange things." He pulled the blanket over his chest and plumped-up his pack. "I'm just retrieving a package, that's all. Then I'll be on my way."
Graldiss settled his head onto his front legs. "We'll just have to see about that," he mumbled.
"Good night, beast."
"Sweet dreams, human."
Talon's dreams were not very sweet. They were filled with dragons and wizards, battles and shadows.
When the sky began to lighten, Talon stretched, yawned and sat up. He looked around for his gigantic companion, but the camp was empty.
"Must have been a bad dream." He stuffed a couple of dry biscuits into his pocket, folded his blanket, and made his way back to the road.
He was enjoying the quiet walk when he had the distinct feeling that someone was following him. He continued walking, but listened carefully. The sounds of his stalker were not well concealed, leaves rustling without a breeze, the shifting of a leather saddle, and the breathing of a horse. Talon remained calm, aimlessly heading to the side of the road, and behind a tree. He pulled out his knife and waited. When he heard a crunch on the ground he jumped out to catch his 'shadow'.
Graldiss was so startled that he leapt straight into the air, twisting around so quickly that his head got smacked by his tail and knocked himself senseless, plummeting to the ground. The dust raised made Talon cough, and, since he was laughing uncontrollably, this made him as much of a spectacle as the Dragon.
It was some time before they got control of themselves.
"You could get yourself killed jumping out like that." Graldiss shook out a kink in his tail.
"Yeah, and it's not healthy sneaking up on a soldier, either." Talon brushed the dust off of his shirt and picked up his pack. "You weren't around this morning. I thought you might have been a nightmare."
"Why do I seem to always have that impression on people?" Graldiss rubbed his sore nose. "After our talk last night I thought I'd better go and find out what to do with you."
Talon picked up his pack and headed back to the road. "Do with me? What does that mean?"
Graldiss followed behind Talon. "You know, whether I should kill you now or wait until you recover the Rings."
Talon tried to act nonchalant, "Oh, later would be better, I'm sure. Don't want to be too hasty." His mind raced through his options.
"That's what the Matriarch suggested. Seems you've been brought to her attention before. The Matriarch wants me to keep an eye on you."
Talon stopped and turned to face Graldiss. "So you're just going to tag along, until your 'Matriarch' decides I'm enough of a threat and you kill me?"
"Rather unpleasant when you put it that way."
"Is there any other way to put it?" Talon asked defiantly.
Graldiss tried to explain. "You must understand those Rings were the tools used to decimate my race. If there is a chance they will once again come under the control of those who would eliminate us, we must use every means to stop it. Even if that means sacrificing you, I'm sorry if that sounds cruel."
It worried Talon that he understood perfectly. "I could make it easy on both of us and not retrieve the Rings at all."
"No, the Matriarch was definite about not interfering in your errand. Look, if I promise to reserve judgment, would you allow me to join your mission? You're quite interesting, for a human, and I would like to get to know your kind better."
Talon considered for a moment and decided it would be in his best interests to keep this possible enemy close at hand. "I can't very well stop you from following me around, but don't expect me to feed you."
"No problem there, plenty of villages around."
Talon turned to look at his new companion. "You shouldn't be eating people, you know."
"Why not?" Graldiss asked innocently. "They're quite tasty and don't have all that fur. City humans are more plump than those out here on farms, but not as meaty."
"You just shouldn't, that's all. There's plenty of other food around. Besides, people tend to get angry when a dragon swoops down and snatches up a light snack that was their brother. You might find people hunting you."
Graldiss had to accept the logic of this. He remembered the stories the Matriarch had told about the Great Massacre. "Well, yes, I see your point. But they're so easy to chew, no horns or feathers, and they don't claw my nose."
"And it gives you a bad reputation. You will find some other food source."
"Fine. As long as I can still burn down a few cottages along the way."
Talon looked into the huge face. "None of that, either. We don't want to be hunted down by angry homeless mobs. Find another hobby."
Graldiss kicked the dirt in frustration.
Talon glanced up and down the road. "Isn't it rather risky being out in the daylight?"
"Dragons don't have many predators, and most humans are too afraid of us to be much of a bother. Wizards, now they're another story. Don't like wizards. Can't mind their own business, always wanting a piece of me. Hard to kill the pesky ones, too. Some aren't too bad, like Olwin, but it pays to stay away from the whole species." The hulking beast began to follow Talon down the road.
Talon thought of something. "Until a few days ago dragons or wizards were just old wives tales. Why haven't I heard about you before?"
"Well, after being slaughtered for centuries, you don't think we'd hang around for you to find us? We've had to hide ourselves. We keep an eye on humanity, but stay out of their way." The dragon shouldered his way past a large oak tree.
"What about wizards? You'd think they'd be running the world by now."
Graldiss chuckled. "Yes, you'd think so. It's not for lack of trying, I'm sure. Normal people are suspicious of wizards and don't give them the chance to seize power. And wizards aren't immortal; a sword can cut through them as easily as any tyrant." He began to hum. "I suppose it's a little early for music?" the dragon asked hopefully.
Talon didn't answer. He started down the road, hoping that his new companion would take the hint and go away. No such luck. It was hard to be unobtrusive with a dragon following behind. Several times the beast would groan and complain when the road narrowed.
"I don't suppose there's an easier way to get where you're going?" Graldiss asked. "These trees are scratching up my nice shiny scales."
Talon turned and glared at the immense figure. "Is there some reason you have to walk along with me?"
Graldiss shrugged his massive shoulders. "Not much else to do today. You seem like an unusual character, I just thought it might be fun."
Talon grunted.
"You aren't very good company, you know. Talking makes the time fly by. Now there's an idea. Why don't we fly? There's not much headwind, and we would get there, wherever there may be, much faster than by walking."
Talon looked back at Graldiss. He had to stifle a chuckle at the site of the huge figure spanning the road, trees pressed tightly against his shoulders. "No, I don't want to fly to Precanlin. I would like to be as inconspicuous as possible. I don't think you know how to be inconspicuous. You're a bit clumsy on the ground, aren't you? Why don't you take off, and meet up with me later, if you must."
Graldiss didn't seem put out by Talon's observations and agreed with him. "I'll find you tonight." With a heave of his massive legs he launched himself into the morning sky.
Talon continued on. Now in the quiet he could think about the next day. He was not at all looking forward to entering Precanlin. It had been the one problem in Olwin's proposition. Precanlin was the seat of Baron Taldar's power. Taldar had joined forces with the elder Duke Nidral when it had become advantageous for him. Talon's battle tactics had been instrumental in decimating the Baron's ill trained army. Talon had led the charge against the Baron's son. Now he was heading into enemy territory. Talon spent much of the day's walk planning various strategies that would get him in and out of the city with his body in one piece.
When evening fell, Talon chose an overgrown patch of bushes to make camp. He would not be comfortable, but he wouldn't be discovered easily, either. Though there had been no sign of soldiers on the road, it was better to be careful than captured. Sometime during the night Talon became aware of his large companion curling up next to the bush.
Talon opened his eyes, and shut them quickly against the newly risen sun. The inevitable had come, as the inevitable always does. With a moan, he turned over and would have pulled the blanket over his head if it hadn't caught on a limb. He kicked the blankets off and crawled out of the bushes. It was a few minutes before Talon could stand upright. His joints and muscles were cramped, and he felt has if he had slept under a rock.
"Curious choice for a camp."
Talon searched the still-shadowed bushes for the beast. "I wanted to keep a low profile. Where have you been?" Talon asked conversationally.
"A Dragon's got to eat, you know. I had to make due with a buck. Tricky beasts; got to swoop down on them from behind, if you catch my meaning."
"You're going to get a bit conspicuous as we near Precanlin." Talon crawled out of the bushes.
"Oh don't worry about me; there are ways to keep humans from seeing what they don't want to see." Graldiss stretched and rolled over.
Talon shrugged. He would have liked to have had a warm breakfast, but didn't want to take the risk. Stale bread and leftover rabbit would have to do.
Noises from the near-by road caught Talon's attention. The day was advancing and he'd better join it. He rolled up his blanket, and banished all of his negative thoughts. This is what he had come to do. He would enter an unfriendly city, find Marcus, retrieve the package and get out of the city with all of his body parts intact.
"The road will be busy today, so you won't be able to tag along."
Graldiss nodded his immense head. "Yes, a walking smorgasbord. From the smell of it, there are quite a few soldiers out there," he took a long sniff of the air, "along with a beet farmer, two potters, a weaver, three wagons of ale, a tanner, assorted herdsmen, someone selling perfumes," the dragon winced at that scent, "and various families, mmm, some with small children."
Talon scowled sternly. "Don't even think about it."
Graldiss tried to look innocent. "You know, I could take care of a few of those soldiers for you."
The thought was tempting, but Talon shook his head. "No eating people. It only leads to trouble." He pushed through the bushes and onto the road. "I'll meet up with you later."
The first two miles of travel were spent talking with fellow travelers. Talon was trying to glean as much information about the political climate as he could without seeming too eager for the knowledge. He wasn't encouraged by what he heard. Baron Taldar had grown paranoid and he had allowed the soldiers to remain billeted within the city walls. Bored soldiers made bad neighbors.
His first glimpse of trouble came a mile from the city walls. Ratty-looking soldiers were harassing travelers, making threats, stealing food and jewelry, making unwanted advances to daughters, being downright cruel. This was a bad sign. The Baron was losing control of his army. This worried Talon. The guards at the gate might be a problem as well. They would have the opportunity to take a close look at him, and there was a good chance that they would recognize him. He considered how best to get into the city safely.
Talon stopped and swung the pack from his shoulders. The road was getting crowded, so he could make a transformation without much notice. He pretended to leave the road to relieve himself, and slipped behind a large bush.
Digging through the pack he found a ragged cloak and the flute. He threw on the cloak. With a quick adjustment his neat cap became a floppy hat. He tied some string onto the flute so he might wear it over one shoulder. He looked down at himself to see that nothing would draw unwanted attention, and rejoined the other travelers.
The soldiers on the road made jokes about the scruffy young minstrel, and asked him for a tune, but eventually left him alone for fairer game. At the gates to the city the guards were more concerned with carts and seller's permits to do much more than wave Talon on. So it was the soldiers' laziness more than Talon's ingenuity that got him inside the city walls.
Talon stuck to the edges of the streets, stopping occasionally to glance at a merchant's trays. He kept a close eye on the gangs of soldiers wandering through the market. Near the center of the market Talon spotted the carpet seller's shop. Casually, Talon wandered in.
The place smelled musty, like old yarn that hadn't felt a clean breeze in years. Small colorful rugs hung from ropes strung across the ceiling, larger intricately woven carpets lay in rolled stacks, like logs. The shopkeeper was a thin, sharp-faced man, dressed extravagantly in an ornately embroidered coat. He had a long moustache that dangled past his chin and each side was knotted with a brightly colored string. He did not have the nervous nature of most shopkeepers since his merchandise did not easily slip into the pockets of not-so-innocent shoppers.
The carpet seller spotted Talon and scowled, "What is your business in my shop, boy? You obviously do not need a carpet." The shopkeeper didn't want his shop to become a rest area for over-heated wanderers.
"No, I don't need a carpet. I am here on other business. Are you Marcus?" The weasel-faced man nodded. "I was told by a friend of mine that you were holding a package for him. Some jewelry, I believe."
The dark eyes became wary slits, "And does this friend have a name?"
"Olwin."
The shopkeeper's eyes widened. "The Rings," he whispered. "Come, see how fine the colors are on this selection," Marcus said theatrically. He pulled Talon between a row of hanging rugs. "Has the old wizard died?"
Talon acted interested in the rug's pattern. "A fine piece, indeed." Talon matched Marcus' light tone. "No, at least he was alive when I left him."
"Ah, that is good, yes, very good." He looked around nervously. "And you have come to take possession of The Rings."
"Actually, I am just retrieving them for him."
Marcus grinned and nodded knowingly. "Of course, of course." He led Talon to the back of his tent and thrust a hand into a rolled carpet. When it appeared again it held a dirty bag. From this bag he removed a greasy cloth. Carefully unfolding the greasy fabric, he revealed two gold rings, ornately designed. They were held out to Talon. "The Rings of Ko-Mon Po," Marcus said reverently.
Talon took the Rings. They felt lighter than they looked and they made his palm tingle. Reaching into a pocket, he pulled out a pouch to place the Rings in.
"No, no! The Rings must be worn!"
Talon looked suspiciously at the earnest man. "You weren't wearing them."
"Ah, but I was just the Keeper. You are the Bearer of The Rings. You must wear them."
Talon shrugged and, judging their size, slipped a Ring onto each thumb. The gold felt warm.
The shopkeeper nodded approvingly. "My family's responsibility has been fulfilled," he said solemnly. "Thus have we faithfully executed our role in the conveying of the Rings of Ko-Mon Po unto their rightful possessor." After a reverent pause, Marcus became once again the wily shopkeeper. He ushered Talon toward the entrance of the tent, "I would ask you to take midday meal with me," he said quickly, "but my wife is visiting family, and my cooking can be hard on the unsuspecting stomach. Safe journey." The tent flaps closed quickly.
Talon headed toward the city gates. He stopped for a sweet pie and some apples, glancing at trays of ornaments. He quickly sidestepped a merchant who asked him to play a tune, and was shooed away from a jeweler's tent. His casual behavior drew no attention. He was as invisible as any street urchin.
Within sight of the gates Talon's luck ran out. One member of a party of soldiers, bored with harassing a swineherd, took a long look at the passing minstrel. A quick whisper to a fellow thug holding the swineherd's face sealed Talon's fate.
When Talon realized that he'd been discovered he weighed his options. He was grossly outnumbered; the outcome of a fight would be one-sided. A chase followed by a beating was not appealing, either. There was little to do except to give himself up. He gazed at the sky, the sun, and the dirt. He breathed in the market odors. This would be the last he would see of the world. The blow on his head signaled his end.