Hunt For The Hero (Book 5) (10 page)

CHAPTER 22

Snap. Clatch. Snap.

A circle of Dragons, wings beating, screeching a terror, was coming right at them.

Ben wanted to plug his ears. Instead he took aim
, but his arms were shaking.

“Don’t shoot, Boy!” Brenwar growled from somewhere near.

Ben didn’t take his eyes off the Dragons.

They flew in a ring
, stretching their long necks and screeching down. Their talons clutched in and out and clicked and clacked. Their jaws snapped in the air and their tails rattled.

Ben
swallowed hard, closed one eye, and took aim. “You can do this, Ben,” he muttered to himself. “Be brave. Not foolish.”

A Gray Scale swooped do
wn and snapped at Brenwar.

The Dwarf
swung and missed.

A
nother Dragon came, snapped, and darted back into the ring.

“Keep coming
, you ugly birds,” Brenwar said, waving his hammer. “I’ll show you!”

A Gray Scale
r dove straight at Ben.

He hunkered down
.

I
t clipped his helmet with its claws, screeched, and flew away.

Ben rose back to his feet with his heart pounding in between his ears. He couldn’t
breathe.

One by one
, the Dragons dove, dipped and snapped, like eagles snatching at fish in the river.

Ben
heard Sasha scream. He whirled.

A
Dragon stood on its hind legs, facing her and snapping.

Brenwar charged
it.

Twang!

When the first arrow embedded itself in the Dragon’s chest, the Dragon screeched an awful sound and twisted in the grass.

“I got him
!” Ben pumped his fist in the air and raised his knee up.

“Quit talking and start loading,
” Brenwar said. “Now they’re all coming!”

Ben nocked another arrow and aimed at a diving
Dragon.

Twang!

It dipped under the arrow and barreled straight into his chest, driving him into the dirt.

“Get off me!” Ben yelled.

The Dragon pinned him to the ground, biting and clawing at him. He felt his skin start to burn. It was like a big dog with a long neck. Strong and fierce. It bit Ben’s leg.

He screamed.

“Let em’ have it,” Brenwar yelled. “All of them!”

A
missile of blue light blasted through the wings of the Dragon on top of Ben.

It shrieked and darted away. 

Nearby, Bayzog’s hands were bright with energy, sending one missile after the next.

Ben
slipped an arrow from his quiver and nocked it. Kneeled down and searched the sky. His heart was racing. His breath was lost.

Dragons streaked through the sky from all directions, swooping, circling and diving.

“They’re too fast!”

Twang!

The arrow sailed. The Dragon rolled from its path and darted straight for him.

“Ben
, look out!”

Brenwar swung his
War Hammer. Bayzog fired his missiles.

Too late.

A Dragon swooped behind Ben and knocked him to the ground, making Akron fall from his grasp.

He looked up in time to see a
Dragon wrap its talons around it. “No you don’t!” Ben jumped on his bow.

The
Dragon’s claws tore into his arm.

“Argh!”

The pain was blinding. Ben held on. He was bigger than the Dragon by at least a hundred pounds but the smaller creature was stronger than him.

Swap!

The Dragon’s tail cracked him across the face.

Akron fell from his fingers. He hit the ground. There was blood in his eyes.
Dizzy, he stumbled forward, chasing after the Dragon.

It hissed and took flight with Akron gripped in its talons.

“Dragon’s going to kill me,” Ben said, dropping to his knees.

A bolt of light flashed over his head.

Ssssram!

The
Dragon exploded in the sky and spiraled to the ground.  Akron dropped to the ground as well.

“Hurry
, Ben!” Sasha said.

She was right behind him with her hands smoking.

He ran over, snatched up the bow, nocked an arrow and pulled the string back.

“There!” Sasha pointed.

Two Gray Scalers flanked Bayzog. The wizard had a long mystic shield up that only protected one side.

Twang! Twack!

The arrow struck the pressing Grey Scaler on its back
between the wings. It fell to the ground and died.

“Look
!” Brenwar yelled. “They flee!”

Less than a dozen of them took to the air, screeching and roaring
, and disappeared.

Bayzog
’s shield winked out, and he jogged over to Sasha, who was dusting off her smoking hands. “Are you alright?” Bayzog said.

She swallowed hard
. “Just a little faint, but I think I’m alright.”

“You made that Dragon explode
!” Ben said. “Into pieces! How did you do that?”

“Yes,” Bayzog said, “how did you do that? It was certainly impressive.”

“I drank from this,” she said. She held a sparkling vial that looked like lighting lived in it. “It was in Brenwar’s chest.”

Bayzog leaned over and kissed her forehead.

“Excellent choice. I think you saved us.”

Brenwar walked over with a
Dragon in his arms. An arrow jutted from its back. “It was a good shot,” Brenwar said.

Ben reached over and touched it.
The creature didn’t seem so deadly anymore. He wondered if Dragon would be upset.

“Well, what are you waiting for
?” Brenwar said.

“What do you mean
?” Ben said.

“Take the arrow out of it, Boy! Great Guzan! It’s
Mithril. Do I have to do it for you?”

“Uh …”

Brenwar set the Dragon down at his feet. “Whenever yer ready.”

Ben stroked his neck and said to Bayzog, “Do you think it’s evil? Maybe this was one that Dragon would have saved?”

Bayzog perched his eyebrows at Ben. “Do you think it would have killed us?”

“Ah,” Ben said. “I see.” Ben pulled the arrow free, cleaned it on the grass and slid it
back into his quiver. “Do we just leave them? Won’t the Dragon skin be worth something?”

“Ben!” Sasha said. “What would
Nath say if he heard you say that?”

“He wouldn’t say anything,” Ben said
, grinning. “He’d just knock me out.”

They laughed.

“Ben, chances are the Dragons will come back for their own. I don’t think any poachers will get them.” Bayzog stretched out his fingers and ran them over the Dragon scales and wings. “They are such magnificent creatures. It’s hard to believe they can be evil.”

“Get yer heads down!” Brenwar yelled.

Zip!

Something hit Bayzog and spun him to the ground.

“Bayzog!” Sasha yelled. A hail of arrows followed.

Zip! Zip! Zip! Zip! Zip…

Beads of energy showered everyone in a hail that came from the distance. Everyone was cut and scraped up already, but these magic missiles took things to another level.

“Get us some cover, Wizards!” Brenwar yelled. “Return fire, Boy!”

“Where?” Ben said.

Brenwar pointed towards the
mountains where the light was flashing.

“That way!”

Ben unslung an exploding arrow, nocked it and let it loose. It sailed through the sky in what seemed to take an age then disappeared into the ground.

Brenwar stormed back at Ben and said, “You got to be
a Dragon to fire those! Gimme that!” He spun Ben around, snatched another exploding arrow, stuck the tip in the Gray Scale’s wet mouth, and handed it to Ben. The arrow tip glowed like fire.

“Stop staring and
shoot it!”

Ben let the shaft fly.

A bright flash of light and the sound of an explosion followed.

Zip! Zip! Zip! Zip!

A green wave of missiles ripped into them. The sound of a thunder clap followed. A bolt streaked down from the sky and knocked Brenwar clear out of his boots.

Head ringing, bones aching, Ben crawled up
on his knees.

“Brenwar! Bayzog!”

He couldn’t hear himself yell. One of their horses darted by him, knocking him back down. Smoke was everywhere. When he looked up again he was surrounded by spears pointed at him. They were held by Lizard Men.

CHAPTER 23

“Circle
Nath!” Brenwar ordered above the commotion. He stood tall for a Dwarf, waving his War Hammer back and forth. “Wizards, what are you doing?”

“Can you move?” Sasha said to Bayzog.

“I’m alright,” he said, taking her hand. “It’s you I’m worried about. Just get us over to Brenwar.” He got up wincing and clutching his side. His robes had burning holes in them. Whatever had attacked them had rocked them, and he wasn’t sure where he was. There was smoke everywhere and it burned his eyes. “Brenwar?”

“Get over here, Wizards
,” Brenwar said. “Hurry!”

They stumbled through the smoke and almost ran right into Brenwar.

“Where’s Ben?” Sasha said. “Ben!”

Bayzog didn’t know who
had hit them, but he could feel their energy now. It was dark and powerful. It had hurt him. Rattled him. He fine-tuned his thoughts and found something.

“The
y’re not after us,” he said. “They’re after Nath.”

“Who
’s after Nath?” Brenwar said.

An unnatural breeze started, bowing the grass and pushing away the smoke. The horse Nath’s
stretcher was harnessed to nickered and whined. The smoke cleared and Sasha gasped.

The
y were surrounded.

A
group of Lizard Men had Ben pinned down.

“I’ll be,” Brenwar said.

There were Men in robes with rings on their bald heads, well over a dozen Lizard Men and some with Grey Scalers on leashes. Two Satyrs―one male, one female―stood with their arms crossed over their chests in front of a really big Man wearing a metal bull head.

B
ayzog felt Sasha wrap her arm around him and squeeze him tight.

The
ir attackers weren’t here to bargain. They were here to take.

“What do you want?” Brenwar said. “And make it quick
. I’ve got things to do.”

No one said a thing. Instead they all stood ready
, glowering. Ben struggled in his bonds and tried say something but he was gagged. A Lizard Man held Akron. Something snorted behind them. They all jumped around.

“Where in
Narnum did you come from?” Brenwar said with wide eyes.

The
Dwarf looked startled and Sasha was distraught.

A tiny woman sat
atop a wingless bronze Dragon with a long black tail. She was pretty with a long strand of white hair flowing from her head. The rest of her head was tattooed like Kryzak’s. Her dark robes were sleeveless and she had a gentle demeanor about her, but her bright eyes were penetrating and evil.

She leaned forward on the horn of her saddle
. “I’ll make this simple for you, Dwarf. I am here for Nath Dragon. Stay out of my way, you live. Get in my way, you die. Do you understand that, Bearded One?”

Brenwar huffed. “So it’s just me that dies and not the rest of us.” He rubbed his bearded chin. “I’ll have to think about that.”

“A witty Dwarf,” she said as her pleasant voice turned to venom. “Or a stupid one. Any fool would know I’m referring to all of you.”

“Ah,” Brenwar said, “so if we fight
we die. Hmmm. But did you think to consider that when we fight, you will die?”

“Hahahahaha,” she said. “I assure you there in no chance of that. But if you care to try, I’ll see to it your young friend over there will be the first to die.”
Her eyes drifted to Ben.

Bayzog’s mind raced to assess the situation while Brenwar delayed. The woman would be ready for anything thrown at her
. He was certain of that. Just moments ago she appeared from nowhere and he could only assume she’d just as easily disappear. He wondered if that was her power or the Dragon’s. That left all the rest of their aggressors.

What c
an I do that wouldn’t endanger Ben?

He had some spells ready but what help
―if any―would they offer?

“Can I have a moment to think about it
?” Brenwar said.

“I don’t think there is much to think about, but why not
?” the young woman said. “A moment then, but not a Dwarven one. When I say it’s done, it’s done.”

I hope Sasha rememb
ers this.

He squeezed a series of signals into Sasha’s arm
, which was still hooked to his.

She squeezed back
!

Good.

“My, you are a pretty lady,” the young woman said. “What is your name?”

Sasha released his arm and stepped forward.
“Sasha, and what is yours?”

“I am Marlay,” she said, flipping her
white hair back over her shoulder. “And I must admit I admire that hair of yours. It would be a shame to lose it, wouldn’t it?”

“You seem to be doing well without it.”

Bayzog grabbed her arm and pulled her back, whispering, “Sasha, please.”

“You have a spirited wom
an, Part Elf. It would be a shame to watch her die, wouldn’t it?”

“Certainly,” Bayzog said
, locking eyes with Marlay. She seemed young, but powerful. Harmless, yet deadly.

Careful, Bayzog.

Marlay
made a short smile. “Talk some sense into your friend the Dwarf,” she said, stroking her Dragon mount’s horns. “I’ve a feeling he’s about to get all of you killed.” She made a clicking sound and the bronze Dragon opened its mouth. Its breath was repulsive and sour.

Bayzog covered his nose
.

Sasha’s knees buckled.

Marlay’s Dragon mount raked a hunk of ground out with its claws.

“My
Dragon hungers, and I don’t think you want to see this pretty woman devoured, do you?”

“A parlay, perhaps?” Bayzog said.
Delay. Delay. Delay.

“There’s nothing to parlay about,” Brenwar said. “We don’t parlay with this brood!”

Marlay leaned back in the saddle and folded her arms over his chest.

“Interesting
, Wizard, but my patience thins. I’ve no need to parlay.” She pursed her dark lips before she spoke more. “Look around you. Dragons, acolytes, and Lizard Men―not to mention my finest warrior, Kang. And those Satyrs are something. Now, I know you’ve survived Kryzak―well, most of you―but you won’t survive me. Walk away and you live. Stay and we will destroy you one piece at a time.”

It was a moment. One that splintered
Bayzog in two. His Elven side would never give in to evil, but his human side was unpredictable. Half of him wanted to run and the other half wanted to fight, but there was so much to consider. Sasha was in danger. Nath was too. His gut told him if they lost Nath they’d lose everything. Sasha squeezed his arm again.

Bayzog stepped back and gestured towards the Lizard Men
who held Ben.

“Show some good faith, Marlay,” he said, “and let loose our friend. There is nowhere for him to go.”

She nodded.

The Lizard Men cut Ben’s bonds and shoved him forward. Ben fell to his knees, got up and ripped out his gag.

“Akron,” Ben said to Marlay, looking at the bow. “I need Akron.”

“Oh,” she said, smiling a little, “
about that. I can’t have you leaving with your weapons, or your horses, for that matter. I’ll need just about everything you have on you. After all, I have to pay my henchmen and make offerings to the temple.”

“What?” Ben said, stepping forward.

Bayzog grabbed his arm.

“What is your life worth, Young Man
?” she said. Her voice became louder and her eyes flickered with lightning. “Now, drop everything. We’ll start with you, Dwarf.”

Brenwar, stalwart as a tree stump
, didn’t blink. He just stood there with his hammer crossed behind his arms, eyeing her.

“It’s a well
-crafted war hammer, Dwarf. Perhaps it has a name?” she said.

“Aye,” Brenwar said, “it has a name.”

“And what might that be? My warrior Kang is in need of a new scepter, and I think that one will do.”

Brenwar tilted his head in the direction of Kang and snorted.

“I call my weapon War Hammer.” He held it out with his arm. “And if he wants it, let him come and get it.”

“
There’s no need for that,” Marlay said. “Just drop it.”

“So be
it then.” He lowered War Hammer down to the ground and set it down, head down, shaft up. His chin dipped into his chest.

Marlay cocked her head and her eyes narrowed.
“I’m surprised. Now the rest of you.”

“Bayzog? Brenwar? Are we really doing this
?” Ben said, exasperated. “Is this a
compromise
?”

“What choice is
there?” Bayzog said, loosening his robes. “It’s this or death.”

“What about
Nath?” Ben said. His voice and eyes were filled with confusion.

“Mrrrruh…Muh…Muh…Mrruh…Muh…Muh,” Brenwar muttered under his beard.

“What is that you say, Dwarf?” Marlay said. She snapped her fingers. All her servants started forward. “I can’t hear you.”

“It’s
Dwarven,” Brenwar said, lifting his head, “For War Hammer. In dwarfish it’s pronounced ‘Mrrrummaah.’”

“Interesting,” Marlay said, “and does that mean something
?”

“Aye,” Brenwar almost smiled, “in
Dwarven it means War Hammer. We covered that already.”

“I don’t believe you, but if you say so.”

“Mrrummaah!” Brenwar said. He looked at Kang that was coming closer. “Don’t forget it. Mrrummaah!”

Kang walked over in front of Brenwar and set his scepter down.
He bent over and picked up the war hammer and tested its heft. The thick muscles in his forearms rippled with effort. He turned and nodded his bull head at Marlay.

She nodded.

Then Kang looked at Brenwar and said, Mrrummaah.”

In a flash, Kang
twisted on his hips, rose his huge arms up and brought the hammer down.

Marlay shouted
, “No!”