Note: This is the 37th chapter in my fantasy novel, Legends Lost: Galdin. There are 52 chapters total and I will post 1 chapter every Friday. But if you wish to read the entire book now, it is available for purchase on Amazon, iBookstore, Kobo, B&N, and Smashwords.
Chapter V
Onward
Artryl peeked over the ridge he hid behind as he watched the marching army of barbarians heading east toward Hemíl. Though unable to count their numbers, he knew that they outnumbered any army in Tesnayr.
Strange creatures with red eyes followed after them. He did not know what they were, but shied away from them. The clanking links of their armor reverberated around him as they marched past unaware of his presence.
Artryl stretched up for a better look. His hand slipped sending pebbles clacking downward. A barbarian soldier turned toward him. Instantly, Trog dove on top of Artryl covering the boy with his body as he hunkered down.
The man crept toward where Artryl and Trog were; his weapon raised before him. He poked what appeared to be a rock with the tip of his spear. Nothing happened. Satisfied that his imagination played tricks on him, the man rejoined the barbarian ranks.
Trog opened his eyes. He rolled off of Artryl who took several deep breaths. Before the boy could speak, Trog wrapped him in his arms and ascended into the sky flying as fast as his wings allowed.
* * *
Ryk's eyes fluttered open as he regained consciousness. He stared straight into Nylana's face as she leaned over him dabbing his forehead with a moist cloth.
"Welcome back," said Nylana.
"What happened?" asked Ryk as he felt the bandage around his head.
"You hit your head pretty hard and apparently no one warned you about wandering the Whispering Canyons," replied Nylana. She pushed Ryk back down when he tried to sit up. "You need to rest. We're well-protected here."
"I once met a man who had survived those canyons," said Galdin. "He spent his days staring out a window. Never speaking. Never moving. You are lucky to not have lost your mind."
Ryk watched the faint firelight dance on the rock wall next to him. The shadow of a dragon snatched his attention. Frightened, he struggled to get up, but Nylana pushed him down again.
"It's alright," she said, "The dragon is a friend. He saved us all."
Relaxing, Ryk took the bit of food that Nylana handed him. "You came for me."
"Of course I did," said Nylana. "Now eat that and rest. We are not leaving until you are able."
"Sing a song of ale. Drink up before it grows stale," sang Tabs.
"Mulled mead of every spice shall cure me of any vice," Uriel joined in.
"None believe me, thinking me too free," Tabs continued the merry tune.
"Laugh and gurgle all the day. Ale's my friend I say," finished Uriel.
"Is that cat singing a drinking song with a dragon?" asked Ryk with a note of concern.
"If you mean the fur ball with a dung heap for brains, then, yes," replied Galdin.
"Hey," said Tabs. He hopped down from the dragon's paw and walked over to the group. "Singing is good for you."
"If you can carry a tune," snorted Galdin.
Tabs whacked him in the face with his tail. He noticed Ryk reaching for a cup of water. "Here," he said pushing the drink to the man, "Have a drink on me."
"There's fur in it," said Ryk.
"I said it was on me," replied Tabs.
"That's not all that's on you," grumbled Magi.
Uriel chuckled to himself.
A soft note hit Ryk's ears. He looked over and noticed Nylana cleaning the dishes while she hummed to herself, content to be ignored. "What are you singing?"
Nylana looked at him. "Nothing."
"I want to hear it, please," said Ryk.
"Please just tell him otherwise he will never shut up and I will never get any sleep," Magi blurted out.
Galdin thumped her on the head which garnered him a hiss as she stalked off.
"There is a cat that does not appreciate a good song," commented Tabs as he pointed at Magi.
"Not when it comes from you," retorted Magi.
Ryk shushed them. "Please," he said to Nylana.
Nylana settled beside him, relenting. "It is a song about when Queen Amborese married Scypher."
"Sing it for us," said Ryk.
Nylana obliged.
"To thee I pledge my love and hope,"
said Scypher to his queen.
"And I to you; my love and hope,"
quoth the noble Amborese.
And thus was born the age of peace.
The short melody only took a moment to recite. No one said a word. Nylana stood up and walked away. "You should sleep," she told Ryk.
"We all should," said Valn stretching out.
Galdin picked up his sword prepared to take first watch when Uriel stopped him. "Sleep. No one will dare attack you this night. Not with a dragon here."
Not one to argue with a dragon, Galdin found a remote area to stretch out and fell fast asleep.
A crisp morning dawn woke everyone from their slumber. Uriel still stood over them poised in a watchful stance. He watched as they each sat up and packed their belongings.
"Morning to you all," said Uriel. "I will take my leave now. But I am certain we will meet again as you always seem to need my services."
The dragon spread his massive wings and took off without another word.
"Not much for good-byes, is he?" said Tabs. "Well, Galdin, I am famished. Rustle me up some grub."
A scowl appeared on Galdin's face at being ordered about by a cat. He remained silent as he bent down and dug through the moist dirt until he found what he looked for. Kneeling before the cat, Galdin held out his palm to Tabs allowing him to see the grub he had pick up. "Your breakfast, sir."
Tabs wrinkled his noise in disgust. "Apparently I must have a word with the cook."
The cat stalked off as Galdin dropped the squirming grub.
"Oh, a grub he thinks I shall eat," sang Tabs as he walked, "But my claw he shall meet."
The others chuckled to themselves.
Nylana handed Galdin a bulging knapsack. "You will carry this. Ryk is too weak to."
"I don't—"
Nylana thrust the bag into Galdin's hands not allowing him to finish his thought. She hurried over to Ryk and helped him up, allowing him to lean on her.
"Face it," said Valn as he walked up, "You're the packhorse."
Galdin groaned as he heaved his pack and the one Nylana had handed him onto his shoulders.
They trekked along the trail at a steady pace, with frequent stops as Ryk still had not fully recovered from his ordeal in the canyon. With Nylana's help, he managed to keep up.
"We should sing a song or something," said Ryk, "To pass the time as we walk."
"I don't know any good songs for traveling," said Nylana. "Perhaps you should save your strength."
They passed a fallen tree with branches scattered around it. Ryk picked one up as it was just the right size to be used as a staff. He tested it nodding to himself as it seemed to support his weight. "Now you may save your strength, my dear lady. This will help me walk."
Nylana looked at him doubtfully, but refused to question him.
"A song a song," sang Tabs, "My good fellow, give us a song."
"One of these days I am going to put a muzzle on that cat," grumbled Galdin to himself.
"I'll help you," added Magi.
Ryk ignored them as he thought about a tune that had been popular in his homeland. Humming to himself until he remembered the melody, Ryk began to sing.
Indeed I am a lowly man.
I've never owned a bit of land.
Not a coin in either hand
Oh, what a lowly man I am.
I once desired a lady fair
Whose beauty none compared.
Her scorn proved more than I could bear.
Oh, what a lowly man I am.
So, on a boat I crossed the sea
To a place where none wanted me.
"Aha," said I as I laughed with glee.
Oh, what a lowly man I am.
Far and wide did I travel;
Going where I was able.
Sleeping in a poor man's stable.
Oh, what a lowly man I am.
So here I am at last
Where I found a noble lass
Whose love is softer than the grass.
Ryk paused as he and Nylana looked at each other with tender expressions. Realizing where he was, Ryk pulled his gaze away and finished the song.
Oh what a joyous man I am!
Not to be outdone in the singing department, Tabs continued as he merrily pranced around.
But a cat you need
To keep you on task.
Need to know, just ask.
The cat knows better than thee.
"That is the only smart thing you have said all morning," Magi chided Tabs.
Galdin scanned the horizon gaging the distance to Hemίl and the time needed to get there. His brow furrowed as he realized that they had wasted too many hours in the Whispering Canyons. "We should quicken our pace," he said, "Or we will never reach Hemίl in time. Valn, help Nylana with Ryk."
Galdin moved closer to Ryk so he could speak more privately. "I know you are still ill, but we must hurry."
"Set the pace and I will keep up," Ryk said.
Galdin clasped the man's shoulder before he pushed ahead. He hoped they reached the Keep of Edrei in time for Nylana to meet with Lord Stefon.
Tune back Next Friday for the next chapter.
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