Chapter 11 - Mirthless Mission

A short half hour later, Rasp was leaning against Ash's leg, keening softly as they waited to the side of the open clearing after leading the lieutenant and eight others to the murder scene at double time. He was really enjoying the vigourous scale-scratching that Ash using to idly distract himself from the smell.

Meanwhile, grim-faced soldiers stood around the corpse solemnly, ignoring the buzzing flies. Their jaws were all clenched after it had been confirmed the body was indeed Vickers. Someone knelt and mercifully closed the murdered scout's eyes for the last time. Another was muttering a few words of prayer for the departed soul.

There really is a spy in the fort then. Ash got immense satisfaction thinking about what would happen once the spy got caught. I hope he gets to suffer.

The short prayer concluded, two men moved quickly to lash together a makeshift stretcher, out of spears and a cloak. Others were brushing off squirming maggots and bloated flies to wrap Vickers up in another cloak. The rest were spread out looking for more clues.

But after a short while, Rasp was starting to shake off the scratchies, and Ash suspected he knew why.

He's probably getting mad hungry. I should have asked for something to tide him over before we left. He really wasn't thinking straight today...

The youth approached Lieutenant Dan and whispered, "My dragon is starting to get hungry. I think I need to get him back before he gets too cranky sir."

The officer looked over at the black dragon and agreed with the sentiment. The dragon was clearly more antsy now compared to earlier, shifting its weight with each lash of its tail. He urged the men to hurry up, even as the sky began to darken.

By the time Vickers' body was on the stretcher, the surrounding area had been thoroughly searched. Unfortunately, nothing about the killer had been found.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Ash was charged with holding a torch, and with other torchbearers they lit the way for the people handling the stretcher. Slowly they picked their way over the roots and forest undergrowth until exiting the treeline.

Rasp took off as the humans all picked up the pace, quick-timing it all the way back to base.

The mirthless retrieval group was swiftly halted and detained underneath the portcullis by the gate guards.

Ash and Rasp hung a bit back in the stone passage as the guards, including Roland, intently studied everyone elses face one by one and questioned their rank, names, and the building where they bunked. They all grimaced when the wrap was flipped open to reveal Vicker's face.

It was obvious to Ash that the General's displeasure must have descended upon their heads in some fashion after their group had departed.

Wonder how bad they got chewed out? He snorted. Bet they really don't want to go the brig either eh.

Ash found more amusement in the bleak situation when he even got questioned. This was despite the fact there was a quite apparent eleven-foot long, hissing winged-menace was behind him, and they were all keeping at a safe distance. Roland threw him an apologetic look.

Gotta keep up appearances that bad huh? They must've gotten ripped hard.

"Ash Wartorn. Dragonboy. Dragonhouse four, stall eight", he answered promptly. Ash also gestured behind him to snarkily introduce his partner, "This is Rasp. Black dragon. Also resides in dragonhouse four, stall eight." That finally seemed to lighten the mood, earning a few rueful chuckles at the ridiculousness.

Only after a thorough inspection was the group finally allowed to pass through the gate. Where they were confronted by a hive of activity. The whole fortress compound was brightly lit, and like a disturbed anthill, there was not a single soldier standing still.

Lieutenant Dan turned to Ash. "Looks like they haven't found the imposter yet. You did good work today, bringing this to the General's attention. I'm sure he'll have some words for you later." The officer assessed the activity again then spoke to two escorting soldiers, "Just to be safe, you two escort Dragonboy Ash and his dragon back to his dragonhouse."

"Yessir," from the selected men.

Ash also saluted quickly. By now he just wanted to get Rasp back to the dragonhouse before any more detours. "Yes sir. Thank you sir."

With a curt nod, Lieutenant Dan dismissed the dragonboy, as he then led away the men bearing the corpse.

Roland called out to Ash, but he just waved and took off with Rasp and trailed by his two escorts.

Finally! Who know how much longer until Rasp decided to take a chunk out of someone... or Vickers...

He pushed the morbid thought away, and thankfully, he managed to get Rasp back to their stall without issue. Then he scurried off to find a wheelbarrow. Maybe Rasp would want an extra portion from the Ovens tonight!