September 11th, year 948
Viemen - Town Square
Evening
A sonorous wall of chaos and fear rose high and far from the town square of Viemen. Ingrid could hear the low roar of a growing crowd break through the babbling of street-sounds as she ran down the main road. She had scarcely seen, outside the context of war, so many men running frantic, shouting and on the verge of erupting with violence; this sight brought back her memories of that time. She was tense with anticipation, ready at a moment’s notice to draw her blade should things take a turn for the worse. And as Ingrid finally came upon the town square, she saw that it was just as Roger had described.
Through the masses she could see the fountain that sat in the center of the square. Surrounding the fountain was a battalion of near forty men, two of whom held high the banners of Eadenfros and of the house of Rhoden. Trying desperately to keep back the boisterous onlookers were the men of Rothwell’s militia. As Ingrid started pushing her way through the crowd, she could make out several other figures clustered around a wooden podium, atop which no one stood. Mayor Julian Rothwell was standing next to a man who, Ingrid reasoned, must be the captain of the Eadenfros battalion. Behind Rothwell, standing a full foot or more above the rest, was the man named Julius— leader of the Iron Titans. Beyond his uncouth advances and his untimely introduction after Perry’s duel, there hung about him an aura that she could not quite define. Nevertheless, Ingrid detested that man. She came within a few dozen feet of the group, before a familiar voice called to her.
“Ingrid!”
She turned quickly to see Sir Perry riding atop his horse. The two made eye contact and Ingrid nodded her head towards the men that were gathered at the fountain. Perry followed her gaze and nodded in return. He then began to wave his hand broadly through the air in an attempt to signal for the onlookers to clear the way. A path opened up for him and he trotted through until both he and Ingrid had made it to the line of militia men. Perry dismounted and walked with Ingrid to the barricade’s edge. The men, recognizing them both immediately, parted the way. Once beyond the blockade, Rothwell caught their glimpse and waved for them to approach.
“Sir Perry, I was just about to send for you.” It was somewhat difficult to hear Rothwell’s voice over the sound of the crowd. “How did you know to come?”
“A man named Lyle came to me directly,” Perry explained. “A former guardsman who was stationed in Gate City. He was the first one to lay eyes on it.”
“The dragon,” Julius corrected.
“Yes,” Perry answered without looking at him.
Rothwell nodded.
“Then you are aware. Good. That will save us time.” Rothwell turned to the captain of the Eadenfros soldiers. “Captain Millner, what word from Eadenfros on the matter?”
“The capital city has begun the necessary preparations.”
“And this was all they could spare?” Perry interjected.
Captain Millner swallowed hard. “The Magistrate and the Security Council are working diligently to ensure that our forces are spread effectively and efficiently.”
“Hah!” Julius boomed, “They sent the few of you to put on airs. What are forty men with wooden spears going to accomplish against such a creature?”
Julius spoke so loudly that the men of the Eadenfros company, who were standing only a few feet away, began to look concernedly at one another.
“What are you saying, Julius?” Rothwell asked him.
“I am saying,” Julius said as he leaned in close to Captain Millner, “That you were sent here to die.”
“Enough!” Perry called as he stepped between the two. “Forty men is not as much as I would have hoped for, but it is enough to make a stand.”
“Oh? And what do you expect to do with a mere forty men, Sir Perry?” Julius asked as he folded his arms.
The group was now focused their attention on Perry. Julius, Rothwell, and Ingrid all watched him, waiting to hear his plan; even Captain Millner, now devoid of all bluster, simply watched in silence.
“Julius,” Perry asked with an obvious air of reluctance, “Have you or your men ever encountered a dragon in your travels throughout the West?”
“Once,” Julius answered.
“And?” Ingrid asked.
“And by the time we approached, the village it had descended upon was entirely aflame. When the creature stood tall, its visage could be seen rising higher than the smoke. It was a terrible beast, worthy of the legends.”
“You did not fight it?” Perry asked.
“Of course not!” Julius boomed, “We fled to the mountains and waited until morning.”
“Surely you must have learned something useful?” Ingrid asked.
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“We did not fight the creature, and so I cannot speak to a means by which to slay it. However, we did travel back to the town the morning after. Swords and spear heads alike were broken, dented and chipped.”
“So our weapons are useless after all…” Captain Millner sighed as his face grew pale.
“Not quite,” Julius began, “There were a few— and mind my words— very few weapons that had on them dragon’s blood.”
Perry stepped in closer to Julius as he spoke.
“So the creature can be harmed?”
“Somehow,” Julius admitted, “Yes. Though I know not what conditions differed between those that wounded the creature and those that did not.”
“Still,” Perry said as he tightened the bracers on his forearm, “That means there is hope.”
“Sir Perry,” Ingrid said, “There is something else.”
The group turned to her in anticipation. Ingrid looked now to Captain Millner. “I was told that your company last laid eyes on the creature a half-day ago?”
Captain Millner nodded.
“You are correct.”
“And to where exactly was it flying?”
“Toward the mountains in the south east.”
“Has it not touched down at any village on its way South?” Sir Perry asked in surprise.
“There were a few reports of missing cattle and herding beasts in the field lands, but no villages had been attacked.”
“Oh? That is strange…” Julius mumbled to himself.
Rothwell raised an eyebrow at him. “Is it so strange?”
“Explain yourself, Julius,” Perry demanded.
“Dragons are intelligent creatures…but they are also proud and dangerous. They care not of the goings-ons of beings they deem as lesser. They would not think twice about consuming an entire village or setting acres of land aflame on a whim.”
“Then how has neither occurred?” Rothwell asked.
“I do not know,” Julius admitted. “But it is certainly interesting.”
“Interesting!?” Captain Millner cried out. “Are you mad?”
“Settle down, Captain,” Perry urged with an outstretched hand, “This news is also in our favor.”
“How!?”
“If the creature has traveled so far south and has not yet attacked, then perhaps it has not come here to feed.”
“Or perhaps it will be famished from the trek and lay us all to waste!”
Perry thought a moment.
“You are correct, Captain. We cannot eliminate fully the possibility that the creature will attack. Still, if it has yet to make a move, then perhaps we have time to prepare.”
“Prepare?” Julius asked with a laugh. “Perry, surely you aren’t thinking to confront it?”
“Yes, if we must. But that is not our priority.”
“What do you suggest?” Rothwell asked.
“The forests near the river are thick and should provide cover. Mayor Rothwell, if your Militia can prioritize the evacuation of women and children from the market districts and New Viemen, then my Guild can rally the able bodied men toward the barracks to be equipped for combat.”
“And what of Old Viemen?” Ingrid asked.
“Lord Viemen’s land lies opposite the river. It should be enough distance away that evacuees would be safe.”
“Lord Viemen…has not responded to our messenger,” Captain Millner said in a hushed voice.
“What!?” Perry shouted. “When was he informed!?”
Captain Millner squirmed under the pressure. “We stopped first to Lord Viemen’s manor. When he refused our company…we came to Mayor Rothwell…”
“Spineless son of a….” Rothwell muttered to himself as he balled up his fists. “He truly intends to abandon this town!?”
Captain Millner shook his head. “I cannot say what Lord Viemen’s intentions are. Our orders were to defend Viemen. And we are not to leave until the crisis has been resolved…no matter the outcome.”
“Forget Frederick, then,” Perry spat, “Let him hide away in his basement like the rat that he is. Ingrid, I will rally the people of Old Viemen and direct them south to the town square.” Perry turned next to Rothwell. “They will meet your men here to be guided to the river’s edge. Be sure to take provisions with you and many blankets for the cold. Once you arrive and set up camp, do not light any fires as it could give away your position. We will send a messenger to you by morning.”
Rothwell nodded in agreement.
“And you…” Perry said as he turned to Julius, “Are your men willing to fight?”
Julius open his mouth to speak, but Rothwell interjected before he could.
“They will fight,” he pronounced. “I guarantee it.”
“Good.”
“And what shall I do?” Ingrid asked.
“Head back to the barracks and inform the others. They are only partially aware of the situation but they do not have details. Inform Avenell of the plan. He is to make sure all the staff and farm hands are evacuated with the rest.”
“Including Ellis and Mary?”
Perry winced.
“Yes. They will not want to hear it, but force them if you must.”
Ingrid patted the pommel of her sword. “I understand.”
“And what of your friend?” Julius asked. “Your Elfkin companion?”
Perry paused. Rothwell waited for an answer as well; even Captain Millner seemed interested. Two strange creatures of a mysterious ilk having converged on their town. Perry longed for the days when matters were simple.
“We have not had contact with Telhari in over a month,” he said finally. “We should not expect him in this fight.”
Julius seemed mildly displeased with the answer; but if he had thoughts of protest, he did not voice them.
Having decided on their plan of action, Rothwell showed Perry to the podium. Reluctant, he finally stepped on top and within moments the crowd began to quiet. With certainty and charisma, Sir Perry of the Starspawn informed the people of Viemen of their plan to evacuate. He spoke of the provisions they were to gather, the path they were to take, and of the sacrifice that he and his men, along with many others, were willing to make to ensure their safety.
Away in the crowd, Ma Mileena stood with her arms folded, watching Sir Perry give his speech to the people of Viemen. And she thought back to those days of hardship and war. Back to the days when she had watched a young and inexperienced general carve his way to victory, despite setback and strife. She watched as that same man stood before her once again with the unmistakable aura of wisdom and experience, yet still brandishing the same tenacity and strength of his younger self. She watched him; and despite the direness of their plight, she smiled.