The Pocket-Sized Dragon

[Savage Dragon]

Daniel ran his fingers through his hair. Kauble had a point but he was still reluctant. The kingdom had seen far worse attacks and nothing of real value had been taken. Except for one thing. He shrugged mentally; the palace had many other treasures, but none as valuable. The palace had many other magic items but none as powerful. All right, he told himself, you're arguing with yourself again and that means you're hiding something, now I have to figure out what. Was it revenge, he didn’t think he was a vengeful man, but he didn’t like to see his people slaughtered. Was it for a chance of glory? All right, he could admit that, he was thirsting for some glory just as much as the next man but was it worth going to war over. Hell, if this wasn’t worth going to war over, what was? He heard a small cough. Oh right, Kauble, how long had he been standing there?

"Alright, Kauble,” Daniel said, “you win, I want you to start to get a team together. Our best warriors, at least all of the ones that weren’t killed in the attack, thirteen of them, that should bring us to a total of fifteen”

“Daniel, surely you can’t be considering of joining the group,” said Kauble, voicing the obvious objection

“Show me a better swordsman”

“Well, there’s your daughter…”

“Ha,” Daniel chuckled, it felt good to chuckle, “You have me there, and she is better than me.” Suddenly he turned serious, “And she will not be joining us on our endeavor.”

“Don’t need to tell me twice,” Kauble sighed, “but she won’t be happy”

“She doesn’t have to be happy, she has to be safe,” Daniel sighed as well. Easier said then done he told himself, but after what happened to his Claire, he wouldn’t be putting her daughter into harm’s way, he owed her that much. “Get going,” he ordered Kauble, “ I want to leave first thing tomorrow morning.” Kauble headed for the door. “And Kauble”, he said, stopping him, “I don’t care if you have to tie her up, she’s not coming.”

[Alaeha]

"Tying me, is it?" Lysil demanded, standing a few feet behind Daniel. "How am I supposed to cower in the corner with the other women if I'm tied up?"

 

"I didn't say you had to cower." Daniel began.

 

"You didn't have to. It went without saying. While you're off having your fun and saving the kingdom, I'm supposed to sit at home like a good little girl and practice embroidery, or knitting, or help with the laundry, or something else that's ladylike." Lisyl sneered. "Or, of course, I could look for a suitor, except that all the men but the servants will be out 'saving the kingdom' with you."

 

"What does any of that have to do with cowering? It's all perfectly acceptable behavior for a young lady." Kauble asked.

 

Silencing him with a gesture, Daniel turned a serious look on his daughter. "Lisyl, you're seventeen. I have no intentions of letting you die before I do. I want you to stay safe."

 

"Safe. It's always 'Safe'." She spat. Turning her back on him, she stalked away. As she rounded the corner, she heard her father speaking with Kauble.

 

"My orders stand."

[Tanuchan]

Glowering, Lysil almost didn't notice her nursemaid Erinya coming towards her with a frown.

 

"Lady Lysil. You shouldn't be in this part of the palace at this hour. Your father has asked..."

 

"I know what my father has asked me." Her voice was cold. "And I know also he ordered you to keep an eye on what I do. To be sure I behave properly."

 

Erinya sighs, shaking her head and thinking of how much her little girl had grown these last years. Yes, her little girl... between her husband and the kingdom's needs, Lysil's mother had uncounted times let her daughter into the hands of her trusted servant, and both Lisyl and Erinya had come to love and trust each other deeply.

 

Suddenly Lysil is in her arms.

"Why doesn't he trust me? Why can't he accept me as I am?"

Edited January 26, 2004 by Tanuchan

[Savage Dragon]

Kauble took another look at the papers in front of him and he still couldn’t come up with an answer. Far less men had offered to join than either he or Daniel had expected, they were up to seven, including him and Daniel. He felt they needed at least one more. Of course, his thoughts returned to Weezel. The man was strong and cunning, but his valor was, well, weak. Hell, it was more than weak, the boy had locked himself in a latrine during the attack, and no one believed his story of being kept in by some outside force. But he was the best archer. He just didn’t trust his lack of courage. But they needed another man and no one else was volunteering. Well one other person was, but he knew better to get involved in that. If Lysil followed, that’s for Daniel to worry about. He grabbed the papers of the men that were going and headed for the door. It wasn’t until he closed the door behind him he realized he’d picked up Weezel’s paper without even thinking about it. Well what more do you want, he told himself, I guess you’ve decided.

[Katzaniel]

Weezle gave Kauble a scrutinizing look. "I told you, that wasn't my fault."

 

"Weezle, everyone knows..."

 

"I don't care what everyone thinks they know!" Weezle almost shouted. "I'm can't be a ... I'm not a coward."

 

Kauble looked at him quizzically and Weezle felt the need to add, "My father was never a coward before he died."

 

"He was a brave man, yes. But there is a difference between bravery and bravado, and he died a needless death. I want you to come with us, Weezle; but I want you to learn that difference while you're with us. You can't run off and let another die, but you can't risk yourself in a needless attempt to prove your mettle either."

 

Weezle sighed. "I'll try."

[Savage Dragon]

The sun was bright, the bags were packed and the horses were ready. All of the village had come out to say goodbye to the valiant warriors in the proper manner, waving flags, chanting names, and all that was expected from them. The king waved a great deal, held his sword above his head, and was smiling, always smiling. Lisyl sat on her chair on the balcony, waving back and wearing a plastered smile. Everyone was smiling. Th ceremony was underway. Over in the woods, seperate from the crowd, three other men were getting thier own bags ready.

 

Weezle grumbled. "Everyone gets to take part in this great festival except for us." He said, "It's not fair."

 

"Yea" said Gurth, the other man present. What he made up for skills with the sword, he lacked with brains. Kauble sighed, how many times must he say this?

 

"We are to follow behind just a few hours after the main party leaves," He explained, "We don't want to be noticed so that we won't be expected in the event one more tries to join our party."

 

"Lady Lisyl, right", Weezle muttered.

 

"Right..." added Gurth, "I think..? But why would she want to join our party?"

 

"Because women are finicky like that," Kauble said. "We just have to ensure she doesn't try to follow the group. If she does we escort her back, and then catch up to the King and the other men again"

 

"Right... I still don't understand"

 

"Oh, it doesn't matter, you are just here in case we have to kill something"

 

"Right, I can do that"

 

"Right," Kauble finished.

:dragon4: