Chapter 9
They all bedded down for the night after
the introduction all had been made. Sly’s Grandfather took first watch while
Derrick and Sly slept. It certainly gave a man time to think as you watched
over other men while they slept. Now free not more than a few hours ago as you
look down seeing lines of torches looking for you. Not realizing you are to far
out of their reach and never again will be their prisoner.
Night soon turned into daylight which stated it was time to leave. They
finished off all they had in their packs which wasn’t much for ten people, but
they would be reward with more when they reach Sly’s castle in the mountain
bluffs which was about half a days flight compared to months of walking at
least or more. More so to void the Night Walkers.
Sly and his grandfather once more transformed into dragons letting Derrick
tying on their packs as they equaled the weight between them. Once everyone was
on board they took flight with one giant leap into the air everyone took a hard
breath closing their eyes afraid to look down, but it was hard not to. After a
while several gained their air legs and relaxed their hold shouting into the
air “yahooooo” encouraging Sly and his
grandfather to go faster and they were happy to oblige.
They shaved off three hours off their flight time as they came into view of
mountains and the castle wall flags. You could hear the horns in the air that
met their arrival as they began to get closer. Sly and his grandfather slowed
down as they approached the city so their passengers could see how big it is,
and how safe they will be behind its walls. They did a textbook landing right
in the courtyard as Kate and Lorana met everyone with questions seeing all the
new arrivals. Instead, Sly’s Grandfather transformed and said. “All will be
explained after we all have a hot bath and meal dear. Its been a long trip and
lot has happened as you can clearly see.” With that, he and Sly arrange
quarters for the 6 men and headed to their own.
The castle was huge when you didn’t know where you were going, but Sly was a
good host when it came to his new guests. He found sets of new clothes and
access to a barber and tailor if nothing didn’t fit right. Everything was at
their fingertips as they waited on them hand and foot. Asking a question like
their favorite foods and dislikes. Hobbies, skills, and education if any. All
were given a complete physical and most important an “AI” disk that has access
to the current library. The disk also contained a map of the castle and the
city. Each was given some spending money if they wanted to go into town.
They had a late lunch in the main dining room where they could fit everyone. In
some ways, it was a big shock seeing everyone again after they had a chance to
clean up after few hours of just beginning prisoners. Now they all wore new
clothes from top to bottom and shaven faces, hair groomed instead of long and
shaggy. The meal was more than well received as their stomachs rumbled with
delight. They ate until the could eat no more patting their stomachs couldn’t
handle another bite.
They all adjourned to the courtyard deciding that walk through the town would
do them all good, but the six guests were hesitant. Feeling a little unsafe
despite the well guard high walls and preferred to stay within the castle for
now. It was then decided they would adjourn to the library where they can see
everything within the castle walls and out and over the walls.
Sly started a fire in the fireplace and had the kitchen bring up some finger
sandwiched and some pastries to make sure their guests got plenty to eat, in
some ways he was trying fatten them up after being starved so long as
prisoners. Sly’s grandfather entered first carrying his pack that held all the goodies
they had taken from the Night Walkers like small and large stones and maps.
Sly’s pack carried all the bracelets they had unlocked so far, all except for
Kates.
The 6 men all came in all together following Kate and Lorana who was last
closing the door behind her. Sly pointed to seats around the table where there
was a large world map of their kingdom. In hopes, it would help guide them to
their new homes if so desire. Or if they could return to their own. Once they
were seated Sly asked the “AI” bring up the world map to show them where they
are and location to where they were being held as a prisoner and where they are
now.
It also showed that in comparison the Night Walkers main base was closer then
everyone thought. Yet however what they
are learning is the Night Walkers have bases throughout the galaxies according
to the 6 men that had been taken from their homes. It also meant the problem is
bigger then they thought.
Sly’s grandfather stood after listening to each of the men’s stories and looked
out the window see what was going on out in the streets dying for some
entrainment. It had been months even years for some of them since they seen
freedom. He heard the click of the release of Kates bracelets as they fell off
onto the table as Sly added it to the rest of the pile. They have collected a
total of 8 complete sets bracelets, what they are going to do with them is
unclear other than studied their workings.
After the telling of their stories of captures and where they are from. Two
from galaxies that are too far away from them to reach. Considering they had
been sold and resold several times as they traveled from one planet to another
for whatever information they consider deemed worthy of a fair price. It all
came down rumors they have been hunting. The Moon Goddess and birth of White
Solon. And the five keys that would lead them to greatest treasure. So far it
is just rumors nothing more. So far these 6 men no nothing more about it other
than hearsay which doesn’t hold water, but Night Walkers are desperate for
information.
Sly ended the meeting by having them all go out on the balcony and take in the
view of the city hoping they want to see for themselves how safe it is. The
sounds of the city were so vibrant and the smells of vendors made your mouth
water. The sky was overcast as the sun was still high over the mountain tops
leaving a slight haze from the cook fires. Sly was right as he watched his new
friends look out towards the city seeing the townspeople milling about freely
how much they wanted to be a part of that.
Sly pointed to the high guarded walls, so they could all see that they were
safe here. That each man on the wall is and has been bonded with dragon blood
in them explaining what that is in great detail. And what they might find in
the city below them and the cities around them. He pointed to the main parts of
the city were people like to hang out one of them being the Midnight Light
Lounge where you can get great food and entertainment. Where they plan to go
tonight for a bit of entertainment.
Sly watched several of them lean over the railing as a flock of young girls
entered the courtyard making a girlish giggling sounds carrying baskets of
flowers for the castle. They watched as they entered within the wall hearing
the sound stop once inside the walls of the castle. It wasn’t a question if
they were interested in seeing their reactions as two of the girls came into
the room with fresh flowers for the library and apologized for disturbing them
with a low curtsy. Getting a wide smile from the 6 men nearly frothing over
their beauty.
The men kindly accepted their apology by giving a low bow and took her by the
hand and introduced themselves one at a time. All wanting more time getting to
know her “alone” as indicating. Sly couldn’t be planed it better as they
watched two girls replace the flowers and leave the room. He chuckled slightly
as he returned to the balcony.
It took very little convincing to get the 6 men to leave the confines of the
castle as they ready themselves in their best clothes and high buffed leather
boots. Once they were ready they all met downstairs in the cultural-hall. They
looked far better then they did a few short hours go as prisoners locked in a
cell, now free once more ready to take on the world once more. Even strange one
for many of them at that whether magical or none.
It wasn’t a long walk down to the Midnight Lounge, but it gave the 6 men the
opportunity to see some of the shops that were at their fingertips if they
cared to wander outside the castle on their own. As usual, their table was
ready plus their 6 guest and their pre arrange dates to whom Lorana had set up
to give the men someone to entertain while visiting the establishment.
Dinner and live entertainment, as well as some dancing, was just what the
doctor ordered. They could not go wrong when it came to entraining their guests
when providing them with companions that are eye-catching after so many years
of sitting in a confined cell watching the world go by without them.
Everything was grand with a gal on your arm, and full belly until it wasn’t as
the city alarm sounds that they were under attack. Hearing storefronts close
and people in the city move quickly towards their homes as they clear the
streets. Sly assures the men this just a precaution that Night Walkers have yet
to break their defenses watching him head back towards the city gates now
closed.
Once more the Night Walkers were hitting the walls hard and sending fireballs
made of hot balls of metals and stones. Yet they still left little to no
damage, but this time they flew higher as the city dragons caught them or the
ground troops quickly put them out. Another massive was sent telling them to
release their prisoner along with the Moon Goddess or die. It seemed laughable
at best considering they haven’t been able to do more than throw fireballs and
sticks at their walls. Nothing they have done up until now have wasn’t a reason
to be worried while inside these walls.
However, it also meant the way things stand these Night Walker attacks at night
needed to end and soon so their city can live in peace. It was time do
something about them camped outside their city gates night after night, but the
question is what? Surrender or giving them what they want is never going to happen.
What they need is to come up with a plan.
Lorana with the help of Kate did their best to assure the 6 men this is
nothing to worry about as they led them back to the safe confines of the
castle.
The 6 men had a ringside seat as they watched from the library balcony with a
glass of the best bottle of Ruby’s Ale the castle had on tap. They watched as
the castles dragon brigade dealt with the fireballs as if was game of catch and
release back to where they came from. The same with the guards on the wall as
the arrows flew through the air like a rain of fire one after another as if it
was an endless sea. It made one feel safer knowing your prison cell comes with
a price even though you wore no chains and your food is in abundance.
The raid was soon over as the fireballs stopped bombarding the castle, which
meant the dragons had taken out all of the catapults at least for tonight. Sly,
Derrick and Sly’s grandfather soon joined them in the library pouring a stiff
drink after hard nights work, playing catch and release as they target those
well-placed catapults. Sly’s grandfather laid out a map using his AI disk,
having it scroll to where each place the catapults were in position.
The map reviled the massive wall of the city and the outskirts of the five-plus
miles where the Night Walkers are camped. It became obvious that they had them
pinned in right where they wanted them, if only they could breach these walls
they’d done so by now. What they need was some breathing room.
Sly’s grandfather placed several dots on the map where the catapults were
placed tonight that had been destroyed and approximant how many troops they
have. The right way a plan was being developed. It was time they drive them back if they could,
yet the numbers were overwhelming. There was no way they could organize an
attack tonight, but they could plan something they wouldn’t plan on.
It was late by the time they finished planning how to deal with Night Walkers
on their doorstep. They would begin their plan first thing in the morning while
the sun is up and the Night Walkers are caught off guard. In some ways it was
Justus severed they hit us at night we will hit them during the day.
After a good night sleep in a nice soft bed and after a nice hot shower not to
mention hot breakfast. The day about started with a great expectation on how
well a plan works in their favor. Once again the plan was simple. Sly and his
grandfather transformed into dragons and led the dragon brigade to the edge of
the five-mile clearing and began marching. Clearing everything and everyone in
their path all the way for the next twenty miles. Then cleared every tree and
bush leaving nothing but dirt. Sly took several of the dragons and went into
the mountains and began pounding stone as it broke apart into cubes allowing
his dragons to carry it out where his grandfather waited for it.
Sly’s grandfather worked hard working the land taking the harvested trees they
had uprooted and started to build a large standing wall as he waited for the
stone Sly was harvesting from the mountains. One by one the trees stood up side
by side marked with a rune of Moon Goddess. The stone soon arrived as he guided
them into place behind the trees in the deep trench as the stones stacked one
at a time, carved deep with the lost rumes of the power of the Moon Goddess.
They worked all day into the night the wall reached from one end of the valley
to the other with a slight curve with a simple gate, and walkway on top for
guards to keep watch it would be the first. They pined them in from the south
to the west leaving no gaps in-between of their known base. They caged them in
like animals yet giving them plenty of room to spread out. It was the best they
could do under the best circumstances until they see reason. In return, Lorana
sent her own stating it was from the Moon Goddess. That there would be no more
killings or kidnappings of her people throughout her kingdom and beyond.