Chapter 206: Fantastic Four and a Half

Chapter 206: Fantastic Four and a Half

Now that I had a dragon and two trolls on my team, I was feeling quite positive about the future. Which immediately set alarm bells ringing. It was the perfect time for the next horror show to appear on the horizon.

We need to get out of here, I said. Wheres the exit?

We can go back the way we came, said Raviva, casually waving a granite hand towards the magma-falls. Now that youve got it flowing freely, its just a quick climb back to the labyrinth.

Wed burn to death, I said, in case he didnt realise. Which he didnt.

Really? Its just a bit of lava.

Having trolls on my side was better than having them against me, but only just.

I looked up at Flossie. Can he fly us up there?

Vikchutni had brought a tree into the cave from somewhere, which meant he knew the way out; unless there was an underground forest down here. Which wasnt impossible. But the area we were in was narrow and there was no light coming in from above. It might be a long way up and riding a near-vertical dragon could be tricky.

Flossie patted the side of the dragons neck. She was sitting astride it looking like a ginger dumpling on a dinosaur. Ah think he can get us to the surface, cant yo, pet?

Okay. Good. It wasnt like we had much choice. I turned back to the two trolls. Well take the express elevator, you can go jump in a lake of lava if you want.

What about me? said Nyx.

He had been keeping very quiet since we stumbled into the dragons lair; actually, he hadnt said much after wed encountered the trolls. The adventuring life didnt seem to agree with him all that much.

Well take you to the surface. Will you be able to find your way back to Ratopolis?

Yes, but Im not going back. His voice was still meek and nervous, but his snout curled down in what I think was determination. I started this adventure with you, Ill see it through. Which probably would have sounded more impressive if it hadnt been so squeaky. He was trying his best to live up to his adventurous ideals but it was a lot for him to cope with so quickly.

Aw, said Flossie. Hes a cute little mousey, isnt he?

This was just the slap in the face Nyx needed. I am no mouse, madam, he chittered, his irritation giving him some of his spine back. I am the seventh son of the seventh litter of the royal family of Ratopolis. A rat from whisker to tail. Every word came out like a bike whose brakes needed oiling. Still, it was better than him cowering and shaking with fear, I guess.

Where is it you plan to go? asked Keezy. He addressed the question to Flossie, she was the Dragonrider, after all.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Well head towards Fengarad, I said, making my way to the back of the dragon.

Fengarad, said Flossie. Right.

Good, said Keezy. Thats where I was hoping youd go. The eunuchs will be converging with the Dargot forces and well need help keeping them at bay.

I wasnt interested in fighting an army of eunuchs, especially since they were being led by my girlfriend, but that didnt mean I was on their side either. Everyone was being manipulated into this fight, and the man sitting pretty in the spire was the one I considered responsible. Stop him and the rest would sort itself out. Although I wasnt at all clear on the best way to get to himspecifically getting to him without dying. He had more power than anyone in this world, and he was very happy to use it.

It seems we have a plan, then, said Raviva. Very well, I shall gather my trolls and meet with you outside Fengarad. Until then.... Weeeeeeee. He jumped off the ledge, his dive going up and then arcing back down so that he plunged into the magma falls, disappearing into the red hot glow. He reappeared a second later, doing the front crawl.

Its not often you see someone swim up a waterfall, especially when its made of red hot molten rock. He may have actually been clawing up the cliff face behind the orange flow, but it did look like he was swimming. His large, rocky body dipped in and out of the lava, sending yellow sparks flying.

Let the games begin! he yelled just before disappearing from view.

He doesnt take anything seriously, does he? I said to Keezy.

It is not his way, but he is a serious competitor once he joins battle. That is what well need him for.

It was an army. Human, judging by their size and armour. Also the lack of horns, tails and wings. They were on foot, around a thousand of them, maybe more. My ability to count large crowds from the air wasnt great. A smaller group of riders on horseback stood to one side. Their armour seemed more extravagant and their helmets more fancy, like the ones worn by the Queens Guard.

As I peered over the side to watch, Flossies head appeared next to mine. They were putting up tents and starting fires. There was a lot of activity and I was surprised by how fast they set up their camp.

Should we go down? asked Flossie.

No, land away from them. It wouldnt be easy sneaking up on them, but easier if we werent on a giant flying lizard.

There was a small wooded area a couple of kilometres away, where we set down. The light had almost gone and I started a fire. The dragon ate some shrubs and leaves and then lay down and fell asleep. Did that mean it would rain tomorrow?

Keezy went off and returned with some small animals that could have been squirrels, if squirrels had green fur and human hands. Nyx dressed them and cooked them over the fire. He was actually very good at it and happy to be of some use. He also kept giving me odd sideways glances.

Ah think he likes yo, said Flossie. She was no Invisible Woman, but Id have settled for Shut-The Fuck-Up Girl.

My plan was to wait until morning, get closer to the army, maybe even sneak into their camp, and try to locate Jenny.

Ah wonder what the others are up to, said Flossie after wed eaten our fill of delicious cute monkey hands. The fire crackled and spat but the night was mild and quiet. We could have been on a camping trip.

I dont know, I said, but theyre probably fine. Landed on their feet, just like Jenny and you. As long as you guys continue to annoy the fuck out of me, the universe is bound to keep you all alive.

Is it really wise for all of us to try and infiltrate the eunuchs? said Keezy. He was standing next to a tree, still as a statue. He hadnt eaten any food and hardly moved since returning from hunting. It would be better if I went alone. Perhaps Colin would pass, but the rest of you

Was that a dig at my masculinity? Well be fine. Flossies a girl and they know me well enough to want to capture me alive. Getting caught and taken to their leader was also fine. You can change into a girl, right? If things go south, just act like youre in charge and know how to do everything better than men, youll fit right in. Its just Nyx we have to worry about.

Nyx looked up from the small bone he was gnawing on. I can wait here with the dragon.

He seemed to be over his fear of Vikchutni. Apparently, hanging upside down from the roof of the world had put things in perspective for him. Great. Good idea.

He blushed hard and looked away. His perspective on other matters seemed to have become somewhat skewed. Flossie nudged me. I considered nudging her back, hard, right in the tit, but I didnt.

We slept with Keezy standing guard over us. He was to wake us a little before dawn, but I was woken by something else. Rough shaking and a female voice.

Up, up, Dragonslayer.

I snapped awake and tried to get to my feet, but I was being held. It was still dark and the fire was almost out. The woman in front of me was the same one I had encountered when I first arrived back in Flatland, Guardian Telma.

Why are you here, Dragonslayer? And who are these others?

I looked around. Flossie was being held up by two soldiers on my left. On my other side was a very attractive woman Id never seen before. She was wearing the same clothes as Keezy.

There was no sign of Nyx or the dragon.

Why is she calling you Dragonslayer? said Flossie. Yo havent been killing mah dragons, have yo?

Not now, Floss. We have a bit of a situation.

This man belongs to me, said Keezy, getting into the part. Fucking roleplayer. Take your hands off him. He is my toy to do with as I please.

Is he now? said one of the soldier women. She was the shortest of them, although her helmet was the most ornate. She took it off. Is he really? said Jenny.

Oh, hello, sweetheart, I said. I can explain.