Chapter 25: Kiriki

The small group tramped through the rain. It hadn’t stopped yet. The dirt turned to mud, and the mud slowed them all down. Except Ray. He seemed to love it. He ran in it, plowed it away, and rolled around, having loads of fun. Aydahar hated it. She and Joey took to the sky, splashing the others with mud in the process, but tried to stay within earshot of Ray and Brinelock. Brinelock meanwhile, used the rain to her advantage, collecting the droplets from above the group and making waves that pushed her forward. It required immense concentration, but she could move at a great speed.

And so it went for hours and hours. The rain didn’t let up, and a fog slowly drifted onto the scene. Brinelock was able to repel some fog, but it didn’t work very well. Eventually, Aydahar harnessed the wind. Her scales turned a wispy grey, and her wings slanted in, becoming more streamlined and aerodynamic. Joey barely holding on, she spun in the air, then turned, heading straight for the ground. Pulling up at the last second, Aydahar’s wings beat furiously. She flew high above the fog, hovered, and let out a massive roar, clearing the fog away.

She landed proudly next to Brinelock, who had been splattered with mud, and Ray who had been splattered with mud, but wasn’t any muddier. They continued, until Brinelock signaled for Joey to land. She pointed, and Joey looked ahead. It was a Kiriki patrol. 

4 warriors, each mounted on a long-legged Careth. They strode up to the gang and an official looking warrior with a longbow strung across his back and banners on the sides of his mount began talking. “Please state your name and what you are doing wandering our land.”

“We are simply passing through to Outpost Doom,” Brinelock said. Careful, Aydahar told Joey. I have a feeling she’ll turn us over. “I’m Brinelock, this is Joey, the dragon is Aydahar, and that little guy is Ray.”

The warrior looked down, just now noticing Ray. You could barely tell he was there, covered in mud. “Do you have a pass?” he asked.

“No. Replied Brinelock. But we will follow you to the capital.”

“Very well. Search them.”

Joey raised his hands. Two of the warriors dismounted and walked toward him, patting his legs and arms. They pulled the Dragonbane dagger and Akrinlyc dagger from his belt. One searched his backpack, while the other two took Brinelock’s knives. Finally, they returned to their mounts, and each hoisted a spear with a red tip. They went behind the group and prodded them along. One of the warriors poked Aydahar. Joey could see a small scar in her scales. This wasn’t right.

“Give us our weapons. And leave Aydahar alone.”

Joey’s eyes glowed slightly golden and he could see the man’s hesitation, his thoughts and feelings.

“Or what?”

“You can give us our weapons, and we’ll come with you quickly and armed, or we’ll fight you here, unarmed. The choice is yours.”