Lorcan: Dragonquest

Chapter 3

Author's note:  Cokelli is pronounced "Co-kelly." The dragon's name is pronounced "Fee-err-ell-ed." The forest's name is pronounced "Jeh-bridd-ann." A lift = a ride. Soduane is pronounced "sod-oo-ain." Naceaster is pronounced "nack-easter." Lesintigan is pronounced "Less-in-ti-gan." "Ti" as in "tickle" or "Tim." Lorcan's horse is called Ruamore (roo-ah-more). The king's name is pronounced "Add-a-kan."

I've been listening to the text-to-type of the first chapter. It's actually a useful writing tool as it shows how people might read this. 

The gnomes are about six inches high and resemble the familiar lawn ornaments we know and love. The Aefwealding ("eef-wield-ing") knights have bowl haircuts, as was common in medieval times. 

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Evening had fallen by the time they reached the Forest of Gebryddan. In a little hollow not far from the roadside, Cokelli and Lorcan tied their horses to a branch that jutted from a mighty oak and set up camp. The year was yet young, and the newest leaves that sprouted forth made a nice addition to the other herbs Cokelli had found to add to the coney that roasted on a spit in front of Lorcan.

Sheets of thick springy moss that carpeted the woodland floor made comfortable beds. Cokelli found some storm-fallen branches, made a rough frame, and draped two canvas sheets over them as a makeshift tent in case it rained overnight.

"We must have ridden twenty miles," said Lorcan as he turned the coney over. "Do you think the gnomes will catch up with us tonight?"

"That depends on how they travel," replied Cokelli. "I doubt they will walk all the way here."

"How will they know how to find us?"

Cokelli shrugged and raised his hands, palms up. The scent of roasting meat made his mouth water, but he still had to feed the horses—there was little grass in the forest, so he gave them the fodder he had brought from Naceaster. Thankfully, Lorcan had found a stream nearby and filled up a leather bucket for the horses to drink from.

"Cokelli?"

The thrall was patting Ruamore and cooing at the big chestnut courser, who snorted, stamped his feet, and swished his tail, pulling at the lead rope that fastened his halter to the tree. Lackna, the tubby dun rouncey, was no better. "Yes?"

Lorcan poked at the campfire. "What do you think happened to Lesintigan?"

"I have no idea," Cokelli replied, glancing around to see what was upsetting the horses, "but I will tell you one thing; if he gets away from there, he'll be after you for the rest of your life. I have seen how men like him can be. He will never give up until he has caught and killed you—and he will make every effort, fair or foul—to do it."

"I wish you hadn't made me get rid of Kenn. He would have told us what was going on."

Cokelli turned to glare at him, his face contorted with consternation. "He was forever trying to get us killed!"

Lorcan looked sheepishly back. "Well, yes, but not all the time."

Satisfied that there was nothing dangerous nearby, Cokelli went to wash his hands. He wasn't in the mood for Lorcan's tomfoolery, but since he was hungry and Lorcan had the food, he would have to put up with it. He wiped his wet hands on the towel, picked up his wooden bowl and helped himself to the platter of meat and herbs, spearing the meat with his all-purpose knife. "Lorcan, has it ever occurred to you that chopping someone's head off, whether in battle or not, then having it enchanted so the owner is alive and able to talk, then carrying it around in a saddlebag might be annoying to some degree?"