The Lizard King

Part 14: A Miracle

"They first came in from the North," Riptheil said, "just over a week ago. I covered the entrance to the cave to camouflage it and they left."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Kayla asked, sitting attentively. This new information sent horrid thoughts through her head. They know Riptheil is here. They're hunting him. What kind of chance does he stand?

"People have passed through before. Often bandits," Riptheil explained. "I didn't think it warranted any concern. Somehow, though, they must have seen through the ruse because they came back just yesterday."

"What happened then?"

Riptheil looked at Kayla and then looked down at the ground. She could see it in his eyes. She already knew. She sighed. "How many?"

"There were ten when they came. Only two made it out." Riptheil sat and rubbed the side of his head. "I buried the bodies in shallow graves not far from here. Figured that no one would come looking."

"What did the lead ranger look like?" Kayla asked.

Riptheil looked up. "Hmm. Tall, muscular. Black cloak, a short black beard."

Kayla's eyes widened. A perfect description of the sheriff. "This is crazy."

"I agree." Riptheil looked up at his wall. He looked at the first drawing he ever made. The clear picture of Melisma. He couldn't help but wonder how it all came to this. "And yet...it all feels strangely familiar."

Kayla looked back up. "How do you mean?"

"I-I think I remember something like this happening once. A long time ago." Riptheil got up and took his piece of charcoal. He brought it to the wall and his hand weaved a tale. Kayla watched on in fascination as he worked. The big claws were somehow so nimble. Human hands could never work like this.

When he was finished, Riptheil stepped back and the two gazed upon his work. Upon the wall were two lizardlings now. One wore something on its head. Some sort of crown.

At first, Kayla didn't know what she was looking at. She glanced at Riptheil, who stared at the wall and then held his hand against it. "Father..." he whispered.

"What?" Kayla asked.

Riptheil looked down at her. "This was my father...Rophtheil. He was a king. The king of all the lizardlings."

"You're a prince?"

-----

The sheriff sat in his private room, sifting through letters and scrolls. The pipe he held in his one hand smoked vigorously as he plowed through the tobacco. Every so often he would take a puff and let out a steady stream of smoke.

A knock came on the door. The sheriff looked up angrily. "This had better be important." He said in his deep, cold voice.

A voice replied from behind the door. "A message from the Palace City, sir."

The door opened and behind it stood a young ranger with a letter in his hand. The sheriff took it and motioned for the man to return to post. Sitting back down, he opened the letter and read to himself. The simple message ran:

Commander Lomew,

Your request for additional agents has been approved. Additional forces will arrive in Vernharte in three days time. A reminder: discretion is of utmost importance. The specimen must be captured quietly. Do not disappoint me this time.

General Sohn

At this, the sheriff leaned back and took another puff of his pipe. He smiled that wicked smile of his as he did. He talked as he took the pipe away: "We got you now, you son of a bitch."