The Dragonriders

Chapter 14

A Funeral Of A Dwarf

Shirley

Weeks pass as we train almost the entire day, and then in the evenings I fill in the paperwork of the days maneuvers. It is a tiring schedule but I manage to push through. However weeks later Oruk and Noruk arrive at the training field without their dragons saddled up, looking like they are about to beat rocks into pebbles with their bare hands. I walk over to them. 'What is the matter, Oruk and Noruk?'

Noruk answers. 'We just received a letter. Our father is returning to stone. The council doesn't permit us to go back and attend his funeral.'

I almost blow up right then, but decide to play it smarter. 'Leave this to me, Noruk. We will leave this afternoon, mark my words. You two will attend your fathers funeral even if it is the death of me.'

I then run towards the leader. He is surprised. 'Well, Shirley... I thought you would be having training right now.'

I look at him unamused. 'Oruk and Noruk got a letter today. You know what it is about. Though I'd rather do it with your permission, I will bring the Wing there with or without your permission. If you don't support me I will get the supplies myself.'

The leader is astounded again. 'You want to overrule the councils decision of not letting Oruk and Noruk attend their fathers funeral? Why go through the trouble?'

I look him in the eyes. 'Simple. They are part of my squad. I'm responsible over them. They need this for their well being so I will do this for them. Whatever way I need to do it.'

The leader speaks softly. 'Please keep your tone down a bit. If people hear you are defying the council like this you may get a rough time...'

I square my shoulders. 'Let them try. I'm ready for anything. I can take a beating and if they take it to far, you know what I will do.'

The leader stays silent for a while. When he talks he is way more serious. 'I'm giving you permission to gather provisions and go to the funeral of the Dwarves father. Please do not let word get out beyond your squad that you came to me to defy the council. I'll never hear the end of it then.'

I nod and return to the squad. There I start dividing tasks and giving orders. 'Noruk, you know the distance to cover. Make sure we have enough supplies to get to whichever Dwarven Hold we have to go to. Treknal, make sure everyone is armed as well for any unlucky encounters on our way there. Sha'iva, check everyones saddles and make sure they are ready for a long trip. We are going to a Dwarven Hold.'

I never knew a trip on a dragon back could be agonizing, until I make the trip with the Wing to the Dwarven Hold of the father of Noruk and Oruk. Where the Emerald Realm is but a week flying with headwinds, there is still no sign we are in the right land after a week of flying towards the Dwarven lands even with a tailwind. It takes an additional half a week before we finally arrive at the gates of a massive fortress, hewn from the mountain itself. After waiting at the gate for a few minutes and stretching to get the cramps from my body a Dwarf with a lush beard approaches us. 'Now, whom is it that seeks entrance of the Dwarven Hold of Cher'kan?'

I turn to the Dwarf. 'That would be me. I brought two Dwarves who wish to attend the funeral of their father.'

The Dwarf, a short and stubby male in heavy chainmail and carrying both a Warhammer and a heavy shield, looks at me through slitted eyes. 'A human rider has nothing to do with Dwarves. Why would you call a ruse to get inside the Hold?'

Noruk finally glides down from his dragon and speaks. 'She is speaking the truth, Uncle. Me and my brother have come for fathers funeral.'

The Dwarf looks at Noruk. 'Noruk, my wee lad? You are a Rider now?'