Talon the Black (Dragonwall Series # 1)

Chapter 25 - Into the Mountains

Northern Barrier Range

Mikkin adjusted his position in the saddle. Little good it did to ease the ache in his rump. Gods, how he hated this form of traveling. It wasn't so much the horse as it was the riding. He would have preferred walking, but Jamie was right. On horseback, it would take them a little over a day to reach the mountains. Already, the uninviting peaks loomed up before them, casting dark shadows on the hills at their base. But that part of the journey would wait for the 'morrow. They had traveled far enough and it was time to make camp. In the morning, Tynen would take the horses and return home to Landow, leaving Mikkin and Jamie to continue on foot. The range was no place for horses, and he was glad of it.

Mikkin was comfortably familiar with this environment. He'd grown up beneath the gloom of the mountains, hunting in them, exploring them, and camping in them with his children. But he never journeyed deep into their midst. His knowledge and memory would only take him so far. The rest would be a real test.

Together, the three of them located a small grove of trees through which a small shallow stream ran, its lyrical trickle was inviting. "I'll tend to the horses," Tynen said. "If you two wouldn't mind lookin' for wood, we can get a fire going." They agreed and set off to search. Having brought only dried meat and bread, there was no need for a fire, especially in the summer heat, but it would be a nice comfort once the sun went down.

Jamie insisted on starting the fire so he humored the lad, understanding full well that Jamie was eager to prove himself. As soon as a crackling blaze was struck, they sat around to eat. Traveling food was never satisfying. They needed to keep their packs light. Once they began their ascent into the range, they would be happier for it.

Before leaving Landow, Tynen lent him a fine bow with a set of arrows. Hunting was second nature for him, and there would be game aplenty, but wild game was not what the bow would be most handy for. None could say what kind of danger they would find lurking in the depths of the great pines.

"Do you have a plan yet?" Jamie asked after dinner. He shrugged. He had a rough idea, but only just. Locating the beasts was first and foremost on his mind.

"Once we are in the range, I am sure we will spot the dragons flying overhead. After that, we can follow their flight patterns and track them back to their lair. I'm still working out the rest." Jamie looked skeptical. "You got anything better, lad?" It was a rhetorical question, and Jamie shook his head, so he continued, "I am familiar with the lower parts of the range. I used to hunt there for my family. I can take us in far as I remember, but the paths run out before long. After that, we'll be forgin' new ones."

"I am sorry about your family, Mikkin." Tynen said. "It's a terrible thing to lose the ones we love. I still have my wife and son at least." Tynen made eye contact with him and the hint was not overlooked.

"I will watch out for him, Tynen. You have my word."

Tynen gave him a curt nod.

It was past dark now, and the stars twinkled brightly above them. Jamie began humming. It was a tune he recognized. One that wasn't often sung, since it was more of a soldier's song. Even still, he invited the lad to sing aloud. After the first stanza, he and Tynen both joined in. Their voices melded together in unison:

O'er the mountains do we march—

O'er the mountains high.

O'er the mountains to battle gods,

To battle kings, to battle warriors.

O'er the rivers do we march—

O'er the rivers deep.