Of Spinning Gold and Song

| Seven | The Ride

I jumped to my feet, terrified, Bradyn right beside me. The only thing rushing through my mind was not again, no, no, no. I didn't know why I was so afraid; perchance it was because my nerves were still a jittery mess after that dwarf, and I feared for my life. And the little sparrow cupped in Bradyn's hands certainly didn't help. But whatever the reason, I found myself turning slowly, preparing for the absolute worst.

It wasn't the worst. I let out a huge breath I hadn't known I was holding to see two young men that I recognized from our town Betane. I had grown up with them; I had known them forever. They must be part of Augustin's crew that had gone out to find the dragon.

"Is that Sparrow?" asked the one on the left. "And Bradyn?"

"In the flesh," I said with a forced grin that didn't reach my eyes. Now that my fear of a dwarf or some other malicious magical creature was obviated, I had to focus on a new fear. We weren't supposed to meet up with them this quickly. Only one day out of town, it would be easy for them to send us back.

Then again, said a thought at the back of my head, you don't have a horse to take you back.

"What are you guys doing here?" the left one asked. After casting about for a moment, I remembered that his name was Castor and he was a couple years older than I. He had been in my year at school- atleast when I still went to school before I had to take over as mam- because he had been held back a couple times.

What he lacked in intelligence he more than made up for with character. He was always quick to stand up for the bullied, and he got away with it too. He was of a large build, so that next to none would beat him in a test of brute strength. I wasn't surprised Augustin had asked him to accompany him.

It took a moment to realize that the two men were staring at us, awaiting our answer. I cleared my throat a couple times, trying to think my way out when Bradyn answered instead. "What does it look like we're doing? Going to get Rosie back."

"Hey man," said Castor. "Are you serious? You thought the two of you would just wander out here all alone and kill a dragon? Not to put you down or anything, but I'm not sure that's the smartest idea. I mean, do you even have a horse?"

"Hey yeah," said the other one, who's name I didn't remember. "I don't see a horse. How did you get all the way out here on foot? We were moving pretty quickly."

"We left last night," Bradyn lied. "Since pigheaded Augustin wouldn't allow us to come with, we decided to go on our own. We aren't actually planning on slaying the dragon- that would be ridiculous without any swords or knives or whatnot- but just on recovering Rosie. She needs to see a familiar face when you guys get to her. It would scare anyone to be rescued by a party of strange men, and Rosie's just a twelve year old girl."

"Not strange," the right person said. "Augustin is Sparrow's beau. Has she really never seen him?"

"She has," I replied a little uncertainly. "But not so often. I don't believe she's ever been alone with him. And I am her sister; she trusts me most in the world."

"Besides," Bradyn cut in as though he couldn't help it. "Rosie detests Augustin."

Castor let out a chortle of laughter, slapping Bradyn on the back in a playful manner. "Can't argue with that."

I opened my mouth to send an angry reply but snapped it shut after a moment. Nothing we had been saying was the truth. What was one more lie? Whatever it took to get us safe and sound with them, to get Rosie home.

"So how did you find us?"

"We saw this light," said Castor. "What was it, anyways? I don't see a campfire. But it was so bright it was as though the land was ablaze. Augustin sent me and Layord and over to investigate."