The Easel Chronicles; The Burning Hands

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Seven

The return to Mendil was slower than the approach to Cardamon. Aravoen rode at the host of eight thousand dragon knights. The golden breastplates shone in the midday sun. It was the fourth day since they had left the home of the Neerans.

Aravoen had, Mael and Liana ride just behind him with the two generals Ebron and Eadell. At the head of the thundering host, Aravoen rode with Mindacil and Sybilla who seemed to have recovered from her ordeal. He had left the 'old man', Allarmiar with Melenil in charge of Cardamon.

As the ancient city of the Easel came into view Aravoen smiled to himself. For the past few days he had grown tired of listening to the endless arguments of Mindacil and Sybilla. It seemed with her healed injuries all her old strength had returned. Those two will never stop.

Suddenly Liana had ridden up to him, forcing him to turn and face her. As he looked into her eyes, the hatred and restrained anger was still visible. "How will you explain to the Eluncil that you have come with our mighty host?" she asked him silently.

"Leave that to me, will you?"

"Just asking, sire," the last word came out like a curse. She slowed her horse such that Aravoen went ahead and the line of generals and Mael caught up with her.

One of the outriders, Aravoen had posted came back to him. "Lord," he panted. "A party awaits us. They are armed."

"Who heads it?" Aravoen asked.

"Lady Patmarin is with them as is the leech Siras," he answered.

"Good I think."

"What is going on?" Eadell asked.

"Siras intends to welcome you," Aravoen said. He had already told the generals the need for secrecy in Mendil He dint want Siras knowing of his true identity.

"Very well." Ebron remarked.

"FORM UP KNIGHTS OF THE DRAGON!" Ebron bellowed.

The army rode down into the valley where, just like the outrider had said, Siras stood with about a hundred armed men. Patmarin stood with Edril just behind him.

"Halt," Siras said. Aravoen had forgotten how much malice seemed to be in the Ebrithian's voice. "What is this here? It seems your people have forgotten their place lady Patmarin."

"We have not," Sybilla rode out of the formed up lines of eight thousand riders. "Aravoen here was kind enough to bring a message from our sister. General Edril's army needs more men. I bring eight thousand."

"Last I remember," Siras cut her short, "Mael was the warden of the east."

"Respectfully speaking," Sybilla answered. "The true warden of the east stands with you lord Siras. Lady Patmarin is the warden o the east."

Aravoen looked round for any sign of Slithbron but found none. He looked at Edril for any sign. He got a slight shake of the head.

Where's that goat of a dwarf? Mindacil asked Aravoen.

Edril will tell us soon.

"Welcome to Mendil then." Siras said. "Edril you have more men. The rest of us have important business to take care of."

Siras left with majority of the guard and company he had waited with. In time, it was only Patmarin, Edril and another man Aravoen had not seen before. He stood a head taller than Edril. His beard framed his mouth in a ring of grey and black. His shoulder length hair was tied at the end.