Prince of Dragons

Chapter 10 - If looks could kill

"I suppose that leader of yours is a draconic human as well?" Enorwin asked Bedreigh. The prince looked more annoyed than ever now that his sword had been stolen. 

"He is," Bedreigh confirmed. 

"And how are we going to take on two draconic humans without weapons?" 

"As I told you," Maréin suggested. "We could negotiate instead of attack." 

Enorwin spat on the floor. "Yes, that's a really good idea!" he said. "We'll just sit down with them and solve our problems by talking. Maréin, why don't you go get some tea to serve to our newfound friends? Mind you, these are dangerous lunatics we are dealing with!" 

"You don't know whether they are indeed lunatics," Maréin said. "You've never met this... Carlard before. The fact that his ideals are different from yours doesn't mean he's a lunatic. He may be very reasonable. You won't know until you meet him." 

"Carlard ain't reasonable," Bedreigh said quietly. "He's determined to execute whatever plan Darfith apparently let him in on. He's completely convinced that he's right." 

Maréin chuckled. "Completely convinced that he's right? That sounds vaguely familiar," he said, glancing meaningfully at Enorwin. 

If looks could kill, Maréin would have choked. However, since looks weren't capable of killing in real life, he simply smiled. He had to admit he found the boy strangely amusing at times. 

"So, what do we do?" Enorwin asked once more. 

Maréin decided chances were very small that Enorwin would ever come even close to considering his suggestion, so he remained silent. Bedreigh, however, did speak. 

"Er..." he began, "perhaps we could... sneak up on them? From behind? We could find some way to attack any potential guard and take that person's weapons. I still have my dagger; perhaps I can use it. If there's no guard, we can figure out something else, I guess." He thought for a moment and then added, "Knowing Carlard, there probably will be a guard, now that he knows that you're alive. It'll probably be Joandrey; he wouldn't do it himself. If she still has your sword with her, you can take it back, my lord." 

Enorwin bit his lip, considering. After a while, he said, "It's risky. But I don't think there are any other options." He looked at Maréin. "And before you say anything: negotiating is not an option. Do I make myself clear?" 

Maréin smiled. "Perfectly, my lord." See? Completely convinced that he's right! he thought to himself. 

"Alright," Enorwin said. "We get just one chance. Everything must go perfectly. Otherwise, who knows what will happen to us. And as much as I hate to admit it, without Arwund to help us, I don't think we stand much of a chance against whatever draconic threat we're up against." 

"Maybe Bedreigh can be of aid, too," Maréin said. 

"I know only the things Carlard told me about. And that's not much. I'm sorry, but I think that on the long run, Arwund will be of more help," Bedreigh said. 

"But I hope you do know a way to get behind the guard's back?" Enorwin asked. 

Bedreigh nodded. "I do. There's a series of tunnels that comes out on end of the corridor opposite the direction from which Joandrey would expect us to come." 

"Very good," Enorwin said. "Lead the way."

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Carlard laid his hands on the crystal ball, closed his eyes and concentrated. "Lord Darfith," he whispered slowly, carefully articulating every syllable.