fandomania | Mar. 26th, 2009

I quickly got up, woke the children and the hatchlings. We hid the eggs under nearby bushes and I assigned hatchlings to guard them out of sight. We then went about looking like a normal camping group. The children and I started to make breakfast, with Donal tending the fire and Orlando supervising.

Within minutes, a group of six humans, four men and two women entered the clearing. It was apparent that these were slaves from Haven who had managed to escape during the raid. They still had their chains on and whatever clothing that they were wearing at that time. One of them brandished a weapon.

"I am sorry, but we are in desperate circumstances. I am going to have to ask you to give us all your food and clothing. I don't want to have to hurt you, but I will if you don't comply."

Donal got up and stood between us and the former slaves. "Brad, it is me. Donal. Don't do this to these good people. But if you insist, you will have to go through me first."

Brad made a move towards Donal, but before Brad could reach him, Orlando made an arcane sign and the sword started to glow red hot. Brad dropped it and backed up. And then all of them turned away and ran off back towards the main road.

Donal picked up the sword, tested its edge and then secured it to the outside of his backpack. I called the hatchlings and fed them. And then we ate quickly. Silently, we gathered up our eggs and left the clearing.

I asked Donal, "Do you know those people?"

"Kind of. Brad worked for the blacksmith at the edge of town. I think one of the girls worked for the smith's family as a maid. The others I am not sure about.

"Brad is strong, but he isn't very bright. I probably could have disarmed him. But I am glad Orlando beat me to it. I am afraid that they will be captured by slavers or killed by their next victims, if they try that stunt again."

I sighed. "I would have shared what little we had, if only they had asked politely.
I am glad we are going in a different direction. I wouldn't want to be mistaken for them, if anybody is chasing them."

Our hatchlings:

Our eggs:

By noontime, the forest disappeared and we could see farms off in the distance. I thought it best to skirt humans and have as little contact with them as possible.

It was a good thought, but as the sun was starting to set in the sky, we could find little shelter to spend the night. We stopped by a brook that provided fresh, clear water, but we didn't dare light a fire or cook anything. It would have to be a bread and water supper tonight.

While munching on our bread, I noticed an old woman walking towards us. I didn't know that to do. She didn't look dangerous. She looked about seventy years old. She smiled as she approached and said, "Rather than sleep out in the cold and have to ward of wolves and bears, you would sleep much better in my old, empty barn. I could make you supper that is much better than way bread."

I looked at Orlando. He said,"SHE DOESN'T APPEAR HARMFUL. BUT SHE DOES HAVE AN AURA OF OLD MAGIC."

She turned to Orlando and said. "My apologies. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Gudrun, and, yes, I am a witch, an herbalist, and a mid-wife. Most of the townspeople avoid my farm unless they are desperate. Consequently, I rarely get visitors. But visitors as interesting and unusual as you all are, I think will be entertaining."

She walked up to Orlando and gave him a curtsy. "You are Orlando. And you are a Magi dragon." Orlando bowed back to her.

She turned to me and also curtsied, "You are Lady Patra. You are the Dragon Ward of Freedonia." I was most astonished and barely managed a curtsy back to her. She then turned to my eldest child, "You are Celianne and you are nine years old." She turned to the twins, "You are Melia and Melisant and you both are six." She then turned to my son and said, "You are Reuel and you are three. You are going to be big and strong, just like your father." She then turned to Donal. "I didn't see you in my original vision. Hmmmm..." She closed her eyes. "You too are from Freedonia, but not recently. Your name is ... Donal.

"Am I not right? Well, now we are all introduced, please come to my humble home, have supper with me and rest the night? I promise you that I am just a harmless old biddy who just wants some company."

Orlando snorted at her statement, but indicated that whatever her reasons, we were obligated to accept her invitation. So we gathered up our things, the eggs and the hatchlings and followed her back to her house.