Dragon's Challenge - D. R. Rosier Page 0,54
bandits before he got there.
Baron Lyle, of Ironreach. He was stealing from the very miners and mine owner he was sworn to protect. Not only was he getting black market value for iron that didn’t belong to him, but he was also getting aid coin from the capital because of the hardships and deaths.
He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but the bastard needed to be questioned before he killed him. The only question was, did the man’s wizard, Gregory, know about it. What about the guards? He’d have to move carefully, if those men were innocent then he didn’t want to have to kill them because they were stupid enough to protect the baron. That was their job after all.
He was thoughtful as they set up camp later that night. He’d figure it out when they got there the next night.
“Have a good hunt?”
It was later the next afternoon, and they weren’t all that far from Ironreach as far as he could figure. They’d already passed by one of the farms, so it couldn’t be that much further. Cinder hadn’t returned until just a few minutes ago. She’d swooped in with burning wings, and she had shifted as she landed next to her horse, before mounting.
She also hadn’t bothered to say a word to anyone in the last three minutes.
Cinder said, “Fine.”
I chuckled, “Isn’t that women speak for not fine?”
Cinder glared at him, “It’s women speak for leave me the fuck alone.”
“What the fuck did I do?”
Damn, he was starting to curse way too much. Cinder really did push his buttons, every damned one of them.
Cinder shut her eyes tightly, “Nothing. I just get like this sometimes. Give me some peace.”
“So, it’s not about yesterday?”
Cinder looked confused, then barked a laugh, “No. That was actually pretty funny. It’s nothing to do with any of you. Now can I have some damned peace?”
He shrugged, and then rode in silence. For about a whole ten seconds. Women were nuts.
She sighed, “Damnit. Fine. It’s… fuck. Never mind.”
Shar quipped, “Welcome back. It was getting boring without your crazy.”
He just kept his mouth shut, that seemed to be the course of wisdom. He also rode closer to Tansya, who looked delicious in her white skintight robes, and of course, not crazy. Monstrously sweet, but not crazy.
He felt a surge of relief as the village came into view.
Then Tansya whispered, “Did you know female Phoenixes go into heat for about a day, once every three months? It’s the only time they’re able to conceive.”
Oh, well, damn. That kind of explained it. She’d been gone about twenty-four hours, so they were probably just getting the edges of her crazy time. It must’ve hit her hard mid-banter, and she must normally hunt and kill dragons and stay away from humans to get through it. He’d just have to keep his head down a little longer then.
Cinder growled, “I heard that.”
Nysa giggled.
He just kept his head down, and gratefully dismounted when they reached the stables. Just a few minutes later, they were marching toward the baron’s estate, save for Cinder who went to get a room at the inn. He already indicated he’d see her in the morning to look at the bounty board and move on if nothing was on there.
Ironreach was only a little larger than the typical village. There was a large foundry and smelter. There were also a lot more guards than at other villages. He’d seen at least twenty on duty which meant there were at least twice that if not more. It made him wonder if this village was hit by goblins and other monster races out of the mountains to the north, or if they were trying to protect the iron from their own people. He also wondered just how many of the guards were loyal to the king, and how many were loyal to the corrupt baron. He knew some of them were brand new troops finishing up their training here, but less than half.
Did they even know he was corrupt? Things might get a little crazy.
“Be ready to fight,” he muttered.
The guards at the gate of the estate straightened up slightly, and one of them stepped forward to challenge them as they closed the distance.
“Identify yourselves, and your purpose here in Ironreach.”
“Muranth, here to speak with Baron Lyle.”
He watched the man’s eyes carefully, but he didn’t see any alarm there. One of the other guards at the gate however, looked worried. He wasn’t cut out for this