Chapter 10

The Great Forest was cool and shaded, even in the afternoon.  The path through the Great Forest followed a dried-up stream bed where a stream had long ago carved itself a deep channel with a tall dirt bank on each side.  Tree roots stuck out of the banks at awkward angles while the tree trunks thrust their branches into a green canopy overheard.

“I never did like this place,” grumbled Gibbs.  “The Chief could’ve set up base closer to the castle, inside it even.  But, no, we have to hide out in the deep, dank forest, far from markets full of food, inns with nice warm beds, far from ...”

“Far from nosy little people,” replied Crooks.  “Anyway, we should be heading back out soon anyway.  We just have to check in with the Chief and then we can leave.”

The three, mounted on their horses, rode down the path until they came to the end of the trail, in front of a wall cloaked by the roots of an enormous tree.  They tied their reigns to the roots and climbed up the roots.  Once on top of the bank, they walked through the forest to a small, sheltered clearing.  A tent with a smoldering fire was under a tree and a horse was picketed nearby.

“Hey, Chief, we’re back,” Crooks announced.

“I know,” someone replied.  “I could hear you talking.  I myself like this location very much, but if you beg to differ, I’m sure I could make some arrangements, Gibbs.”

“No, Chief, I’m happy if you’re happy.”

“Very good,” the voice continued as the Chief stepped out of his tent.  “Now, come get some dinner and tell me what the king said.”

The scouts gathered around the fire and told him what the king had said. 

“The plan is proceeding quickly.  The decree was sent out and folks should be coming for the fall festival soon.  The king told us to make sure no one went in the cave, just in case,” Crooks announced. 

“I’ll send you three to Plum.  You can pretend to be harvest workers, who’ve just finished helping with the apple harvest and come to town to spend the winter.  Take a couple other scouts but tell them to keep out of sight,” the Chief replied.

“What will the scouts do?” asked Larkin.

“The dragon that lives up in those mountains needs some help convincing people that it exists.  I aim to let the scouts lend it a hand.  The people up there will know there’s a dragon by the time the King makes his announcement or I’ll find myself some new scouts.”

The three scouts nodded warily and finished eating.  The Chief banked the fire for the night and the others mounted their horses.  With luck, they’d be in Plum in a week.