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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 79: Meeting In The Neverwood
“You illigitimate son of a gong farmer and his shovel, unchain me at once! I am the King of Dark Forest, Radjar Kath, you have no right-”
Caimlin cut Radjar off. “We have every right to detain trespassers on out land. Why were you rummaging about in the ruins of the Fire Breathing Fortress?”
Radjar was about to retort with another stream of swears, but Rosa punched him in the arm. Sir Dractor spoke loudly and calmly.
“We were passing through Dragon Master land in transit to the Ninjas when we witness the destruction of the Fire Breathing Fortress. We were merely investigating.”
“And why were you going to the Ninjas?” demanded Caimlin.
He was still trying to figure out the shield logo on Sir Dractor’s shield. It was nothing like he had seen before, though it was vaguely similar to one of the Eastern Knight’s Kingdom’s subfactions. Caimlin shrugged and pushed the thought aside. Probably just a minor lord from on of the Southern Isles.
Sir Dractor glanced at Graygon and Fraun. Should we tell them?
Graygon shrugged and Fraun gave a tiny nod. They really had no choice.
“We were going to contact the Ninjas to ask for aid agaisnt the necromancer tyrant BloodVaine.”
The final word in Sir Dractor’s explanitory sentance sent a ripple of whispering through the Dragon Master ranks. Whether it was of anger of fear was unknown until Caimlin exclaimed, “You are battling against BloodVaine?”
“Yes.”
“Then, sir, you may go free, for we too are agaisnt the necromancer. You two, unchain them, and return there weapons!”
As two Dragon Masters obeyed, Derrick Stormspear said in bewilderment, “I was under the impression all Dragon Masters fought under the BloodVaine standard.”
Caimlin spat. “Only those who follow Del Grakken the traitor. We obey the word of Lord Void, the true commander of the Dragon Masters.”
“Lord Void? When has he suddenly had a change of heart?” asked Keavur skepitically, “I would have thought he would gladly follow BloodVaine…”
“That is for him to answer, not me. I obey Lord Void, what he tells me to do, I do. That is the Dragon Master way.”
Keavur was about to respond when a flurry of movement interrupted all conversation.
“Dragon Masters! Release you prisoners or be overrun by the...ah…”
Bernard Quorandis stepped out from the bushes, sword at the ready, abruptly cutting off his command when he saw the condition of the so-called prisoners.
“As you can see, LEGOlander, we have no prisoners.” stated Caimlin coolly, “Now what the megabloks do you want?”
“Kindly speak a bit more civilly, sergeant,” replied Quorandis, noting the insignia on Caimlin’s uniform, “We are an invasion force intent on liberating the Dragon Masters from the illegal rule of Del Grakken, and with the possible intent in mind of recovering LEGOland itself.”
Caimlin was about to reply, but at that moment Targon, Elbadar, and a couple of soldiers from the Black Dragon Master contigent entered the clearing with Elwen, Jayko, and some of the Club Knights.
Elwen caught sight of Sir Dractor and ran over to the tall warrior.
“Where have you been?” she asked, “What happened after Leonville?”
“Well, after a little adventure at sea, I wound up with the Forestmen. Right now I’m heading up a team that’s been gathered to take out the demon Aezazel. How did you end up here? And where did you get that crown?”
“It’s a long story, but lately I’ve been traveling with these Cavaliers. Oh that reminds me!”
Grabbing Sir Dractor’s hand, Elwen led him to where Bernard was taking council with Jarvick.
“Your highness,” she said, to Bernard. “I would like you to meet my friend and companion, Sir Dractor. Sir Dractor, this is Emperor Quorandis…”
Rosa eyed Elwen somewhat mistrustfully. Jayko stared at Sir Dractor outrightly beligerent.
“Targon!” cried Caimlin in total shock, “Is that you??? What are you doing here? Has the Sorceror-King come to Lord Void’s aid? And why do you wear a new uniform? You’re a field Marshal now?”
“I’d say that I’ve done pretty good for myself, unlike you. Still a sergeant and without even a fortress to defend. Tsk tsk tsk. By the way, you can have your stupid ‘magic rock’ back. It doesn’t even work.”
Caimlin began to chuckle. “I hate to tell you this Targon, but that rock never was magic. It’s just a stone I found on the road one day.”
The field marshal was about shout back a lame come-back when Quorandis raised his voice to get the attention of all those present.
“IF YOU WOULD ALL LISTEN FOR A MOMENT!” he called, “I am beholden to attack Del Grakken’s fortress. If any of you know where he currently resides, I would be much obliged if you would tell me. The sooner this land is in the hands of its lawful rulers, the better.”
Caimlin broke off his conversation with Targon.
“The government, such as he had one, has been rebuilt at the Dark Dragon’s Den. The bulk of the army loyal to Del Grakken is posted there. I would however caution against continuing on in the Neverwood. As it is, we are close to the western border of the forest. We could exit and head south.”
The company had decided to rest for a while in the clearing before continuing on. Of course not the whole army could fit in the clearing. The greater part was lined up, for a good mile, along the path they had made through the trees. It was some good luck that they hadn’t hit any swaps or other obsticles and even more good luck that they hadn’t run into anything unpleasant. But little did the party know that their ‘good luck’ really wasn’t good luck at all and that, as they stood and took council in the clearing, another someone was taking his own council as he watched the group from the edge of the trees.
“This isn’t good. This isn’t good at all. All these men, traipsing around like it’s the Warblewood they’re in and not the Neverwood.”
Gart was worried. “They’re lucky that I've been helping them. Going ahead and tripping the traps. Steering them away from the bogs and marshes.”
The Neverwood wasn’t made to hold an army and Gart was afraid the forest would backlash. Already he had seen the signs. Groups of Iondels on the move. Spiderlings taking new territory. Even a far off cry now and then from what Gart knew was his dragon, Coal Blood. Gart had heard tales of Neverwood. Tales he learned before he ever came to the forest. If they were true, then the Neverwood had swallowed up entire cities. Gart only hoped that the trees wouldn’t swallow BloodVaine’s enemies. Now as he sat, peering in on the visitors, he thought back on how he had come to be the guardian of this wayward army.
It went back to the day that he had almost drowned in the stream. After he resolved to take down BloodVaine it hadn’t been that hard to decide how. Gart’s original plan was to travel to the Fire Breathing Fortress and free the prisoners. His plans changed, however, when he witnessed the fortress’s destruction and the arrival of the fleeing Dragon Masters. Since then, Gart had been trailing the soldiers as they blundered through the Neverwood. They wouldn’t have made it five feet without his help.
After a few minutes Quorandis stood and cried, “Let us be off! For the Empire!”
“For the Dragon Masters!” cried Caimlin.
“For revenge,” said Jarvick coldly, “We all go for revenge.”
Gart breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the company head for the border. It had been a strain on him, keeping them out of trouble. Now he could return to his quest. BloodVaine would be greatly weakened from his exertions at the fortress. Now was the time to strike. So Gart turned his face to the east.
“I know you BloodVaine, for what you truly are. And very soon you will truly know me.”
“You know what you have to do don’t you?”
Gart was standing by a tree near the eastern edge of the Neverwood.
“Yes, I know. But if do…”
Griffin was with him, but the bear had wandered off.
“You heard the council they took in the clearing. BloodVaine will crush the last of the resistance. What hope do they have if you don’t do this?”
Gart stared through the tree branches at the black form in front of him.
“There may be another way. The allies may prevail without my help.”
With sweating hands, Gart gripped his flask of water.
“They may, but you will lose Gib.”
The black beast moved. He smelt his watcher.
“But if I do this, I will lose him anyway.”
The beast turned its red face, looking directly at Gart.
“You will lose him, but he will not be lost.”
Gart flinched, remembering the words of BloodVaine. No Dacker. You have too much dragon blood in your flesh. If I gave you another dose you would be dead before midnight.
“Then we’ll do it for Gib.”
And Gart lifted the flask to his mouth and drank. The poison of the fangs had permeated the water and as it slipped down Dacker’s throat, he felt his power return to him. But it was different now. His mind was set and no poison or dragon blood would remove it from it’s course. Leaping out of hiding place, he confronted the dragon.
“Steady Coal Blood. I have need of you once more.”
Mounting his old steed, he turned to address the hawk.
“Hawk, I go now to war. Now it is left to you, to come or go. You know the place of the battle, as I’m sure the birds of the air have told you. And if you dare to leave these woods, you may yet see your master.”
Then to himself Gart spoke. “I may yet see your master.”
And with that, he left. The dragon soared into the air and headed east.
“Now Gib, I’m coming. By Coal Blood’s aid, the dragon’s of Del Grakken will turn on their very masters. You will be saved Gib. I will save you.”
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