Here is my continuation of "The Forest Road:"
The
Forest Road
“Blades out lads it’ll be wet work with this lot, no doubt about
that.”
Some faces showed smiles, others grimaced but nowhere was fear
to be seen. Eagerly they watched the carriage as it moved unsuspectingly into
their ambush.
An arrow thunked into the throat of the coachman and the band
flung themselves at the road with an animalistic scream. The horses, rearing in
fright had their throats slashed – although they were valuable beasts, it would
be too long before they could sell them and make a profit.
Flintlocks poked through the windows and a few ineffective shots
did little more than fill the carriage with smoke before they were torn from
their owner’s hands. The door was wrenched from the hinges and the attackers
leaned in, keen to ascertain the nature of their spoils.
“God’s teeth!” swore the leader, and he reeled back in shock,
for one of the passengers was not human. Large yellow eyes nictitating wildly
in the sudden clamour stared back at them from the being trussed up on the
floor of the carriage. Green, scaly skin covered its hide, and the other
passengers were torn between watching their charge and dealing with the bandits
that now milled in confusion on the road.
*****
A blood-curdling screech filled the air.
The leader, Marin, rolled clear of the carriage an instant
before a jet of flame engulfed two of his dumbfounded companions and set
the carriage on fire. “They’re transporting a dragon!”
Two soldiers burst from the burning carriage, Flintlocks in
hand, and opened fire at their scattering foes. Another bandit fell before the
pair discarded their spent pistols and reached for the rapiers at their side.
Marin sprang into action, running the first soldier through
before he could unsheathe his sword. “Stand your ground lads,” he said.
“Surround the wagon.” The second soldier lunged at the bandit leader, who
deftly parried the attack then plunged his blade through the
soldier’s heart.
As
the remaining bandits took up positions around their prize, the air
shimmered and became deathly cold. When the flames vanished, the men shifted
nervously, looking at Marin with wide eyes. He knew what securing a dragon
would mean for his small band. He also knew that the spoils of battle weren’t
worth having unless they could be enjoyed. But what he didn’t know was whether
his rag tag company could survive a battle with the magician inside the
smouldering carriage.
*****
A petite red-head dressed in a green pelisse delicately stepped
out of the carriage. Once she stood, she
brushed down her jade satin skirts, settled her hands on her hips, and surveyed
the band with bright yellow eyes. She grinned
up at Marin. “Thanks much, mates. I was growing tired of the accommodations.”
Marin
swallowed heavily. “Milady, you are now our
prisoner. Come forth and we’ll treat you
with all respect. Otherwise, we’ll cut
you down where you stand.”
“Really,
heavy-handed threats? I expected more
from a group of brigands such as yourselves.
How on earth will you hold me? I could
transform and wipe you out with a single breath.” She picked her way forward, around the bodies
of the two dead guards. “However, I
should be grateful. You freed me from
the King’s men. How best can I reward
you?” She tapped her chin with a
forefinger. “How best, indeed?”
His
men looked at him and back at the magician, for a magician she had to be. No one had ever heard of a female magician,
let alone one who could transform. Marin
knew he needed to take control of the situation before he lost his men.
Hi Doreen
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love where you've taken this. Great Job! I hope someone picks this up next week.
Regards
Dave
Isn't this fun? I've picked this one up in Week 4. Here's the link, if you'd like to see where it went after your contribution:
ReplyDeletehttp://samanthadunawaybryant.blogspot.com/2013/12/connect-4-writers-flash-fiction.html