Khollo sighed and leaned forward over Kanin’s neck, hoping this would keep the worst of the moisture off. Even still, he could feel thin ice crystals forming in his hair.
I see them, Kanin said, an hour into the flight. The camp is large.
Do you see the catapults?
Yes, and the battering ram, and their black standards. There are very few of them moving about in the open.
Can you show me?
Kanin hesitated, then rolled over so that he was flying upside down. Khollo, hanging from the dragon’s back, looked down at the vertaga camp, his head pounding.
He found the catapults easily enough. The vertaga had set them up near the center of the camp, surrounded by an open space bordered by a ring of stakes. There were only two or three guards Khollo could see though. It seemed most of the sentries were concentrated on the perimeter of the camp.
Looks like we have a clear shot to take out those siege engines, Khollo observed as Kanin rolled upright again. Are you ready?
Always, Kanin replied, baring his fangs.
Then let’s go.
Kanin rotated his wings abruptly and they were suddenly plummeting straight down towards the ground. Khollo was nearly lifted from the saddle by the wind rushing past him, but the flying straps held him in place. The catapults were directly ahead of them, an easy target.
No alarms yet, Kanin reported. They have not looked up, but they will see us soon enough. I will pull out of the dive soon, and flame the catapults.
Be careful, Khollo cautioned.
Kanin snorted and began angling his wings so that they were no longer perpendicular to the ground. Their speed continued to increase, but they were swooping more than diving now, closing on the catapults.
Guttural shouts erupted from the throats of the vertaga sentries and someone blew a wailing note on a horn in the northern section of the camp. They were too late though. Before the note had faded, Kanin had opened his jaws wide and summoned the fire from within.
Orange and yellow flames sprang forth in a billowing cloud, forcing Khollo to crouch low over Kanin’s neck and shield his face. Then, Kanin adjusted his angle so that the fire was slightly beneath them and Khollo was able to see again.
The catapults had been constructed of thick pine logs bound with rope, tarred to keep it from fraying. All in all, they were highly flammable targets. And a barrage from Kanin’s breath had been more than enough to set them alight. As Khollo watched, the arm of one of the catapults sagged backwards, then snapped.
Now would be a good time to get out of here, Khollo said urgently. They had been in arrow range for less than ten seconds at this point, but the longer they stayed the more likely the vertaga were to put an arrow into Khollo or Kanin.
Kanin streaked skyward again, zooming out of arrow range in the blink of an eye. Khollo looked back and saw several vertaga clustered around the fires, but they were making no effort to put them out. The catapults were lost.
Khollo grinned and sat up straighter in the saddle, releasing a pent-up breath.
That couldn’t have gone better, he said to Kanin, patting his neck affectionately. The vertaga had no time to react to the attack or to save the catapults.
We were very fast, Kanin replied. There was no way they could stop us, even if they had tried. Can we go on the hunt for something to eat now?
Khollo laughed. Of course, Kanin. Do you want to try the meadow to the west again? It’s probably two hours’ flight.
That will do, Kanin agreed. We should have plenty of time to hunt. The vertaga will be slowed down some by the destruction of their siege weapons. They will no doubt try to build something else from the ruins.
Won’t be much for them to build with, Khollo observed drily. I’d wager they’re still burning.
Kanin flew on and they lapsed into silence. The wind rushed past, a clean, refreshing breeze. Overhead, the clouds began to break up and the sun came out, pleasantly warm.
Less than two hours later, they arrived at the collection of streams and grasslands where Kanin had hunted a few days earlier. The herd of deer they had hunted last time was gone, but there were several wild boars wading in the shallows.
Do you want to try somewhere else? Khollo asked. I know you wanted a buck earlier.
I have not tasted boar since Ethgalin, Kanin replied complacently. One of those beasts will do nicely for a light meal.
Light? Khollo asked, eying the boars dubiously. None of them were what he would describe as light.
Hang on, Kanin warned. Then the dragon seemed to drop from underneath Khollo as he folded his wings, falling straight down over the herd. Even before Khollo had time to yell with surprise, Kanin had spread his wings again and was clutching a struggling boar in his front talons.
Another quick hunt, Kanin said proudly.
Yes, you rarely miss your target, Khollo observed. Let’s set down somewhere so you can eat and I can stretch my legs.
Kanin obediently flew east for a minute or two, then landed on a low knoll which commanded a good view of the surrounding lands. Khollo loosened the flying straps and dismounted, shaking his legs out one at a time and wandering back and forth across the knoll. Behind him, Kanin began to eat, quickly disemboweling his prize.
Good kill, Kanin announced. Not as tough as I had expected, either. Almost better than a buck.
I’m glad you’re happy, Khollo replied, smiling. He looked east, where he knew the West Bank stood, and a vertaga army somewhere beyond that. He was constantly amazed by how much smaller
