Meric the Storyman: Rega and the Dragonstones
Chapter 28: Black and Blue

“Fascinating.” said Hulafason, the blue dragon. “So the metallic ilk have a plan to use these Dragonstones against us, do they? Well, I will have to prevent that.”

“Will that be all, oh great blue leader?” asked Jaltor.

“Oh...yes. You did well.” answered the dragon. He then turned to an orc. “You, get this man some refreshments. He may have just given us a major victory.”

Hulafason watched the orc take him to the kitchen area. He wondered about the power of the spells in the gems. Another part of him just wondered about the gems. He was deep in thought, planning how to get the Dragonstones, when a black dragon interrupted him.

“Sir, we are having a problem between the red and green sector.” the black dragon reported.

Hulafason came out of his thoughts with a simple plan almost formulated. “Most likely some stupid juvenile dragons.” he said. He started walking over to the area when the rest of the plan came to him. He called the black dragon who had interrupted back to him.

“I have a mission for you.” he told the black dragon. When he finished telling him the details, the black dragon left.

The blue dragon then headed to the disturbance. “So the good dragons got together to create the Dragonstones, huh.” he said to himself. “It’s too bad my evil ancestors never thought of it...”

He paused. “...or did they? Hmmmmm.” He said, and then had to continue. A flash of fire let him know he had to stop two more dragons from killing each other.

Kiram knew she was closer. The droppings from their horses were getting fresher and the tracks more prominent.

They had now left the main road, heading in a southeast direction. She figured they were heading toward the desert.

“I do not want to go into the desert after them.” she said to her horse. “I do not have the extra water necessary for our survival in the heat. So, I will have to push you a little harder.”

The horse neighed.

Night was only a few hours away. Rega had kept them going with only little breaks since they had left Makloran the night before. He knew they would have to stop soon.

“Lobaki, see if that familiar can do more than just sit on your shoulder.” said Rega. “Send him out to look for a stream or something. We need a break. I would rather be near some fresh water.”

Lobaki was too tired to argue. She grumbled something to Barg. Moments later, the sparrow was airborne.

Rega looked over at his friend. “I’ll be glad when this job is finished.” he said.

“So will I.” said Dexir. “And Rega...Don’t ever ask me to come with you on any more of these adventures. I’ve had enough.”

Rega knew his friend was trying to joke, but he was just too tired to laugh.

A few minutes later, Barg returned with news of a small stream. They went in the direction the sparrow had told Lobaki. After another fifteen minutes, they saw it.

“The bird was right.” said Dexir. “It is small.”

The stream was just a trickle of water. Being this close to the desert caused most of the water to evaporate. There was grass for the horses. There were also some trees for shelter. It would be fine for the night, though.

They were all too tired to see the small black speck in the sky circling above them.

Kiram was relieved to see them stop. She was tired. The ride from Makloran had been a rough one. Fortunately, the invisible creature hadn’t shown up to stop her.

She knew her chance to get the Dragonstones would have to be when Rega was away from the rest of them. Even with her magical protections, she wouldn’t be able to take them all on. So, she waited. Since Rega was human, she also knew that he would have need to relieve himself. That would be her chance.

The time came soon enough. She watched the thief walk away from his friends. She also saw a pouch on his belt.

She moved silently up to him. The noise of him relieving himself aided her. She had almost made it up to him when he spotted her.

“Prina? What... ” was all he got out.

“Give me the gems, Manei...or should I say Rega?” she said, pointing her short sword at his throat. “No funny moves, or I’ll slice it open.”

Rega’s friends had heard him. They ran up in time to see a woman holding a short sword at his throat.

“Tell them to put down their weapons.” said Kiram, noticing the rest of the party running up.

“Do as she says.” said Rega.

They set their weapons down on the ground.

Back up.” she ordered.

They moved back from their weapons.

“Now, Rega, hand over the Dragonstones.” she said to the thief.

Rega slowly untied the pouch at his side and handed it over to her. She opened it up and saw the five gems inside. Satisfied, she tucked it into her blouse.

“I have archers who have been told to shoot to kill.” she lied to them. “I suggest you stay here and don’t move.”

Kiram then took off back to her horse and headed back toward Makloran. Cirrick would be pleased. These gems should earn her the chance to be his second in charge. She felt no pity for that fool Brolo.

The black dragon had spotted them. He watched as they went to the stream. Coming from the direction that the party had just been, he also saw a lone rider. Flying a little lower, he saw the rider was female.

He had been ordered to find the group of travelers, get the Dragonstones at any cost, and return to the desert hideout. He should have them soon. First, he wanted to watch what the female was up to.

He saw her hide behind a tree, pulling out her sword. He then saw one of the men from the party walking in her direction. He laughed when he saw her sneak up on him while he had been relieving himself. That was funny.

When she opened the pouch, he also saw the contents. It was amazing. Even from this height, he could tell that these gems were valuable. He could see why Hulafason wanted them. Just one of the gems would make any dragon’s treasure grand. He would have to insist that he at least get his pick of the five.

Then he saw her run to her horse and take off. This made his task much easier. He wouldn’t have to fight all of the rest of them.

He finally lowered his altitude. It was time to get the gems. Having a little fun with the larger group’s horses, he first flew by them before changing course and going after the female.

He caught up to her quickly. Letting loose his acid breath, he hit the horse in the front legs. It crumpled, sending the woman flying ahead. She landed, unconscious.

He flew down and picked her up in his mouth. He didn’t want her dead yet. Her flesh would taste better if she were still alive when he returned to the hideout.

Pushing off with his powerful back legs, the black dragon was again airborne, flying to the southern part of the Dralmag desert. He would be glad when the battle had ended. He couldn’t wait to leave the dry heat and return to his swamp.

Rega told his friends to let her go.

“What about the Dragonstones?” asked Dexir. “She’s getting away with them.”

Rega started laughing. Dexir, Doman and Lobaki looked at each other, wondering if their friend had lost it. Then they saw him reach into his clothes and pull out a much smaller pouch. In his hand he held the miniature bag of holding.

“All she has is the joke I had planned for Effron.” explained Rega. “The gnomes helped me out. What she has is just an illusion placed on five cavern rocks.”

They all started to laugh. The laughter was cut short, however, when they saw a dark shape coming toward them. It was a black dragon.

The dragon swooped by them, causing them all to hit the ground. Their horses had been tied up, so they were going crazy.

Then they saw the dragon attack the woman. They watched him pick her up in his mouth and then fly off to the south.

“Let’s calm the horses down.” suggested Doman. “We need to let them know everything is all right.”

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