Captain Longbeard Nineteen-names’ booming voice awakened Rhiann. Dawning light surrounded the camp in the woods. The twin suns twinkled in the east. The grateful merchants from Dry Creek provided victuals. Gnomes wolfed down their trail breakfast, busily broke camp, and made ready to head for Dry Creek. By now for better or worse reinforcements should be nearing Dry Creek from Gnome-town. Hopefully they arrived in time.
Longbeard’s charges broke camp at dawn. Captain Longbeard and Rhiann rode beside Donovan and Iyaca’s wagon. Rudy Nine-names rode at the head of the column. Alden Eight-names rode at the rear. Four pair of Gnomes rode halvsies and positioned behind Rudy, between the first and second wagon, behind the second wagon, and with Alden in the rear. Eight Gnomes walked as foot soldiers by the wagons. The octets of walkers and riders swapped places every hour or so. The archer Dibbit kept his bow ready and rode with Donovan and Iyaca. Lieutenant Donovan Eleven-names relished his new “wagon driver” moniker and continued to drive the phi gamms. Iyaca Vassi yielded his halvsie to Roro and rode beside Donovan. The veteran lieutenant had traveled much more than most Gnomes and entertained the youth with his stories. Donovan Eleven-names was quite fond of dragon tales and spun tales as well as he fought. The veteran Donovan remained wary of the environs.
Iyaca asked, “Have you fought dragons, Lieutenant Donovan?”
Donovan proudly answered, “There’s a green dragon with a big lump on his head after his misfortune of going up against me. I’ve had a go with quite a few Copper Dragons, too. You can usually buy them off with a bit of copper, but the old ones get cranky and might enjoy a taste of Gnome. Not all dragons are bad. I met a Prismatic Dragon once. It passed through Gnome-town. Yes, sir, I’ve had some pretty good friends with wings.”
benjamintowe 