Fang Shway in LA (20 page)

Chapter 31

“King Traygen, I’ve returned with a response from Lauren. What has happened in my absence?”

“Fargon how is she?”

“She misses you, but seems well enough.”

“Thanks you God. The vampires have stepped up their attacks in the last couple of hours. They are trying to cut us off from the main force. We’ve suffered serious losses and pulling back was our only option.”

“What do you plan? Do you want me to go to the castle and bring reinforcements?”

“Not yet, I have a plan. The vampires will not be expecting us to attack after dark. I think we should take to the air and attack them as they feed. To that end, I’ve had my men put a small herd of cattle on the plains just south of here. I’ve deployed our men in a semi-circle around the cattle, waiting for my signal to attack.”

“Do you have enough men left to carry it out?”

“Not as many as I’d like but there are enough of the king’s guards to surround them. Fargon, I need you to follow the trail of our traitor. You are the only one I trust.
The attacks are regularly disrupting our supply lines and someone is tipping off the Vikings.”

“Where do you suggest I begin?”

“I’ve directed my brother to send a wagon, early tomorrow morning from the castle.
Only the wagon will carry fighters, not supplies. A small band of men will escort them as they travel inland over the marshes. I want you to scout the area and keep in touch with Prince Warren. He’ll expect you.”

“I’ll leave at once to speak with Prince Warren. You be careful Traygen and don’t worry we’ll get the traitor.”

“Fargon, watch your back. We don’t know who is behind this, trust no one and not even the prince.”

Fargon nodded and then left, as I sat down to read Lauren’s letter. Before opening the letter, I held it to my nose inhaling Lauren’s scent. For the first time in a week, I smiled. Reading and rereading the letter, my heart beat a little faster, refolding the letter; I placed it under my tunic next to my heart.

Leaving my tent, I went to seek counsel with my men. It was almost nightfall. We had already gone over the plan, but it wouldn’t hurt to review. I particularly wanted to reiterate how the men were to kill the vampires. At least in this department, we had an advantage. Dragon’s breathe fire and that would kill the vampires. The biggest challenge would be evading the archers traveling with the vampires.

It would be harder to attack us at night because our heads are the only vulnerable area on our bodies. The darkness would make it nearly impossible to make a direct hit. Unfortunately, our fire silhouettes us against the night sky, making us momentarily visible to the archers below us. We would all be wearing body armor. Needless to say, if the enemy hit us and we fell from the sky, our dragon bodies would provide an even larger target.

The men were all suited up and ready to go. It was time to take their assigned spaces in the field. We would need to fly to our assigned spots and find cover before the sun set. I wished them well and we flew off to our respective positions. My group flew south along the coast before heading inland. This was such a beautiful land and someday soon I will share it with you, my love. Landing lightly, I changed finding cover in a small stand of trees. Settling in to wait for the vampires, I pulled out Lauren’s letter and read it again. Then I heard them. Our company had arrived.

A group of vampires was approaching from my left side. The cattle were grazing in the field, unaware of the danger descending on them. I counted about thirty vampires and archers. When the group reached the cattle, the vampires began to feed. The archers fanned out around the cattle, forming a protective yoke. While the vampires started feeding, I ordered the men to take to the air. Slipping from my hiding place, I changed. Several powerful thrusts from my wings sent me sailing into the air. I soared high into the sky above the vampires and banking sharply to my left I started to dive. Smoke billowed from my gapping mouth, consuming everything in its path. The vampires never knew what hit them. It was over in minutes. The cattle, the archers and vampires all burst into flames. Pulling up and landing softly in the field, I waited for the rest of the team to land. It appeared no one suffered a serious injury. We made sure everyone was dead and then returned to our camp.

After I landed, I went to my tent to wash up. When I entered the room I knew I wasn’t alone. Whirling around and drawing my knife, I spied Fargon sitting by the fire. “Fargon, you startled me. Did you bring news?”

“Begging your pardon, King Traygen, I wasn’t sure when to expect you and sat by the fire to warm up from my travels. I am happy to report the transport got safely to its destination. How did it go with the vampires?”

“The plan worked and we killed twenty-six vampires and a score of archers. No one suffered any new injuries.
The attack went off without a hitch. Do you have any news about the traitor in our ranks?”

Shifting his weight form one foot to the other Fargon didn’t answer right away. He continued to stare into the flames, sweat beading up on his face. Dabbing absently at it with a filthy handkerchief, he raised his eyes to look at me.

“Traygen, I’m not certain, but I suspect your father’s servant is the traitor.”

“Januel? You can’t be serious. I’ve known him all my life, just as you have. What do you offer as proof?”

“He has had the access to overhear every detail of our defenses and witnesses saw him leaving the castle late on the night before the last attack. I believe we need to set a trap. It will either clear him or identify him.”

“Do what you need to Fargon. You know my father’s heart will break if Januel took part in the betrayal. Please take care of this immediately, the sooner we can rule him in or out the better for everyone.”

“I’ll be off at first light. What actions are you planning to take next?”

“We need to find out where they have entrenched themselves and what we are up against. I’m planning to send scouting parties out at first light. Once we know what we are up against, we will have a better idea of how to proceed. Now I need to get some sleep. You keep safe, Fargon.”

Fargon walked over, clamping a hand on Traygen’s back. “You too, My King.”

I slept little that night. My dreams haunted by the sounds of battle, of dying men and vile vampires. The dead and the dying cursing and pleading for their lives. I’d never felt so helpless. Our success tonight was still a long way from turning back the invaders. I couldn’t tell if we had struck the invaders a deathblow or merely thrown up an obstacle. Unable to sleep I got up. I paced back and forth through the camp. Scouting parties were taking to the air and I desperately prayed they would bring welcoming news. Moral was low and losses were high, the situation was grave. Tired of pacing, I returned to my tent and reread Lauren’s letters. They comforted me and thinking of my beloved helped quiet my mind.

Pausing and craning my neck, I listened intently. I thought I’d heard something. Yes, I had definitely heard something. The sound followed closely by scouts yelling and the sounds of running feet. Jumping out of bed, I trotted toward the sound. The men were circled in a tight knot around something or someone. Slicing through them, I saw that one of the scouts had returned.

“Stand back and give the man some room to breathe.” I yelled as I squatted next to him. He was pale from blood loss, I couldn’t even be sure if he was alive. I placed my ear near his face and listened. He was alive. “Get him some water and let’s carry him to the doctor’s tent.”

Several men picked up their injured comrade and carried him to the doctor’s tent. Everyone stepping aside to let the doctor and his helpers take care of the man. No one spoke or dared to move. It was sometime later when the doctor stepped outside, motioning for me to enter.

“I’ve done what I can for him. His condition is grave but he insisted on talking to you.”

Clapping the doctor on the shoulder, I knelt down beside the injured man. His skin was a waxy gray and his breathing shallow. I started to stand, not wishing to disturb him when his eyes fluttered open.

“King Traygen, the enemy attached us on the eastern border, above the bluffs. I am the only survivor. Our betrayers were dragons. They signaled for us to land and when we did they attacked us.”

“Did you recognize anyone?”

The man racked by coughs struggled to speak. “Water. Give him some water.” The doctor ordered.

I handed him some water and waited for the man to speak, the water finally calming his cough.

Struggling to control his cough, he whispered, “Prince Warren.”

“You are certain?”

The man nodded affirmatively and then lost consciousness. “Doctor, speak of this to no one. I’ll need to confer with Fargon and the generals.”

The doctor nodded and stepped back to allow Traygen the room to step outside.

I immediately sought the counsel of my generals. We couldn’t wait for Fargon to return. I just prayed he would arrive before the meeting ended. Once everyone took their seats, I related what the wounded soldier said. No one spoke, few daring to make eye contact.

“King Traygen, I think we should wait for the other scouting parties to return. They should be here shortly and Fargon should return within the hour. If this report is correct we cannot afford to act in haste.”

“I agree, General Wingo. If this is an attempt to overthrow the crown we are facing, then we must proceed differently. Will you please tell me when everyone is assembled and ready? I’ll be in my tent.”

I strode determinedly to my tent and sat stiffly on the edge of my cot. Lauren, I can’t believe this. My brother? I know he has always wanted the crown, even though I never did. Why couldn’t he have waited? Now just when I was going to abdicate my claim to the crown he betrays our father. Lauren, I’ll have to kill my own brother. There is no other way.

“King Traygen, the men are ready.” Fargon said.

“Thank God, Fargon what do you make of this? Is Warren behind this?”

Fargon’s eyes blazed, as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “It confirms what we feared. I circulated false information in Januel’s vicinity saying the caravan had been attacked by dragons. I’ve always feared Warren was recklessly ambitious. Still, I didn’t think he was capable of this treachery.”

“Do you believe he acted alone? Please tell me Trevor had no part in this.”

“Prince Trevor worships you, Traygen. He would not take part in any activity to harm you. I’d stake my life on it.”

“I need you to find him and keep him and the King safe. Until we know for certain, who the traitors are.
Their lives are in danger. Warren cannot be allowed access to the king or the castle. If he is guilty he will hang for his treasonous acts. Now we will join the generals. It is time we ran Warren to ground.”

I entered the room and spoke softly to General Wingo, who merely nodded his agreement. I
walked to the front of the room, waiting for silence before speaking. “I’ve asked General Wingo to brief us on all the scouting reports. Someone has betrayed us, passing information to our enemies and giving them critical information. Please keep everything you hear in the strictest confidence.”

I stepped aside to let General Wingo address the men. He mapped out the area, pointing to the locations known to be occupied by groups of our attackers. My mind grappling to come to terms with my brother’s betrayal.
How could he?

“King Traygen, how do you wish to continue?”

Lifting my gaze, I realized everyone was staring at me for answers. Fighting to control my emotions, I took several deep breaths before continuing. “You know by now Prince Warren has betrayed the kingdom. He is a traitor and will receive the ultimate punishment. First, I think we need to surround and remove the Vikings and their minions. We’ve pushed them back toward the ocean.”

Pointing to the matching dots on the map, I showed them their positions. “This is how we will handle it. I need one raiding party to fly to the bay and destroy their ships. Burn them to the waterline.
This will remove their means of escape. The rest of us will attack from the remaining three sides. I want a brigade of archers on both flanks. The rest of us will attack from the front.

“Are we clear? When we finish, we will track down and kill the traitor Prince Warren. If you cross paths with him during the attack kill him. We will leave at first light, prepare your gear.”

I met further with the men leading each group of attackers. We sent the first party out, as soon as they were ready, to destroy the boats. The rest of us would attack at sunrise. The generals sent several men to keep track of the enemy while we prepared.

I left to get my gear together and to write to Lauren. She needed to know what I was up against, in case I didn’t return.

Lauren,

I don’t have much time to write.
Still, I wanted you to know I love you and I always will. In a couple of hours we fly to attack the main force. Our chances are good but I fear our losses will be high. I’ll ask Fargon to deliver this, if I don’t return.

The worst part about the invasion is the kingdom’s betrayer was my brother, Warren. He has always coveted the thrown and now when I am ready to give it to him he betrays us. It breaks my heart to know I will have to kill him but it is my duty. No one is above the law. I only pray my father never learns.