CHAPTER SEVEN
Carrion asked, “What does that mean? Are you asking about their tattoos? I have no idea.”
“We have tattoos on our backs. They have them on their arms. I wonder if that’s the difference in us? Maybe the green dragons can communicate only with people with dragon tattoos on their arms,” Tanner said.
“Or maybe they are simply tattoos, not things they are born with like ours. Just ink under the skin and nothing to do with the greens. If there is a connection, why were they moving like they were drugged?”
Tanner gave it consideration, then said, “Were there any other people down by the breakwater?”
“Yes. Four or five in a building that was also the kitchen. No tattoos on them. They acted normal.”
“That confuses any ideas I had.”
Carrion laughed. “I know the feeling. Nothing about this makes any sense. But nobody will be using Shrewsbury to land troops for a while unless they plan to ferry them ashore in small boats and camp in the ashes.”
“After what happened at the monastery, they better bring their own dry-goods and weapons, too.”
The fire was burning lower, and Carrion confessed to being very tired. Tanner was wide awake. He stood and circled the campsite and dragon, making sure all was secure. He found one of the firebrands he’d used to mark off the safe area for the dragon had spread. The fire was in the pine needles, but a few kicks safely put out the fire.
Tanner turned to continue his circle and came face to face with the dragon again. It had shifted positions and the serpentine neck extended to place the head to within two steps of Tanner. He stood still, knowing his reflexes were nowhere near fast enough to save him.
The dragon flicked out its tongue. The tip nearly, but not quite touched Tanner. It sniffed twice, testing his scent. Then it pulled back and curled itself into a tight ball, much like a contented puppy sleeping at its master’s feet. He managed to exhale.
The night had brought on a chill, but Tanner didn’t feel it. He was a few steps from a sleeping dragon. Tanner could walk up and touch it. Well, maybe that was a bad idea as he pulled the blanket over himself and kept his eyes on the dragon.
He woke as the dragon pumped its wings a few times before it leaped into the air and flew off. Tanner didn’t get up. He just stayed under his cover and watched it grow smaller in the distance.
Carrion said, “The wound was scabbed over. No signs of infection.”
“You got up and checked?”
“It’s been light for a while. You sleep late like a girl I once knew.”
“I was tired.”
“So was she,” Carrion laughed. Then he tossed some sticks on the fire. “I want a real meal. Meat, eggs, maybe griddlecakes.”
“We don’t have food to cook.”
Carrion was still smiling. He pointed. “Right over that ridge is the road. There are two farms, one on either side of the road. I’ll bet with one of those coppers in your purse we could get a meal to remember, and maybe a little gossip to boot.”
“Gossip about Racine? I guess we could do that.” Tanner’s stomach growled loud enough for Carrion to hear, but the older man said nothing as he rolled tighter in his blanket.
The walk to the ridge didn’t take long. Tanner realized that Carrion must have seen the two farms when the dragon flew off in that direction. It must be nice to see where you’re going before you leave your campsite. Safer, too.
From the ridge, they saw the road, which was more of a wider path than a road. The two farms were at the end of the fenced pasture. Cows, sheep, and three mules grazed. Both farms had crops almost ready to harvest. Between the two houses was an orchard.
The dogs started barking before they were half way along the fence. A tan retriever and two black and white mixed-breed dogs raced to see who would arrive first. A woman working in the garden stood and waved as she arched her back to relieve some of the pain.
A man and two young boys emerged from the barn. From their appearance, they had been working in the dirt earlier. Each was covered in brown soil, from hat to feet. Tanner noticed a field recently plowed, the soil on top still looked damp.
Carrion and Tanner hopped the fence and approached them. Introductions were quick, and a meal was offered before they could ask to pay for one. The woman, who was about Tanner’s age, asked if they would enjoy eating in the shade of the trees behind the house where there was a breeze.
While the men washed in a tank of water, she entered the house and began the meal. A girl of no more than ten appeared, then shyly disappeared almost as fast. Tanner offered to help with the meal. The father said, “Not much to prepare. Bread and sliced goat. Fresh apples or pears on the trees. You just missed the cherries by a few days, but you might still find a few if you look.”
Carrion said, “This is about as nice a farm as I’ve ever seen. You must work hard to keep it like this.”
“It is hard work,” he said. “Then just when you’re done fighting drought, insects, and rabbits, you think it’s all over and what happens? A dragon appears. Flew right over us this morning. You see it?”
Carrion jammed a thumb at Tanner, “He sleeps late, so I was caring for our campsite.”
“A red, it was,” the farmer continued. “Big one, too.”
“Take any of your animals?” Tanner asked, fearing the answer.
“Nope. Not a one. It turned south right above us like it was following the road to Racine.”
Carrion had settled into a chair beside a sturdy table made of split planks. He leaned back and looked up at the blue sky. “Racine, there’s a name I haven’t heard for a while. I used to know a young lady there. But that’s a tale for another time.”
The farmer glanced at his two boys and nodded in agreement. He said, “It’s bigger now. New people moving in. Lots of them.”
Tanner glanced at Carrion. Then he asked, “Where do they come from? Up North?”
“Nope. They mostly keep to themselves and don’t talk much. But I think they come from across the sea, at least, that’s what some of us believe. They come with odd ways of talking, and they don’t join in, but we’ve seen their kind around here for many years.”
“Their kind?” Carrion asked, examining the trees in the orchard.
“Scared. Where they come from must not be a good place. They arrive here with nothing. Those already located here help them a little, but they don’t have much to provide. I’ve offered them jobs to help with my crops, but usually I just get shoulders turned from me like I’m trying to poison them. Like they’re scared to work.”
Carrion said, “I notice that’s an odd way you trim the fruit trees. It must take a lot of work, a lot of people.”
“It is, and I could use more help, but it’s worth it because it keeps them growing low to the ground so picking is easy. Those stakes spread the branches. The fruit grows larger too, gets more sun. It sells for more.”
“Where’d you learn to do that?” Carrion asked as the first platter of food was placed on the table.
“Heard some of those new people in town, Racine, talking about it at the inn a few years ago.”
“Too bad you can’t get them out here to help. It looks like they know how to grow fruit.” Carrion’s voice was soft, but Tanner caught the meaning and waited for the farmer to continue speaking.
The rest of the food was brought, along with a pitcher of milk. A few words thanking various gods were said, and then the ritual was offered to Carrion and Tanner to thank any they wished, but both refused. Guests ate first, of course.
The bread was fresh, soft, and contained a few spices Tanner didn’t recognize. The meat had a smoked flavor, and the cheese was sharp. He ate everything and finished with an apple he sliced with the knife worn at his hip.