Dragon Down by Casey Knight Page B

had the dingy pulled up onto the beach and hidden under some brush. This side of the island didn’t look inhabited. The only tracks I saw were from birds. So we decided to head up to higher ground to get a better view. The vegetation was dense in places, but Zane hacked his way through it. Tokem flew off to scout. I’d gladly change places with the little guy. Hacking through brush, filled with God only knew what, was not my idea of a good time. I had bits of twigs and leaves in my hair. What I wouldn’t give for a long hot shower. Zane seemed to be in his element. He was hacking away like Indiana Jones. We made it to the top about the time Tokem flew in to report.
    “There is a large camp on the north side of the island. I don ’t know how many men, but my guess is a dozen or so. They don’t look like traders to me.”
    “What makes you say that?” Zane asked.
    “Mainly, because they are all heavily armed and I think they are guarding something or someone.”
    “Tokem, why don ’t you go and try to get a better look while, we make our way to that side of the island? We’ll follow the ridge line as closely as we can. Report as soon as you know something.”
    “Lauren, I ’ll see to it and report as soon as I find anything.”
    Tokem sped off in the direction of the camp. I pulled out my water and drank until I was full. Zane drank some and ate a few bites of something. Then we started down the hill. Zane took more care going down. So we wouldn’t attract any unwanted attention. It was pretty much hacking, crawling, and swatting bugs all the way down. I was primed, pissed and prepared to kill anyone I found, after this slog through the dense brush. I was hot, dirty, and cranky.
    We had been at it about an hour when a whirring noise announced Tokem ’s return. He landed lightly on the branch near me.
    “You two look hot.”
    “You think?” I said as I glared menacingly at him, before he continued.
    “It took me a little time, but I was able to fly in undetected. Those men are pirates or hired killers. They have two rooms at the back of a cave that are heavily guarded. One room I couldn’t get close enough, to see into. However, one of the guards asked the other if they’d had any water. So, I’m assuming they have prisoners. The other room has chests and arms. I couldn’t tell what was in the chests, but my guess is gold or gems.”
    “How many men are guarding the cave?”
    “Zane, I counted two in front of each door and four around the mouth of the cave.”
    I listened although my heart was beating so loudly I could barely hear Tokem. What if Traygen was one of the prisoners? They could be holding him there for ransom. I didn’t know how long I’d been quiet but, when I looked up Zane and Tokem were staring at me.
    “ What?”
    “You were talking to yourself, not that anyone who knows you would be surprised.”
    “Lauren, if you are all right I think we should wait until the cover of darkness to get inside the caves. It will take us nearly that long to get down there. What do you think?”
    I didn ’t like the idea of spending one minute longer than necessary in this bug invested woods. Still there was no need to be reckless. “I agree. Even if I used magic it would be dangerous to take on those numbers. There is no need to risk anyone’s life.”
    Zane and I returned to the backbreaking challenge of cutting our way through the brush. I nearly gave our approach away when something slithered over my boot. If Zane hadn’t reached over and clamped his hand over my mouth all of Ireland would have known we were coming. One quick slice with his other hand and the snake was dispatched. When I got my heart back inside my rib cage, I thanked him and also the Gods I hadn’t wet my pants.
    The sun had set by the time we reached the area a hundred yards or so from the caves entrance. Fires burned in several places and the scent of grilled meat permeated the air. I think I drooled on myself. Thankfully,