Chapter 18: The Magic War, Part 5: Parting Waves

Osa rides on the back of the dragon as they fly high up in the air, but well below the clouds. Osa is able to see farms and all the towns that have been occupied by Orangemen. She also notices several large encampments out in the far reaches of her vision. She guesses that those are supply points for forces that have travelled out beyond the borders of Prince Rindell’s nation.

After several hours of flying, with the latter half close to the trees to help conceal their approach, Osa had the dragon land in a clearing in the woods several minutes’ walk outside the town of Brinkham, then walked the rest of the way.

As Osa exits the woods on the edge of town, she is met by a pair of threatening men wearing thick fur hides and carrying a battle ax, a war ax, and a throwing ax. They recognize her from the stories that John and Amy have told. Apologizing, the two men escort her to the edge of town and return to their patrols.

Once in town, Osa vaguely remembers where things are and heads to the mayor’s building in hopes of finding John and Becka. Becka answers the door to her father’s office, as she acts as his assistant, then hugs Osa and says, “Come inside.” Osa explains to Becka and her father, the mayor, her plan to have the dragon attack the Orangemen, but she is going to need Amy with her, while John gets people around this area prepared to join her forces when they arrive.

Becka takes Osa to the house where she lives, on the edge of town. Becka brews Osa some tea before returning to her father’s office, leaving Osa to wait. Osa doesn’t have to wait very long; she managed only to drink half the tea when John and Amy arrived. They hug and give each other quick kisses before Osa tells her story and lays out the plan. When she is done with the details, Osa says, “I would like Amy to go back with me to the ship.” Before Amy can agree, Osa tells them, “Just so you know, I flew in on a dragon, and it is waiting in the woods not far from here.”

Amy and John sit amazed at the idea for a moment before Amy asks, “Can I see it?” Osa tells Amy, “You can do more than see it; you are going to ride on its back as we fly to the town we are using as a launch point.” Even as Amy gets excited, John gets worried and begins to fuss about how much of a bad idea he thinks getting close to a dragon is. Osa reassures John, “I made a bargain with the dragon so that he is not dangerous to us, but he will be dangerous to Prince Rindell and his Orangeman army.”

Amy is so excited to see the dragon; Osa has to remind her to pack all the things she will need for a battle. Osa leads Amy and John to the clearing where she left the dragon. When they get there, they find the dragon sleeping and the antlers and legs of three deer scattered around the clearing. The dragon opens one eye and looks at them. Osa asks the dragon, “Did you enjoy your snack?” and the dragon rolls his head slightly, almost as if shrugging.