Beyond the Dragon’s Teeth
Copyright© 2026 by Asa Strong
Chapter 8
The evening meal was subdued. Everyone knew that Gait and I would be leaving the next day.
After we had finished eating, Tag’ar asked me to join him for a private conversation. Of course, I agreed.
We adjourned to a room I hadn’t seen before. It looked like it was Tag’ar’s office. There were large ledger books lined up in rows along one side of the wall. The bookcases holding them went from floor to ceiling.
When we entered the room, Tag’ar motioned for me to take a seat next to a large desk. He walked around the desk and sat in the large chair as I took my seat.
“Donta,” he started. “I’ve got a small problem. I hope you can help me out with it?”
From what I knew of Tag’ar, it was totally out of character for him to ask for help—especially from a human.
I thought for a moment and then said, “Tag’ar, you have been a good friend these past few days. I’d be happy to help you, if I can.”
He nodded his head, and then reached into his vest pocket and brought out a pipe. Tag’ar appeared to be nervous or upset as he loaded the pipe with tobacco and then lit it.
I sat there, wondering what was bothering him, but said nothing.
Finally, he had the pipe lit. He took a deep draw from the pipe and then spoke.
“Donta, my son Dan’ar, wants to accompany you on your journey.”
I could think of no reason why Dan’ar should not join Gait and me, but it puzzled me that Tag’ar would allow it.
“Tag’ar, Dan’ar is more than welcome to come with Gait and me. But, I’m wondering, isn’t this kind of unusual for a dwarf?”
The grimace on Tag’ar’s face told me that this was a situation that was uncomfortable for him. He took a deep breath, sighed, and then answered me.
“You must understand how a dwarf lives in his clan. Dan’ar is my third son, and will never have the chance to become the clan chief. That will go to my eldest son when I die.
“Dan’ar is not one to stay in the background of the clan. He is different than most dwarfs. He likes to travel, and he also sees the opportunity in your journey to become something he cannot be here. He has voiced to me that he could not live here with Dag’al, my oldest son.”
Tag’ar paused a moment, in what appeared to be deep thought. He shook himself and then continued on.
“I ask you not to repeat this, but Dan’ar has always been my favorite son. He reminds me of myself when I was his age. But there is nothing I can do about the situation between my two sons. Dag’al will become the clan leader upon my death.”
I thought for a moment, and then said, “I see your problem, but I don’t understand how Dan’ar coming with us will change the situation?”
Tag’ar lowered his head, looking at the top of his desk. I could not see his face as he pondered what I’d said. After a moment, he looked up, with an expression of deep sorrow on his face, and said, “Donta, if Dan’ar takes this journey with you, he will be forever banished from the clan.”
The look on Tag’ar’s face told me that this was a very painful position for him to be in.
I nodded my head, and then said, “Tag’ar, Dan’ar is more than welcome to come with us. I only wished the price he will pay was not so steep.”
Tag’ar nodded his head, and then said, “You have a father’s thanks for this, Donta.”
He paused a moment, and then continued.
“It would not be wise for it to be known that Dan’ar will be accompanying you on your journey. I will guide you to the Northern border, and then Dan’ar can state his intentions.”
This ended our discussion, and I returned to the room where Gait and I were staying. I found Gait loading supplies into our traveling packs. There seemed to be a lot more there than when we arrived. I asked, “Where did all this come from?”
Gait looked up from where he was sitting on the floor, a big smile on his face, and said, “Dan’ar brought it up a while ago, while you were talking to Tag’ar. He said that his father instructed him to make sure we were well supplied.”
I nodded my head and then walked over to the bed and took off my sword. I laid the sword on the table beside the bed and then joined Gait in stowing the supplies.
As we were working, I decided to let Gait know that Dan’ar would be coming with us.
I continued to load items into the pack I was working on and casually said, “I had an interesting meeting with Tag’ar. It seems that your arm wrestling companion wants to come along with us.”
Gait stopped what he was doing and looked at me. “You mean that Dan’ar is coming with us?”
“It sure looks that way. But keep it quiet for now. Dan’ar will not be telling anyone about this until we reach the border.”
Gait put a big smile on his face, nodded his head, and then went back to work.
The next morning dawned with a cold, misty rain falling. It looked like it would be a miserable day for traveling.
Gait was already up and about when I opened my eyes. I stumbled into my clothes and splashed some water onto my face from the washbasin on my bedside table.
I found breakfast already in progress when I entered the dining room. Tag’ar, Gait, and the others were busy ensuring that there was nothing left on the plates in front of them.
I joined them, and before long, we had all finished and then left for the courtyard.
Gait had already brought down our packs and supplies. Tag’ar’s clan had the mules loaded and our horses ready to leave when we arrived.
The sun was hidden behind dense, gray clouds as we left the city and headed north.
Tag’ar led the way through the winding roads, often taking a branching road. But always, we continued steadily on in a northerly direction.
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