Beyond the Dragon’s Teeth
Copyright© 2026 by Asa Strong
Chapter 9
After we crossed the shallow streambed, I looked back towards Tag’ar’s encampment. The dwarfs appeared to be busy breaking camp for their return to the city. I would miss Tag’ar’s company.
Dan’ar and Gait were ahead of me, each leading a pack mule. I followed, also leading a mule. I quickly caught up with the other two, and for the next hour we continued on in silence.
In the far distance, you could make out the edge of what looked like a great forest.
It became apparent quickly that our journey to reach the forest would not be quick or easy. Although the terrain in front of us looked to be flat and easy to travel over, we quickly found this was not the case. We encountered many deep gullies and washouts that required us to change course several times to find a way around them. By noon, we had made little progress moving north. Much time was spent working our way around and through the gullies.
Gait broke me from my reverie when he asked, “Donta, we didn’t have anything to eat this morning. This looks like a good place to stop.”
Then with a smile on his lips, he said, “Besides, I’m hungry!”
Dan’ar joined in my laughter, and we halted near an immense oak tree, growing near the edge of a steep gully.
As Gait was rummaging through the packs, looking for something to prepare for us to eat, I asked Dan’ar, “Do you know anything about the country we are going to travel through?”
Dan’ar shook his head and then replied, “Dwarfs try to stay away from this side of the river. It is hard to travel, and few have ventured into the large forest.”
Dan’ar paused for a moment and then continued on.
“There are tales of some who have traveled to the forest. These are tales that are very old. They tell of seeing many orcs and even some trolls.
“They also say that the trees in the forest are giants—larger than any in our own land.”
“Are there any tales of elves?” I asked.
Dan’ar nodded his head. “Yes, it is said that they live in the giant trees and do not like having those that are not elves in their land.”
Gait broke up our discussion with his announcement that he had something ready to eat.
After quickly eating the bread and cheese that Gait had prepared, we continued on.
I didn’t like the country we were traveling through. There were too many places where an enemy could hide and not be seen. Also, the sky was starting to darken. Sullen, gray clouds were forming to the northwest, and the smell of rain was in the air.
The further north we traveled, the more rugged the terrain became. The gullies became deeper, and you could see where great quantities of water had ripped through the earth.
By the end of the afternoon, we had traveled about ten miles in the direction of the forest. You could tell we were closer, but the forest edge was still a long distance away.
We made camp at the edge of a small rent in the earth, in a small stand of oak trees which gave us shelter. The sky was still gray and nasty looking, but it had not yet started to rain.
We quickly set up camp and took care of the animals. We finished our evening meal in darkness and quickly took to our tents.
The next morning, the ugly-looking clouds had not abated as we continued on. By noon, the wind had picked up. One look at the black clouds moving in from the northwest told us that a massive storm was approaching.
“Gait,” I hollered, “we need to find shelter!”
Gait turned in his saddle and nodded his head. He then kicked his horse and took off at a trot.
Gait was quickly out of sight, swallowed up by a turn in the gully. Dan’ar and I continued working our way through the morass of twisting, turning pathways.
The first drops of rain were coming down when Gait found us.
“I have found us cover from the storm!” He hollered, from the top of the washout to our right.
We led our mules up the side of the slope and joined Gait. By this time, the wind had picked up, and the rain had started in earnest. Gait led us to shelter, between two huge boulders. By the time we arrived, all of us were soaking wet.
There were a few small trees in the backside of the small area that was formed by the boulders. Dan’ar quickly took the mules and our horses and tied them to the tree trunks.
Gait and I helped unload the packs from the mules, and we then managed to set up one tent before the sky opened up with a deluge of rain.
We could hear loud thunderclaps to the northwest and see the lightning as it approached our refuge.
The horses and mules were becoming excited, probably from the thunder.
Dan’ar hollered at me, “Donta, we need to make a rope enclosure around the trees, or we will lose the horses and mules!”
I barely heard him through the sound of thunder, but nodded my head. All three of us worked at tying strands of rope from tree trunk to tree trunk. By the time we finished, the storm was truly upon us. Lightning covered the sky, and loud claps of thunder made it impossible to talk.
The horses and mules started milling around, and Dan’ar and I walked through the nervous animals, trying to soothe them.
For the next half hour, the storm roared and spat lightning. The sound of the wind and thunder made it impossible to shout to one another. Somehow, through all the wind, thunder, and lightning, we managed to keep the livestock from bolting.
Eventually, the storm moved to the south and east of us. The rain, however, continued as a steady downpour.
Tired, wet, and spent, the three of us made it to the one tent we’d managed to set up. We were fortunate that the boulders had provided enough of a break that the wind had not taken it down.
Luckily, Gait had enough presence of mind to have placed most of the packs and saddles in the tent before they had become soaked. The dry clothes were a welcome treat for all three of us.
Cramped as we were in such a small area, we managed to find room to lie down. All three of us quickly fell asleep with the sound of the rain, beating on the side of the tent.
The next morning found the sky clearing. The wind had stopped and there was only a slight drizzle of rain.
Gait somehow managed to get a small fire going and set about starting breakfast.
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