Tales of the Lorekeepers 01 - Rise of the Red Dragon

Samuel.
    “However, while I was there, I learned a few things,” continued Malloy. “It seems everything the army built yesterday, at the top of the hill, is now also destroyed. I heard Vortigern was furious with his head advisor, Morghan.”
    Samuel suddenly turned his head to focus all his attention on Malloy. He had hoped he would not hear the name Morghan so soon. Trying to hide the concern on his face, he turned away and resumed coiling a rope around his right hand and elbow.
    “Why?” he asked.
    “Apparently Morghan was the one who suggested we come here, to Dinas Ffaraon. It’s rather curious, because Morghan is known as a wise man. He’s been with the king since he was a young boy, not much older than you are. I would be surprised to learn that he brought us here, all the while knowing about the curse inhabiting these hills. What on earth are you doing?”
    Samuel looked at the roll of rope that was tangled around his forearm, already too large to fit in his hand. He had no idea what he was doing.
    “Give me that,” said Malloy, reaching for the rope. “This is how you roll a rope. Seriously, you need to learn to do these things, Sammy. It’s not that hard.”
    The young man took a short length of rope in his left hand and using his right, he made regular loops and stacked them on each other.
    “Curse?” said Samuel. “What curse?”
    “We don’t know. Some men talk about the curse of ancient gods, others talk about spells from mischievous wood spirits. This is just babbling from the ancient pagan religion, if you ask me. Still, one cannot deny what happened here last night. The earthquake that shook the region was unlike anything I have ever experienced. Not to mention the thunderous roars we heard, like some huge, infernal beasts unleashed into our world by their master. I think that was the scariest part for me, hearing those shrieks without knowing what it was or where they were coming from.”
    Malloy finished spinning the rope and looked up at his young friend.
    “There isn’t much we can do for now anyway, he added. “Also, while speaking to the other officers who had gathered around Clive, I’ve learned that the king and his advisors strongly believe in the theory of an evil curse. They think the ground will shake again tonight and the night after, until we leave this place. However, they have come up with a plan to break this presumed curse. It seems they don’t want to leave this place that they have chosen for their fortress. There is talk about a boy who must be brought here, a young child without a father, who possesses supernatural powers.”
    “Really?” asked Samuel, intrigued.
    “And I haven’t told you the best part! They are sending out a small party to retrieve the boy, somewhere north of here. Clive put in a good word for us and we have been chosen to take part in this mission. Isn’t that music to your ears, my friend?”
    “Oh yes, very much so,” answered Samuel, trying to muster enthusiasm.
    “Maybe we’ll get some gold out of it, or even some land, as recognition by our king of the hard work we’ve done.”
    “How are we supposed to travel there?” he asked Malloy.
    “On horseback, of course. What a silly question.”
    Of course it was silly. However, Samuel had never ridden a horse, let alone galloped at breakneck speed through a forest, dodging branches, swerving around fallen trees and climbing over slippery rocks.
    “Come on,” said Malloy. “There’s not a second to waste. Gather your things and let’s get going, before they decide to ask someone else to go.”
    Malloy hastily grabbed his sword and concealed a few daggers in his boots and belt. He also found the bow he had used with Samuel the day before, along with a quiver of arrows.
    Samuel wanted to tell his friend he could not ride a horse. That would have been the wise thing to do. Maybe then, Malloy could have quickly taught him or even offer to ride with him, as they did in the movies. However, he said nothing. Angeline had made it clear that he was to follow this man everywhere he went, and he feared that if he made it known he could not ride, he would be left behind. The rest of the group would certainly not wait for a young boy to learn how to ride a horse, just so he could tag along.
    No, his only option was to learn on the fly.
    Slowly, Samuel picked up the belt to which his sword and dagger were attached and fastened it around his waist. He looked around for the sheep pelt,