Sauragia: Journey to the Red Mountain

Chapter 20

Astron, Rob, and Bard made steady progress through the woods to the north of Saurahall. Bard knew for sure that the Red Claw’s hideout was in the very centre of the Sauragian Mountains, and so he did not need to look for tracks to follow Oric. Nevertheless, Astron and Rob felt much more confident in their direction when he came across a set of clawprints in the dirt. As Defender of the Realm, Astron had patrolled this region around Saurahall many times, and so knew it pretty intimately. Thus, once they were certain of their course, he took the lead.

They trudged on for a couple of hours through the trees and underbrush on that lovely spring day. Rob openly lamented the fact that there was no road to follow, but was secretly delighted with the wonders of nature and cross-country hiking. Though he knew the seriousness of their mission, he could not help turning his head this way and that, taking in all the sights and sounds of the forest. Adventure! He loved it, even if it was under less-than-perfect circumstances.

It was just before midday came around when Rob suggested they stop for lunch. Astron hesitated, suggesting that they go a bit farther first. So, they held off eating for a little while before Rob’s stomach growled noticeably. He again suggested they stop.

“I dare say I’ll perish of hunger if we don’t stop soon, old boy.”

“Oh, come on, Rob! You can go a little farther,” urged Astron. “There’s a hill I know of about an hour ahead, and we could stop there for a while.”

“An hour! I won’t last a minute longer without some tuck. Marching on an empty stomach’s not healthy, my friend, and I’ve had naught to eat since last night.”

“I have to agree with Rob on this one, Astron,” spoke Bard, slipping off his pack. “We’ve come a fair distance since morning already, an’ my leg’s gettin’ a bit sore. So what say we take a little rest, eat up, then carry on a bit later?”

Astron looked hesitantly from his companions to the woods ahead. Bard placed a friendly claw on his shoulder.

“We’ll catch him, don’t worry,” he reassured him. “But even if we caught up with him today, we wouldn’t be much help to ourselves or your young uns if we were all worn out, would we?”

“You’re right,” said Astron. “I am sorry.”

“Don’t be. I understand completely. But like you said earlier, they’ll reach the River Andarus at some point, and that ought to slow ‘em down a bit. ‘Less they’re dragging a boat with ‘em as well.”

“Or they could cross at Allington.”

Bard shook his head. “Not likely, mate. With stolen young ones along, they’ll want to stay as far away from civilization as possible.”

So, the three companions sat on the ground and laid out a fine repast from their supplies. As they ate, they enjoyed lively conversation with each other about anything but the mission ahead. Indeed, they fell into reminiscing about days gone by, each listening while the others told their stories. Having experienced many things together, Rob and Astron often took to telling the same story and correcting each other where memory failed them. When they began talking about the war with Edward the Slayer, Bard was forced to remain silent and listen since he had not been there. While they were speaking, he heard a noise off to the side. He was going to alert his companions, but thought better of it. Instead, he stood up and walked off casually to investigate. So rapt were the two Saurahallers with their description of the final battle that they did not even notice at first.

“You remember Alfred?” spoke Rob.

“Alfred Redding?” spoke Astron. “How could I not? The fellow hardly made a point of acting very cordial to me.”

“Yes. Cheeky blighter, wasn’t he?”

“Certainly was.” Astron shook his head. “Good old Alf. His heart was in the right place, though.”

Rob nodded. “Brave lad, bless him. A real hero in the end.”

“Yes,” spoke Astron as they both rose and shouldered their packs. “We lost a lot of fine dinos in that one. I hope Saurahall never faces another threat like that again.” He stopped suddenly and looked around. “Where’s Bard gone?”

In that instant there came a rustling and a yelp from the undergrowth. They turned toward the sound of the disturbance to see Bard emerge from the bushes dragging a young Alvarosaurus along by the scruff of the neck. He tossed the youth to the ground and held him down with a heavy hind claw.

“Yowch! Get off y’big bully!” cried the youngster.

“I caught this little whelp watchin’ from the bushes there,” said Bard. “Eavesdroppin’, were you?”

“I ain’t droppin’ no eaves. Lemme go!”

“Let him go, Bard,” directed Astron. “I doubt he could be much harm to us.”

Reluctantly Bard let up, allowing the lad to rise to a sitting position.

“Gee, you’re awful ‘eavy for one your age, mister,” he said to Bard.

“Wha…That’s muscle weight that is, you impudent little…”

“What’s your name, young un?” inquired Astron hastily. “I don’t recognize you from Saurahall. Nor anywhere else for that matter.”

“So, you’re from Saurahall, are you?” said the young dino, dusting himself off and rising to his hind claws. “That’s the big castle place over yonder, ain’t it?”

“Yes, but you still haven’t answered our question,” replied Astron.

“Alright. M’name’s Arro. Just Arro, nothin’ more. What’s your names?”

“We’ll ask the questions here, you little rogue,” said Bard. “An’ you’d best tell no lies, or I’ll wallop your backside all the way back to your mum’s doorstep.”

“Oh, um…” Arro hesitated. “I don’ ‘ave a mum.”

The three older dinos looked at each other.

“Don’t have a mother?” repeated Rob.

Arro shook his head. “No dad neither.”

“You’re all alone, then?” spoke Astron with great concern. The youngster so reminded him of Arnor, albeit a year or two older. Arro nodded sadly. Astron regarded his companions.

“Well, we’re not all that far from Saurahall,” said he. “We could take him back there.”

“No, sir!” said Arro. “I don’ wanna’ go there. I wanna’ go with you lot. I likes wand’rin’.”

“No way, young un,” said Bard. “This is no pleasant country walk. This is a quest of great importance, an’ you’ll only slow us down.”

“A quest!” Arro jumped up excitedly. “Oh goody! I can ‘elp! I can keep up, honest!”

“I don’t know…” said Astron, looking to Rob for guidance.

“Oh, bother! Let the lad come along,” said the Guard Captain. “We’re losing time standing here, and I don’t think I could take any more goodbyes, so do let’s get moving.”

“All right, you can come,” relented Astron, who secretly admired the youth’s spirit. “But you must do whatever we say and keep pace, ‘cause we’re not stopping until dark.”

“Righto, sir!” said Arro with an enthusiastic salute.

“Good! Then let’s move out,” said Astron, and they proceeded on their way. After a few steps, Rob pulled Arro to his side and added, “You stick close to me and pull your weight, young chap, and you’ll be just fine.”