Something Magic...(7)

"Major Blackstone Cherry, at your service, miss. Well, after this lad and lass cut me free from this bridge, and save me from that foul old bugger, I will be at your service. Mmmmm..." he smacked his lips, "You have the taste of magic on you. You wouldn't happen to be one of those old wizard chappies, would you now?"

Ragnar and 6th could hear Rae yelling at the Major at the top of her lungs that she'd much rather walk thank you, and to put her down THIS INSTANT!, but the Major, pleased to no end that he was finally getting free, didn't want to wait longer than he had to. His head neared the gang, and the two "Heros" went back to their chopping at the bridge, and squirming, feeling more and more sand rain down on them from the dragons body above.

The earth had finally stopped shaking and the gang stood in a group, looking around them. The bridge that Ragnar and 6th had stepped onto was just a small bridge to them, and when the two adventurers had stepped onto it, they had disappeared. Mouse had argued that it looked more like they had zoomed away at one step, but no one was too anxious to go looking for them. They had caught a glimpse of Rae, Jila and her dragon, and Rae's jump, but had all been startled to see Rae disappear into mid air.

And then there was the matter of the old man and of poor KaraS. IQ held one hand protectively over his pocket where Kara frog sat, shielding her from both the bright sunlight, and from any accidental bumps. The old man was on the ground, Spyral and Kaybe were sitting on him as he yelled.

The dragon lowered his head to the ground and opened his mouth, his tongue unrolling a completely sticky, gooey Rae out of his mouth. He chuckled, raising his head and looking down at the gang. "Oh ha-ha, I say, you do go poking a fellow some, eh what?" he yawned, his mammoth jaws popping. "I say, do keep in mind, a dragon's mouth is a mite on the delacite side, oh ha ha, and here's your friends." Rae looked up, sopping wet, and covered in sand from her roll out of the Major's mouth.

"My word! Don't fret, miss, I like the two little...what did you say their names were?" he blinked, then said, "Oh never you mind, I'll ask the two themselves. Carry on, and all that, ha-ha what?" and with that he pulled his head back. It disappeared as he passed the edge of the bridge.

The Dragon, meanwhile, had rummaged into Spyral's wing with one claw, his eyes rolled skyward, and pulled out a table and chairs, and a very large steaming kettle of water. He also produced scones, crumpets, cucumber sandwiches, and other assorted mouthwatering treats out of the angel's wing, like a magician pulling rabbits out of a hat. Spyral was in awe, as the Dragon seemed to know exactly what was in his wing and where.

Ragnar was squirming in his chair. The other guys didn't have to contend with being covered in sand. True they were all hot, and tired, and sweaty, but UGH! this sand! He could barely stand it, but the gentleman in him demanded that the ladies have their privacy. *Oh WHERE had that barbarian spirit gone* he thought ruefully.

6th laughed sweetly, and reached one hand out from the curtains, her other hand clutching the curtains around herself. She patted his arm. "S'ok Ragnar, we were just teasing. Do you think you could ask the Major for some towels or something? Maybe some dry clothes?" Ragnar nodded, and walked back to the Major, who was sipping his tea and regaling the guys with battle stories.

The Major snorted. He was blowing less sand out now, just little puffs. "Clothes? Clothes! You humans! Can't you just walk around natural-like?" He chuckled. "Ah, now, I'm just joshing you. Here." he gestured, and a pile of towels appeared, as well as a pile of folded clothes. Drumheller hopped up to help Ragnar carry the piles back to the tent.

Rae stuck her head out of the curtains and the two chuckling guys handed her the clothes. She looked at them quizzically but shrugged. The two guys went back to the table and the Major, walking slowly enough to hear 6th's loud yell of protest at the outfit she'd have to wear.

"Now that's better dear. What say lads, fine examples of women indeed?" He winked at the men and his face contorted into what can only be described as a grin." I do suppose you've already picked one out for yourselves have you not laddies. A couple of you'll have to double up but you look like a sturdy lot."

"These are just wonderful Major, Thankyou!" Mouse exclaimed from one end of the line, perfectly at home in what could only be called the finest ladies apparel from the 16th century. Throughout the line all the Scaper gals responded and marveled....even 6th but she still didn't look happy.

"Alright ladies off with you....bath, shave and all that." Little sand sprites began herding the guys towards the pool. "Cann't have you gents lying about like shiftless layabouts and stinking up the place in the presence of such ladies now. The Queen would have my sand. No!" You could almost hear his head rising in proper admonishing fashion. "I won't stand for it!"

Four sets of matching cloths appeared on the table. The ladies grinned again. There in the middle of the wasteland, in a dying plain, on a dying world, a group of road worn Scaper gals were about to spend an evening with four handsome men dressed in what can only be described as...

"Thinks she's a frog, what?" the Major looked up from his admiring his handiwork of dressing the gang. "Why that's not but a spot of trouble. All you need is a prince...Any of you chaps a prince, by any chance?" The guys all shook their heads. The dragon sighed, "Pity, that. It's the only way to fix her. Enchanted frogs need their princly kisses and all that." The gang sighed.

The women, (all but Sixth), quite enjoying themselves, began fluttering their eyelashes at the guys. The men, caught up in the tea party, and their attire, blushed and smiled, loving the attention. They were the most gallant gentlemen. Drum looked at Ragnar, thinking to himself,"We are never going to live this down after this." Giggling, Kay looked shyly at Spyrel. "Would you like another scone, kind sir?"

"Yes, thankyou, M'Lady," said Spyrel bowing, as he reached to take the scone out of Kay's hand. "Oh Brother!" thought Sixth to herself. "I think I may gag" These strangers here in front of me, are my friends, who are usually quite normal. I am starting to really worry." Mouse leaned over to whisper in Sixth's ear, "Come on Sixthy. We have had a very rough time, lately. This is just for the moment. Enjoy yourself." Grumbling to herself, and feeling the pull of the party spirit, much to her own annoyance, Sixth finds herself smiling at Ragnar, and saying, "Why Ragnar, you look quite dashing." Blushing, Ragnar looks at Sixth. "Thankyou my dear. You look quite stunning yourself." As the group merrily talks and relaxes, their laughter and voices carry into the night, all of them, for the moment, quite oblivious to the world, and it's troubles around them.

Lorichnar was looking into his scrying pool. In the magic water, his enemies were dancing, eating cake and drinking tea. The old man had assured him that his captive dragon would make short work of the adventurers, but he had failed. Instead, the adventurers had killed the old man and befriended his dragon. This was truely a revolting development.

Lorichnar sighed and put his head in his hands. If only the oracle hadn't fingered artickat as his future queen. The other women in the party knew how to behave. Any one of them would have been a better choice. Well, maybe not Sixth. And maybe not Rae. But Mouse or Kara or Kaybe, they would not be taking their situation lightly. They would not be running around knocking over the furniture and sticking out their tounges.

Kay, sitting on the other side of Rae, leans over, and impulsively hugs her friend. "Thanks Rae, those are the most beautiful fireworks I have ever seen." To cover her weekness at showing her tears, Kay timidly asks Spyrel to dance, and courtsies, as he bows and takes her hand. "Why the tears, Kay?" asks Spyral as he spins her around. "We are having a lovely time, and we are finally getting a well deserved rest from the exhaustion that we have been feeling." "I know", she answers. " I think that's it. And the fact that Artic is still in Locknor's grasp. And I'm worried about Jila. What is going to happen to her, if we don't get out of here soon? And the others? It still seems like we are so far away from accomplishing what we came here to do." Spyrel looks with alarm at the tear that escaped down her cheek. He saw the same look and concern echoed in the faces of the others. Looking at Drum, Ragnar, and IQ, he sent a silent message to them. They too, noticed the concern in the group. Ragnar talks quietly to Major. "Do you think you can play something to cheer these charming ladies up? Tomorrow will be a very long day again, but, tonight, we need to rest our hearts, as well as our bodies." The Major responds with a cheerful polka, and in spite of their concerns, everyone finds themselves laughing and dancing merrily into the night.

Rae, Kara, and Kaybe were busy cooking breakfast. Bacon, eggs, sausage and mushrooms fried and sizzled in the pans setting on top of he large cookstove the Major had provided. Mouse was gathering berries from nearby bushes in the forest glade to go with the creme (From the Major’s materializations, of course!) Her basket she carried

was laden with large berries of different shapes and sizes, all of them looking juicy and delicious. IQ and Geralden were fishing in the pond nearby, catching a fish remarkably like rainbow trout to go with the rest of breakfast. The little dragon had already caught several and was roasting them delicately with little puffs of flame, the fishes smelling delicious, a light buttery flavor that lingered in the air.

Ghost was setting the table for breakfast, laying out plates and pouring juice out in glasses for the others. 6th was sitting at the table already, animatedly discussing with the Major about her current outfit and her lack of mobility should the need for fighting arise. The Major argued that a lady such as her should have no need to fight.

"After all, you ARE a lady. I’ve never known of a lady to get up in arms as you are suggesting. Well, no...Joan was a fighting lady, a bit odd but a sweet lady...but look what happened to her!" the Major sighed as Drum, Rag, and Spy staggered over to the table and slumped into chairs. Spyral leaned back in his chair his hands to his head

groaning softly, wishing the nauseating smell of breakfast would disappear. Drum banged his head softly on the table hoping the pain of the thumping would cause him to forget about the pain of the pounding headache he already had. Ragnar just sipped his juice, watching the conversation between 6th and the large sandy dragon with squinted

"I doubt anyone’s going to burn me at the stake for heresy! Hi Drum, hi Rag, hi Spy." 6th waved at the guys as they sat down. "Look I know you don’t think it’s ‘proper’ for ladies to fight and such, but it’s been a while since women were expected to lay around waiting for some guy in armor to come save them! I’m just as good a warrior as anyone!"

The gang thought about this new development, as Spyral, Drum, and Ragnar, held their noses and drank down the foul smelling bubbling brew they hoped would make their heads stop throbbing. If the taste didn’t kill them. *Either way, their heads wouldn’t hurt anymore* Ragnar laughed inwardly as he drank the green stuff down.

up in his head Ragnar began to feel a building fizzing slash burning sensation in his stomach and bowels as he swallowed the vile concoction. His mouth began working though no sound was comming out, just jaws flapping. With hand on stomach he half raised himself from the table, not sure whether to remain sitting or simply fall over.

"I miss the old gal really I do....*sigh. The best mum and old Major like myself could hope to have had. She used to mix these little remedies up all the time. She knew how to cure just about anything...must of got that from her grandsire...she was a white you know. Very good those white blokes are...whoops, watch youself there laddie." He reached out and righted Drum as he started to topple over."Hang in there and we'll have scales on your chest in no time!"

Sure enough Ragnar was thinking *Down is the optimum word. The major was right about one thing, his head didn't hurt anymore. *New addition to Ragnar book of rules to follow. Rulke 102: Always be careful when drinking with a Dragon. No matter how big you are, you're a lightweight!

*How can Rae stand this?* Sitting back in her chair, Jila places her hands on her temples. Taking a quick look at her hand she makes sure Rae's ring is still there. It is. Supposing that if Spyral, Drum, and Ragnar look like Death warmed over, then she must look like Death itself. All she wants to do is sleep but knowing that when whatever it is that is going on in her head ever ends she will have to have the strength to fight. Breakfast does smell wonderful.

Watching the guys drink the hang-over remedy that The Major made for them, Jila had to laugh. It hurt to laugh but the expressions on their faces were priceless. *That had to be some pretty nasty tasting stuff* She shakes her head and grimaces with pain. *If only he could find something for me.* Jila thought hopefully.

Her breakfast and was trying not to laugh at the sight of the guys, minus IQ. IQ seemed to be the only male who didn't drink himself silly last night. She felt a slight breeze on her arms and looked down at her dress. "Um, Rae? Jila? Ladies? Anyone remember why it seems half my dress is gone?"

"Well, it does make walking a lot easier, but I wish I still had on my leggings! And my boots! These things are a pain!" Mouse threw a sideways glance at the Major, who was telling everyone who would listen about his exciting days in Her Majesty's service. "And that doesn't explain why the arms are ripped out, unless they got in my way too…"

The Major shook his head and commented, " And I thought you ladies would appreciate looking like real ladies for a time, not like young boys in those horrible outfits I found you in. Really, if my sainted Mother would have seen you in those get-ups, she would have roasted you just to save YOU from embarrassing yourselves any further!"

The Major was sorry to see his new friends leave, but promised to drop them all off on the other side of the blasted area, if they would all just climb onto his head, and hold on while he swung them around 180 degrees. That would cover the two days walk in no time at all. Before leaving, he took Jila aside, and whispered something to her. She seemed happier after he talked to her, and then the gang each in turn climbed up onto his neck, held on, and he turned them around and deposited them on the far edge of the blasted area. Jila's Dragon followed in the air, and her lynx flew with the dragon. The group bade their fond farewells to the Major, and he happily sunk under the sand. They could see a sandy wake form out behind him, as he took his first steps in freedom in a while.

"Did you do that?" Artic gives Saber a stern look and he lowers his head and looks at her with sad eyes "I'm only kidding! You are such a good boy! I'm very proud of you! You should have seen the look on his face!" Artic chuckles as she gives Saber a big hug. "Okay...let's blow this popsicle stand..." Saber tips his head to the side as if to say 'What?' "Let's get out of here, silly!"

Artic and Saber creep down the halls until they are lost. Looking up and down the hall Artic can only see one door "Might as well try it" Slowly pushing the door open the mismatched pair enter and close the door behind them. "WOW! What a room!" Artic stands in the middle of the blood red room with her mouth agape "Could it get any tackier?" Saber whines "I don't know buddy...I really don't think it could...Oops! I spoke too soon!" Artic walks towards a large closet that is filled with RED clothes "Talk about unoriginal!" Saber whines again "What is it Lassie..I mean Saber...is someone coming? Don't you make a sound!" Artic whispers as she drags Saber into the closet with her just as a woman dressed totally in red walks in with the Captain on her heals.

"Sounds like AhhChhoo has the hots for her" Artic finally gets a good look at the Scarlet woman...she was completely covered in red from head to foot. Even her face was covered in a red mask nothing could be seen except for her eyes. "Geez...that must be one bad hair day..." Artic whispers to Saber "You think we could take her? I think we could…I could get in her clothes and no one would know it wasn't really her...I could probably walk right past them all and out the front door! What do you think?" Saber gives Artic a skeptical look and rolls his eyes. "What's that for? So she's a bit taller than me...well...okay she's a bloody giant compared to my height...it was only an idea..."

and they had to shield their eyes from the sun, to see how far they had to climb to attempt to reach the other side, and the castle. Looking down at her emerald green outfit, she allowed herself one quick smile knowing that it went perfectly with her red hair. But, not being a vain person, she quickly shrugged and looked up to join the planning. She caught Ragnar's eye, and he smiled and winked at her. He was glad the group felt happier and fresher this morning. He had been really worried with all the obstacles they had faced so far. And, as nice as the girls looked last night, they all looked a lot happier in the comfort of what they now wore.

"Well, said Kay, we deffinately need some climbing gear. you think you could whip some up for us, Drum?" The group immediately stands way back out of Drum's way. As he blushes, they all start laughing. "Don't worry, my friend", says Spyral. "I think I may just have some here in my bag", and he pulls out rope and clamps, and everything they need to climb. Looking over at Rae and Jilla, Mouse said "They will need to fly over. They shouldn't make this climb". Jilla called her dragon, and knowing she shouldn't be by herself, Rae joined her. "We will let you know if something unexpected happens." They said to the group before flying off. Kara and Sixth are allready geared up and ready to go. The rest of the group gets ready, and makes their plans for the safest and most efficiant way to get up the rocks.

Drawing long climbing ropes out of his wing, along with the rest of the gear, Spyral passed the rest of the gear around as the other suited up. As he passed the last of it around, the angel realized that he was out of gear and both he and Mouse had no climbing harnesses. "That's it! I'm all out." the angel said.

The angel looked around a bit and suddenly stuck one hand out and acted as if he was testing the very air. "With these warm winds coming in from the Blasted Lands, there are good updrafts here. If you put your arms around my neck and hold on, I bet I can ride these currents up the side of the spire, catching rests on some of those jutting ledges along the way."

Lochinar's spire, hand over hand, carefully following IQ and Kaybe, who turns out, are master rock climbers. Kaybe and IQ went up to the first crag, set the climbing pins, and attached the ropes. The other Scapers followed them, all with varying degrees of climbing skill. Ghost floated up besides Spyral and Mouse, seeming to take advantage of the updrafts also.

Mouse was secretly glad that Spyral ran out of equipment before he got to her, because her climbing skills sucked! A tree, maybe, but this was grueling work and she would have held the group up in a big way. There were a few incidents of skinned palms and knuckles, along with quite a few broken nails, but Rae assured the climbers that these could be healed easily once they got to the top.

Mouse held on tightly around Spyral's neck as they slowly rose up the side of the spire in slow, meandering spirals. " A little looser, darlin'?" he said in her ear and she tried to loosen the death-grip she had around his neck. As the group reached the first crag, they rested, and refreshed themselves. Spyral touched down lightly and Mouse opened her eyes, looked down, and closed them again.

After a quick refreshing spell from Drumheller, the group started to move again. Spyral looked at Mouse and reminded her (unnecessarily, in her mind) to hold on. Mouse quickly stole a look at Spyral's face, expecting to see him either laughing at her or taking some kind of advantage of the present situation (he IS a guy after all), but she was disturbed to see him looking up at the black clouds that were closing in fast. "I guess he knows we're close." Spyral said softly.

Mouse shuddered at that thought. Stuck on the side of the spire, with no shelter, and no ropes, in a magical storm? *Great…that's JUST what we need when we're so close!* She thought. As they started up to the next crag, Mouse also started to wonder what exactly was the plan once they got to the top. She decided to talk with the group at the next rest stop and try to get a plan together.