Free Dragons Shining by Michael Sperry Page A

yesterday when I was buying some baby stuff. You know he trades with Dell’s Keep and heard something in the tavern there when three of members of that team were talking about the match today”
     
    “Oh, what did he hear?”
     
    “They were talking about how they were going to take you out of the game, even if it meant a permanent penalty. Since they figure you are Heath’s main goal maker, and it would be too obvious if they injured Heath with a foul, they will go after you instead.”
     
    “Do you think they would really do that? It would be so un-sportsmanlike they could get disqualified completely.”
     
    “I asked Dan and he said they would need a unanimous decision by the umpires, and since one of the umpires is from Dell’s Keep, it might just work.”
     
    “Well thanks for the warning, Suzy. Have you told Tom?”
     
    “Of course I have. He plans to bring it up before the game just so your team mates will watch out for it.”
     
    Just then his mom came into the barn and stepped up beside Suzy.
     
    “Did you tell him about what Dan said, Suzanne?”
     
    “Yes, Mom, I told him.”
     
    “So you are going to ride anyway, Owen? Knowing they intend to hurt you, maybe you should stay out of the game today! Think of your horse too.”
     
    “Gander would never forgive me for not riding, Mom. He puts up with us just so he can”, Owen said with a laugh.
     
    “It’s not a laughing matter, son. The Queen will be angry if you are hurt. I will just be very sad.”
     
    “Well the King would think less of me if I don’t ride, mother. And so would I. I know you are always wise and cautious, and I do listen. But I will ride today, come what may.”
     
    ”Well at least I tried. Good luck, then, and I will pray that the Maker watches over you. Oh, make sure y’all win!” When that, she went back to the kitchen to make them something for lunch later.
     
    “I better go help her. But before I go, what did she mean about the Queen?”
     
    Thinking quickly, he said” I heard she is betting on us, and the King too”.
     
    “Oh, I see. Well, see you for lunch”.
     
    “I’ll be there. See you then.”
     
    He finished up in the barn and was heading over to the pigpen with two heavy buckets of slop when he met Tom and Paw working on the pigpen gate.
     
    Tom looked up and said, “Hey Owen, I guess you heard, huh?” He was well muscled now, soon to be a rock hard farmer like his Paw. He had gotten quite good with his sword too. He said it was only self-defense; otherwise Owen was bound to kill him at practice if he didn’t.
     
    “Yep, I heard. Guess I better be careful.”
     
    “I am surprised”, said Paw.
     
    “How?”
     
    “That the word careful can live in that hard head of yours.”
     
    “Oh. You are right, Paw. Somehow it got lost in the last few years.”
     
    “Come on Paw”, said Tom. “You can’t expect Owen to run from this. We will be looking for it and teach them a lesson.”
     
    “No, I don’t expect either of you to run from it. Just don’t be foolish. That’s all I ask. Don’t be what they are either. This is darkness, come to the center of our town. Don’t give in to it.”
     
    “Ok Paw”, they both said.
     
    “Well, we are finished with the gate here. Go ahead and give them their lunch, Owen, and the both of you can have the rest of the day off. Rest up for the game later. Take the horses out and loosen them up a bit. That will take the nerves out. No sense everyone fretting all day. Don’t worry about tomorrow either. The plowing can wait some, till it rains and the ground softens up a little anyway.”
     
    “Let’s go get the rest of the team after lunch, and ride easy on over to the river and back. How about it Owen?”
     
    “Sounds good, Tom. I want to stop by Baird’s place on the way. You can get the guys and meet me there.”
     
    “Ok, deal.”
     
    Paw and Tom went to clean up while Owen slopped the pigs. That didn’t take long, so he made