Scouting

They followed the River Azulan northwest for eleven days. The rugged hills gave way to rolling plains.

"We’re a day or so from the western edge of the kingdom," said Zebulun. "The ranch we’re looking for is somewhere north of here."

"How will we find it?" asked Davion.

"It’s two hundred thousand acres," said Zebulun. "I’d be amazed if we missed it."

They turned away from the river and headed north. They camped early, a few hours before sunset.

"We’re close," said Zebulun. "I want to look around while there’s still daylight."

Zebulun went into a trance. He saw through the eyes of wild donkeys and groundhogs. The eyes of hawks gave him an aerial view of their surroundings.

After two hours, Zebulun opened his eyes. "I see a road leading to it."

"How far?" asked Davion.

"A few miles," said Zebulun. "Not sure how far the ranch is up the road."

The sun set. They ate dinner: bricks of beef and chili peppers, brought from Azulan, mixed with water from the river.

After dinner, Zebulun saddled his horse.

"Where are you going?" asked Quinn. "You’re not going to fight the dragon without us? Because I do not want to miss that!"

"No," said Zebulun. "Just scouting. I need to take a closer look."

"Aren’t you worried about running into the lord’s soldiers?" asked Davion.

"Not likely, at this hour. The dragon king may want to wage war on all the world, but right now we’re at peace. Most of them will be on the west side of the ranch, watching for bandits from the wilds."

"Okay," said Davion. "If you’re sure."

Zebulun looked at him with a twinkle in his eye. "I’m never one hundred percent sure of anything."

Davion smiled and lowered his eyes. Zebulun mounted Othniel and rode off.

He stayed near the road, following its meandering way from afar. After an hour, he saw what looked like firelight in the distance. He dismounted, tied Othniel to one of the few nearby trees, and sat down to meditate.

He saw through the eyes of thousands of cattle and chickens, hundreds of dogs and horses, a few owls, and the occasional barn cat.

He saw the palatial home of the dragon and the nearby stables. He saw nearby copses of trees used for firewood. Through the eyes of mice, he saw inside the massive mansion. He noted the layout.

Then he saw something else, something that made him grin inside.

He left his trance, mounted Othniel, and returned to camp.