Name of the Wind 76 - 78

Chapter 76

They watch the creature, and Kote explains that it is not really a dragon, but something called a draccus. It is a large herbivore, so therefore harmless to them. They are pretty rare and gave rise to stories of dragons, but they are not truly dragons.

I thought this was a draccus, since it had been brought up earlier but never discussed, but when Kote called it a dragon I though we were in for the real thing. It's dangerous enough anyway, and eats trees whole. Another interesting feature, it has a streak of Smoky the bear, instictually drawn to putting out campfires.

Chapter 77

Kote and Denna uncover a drug growing and processing operation in the bluffs. Apparently the manufacturer had planted the source trees in a remote part of the forest and was cooking resin in a spot in the bluffs. They find his remains in a destroyed building and his self-defense crossbow. They hear the dracchus coming and climb up into a hiding spot in the bluffs, where they find his lookout spot. Denna eats some of the resin, thinking its maple candy, and Kote performs some medieval emergency medicine, detoxing her with charcoal. The draccus has been eating the drug trees and become addicted, Kote is afraid once the trees run out it will start attacking humans. He resolves to kill it.

I love this stumbling onto the fantasy drug manufacturing operation, totally unexpected and, combined with the draccus, seems to explain most of the weird goings-on in the area, other than the Chandrian attack. Kote continues to woo Denna with an irresistible mix of know-it-all-ness and lack of confidence. He does score points for saving her from overdosing, so he may still win her heart. As for how he intends to kill the Draccus, that should be interesting.

Chapter 78

They watch the intoxicated draccus thrash among the trees, despairing at how they would be able to hurt it. Denna comes up with the bright idea to hang a fire off the side of a cliff, but they'll need rope. They go back and search the ruined shed, find some twine but no rope. Kote comes up with plan B, poisoning he thing with the drug resin. It means all the money they were planning to make from selling it (to reputable pharmacists) will be lost, but will be partially offset by selling dragons scales.  Kote pushes to try to kill the thing ASAP, so they can go back to town in case Denna needs more medical attention.

Nice to see Denna come up with a bright idea here, Kote was really getting to be unbearable. Unfortunately, without rope they can't carry it out so they'll have to rely on Kote's brilliance again.