to tell whether he was speaking to his team-mates or to himself. ‘We just need to remember that if we come back this way, they might have an unpleasant surprise waiting for us here.’
A fortified position could indeed cause considerable problems if it were properly manned. Draco didn’t consider this very likely with fewer than fifteen defenders and no cannons. True, even a single person hidden in the trenches or behind the ramparts could harass a moving unit, but they wouldn’t be able to halt the whole unit. Furthermore, the distance between the lower line of trenches and the forest meant that the range of spells they’d learnt at their level that could reach targets was significantly reduced, not to mention their accuracy and spread. The dragon would pay more attention to the matter of detection and raising the alarm than to stopping them through combat.
‘If they lie in wait here, they’ll be in trouble if we pass them right by the cliff.’ The troll voiced the dragon’s thoughts, which Draco wasn’t particularly keen to share.
‘Remember, they’ve got Liam.’ Cedric didn’t even turn round.
‘He won’t be able to set enough traps that quickly.’
‘He might set enough to leave us with no choice.’ Retfield turned on his heel and, without waiting for the conversation to continue, headed towards the open gate.
Sheth merely shook his head and rose from his seat. He looked grim, but didn’t seem quite as indifferent as before. He glanced questioningly at the dragon.
‘What’s the deal with Liam?’ Draco blurted out, unsure whether the troll was expecting a conversation or simply waiting for the dragon to make a move.
‘His father’s an alchemist, and he’s picked up a lot by helping out in the workshop,’ Sheth sighed heavily and grimaced. ‘Far too much, definitely. Especially when it comes to anything that might explode.’
‘That’s the last thing we’d need.’ The dragon had prepared for many things before the start of the academic year, but it hadn’t occurred to him to familiarise himself with handling explosives. The only thing he knew how
