Omensent: Birth of a Dragon Lord

by Barry Gibbons

  Chapter 20

  The companions arrived at the edge of the forest a month later. The freed slaves cheered as Damion flew overhead, calmly perched upon Tempest’s broad shoulders as he stared down at the milling crowd below. He was a little surprised at how many slaves there actually were, and it took quite a while to lead them all through the dense undergrowth and out into open terrain.

  Tempest landed nearby and the crowd slowly gathered around. “My friends!” Damion shouted in a booming voice that reached each and every slave. “You are free! You shall never again have to experience the bitter taste of slavery!”

  A cheer erupted from the crowd, and many danced with glee.

  “You are free to return to your homelands, and the families that you left behind.” He paused a moment to allow his words to sink in, then continued. “Those of you who have no homes to return to are welcome to join with myself and my companions as we return to the Godstear Mountains, where we will rebuild the town of Sevria.”

  Another cheer went through the crowd, and a significant number of the former slaves immediately broke apart from the group, obviously intending on returning to their homes to try and rebuild their lives. But nearly a hundred-people remained behind, staring up at Damion with expectant eyes.

  Damion spotted the others as they pushed their way through the milling crowd, and slid down from Tempest’s shoulders to meet them.

  “This is some crowd.” Sly grunted as he approached. “It’s going to take quite a while to make it back to the mountains with so many refugees.”

  Damion shrugged. “It’s not as though there is anything pressing that we have to attend to.”

  “What made you decide to take these poor people under your wing?” Dar asked curiously.

  Damion frowned “I guess I just couldn’t stand the thought of leaving them to such miserable existences. At least being free, they can decide their own fates for themselves.”

  The childlike Alena looked at Damion gravely. “Remember that when you make your decision about releasing the dragons.”