Omensent: Princess Of Dragons (Book 5)

by Barry Gibbons

  "What took you so long?" Snowfeather's smug hoot greeted him.

  Damion looked around and spotted his familiar sitting on a nearby boulder. "Not bad." He congratulated the huge owl. "I guess you do still have a bit of pep left in you. That means that you've just been a bit lazy lately."

  "What do you expect? It's not as though I live the life of a normal snow owl, now is it?" The huge owl began rearranging his feathers fussily. "Compared to my life before our bonding, I live in the lap of luxury. I sleep in a nice warm bedroom, get constant pampering, and enjoy some of the finest meals that I could wish for. Of course I'm lazy!"

  "Leia's been feeding you salmon eggs again, hasn't she?" The huge warrior asked suspiciously as shifted back into his normal form. "You've been eating those things by the gallon here lately! Do you realize how much they cost at this time of year?"

  "I can't help it if Leia loves me more than you do." Snowfeather chirped dismissively. "She knows that it is my favorite treat, and the price never seems to concern her, only my happiness."

  "Nice try." Damion laughed out loud. "The guilt trip doesn't work for you like it does Leia. You're just not as cute."

  "I'll be out looking for a snack." The huge owl told him, launching itself into the air once more and disappearing into the darkness outside. "Let me know when you're ready to return to the castle."

  Damion paused for a moment and drew in his magic, allowing it to gather about him before focusing it into a tiny ball of light which hovered a few feet above the cavern floor, illuminating the path ahead, then he slowly began to make his way deeper into dark cavern.

  After several minutes, he emerged into a large cavern that was literally brimming with treasure. Huge piles of gold coins, massive lumps of pure silver, and thousands of priceless gems had all been heaped together in careless piles about the cavern. Damion carefully picked his way through the valuable treasures towards the rear of the chamber, where an enormous scarlet dragon was laying comfortably against the cool stone wall of its lair.

  "Good evening, Dragonkin." The huge beast grumbled in greeting, raising her head to stare at her visitor. "It's been some time since our last visit. How is everything faring in Sevria?"

  "It's as busy as always." The huge warrior replied, making himself comfortable on a huge pile of gold coins. "Between running the castle, dealing with trade agreements, and training Leia how to control her magic, I don't have a lot of time left for visiting with old friends anymore."

  "How is little Leia?" The huge serpent asked curiously. "It is the anniversary of her birth, is it not?"

  "It is," He nodded with a sigh. "and she's a little angry with me at the moment, to tell you the truth. We received a plea for our assistance from the Queen of the Elves, and we've decided to leave her in Sevria to help run things while we are gone. She didn't take the news well."

  "The elves?" Tempest asked in surprise. "They haven't associated with any outsiders in over a thousand years! What could be so serious that they would ignore centuries of tradition and contact an outsider for aid?"

  "It appears that a group called the blood elves, who are followers of Hetris, the God of Strife and Deception, have reemerged to threaten the followers of Petra, the Goddess of Fertility and Nature. I suspect that Hetris may have returned to stir up trouble. There have already been a number of atrocities."

  "But why would the elven queen turn to you for help?"

  "Apparently Dar suggested that they contact me." Damion shrugged. "I couldn't say no, considering the fact that I am to blame for the gods returning."

  "You cannot continue to blame yourself for the Dragon God's actions." The huge dragon told him reprovingly. "You can't jump up and try to save the day every time that one of the gods decides to interfere with mankind."

  "That's what the others keep telling me," The huge warrior admitted. "but this time it was Raven who made the decision to accept their plea for help. She was so moved by their plight that she couldn't bear to turn them down."

  "Your wife has a gentle heart." Tempest smiled fondly. "You chose your mate well."

  "I thought so too." He grinned. "Anyway, we have decided to leave Leia behind to run the city, with Sly and Aunt Skie's help, of course." He stared up at his old friend. "I was hoping that you would keep an eye on everything while we were gone. We're not expecting any trouble, but there have been some strange occurrences as of late, and I'd feel better knowing that you were keeping an eye on things."

  "What kind of strange occurrences?"

  "We started to get reports of goblins harassing the work crews maintaining the trade road, but when Slither went to investigate, he couldn't locate them. Then, when he tried to warn the dragonspawn of the goblins' presence, he was unable to find any trace of them either." He shook his head. "I don't know what's going on, but it's not like the dragonspawn to abandon an entire region. I have the feeling that something is up."

  "That is strange." Tempest agreed with a thoughtful frown. "It does sound as if something may be afoot."

  "So you'll keep an eye on things while we're gone?" Damion asked with a hopeful expression. "I would ask Xaxis, but he's still a little... flighty."

  "Of course I'll watch over Sevria." Tempest agreed immediately. "I'll also see what I can find out about the sudden disappearance of the dragonspawn. Some of my brethren may know where they fled."

  "That's a good idea." The huge warrior agreed with a nod. "Slither will undoubtedly wish to help too. He was quite perplexed when he couldn't locate any of the dragonspawn."

  "When do you plan to leave for the Elven Islands?"

  "At dawn. It's going to take us quite some time to reach the island, and the emissaries are eager to return home."

  "Be sure to remain alert." The huge beast warned in a serious tone. "The blood elves are masters of deception. Do not trust anyone, and never let your guard down. It may be the only thing that keeps you alive."

  Chapter 5

  They gathered early the following morning in front of the castle stables to say their goodbyes after a subdued breakfast in which there had been very little conversation.

  "Well," Sly grumbled in a sleepy voice as he bid the big warrior farewell. "You're off to save the world once again. Do everyone a favor a make sure that this is the last time, okay?"

  "If I were only that lucky." Damion chuckled. "Do your best to help look after things while we're gone, and try to take it easy on Leia. She's going to be under a lot of pressure from taking on the responsibility of running the castle, and she doesn't need you causing her any grief."

  "You take the fun out of everything." Sly muttered in a disappointed tone.

  "Just do whatever you can to help her. She's never had to run the castle before. She'll need you and Aunt Skie to help keep her from making any rash decisions."

  "I'll do my best." The scruffy little man promised.

  "And don't you worry too much." The huge warrior told his daughter, who had an anxious expression on her face. "I wouldn't have left the castle in your charge if I didn't think that you were up to the challenge."

  "I know," Leia nodded, her expression still worried. "but knowing that doesn't really make me feel any more confident." She stared up at her father. "Please be careful, and try to not take too long. I'm not ready to take this job on full time."

  Damion glanced to Lady Skie, who was busy quietly speaking with Shirk, while Damarius stood nearby with a suspicious expression. "Just look to Aunt Skie if you start having problems, and if all else fails, follow your heart. It will guide you to the right decision." He glanced to Slither, who was standing behind the young girl protectively. "Make sure that you stick close to her, and don't let her go running off and get into trouble."

  "Of courssse." The huge shadowspawn nodded immediately.

  "Please try to keep yourself out of trouble," Raven pleaded with their daughter, rushing over to embrace her tightly. "and if, for some reason, you find yourself in danger, just try and think of what your father would do." She
glanced around the courtyard with narrowed eyes, then suddenly raised her voice. "Xaxis! Where are you?"

  "I'm here." The veiled dragon's deep rumbling voice caused them all to look to the far end of the courtyard, where they noticed an odd shimmer in the air. "What can I do for you, mother of my mother?" Xaxis asked in a respectful tone as he allowed his camouflage to fall away, making it appear as though he were materializing before them.

  "Damion and I have to leave Sevria, and we may be gone for quite some time. I want you to stay close to the city, just in case something happens. Make sure that my daughter stays safe."

  "Of course." The great beast vowed, drawing himself up proudly. "No harm shall befall my little mother as long as I still breathe."

  They quickly finished saying their goodbyes, then Damion climbed atop Storm, who was prancing eagerly in place, and led their small party through Sevria and out onto the trade road.

  "I hope we're not making a mistake by leaving Leia behind." Raven frowned, glancing back at the castle as they rode through the massive battlements that surrounded the city.

  "You can't continue to coddle her like she's an infant in need of constant supervision." Damarius commented sagely. "At some point you have to let go and trust that she can take care of herself."

  "Like you have with Lady Skie?" The young woman asked archly.

  "That's different." The old wizard scowled. "You didn't find out that your daughter has been sneaking around behind your back with a disreputable old bandit who possesses little morals and no backbone."

  "Hey!" Shirk objected in an injured tone. "I wanted to come speak with you about it, but Skie wouldn't hear of it! She seemed to think that you that you would overreact!"

  Damarius slowly turned to fix the old bandit with a withering stare. "Did you say something?" He asked in a dangerously calm tone.

  "Um, no," Shirk mumbled, shrinking under the old wizard's stare. "I didn't say anything. I'm just going to..." He nudged his horse with his heels and trotted on ahead, his face pale.

  "You're being a little hard on him, don't you think?" Damion asked the old wizard in a reasonable tone. "You know that he would never do anything to hurt Aunt Skie."

  "I know," Damarius grinned. "but I figured that I would have a little fun with him. He and Skie have been sneaking around behind my back for years now, and I've waited patiently all of this time for them to come to me for my blessing. Now that their secret is out, I intend to make them suffer for not coming to me first."

  "So you've known all of this time?" Raven asked in surprise.

  "Of course I knew." The old wizard snorted, causing his brow lock to fall into his eyes. "She is my daughter, after all, and I wouldn't be a very good father if I didn't know exactly what she was doing when I'm not around. Besides, I'd have to be blind not to see that something was going on between those two."

  "Even after all of these years, you still surprise me." Damion laughed. "Everyone thought that you were clueless to their courtship."

  "That's what you were supposed to think." Damarius chuckled, brushing his brow lock from his eyes absently. "I knew that if everyone thought I was oblivious to their relationship, then they would have no idea that I already knew." He grinned evilly.

  "If you weren't really angry about their relationship, then why did you insist that Shirk accompany us to the Elven Islands?" Raven asked in confusion.

  "It's a long way to the Elven Islands." The old wizard shrugged. "Tormenting Shirk should help keep me occupied while we're stuck on the ship."

  "That's horrible!" Raven exclaimed, unable to keep the amusement from her voice. "Why would you do that to your own daughter? You saw how heartbroken she was when we were leaving!"

  "She'll be fine. You know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. By the time we return, Skie will demand that I give them my blessing."

  "You're an evil old man, you know that, right?" Damion chuckled, shaking his head.

  Damarius smiled. "Thank you."

  They continued to make their way north along the trade road until the sun began to set, then set up camp in one of the fortified encampments constructed by the work crews who maintained the trade road.

  "So did you enjoy your visit to Sevria?" Raven asked Delilah as she put the finishing touches on a savory stew that she had whipped up from their provisions.

  "It was quite pleasant, thank you." The elven woman smiled. "I'll confess that I had expected to find Sevria to be a city like any other human settlement, with sewage overflowing into the streets, and refuge piled everywhere in great stinking heaps, but it was very neat and orderly. The people were friendly and well mannered, and everyone seemed to take a genuine interest in their neighbors. It was quite unlike other cities that we have passed through."

  "The people of Sevria take great pride in their home." Damion nodded. "After the city was destroyed, they worked day and night to rebuild it. Then, when it was attacked again by an army of dragonspawn, they banded together to drive the beasts off and save the city. Those kinds of hardships bring people together."

  "I, too, was impressed." Etha Brody murmured, taking a bowl of stew from Raven with a nod of thanks, and then sniffing at it with a doubtful expression. "I had envisioned the home of the Dragon Lord to be far more..." He glanced at Damion hesitantly. "primitive." He finished, obviously choosing his words carefully. "The tales of your exploits led most of us to believe that you were a complete savage, and I had expected your city to reflect that. I guess the tales were wrong."

  "Don't be so sure about that." Shirk snorted in amusement. "I've seen Damion when he gets angry, and savage doesn't even come close to describing him." He made some show of thinking it over. "I think that bloody nightmare is a bit closer."

  "Damion is as gentle as a lamb." Raven defended her husband, casting him a fond look. "He may look big and scary, but underneath that armor is..."

  "A short tempered manic who enjoys using his magic to turn people who displease him into various different plants and animals." Shirk finished her sentence with a barking laugh.

  The sudden rustling of feathers drew their attention to Snowfeather, who appeared from the darkness on silent wings and landed gently on Damion's broad shoulder.

  "Wha...?" Etha Brody jumped up from his seat with a startled expression. "What, in the name of the gods, is that creature?"

  "This is Snowfeather." Damion introduced the huge owl, who began to preen his gleaming white feathers fussily. "He is a snow owl. He is my familiar, and one of my oldest friends."

  "There are a pair of goblins slowly making their way in this direction." Snowfeather reported with a hoot. "I don't think that they know we're here yet, but it's only a matter of time before they catch our scent."

  "How far away are they?" Damion asked aloud, drawing strange looks from the pair of elves.

  "They're about a mile or so to the north, moving through the underbrush at the side of the road in an effort to remain hidden."

  "What is it?" Raven asked with a worried expression.

  "There are a pair of goblins moving this way." He relayed Snowfeather's discovery to the others. "They're certain to pick up our scent. Once they discover where we are, they will surely return with reinforcements."

  "How can you possibly know that there are goblins moving this way?" Brody asked in bewilderment.

  "Snowfeather told me." The huge warrior shrugged.

  "What are your going to do?" Shirk asked with a frown.

  "The only thing I can do." Damion murmured, rising to his feet. "I'm going to kill them before they can report our presence to the rest of their clan."

  "You're going to try and take them on by yourself?" Brody asked in disbelief. "Is that really wise? I heard that goblins can be quite formidable to face in battle."

  "Don't worry about Damion." Damarius told the elf confidently. "It would take an army of goblins to even have a chance against him in battle, and my gold would still be on Damion to win."

  "I will return once I ha
ve made sure that the area is clear of danger." The huge warrior assured them as he made his way towards the trade road. "Just make sure to be on your guard until I return." He drew in his magic and slipped into the form of a panther, then disappeared into the darkness on silent paws.

  "How did he do that?" Brody demanded in disbelief, staring out at the darkness with a dumbfounded look on his face.

  "Do what?" Shirk asked, staring at the elf with a puzzled expression.

  "One second the Dragon Lord was standing there, and the next second he was gone, and a huge black cat stood in his place!"

  "You must be seeing things, my friend." Shirk told him, a playful smile hovering about his mouth. "I think you may need to lie down for a bit until your mind clears."

  "Quit messing with Etha Brody." Raven told the bearded bandit reprovingly. She turned to the elf. "Damion is a sorcerer." She reminded him in a matter-of-fact tone. "He can use his magic to shift into other forms. He usually chooses a black panther, although I'm not exactly sure why."

  "It allows him to blend into the darkness with little effort." Damarius informed her, shoveling a spoonful of steaming stew into his mouth. "Damion grew up in a secluded valley that left him few options for entertainment, so a great deal of his spare time was spent hunting with Snowfeather. He began to use the form of a panther during these hunts because it allowed him to stalk his prey more efficiently."