Where Dragons Haunt (The Diaspora Book 1)

by Scott Meaders

Chapter 30

  We can travel longer,

  night and day,

  without losing our spirits

  than almost any persons

  we ever met.

  ~Rutherford B. Hayes~

  They awoke early before the rising of the two suns for an early departure. Mikael had wanted to get an early start, as he knew that the way was long for a one-day journey. “We will be traveling to the town on the edge of safety called Asphaleia, the place of safety. Not many travel beyond and return.” He picked up his remaining items, “It is a long one day’s journey from here, and we don’t want to arrive after nightfall.”

  They left the city seeing the gallows being prepared for the criminals that would be executed that day. Zoe realized that had he gone along with them, he would have been one to be executed. To fall in among a group deserves a group’s reward. He was glad that he was not getting their reward.

  About three hours into their journey, Mikael spoke of what was to be expected at Asphaleia. “We will meet a band of people that have been specifically picked for the rest of your journey.”

  “Who are they?”

  “Well, they are neither good nor evil people. They have been hired by the gods to take you to the dragons.”

  “You said me…” Zoe paused to allow Mikael to finish, but when there was a long silence and Zoe realized the wizard was not going to fill the silence with his words, Zoe continued, “What about you?”

  The wizard smiled, “Ah yes, for your safety is your concern. My god has bid me to stay at a place and do his work for him. I must obey as Tifereth the lord of knowledge bids me to do as he wishes.”

  “What is it that he bids you to do?”

  “I am to go to the Twin Cities. He has work for me to do that does not...um...concern your present course. You will go on to the dragons, and I will go to the Twin Cities. Do not fear as the gods are with you, and the men will lead you to your destiny.”

  Zoe pondered his destiny. He didn’t like the possible outcomes he came up with, “What if I am not to go on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What if I choose to stay in Asphaleia rather than go on to the dragons?”

  “Ah, to choose safety over danger is what you are asking! When one chooses safety when fighting against the gods as you would be doing, there is only danger, but when one chooses danger by the leading of the gods, one chooses safety. You have only one choice before you Zoe; you must go to where dragons haunt and owls congregate! You must!”

  “But who will I trust in this band of men?”

  Mikael looked down at him while they are walking along at a good pace, “Now Zoe you begin to have wisdom! Now you look ahead so your foot shall not slip upon the rocks. I trust that somehow you will know when the time is right; you will know whom to trust.” He looked at Zoe and a twinkle of emotion could be seen in Mikael’s eye for the boy.

  They had traveled on till nightfall with uneventful happenings when the conversation again returned to pertinent things. “Zoe you will be approximately 300 miles from your destination, which is a twelve day journey. It will be hard for you. You will learn to suffer and suffer you will.”

  Zoe smiled, “Oh, you mean that things will not be like they have been. So I won’t go hungry in traveling or be cold at night because I can’t start a fire. I wont be trapped in the Yellow Forest, nor will I be almost killed by a Parorgismoses. You are saying things will not be as they were. I am so glad.”

  Mikael laughed heartily, “Yes, my boy, you sure are a traveler. I believe in all my years that we can travel the night and day through trials and tribulations and not be faint of heart. Our spirits are high, higher than almost any other person when we travel!” he patted Zoe on the back when they came in view of the city from a distance. “We shall make it before nightfall as planned.”

  Zoe had wished maybe some terrible thing would happen to where he would not meet this band of men.

  Chapter 31

  Murder is commoner among cooks

  than among members of any other profession

  ~W.H.Auden~

  As the first sun had set and the second was about to, Thanatos positioned himself along the path that Megas had always taken from his grandfather’s house to his home. He was like clockwork leaving and arriving before night would fall. Thanatos stood there mixing his food around in a small wooden bowl with a spoon while he leaned against a tree.

  Megas saw Thanatos and started to feel uncomfortable. His plan of action was to walk swiftly past him and not look back, walking as fast as his legs would go. He didn’t even look at Thanatos when he walked by. Megas was the bigger of the two boys, but he was terrified of what Thanatos might do, more so what he was capable of doing.

  Thanatos watched him walk by continuing to play with his food. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small Psucho which resembled a rabbit in everything, but having no fur which made for cold nights. Thus they gathered by eating leaves and returned to the borough and slept in tight communal dwellings. He saw that the Psucho had taken some of the uprooted weeds that were thrown by the wayside.

  Thanatos called out after Megas, “Are you going to walk by without saying anything?”

  The boy paused unsure of himself. He didn’t know what to say. Just a few days ago, him and his friends had tricked Thanatos and caused him excruciating physical pain. Now one of his friends was mysteriously gone. Megas couldn’t help but suspect Thanatos. “What do you want,” he responded.

  “Come over here so we can talk.”

  Megas hesitated and then reluctantly came over to him.

  Thanatos started in, “Pity that Nipto died.”

  Megas didn’t like how he was so confident of his friend’s death when Nipto was just missing, “How do you know that he’s dead?” Mistrust was heard in his voice.

  “I am just guessing. You know with all the wild animals and strange things that could have happened to him. Don’t get me wrong; you could be right; he could by some strange, freak occurrence still be alive and missing, but that is a hard thing to believe.”

  Anger was rising in him as he hated Thanatos for his evil words, “I choose to believe that he is still alive! I don’t like the way you are talking.”

  Thanatos wanted to soothe the boy’s anger, “You’re right. I am sorry; he was your friend. I mean is your friend. I hope that you are right that he is safe somewhere and coming back to us soon.” This appeased Megas for the moment. “Oh, hey…you want to try this?” He held up his food that he had been stirring for the past twenty minutes.

  “No, I really don’t want anything.”

  Thanatos tempted the boy, “Are you sure? It tastes like nothing…it is to die for!”

  Megas had headed off, but he was hungry and he had a veracious appetite for food, “What is it?”

  “You know how honey tastes upon the tongue? Sweet and irresistible!”

  “Yeah!” Megas became very interested.

  “This is twenty times better. It is a special blend of sweet weeds, one bite and that is all you need!”

  Megas walked closer to see the stuff that was starting to make him salivate. The goop looked good to his eyes; the aroma was also pleasing to the boy. He took the bowl in hand from Thanatos and lifted up the spoon having a full bite of the concoction made by Thanatos. Megas spewed it out all over the place. The taste was so awful that he couldn’t stomach it. Megas had eaten some horrible things in his short life, but nothing like this. Thanatos burst out laughing.

  Megas turned to leave yelling out over his shoulder, “I’ll get you for…” Then he fell over holding onto his chest and had no more physical movements. He was paralyzed with the stench of death as he had eaten Nekros weed, the deadliest weed in the land killing all living organisms within seconds.

  Thanatos looked over and noticed the dead Psucho, “My poor little friend; you are one that has breathed his last!” With a smile on his face, he looked on Megas with distain, “Oh, there must have been somet
hing in the food. Never completely trust a cook!”

  Chapter 32

  Belonging to a group can provide the child

  with a variety of resources

  that an individual friendship often cannot—

  a sense of collective participation,

  experience with organizational roles,

  and group support

  in the enterprise of growing up.

  Groups also pose for the child

  some of the most acute problems of social life—

  of inclusion and exclusion,

  conformity and independence.

  ~Zick Rubin~

  Zoe and Mikael came to the entrance of the inn once the light of day was extinguished by the setting of the suns. The main door to the inn was made of thick wood with intricate carvings of a battle scene. Zoe was transfixed on the carving as they seemed mystical, almost lifelike. He felt himself being pulled toward the door when Mikael put an arm on him muttering wizard’s words. Mikael warned Zoe not to focus to hard on the carvings as he might become a part of them.

  They opened the door and walked into a very dark place. This was not the typical inn that Zoe was accustomed to have seen over the past many months. There were few people around and none at the bar where drinks were served. Most inns had countless people in a drunken stupor spread throughout making merry noises that would echo out into the night air. This particular place seemed somber and reserved. The main innkeeper greeted them at the entrance when the door opened. He was a rather large man, slender and well worked having large arms. He also did not fit the particular description of a normal innkeeper, being fat, jovial and lazy.

  The man knew immediately what Mikael was there for. Without words, he pointed to the back room with the tilt of his head, giving directions for where they were to meet. Mikael tipped his head in recognition and gratitude. They made their way to a door in the back. Zoe saw only three other men in the place, one of which was in complete darkness except his long legs. He saw nothing of his upper body. The other two were together speaking of matters which were not understandable to Zoe as they spoke an Elvin language. He noticed that one of them was an elf having pointed ears. They looked as if they were making important plans that they had come to disagree upon.

  Once they came to the door, Mikael knocked three times. Someone looked though a hole that opened up with a sliding piece of wood. The man’s eyes glowed with anticipation and fire at the sight of the wizard. He looked through the hole and saw Zoe. Once he saw Zoe, his countenance changed, almost a look of disappointment. The sliding wood was shut, and the door unbolted as it was opened letting them in the crowded room. Zoe looked around the room and counted five faces that he had never seen before. He was surprised that there were only five as he had imagined a large entourage leading him to the dragons.

  No one spoke as Mikael told Zoe to take a seat by pointing at chair, and Mikael took his seat at his right hand. The door was bolted securely by the man that had let them in. Mikael looked from face to face as all waited for the wizard to speak. Zoe now noticed that he was at the head of the table, the seat of honor. He was a little surprised to see this, not understanding why Mikael was not in this place.

  “Before I make introductions official, I wish to say that the gods have brought us together for a purpose that is greater than any one of us individually. You need to know that you will receive great rewards for your part if all fares well.”

  He paused giving Zoe a reassuring look, “I present to you Zoe, the financier of this gathering. He will pay you in full when you have accomplished your tasks.” Mikael threw a huge sack upon the table that broke open revealing gold coins, diamonds, rubies and various other precious stones. Everyone’s eyes widened including Zoe’s.

  There was talk amongst the group, and Zoe used this opportunity to speak to Mikael without the others knowing what he was saying. He said to him aside whispering quietly, “Why would you leave me with them? They do not look like the type that will keep me alive!”

  Quietly Mikael responded, “Hagios has assembled them for your journey.”

  “Has he brought me thus far for my doom?”

  “Let us meet them,” Mikael reassured Zoe by touching him on the shoulder as a wave of power passed through Zoe’s whole body. When this occurred, a strange thing overcame Zoe. He was able to read the intentions and character of each man. He looked up at Mikael who returned a smile to the boy.

  “It must be understood that a group of men assembled as you are is far better than one or two. You have experiences of many and wisdom that is beyond the many. Any one would benefit from the many, more than he can completely understand. That is why you have been assembled.”

  “Men, this is only a small portion of what you will obtain,” he said pointing to the wealth spread upon the table. “To be sure this boy before you has wealth beyond our years. He will pay each of you when the time comes.” Mikael looked to Zoe and then pointed to the first man, “This here is Kruptos.” He nodded to Zoe with a pleasant smile smile. He was a bald man having no visible hair on his body. His eyes looked angry to Zoe. He saw rage behind this mask of pleasantries. He held dark secrets in his heart.

  Zoe looked to Mikael for reassurance and none was given as he went on with the introductions. “Next to him is Agathos. He knows the land the best and will be your guide as such.” He liked what he saw as he saw the man had a good nature, being full of kindness. Agathos was very sure of his abilities, but unsure of the other men. Zoe tipped his head to him and smiled graciously.

  “And next to him is Phoneus.” The secret revelation that Phoneus was a murderer came as a shock to Zoe. He almost fell out of his chair. He didn’t like the first guy very much, but traveling with a murderer was too much to bare. He looked at the fat man intently realizing that he was evil through and through. He was a greedy thief and liar. Zoe was questioning Hagios’ choice of man when this one was chosen.

  “Now this is Nomisma; he is from Asphaleia.” Zoe saw into his heart that he just wanted the money. He was a poor man and wanted a way out of his poverty. He was willing to do just about anything. Not evil, but not altogether righteous. He was very tall and slender a little awkward looking.

  The next person to be introduced had a vile smile about him. He was not one to cross. Zoe didn’t even look him in the eyes as the man had piercing dark, black eyes that reached deep within his soul. “This is Tapeinosis. He, as I understand it, is a warrior.”

  Tapeinosis responded in a low deep voice, “One never knows what trouble lurks about in the dark regions of the land.”

  The last man that was on his right hand side was peculiar, as Zoe could read nothing of the man. He tried to concentrate very hard, but nothing came. The man seemed to be blocking the ability to read him, as if he knew. Darkness surrounded the man, not evil, just an unknowing darkness. “This is Gabriel. He is a warrior that will go with you to the ends of the earth if need be.” Zoe liked the way that Mikael talked of him, but still was uncomfortable with the fact that he could not know him as he came to know the others. Overall, Zoe was glad that seemingly three out of the five would be there if he needed their help.

  Mikael now came to announce the last member of the group, “This is Zoe the financier of your group. His mother is Charis, Queen of the United Kingdoms; a woman full of grace and honor. Thirteen years have passed since the disappearance of the queen. And now before us, her son!” The room burst with questions and bewilderment as Zoe could hardly believe what he had heard. He said to himself, “Her son? How can this be?” He thought through everything: his mysterious family; his parents’ disappearance; the gods care for him, and the like. Everything seemed so strange and foreign to him. Thoughts came rushing to his mind that he could not control. How could this be? I am just a boy of lowly birth. My mother, the queen? Where is my mother?

  Then one of the five questioned the validity of the proclamation, “How can this be? What proof do you have?”

  Mikael smiled a
nd tossed the Queen’s royal signet ring on the table. All knew the signet markings. Mikael rose from his seat, “I was given charge over this ring and over the child until the age appointed for the boy. I will be with you this evening as the boy and I have quarters that are separate from yours. You will meet at the rise of the first sun for your journey. Meanwhile enjoy yourself.” He left some of the money on the table retrieving only a portion along with the signet ring. Zoe arose with him exiting the room.

  They spoke not a word until they were in their quarters when Zoe let all of his emotion, “What was all that you said down there about my mother? You obviously know more about me than I do. I don’t like it one bit! Not at all!”

  The wizard let out a deep breath with a sigh, “Yes, I suppose some answers are due you.”

  “You suppose? Some? No, I want to know everything! I will not go anywhere unless you tell me everything!”

  “Very well.” He sat down. “You might want to sit.”

  “I’d rather stand.”

  “As you wish. Your mother is the Queen of all the kingdoms. You Grandfather was king and your Father was first born. The two of them were poisoned and your mother was established as queen over the land. But she was in danger, and so she fled the kingdom, as there was looming disaster ahead. I found her and her twin sons that she had birthed in the Yellow Forest. She gave me the things that you have seen, her ring and riches. She also had me take charge of you and your brother. The gods directed me where you and your brother were to be until the appointed time.”

  “And my mother? What of her?”

  “I am sorry, but I believe she has perished.”

  He sat down realizing he had a mother and now no longer had one. To find out who she was and then to find out that this woman was the greatest in all the kingdoms was a misery that was hard to bare. He sat down and wept into the night. The agony carried him into the darkness of sleep.