The third patrol, however, took a single glance at the companions and attacked, spreading out to insure they had no chance of escape.
"I knew it was only a matter of time before this happened." Damion growled, drawing the Dragon Sword from its sheath.
An arrow suddenly whizzed through their midst, narrowly missing Sly as he readied himself for the violence to come.
"Several of them have crossbows!" Raven warned, sending an arrow into their attackers' midst, killing a Teirsian who was struggling to reload his crossbow.
"I'll take care of this." Damarius declared, drawing in his magic and leveling his staff at the charging patrol. The blast of energy that was suddenly released caused the hair on their arms to stand on end.
The Teirsians, who had been charging forward, their eyes alight with battle-lust, were all suddenly blasted by an invisible source that knocked them all from their feet, hurling those closest back into their companions with bone crushing force.
"Ha!" The old wizard exclaimed in satisfaction. He looked to the others, who stared at him in astonishment. "What?" He asked in a confused voice.
"We just never knew you had it in you." Sly laughed, rushing forward to attack the closest Teirsian, who was weakly struggling to his feet.
Chaos erupted as the companions fell into the patrol with a viciousness that the Teirsians had never encountered before. The twins fought side by side, each wielding a pair of short swords that whistled through the air, carving a path of destruction threw the startled soldiers. Raven rained down death from a distance, her hands a blur as she notched, drew, and released her arrows with deadly accuracy. Sly's sword danced about so quickly that it was nearly impossible to follow, leaving severed limbs and mortal wounds in his wake. Damarius sent several balls of fire streaking from the end of his staff, each finding its mark, leaving a number of Teirsian warriors dead with great smoking holes in their chests.
But it was Damion, roaring with fury, who caused the most fear among the attackers. He spurred Storm forward into the mass of Teirsians, and crashed through the first half dozen without slowing, laying about with the flaming Dragon Sword with a animalistic ferocity that even startled his companions. The fabled blade sliced through armor, flesh, and bone with ease, and the dead quickly began to pile up.
Fully half of the Teirsians lay dead within the first minute as the companions unleashed upon their attackers. Damion and Storm continued to rage about through the chaos, riding down those who didn't flee. The snap of bone was clearly audible as the massive warhorse slammed into victim after victim, sending them tumbling beneath its churning hooves.
Raven and Damarius continued to rain death down upon the Teirsians from afar, while Sly and the twins danced and chopped their way through the confusion.
The last few surviving Teirsians finally threw down their arms in surrender, and Sly and the twins quickly gathered them together and waited for the others to join them.
"Is everyone okay?" Damion asked, slipping down from the vicious warhorse, and looking around at the carnage.
"I'm fine." Sly grunted, stumping over to join them, slightly out of breath from the battle.
The twins, who were covered in bright red blood, looked at one another for a moment, then smiled. "We're good."
"As are we." Damarius declared, riding forward with Raven, who looked winded, but otherwise unharmed."
"Who sent you?" Damion asked one of the men, his voice still full of suppressed rage.
"I-It was a h-highland witch." The man stammered, his face completely void of color. "S-She and her khalkan approached us earlier this morning and proclaimed that the spirits demanded us to track you down and kill you. Sh-she declared our lives to be forfeit if we failed!"
"What should we do with them?" The twins asked in unison, their faces both grim.
"Strip them of their armor and weapons, then set them loose." The huge warrior grumbled after a long moment. He looked at the Teirsians with a look that promised death. "You men will not come after us again. If I ever lay eyes upon any of you..." He left the statement hanging, allowing their imagination to fill in the blanks.
"Y-You'll never lay eyes on us again, milord." The Teirsian promised fervently. His face suddenly faltered. "M-May I ask which way you plan on taking?"
"Why?" Sly asked suspiciously.
"Because if you are planning on heading into the highlands after that witch, we're heading as far south as we can get!" He shook his head helplessly. "I don't want to be anywhere close by when you finally meet. I have the feeling it will be cataclysmic!"
************
Dar and Tempest were relaxing in the courtyard outside of the Serpent's Keep enjoying the cool autumn breeze as they watched the sun drop behind the mountains, a custom for them since Tempest had taken up her watch over the city, when they were alerted to the circling dragon by the screams of the townspeople.
The huge scarlet beast suddenly tucked its wings and dropped from the sky, landing in the courtyard before them.
"Hail, Tempest." The beast rumbled, its deep voice echoing through the city.
"Hail, Quickwing." Tempest greeted the newcomer with a look of surprise. "I'm a little surprised by your visit."
"Our brother, Scale, bid me visit you with news from the Dragon Lord."
"Damion?" Dar exclaimed excitedly. "You have news from Damion?"
"I do." The massive beast smiled down at the childlike Alena. "He is still on the trail of the highland witch who abducted his daughter."
"Highland witch?" Dar exclaimed in shock. "It was a highland witch who abducted Leia?"
"That is what they believe. Apparently, she abducted the child upon the commands of the elder spirits, and now flees toward the Teirsian highlands to turn the child over to the dragon god, Draco."
"Where is Damion and the others now?"
"They were far to the east, in the lands of the Alioon, when Scale last saw him."
"The Teirsian highlands?" Dar asked, his tiny face growing concerned. "They are notoriously difficult to navigate. People have been known to spend years lost and wandering around the endless maze of granite formations, never finding what they seek."
"How was he and the others faring?" Tempest asked curiously.
"I was told that they were safe," Quickwing shrugged. "though I never saw them for myself. Scale told me that they suspect that the witch is heading for the highland temples to hand the child over to Draco. They believe the dragon god is planning to use the child to help create a new race of dragons."
"They must stop them from reaching those temples!" Dar cried, horrified. "Little Leia will be lost if that witch reaches those temples!"
"Leia, and much, much more." A woman's voice agreed in a grave tone.
They turned to see a elderly woman standing a few feet away, staring back at them with bright eyes. She wore a long satin robe that had been trimmed in a rich silver fur, and her long white hair had been carefully arranged into a bun. Her face was a mass of wrinkles, making it nearly impossible to determine her origins.
"And who are you?" Dar asked in surprise.
"I have many different names, Dar of the Alena," The old woman smiled mysteriously. "Some know me as Gwyneth of the Gods, others know me as Myrrill the Messenger."
"Gwyneth of the Gods?" Dar exclaimed in surprised astonishment. "The woman chosen by the gods to deliver their words to the mortal world?"
"You remember the old stories." The old woman stated approvingly. "It has been quite some time since I last spoke with an Alena. I had wondered if I would still be remembered."
"Of course," Dar watched the elderly woman with wide eyes. He could clearly feel the aura of energy radiating off her, proclaiming louder than words that she was far more than what she appeared to be. "We of the Alena still remember the old legends, though many of us have wondered if they were true."
"They are true." She made a face. "Well, most of them, anyway."
"'What did you mean by much more than Leia will b
e lost if the witch succeeds?" Tempest asked, her tone one of concern.
"If the dragon god somehow succeeds in his effort to acquire the daughter of the Dragon Lord, and through her manages to create a new race of dragons, the world of men will certainly be destroyed."
"That doesn't sound promising." Dar murmured with a worried expression.
The old woman laughed. "Fear not, friend Dar. All is not lost, yet." She huddled deeper into her satin robe. "I'd forgotten how cold it get here in the mountains."
"Take our guest inside where it's warm." Tempest suggested to the childlike Alena. "You can get me caught up later. Right now, I'm sure that Lady Skie and Shirk would be interested in hearing everything that we have learned here."
"That's kind of you." Gwynth nodded to Tempest in appreciation.
Tempest turned back to Quickwing, who looked rather eager to be off. "Was that all Scale wished you to pass on to us?"
"It was. The Dragon Lord promised to send word once they have succeeded in rescuing his daughter."
"Thank you for your help." The massive dragon told the other scarlet serpent in gratitude. "Your help has been invaluable."
"Just call on me if you ever have the need." Quickwing smiled, then with a single thrust of its enormous wings, the huge beast launched itself into the air and disappeared towards the east.
They watched as the scarlet dragon quickly disappeared from view, then Dar led the elderly old woman into the keep, and up to Damion's office, where Lady Skie and Shirk continued to toil away, doing their best to keep the castle and city running efficiently.
"It's about time!" Shirk complained, glancing up from the stack of parchment that he and Lady Skie had been examining. "Where have you been? This paperwork is beginning to get out of hand!"
"We just had a message arrive from Damion." The childlike sprite told them excitedly. He went on to tell them everything that the scarlet dragon had told him and Tempest during its brief visit. "The last time Scale spoke with Damion, they were in Alioon, on the trail of the highland witch who abducted Leia."
"A highland witch?" Shirk's face drained of color. "I didn't think any of them still existed."
"Oh, they exist," The freckle faced boy assured him. "and the one who abducted Leia is currently fleeing towards the highlands to turn her over to the dragon god."
"Who's your friend?" The bearded thief asked, suddenly noticing Gwynth, who went to stand closer the fireplace.
"I have the pleasure to introduce you to Gwynth of the Gods, also known as Myrrill the Messenger." The childlike sprite had an almost reverent tone in his voice.
"Gwynth of the Gods?" Lady Skie asked, her eyes wide in shock and surprise. "The messenger of the gods?"
"The very same." Dar looked to their visitor. "Would you care to join us for dinner?"
The elderly woman smiled. "That would be lovely, thank you."
The fiery haired sprite hurried to the door of the office and ordered a passing servant to bring them food and wine. He hurried back, then held out a chair so their visitor may take a seat.
"To what do we owe this honor?" Lady Skie asked in a respectful tone.
"I come on behalf of the Serpent Mother, Estheryal," The old woman told them, her expression growing grave. "The recent events in the world has Estheryal very troubled. The birth of the Dragon Lord's daughter has inadvertently brought about the seeds the dragon god needs to sew his new race of serpents."
"Dear gods!" Lady Skie gasped, horrified. "Is there no way to stop him?"
"The only way to foil the dragon god in his plans is for the Dragon Lord to rescue his daughter before the witch reaches the highland temples. If the witch succeeds in delivering the child to the dragon god, then the girl, along with the rest of mankind, shall surely be lost."
"We need to get word to Damion!" Shirk exclaimed, his face pale. "He needs to know what that witch is planning to do."
"The Dragon Lord already knows what fate awaits his daughter, and yes, the world, if he fails to rescue little Leia. We had quite the spirited conversation on the subject."
"You spoke with Damion and the others?" Lady Skie's face was flushed with excitement.
"I did," Gwynth smiled gently. "and they are all fine, though a bit weary from their chase."
"And my father?" Her voice cracked slightly.
The elderly woman laughed. "That wily old wizard is doing quite well. It seems adventuring agrees with him. He looks like he's having an enormous amount of fun."
"That's my father for you." Lady Skie stated with a roll of her eyes.
"What will happen to Leia if Damion fails?" Dar asked in a subdued voice.
The old woman's face fell. "Things too terrible to discuss." Her face suddenly brightened. "But the Dragon Lord understands what is at stake. He will do what must be done."
"So there's nothing we can do?" Shirk asked.
"Of course there is, friend Shirk," Gwynth laughed again.
"And what's that?"
"We can enjoy a nice dinner."
************
They crested a hill later that evening to find the massive city of Teir sprawled out before them.
"Behold," The twins exclaimed in grandiose voices. "the city of Teir."
The companions merely stared down at the city in open mouthed astonishment. It seemed impossible that any city could be so large.
"How long will it take us to pass through Teir?" Raven asked with wide eyes.
"At least a week," Jacom answered with a sigh. "and that's only if we're lucky, and the Teirsians don't give us any problems."
"From this point, the city stretches for forty leagues in every direction," Jarom continued. "and there's a Teirsian soldier on nearly every corner. That's going to give the witch a lot of opportunities to gather a force to try and slow us down."
"Where does the King dwell?" Raven asked curiously as they continued to slowly make their way towards the city.
"At the palace, of course," Damarius told her, brushing his brow lock from his eyes absently. "It actually resembles a gladiator arena more than it does a palace. The Teirsians tend to settle their disputes through violence. Anytime a Teirsian challenges another, they settle their differences at court before the king."
"Where is this arena located?" Damion asked curiously.
"In the heart of Teir. It's so large that they can fit half of the population of the city inside."
"Why did they build it so large?"
"The battles that go on at the palace arena are the most popular form of entertainment among the Teirsians." Jacom explained.
"People come from all over the city to watch the battles," Jarom added. "and place bets on who they think will triumph, of course."
"So the people of Teir spend their days watching their fellow countrymen slaughter one another?" Raven had a dubious expression on her face. "Seems a little barbaric, if you ask me."
"Nonsense." The old wizard snorted. "Who doesn't love to watch a good fight?"
They pushed on, and soon reached the massive battlements that surrounded the sprawling metropolis.
"What's going on here?" Damion gestured to the line of wagons, horses, and merchants, waiting to be allowed to enter the city. "Why are they making these people wait?"
"The Teirsians inspect every wagon, merchant, and traveler that attempts to enter the city." Damarius told him with a shrug.
"That could complicate things." Sly grunted, staring at the line of people waiting to enter the city. "If the witch passed through here, she is sure to have alerted the guards at the gate. We may not even make it into the city."
They waited patiently while each group in front of them was stopped and inspected, then cautiously rode up to the gate, which was guarded by several dozen armor clad Teirsians.
As soon as they reined their horses, a hard faced Teirsian with short cropped grey hair and a sour expression came stumping forward, scanning their group with shrewd eyes. He stopped a half a dozen paces away, and stood staring for severa
l long moments. "So," The man's voice was surprisingly soft. "you are the people that witch wished us to detain." He stated this with air of someone who knew his words to be true.
Damion realized immediately that lying to this man wasn't going to help their situation, so he chose to speak the truth. "We are." He told the man in a calm voice. "Her and her khalkan have kidnapped my daughter, and we are trying to rescue her before they make it to the safety of the highland temples."
Omensent: Wrath of a Dragon God Page 27