Omensent: Wrath of a Dragon God

by Barry Gibbons

  "Are you sure you don't want to return to Sevria with us?" Damion offered. "We can use a couple of good men like you." He was genuinely going to miss the brothers, who had been instrumental in their success.

  "I'm afraid we cannot." Jarom frowned regretfully.

  "There are still many people throughout our land who need the aid of the Knights of Sarath," Jacom explained, his expression remorseful. "We can not turn our backs on our oaths."

  "I understand." The huge warrior pulled Storm up along side the twins and clasped each of their hands briefly. "I'll never be able to thank you enough." He told them sincerely. "You have proven yourselves to be honorable men, worthy of great respect. We would never have succeeded without your help. If you ever have need of my assistance, don't hesitate to ask."

  They bid the two men a fond farewell, then made their way into the city, eager to find out if Captain Harper was still awaiting their return. They hurried through the streets towards the inn where they had last saw the extravagant old sea captain, and found him at the exact same table where they had left him months before, conversing quietly with several other ship captains.

  "Damion!" Captain Harper roared in surprise when he caught sight of the companions. He leapt to his feet and rushed over. "Well?" He demanded eagerly. "Did you find your daughter?"

  Damion smiled, then gestured to the tiny bundle of walking fur that stood next to Raven.

  "Ha ha!" The eccentric old sea captain exclaimed in genuine delight, rushing over to scoop Leia up into his arms. "I knew that witch didn't stand a chance against you!" He gently pushed the young child's hood away from her face, then smiled as he beheld the beautiful young girl for the first time. "Hello there, little one," He smiled, his eyes brimming with tears. "I've been waiting a long time to meet you."

  Leia giggled as his elaborately curled beard tickled her face.

  "How's the Fearless Lady faring?" Sly asked, stumping over to drop into one of the chairs vacated by the other sea captains. "She wasn't in the best shape when we left out of here."

  "She's ready to sail whenever you are." He told them proudly, returning to his seat and placing Leia on one knee. "It took us nearly three months to make her sea worthy again. Her main mast had to be replaced, along with most of the decking, and one of the ribs in the stern had been splintered, but everything has been replaced, and she's ready to sail. She docked right outside."

  "Excellent!" Damarius exclaimed happily, dropping into a chair with a heavy sigh. "After everything that has happened, I'm looking forward to returning to Sevria for some hard earned rest."

  "When can we set sail?" Sly asked, taking a long drink from one of the tankards of ale left behind by the other ship captains.

  "All I need to do is set in a store of supplies." Captain Harper replied with a shrug, still using his beard to tickle Leia, who was giggling uncontrollably. "We can set sail with the morning tide if you wish."

  "That would be fine, Captain, thank you." Damion told him with a grateful smile.

  "I had better go and secure some supplies of my own." Sly grunted after a moment's thought. He hurried off to speak with the innkeeper.

  ************

  "I don't care how much the merchants complain," Shirk growled at Fedrio, who had ventured to Sevria on behalf of the Merchant's Guild. "They have to pay their fair share, just like everyone else. Just because Damion isn't here doesn't mean we'll overlook when those scoundrels try to avoid paying their taxes while trading in Sevria."

  "I understand your frustration," The gaunt faced liaison told him in a reasonable tone. "but as long as the taxes remain as high as they currently are, the merchants are going to continue to complain. If you were to drop the tax just a bit..."

  "Drop it?" Shirk snorted in amusement. "We were considering raising it. It takes quite a bit of gold to pay the work crews that maintain the roads, and the merchants have the most to lose if we decide that it's becoming too expensive to continue paying the laborers. It's seems only fair to me that they begin paying a little more."

  "You wouldn't!" Fedrio's face turned pale.

  "I don't know," The bearded thief's face took on a speculative look. "The more we discuss it, the better it sounds."

  "Stop torturing Fedrio." Lady Skie chided Shirk fondly. She smiled reassuringly at the dangerously thin man. "He's only teasing you. We're not planning to raise the taxes," Her expression became stern. "but we will not be lowering them either. You can tell the Merchant's Guild that the next time one of their caravans skips out without paying, we'll start charging them double."

  "Lady Skie!" The gaunt faced man looked shocked.

  They all turned to look at Dar and Gwynth, who came into Damion's office and joined them at the table.

  "Are you two still arguing over taxes?" Dar asked in amusement, climbing up into the chair next to Lady Skie. "I figured you would have already settled that issue days ago."

  "Lady Skie just settled the issue for us," Shirk grunted in a sulky tone. "and just when we were starting to have fun."

  "Good evening, Gwynth." Lady Skie greeted the legendary old woman, who glided over to her side, a mysterious expression on her wrinkled face. "How are you this evening?"

  Gwynth had continued to remain with them in Sevria as their guest ever since the night she had appeared to them, though she disappeared from time to time without warning, only to return later, her eyes lost in thought. They had tried to query her each time she returned from one of these mysterious outings, but she always refused to answer any of their questions.

  "I am well, thank you." The elderly woman had a playful smile hovering about her mouth.

  "What's going on?" Shirk asked Gwynth suspiciously, noticing their guest's odd demeanor. "I know that expression. Either you just robbed a wealthy nobleman, or you're sitting on some information." His eyes narrowed. "And with that smirk, it must be something fairly important."

  They all stared at her questioningly.

  "You're a very perceptive fellow," Gwynth told the shaggy old thief with a youthful laugh. "Would you all like to join me in the courtyard?" She asked in an excessively innocent tone. "Tempest might enjoy a little company, and it's too beautiful an evening to be cooped up inside of this stuffy office."

  They all continued to stare at her with baffled expressions, but the elderly woman merely smiled, and waited expectantly.

  They made their way down to the main hall of Serpent's Keep, then through the main doors of the castle, emerging into the enormous courtyard where they found the massive scarlet dragon awaiting their arrival.

  "Hello, old friend!" Dar greeted Tempest with a laugh, scampering up her back to perch happily on one of her broad shoulders. "It looks like you've been expecting us."

  Tempest glanced down at Gwynth of the Gods, her eyes dancing with mischief, but remained silent.

  "What's going on here, Gwynth?" Lady Skie asked the elderly old woman, who was staring up into the clear night sky. She followed the old woman's gaze up towards the heavens to the constellation of the dragon god, Draco, which had returned to its place in the heavens a couple of months before. She had tried to question Gwynth several times on its meaning, but the elderly old woman always gave her the same frown, and refused to speak on the subject.

  "You do realize it's freezing out here, right?" Shirk complained sourly, huddling deeper into his heavy coat.

  "Don't worry," Gwynth told him reassuringly. "It won't be much longer now." She suddenly smiled broadly, a motion that exaggerated her deep wrinkles profoundly. "Ah, there they are." She said in satisfaction.

  They all turned and saw a group of riders who were slowly pushing their way through the fresh snow towards the castle, led by an enormous figure who was mounted upon a huge prancing warhorse. A large white owl was perched sedately on one of the figure's broad shoulders, its feathers fluffed in an effort to ward off the chill.

  It was several moments before anyone reacted, then Lady Skie suddenly exclaimed, "Damion! That's Damion!" She dashed o
ff towards the riders, heedless of the heavy snow that covered the courtyard.

  They all rushed to follow, and were soon all laughing in elation, overjoyed to have everyone home safe and sound.

  Lady Skie immediately took Leia into her arms, weeping in happiness, and refused to let the young girl down, clasping her tightly to her chest in relief as she continued to cry uncontrollably.

  "Welcome home, Dragonkin." Tempest greeted the huge warrior as he slipped down from his saddle. "It looks as though you have been successful in your quest."

  "We were," Damion replied in a grave tone. "though a terrible price was paid for our success."

  "Massster!" A anxious hiss suddenly emitted from a nearby shadow. Slither stepped into the light, then dropped to his knees in respect. "Massster hasss returned!"

  "I have," He told the prostrated beast, motioning for it to rise. "and thanks to you, we were able to follow, and eventually rescue, my daughter from her abductors."

  The one armed shadowspawn slowly rose to its feet and looked over to Leia, who struggled down from Lady Skie's arms and wandered over to stand next to her father.

  "Leia," Damion gently lifted the young girl into his arms. "this is Slither. He helped us find you."

  "Thank you, Slither." The young girl squeaked in a piping voice, staring at the great beast fearlessly.

  "It wasss my honor." Slither hissed, bowing his head to the girl respectfully.

  "Allow me to take my family inside and see to their needs," The huge warrior told Tempest and the shadowspawn. "I'll return once the others have been brought up to date."

  "Asss you wisssh, Massster." The one armed shadowspawn silently melted back into the shadows.

  They ordered several nearby soldiers to see to the horses, then they all hurried inside to warm themselves by the fireplace. They gathered in Damion's office, and settled around the long conference table, still laughing and cheering in celebration.

  Dar disappeared momentarily to order the kitchen staff to bring them food and drink, then quickly returned, his face alight with excitement.

  They all took turns holding Leia, who seemed to be quite happy being the center of everyone's attention, and they all marveled at how much she had grown during her absence.

  Lady Skie began to weep again as she clasped the young girl tightly to her breast, but stopped mid-tear when she finally took a good look at Damarius, who had lost a significant amount of weight, and now had the hard, well toned muscles of a man half his age. "Father!" She exclaimed in astonishment. "You look wonderful!"

  "I do, don't I?" Damarius smiled smugly, flexing one of his arms to show off his chiseled physique. "I think this little adventure was exactly what I needed to get the blood pumping again."

  Several servants arrived bearing a number of trays of food, along with several bottles of elven wine and a large glass of goat's milk for Leia, who gave it a suspicious sniff, then wrinkled her nose in disgust.

  They all began to eat while Damion slowly recounted the entire story, stopping only to answer the occasional question. It was several hours before he finally reached the end to their frightening tale.

  "After Leia killed the witch, and Estheryal drove Draco back to his place in the heavens," He finished the story with a shrug. "we made our way to Naquia and hopped aboard Captain's Harper's ship. We finally made port in Sierra three nights ago."

  Dar, Shirk, and Lady Skie looked flabbergasted by what they had just heard, and sat staring at Damion in shock.

  "So," Shirk seemed shaken by their tale. "all of the gods are now free to return to the world?"

  "I'm afraid so." The huge warrior frowned. "Apparently, when Draco took a direct hand against me, He violated the pact between the gods that kept them from returning, and altered the destinies of all mortals, preventing the gods from being able to keep tabs over their worshippers. They'll return to watch over their children, if nothing else."

  They all turned to stare at Gwynth, who calmly took a sip from her wine goblet.

  "Is it true? Will the gods start returning now that the accord has been broken?" Dar asked the old woman hesitantly, afraid of what the answer may be.

  "I'm afraid so." The old woman answered, her tone regretful. "Many of them have been waiting for eons for the accord to be broken so they may return to this world and begin the old wars anew. Now," She shook her head sadly. "there is nothing stopping them."

  They all stared at one another with grave expressions.

  "Well," Sly started in a philosophical tone. "what's done is done. I'm not going to sit around and worry what may or may not happen. We managed to save Leia, and prevented the dragon god from fulfilling His plans." He took a long drink from his goblet, then burped thunderously. "That's all that really matters."

  "I'll drink to that." Shirk raised his tankard, then took a noisy drink.

  ***********

  After making sure that both Leia and Raven were both safely tucked into bed, and ordering a pair of soldiers to stand watch outside of their chambers, Damion finally returned to the courtyard outside of the castle, and found Tempest and Slither still patiently awaiting his return.

  "Massster," Slither dropped to his knees respectfully.

  He motioned for the beast to rise, then looked up at Tempest, who watched the shadowspawn with an odd expression. "Was there any problems while we were absent?" The huge warrior asked curiously.

  "Nothing that we couldn't handle." Tempest assured him dismissively. "The dragonspawn began to grow a bit unruly for a while, but Slither managed to keep them under control."

  "The ssspawn believed the dragon god'sss return marked the beginning of a war with the humansss." Slither explained. "They began to gather in preparation of thisss war, but Draco sssuddenly returned to Hisss place among the heavensss. The ssspawn feared that their actionsss upssset Him, and quickly ssscattered, hoping they could appeassse Him."

  "It's been quiet ever since." Tempest finished the story with a shrug.

  "Thank you both for watching over Sevria in my absence." He told them gratefully.

  "It was our honor." Tempest rumbled respectfully.

  He looked to Slither. "I wish to reward you for all your help." He told the shadowspawn. "Without you, we may have never been able to rescue Leia. You have proven to me that you are an honorable creature, worthy of great respect." He drew the Dragon Sword from its sheath, then stepped up to the crippled creature, who watched him with curious eyes.

  Reversing his grip on the hilt, he placed the Dragon Gem against the stump of the beast's lame arm, then drew in his magic. "This may be a little painful." He warned, releasing his magic through the glittering gem.

  Slither suddenly grabbed his crippled arm and hissed in pain, his eyes wide with shock. At first, nothing seemed to happen, then the scaly flesh around the stump began to writhe and pulse, slowly stretching and growing until the missing section of the shadowspawn's arm had completely reformed.

  The hulking beast raised its new arm in amazement, and flexed its claw tipped hand several times experimentally. "Thank you, Massster." He hissed in genuine gratitude, still staring at his newly formed arm in astonishment.

  Damion stared at the shadowspawn for a long moment. "I also wanted to give your one last gift." He took a deep breath. "You have shown me great deal of loyalty over the last couple of years, Slither, and to show you that I am truly grateful for everything you have done," He glanced up at Tempest, who seemed to already know what he was thinking, and nodded her approval. "I release you from your pledge. You are free."

  "But Massster..." The beast hissed in objection.

  "I am no longer your master, Slither." He told the shadowspawn. "I am your friend. You can just call me Damion." He smiled. "I'm also ordering that you be allowed to come and go in Sevria as you please, and will be setting aside a set of chambers for you here in the castle. For now on, you will always be welcome within these walls. You can consider the Serpent's Keep your home."

  Slither seemed to be at a l
oss for words, and for several long seconds, he merely stared at the huge warrior in disbelief. "Thank you, Ma... Thank you, Damion." He finally grumbled in gratitude, seeming almost overwhelmed by the huge warrior's gift.

  "And what can I do to thank you for your help, old friend?" He asked the enormous scarlet dragon.

  "There is no need to thank me, Dragonkin." Tempest rumbled proudly. "The scarlet dragons will always be ready to help you whenever you are in need."

  "Thank you, Tempest." Damion glanced towards the heavens with a heavy sigh. "At least we were able to defeat the dragon god, even if it did free the other gods from the accord, allowing them to return."

  "Defeat the dragon god?"

  They turned to see Gwynth standing a few feet away, her expression unreadable.