Tempest sighed. "That is true, and, like the Mother said, eventually another brood mother will arise, but the scarlet dragons will stop them, just as we always have. The shadow dragons will never rule this world as long as my kind still exist! We shall continue to hunt them down, until we finally rid the world of their kind!"
"So... what do we do now?" Veren asked, glancing around the plaza, which was now quite crowded with the dozens of carcasses of the shadow dragons.
Damion shrugged. "We find a suitable place to camp for the night somewhere away from these corpses, and catch up on some rest. I'm exhausted!"
************
They gathered around the campfire several hours later, long after the sun had set for the evening, to discuss everything that had been uncovered during their confrontation with the brood mother.
"I can't believe that both Tara and Susa were actually shadow dragons!" Raven said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I wouldn't have believed it, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes!"
"They certainly had us all fooled!" Veren agreed. "I hadn't any clue that child was actually a dragon, but Tara," He snorted. "I actually had her pegged for an ogre!"
Everyone laughed.
"Tempest suspects that the brood mother somehow discovered that the Dragon Sword controls the scarlet dragons, and setout to recover it, no matter the cost." Damion told them, shifting slightly to allow Raven to snuggle closer. Ever since the battle had ended, she refused to leave his side. "After the brood failed to obtain the sword through force, she apparently thought she would try deceit. She disguised herself as a child, hoping to play upon our emotions. Then Tara pretended to abduct her, and fled here, knowing that we would follow her directly into a trap."
"What is Tempest planning to do now that the brood mother has been killed?"
"She took the other scarlet dragons to search some of the other abandoned temples here in Arleia." Damion told the one eared man with a sigh. "Tara mentioned that Daconia wasn't the only ruins that had suddenly been taken over by a strange dragon worshipping cult. Tempest thought that they might get lucky and locate more shadow dragons if they moved quickly enough."
"And what are we planning to do now?" The Jaghern asked curiously.
Damion smiled. "We go home."
"Home!" Veren broke into an open smile. "Now that sounds like a great plan!" He jumped to his feet, then began to rummage around through the packs of supplies. He quickly returned with two bottles of wine that he had purchased in Hthiss, and several copper mugs. "I think this calls for a toast!" He poured them each a mug, then passed them out with a happy flourish.
"And you'll be returning with us, of course." Damion murmured to Raven, who blushed prettily.
"Of course! I can't go back to my clan! I would be killed on sight! Besides," She smiled a mischievous smile. "I have a few plans for you, and I'll need you close to set them into motion!"
Damion laughed a bit uncomfortably, then looked to Shirk. "And how about you, Shirk? What are your plans now that this nightmare is over?"
Shirk shook his head. "I don't rightly know, milord. I'm still just a criminal here in my homelands, and with all of my men dead, I don't really stand much of a chance of survival out here in the wilds."
"You can always return with us to Sevria. We can always use good people."
"Sevria?" The bearded man repeated blankly. "Where is Sevria?"
Damion chuckled. "On the southern continent, in a little valley in the Godstear mountains."
"The mountains, eh?" He considered it for a moment. "I guess it's a sight better than dying out here in the middle of a swamp! Count me in!"
Veren raised his mug in the air. "Let's drink a toast, then! To returning home!"
"To my new home!" Raven beamed happily.
"To a fresh start!" Shirk raised his mug.
"To finally getting out of this stinking swamp!" Snowfeather hooted from a nearby branch.
Damion laughed, then drained his mug, and held it out for a refill. "To having another drink!"
Chapter 19
They set off for Hthiss the following afternoon, following along the main road at a leisurely pace, ignoring the few patrols that they passed. The patrols, in return, took one glance at Damion and prudently decided to follow his lead by ignoring the fact that he, Veren, and Raven were clearly not Arleian, and allowed them continue on their way without incident.
When they finally reached Hthiss, they were greeted at the gates leading into the city by Silsias, who came running up to the companions with a tight grin on his face. "Greetings, my friends! I'm happy to see that you survived your quest!" His face fell. "I don't see the slave child you had set off to save. Surely you were not too late?"
"No, Silsias. She was still alive when found her," Damion assured him. "but we discovered that she wasn't exactly what she appeared to be." He shrugged. "Isn't that how most things are?"
"That's surely the truth!" The Arleian agreed with a nod. "What about that slave chaser, and those dragon worshippers?"
Veren laughed. "Let's just say that they will not be bothering anyone any longer."
Silsias clapped his hands together happily. "Well then, my friends! Why don't we get you settled in for the evening, and then we can drink to your success!"
They quickly found a suitable inn, then adjoined to the taproom to enjoy a nice meal and have a few drinks.
"So tell me everything that happened!" Silsias insisted eagerly, taking a tankard of ale from a serving girl with a nod of thanks. "You say the cultists have all been killed?"
Damion exchanged glances with the others. "I'm not really sure that you are ready to hear everything that happened. I'm not sure you would believe me. You'd probably think I'm mad!"
"I don't accept that!" Silsias refused to give up. "It can't be that unbelievable!"
Damion shrugged. "If you say so." He spent the next hour, and several more tankards of ale, explaining the events leading up to the confrontation in Daconia.
"You're the Dragon Lord?" The man exclaimed in shock. "You're the man that released the scarlet dragons?"
Damion nodded.
"And that child and slave chaser were actually dragons in disguise?"
He nodded again. "I told you it was a bit much to swallow."
"You did, indeed!" Silsias nodded numbly, then took a long drink from his tankard. "You know, I think you were right. I really wasn't ready to hear all of that!" He suddenly looked confused. "But why would they attempt to hide as humans? I would think that they would be in far less danger in their true forms!"
Damion shook his head. "The scarlet dragons have been scouring the world in search of the shadow dragons ever since we discovered their return. I guess they felt they were far less conspicuous posing as human cultists in some remote ruins."
"Were you able to kill all of them, or did some of the shadow dragons escape?"
"Most of the shadow dragons hiding Daconia were killed, but the brood mother assured us their were still many others in hiding. The scarlet dragons shall continue to search them out though."
"Then there are still more of those things out there?"
"I haven't a doubt that there are still a fair number of the beasts running loose, but without their brood mother to direct their every step, they will no longer be as much of a threat."
"That doesn't really make me feel much better, you know." Silsias told him with a sour look. "Just knowing those beasts are lurking somewhere out there will haunt my sleep for years to come!"
"I guess you will think twice before offering to help a stranger next time, now won't you?" Veren asked with a laugh. "You never know who they could turn out to be nowadays!"
They lingered in Hthiss for a couple of days to rest and regain their strength, then after bidding Silsias farewell, they set off to the west, eager to be on their way.
It took them a week to reach the border between Veiria and Arleia, then nearly three weeks of traveling at night to finally arrive back at the upper vill
age of the escarpment. They were relieved to find that the barricades blocking the road into the city had been removed, and life had resumed back to normal. Repairs to the platforms that had been destroyed by the battling dragons were nearly complete, though the lower village still bore many scars from the hoard of dragonspawn that had descended on its helpless inhabitants.
They slipped into town largely unnoticed by the locals, and quickly made their way to Muddy's place. The dwarf seemed genuinely overjoyed to see them again, and immediately showed them to his finest set of chambers, and he didn't even try to overcharge them for their use.
They found Uuna and Eena, along with the children, still patiently waiting for them to arrive, and the young girls squealed in joy when Damion appeared, swarming around him happily. They all looked much healthier, and explained that Muddy had looked to their every need, taking a special interest in making sure that the malnourished children were provided with all of the food that they could eat.
"I know what it's like to go hungry." The dwarf shrugged. "I figured I could make sure that they were all well fed while they were here."
After spending several days resting up, not to mention enjoying surprisingly large amounts of the dwarf's delicious food and ale, they regretfully continued on their journey after promising the dwarf to someday return. They decided to keep the wagon that Uuna and Eena had used to transport the children to escarpment, but sold the remaining oxen and replaced them with a pair of their pack horses, which were able to travel far quicker than the plodding oxen.
The trek down the series of newly repaired ramps leading to the bottom of the escarpment was uneventful, although several of the local's eyes widened in recognition as they watched Damion pass. They soon reached the lower village, and were happy to discover that the inn and tavern that had only been lightly damaged in the dragonspawn attack.
Ole greeted them as the approached. "I was wondering if I'd ever see you again!" He laughed, grasping Damion's hand firmly. "It isn't often I get to rub shoulders with the Dragon Lord!"
Damion laughed sheepishly. "I guess my secret is out."
The tattooed man laughed. "You can say that! There isn't many people in the world who can take on a dragon!"
They lingered at Ole's place for another day, then returned to the road and continued making their way through the scorched desert landscape of Veiria. They were all quite pleased when they finally reached the blessed shade of the forests of Deiria.
They were stopped momentarily as they reached the border separating the two countries when a large group of riders approached, led by Jarvik Poisonoak, the elder of the Blood Claw clan.
The thin faced man's expression was stern as he reined in his horse before them, though he made no attempt to reach for his weapon. "So you return to your homeland once again, Raven Nightshade." He greeted the young woman in an neutral tone. He looked to Damion, his expression slightly fearful. "Milord. I am glad I have the opportunity to meet your acquaintance once again."
"You seem to have recovered a bit of your composure since we last met, Jarvik." Damion replied with surprise. "I would have never guessed that you would greet us with such courtesy after our last encounter."
Jarvik exhaled heavily. "I truly hated you for what you did to my son Melvik." He told Damion plaintively, his tone unapologetic. "Once you left our lands, I immediately set off to witness what your magic did to him with my own eyes." His gaze remained locked on Damion, as if he were the only person in the world. "When I first gazed upon him, I cried for him, and cursed your very existence! I remained there at his side, unable to wake him, yet unable to leave him to his fate!"
Damion continued to hold the man's gaze, unsure exactly why the clan elder was recounting this story, but he remained silent, allowing him to continue uninterrupted.
"It was the third day after I had arrived to witness my son's fate, and I was preparing to give up hope and to return to our place along the border, when we were suddenly attacked by dozens of dragonspawn." His expression was suddenly one of wonder. "Melvik suddenly awoke, as did the forest surrounding him!"
Damion nodded. "That was the responsibility placed upon him when I transformed him into a guardian of the forest. He sleeps until evil draws near, then he awakens to fulfill the tasks given to him."
"And awaken he did! The entire forest seemed to fall silent as the trees around the dragonspawn suddenly came to life! Heavy branches suddenly began to lash out, while vines as thick as my forearm snaked out from the underbrush to grasp the dragonspawn and drag them back into the darkness of the forest! Within seconds, the creatures all lay dead, and my son gazed down upon me!" The man suddenly had tears streaming freely from his eyes. "He said that he had found his place, and was content insuring the safety of his beloved forest for the rest of eternity!"
"He will do far more good for his people now." Damion told him in a solemn tone. "He claimed all he ever wished to do was insure his people's safety."
"That he did." The thin faced man agreed. "He always seemed just a bit more overzealous than most when it came to what he considered to his responsibility." He dashed away his tears with one hand. "He seems to be quite content as his new role as guardian!"
"I truly hope that you do not bear me or my companions any ill will. Our hand was forced by his actions."
Melvik shook his head. "I bear you and your friends no animosity in my son's fate, Dragon Lord." He looked to Raven with a grave expression. "Sadly, I cannot say that about your father, milady."
"My father, you say?" It was clear the the young woman wasn't surprised.
"I'm afraid he has declared you a traitor to the Black Feather clan, and put quite a sizable bounty on all of your heads. He also attempted to convince the council that every clan should make your capture a priority, but stories of the Dragon Lord have reached even their ears, and they wanted no part in confronting you."
"My father is an idiot!" Raven spit in a scathing tone.
"Since your father is so opposed to your presence, I would be happy to offer you sanctuary with our clan." His gave her a malicious smile. "Anything to stick one in his craw!"
Raven laughed, then shook her head. "I have already made other arrangements." She threw a sidelong glance at Damion, then blushed.
Melvik took notice of this look, but was wise enough to stay silent. "I know you are probably eager to return to your journey, but I must insist you return with me so you may enjoy the comforts of my clan, even if it is only for a brief time. I know exactly how taxing traveling in Veiria can be."
They happily took him up on his gracious invitation, and returned to his clan's village to enjoy a delicious feast and a soft bed, which was a welcome change from sleeping on the ground.
The women of the Blood Claw tribe immediately took to Uuna and Eena, and the children seemed quite content with their new surroundings. It didn't come as much of a surprise when Eena calmly announced that she and her sister would be taking the children and remaining behind with tribe. "They have graciously offered to take us in and make us a part of their tribe." The elderly woman explained as they gathered in the common room of a small tavern. "The girls seem to love it here, and the women of the tribe absolutely adore them. I think it would be best for them if we remained here where they can be properly cared for."
They returned to the road the following morning after exchanging many tearful goodbyes with all of the children.
"We owe you our lives, milord." Eena told Damion as she and her sister each took one of his hands. "We shall always remember the man who showed us more kindness than any other."
Damion smiled gently. "Just take care of yourselves, and make sure that the girls are well looked after. If you ever need anything, send word to us in Sevria."
The two sisters hugged him briefly, then hurried off to look after the girls.
Melvik bid them farewell after insisting to provide an escort through Raven's father's lands to the border. "I know how your father's mind works, and he will do his
best to catch you if he finds out you have returned." He smiled an evil smile. "He'll think twice if you are being escorted by fifty of my clansmen though."
The rest of the journey through Deiria was uneventful. They encountered several patrols as they made their way south, but none of them chose to try and stop such a sizable force. They finally reached the small village in the neutral area between the borders of Deiria and Jaghera a few weeks later, and Melvik's clansmen and the companions bid one another farewell.
At Veren's fierce insistence, they lodged in the same well kept inn that they had stayed during their first visit to the village, and was immediately greeted by the same jovial innkeeper, who rushed forward with a huge smile on his face. "Greetings, my friends!" He welcomed them. "I'm so pleased to chose to return!"
"We couldn't pass up a chance to have a fine meal, and, of course, enjoy some of your delicious ale!" Veren told him, rubbing his hands together eagerly.
The innkeeper laughed. "Of course! I'll informed the kitchen to bring you out a feast, along with some ale, then I'll see to your horses!"
They enjoyed their feast that evening, washing it down with vast amounts of the innkeeper's home brewed ale, then settled in for the night. The next morning, after enjoying a sumptuous breakfast of eggs, bacon, ham, fruit, and freshly baked bread, they gathered their horses, and prepared to set off.
"Milord!" The jovial innkeeper rushed out of the inn. "Will you be wanting a few more barrels of my home brewed ale to accompany you on your journey?"
Veren's face suddenly brightened, and he looked at Damion with a slightly pleading expression.
Damion shook his head regretfully. "It wouldn't make it a mile before it was consumed. But perhaps once I return home and get settled in, we can send for a few barrels."
"I look forward to hearing from you then." The man bid them farewell, then quickly bustled back into the inn.
Omensent: Rise of the Shadow Dragons Page 34