Omensent: Wrath of a Dragon God (58 page)
Read Omensent: Wrath of a Dragon God Online
Authors: Barry Gibbons
"You killed her?" Raven asked in an accusing tone. "I wanted to be the one who killed that monster."
"You wasn't anywhere nearby at the time. Besides," The huge warrior shrugged. "I'm wasn't the one who killed her."
They all looked at him
with puzzled expressions.
"If you didn't kill her," Sly asked in confusion. "then who did?"
Damion laughed, then nodded towards Leia, who had a slightly smug expression on her face.
They all looked to the young girl in astonishment.
"She stabbed the witch in the eye with a dagger." He told them proudly. "She stiffed up like a plank, and fell into the fire. I don't think she'll bother us anymore."
He went on to tell them of his confrontation with the dragon god, and the timely arrival the Estheryal. "
Apparently, when Draco took direct action against me, He broke the accord between the gods, allowing Estheryal to return to the world."
"Doesn't that leave the door open for other gods to return to the world as well?" Damarius asked, scratching his head thoughtfully.
Damion nodded. "Estheryal said that the destiny of all mortals has been altered. The gods can no longer see the paths laid out before their followers, and will surely return to guide their people."
It had grown late, and the sun began to set, bringing with it a cold wind from north.
"We should probably set up camp for the evening." Jacom told everyone, sniffing at the air delicately.
"Winter comes early here in the highlands," Jarom continued. "and it smells like we may be in for a little snow."
"We can hole up in one of these outbuildings on the outskirts of the complex." Sly suggested reasonably. "We've already disposed of the remaining witches, so it should be safe enough to use one for the night."
They slowly made their way to the outskirts of town and located a suitable building in which to
stay for the night, then set about making themselves comfortable.
Damion and Damarius unloaded their packs and saw to the horses,
while Raven and Leia set about cooking a large celebratory meal from their supplies. Sly and the twins disappeared to plunder the temples of whatever valuables they could find, then, exhausted from their trials, they all finally settled down for the night.
After an hour or so of tossing and turning, Damion
finally gave up on sleep, and quietly slipped outside, where he found Snowfeather silently circling overhead.
"You'll be h
appy to hear that Scale is okay."
The huge owl hooted, dropping from the sky and settling on one of the warrior's broad shoulders.
"Other than a few minors bumps and scratches, he appears to be unharmed. He settled down near the mouth of the trail that leads into the temple complex."
"That's good
news."
Damion had forgotten about the huge beast that had laid its life on the line to help them rescue his daughter.
"I'm happy to hear he wasn't seriously injured. I'll have to thank him for everything he has done to help us."
"Are you having t
rouble sleeping? I would have thought that all would be right with the world now that you have Leia back."
"I'm a bit troubled by what Estheryal
had to say."
Damion admitted to his familiar.
"It appears by refusing to give up our search, Draco grew frustrated enough to break the accord between the gods, changing the destiny of all mortals, and leaving the door open for other gods to return to the world."
"It couldn't be helped."
The huge owl chirped, fluffing his feathers to ward off the cool breeze.
"It was the only way you could save Leia. If the dragon god had succeeded in his plans, the mortal world would have been doomed. At least now mankind has a fighting chance."
Damion didn't reply. Instead, he looked up into the night's sky,
noticing with some surprise that the constellation of Draco had returned to its place in the heavens and now glittered brightly as it peeked through the gathering clouds.
He stared at he constellation until the clouds
from the incoming snowstorm had completely obscured it from view, then he quietly made his way back inside of the building and settled down next to his wife and child, leaving Snowfeather to watch over them during the night.
Chapter
21
They rose the next morning to find a light dusting of snow covering the temple complex
. After lingering long enough to enjoy a hot breakfast to help fend off the cold, they gathered their belongings and set off with Leia happily leading the way, riding high atop Storm with her father.
They
quickly made their way out of the complex, and along the narrow trail that led between the enormous granite formations that surrounded the temples. They found Scale still resting just outside, lounging contentedly against the cold granite, sending twin puffs of smoke drifting out of her nostrils with every noisy snore.
"Good morning, Scale," Damion greeted the great beast
, who opened an eye as they approached. "I'm happy to see your brush with the witch didn't leave you in too bad of shape."
"It'll take a lot more than a highland witch to hurt me, Dragon Lord." Scale rumbled, lifting his head and
leaning in close to see little Leia, who stared back at the massive beast fearlessly. "Is this the child?"
"It is," Damion smiled proudly. "This is my daughter, Leia," He leaned forward in the saddle and whispered in the young girl's ear. "This is Scale. He helped us
find you."
"Hello, Scale." Leia smiled warmly. "Thank you for helping my father save me."
"It was my honor, little one." The great beast told her, bowing his head in respect.
"Is there anything I can do to thank you for everything you have done for us?" Damion asked in gratitude.
"There is no need to thank me, Dragon Lord," Scale told him. "With everything you have done for my brethren, it was the least I could do."
They all watched as the great beast unfurled his wings and leapt into
air, quickly disappearing towards the south, then they slowly began the long trek home.
It took
them nearly a week to make their way out of the highlands, moving much more cautiously now that there was no real reason to hurry. Snowfeather, gliding effortlessly on the cool breeze, easily guided them through the seemingly endless maze of granite formations, until the Teirsian city of Teir finally came into view.
They were greeted as they approached by a huge honor guard of armored soldiers led by King Grediff. The scar faced old battle master wore an
elaborate suit of polished armor with a matching helm which had a golden crown mounted securely above the visor. He rode a beautiful black mare whose mane and tail had been twisted into elegant braids, and was fitted with a expensive looking saddle that had been trimmed in silver and gold.
"It's about time!" The old king roared
with gruff laugh. "I was just preparing to send out a search party to try to find you." He looked to Leia, who was still riding upon Storm with her father. "I'm guessing this is the lovely little Leia." He smiled at her gently. "How are you, little one?"
"I'm a little cold."
She replied, pulling a blanket around her tightly.
"Well," The old king looked at Damion in mock exasperation. "you heard the young lady, let's go find someplace she can warm her toes by the fire!"
Damion laughed. "As your Majesty wishes."
They followed
Grediff and his soldiers through the streets until they reached a substantial looking inn, then followed him inside, leaving their horses in the care of a nearby livery.
They
enjoyed a lavish meal while they filled the gruff old man in on the events that had transpired in the highlands, leaving him staring at them in amazement. "The gods are returning? All of them?"
"It looks that way." Damion shrugged helplessly. "Draco broke the accord between the gods. Th
ere's nothing keeping the others from returning now."
"Add that to the fact they can no longer keep tabs on their followers since everyone's destinies have been altered
," Damarius added, stroking his beard wisely. "they are almost certain to return."
"I have the feeling
that I should have never gotten involved with you people." The Teirsian king mumbled in shock.
"
It's too late now." Sly snorted, waving his empty tankard in the air in an effort to gain the serving girl's attention.
"What happened to the witch?"
"Leia took matters into her own hands." Jacom laughed, winking at the young girl who was curled up in her mom's arms trying valiantly to stay awake.
"She drove a dagger dire
ctly into the witch's eye, then shoved her into a fire." Jarom chortled. "I don't think she'll be causing anymore problems for anyone."
The gruff old king looked to Leia in surprise. "
You
killed the witch?"
Leia yawned, then nodded sleepily. "I
really
didn't like her."
Raven giggled, then pulled her daughter close. "She's a lot like her father."
"So I see." Grediff looked back to Damion. "What do you plan to do now that you have Leia back?"
Damion shrugged
. "Go home."
"So quickly?" The old man looked disappointed. "I was hoping you would hang around for a few months
, you know, help me get the hang of ruling a country."
"I'm afraid we can't." The huge warrior told him
regretfully. "We still have responsibilities awaiting us when we return to Sevria. We have been gone for too long already, and it's a long way from Teir to the Godstear Mountains."
The Teirsian king looked crestfallen. "You can at least stay for a day or two at the palace to rest up before you leave, right?"
Damion looked to the others, who shrugged, then back to the old battle master. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to linger a day or two."
"Excellent
! I'll send word ahead to have a feast prepared in your honor." He smiled a huge smile. "We're going give you a proper send off!"