The Roar of a Dragon (25 page)

I began to hobble down the hill, without a word. I could hear the others talking but I wasn’t paying attention to what they were saying. As I approached the gates, there were a myriad of emotions warring through me — pain, disdain, and contempt battling with contentment and satisfaction. In contrast to what I was feeling, the weather was steady in its presence; still clear, beautiful, and full of life.

There were still people walking through the gates, but I didn’t wait for them; I went right into the crowd with the same intent that I had had, to ignore everyone in my path. This time, it wasn’t all that difficult — after my words at the ceremony, the people were much more reluctant to attempt to converse with me. But I didn’t get too far down the street before I heard familiar voices.

‘Hey, Grumpy, hold up!’

I smiled, knowing that Derrick was probably the only who could accomplish that feat at that point. I stopped and turned, seeing that he was joined by all of the others. Iskandor was in human form.

‘So…’ Derrick began, ‘you’ve had a building fall on you, gotten back the respect of the people and the king — what’s next?’

‘Actually,’ I said, thinking about an idea that I had been throwing around in my mind, ‘I’ve been thinking of starting my own mercenary outfit…travel the world, help out people that need help, that kind of thing.’

Derrick’s eyebrows rose, his expression one of interest. ‘I would join you, but I agreed to rejoin the White Army. I’m sure we’ll cross paths in the future.’

‘I can guarantee it,’ I said, smiling, and I shook his hand. ‘Also, there remains the mystery of what I am, and there’s Sirak and the Dyn’osi. There’s plenty I have left to do.’

‘You can count on our help,’ Timor said, his head slightly inclined.

I nodded. ‘Derrick, Kirra…thank you all for coming along, for your help. I will always appreciate it.’

‘It was a pleasure to fight alongside you…I guess.’ Kirra muttered.

Timor stepped forward. ‘You are a good man, Aidan. No matter how you feel about any of this, at least be proud of the fact that the people no longer have to suffer with that terrible existence.’

I nodded in agreement, and turned my attention to Iskandor. ‘My friend,’ I began, ‘you stood by me through everything, respected me no matter what decision I made. You did what very few humans could have even thought about doing. I am proud to call you a true friend.’

‘And you, as well, Aidan,’ Iskandor answered with a bow, which I returned. ‘But if you think we’re going our separate ways, you are mistaken. I intend to accompany you, wherever you go.’

‘Oh, I figured you were,’ I said with a smile. ‘Those things just needed to be said, that’s all.’

Iskandor smiled.

Mirabelle stepped forward, and we clasped each other’s hands. As content as I was with all we had accomplished, one troubling thought lingered in my mind.

What happened to Norvin’s body?

Robert Blanchard was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA. His love of writing came to the forefront after he was diagnosed with a vestibular condition in 2008. Unable to move very much, he concentrated a lot more on his writing and, soon, his hobby became his passion. Today, Robert’s condition is much improved and he is preparing to attend Empire State College in the fall of 2015 to study creative writing and psychology.

Robert has two boys and two stepchildren who he loves very dearly. A non-biological ‘grandfather’ at thirty-five, he enjoys chasing his ‘granddaughter’ around and playing with her. Robert is also working on a YA novel about a homeless teen who becomes an everyday superhero in his city.

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