'Can you keep going for a while?' Kharendaen asked, flying close at his side so that they would not become separated in the clouds.
'I guess I'll have to,' he answered, still panting heavily. 'There's no place for us to hide until we get well beyond the cultivated lands. That will be another hour, at least. I can ride the wind that long.'
'Do you know where we're going?' she asked.
'Back to the ruined town, I think. Perhaps we'll run into the free Veydran again. There are things that I need to know.'
Tired and in pain, Thelvyn wondered with each long minute whether he would be able to keep going till the next. He began to fear there would be no point to all his efforts. Their failure to reach the large worldgate at the main stronghold before it was closed against them may have been their last chance to escape this world. Long hours would pass before they could reach any of the lesser gates, more than enough time for the gates to be closed or placed under heavy guard. Then the dragons would be trapped, condemned to wander this desolate world in a never-ending race against their pursuers.
They remained within the cover of the clouds to avoid being seen, trusting their instinct for direction. The clouds began to break up somewhat after the first half hour or so as the winds became stronger and more fitful. Their pursuers seemed to have long since given up the chase, frustrated by the speed of the gold dragons and their tremendous height. The air was cold and thin, making it difficult for Thelvyn to catch his breath, adding to his fatigue.
In time they spotted the wild, rugged land where they had found the ancient town, and they began to descend in a wide, steep spiral. It was difficult even for the sharp eyes of dragons to see much. The crumbling buildings of the ancient village were hidden by the darkness and by the fact that their appearance was so much like the color and rugged texture of the surrounding lands. Finally they spotted the remains of the ruined settlement sheltered in a deep valley, and they searched for a safe place to land, a place where they could observe the sky and the surrounding lands but still remain at least partly hidden. Kharendaen led the way now, landing in what had been the town square.
'I think it's safe to stay here for a time,' she said, watching with concern as Thelvyn slowly folded away his wings, obviously in pain.
'Were you able to rest any of the time that we were held captive?' he asked.
'I had time to sleep while I was waiting for you,' she assured him, though her answer seemed vague. 'I was also given food and drink, but the Overlord wouldn't leave any for you. You haven't had food or drink since before we came into this world, have you?'
'No, but I'll be all right,' Thelvyn said as he lowered himself painfully to the ground, stretching out his full length. 'I wouldn't know where to look for water, and I haven't seen anything alive in the wild to hunt.'
'The free Veydran must exist on something,' she observed. 'If we must, we could always return to raid the farmlands.'
'I don't plan on being here that long.'
Kharendaen walked over to look at him closely. Then she sat up on her haunches, bracing herself with her tail so that she could reach out and begin to rub his back gently. Thelvyn lifted his head to protest, then thought better of it. He laid down his head and closed his eyes, and after a moment he gave a deep, rumbling sigh of pleasure. Kharendaen smiled, thinking that he sounded like a gruff old dragon enjoying the hidden contentment of his lair.
'Are you fully recovered from your injuries now?' she asked.
'For the most part,' he answered. 'I'm in no danger of hurting myself again, but I need a little time to get back to normal.'
'At least you have retained your clerical powers.'
'I didn't realize at first just how much the Overlord was controlling me,' Thelvyn said. 'The Masters seem to be unaware that their will is subject to his control, apparently regarding themselves as willing servants, allies rather than slaves. Later I realized that something had been very wrong about that first confrontation, when he made it seem that his powers were vast compared to my own. He was controlling my responses. He wouldn't allow me to defend myself, which gave the appearance that I wasn't strong enough to stand up to him.'
'You seemed more evenly matched later,' Kharendaen observed.
'I'm still certain that he is very powerful,' Thelvyn said. 'He commands the powers that you would associate with one of the lesser Immortals. But for whatever reason, it seemed to frighten him unduly when we were able to prevent him from controlling us. He could have put an end to our escape at any rime, but instead he chose to withdraw, as if he feared for his safety. Perhaps it has been too long since he has had to confront his enemies directly.'
Kharendaen rose up higher on her haunches so that she could push down harder on his back; his dragon's armor made it difficult to give him a good back rub. Then she bent her neck around to bring her face close to his. 'Don't you think the Overlord also might have deceived you about your standing among your own kind?'
Thelvyn sighed heavily. 'No, I don't think so. Deceit isn't his only weapon, not when he has the power to look inside your own thoughts and use the truth against you. He knows that the truth can wound far deeper and more sharply than any of his tricks. He merely put into words some ideas and impressions that I have always held,' that I thought that I was above the common faults of dragons.'
'Well, if that is a failing, then it is one I share,' Kharendaen told him. 'I have often been driven nearly to distraction by the foolishness, the suspicion, the selfishness, and the narrow-minded beliefs of the dragons. And, yes, I, too, like to think I am above such faults. But I also prefer to think that most dragons could rise above such things, if they could only be made to believe that they belong to a wise and noble breed. Perhaps I am an optimist, but I chose to become a cleric not only to serve the Great One but also the dragons themselves. Are you and I really so different, then? I've known you to argue with the dragons about changing their ways.'
'That may be so,' Thelvyn agreed, sitting up slowly. 'At least I've learned an important lesson about myself. But just now I find myself desperate to return home. I worry what may be happening in our absence.'
'I suspect my brother has kept things from falling apart.'
'Yes, your brother,' Thelvyn said, lowering his head and laying back his ears. 'Marthaen is going to slay me.'
Kharendaen looked perplexed. 'Slay you?'
'For getting you pregnant.' He lifted his head, staring into the night. 'I think our friends have returned.'
At least he hoped they were their friends. A small group of Veydran were approaching the square cautiously from one of the side streets. Although they were moving furtively, trying to stay hidden between the ruined buildings, they were not trying to hide themselves from the two dragons. Enemy Veydran warriors would have been more stealthful in their approach, their movements conveying a greater sense of hostile purpose. He waited patiently for them to approach, sitting up with his tail wrapped around his legs and his neck arched proudly, careful not to move.
A large group of Veydran were approaching this time, nine in all, and he saw that all but their leader were bearing large bundles of some type. As they came nearer, he could see that four of the dragon-folk were carrying large skins filled with water or some other drink, and the other four carried roasted meat wrapped in what appeared to be large, dry leaves of some strange type. He was pleasantly surprised, since he had never expected that they would offer him the food or drink he needed so badly, partly because he had not expected them to have such things to share.
The leader of the Veydran stopped a few yards away. The others remained behind him. After staring at the two dragons briefly, he bent his neck in an odd gesture of respect. 'You have returned.'
As before, the dragons did not understand the words that he spoke, but nevertheless they were aware of most of what he said in their minds. Thelvyn bowed his head in return. 'We were made the Overlord's prisoners, and I suffered serious injuries from him. But we got the better of him in the end and managed to escape.'
'Then you are able to fight him?'
'I would not choose to fight him again, not in this world,' Thelvyn said. 'I will wait until he comes into my own world, where my strength is enhanced. Then we will defeat him, and your people will be free.'
'That is good.' The Veydran leader paused, glancing back at his companions. 'We have brought food and drink for you. If you need anything else, we will try to get it for you.'
'We thank you for your gifts. We need food and drink badly,' Thelvyn replied. 'I ask only one more thing. Do
