“Yes, Tont?”
“It’s to protect you, sir. To defend you while you cast the Fhyrrstorm.” As he said the last word, a strange sense of foreboding washed over the other mages and they all uttered a low hum almost in unison.
Teryn gave Tont a puzzled look. How could they possibly know that already?
Well, Coontan does have a com system, Terwain replied in his typical haughty tone.
Who asked you? Teryn fired back. No, don’t answer that. Never mind.
“To put it bluntly, you’re right,” Teryn said, more to Tont than then rest of the assembled wizards. “And the first step in that journey is to secure the Sword of Spirit, which is held by none other than the Great Dragon.”
Several of the mages gasped in response. This part of the news was somehow more shocking than the last.
“Um, Mr. Teryn, sir. Do all of us need to go see the Great Dragon, sir? I mean, isn’t there any other way?” Tont asked in such a manner as to give away his fright. Some of the other wizards nodded in agreement.
“No, I’m sorry, there is no other way. We need to get his Sword of Spirit to complete my task, and there is no other way than to face him. And I really don’t want to come back here more than I have to, so you’ll all just have to tag along.”
A few of the wizards shivered and whimpered.
“Don’t worry,” Teryn said, waving his hand dismissively. “He’s not really all that mean. Quite nice, actually. Just don’t touch him or prepare any spells while in his presence. Also, make sure you look clean and well shaven. Speak up if he talks to you, but not too much. Stay silent the rest of the time. Whatever you do, don’t look frightened. Oh! And last but not least, try not to breathe in his direction. He really hates that.”
He smirked at Valeria as he closed his statement. The laundry list of requirements was all fake, of course, but none of the other wizards would know that. The two watched as their faces turned ashen and a few of them started to shake.
“I . . . I’ll try,” Tont replied hoarsely.
Teryn repressed his laugh and just smiled.
“Alright, let’s get going. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, and a short time to cover it in. My suggestion – let’s have the Enchantry wizards cast us a few spells of viriboost and windswift and the like so we can keep up the pace. Now let’s get going!”
He barked out the last part, spurring all the wizards into action. They scurried about, some climbing on their own mounts while others chose to walk, running to and fro, getting ready for their visit to the Great Dragon.
Chapter FourteenDragon’s Quest
“And this great leader, in his wisdom,
Shall sway even the greatest of all creation
To abide by his will.”
Book of Gallian, 12:9.
Year 4999 (Present day)
The mixed company of wizards, a general, and a priest spent many days traveling to reach the Great Dragon. Teryn knew teleportation magic wasn’t a possibility for a group this size, so they traveled by horse and foot. They were forced to stop in several small villages to get more food and supplies as they traveled, which slowed them down even further.
By Teryn’s guess, they had spent a month and a half traveling for what should have been a two-week trip. Needless to say, he was frustrated, but there was nothing he could do about it now, so he just bit his lip and swallowed his anger every time someone called for a break.
At last, they arrived at the base of the peak. Teryn could feel the hairs on his neck stand on edge and he glanced down at his hand, which had the slightest tremor in it. Even though he knew the Great Dragon would be sympathetic to their cause after his earlier assistance, he still worried.
Several of his band of wizards ‘offered’ to stay at the ground level and watch for monsters, but Teryn forced them all to follow him up to the summit. After the last six weeks, he wasn’t keen on doing anyone any favors.
Besides, there could still be Maktuul out there in the wilderness, and he didn’t want to lose anyone so fast.
“Now remember, everyone,” he said to his followers when they neared the summit, “Don’t approach the dragon. Let me do the talking. He knows me. You’ll be safe if you stay behind me.”
He was all business this time, no stupid jokes. He really didn’t need to lose a wizard to a stupid joke at the dragon’s behest.
His wizard followers nodded and walked up the remainder of the mountain in silence. As they crested the last rise, the Great Dragon came into view. The group let out a sigh of wonder in unison as they took in the dragon’s size. Even Lyrad, who had not spoken a single word or shown even a hint of emotion the entire trip, seemed dumbfounded at the sight.
Teryn swore the dragon looked bigger and more magnificent than ever. At the moment, the beast was lying on his usual spot on the mountain, and he appeared to be asleep.
Probably just some trick to lure unsuspecting food, he thought as he took in the scene.
“I never imagined that he could be so large and ominous,” Aldrek said to the others at last, breaking the hushed silence.
“I must agree with you. He is certainly bigger than anything I ever imagined. He’s just so . . . big!” Scott exclaimed in the quietest voice he could.
While they were all talking quietly to amongst each other, Lionel went against Teryn’s advice and went up to the Great Dragon. He was almost all the way there before anyone noticed.
“Hey, get back here, you idiot!” Teryn whispered harshly.
But it didn’t look like Lionel heard him, for he kept going. Some of the other wizards uttered a few harsh words
