“First time I’ve seen a dragon,” Ogren remarked, watching her go.
Eric commiserated. “It takes some getting used to. Thank you for helping us.”
The big man turned to him. “Just be mindful that people here have simple lives. All of this will easily overwhelm them. I would like you and your friends to keep clear of everyone, for their peace of mind and yours.”
“But not you?”
He chuckled. “I’ve seen a few things in my time. I am not given to fanciful thoughts. Listen, it is getting late. I think you will need to stay here overnight, unless you’re really determined to go.”
“Let me see what they think once they return.”
“Sure.” He nodded at the mansion. “This is the best we have. I’ll be here, and we can have the place surrounded to keep the curious away. I’ll get some food brought over. I assume there’s more to discuss, including what help we can provide.”
“Yes. And thank you again.”
Ogren waved him off. “If you’re right about all of this…”
He didn’t finish, and they waited in silence. It didn’t take long for Jolian to return, the saddle attached and Anna riding her back, a struggling and awake Brazin clutched in Jolian’s front claws. Those who hadn’t cleared the lawn by now scampered aside. Eric helped Anna to the ground and learned everything was fine back at the tunnel entrance, though the sounds of something moving in the growing darkness had alarmed them. Jolian left again as Eric and Talis carried Brazin up to the mansion’s steps, where they waited again. Jolian had squashed his magic powers a second time, and the dragon remained bound.
Even less time passed before Jolian returned with Matt and Ryan, morphing into a human again and leaving the saddle on the lawn as they gathered inside with Ogren. They had laid a meal out for the five of them, Ogren, and Talis, the guards told to leave, Brazin lying in the corner. But a knock on the door preceded Talis letting someone in. A guard appeared, quietly reporting something to him as Eric wondered if something was amiss. Then Talis sent him out and closed the door again.
Chapter 8 – The Lords of Fear
Matt’s stomach growled at the smell of fresh bread, brown rice, and something that looked like pork, the raw vegetables attracting less of his attention. The bitter ale he’d already sampled made him want more, but the danger of intoxication in unfamiliar surroundings had him wishing for water that wasn’t there. Did these people know about staying hydrated while drinking alcohol? The room seemed pleasant and even cozy with the warm fire and torches, the scent of burning wood reminding him of the few camping trips he had endured growing up. Sometimes all of this just seemed like one big adventure, and moments like this were pleasant compared to the terror of the Kirii Cave, the fear of Eric not returning, or the awful bellows and screeches he’d been hearing in the mountains while awaiting Jolian’s return with Ryan and Anna. Something had been out there and getting closer. Now it didn’t matter, and he wanted to relax as much as that was possible, given the circumstances.
“What did he want?” Ogren asked his captain of the guard.
Taking his seat, Talis replied, “He followed their trail as per protocol. He found it began away from the path at Mount Dorun. Several large footprints and claw marks were present. It suggests that their story is true.”
“I think we’re past that,” the mayor admitted. “Now that you’re all here, what else do you need? Let me start by saying that we’re aware of this force of men moving toward Ortham. You know who leads them?”
Eric helped himself to bread and answered, “The Lords of Fear. You know of them?”
“Yes. We are a trading town and so news reaches us daily. They are north of Durba and should arrive in Ortham tomorrow midday.”
Matt remembered the town from the map. Having more time relieved him. He wasn’t normally afraid of the dark, but flying through the night on a dragon to a strange city on an alien planet wasn’t appealing. Who knew what else flew at night and might suddenly attack? What if they ended up on the ground camping overnight? The security of Valegis made him grateful, and he hoped future quests had far less traveling, though he doubted they would be so lucky. He had seen teleportation spells in Soliander’s spell books but wasn’t sure he could do them. He really needed time to memorize these things and find out if they could work on Earth. He intended to study tonight once this meeting was over.
What if they were on a quest somewhere and, instead of risking danger while journeying over land, sea, or air, he just cast them to where they needed to be? Fear of camping suddenly seemed a genuine issue because of being exposed in the dark wilderness, vulnerable sleeping, and trusting your equally inexperienced friends to stay awake when it was their turn to stay on guard. Or trusting strangers to do it. Trust was becoming an issue, but the normalcy of their dinner and a secure town had him dreading their departure the next day.
As Matt ate and listened, Eric recounted what had happened with Novir and Brazin, getting reassurance that they would replace any food supplies. He offered some coins Denir had given them, Ogren waving that off. With Jolian able to carry them all, replacement food and a place to stay tonight was all they really needed. Talk turned to how the Lords of Fear could be defeated, even with the group using the Mind Shield spell on themselves.
“Our plan,” began Ryan, “was to get close and then pretend the orb has ensnared us. That will hopefully let us get close enough to take it.”
Putting down a mug, Talis asked, “What if the orb isn’t on?”
Ryan sighed and lifted his own drink. “We’ll have to keep
