Omensent: Rise of the Shadow Dragons

By Barry Gibbons

It's been three years since the Dragon Lord, Damion Omensent, merged the Dragon Gem with the Dragon Sword, releasing the scarlet dragons back into the world once more. Now a new evil has arisen as reports of huge shadowy black serpents terrorizing isolated farms and villages begin to circulate throughout the land. With everyone looking to him for answers, Damion is forced to journey across the sea in search of a new enemy. An enemy that is bent on revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barry Gibbons
• Release date: Aug 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476353340

Barry Gibbons

37 Year old writer. Resides in Plano, Il

Book preview

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Omensent

Rise of the Shadow Dragons

Book two of the Dragon Lord Series

by

Barry A. Gibbons II

Omensent

Rise of the Shadow Dragons

Book two of the Dragon Lord Series

by

Barry a. Gibbons II

Copyright © 2012 By Barry A. Gibbons II All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

This Smashwords Edition ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

Omensent

The Dragon Lord Series

Omensent

Birth of a Dragon Lord

Book one of the Dragon Lord Series

****

Omensent

Rise of the Shadow Dragons

Book two of the Dragon Lord Series

****

Omensent

Wrath of a Dragon God

Book three of the Dragon Lord Series

****

Omensent

Revealing the Dragon

Book four of the Dragon Lord Series

****

Omensent

Princess of Dragons

Book five of the Dragon Lord Series

****

Omensent

Dragons Falling

Book six of the Dragon Lord Series

Prelude

The two great serpents blasted through the night sky above the Godstear Mountains, twisting and turning as they shot between narrow gullies and over unclimbable cliff sides. The lead dragon, a lean, coal black beast with dozens of deep ragged scars crisscrossing its body, flew with desperation in a futile attempt to make its escape. The dragon in pursuit, a huge crimson beast, slowly overtook the smaller creature, its eyes locked on the fleeing serpent, which was scarcely visible against the darkness.

The scarlet dragon slowly overtook the smaller beast until it was flying directly above, then it suddenly tucked its wings and dove. The sound of the two serpents colliding resounded through the mountains. They fell through the air, ripping and tearing at one another with gnashing teeth and lethal talons.

The smaller black dragon shrieked in pain and fury, belching fire directly into the scarlet serpent's face, but the larger beast ignored the flames and latched onto the smaller dragon's wing. There was a sickening crunch, and a wet tearing sound as the wing was ripped from its body, and the black dragon screeched in agony.

The scarlet serpent suddenly released her grip on the smaller creature and flared her wings, slowing her deadly descent. The black dragon, unable to fly with only one wing, continued to plummet down towards the earth where it impacted on a steep ridge side with an earth-shaking crash.

The scarlet dragon slowly descended down towards the crippled creature, landing just out of striking distance, preparing to move in for the kill.

No! The coal black dragon screeched in fear and pain. It was horribly injured, and bleeding freely from the stump that was once its wing. Don't kill me! It struggled to its feet unsteadily, but its legs were broken and couldn't bear the great serpent's weight. Mercy! Show mercy!

The scarlet dragon snarled, and drew back to deliver the death blow, then it suddenly stopped, its eyes calculating. You wish mercy, Dark One?

Yes! Mercy! I beg of you! It finally gave up on trying to stand and lay trembling at the scarlet dragon's feet.

What are you willing to do if I show mercy?

Anything! The coal black beast shrieked in misery.

The scarlet dragon towered over the creature ready to strike. Then you must swear that you and your vile brood will depart from this world! You shall leave, and never return!

Never! The injured dragon roared.

Then you shall die!

The black dragon screeched again in helpless fury. Wait! It flinched back fearfully. Don't kill me!

Do you agree?

The black dragon lay gasping in pain for several long moments, then finally it grumbled, I agree.

Say the words, then!

I swear in the sight of Draco that I will take my brood and leave this world! The injured creature snarled helplessly.

The scarlet dragon stepped back from the crippled beast. Go then, foul one. Go, and take your brood with you. Never curse this fair world again with your evil presence!

The crippled dragon shrieked in rage once more, then suddenly vanished into a thick black smoke which was quickly dispersed by the wind.

The scarlet dragon roared an earsplitting roar of triumph, then launched itself into the air and quickly disappeared into the night.

Chapter 1

Four thousand years later.

Dawn broke early over the small mountain settlement of Sevria, a growing trade town nestled deep in the Godstear Mountains. It was the middle of winter and frigidly cold, and the landscape was covered in several inches of snow. The tall evergreens that dotted the valley around the town were heavy with ice, and glittered like diamonds in the early morning sunlight.

Although it was still quite early, the small town was already bustling with activity as people went about their daily tasks, doing their best to ignore their frozen surroundings.

An enormous castle, carved directly into the mountainside itself, stood watch over the lively little town. It had tall spiraling towers and massive battlements, and the stone had been painstakingly polished to a mirror-like finish. It had been carved from the mountainside only three years earlier by the scarlet dragons as a gesture of thanks for their freedom. The townsfolk, many of whom were survivors of dragon attacks, had dubbed it 'Serpent's Keep'.

Damion Omensent, the lord and protector of Sevria, awoke with the bright morning sun glaring in his eyes through the large windows of his chambers, high up in the Serpent's Keep.

He groaned as he rolled over in his bed and pulled the cover over his eyes. The idea of facing yet another day trapped in the castle seemed unbearable! A hundred tedious little details awaited him once he emerged from his bed chamber, and he wasn't quite sure if he was ready to face the endless hours that it would take to address them.

He lay there for several more minutes before he heard the gentle flutter of feathers as an enormous snowy white owl glided into the room.

Are you still sleeping? Snowfeather squawked loudly as he landed heavily on the bed. Shouldn't you be up and playing 'Master of the Castle' by now?

Ha, ha, ha. Damion grumbled out loud. He pulled the covers down and stared grumpily at his familiar. At least you aren't expected to solve every little crisis that arises in the town.

That's what happens when you become the leader of men. The huge bird chirped knowingly. It falls to the leader to solve everyone's problems, even the ones that they could have solved for themselves.

Damion sighed heavily, then slowly crawled from the bed. He stretched as he rose to his full height of just over eight feet. His heavily-muscled body was sculpted from years of training with a sword, and his long flowing brown hair fell across his shoulders in a tangled mess. Despite his size, he looked completely human, save for one distinguishing feature. Beginning at each temple, and moving across his brows to his forehead, was a thick ridge of dark red scales, much like the scales of a dragon.

Damion's bizarre appearance and enormous size were the result of an attack by a vicious group of dragonspawn on his mother while she was pregnant. Dragonspawn were ferocious creatures distantly related to dragons. They were the result of a wizard's experiment gone horribly wrong centuries before, and now roamed the mountains in large packs preying on those whose path they crossed.

His mother had been violated and severely savaged by the brutal creatures, who then left her for dead, but she survived to give birth to Damion five months later. She died moments afterwards, leaving Damion to be raised by his father and Lady Skie Meadowdown, a longtime friend of the family. The dragonspawn's attack left its stain upon Damion, marking him for life, and infusing his blood with that of the dragons.

The attack had left its mark on Damion in other ways, as well. At a very early age, he displayed the uncanny ability to use magic. After a number of spectacular mishaps, his father was forced to send Damion away to learn how to control his powers. He traveled to a distant valley many miles deeper into the Godstear Mountains with Lady Skie where they lived in a large cottage with Lady Skie's father, Damarius, a strange old wizard who was well versed in the use of arcane forces. It was in that tiny valley that Damion grew up and learned how to manipulate and control his magic.

He stared down over the growing little town as he slowly began to dress. It had been over three years since his father, Lord Michael Steelheart, had been murdered, and the town of Sevria burned to ground by a dragon. Damion's life had changed drastically since that fateful day.

He discovered that the dragon that destroyed the town, a massive beast named Tempest, was under the control of an enchanted gem that was in the possession of his father's murderer, a disreputable man by the name of Kaviel. The Dragon Gem, as it was called, had been created by a mad sorcerer who trapped the entire race of dragons inside of the gemstone, which absorbed their magical essence to be used by whomever possessed the stone.

Damion and a number of others traveled across the land in search of the Dragon Sword, the key to unlocking the Dragon Gem's power. They discovered the sword in the clutches of a clan of trolls, then, after Damion destroyed the clan, he and his companions continued on to the heart of the Endless Forest, where the dragon made her home.

There was an epic battle between the inhabitants of the forest and the goblins and dragonspawn that were under the madman's command, and Kaviel was finally sealed alive in stone, though Damion lost the woman that he loved in the process.

After much convincing by his friends and loved ones, and Tempest's own assurances that the dragons would never willingly harm an innocent, Damion joined the Dragon Gem and Dragon Sword, releasing the enslaved serpents back into the world.

Since that day, Damion had carried the Dragon Sword. Although the dragons were now free of the gem, the sword could still control the mighty serpents, so he was careful to always keep it close to him, determined that it never fall into the hands another madman.

He slowly turned away from the window and slipped on his boots, then he carefully strapped the Dragon Sword to his waist. He glanced at Snowfeather, who was perched on the edge of the bed preening his feathers. Do you think anyone would notice if I just locked the door and hid under the bed?

Snowfeather looked up from his preening. You wish. I'm surprised someone isn't already pounding on your door over some insignificant issue!

As if on cue, there was a loud knock on the door.

Damion shot the owl a dirty look as if the intrusion was his fault, then sighed and walked over to the door. There was a short, wiry little man standing in the doorway, swaying slightly back and forth. His eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes slightly disheveled, but it looked as though he had made some attempt to groom his thinning hair and scraggly beard.

It's about time you got up. The scruffy little man grumbled.

Good morning, Sly. He looked his friend over. Did you have a hard night?

Sly shrugged. I don't know. I don't remember.

Damion laughed, then shook his head. I thought you had learned your lesson last time you woke up in the stables with that mule.

Sly ignored him. Are you planning on hiding in your room all day?

I thought about it. Damion replied truthfully. I'm growing a little weary of trying to solve everyone else's problems.

That's what you get when you're the leader of men. People actually have the nerve to expect you to lead. Don't know where they would get that idea from.

Gabriel Quickhand, or Sly, as he preferred, was one of his oldest and most trusted friends. He had taught Damion everything he knew about the art of combat, hunting, tracking, and the world in general. He had stood loyally by Damion's side during the hunt for his father's murderer, and was a crucial part of the rebuilding of Sevria. He was also a drunken lecher with little morals, and an unquenchable fondness for dwarven ale.

Damion followed the scruffy little man down the corridor to the dining hall where they found Lady Skie sitting at a table, sipping her tea contently.

Good morning, Aunt Skie. Damion greeted her as he took a seat across the table.

Lady Skie smiled. Good morning. She glanced at Sly, who had flopped into a chair and ordered a passing servant to bring him some bread and a pitcher of spiced wine. What's the matter, Sly? Wake up in the stables again?

Damion laughed, then began to eat from a platter of eggs and sizzling sausages that one of the cooks placed before him.

We have a meeting with one of the liaisons from Sierria today. Sly grunted, filling a large tankard with wine. There's a caravan from the north that would like an escort through the mountains. The merchants in the caravan refuse to leave Sierria without some sort of protection.

Damion sighed. The rebuilding of an entire town had been far more complicated than he had realized. After leading the refugees from Kaviel's rampage to the remains of Sevria, they began the lengthy process of removing the remnants of the old village and rebuilding. Survivors from all over the continent had fled into the mountains, and that first winter had been tough. Many were forced to stay in the castle, and extra food was scarce, but they somehow managed to survive. Now that they were reestablished, the caravans moving through the mountains from the port city of Sierria were their main source of supplies and revenue.

Why don't they hire some bodyguards? Lady Skie asked as she sipped her tea.

Sly shrugged. Damion can ask that himself once the liaison arrives.

It was nearly noon before the liaison for the city of Sierria finally arrived in the company of a number of badly injured soldiers, and he was immediately brought to meet with them in Damion's office, where he conducted most of his work.

The liaison was a tall thin man with a mane of shockingly golden hair. His face was clean shaven, and smeared with dirt. His ill-fitting clothing was splashed with mud, and he looked as though he hadn't slept in weeks. He stumbled into Damion's office, his face pale and his hands trembling. Milord, He attempted to bow to Damion, but nearly fell.

Damion rushed forward and caught the man, then carefully helped him over to a chair. Sly brought the man a large tankard of ale which he drained without pause.

After a few moments, and another tankard of ale, his trembling subsided, and some color returned to his face. Thank you. I'm feeling a bit better now.

You and your men appear to have run into a bit of trouble. Sly observed blandly.

The blond-haired man snorted humorlessly. Aye. There was a bit of trouble on the road. Dragonspawn attacked us four separate times during our journey. They just wouldn't give up! He shook his head. We managed to fight them off, but we lost several men in the process.

Damion and Sly exchanged looks.

I'm afraid there won't be any caravans moving though these mountains as long as those vile creatures continue to attack everything they encounter traveling on the trade route. The man sighed helplessly. It’s just too dangerous.

I wonder why the dragonspawn are suddenly becoming so bold. Lady Skie mused. Ever since the dragons were released from the Dragon Gem, they've been rather docile. I wonder what's changed.

Sly shrugged. It's hard telling what motivates those creatures.

The liaison shook his head once more. I've encountered dragonspawn before, and I've never seen them behave like this.

Lady Skie gave Damion a worried look. What are you going to do about this? We can't just ignore this problem. Those caravans have to make it through these mountains. Something has to be done.

Damion nodded. It looks as though I'm going to have to try and track these creatures down. He was secretly elated at having an excuse to get away from the castle for a while, though he was careful not to show this to the others. I'll leave tomorrow. I'll try to discover what's going on, and put a stop to it.

Sly nodded. I'll alert the captain of the watch. We'll take a dozen or so soldiers with us.

I don't think so. Damion shook his head. There's no need. I'll go and investigate alone. There's no sense in getting a bunch of men killed. Besides, they would only be in the way.

But Sly steadfastly refused to allow him to travel alone. The next morning, Damion found him and the golden-haired liaison saddled and ready to ride. The scruffy little man had also saddled Storm, Damion's abnormally large and aggressive warhorse.

That damned horse bit me! He complained, giving the warhorse a nasty look. Sly had obviously made the decision that he was going to join Damion whether he wanted him to or not, so Damion decide not to argue.

He was just being playful. Damion laughed as he climbed atop Storm's back. It means he likes you.

I could live with him not liking me so much.

It's a Deolan warhorse, is it not? The pale-faced liaison inquired.

Damion nodded. He was a gift from a friend. He gave the liaison a pointed look. Are you sure you're up for this?

Of course! Besides, The man laughed. I'm probably better off traveling with you than with my men. I don't think they'd really be up for the fight.

They started off from the courtyard with Snowfeather gliding silently overhead, and made their way down into the small mountain town.

Sevria had grown quite a bit in the three years since it had been destroyed. The refugees slowly rebuilt their lives, reopening their businesses and rebuilding their homes, and the town was soon bustling with life once more.

Several merchants and townsfolk shouted greeting to them as they passed, and they were stopped a number of times before they finally made it to the trade road just outside of town. They slowly began making their way north, taking their time on the snow-covered road to avoid injuring their horses.

It was late evening when they finally stopped to make camp. Damion deliberately built up a large fire so as to make their presence known, then sat back and waited. They slept in shifts, each taking their turn in keeping watch over the camp, then after a long uneventful night, they picked up and continued towards the north.

They were only on the road for an hour when Damion heard Snowfeather shout a warning from above. There are a number of dragonspawn ahead! It looks like they're planning to attack!

We've got company! Damion warned, drawing the Dragon Sword from its sheath and spurring Storm forward.

Stay out of the way! Sly warned the liaison as he drew his own sword and charged after Damion.

The dragonspawn came boiling out of the forest, snarling and hissing, each carrying a crude club or rust-splotched sword. The monstrous creatures stood over seven feet tall, with dark red scales covering their sinuously-muscled bodies and long whip-like tails. Their heads were similar than that of a dragon's, with razor-sharp teeth and long spiraling horns. They charged with vicious roars at Damion and Sly, who met them head on, their swords whistling through the air.

Storm crashed into the group of the howling creatures without slowing, crushing several beneath his churning hooves, then wheeled around and kicked another dragonspawn square in the face. It flew through the air and landed in a twitching heap at the side of the road.

The Dragon Sword was a blur as it danced through the air, shearing through flesh and bone alike. Damion chopped several of the creatures down as Storm rode yet another into the ground. Bones snapped loudly as the warhorse trampled the squealing beast, making double sure that the dragonspawn would not recover from its injuries.

Damion lopped off the head off another dragonspawn, then whirled around to see Sly fighting desperately to keep three more at bay. He instantly drew in his magic and sent a bolt of energy sizzling through the air, blasting one of the creatures into bloody chunks.

The other two beasts hesitated as they saw Damion and Storm charging towards them, which was a fatal mistake, as it turned out. Sly quickly took advantage of their hesitation and drove the point of his sword into one of the beasts' throats, then kicked it in the hard in the chest, sending it flying. The last dragonspawn raised a rusty sword, but the scruffy little man was far too quick. His sword crunched into its body, and it stiffened horribly. He ripped his sword loose, and the scaly beast fell to the ground twitching.

There are more coming! The golden-haired liaison shouted in warning.

Damion turned to see at least thirty more dragonspawn boiling out the forest bordering the trade road. He swore, then turned to Sly. You'd better stay out of the way! He slid down from Storm's broad back, then handed the scruffy little man his reins.

Sly nodded and took the warhorse's reins, then turned and went to join the liaison.

"Aren't you even going to try to help him?" The liaison asked in astonishment.

Sly shook his head. I would only be in the way. He turned to calmly watch as Damion strolled out into the middle of the road.

The blonde-haired man stared at him in disbelief. He's going to be killed!

Just watch. The scruffy little man laughed. You're in for a treat!

Damion waited until the first several dragonspawn were within reach, then unleashed on the unsuspecting beasts with an almost inhuman ferociousness. Moving faster than the eyes could follow, he slashed three of the creatures down, then kicked a forth in the gut, doubling it over. He nonchalantly removed its head with a backhand swing of the Dragon Sword, then leapt forward, chopping through four more with blinding speed.

Drawing in his magic, he sent a shockwave of energy surging at several more of the charging creatures, flinging those at the front of the group back into their companions with bone-crushing force.

There was a sudden roar of fury from the edge of the forest, and another dragonspawn burst from the tree line snarling in rage. This brute stood head and shoulders above its fellows, standing close to nine feet tall. It was much more heavily-muscled than the other dragonspawn, and its scales were a dull black instead of dark red like the others. It shoved its way through its brethren to stand at the head of the group, and stood staring at Damion with murderous eyes.

Damion readied himself to resume the fight, and drew in his magic. The blade of the Dragon Sword suddenly responded by bursting into flame, burning away the thick blood which coated the blade with a hissing sizzle.

The black dragonspawn's eyes grew wide as it stared at the sword, and several of its companions abruptly turned and fled, disappearing back into the underbrush at the side of the road. The dark creature snarled at Damion, then suddenly charged forward, swinging a crudely-forged serrated sword.

Damion met its charge head on, ducking under a wild swipe, but was forced back as the creature's whip-like tail suddenly lashed out at his face. He was surprised how quickly this beast moved. It was much faster than a normal dragonspawn, and it moved with a fluid grace that he was surprised to find in a creature of such size.

Quit playing around with it! Sly shouted. Just finish it off so we can move on!

The shadowy creature snarled at Sly, clearly understanding what he said, then charged at Damion, swinging its sword with brutal force.

Damion spun clear of the crude blade and slashed the beast across the side of its snarling muzzle. It hissed in fury, then lost all semblance of control. It whipped around and lashed out with its tail, but he was ready for it this time. Four feet of its tail suddenly dropped twitching to the ground as the Dragon Sword whistled through the air. It roared in shock, then fell to one knee as Damion slashed it across the back of the leg. It shrieked in agony once more, then fell silent as the huge warrior casually slit its throat from behind.

The beast slowly toppled face first to the ground, and the remaining dragonspawn stared in stunned disbelief at the corpse at Damion's feet. He started towards the stunned creatures, but they suddenly turned as one and fled back into the forest, leaving their fallen where they fell.

Sly and the liaison trotted forward, slowly picking their way through the corpses.

That was incredible! The golden-haired man exclaimed in amazement. I've never seen such skill!

I taught him that. Sly supplied smugly.

Damion laughed, then gestured to the shadowy black dragonspawn. Have you ever seen another dragonspawn that looked like this before?

Sly shook his head. Big fella, isn't he?

Damion kicked the twitching corpse over onto its back. This was obviously their leader. When he fell, the rest ran.

Sly nodded in agreement. I'll bet this creature is what was stirring up all the trouble along the trade route.

By the gods! It smells like rotten eyes! The liaison choked, covering his nose with his sleeve.

Sly sniffed the air, then wrinkled his nose. Sulfur. It absolutely reeks of it.

Damion looked at the little man questioningly. Have you ever heard about any stories about black dragonspawn?

Sly shook his head. This is the first I've ever heard about one. His eyes grew thoughtful. Maybe it's just a mutant.

Let's keep moving. Damion decided as he climbed atop Storm's broad back. We'll see if any more of them decide they want to come out and play.

Chapter 2

The rest of the trip to Sierra was uneventful. They arrived at the port city two days later, and Sly led them towards one of the nicer inns away from the waterfront, which was crowded with rowdy sailors looking to enjoy their brief time in port.

The blonde-haired liaison thanked them profusely, then left them to inform the merchants that it was once again safe to allow their caravans to travel the trade road.

That evening they chose a quiet table near the back off the common room and ordered food and ale. The room was fairly crowded with travelers that had sailed in, or were preparing to sail out, on one of the hundreds of ships that lined the extensive docks, though most were not sailors by trade, so there was none of the usual rowdiness that one may find closer to the docks.

We'll leave for Sevria in the morning. Damion decided as he drained his tankard and waved at the serving girl to bring another. There's no sense in hanging around here any longer. He made a face. Besides, I'm sure there are a dozen merchants waiting to bore me with some reason why they should be excused from paying their taxes.

Sly shrugged. Whatever you say. I'm just along for the ride.

Damion chuckled, then fell silent as he noticed a hooded stranger slowly making their way across the room towards their table. The only distinguishing feature about the person was that they stood less than four feet tall. The rest of their features were completely hidden by their hood.

Damion waited until the hooded stranger was nearly upon them before whipping the Dragon Sword from its sheath and leveling it against the person's chest.

The room suddenly fell silent as everyone in the room turned to stare. The individual froze mid-step, then a boyish voice suddenly exclaimed. My, my! Still jumpy as ever I see. The figure slowly raised its hands and dropped its hood.

It was what appeared to be a young male child of only five or six, with curly red hair and a great number of freckles speckling his face. But when one looked closer, they could clearly see there was an ancient wisdom in his bright blue eyes that spoke louder than words that this was no mere child.

Dar! Damion laughed with genuine delight, then quickly sheathed his sword and engulfed his tiny friend in a crushing hug. It's been too long since your last visit!

Watch the ribs! The boy laughed, his face nearly turning as red as his hair.

The entire common room breathed a collective sigh of relief, then returned to their drinks.

Though the newcomer looked remarkably like a normal human child, Damion and Sly both knew he was actually an Alena, a childlike sprite capable of living for thousands of years. Dar had been the one who had led Damion to the dragon's lair in the heart of the Endless Forest, and had helped him to defeat Kaviel.

Damion placed the childlike sprite onto the floor and watched as he slipped into a chair next to Sly, who clapped the newcomer on the shoulder with familiarity.

I heard a commotion as I was passing by, and witnessed a stable hand crash through a stable wall and land in the courtyard. Dar told them in an amused tone. I looked through the hole the man had made and saw several men trying to coax Storm into his stall. I knew you had to be inside. You're the only person who can ride that beast!

Damion laughed. Storm doesn't play well with others.

His owner doesn't either. Sly snorted into his ale.

They all laughed, then Damion gave the boy a curious look. We encountered something rather strange while investigating reports of attacks on the caravans from Sierria. He went on to describe the dragonspawn attack, and the appearance of the black dragonspawn which he had killed two days prior. Have you ever encountered such a creature?

Dar had a puzzled look on his face. I've never encountered anything like that, but it seems like I may have heard some stories... He broke off, his eyes lost in thought.

Whatever it was, it won't be causing any more problems. Damion left it laying in a puddle of its own blood after carving on it for a bit! Sly drained his tankard, then ordered another round.

If anyone would know what that creature was, it would be Tempest. Dar said knowingly.

Damion nodded. I was thinking the same thing. I'll go pay her a visit and see if she has any idea what it was. It may be important.

Are you going to return to Sevria with us in the morning? Sly asked, taking a fresh tankard from the serving girl, draining it dry, then handing it back with a smile.

Damion gave the scruffy little man a look. Don't overdo it. He cautioned, noticing Sly was slowly swaying back and forth in his seat. You may wake up with the pigs this time. Think of how your mule would feel.

Damion and Dar burst out laughing, and the scruffy little man turned bright red in the face and started spluttering uncontrollably.

Dar wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes. Aye, I'll join you. I was planning to stop by and pay a visit anyway.

Then let's have another drink to old friendships renewed! Sly slurred, raising a fresh tankard high, and nearly falling from his seat in the process.

Damion and Dar laughed again, then sat back and reminisced about old times until the late hours of the night.

************

They left for Sevria late the next morning after being forced to wait for Sly, who seemed to be feeling a little under the weather. Damion discovered, with some amusement, that Storm had somehow managed to trap the stable hands in one of the stalls, and had spent all night trying to bite any of the men that attempted to escape. The frightened men cheered with joy as Damion led the prancing warhorse away, until Storm stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to glare at them with flat eyes. The men all jumped fearfully, then turned and fled.

Damion chuckled, patting the great shaggy stallion on the neck. You big bully.

Storm nickered wickedly, then continued to follow him out into the courtyard.

For the next two days, they only encountered a few jumpy merchants traveling north through the mountains. Word had spread that the road was once again safe, but that didn't keep them from still being nervous.

Once they reached the area where Damion had battled the black dragonspawn, they paused so Dar could examine the creature's corpse, but after searching for over an hour without being able to locate the remains, they were finally forced to give up.

Scavengers must have made off with its body. Dar mused, looking around at the other corpses, many of which had large ravens idly picking at their flesh.

Damion shook his head. There would be drag marks. Something has come along and carried it away.

Well, Sly grunted, pulling himself up into his saddle. Let's move on to the south while we still have some daylight left. I don't fancy the smell of decomposing dragonspawn enough that I want to sleep next to this mess.

They continued on southward until dusk, then set up camp and slept in shifts, each taking a turn at watch.

They arrived in Sevria the following evening, just as the sun disappeared behind the mountains surrounding the valley. As always, the town was bustling with activity, and a number of people called out to them as they passed, but they managed to make it to the castle without being stopped too many times.

They dismounted in the castle courtyard, and Damion handed Storm's reins off to a stable hand. You play nice. He murmured to the shaggy warhorse, stroking the brute's neck.

Storm flattened his ears back