SWNOVELS Chapter 21: Godkiller
Crassian just smiled, a rather shaky grin, the place did look like a slaughterhouse but he felt a sort of triumph. If the mages back at the larger cities managed to understand that the dragons could be killed with magic the cities could have made it. “The lad here has burns, is there some healer here?”
The man nodded, he pointed at a huge tent erected not far from the water’s edge. “Over there, they are rather busy but I don’t think they will reject anyone who has been burned. Dragon fire is nasty stuff”
Crassian bowed his head to show gratitude and respect and he dragged Eimar with him. The tent was filled with women and they were busy bandaging and taking care of the wounded. A rather tall woman with long grey hair and a firm but gentle face came over to them and she stared at Eimar. “Oh my goodness, those burns are bad. Come here son, we need to get some ointment onto them before they fester, and you need some tea too, with painkillers”
Eimar just squeaked as he was pushed into a chair and his clothes removed with haste. The woman was obviously someone of importance and Crassian frowned. “Pardon me my lady but you are of the nobility?”
She smiled back. “Yes, I am Lady Sherana, leader of the Onay family.”
She was in fact the one in charge of the entire city and here she was working with the wounded? Crassian had to have looked a bit incredulous for she laughed. “Oh don’t be surprised, I am no different than the others here, I can bleed and die just as much as they can and the attack killed many, also of my kin. It is my duty to do what I can to help. “
She found a jar filled with some ointment and started to smear it onto Eimar’s burns, very gently. She appeared to be a very warm and kind person and Crassian saw that all the other healers there were women too. She chuckled. “We did have one healer here, an old gnarly fool, the only thing he knew how to do was put leeches on you or rub your feet with salt. He was useless, cupping someone until they almost bleed to death heals nothing at all.”
Crassian had to agree with that. “Are there many wounded here?”
She sighed. “It is easier to count those not hurt in any way, everyone had to fight, even the women. But we won, a small pack of dragons ran south, some of our men chased them.”
Crassian let out a sigh of relief. “That is good, something must have happened since they suddenly lost their powers like that”
She found some light bandages and put them onto Eimar. “A blessing we are praising with every breath, they would have massacred everyone had they been the way they were before.”
She finished the bandages and petted Eimar on the head. “Go to the blue tent by the main gate, you can get some to eat there, and a bed to rest in”
Eimar bowed deeply. “Thank you my lady”
Crassian took a deep breath. “I have to move on, I have to see what has happened to the larger cities further south, I am an officer and have to report to some army commander if I can find one”
The lady tilted her head. “There is an army camp a day’s ride from here but it is dark now and you both need rest. There are stables in the city and an inn too”
Crassian let out a sigh of relief. “Good, very good.”
He did bow again and they left the tent, the blue tent by the gate was easy to see and several women were making some sort of stew in huge pots. The smell was wonderful and Crassian got a full plate placed in front of him. Eimar too got a massive portion and he stared at the food with huge eyes, not sure if he could eat that much. Crassian felt much better with a full belly and he told the young man to stay while he put his horse in the stable. The building was huge and housed the many mining horses, large docile animals capable of pulling the heavy carts and the stable master was a small skinny guy with just one eye and the energy of a caffeinated squirrel. He was running around and Crassian was sure that the man would have bounced off the walls if the laws of gravity hadn’t been so absolute.
The stable master grasped his horse by the reins and inspected the animal with a rather displeased expression on his face. “This horse goes nowhere, he is lame. Probably a stretched tendon, he needs two weeks of box rest”
Crassian rolled his eyes. “But I need to leave tomorrow at first light, and I cannot use the river, it goes in the wrong direction from here. “
The stable master stared at him. “Army eh? Officer?”
Crassian nodded. “Knight yes, my men have all been killed by the dragons”
The small man spat on the floor. “Cursed be the bones of those vermin, we had an officer here you know, retired but a tough guy. He died in the first attack, too brave”
Crassian frowned. “What was his name?”
The stable master shrugged. “Don’t know, Aro…Arolun? Big guy, rather strict”
Crassian had to smile, he had heard of Arolun of Oakfell, the man was infamous for having killed a wild ox with just one punch in his youth. “I know who that is yes”
The man tilted his head. “He has a horse here, ownerless now I guess. You can borrow it”
Crassian sighed with relief. “That would be wonderful yes, I am grateful”
The stable master grinned, he didn’t have all that many teeth left and he reminded the officer of a weasel, or some other small hairy and rather sneaky animal. “Don’t overdo it then, it is a shite of a horse”
Crassian frowned. “Really?”
The man walked over to a row of huge boxes used to stable stallions. “Here, he is vicious and mean and as stubborn as a cave troll. Won’t move unless you whip him”
Crassian stared at a very large white stallion which did look amazing but with those characteristics he bet the horse was worthless. “Alright, is he fast?”
The stable master made a grimace. “Yes, if you can make him run that is”
Crassian realized that the trip back to twelve towers could become a true challenge. He tried to smile and the horse kicked at the wall, it was obviously very badly tempered. “So, what is his name?”
The stable master scoffed. “I just call him “demon” but don’t you think the idiot named the nag “Silverfoot” it is the worst name for a horse I have heard, ever!”
Crassian had to grin, Silverfoot. “I have heard worse, believe me, one of my knights had a mare and she ended up being named “the goddamn cunt!” so Silverfoot isn’t bad at all”
The small man coughed. “You think so? Well, here Silverfoot is a slang word for a very unpleasant venereal disease which makes the skin of your privates turn silvery white, see?”
Crassian had to turn away, now that was more like Arolan, oh Gods. “Right, Silverfoot or no Silverfoot, get him ready at sunrise.”
The stablemaster did a sorry excuse for a salute. “Will do, don’t worry. But it will be your funeral, don’t come back saying I didn’t warn you”
Crassian just sighed. “I won’t.”
The officer returned to the tent and Eimar sat there looking as if he was about to burst, his eyes were drowsy and he was swaying. Crassian pet his shoulder. “I have to leave tomorrow, I have found myself a horse, or at least something which looks like one”
Eimar did look sad. “I would have wanted to go with you”
Crassian made a grimace. “You are no rider Eimar, and your home is the river right? I am very grateful for your help”
Eimar swallowed. “And I am glad you helped me too, ah, I think I may stay here, there are some very nice maidens doing the cooking”
Crassian had to chuckle. Eimar would probably stay there for sure, he was a handsome young man and some fair thing would certainly feel sorry for him and decide to play nurse for some days. “Go find yourself a bed and remember my name if you ever come to Twelve towers.”
Eimar yawned. “I will, don’t worry. “
Crassian squeezed Eimar’s shoulder gently. “Good, take care of yourself, I will ride early”
Eimar shook his hand. “The same to you, watch out for dragons.”
Crassian had to laugh. “I will”
He left the tent and found the inn, any open inn is bound by law to let army personnel stay overnight for free and the owner didn’t try to question that at all. Crassian was given a good room and he crawled to bed feeling more or less dead tired. He would sleep very well, that was for darn sure.
The snake was trying to break the elf in half and the she dragon tried to get up but couldn’t, her shoulder was broken and one leg dislocated at the hip. Imeah threw herself at the dark creature only to be trapped by dark burning tentacles, she let out a shriek and seemed to shrivel. The dark snake sneered, the life of this tenacious elf would be so sweet to devour, and the creature had dared to cause him pain. It was unheard of! Phraan managed to get a hand free and in sheer defiance he did thrust Rivath into the creature’s body, to the hilt. He was sure he was about to die now, it felt bitter and he wished that he could have taken this dark foe with him, it wasn’t in him to go out as the loser.
Suddenly he heard a shriek and hundreds of tiny dragons came scurrying, like an army of ants on the move. They didn’t hesitate, threw themselves at the snake’s tail and tiny teeth did bore into the thick skin. The small dragons were lethal, the poison strong enough to kill and now hundreds did latch onto the thing, bite and let go. Their magic dissolving abilities did kick into overdrive too and drained the power of the enemy rather fast. The snake did scream and spun around to get rid of the pesky critters and a huge figure came out of the darkness and slammed into the lower body of the snake man. It was the old dragon, and Dhokay was on its back, thrusting the hammer into the creature’s chest with all his might. Shaluun and Rhuk attacked the tail end also and Tersus came running out of the dust, throwing rocks at the head. “Eat these you goddamn overgrown lizard!”
Ivran stopped, stared at the dark deity, his eyes were ablaze and he felt his grandfather’s presence, felt his pride. He smiled, a very thin smile. “You are nothing here father of serpents, for here we do take care of our own and stand or fall with our brothers!”
He yelled, threw his will against the foe like a cattle driver wields a whip and frost spread along the ground, and froze the bottom of the beast to the rubble. Phraan moaned, he was barely able to get to his feet yet but he did anyhow, his healing ability working with lightning speed, he remembered what the old shaman had said, remember your name. He grasped Rivath and the dark God was swaying, the poison from the small dragons was able to injure even such a supernatural creature and it was suddenly feeling fear for the first time in its existence. It shrieked and tried to use its magic to return to its own world but it was locked down and the tiny dragons ruined its attempt completely. The vines had frozen too and formed shackles like steel and Dhokay’s powerful strike had broken its ribs and injured its innards. That was much harder to heal than a clean cut and the many attackers did confuse it.
Tersus was grinning, he held a small jar in his hands, “This is the last I have and bon appetite you bastard!”
He threw it and it hit the dark deity at the back of its head, the fluid inside of the jar had been an experiment and one which had worked out well too, it wasn’t acid but a sort of stink bomb which smelled so terribly it usually blinded anyone near it. The snake God had very strong senses and not they worked against it. The thing tried to rear back and the old dragon attacked again, using its massive bulk to topple the snake over. It tried to grasp the old fighter but the arms were locked down and the poison wreaked havoc upon its self-regenerative abilities. The body was busy fighting the terrible effects of it and Phraan saw that Zaray was badly hurt and that Imeah was reduced to a mere spark of light. He growled and walked forth, with relaxed ease. “You think you own my death demon? You are wrong, for I am death!”
His gifts did step into motion, he saw the weaknesses of this behemoth, saw where to strike and Rivath were singing, howling for blood. He ran along the body, the snake twisting but unable to move, Ivran froze more and more of it and Phraan stopped by the head and raised the blade. “Vitile, this is for you beloved!”
He brought the blade down, cutting into the one spot where this monster was vulnerable, its eye. The blade slid in, piercing the eye and the skull underneath and bored into the brain and the snake let out a high pitched shriek and trashed around. Phraan twisted the blade around and pulled it out, jumped away and the creature trembled but fell silent. Imeah became visible again, as a figure of light. “You killed its body, its soul may escape”
Ivran shook his head. “No, it won’t”
He raised his hands and formed a sort of glowing cube out of the air itself, as dark mist seemed to form over the dead snake he dragged it forth, pulled it into the cube and the mist was struggling and fighting but soon it was all trapped and the cube shrank until it was the size of a small bead. Ivran stared at it, his eyes were sad. “Grandfather said that my powers were both a blessing and a curse, now I know why he said that. It is my duty to make sure that things like this doesn’t happen again. “
He held the bead and it seemed to dissolve, to become one with his own energy. “I am its prison, until I find something which is strong enough to hold it”
Phraan walked forth, laid a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “You did good lad, you are the bravest man I have ever met. But come now, we have more dragons to slay”
Shaluun grinned. “There are few left, and they are trying to flee”
Zaray had managed to get up onto her legs, but she was in a bad state. “Go, I cannot help you, I have to heal”
Imeah was glowing in blue now. “I will help her, rid the valley of the last of the brotherhood and their ideas.”
Ivran too walked over to the injured she dragon. “I will help too. Go now”
Ghaday returned to Phraan and he got up onto it, he felt like he had been dragged through a mangler in spite of his gifts and Dhokay frowned. “Are you capable of fighting?”
Phraan grinned, a wide and wild grin, filled with the madness of it all. “I just killed a freaking God, of course I can fight”
Peter and Dabin did come forth, they had been hiding and they stared at the dead monster with awe, Tersus did run over and gave Peter a hug, the young man didn’t even pull back. “Did you see? I helped, oh Gods I did help bring down a dark deity!”
Peter was rolling his eyes, the smell was terrible. “Yes, you did, you truly did!”
The small dragons gathered and the queen climbed up onto the dead snake’s head and let out a chirping sound, flapping her stubby wings in triumph. The others chirped too and the vines were swaying as if in a dance.
Now the valley changed very fast and every building was torn down, the skies filled with rain and it poured down, the fires were put out and grass and flowers spread with trees and other plants. The last dragons were chased by Dhokay, Phraan and Shaluun and as the sun rose again the last ones were brought down. The valley had returned to its original state, a lush forest with small creeks and ponds and soon wildlife and birds would return too. Imeah and Ivran had used their magic to restore Zaray, she was limping and weak but she would recover and the old dragon nudged her gently, like a cat greets its owner.
The tunnel was reopened and the people from the city appeared, in utter shock, others came down from the canyon and they too were gobsmacked. The city was gone, as if it never had been there and Rhuk stormed forth, he grasped onto Goldren and swung her in the air. “Oh my fair one with feet like diamonds and gold, be my bride and I swear to you, I will braid your hair and wash your feet every day!”
The young dwarrowdam was giggling and blushing, in obvious shock and Samila smacked her over the rump. “Come on silly girl, he is a catch!”
Goldren squealed. “Yes, I say yes!”
Dabin groaned and deadpanned, Rhuk was grinning and dancing around. “My Goldren, my lady of exquisite feet, how can I possibly explain how happy I am? Oh I know, I’ll sing!”
Dabin threw himself over his friend, pressing a hand over his mouth. “No, you hear me?! These poor people have suffered enough!”
Rhuk let out some indignant sounds but Goldren gave him a swift and very chaste kiss and then it was all forgotten. The survivors made camp rather fast and now there was a feeling of peace and joy there. Fortunately none of the members of the brotherhood had survived, only servants and some people who had been forced to stay there by their masters and relatives. The mages were all dead and nobody wept on their behalf, instead everybody were relieved that it was all over. Phraan let go of the armour and the cat and sat down, he had suffered several broken ribs and a few other injuries too during the fighting and it was so wondrous that it all had just disappeared. Before long he was checked over by Shaluun just to make sure that everything was healed the way it should and he felt odd, empty almost. Dhokay did pet his shoulder. “Lighten up, there are thousands of dragons out there now, we will be more popular than ever before. “
He managed to smile. “You think so?”
Dhokay nodded “I know! The army cannot fight that many dragons, and they don’t know how.”
Phraan grasped his hand, squeezed it hard. “Thank you, I needed to hear that”
Imeah appeared, hovering in the air like a glowing angel. She was smiling. “This valley is forever sacred and it is mine to guard. I will not let any evil return to it, rest assure of that.”
Ivran stared down, he was stronger than ever, he had found his true strength and he had a feeling that this was something which had been inevitable from the very start. From now on he would dedicate his life to make sure that darkness never could regain its power again. He would honour his grandfather’s name and one day he may even meet him again. It was a hope he had.
Imeah disappeared and the crowd was silent. Taurin and Thiana were singing, to honour the dead and soon everyone was participating. Phraan felt tears running down his cheeks, he missed Vitile, he missed Imeah and he did in fact mourn Fastonar, why he didn’t know but he did. The heart can be a feeble thing. He wept for what he had lost and the small dragons gathered around him, giving him all of their warmth and support. The queen had perched herself on his shoulder again and he petted her gently. “At least I have you guys right?”
She squealed and licked his hand and he had to laugh, he had been a dragon slayer, now he could add God killer to his list of nick names. The crowd found rest and sleep in the shade of the huge trees which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and Phraan lay down on a patch of thick grass and slept. Imeah used her powers to bring the horses down from the canyons to let them graze and fruits and berries did fill the bellies of those who were hungry. The only problem was that Rhuk and Goldren insisted on getting married there and then and they had found a nice spot between some huge oaks and they kept everyone awake until Dabin in desperation and embarrassment threw his boots over the bushes and hit Rhuk in the head. Hearing the dwarf cuss and swear was not that much better than hearing him shout rather obscene and disturbing endearments but it was at least less indecent.
The next morning there wasn’t even a trace left of the city and light seemed to reach down to the valley where it formerly had been rare, as if the very mountains themselves had been reshaped. The survivors wanted to stay there, to live simple peaceful lives where they had been slaves and the green did spread out beyond the valley. It seemed as if the entire northern lands were being restored. The elves would make sure that the forests were taken care of and Rhuk and Dabin were thanked by Sareian’s father. The young elf would survive, he was badly injured in both body and soul but he was strong and with the help of his people and the magic of Imeah he would live on and one day become completely normal again. It made them all feel very good hearing that. The others too would recover and the former slaves would transform hell into a paradise.
Phraan and the others had to return to the plains, there was so much left to do and they feared to see what the dragons had done of destruction. Had anyone at all made it? Ivran was strangely quiet, he would help the slayers for as long as he needed to, then he would go looking for a way to get rid of the dark soul which now was resting within him, imprisoned within his own mind. He could feel it even now, struggling to break free and he knew that he had to stay in control of it, for if not he would become a new foe, one nobody would be able to bring down.
There was a clearing in the middle of the valley now, one where flowers did cover the ground and it was a tranquil and lovely place. Phraan and the others did go there and Phraan did to his surprise find a statue of Fastonar there. The soul sworn was standing with his hands on his sword and his head bowed, with an expression of sadness on his face. Phraan felt a sting of regret, but he couldn’t take it back now. He could never forgive Fastonar for having betrayed them, for having killed Vitile and caused such death and destruction. He would mourn him but forgiveness would never enter his heart for as long as he did live. Vitile had been too precious to him. Taurin and Thiana walked over to him and Taurin petted his shoulder. “As long as you keep her in your heart she won’t be gone, not really.”
Phraan swallowed hard. “I know. “
Thiana smiled and caressed some of the flowers growing around them. “This was hell but has become paradise, have faith Phraan. Your heart will know love once more”
He didn’t answer, he just sent her a stiff grin and shrugged. “If you say so”
Thiana tilted her head. “I know Phraan, your path is not one to be walked alone. Sooner or later you will know joy once again”
He just stared at his feet and turned his back to the statue. His job wasn’t over yet, he had to focus upon that fact. The magical barrier was up again, separating this area from the lands to the south but now it slowly became transparent and before long it was invisible and the valleys behind it were once again normal, not some other dimension. Only creatures of an evil nature would be kept trapped behind it now, all others could get through without trouble.
Dhokay felt that they had to hurry and Phraan did agree. Rhuk wanted to stay there with his new wife and Dabin was relieved beyond belief, he was sick and tired of hearing how wonderful Goldren was and how well the two of them did fit together. He hoped that Rhuk would become less explicit in his descriptions of his wife’s charms when the first dwarflings did arrive.
They stayed in the valley for a few days just to rest and digest what they had been through and Phraan stared at the ring he wore and knew that he would need both that and Rivath again. The sword felt hungry still and he was rather sure that it would drink the blood of dragons yet again. The old dragon would stay there too, it was content to rest and enjoy its freedom in peace and they all agreed that it deserved it. Imeah did subdue any residue of the chaos magic and Phraan was rather sure that also the orcs would return to their old homeland eventually. It was good, it felt right.
Tersus and Peter did agree upon returning to Twelve towers when the dragons were no longer a problem, Peter wanted to learn but he was sick and tired of Tersus being such a pile of uncleanliness. One evening he gave the alchemist tea with a sleeping drought and when the alchemist was out he got Dhokay and Dabin helping him washing, shaving and grooming the man. The emerging result was in fact a rather handsome man and Tersus almost suffered an apoplectic seizure when he woke up and saw what they had done, he was sure that they had stolen all his luck by washing him. He was raging like a madman until some of the local women tried to flirt a bit and then he changed his mind on a dime and started to wash himself with almost religious zeal. From one extreme to the other.
The group left the valley early one morning and Phraan did feel how a heavy blanket of melancholy did slip over his soul as he left the place behind. This valley had changed everything and he knew that he never would be the same again.
Crassian was riding in through the gates of the army camp with a feeling of seeing paradise emerge in front of him, he had ridden for several days due south and now he had reached the more fertile area which included the coastal region and the greater cities. The trees had shed their leaves and yet this land was such a relief to behold after the rather grey and boring plains. He felt as if he had been in a hard battle, the stable master had been hitting the nail perfectly on the head when he referred to the goddamn horse as a demon, Crassian had ridden many difficult horses in his time but this one was the worst ever. If he hadn’t used both spurs and a whip he wouldn’t have gotten anywhere at all and when the horse did move it would try to buck him off, all of a sudden. But he had learned a lot on the trip, he now knew exactly where the limits of his patience were, and if he hadn’t been in danger of being stranded in the middle of nowhere he would have left the darn nag out there.
The city he entered was one of the larger ones in this region with at least ten thousand inhabitants in winter and twice that many in summer due to the fact that everybody made their living harvesting herbs and flowers used for spice. It did have a decent wall and as he approached he saw that the city had been attacked but it had come out of it with relatively small damages. Dead dragons had already been hauled away and burned and he saw some kids playing around the blackened skulls. He managed to get the horse into the camp before it stopped and refused to move again and he dismounted with a sardonic grin. He didn’t envy the poor stable worker who would be sent to get the animal into the stables. Crassian was eager to hear if anyone knew anything about the situation further to the south. The dragons had probably reached rather far before the change happened and he feared for the large settlements and villages.
The camp was built to house at least five thousand soldiers and he walked through it and saw that this place had seen battle. The men were busy fixing broken weapons and equipment and he saw several men who had been injured. Several hospital tents had been erected and he saw healers scurrying to and fro. He headed towards the office and was glad every camp in the realm was built the same way, there was no way you could get lost. He knocked and entered and a captain wearing a rather torn uniform sat behind a desk with a pile of papers the size of a small couch. He did look as if he was in despair and looked up at the incoming man with a glimpse of hope in his eyes. Crassian saw that the man was above his best age, and this had to be damage reports from what he could see. Crassian did make a salute and the man tilted his head, he didn’t know this stranger and was afraid that this meant even more work. “How may I help you sir?”
The captain saw that this was a knight and Crassian smiled and tried to ignore the fact that his butt hurt like crazy, the horse had tried to buck him off for two miles straight just an hour ago and he wasn’t young anymore. “I am Crassian of Twelve towers, I am heading back to the capital after a mission to the north. I wish to learn as much as I can of the current situation here”
The captain let out a sigh of relief. “Be greeted, I am Aras, captain in his majesty’s army, third division. You have come from the north? Now?!”
Crassian nodded. “Yes, I barely made it, I have lost good men on the trip”
Aras sighed. “No wonder, so have we all. We had four thousand three hundred good soldiers stationed here, now we have a little over two thousand left”
Crassian sat down. “The dragons?”
Aras ran his fingers through his short hair. “Yes, and other monsters as well. We were not prepared but my men were brave and the walls did do their job. We managed to keep the worst critters at bay until some of the city’s mages managed to slow them down. The cavalry did take care of the rest.”
Crassian swallowed. “Then your men are brave indeed.”
Aras nodded. “Yes, too brave perhaps, we lost many good men and horses in spite of what the mages did, but we won. The price was great though”
Crassian leaned forth. “The other cities and villages? How have they fared? Are there dragons left?”
Aras nodded. “Everywhere, but they are not that large and the packs aren’t very determined, they hide more often than attack. The beasts have become rather small now and even though they are lethal they can be killed, by someone with skills. We do need dragon slayers more than ever”
Crassian swallowed. “I knew dragon slayers, they went on a mission to stop the dragons at the source, since this happened I bet they did what they went to do. I just wonder if they survived.”
Aras raised an eyebrow. “Let us hope they did then, for if the dragons hadn’t changed nothing would have been left here, not even rocks”
Crassian nodded. “I know, I saw that first hand on the way here”
Aras sighed. “We have sent riders and pigeons to every city in the area, even to Twelve towers. The answer came earlier today in fact.”
Crassian tensed up. “Yes?”
Aras got up and went over to a desk in the corner, picked up a small letter. He handed it over to Crassian who grasped it eagerly. “Thank you”
He did read it fast and his heart skipped a few beats. “Massive damage, great loss of life, huge attack?”
Aras nodded. “Yes, unfortunately. I spoke with the messenger, he had spoken to other messengers too and the king has tried to get a sort of picture of the situation, it is dire sir”
Crassian swallowed hard. “And there are no slayers left?”
Aras coughed, his face a bit red. “Oh there are plenty of wannabes, but they lack the expertise if you know what I mean? These dragons aren’t that bad, they aren’t even as bad as the ones fifty years ago but that doesn’t mean they are harmless. You have got to know what you are doing and they do travel in packs, attack one and the rest gets you”
Crassian swallowed. “Do you know if the king has any knights left?”
Aras shook his head. “I am sorry, there are very few soldiers left and even fewer knights, they all died trying to protect the cities. Only those to the far south did escape the destruction, the dragons came in waves and the first ones were the worst, the devastation was absolute. They say the palace of Twelve towers burned and so did the temples. The cities are unrecognizable now”
Crassian felt his throat tighten. “And here in the rural areas, how is the situation?”
Aras shrugged. “Terrible, the villages are without protection, as are the farms and smaller cities. We don’t have enough soldiers to go out there and fight. The high command does prioritize the inner cities, those important to them. The areas to the north are to be abandoned, there is no help coming that way for sure for the king doesn’t have men to spare. And there is hardly anyone left up there alive after this”
Crassian sighed. “You are right, it is rather terrible, but we cannot think of those territories now. We have to focus on the farmlands. Do you have horses?”
Aras frowned. “Ah, yes? Why?”
Crassian swallowed hard, he felt a sort of resignation within, his duty before his own wishes. “I need hundred men, they can be squires, stable lads, even farmers but they must be able to ride and hold a lance.”
Aras tilted his head. “I am sure I can get a hundred men as long as they aren’t soldiers but what can you possibly hope to achieve?”
Crassian made a grimace. “Save some lives, I don’t care how many. If the dragons stay here the winter will be the death of so many and not because of the beasts. People cannot leave their villages to gather food with dragons around and the beasts will devour the livestock. We have to do something”
Aras smiled, a very humble smile. “I will see what I can do”
Crassian smiled and got back up. “And I need a new horse too, the one I arrived on is worse than any dragon.”
Aras had to snicker and turned to go out and find someone to order around. Crassian closed his eyes. He wondered where the group was, if they had survived. Now they would be needed, more than ever before. They had the skills and experience and they did also know how to teach others the art. Crassian would do his best, but he missed Phraan and the others and he would pray for their safe return. It was after all the only thing he really could do. He had lead a group of trained knights and soldiers north and he had been the only one to return alive, he had wanted to be a dragon slayer so now he would get the chance to see if he really could do the job well.
The group had reached the plains after a couple of days and it became rather apparent that the dragons had scoured the land free of life. There wasn’t sign of wildlife anywhere and they even found a couple of dead trolls. Phraan was very quiet as they rode, Dhokay tried to cheer him up but it didn’t really work and Thiana meant that he just needed time. He would return to his old self but it would take time. The land would also return to its former self, life would return and now the plains would be left alone, they doubted that anyone would settle there. They were not far from the city of Mudwall when they saw the first signs of life. It was a pack of orcs and Phraan was surprised to see that the old shaman was alive and well. He greeted them with respect and the orcs did go down on one knee to honour them. The old one was smiling. “You did it, I knew you would. Now our old lands are safe again and we will return to the lands of our ancestors”
Phraan nodded and felt a sting of pride. “Yes, the dark mages are gone”
Zaray was following them, she was limping but it was getting better and she would soon be able to fly again. The shaman bowed to her. “Daughter of flame, I have seen you regain what was lost, have no despair”
Zaray lowered her head. “I thank you old one”
The shaman stared at the huge pack of tiny dragons, they followed Phraan now and the queen had found a seat on the wide rump of Drake where she sat as if it was her god given right. “Little one, queen of many, you will make a true difference”
The tiny dragon purred and her crest did shudder, displaying her bright colours. Phraan did smile. “We are heading back south, I fear that we may be needed there now!”
The shaman nodded. “Yes, true slayers are really in demand, do not waste time with these lands, they were wild and wild they will remain. Man has no right to them, let them be. No, go south and help the population, get rid of the dragons.”
Phraan did rein in Drake. “It will be a great deal of work”
The old orc winked. “It will, but you will love it”
He reached out and took Phraan’s hand. “Don’t forget those gone but don’t let them rule your heart. Look ahead”
He bowed his head. “I will see the sacred lands before I die, that is my greatest joy. Go now, fate is not yet done with you”
Phraan wondered what the old one meant by that but he urged Drake on and they rode off. Mudwall was gone, the city burned to the ground and the same sad pattern could be seen everywhere. Villages and farms levelled with the ground and there weren’t people anywhere.
But they did encounter packs of dragons and now they started doing what they came for. With Rivath and Drake Phraan became an even deadlier force than before and before long they fell into a sort of routine. They were cooperating and thus they became very efficient. They chased the packs and discovered that the dragons did gather around the rivers that made them easy to track and Thiana and Taurin used their gifts to awaken the forests and then trees and roots did their fair share of the killings.
Peter did learn more and more of Tersus and the two did their fair share of the work, they had discovered a sort of chemical which attracted dragons and now they used it shamelessly to trick the dragons into kill zones where they were disposed of rather easily. The two became very valuable now and since Tersus finally did live up to his name he could mingle with others like a normal person. He soon became infamous for knowing some drinking songs which were so explicit even the brothels at Twelve towers had forbidden them. Peter got freed from the spell which had been lain over him, he didn’t have to serve for four years, Ivran made sure of that and the man swore that he would serve them for as long as needed, after that he would try to make a living making perfume and Tersus wanted to help him. It did seem as if Tersus in fact did see Peter as something far closer than a mere apprentice and now that he had gotten rid of the stink Peter didn’t seem completely against the idea, he did seem to favour males and Tersus was if not a picture of beauty at least an interesting person. They would most certainly have an interesting life together, whatever they chose to do. They would most certainly go to Twelve towers first but then their future was open and Peter would probably learn a lot from Tersus, things both useful and not.
The group moved southwards, Zaray did manage to fly now, her injuries almost completely healed and she was doing her best to decimate the number of dragons left. Her flames and her claws did take care of the really large ones and she left the easier ones to the group. The winter moved forth as they travelled south, they had good equipment and didn’t need much and all of them were hardy and tough. Ivran created small pockets of hot air where they camped and he also used his magic to get the horse’s food and shelter. He was getting more and more confident and he was constantly practicing. When he returned to Oakfell he would demand to take the tests again and this time he wouldn’t try to hide what he was, he was more powerful than any other mage, and he wasn’t even trying to brag.
He would use his magic in the battles and sometimes he would take out whole packs on his own, he felt that this was a way more useful way of making a living than as a mere mage. Then they reached the first villages of the southern territories and learned that a crazy knight was fighting the dragons with a small army of farm boys and retired veterans and Phraan realized that it had to be Crassian, he was eager to meet the man and hear his story. This area was teeming with dragons and Dhokay did predict that there would be many years of work left for them there. Now the dragons were natural beasts once more and they would reproduce again and the numbers were very high in some areas.
Zaray did grieve the fact that she wasn’t able to shift back to her old self, she scared the living daylights out of people when she was in dragon shape and even if it was very efficient she missed being able to be just herself. Then one morning she woke up with a start and realized that the ground was very much closer than the evening before and Ivran was snickering as she embraced them all, laughing with joy. He snickered even more when she hugged Phraan a little longer than the others. Dabin was giggling and Thiana and Taurin bumped their fists, of course hidden behind their backs.
Two weeks later they did meet the knight who by now was rather famous, Crassian was almost weeping with joy when he saw them and the group he had assembled was gaping and almost unable to move out of sheer respect. The two groups did become one and Phraan and the others did teach the men how to do this job. With Zaray being able to shift at will again they had a very good weapon in her and Ivran had even made sure that she could use her magical bow again, which she did with glee. With her magical arrows she could bring down many dragons and monsters very fast and she became very valuable for them since she could take the dragon shape when she wanted to now and could survey an area from the air before they entered it and thus warn them of any unforeseen dangers.
The king wanted them to come south to help rid the area around Twelve towers of dragons but Phraan declined, they followed their plan, going south at their own pace, clearing out the dragons one area at a time. Twelve towers had walls, the small villages didn’t. They would camp under the canopy of large trees, spend the evenings resting and remembering the old times and Phraan felt a new pride and sense of purpose. The hunt was still dangerous, and they did lose some men in the beginning but they were doing a good job and soon these last remnants of the madness of the dark mages would be gone. He missed Vitile but he and Zaray was getting closer by the day and he was in a way glad they still had years of work ahead of them. Even with their efficiency the dragons were many and the realm vast, the area affected by the dragons was enormous
Ivran had warned the academy of the dark mages and their power, at first the high mages there didn’t believe him but then they had to and a couple of men were revealed to be serving the chaos and they were promptly imprisoned and there was a huge process of making sure that nothing remained of the brotherhood. Afterwards the academy owed Ivran a lot and he was offered the title of high mage but refused politely. He was a dragon slayer now and that was in fact much better than being a mage.
Summer returned once more and the group had camped in a very lovely spot by a bend in the river. It was warm and pleasant and they had killed a pack of rather large dragons earlier that day. They had eaten and the king did provide them with everything they needed so good wine was easily available. Two more dwarves had joined them and one was a very charming female with a sweet spot for Dabin who acted like a man who doesn’t really know what to do or say anymore. It caused some laughter since he started to stutter whenever she spoke to him, sometimes with hilarious results. There was singing and an atmosphere of joy and contentment and Shaluun had filled his glass for the fifth time when he did notice that Phraan and Zaray was nowhere to be seen. Dhokay just sent the elf a wry grin. “They haven’t gotten far, I can hear them”
Shaluun tilted his head and listened and he went beet red. A human wouldn’t be able to hear anything but he was an elf after all and his ears were very good. Dhokay did look happy. “It is good for him, he has been moping for too long. Vitile would have wanted him to be happy again”
Shaluun had to snicker. “Well, he does sound very…happy!”
Dhokay pressed his cup against Shaluun’s. “Just like the good old days”
Shaluun grinned widely and returned the gesture. “Yes, cheers to that. Just like the good old days”