SWNOVELS Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns – Chapter 12
Captain Vesryn stood next to Tirask in the city of Trevium, scanning the merchant shops and streets for any sign of the traitors. Being the closest city to where Tirask had captured the renegades in the forest, Vesryn thought it likely they would have to stop for supplies. He didn’t believe the entire party would come through the gate as they had in Kaed, unless they were complete fools, but a few of the party might try to sneak through. That was why he needed Tirask with him.
“Do you see anyone you recognize?” Vesryn whispered.
“Not yet.”
“Keep looking.”
Tirask nodded.
Being the largest city in the northwest, Trevium was full of travelers from the region gathering supplies. Vesryn kept an eye on the main gate, searching for anyone suspicious.
Determined footsteps pattered toward him from behind. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword as he turned around. A woman strode over, wearing a brown cloak and hood. Blonde hair fell out the front. Tirask noticed the woman as well. He, too, responded by palming his weapon.
“That looks like the woman from the renegades,” Tirask whispered.
“Who?” Vesryn asked.
“The woman whom I convinced to tell us where they were going.”
“Nice. Perhaps you persuaded her it’d be in her best interest to leave the party of traitors.”
When the woman reached them, she bowed. “Milords … I have come wi-with—”
“You have information on the traitors.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Vesryn scoured the surrounding area with his eyes, keen to pick out suspicious behavior. The streets were busy, and nobody was likely to be listening. However, he’d feel better conversing in a more secluded area.
“Where are they?” he demanded.
“Not in the street,” she whispered.
“Come with us,” he ordered.
She nodded her acquiescence.
Vesryn led the small party down the street to a local pub, the Bickering Bison. He found a table in a corner away from the crowd and eavesdroppers. A serving maid appeared. Vesryn ordered two pints of ale and a glass of wine. After the woman brought back their drinks, Vesryn took a long gulp of his ale, then turned to the woman.
“Where are they?” Vesryn repeated.
She glanced about nervously, her body shivering. “First, I want a full pardon. I did not wish to get involved in anything like this. I just got caught up in it, and I had nowhere else to go.”
“A pardon?” Vesryn scratched his chin. He took another gulp of ale, then wiped his mouth. “That can be arranged.”
She continued to glance about. “A couple of them are here, gathering supplies.”
“I gathered as much. That is why we’re here. Where are they?”
“My name is Dasyra.”
“You’re avoiding the question.”
“Are you going to give me a full pardon or not?”
“Yes,” Vesryn said through clenched teeth.
She handed him a small parchment. “Write it.”
Vesryn snarled as he grabbed the small paper and scribbled a pardon for her. When he handed it back, she inspected it before rolling it and shoving the note into her bosom.
“How did you convince them to let you tag along, especially after divulging their plans to me in camp?” Tirask asked.
“I was the daughter of a merchant. They had limited coin, and planned to bring no women to the city. I knew they needed a woman to barter items for them. I know the cost of supplies, so the merchants couldn’t dupe them. They also needed a woman to help them select ‘women’s’ things—or at least, so I told them. I saved them a lot of gold by tagging along with them today.”
“And I’m sure by now they know you’re missing?” Vesryn asked.
“Yes. I was traveling right behind them, when I slipped away to come to you.”
“Then they’re either long gone or about to leave … What information do you actually have? So far, this is useless … hardly worth a pardon.”
Her eyes bulged. “They’ve changed their plans.”
“Oh?” Vesryn asked. “Why?”
“They had no real reason to head to Laeraed in the first place. Except it was the easiest path to travel. When following the river, it’s easy to stay on a straight path south, and there’s plenty of water for the journey by refilling in the river. That’s the only reason Devarius picked it. He had planned to stop in each village along the way to see if he could learn anything about the Resistance. Since you’re surveying that direction, he decided to travel another way.”
Vesryn and Tirask exchanged a meaningful glance.
“What about the old man who hid you in his barn? Wasn’t he part of the Resistance? Didn’t he tell you to go that way?” Tirask challenged.
“Him? I don’t know anything about him. Devarius mentioned nothing about him to anyone. I just think the old man was nice enough to let us hide in his barn when the entire village guard was after us. We were planning on going to Laeraed well before we showed up in Kaed.”
“I see,” Vesryn acknowledged. “And where is Devarius heading to next?”
“Sephreal.”
“Why Sephreal?”
“He says it’s a large enough city that there’s bound to be someone there who knows about the Resistance.”
“Except now he knows you’ve betrayed him and will direct us to Sephreal.”
Her eyes bulged. “Still, he will have to gather the rest of the party. He left them at the lake northwest of Sephreal.”
Vesryn scratched his chin. “If he’s not going to Laeraed, and he’s forced to turn away from his new plan of Sephreal … where will he turn?”
“Ceydar?” Tirask suggested.
“Perhaps. Well, we’ve wasted enough time here. We better reach the lake before them,” Vesryn said.
Tirask nodded.
“Why have you betrayed your companions?” Vesryn asked.
Her eyes focused, becoming hard. “I am not as foolish as they are. There is no hiding from the Dragonia Empire. I’d rather be on your side.”
“Smart.” Vesryn grabbed her arm and forced her out of the pub. “You’re coming with us.”
They made their way through a few alleys until they reached the barracks in the less populated area of the city. Two dragons sat in front of the building. When Vesryn and Tirask approached, dragging Dasyra behind them, the two dragons looked up. Tirask quickly climbed atop his dragon. Vesryn was a little slower. He climbed onto his dragon first, then heaved a trembling Dasyra in front of him.
“How do you feel about flying?” Vesryn asked.
“I—”
“Good. Hold tight.”
She gulped.
The dragons’ wings spread out. They leapt into the air. Dasyra clutched Vesryn tight as they ascended into the sky.