SWNOVELS Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns – Chapter 20
It took them only one day to make the needed repairs. At first, many of their party were afraid to leave so soon, but after seeing a dragon in the sky the next morning, they were convinced. The weather was peaceful. Not a single cloud hung in the sky. Blue skies surrounded them, but the air was crisp.
Compared to the beginning of their journey, their travel back was peaceful. No storm threatened them, no dragonriders followed them, and no hunger slowed them. They returned to the land of Kaeldroga, along the southern side, and went up the second river. The journey took almost a week.
When they reached the end of the river inland, Devarius and Paedyn anchored the ship. There were many other ships and boats at the bank of the river, and a few people as well. Thankfully, during their journey, there’d been no signs of the dragonriders. Devarius hoped they had lost them for a while. He sold the ship to a merchant at the bank of the river. At first, Devarius felt guilty selling a stolen ship, but they needed the coin.
Devarius led his party north to Cephrae Bay. He knew it would cut days off their journey to cross the bay instead of traveling around it. At first, several people in the party complained. They wanted to rest. The long journey began to wear down even the most resistant. Devarius convinced everyone to continue on. He reminded them of the dragonriders pursuing them. Many had stopped worrying about the dragonriders since none had been seen since Vaereal, but he reminded them that they were most likely still being chased. They needed to reach the Resistance to be safe.
When they reached the bay, Devarius found several ships docked on the water. After talking with a few of the captains, he found one willing to move his entire party across the bay for a fee they could afford. Devarius paid the captain half, with a promise to pay the remainder once arriving. He hoped their party wouldn’t draw the captain’s attention, but he imagined they didn’t look like normal travelers.
The waters at Cephrae Bay were calm, and their crossing easy. After crossing, Devarius paid the captain and led his party north into the small forest. Devarius and Paedyn set up camp south of Ceydar in the small forest. More than a week had gone by since they’d left the island, an island Paedyn had named Adeth Peak Isle, which Devarius deemed a good name since he believed it was an island of death. He had imagined his death there several times in his dreams.
Once the camp was set up, Devarius strode over to Paedyn. “Are you ready to find this contact in Ceydar?”
“Why? So he can tell us where to go next? Can’t we just stay here in camp for a few days before we’re told that we’re still more than halfway from our destination?”
Devarius snorted. “I know you’re tired. I’m tired as well. But they are more tired than us.” Devarius nodded to their twenty-seven companions in the camp.
“Then let them rest,” Paedyn said.
“To what end? The longer we stay in one place, the greater chance the dragonriders have of finding us. What if they find the captain who helped us across the bay tomorrow, or the day after? Do you think he’ll stay quiet about leading a party of nearly thirty across? Do you think the dragonriders won’t fly over here after hearing about it?”
Paedyn gritted his teeth and exhaled loudly out his nose.
“The faster we reach the Resistance, the faster we all get a much needed rest.”
“Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
Devarius nodded. He told Aquila to stay at the camp and watch over everyone. Then, he and Paedyn traveled north to Ceydar.
The gates at Ceydar were massive. The guards at the entrance looked at them circumspectly, and after a short interrogation, they allowed them inside.
“Where to again?” Paedyn whispered.
“The Blind Mule.”
Paedyn nodded, and the two of them continued walking through the streets. Compared to any other village in Kaeldroga, Ceydar was massive. It was the size of a city rather than a village, but it wasn’t as developed. It took them over an hour before they found the small tavern. It was hidden in the back of a small alley, with a worn sign showing an eyeless mule.
Devarius paused on the outside of the tavern for a moment. He took a deep breath and stepped inside. Paedyn followed at his heels. Unlike the tavern in Vaereal, the Blind Mule was crowded with people. They walked over to the bar and sat.
“What’ll it be for you?” the barkeep asked.
“A room.” Devarius slid two coins on the bar. One, a gold dragon, the other a gold crown.
“Fine.” The barkeep studied the coins closely before sliding over a key and pointing to the stairs.
Devarius grabbed the key and headed to the stairs. Paedyn followed him. The room was at the end of the hall upstairs. Devarius glanced around before using the key to open the door. Once inside, Devarius sat on a rocking chair. He sighed. Paedyn strolled over to the bed, collapsing onto it face-first.
Devarius tilted his head back and yawned.
Paedyn rolled onto his back on the bed. “What now?”
“We wait.”
The two of them waited in silence for over an hour. Neither spoke. They were exhausted from their journey and had little to say. Paedyn snored on the bed as Devarius closed his eyes.
A knock at the door startled them. Devarius’s hand dropped to his dagger. Paedyn sat up in the bed, eyes alert. Devarius stood and opened the door.
A young woman leaned against the door frame on the other side. She looked to be in her early twenties, with tight-fitting leather armor and a scabbard at her side. Devarius pressed his lips together and raised an eyebrow.
She raised both of her brows. “Well? Are you going to invite me in?”
“Umm? Sure. Come in.” Devarius stepped aside and gestured with his hand. “I’m sorry, it’s not often a woman shows up to invite herself into my room.”
She raised a brow, studying him up and down. “I don’t see why not.”
“Excuse me?” he asked.
She shrugged, stepping past him. “Nothing.”
Devarius closed the door. When he turned around, he found her sitting in the rocking chair. He scratched his stubble.
“What can I do for you?” Devarius asked.
“Are you the one they’re after?”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you searching for someone?” she asked.
“We are.”
“Let us quit skirting around the truth. What are you here for?” she asked.
“It is a delicate matter … not something easily divulged in the open,” Devarius said.
“We’re not in the open. You can be frank with me.”
“Oh, can I?” Paedyn spoke up from the bed.
Devarius turned to him, shaking his head.
The woman’s lips turned upwards as she turned to study Paedyn. “And what would you like to be frank about?”
Paedyn grinned. “There was a reason we came, but I forgot all about it when you stepped in this room. Would you care for a drink?”
She raised a brow as she huffed a laugh.
“We are searching for the Resistance,” Devarius said.
She faced Devarius. “Good. I’m in the right room then.”
“Are you with the Resistance?”
“I cannot say.”
“Of course you can’t. What about a name? What is your name?”
“Lilianya.”
“Such a beautiful name,” Paedyn said.
Devarius glared at Paedyn.
“What?” Paedyn asked.
“Where can we find the Resistance?” Devarius asked.
“You know I can’t tell you that,” Lilianya said.
Devarius growled. “Listen, I’m tired of being sent on this wild goose chase—”
“He doesn’t even like geese,” Paedyn whispered.
Devarius clenched his teeth. “We have twenty-seven others in our party outside of this village. We are tired. We are hungry. We’ve been traveling a long way, and we’ve been chasing riddles to find the Resistance. Dragonriders have been chasing us most of the way. Please, do me a favor and just tell me where to go to find the Resistance.”
Lilianya tilted her head. “I still can’t tell you where they are.” She paused. “But I can tell you where to go.”
“Where?” Devarius asked through clenched teeth.
“You’re headed in the right direction. You are close now. Continue east, through the forest, past the destroyed villages and to the Trekkium Mountains. They will find you there.”
Devarius exhaled. “Is our journey almost over? Our party deserves a rest.”
She smiled. “Yes. Soon, you shall all have your rest. But don’t get comfortable. The Resistance isn’t a refuge. They expect work.”
Devarius’s lips turned upward. “I wouldn’t expect it any other way. The empire isn’t going to defeat itself.”
Lilianya turned around and walked to the door. She paused with her hand on the doorknob. “Be safe.”
“You too,” Devarius said.