by Sam Ferguson
Erik screamed in pain as the light grew more intense. The white light took in all of the dragon’s body and extended out for several yards beyond. Finally, Erik heard the dragon’s breathing slow down. A rumbling started in the beast’s belly and then the beast shrank away. Erik let his hand fall to the ground and the white light disappeared. His body was limp and ragged. He had not the strength to even move his head. His eyelids fell shut.
Lady Dimwater covered her mouth with her hand as the light vanished. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Lepkin lay next to Erik in the field. He was no longer in his dragon form, but his human form. They both lay motionless. She jumped to her feet and rushed to their sides.
“Don’t touch them!” Marlin yelled from a ways off in the field. Dimwater looked up to see the new prelate running at a dead sprint, followed by scores of temple guards. “Back away!” he shouted.
Confused she stood on her feet and went to meet Marlin. She didn’t know what to say to the man, but the look on his face told Dimwater that he knew what had happened. “What did Erik do?” Dimwater asked.
Marlin looked at her and smiled gently. “He has saved Lepkin’s soul.” Marlin motioned for a few guards to tend to Erik. “He needs to be taken straight to the healers.”
“Will they live?” Dimwater asked.
Marlin glanced at her and then looked back to Lepkin. “Erik will live, though it will be a couple weeks before he will recover from the strain of what he just did.”
“And Lepkin?” Dimwater was scared to hope. “Will he live?”
“Not only will he live,” Marlin said as he finished scanning Lepkin’s aura. “But Nagar’s Secret no longer has any claim on him. When he wakes, he will be as before. I can see no taint in him. The boy has managed to banish every bit of it.”
“How is that possible?” Dimwater asked.
Marlin shook his head. “I knew the boy was strong, but even I am not sure how he managed this.” Marlin placed a hand on Dimwater’s shoulder and smiled warmly at her. “I think we have found the Champion of Truth,” he said.
“It is not over, though,” Dimwater said, suddenly looking off to the west. “Only four warlocks of the Order of the All Seeing Eye have been slain. The wizard was a member of the Wyrms of Khaltoun, but he was only a low ranking member.” Dimwater looked back to Lepkin, who was now being picked up by a group of temple guards. “We have only managed to slow down the enemy,” she said.
“Then hopefully we have slowed them enough to give Erik a chance to better prepare for the fight to come,” Marlin added.
Dimwater frowned. “I am afraid that this was easy compared to what is coming.” She looked to Marlin’s cloudy eyes and smiled gently. “But you are right. Let us hope that we have enough time to prepare. Perhaps the Gods will bless us. We will need to find the other book,” Dimwater noted
Marlin nodded hopefully. “For now we will rest, and then we will see if we can’t track down the last warlock of Tukai’s order. Perhaps we can yet turn the tide of darkness that threatens the realm. I have been doing some studies about Allun’rha. I think I may have an idea where to look for The Illumination.” The two of them hugged briefly and then Marlin led Lady Dimwater back to the temple. There was much work yet to be done.
About the Author
SAM FERGUSON is a well travelled story teller of Irish and Cherokee heritage. Though he lives near a Stone Bridge on Eagle Mountain, he counts seven U.S. states as home and has spent several years abroad serving as a Diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. He speaks four languages and loves to travel. When he is not wrestling with his sons or hefting iron in the gym he can be found at home relaxing with his wife or setting pen to paper, bringing stories to life for his family. The Dragon’s Champion is Sam’s debut novel.
