Although he did not have an abundance of water and food, Karesh realised that he probably had more than Akeev, and so as another gesture of friendship decided to share that too. He looked on with some amusement as Akeev appeared to be completely bamboozled by something as simple as a sausage. The troll held it in his hand sniffing it and rolling it about before Karesh indicated It was for eating.
With both seemingly happy the other meant no harm, the troll, the orc and the wolf settled down to rest. Karesh felt tired and despite his new friend, a little lonely. He missed his mother of course, but even more than that he missed having his new brother around. True the pair may have not known each other for the greater part of their lives, but they had immediately struck a bond, aside from the time they first met when Finley was trying to kill him. The memory made Karesh chuckle quietly, as he closed his eyes to try and rest.
Akeev sat for a while watching the strange looking creature he had assumed was an orc. Close up he realised just how ugly they were, but this one at least appeared very friendly even it did speak utter gibberish. Strange he thought that these seemed to be the same two creatures he had seen in his dreams as if they had been destined to find each other. As to what they did or where they went from here he was unsure and thought he would let the orc and the white furry creature lead the way. They obviously had food and water, something he had all but used up, so staying close to them would only be beneficial. Moreover, he now had a peculiar item of clothing, and while he had never needed such a thing on the island out here in these barren wastelands it was cold, and this kept him much warmer.
Akeev could of course just kill the weird looking orc and steal his stuff. However, something told him that was not the right thing to do. Not only would the orc know where to go, but the other creature appeared far less trusting. Covered in what Akeev could only describe of as white hair, the creature had viciously sharp looking teeth. Moreover, it seemed this creature called Sessi never took his eyes off him. Even when Akeev had thought it asleep and tried to move just a little its eyes had flickered back open as if to check what he was doing.
For now, Akeev leant back against the stone wall, feeling warm, and surprisingly full, thanks to his new acquaintances. He closed his eyes to rest, safe in the knowledge that if any trouble turned up the white furry beast was sure to alert them. With the crackling of the fire and the soft breathing of the orc the only sounds he could hear, Akeev felt himself drifting off into a deep sleep.
Chapter 25.
Finley had ignored the fact that his new travelling companion was nothing short of a vicious wild animal. Having seen Arach tear the dwarf apart and eat it, he kept doubting how he could unleash such a creature upon his world. It was clear to him now why the gods had made a deal to keep dragons from interfering, binding the creatures to their own valleys.
However, another thought had come to him while he had been walking the previous afternoon. If Arach was bound and linked to him, what happened when one of them died or was killed. A dragon supposedly lived for a thousand years or more, humans usually no more than about seventy, and then not very often. Surely of Finley was to be fighting some great battle, then his life expectancy would be even lower. What then? Would that mean Arach could roam the world unchecked? A question he needed a response to before he continued any further. If Arach had the knowledge passed on to all dragons, then he would know the answer.
Finley had Arach flying up looking ahead for any signs of trouble. At least up in the sky, he was useful and not eating people, having a birds-eye view of the world, which Finley could also see through the link, giving him an entirely different perspective of the land. Using the sight of the dragon, although strange, he could see the living things moving around on the ground, something he doubted he would ever have detected with his own eyesight.
As evening drew near, he eventually called Arach down thinking it was probably time they camped for the night. He had also spotted several dwarf villages earlier that day, and an indication he was at least heading the right way, although had veered well clear of them for obvious reasons, meaning they had probably gone further south than he had planned. Finley had thought the relationship between himself and Arach would have to be very different to the one he had with Sessi. The wolf followed him everywhere, even slept in the same room, something he realised Arach would never be doing. The dragon would have to stay outside, but the only problem with that was could he trust it not to start devouring the people?
With it at least being a little warmer now they were back onto the level ground, and away from the mountain slopes that had led to the Dragons, Finley was glad for such small comforts. As Arach came majestically gliding down from above to land beside him, he sensed the creature felt something unusual. Was it shame or sadness? Finley was unsure or was it merely his own persona reflecting upon the personality of the dragon.
“I have a question Arach. Can you answer it honestly for me?” he asked no sooner had the beast strolled up beside him.
Arach replied that he would always answer truthfully and being linked would mean not being able to lie to Finley even if he wished to do so. Knowing that was the case, Finley apologised for making such an assumption, and immediately asked the question that had been on his mind. The answer, however, was not quite what he had anticipated it to be.
“If you die before the link is passed on then I will die also. We are now bound to the fate of the other.”
Finley stopped, suddenly realising what a sacrifice Arach was making in joining him. “So if I am killed in battle say tomorrow, then you will just keel over and die?” he asked just to check he understood it correctly.
“Perhaps not quite as you describe it, but yes my life will end the moment yours does.”
“And if you die…does that mean I…you know?”
Arach nodded, “The dragon stone about your neck links our hearts together. One dies, both die.”
Finley nodded, thinking while that only seemed fair, maybe this could have been explained to him before making such a commitment.
Deciding the current spot was good enough for the nights camp, he walked about getting a little firewood, not bothering if they were damp or wet. Arach could use his flame to light it, just a small advantage of having a dragon with you. Now that he knew the fate of both their lives, he was already looking at Arach in a different light to the one he had viewed him just a few hours ago. Finley had inquired about how to pass the link on, to keep Arach alive if he ever got to old age. Apparently, he had to find a powerful druid willing to take on such a commitment, if he could not manage that, then Arach would perish when he passed away.
As they both sat beside the fire, Finley rummaged in his pack for something to eat and decided to take the last of the sausages Moira had packed for him. As he placed them in the pan above the flames, he sat back and gazed over to Arach. “If I use the Dragon stone to make you bigger will you promise me not to go around eating people?”
Arach lifted his head up slightly, “Of course I am bound to your will. You ordered me to grow, to do that I have to consume a large amount of food, so that is why I ate the dwarf,” he said.
“I suppose I did, but I also said don’t hurt them unless you had to,” Finley added in his defence.
“Can you find enough food without eating people? I mean, I assume you only eat meat?” he asked.
Arach nodded to the affirmative, although it was possible he could maybe supplement his food intake with some amount of grain. Apparently, they sometimes did that in the valley if hunting for prey was unsuccessful.
“Well okay, that’s something good I suppose. Can we do that then?”
No sooner had Finley finished his food and rinsed his plate and pan clean when he was alerted to something nearby. Arach immediately stood, and Finley asked him to fly up and take a look at what was coming, with the understanding not to eat it. Although technically not needing his staff, Finley felt more comfortable with it in his hand should he need to use magic. Wh
ile very limited, he had managed to become quite adept at using what his mother had described as Shamanistic skills, utilising the power of the air to throw his enemies around. Apparently, this was a particular skill also used by his late father, although something Finley had never seen him use in all the time he had been alive.
Arach soon relayed the message back to him, three beings were heading his way. Two people following a four-legged beast who was leading them straight to Finley.
“Do you want me to attack?” came the question.
“Not yet Arach, let us at least see who it is,” Finley replied although quite unsure as to who or what would be making a beeline directly for him. If this was more dwarf bandits, he felt confident now in his abilities in dealing with them, especially if there was only two of them. With his staff held out in hand, he waited until finally, he could make out the first figure, “A dog!” he muttered to himself.
“Thank the gods we have found you!” came a very familiar and quite welcome voice.
“Galdrac!” are you okay.
“Okay, of course I’m not okay. This bloody mutt has had us running for ages trying to find you.”
“You seem to be fine to me,“ Finley said almost missing the old mage’s somewhat sardonic sense of humour.
“Good to meet you lad! My name is Mazen, and this here is my hound Madra,” the dwarf travelling with Galdrac said introducing himself rather than wait for the mage to catch his breath.
Finley nodded his greeting to both and even knelt down to greet Madra, scratching the hound behind the ears. Mazen looked on a little surprised, “Odd, he normally doesn’t care much for strangers.”
“Finley is a druid, amongst other things, I’ve told you that already,” Galdrac interrupted in his usual brash manner.
“Finley!” Galdrac said still struggling for breath. “I have some news for you…and well it's not very good, so I’ll just come straight out with it. Abalyon has captured your mother, but don’t worry she’s still alive, and we know where she is. Where’s your dragon?” Galdrac added looking around.
Finley stood there stunned. “My mother?” he said feeling Abalyon had made good his promise. If he did not side with the God then surely he would kill her.
However, Galdrac could see him getting wound up and for once managed to speak calmly, trying to reassure him they could rescue her. “We just need your dragon. You did get one didn’t you?”
Finley nodded, and although Arach was no longer the focus of his thoughts, he asked him to come down and meet the others.
Madra for one soon scarpered behind Mazen as the beast glided gracefully down to the ground. The dwarf stood there, mouth gaping, “Well blow me down!” he said, “A dragon!”
“Yes, well spotted,” Galdrac said shaking his head, thinking the dwarf a complete idiot for stating the bloody obvious all the time. “A lot smaller than I thought,” the old mage added brazen enough to step right up to the beast without showing any hint of fear.
Finley just waved a nonchalant hand, his mind still visibly on more important matters. “Abalyon told me if I did not join him he would make do this. I didn’t listen,” the youngster snapped feeling angry.
“Yes, you do that a lot, but carping on about it won't help us get her back will it?” Galdrac replied although not taking his eyes of Arach while he spoke.
“I like this one,” Arach said but only doing so in Finley’s mind referring to Galdrac. Finley made a scoffing sound and was about to say ‘You’re welcome to him’ but realised the dragon would probably take that in the wrong context and eat him.
Mazen at least showed some sign of sympathy to Finley, which was just as well because Galdrac was showing none.
“Don’t you worry lad, we’ll get her back, and now we have a means of getting into the place, those beasts won't know what hit them.”
The dwarf then started reminiscing and telling them of the time his own father went missing. Apparently, he had gone to his local ale house, “Strange that we never saw him again. Even weirder though, the barmaid also went missing that very same night.”
Galdrac sniggered in the darkness at the tale, “You don’t think they run off together then?” he replied.
Mazen looked across the campfire at him, “Why would he have done that? No Mother and I think they were both taken. Strange as it seems,” the dwarf added.
“Idiot,” Galdrac mumbled under his breath.
Finley quite naturally wanted to head out straight away, but both Mazen and Galdrac were exhausted from their travels already. Moreover, they had suggested they would be able to move quicker during the hours of daylight. Unfortunately for Finley that actually made sense, and despite his worries, at least tried to keep calm.
Arach needed to feed, and after reminding the dragon that people were off the menu, the beast soared up into the sky and left them to rest. Galdrac was first to doze off, and noticing Mazen was close to doing likewise, Finley suggested he stay awake a while and keep watch. “No need lad. Madra will give us plenty of warning of any trouble. You get your head down as well,” the dwarf said. Finley nodded his thanks and rested his head down on a rolled blanket while wrapping another tightly around him. He had not even bothered to put up his small tent, being as all three of them would never have fitted in anyway. Instead, he would brave the elements, although could feel the warmth coming from the fire as he slowly closed his eyes.
Sleep took hold much quicker than he thought it might, and low and behold a dark figure was already waiting for him. The familiar sight of Abalyon no longer scared him, nor did it particularly bother him, other than it being an annoyance. However, now the God had taken his mother, he for once was the one wanting to say something.
The dark figure swirled around as he usually did, while Finley was stood motionless watching on. He knew precisely what was going to happen, and it came as little surprise when Abalyon appeared in his human-like form just before him. “Zerus Maldhor,” he said in his usual somewhat arrogant tone.
“What do you want?” Finley replied trying to keep calm and not give away the fact he knew what the God wanted.
“Join me Zerus Maldhor.”
“Never!” Finley snapped back.
It was evidently clear that Abalyon was in no mood to play games, and Finley soon realised that the time of goading and mocking were over. The God wanted an answer, and he would do anything to get the one he wanted. “You will fight for me Zerus Maldhor. Link with me and I can unlock your incredible powers.” Finley remained silent, which only appeared to anger Abalyon, something he was not sure he should do being as he was holding his mother captive.
“Join me, or your loved ones will pay for your lack of cooperation,” the God said releasing his form and swirling around the air once more.
“Wait!” Finely shouted up into the vast, dark emptiness above him.
Abalyon twisted about, before lowering back down to Finley’s level. “Please, leave my family alone. Give me your word you will not involve them in any of this, and I shall do as you wish.”
Abalyon remained silent, moving his ghostly face right up to Finley’s as if trying to judge what he was saying was actually meant.
“You have my word Zerus Maldor.”
“So my brother, mother and friends will be left alone?” He asked.
“You have my word none of them will be harmed.”
“No. I need to know you will leave them completely alone. No threats, no haunting their dreams. Promise me!”
“You have my word,” Abalyon said.
Finley knew then that the God could not be trusted although he remained quiet about knowing his mother was already being held captive. “What do I need to do?” he asked trying to sound deflated and beaten. It was evidently clear that Abalyon was unsure as to why he had suddenly changed his mind, being so defiant one second and so compliant the next, Finley thought he might have played it wrong. However, after a few seconds, the dark ghostly face nodded and grinned saying nothing further, and m
erely disappearing without explaining anything.
Finley awoke somewhat startled. His eyes flickered open, and he was glad to see the dark shapes of Galdrac and Mazen lying beside the glowing embers of what had been their fire. Knowing it would soon die out, he thought he would quietly get up and collect some more wood to help keep the others warmer until morning. Mazen’s hound Madra watched him but seemed content he was not doing anything he shouldn’t be and remained lying down beside his master.
Somewhere off in the distance Finley could sense Arach circling above an area, and realised he was about to strike down at some unsuspecting creature. Not wanting to know what the dragon was about to kill and eat, he focused on something else. While kneeling down and picking up a few pieces of firewood, he closed his eyes and focused on his link with Sessi. Since their departure, he had missed both the wolf and his brother Karesh and hoped they were doing well.
The link was a little easier than it had been a few days ago, and Finley wondered if that meant they were not as far as he thought they should be. Using his special connection with Sessi, he focused hard until he could see through the eyes of the wolf. He could spot the familiar figure of Karesh sleeping beside a campfire, but there was also another shape resting the other side. Such was the shock of seeing it, Finley lost the link and reopened his eyes. “A troll,” he mumbled.
Karesh had indeed found one, and much quicker than anybody would have thought possible. Although he could not work out the how’s and why’s of it, Finley felt proud that his orc brother had achieved precisely what he had been asked. Moreover, he had done so on his own, showing such initiative and courage, now they just needed to get back. He pondered a little while as he strolled with his arms full of sticks, placing them down beside the campfire. While deep in thought he started putting them on the glowing embers, and it was not long before the flames soon began springing to life once more.
The Dragon Stone Page 18
