"Are we likely to encounter any problems?"
The dark skinned man shook his head. "If we encounter any problems, I should be able to take of it. Twenty years in the king's army does have a few benefits. My name still carries a bit of authority." He glanced at Damion, who was still trying to get used to the roll of the ship. "You may as well get comfortable, milord. It's going to be a long trip!"
They dined that evening in the captain's quarters. Captain Harper fussed over them as they ate, making sure there was plenty of food and wine on hand. They dined at a beautifully carved wooden table that was bolted securely to the floor. Their plates of food were placed on a ingenious device that allowed the platform to pivot back forth, keeping the plates level at all times.
"I hope everything is satisfactory?" The captain asked a bit anxiously.
"Everything is fine, Captain." Damion looked at the man closely. "Let me ask you something. Do you always treat your passengers with such extravagance?"
The captain smiled, then shrugged. "I know who you are." He said simply.
Damion nodded. "I had thought as much."
"The descriptions of you are fairly specific. The stories I've been hearing for the last few years are pretty unbelievable!" He looked around to be sure they were alone, then lowered his voice to a near whisper. "Is it true that you found and united the Dragon Sword and Dragon Gem?"
Damion stared at him for a long moment, then slowly drew the Dragon Sword from its sheath.
The captain's face grew pale. "Then it is true! You released the dragons back into the world!"
Damion sighed, then nodded. "I did."
The captain's face grew awestruck. He shakily poured himself a goblet of wine, then finished it in one long gulp.
"When I released the scarlet dragons, I also inadvertently released another race of dragons called shadows dragons." Damion continued. "They were banished from this world thousands of years ago, but now they have returned."
The captain poured himself another goblet of wine, then gave Damion a helpless look. "I'm going to regret meeting you, aren't I?"
Damion laughed. "I certainly hope not, Captain!"
"So why are you going to Jaghera?"
"We know one of the shadow dragons has been lurking in the area. We are going to try to track the beast down in the hopes we can follow it to the others."
Captain Harper's eyes grew even wider. "I would tell you that you were insane, but I have the feeling you've probably heard that before!"
Damion nodded ruefully. "I've heard it a time or two."
"And you truly think that if you are able to locate these shadow dragons you will be able to stop them?"
"It wouldn't be the first time that I was forced to tangle with a dragon."
"Then let's make a toast!" The captain raised his goblet. "To legendary figures and the men that help hurry them along to their destiny! May we all live to regret being young and foolish!"
***************
They had been at sea for two weeks when they sailed directly into the heart of a fairly intense tropical storm. After enduring three days of being violently tossed about their quarters, they finally emerged into clear skies and calm waters.
Later that day the captain noticed a dark object on the horizon. He stared at it for several minutes through a telescope until it was finally close enough to get a clear look.
"It's another ship." Veren grunted, squinting for a better look.
The dark ship had set course directly for The Fearless Lady, and seemed to be crowding on as much sail as they could in an effort overtake the ship.
Captain Harper cursed, then tossed aside his telescope. "Pirates! Every man at his station!"
The sailors all jumped into action, raising their own sails and gathering weapons for battle.
Damion, who had been below decks checking on their horses, rushed to the main deck to find the sailors preparing for battle. After several moments, he located Captain Harper, who was up on the bridge bellowing orders to his men.
"What's happening?"
"Pirates!" The captain gestured to the approaching ship. "There's no way we can outrun them. I'm afraid we're about to have a fight on our hands!"
"Maybe there's some way we can avoid that." Damion said, walking to the railing and staring back at the pursuing ship. He drew in his magic, and concentrated it on the sails of the pursuing ship, then made a small gesture with one hand.
The sails on the pirate vessel suddenly burst into flames, and there was a number of shouts of alarm that could clearly be heard across the distance. Men began to scramble across the decks as the approaching ship quickly lost momentum, and The Fearless Lady steadily began to pull away, leaving the distressed ship far behind.
"What just happened?" Captain Harper asked in confusion. "How did their sails catch fire?"
Damion shrugged. "It looks like we just got lucky."
The captain looked from Damion, to the smoking ship in the distance, then back to Damion. "You did something to cause their sails to burst into flame, didn't you?" He asked accusingly.
Damion gave him a look of exaggerated innocence. "Why, Captain! What a thing to suggest!"
Captain Harper continued to look at him with suspicion.
"Would you rather the pirates catch up to us?" Veren asked mildly.
"Of course not!" The braided haired man said. "But I know something out of the normal when I see it!"
Damion sighed. "I may have... encouraged the sails to catch fire."
"Encouraged?" The captain gave him a blank look, then understanding suddenly dawned on his features. "Y-you mean magic?"
Damion groaned. "Don't say it like that! It's not like I turned them all into toads or anything!"
"Could you actually do that?" Veren asked curiously. "You know, turn someone into a toad?"
Damion shrugged. "I've never had the opportunity to try."
Captain Harper continue to stare at him in disbelief. He finally looked to the heavens. "What have I gotten myself into?" He asked of the uncaring sky.
Veren laid a hand on the man's shoulder. "Try not to think about it." He said reassuringly. "Just try to ignore it. Trust me, it's much easier that way!"
The captain gave them one last look, then ordered the sailors back to their posts. He stalked away mumbling audibly to himself and gesturing wildly with his hands.
They arrived at the port city Whilhom five days later without encountering any further problems. They pulled into the docks after an ship inspector from the city made sure that were not carrying any illegal goods. Once satisfied, they paid a rather expensive docking fee, then were finally allowed to tie off to the dock.
Damion and Veren unloaded the horses from the ship's hull, then led them down the gangplank. Storm pranced happily as he emerged into the sunlight, and a number of sailors the who had been assigned to look after the horses breathed an audible sigh of relief as they watched the shaggy warhorse depart the ship.
Captain Harper met them at the end of the dock, a large smile on his face. "Did I not tell you that The Fearless Lady would see us safely here, milord?"
Damion smiled. "That you did, Captain. The Fearless Lady has proven to me that she deserves the name! Thank you for your help."
The captain smiled happily, then swept off his hat with an extravagant bow. "It was my honor to serve you. I hope you remember me in your travels, Dragon Lord."
"I wish people would quit calling me that." Damion murmured to himself as he waved farewell once more to the captain.
They decided to start fresh early the next morning, and found a nearby inn in which they were able to purchase rooms for the night.
Damion saw almost immediately that Veren had not been exaggerating when he spoke of his people's obsession with order. The streets of Whilhom were arrow straight and free of the normal trash and debris that littered many other small cities. The people all seemed polite and reserved, and there seemed to be a pair of soldiers on every street corner vigilantly
making sure that no one was breaking any laws.
The inn Veren led him to was near the center of town, and though it was nearly a two mile walk, they chose to lead the horses rather than ride them to draw less attention to themselves. They rented a pair of tiny rooms adorned only with rough cots, then went in search of some food and refreshments.
The inn's large common room was crowded with patrons, and Damion, who had Snowfeather perched on one shoulder, drew a number of suspicious stares as he made his way across the room to an empty table. His face grew stony as the stares continued, and he flinched slightly when he heard someone in the crowd mutter the word 'freak'.
A dimpled young girl with mud colored hair and slightly crossed eyes hurried up to their table with a slightly frightened look on her face. "Would you like something to drink?" She asked them in a nasally voice, her crooked eyes locked on Damion.
"Bring us ale, and whatever food your cook has prepared." Veren requested quickly, handing the girl a coin and sending her on her way.
The people who were still staring gradually returned to their drinking, though there was still an occasional distrustful glance thrown in Damion's direction.
Veren shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "I guess that happens a lot, huh? Having everyone stare at you wherever you go?"
Damion snorted. "I can ignore the stares. It's being called a freak that gets under my skin."
The dark skinned man grunted. "I can't imagine that would be easy to swallow."
"It's not." Damion answered flatly.
The serving girl returned with a large tray heavy with bowls of stew, fresh bread, and butter. There was also a large platter of sizzling meat, a large slab of fragrant cheese, and two large foaming tankards. The dimpled young girl's face was red as she struggled under the weight of the tray, made more difficult as she tried to make her way through the crowd.
Damion jumped to his feet and easily took the heavy tray from her, and sat it on their table.
She cockeyed girl smiled gratefully. "Thank you, milord." She was panting heavily. "I thought I would bring you a little of everything." She gestured to the tray of food, which Veren and Snowfeather had already begun to help themselves. "I figured it took a lot to feed a man your size." She gave him a hesitant smile.
Damion chuckled. "That it does." He agreed.
She seemed to relax a bit. "I also wanted to apologize for staring earlier. My manners seemed to have left me."
"I'm kind of used to being stared at." He replied, returning to his seat.
"Yeah, me too." She gestured to her eyes. "I've heard all the jokes. Most don't even wait until my back is turned before pointing and laughing." She shrugged. "But that's my burden to bear. I can't fix my eyes, so I've learned to ignore the snickers and pointing." She suddenly brightened. "None of that really matters, though. Please let me know if there's anything you need." The girl bustled off to return to her work.
Damion quietly thought about her words as he ate, and he slowly realized that there were others who were sneered at and ridiculed for how they appeared. All they could do is move on and try to live their lives.
After eating his fill, Damion sat back with his tankard in hand. "So let's discuss our next move."
Veren shrugged. "We'll make our way north towards Livingston. That's the capitol city of Jaghera. We'll pick up what information we can along the way."
"How far is it to your farm?" Damion asked before draining his tankard and motioning to the dimpled serving girl.
"About ten days of hard riding." Veren's face grew sad. "I was hoping we could avoid it, if you don't mind. The wounds of what occurred there are still too fresh."
Damion nodded. "Of course. But we should still ask around in the area to see if there have been any other sightings."
"There are a number of villages along the trade road heading north, and merchants traveling south are always a good source news from the north. With any luck, we can find out if there have been any sightings of the beast that killed my family."
"Did I hear you were planning on heading north?" The serving girl asked as she returned with two more tankards of foaming ale. "Are you going to Livingston to join with the king's army? I hear they are planning for war!"
"War? What war?" Veren asked with some concern.
The crooked eyed girl leaned in closer. "War with the Dragon Lord! His beasts have been attacking villages and farms all over the area!" She whispered to them in a hushed tone. "You've heard how the Dragon Lord freed the dragons and now controls them, right?"
"We may have heard something about it." Damion murmured quietly.
"He's apparently decided to use his dragons to conquer the world!" The dimpled girl looked frightened. "All sorts of foul creatures are being reported, and the people are all frightened! And it's not just here! I've heard sailors from the west claiming it's happening there too!"
Damion and Veren exchanged glances.
"Now, I've heard the king has called all of his generals to Livingston!" The girl continued. "Everyone claims that we'll be going to war!"
"Shut your mouth, girl!" A dirty man in a tar smeared smock snarled at her suddenly. "No one wants to hear the gossip of a cross eyed serving wench!" He reeled back and forth drunkenly.
The serving girl flinched, and her face grew pale.
"You should really mind you manners, friend." Damion growled menacingly, fixing the man with a gaze that promised death.
The tar smeared man gulped loudly, then quickly made his way out of the common room.
"Thanks," The girl said quietly. "but please don't get yourself into any trouble on my account." She smiled weakly, then quietly returned to her work.
"This isn't good." Veren whispered with a worried look. "If Jaghera declares war on Sevria, it will not stand a chance! Jaghera has thousands of soldiers at their command!"
"What do you suggest we do?"
The dark skinned man's face grew grim. "There's only one thing that we can do. We will have to travel to Livingston and speak with the king and queen! We must make them believe that you have no control over the shadow dragons!"
Damion sighed, then nodded in agreement. "The only question is how are we going to get in to see them. I don't imagine they'll just allow us to just walk in and have a chat with the royal couple."
Veren suddenly looked like a man who had been caught stealing chickens. His face turned a bright shade of red, and his eyes began to dart back and forth nervously.
Damion looked at him suspiciously. "What is it? Is there something you haven't been telling me?"
The one eared man coughed uncomfortably. "Do you remember when I told you that I had spent twenty years in the army before retiring and buying my farm?"
Damion nodded. "I remember."
"What I didn't tell you was I spent ten of those years as a military advisor to King Atorius, the ruler of Jaghera."
Damion's jaw dropped open in surprise. "Don't you think that may have been some information that you should have shared before now?" He stared at Veren, who shifted in his seat guiltily.
"I didn't think it mattered! That life is far behind me now!"
"So can you get us in to see the king?"
Veren nodded unhappily. "It won't be a very pleasant visit though, I'm afraid. The royal couple wasn't happy about my decision to retire. They wanted me to remain in Livingston as Commander of their armies."
It was growing late, and the crowd in the common room had slowly dwindled until only Damion, Snowfeather, Veren, and the serving girl remained.
Damion had decided to order one last drink before heading off to bed, and watched as the dimpled young girl hurried forward with his fresh tankard. On an impulse, he gently took her hand as she placed the foaming ale the table in front of him. "What is your name?"
The girl blushed. "Seli."
He stood from his chair, then guided the girl into his seat and knelt until they were eye to eye. "Can you keep a secret?" He whispered even though it was only the four of
them.
Veren sat forward, his face faintly alarmed. "Damion!"
Damion gestured for him to remain quiet, then looked back to the girl. "Can you keep a secret?" He repeated.
The cross eyed girl nodded apprehensively. "I can."
"Do you trust me?"
Seli stared at him for a long moment, then nodded again. "I do."
Damion smiled. "Close your eyes." She closed her eyes, then he lightly placed one hand over her eyes. She was trembling slightly under his hand as he drew in his magic, and focused it carefully. His hand suddenly glowed brightly for a instant, then returned to normal.
The girl gasped suddenly and jumped up from her seat with wide eyes. "What did you just do?"
Damion smiled, noticing with satisfaction that her eyes were no longer crossed. "I just gave you a little gift."
Seli's hand felt at her face in confusion, then she leapt from her seat and scurried over to stare at her reflection in the glass window. She gave a low cry as she slowly touched her hand to her face in wonder. She turned to stare at Damion, tears of joy flowing from her perfectly straight eyes. "Who are you?"
Veren groaned, then drained his tankard of ale with a single swallow.
Damion smiled. "You can call me Damion."
"How did you do this?" She returned to staring at her reflection in the glass.
Damion shrugged. "Do what?"
Seli turned and rushed over to grab him in a fierce embrace. "Thank you! I will never forget what you have done for me!"
"You really shouldn't have done that!" Veren whispered to Damion as he returned to his seat and took long drink. "Magic is strictly forbidden in our kingdom! Only Wolff, the royal sorcerer and King Atorius's advisor on everything mystical, is allowed to use magic in Jaghera. If anyone finds out you are a magic user, we'll have soldiers on our heels all the way to Livingston!"
"I thought you said you were a military advisor to the king?" Damion asked. "Wouldn't you be able to convince them to leave us alone?"
Omensent: Rise of the Shadow Dragons Page 5
