After traveling through the forest for several hours, to put some distance between them and the road, Thorik gave into Brimmelle’s complaining and stopped for the night at the shore of a large lake.
The clear night gave a spectacular view of the Lu’Tythis lights over the water. Wavy sheets of green and blue lights danced in a sky filled with crisp starlight, which reflected on the soft ripples along the lake’s surface. A series of lightning bolts sprang forth from the center of the light presentation, and then they were gone.
“Make a wish,” Thorik said to Avanda.
Avanda put her head down, paying more attention to Ralph than to Thorik. “This one is yours,” she replied in a timid voice. She had avoided eye contact with him as much as possible ever since they rescued him from the Southwind mines.
“Make all the wishes you want,” Santorray said, “but we need a fire tonight and that takes collecting some dry wood.”
Grewen raised a hand slightly. “I’ll take care of it.”
Santorray nodded. “I’m going to scout ahead for a path.”
“You should take someone, just in case the Myth’Unday return.”
Hesitant to the idea, Santorray replied, “I’ll go alone. The Myth’s have nothing on me.”
“Don’t go too far. It’s easy to get lost in here.”
Santorray ignored the last statement and ventured in the opposite direction of the lake, over a small hill. He walked for a mile until he found an opening in the woods.
Stepping up on the highest point in a small glade, Santorray pulled a bead from his necklace and tapped it onto the talisman, which also hung from it. The round bead had the weight of lead and the texture of bark, as he placed it in the center of his palm.
Tightening his grip on the bead in his right fist he repeated a phrase several times. “Illume dula fara’du.” By the fourth time he had said it, red light glittered from between his fingers.
Twisting his body, he pulled his arm back into position before firing the glowing bead high into the air, over the treetops. The missile of light gave off enough power to be seen from a distance, but not enough to brighten up the area. After the apex of its flight had been achieved, the light flickered out as it fell back to earth.
Crossing his arms, he stood silently, waiting impatiently.
The sounds of the tree leaves seemed loud against the backdrop of near silence. A stray chirp from a bird occasionally broke up the bland white noise.
“Where are you?” Santorray said into the night air.
Frogs croaked softly in the distance as he stood firm, peering into the night sky.
A breeze blew through the trees in front of him, and then to his left before coming back behind him to complete the full circle, and then it receded. Silence again followed.
Santorray sniffed the air, ripe with a fresh scent. “Come forth. Show yourself.”
The woods did not reply.
Regardless, the Blothrud could feel himself being stalked as though he was the prey. Not a feeling he was accustomed to.
Deafening silence interrupted nature’s music as the crickets cowered, frogs froze, and birds broke off their songs in mid-chorus. Absolute quiet had a way of making the night seem darker and chilled.
A sudden gust of wind raced out of the woods and rushed up to slap at the red Del’Unday’s back, pushing him forward.
Rotating quickly, he swiped his knuckle blades at the object only to find nothing was there.
A second strong blast of air pushed up against his back. Twisting, he nearly made it all the way around before he was struck by a large black mass, knocking him to the ground.
Preparing to leap up, he saw a wave of distorted lights and reflections leaning over him. It arched over his body, from the ground on his right all the way to the ground on his left. The colorless mass reflected the Blothrud’s faint image several times across the archway.
“Get off me!” Santorray ordered.
“I think you’ve forgotten your place, assassin. You work for me.”
Growling at the comment, Santorray stood up as the reflective wings from the creature folded up against the sides of the dragon. “I’d fight my way through Della Estovia before I’d ever work for you, Draq.”
The Red-Tipped Silver Dragon tightened his wings and stretched his neck out to increase his height, which still only came to Santorray’s shoulders. “And yet here we are, me giving orders to you.”
“Relaying orders to me. You’re nothing more than a carrier pigeon.”
Wings sprang to his sides in anger. A natural instinct to demonstrate his size with his huge wingspan. “Don’t you dare compare me to a Fesh.”
“If you sneak up on me one more time, I’m going beat you down like one.”
Draq stretched his neck, fanned his wings and slapped his tail about in anger.
Lowering his chin, Santorray pressed his forehead hard against Draq’s and pushed downward.
Draq raised one of his large back legs to strike the Blothrud’s midsection.
Grabbing the dragon’s leg before it could land a severe attack, Santorray held it at bay with both hands.
They both pushed hard against each other, neither making any headway. Growling and cursing each other’s name, they locked horns in a show of dominance.
“Give me my weapons and let me perform my duties,” Santorray ordered.
“I don’t believe you’re capable of this request. Have you even found him yet?”
“Yes, now give me the damn dagger so I can kill him and get it over with.”
“Not so fast, it must be done in public. Visible to many of Darkmere’s allies. The dark one himself, if at all possible.”
Santorray pushed the head of the dragon down by several inches. “Don’t tell me how to do my task.”
Draq whipped his tail under his legs and slapped the Blothrud’s legs out from under him. In doing so, Santorray tossed the dragon’s leg high into the air causing the dragon to land on his back.
They both crashed hard against the moss covered mound.
Calmly, the two slowly stood back up, leaving a generous distance between them.
Draq was tired of the confrontation. “Your supplies and Varacon are just beyond that thorn grove.”
Santorray nodded his head in acceptance for the information. “Tell Ambrosius that Ericc will soon be dead.”
“Where do you have him tied up?”
“I don’t. I found him in the Rava’Kor mine. He escaped and is heading toward Corrock. I’m traveling with a group of fools who think Ambrosius asked them to save Ericc.”
“Yes, Dare Mensley informed me of your meeting with the Num, Thorik, and his friends.”
Santorray walked behind the thorn bush and collected his weapons and supplies. “Don’t worry, I won’t let any of them get in my way.” Partially unsheathing the virgin dagger, Varacon, he looked at his reflection in its spiraling blade before storing. Gems were embedded into its hilt and rune markings told of its powers. “Their deaths will only add to the list that this journey has created.”
“As annoying as these Fesh can be, you are not to harm them. Ambrosius provided me instructions if you were to run into them. Follow Thorik. He is clever and will lead you to Ericc and most likely Darkmere as well.”
“We are heading to Corrock. I can’t ensure that Bredgin or his father will be there.”
“Then stab Ericc in the Del’Unday city for all to see, including Thorik. This should take care of this mess. Bring the dagger back to me with Ericc’s blood and your task will be complete and your debt paid.”
Chapter 17
Avanda