The Dragon’s Way
For most of the people who came south with us, looting the temple was a solemn thing. Celebrations at the mound of valuables gathered in the centre of the temple were quiet, but there were many. Minor magical weapons, tools, and pieces of clothing, books, ornate pieces of small furniture, bags of pure white sugar, spices, and other valuable things piled up quickly along with plenty of coins, most of which was silver. I didn’t want to spoil the quiet joy by telling them that at least a quarter of what they were about to split up came from those who were enslaved then sacrificed. I didn’t have to. Kinso did it for us, by speaking to the spirits and extracting a few items from the loot pile, then burying them in the ground outside the main temple building. No one interfered with the Death Speaker, especially after he told a few who wanted the silver and gold items he took away that they belonged to the angry dead, who would haunt them if they took those items in hand.
Then, in an act that brought relief to everyone, Kinso pronounced that the rest of the loot didn’t concern the spirits since they’d moved on already, satisfied at the justice that was delivered that day. He took a bag of silver, a nice gold ring and a small book of spell limericks as his share and stepped away so the divvying could commence.
Laylen and several other magicians took books and a few silver as their reward. Marat had gathered a decent collection of rare tomes, some of which were for necromancers. A few wizards wanted them, but the majority bristled at that and made sure they were burned. I hate seeing any book burned, but understood why those had to go up in flames. Necromancy isn’t always evil, but most people who learn it end up using the discipline for selfish reasons that lead there.
As Goler recorded every item that was piled up then split off as a reward for a rider, adventurer, dwarf or other volunteer, I summoned a portal that would take us to the new dragon hold. “I still can’t believe portal travel is even a thing,” Russ said as he stepped through.
“He’s good at it,” Ilsa said, smiling warmly at me.
“Thanks, I have help,” I replied, tapping the fine chain around my neck with a finger. She moved to my side and I instinctively took her hand, winning another smile. As the rest of our group came through the portal I took a moment to whisper; “I’m sorry about the people you knew down there.”
“They were all Farlander devouts. I didn’t get along with a lot of them, I just knew them for a long time,” she said. “It’s all right.”
Holding back from mentioning her father, I told her; “Can I tell you I’m amazed and grateful anyway?”
“Over and over,” she replied.
“Where is the Dragon Hold?” Kinso asked. “I know you told me already, but I can’t recall. So much has happened since then, and I’m surrounded by many spirits who are wishing us well, and then fare-welling.”
“Up the path,” I said, leading the way with Ilsa at my side. Kinso, Laylen, Rea, Dale and Maydo followed. When we rounded the corner I was astonished. The cliff landing had been cleaned, and the ground was freshly levelled. A pair of goblins were looking it over, and they departed into the cave once they saw us in no great hurry. I assume that had been cleaned out too, since there was no sign of the rotting smell that once wafted from it.
Berxis was there, standing next to a grey and black stone statue of Kaiyuma that stood three times as tall as the real woman. Kinso didn’t seem to notice him as he cooed; “Oh, this is beautiful,” and walked up to it.
“We fashioned it with stone and fire. All but the face was complete, and it was etched only moments ago,” Berxis said. “I hope we captured her likeness.”
“It is her, it is perfect,” Kinso said, gingerly touching the statue’s stone hand.
“I’m glad to hear it. You may visit any time. We put it in place of the sacrificial instrument we found,” Berxis explained.
Kinso stepped back and looked at the ground. “So, this is…” he didn’t finish the thought, but completed his retreat to me and the rest of our group quietly. “Thank you, I’ll return.”
“This is the shield we promised, made from the iron of the pole with dragon fire,” Berxis said, picking up a glossy metal disc that was a metre wide, made of dark steel. “We have knowledge of many arts that were once important to our kind, from the ancient days when the best of us loved the Ondi.”
“Thank you,” I replied, surprised at the weight, which wasn’t nearly as heavy as I expected. There was a centre grip and loops for arm straps, so I could use it either way. “I’m surprised you made a statue of Kaiyuma here, you must have your own gods. Why her?” I asked.
Berxis nodded, looking at the statue. “The things that Kaiyuma stands for are good for us. A natural world that thrives with clean water, plentiful game and fish is something we’re willing to give tribute for. I’ve never seen a place like this, where my brothers and I can dive into the river and fill our mouths with large, wonderful river fish knowing that there is enough food there for hundreds of dragons our size. The abundance here is worth an offering now and then. I also found her charming and that appeals to me, since I am the only one who enjoys taking an Ondi form. I wonder, is the shield to your liking?”
“It’s very fine, thank you.” I passed it off to Russ, who started inspecting it right away, nodding his approval. Then I unbuckled Nerxis. “I’d like to offer you this. A gift to show my appreciation for your help, and to celebrate a new friendship.”
Berxis accepted it, then drew the sword, looking at it like the rare thing it was. “My father would be enraged at the sight of it. My brothers and I will celebrate it, for we’ve come far to be away from him. It is a great gift, one that my brothers will come to appreciate you for.”
“I don’t think it’s ever lived up to its potential. It looks like only one of the gem sockets has seen any use,” I said.
“Well, it will be at the centre of our hoard amongst the greatest of our treasures, thank you.” Berxis put the sword back in its scabbard and spoke more plainly then. “Call on us, but know that we’ll never go north to Kaima. There are too many weapons pointed towards the sky. Even if you win the loyalty of every man there, we know it only takes one to give in to the temptation to let a harpoon loose at a dragon. When you go to the city, you will be on your own.”
“I understand,” I replied.
“That isn’t to say that my brothers aren’t enjoying a little hunting on your behalf with Osilla’s welfare in mind. They are pursuing members of the army you left at the tower who carry magical and mundane riches. No one wearing the colours of your enemy is safe if they carry objects of wealth, and the rest will scatter. Perhaps your riders could join the hunt?”
“I believe they’ll enjoy that,” Maydo said. “I’ll tell their new leader about it.”
“Then I only have one thing to ask in parting,” Berxis said, looking to me. “Travellers are rare, and even though we can fly faster than most creatures in the air, I know there will be a day when I will want to call on you.”
“I’ll help if I can,” I agreed. “But there’s a King to the north to deal with.”
“I hope you make the city into whatever it must be for the people who live in it,” Berxis said, very intentionally leaving that as the last statement in our conversation by casually turning and walking back towards the cave.
We returned to the temple and finished there, making quick work of it. I won’t go into more detail about the bag of treasures each of us walked away with, since lists tend to be boring, but it was more than we thought we’d have. The wealth didn’t matter much to me though. I was more concerned with how difficult a place Kaima would be for us. Not all the Farlanders were killed, and the escapees would most likely try to win the King over to their site, if he wasn't their ally already.
We went to Ossila, and while the riders excitedly joined the hunt for members of the army we left at the tower, my party took a few days to rest. Ilsa never left my side, and we had quiet conversations about our lives on Earth that Russ often joined in on when we weren’t in more private surroundings. The topic eventually turned to all the things I was afraid to forget, and what I may have already lost.
With the help of my party, I started writing in earnest, recalling everything I could about my journey then boiling it down to what you’ve just read. These two volumes include details from everyone, starting with Ilsa who remembered more about our first meeting at Ti Amo than I did.
I’m a different man now, and not just physically. Russ noticed how I’ve changed the most. The Grant he knew on Earth was a fighter when he was young, and that was gone after my uncle died. He says that fighting spirit has come back, and I agree.
More than anything, I want to make things right in Kaiyuma’s land. To remove a King who wants to destroy so much that is good about Nemori, or Nem as our group tends to call this world. We know Olur is gone, his spirit wounded and wandering. With his most devout worshippers gone or disheartened, he won’t have a chance at rising again for centuries at least. I expect he’ll be forgotten by then, as most failed Gods are. That part of our fight is over.
When we return to Kaima, a new, very different fight will come. The most surprising thing about that is how much everyone in my party; Ilsa, Kinso, Rea, Dale and even Laylen are looking forward to it. Even the dwarves have pledged to bury their homes and go north with us. They made their promises before I could offer anything for their help, and I believe they’ll follow through.
I’ll be writing about our adventures in Kaima and beyond, and I’m sure there will be a few pages from my friends stuck in between mine.