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2024-10-29 19:42:56The Shell
Once they entered the hellcaves it was clear why the twins had beenso nervous even before they’d seen the dwarven gate. The chambers above had closely resembled these. Wide and winding, they had the feel of the sprawling understory of the forests of Lome. But in place of brush and trees there were fallen boulders, jagged crystals, and dripping columns of dark stone. The sound of running water echoed from far off and the heat and mugginess grew the farther they walked. Scattered about the caves were thick patches of oozing fungus, glowing toadstools and long, stringy slime that seemed to move ever-so-slightly if watched close enough.Along with thoughts of Lome came his memory of the otters there— beasts the size of men who dwelled in the river and stalked their prey in packs.At least here he and Rime weren’t alone.Brome and Noulea continued to lead albeit more
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Land of Dragon 34
The BasaltThe stairs were never-ending.After a long, tense hour of travel the caverns had ended, the last of the cobwebs falling away to reveal a square stone archway carved with the dwarven runes. Then the climb had started.“I cannot go on. We must sleep.” Halfindle grabbed the Lowsater by the fur on her leg. If she was at her breaking point, then the others were likely past it.“We are not free of the danger.” Noulea pulled away and started up the stair again.“I can’t either,” Laureth said.“I am also tired, sister,” Brome said from the back of the party. He peered down the stair behind them as if the spider might come up from the hellcaves at any moment.“We'll sleep right here on the stairs then,” Treylen said. “We've been climbing for hours. There's no end to it. I'll take the first watch. Noulea can take the second.”“I will take the third,” Oakwren said.“No, no,” Laureth put a hand on Oakwren’s shoulder. “I’ll take the third watch. I've slept a little, remember?”“I've nev
Land of Dragon 35
The Parser of the VeilIt was no secret that in times of old the great Dragon King and thefirst queen of Iverna had ruled together from the heart of the Dragon Lands. The very throne where the now-queen held her court had been carved from the same stone.So, it shouldn’t have surprised Treylen to see Iveran stonework as they neared the heart of those lands. But an archway in the shape of a great dragon’s maw was no small feat of labor, and the carvings one increased in number and detail as they passed under it and into the halls of what must have once been a grand fortress.“This is familiar,” Treylen said, running a finger over the lifelike scales of a stone fledgling that seemed to leap out from the wall.“You have been here?” Noulea asked.“No, but the layout of these halls reminds me of something.”They passed another archway and into a wider hall with a honeycomb pattern that covered the ceiling.“There is something about it,” Laureth said, stopping to put her hand
Land of Dragon 36
“A great deal more than you, assassin. And less at times, for much of my correspondence is with elder beings and those whose understanding is apocryphal. Still…” She paused, and lifted her head, resting one arm on the mountainside, and dragging a claw across the scales of her jowls, in a gesture that was gargantuan, but almost human. “I know of your kind and their follies. I know the failings of the queen of Iverna to keep that which she had stolen. Of the prescience of the Kysik and the great betrayal of the stone kingdom. I know the tide of war beats upon the breakers of your valley, and the spoils flow like ichor to the seat of Jaul while the Ketaresk drown upon the tail of the continent and the elkbones revel in their indulgence. Shall I go on?”“Not if it doesn’t please you,” Treylen said, grating his teeth at what sounded like blasphemy against his kingdom. “I understand Jaul, and I’ve heard of the land called Kysik and Ketaresk and Stone Kingdom. But I know not of this Iveran b
Land of Dragon 37
The Seal Wings beat the air. The wind from them sent Rime tumblingbackward. Treylen nearly went with him but found his footing. For a moment, Treylen thought she might take flight but the gust of air was only to clear the fog away from the lower basin of the crater, where the lava flowed. The dragon pulled her wings in and lumbered down the side, along a path of crushed stone. Large as she was, her body was still long like Rime’s. So different from the saddled mounts that assassins rode.Treylen had to wonder, would all dragons grow to a size like this if they weren’t shackled to the short lives of their riders?Treylen followed. Though what served as a flat and easy path for the guardian was still a field of jagged rock to him. Rime hopped behind him. The others watched and waited, covering their faces against the foul odor of the mountain. The path descended and they entered another cavernous opening in the rock.This chamber had been hollowed out by stone carvers long
Land of Dragon 38
The Hearth-HumThey returned to the crater where the others were waiting. Treylenmade a proper introduction for each and the guardian greeted them in turn.With Laureth and Oakwren she was terse but cordial. To the twins she extended her welcome and described the mountains to the north which lay just before the foothills of the badlands. She bade Treylen entrust them with the write of passage to be delivered to Uberetus. To Halfindle, a sad greeting that Treylen didn’t quite understand. She bowed her monumental head low, whispering softly and allowed the clan woman to climb the side of the crater and kneel before bones there.When she’d returned the guardian spoke again.“I’ll not permit present company to wander beyond this ridge, for the queen’s agents and her loyalists bring ill tidings to the Den of Fire whose people live under my protection. I would not permit you to seek them out or set eyes upon their dwellings as was your intention in coming here.”“I don’t think that will be
Land of Dragon 39
The Passengers That night, Treylen slept with a restfulness he hadn’t earned. Hedreamt of hearthstones carved from obsidian and of warm caverns in the wintertime. He dreamt of burnt wheat fields and of children sleeping in the curl of a dragon’s tail in the hold of a weather-beaten ship.He woke with a start to a gust of wind and the sound of wings as six dragons, with four riders between them, descended on the campsite. The others were on their feet, and he pulled himself up and put his back to Oakwren’s as the dragons landed around them, riders dismounting.All six of them were a pale misty white, but as quickly as they landed, their color shifted to a black-purple obsidian.“I’d thought that Cyndrael would be here,” Treylen said. “She is tending Volgnash.”“I understand.” Treylen nodded briskly. If he pressed further there might be no ride home either.There were no introductions. The women and men looked their guests over then directed the lowsater to climb onto the two larges
Land of Dragon 40
The Rope While Rime crept along behind Laureth and Oakwren, Treylenborrowed some of his dragon sight and strength to travel off the path. Scaling boulders and bounding up cliff faces, he moved to the south of the city. He would climb to the gorge, then down the cliff face and approach the city from below. With any luck Aaron or Felicity would be out surveilling. If not, then Treylen might have to approach the clan—the Storm Den, as they called themselves—and ask after him.He traveled quickly and soon the others were far behind him.The tower grew closer, and sure enough, Treylen spotted two sentries posted at the top. The moon was hidden, but he kept low against the mountainside all the same as he neared the ridge just before the gorge. He scanned the rocks that lay uphill. There was no doubt that the countess would have been searching for them outside the city. He would not have put it past her to post sentries.Treylen spotted one just as he approached the rise that dropped off
Land of Dragon 41
The Chase Treylen hadn’t seen the queen’s shadow when he entered, but as thedoor slammed shut, he felt the long fingers of the old elf wrap around his shoulders.“The long awaited return of Cren’pin Tromweft…” the oily voice slithered into Treylen’s ear.He didn’t dare move.The hands slipped away. Treylen was relieved to see Aaron was awake.His eyes locked with Treylen's as he turned slowly on the rope. “You were to bring him directly to me.”“Yes, Shadow,” Remin said.“What is this then?” He gripped the man's chin and turned his head, a trickle of blood running over his pale fingers.“There was a misunderstanding.” Remin struggled to lower his eyes and the shadow lifted his chin again. He pursed his papery lips, then relaxed them.“It is time. Tell them.” He flicked his fingers dismissively. The assassins in the stalls rose without a sound, filing out the door. The sound of the wings in the night air told him they hadn’t come alone. Each of these assassins had a dragon with the
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Chapter 37Lasgol and Camu were staring at the dead dragon on the floor of the patio in front of them, unable to fully believe they had killed it. Camu would never admit he found it hard to believe, since his fighting, stubborn character had made him absolutely sure they could defeat it. Lasgol, on the other hand, thought it was nothing short of miraculous that they had managed to kill it. An unthinkable enterprise, one that had almost cost the three of them their lives.A moan made them both turn around. Ona was coming toward them from inside the building.How are you feeling, Ona? Lasgol transmitted to her, bending down to hug her. As he crouched, he grunted with pain from the two cuts he had in the stomach and thigh. He had already realized they were not simple scratches.The snow panther reached his side, moaned, and licked his face.Ona, we kill dragon, Camu messaged to her, proudly nodding toward it.Ona growled once.And it almost killed us, Lasgol transmitted.We defeat. Much
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Chapter 36The afternoon group was running back from doing their physical exercises around the capital. Viggo was still intent on proving that he was better than the Royal Rangers, so he was flying downhill, five paces ahead of two Royal Rangers, who were trying hard to catch up with him and overtake him.The howling of a wolf from the forest to the east warned Egil, who was running beside Gerd at the rear of the group, that he was wanted. He looked at the giant, who returned a gaze of complicity. He raised his right hand and turned aside.“I have to stop!” Gerd warned his comrades.Nilsa and the Royal Rangers who were running in front stopped to look at him.“Are you all right, Gerd?” Nilsa asked, concerned.“Yeah, it’s my hip, it’s bothering me. Nothing to worry about. It’ll soon pass, go ahead.”“Are you sure it’s nothing?” Nilsa came over, concerned, while the Rangers she was running with remained a little further.“Don’t worry, it’ll pass in a moment,” he said without straighteni
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Chapter 35The minor dragon rose, flapping its wings hard, and prepared to drop once again onto Camu to strike it with all the power and weight of its considerable size. In comparison, the dragon was larger than Camu, who recognized the situation and what it meant. Seeing it was going to lunge down at him and knowing he was not exactly nimble, Camu decided to change tactics to avoid the crash.The dragon lunged at Camu with its four claws outstretched.Camu called on his Drakonian Wings. There was a powerful silver flash along his body and the wings appeared on his back, glowing in all their splendor. He leapt, flapping them vigorously, and rose up off the ground.The dragon hit the ground with its four claws hard, breaking the marble slabs of the patio, which flew in shards all over the place. Camu was already nine feet up. He had escaped the attack by a scale’s breath.The dragon looked up.So, the pup can fly. Then he is not such a pup, it messaged and flapped its wings. It took a
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Chapter 34The Panthers were waiting to be received by Queen Heulyn before her chambers. They were waiting in an antechamber decorated as if they were in Irinel. There were shields and javelins from that realm hanging on the wall. Several Irinel soldiers guarded the entrance and would not let them through. They had told them, kindly but firmly, to wait there. Since the Queen had requested their presence, they could do nothing else.The double doors opened and a familiar face came to greet them.“Good day, Royal Eagles,” Valeria said with a lively spirit and a big smile on her face.“Good day, Valeria,” Nilsa returned the greeting with a light smile.“The Queen has summoned us,” Ingrid said with a hint of interrogation in her tone.“And it’s a little too early for our taste,” Viggo complained, yawning ostentatiously. “You might let the Queen know that these are inappropriate hours for morning meetings. Better to have them after a good breakfast, say mid-morning.”Valeria gave a little
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Chapter 33Saki-Erki-Luzen, the minor dragon, attacked without any warning other than an intimidating roar. It took a step forward, opened its mouth as if it were going to roar again, and issued forth a gust of fire directed at Lasgol, Camu, and Ona.Lasgol leapt to one side using his reflexes and improved agility. It was an instinctive move at seeing the fire and feeling its scorching heat.Ona moved to the other side with a powerful leap to get out of range of the flames so they would not touch her. Her feline instincts saved her from ending up torched by the dragon’s attack.Camu opted for a different defense. He could not jump with the agility of his two friends. He opened his mouth and used his Icy Breath skill. The jet of freezing breath he sent crashed against the flames heading toward him. Upon contact both attacks, fire and water, canceled each other. Neither of the two managed to reach the rival.The scorpions guarding the door, seeing their lord was attacking, also lunged a
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Chapter 32Nilsa, Viggo, Egil, and Gerd were coming back from doing physical practice with six of the Royal Rangers, among which were Kol and Haines. They were both running at the front with Nilsa and chatting with her. It was painfully obvious that both of them were greatly interested in the friendly redhead. They were not the only ones. Another Royal Ranger joined them on the way down toward the capital, whose lights they could see in the distance. Night was falling and hunger and tiredness were beginning to have their effect, but whoever wants to be in shape must suffer a little. The Royal Rangers knew this better than anyone else. They had to endure whole days on their feet standing by a wall on watch duty. This numbed and softened anyone’s muscles. Therefore, it was important they went out to do physical exercise.Viggo was running in the lead, as fast as lightning. He wanted to arrive as soon as possible and show all the Royal Rangers that he was better than them. Nilsa and Gerd
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Chapter 31Ona, Camu, and Lasgol went through the ghost city, following the enormous scorpions that had taken the Silver Pearls. The trail was quite clear since two sets of eight scorpion legs walking on streets partially covered by desert sand were unmistakable. Lasgol was having no trouble following them. Besides, they had carried away the ice jewel so if he lost the trail he could wait for a pulse that would tell him where they were.Lasgol was thinking how lucky they had been that the crocodile had not joined the fray in the middle of the city, since that would have been an additional problem. On the other hand, the croc would have destroyed half the city if entered it, so to a point it was logical it had not come in. Well, as logical as one giant crocodile at the entrance of a city in the desert with colossal scorpions and cobras as guardians was. When he told the tale in Norghana they were not going to believe him.They turned left and then right. They were not in camouflage s
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Chapter 30Lasgol waited a moment and wondered whether his plan might work or if they would be discovered and end up having to confront those monstrous desert creatures. He was not at all sure it was a good idea to follow the scorpions, least of all through the forbidden city. But when there were no other options, it was best to be determined.Watch out. We’re going to follow the scorpions. I don’t think they can see us under Camu’s camouflage, but we must be very careful.Camouflage good. They no see, Camu messaged confidently.There’s more than one way of seeing. They might detect us by sound or by the trail we leave, for instance.Ona moaned once.Oh I understand. I no can help that.That’s why I’m saying we must take extreme precautions. We always careful.Yeah, always… Lasgol was watching with one eye from the corner of the wall. They’ve entered the city. Following them through the streets will be dangerous.City empty, no dangerous.The entrance was also empty and the scorpions
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Chapter 29Astrid, Ingrid, and Molak were waiting for Raner on their horses east of the capital, according to his orders. They were half a league from the Royal Road and were to wait for the First Ranger to join them. Not very far away they could glimpse Beaver Hill, so called because of a rock at the summit that looked very much like the animal.“What do you think the First Ranger has in store for us today?” Molak asked his comrades.“So far, everything he’s had prepared for us has been enlightening and interesting,” Ingrid said in a satisfied tone. “So I hope that whatever he has for us today will be so too.”Astrid stroked her horse’s neck.“I feel the same way. The truth is that training to become Royal Rangers has pleasantly surprised me.”“You weren’t expecting it to be interesting?” Molak asked, surprised.“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be useful and so I thought I’d be bored. But it’s turning out to be the opposite. I think that in the Assassin Specialty at the Shelte
