CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN:

  THE SCORCHED PLAINS OF JONAGALL

  Now that Ondibar had joined the group, Garrick looked at the high priest’s map one last time, at least for this leg of the quest. After they had left Tanisgroth early in the morning, Garrick and his companions stopped for a rest in the fishing village of Hadda. There they had to take a small boat across the ever winding Living River. Unlike in Valtross, where the river’s width was narrow enough for a bridge, outside of Hadda the river was almost a mile wide and teeming with marine life.

  Next they had to cross The Plains of Jonagall, the miles-long stretch of hard ground that separated Hadda from The Cloud Shroud Mountain, as well as the mountain from the current dwarven kingdom on its opposite side.

  After they reached the old dwarven kingdom, it would be Ondibar that would guide them. The dwarf knew The Cloud Shroud Mountain considerably well, at least up to Cloud Veil. Once past the clouds that forever sat upon the mountain it would be different and unprecedented, as no human, no elf, nor dwarf had been farther up, with the exception of the long gone dwarfs from generations ago.

  Hearing the mercenary roll up the map, the others got ready to move again. Then, though they all walked in close proximity to each other, they separated into three separate groups. First was Garrick, Onyx, Maldrin and Tal, followed by Cerelene and Ondibar, and finally Elias, Anya and Deelah, as Azure flew back and forth above them all. As Onyx trotted off to the side, catching the scent of some animal, Garrick looked from the mystic wolf to the hard ground that lay in front of him and Maldrin.

  “I know that I once saw a dragon far up in the sky when I journeyed near their homelands. And even on this quest, on the way to see you, Firebaugh flew just above the trees,” began Garrick, looking up at Maldrin. “But now to see him again, a sovereign dragon, and close up.” The mercenary clasped the wizard on the shoulder nearest to him. “I am happy you are with me, my old friend. And not just because you are a wizard.” After Garrick looked back at the others talking amongst themselves, he continued. “The rest are formidable fighters and good at what they do. I trust them. Even Ondibar, though we just met him. Then the mercenary moved his hand to Maldrin’s far shoulder and gripped it tightly, sending Tal back into the wizard’s pocket. “But you have been my friend for years. You know me inside and out. Because of that I may have to lean on you more than ever before, once we walk from the tunnel ruin into the dragon’s lair.”

  Maldrin smiled as his staff hit the hard ground of The Plains of Jonagall with every step. When Garrick took his arm off of his shoulder, the wizard turned and looked at the two other groups talking behind them, and then he looked forward again at The Cloud Shroud Mountain off in the distance.

  “My boy, you have taken such a yoke upon your shoulders,” replied Maldrin, still looking forward. “From the surprise knowledge of the Scepter Sword, to leading these diverse individuals when you barely know them. And you have led them well. I had no doubts after The River Caverns. Then the cleric and thief joined us. Anya’s dream further proved that Elion was with us, even more so when Ondibar not only joined us as the dwarven representative, but had close ties to Cerelene.”

  When Maldrin was silent for a moment, Garrick looked with him toward the former kingdom of the dwarves. Then after a few seconds the old wizard looked back at the mercenary.

  “You say that you may have to lean on me more than ever. My boy, you lean on me,” reassured Maldrin. “I will give you all I have. My magic. My wisdom. And, as always, my friendship. But know this. I have never seen anyone that has given more than you. Those behind us have seen that as well. And they will respond when we face Firebaugh.”

  After Maldrin put his arm around Garrick’s shoulder, he continued. “Yes, Cerelene and Elias left The Holy City with you, but it is you that made us a team. I trust in that, and you should too.” Then after Maldrin took his arm from around Garrick’s shoulder, they both stared out at The Cloud Shroud Mountain and the darkening skies that surrounded it.

  Seeing Garrick and Maldrin looking far out in the distance, Cerelene began to wonder what they were truly up against. Firebaugh was their lethal adversary there on The Cloud Shroud Mountain, but climbing just below its summit would be almost as deadly.

  “Once we make it to the mountain what is next? What should we expect?” asked Cerelene, looking over at Ondibar.

  Ondibar put a hand over his forehead and squinted his eyes as he tried to focus on every detail of the mountain.

  “We will have to climb the outside of the mountain first, as all the entrances have been reduced to rubble. However, after a good trek up, I have found a few openings that will allow us to journey inside, away from the cold air and, even more so, the eyes of the great dragon,” answered Ondibar as he lowered his hand. Then he pulled an arrow from Cerelene’s quiver. “As long as we survive the random rock slides and footing that grows more precarious the higher we go, these are what come next.”

  After he handed the arrow to Cerelene, she pulled her bow from her shoulder and aimed it at the mountain as Ondibar continued. “Once inside, we will encounter bats, snakes, spiders, anything that loves the dark.”

  “And then?” asked the elf maiden as she shouldered her bow, feeling confident.

  “Then we walk on the clouds, dear Cerelene,” marveled the dwarf, stroking his long beard. When the elf maiden looked at him in surprise Ondibar laughed. “Well, through the clouds, to be truthful. They are so thick, you can easily get lost if you do not keep your wits about you. Luckily, your friend here has been there a few times, so I know my way back.” Then after Ondibar fell silent for a moment, he looked over at Cerelene, his face devoid of cheer. “I can only hope that we can find a way past them.”

  Feeling Cerelene’s confidence change to apprehension, Ondibar smiled again and grabbed her hand. “I still cannot believe I found you, child. And after so long.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Actually, I found you,” reminded Cerelene, breaking her hand away from the grip of the dwarf and then pulling his long beard playfully.

  “Whatever the case, we are finally traveling together,” replied Ondibar, smacking the elf maiden’s hand. Then he grinned uncomfortably. “Sure, it is to fight a dragon. And it is not with any companions I would have pictured...”

  After looking away from The Cloud Shroud Mountain in the distance to Garrick and Maldrin, Cerelene spoke.

  “The humans I have traveled with are like none I have ever known,” started the elf maiden. “Garrick is a mercenary, a soldier for whoever pays him. He is a skilled and fierce warrior, yet he has a kind heart, and his leadership and experience I will not question. I found it a strange decision by the high priest in The Holy City when he chose Garrick to lead this quest, but I now see the wisdom of his choice.” Then she looked out at Onyx, who was trotting back to the mercenary’s side. “And why a mystic wolf stays with him.”

  Nodding toward Maldrin, Cerelene continued. “Like the high priest, the wizard is kind and stronger than he looks. His magic is powerful, yes, but Maldrin also is not afraid to test his limits.” Then she looked at the red squirrel that crept back to his shoulder. “And the way he cares for Tal is as if he cares for a child. He can be eccentric, but we would be nowhere without him.”

  “What of Elias?” asked Ondibar. “I already know he is a good man...”

  “But he is more than that,” interrupted Cerelene. “As the captain of The Knights of Providence, he is a formidable fighter, and his belief in the god of all creation is without question. Most of all, though, he is selfless. He carried Maldrin for half a day when the old wizard collapsed from using all of his magical power.”

  Then the elf maiden looked at Garrick again. “Elias never once has questioned Garrick’s leadership on this quest, when he himself has led men into battle in the name of Elion. I...we are blessed to have them with us, my friend. Even Anya and Deelah, though I have not been with them as long, have proven their worth.”

  After Cerelene shook her head, she continued. “The sisters are nothing alike. Deelah is young and impulsive while Anya is measured, and almost old enough to be her mother. I think that is why their relationship seems strained.” Then Cerelene laughed. “Still, it has been good to finally have more females around, other than Azure and Tal.”

  ***

  As Elias watched Cerelene laugh ahead of him, the knight looked over at Anya and Deelah. “I am happy Cerelene and Ondibar can finally travel together. Have you two traveled together very often?”

  “No,” replied Anya, looking at the knight. Then the cleric turned her gaze to her sister and sighed loudly. “Recently, of course, we traveled back together from Aubrelon.”

  Deelah continued to look forward, but her face soured. Then she started to open her mouth but stopped.

  “The only other time...” When Anya did not finish, Deelah cleared her throat.

  “Was when we traveled to Liefleur to bring our parents' bodies home,” finished the thief in a quiet voice.

  “One of our good neighbors in Valtross took us in his cart. When we returned we buried them together,” continued Anya sadly. “I will never forget that day. I had just come of age and Deelah was only a small child.”

  Elias watched as Anya lifted her hood up over her head and remained quiet. Then he looked at Deelah. The thief was biting her lip, trying to hold back tears. It was supposed to be a sad moment, but Elias found it beautiful. He found Deelah beautiful. Yes, she was pretty. That was evident, seeing her everyday now in her simple yet provocative tight pants and blouse, but the way she held herself in the midst of sorrow. The way she fought against it. Then her face softened and she ran her hand over her short blonde curls and looked at him.

  “Well knight, does that answer your question?” asked Deelah, biting her lip again and smiling sarcastically.

  Even though he knew he should leave things be, Elias couldn’t keep quiet.

  “How did they die?” asked the knight, quietly.

  Seeing the caring in Elias’ handsome face, Deelah took a breath and continued. “They had taken a ship to The Holy City. It was my father’s present to my mother after twenty years of marriage. When they set sail to return, they shipwrecked during one of the worst storms of the year.” When Deelah finished, she looked forward again.

  “The next year I was made cleric,” added Anya sadly, knowing what it meant to her late parents.

  As Elias looked straight ahead again, he saw a tear slowly fall down Deelah’s cheek. Without thinking, Elias placed a finger on her cheek and wiped the tear away. Deelah didn’t speak, but she didn’t move away either.

  I am sorry for your loss, ladies,” spoke the knight somberly. Then he moved between them and put his arms around them as they walked. “They may be in Elion’s Embrace, but I know that when your parents look down, they are proud.”

  Suddenly, Onyx started to bark.

  “Elias, get up here!” yelled Garrick sharply.

  After Elias pulled his arms from around Anya and Deelah’s shoulders to move toward the mercenary, Deelah caught the knight’s hand as it fell. She held it for a split second and then let it go. Then she and Anya walked quickly to where the others were and looked out at the land ahead.

  The Plains of Jonagall were scorched black! A group of trees here and there had survived the fire, but the rest of the way they had to travel had turned from hard brown ground to ashy black.

  “It is a warning,” replied Ondibar, ominously.

  “Yes, that is what we thought as well,” agreed Garrick as Maldrin nodded with him.

  “He wishes to strike fear into anyone that dares climb his mountain,” added Maldrin, as he gripped his staff tighter.

  “You are correct, wizard,” said the dwarf in a measured tone.

  Suddenly, there was a screech from above and Azure quickly flew to Cerelene, landing on her forearm. The moment her talons gripped the elf maiden, she started squawking endlessly. Hearing the falcon’s piercing chatter, Tal ran from Maldrin’s shoulder and back into a pocket of his robe.

  “What is it, my sweet?” asked Cerelene as she tried to calm the falcon down. Then when she looked up again, the elf maiden swallowed hard and pointed into the air.

  Elias looked up into the sky to where Cerelene pointed. Then as he finally figured out what was coming toward them, he heard Garrick yell.

  “Move! Move! Get to those trees. Do not look back!”

  Suddenly there was a roar far off behind them. When they all made it to the cover of the trees, they looked up. Almost instantly they saw a giant red dragon fly over them and then rise higher, to the top of The Cloud Shroud Mountain. With the grace of a falling feather, Firebaugh floated down into an opening and disappeared from view.

  When Elias reached for his shield, Ondibar stopped him. “No. No, knight. He is not coming back. If he were, he would not have flown into the mountain.”

  “I think we should camp here tonight and then head out before dawn,” announced Garrick as calmed Onyx at his side.

  “I will take the watch as you all sleep,” said Elias in a commanding voice.

  “You cannot watch all night Elias,” replied the mercenary, shaking his head.

  “He will not watch all night, Garrick. I will watch as well,” added Deelah, stepping beside the knight and looking up at him tenderly.

  Seeing the earnestness on Deelah’s face, Garrick nodded and looked over at Elias. When the knight nodded as well, Garrick turned and looked out at The Cloud Shroud Mountain that was now only a short trek away. Then he pulled out the Holy Amulet and held the Holy Stone in his hand as night was beginning to fall.

  “Eat. Drink. Relax, my friends. And get some sleep,” said the mercenary, staring at the first stars beginning to shimmer in the twilight. Then he returned the Holy Amulet behind his shirt and turned around.

  “Tomorrow we scale The Cloud Shroud Mountain.”