The Home Stone

The following morning, Shannon and three Drow elves, along with Shamus, Roma and ten highlanders set out for the Northern Divide. They had debated the night before on which route they would take. Everyone except Shamus and his men wanted to take the easier way, by following the old caravan route next to the Western Sea. They argued back and forth, until Shamus told them that he would not accompany them if they took that road, because it would certainly be watched by the northern folk. They finally agreed on taking a little unknown and unnamed pass that would take them high up past the tree line, where the winter snows were still knee deep in some places. Hoping that it would be clear of enemy soldiers, they would be taking the long way, but a much safer route.

The next morning Shamus sent some of his men home. The group now consisting of sixteen people rode north and circled the small lake that fed Sanctum with drinking water. They would keep on this route until they left the forest and begin climbing into the pass. That night camped beside the lake on its most northern shore, Shannon was sitting by herself, when Shamus approached and sat down next to her. The two sat there in silence for some time, when the highlander spoke up in a low voice.

“What happened back there in Sanctum?” he asked. “From what I could see, all that killing couldn’t have been made by those barbarians. What could have caused such a massacre? I mean, the bodies were not just killed as any good soldier would do if he were commanded to do so, but these priests were defenseless and to be torn apart like they were…” he broke off.

Shannon stared forward with her eyes fixed on a bush in front of her continued to stay silent. It wasn’t until Shamus stood and was about to leave, when she said softly. “A dragon.”

Shamus sat back down utterly surprised at her words and just looked at her.

“It wasn’t a dragon that killed the priests back there.” She repeated. “A flame demon; the magical creature created by a dragon. That’s what killed the priests back at Sanctum.”

“You mean we’re going to face a dragon?” asked the highlander, his voice shaking a little. “How do you intend to deal with it? How can anyone of us deal with such a powerful creature? Do you have a plan?”

“Brianna,” was his answer. “She’s the only one who can defeat the dragon if given the chance.” Then she turned to face the Rogalander and continued, “we are the only ones who have the power to kill it and there’s a good chance that some of us won’t be coming back from this journey. The creature we face is no push over and will fight to the death just to escape. We have to get into the castle unseen and surprise the dragon completely, otherwise we won’t any hope at all in coming out of this alive.”

“Then I will send for all my men to accompany us,” said Shamus speaking a little louder.

“No!” answered Shannon. “Too many men will be noticed and word will get back to the creature that we are coming for it. No, the smaller the group the better chance we will have.”

It was clear that the highlander did not like the idea of such little support to back them up, but he now agreed and put his trust in the young mage. Whatever her plans were, he would make sure that the mage and they young Drow got their chance at the dragon. Slapping his thigh, Shamus stood and walked back to where the rest of his men were camped.

The next morning after breakfast, the troop saddled up and began their last leg to the base of the Northern Divide and the narrow pass that would take them into the Snowlands. Here they stopped and Shannon explained to them what she had told the highlander the night before. She also gave them the option to leave as this journey could take the lives of some or all of them.

“If we don’t succeed,” she added, “then the armies of the elves and dwarfs won’t stand a chance against such evil.”

Shamus then chose two volunteers to accompany them for the trip to the castle and sent the rest of his men home. Shannon also gave the Drow a chance to leave, but Raven told her that she was here to protect Brianna and would not leave her. Hollis repeated the words that Raven had spoken and Roma just smiled

“Looks like you’re stuck with us.” Roma joked.

“I hope you all know what lies ahead?” Shannon said as she looked at the seven standing around. “I would like to add a thank you for supporting me, but I fear for your lives if you follow.”

Raven stepped forward and reassured Shannon that they all knew what was at stake here and were willing to see it to the end, no matter how it ended. They party now eight in number rode out of the forest and onto the grassland that ran up to the base of the mountains. Here trees grew sporadically in small groves and offered little protection from the elements. They would make camp jut outside the pass, before venturing further. They found a small glen and made camp for the last night in the southern lands. Tomorrow they would don warm furs and try to become northern people. Hopefully if they ran into anyone they could fool them, but Shannon doubted that, as no one had ever seen dark skinned Snowlanders before. That night they risked making a campfire to ward off the cold and by the next morning they said good-bye to their horses and set them free. Checking their gear, the eight set foot into the pass.