OUTCAST : THE PATH OF A WARRIOR

24. ZON... THE TREE OF LIFE

CHAPTER 24

It was late in the evening, and spring was moving towards summer, which meant the warmer months would keep much of the rain at bay.

I was getting rather used to riding on top of the Dragon. Its neck-horns run all the way down Its long neck, helping me stay balanced, holding on, as I sat on its shoulder-neck.

As the Dragon flew upwards, I found myself pushing hard, so as not to fall upon its horns, but squeezing my thighs for balance, couldn't escape the bruising.

I found that I had to Hold on to dear life, so i wouldn't fall off, as it dived and swerved .

So the first thing we did, after leaving Nisso, was to go hunting. Now the Dragon, which slept for a good three centuries, give or take, was rather ravished, but when it mentioned eating a mammoth, I actually thought, an elephant-mammoth.

But Infact, it turned out to be a reptilian mammoth-lizard, no bigger than a medium size crocodile. Apparently it was nutritional , especially when consumed rare.

I had my own preferences when it came to food, and cooking it first, was one of them, so I managed to catch a small boar, which of course, needed time to prepare and cook.

While the Dragon had caught and devoured its meal in minutes, which thankfully, missed the whole process, while I was out hunting for my own meal.

It was now after dark, so after our meal,we thought it prudent when flying around, to keep out of sight from humans. The last thing we wanted was to start a Dragon panic.

"We need to find your friends!" Said Jerrico, as we were about to leave." Can you recollect the last place they were headed to?"

"They were to cross the Serpent River and head towards the high ridge, wherever that is!"

" Well, there's no other better way to look for them , than from the air, so hang on tight, young warrior!"

"I'm curious!" I said, while gripping firmly on to the Dragon. "Is it easy to mind-communicate with anyone you wish?"

"Ha! Good question, I'm glad you have asked it." Said the Dragon, gently rising above the trees." I can only do that with the ones I have made a connection with, and in your case, it was easy."

"How's that?"

"Remember, I was already connected to your spear, and when its energy connected with yours, back in the cave, your combined energies, somehow triggered a spark which reawakened me, and broke the spell I was under.

Now I'm also connected with your energy, so to speak, we are now a threesome!" Snorted the Dragon.

" I'm happy if you are! " I said, suddenly feeling quite puzzled about what my purpose was in all this, especially since everything was happening so fast.

"Yet, there is onother that's been trying desperately to connect with me." Continued the Dragon.

"Ever since we came out of Nisso, and the closer we get to it, the more I'm drawn to it. But it is becoming weaker, i think Zon, the tree of life, is dying, and I can feel its pain!"

" The tree of life? Sheanna told me about it , but what do you mean it's dying?"

"Its life energy is being sapped by sorcery, and I suspect the Dark Twelve are the perpetrators, suckling its raw power for their own purposes."

"What can we do?"

"The Demon, you said, was among your companions?"

" Robert! Yes, but the last time I saw him, he was injured."