The Dragon's Key

Chapter 7: A Journey Begins

"So, the bounty hunters are coming with us?!" Marigold asked, her annoyance evident in her voice.

The group had reunited at the inn, both parties having accomplished their goals. Maximus had successfully bought a horse and some supplies for the journey.

"What exactly do the two of you plan to even do at the Library? Don't tell me you plan on pilfering things."

"We were tasked to retrieve a holy relic for the Draconic Temple," Gabriel responded to the fairy's accusations.

"So, you do plan on stealing! And do not get me started on those worthless Draconites. The dragons died and won't be returning to bring salvation or anything!" The fairy was now fuming. "Those good for nothing tomb raiders are almost as bad as the Spiritists."

"What else is wrong with the Spiritists?" Gwen asked perplexed at the second mention of this religion in such a short time.

"Oh, they are horrible, destroying any dragon tech they can get their hands on simply because they do not understand it. They call it 'Devil magic'."

"Calm down Mari, we cannot control what people believe." Maximus tried to comfort the fairy. "And much of the technology they destroy is going to degrade anyway."

"So, then they won't take anything important," Gwen said trying to assuage the fairy's emotions.

"Definitely," Tristan added.

"We can figure that out once we have gotten there," Gabriel responded.

It was becoming late. With the fairy calming down, the group decided they would need to find something to eat.

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The next morning Gwen awoke to a knock on her door. She got out of bed and walked over to the door. Opening the door a crack, she saw that it was Maximus standing in the doorway.

"Good morning," he greeted. "It is time for us to begin our journey."

The group gathered their belongings and headed to the stables to retrieve their horses. They then headed in the direction of what Gwen assumed was the southern gate.

In time the group led their horses over a bridge toward where the gate was in view. At the gate, the guards looked over the travelers and ushered them through the gate. Once outside the gate the group mounted their horses with Gwen still riding Gypsum behind Gabriel and Maximus atop his newly purchased horse named Opal. The group headed down the road that led south from the city.

After the group had made it about a mile away from the city, Marigold turned visible again.

The group rode forward, the patchwork of farmland on either side of the road giving way to a deciduous forest. They rode through the day, taking short stops to let the horses rest and to let themselves stretch their legs.

As the group traveled around a bend in the road, they heard the jingling of iron. As they rounded the corner what came into view shocked Gwen. A man was on a horse leading a line of chained men and women, the majority of whom had dark skin. Some were even wearing relatively modern clothing. The group passed the entourage in silence. Gwen was unable to look away.

"Are those prisoners?" Gwen whispered, hopeful that her inkling was wrong.

"No, those are slaves," Gabriel replied resolutely.

The group had now gotten past the slave line and Gwen picked up her voice.

"Why didn't you do something? Those are people!"