The Phoenix King #1 Bed of Ashes

Chapter 10 The Keeper of Dragon's Peak

After a week of arduous travel, the landscape finally yielded to the base of the formidable Dragon's Peak. The morning sun crested over the mountain, its golden rays bathing a small clearing in warm, welcoming light. A hooded figure stood waiting, his face shrouded in shadow, adding to the air of mystery and tense anticipation. Robert brought the cart to a gentle halt, and everyone disembarked, their eyes fixed on the enigmatic stranger.

The earth underfoot was soft, carpeted with moss, and the air was rich with the crisp scent of pine. Robert inhaled deeply, the serene surroundings momentarily easing the tension of their journey. As they drew closer, the figure's commanding presence grew more palpable, each deliberate step breaking the morning's silence with the crunch of dry leaves.

"Welcome, travelers," the figure's voice rumbled deeply, resonating through the cool air. "I am Gaius, the Keeper of Dragon's Peak. How may I be of service?"

Űnin's heart pounded with excitement as Robert strode forward to meet the Keeper. This was it—one step closer to hatching my phoenix. The culmination of his hopes and fears seemed to converge in this moment, and he felt a thrill of exhilaration mixed with a tinge of apprehension.

"Greetings, we seek the High Priestess," Robert announced, his voice echoing slightly in the open space.

Gaius nodded, his motion slow and calculated. "She resides within the temple at the heart of our village," he replied, gesturing toward the sprawling cityscape that unfolded beyond the trees. The buildings, constructed of stone and adorned with vibrant banners, seemed to pulse with life. Children's laughter and the calls of market vendors filled the air, painting a scene far more bustling than any village Űnin had ever seen. It's hardly a village, thought Űnin, it was nearly ten times larger than Ashwood. Dominating the vista was a massive temple, its pyramid shape crowned with shimmering gold that caught the sunlight spectacularly, while wisps of incense drifted lazily around its peaks.

As they absorbed the sight, Gaius vanished as silently as he had appeared, leaving them to wonder if he had been but a specter, a guardian spirit of the path they were to tread. Robert, puzzled and a bit disappointed at not having the chance to express his gratitude, turned back to the group, his expression reflecting his bewilderment.

With a collective sense of unease but driven by their quest, they pressed forward toward the temple, each step weighed with the gravity of their mission and the odd encounter with Gaius echoing in their minds.

As they rode into the village, Űnin couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had taken hold of him. The anxious thoughts swirled in his mind, filling him with doubt and uncertainty. He couldn't help but question whether he was truly the right person to raise Thorven's daughter. He wondered if the egg in his pack was even her daughter at all, or if it was just some magical copy of Thorven. The fact that he didn't know the answer to that question made him doubt Thorven's choice even more.

Something else nagged at him, alongside his thoughts of doubt. It was a small, almost imperceptible line that seemed to stretch from him to the egg in his pack. It didn't hurt, but with every unwelcome thought, an uncomfortable tug on his soul would follow. He tried to distract himself by taking in the sights and sounds of the village, but he just couldn't shake his anxiety.

The village was bustling with activity, Children ran through the streets, their laughter and play filling the air. The houses were small and quaint, made of wood and thatch, with flower and vegetable gardens dotting the landscape. The streets were lined with vendors selling a variety of goods. But despite the picturesque scene, Űnin couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his stomach.

The group noticed the streets becoming more crowded and the houses getting larger as they made their way deeper. The sound of chatter and laughter filled the air, along with the clatter of horse-drawn carts and the shuffling of feet on the cobblestone streets. The buildings around them grew taller and grander, made of sturdy stone, and adorned with intricate carvings and decorations. The temple loomed in the distance, its towering structure visible from anywhere in the village, its spires piercing the sky, and its walls adorned with colorful mosaics and intricate sculptures.