The Shadow Of Dragonfell

Chapter 3: The journey to the emberpeak

The road to Emberpeak was long and winding, stretching across the vast and varied landscapes of Erinthal. Aric and Kael traveled through dense forests where the trees towered above them like ancient sentinels, their leaves whispering secrets in the wind. They crossed rolling hills dotted with wildflowers, where the only sound was the chirping of birds and the rustling of grass beneath their feet. But as they ventured deeper into the wilderness, the land grew harsher, the skies darker.

At night, they camped under the stars, the firelight casting flickering shadows on their faces. Kael, ever watchful, would take the first watch, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger. Aric, meanwhile, would practice with his sword, trying to hone the skills he had learned from his father. But no matter how much he practiced, the memory of the wyrm's attack haunted him, the image of its fiery breath seared into his mind.

One evening, as they sat around the campfire, Aric turned to Kael with a question that had been nagging at him since they had left Windhold. "Kael... how did you know to come to Windhold? How did you know the wyrm would attack there?"

Kael poked at the fire with a stick, his expression thoughtful. "The Order of the Flame has been tracking the wyrms for years," he explained. "We've been watching for signs of their return—strange weather patterns, reports of unusual creatures, that sort of thing. When we heard rumors of a wyrm sighting near the Jagged Peaks, I was sent to investigate."

He glanced at Aric, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But I didn't expect to find you there. The Flameborn were thought to be lost to time, their bloodlines faded into obscurity. Your presence... it changes everything."

Aric frowned. "But why now? Why are the wyrms coming back after all this time?"

Kael's expression darkened. "No one knows for sure," he admitted. "But there are whispers—ancient prophecies, like the one I told you about. Some say the wyrms are seeking something, or someone. Others believe they were never truly gone, just waiting for the right moment to strike."

Aric shivered, pulling his cloak tighter around him. "And you think I'm connected to this? That I'm the one they're after?"

Kael nodded. "The wyrm that attacked Windhold... it wasn't just a random act of destruction. It was drawn to you, Aric. It sensed your power, the flame within you. That's why it retreated—it recognized you as a threat."

Aric stared into the fire, the flames dancing before his eyes. The idea that he was somehow linked to these ancient, powerful creatures was overwhelming. He had always dreamed of adventure, but this... this was something far beyond anything he had ever imagined.

Kael watched him silently for a moment, then spoke again, his voice softer. "I know this is a lot to take in. But you're not alone in this. The Keepers of the Flame will help you, teach you what you need to know. And I'll be with you, every step of the way."

Aric looked up, meeting Kael's steady gaze. Despite the fear and uncertainty that gripped him, there was something comforting in Kael's presence, a sense of strength and resolve that gave Aric hope.

"Thank you," Aric said quietly, the words barely audible over the crackling of the fire.

Kael nodded, a small, reassuring smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Get some rest, Aric. We still have a long way to go."

Aric nodded and lay down on his bedroll, the warmth of the fire lulling him into a restless sleep. His dreams were filled with visions of fire and shadows, of ancient battles and towering wyrms, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. But amidst the chaos, there was a voice—soft and distant, yet unmistakable. It called to him, beckoning him forward, deeper into the unknown.

When Aric awoke the next morning, the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden light over the landscape. Kael was already up, his bow slung over his shoulder as he prepared to continue their journey.

"Ready?" Kael asked, glancing at Aric with a raised eyebrow.

Aric nodded, shaking off the remnants of sleep. "As ready as I'll ever be."

With that, they set off once more, the road to Emberpeak stretching out before them like a ribbon of uncertainty. But as they walked, Aric couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them, lurking just beyond the edge of their vision.

The wyrms were out there, waiting. And Aric knew that sooner or later, he would have to face them again.