Wayward Tail: The Mortal Realms Trilogy, Book 1

The Breath of a Dragon

Artifax walked through the dark halls of the Order, and he came into the relic room where he used to serve as curator. There was no one else in the room, just items that had been collected over a great span of time. "Bones and dust," Artifax whispered to himself.

There were the sounds of footsteps behind him in the doorway. Brother Belgeras entered and behind him stood a massive man. He was bald, had grey skin, and was missing an arm from the elbow down. Around his neck hung a great dragon talon.

"Artifax," Brother Belgeras suddenly announced. "May I present Throk of the Black Talons."

The man identified as Throk stooped down underneath the door frame and looked down at Artifax. His eyes were outlined with a darker pigmented skin. Those markings continued down his face and underneath the armor he was wearing. There were boney protrusions in a ring around the top of his head. 

There was a silence that passed in the room. Artifax finally broke the silence. "Hey big guy. Welcome to Artifax hall of... well... artifacts."

"You are smaller than I expected." The large man said very matter of factly.

"That's not what the ladies say." Responded almost immediately. The large man didn't laugh. In fact he didn't even crack a smile. "Tough crowd..." Artifax followed up.

"Are you the great leftenant of Bahamut, fallen from on high?" Throk was breathing heavily up until asking this question, and after it was as if he was holding his breath in anticipation of the answer.

Artifax looked over at Belgeras. "This guy cuts right to the point. I like that." He stepped around the shelves to where the giant man was standing. "Yes, I believe that I am... But I have no memories of my time in the heavens, just fleeting snapshots and a feeling... you know?"

The large barbarian considered these words. His eyes were scanning the physical appearance of the little gnome. His large hair and reptilian eyes. The scales that adorned the skin of his face. He sniffed the air and took in the smell of ash and fire that emanated from Artifax. "I have been looking for you."

Artifax took a step back at that statement. He gripped his staff tighter... just in case.

The goliath continued, "I will take you over mountain or water and deliver you into the howling wood." He nodded at Brother Belgeras who had explained Artifax's quest. "But when we get to the crossroad, I need your help."

Artifax wondered what he could do that would help such a man as this. "That sounds like a fair trade. What is it that you need from the great Artifax." Artifax rolled his eyes as he said those words.

"It is the breath of a dragon that I need."