Koindras: A DragonRaid Tale

Chapter 6

Morning was a blur.  The rich flavors and aromas of the breakfast seemed to bring to life the three young LightRaiders.  Quid felt odd concerning his discussion with Ian about Drake the night before, but as they ate and talked the more relaxed he became until he forgot all about it.  After eating, they gathered their basic gear and headed over to the stables at the DragonRaider Academy. 

As they approached the stables, Pequilla and Dianna were seen talking to Professor Wulf.  Ethanul was nowhere to be seen. 

“Greetings young LightRaiders!”  Professor Wulf shouted as the three young men approached.  “We have the horses and your equipment set up out back.  After a prayer, you all will set off to the Vales of the Passage Lakes after being equipped, and I will retire to the warmth of my office.  Pequilla and Dianna can update you later about Ethanul.”  He smiled broadly with the warmth of genuine love for his former students.

They all gathered around in a circle and held hands, as Professor Wulf was inclined to have his students do when they gathered for prayer.  Professor Wulf’s voice resounded over the other noises and seemed to push them back and mute them until each LightRaider was able to fully focus on his words as he spoke to the OverLord of Many Names.

“Dear Overlord, You know that these young LightRaiders, these servants of Yours, are going on a Raid that You have ordained.  Please give them the grace to stand firm in the faith as they face the enemy, in whatever guise he will raise his ugly head.  Grant them victory over the dark creatures they will encounter and give them the strength to fight together, as one, all the temptations of the evil one.  You know the path that they need to take and I pray that you would, even now, send forth your Celestial Guardians to prepare the way for them.”

They all said Amen.  Then, in what seemed to be one swift movement the LightRaiders were given hugs and blessings from Professor Wulf, their supplies and rations, the horses to mount and then they were galloping away from Dayspring Highlands and off toward the Passage Lakes.   

As the Academy faded into the distance and they had settled into the pace of the ride, Drake rode up alongside Quid.

“Why wasn’t Ethanul there at the stables this morning?”  Drake asked.

“Didn’t you hear what Pequilla told the rest of us while we were being equipped?”  Quid replied.

“No, I was having some trouble securing my backpack.  What did she say?”

Quid looked over at Drake.  There was something in him that rolled around.  It brought up a thought…an inkling of concern.  Was Pequilla sore about Drake teasing her the night before?  Did Pequilla wait until Drake was absent from the group to give them the update about Ethanul?  Quid shrugged off the thought.

“She said that he was sent ahead of us into the Dragon Lands.  He was supposed to meet a Celestial Guardian at the HollowTree for some important updates and was going to meet us there.”  Quid said.

Drake nodded and let his horse drift back into his place in the line.  Quid looked around as they rode north.  The weather was chilly, but the sky was clear.  In the distance he could make the faint purplish haze of the Peaks of the New Beginning.  Even though they were still a couple days ride away, the enormous mountains that rose up when the OverLord’s Son took a stand against the dragons were impressive to view.

The journey to the Passage Lakes went smooth and as the LightRaider’s approached the lake of Mount Hope, at the base of the Peaks of the New Beginning, all stared in awe at the height and massiveness of the mountains.  They had all taken field trips while in the Academy to the Passage Lakes and had all seen the mountains before, but the splendor of them never faded as a testimony of the OverLord’s power and grace.