ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Forty Eight - Destiny Awaits

Destiny Awaits

Lieutenant James woke with a start. He shook his head and wiped away the beads of sweat on his forehead. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed he placed his head in his hands and tried to shake the burning images from his mind. The vision was still vivid as day, the green scales, flashing teeth and the golden eyes of a massive dragon. It had been the same dragon, Beltan, he had seen on the cliff top the day Serenity had given him the glove, yet this time there was something foreboding in the dragon's presence. Then there was the wizard Arc who had appeared in a separate dream surrounded in a ring of fire shouting frantically trying to get his attention but James could never hear the wizard's words. Just when fragments of what the wizard was saying became audible, the wizard would vanish and was replaced by the Lord of the Bridge being killed by the sorcerer Charaz.

Next he had witnessed the collapse of the ancient bridge that had spanned the river before the citadel for thousands of years. The vision was disturbing and although James had received reports of the incident weeks earlier from the relocators, he had no way to know whether it was just his interpretation of the reported event or a nightmare.

James lifted his head catching a glimpse of the glove's gem. What do all these strange visions mean, Sun Dragon?

The gem unexpectedly came to life. The usually dull grey gem changed taking on a pulsating and vibrant hue.

"What the...?"

James stared at the gem unable to believe what he was seeing. Again it changed, now from the pulsating grey to the same golden orb of the dragon's eye. James shuddered. It felt like the dragon was looking right through him.

You have a destiny to follow, James.

James shook his head. "I don't wish to hear of such Sun Dragon. I have enough responsibility hanging over me to break my neck."

Do not discount the path you have chosen, you are far more than a great warrior. Your destiny awaits you. As surely as the earth turns you can not dismiss the path you must put your feet upon.

"What great destiny?"

You will know when you see the signs.

"What signs?"

They will become known when you need. And soon.

A knock at the door brought James's attention back to the present. He stood up and shook off the unsettling feeling that clung over him. Looking at the glove James saw it had returned to the usual lifeless grey he was use to.

"Yes!"

"It's Tallis, Lieutenant James."

"Come in."

"I heard you were one of the many casualties from last night's attack on the fort. Are you alright, you're looking a little pale?"

James nodded slowly. "The healers have ensured my injuries are nothing to worry about. What news, Tallis?"

"Sir, we have picked up two soldiers of Dorak's camp heading towards the fort."

The news aroused James from his lingering thoughts on his dreams. "Out walking in the middle of the night, what do they want? Is there any sign of a ruse or an attack?"

"No they were alone but in great haste to get away from the fortress. They say they are here to surrender and have vital news of what Lord Dorak was up to before he got killed. They are currently in the holding cells until you decide their fate."

"Good. I will be interested in hearing any news on what Lord Dorak was up too. As much as his death was a stroke of luck for us, General Kasik was working with him and I don't trust him not to move on us quickly. This new arrival is a little too convenient just days before we start pulling our forces back to the main First Guard fort."