Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns

Dragonia 1: Chapter 11

Chapter 11

A small breeze brushed across the back of Devarius's neck, sending chills down his spine. A ribbon of unsettled nerves wrapped around him, leaving him unsure. Devarius's skin pricked as though he were being watched. He shook off the feeling. Dusk approached as they neared the lake. They took a break as they said their farewells.

Devarius walked over to Aquila to embrace her. He kissed her forehead and stroked her hair. She trembled underneath his touch.

"Keep everyone safe," he whispered.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Aquila asked as she peered at Dasyra from the corner of her eye.

"I have to do something."

She nodded. "Be careful."

His lips quirked into a smile. "Always."

Devarius joined Paedyn and Dasyra. He kept his focus forward, not wanting to turn around to look at those he left behind. A shiver traveled along his body, and he hoped he would see them again.

He welcomed the silence of their walk through the fresh early morning, but as he'd suspected, it didn't last for long.

"So, we're traveling to Trevium for supplies?" Dasyra asked.

"Yes," Devarius replied.

"Then, where are we going?" she asked.

"Then ..." Devarius sighed. "We'll meet up with the others and continue our journey."

"At the lake?"

"Where else would they go?"

"Are we still traveling to Laeraed?"

"Why would we travel there if that's where they think we're going now?" He glared at her.

"Look ... I'm sorry." She felt the wounds on her forearms with her fingertips. "I was afraid he'd slice me to pieces, then cut my head off like he did the old man's. Then, what if he went to somebody else—what if he targeted the children next?" She sighed. "I've never been tortured before."

Devarius gritted his teeth. "It's in the past."

"I'm surprised you let me come with you."

Devarius raised an eyebrow. "Let you come? Paedyn and I decided to come to the city to gather supplies for everyone." He studied her with clenched eyes. "You insisted you needed to come with us. You insisted that without your help, we would spend all our coins with barely anything to show for it."

"He has a point," Paedyn said. "You were rather insistent that two men were too incompetent to gather supplies for the needs of thirty people."

"I didn't say it like that," she pouted.

"You implied it," Devarius stated flatly.

"Everyone agreed with me. I am the daughter of a merchant. I know the cost of supplies."

"Everyone?" Paedyn questioned.

"Well, many ..."

"Look, it's over," Devarius said. "Let's make the best of it. There are many people who are depending on us."

"How exactly are we going to get inside the city?" Dasyra asked. "Don't you think they'll be looking for us there?"

"Yes, they will."

"So, what is the plan?"

"We sneak in."

"How are we going to sneak in through the gate?"