Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns

Dragonia 1: Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Devarius let out a deep breath. Their wagon reached the river south of the city. He searched all around for his companions, but he didn't see them. Aquila should have been awaiting their arrival. They slowed their wagon, but still saw no sign of any living being. He hoped they hadn't remained by the lake. Devarius trusted Aquila had been able to convince the others to leave the lake. He moved to head toward the lake, and Aquila's head appeared out of the brush. Devarius took a deep breath; relief flooded through him.

"Is everyone safe?" he asked.

Aquila nodded. She rushed out of the bushes to embrace Devarius, startling the horses. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight.

"Is everything all right?" he asked.

"Yes, I was just worried about you. Your plan didn't seem safe."

Devarius smiled. "Nothing about our journey is safe."

Aquila gulped. "Yes, I know."

"Did everyone listen to you?"

"Yes ..." Aquila paused. "They were reluctant at first. No one knew why the plan had changed. Everyone thought we were supposed to stay by the lake and await your return."

"Good. Everyone was supposed to."

"Dasyra?"

"Two dragonriders were in the city. First chance she had, she went to them."

Her eyes bulged. "She betrayed us?"

Devarius smiled. "Yes. Don't worry, we had anticipated it and incorporated the betrayal into our plan."

"You knew she would betray us?" Her mouth opened wide in disbelief.

"We had a suspicion. She's always argued it'd be best to plead to the Dragonia Empire that we were innocent." Devarius shrugged.

"You didn't tell me that part of the plan." She frowned.

"That's why we didn't tell you," Paedyn chipped in.

Her forehead creased.

"Don't worry. She'll lead them to the lake and then to Sephreal."

Aquila bit her bottom lip. "You're using her to steer them away?"

"Yes," Devarius said.

"That's ... cruel ... but brilliant."

"Thank you," Paedyn said, beaming. "It was my idea."

Aquila's face twisted as she glanced at Paedyn. "You have ideas?"

"Pssht." Paedyn waved his hand toward her. "Don't be jealous."

Aquila smiled.

The rest of the party appeared out of their hiding places in the underbrush. Devarius and Paedyn gathered everything from the wagon. The night was late, but they didn't have time for rest. They carried all of the canoes to the shoreline and stocked each with supplies and food. Devarius wished they had a large boat instead of several canoes, but he was glad they didn't have to walk. Devarius made sure to assign at least one competent rower to each canoe. Once all the supplies were loaded, he emptied the rest of the horse grain and untethered the horses from the wagon. Devarius left them free to graze and hoped they would make their way back home. He prayed the dragonriders would be gone by then. Devarius counted on Dasyra's betrayal to lead them away fast.

"Listen, I know everyone is tired, but we can't delay. We're going to row most of the night. However, we are moving with the current, so we should reach the mountain in a few days instead of weeks."