Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns

Dragonia 1: Chapter 20

Chapter 20

It took them only one day to make the needed repairs. At first, many of their party were afraid to leave so soon, but after seeing a dragon in the sky the next morning, they were convinced. The weather was peaceful. Not a single cloud hung in the sky. Blue skies surrounded them, but the air was crisp.

Compared to the beginning of their journey, their travel back was peaceful. No storm threatened them, no dragonriders followed them, and no hunger slowed them. They returned to the land of Kaeldroga, along the southern side, and went up the second river. The journey took almost a week.

When they reached the end of the river inland, Devarius and Paedyn anchored the ship. There were many other ships and boats at the bank of the river, and a few people as well. Thankfully, during their journey, there'd been no signs of the dragonriders. Devarius hoped they had lost them for a while. He sold the ship to a merchant at the bank of the river. At first, Devarius felt guilty selling a stolen ship, but they needed the coin.

Devarius led his party north to Cephrae Bay. He knew it would cut days off their journey to cross the bay instead of traveling around it. At first, several people in the party complained. They wanted to rest. The long journey began to wear down even the most resistant. Devarius convinced everyone to continue on. He reminded them of the dragonriders pursuing them. Many had stopped worrying about the dragonriders since none had been seen since Vaereal, but he reminded them that they were most likely still being chased. They needed to reach the Resistance to be safe.

When they reached the bay, Devarius found several ships docked on the water. After talking with a few of the captains, he found one willing to move his entire party across the bay for a fee they could afford. Devarius paid the captain half, with a promise to pay the remainder once arriving. He hoped their party wouldn't draw the captain's attention, but he imagined they didn't look like normal travelers.

The waters at Cephrae Bay were calm, and their crossing easy. After crossing, Devarius paid the captain and led his party north into the small forest. Devarius and Paedyn set up camp south of Ceydar in the small forest. More than a week had gone by since they'd left the island, an island Paedyn had named Adeth Peak Isle, which Devarius deemed a good name since he believed it was an island of death. He had imagined his death there several times in his dreams.

Once the camp was set up, Devarius strode over to Paedyn. "Are you ready to find this contact in Ceydar?"

"Why? So he can tell us where to go next? Can't we just stay here in camp for a few days before we're told that we're still more than halfway from our destination?"

Devarius snorted. "I know you're tired. I'm tired as well. But they are more tired than us." Devarius nodded to their twenty-seven companions in the camp.

"Then let them rest," Paedyn said.

"To what end? The longer we stay in one place, the greater chance the dragonriders have of finding us. What if they find the captain who helped us across the bay tomorrow, or the day after? Do you think he'll stay quiet about leading a party of nearly thirty across? Do you think the dragonriders won't fly over here after hearing about it?"

Paedyn gritted his teeth and exhaled loudly out his nose.

"The faster we reach the Resistance, the faster we all get a much needed rest."

"Fine. Let's get this over with."

Devarius nodded. He told Aquila to stay at the camp and watch over everyone. Then, he and Paedyn traveled north to Ceydar.

The gates at Ceydar were massive. The guards at the entrance looked at them circumspectly, and after a short interrogation, they allowed them inside.

"Where to again?" Paedyn whispered.