Wild Rider (Dragon Castaway Book 1) [Complete] {2018 Wattys Longlist}

Chapter 23

Jake let out a sigh of relief as he looked over his shoulder to see that his pursuers were nowhere to be found.

"Alright, looks like we ditched the asshole brigade, now for the next step." He thought pulling the map out of his pack and spreading it over Ragnarok's neck. From the position of the mountains he was certain that he was heading in the direction he'd planned on. Unfortunately, the sun was beginning to set and in a world without GPS technology or electric lighting he'd have to find a place to hide until morning.

Scanning the forest below he spotted a rocky outcropping mostly hidden by the foliage. Bringing the twins in low he spotted an alcove tucked into one of the rocks. It wasn't his cave, but it would be enough for just one night.

The twins slowed before they gently landed in the alcove and curled up. Within minutes Jake had a fire going, pulled out a bearskin and had settled in as well.

"So much for our old home but I guess it was time that we moved on anyway " he said looking up at the stars. His place may not have been much by comparison to some of the lavish palaces he was sure the lords preferred, but it had been his home and a good one to the three of them for quite some time. Not to mention the place where the twins had been born.

He let out a sigh. He had known it was coming and it still wasn't enough to quiet the sense of loss that he felt. A low musical croon began as the twins projected calming emotions towards him through the link.

He patted them gently as his feelings of guilt began to ebb away. "You two always did know how to make me feel better, thank you, and don't worry, I promised that we would find a new home and we will."

Once again trying to get his bearings he pulled out his map and held it up to the firelight. "Ok" he said tracing out his route. "If I headed in this direction for so many hours I should nearing the southern end of the Gods' Henge mountains. If there are no other surprises, or patrols, I should reach the central highlands in a few days."

Stuffing the map back in his pack he started to lay back when a wolf howled in the distance. He looked out into the darkness for signs, but found none. "What are you worried about? You got a pair of fire breathing tanks sitting next to you and you're worrying about wolves" he chided himself.

"Hello again young one" a voice said. "You need not fear the night. My children protect you, as do I."

Jake smiled as the dragon goddess or all-mother or whatever materialized in front of him. "You've come again, this time only a few days apart. Any more frequently and I'll have to see if I can get a gift card."

He could never be too certain with emotions of either dragons or the manifestations of goddesses but thought he heard a faint snicker.

"You never cease to be endearing" she said.

"Oh, is that why you chose to plunge me into this insanity?" Jake asked.

"Well, truth be told I would have preferred a Hollywood action star, one which would have made for great box office returns, but I'll settle for you" she replied with a low croon.

"Hardy fucking har" Jake replied dryly. "You actually have a sense of humor, why do you know so much about Earth anyway?"

The goddess gave him a look that suggested he was daft. "Unlike mortals, gods and goddess are not bound to the physical plains. We are limited in our ability to interfere on them because of this, but we can move between them or, on occasion, move mortals between them."

Jake stared at her, a realization donning on him. "Are you saying you had the ability to send me home the whole time?" he said his ire rising.

As the goddess looked at him again her expression changed to one of almost pleading. "It is possible, though much energy was expended bringing you here. Besides, are you sure you really wish to return?"

Jake sighed and shook his head before looking to the twins. He didn't have much to go back to on Earth and everything to protect in his new home. For better or worse this world was his home now.

The goddess smiled in response. "As to your question about Earth and its pop culture, I am not a buzzkill like many of the gods and goddesses that you may have heard of. I rather enjoy Earth stories, especially those of heroes who like to go against convention."

Jake let out a snort. "Well you lost out at the box office in any case, people who look like me generally are only castable in very specific situations."

"This isn't a movie" she replied. "I chose you for who you are. You are righteous but you do not desire glory. You are strong and capable but do not desire to hold power over others. Above all else, you risk your own life to protect those who cannot protect themselves, why else would you have taken in Freya?"

"You have got me there, I am a bleeding heart" Jake said smiling.

"Destiny may not exist and the future may forever be in flux" she added. "But I believe that you will stymie the endless conflicts that have needlessly ended so many of the lives of both your people and my children."

Jake shook his head. "I doubt that, I'm a realist you see. Even if I did all that you say I could, war will not change. Eventually it would flare up again when someone sees an opportunity."

"I would say that you are a pessimist" she replied sternly. "You are correct that war is endemic to your people and stopping the misuse of my children may seem hopeless, but that doesn't mean you can do nothing about it. Think on what has been said here today. The path you walk will become clear in time. Maybe then you can decide if the reason that I brought you here is truly pointless"

"You're still only giving me cryptic details" Jake protested. Goddess or not he was getting frustrated.

"Everything will soon become clear" she said her glowing blue eyes boring into his own. "Archon"

Without another word the misty image dispersed leaving Jake alone with the sleeping twins.

"Well, at least I got a little bit more of the puzzle" Jake grumbled, resolving himself as he stared into the fire. "No more being reactive. I need answers and she won't give them to me, maybe I should call on Blas' brother when I get an opportunity, maybe he'll know something." It wouldn't be easy. He may have a letter of recommendation to slip into the academy, but he still had nowhere to hide the twins in such a densely populated area.

"Problems for another day, now it's time to play a chess game with this band of assholes" he yawned. Lying back down onto his blanket he shifted uncomfortably until he butted up against Valkyrie's side. Some type of instinct must have come over her because as he came to lie next to the dragon, her tail encircled him. Moments later, he fell into a peaceful sleep.