A Dragon Scorned (WIP 2nd edition)

Chapter 3

Thorar sat in silence in the middle of the small scouting boat rocking on the gentle pre-dawn waves. The two Brotherhood members, one behind and one in front of him, rowed the small vessel towards the shore still awash in moonlight. The leather of their light armor with every stroke. He wrapped his fingers tight around the warm, glowing orb he held close to his chest. The thing that kept them hidden, the thing he was responsible for as the unit's leader.

He swallowed hard.

Why am I the leader with two Brothers on board? Why didn't Urim come? Those and other questions went through his mind as he watched the boat formation ahead. They were in the second wave of vessels making their way to shore. The first group approached the white, sky high cliffs forming an impenetrable bank on either side of the entry to a large bay. The Interior Ocean cut inland on this side of the island.

Thorar looked for signs of life on the barely visible sandy shore, but except for some birds, he saw not any of the natives. Then again the cliff walls formed a natural gate to the bay, and if anyone knew they were coming its steep walls would have been a perfect defensive location to mount a surprise attack. He sighed. Despite what Urim said, deep down he still worried the orbs would not be enough to conceal them.

He squinted at the largest vessel at the head of the formation. The leader signaled them to turn left. We must be heading for the half submerged caves. He could just about see some of the dark openings. Thorar cleared his throat.

"Easy on the right side."

Saghal, the younger, red-haired dwarf at the front begun turning the boat without a word, but Burkin, the one behind Thorar, grunted something under his breath before complying.

Thorar took in a deep breath. It didn't endear him to them, that only the holder of the orb could see the other spheres, and the boats inside them. But even he had to rely on hand signals since sound did not escape the protective bubbles.

Should I say something? Thorar parted his lips. No. There's a reason Urim appointed you the leader. Maybe it's all a test? In that case he figured, he should not show weakness. He should also not disrespect those who were otherwise his superiors. It would be a tight balancing act.

Thinking of tests, Thorar stole a final glance at the far right edge of the island. The blurry, deceptively calm, waters of the Open Oceans spilled onto cliffs, that became beaches, that became a forest, that became a rocky shore... Liquid Azure, he shuddered. Even such a brief look threatened with a headache. Another shiver ran down his spine when he remembered the dreaming test Urim mentioned. For a dwarf to venture into Azure was... unthinkable.

A splash followed by a sudden jolt of the boat made him grasp the wooden side with one hand.

"Watch, how ye'r rowing!" Burkin ground his teeth and hit the water harder than necessary with his oars.

"Yes, of course Master Burkin." Saghal desperately tried to catch up with the rhythm set by his mentor.

Thorar tried not to smile. The poor kid didn't have it easy with a seemingly always angry about something mentor like Burkin. Would Urim change his friendly demeanor once I officially become his protégé? Thorar shook his head. That was hard to imagine.

He focused on the land ahead. At the center, still covered in the pre-dawn fog, rose a white tower. But rather than a strong, solid and straight shape, it bent, and spiraled and narrowed as it rose towards the heavens. As if shaped by the elements, not mortal hands. Moonlight reflected from the slick walls standing tall above all else on the island.

Well, everything except that. He turned his head left to admire the colossal mountain shielding the island from the Teeming Sea. Mountain? Thorar squinted recognizing the faint glow and the air rippling above the flat peak. A volcano... he corrected himself. Thinking about the Teaming Sea reminded him of the horrors of their journey. The screams of his comrades taken by the firestorm still echoed in his mind.