Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 26

Lord Briggon frowned at his boots, covered in green muck. The group attempted to make camp upon their arrival. However, the wetlands of Willow Swamp were covered in moss, water, and mud. It rained for most of the morning, giving them only wizard's flame for light, but no warmth.

The younger wizard stood under a cypress tree to take shelter from the dreary weather. He was drenched from the copious amount of rain and shivered from the cold. He would perform a dry enchantment, but until it stopped raining, he would remain soaked and miserable. He wasn't the only one. His daughter and all the Draconians, were shivering and standing close together to stay warm.

Studying his daughter, now the queen of Loboria, Lord Briggon knew she was in safe hands. Over the last several days, he grew to trust Captain Greypol. Klav was a man of his word. Watching the young captain as he proceeded to wrap Otti in her cloak to keep her warm, Lord Briggon realized he could not have hoped for a better husband for Otswana.

The wizard had been watching the two together since Klav acknowledged his identity in Otswana's vision. The captain willingly accepted his role in breaking the curses. This showed courage and honor. Lord Briggon believed the captain viewed life with a consequential perspective. His logic seemed to be based on his experiences whereas, Otti obtained her logic through reasoning. Lord Briggon believed the two balanced each other out.

However, he knew his daughter had much more to experience in order to gain the wisdom she required. Now that she was queen, she could begin a new life full of adventures. For this was why he had prepared her.

Lord Briggon knew she was not the type of queen to sit idle on a throne. Her life was meant to be explored. He knew she would face new challenges and find herself useful and needed. Lord Briggon also knew her to be quite assertive. Otti knew when to interfere and when to allow things to take its course. This was why he did not fight her on her elopement, for his vision showed it was to meant to be.

Her insistence on her marriage to Klav also showed initiative. Otswana was learning her boundaries on her control. For knowing her duty, she was not willing to be impassive and take risks that could change an outcome she desired.

"It is light enough. I believe we should set out in search of this portal," King Nathar said. He tilted his hands upward and several tiny diamonds fell from his gauntlets and into the mud below his feet. Evidently his diamond gloves were not water resistant.

Otti stepped from the captain's side and removed her cloak. "I will be of more help if I transform again."

Zyvon looked to Lord Briggon and nodded in agreement.

She marched over to the red and orange dragon under the nearest willow tree. She opened the saddle bag and placed her throwing knives and cloak into the pouch to keep dry. She disappeared on the other side of the dragon. A few minutes later, a falcon flew off into the trees.

"We will wait no more than thirty minutes, then we call her back," Lord Briggon said.

"I suppose I could transform as well," Zyvon said. "It's better than standing out here in the rain."

Lord Briggon watched the older sorcerer remove his robes and walk over to the blue dragon. Instead of a type of fowl, the wizard transformed himself into a small black dragon. Zyvon took off in a different direction.

Lord Briggon placed his left arm around his lame one. Never before, had he truly missed the use of his limb until today. His eyes turned to King Nathar, the very man who had caused this permanent damage to Lord Briggon's right arm. Lord Briggon stared at the king's cursed hands. This gave him a great deal more comfort.

Several minutes passed. The rain finally turned into a drizzle. Animals began to creep out of their holes, waking from their fitful slumber. Birds sang, frogs and toads croaked, crickets and river otters chirped. Lord Briggon shook his head at the creatures. At least they were happy.