The Heir of Kings

Chapter Ten: The Lord of the Black Dragons

It was a rocky and barren landscape of rough stones covered in white moss while smoke rose further up. Thankfully, there wasn't much wind, but the journey was still challenging. Relma became aware her boots were wrong for it. Ronald had brought an extra cloak and clothes, but more was needed as they increased. It led sloping upwards to the knees of the black mountain. Animal bones could be seen here and there, and this place had an aura of desolation.

Relma didn't like it and wondered why anyone would live here. She almost wanted to go back into the forest fire. Then she thought better of that idea and wished she were home in bed. It would be nice to be back before this adventure nonsense happened.

So much for wishing their problems away; it wasn't an option.

"This isn't..." began Ronald. "Where are we?"

"On the northern edge of the forest, if I have a guess," said Estela.

"Northern edge?" asked Relma. "But that is in Wrynncurth's territory."

"We could go back into the blazing inferno if you want," said Estela.

"Be serious, Estela," said Relma. "We have to get to Gel Carn. We can wait until the flames die down and then-"

"Be hunted down by Ajax?" noted Estela.

"Estela is right, Relma," said Ronald. "We're going to have to go a bit up and then make our way along the crags."

"We'll have to watch out for dragons," said Estela. "Wrynncurth is sure to have sentries flying above."

"If he does, then some will be coming here soon," said Relma. "They'll be attracted to the flames. So we should get out of sight."

"But there is nowhere to hide here," noted Ronald.

Relma looked up at the barren peaks. Then she noticed some piled stones like a marker. She pointed toward them. "What about those stones. Quick."

They made for them. As they did, Relma felt the cold seeping into her. This place was cold in a physical sense but also in a spiritual one. She had the feeling that nothing lived here in this place. It was nothing natural anyway.

Soon, they had gotten behind the stones and found that they were piled in such a way as to make an alcove. Like someone had made them for shelter. But who?

Either way, they could only be seen from one side like this. And then only if someone looked right at them. They huddled together and stayed close for warmth. Relma put her hands within her sleeves and shuddered.

"How could it get this cold this quickly?" asked Estela.

"I don't know," said Ronald, "but I'll light a fire. That will warm us up."

"Someone could follow the smoke right to us," noted Estela.

"Do you want to freeze to death?" asked Ronald. "No one will notice with all the smoke coming off the fire."

Sure enough, the fire had spread to the eaves. The flames were now burning brightly, and the smoke rose ever higher. Ronald didn't bother to make the point again. Instead, he laid out some firewood he had brought and took some out of Estela's pack. Then he set about making a fire.

Once it was blazing, he produced a cooking pot and several ingredients. Using some salted meat, I began to cook a meal. Relma realized that she hadn't eaten anything all day. When the food was done, she wolfed it down with the others.

"I'll admit," said Estela, "it was a good idea to bring extra."

"Mmmph," said Anya, struggling in a corner.