The Gift Of Power | Wattys 2020 (Dance of Power Trilogy: Book 1)

Reunion

Scáth and his dragons were camped in the forest, planning their next move. They had managed to make it out of the cities boundaries while it was still dark. Now they had been forced to land and make camp as the sky began to lighten. Preferring to not risk being seen until they were farther away from the heart of the empire. Hadrian's forces were centralized around the capital, but the provinces were still protected by militia. Mostly untrained sons of nobles or volunteer recruits looking for a better life. Their numbers spread rather thin sometimes.

Neither the army or militia posed any real threat to the man and his dragon, but Scáth wasn't really in the mood for more fighting. What he wouldn't give to wipe the last four years from his memory. Unfortunately, life didn't work that way. The best he could do was wash the physical blood from his hands, and then simply try to bear the emotional burden of the remainder. There were no distractions great enough to let him escape his own mind. For now, Scáth just wanted to get as far away from Rome as he was able.

It was while he and Toothless were looking over a map of the empire that the stranger walked silently into the clearing. He showed no fear at the sight of the night fury. Simply seating himself opposite the group and waiting to be noticed. Looking up, the young man swore in surprise and reached for his sword hilt. Threatening growls issuing from the two dragons. Holding his hands up in a show of surrender, the other man began to speak in Latin.

"My name is Ilweran Lerinasson and I was told where I could find you by the Druidess Bríghid. We, my Order and I, have been searching for you for quite some time. I have been tasked with bringing you safely back to the Council of Elders on Asgard. I will explain as much as I can on the way, but we must leave now if you want to avoid the Roman soldiers that are already assembling to seek you out." Then he added at Scáth's look of surprise, "I searched the city first and witnessed their preparations myself."

Scáth had no idea what this stranger was talking about or how he had found him here. He had mentioned knowing Bríghid, which surprised him. How did he know her? Why would this Council be searching for him? Did he mean the real Asgard, as in the home of the gods?

None of it made any sense. Perhaps it would be better to question this man on the road though if he was correct about the troops. Someone must have spotted him leaving after all. He had no concerns that he and Toothless could not defeat the men, but why would he when it was simply easier to outrun them.

He was just about to agree to accompany the stranger out of the empire only, as he was beginning to doubt the man's sanity, when suddenly a great white and gold dragon erupted from the trees behind them. It looked similar to a monstrous nightmare, but was at least two or three times larger than any Scáth had ever seen. It was also wearing a saddle! From atop this saddle, a sleek black raven took off and came to rest on Ilweran's shoulder. Turning his head towards it he said, "please return immediately and tell Odin that I have found the rider."

Scáth's head was spinning. He surely didn't mean Odin Allfather. This was getting even more insane. "Erm, that wasn't..."

"Huginn? Indeed it was. He has been travelling with me. Just be glad that it was him and not one of his wolf brothers that came." Here the man stopped to allow a small shudder. "I know they are all loyal enough to Odin, but they still make me uneasy. Now come on. We have a long ways to go and I am sure you are just bursting with questions for me. This, by the way, is my dragon Tintallë." He patted the huge nightmare's nose affectionately.

Well, Scáth thought to himself, he was well and truly crazy now. Must have been all those years of fighting. He might as well follow this strange man and his giant dragon to gods know where. Apparently Bríghid had sent him here. Besides, he reminded himself, this strange man also rode a dragon. The huge gold and white beast made Toothless look like a child. This might also be exactly the thing he was hoping for. Leaving Midgard seemed like a pretty good way to escape the Romans.