Travelers on the Horizon Book 1: On a Mission from (a) God

Chapter 2: Forging an Alliance

Odnam very slowly got out of bed the following morning. The first thing he did was groan. His wounds were healing very well, but he still ached a good amount. He was surprised to see how well his wounds had healed. As he was inspecting them in the mirror, there was then a knock on his door.

"Who is it?"

"Rhodandra."

"Come in."

As she entered the room, she asked, "How are you doing?"

"Very well," he replied. "Did Treelakka heal me?"

"No. I did. I was unharmed in the fight, so I stayed up and made sure the rest of you healed."

"You weren't hurt?"

"No."

"How?"

"I'm surprisingly nimble, for someone my size."

"Yeah, and you've got better armor. I have a feeling even if they had hit you, their rusty swords would've bounced right back off." Rhodandra chuckled. "Don't take this the wrong way, but... you're a dragonborn, aren't you?" She fell silent.

"Why would I take that the wrong way?"

"If I was wrong, which your question tells me I'm not." She lowered her head.

"This area... it is very open-minded, unlike Spalak. I am only here temporarily, but I hope to move somewhat more north."

"I'm surprised you're not with your own clan or tribe."

"Clan... that is the proper terminology, at least. I wanted to broaden my perspective and also my abilities, something I could not do in my clan. You see, I am a Paladin. I wanted to learn more, study more, but I could not do all these things in my clan. Plus... my clan, especially my father, wanted me to take the Oath of Vengeance."

"I take it you didn't want to go that path?"

"No."

"What Oath did you take?"

"Oath of the Ancients. Not only do I want to help fight the evils of this world, but I can, if need be, disguise my horns as a part of my Paladin armor. I especially did so in Spalak."

"I can't blame you there. Their hatred of Dragonborns and Tieflings is legendary." Rhodandra nodded her head.

"I was partially able to pass through thanks to some sympathetic people and the fact that I'm a runt."

Odnam chuckled and said, "I'd hate to see a full-sized one, then."

"You've never met a dragonborn before?"

"No, not up close, at least. I've never been far enough north and east to regularly meet them."

"Where were you heading, then?"

"Larya. I have very good connections with the dwarves. I need to lay low for a while. I might get some work in the mines, or maybe they'll need a hunter to go out and get food. They always appreciate that, because they'd rather spend more time in the mines than out hunting."

"I doubt I'll have much use for them."

"Why?"

"I am a white dragonborn. My breath is cold, not hot."

"Someone has never been in a mine before. It's hot as Hell down there. A breath of cold air would be much appreciated. Plus, dwarves have always felt like men look down on them. They'll see you and accept you pretty quickly, knowing how so many men treat your kind. Plus, you'll be introduced to them through someone they know and trust, and that gives you the best odds of not getting turned away, or worse."