Omensent: Wrath of a Dragon God (5 page)

"He went on to war
n me that the Draco was preparing to reclaim the world, and the
I
was somehow the key to how He was going to achieve His goals."

"What would a god need with a mortal?" Shirk asked in confusion. "If this Draco
is actually a god, then couldn't He just use His power to carry out His plans?"

"If you believe in the ancient tales," Damarius told them in a sagely tone. "
the gods all once roamed this world, but they began to war amongst one another. After a number of explosive confrontations, they all finally agreed that they're quarrelling would soon consume the world, and that they would all have to leave to avoid its complete destruction, allowing its dominion to fall into the hands of destiny. Since leaving the world to the mortals, the gods only interact with mortals through certain chosen people, priests, prophets, monks, and the like."

"Well," Damion declared
in a firm voice. "He's mistaken if He thinks I'm going to help Him take over the world. Besides, there isn't really any proof that the dragon god
has
returned."

"There is someone who may be able to tell us if
He has, though." Dar reminded them. "If anyone would know what happened to that constellation,
and
if the rumors are true, it would be Tempest."

"You're right." Damion agreed, handing Leia over to her mother. "Tempest
would
probably have a bit more insight in the subject. I'll go pay her a visit later tonight. I'll also get in touch with Slither and have him scare off those highwaymen."

"Just make sure that he brings us back whatever valuables they leave behind." Shirk told him, a greedy gleam in his eyes. "They had collected quite a bite of treasure from the caravans that they have already ambushed.
It would be a shame to just leave it all there."

Chapter 3

Later that evening, after he had spent the day enjoying the company of his friends and family while they celebrated the anniversary of Leia's birth, Damion helped Raven tuck the weary young child into her bed, then set off in search of Slither.

Snowfeather, who had spent the majority of the day sleeping in a dark room adjoining their private quarters, emerged to glide silently overhead, keeping watch for any hidden dangers.

It didn't take long to locate the crippled shadowspawn, who appeared from the edge of the forest as soon as he approached. After ordering the beast to gather a few dozen dragonspawn to aid it in running off the bandits, carefully stressing that no one was to be killed, he hurried off to pay a visit to Tempest in her remote mountain lair.

He quickly moved
through the rough countryside on foot until it began to grow too treacherous, then he paused, using his magic to slip into the form of a large black panther. In this new form, he was able to travel across the mountainous terrain much faster, and he soon arrived at the mouth of the scarlet dragon's hidden lair, located high up on a nearly unscaleable cliff side.

"
Why don't you go ahead and go hunting."
The huge warrior told Snowfeather as he shifted back into his own form.
"It may be a while before I am ready to return to Sevria."

"Very well."
Snowfeather hooted, disappearing into the darkness on silent wings.
"I will be nearby searching for something to eat. Let me know when you are ready to return."

Damion carefully made his way deeper into the cavern, following it
deep into the cliff side, until it finally opened up into a huge chamber that was littered with glittering treasure. Huge lumps of pure gold, silver, and platinum lay scattered about in large piles, mixed with gigantic uncut gems of every color and hue. Piles of coins lay heaped in great golden mounds, surrounded by huge glittering diamonds, all seemingly cast aside carelessly.

In the center of the hoard of treasure, sleeping with her wings and tail tucked close to her massive body,
was the enormous scarlet dragon Tempest. The huge beast open one huge orb-like eye, and fixed it on him as he approached. "Dragonkin!" She rumbled in surprise, lifting her head from the large pile of gold coins that she had been using as a pillow. "I'm rather surprised at seeing you here. It's the anniversary of your first offspring's birth, is it not?"

"It is," Damion told her with a nod. "
but some unsettling rumors have reached my ears, and I was hoping that you may have some insight on their origins."

"I'll certainly try my best." The huge beast settled before him. "What are these rumors you have been hearing?"

"I was returning from Sierra late last night, and the castle guard alerted me to the fact that Slither had been seen lurking around the edge of the forest."

Tempest made an indelicate sound. "I don't see how you can associate with that creature. It is an abomination."

"Slither isn't so bad, once you get used to him. Besides, he's done a great job at keeping the rest of the dragonspawn in check. Since he took the horde in hand, there hasn't been a single report of a dragonspawn attack anywhere in the mountains."

"Well, I guess it
may
be good for something." The huge dragon conceded reluctantly.

Damion laughed. "Anyway, I figured he was allowing himself to be seen to get my attention, so I ventured out to see him." His face fell.
"He said that there were rumors spreading through the horde that the dragon god, Draco, had returned to the world once again."

Tempest sat in thoughtful silence for several long moments, then finally asked. "Was that all it had to say?"

Damion shook his head. "He warned me that Draco had returned to reclaim the world that once belonged Him and His children, and that
I
was the tool in which He would achieve His goals." He looked up at her with concern. "I would have dismissed it as nonsense if not for the fact the constellation of the dragon god has disappeared from the heavens. Damarius seems to think that the dragonspawn are just creating stories to help explain its disappearance, but..." His expression was one of doubt.

The huge dragon looked grim. "It was exactly one year ago tonight that the constellation of the
dragon god, Draco, disappeared from its place among the stars, where He had watched over this world for untold eons. It is safe to say that every serpent on the planet felt the moment when He decided to abandon His watch over His children."

Damion shuddered. "I remember the sudden feeling of dread, and the overwhelming sensation that something was horribly wrong. That's when I
went outside and saw the constellation had vanished."

"We all felt that same dread." She murmured in a subdued voice. "You, the dragons, the dragonspawn, we all felt the moment that Draco left
His place among the heavens. The entire universe heaved and convulsed around us. It's not often when a god decides to leave their place watching over their children, and the tremors from their footsteps can be felt throughout all of creation."

"So the constellations really
are
the gods looking down upon us?"

Tempest nodded. "Every group of stars belongs to a god, and every god has
an opposite watching their every move from across the heavens."

"Every god has an opposite?" Damion was surprised by this revelation. "
Like a rival?"

"
Precisely. Everything has an opposite. Light and dark, black and white, day and night. There is a balance that must always be maintained for the universe to continue to exist."

Damion took a moment to absorb this. "So
does Draco have a rival?"

"Of course. Her name
is Estheryal, the Serpent Mother. Her constellation is only visible on the darkest of nights."

"What will
She do now that Draco has vanished from the heavens?"

Tempest grunted, and shook her head. "There's no predicting what a god may choose to do. But if I were guess,
She will do what most gods do, She will watch."

Damion's expression had grown concerned. "Do
you
think that Draco has returned?"

T
empest shrugged. "I'm not sure, but if there are rumors floating around that He has returned to this world,
I
certainly wouldn't dismiss them."

"Don't you think
He would have made His presence known once He returned?"

Tempest scratched her scaly chin thoughtfully. "It's hard to know the mind of any god, but I do know that they
must
work through mortals. They were forced to leave this world thousands of years ago to keep their various wars from destroying the entire planet. With they left, they all agreed never to take a direct hand in the events and affairs of mortals. If they were to take direct action in the events that shape our would, their rivals would immediately move to counter them, renewing their age old war. As long as they use mortals to carry out their biddings, the accord between the gods continues to remain binding."

Damion frowned. "Slither said that the rumors say that
He will achieve His goals through
me
." He was silent for a moment. "Is there any way for us to locate Him, if He
has
returned, that is?"

Tempest shook her great head. "He is a god. He will not be found, unless
He wishes to be found. Though their footsteps may resound throughout the universe, a god can still conceal their presence from anyone they choose." She gave him an amused look. "Were you planning to go charging off on a new quest to face a dragon god? Is the idea of facing a mere dragon no longer thrilling enough for you?"

Damion laughed. "I've had quite enough of that, thank you! I am quite content in my role as father. Leia has brought a peace into my life unlike anything I have known before." His face fell. "But
these rumors have me worried. I do not want my wife and child put into danger."

Tempest nodded approvingly. "I would expect no less from you, Dragonkin." She heaved a great sigh of regret. "We may have blundered when we destroyed the brood. I have no doubt that their deaths caused
Draco great anger. Looking back, it may have been better to try to force another oath from the brood mother, and send them back to their banishment."

Damion shook his head. "She would have never have consented to that. She would
have rather seen her brood destroyed before returning to her banishment."

"It no longer matters. The deaths of so many shadow dragons
surely drew Draco's attention. If He has returned,
that
would be the reason."