Soldiers of Tyranny by Stephen L. Nowland

Author:Stephen L. Nowland [Nowland, Stephen L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

As much as he didn’t want to believe it, this was real. Aiden could feel the scales disappear into his skin further along his arm, and trying to pull them out was like trying to remove his own teeth. Each scale glistened with a golden lustre, and was roughly the size of one of his fingernails.

His mind whirled through the possibilities — did Ilkesh somehow curse him during the fight? Was this permanent, or would they disappear with time? When Criosa returned to his side, Aiden quickly covered his arm before she could see anything.

“Everything alright?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m just upset about the death of another dragon, or at least one of their relatives,” he blurted.

“I have no pity for the death of a monster such as this,” the princess remarked. “I despise being near it, even in death. Let’s get out of here, shall we?” Aiden nodded and followed her, with the others joining them as well.

Despite their weariness, there was no rest for anyone. Most of the soldiers had survived the poisonous fog, but Robert, seething with a cold anger, ordered them to march. Even Sir Gabriel didn’t question his instructions when told to get across the river, or be left behind. The tides were rising and within the hour, the crossing would be all but impossible.

While the weary and sickened men of the expedition waded through the river Pax, Nellise and Pacian set about healing the worst of their injuries. Sayana took her ministrations with good grace, except when the cleric was forced to snap her shoulder back into its socket.

“It could have been far worse,” Nellise counselled sympathetically as Sayana writhed in agony. “The beast might have decided to chew.” Too tired to reply, the sorceress climbed aboard one of the siege engines for a free ride across the river. Aiden thought it was a clever idea and took the next one for himself and Criosa. They leaned against one another on the ride over, each taking comfort in the other’s presence.

Although a far from comfortable perch, the gentle rocking of the conveyance lulled Aiden to sleep for a few minutes at a time, where he dreamed of flying high over a mountain range, his skin covered in golden scales. When the wagon finally lurched to a halt, Criosa nudged him awake just in time to help them make camp.

When their tent was pitched, Aiden took out some bread and cheese and scoffed them down as fast as he could. He’d never been so hungry, and almost bit down on one of his fingers by accident.

“I do so love a man with an appetite,” Criosa murmured sleepily as she watched the display of gluttony, “but would you be so kind as leave some for me?”

“Sorry,” Aiden mumbled with his mouth full of bread, suddenly aware of his behaviour. He put the remainder of their rations back into the basket for later consumption. A few yards away, Sayana sat with her back against a tree. They exchanged a look, but neither deigned to speak.

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