The Dark Lord's Design (Dawn of Wizards Book 3) by Jeffrey L. Kohanek

Author:Jeffrey L. Kohanek [Kohanek, Jeffrey L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fallbrandt Press
Published: 2024-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

An Expansive View

The ascent up the hillside consisted of thousands of stairs and consumed a significant portion of the morning. As he climbed, Ian considered the tale Draxan had told them about his master and how they came to live in the remote yet gorgeous valley. He tried to imagine what it would be like to live for thousands of years without joy, love, taste, adventure, discovery, or any other rewards that motivate people to work toward something they believe in. Worse, Draxan and the other citizens were under Eidolon’s control for the entire duration. It was slavery of another sort – slavery that had lasted for a hundred lifetimes. Although Ian was merely trying to save his own life, his actions had destroyed Eidolon and ended the curse. He didn’t know if he should feel proud to have done something so monumental for Draxan and his people or if he should feel ashamed that his motives had been so self-serving.

He reached a landing, paused, and looked down while gasping for air. The sun shone down on the Valley of Gold. Rushing water tumbled down the cliff wall across the crater from where he stood. The falls poured into the deep blue waters of the lake. With the green island and ring of gray stone pillars in the center, it made for a majestic view even when discounting the city of gold. Add that in, and Ian could think of no place he had ever visited that was more impactful. Only Havenfall approached its grandeur. I can see how Eidolon was tricked into coming here. Had I seen this in a vision, I’d have wanted to visit as well. He turned back to the staircase above him, where his companions were already turning the next switchback alongside Draxan. Not wishing to be left behind, Ian took a deep breath and resumed his climb. Thankfully, he carried no extra weight. He had lost his pack days earlier. As for Lionel, the drake glided high above the crater, turning in broad, lazy circles.

When Ian reached the next turn, he looked up and realized he was only two switchbacks from reaching the top. With his destination in sight, he increased his pace in an effort to catch up to the others. He focused on each stair, pumping his arms while panting in time with his rapid strides. Again, he found himself thankful for his training. Half a year of regularly scaling a mountain, among his other physical training, had improved his strength and endurance and enabled him to function much better than he would have otherwise. Two hours after he had begun his ascent, Ian crested the final stair and climbed up onto a rocky plateau.

Draxan stood a few strides away while Vic, Revita, and Ahni faced him. Ian approached even as Revita squatted and set Lint on the ground.

“Don’t cause any trouble, Pipsqueak.” Revita pointed a finger of warning at the brownie as she stood upright.

Lint crossed his arms. “I do not ask for trouble.

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