The Dryad's Crown (Tales from Efre Ousel Book 1) by David Hopkins

Author:David Hopkins [Hopkins, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798988140191
Publisher: Seven Coins Media
Published: 2023-09-04T16:00:00+00:00

The journey on foot to Maricel’s farming community should have taken Gydan, Cyru, and Timon a day—or two, at most, since Timon relied on a cane and needed several breaks. However, the directions “east of Penderyn and west of Hazelef Forest” lacked precision—and increased the length of their trip. The main road ended a day’s walk from Penderyn, opening to a grassy region well before the Hazelef Forest, and the road branched into numerous worn paths, each one leading to a different farming community. The paths went in several directions, so taking the “most straight one” as Timon kept pleading was not an easy call. None of the farming communities knew of Maricel or Ausdre. Worse yet, few of the people they met were able to agree on what constituted as the “Hazelef Forest.” Among the locals, they distinguished the southern region as Pen’s Forest, while the larger northern region was Hazelef Forest, but only technically so. The true Hazelef Forest was a patch much closer to the city of the same name. Every person contradicted the person prior to them, and on and on.

Each time, Gydan, Cyru, and Timon backtracked to the main road and tried again. Each time, they were a bit more irritable.

Timon would often mention how he’d never journeyed this far from the city, and this miserable experience traveling with him proved his point. He was a terrible companion on the path. He fussed and complained. Everything inconvenienced him and sent him into a litany of laments. During one of Gydan’s weaker moments, she went into a tirade. She was astounded. An actual priest of the god of agriculture had never been to a farm. Her words wounded Timon’s pride, and he stayed quiet, much to the guilt and relief of Gydan. Cyru—who was connected to Gydan’s mind, but otherwise mute, except for small chirping noises—offered to kill Timon. It was a draconic way to deal with an annoyance. Gydan reminded Cyru that they needed Timon. And Cyru reminded Gydan that a dragon doesn’t need anything or anybody.

We are titans who have endured for untold ages. All other creatures cower before us.

Gydan refrained from reminding Cyru that they, unlike other dragons, were about the size of a farm cat and not at all a titan.

Instead, Gydan broke her silence with the priest. “I’m sorry I made fun of you about the farms. I’m glad you’re with us.”

“Now, since this journey, I’ve been to several.” Timon laughed at himself. “We’ve probably been to every farm east of Penderyn, except the one we need to find. You were right, though. Earlier, you said the gods never asked me to save Penderyn. They wanted me to take care of your mother. I failed her and the gods. I can’t change the past, but I can help you get to this farm.”

I doubt his ability to get us to this farm.

“Timon, the gods may not be done with you yet.” Gydan gave Timon a playful shove. Timon scratched the back of his neck and smiled.

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