“You killed every single one of them. And I don’t mean that you just killed them. You roasted them alive. They had only made it a half mile down the mountain when you caught up with them. By the time we got there, most were already dead. The few still alive were screaming bloody murder while you threw what looked like spears at them. Only these things were made of fire. Each time one hit a soldier, his entire body lit up. When it was over, there was nothing left but smoldering corpses all over the place. Jonas actually laughed out loud and clapped his hands. He looked like a kid on Christmas morning. Anyway, a few seconds after doing all that, you collapsed again.”
Ethan was horrified. Had he really burned a hundred men to death? The idea made him grateful that it was gone from his memory. Though soldiers of the Empire were without a doubt his enemy, what Markus described was gruesome beyond imagining.
“Yeah,” said Markus, as if hearing his thoughts. “I wouldn’t want to remember that either. But something tells me it wasn’t really you. When you looked at me, it was like someone else was seeing me through your eyes. I mean, you were you. But not you. Does that make sense?”
Ethan shook his head, though Markus’ account did help a bit. Perhaps the dragon had somehow possessed him? He pushed it from his mind for the time being.
“And the dwarves?” he asked.
“You don’t have to worry about them anymore. After what they witnessed, they think you’re their savior and to blazes with what the king says. Right now a group of them is disposing of the bodies at the foot of the mountain.”
Markus’ eyes shifted to just beyond Ethan’s feet. “Jonas over here finally gave out. I guess that last sip of dwarf potion did him in. He fell asleep about two hours ago and hasn’t moved a muscle since. Birger said that if he doesn’t wake up by morning they’ll have to carry him.”
Ethan was relieved to hear that Birger was safe. “Where is he?”
“Helping with the bodies. He’ll be back soon.”
Ethan’s head was spinning. He knew Markus was telling him the truth, but his mind simply couldn’t take in the enormity of it all. He rested back down on his pack and closed his eyes.
“Are you all right?” his friend asked, sudden concern in his voice.
He nodded without opening his eyes. “I think I just need to sleep a bit more.”
Markus gave his arm a squeeze “You do that. Take as long as you want. I don’t reckon the dwarves will be going anywhere without you.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
WE’RE HERE. WE’RE waiting.
“Where are you?” cried Ethan. A dense fog surrounded him and the stench of scorched earth was burning his nostrils. “I can’t see you. Help me.”
Come to us. We have waited so long. We need you.
“I don’t know where you are.”
Time is running out. He knows you are here. He will move against you. You must come soon.
The fog lifted and he found himself atop a grassy hill overlooking a vast plain. Flying high above were six dragons. Two were black, one crimson, one blue, and two pure white. They circled for a few moments, then went into an almost vertical dive. Their beastly roars shook the ground and forced the breath from Ethan’s lungs. When all six were only a few feet from impact, they exploded in a hellish fireball.
Ethan sat up gasping, drenched in sweat, heart thudding in his chest.
The sun was not yet cresting the horizon, but the orange and purple sky stated that it would be appearing very soon. The dwarves were gathered in several small groups near the tunnel entrance, speaking in hushed whispers and stealing glances at him.
“That must have been quite a nightmare,” said Markus. He was sitting nearby, alongside the smoldering ashes of the fire.
“It was,” Ethan said. “Or I think it was. I didn’t really understand what it was about.” He knew the voice in his dream was that of a dragon, but the rest was chaotic and confusing.
“After everything you’ve been through, I’m not surprised you’re having bad dreams.”
“And there is more to come,” added a different voice.
It was Birger. The dwarf took a seat beside Markus and stared at Ethan. There was a bandage wrapped around his head.
“What happened to you?” Ethan asked.
Birger smiled. “My kinsmen weren’t exactly happy to see me. It got a bit rough.