Chapter 11: Chapter 11: On the road

Chapter 11: On the road

Erik:

We are finally leaving Portius. Sure, we had to go through tests, to make sure we are not infectious. But after that cleared up, we were allowed to go out of the town. 

Now, I don't know what happened between Givontair and Nathaniel, but the tension between them has all but faded away. Givontair practically hovers over Nathaniel as if he will lose him, if the dragon slayer is not close by.

Which is no different from what Nathaniel is doing. He made us some venison stew yesterday, and made sure to place fresh parsley in Givontair's bowl. I am happy that they now get along. 

We reach a fork in the road, and I look around for any road signs. Yet, there are none. 

"Should we go right or left?" Nathaniel asks. Givontair just shrugs. 

"We would have been in Corum already, if you two just let me transform," this is an old argument for Givontair. It doesn't sit well with him, that he has to travel on foot. 

"You are supposed to be dead, remember?" Nathaniel asks. I look at him. Did he manage to talk Givontair into playing dead? 

"I didn't agree to that. Nate, I don't understand why you wish to stage my death," the dragon shifter says. I also don't understand it. Givontair is a healer. Surely, there is a list with peaceful dragons who are not to be hunted? 

"For your own safety, Giv," Nathaniel says, and I blink. "I was sent after you, or have you forgotten? Besides, we need to find the red-haired wizard who disabled the runes in the Portius sewer." 

My eyes go wide at that. Are they going to abandon my quest to find my mother and the rest? I look at Givontair pleadingly, who places a hand on my head. 

"Erik is a priority. There is not telling what is happening with his mother," I feel like there is a lump in my throat at those words. Yet, I also know that my mother is strong. She will survive. At least, I hope so. 

"What if the wizard," it almost sounds like Nathaniel wants to say something else, but a look from Givontair makes him pause. "Strikes in a different town? What if he poisons wells next, instead of just disabling sewer runes?" 

"There are other healers out there," I stare at Givontair with a bemused expression. Does he not take his vows seriously?

"None of them are dragons," Nathaniel counters. "None of them can do a mass healing session." 

"Actually, I know a couple who are dragons," Givontair says, his lips in a stubborn line. "Who have the time to cater to humans. I have to find Erik's mother, before she lands in the slave markets of Corum."  

"Just think about it," Nathaniel urges. 

"Nate, will you come with us to get mom back?" I ask the dragon slayer. He grins at me, and places a hand over Givontair's. 

"I will never let Givontair out of my sight. He is precious to me," his words surprise me. It was not too long ago, when Nathaniel was looking at Givontair with distrust in his eyes. I look first at the dragon slayer, and then at the dragon. 

"Did something happen in the sewers?" I ask. Nathaniel twines his finger together with Givontair's. Their hands are still on top of my head. 

"Giv and I are mates," Nathaniel answers. I think about what he just said, and then I get a moment of clarity. Oh, so they are soulmates. That is too good to be true. 

I am just about to congratulate them, when I see a man coming towards us. His red hair is too striking, for him to be a human. Nathaniel's eyes narrow. Before he manages to take out his sword, Givontair shakes his head at him. 

"It wasn't Ulcer. I guarantee it," we wait for the figure to come closer. When he finally reaches us, he bows to Givontair. 

You are reading story The Dread Scrolls at novel35.com

"Do you need help, Givontair? Or, have you decided to keep company with necromancers?" The red-haired man asks. I blink. Wait, is Nate a necromancer? Aren't those casters? 

"Ulcer, what are you doing outside Portius? Weren't you headed towards the Dragonfly Grove?" Givontair asks.

"I heard that there is a tuberculosis outbreak in this town. So, I came to help," Nathaniel's eyes are still narrowed. Even I can see that he doesn't trust this Ulcer.  

"How do you feel about taking a truth serum?" Nathaniel asks. Givontair gives him a frown, but apart from that, doesn't comment. 

"I have nothing against that," Ulcer says. He points at a patch of grass off the road. "Come on. Let us go over there." 

Givontair carries many things. Apparently, even a picnic blanket. As we sit down, I look with interest as Nathaniel takes off a vial with a clear, white liquid. He hands it to Ulcer, and the man drinks it without asking any questions. His eyes become hazy, and his breathing becomes calmer. 

"What is your name?" Nathaniel asks, starting the interrogation. 

"Ulcer the Relentless," Ulcer says. Nathaniel grins. He snaps his fingers before Ulcer's face. When the dragon shifter doesn't so much as blink, Nathaniel turns towards Givontair. 

"He is your friend, and a fellow dragon. You should ask the questions," it is good that Nathaniel has this much trust in Givontair. That just means that he won't attack the dragon anytime soon. 

"Ulcer, when was the last time you were in Portius?" Givontair asks. 

"Ten years ago," Ulcer says, still out of it. 

Givontair looks at Nathaniel with a triumphant smile on his lips. 

"See? I told you it wasn't him," Giv says. Nathaniel frowns. 

"Ask him something more specific," Nate urges. Givontair clears his throat, and speaks again. 

"Ulcer, do you know negating runes?" Givontair asks next. 

"I am no runesmith. I don't know any," Ulcer says. This prompts Givontair to take out a vial, and hand it to Ulcer. 

"Drink. We know now that it wasn't your doing," in a couple of minutes, Ulcer's hazy look is replaced with a more focused one. 

"If it wasn't him, then who?" Nathaniel asks. 

"We can let the guards do the chasing. Erik needs to find his mother," it almost sounds like Givontair doesn't care about all the people who are getting sick. Yet, I know that it is simply a front. He will help everyone he can, even if it takes him more time.  

 

 

 

You can find story with these keywords: The Dread Scrolls, Read The Dread Scrolls, The Dread Scrolls novel, The Dread Scrolls book, The Dread Scrolls story, The Dread Scrolls full, The Dread Scrolls Latest Chapter