Chapter 16: Iuegova

Givontair:

I had to leave Nathaniel and Erik back at Tara's. Of all the reasons behind me visiting the town of Iuegova, buying chickens was never one in the past. I suppose that I don't have much to complain about.

 I do need to stock up on more bandages, and on new thread for stitching. Not only that, but I always run out of thread before I restock.

When I see the Rapurnonium Fork of the Caraurogon River, I know I am heading the right way. I look right and then left. The river bed is wide, and there are no bridges to be seen. I grin, and transform into my dragon form.

 Now, that Nathaniel is not with me, I don't have to hide. What would happen if I am seen? I am one of the few remaining elder dragons around. Not to mention, that I am also neutral when it comes to dragon-non-dragon relations. 

With a couple of flaps of my wings, I am up in the air. I don't stop ascending, until the clouds begin to hide my bulk. I can always transform back on Iuegova Hill. People still think it is cursed, so no one will care if a dragon is spotted there. 

As I fly, I pay attention for any signs of the town. The deciduous forest stretches like a never-ending sea. I resist the urge to roar. At times like these, my inner dragon likes to roam free.

Yet, I am on a mission. I only lament the fact, that I will need to make the return trip with a wagon. There are still no bottomless bags which can be used for the transportation of living beings. Much to my regret. 

After two hours of following the Rapurnonium Fork, I see a town before me. It is almost night; the sun is almost hidden from sight. Yet, everything is bathed in that soft glow, that comes with each sunset. When I land on Iuegova Hill, my nose twitches. 

There is something foul in the air. Something that I can't pinpoint. I change into my human form, and begin to go towards the stairs, which lead to the town. If this smell is what I think it is, then I need Nathaniel to help me. He won't be recovering anytime soon, though. 

Lost in thought, I climb down from the hill. The gate that is before me is locked, but I make short work of the lock. When I am on the other side, I lock it back up. Least the town's folk find out that I have been there.  

It might be close to being nighttime, but that doesn't mean that the streets should be as deserted as they are now. The stalls are packed, no children play in the streets. More than that, the shutters on the windows of the houses are drawn. 

I can smell the foul smell that comes from the hill, even when I enter the market's district. Much to my luck, there seems to be a single stall still open. The merchant is packing everything for the night. I go to him. 

"Can you tell me what happened here, sir?" I ask the man. He looks at me, and sizes me up. Then, he sighs. 

"You better run while you still can," the merchant says. "Before the foul smell gets to you." 

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"When did it begin?" I ask. 

"About two weeks ago. There was this dragon shifter that helped the Ginnings family when they came down with the cold. When the red head left, the stench from the hill began. People have been having nightmares, and trouble breathing."

"A red-haired man is responsible?" I ask. This is the second time in so many days, that I doubt Ulcer. Yet, a part of me knows, that curses and poison are not his preferred weapons. 

"Wish I knew for certain. He healed a lot of people. I don't want to speak ill of him," the merchant then begins to pack his things again. Dismissing me. 

"Wait, does something come down from the Hill at night?" I ask. 

"I don't know. I feel slight bites in my skin, when I go to sleep. Yet, when I open my eyes to see who did it, there is no one in my room with me," these words worry me. Yet, I also get an idea about what is plaguing this town. 

"Tell me, is the hill a graveyard?" The merchant hums, and pauses in his packing. 

"Calling it a graveyard would be stretching it. The only thing buried in there, is Kamatu the Lich. If you can call a burial, someone who is held down in his grave by chains," he looks me straight in the eyes, as if he wants to ask something of me. Then, after a couple of seconds of internal battle, he speaks again. "Are you an adventurer? Can you deal with Kamatu? This town is not as rich as Corum, but we can still give you something of value. We do have a single sapphire, as big as an egg, in our bank." 

My inner dragon purrs at the opportunity to expand my horde. I also want to agree to take this job. Few Liches can stand against a fully grown dragon. With my mind made up, I nod. Then, I remember why I came to the town. 

"Does anyone sell farm animals in this town?" I ask the merchant. He points at a big wooden house, a little to the side. 

"Tohren sells all kinds of animals, and his prices are fair. Do you have a wagon?" The merchant asks. I shake my head. 

"He can even rent you one, but you will need to bring it back. If you wait for a while, I can introduce you to him," the offer is generous, but I don't have time. If the Lich has figured how to separate it's soul from its husk, then it will strike again tonight. 

"I need to get rid of the Lich first," I say, and smile at the merchant. "But thank you for the offer." 

"You be careful up there," the man says. I nod, and walk back the way I came from. If I put an illusion rune, no one will be the wiser about a battle between a dragon and a Lich. 

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