Chapter 231 - Trial of Courage

As they neared the gathering, Hump and Celaine dismounted.

“Celaine and I will go ahead alone, Chief,” Hump said.

“Promised gifts,” Rakar said.

Hump smiled. “Don’t worry. Let us say hello first and then you’ll have your prize.” He nodded toward the group. “I think that cart there is loaded with things for you.”

It was a large hand cart, containing a chest along with various food, equipment, and weapons. A generous gift from the looks of it, though Hump supposed there were benefits to being friends with a large pack of gnolls.

Rakar’s lips peeled back to reveal his teeth, appearing very pleased with the gifts too. He barked and order to his gnolls and they stopped, spreading out behind them.

“Thank you for bringing us here,” Celaine said.

“Is fine,” Rakar growled. “Bring back Rehk and Tokdaar. Is good. When return, must feast again!”

Hump turned to Rehk, who smiled at him. “Seems this is goodbye. I never expected to be travel companions with a gnoll, but you made our journey much easier.”

“Happy to return help,” Rehk said. “Will not forget life debt. Is not yet paid. If ever need me, I come.”

“Thank you.”

Nisha let out a whining sound and Rehk placed a paw on her head. “Strong, little one. Meet again.”

Hump and Celaine continued forward on foot. Hump felt a little bittersweet coming to the end of their journey. He hadn’t expected it, but having come to know the gnolls, he was going to miss them. They were a straightforward, practical people. Examining the people of Drakalyn, Hump suspected things were about to become a whole lot more complicated.

“Which ones are your parents?” Hump asked quietly, eyes wandering over the group.

“My father is standing next to Finn,” Celaine said. “My mother’s not here.”

The man appeared younger than Hump expected—a man in his thirties with sandy brown hair. It seemed likely that the red tint of Celaine’s came from her mother instead. He wore simple homespun clothes, the shirt dyed with bright blue pigment. Looking over the rest of the group, it seemed bright colours were commonplace outside of those dressed in their hunter’s attire. Such colours would fetch a high price back in Alveron.

Vamir had an even sharper look to him than Hump remembered. Even amongst his own people, he wore a mirthful smile on his face, and was the only one that appeared genuinely pleased to see them. He wore the cloths, leathers and furs of a hunter, and the same fine sword on his hip that he’d had in Bledsbury—a one handed weapon that complimented his speed. What Hump remembered most about him, however, was his piercing gaze. When they’d first met, Hump had sensed a danger to him, but now, he barely noticed it. Vamir had been at the peak of the third circle. A powerful adventurer, but it was likely Hump had surpassed him now, and that Celaine had caught up with her teacher.

There were many others dressed similar to Vamir, carrying a variety of weapons. They were all dragon-blooded like Celaine, a process that most people of Drakyln went through. The three Dragon Keepers that had visited the gnoll encampment were amongst the group, along with two more that wore the same black-scaled armour of the Keepers. A few children stood amongst them, watching from further back with curious eyes.

The person that drew Hump’s attention the most was an old woman. She stood clearly in front of the rest of the group, wearing an elegant white robe. Her skin was scaled, much like Vamir’s had been when he called upon his dragon blood for strength in the dungeon, and her eyes were even more brilliantly green than Celaine’s. She wore the look proudly, like a dragon taken human form.

The old woman stepped toward them as they approached and Celaine came to a nervous stop. A moment later, she caught Celaine in a fierce hug. Celaine glanced helplessly at Hump, so caught off guard that the essence of her dragon-blood made her eyes shine green.

“A year? Really?” the woman said. “You’ve been gone far too long.”

“I got a little distracted,” Celaine spurted.

The woman let go over her and stepped back, smiling. “We’ll need to have a long talk where you tell me all about it. I am glad to see you though, and I can tell you progressed far in your time away. Well done.”

The woman’s greeting unleashed the floodgates. Suddenly, the group crowded around, all of them greeting Celaine fondly.

Her father approached, drawing her into a long hug and letting out a sigh. “It’s good that you’re back. We’ve missed you.”

“Missed you too, Dad,” Celaine said quietly. “Where’s mum?”

“She’s with your sister. They’re both excited to see you. We’ve prepared your favourites.”

The two carried on talking while Vamir came up to Hump, extending a hand that Hump shook. “Good to see you lad,” he said, grinning. He looked Hump up and down. “You’ve grown. Not taller, of course, but stronger.”

Hump narrowed his eyes. “Thanks… I think.”

Vamir laughed.

The crowd parted and the old woman approached Hump, Celaine at her side. As her gaze fell on him, an intensity to it that left him uneasy. She was powerful. So powerful, Hump knew instinctively that he would be defenceless against her. He stood up a little straighter and tried not to let his nervousness show.

“Now why don’t you introduce me to your friend,” the woman said. “Wizard Humphrey, correct?”

“This is him,” Celaine said. “And Hump, this is Rena, one of our Elder Trinity.”

“I’m honoured to be here,” Hump said. “You have a beautiful home.”

Rena smiled. “It is even more beautiful from up close.” Her eyes went to Hump’s pouch as Nisha stuck her head out. “And this must be the beautiful Nishari. Hello little one.”

Nisha watched her curiously, an image of her scales flashing through their bond along with confusion. Hump would need to ask Celaine about that later.

“What happens now?” Hump asked.

“We are to hold council,” Rena said. “The others are already gathered, so if you would leave your horses in the company of my hunters, I shall take you both there.”

Someone approached Hump and took Prancer from him—they were to be stabled and tended to. One of the Dragon Keepers was left to speak with the gnolls, taking the hand cart with them. Hump waved his goodbyes and then followed Rena. Most of the crowd remained to watch the exchange, though Vamir and Dragon Keeper Tessa followed along. Celaine gave her father a smile as she passed him, and he promised they would catch up later.

She looked pleased, and Hump was happy for her. At least as far as he could tell, the reception had gone much better than she'd expected.

Stepping over the threshold of Drakalyn left Hump in awe. Essence washed over him. It felt like being watched, like having his soul scrutinised and the core of himself revealed. He’d not even had a chance to resist. This was no mortal power, but that of Owalyn. He was in her domain now, and everything within it was under her watchful gaze.

“What’s going on?” Walt whispered. “I feel something scary.”

“We’ve reached Drakalyn,” Hump said quietly. “Best you keep your mouth shut for a while I figure things out.”

“No problem! Keeping my mouth shut is somewhat of a specialty. Did I tell you—”

“Walt…”

“Right. Shutting up.”

Nisha crawled down from his shoulder and back into the pouch, searching for Walt’s stone within. She poked her head out, the stone in her mouth.

“Is everything okay?” Hump asked Vamir.

“We’ll soon find out,” he said cheerfully. “For now, just don’t say anything that could get you in trouble. And whatever that thing in Nishari’s mouth is, I suggest it does the same. Believe it or not, we’re not so fond of undead around here at the moment.”

“Right.”

Hump kept her silence, following the others through the smooth stone streets. Grass lined the ground around them, broken by beautiful trees that were pruned into all sorts of twisting and interesting shapes. The people were interesting too. Every single one of them had the build of a warrior. They were dressed in some sort of natural linen, dyed many different colours. Others wore similar leathers and cloaks to Celaine.

They came to a house near the Temple of the Everflame, beneath the Great Tree. Staring up at it, Hump couldn’t hardly believe the size. The canopy seemed as high up as a cloud.

Their destination was a small house to one side of the temple. Outside, a man and woman waited, both of them ancient and wearing the same white robes as Rena—the other members of the trinity. Both had scales and eyes similar to Rena, though not to the same extent.

“Wizard Humphrey, I must ask you to wait out here,” Rena said. “We will come for you when we’re ready.”

Hump glanced at Celaine, who gave him a small nod.

“No problem,” Hump said. “I’ll make sure not wander off.”

Everyone else went inside, leaving him alone on the road. There was a bench nearby and he took a seat, admiring the pattern of the wood. It was as if it had been grown rather than crafted, smooth wood knotting together to form a flat and comfortable surface.

It was impossible to hear what was being said in the house, so he looked around. He saw people glancing his way, but none came close. Not that he minded. He took some time to admire the village, each of the buildings intricately built with love and care. Like the clothes of the people here, they were decorated with brightly coloured paintings or carvings. Nisha crawled into his lap and curled up, a new calmness to her now that she was in the presence of Owalyn.

Once it was clear the wait would be a while, he tried to relax, closing his eyes and breathing in the essence of this place. It brimmed with nature and divinity—a gentle, nuturing force that went against everything he’d experienced from god pillars in the past. If anything, it was almost like being within Dylan’s Nature’s Spring aura.

“Wizard Humphrey,” a voice called.

Hump opened his eyes to a world of vibrant green. He was surrounded by thick leaves and branches, the light of the sun shining through pleasantly. As he looked around, his eyes fell upon a woman with antlers sticking out of her head. Silver hair draped over her shoulders and down to her feet, wrapping around her like a cloak. She wore a dress of leaves.

Hump had no doubt at who she was, though he did not feel afraid in her presence. If anything, he felt calmer. It was nothing like the intent he’d sensed when Celaine had advanced in her blessings, but he was still certain he wasn’t mistaken.

“You are Owalyn,” Hump said.

“Yes.” She smiled, and it lit up the world more brilliantly than the sun.

“Which means this is the Great Tree.”

She nodded. “I have summoned your spirit here. Do you know why?” Her voice was almost musical.

Hump thought about it, though only had one guess. “Because I have bonded with one of your dragons.”

“That is part of it, but no. I sense the essence of Uvdar on you, Wizard, yet you are not one of his warlocks.” Suddenly, her gentle presence was gone, and in its place was the huntress. “Why have you brought his foul power to my forest?”

Hump’s heart suddenly raced. He could hardly breath. His essence exploded through his body or spirit or whatever form he was sensing in complete disarray. It took everything just to think clearly.

“I come from Sheercliff City,” Hump wheezed out. “Warlocks attacked it and summoned the Trees of Damnation of Baelkor. I wielded some of their essence in the process of destroying the main tree.”

She peered into his soul, the pressure only increasing. Hump couldn’t speak any longer. He was completely and utterly powerless against her. There was nothing he could do but wait and let her see what she wished. He felt her presence like a hand through his chest, examining him.

She withdrew her power like a breath. The weight of her presence gone as quickly as it had manifested. Hump fell to the ground, gasping for breath.

“You speak the truth. I sense the mark of one of my dragons within you too—Vindari, the Daughter of Storms.”

“Yes,” Hump managed, surprised that she could still see the mark on his soul. Before he could ask about it, she continued.

“You come here for my trials then. To become one of my Keepers.”

“I do,” Hump said. “I was awaiting a meeting with the Elder Trinity before you brought me here.”

“I see. Well, allow me to save you some time. Prepare yourself. The first trial begins now,” she said, her voice booming like thunder, encompassing everything. Her eyes turning harsh, a dark green light within them. Pressure descended and Hump felt all strength leave him. “Show me the courage that faced Baelkor!”