A massive shape greeted him as he emerged from the entrance.
It was a great, hulking, predatory beast. Out of reflex Draga reached to touch
its mind. Wyvern were the most dangerous creatures in the air, a fitting mount
for one such as Draga. He found its conscience easily and bent its will to his
own. The creature lowered itself for him
to climb and Draga used one of its heavily muscled forelimbs to lift himself
onto its back. The beast gave a cry and launched into the air with the
thunderous beating of great wings.
Draga left the forest then looked down on the city of
Caribeth. It was a sprawling city at the mouth of the river that gave it its
name. For as long as he could remember it had been his home, but no more. He
had another now. There was no need for this one.
In order for him to truly be free Draga had to erase
everything that had been part of his old life. Draga raised his arms then
closed his eyes. He saw the images of his plan for the city and the commands
came to him without effort.
First he heard a whistle, then a boom as the fiery rock
struck and exploded with the force of a meteor. He could hear the screams.
These were followed by another whistling sound. This time he felt the passing
of the stone, as well as its heat as it descended on the city. Another followed
that one, and then another.
Finally he saw the results of his anger and was
satisfied. Raging fires besieged the
city and the spot where his father’s house had been was a deep crater that was
littered with burning debris. Any who
survived the assault did so out of luck. Sama was gone; his entire past was
erased. It was now time to take what was his. He had been denied his entire
life, treated as second best, not worth the time to be noticed for his true
gifts. However another had noticed and given him his due.
An image came to him; it was the vision of a white tower
sitting in the center of a maze of gardens and pools. There was the Gate of Irindia. A gateway that would allow him to go anywhere in
Irindia he wanted. However, it was controlled by powerful magic, which could
only be freed with the blessing of Empress Alassa.
You will build an army unlike
anything that has ever been seen, and you will sweep aside all that oppose you, the voice had told him as he had
left the chamber. You will take this region, and then Irindia itself, for your own,
the voice promised.
The voice had kept its promises. There was no reason to
think that it wouldn’t continue. I will
have everything I want, Draga told himself.
The voice
was cold in its agreement. Yes, you will.
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