Page 59 of Dragon Sword

He smiled and nodded before turning his grim expression to our foe. Varjo spread his arms out and tendrils slithered out of his chest. They shot out at us as we raised the sword. The eagle fanned the flames, sending the blade soaring into the sky above our heads. Alisa’s guard protected us, scorching and regrowing time and time again.

“This is for Steve!” Sylvia shouted as she fired off all the barrels at the same time. Dozens of magic streams shot across the short distance and struck the tendrils, knocking many off their course.

That gave us just the opening we needed. Will and I gave a great cry as we swung downward, slicing the air in a fiery storm as the blade slammed down on our foe. Varjo flung up his arms to protect himself but the weak, rotten flesh could do nothing against our determination. The blade cut through his body and sliced him into two. A hideous black cloud escaped the shattered husk and floated up before a wind caught it. The mist was dispersed with a low, terrible cry that rang out through the woods. The sound swept over the trees and the fog lifted as the noise faded until nothing remained but the pristine forest.

Exhaustion swept over me and I collapsed to my knees. Will knelt and grasped my arms with his shaky hands. I looked up and he smiled at me. “Brilliant.”

I blushed before both of us were nearly bowled over by an over-exuberant Sylvia. “We did it!” she crowed as she hugged both of us.

Alisa and the great eagle come up behind us, both smiling with admiration. “Bravo, protectors of the city,” Alisa complimented us.

The great eagle bowed his head to Will. “My flock owes you a debt of gratitude we can never repay.”

Will grinned at him. “I would dearly like to have a more noble title if that can be arranged.”

The eagle’s eyes twinkled. “I will see what will suit you.”

Loud screeches from above gave us a warning before the trio of tag-along eagles landed. “News, Sire!” one of them eagerly reported. “The elves were rejoicing that their infected were cured!” I noticed Sylvia’s eyes lit up.

Their king spread his wings. “Then we shall see if the same has happened to our flock! To the sky!” The four eagles flew up and soon disappeared.

“That means I’m off!” Sylvia spoke up as she hefted her bag and weapon over her shoulders. She gave us a smile and a lazy salute. “Thanks for the help. I’ll treat you to a meal whenever you like. It’s on me.”

“Particularly after the reward has been cashed in?” Will mused with a smile.

She grinned. “Definitely. See ya.” And with that, she scampered off to see her beloved partner.

Alisa bowed her head to us. “I will take my leave and see how that the young general is freed and given his dues.” A gentle smile lay on her lips as she turned and walked away.

I looked about us. We were all alone in the ruins of the stone circle. “Is it really over?” I asked my husband.

He wrapped his arms around me and smiled. “Truly.”

I leaned my cheek against his chest and closed my eyes. “Good. I’m feeling pretty tired.”

He set his chin atop my head and rubbed my back with his hands. “We’ll return to the manor house. You will get the proper rest there.”

Famous last words. We were about to run into our biggest adventure yet and the new life growing inside me could hardly wait.