Chapter 35
Chapter
Thirty-Five
The sunlight warmed Konrad’s scales. He flapped his wings, flying over the farmland in the direction of the White Monastery.
Specks of humans moved through the fields, heading home after a hard day’s work.
These were the half-brethren, those who lived on the Island of the Way of the Dove but who were not monks themselves.
Still, they took vows, not as strict as those the monks took, and they lived by the rules and beneath the protection of the monks.
Konrad glanced back. Wraith sat in the harness. He had one hand pressed to Konrad’s scales. The other held the pommel. His eyes remained closed, his head tilted back. Black hair flew wildly behind him. He smiled.
He looks at peace.
Konrad flew slow so as not to jostle or disturb Wraith. It had been a good afternoon. They’d talked about necromancy. Konrad had not lost his temper or gone on a tirade about the evils of necromancers or called them repulsive and disgusting.
Not that he now thought the necromancers to be good. Not in the least. But he did not wish to take that hatred out on Wraith. And he had come around to the idea that not all aspects of necromancy were evil.
After all, Wraith was a reaper. A psychopomp. He helped the dead find peace.
Konrad had even seen him at work …. Kind of. He’d not seen the dead girl or where she went. But clearly Wraith wasn’t like other necromancers who raised the dead and compelled them to fight.
Wraith was better than that. Konrad could be proud of Wraith and the necromantic work he did. Although, the thought still made Konrad uneasy and would take some getting used to.
Maybe Wraith’s abilities were why he seemed to be a bit of an outsider with those from Necros. Which, honestly, made Konrad dislike the other necromancers even more.
Point was, Konrad should not extend his loathing of necromancers to Wraith. He’d been wrong to do so initially. And now he was no longer dreading his future with a necromancer.
He liked Wraith. Respected him and no longer had the desire to shove him in some isolated part of the castle where Konrad would never have to see him again. Konrad wanted him around. He even liked the idea of Umbra running around the Castle of the Dragons.
It will be nice to have a dog once more. Even if the dog is an undead hellhound.
Konrad hoped the picnic he’d set up had helped to make up somewhat for how rude and mean he’d been to Wraith. Wraith had seemed to enjoy it as he lay on the blankets and cushions in the tent.
They’d drunk sparkling wine and nibbled on pastries and fruit. It had been nice. But all good things had to come to an end, and they had to return to the White Monastery. At least soon, the peace treaty would be completed and they could get the fuck off this island and be back in Draconia.
An idea struck Konrad.
Wraith had opened up to him today. But Konrad had not revealed much of himself. Without giving himself time to think, Konrad dipped his wings and turned, heading away from the White Monastery.
Wraith’s body weight adjusted. Konrad glanced back. Wraith frowned as he glanced back in the direction of the White Monastery. However, Konrad could not explain his thoughts or the change of plan. Not whilst in his dragon form.
Maybe I should turn back. But Wraith did not look too uncertain or nervous. Just mildly curious.
He trusts me. The thought warmed his blood. So Konrad continued flying. They flew over the sea, crossing into Draconia. Konrad kept glancing back. Wraith looked in all directions, taking in the landscape. But his expression remained relaxed.
Konrad brought them down in the middle of a mountain range, halfway up a mountain. Wraith climbed off. He took off the saddle and pack from Konrad’s back.
Konrad shifted.
“Where are we?” Wraith asked.
“We are in the Densen Mountains in Draconia.”
“Draconia?” Wraith’s eyes widened.
Had he not realised where they were flying? Konrad had assumed that Wraith would be unaware of exactly where they were. But he’d thought Wraith would be able to work out they were in Draconia based on where they’d flown.
Konrad took his hand. “I wanted to show you something. Something I’ve never shown anyone before.”
He led Wraith through the mountains. No paths marked their way. But thankfully, there wasn’t much growth on this part of the mountain. Finally, Konrad brought Wraith to a cave entrance, so small that one had to turn their body and enter side-on.
Konrad entered first. Wraith followed, with greater ease than Konrad, since he was slenderer.
“Wait here.” Konrad felt along the wall as he made his way into the cave. A satchel hung from a jutting piece of rock. He grabbed it and returned to Wraith.
Wraith gazed straight ahead, staring into the darkness of the cave. “Not many humans have died here.”
“You can sense that?” Konrad opened the satchel. He pulled out a torch, a leather flask of oil, and matches. He soaked the Hessian fabric of the torch in oil.
Wraith nodded. “It’s strange. I don’t think I’ve ever been somewhere before where so few people have died.”
“Well, this mountain range is pretty out of the way. Few, if any, come here.” Konrad set the torch alight. “Now, are you ready to see my secret?”
Wraith nodded and smiled.
Walking side by side, Konrad led him further into the cave. The flames cast dancing light and shadows on the uneven dark, orangey-brown rock walls.
“Just a little further ahead,” Konrad said.
Then the cave opened up.
Wraith sucked in a breath. “Konrad! What is this place?”