Chapter 5: Dragon tomb

I quietly slipped out of the merchant’s house and held onto the ledge while closing and locking the window. I moved sideways before climbing up the wall to the roof. I reached out and up to grip the edge before swinging away from the wall. I lifted up and moved onto the roof slowly because of the extra weight I was carrying.

Dragon dropped onto my shoulder as I stood and started towards the other side of the building. Griffin came out of the night and landed on my other shoulder and I stopped. I looked at the small creature and then at Dragon, “What now?”

She sighed and nodded towards the narrow board across to the next house. I moved on and crossed before turning to pull the board after me. I looked at Griffin as it held out a tiny message roll. I took it and nodded as I slipped it into a pocket, “Thank you.”

I crossed the roof and knelt as Dragon and Griffin leaped into the air. I lifted the now heavy pack off and picked up the end of the rope. I tied it and lowered the pack down to the ground before dropping the rest of the rope. I grabbed the edge of the roof and dropped over the side before swinging under the eve and reaching for the stone drain.

Once I reached the ground I coiled the rope and added it to the pack before putting the pack on. A small drake dropped to cling to the front of my shirt and looked towards the street. I nodded and gave it a caress before it leaped away. I turned and headed down the alley and across to a small gate.

The small garden was well kept and I moved through it carefully. I used a narrow side gate beside the building to let myself out onto the street. I checked before stepping out and starting to walk. It was not long before I slipped in the back door to my house. I glanced at the closed door into Jasmine’s workroom as I headed through the kitchen.

I went down into the basement to a corner where several large cedar chests sat. I took the pack off and opened it and one of the chests before pouring the gold and silver coins into the chest. I went back up to the study and sat in the stuffed chair Jasmine had gotten for me. I dropped the almost empty pack beside the chair as I pulled the note out.

Dragon, Griffin and the drakes flew into the room through a half open window and swirled around before finding perches. Dragon landed on my shoulder as I unrolled and unfolded the message.

I need a favor again. The Dukes council has opened the Dragon Mage’s tomb. They wish to use the treasure he was buried with. They have yet to enter and I need you to retrieve anything that looks like it might be for a workroom. There is also a tall red staff that you absolutely must get.

I will be in your debt and will accept any bill you wish to present.

Silver

I glanced at Griffin on the bookshelf, “Did he give this to you?”

He nodded and I relaxed before looking at Dragon, “I guess we are going back out.”

She rubbed my cheek before looking toward the hall doorway. I nodded, “I know, I need to leave a message for Jasmine.”

I stood and lifted the pack and went into the kitchen. I used the thin charcoal stick and a scrap of parchment to write a note, I left it on the table before leaving. Griffin and the drakes appeared around the side of the house and Dragon began to hum softly. I smiled as I looked at her, “Feeling good tonight?”

She nodded and I smiled, those that haunted the streets knew me and stayed away. The noble and mage tombs were just outside the city walls on a large hill. The gate guards did not even come out to see who was leaving. There was a half moon above us that seemed to glow brighter as we moved away from the city and the lanterns in it.

I moved through the small and large stone tombs and went towards the crest of the hill. The tombs here were larger, almost mansions. A huge tower rose from the very crest. It had a full sized dragon wrapped around it. I stopped beside the two sleeping guards and looked to the left at the huge dragon’s head.

The black eyes almost seemed to flicker as they looked back. I smiled and bowed, “I mean no disrespect my lord. One of your kind wishes to make sure what you have will not be used to harm others.”

I waited a moment before looking at the large stone doors pried open. I moved closer and knelt to pull a tiny mage lantern. I carefully began checking for traps, Dragon nudged my cheek and pointed towards one of the carven stone tiles. It was only a couple of steps inside but I could see how one corner was raised.

I nodded and kept looking, one of the things I was wondering about was why they had buried the wizard with everything in his workroom. I finally stood and stepped inside on a tile carved into a dragon. Those were the only ones that appeared safe. The entry brightened and I looked around at walls draped with black curtains.

I moved to the stairs and knelt to look at the lower steps. Right away I noticed a pattern, like scales on the tail of the dragon. I shifted and stood before stepping on the first step. The drakes flew in suddenly and then Griffin. The drakes clung to the curtains as Griffin wheeled and dropped to land on my other shoulder.

He patted my face and pointed back towards the door. I glanced back and murmured, “Someone is coming?”

He nodded and I moved swiftly but carefully up the stairs, weaving from side to side. The workroom was on the next landing and I stared around before stepping off the path of carven tiles. A roar and scream split the night and my drakes were suddenly flying around me as flames exploded from below.

I barely even glanced back before I crossed to a stone worktable. I set Dragon and Griffin on the table before taking my pack off. I started with metal vials and small bottles. When the bench was cleared my pack was full and bulging. I glanced up at the drakes, “Go up and look for another way out.”

They had all crowded onto the large candelabra hanging from the center of the ceiling. They dropped and flew up the stairs as I picked up Dragon and Griffin. I let them climb onto my shoulders before heading towards the stairs. Smoke and heat were starting to fill the stairs as I carefully stepped on a scale and started up.