Talk To Dragons

Just as they were told, it wasn't long before Fozen was within sight. The forest came to an end with farmland taking over, clearing the view for a great distance. The enormity of the forest could be better understood from where they were. The trees surrounded the human settlement for miles in an apparent circle, running into the base of mountains they could scarcely make out in the distance.

It would take another half-hour or so to get through the farms by the road, but they could already see their destination. Fozen was far grander than they had imagined. Surrounded by a well-kept moat before a grand wall of stone, a very large city awaited them. The tops of some tall towers and a few flags could be seen over the defenses, but not much.

"This is much more than I was expecting," Engel said. "Jack didn't exactly do this place any justice in his simple description."

"If it's such a big place, we should have no trouble finding supplies and directions," Violet said. "This is good. Things are looking good."

The wagon continued along the road at a peaceful pace. There were many humans out in the fields, bending over in the tall crops or wiping sweat from their brow. Some of them spotted the wagon as it passed by, but nothing more than a few seconds of attention was had.

When the little travelers reached the wooden bridge to a formidable gate, two guards halted them on the road. They wore armor similar to the knights they had encountered in the forest, although the two before them were quite basic-looking by comparison. An issue of rank, Violet assumed.

"Greetings, witch," one of the guards said to them. "From where do you come?"

"West Lane," Violet answered. "I saw the knights looking for cargo in the woods and Rodiger gave me this for entry."

Violet tossed the sealed scroll to the guard who had spoke and he promptly examined it.

"Very good," the guard said, before tossed back the scroll. "Have the man just inside the gate in a little shack put a stamp on this. That will verify its authenticity now that it's been unsealed."

"Open the gate!" the other guard called out.

The giant doubled doors of wood and metal band began to swing outward as more armored men pushed and pulled it open. It didn't look like a pleasant job, but it must keep the men in shape, Violet thought.

"A curiosity, witch," the guard said before the wagon could move. "What other than West Lane lies in that direction? I am ashamed to admit that I've never been beyond the farmlands due to life in the guard."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know," Violet answered. "I didn't even know West Lane was there. Or the road. My comrade and I were completely lost several days ago."

The little witch turned to look back upon the forest they had left, and her gaze betrayed her. When her eyes met the trees she saw them consumed in a raging inferno that charred the ground and filled the sky with smoke. The sudden cry of a female scream ripped through the air and Violet's head violently began to ache.

She held her hands to her ears and g.r.o.a.n.e.d at the pain. The vision couldn't have lasted more than a few seconds before Engel struck her forehead with his own, bringing her back, but it exhausted Violet incredibly.

"Violet, what happened?" Engel questioned. "What's wrong?"

"Are you all right?" the guard asked. "Do you need a doctor?"

Violet blinked excessively, trying to gather her composure. The forest was back to normal. She heard no more painful noise.

"I'm fine," she told them. "Please, just direct us to a place where I can lie down to rest."