Chapter 25: The Burden of Leadership

The grey sky over the city of Diamus gave the city a sense of foreboding. It was accompanied by a light fog that kept vision limited. The kind of scenario that often preluded ill omens, dangerous beasts, and terrible disasters.

For the first time, William looked upon the city with a sense of unease and fear. All thoughts were focused on what nightmare awaited them within its walls, what hid behind the fog. Before Cutter, he never felt this way looking upon his proud city, so familiar yet so alien.

His thoughts turned the reason his life had turned upside down. Cutter had an immense headstart and her location was still unknown. Regardless, the dragoness had plenty of time to commit whatever atrocities she had planned. But what worried William the most was what had been prepared for him specifically. No doubt Cutter planned for his arrival in one way or another.

That feeling didn’t change when he arrived in Diamus safe and sound.

Now he sat in one of the safehouses because he didn’t trust the comforts and safety of his home, staring at the collection of old books that started it all spread across the desk. There was no clear indication of the order they were meant to be read, but that didn't cause his hesitation. He still struggled to absorb it all.

With a frustrated sigh, he leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. This would be much easier if he had some clue as to where Cutter had gone and what she planned next. Going after the Scale Guild was too vague. They had charters all over the Human Territories. How could they know which she intended to attack first?

The short answer was they couldn’t which left them with one option, to go to the closest charter and warn as many as they could.

That was Lady Masterson’s task, his was to return to Jeffery and get the books translated. He still believed it was a bad idea. He had his fill of involving innocents and getting them killed. Jeffery nearly died the last time he approached the man. And the fewer people who knew about this the better.

But such reservations were not a luxury afforded to him. He turned his attention to Jeffery who sat in the other available chair. It still surprised him the sheer stroke of luck that they ran into each other on the way into the city. It made things go a lot smoother and easier. Now he didn’t need to fear someone seeing them together.

Seeing the giddy smile on the scholar’s face reminded him how much the enigma fascinated him. So much history and knowledge at their fingertips. Secrets very few alive today knew. The things they could uncover would change Geolga’s understanding of history for years. A sense of pride and excitement overcame him just thinking about it.

Then he remembered what it cost to get this far and those feelings drained. The realization kept him grounded. Kept him alert. It made him consider all the options and the angles instead of rushing blindly.

Like why did so much about dragons remain unknown even to them? Those who knew kept the secret for a reason and until he knew that reason, he wouldn’t be the one to break the silence.

And that reason lay in the books that Lyndria mysteriously had written and Cutter didn’t think to destroy.

Before he could ruminate further, Jefferey’s voice brought him back to reality. “I have to say, Lord Delcatt, this is certainly quite a tale you’ve told me.” There was no mistaking the excitement in his voice, complimented by the head-splitting grin on his face. “To think the dragons possessed such abilities! One can’t help but wonder why such a thing was kept secret for so long. Was the war that devastating to dragon culture?”

“Actually, from what I believe, this power was lost long before the Great Rebellion. It seemed the dragons had entered a period of peace which made them lazy and weak.”

“A period of peace you say?” he stared at the books, seemingly lost in thought. “That would imply that something threatened them in the past, but what creature was powerful enough to threaten a dragon before the rise of humans?”

“I’m sure you can speculate later. We must focus on which books to translate first.”

“They have no respective titles so I can only suggest we pick a book at random and hope for the best. If we’re lucky, they will contain clues as to the order they go in.”

The moment William opened the book, a piece of folded paper caught his eye. Carefully, he unfolded it on the desk. It was badly frayed and faded, but it was clearly a map of Geolga.

“A map?” Jeffery asked, his face beaming. “Why would that be in there?”

William didn’t respond as he continued to scan the document. Everything Lyndria did seem deliberate. This map held some kind of hidden meaning he intended to find out. Even if it was just a map, it was a fascinating one. None of the major city-states he knew today were on it meaning it was drawn before the founding of the Human Territories.

Suddenly, Jefferey forced his way between William and the old parchment. The movement was so out of character for the scholar that William was too stunned to react properly. The look on Jefferey’s face also stopped him, his eyes were wide and his mouth slightly ajar. “It can’t be,” Jeffery whispered. “It really does exist.”

“Would you care to explain?” William asked.

Jefferey started as if he had forgotten he had company then quickly cleared his throat and pointed to a spot on the map. “This map marks the city of Opalana.”

“I see that, but what is Opalana?”

“You may have heard of it as the City of the Dead or the Mistveiled City, but it’s all the same. It’s a city in the northern region of Geolga, nestled deep within the Veiled Pass, an uncharted maze of rock shrouded in mist.”

“I’ve heard of the Veiled Pass but I’m afraid my knowledge is limited to rumor and hearsay. Has no one truly attempted to explore in all this time?”

“Oh, of course. Hundreds. Perhaps thousands, but almost none of them ever returned and there are, to this day, no detailed maps of the area. The constant fog surrounding the area makes it impossible to navigate by air or land.” He rooted around in his pack until he pulled out a worn leather-bound notebook and opened it on the desk. “But there have always been rumors that a city lies somewhere within. Supposedly, it is where this life connects to the afterlife.”

William looked at the point mentioned on the map. A mark on the paper with the faded word “Opalana” beneath but nothing else. It hardly seemed a fitting description for something described so ominously. “Likely legends meant to scare off interlopers. A city like that would make an excellent hiding place.”

“It would, assuming you can find it.” He continued to flip through the pages, his brow furrowing further with every turned sheet. “But it’s said that the only ones who can find it are the dead, the blessed, and those who have been there. Ah, here it is!” He flattened the book on the desk and stepped aside for William to read.

William had no true intention of reading it as they didn’t have time, but he glanced it over anyway. From what he could gather, it contained several long-winded explanations of concepts and theories about Opalana.

Without prompting, Jefferey launched into his explanation, “You see, the story goes that the All-Mother created the Veiled Pass as a means of protecting the door to the underworld. After the spirit is released from the body it travels there to move on to its final resting place.”

“And I guess that is why many people have attempted to confirm its existence?”

“Oh yes, A great many expeditions have been launched but none of have been successful. Then there are the legends of brave heroes who set off to rescue their loved ones from the clutches of death. They usually end in tragedy.”

“How are we certain the dragons haven’t taken control of it? The area must be much easier to navigate from the sky.”

“Unfortunately, my research indicates no dragon will go near it. According to them, it’s sacred, being a place blessed by the All-Mother and all. Anything involving Her they take very seriously. It’s also said on top of the natural defenses a dangerous beast guards it that attacks all living things that approach, and anyone who has gone to challenge said beast has never returned.”

William looked up from the book with a raised brow.

“Yes, I know it sounds like any typical haunted tale, but the fact remains the Veiled Pass and the existence of Opalana are still up for debate.” He excitedly jabbed the paper. “But this map shows the city could in fact be real! No map today marks its location because, of course, no one has confirmed its existence, but this map could hold the key!”

While it sounded ominous, it also confirmed William’s suspicions. A place like that would make the perfect hiding place and the legends of it being cursed and abandoned only added to its validity. It was the kind of thing only a dragon could manage since they lived long enough to ensure the rumor continued to spread and remained only rumor.

Either Lyndria hid there or Cutter, but his next destination was clear. The only problem was the natural defenses blocking it. Without some kind of guide, it would be a massive waste of resources and possibly lives.

“Trust not your eyes and rely on your second sight to find the way,” Jefferey said.

William lifted his head. “I’m sorry?”

“This passage here written in the corner of the map. I was so excited about Opalana, I nearly missed it!”

William turned the map over, hoping it contained some kind of special instructions other than that vague riddle, but it was blank. A quick searching the other books also yielded no more hidden maps or documents. Translating the books was their only option. He had to admit, it was a smart plan. Only those with sufficient knowledge and patience would even bother or else they had to follow someone who knew the way and there was no way of doing that.

The sound of the bell over the front door brought him back to the present. He rose from his seat, drawing his pistol and motioning for Jefferey to hide in the closet. It contained a secret passage that led to the street for quick getaways.

Jefferey was gathering materials as quickly as he could when Lady Masterson’s voice came up through the hall.

“William, are you here?” Lady Masterson called. She sounded rushed and panicked. Seconds later, she burst through the door but quickly relaxed on seeing him safe. “Good, you’re still here. Did you have any luck with the books?”

“Actually, I discovered something interesting.”

“Great. We can talk about it on the way. Gather your things.”

“Is something wrong?” he asked slowly. He studied her face and body language for any signs of a signal that something had gone wrong. She seemed worried but nothing indicated any immediate danger.

Lady Masterson hurried to the desk. “No, and we don’t have time to explain. Short version, I messed up.” She nodded to Jefferey. “I’m sorry but we’ll have to introduce ourselves later, Mr. Jackman. We don’t have time.”

William and Jefferey exchanged confused looks as Lady Masterson gathered the tomes into her bag. “I told the other charter leaders what happened,” she explained. She studied the map for a moment then carefully folded it and put it in the bag as well. “They decided that you need to be brought in for questioning.”

“Questioning?” William asked. “Am I under arrest?”

“That’s what it sounds like. If I had to guess, they want you to take the blame for the prison being destroyed.”

William clenched his jaw and said nothing. It was his fault but that was beside the point.

She began grabbing other books and writing supplies, stuffing them into a separate bag. “When I told them about Cutter, they practically ignored me. They seem more interested in ‘cleaning up your mess’ than figuring out what she’s doing.”

“Is that normal?” Jefferey asked.

“No,” William said. “If they’re ignoring such an obvious threat—”

“They’re idiots,” Lady Masterson spat. “They think preserving our reputation is our best way forward. If word gets out that one of ours orchestrated a mass prison breakout of several dangerous dragons—” She stopped and took a deep breath. “I’ve been charged with bringing you in or to be suspected of treason.”

“You had no knowledge of what I intended,” William said.

“It doesn’t matter. As your superior, it falls on me. And even if that wasn’t the case, I won’t abandon a fellow guild member to save my own skin.” She closed the bag and tossed it to Jefferey. “I didn’t tell them about you, but they probably figured it out. Please tell me you have an idea of where Cutter is hiding. The sooner we get out of the city, the better.”

“Well, we haven’t found Cutter’s exact hiding place but we do have an important lead. But it is complicated.”

“That’s fine. Complicated is better than nothing. You can explain on the way.”

“But first, I must see Marie,” William said.

“William—”

“Please. The Scale Guild knows of her whereabouts as does Cutter I’m sure. I need to know she’s safe.”

Lady Masterson studied his face for a moment then nodded. “Fair enough, but right now I’m sure that’s exactly what Cutter expects from you, not to mention the Guild once they realize you’re running. I’ll send word to her but I don’t think it’s a good idea to go near her right now.”

He wanted to protest but her logic was sound. If his actions directly put Marie in danger, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“Then can I assume we’re going to confirm the legends of Opalana?” Jefferey asked.

Lady Masterson frowned. “What’s Opalana?”

“A hidden city I suspect either Cutter or Lyndria is using as a base,” William said. He turned to Jefferey and added, “I’m sorry but we can’t—”

“I’m an adult, Lord Delcatt,” Jefferey interrupted firmly. Before anyone could move, he snatched the bag containing the Lyndria texts. “I’ve explored my fair share of dangerous regions as well. I promise you I won’t be a burden.”

“Mr. Jackman—” Lady Masterson began.

“It’s ‘Doctor’ and please don’t worry for my safety. I admit I’m not a man of violence but when it comes to pursuits of knowledge, I’ll gladly take the risk. If nothing else, know that I made this decision of my own free will and nothing is being forced upon me. Leave me behind if you wish, but I will simply follow you anyway. And need I remind you that you need someone to help translate these texts as quickly as possible?”

She groaned and continued towards the exit. “Fine, we don’t have time to argue. Come along if you want, but you better keep up.”

William was still opposed to the idea, but they didn’t have time and he knew a losing argument when he saw one.

He just hoped this was a decision he wouldn’t come to regret.