Omensent: Rise of the Shadow Dragons by Barry Gibbons Read Free Book Online

for his assistance, and then to assist in his travels back to Sevria." He smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, my friend, we'll take care of everything here. You just keep yourself safe."
    Damion nodded sadly, then took one last look at his friends. W ithout another word, he nudged his prancing warhorse with his heels and led the way from the courtyard. He and Veren made their way through the sleepy town and out onto the trade road without being stopped, then cautiously began to make their way north with Snowfeather drifting high overhead.
    Their journey to the port city of Sierria was uneventful. For most of the first day, Veren remained silent and rode at a respectful distance behind Damion, obviously still a little uncomfortable being alone in his presence. They had spent very little time alone together since the bustle of the castle had made their spare moments few and far between. After several hours, Damion finally took steps and called him forward to ride beside him. It wasn't long before he was able to get the one eared man to begin talking, and they were soon swapping stories, making things much less tense.
    It took two days of easy riding to reach Sierria, and after asking a few of the locals, they soon learned of a wharf side inn called the Lost Wayfarer that was often frequented by many of the ship captains who made port.
    Damion drew the usual amount of stares and pointing as he passed, some from his slightly bizarre appearance, others from recognition. Damion ignored them all and continued through town until they found the substantial looking inn located only steps from the large dock.
    The sun was setting over the open sea as they tied up their horses to the picket outside, then Snowfeather sailed down to land gently on Damion's broad shoulder and they proceeded inside.
    The inn was a well built structure, with a polished wooden bar on one side of the open common room. The heavy tables and chairs were made from the same polished wood as the bar, and the stone floors were scrubbed scrupulously clean. In the far right corner of the room there was an elaborate staircase leading to the upper floors. The common room was crowded with sailors and ship captains that had made port, and though they were all a bit rowdy, none chose to bar their way as Damion and Veren made their way across the room to speak with the burly innkeeper.
    The innkeeper, and his short portly wife, seemed to be good hearted people who seemed to be unfazed by Damion's size, or Snowfeather's odd presence, but they insisted on reading from a long list of rules of behavior that they would not tolerate from their patrons. Finally, they rented them a pair of clean well tended rooms, but warned them that they not would tolerate any rule breaking in their establishment.
    The innkeeper's wife smiled sweetly up at Damion. "Will you and your companion care for dinner, milord? I've just pulled several plump geese from the ovens, and there's fresh bread baking as we speak!"
    Damion's stomach gave a lo ad growl, and everyone laughed.
    "I'll take that as a yes!" She giggled as she bustled off to the kitchens.
    "Shall I have my boys see to your horses, milord?" The innkeeper offered helpfully.
    " Yes, please, and can you please have them take our bags to our rooms, if you would." Veren asked politely.
    "Of course. Will you need anything else?"
    "Ale. Lots of ale."
    The innkeeper laughed jovially. "Of course." He poured them two large tankards of ale.
    "Have your boys be careful around the big warhorse." Damion warned. "He's a little aggressive, and very free with his teeth. They won't want to turn their backs on him."
    There came a sudden yell from outside, and a teenage boy suddenly appeared at the common room door rubbing his backside and wincing painfully.
    " Never mind. I think they may have already figured it out." He gave the innkeeper a smile. "Maybe I should take care of him myself." He went outside and led Storm towards the stables with the innkeeper's