Free Temple of the Dragonslayer by Tim Waggoner Page A

goblins, no dragon.
    Catriona was already up and dressed, her bedroll put away in her pack. She stood before the open window. The sunlight made her red hair seem to blaze with its own internal flame. The warrior’s eyes were closed, and her lips moved as she whispered some sort of morning devotion. Nearra wondered if this could be a ritual of the Solamnic Knights, but given how sensitive Catriona was about her past, Nearra knew better than to ask.
    After a moment, Catriona opened her eyes and turned around to face Nearra.
    “Did you sleep well?” the warrior asked.
    Nearra thought about the world of darkness in her dream. “More or less,” she answered. “But I will say this: waking up in a bed at an inn definitely beats waking up surrounded by goblins.”
    Catriona laughed.

     
    The five companions walked down the long path toward the northern edge of town. Each carried a traveler’s pack filled with food, water, and other supplies.
    Sindri looked up at the sun, which had only just started to clear the rooftops of Tresvka’s buildings. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
    “You may not find it so after you’ve marched beneath its warming rays for a few hours,” Elidor said.
    The kender ignored the elf. “The sun is very important to my family, you know. It’s the reason for our surname: Suncatcher. Human mages draw their power from the three moons: white-robed wizards from Solinari, red robes from Lunitari, and black robes from Nuitari. But we kender know that the strongest magic lies with the power of the sun. Long ago, it was prophesied that a member of my family would one day become a great wizard and be the first to tap the sun’s magic. My family has been known as the Suncatchers ever since.”
    Catriona seemed to be paying no attention to the kender’s story. Probably because she’s heard it before, Nearra thought. Given how much Sindri loved to talk, Catriona had doubtless heard the tale numerous times.
    “And I suppose you think you’ll be the one to fulfill the grand prophecy,” Davyn said with a hint of mockery in his voice.
    Nearra frowned. She liked Davyn, but she didn’t always like the way he treated Sindri. But if the kender noticed Davyn’s tone, he didn’t react to it.
    “Maybe. After all, someone in my family has to be the one. Why not me?”
    Elidor smiled, amused. “Why not indeed?”
    “You know, there’s something I never understood about that story,” Catriona said, surprising Nearra. So the warrior had been listening after all. “You mention a third moon, the one where evil mages get their power. But there are only two moons in the night sky.”
    Sindri opened his mouth to explain, but before he could speak, Nearra said, “That’s because Nuitari is visible only to the eyes of those who wear the black robe.” She frowned, then looked at the others. “How did I know that?”
    They all looked at Nearra, then at each other, clearly at a loss. Finally, Davyn shrugged. “I suppose it’s just one more of your memories returning.” He paused, then quickly added, “Assuming it’s true, of course.”
    “Oh, it is,” Sindri said. “I try to learn as much about magic as I can at every opportunity, so that I will be ready when it’s my time to take the Test of High Sorcery at the Tower of Wayreth.”
    “While I am no mage, I too have learned something about magic in my travels,” Elidor said. “From what I understand, those who wish to join one of the orders of wizardry begin studying with an archmage during childhood. When they are ready to take the Test of High Sorcery, they must first declare allegiance to a particular order.” The elf smiled. “I do not believe the mages have an Order of the Sun.”
    Sindri scowled. “Then perhaps it’s high time somebody started one!”
    Elidor explained the route he had planned as they walked.
    “Tresvka is more of a way station along the trading routes than anything else,” the elf said. “The main routes go east and west across