Free Omensent: Wrath of a Dragon God by Barry Gibbons

The skies darkened as they slowly pushed on towards Crete, and late that evening it began to rain.
"There's a tavern just ahead where we can purchase beds for the night." One of the wagoneers roared above the thunder. "We can wait out this storm with some hot food and cold ale!"
"I think I like this guy!" Shirk said gaily. "I could use a drink right about now."
"You say that when you wake up in the morning !" Raven laughed, brushing her rain soaked hair from her eyes.
They located the tavern a mile or so up the road, and settled in for the evening. After sitting up late swapping amusing stories , and drinking far more ale than they should have, they finally retired to their rooms for some badly needed rest. They awoke early the next morning to find that the storm had passed, and after a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, ham, potatoes, and freshly baked bread, they returned to the road, and their slow, but steady pace towards the nearby city of Crete.
"You really saved our hides back there." Arl commented to Damion that evening as they crested a hill to see Crete spread out before them. "It was a stroke of luck that you four happened along when you did. Those bandits would have surely butchered us if it wasn't for you."
"We were happy to be of assistance." Damion assured him.
"But that doesn't mean you don't have to pay us!" Shirk added quickly.
After renting some rooms for the evening at a large inn near the center of Crete, they gathered in the common room to enjoy dinner.
"I think this is where we will be parting company ." The old teamster told the companions, handing Damion, Raven, and Shirk each a small pouch of coins.
" You'd better not even think of trying to stiff me." Dar growled at him aggressively.
The old man stared at the freckle faced boy in disbelief.
"You'd better listen to him." Shirk suggested, gesturing to the serving girl to bring them another round of ale. "He may look like a child, but Dar has got the nimblest fingers I have ever seen. If you try and stiff him, he'll wait until your back is turned, then steal everything of value you have."
Arl's expression grew shocked. He looked at the childlike Alena. "You wouldn't do that, would you?"
Dar fixed him with an icy stare. "Just try me."
The old man flinched back, grasping the pouches at his waist protectively, then with a heavy sigh, he produced another small pouch of coins, which he reluctantly tossed to the fiery haired child.
They finished saying their goodbyes with the other teamsters, then watched as the men retired to their rooms for the evening.
"That couldn't have gone much better." Dar commented, opening his pouch, and carefully counting its contents. "It shouldn't be too difficult to locate Faldor's plantation from here."
Damion nodded in agreement. " It was a real stroke of luck that they asked us to escort them the rest of the way. We now know that Faldor is receiving the weapons at his plantation a few miles east of here."
"All we have to do now is figure out what he has planned for them." Raven pointed out.
"I think I'll do a little snooping around tonight ." Shirk murmured, draining his tankard, and rising to his feet. "I might get lucky and stumble across whoever is behind the highwaymen ambushing those wagons."
"Just try not to start any trouble." The huge warrior warned him.
"Who? Me?" The bearded thief laughed innocently.
Damion groaned.
"Don't worry." Dar assured him. "I'll go with him and keep an eye on him. I can play the thief as well as he can. Between the two of us, we should be able to locate the closest gang leaders and find out if they had anything to do with those bandits."
Damion and Raven retired to the small sleeping chamber that they had rented for the evening and settled in for the evening. It wasn't long before they heard a loud tap at the tiny window that looked out over the muddy trade road that ran in front of the inn.
Damion quickly went to the window and popped it open, allowing Snowfeather to hop into the room. "Have