Free Omensent: Wrath of a Dragon God by Barry Gibbons Page A

you learned where those wagons are bound?"
"They're heading for a plantation a few miles east of town." Damion answered him aloud, settling down on the bed next to Raven. "I was hoping that you would go check it out for us."
"I'll investigate it while I'm out hunting." Snowfeather agreed with a hoot. "In the mean time, I just thought I should let you know that Storm has sent another stable hand through a wall. That beast is a walking natural disaster!"
"He's just having a little fun." Damion laughed dismissively. "I think he gets bored easily, and finds that terrorizing those who get too close enormously entertaining."
"Whatever you say." The huge owl chirped, hopping back to the window. "I'll go grab a quick bite to eat, then go investigate that plantation. I'll return by morning." With that, he launched himself into the air, and disappeared into the night.
They met up the next morning in the common room, and chose a secluded table to discuss what had been discovered while they enjoyed breakfast.
"Snowfeather located the plantation." Damion told everyone as he began to pile eggs, bacon, and potatoes onto his plate. "It's little more than a few rundown buildings surrounded by some poorly maintained fields. Snowfeather says there are quite a few men lingering around the place, though."
"Our night was fairly productive also." Shirk grunted, tak ing a long drink of spiced wine, then belching thunderously. "Dar and I managed to gain an audience with one of the local gang leaders. What he had to tell us was very enlightening."
"It appears this Faldor has been quite busy attempting to recruit every person he can." Dar told them, yawning hugely. "He seems to think he can put a large enough force together to take on the Deola."
"Is he mad?" Damion asked in disbelief. "No one in his right mind would try and go to war with the tribesmen!"
"From what we've heard, Faldor isn't exactly the sanest of people." Shirk snorted into his wine. "I guess he believes that they can wipe out the nearest tribe, and take their horses and cattle. He even tried to get the other gang leaders to join with him, but they had too much sense to try and face the Deola."
"How many men has he convinced to join him?" Raven asked, chewing on her lower lip in thought.
"About five hundred or so. Most of them are just petty thugs who have never even seen a real battle, but he has managed to convince quite a few mercenaries to join with him, although I have the feeling they are only there because he's paying them."
"Did this gang leader know who was behind those highwaymen attacking Ickor's caravans?" Damion asked between bites.
Shirk shook his head. "He didn't have any idea. At first, he said he believed it was one of the other gangs just trying to disrupt Faldor's activities, but the local gangs held council, and we discovered that no one knew who was actually behind the attacks."
"If that's not strange enough," Dar chimed. "he swore that Faldor must have someone backing him. I guess he's never been known for his generosity, but here lately it appears he has an almost unlimited budget."
"Does anyone know who may be backing him?"
Both Shirk and Dar shook their heads. "All they knows is that it isn't anyone local." The bearded thief grunted. "But the gang leader said that he had a spy within Faldor's group that reported that this would be the last shipment from Sierra. I guess his plans are almost ready to set into motion."
The huge warrior's eyes narrowed in thought.
"What are you thinking?" Raven asked Damion, recognizing the look on her husband's face.
"I thought you and I might just trot on ahead and pay a visit on the Deola, while these two keep an eye on things here." He grinned. "I think Bativa may find this information interesting."
Dar burst out laughing. "I think Faldor and his men are going to be in for a bad time! Bativa's horsemen will slaughter his ragtag army!"
Once they had finished their breakfast, Damion, Raven, and Snowfeather left Shirk and Dar to