Free Doom of the Dragon by Margaret Weis

sacking.”
    â€œYou’re right,” said Joabis, gnawing his lip. He had gone quite pale. “You must be right.”
    Skylan eyed him. “First your crew runs off in fear and then your ship is searched. Why?”
    Joabis scowled. “Ask Hevis.”
    â€œHevis?” Skylan was surprised at this suggestion. “What does he have to do with this? Why would he be searching your ship and scaring your crew?”
    â€œHe claims I lost to him at dice. I refused to pay and he must have come here to collect,” Joabis replied. “I need to determine if my possessions are safe, but not with you breathing down my neck. Wait for me on deck.”
    â€œWith pleasure,” said Skylan. “I’ll be glad to get away from the stench.”
    He didn’t just mean the ale. Joabis sickened him. While Torval and his brave warriors were fighting for their lives, he and Hevis the Trickster—another sorry excuse for a god—were squabbling over gambling debts.
    â€œAnd close the hatch!” Joabis shouted.
    Skylan dropped the hatch with a bang and went to stand by the prow, looking out to sea. Foam frothed around the keel. Spray flew over the deck, spattering Skylan, who enjoyed the coolness. The sun poured her molten gold on the blue water and he wondered where they were and how long this hateful voyage must last. The sea stretched on endlessly with no land in sight.
    Skylan still had more questions for Joabis and he grew impatient for the god’s return. Walking back to the hatch, he stomped on it with his foot.
    â€œAre you all right?” Skylan yelled. “You didn’t drown in your own ale, did you?”
    After a moment, the hatch opened and Joabis appeared, looking much more cheerful, holding something behind his back.
    â€œHevis didn’t find it!” he announced.
    â€œDidn’t find what?” Skylan asked.
    â€œMy treasure.” Joabis brought forth a small box made of wood decorated with silver on the edges and a silver lock in front. “He didn’t find it this time, but I’m afraid he might come back. I’m no warrior, but you are. I want you to guard it for me.”
    He held out the box to Skylan, who folded his arms across his chest.
    â€œI need to know what I’m guarding.”
    â€œDo you?” Joabis asked, adding slyly, “I don’t see why the contents should matter to a warrior such as yourself. All you care about is dying gloriously in battle.”
    Skylan made no move to take the box.
    Joabis dithered, then said crossly, “Very well, I’ll show you! You must promise to tell no one.”
    He cast a suspicious eye on the dragon sailing their ship and then motioned Skylan to walk with him to the stern. Holding the box close to his chest, Joabis hunched his shoulders over it, fit a small silver key into the lock, then lifted the lid.
    The little box seemed to blaze with dazzling fire. Sapphires and rubies, emeralds and diamonds sparkled in the sunshine.
    â€œBeautiful, aren’t they? I have traveled the world over in search of them,” Joabis said proudly. “I keep the best for myself, of course, but I give some to the dragons who sail my ship. Hevis knows this and he knows I carry the jewels with me for that reason.”
    Skylan understood. The Vindrasi had always given jewels to the dragons in payment for sailing their ships and protecting them, a bargain the dragons and the Vindrasi people had struck centuries ago. The dragons sorted through the jewels, kept the gems they wanted, and returned the rest as a reward to the warriors.
    The Vindrasi had no idea why the dragons wanted the jewels. Most believed the dragons coveted the wealth. Legend told of vast dragon hoards hidden in the mountains, though no one had ever found them or, if they had, lived to tell the tale. Skylan had come to wonder if there might be a reason that had nothing to do with the value of the gems. He had seen the Dragon