Free The Dragon God (Book 2) by Brae Wyckoff Page B

pushed open the entrance and pranced out into the sunlight. The gasps of the tribe rose as a single chorus. They watched this crucial resource that they had longed for years to see, as it slowly approached the altars, seemingly oblivious to the people surrounding it.
    The chief yelled, “This is a sign from Thahaal. He has answered us!”
    The animal moved to Bridazak’s wood pyre and laid down at the base. The ordakian turned to watch the villagers’ response.
    The chief spat, with spite in his voice, “One elkhorn will not feed our tribe, half-man. This is a fire challenge and your altar still drips with water.”
    “You look worried, chief. Perhaps we should douse it with more water to make sure.”
    “Are you done delaying the inevitable, ordakian?” the Chieftain mocked.
    “More water, please.”
    He stared at Bridazak and then nodded to his warriors standing at the ready.
    Within minutes, water now trickled in all directions out of the muddy trench. The wood was soaked and continued to drip, all the while the elk-horn remained peaceful at its base.
    When the moat was full, Bridazak began his prayer, “God, let these people know that you are the true Lord of Ruauck-El and I am your servant. Let them know that I have done these things because you told me to do them. Let them see your Truth so these people will know you, and they will serve you and no other.”
    No one moved. Every breath was held, waiting in suspense. The chieftain turned to Bridazak with a wicked smile of victory—but stopped suddenly as the brightest of lights filled the sky. Everyone tried to look but it was so brilliant they had to bring their hands up to cover their eyes. A low rumble was heard, and it began to intensify, as did the light. Fire came down from the air. It burned up the wood and the water instantly evaporated. The roar of the beam of fire sounded louder than the rushing of a raging waterfall.
    The tribe’s leader turned toward Bridazak, fully enraged. He withdrew his ivory horned dagger and screamed through gritted teeth as he approached, “No! You will die for this!” He raised his weapon to strike the halfling.
    A tentacle arm of a scorching ray still surrounding the altar shot out from the pillar of fire, engulfing the tribe’s chieftain. He instantly melted like candle wax. Then as quickly as it came, the flame vanished. The crack of a lightning bolt rattled the village and then left them all in silence.
    Bridazak’s altar was annihilated, and the village leader was a pile of ash at the ordakian’s feet. From the smoke, the single elkhorn that was summoned pranced out and bounded through the crowd unscathed. Then another bolted forth from the smoke, and soon an entire herd poured out and ran into the forest. The heroes spotted the wobble of the energy field as it broke down; the colors of the sunset became more alive and vibrant. The mist on top of the lake dissipated and everyone witnessed hundreds of elkhorn come to the water’s edge and drink before darting into the treeline one by one.
    The tribe dropped to the ground in fear and cried out, “The Lord who Bridazak follows, He is our God forever!”
    Bridazak’s friends rushed to surround him. They quickly untied his ropes from the wooden post, and then embraced him. No words were exchanged. They stood silently together, aware that the power of the true God had been shown this day in this tiny village of Ruauck-El. The entire tribe worshipped the new deity, some even bowing toward Bridazak.
    Spilf sidled up to Bridazak and whispered, “How did you know?”
    “They told me.”
    “They?”
    Bridazak swept his arm from left to right, across where his altar had once stood. “Yes, don’t you see them?”
    Suddenly, four glowing orbs of silver light appeared and the heroes’ mouths opened in awe. Each orb of brilliance expanded and then dissolved to reveal an angel. The villagers continued their praise, unaware of the beings. A soothing aura surrounded the