Free Dragons Shining by Michael Sperry Page B

his way over to the house after cleaning up outside.
     
    Owen went in the Kitchen where he piled his plate with the chicken and dumplings the girls had cooked up, and joined them all out on the porch to eat.
     
    “It seems wrong not to have Sophie out here with us”, said Owen between bites. “I miss her.”
     
    “It’s not wrong”, said Suzy. “A woman needs to be with her husband”.
     
    “I know”, said Owen. “It’s only been two weeks since she married Heath. I just haven’t gotten used to her not being here.”
     
    “We feel the same way, son”, and the other Hodgens all nodded.
     
    “She will be at the game this afternoon with us, won’t she?” asked Suzy.
     
    “You bet”, said Angie.
     
    After lunch Tom and Owen walked over to the barn. Owen saddled up Gander and Tom saddled up his big Quarter Horse, Tiny. Tiny was not Tiny for a Quarter Horse. He was quite a brute, and agile even so. Gander was taller and faster and could jump higher, but not as agile.
     
    “We can have a team meeting near the river, and come on back in time to suit up. It’s nothing for the Horses“.
     
    They rode to the edge of town, where Owen split off toward Baird’s cabin.
     
    “I will be waiting at Baird’s.”
     
    “We won’t be long. See you in about half an hour.”
     
    Owen trotted up to the cabin and tied Gander off to the porch.
     
    Baird and Dafford came out to meet him.
     
    “Big day huh. What are you doing out here today”, asked Dafford. “Unless you think you can whip me again today.”
     
    “No, actually I wanted to speak with you two about the match.”
     
    “You know I am an umpire, right?”  Baird asked.
     
    “Tom told me. I’m glad because I was warned about a nasty ploy the Dell’s Keep team is planning.”
     
    “Go on”, said Baird.
     
    “We have heard from a very reliable source that they are planning to foul me and take me out of the game.”
     
    “Hmmm. They have a judge too you know, but that sort of thing usually backfires. It’s not the way to win a match. And, you might get hurt.”
     
    “That’s possible, master.”
     
    “Remember a couple of things, Owen. If you bleed, it’s very dangerous. If your blood gets into another’s somehow, it will change them. Second, I want you to use whatever method you need to heal yourself and prevent that from happening if you are hurt. We will be leaving soon anyway, and you are far more important than this game.”
     
    “You mean I will not make the final match?”
     
    “Perhaps, but we must get you up to Dragon Mount very soon. Maybe we can return in time, but if not, I think this team can win against the North without you anyway. The match today will be by far the hardest, and they do need you.”
     
    “The rest of the team will be here in about fifteen minutes”
     
    “Well come on in and get some tea. I want to show you something.”
    Inside, hot tea had just perked over the wood stove. They sat around Baird’s kitchen table sipping it.
     
    “What did you want to show me?”
     
    Baird put down his tea and showed Owen the big Emerald ring on his right hand. “This is a spirit Jewel. Do you remember what that is?”
     
    “Yes, I remember the spell. You said I could not use such a puny stone, but it sure looks magnificent to me.”
     
    “No, you would need a Ruby and one bigger than this. Anyway I want you to know that if I am killed; my spirit will be transferred to this ring. If you take it and keep it, then I will still be able to see through your eyes if you permit, and speak with you mentally.”
     
    “That’s creepy”, said Dafford.
     
    “Creepy but useful”, said Owen.
     
    “The dark one has been killing captured Elves, Humans and Dwarves by sucking out and discarding the spirit in their bodies, leaving the husk to be inhabited by a spirit from Hell. I am sure the Maker has taken these displaced souls into his care. You will see these abominations and you will fight them. They are