Wild Dragon of Rome 55 - End of Book 1 (Patreon)

As I retreated from the burning remains of the sorcerer, I couldn’t help but lament the easy death he had experienced. Cursed and burned at the same time was not exactly pleasant, but it was quicker than he deserved.

“It’s a problem,” I muttered even as I started running, feeling my body struggle with the effort. Whatever the sorcerer had done with the mana I pulled, it was refusing to be expelled easily. I had no doubt that, if it wasn’t for the dragon heart constantly pumping mana, my fate wouldn’t be too different than him.

I wished that I had the time to sit down and examine it, as it didn’t feel exactly like mana, but something more. I had no doubt that, examining it even for an hour would have expanded my horizon when it came to the nature of vitae and mana.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for that. I didn’t even have time to slowly hunt the remaining legionaries that were split between the two wings, their attempts to close on me delayed by the spreading fires.

For one simple reason.

Whatever that was living in the depths of the valley, it woke up.

And, it was angry.

The only thing I did was to remove the poorly fitting armor on my torso, and wrap a cloak around my right arm. Somehow, I managed to keep that a secret. Anything else they might deduce had to be abandoned.

As I ran toward Lillian and Astrid — who thankfully had enough presence of mind to stay together — I absentmindedly caressed the Spear, still unable to believe that it bonded with me. It was supposed to be impossible. Without the proper inheritance ritual…

“You weren’t just training me in tactics because you were bored, were you, old coot,” I grumbled as the realization hit. I had always thought that he trained me to be some kind of an enforcer mage for the family, and the tactics and history lessons were just a way to pass the time while I was resting between training — torture — sessions.

But, the fact that the Spear of Scipio reacted to me, just like it always did to his presence, changed everything.

Suddenly, I couldn’t help but feel despair as I imagined his letter, being destroyed by the mages that had been raiding his home. At that time, I had assumed that it wasn’t as important as the presence of a sorcerer in the compound.

But, maybe I was wrong…

“Marcus, you’re alive,” Lillian gasped as I burst into their hiding spot. Astrid said nothing, but it was because she was already moving toward me for a hug, but I could see that she was exhausted.

“Both of you, stay where you are. I’m still trying to deal with a spell on me. Stay away just in case.”

“What kind of spell?” Lillian asked. “Maybe I can heal?”

“The kind that’s cast by a dying sorcerer, so let’s not waste time. It’s already in control,” I said.

“Maybe we can carry you—” Lillian started.

“No. You two are not in any better condition. And, I can’t really risk you touching the spear,” I said. It shouldn’t harm anyone while in my hands, but it wasn’t worth the risk.

“You look dead on your feet. Is a new weapon really that important? Just throw it —” Astrid started, interrupted by Lillian’s gasp.

“Wait, is this…”

“The famous Spear of Scipio. Yes. Our sorcerer friend was kind enough to bring it to me,” I said. “But, let’s move. I can feel the presence of their horses. They are just two miles away. We need to get some before they panic and escape.”

I started jogging, which was the fastest pace I could maintain with the weakness of my body as I battled with the energy. Luckily, they were able to match my speed, but they weren’t any less exhausted.

“Why did they leave their horses behind? It doesn’t make sense.”

Before I could answer, a roar exploded from the center of the valley, one that I felt in my bones. “That’s why,” I said. “The beasts could sense its presence, whatever it is. Now, move. We need the horses if we are to ever get away.”

“D-do you think that beast will follow us?” Lillian said.

“I don’t know, but —” I started, only to stop when I felt the presence of two shifters running toward us. “Can you make me two ice spears,” I asked. She immediately did so even as it exhausted her. ”Excellent,” I said as I threw them into the trees.

I was too exhausted to hit them, but it was enough to scare them enough.

With that, we managed to barely stumble toward our target. They looked far too crazed, but Astrid moved toward them. A touch of hers was enough to calm the horses down. It was far faster than taming a wild beast.

While she was finishing that, I freed the rest of the horses, and they escaped in panic. It was a very expensive, but effective way of creating false trails.

“Excellent teamwork,” I said as we each climbed on a horse, and started riding.

“Are we trying to escape whatever that beast is?” Lillian shouted.

“Yes and no,” I replied. “We also want to escape before the other legion forces inevitably respond,” I said. Luckily, while the fire mana in my arm weakened my body, it didn’t weaken my senses, which allowed me to pick a direction that avoided the first responders from the legions.

“Where are we going?” Lillian asked even as we managed to leave the valley.

“Where they won’t be looking for us,” I responded.

“You mean?” Lillian asked, her tone hopeful.

“Exactly. We’re going back to Britannia,” I declared confidently. Things would be much easier without a sorcerer right in our tail.

“What if they send another sorcerer?” Lillian asked.

I chuckled. “I doubt it. Even assuming they can discover that we went back to Britannia, I doubt that they would be readily committing another sorcerer. And, even if they did,” I said and dragged my finger over the hilt of my new weapon.

With the Spear of Scipio in hand, I was far more confident against a sorcerer. And, even if they did the unthinkable and sent multiple, we could always escape again.

Sorcerers weren’t exactly subtle presences to my senses.

They didn’t argue. I didn’t know if it was the exhaustion, or if they agreed with my judgment, but I wasn’t in a position to care either. I was too busy trying to chart a safe direction toward the sea.

A while later, a commotion caught my attention. Even from a great distance, I could feel the presence of at least six sorcerers, casting spells. Yet, it wasn’t it. At the distance, I could feel the march of thousands of people.

Multiple legions were mobilizing.

However, for once, I wasn’t afraid that I was the target. Not when I could see a pair of huge wings poking through the tree canopy at the center of the valley.”

“Well, that answers a question,” I commented in a tone of awe and shock. I would have assumed that I was too spent to feel any strong flare of emotion, but it clearly wasn’t the case.

But then, how many times would one see a living, breathing dragon that confirmed their existence.

It looked like the name of the crystal was not just a coincidence…