Book 7, Chapter 44 - Collective Exchange (1/2)

Book 7, Chapter 44 - Collective Exchange

Cloudhawk didn’t know Belial’s exact location. That didn’t mean he was out of luck, however. By sending Oddball to follow the Elder he at least had a general idea. With a little patience, the artisan would be found.

What troubled him more was that he’d recently lost contact with his feathered friend. It was a rare disconnect that made Cloudhawk uncomfortable.

Oddball was a special kind of relic. Within a certain range it was able to connect with and share Cloudhawk’s consciousness. But even outside of this area, Cloudhawk could always sense where his companion was. For Oddball to vanish completely, there were three possible explanations.

First. Oddball had traveled very far, possibly far enough that their connection was too weak.

Second. Oddball had found itself in a place where spatial disruption was increased. Interference like that might block Cloudhawk’s ability to sense where his friend had gone.

The third and final scenario was the least likely. Oddball was strong and agile enough that threats to its life were minimal. Anyway, Cloudhawk would have felt something was off if Oddball got itself into trouble. It wouldn’t have just vanished.

He had to be patient and search. There was no hurry.

What Cloudhawk really had to focus on was finding the base left behind by the Supremes. He also had to bring the four remaining Elysian lands around to his camp. To that end, he brought Idonea and Lance with him to Stormford.

Bruno was already performing his task and with good results. At the very least he’d made his position clear, so Cloudhawk had no more need to hold his daughter hostage. As for Lance, it was time to send him home.

When the party arrived in the capital, Idonea made an observation. “Why does everything feel so… solemn?”

Indeed something felt off in the city. While it wasn’t the same bustling metropolis Skycloud had been in its prime, it still earned its title as the jewel of Stormford. Today the streets were almost empty. A stuffy cloud hung over everything.

Cloudhawk detected the faint smell of blood in the air.

With gallantry in his voice, Lance turned to Idonea. “I’m sure a lot has changed since Master Bruno and High Priest Gorman returned. Nothing to be worried about.”

“No sign of violence,” Cloudhawk muttered. “Let’s find Dawn and find out what’s going on.”

“Absolutely! Now that our great King has gone, no one in Stormford would dare offer a challenge.” Lance was quick to suck up to the powerful man. He then returned his attention to the girl by his side. “Miss Idonea. Please allow me to escort you home.”

She regarded this Young Master, who for the last few days had taken pains to be noble and gentlemanly. Her lips curled into a scowl, indicative of how she felt about him. A talentless hack – that’s what she thought. That was to be expected when compared to the Lance she knew before. She had to have been blind to be so easily deceived…

Lance was embarrassed when she ignored him, but he was not angry.

A few minutes later Dawn learned that they were in town and met with them.

“Cloudhawk! Here we are.” She walked up to him, but froze in her tracks. Right away Cloudhawk felt the terrible, murderous aura wafting from her.

Frost was hidden beneath a heavy cloak, but she saw right through it.

“You.”

Dawn’s grip tightened on Terrangelica, her eyes fixed on the man who killed her grandfather. Now he was Wolfblade’s lackie, the Elder’s lap dog. Until today Cloudhawk had done what he could to stop the two from meeting, but this dark reunion was bound to happen one day. They’d passed each other by before, but it was the first time in a long while that they confronted one another face to face.

Some things were destined. Dawn had to deal with this on her own. Cloudhawk couldn’t help her in her quest for vengeance, but he wasn’t going to stop her either.

Frost maintained his constant, irritating calm. “You want revenge for your grandfather.”

Dawn’s explosive temperament was clear on her face. She was struggling with something. Countless times she’d imagined herself shoving Terrangelica into this bastard’s pretty face. Him and Inkspecter both! It was the only respite she got from her hatred.

And yet, after a few seconds, her grip loosened.