The battlefield was littered with the dead and dying as Sly, Garth, and Dar made their way across the clearing. Several giants still stomped about the area, gleefully crushing the few remaining dragonspawn and goblins that were foolish enough to remain behind and fight, while a small number of harpies continued to swoop through the air, screeching their shrill battle cries.
“That was some battle!” Garth said, wiping the blood from the blade of his ax with a spare piece of cloth. The dwarf had numerous cuts and scratches covering his face and arms, but appeared to be otherwise unhurt. “I can't remember the last time that I had so much fun!”
“Everything went exactly as planned.” Sly agreed, surveying the carnage. Most of the lifeless bodies that cluttered the clearing were dragonspawn and goblins, although several of the slaves that had taken up arms against their captors had lost their lives in the battle. “We really couldn't have hoped for a better outcome. Those creatures never even knew what hit them!”
Dar's face was pale with exhaustion. “It’s not over just yet. Damion is still in the cavern with Kaviel.”
Everyone turned to stare at the cavern's opening just as a roar of fury erupted from inside.
“That was Tempest!” The tiny Alena cried worriedly. He started towards the cavern, but was restrained by Sly and Garth.
“Stop!” Sly warned, grasping one of the boy's shoulders. “This is Damion's fight! We can't interfere!”
“But he may need us!” Dar yelled furiously.
Sly shook his head. “He has to do this on his own! We would only get in the way! He has to finish this himself!”
Another roar erupted from the cavern, then the enormous dragon burst from the lair's opening and launched itself into the air, the scar-faced Kaviel perched high atop the beast's shoulders.
The companions fell back in surprise as the monstrous beast soared overhead, then they spotted Damion as he rushed out of the cavern, his eyes blazing with anger. His clothes hung from his body in charred tatters, and he was bleeding freely from a wound on his leg. He stared furiously at the dragon for a moment as it soared away, then his form suddenly blurred strangely as he shifted into the form of a huge owl. The owl immediately launched itself into the air, its wings beating furiously as it attempted to give chase.
Dar cursed venomously, then turned to the others. “We have to follow him! We have to help him!”
Sly shook his head. “There’s no way we'd ever catch them.”
“We can't just sit here and do nothing!”
“We haven't any other choice.” The little man's face was grave. “There’s nothing more that we can do. We'll just have to pray that Damion is able to succeed.” He watched with worried eyes as the dragon and the snow owl disappeared into the night’s sky.