Guild Wars_ Edge of Destiny - J. Robert King [97]
Still, I must say that I was greatly troubled to read your account of the incident with Faolain of the Nightmare Court. None of her ilk can be trusted. They cling to a demented view of the world. When I read your account, I almost called you to me, but that would only have been selfish.
If Glint is helping her master rise, you must face her down and slay her. But Glint has been an ally to humankind. I am torn. If I had to choose, I would trust her more than the Nightmare Court.
This mission is yet another danger for you to face in my name, in the name of all Tyria. So, go, my champion. Go slay a lesser dragon to stop an Elder Dragon.
Yours always,
Jennah
From Logan Thackeray
To Her Royal Majesty, Jennah,
Queen of Kryta
My Queen,
This may well be my darkest hour. I, too, remember what Glint has done for humanity, and to go to slay her seems inconceivable. But if this act can stop the holocaust of an Elder Dragon’s rising, I must do it.
Your letters pierce me like arrows. How I long to see Divinity’s Reach, our home. But more, I long to see you. Every moment of every day, I hope to feel your call, so that I can throw aside everything that doesn’t matter and run to you. I would throw aside the whole world if I had to. But I know that the only way you will call to me is if you are in mortal danger. I never want that to be the case.
So I will remain your champion. I will fight on for you, these thousand miles away. I will even kill Glint if I must. But all the while, I will have your face before me—your eyes that pierce to my soul.
Your champion,
Logan
PART III
BATTLING DRAGONS
SEEKING THE SANCTUM
The Crystal Desert sun beat down on a strange company. At the head walked warriors in white burnooses—Eir Stegalkin, Logan Thackeray, and Caithe of the Firstborn. Behind them came Rytlock Brimstone and Garm the wolf, their backs bared to the blazing sun. Next were a pair of newly designed Bigs, with Snaff and Zojja suspended within.
This army was marching into battle against another dragon champion: Glint.
Eir perched a hand over her eyes and squinted toward a ridge that ran across their path. “Either Glint’s sanctum is very close, or we’ll have to climb that ridge.”
Caithe shook her head, eyes closing to consult the map in her mind. “The sanctum is beyond the ridge, but we will not have to climb. There’s a defile that cuts through, just ahead.”
Rytlock stomped up beside them. “A defile? Oh, perfect!” He shot a look at Logan. “Any jackass could send a rockslide down on top of us.”
“It’s the only way,” Caithe insisted.
Rytlock stared at the ridge. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to,” Eir said.
The companions marched onward toward the defile, but an hour later, it looked no closer. The ridge only grew taller, the walls of the crevice only steeper. Four hours later, they stood at the entrance to the narrow canyon.
Eir stared at the cleft ahead, then flashed a sharp look at her comrades. “Well, here we go.”
She marched up the loose scree at the ridge’s base and headed into the defile, followed by the rest of the companions. Somehow, the heat of the plains was all the more intense within. The sun baked one wall of stone, which turned the cleft into an oven.
“Wow, it’s hot,” Eir said, her voice echoing from the walls. Those two asura are like chestnuts in an oven.
“Very compassionate,” Snaff replied tersely.
“Did I say that out loud?”
“Must have. I heard it out loud,” Snaff said. Your brain’s so close to the sun, it’s probably getting baked.
“It’s hot enough, we don’t need to be sniping at each other,” Eir replied. And don’t even start making tall jokes. You don’t know how many short jokes I’ve suppressed.
Short jokes! Oh, yes, you’re above us all, aren’t you, Miss Titan?
Leave her alone, Zojja put in. You can’t stand having someone else in charge of you.
“Would all of you just shut it!” Rytlock