The First Legendary Beast Master novel Chapter 303

Chapter 303 All Nighter

Once everyone had food in them, the atmosphere among the wagons drastically improved. But when they learned that Thor intended to push through the night, with Rae to lead him past any pitfalls they might find in the ash, the atmosphere was nearly ecstatic.

They were already out of the freezing cold that marked the Frost Giants' territory, and by morning, they intended to be at the human battle lines, where the World Dragon church would gather them and take them somewhere safe.

That notion was a bit dubious among the Beastkin, who were less likely to trust the humans at all, but the Dragon Gods were worshipped all over the world, and that was enough for the refugees to trust Tessa's word that the Red Dragon Clerics would take them in and care for them.

"Are we really going to travel all night, even though we're out of the frozen lands?" One of the human refugees asked softly, with a heavy accent.

"Yes. This area belongs to a Magma Dragon, and we're not certain how his servants will respond to our presence, so we are going to pass through at night and not linger. The sooner we can get you to the safety of the Golden Dragon Nation's border, the better." Tessa explained.

The girl smiled. "I have heard so much about it, and now, I have actually met someone from there. I must say, I didn't know that humans could be so strong."

Tessa laughed. "It is a blessing from the World Dragon. You're still young, so perhaps you will get a chance to try one day as well. We all see if we are compatible when we are fourteen years old."

That was great news for the humans. None of them were fourteen yet. In fact, most of them were not ten yet. Anyone who was grown enough to keep up with the forced march had been taken away by the Frost Giants when they fled. Well, that or they were dead in the streets because they couldn't get to safety fast enough when the attack started.

"What about us? Do we get a chance at the blessing?" One of the satyr children asked.

Tessa shrugged. "I honestly don't know. Our country is almost all humans, and I haven't met anyone else who was compatible with the blessing. But I also can't say if you will remain in the Golden Dragon Nation, or if they will arrange to have you join a Red Dragon orphanage in the Beastkin Territories."

That made sense to them. While being anywhere safe was a thousand times better than their lives yesterday, there was a certain appeal to living among other beastkin. Like, they wouldn't be a minority group, they wouldn't be treated as lesser, and they might actually get to live the sort of idyllic life that slaves told stories about.

Thor began pulling them forward, and Rae returned to her space to sleep, while the Spider Golems were instructed to follow Karl's orders. That should be good enough, and then when Hawk turned in for the night, she would come out again to lead Thor.

Not that Hawk couldn't do it. From the sky, he would be able to see much more, but there was no reason for them all to suffer a sleepless night if they didn't have to.

[Oh, this is better already. The ash here is soft and warm on the feet. I like this place.] Thor announced as they began to move through the destroyed aftermath of the volcanic eruption.

[Just be careful if you see solid stone. Many of the volcanic stones can be slippery.] Karl warned him.

Of course, most of them were heavily textured and provided firm grip for the feet, but it was better to be safe and not take any chances with wagons full of people. A slippery side slope could spell disaster for their little adventure.

As they trudged off into the night, Hawk kept a careful eye out for anything that might pose a threat to their group. But what he found was much more exciting to the bird than any elemental.

[There are squirrels and mice and small monsters in the forest again.] He declared a few hours into the ash.

[Already? I thought that they would still be far away from here.] Karl replied.

[Me too, but I can see them. I think it's a good sign. If the Elementals hated all monsters, they would chase off the little ones first, right?] Hawk replied.