We rested for the night and the next few days passed pretty much as this one had. We could fit about two villages in per day, depending on the distance we were traveling. The time to get back with refugees was what was causing the most delays in the trips. They couldn't move as fast on foot. So we tried to get to the villages as fast as possible to cut out some of the time. We still ended up back at Jewelston after dark every night, but it was worth it to help as many as we could.

After three more days of going village to village rescuing anyone we could, and bringing them back to Jewelston, the city was beginning to feel a little crowded. There were plans to expand one of the walls out and Al'Doran was helping with those plans. Apparently, he knew some kind of city-level building spell that would allow the movement of a wall and the addition of extra stones to complete the work, so long as the materials were prepared for him. It would automatically consume the materials as it built and moved into the position he desired it to be, provided the mayor gave authorization. Which she did. I had no idea there were city-level spells. I assumed it had something to do with being in charge of a town but it was another amazing mystery that I needed to learn more about.

This new expansion would put the town in a position to house all of the current refugees plus more from the surrounding areas all in one place. We were all looking forward to that happening. We got a notice from the mayor, via a messenger, that Al'Doran wanted us to come to see him. Why Al'Doran didn't just summon us, was a bit of a mystery, but we decided to oblige them, so we went over to where the new dragon roost was. Roost was a nice word for it. It was a really large wooden open-face stable that covered Al'Doran and Aeolith from the elements. They laid on hay that was thrown across the bottom for them. There was a reason dragons had been known to live in caves in legends; because it was some of the only places that they could stay out of the elements at their size. When we arrived Al'Doran greeted us. He had become somewhat of a celebrity in the time we had been there, between the refugees who had been rescued by a Dragonrider getting to see an ancient dragon, and his help with everything that had been going on in the town, he had made a real name for himself. Everyone seemed to love him.

"I am glad you came. I should have called for you, but I have been really busy. As have you I have heard."

"We have been, but it's necessary work. No one else is going to be able to save those people."

"Just remember that you cannot save everyone. Take pride in those you do, and let that motivate you for the future, not failures."

He was right. I knew it. But it didn't make the failures hurt less.

"So, why are we here Al'Doran?"

"I figured you would want to see the spell."

"The wall spell?"

"Yes."

"We would love to see it! But before you do, what exactly is a city-level spell? Is it just a regular spell cast over an entire city?"

"No, that would still be a regular spell. A city-level spell is a special category of spells that are only available to someone who is in charge of a city. It can be cast anytime as long as there is enough mana being directed toward the spell. Where the mana comes from is not important, and normally a city would have mages volunteer to help give their mana to the spell in exchange for payment of some kind and many mages would come together to cast the spell. In this case, I happen to have enough mana for what is needed."

"So it isn't a spell you can learn?"

"No, it is something that is available in the town management menus. You gain access to them once you are placed in a certain position of authority over a town. There are others that can be used to move buildings or create buildings if everything one needs is available such as materials, blueprints, and people with the construction skill at a high enough level to use the blueprints. But all of those things are likely something you will not need to learn until later."

"There is just so much I don't know about. I feel like I will never truly fit in here, being so far behind on my learning by not being born here."

"You will learn Dragonrider. Riders are long-lived creatures after all."

"So it's true then? Dragonriders live longer than humans?"

"Oh, yes, much longer. Closer to the lives of the elves actually."

That was a relief. I had always worried that Aeolith would long outlive me and all because I had chosen to be a human rather than an elf or dwarf or some other creature longer lived.

"Now, if you would watch to be sure you are not in the way, I will begin. I don't want anyone hurt, so stay behind the guards that the mayor has provided me. I have placed them in a position that they should be used as markers to not cross to stay out of the path of the spell."

And with that, he turned toward the wall and began to glow. The glow extended from him to the wall and then around the materials on the ground near the wall. The pile of materials was taller than Aeolith and consisted of literal tons of stone and mortar materials. Suddenly, after the glow stopped spreading, the wall began to shake slightly, then moved backward. It began to crack and break apart in places, and then it opened and spread apart. The cracks were obviously purposeful, seeing as they only appeared where the mortar was between stones and separated to allow for more stones to be placed in to make the wall expand. As the wall moved out, stones began to fly from the pile and to the wall. Mortar mixed itself and began to be put in place where the stones would fit together. It moved back very slowly, but it was growing. It bowed, and flexed, then settled in straight lines as it moved. Whenever part of the wall was finished moving or growing, it would stop glowing and sit still. I stood there in awe of what was happening. Something that would have taken months or maybe even years to complete with manual labor, was taking minutes to complete with Al'Doran's help.

After about ten minutes of moving the wall came to a halt and the stones had all been used that were gathered for the project. It was incredible to see the results. A huge addition to the city with minimal effort. Al'Doran looked tired though. That must have taken a lot out of him. He went to lie down in the roost. This was not the only change that Al'Doran had been helping with. There were also some kind of magical ballistae set at intervals around the top of the walls. Mages needed to be there to power the bolts, but they were supposed to be some form of weapon that was extra effective against Shadow Beasts. It also had a feature in it that when destroyed, the ballistae threw up a part of a barrier. Once all the ballistae were destroyed the barriers would form a dome over the city. That was an amazing piece of magi-tech. I took to calling it magi-tech because Al'Doran said it was magic, but it definitely took some technological thinking to make it have that as a fail-safe.

He had also helped to upgrade some of the buildings in the town, which I didn't fully understand the value of right at this moment, but the mayor promised to help me understand once I had some more time. I had no idea when that would happen, but I agreed.

"Callan, do you remember what I told you back on the island was an important part of your life as well as the work you put into training and rescuing people?"

I sighed deeply.

"Yes. Rest is just as important. But how can I rest if there are people that need me out there right now?"

"And how do you expect to rescue them if you are tired and make a mistake? If you can't continue to fight because you are too exhausted?"

He was right. I knew he was right.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Make sure you do. Dying isn't something we can afford for you to do. Remember your title and that it means something to not just you, but everyone around you too. That it means something to me."

I let out another deep sigh. I went over to lie with Aeolith and rested my eyes. She nuzzled her face up next to me and I began to drift off lying next to her. Being this close to her was always so peaceful. It felt whole, complete, satisfied, and as though all was right with the world for a short time. I was so happy that we no longer had to hide away, and that we could be together all the time now.

I got up a while later and walked back to the inn where we were staying. Rutherford, Vokin, and Tristan were all inside waiting.

"We got word of the next place we needed to check out. All the villages around the area have been accounted for. There might be some independent single-family settlements around the area, but there is no way to track where they might be since they don't pay taxes. And we don't have time to track them down anyways because we could be out there for weeks just hoping to stumble on one of them. And if we did, they might already be dead since they are all alone, or more likely they might not even know something was even going on because the shadow Beasts aren't likely to go after something so small, and being so small and isolated means they likely won't want us out there anyways and..."

"Rutherford....get on with it."

"Oh right. We need to head to the next town which was about the same size as Jewelston before the expansions. Herferton."

"The mayor of Herferton, sent news back to mayor Sandra that they be needin' help with their growing problem. Same sort of thing that was happenin' here where someone was causing a lot of trouble and gatherin' support." Vokin added.

"So, we need to leave now? Taking Aeolith is going to be tougher in that town, but I think it needs to happen. We don't want to fight without her."

"We agree, Callan. We were just waiting for you. You've been working so hard we just wanted to give you a little time before we said something." Tristan said.

I looked at Tristan. He had come so far since I found him in the woods alone and fending for himself.

"Thanks for letting me know. I'll go get Aeolith and meet you three outside the city."

I walked back down to the roost and met up with Aeolith and Al'Doran again.

"You really should take some time to rest, Callan," Al'Doran said.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"I know, but we just got word about another town the size of Jewelston. Once I help them, I can take a little time. They will be able to help organize some more people to look into what we are doing and I can rest. But I need to go help these people first."

Al'Doran stared at me for a moment. Then closed his eyes and nodded.

"As you will. But be sure you rest when you are finished with this city."

"I will Al'Doran. I do see the importance. I just really need to get this next city under wraps. And it shouldn't be as difficult because the main city hasn't even fallen yet as the villages had."

I climbed onto Aeolith's saddle and she took off from outside the roost to meet up with the others outside the city. She circled the city once and then landed by Rutherford, Vokin, and Tristan so that we could prepare to head to the city. It was about half a day's ride from Jewelston so we needed to set off before much longer.

I dismounted from Aeolith, who always seemed a little sad when I did, and mounted up with the others on horseback to as not to scare too many people when coming into town. We kicked our horses into a gallop and took off toward Herferton. The trip was fairly long, but it went by surprisingly fast considering all the anxiety I was having about going that far from Al'Doran, as well as going to a new big city, and worrying about how I would be perceived there as well. Sandra had been worried I would come in and take over the whole town. I hoped she communicated to this new mayor that it was not my intention to take over, only to help sort out the issue.

After about six hours of riding, we finally arrived at Herferton. The gates here were open instead of shut like Jewelston was. It also had a different building style than the other town had. The buildings were more squared and had straighter lines than Jewelston had. Otherwise, the city had been laid out very similarly. We rode into the front gate and dismounted. Once inside we asked to speak with the commander of the guard. One man went to go and fetch him. Soon we were talking with a man named Commander Logan. Logan was a shorter man than Harlow, with a more squared chin and almost had a unibrow, with dark curly hair peeking out from under his helm.

"I am Callan, Dragonrider and I'm here to aid your town with the growing issue," I said. As I said this Aeolith flew overhead and then began circling the town. "I have come only to help. I need to know where the troublesome ones are so that we can speak with them."

"We're right over here Dragonrider," a voice said from behind the guards.

A man stepped out of the shadows and into the middle of the entrance to the town. He was not like Gregory at all. He was very short and thin, a much more wiry man than Gregory had been. He was someone who I would never have suspected that a Shadow Beast would have chosen to possess.

"I'll take you to go see George."

Oh. That explained it. He wasn't the one I was looking for. But George? Gregory, George...that was a lot of G's for the Shadow Beasts. Come to think of it I never got the names of the other possessed people. They had all been unconscious when got to speak to them. Whatever. He said he can take me there, let's go there.

"Fine. Just clear a landing space first."

I, along with Commander Logan and the guards cleared enough of a space for Aeolith to land and she walked with us behind the short man who knew where George was.

"Are you sure you should go there first, Dragonrider?" Logan called after us.

"Do you have a better idea for finding the source of the issue?"

Logan didn't reply. But he looked nervous.

"Just...what if it's a trap?"

"Oh, it's definitely a trap. No need to worry about that part. But it was a trap last time and we worked it out."

We turned and followed the man into the street leading west into town. We walked through the streets and down alleyways. For all that he could have done to try to mess with us, the man stayed on paths that were big enough for even Aeolith to walk down. I'm not sure I would have done the same in his shoes. Once we reached a break in the buildings I noticed again we were in their warehouse district. What was it with Shadow Beasts and warehouses? I guess it was a good place to hide and get supplies.

We stopped in front of the doors and the shorter man turned to me and began to speak.

"Now, George here, he doesn't like to be disrespected. So show him respect and you will get the same in return. So let's try to keep this civil."

"What is this, the mafia?"

"You could say that." The man said.

"You guys have the mafia?"

"You ask a lot of questions.."

"Sorry, I'm just curious. What was your name again?"

"Johnny Knives."

"Oh yeah, that's a mafia name if I ever heard one."

The man looked over at me, pulled out a knife, and started thumbing the blade.

"Look, Mr. Knives, I just want to talk with..."

"George."

"George, right, thank you. I just want to talk to George. Can we go in now?"

The man opened the doors to the warehouse, Glaring at me the whole time as though I had just disrespected his mother and he was ready to use that knife on me. We walked in and there was a stark contrast to how the last warehouse had been set up. This time instead of a large pile of boxes with a throne built into them, there was only a small table that looked as though it was moved in and out for meetings as they happened. There was a single light shining down onto the table, setting the mood, and drawing all attention to the table. Aeolith fit into the warehouse easily and walked behind us as well keeping watch of everything that was happening. We approached the table and a man was sitting behind the table.

"So this, this is THE Callan Dragonrider. You come here to my city and ask to meet with me no?"

"After meeting your man Johnny Knives, I wasn't sure what to expect, but since we're going with the mafia theme that's fine. Well, I come to meet with one who knows the shadows better than the light, if that is who you are."

The man chuckled lightly.

"The shadows are my specialty. How can I help one such as yourself?"

"I have come to ask a favor. I have only one issue, and that is that I cannot let the shadows continue to go unpunished."

"Unpunished? For what do I need to be punished? I have done nothing wrong. I run a legitimate business."

"Is it legitimate to kill innocent people in villages surrounding the town?"

"Ahhhhh, you speak of my associates. Who's methods I despise. No, my methods are much different. I work on the up and up with only the most...entrepreneurial spirits in mind."

This was not how I had expected this to go. Shadow Beasts were ruthless killing machines. They had to be exterminated. But how then did you punish a Shadow Beast who hadn't killed anyone? Or could I even trust what he was saying?

"How do I know you aren't lying to me? Why did you possess this man if you wanted to be on the up and up?"

"Now that, is a fair question. I simply entered once invited. You see, this man that I am inhabiting now, was a person desperate to have success in life. Desperate to be a part of something bigger than himself. And I gave him exactly what he wanted. He is actually happy with the way things are going."

How could this be going in this direction? I was being put in a spot where if I attack, I might be the bad guy.

"We need to see what the mayor thinks of this as well."

"Oh, I don't think we need to involve the mayor in this. He is way too busy to be dragged into a petty squabble like this."

"Petty squabble? You realize I walked in here with every intention of frying you like an egg in a pan over a fire right? That The only thing stopping me right now is trying to be the good guy who doesn't kill people who haven't killed people. So I'm one step away from choosing to send you to the shadows and then waltzing into the mayor's office and letting him decide which medal to pin on me."

"I'm right here. Blast away."

As he said this last bit, his eyes turned red, and the shadow behind him grew to a much larger size. Aeolith growled and seeing the red eyes, I moved almost of my own will. I stepped forward, threw the table to the side, and placed my hand on his head. The only thing that stopped me from smiting him then and there was the smile on his face. He wanted me to do that. I stepped back and adjusted my armor to calm myself.

"I think I'll see the mayor before we speak again. Good day George."

And with that, we walked out of the warehouse and back toward the main road. Once on the main road, we were met by Logan.

"Did you do it?"

"No, something didn't feel right. I didn't like it and I felt like I was missing a piece of the puzzle. I need to speak with the mayor yesterday."

"Sure, follow me. I'll take you to his office."

We walked through the town and up the main street to the Town Hall building. Inside we walked to the back and down a hallway to the office of the mayor. Inside we sat at a table similar to the one in mayor Sandra's office. Only this time we sat across from a balding middle-aged man who looked like he had never seen a day of combat in his life, clearly a lifelong politician.

"May I present, mayor Archibold of Herferton," Logan said leaving the room after the introduction.

"Mayor," I said nodding my head.

"Dragonrider," he said nodding his head in return.

"Look we need to get down to brass tax. Who is this George, and what exactly has he been doing? He seems to be acting similarly to the way that Gregory did in Jewelston, but he is not acting violent in any way."

"That has been our number one issue. He is making moves, but none of them seem to be aggressive in any way. It all seems to actually be by the book. He isn't threatening anyone, he isn't hurting anyone, and he isn't doing anything illegal. What should we do here?"

"I'm not one hundred percent sure myself. All the other Shadow Beasts we were able to catch doing horrible things, but this one seems to have been smart enough to blend in with the laws. How much support does he have?"

"It's not quite enough to overturn my appointment as mayor, but if he gets many more influential people in his pocket it won't be long until he does."

"Is that his goal?"

"I can't see what else he would be garnering all this support for."

I had to stop and think. This was supposed to be an easy open-and-shut case. I needed to figure out a way to get to him and get him to attack me. Get him to act rashly. But he seemed so cool and collected when I spoke to him. I guess it was time to go with a different plan.

"I need to go back. This time I will try going alone. See if I can get him to act differently."

"Differently how?"

"Just leave that part to me."

We left the mayor's office a little while later and went to get a room at a local inn called the Tiger's Paw. I left there and walked alone back to the warehouse district. Aeolith had taken to the skies, for now, to go find a place to stay as well. Walking into the same warehouse I was in before I found George sitting in at the table alone.

"So, you met with the mayor. I'm guessing he didn't say anything different than what I did."

"I mean, he said that you were clean but really only as clean as a crooked businessman was."

"Crooked? What did I do that was crooked?"

"Well, maybe crooked is the wrong word. Cowardly? Maybe that was a better word for it."

"Who are you calling a coward? I ain't no coward."

"I mean, you do just sit out here in the dark and play business all day while everyone else gets their hands dirty."

He reached across the table and grabbed me by the armor. His strength was definitely much greater than that of just plain old George.

"Listen here punk, I've gotten my hands plenty dirty, and if you keep talking this way you are going to see just how dirty I can get them."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa George, I don't think it needs to come to that. You being a coward who can only have others do their business for them and probably calls his mama late at night when he gets scared of doing what has to be done is really none of my business."

His eyes flared red right before he hit me. I was seeing stars for a moment, then I was suddenly on the ground about ten feet from where I was originally. I sent the mental call to Aeolith who relayed the message to the others and right as George was picking me up again, the doors to the warehouse were blasted inward by a dragon charging in. Rutherford, Vokin, and Tristan were charging after her. George sneered at having been caught in the ploy, but then flared his eyes red and reached back to strike me again. I grabbed his hand and twisted his wrist as hard as I could to the right, wrenching myself free of his grasp and then rolling to the side to get away. I came to my feet and charged after him catching him as he was turning to run and tackling him to the ground.

"Time to send you back to Shadows George!"