Key of Living Fire (The Sword of the Dragon) by Scott Appleton

think it will come to that? I mean, abandoning our country over a little weather crisis.”
    “It is more than that, Vortain.” Ilfedo faced them and felt the familiar slap of the sword of the dragon on his leg. “Consider the extent of Resgeria. Miles upon uncharted miles of hot, dry sand. The current wind pattern has held for the past three months. In that time we have seen the desert advance half a mile into our border. And that wind continues unabated as we speak.”
    Mayor Vortain shook his long blond hair and stood, pushing back his chair. “With due respect, my lord. Consider what you are saying! Consider the consequences. This land is all we have. It is all we know. Unless you propose we relocate our people to the now-abandoned land of the giants.”
    “That doesn’t sound like a bad option, Vortain.” A bald-headed man thumped his fist on the table and glared at Gwensin’s mayor. “It’s better by far than watching this land slowly die. At least Burloi is vast, watered, and there are enough buildings to shelter our entire population whilst we build new cities.”
    Ilfedo raised his hand and Vortain sat down, though a frown played across his face. “No. That would not be prudent. The land of Burloi was laid waste. It may be green, but much of it reeks with death. I wouldn’t want to build upon such a massacre. Besides, who knows if the animal carcasses have sat there for too long? The water and the land itself could be poisonous by now—in all probability they are . I am not proposing that we leave the Hemmed Land. Believe me, I do not want to, in the slightest. But I do ask that all of you prepare for that possibility. Prepare yourselves and your people; store foods and supplies with which to journey. Whether or not the idea suits your fancy, you cannot deny that, if the weather pattern does not change, this land may no longer be able to sustain our growing population.”
    A murmur of agreement passed through the men at that table. Even Vortain gave him a slight nod. Ilfedo could only guess what was going through the mayor’s mind. But he imagined it had a lot to do with the beautiful city of Gwensin. Vortain continued to pour all his energies into making the Hemmed Land’s capital a place of which to be proud. For this Ilfedo admired him and worried for him.
    “Long ago I told you of the creature that gifted this sword to me.” Ilfedo drew the sword from its sheath, and the Living Fire engulfed him. “And I remember also telling you all of the prophecy delivered by the white dragon. But one other thing the dragon told me, something that has been on my mind in recent months. He told me that when our land can no longer sustain me and my people I will look for another land. When that time comes, I must seek out the dragon Venom-fier—because that dragon will be my strong arm, and I will be his shield. I still don’t understand the meaning of it, but I believe it was a prophecy meant to lead us out of the Hemmed Land to a sustainable country. And I believe it will come true.”
    “You believe?” Vortain scowled up at him for an instant before lowering his gaze. “Forgive me, Lord Ilfedo. I know that you think you speak the truth. But let me say for those of us who love this land as much as our own limbs, and would never trade it for another, that I would oppose relocation publicly. Especially relocating in search of some dragon.”
    Ilfedo sheathed his sword, and the fire receded from his body. “Then,” he said with a meaningful stare in the man’s direction, “let us pray to God that it will not come down to that.” He returned to the table’s head and sat down. For a moment he studied the thick tabletop, wishing he could return to his life as a hunter. Yet he lifted his gaze to the opposite end of the table and nodded at the monk seated there.
    Brother Hersis stood. His black hair framed his beady eyes in an almost fierce way. But as the delegates looked at him and he smiled, the