Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology

by Pauline Creeden

  Chapter 11

  A light knock on the large wooden door caused Kelak to drop his quill, raising his eyes to the door, frustration caused his words to come out clipped and cold as he called out to whoever it was that had interrupted him. “This better be good to have interrupted what I am in the middle of.”

  The door pushed opened slowly and one of his servants entered. Kelak couldn’t help but smile at the fear plastered all over the boy’s face. Kelak soaked up fear like a sponge. Fear and death were his food, and energy. This child was just the fuel he needed that day. Not moving from his desk, black eyes fixed on the servant enjoying the shiver that vibrated through the mortal, the shiver of fear as he waited for the child to speak.

  “The…The fae necromancer is here your grace,” the boy stuttered, his words taking Kelak by surprise.

  Axis had left a few days ago and he had watched Zurina climb in the cart with him. It confused him how she was back, even more so that Axis had allowed her to leave him. Though Zurina was free to leave the fae land as and when she wanted to, Axis still had a hold over her and still relied so much on her powers and her protection.

  “Well, why isn’t she in here? I don’t care for you, boy, get out of my sight and let Zurina in.” Kelak snapped, holding back a dark laugh as the child scarped quickly from the room.

  In his place came the beauty he fantasised about every night. The only one he trusted with the dark plan he had, and the only one he trusted to build another army, one even more deadly than the one that he was breeding in the dungeons below.

  Flashing Zurina a dark smile, he stepped towards her, never breaking eye contact with those flashing gold eyes. Raven hair gleamed in the fire light of the room and the body he knew so well sat beneath a simple yet perfectly crafted emerald green robe. Zurina’s beauty never ceased to amaze Kelak. The evil mind that accompanied such beauty only made Zurina more special and more tantalising.

  “I am surprised to see you here, Zurina. I am even more surprised that Axis let you leave him. I know how much he values you, or should I say the protection that you offer him.” Kelak spoke, offering Zurina a seat.

  He took the casual position leaning against the wooden desk he had moments ago been sat behind. He didn’t need to ask her how she had arrived so quickly either, the powers that a necromancer had were so unique, each one had their own special one that none other could use. Zurina had the uncanny ability to appear anywhere fast, no matter the distance.

  “He doesn’t know I am here, so I cannot stay long. But we didn’t get much of a chance to talk when we last visited. Axis kept your time, and I know that you are eager to learn of what is going on with the undead army,” Zurina replied, the smouldering look in her eyes telling Kelak, that she longed to do more than just talk.

  “You sure I can’t convince you to stay just one night? I am sure Axis won’t miss you that much.”

  “He would know I am gone. He is even more on edge since the Dragon prince went rogue.”

  Zelak couldn’t hide his shock at Zurina’s words. This was new information to him, and information that not only interested him but also concerned him slightly. From what he had heard of the Dragon prince, the youngster was a rebel, and a stubborn one. Kelak knew that Ashran was powerful, more so than his father ever could and would be. He would make a fine king, but it was clear that the white dragon had no intention of taking the throne. Instead, he wondered if Ashran had discovered what his father was doing, had Axis been so foolish as to give the game away? This thought alone brought a wave of anger over him. They had worked so hard to get to where they were at that point in time. To get the dragon on their side, though Izzeris had been one of the dragons that had destroyed the hybrids decades ago. Kelak was certain that Ashran didn’t know that his father had been so dark and deadly, but he wondered if he had found out. If that was why the prince was rebelling.

  “What do you mean he has gone rogue?” Kelak questioned.

  “It is thought that he has left Ustrina. No one knows where he has gone, or why he has gone. Though he was there when we last visited. Walked in on Axis and Izzeris speaking. I am not sure how much he heard, but I am sure he suspects something,” Zurina explained. Kelak growled dangerously, pushing himself from the desk as he started to pace. This wasn’t good, if the prince suspected anything then they were in trouble. He needed to be stopped. Zurina had told him what he already knew. Axis had told him about the meeting. But hearing it from his love made it sound even more of a threat. Change of plan, he was going to stop the white youngster himself.

  “We need to find Ashran as soon as possible. He needs to be hunted down and stopped. If he needs to be killed then so be it. We can’t let a rouge dragon prince ruin all that we have been working towards.”

  “But he isn’t just any rouge prince. He is the white dragon. He is the most powerful of his people, although I am certain that he is not aware of his powers. Well, not the full force of them anyway. His father shielded him from that discovery. So, we have that to our advantage as he hasn’t realised just what damage he can do.”

  Zelak stopped as Zurina spoke, taking in all that she was telling him. They may have the advantage but it wasn’t a great one. Dragons could only be found if they wanted to be found. They were the best at hiding in the shadows and although the white dragon would be hard to miss in the skies, it was likely he would be careful when he would fly if he would at all. They didn’t even know where it was the prince was headed.

  “What you have said may be true, but we have no idea where he has gone. I will send a few of my most trusted people to Ustrina. To hide in their shadows and dig out some information on the prince and where he could have gone. My people have ways. Until then we can do nothing. But I would like you to tell me how the undead army are coming along. Are they behaving to you how they should? Remember you are their leader and they must respected you for that,” Zelak told her.

  “Oh, they respect me alright, I made sure that they knew just who was their creator. In answer to your question, yes, they are maturing well. Learning to harbour their powers and to understand them. These creatures I have created for you are like nothing that has ever been seen in any of the lands. They cannot be killed, they have no weakness and they show no mercy. They will kill anything and anyone I ask them to and in the most torturous ways you can only begin to imagine. I cannot wait to unleash this evil on the world, and then take the rule of all of the lands. It has been a long time coming. But, can I make a suggestion? That we get rid of Axis. He is such a hindrance, and he wants to bring in the serpent king. He plans to visit him soon and speak with him,” Zurina replied, crossing one slender leg over another allowing a piece of white skin, laced with ruins to expose itself to Zelak.

  Zelak was not able to stop his tongue from gliding across his lips as his eyes swept over the exposed skin, longing to expose the rest of the beauty that was wrapped up, to himself.

  “How do you propose we rid ourselves of the Fae King?” Zelak questioned, bringing his eyes back to lock with hers.

  There was a dark malice held within Zurina’s eyes, and he could almost see the darkness swirl within the golden orbs, he felt a shiver run down his spine at the thought of what the two of them could achieve. He longed to have Zurina by his side as his queen, and he just hoped that he didn’t have long to wait till that day would come.

  Zurina grinned darkly at him. “I don’t know yet, but I will figure something out. Don’t worry it won’t be traced back to you or me in any way I can promise you that,” Zurina assured him.

  Kelak shook his head slightly. He wasn’t worried about things being tracked back to him, if he was honest he didn’t really care. He was just worried that Zurina would get herself into trouble. The look in the female’s eyes told him she knew exactly what he was thinking, and he cursed himself for even doubting her. She was just as powerful as he was, if not more so in some aspects, she would be sure that neither of them suffered the consequences of whatever it was she was p
lanning.

  “Just make it good and painful. Very painful and then once we have got rid of him we can work on getting rid of those bloody dragons. They seem to get in the way of everything also, and seem to think that everything belongs to them. I think we need to remind them that that isn’t the case at all. Remind them just who is in charge, and who these lands belong to.” Zelak smirked darkly, and then shuddered as Zurina stepped close to him.

  He felt her eyes roam over every inch of his body, felt her heat connect with his. Gold irises finally locked with his own gaze, the lust and desire burned so clearly in them only arousing him more.

  “Are so sure you must leave so soon?” he hissed, reaching out to pull her flush to him.

  Her body trembled at his touch, only making him want her even more. The dark smirk that graced her lips only fuelled his frustration, he knew that she was just teasing him and that she had no intention of staying any longer. The teasing, deadly kiss that was brushed against his lips was almost enough to top him over the edge, he pushed her away gently.

  “Leave me then, my dark beauty, before you kill me with your lustful scent. I can smell it all over you. You want me just as much,” Zelak mocked, turning her towards the door and guiding her out of it.

  “Have a safe travel back, and do not be a stranger here, Zurina. I miss your company.”

  Zurina brushed her lips against his once more, sending a shiver of passion and longing through his body. “It will not be long my dark king till we are together and ruling these lands. We just need to be patient a little longer.” And with those words she was gone.

  Zelak closed the door behind her, leaning heavily against it, a dark smirk crossing his lips. He couldn’t wait till the day would come when he would be ruler of the all the lands. When his army of the undead walked the lands and people finally bowed at the feet of the darkness that this world belonged in.

  Chapter 12

  Ash sat watching as Blaze looked through the parchment that the old mage had given him. He could read his friend like an open book, and the emotions that were playing out on Blaze’s face were so plain to see. He was shocked, and there was even a hint of disgust on his face. Probably the same look that had been on Ash’s face when he had learnt what had been written. What his father had done. Finally, Blaze placed the paper down and fixed his gaze on Ash. Ash stayed silent as he waited for his friend to speak.

  “ I don’t know what to say, Ash. I don’t want to believe what is written here,” Blaze muttered, his eyes falling back on the words in front of him. “ Why were we never told of this?”

  Ash shrugged in response. “I guess because my father is the king, and he must be seen in the greatest light. I am willing to bet that this information, this truth has been kept from our generation so that the king continues to be respected,” Ash replied, his eyes darkening slightly as he spoke. “But he has lost the little respect I had for him. I cannot forgive the fact that he went through so many villages, killed so many innocent people just because they are not pure-bloods. Just because they are different to us. Does he expect me to be so willing to continue this cult?”

  Ash could tell that Blaze was thinking the same thing. And he was pleased to see his best friend was on his side. Ash knew that Blaze had never liked the king, his parents had paid the price of their lives for speaking out against Ash’s father. Yet, for some reason Izzeris had not taken Blaze’s life. Ash had never been sure if the reasons were out of kindness knowing the two dragons were close friends, or out of cruelness to remind Blaze the consequences of not respecting your king. Whichever it was, Ash had been grateful that Blaze still lived and that the red dragon had learnt to keep his thoughts about the king to himself. Or just for Ash’s ears. Ash didn’t care what Blaze thought of his father. Truth be told, recently Ash thought much worse of him.

  “So, do you think these people that the mage speaks of are the ones we need to seek? Is it Caspa we must venture to? I didn’t even think that place existed.” Blaze broke through his thoughts, his words causing Ash to frown.

  “You mean you have heard about it?” Ash questioned him, he himself having never heard of Caspa until he had read what the mage had given him.

  “Yes. People whisper about it on the streets. I hear them speak of a forgotten race. Do you think it is the hybrids?” Blaze replied.

  Ash dropped down on the one chair in the small room they were renting for the night. He had never heard of such a place, let alone of this forgotten race. But it made sense. And he felt himself smirk slightly at the thought of these people, the ones his father had been so certain that he had managed to rid the world of.

  “Why have you got that cocky look on your face?” Blaze asked.

  Ash noticed the glint of mirth in his friend’s eyes as he spoke. Blaze probably knew exactly what he was thinking. “Because it is clear that my father thought he had got rid of the hybrids. That none of them existed. How wrong was he?”

  “You do realise that if we go to Caspa it is very likely that we won’t be accepted, likely killed or at least tortured. They will know who we are the minute we set foot in that place,” Blaze pointed out.

  Ash shot him a look, sometimes he hated Blaze for pointing out the obvious, it wasn’t like he hadn’t thought all this through. He had, and he knew that he was leading them both on a suicide mission but he felt this was something that needed to be done.

  “Do you really think your father is working with the fae king?” Blaze’s voice once more brought him out of his musings.

  This question Ash was not sure he had the answer to. He wasn’t completely sure if his father was working with the evil or was in debt with it, either way it wasn’t good, and it wouldn’t be good news for his people. Sighing deeply, he shrugged slightly as he did so.

  “I can’t answer that question, Blaze, because I am not completely sure myself. He is either working with him, or he is in debt with him. All I am sure of is that it was not the first time Axis had visited, and the old mage confirmed that. He has been coming to Ustrina for so many years. It would explain why my father turned so dark, and mother too,” Ash replied truthfully.

  “Okay, well let’s say we reach Caspa unharmed, and they let us enter the land without killing us. What exactly do you plan to do? It doesn’t sound like you have much of anything to give them, to convince them to help us,” Blaze said,

  Ash growled in response, why was his friend so determined to put a damper on everything. It didn’t matter that once again he was right. “I don’t know. I haven’t actually thought that far ahead. I didn’t even think we would be sat here right now talking about this. You are right, I don’t have anything to give them but we have to try, Blaze.”

  Ash watched his friend settle himself on the one bed that was in their small room. Watching his friend get comfortable told him that he was not going to be the one sleeping on the mattress that night.

  “Just for your information, Blaze, I will be taking the bed in the next inn that we will be sleeping in.”

  “No, you won’t. You are likely dragging me straight to my death. By doing that you forfeited the right to sleep in comfort,” Blaze stated.

  Ash narrowed his eyes dangerously, crossing his arms over his strong chest as he replied. “Just remember who exactly you are refusing Blaze. You are speaking back to your future king.”

  “We are no longer in Ustrina, Ash. Therefore at this very moment in time you are no different to me. You are no king, in fact, where we are going you are a mere commoner. So don’t even try to pull that trick on me, because it won’t work…” Blaze was interrupted by a sudden commotion from below.

  Ash brought his finger to his lip silencing his friend from saying anything more. The pair froze, daring not to breath as they listened intently to what was being said in the inn.

  “I know the Prince is here. So you better tell us which room we can find him in or we will burn every bit of wood holding this shit hole up,” came a gruff voice, one Ash didn’t know, but by the
look on Blaze’s face he knew who it belonged to.

  “Who is it?” Ash hissed, his tone warning Blaze not to lie. They had clearly been sent by his father, and Ash was not going to let this place burn just because of him.

  “It is Orsar. He is the head of your father’s assassins. Your father has sent him, they must have followed us from the get go. Ash we need to get out of here before they find us. They will take us back to your father, and no doubt your father will let them inflict whatever torture Orsar commands upon us,” Blaze pointed out.

  Ash growled, running his hands through his hair. Blaze was right, they had to get out of here, but he couldn’t just leave this place to burn. The owners had been kind to them. They had asked no questions and had promised to keep them hidden. They still were, even with the threats that were coming their way.

  “We can’t just leave. Orsar will burn this place to the ground and no doubt the village with it. We have to confront him and we have to kill him. There is no other way, Blaze. We cannot let innocent people die for us. They have done nothing but help us. So we have to help them,” Ash replied, ignoring the look of shock and slight fear on Blaze’s face.

  Clearly, this dragon that they were about to go up against was not one many dared to take on. But what choice did they have?

  “Well it seems like there is nothing I am going to say that will stop you from deciding to save this village So what do you propose we do? Just go marching down into the tavern?”

  “That is exactly what we are going to do, Blaze. You may not understand why I would risk so much for a village we will likely never see again, but I cannot let innocent people die because of me,” Ash interrupted his friend. He could see Blaze’s point, he really could, but he couldn’t turn his back on the innocent. He wasn’t like his father.