Power of the Dragon (The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Book 9 of 10): Dragon Fantasy Series (Tail of the Dragon)

by Craig Halloran

  Power of the Dragon

  The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Book 9

  By Craig Halloran

  Power of the Dragon

  Book #9

  By Craig Halloran

  Copyright © 2017 by Craig Halloran

  Amazon Edition

  TWO-TEN BOOK PRESS

  P.O. Box 4215, Charleston, WV 25364

  ISBN eBook: 978-1-941208-99-1

  ISBN Paperback: 978-1-941208-98-4

  www.craighalloran.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recorded, photocopied, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

  Publisher's Note

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  MAP 1

  Nath Dragon Logo

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES

  OTHER BOOKS AND AUTHOR INFO

  MAP 1

  Nath Dragon Logo

  CHAPTER 1

  Standing at the base of Dragon Home, Nath sang a long and sorrowful tune in Dragonese. Hundreds of dragons had died within the mountain grave. He hoped more had escaped through the murals, but he didn’t know. Selene held his hand in hers. Her thumb rubbed the back of his palm. Brenwar stood on the other side, on one knee with his head down. Nath finished singing. Selene dried his eyes.

  “That was a fine song, Nath.” Brenwar rose to his feet. “Feel free to use it at my burial.”

  Selene kissed his cheek. “Mine too.”

  “Certainly, but let’s not make any plans for the near future. I’ve lost enough friends today. We all have.” There were still many dragons lying dead on the ground from the battle outside. It had been a day since the mountain fell, and now the fetcher dragons came. They dropped from the sky and landed softly by the fallen dragons. The tremendous, hornless beasts were smooth scaled, gray mixed with white, giving them soft feathers. They took the dragons in their claws, one by one, and flew them away.

  “Won’t the wurmers get them?” Brenwar remarked.

  “They know a path in the skies only they dare follow. It’s very high.”

  Selene gave Nath a puzzled look.

  He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m enlightened.” He started down into the moat’s lava. Immersion in burning rock did more than change him physically. It gave him a greater awareness as well. He had gained knowledge of Nalzambor and the dragons that he hadn’t had before. “We have to get back on track. I need to rescue Father. I’m not sure where to start.”

  “If you don’t have any answers, perhaps we should head back to Morgdon,” Brenwar said. “They could use our help, based on what I saw in those murals.”

  “We need to find the others too,” Selene said. “Grahleyna and I spoke about a temporary sanctuary where we could rendezvous if we were ever separated. I’m certain they’ll be there. Or close by. I can only assume they believe us dead. They may have moved on.”

  “No doubt they’ll be looking for us, and we should be looking for them. We’ll make haste.” He faced the bridge that led across the moat. “I’d be interested to see the look on Eckubahn’s face when he learns of all this.” He swam across the moat in the molten lava, reflecting on the drolem Isobahn had possessed, almost killing him. It had been sad to see such a magnificent creation destroyed. He shook his head.

  Together, they searched the camp for any supplies they might need. The titan army had been building for years. Even after the collapse of the now aptly named Mountain of Doom, the evidence of their labor at the base of the mountain was vast. Now abandoned, the dreadful encampment had become a ghost town. Along with a few varmints scuttling among scraps and skulking away, the tent flaps rustling was the only movement in sight. Any survivors had fled.

  Nath ducked into the largest tent, centered in the camp—which was so large that this tent was a mile away from the base of the mountains. Scrolls and maps were piled at the side of the table. A layout of Dragon Home was spread out in intricate detail. The tunnels the titan army had dug were clearly marked. Nath could see several places where the enemy’s efforts failed and they had to try again. “Huh, there’s a lot of hard rock in that mountain. No wonder the siege took so long. They couldn’t find a soft spot to dig.”

  “Dwarves would have done it in a tenth of the time.”

  “Then I suppose it’s a good thing the dragons aren’t warring with dwarves, then, isn’t it?”

  “I didn’t mean any disrespect,” Brenwar said. “Just making a point, sire.”

  Nath nodded. “Brenwar, so long as we aren’t anywhere formal, let’s keep it informal between us, shall we, dearest friend?”

  “Certainly.”

  “Feel free to look around and see if there is anything useful.” Nath rifled through some papers. “We might get a better idea of what their plans are elsewhere.”

  Brenwar grabbed a scroll taller than him, made from cloth, and rolled it out on the floor. “I don’t see how they organized anything in this dung heap. They have plans scattered everywhere.” He stood on the end of the carpet-sized scroll. “Look at this. A map of Thraag, home of the orcs. Look at how big they write. It’s because they’re stupid.” He wiped his boots on the image of the city. “That’s all this map is good for. It’s too big to blow my nose on.”

  Selene picked through scroll after scroll, unrolling them and tossing them to the floor. “Supply lists. Inventory. This army wasn’t bereft of organization. Hmm, now this is interesting.”

  Nath lifted his eyes toward hers. “What is it?”

  “A list of cities and their leaders. The titan army’s head count abroad. According to this, their forces number well over a hundred thousand men. Not including the force we defeated here. So many.”

  “Don’t you mean orcs and the like?” Brenwar said.

  “Men and the like. We aren’t discounting the wurmers, either. According to this, aside from Morgdon and Elome, all of Nalzambor has been taken.”

  “We’d assumed as much,” Nath said. “It would take all of the elves and dwarves to match a force
like that.”

  “Well, they are spread out in a variety of forces,” Selene added. She spread the scroll out on the table. “The largest portion was here at the mountain. I imagine once word gets out that the mountain collapsed and this force is no more, they’ll change tactics. If I were them, I would unite my remaining forces and focus on either the dwarves or the elves. And their greatest force is already surrounding the elves.”

  Nath glanced at Brenwar.

  “It’s a likely idea for those pea brains,” he said. “They won’t be able to penetrate Morgdon as easily as Elome. The elves don’t even have walls around their cities.”

  “No,” Nath said, “but they’re holding the enemy for now. We need to warn them, though. We need to be three places at once.”

  “Are you suggesting we split up?” Selene said.

  “I’m not ruling out the possibility.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Ben sat under a tree with his head down between his legs. He and everyone else who had passed through the mural were fine, but all of their faces were long. Sasha sobbed with her sons. They’d lost great friends in Nath, Selene, and Brenwar, not to mention all the dragons, including Grahleyna. His chest rattled when he breathed. His breath was misty.

  Snow came down, barely covering the green grass of the fields. Dragons of all sorts and colors lingered nearby. There had been more when they first arrived. Quietly and gradually, they were departing.

  Ben noticed Slivver beneath another tree. The long-necked silver dragon stood on his hind legs, watching the other dragons depart. “Why are they leaving?”

  Turning his neck a little, Slivver said, “They’re going to hide, I suppose. That’s what dragons do. They’ll burrow into the rock and dirt. Carry on in their hidden ways.”

  “But there’s still a battle yet to be fought, Slivver. We all need to stick together. Talk to them.”

  “I have been. They aren’t listening. Dragons are stubborn. You should know that by now. It takes a strong leader to corral them, and even then, it’s difficult.” Slivver pointed at the other silver shades he led. “We’ll stay with you, of course. Well, for a bit. I feel compelled to search Dragon Home for survivors.”

  Coming to his feet with a groan, Ben said, “I’d like to do that myself. The question is, how far are we from Dragon Home?” He slowly spun around. “I have no idea where we are.”

  “Can’t you smell the salt in the air?” Slivver flicked his tongue out. “I can taste it.”

  “Please tell me we aren’t near the northern seas.”

  “No, I jest. No seas are near. Judging by the greenery, I’m relatively certain we are far east of the Settlement, tucked between the mountains and rivers. We are south of Elome, and perhaps you could follow the river straight to it. That would be ideal.”

  Sasha and her sons sauntered over. She wiped the dry tears on her face and sniffled. “Sorry, I should be stronger than this by now. You’d think I’d be used to seeing the ones I love dying.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Ben said. “We’ve all lost, but we live for them.”

  “I know,” she replied. “Slivver, you were saying we should make for the land of the elves. I watched the war going on there from the murals. I don’t think they’ll accept us, seeing how we aren’t elves. I’m not, and my sons aren’t full blooded.”

  “A dragon escort might have an impact on them,” Slivver said, showing his teeth in a flashy smile. “I can be rather convincing.”

  “I’m sure you can.” Ben adjusted his quiverful of arrows. “But I don’t think we’ll make it there without a fight. The titan army has formed its own border around Elome. We’ll either have to punch our way through or fly, I guess.”

  “Or you could wait for me here,” Slivver said.

  “What do you mean?” Sasha said.

  “I am truly compelled to check Dragon Home for survivors. I can make it from here to there in a day.”

  “Slivver, the past is in the past. We have to move on,” Sasha objected. “We need to focus on fighting the titans—and”—she glanced at the sky—“the wurmers. We still need to take out those lairs. There’s almost no point in fighting this war if we can’t stop the wurmers. You saw how many of them there were. They fill the skies like rain. And truthfully, I don’t like the idea of you leaving. What if they see you?”

  “They might see me, but they won’t catch me.” Slivver spread his wings. “Trust me.”

  “I’m with Sasha, Slivver. I think we need to stay together. Let’s head toward elven land. Perhaps they’ll have some insight that we can use. Stay with us.”

  “What you want has no bearing on my decision. I’ll do what I feel needs to be done. I’m a dragon, never inclined to take orders from humans. No offense, but I do what I do out of duty in honor of my mother and my brother. I suggest that you stay close to the river. Head north. I’ll hurry back.” Slivver leapt into the air. His shining wings beat. He flew out of sight in seconds.

  Ben’s eyes trailed after him. “I sure wish I could do that. Sasha, are you comfortable heading north?”

  “I’ll let you decide.”

  Rerry started to say something but closed his mouth. Samaz stood quiet as ever, carrying Brenwar’s chest on his shoulder. The Elderwood Staff was in his other hand.

  “North it is then.” Ben led the way.

  Sasha, Samaz, and Rerry fell in behind him. Faces to the northern wind, they marched alongside the river bank. Aside from being able to defend themselves, they had additional protection. Slivver’s fellow dragons stayed close. There were other dragons in their midst, some bright and colorful, slinking through the waters and the tall grasses that kissed the bottom of the hills. The snowfall increased, coating the greenery in a soft, bright, white layer.

  They had walked half a league when Rerry—who’d been oddly silent—spoke up. “I’m getting hungry.”

  Ben had been ignoring the nagging in his stomach. Grahleyna had sent them out of the mountain without any supplies. It was just them. He unhooked Akron from his back. Snap. Clatch. Snap. The perfectly crafted bow strung itself. Eyeing the hills, he said, “I imagine there must be some game. Rerry, are you in the mood to do a little hunting?”

  Rerry patted his scabbard. “With a sword?”

  “No, I’ll let you take a shot or two with Akron, but no more. If you miss, then it’s my turn.”

  The young elven warrior’s eyes lit up. He took the bow in hand. “No, I’ll do it in one shot, but I hope to do many.”

  “Sasha, we’ll be back,” Ben said. “Just keep heading north.”

  She showed him a smile. “Happy hunting.”

  CHAPTER 3

  With his head burning in a bright-red angry flame, Eckubahn pounded on a giant sentry. His huge fists dented the metal armor the giant wore. Ribs cracked under his power. The giant gasped his last breath and died. The red flame surrounding Eckubahn’s head cooled to a soft amber green. Sweat dripped from his mortal body. He returned to his throne. Five giants lay dead inside the throne room in Narnum, their huge bodies strewn over the floor—busted up, mangled, and broken.

  He let out a loud sigh that echoed through the chamber. Some of the remaining giant sentries, backs to him, shuddered.

  “Stand still!” Tylabahn said. The titan was still in the form of a giant hag of a woman. Her scraggly gray hair now hung past her waist. “What are you grinning at, Lotuus?”

  The fairy empress was the bearer of bad news. She was the one who had delivered the message about the Mountain of Doom. The blow was devastating to Eckubahn. She delighted in it, but not because she wanted Eckubahn to lose. She just loved turmoil and chaos. “I can’t help but find this entire scene entertaining. I bring news that a quarter of your army has been destroyed, and now you yourself destroy another portion of it. I thought you spirits were wiser than that.”

  Eckubahn took a swat at her.

  Lotuus glided out of harm’s away. “Please, don’t kill the messenger. You’ve killed enough already.” S
he hovered between Eckubahn, who sat, and Tylabahn, who stood. She was nothing more than a rodent between them. “It seems that Nath Dragon lives. Perhaps you should have killed him when you had him, like you did his father.”

  Eckubahn glared right at her. “It is impossible that he escaped. He should have been dead long ago.”

  “And yet, three years later, he reappears. Never underestimate the power of a dragon.” Wings beating, she buzzed backward and out of reach. “There is a price for overconfidence, and now, not only is Nath Dragon back, but Isobahn is gone. Not to mention, you don’t even have access to the Mountain of Doom. I have to admit, I never saw that coming. The dragons destroyed their own mountain. Brilliant!”

  “Silence, Lotuus!”

  She shrugged her little shoulders. “As you wish, my lord.”

  Lotuus had come back into the fold when she learned Nath Dragon had been captured and kept in the Deep. Since that time, she’d been serving as a go-between for Eckubahn and his forces. She had been about to deliver the good news that the mountain was about to be penetrated when Nath returned. From a distance, she had watched the entire battled unfold. The dragons fought the wurmers. Nath emerged from the mountain with a huge metal dragon that turned against him. She watched him fall to his death in the boiling lava. The Mountain of Doom collapsed. Nath Dragon emerged again and slew Isobahn with his sword.

  And Nath Dragon had changed into something greater than he had been. She had considered approaching him for some reason but had thought better of it. She kept that to herself. After all, this was a war she had started. It wasn’t likely he’d forgive her for it.

  She’d fled back to Narnum and delivered the shattering news to Eckubahn. He’d been having a tantrum ever since.

  “What do you want to do, Eckubahn?” Tylabahn ran a comb through her hair. Bugs fell on the ground with each stroke. “Shall we hunt after Nath again? He needs to be destroyed.”

  “I’m thinking.”