“Hold on my King,” Kainan gritted his teeth and locked his legs tight against the dragon as he shot up and then twisting he flew down backwards. The King held on and soon found himself upside down and back to back with the black dragon. Pulling a short sword from his back, he yelled to his dragon.
“You’d better catch me Meladrom!” With that, he released his grip, flipping over and landing on the back of the black dragon. Without hesitation, Kainan drove the short sword into its neck; thrusting it upwards, he penetrated the soft spot behind its scales. Gripping tight with his legs and screaming with all his might, the muscles of his arms burning with the effort, he sliced the short sword across the dragon’s neck, splitting him open. The dragon roared furiously, trying to shake him off. He began to go into a dive, hurtling towards the ground.
“Meladrom you had better be there,” Kainan said to himself as he released his grip upon the black dragon, launching himself into the air. Within seconds, Meladrom was underneath him and Kainan landed hard upon his back.
“Nice manoeuvre my King,” Meladrom complemented as he watched the black dragon hit the ground and disintegrate.
“You too Meladrom,” Kainan complemented and circling around they found the other dragon riders had defeated the other two dragons.
“Take me down Meladrom,” Kainan ordered.
“As you wish my King,” his dragon replied, flying swiftly and silently, and landing on the city square. Kainan slid off his back, his booted feet landing on scattered straw. Fire billowed across the schoolhouse.
Kainan ran to them.
“Any children inside?” he cried to one of the villagers.
“No my Lord we got them all out.” Kainan glanced about urgently; he saw a pile of large barrows. The other dragons landed beside him.
“Forde, Sharelle, Amerdril get your dragons to use these and collect water from the river,” he suggested. They nodded.
“Meladrom take the others to the lake and fill the barrows,” he ordered. Meladrom lifted off the ground, picking up one of the large barrows in his huge talons, and in seconds, all three dragons were gone.
The three dragon riders and the King joined the villagers as they frantically tried to put out the fires ranging across the city. Kainan glanced up, the dragons had returned.
“Meladrom, the school first,” Kainan ordered, using his mind.
“Yes my King,” Meladrom replied, swiftly dumping his barrow-load of water onto the schoolhouse. Galtec and Ayver followed dumping their water onto the school before flying off to refill their barrows. Within a couple of hours, the fires were all out.
The villagers gathered to him, stopping before him they bowed down low.
“Thank you my King, you have saved us,” one man spoke up.
“Please stand all of you.” The crowd that had gathered rose to their feet. “How many injured?” Kainan asked. The man who had spoken stepped forward.
“Many my Lord seven confirmed dead so far.” Kainan gritted his teeth angrily. Behind him, three other dragons stood alongside with their riders. The crowd watched them nervously, the dragons were huge and intimidating, and although on their side, their size, and ferociousness terrified most of them.
“Please my Lord what is happening? Have we lost the battle against the dark one?” one woman cried, clutching her baby tight. Kainan took a deep breath, glancing around at the grim faces watching him. He did not really want to tell the people the danger they were in, for fear of causing a panic. The last thing he wanted was for them to try to flee to the mountains, but neither could he hide the truth from them any longer.
“Citizens of Malgar, as you are aware a great threat is upon us. Tomorrow at high noon, I will address you the people. I have important news that will involve you all, for now that is all I can tell you. I have plans that need to be put in motion before I am able to reveal to you all what they are.” The crowd remained silent. He looked at a wagon parked nearby.
“For now please help those you can and those you cannot, use the wagon and bring the injured to the castle and we shall tend to them there.” Kainan climbed back upon Meladrom’s back. The people lowered themselves, and watched as he and the other dragon riders took off back to the castle.
Pulling off his gloves the King marched quickly down the corridor. They had less time than they thought. He was convinced that those four black dragons were spies sent from Gemini to gather information as to his defences and the strength of his men. Soon Gemini would strike at the city; his soldiers would not be able to hold him off forever. The boats needed to be built, tomorrow he would address his people, tell them the situation. Gather their help. If they wanted to survive, they would all have to pitch in and build the boats, fast.
“Kainan, what is going on?” his mother questioned as he walked into the Great Hall. Amerdril, Sharelle, and Forde followed behind him. Waiting for him in the hall were the last of his dragon riders. Destran, Forde’s brother, Jael, Morgose, Morgana, Dross, Kaleb, Rahban, and the other elves Estooe and Martock, they all bowed on one knee as he approached them. He lifted his hand.
“Stand up,” he said, shaking his head at them.
“My Lord how bad is it?” Jael asked. He was a short stocky man with a scar that started at the top of his forehead and went down diagonally across his face to his cheek.
“Not good Jael,” he said, shaking his head grimly. “Mother there are a lot of wounded, can you prepare the infirmary?” His mother nodded and as she went to leave, she placed a hand on his arm.
“Well done,” she smiled sadly. He smiled back and patted her hand watching as she departed.
“Kainan I should go and help too,” Arweyn offered, stepping up to him.
“Yes in a moment my love, but I want you here for a while.” He pulled an arm around her shoulder and she rubbed his back affectionately.
“I have gathered you all here because,” he sighed deeply, “we are losing the battle against Gemini. My brother and I have decided that we are going to put into play the prophecy.” They murmured between themselves. Kainan led his wife to the table in the far corner of the room. Pulling out a chair for her, she sat down and he sat down next to her. He ushered the others forward and they too sat down.
“Gareion and I have decided that we are going to take the people to the Shankar Mountains, where hidden within are a number of deep chambers.” Forde went to speak but Kainan raised a hand.
“Let me finish Forde, then you may ask your questions,” he requested and the young man sank back into his chair, running his hands though is short dark hair.
“The people,” he continued, “will be frozen in time by an enchantment. The prophecy foretells that the Queen and I will then sacrifice our lives to the Deragan sword.” He raised his hands as they all began to protest. “Let me finish please,” he begged. “The prophecy says that we shall then be re-born in the future and be given enough magic and power to defeat Gemini. Gareion and my mother will take around one thousand people through the portal to Zyon where they will rebuild a new life and leave clues to enable Arweyn and me to find each other when we are reborn and to find our way back here to complete the prophecy.” A gallery of silent and grim faces stared back at him.
“My Lord that sounds well, crazy,” Kaleb said finally, leaning forward on the table and looking at the others for their agreement. Kainan nodded to the bald headed, heavily tattooed man.
“I know it does Kaleb but there is no other choice left to me. What I want from all of you is to decide what you want to do. You have two choices, you can either, go with your families through the portal with Gareion and start a new life there….”
“What about our dragons?” Morgana interrupted, pushing her long blonde hair behind her shoulders. Kainan shook his head.
“They cannot go I am sorry. Or….” he began, raising his hand in a plea for silence as they all began talking amongst themselves. “You can choose to be frozen in time along with my people and wait for my return.”
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��What about the dragons?” Morgana asked, Rohan meant the world to her and she was not about to abandon him.
“They will be frozen within their lair until my return it is the only way to stop Gemini from capturing them and drinking their blood.” He stood up, and Arweyn followed.
“I will leave you all to think about it.” Amerdril stood up sharply.
“I do not need to think about it my Lord I will await your return.” Kainan nodded, he had expected that from his Protector.
Before any of the others spoke, Kainan turned to them. “Think about what I have said, and then let me know in two days. Dross….” The thirty two year old man stood up and dipped his head to the King, his long dark hair falling forwards.
“I will leave tomorrow after I have addressed the people, to speak with Ophidian. You are in charge of defence until I return. Gemini will try to get his dragons into the city again. Stop him.” He nodded his head towards Dross.
“Yes my Lord.”
“Sharelle, Estooe, and Martock can I speak with you three, in there.” He pointed to an anteroom. The three stood up and walked into the room. He turned to Amerdril and his wife. “I will not be a moment.” They both nodded and he followed the Elves to the other room.
He surveyed the two men and one woman standing just beyond him. Sharelle was tall, twenty-four years old and had sharp blue eyes with long blonde hair that reached to her waist. She looked delicate but was far from it, she was an excellent dragon rider, and a skilled swordswoman. Kainan had been proud to have her within his elite guard for the last five years. Estooe and Martock too were both young elves in their early twenties, tall and blonde like Sharelle. He closed the door and walked over to them, smiling as he approached.
“You three have all been loyal to me and I am honoured to have had you fighting alongside me, but now I want you to think purely for yourselves and not about me or this Kingdom. If you chose to be frozen, you must understand that I do not know how long it will be. It could be five years, ten, twenty, even a hundred. Unlike the others whose families and friends will be frozen along with them; your families back home in Elvendon will age, your parents, your brothers, and sisters and all your friends. You may never see them again.” The elves glanced at each other.
“There will be no going back and there will be no time for you to go and say your goodbyes. We have two, three weeks maximum before Malgar falls and until then I need all three of you.” He turned and walked away from them, stopping he turned back.
“Think about it seriously.” He nodded to them and all three gave a bow of their heads.
Eleven ~ Dragon Riders
Simultaneously they opened their eyes, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.
“Did you see it too?” he finally asked and she nodded. Pulling her into his arms, he held her.
“Kainan we took such a risk,” she glanced over at the stone statues. He nodded.
“We had faith in the prophecy and it did not fail us.” She gazed into his dark eyes.
“This is just all so incredible it is hard to take in.”
“I know, but we have been re-born, and we did find each other again.” She sighed as she held him close.
“I love you so much Kainan,” her eyes lifted back up to his and he smiled deeply.
“And I love you my beautiful Queen.” He kissed her. She frowned, looking at him.
“I do not remember everything though, do you?” He shook his head.
“No. I can only remember snippets of the last few months, after Gemini attacked.” She nodded.
“Me too, perhaps more of our memories will return to us in time.”
“Perhaps, but at least now I can understand why we have all this magic and power within us,” he said, turning towards his people. “It was their voices that I could hear calling me,” he smiled, taking hold of her hand. “Gareion did a good job leaving all those clues. He is never going to believe this,” he chuckled, shaking his head.
They wandered over to Amerdril.
“We should make a start. Hopefully we will have enough power to bring back the twelve dragon riders, as we are going to need them.” She nodded a little apprehensive.
The twelve dragon riders grouped together. There were three elves, Sharelle, Estooe, and Martock and the others, were all Groundlings. Kainan smiled as he approached Amerdril, he was his Protector, and, as Drew had become on his quest for the Ardor Crystal, Amerdril was a true and loyal friend. Then there was Forde and Destran Drakon, they were brothers. Kainan smiled as his memory of them returned, they were a troublesome pair constantly bickering, but as thick as thieves. Jael and Dross stood to their right whilst Morgana and Morgose stood to their left. Finally, there was Kaleb and Rahban. He nodded silently to himself. They were all that were left of his Dragon Riders, but they were the best. He took a deep breath and drew the Deragan Sword.
“Are you ready?” he asked, turning to his wife. She nodded, clasping her hands around his, and as he raised the sword towards them, they both drew on their power.
“Shar Nordar Kilraken
Grenar Lelan Rudesan
Eprewil Aylamguar.”
A beam of light shot out from the sword and covered the twelve riders. A pulsating energy moved over each one of them, warming their bodies and bringing life to that which was stone.
Kainan lowered the sword and Arweyn withdrew her hands from him.
“Are you okay?” he asked with concern. She was tired but other than that felt fine.
“Yes,” she whispered as he drew her into his arms. They waited and watched, hoping upon hope that it would work.
Soon the statues began to change and warmth returned to their faces. After a few minutes, there was movement.
“Kainan look!” she cried, pointing to Amerdril. His eyes were flickering.
“By the stars it is working,” Kainan cried excitedly. Grabbing her hand, they moved towards him.
Amerdril opened his eyes and looked up to find the King and Queen staring at him.
“Hello old friend,” Kainan said, grinning at him. Amerdril immediately stood up and then groaned grabbing at his back.
“Did it not work?” he asked disappointedly. Amerdril looked to his left and then to his right and he saw the others beginning to awaken.
“Work Amerdril, of course it worked!” Kainan grabbed his shoulders and stood squarely onto him. “It is been five hundred years my friend.” Amerdril’s mouth dropped. Kainan released him and took hold of Arweyn’s hand.
“You both look different,” he mumbled frowning at them.
“We have been re-born Amerdril, I am twenty one and the Queen is eighteen.” Amerdril’s eyes then widened in disbelief.
“Bloody hell for real!” he cried, spinning around to the others as they woke. The other stretched their muscles, looking towards the King puzzled.
“It only bloody worked!” Amerdril yelled his eyes wide at them.
“How long has it been?” Forde asked.
“Five hundred years or so,” Kainan replied.
“Five hundred years!” he repeated shocked. He shook his head.
“It does not feel like it.”
“You look different,” Morgana said, raking her hands through her long blonde hair and stepping towards them.
“We have been reborn. I have a new family and a new Kingdom. The prophecy was true. Neither Arweyn nor I had any memory of this time. We only knew the life we were living.” He smiled at his wife. “Thankfully fate intervened and my Queen found me. We have only just regained this part of our past memories. Gareion did us proud; he left enough clues to trigger my curiosity. He too has been re-born as my twin, but as of yet he does not remember this life before.”
“What about Gemini?” Destran asked. Kainan took a breath and shook his head.
“Unfortunately it appears he is still alive as we have already been attacked by black dragons and his evil creatures.”
“Do you have the power now to defeat him my Lord?” Ka
leb asked. Kainan nodded.
“We both do, the time has come to reclaim our empire.” They all nodded.
“You know it is weird, it only feels like a short while ago we were waiting for you to put us all to sleep, and now it has been five hundred years.” Amerdril frowned deeply and then sighed.
“Believe me when I tell you that Arweyn and I have been through some weird and unexplainable events these past few months in order to find our way here.”
“My Lord, what about our dragons?” Rahban asked.
“I have already awoken all fourteen you should be able to connect with them soon. Meladrom awaits my instructions,” Kainan replied.
Jael opened his pack and rummaged inside.
“Unbelievable,” he blurted. The others looked at him.
“What is it?” Kainan asked. He pulled out an apple
“Five hundred years frozen in time and it is still perfect.” He pulled out a muslin cloth and opened it, sniffing at the dried meat inside. “Smells okay,” he said, before taking a bite.
“And?” Kainan asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.
“Tastes awful, just as usual,” he moaned before grinning back. Kainan laughed, watching as the others checked their supplies.
“We will get to the surface and move out. We still have a few hours of daylight left…” he stopped. “That is, if you all feel up to it? Or do you need to rest for a while?” Suddenly thinking their bodies might need time to recover and strengthen. Heads began to shake as they looked at one another.
“No, I am good,” Amerdril, said.
“Me too,” said Sharelle the elf, followed by an all-round general agreement that they were fit enough to move out.
“Okay, great. Let’s go,” Kainan ordered. Grabbing packs, the small party made their way out of the cavern. Arweyn turned and looked once more behind her at the hundreds of faces that stared blankly back at her. She sighed, and waving a hand, she extinguished the torches, plummeting them all, back into darkness.
As they climbed aboard the boat, Kainan blew on the silver horn. They waited, and soon Ophidian appeared bursting through the water and towering above them. Kainan stared, and in fact, they all stared, in awe, he was such an incredible looking dragon.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom Page 22