by E. W. SALOKA
“It may sound crazy Zach, but I think I know what’s happening,” Dredd said quietly.
“Well then, tell me Dredd because this is weird.” Zach felt droplets of water start to hit his face.
“I thought it was just a dream I had when I was younger. But you and your grandfather coming to Brandiss-Dor, then it must be true.” Dredd heard a rushing sound. “Do you hear that Zach?”
“Look Dredd!” Zach gasped, slowly a beautiful waterfall appeared, it was quite high and the waters looked cool and shimmery.
Dredd was mesmerized, he moved closer to it and stood directly in front of the rushing waters. He pushed his hand through and stood motionless, just gazing at the waters as though in a trance.
Although it felt wet, the liquid did not cling to his body. This wasn’t truly a waterfall but something like liquid energy that seemed to move around him.
Dredd walked in the waters and quickly the force pulled him in. Zach ran up to the waterfall and tried to see where he had disappeared He moved a little closer and all at once Zach fell, spinning through the waters, and again it was as if he was flying through a vortex. There were flashes of light, and a soft whirring sound almost lulled him into the next world. However, it soon became harsh and he finally landed on a dirt floor, smack right on the seat of his pants. Zach was confused as he looked around, but then there, sitting in the corner with the same confused look was Dredd. “Where do you think we are?” Zach asked nervously.
“Well,” Dredd said slowly standing and brushing the dust and cobwebs from his clothing, “That was interesting.” He looked around and saw buckets, pails and old gardening tools. The room had a damp, musty smell.
Faazen was deep in thought when he heard a sound on the observatory; it was if something or someone had landed. Once there he saw his friend. “Good evening Hannalore, what brings you to Dragmar?” He eyed her curiously.
“I should think you would already know Faazen. Someone has located the Passage Hall and it has been opened, they have not entered alone.” She kept her voice even toned.
The wizard looked at her and spoke calmly. “Do not be too alarmed as of yet, I believe it is Dredd and Zachary that have gone through. We must keep this from Rianor at all costs.”
Hannalore nodded in agreement. “It would be disastrous if he were to find out.”
“C’mon Zach, lets get out of here and see what this is all about.” Dredd was anxious to investigate their surroundings.
“Alright, you lead the way since it was your idea.” Zach was hesitant but followed him anyway.
Dredd paused for a moment, took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. They gingerly made their way up a few old and creaky wooden steps. Dredd peeked first through the overhanging branches; pushing them back he saw they were standing in the corner of a spacious and noisy park. There were benches and a man selling ice cream. Kids were playing and people were walking their dogs who were barking furiously at other dogs.
Zach smiled. “I know where we are Dredd! This is where I used to skate with my friends. Right there is where I fell off my bike a few years ago and needed three stitches” as he pointed to his elbow. “This is my home, we’re in Hickory Heights. I can’t believe it!”
“Alright, no mass chaos obviously, uniting the two pieces allows you to travel between our two worlds. This should stay between us, tell no one,” Dredd said with a quiet authority.
“Look Dredd, that creek back there is where granddad and I would go fishing.” Zach was happily reminiscing
“Focus Zach, we can only visit now, but we might be able to return.”
“Wait a minute, this is my home, I like Brandiss-Dor but maybe I want to stay here.”
“Zach, your grandfather is back there, you can’t leave him!”
The two started to raise their voices a little because they were nervous and excited.
Just then, a little girl walking down the path stopped and approached them. Zach bent down to say hello.
“Oh pretty,” she said as she lightly touched the silver leaf hanging from his neck.
“Thanks” Zach said as he patted her dark silky head. Following not far behind, an old man in a long coat caught up to her. He nodded politely to the boys and spoke to the girl.
“Come child, it’s time to go,” he said in a firm but eloquent voice.
She looked up at him with wide violet eyes and the pair walked off down the winding path. Soon she started to skip ahead, and under her flowing white dress there was just a flash of her little pink shoes.
Table of Contents
Race Riders
Prologue
One - Upon a Winged Horse
Two - New Friends, New Enemies
Three - The Path to Dragmar
Four - The Inner Sanctum
Five - All is Not Quiet at Midnight
Six - A New Ally
Seven - The Charming Mr. Shaw
Eight - Rianor and Daksha
Nine - Thomas’s Rude Awakening
Ten - Learning To Fly
Eleven - The Uninvited Guest
Twelve - Matters Of the Heart
Thirteen - Faazen’s Rage
Fourteen - Dates, babies, and other things.
Fifteen - Mella’s Gift
Sixteen - Watch Out For the Green One
Seventeen - The Festival at Blackshire
Eighteen - Dragon Masters Championship -The Race
Nineteen - Danger Over Everdark Forest
Twenty - Onto the Evening Festivities
Twenty One - What in the World Are Mumblebugs?
Twenty Two - Plinking With the Flurts
Twenty Three - The Substance of Silver
Table of Contents
Race Riders
Prologue
One - Upon a Winged Horse
Two - New Friends, New Enemies
Three - The Path to Dragmar
Four - The Inner Sanctum
Five - All is Not Quiet at Midnight
Six - A New Ally
Seven - The Charming Mr. Shaw
Eight - Rianor and Daksha
Nine - Thomas’s Rude Awakening
Ten - Learning To Fly
Eleven - The Uninvited Guest
Twelve - Matters Of the Heart
Thirteen - Faazen’s Rage
Fourteen - Dates, babies, and other things.
Fifteen - Mella’s Gift
Sixteen - Watch Out For the Green One
Seventeen - The Festival at Blackshire
Eighteen - Dragon Masters Championship -The Race
Nineteen - Danger Over Everdark Forest
Twenty - Onto the Evening Festivities
Twenty One - What in the World Are Mumblebugs?
Twenty Two - Plinking With the Flurts
Twenty Three - The Substance of Silver