Amulet of Souls (The Sentinels of Wizgrad Book 1)

by Hampton, Pegs

  Iris glanced to Dartis to see him cast another small black ball. He launched the spell and slumped to the floor. Mireylon did not notice it in time and it went straight through his neck.

  Mireylon dropped Iris to the floor and he fell to the ground with his hands around his neck.

  Iris no longer felt useless and was calm. She pulled his hand aside and placed her hand on his neck. Iris focused her magic on the wound and it healed up quickly. She heard Zelkith whelp and ran straight to him. Iris knelt down and placed her hand on Zelkith’s chest.

  “Oh Zelkith, why didn’t you stop” Iris sobbed. She began to heal him too and could feel all the broken bones and muscles in his body. She knew that this would take some time.

  Mireylon had checked Dartis’s pulse. He was definitely dead, he must have used what little life that was left in him to attack Iris. Mireylon kicked the corpse several times in anger. This man had killed many dear friends and there was nothing he could do about it. But he was finally dead and his men were gone.

  The Kijiar had jumped from rooftop to rooftop and released the trapped Dragons all of them thankfully still alive.

  Everyone had now gathered around Iris, who calmly mended Zelkith’s broken body. They all stood in silence as she concentrated. It was not until she finished and glanced around that she noticed everyone was watched her. She healed her own wounds last. She treated her broken arm and injuries, but she would never get her hand back.

  “You have done it, you have returned the land back to the way it was all those years ago,” King Tyrath said. “I can feel it in my bones, all twelve have been released.”

  “Twelve whom?” Iris asked.

  King Tyrath looked at Aymon. “Perhaps you would be better to explain that one” The King insisted.

  “When the dragons used to freely roam the world, we had twelve leaders called Provereign. The Provereign would rule Wizgrad and were powerful magic users. When one Provereign passed, another appeared sometime after. We noticed many Provereign were never chosen and discovered Dartis found a way to store the soul of the Provereign in an Amulet to use their power,” Aymon explained. It seemed strange that nothing was written in parchments about it, but it seemed possible.

  “You are the first leader to be selected Iris. Only those with remnants are chosen and each of them has a unique ability. Your family is rare as each of your generations on your father’s side has been a Provereign,” King Tyrath said proudly.

  “All hail the new Leader of Wizgrad, Iris Kyro. Forever to be known as the saviour of Wizgrad” Mireylon shouted out loud. He bowed down to her feet and everyone else including the Dragons also bowed their heads down.

  “Please, don’t. I am no one special” Iris said. She beamed with happiness inside, but she did not want people to worship her. She had never been respected like this though and it was a great feeling.

  “Don’t be so modest. We know you make a great Leader,” Liamar said.

  “This would never have been possible without each and every one of you, you are the saviours!” Iris shouted for all to hear.

  Iris walked over to King Tyrath and kneeled down before him. “King Tyrath, I humbly request the Dragons once again be our Council and Guidance.”

  “We are in your debt, Iris Kyro, it would be an honour to again retake head of the Council,” The King said.

  “Please could you do me just one more errand” Iris pleaded to the King.

  “Anything” Tyrath replied.

  “Please save Gelmink and the Gnomes and inform them of our victory. Make sure they know that we shall help them build their own town in any place they desire.”

  “As you wish,” Tyrath said. He shot into the air with the rest of his kin and they flew over the sea to aid the Gnomes.

  << >>

  Over the next few months, Alphaport had begun to be rebuilt as the new stronghold and town for the Sentinels. Iris and Zelkith were treated like royalty and she insisted that Mireylon remained in the Council with her. Iris made an alliance with the races of the lands. It was the first signs of real peace in Wizgrad. She hoped that she could keep the peace for as long as possible.

  Two monuments were placed in honour of those who died in the battle. One monument was a stone carving of Dakho holding up a sword into the air. They placed it where he had honourably sacrificed his life for everyone’s escape in Alphaport. The other was set the other side of the sea in Southport, built in memory of Plode and Mr Pannett.

  Southport bustled with hundreds of Gnomes, all busy as they made the foundations for their new home. They called their town Stilts, after Mr Pannett who had saved the Gnomes. Giant Foxes were placed at the entrance of the massive fissure in the mountain that Mr Pannett made to protect them. They also planted several trees around the town which looked just like the magical tree in Haven.

  Iris and Mireylon had finally got together in a relationship and decided to take a stroll away from their city, which became known as Biren.

  While in the nearby woods they saw a Dragon approach in the sky. This one was different from those who helped save Alphaport. It was followed by another, large black Dragon and six smaller dragons of mixed red and black.

  It was not until the first Dragon was close that Mireylon recognised the two large horns protruding from its head. It was Roseflame and some other Dragons he had never met. They all landed around Iris and Mireylon.

  “Rose! Is this why you had gone? Why didn’t you tell me?” Mireylon said in Shock. Roseflame had been pregnant all along and was now a mother of six black and red, baby dragons.

  “I am sorry Mireylon, but I did not want to risk the lives of my unborn. I hope you understand,” Roseflame said.

  “We have a lot of catching up to do,” Mireylon said. They firstly introduced themselves to the baby Dragons and the father, who was a huge black Dragon by the name of Culdreth.

  They related the news to Roseflame and the others for many hours. They could not believe that the other dragons had been freed, but their proof approached them from the sky.

  King Tyrath landed nearby. He walked up and glanced at Roseflame and the others.

  “Culdreth! How good to see you, It’s heavily pleasing to know you are still with us” The King said. Culdreth lowered his head and the baby dragons followed suit. Roseflame reluctantly lowered her head also.

  “I do not believe we have met,” The King said to Roseflame.

  “This is Roseflame. She has been a faithful companion to me for many years and was the one who defended the Amulet since the demise at the Dragons Tower.”

  “Roseflame, indeed we heard many heroic deeds about you from Mireylon. It’s an honour to finally meet you in person. I would love to invite you both to bring your children and live with us back at Glunenroe. We have fertile lands now thanks to Iris, and you would all be most welcome.” The King asked. Glunenroe was the continent that the Dragons keep was on.

  Roseflame and Culdreth looked at each other and give a small smile.

  “We would love to,” Roseflame said.

  “How can we help you King Tyrath? I’m sure you did not come here just to converse,” Iris asked.

  “Yes you are right, I came to give you this,” The King said. He held out his massive claws to reveal a small plain ring, with a diamond on the top.

  “It’s my job to do the proposing!” Mireylon said in shock.

  The King let out a mighty roar of laughter. “This ring was used when one of the Provereign had passed away. It lights up bright white when the next has been chosen, and will direct the bearer to his or her location.” The King explained. Iris took it hesitantly, she had not had the best experience with magic jewellery.

  “I best be going, I have things that must be addressed,” The King said. He gave his farewells and took off into the air.

  Mireylon placed the ring on Iris’s hand. It was comfortable and she did not feel any magic. They continued to talk with Roseflame and Culdreth long into the night.

  Roseflame took
Mireylon and Iris back to their chambers and they said their final goodbyes to each other. Roseflame then took off and headed towards their new home with her family.

  Zelkith stormed into their chambers with a sour face. “Where the hell have you been, and what the hell is that glowing on your hand!” Zelkith growled.

  Iris looked at her hand. The ring had already started to glow. She could feel the direction she needed to go to find the next Provereign.

  Iris grinned with excitement. “Zelkith, how do you fancy another adventure?”

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this novel, and with its challenges has come great joy.

  I would like to thank my loving wife and editor, Gemma. Her continued guidance, advice and support are what got me through my four-year-long undertaking of writing my first novel.

  My final thanks go to you, the readers, who have taken the time to read my story and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.