Dragonbound: Blue Dragon

by Rebecca Shelley

"Thanks, Master Chandran. I missed you too," Kanvar said. "Let's go somewhere a little quieter to talk." He eased out of Chandran's grip and tried to limp up the street, but the crowd closed in around him. Chandran stayed right beside him and ordered some of the younger soldiers to keep the crowd at bay. Despite that, Kanvar could tell he'd never get anywhere without giving an explanation to the colonists.

  "I fought a Great Blue dragon and won," Kanvar shouted.

  The crowd fell stone silent. They did not believe him.

  He turned to Chandran. "I also killed a Great Green dragon." He slipped his hand into his satchel. "Chandran, I thank you for arranging my apprenticeship to the camdor keeper. I suspect you spent your entire retirement savings to do it. But the truth is, I could never be happy as a camdor handler. I'm a dragon hunter at heart and always will be. I'd like to buy my way out of the apprenticeship."

  Chandran's face wrinkled in disappointment. He'd been so relieved to see Kanvar return alive, though he didn't believe Kanvar's story any more than anyone else. He put a hand on Kanvar's shoulder. "Please, Kanvar. You'll never have enough money to pay me back. A camdor handler is a noble profession."

  Kanvar's hand closed around the green dragonstone, and he pulled it from the satchel, lifting it so the facets caught the light.

  The crowd gasped.

  "I think this might be enough for you to retire on in plenty of comfort," Kanvar said, holding the stone out to Chandran.

  General Samdrasen and his officers pushed through the crowd as Chandran accepted the stone from Kanvar. Chandran's disbelief in Kanvar's story fell away to wonder and astonishment.

  "What is going on here?" General Samdrasen shouted. Raahi appeared out of the crowd, following Samdrasen. A black and green bruise marred his right cheek, and he had lash marks on his arms. Kanvar sensed that Samdrasen had not been happy that the Naga had escaped burning.

  Kanvar limped over to confront Samdrasen.

  "He says he killed the Great Blue dragon," Someone in the crowd yelled.

  "Liar." Samdrasen pulled his sword from the sheath and set the tip against Kanvar's chest. "You freed the Naga and turned it over to the Great Blue. You are a traitor and a Naga lover, and for that you will burn in his place."

  The officers rushed forward to grab Kanvar. Before they got hold of his arms, Kanvar lifted the giant blue dragonstone out of his satchel. "I did kill a Great Blue dragon, and this proves it. I simply used the Naga as bait." Not the exact truth, but the closest Kanvar could get without letting on he was a Naga too.

  The crowd gasped and edged back. None of them had ever seen a dragon hunter come back with such a prize. Most Great Blue dragons that died were shot down with the ballistae while in combat with the soldiers. Those dragonstones were claimed by the company that had founded the colony.

  Kanvar's dragonstone was gigantic and worth enough money the dragon hunter who won it would spend the rest of his life in wealth and comfort.

  Samdrasen cast greedy eyes upon it, and his lips curled in annoyance. He couldn't burn Kanvar now. With a stone like that Kanvar would be a hero, a legend, and a very wealthy man.

  The street went so quiet that the distant jungle noises pressed in on the crowd.

  Kanvar's hand shook from holding the weight of the stone. "General," Kanvar bowed to Samdrasen. "I'd like to give you this stone in exchange for Raahi's freedom."

  "You want to trade the dragonstone for that stunted worm?" Samdrasen's voice shook as he pointed at Raahi.

  "Yes. The stone for Raahi."

  Raahi stared at Kanvar in utter bewilderment.

  "Get over here, boy," Samdrasen ordered. Raahi came forward and stopped beside Samdrasen.

  Kanvar held the dragonstone out to the general.

  The general grabbed it with both hands and held it over his head. Now he would be rich. He would be the hero.

  The crowd cheered.

  Raahi raced over to Kanvar and enveloped him in a steely hug. "Kanvar, Kanvar, I can't believe you did it."

  General Samdrasen strode away up the street, and the crowd followed, leaving Chandran, Raahi, and Kanvar alone.

  Kanvar peeled Raahi off of him. "I'm going back into the jungle." Kanvar looked from Raahi to his old master. "Chandran, you should take passage on the first ship back to Maran. Settle down in style with your daughter and grandchildren. I'm afraid the blue dragons will mount a retaliation for my actions, one this colony might not recover from. You should go, and take Raahi with you. Make sure he has a good life."

  Chandran stared down at the stone in his hand. His eyes glinted with joy at the thought of finally being able to give up his life as a soldier and live in peace. "Of course I'll take care of Raahi."

  "No way." Raahi folded his stout arms across his chest. "I'm staying with Kanvar. I want to be a dragon hunter too. Kanvar can teach me."

  Kanvar shook his head in alarm. "Raahi, you can't come with me."

  Raahi narrowed his eyes in a cunning smile. "I'm free now. Thanks to you. Sorry I laughed when he said you would come back rich and famous and free me. But you have freed me. And since I'm free, I get to choose my own path. I do not want to live in Maran. I want to kill dragons and earn enough money to get passage back to my village in the mountains of Darvat."

  Kanvar's mind whirled. He had not guessed Raahi would want to follow him. He couldn't bring his friend to live with the blue dragons. It wouldn't be safe, and Raahi was sure to hate Kanvar as soon as he found out Kanvar was a Naga.

  Kanvar reached his mind out to Dharanidhar who waited for him out in the jungle. What should I do?

  Take him to the village. You can visit him there, and he'll be safely away from the colony when we start burning crops and things. Tell him you'll teach him to hunt from the village.

  "All right, Raahi," Kanvar said, throwing his hand up in acquiescence. "But we'll have to get you some armor and weapons. Until then you have to agree to stay in a safe spot while I go out and hunt."

  "Yes." Raahi punched the air in excitement. "I get to learn dragon hunting from the best dragon hunter ever." He headed for the colony gates. "Come on. Let's go."

  Kanvar held his hand out to Chandran. "Thank you for everything. Be well."

  Chandran shook his hand, then slapped him on the back good-naturedly. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you could survive in the jungle. But do me a favor, and don't get yourself killed. If I hear word that some dragon finished you off, I'll come right back over here and boot you in the rear."

  Kanvar grinned. "I have no intention of getting killed. I'm sure I'll live to a ripe old age." Even with as old as Dharanidhar already was, Kanvar figured he'd outlive Chandran, his children, and his great-grandchildren, though Chandran would never know it.

  "Kanvar, come on," Raahi called.

  Kanvar nodded at Chandran and limped off after his friend. They passed through the colony gates and kicked up a swarm of jewel dragonflies which buzzed around them in a rainbow of color. The thought of revisiting the village before returning to Dharanidhar's lair thrilled Kanvar. He'd get to see Tana again, and just maybe she'd hold his hand.

  About The Author

  Rebecca Shelley loves adventuring and spent a lot of time in her youth doing things like dog sledding, hiking, camping, and horseback riding. She has a special fondness for dragons and fairies and wrote her first book in Elementary School. She loves to hear from readers. To contact her, visit her website at http://www.rebeccashelley.com.

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  Prologue

  Borealis folded his wings and dove into the ice cave that he and his mate, Saghani, had made their home. Ice crunched beneath his feet as he landed. Saghani looked up at him with hopeful blue eyes. He spread his foreclaws in defeat. It had been so long since he'd found any food, his hunger had given way to a prolonged ache throughout his body and a dizziness that made it hard for him to fly. His wings shook with the effort of getting back to the cave.

  I'm sorry, he told Saghani. The seals are gone along with the sea lions and w
alruses. Even the caribou and ice bears have migrated elsewhere. The snow wolves watch for me and hide deep in their lairs the moment I leave this cave. If we want something to eat, we'll have to move.

  Saghani let out a weak roar. You know we can't.

  Borealis eased over to the nest and stuck his nose down into the soft scales where the fragile egg rested. Do you think it will hatch soon?

  Yes, soon. Saghani stroked the little white egg. And the hatchling will need to eat right away. Borealis, you must find some food. Maybe if you fly farther.

  I can't fly much more. Borealis lifted his shaking wings. It took so much effort he became dizzy and staggered away from the nest.

  Saghani whimpered. Her skin stretched tight against her bones. Her head looked skeletal. The dragonstone on her forehead gave very little light. There must be something out there to eat. If there isn't enough for you and me, there must be something, be it ever so small, that the hatchling can eat.

  Borealis dug his claws into the ice in helpless rage. Saghani, I can't find anything.

  What about the humans?

  We can't eat humans. They are intelligent beings. Even in the face of death Borealis didn't think he could stoop that low.

  No, I don't mean eat the humans. But I've seen them take their little boats out on the water. They pull fish from the sea with their nets and spears. If you went to the human camp, you could get some fish from them. Saghani's thoughts were as soft as an evening wind over a snowbank.

  The humans would never give us their fish. If I go anywhere near them, they'll think I've come to harm them, and they'll fight me. We can't talk to them. Humans do not hear dragon thought.

  Then take the fish from them without asking. Just fly to their camp, grab the fish, and come back. Saghani lifted her foreclaw to him in supplication. Please, Borealis, for me. For the hatchling. She was so near death from starvation it made Borealis's heart ache.

  Borealis staggered back out of the cave and leaped into the air, forcing his wings to carry him one last time.

  Chapter One

  Kanvar's dragon, Dharanidhar, leader of the Great Blue dragons, lowered his head. Kanvar released the leather straps that kept him safe in flight and slid off Dharanidhar's neck onto the charred ground.

  Nothing remained of the Maran Colony's tobacco and cotton crops but blackened stems. The smell of burned greenery rose into the air, and the ashes crunched beneath Kanvar's boots. The great stone gates of the colony stood ajar, abandoned by the Maran soldiers that once guarded them. Kanvar's heart twisted. What have I done? he thought. My people. I betrayed them. Destroyed them.

  Dharanidhar snorted. They weren't your people. You are Varnan not Maranie. Besides, we didn't kill anyone. We just burned their crops, caved in their mines, and sank their timber flotillas. You were right. As soon as the colony started losing money instead of making it, the Maran soldiers and colonists left all on their own. No more fighting. No more killing. You didn't destroy them. You saved them. Dharanidhar let out a deep laugh and thrashed his tail, sending up puffs of ash. His sightless eyes glittered with glee.

  Kanvar covered his mouth and nose with his arm and squinted to protect his own eyes from the ash as he limped away from Dharanidhar and slipped through the gates, dragging his crippled leg behind him. His stubby left arm swung uselessly at his side.

  Inside the deserted colony, Kanvar licked his lips then wished he hadn't when his tongue came away with the ash's caustic taste.

  The volcanic stone buildings rose like jagged pieces of darkness, defying the hot sun that burned overhead. Moisture condensed on the stone, and sweat soaked Kanvar beneath his mismatched armor. At one time, Kanvar had been used to the heat and humidity, but he'd spent the last few months in the high mountains with the Great Blue dragon pride, only coming down to visit his friends, Tana and Raahi, in the jungle village and keep his promise to train Raahi as a dragon hunter.

  Kanvar's feet carried him first to the army barracks where he had spent five years indentured to the old soldier, Chandran. Though he knew it was impossible, he half hoped to see Chandran there. Kanvar tensed his shoulders, expecting a gentle reprimand for arriving so late and failing to polish Chandran's armor.

  None came. Chandran's quarters were as empty as the rest of the colony. A ruby dragonfly buzzed around the room and landed on the windowsill. Sunlight glinted through its jewel abdomen. Its wings stilled for a moment, then it thrashed its tail and zipped outside.

  "Chandran," Kanvar whispered as he ran his fingers along the stone table against the wall. It had served as desk, workbench, and dinner table for him and Chandran. "Father." Yes, Chandran had been more of a father to Kanvar than a master.

  "I'm here."

  Kanvar jumped at the sound of the crisp voice from the street. He retreated from Chandran's quarters and stepped out of the barracks. A man stood across the street. The breeze tossed his golden hair and glinted off the crown that rested on his brow. His skin was bronzed from the sun. He wore a shimmering golden robe over a white silk shirt and tan pants.

  Kanvar flinched back against the barrack's rough stone walls. The last time he'd spoken with the Great Gold King, Amar, his father, Kanvar had defied him. His father had seized control of Kanvar's mind and body and tried to stop him from bonding with Dharanidhar instead of one of the Great Gold dragons his father had picked out for him.

  Amar spread his hands. "I'm not going to hurt you, Kanvar."

  Kanvar shuddered and secured the strongest shield he could muster around his mind to keep his father out.

  "That's not necessary." Amar folded his arms and remained at a distance.

  "What are you doing here?" Kanvar forced his voice to sound strong. "I told Indumauli to ask Devaj to come alone." Indumauli was a Great Black serpent who had saved Kanvar's life once. Kanvar had trusted him to get a message to his brother, Devaj.

  "You're my son. Did you think I wouldn't want to see you, to talk to you? I know things have been a bit rough between us, but it doesn't have to stay that way. I care about you, Kanvar. Please . . . let's talk this out."

  In the back of Kanvar's mind, he felt Dharanidhar dig his claws into the ground and growl.

  Amar's dragon, the Great Gold Dragon King, Rajahansa, had been Dharanidhar's enemy for a long time. But now that Dharanidhar was bonded to Kanvar, the two dragons had agreed to an uneasy truce. Kanvar glanced around the deserted colony, though he knew Rajahansa would be invisible in the burning sunlight. Dharanidhar would have preferred to know Rajahansa's location, just to be on the safe side, and Dharanidhar relied on Kanvar's eyes to see.

  "He's on the building right behind me," Amar said.

  Kanvar reinforced the shields around his own mind.

  "I don't need to read your mind to know you're looking for Rajahansa. Tell Dharanidhar we came to talk, not fight."

  "Talk. Of course. Because Rajahansa knows Dharanidhar would win with both wings broken and one claw tied behind his back." Great Blue dragons were fighters. It's how they lived, how they made their place in the pride. In contrast, Great Gold dragons were scholars and artisans. And yet for all recorded history, the Great Golds had ruled, kept in power by their exclusive bond with Nagas like Amar. Kanvar had broken every dragon law and tradition by bonding with a Great Blue.

  Amar grimaced. "I suppose Dharanidhar would win, but that's not the point. The point is I wanted to see you. To make sure you are all right. To tell you how proud I am of the Naga you've become."

  Kanvar straightened and stepped away from the wall. He could hardly believe what his father had said. For months he'd feared his father's wrath for bonding with Dharanidhar. Nightmares of his father yelling at him had more than once woken him in a cold sweat. "Y-you . . . you're not angry?" He didn't dare let himself hope.

  A firm hand clapped down on Kanvar's shoulder. "Hey, little brother. You're looking good, considering the vile company you've been keeping."

  Kanvar jumped and reached for his crossbow. His right hand closed on empty
air, and he remembered he'd left it in Dharanidhar's cave, not expecting to need it for a visit with his brother.

  Devaj stepped back. "Pretty good reflexes there." He slugged Kanvar on the arm. "But lousy observation skills. You let me come up right beside you without even noticing. Are you a dragon hunter or not?" A wide grin split Devaj's face, and his eyes sparkled with good humor. He dressed and looked very much like Amar, except for the perpetual air of fun that hung about Devaj and not his father.

  "Well," Kanvar spluttered. "I was—" He waved his hand toward Amar who kept his distance across the street.

  Devaj laughed. "Any excuse will do, but that wouldn't keep you alive if I were a rapacious green serpent."

  "Devaj." Kanvar's throat tightened. The last he'd seen his brother, Devaj had nearly died. Only a powerful elixir had restarted his heart.

  "Kanvar." Devaj grabbed him in a tight hug. "You saved my life. Twice."

  "Three times at least." Kanvar returned Devaj's hug. A warm feeling swelled inside him. He was glad to see his brother alive and well. "And I don't keep vile company. The Great Blue dragons are majestic and loyal friends."

  Devaj stepped back, rested both hands on Kanvar's shoulders, and stared into Kanvar's face. "Thank you, Kanvar. You risked so much . . . gave up so much to save me."

  Kanvar looked down and twitched. He knew Devaj meant that Kanvar had given up bonding with one of Rajahansa's sons and offered himself to Dharanidhar instead in exchange for Devaj's life. But Kanvar didn't feel like he'd lost anything by bonding with Dharanidhar. His bond with the Great Blue dragon was so much more fulfilling than he had ever imagined possible. "I didn't give up anything," Kanvar choked out. "I gained a great treasure. One I'm very happy with."

  Devaj rubbed a smudge from his robe, left by Kanvar's ash-speckled armor. "I'm glad you're happy, little brother. Father and I have been worried about you. Has Dharanidhar been treating you all right?"