Dragon's Keep: The Complete Dracengard Series

by Christopher Vale

  Queen Griselda knew that the Wizard was angry. He had promised to spare her and her family and even allow them to remain upon the throne in exchange for Willem’s fealty and their Dracenstone. Now both were gone. In a fit of rage he had ordered his Black Knight to raze the Elophborne capital of Elophdale many miles away, as punishment for Prince Willem’s treachery and to demonstrate to the kingdom that everyone was at his mercy. The Wizard controlled the kingdom and really had no more need for Griselda or her family, so she begged for their lives, crawling on her hands and knees at the Wizard’s feet, pleading with him to spare her and her children. She kissed the hem of his robes as he glared down at her, his face reflecting the anger he felt. The nobles watched in horror as their queen groveled before the monster. The draks watched with delight, hoping that the Wizard might allow them to eat at least a few of the gathered nobles.

  “Why should I spare you?” the Wizard spat. “What value do you have to me now?”

  “We can still serve you,” she assured him. “If Willem is captured I am certain I can convince him to…” she began, but the Wizard cut her off.

  “If Willem is captured he shall become a tasty morsel for my drakmere,” the Wizard said causing the draks to hiss gleefully. “The question is not should I spare him, but why should I spare you and your remaining children?”

  The Queen swallowed hard. “My second son, Prince Edward, could ascend to the throne. He will swear fealty to Your Majesty,” the Queen assured him.

  “But why should I give him the opportunity? Why not just dispose of you all?”

  “Our House has ruled Elophborne for a thousand years. Keeping a Magnus on the throne will quiet dissent and solidify your power.”

  The Wizard considered this for a moment. He looked over the mass of nobles watching in horror. He had taken this kingdom without a fight and had no desire to fight for it now. As he watched the nobles he was quite sure he had made his point and decided to demonstrate his magnanimity. “Edward shall be King of Elophborne if he will kneel down and swear fealty to me. Furthermore, I shall forgive Willem’s transgressions against me and write it off as the romantic bravado of a young man, if he will simply hand over the Dracenstone, kneel down, and beg my forgiveness. His punishment shall be the loss of the crown to his brother, Edward.”

  The Queen’s face brightened as did those of the gathered nobles. “Oh, thank you, Your Majesty,” Griselda said as she again kissed the hem of the Wizard’s robe.

  “I shall require that you send your men to hunt down Princess Terrwyn and Prince Tybalt,” the Wizard said. “These rebels must not be allowed to roam free.”

  “Of course, Your Majesty,” the Queen said.

  The Wizard watched her. He was content with the arrangement. Everyone seemed happy. He had demonstrated that he was a man not to be trifled with, yet at the same time showed that he was not completely a monster. He could be gracious and forgiving. That should help quell the rebellious spirit of the nobles.

  “And Elophdale?” the Queen asked.

  “The blood of Elophdale is on Willem’s hands, not mine.” He let the words sink in a moment before continuing.

  “Bring young Edward forth,” the Wizard commanded.

  The Queen stood nodding and turned to find her son. He stood nervously with his uncle, Hansel, and his brother and sister. Griselda grabbed him by the arm. “Come, Edward.” The boy glanced up at Hansel who nodded to him. Edward followed his mother to the center of the throne room. She knelt before the Wizard and motioned for Edward to do likewise. He lowered himself to his knees and the Wizard stood and walked down the dais to stand in front of Edward. The Queen turned and motioned for a steward standing by the wall to bring the crown. The steward hurried forth and dropped to his knees beside the Wizard, holding the golden crown aloft, which lay upon a silken pillow. The Wizard took the crown and held it up for the nobles to see.

  “By fleeing his kingdom with known outlaws, Prince Willem has forfeited his hereditary rights to the crown of Elophborne. Therefore, Prince Edward, the next in line, is the rightful king.” The Wizard placed the crown on Edward’s head.

  “As the rightful King of Elophborne, I swear fealty to his Imperial Majesty, Tamesis, Emperor of the Middle Realm,” Edward said. It was a script his mother had rehearsed repeatedly with him.

  “I, too, swear fealty to his Imperial Majesty,” the Queen said. Then, one-by-one, all of the nobles knelt before the Wizard.

  The Wizard glanced out over the crowd kneeling before him. His conquest of the southern kingdoms was now complete. It would not be long before he would be marching north to Caerwynspire. He knew King Artur would never kneel down and swear fealty to him. He also knew Artur had no male heir. That meant that, upon Artur’s death, choosing a member of the Council of Lords to sit upon the throne should pacify the kingdom following his conquest. He had already chosen the Lord. He chuckled to himself at how easy all of this had been. Half of the kingdoms of the Middle Realm had already fallen under his control. The rest would soon follow.

  The Wizard looked down at the new King and his mother, still on their knees before him. He saw Princess Ella and the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Geoffrey, kneeling a few yards away. Princess Ella was a pretty girl, a little young for the Wizard’s taste, but in a few years she would blossom into a beautiful lady. “Princess Ella, you may rise,” the Wizard said and watched the girl stand timidly. She kept her head bowed respectfully, but her eyes darted to meet her mother’s. “You are betrothed to the outlaw Erec Valestead, are you not?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Ella uttered, her voice barely audible.

  “We cannot have a loyal subject and sister to the King marrying an outlaw,” the Wizard said with a chuckle. The crowd chuckled uncomfortably along with him. “You shall accompany me on my return to Avonvale where you shall join my court and find a more suitable husband from among my loyal subjects.”

  Tears began to well up in Ella’s eyes. She would have gladly run off to Avonvale with her love, Prince Erec, but she certainly did not want to leave her home to go with this evil man. She knew, however, that she had no choice and meekly consented. “Yes, Your Majesty,” she managed to whisper.

  The Wizard smiled. “Your brother, Prince Geoffrey, shall join us as well,” the Wizard said. He heard the Queen gasp. Geoffrey was her youngest, her baby. “Rise, Prince Geoffrey,” he said. The young Prince, barely twelve years old, stood slowly. Ella gently took his hand as he fought hard to keep his tears at bay. Geoffrey was shaking uncontrollably from fear and the Wizard could not help but enjoy it. He wanted the Queen to realize he could take anything from her at anytime. He wanted her to see her children terrified as he dragged them away from her while she knelt obediently at his feet. “Perhaps we can find a good match for you as well,” the Wizard said. “Both of you will join my court. We shall leave on the morrow,” he said as he smiled at the children.

  It took everything Queen Griselda could do not to break down and cry. The Wizard was taking them under the pretense of making them members of his court, but she knew why he was really taking them—as hostages. Should Edward not obey his oath of fealty, his sister and brother would pay with their lives.

  ***

  The sun had set on Elwood as Ashleen ordered the Paladin to a halt on the opposite side of the river. Ashleen climbed down from her saddle and stared at the city, watching the lights from the palace atop the hill as they glittered in the darkness. “Shall we cross the river tomorrow to hire a ship and camp here for the night? Or would the Commander prefer to try to find a crossing or ferry tonight?” Auberon asked.

  Ashleen pondered the question a moment as she stared at the city lights on the opposite bank, and then up and down the river. “Have the men make camp and set the watches for the night. It is too dark to travel up and down the road looking for a ferry. We can cross in the morning.”

  “Yes, Commander,” Auberon replied and then turned to relay her orders.

  Ashleen left her charger with a
nother Paladin and walked away from the camp toward the river, staring at the city. Sir Auberon walked up behind her. “How far to the sea from here?” she asked without turning, but before he could answer Ashleen’s eyes rolled back into her head and she had a vision.

  Ashleen watched, seeing herself as she led her men into Elwood. It was clearly the next day as the sun was shining brightly overhead. She saw them ride their white chargers into the city, the streets practically deserted. A feeling of unease came over her, and they were soon confronted by the Elwood City Guard—scores of lancers formed up in a phalanx in front of them.

  “What is your business here?” the Commander of the City Guard shouted to her.

  “We are Paladin, from Caerwynspire,” Ashleen heard herself shout in reply. “We come in peace. We have fought our way through armies of drakmere over many miles and have lost many of our brothers-in-arms. We hope to…”

  Sir Auberon glanced around. “Commander we should leave, quickly,” she heard him say. She too felt that something was terribly wrong.

  “Turn around and ride away,” the Commander of the City Guard shouted at her. She saw pleading in his eyes. He was trying to warn her, to give her the opportunity to escape. He did not want his men to fight them, but she could see that he felt he had no choice. And then she realized that Elwood had already fallen to the Wizard. She also realized that they had no chance to escape.

  “Swords!” she heard herself shout to her men and all of the Paladin immediately drew their swords and prepared for the coming assault. She watched in horror as drakmere suddenly appeared from doorways all along the streets. They attacked with swift and deadly ferocity. She did not have the numbers to repel the attack. She had no time to turn and run. There was only one thing she could do. She knew it, and watched herself realize it.

  “Forward! Charge!” Ashleen shouted and the Paladin urged their chargers forward in an attack on the city guard. Golden knights flanked out beside her covering the width of the street as the Paladin collided with the phalanx. Ashleen watched as horses and men fell forward impaled. She saw Sir Tomfrey flying forward from his mount and landing on the ground with a thud. Several lancers stabbed him with drawn short swords. She watched Sir Auberon fly backward off of his horse as a lance thrust straight through his chest, penetrating his armor, his flesh, and bone, and exiting through his back. She watched herself leap over the lancers slashing with her sword, removing the Commander’s head from his shoulders. Several Paladin made it through the guard with her. They followed her up the streets of Elwood toward the palace. She glanced around frantically looking for a way out as hundreds of drakmere chased them and more poured in from the sides as they rode.

  Ashleen watched in horror as Paladin after Paladin was ripped from his mount until only three remained with her. They galloped around a corner and came to an army of hundreds of drakmere blocking their way. She reined her horse to a halt as the four of them were surrounded. The other three moved to positions to defend her, but it did not matter. Draks came in fast from all sides and the Paladin were quickly overtaken and killed, the beasts ripping into their flesh. Only Ashleen remained. She watched as she was snatched from her saddle and thrown to the ground, captured, not even allowed an honorable death. Tears filled her eyes as she realized that her men had fought bravely, but were vastly outnumbered and slaughtered.

  Next, she witnessed herself in the throne room of the palace. She was completely naked except for the heavy chains she wore. She was forced to her hands and knees and she looked up at the throne to see a man she knew was the Wizard sitting in place of the King. Another man approached him, dropped to his knees and held up Ashleen’s Sword of Light, presenting it to the Wizard. The Wizard smiled. Then the man reached into a satchel and removed Caerwynspire’s Dracenstone. The Wizard’s eyes lit up and he began to cackle, amused that the stone had been delivered into his hands. His eyes then fell on Ashleen.

  “Caerwynspire has sent me three of their most precious possessions. Their Sword of Light, their Dracenstone, and, of course, this beautiful princess. I shall have to write to King Artur and thank him.” He smiled an evil grin as he stared at Ashleen. “Take her to my chambers,” he said. “Have her chained and ready for me.” He laughed boisterously. The fear gripped her. The memories of what the pirate captain had done to her flooded her mind, as she was dragged away screaming in terror, to the Wizard’s chambers.

  “No!” Ashleen screamed as she came out of her trance, just as suddenly as she had gone into it. Her heartbeat was racing and sweat was pouring down her face. She was breathing heavily. The vision had felt so real. They always did. She looked up to notice Sir Auberon, Sir Tomfrey, and a gaggle of other Paladin gathered around her, most kneeling beside her. They watched in silence waiting for her to speak. After a few moments she pulled herself together and pushed herself up to her feet.

  “Sir Auberon,” she began and the old warrior stood.

  “Yes, Commander? Did you see something?” he asked.

  Ashleen nodded. “We will not be crossing the river tonight or tomorrow. Elwood belongs to the Wizard now.” Auberon’s eyes grew wide. “In fact, have the men break camp and mount up. We are leaving. I do not want to be even this close to the city.”

  “Yes, Commander,” he said and Ashleen walked past him. She shivered as she could still feel the cold metal of the chains against her skin.

  Chapter 7

  Ella stood silently in the courtyard of the Elwood palace with an arm around Geoffrey. Her mother was prattling on about taking care of each other and obeying the Wizard. She reminded them that they would be guests of King Morgan and Lady Anne while in Avonvale and to always be gracious and respectful. Ella was not listening. She did not care what her traitorous mother had to say. In fact, she was fighting desperately against the urge to shove her mother to the ground and begin stomping on her face for her treachery. All of this was her fault. Willem was a hunted fugitive, their land occupied by horrific monsters that fed on their people, and now she and Geoffrey would have to accompany this demon of a man to Avonvale where she would be wed to whomever the Wizard pleased.

  Ella wanted to scream. Her world had been so perfect not very long ago. She was a beautiful princess in a beautiful land. Her father was a beloved king and his successor, her eldest brother Willem, was kind and gentle. She feared not for the future as she would one day be Queen of Avonvale when she finally married her beloved Prince Erec and he ascended to the throne. All of that was now gone, practically in the blink of an eye, because of the evil bastard her mother commanded her to obey.

  “It is time to go, Your Majesty,” she heard a voice say.

  The Queen pulled Ella into a tight hug. Ella had to force herself to return it. The Queen released her and then turned to her sweet, darling Geoffrey. The young Prince was clearly terrified. Griselda was crying as she squeezed her youngest close to her bosom. “Listen to your sister,” she instructed him. “Be brave, my boy. I shall see you soon.” Geoffrey wept as his mother held him and gently petted his hair. “You must be brave,” she said.

  Ella hugged her brother Edward. “It will be alright, I promise,” he whispered into her ear. Edward then turned to Geoffrey. “Take care of Ella,” he said as he ruffled his brother’s hair.

  Geoffrey wiped the tears from his eyes. “I will,” he said meekly. They said their final goodbyes and Ella took Geoffrey’s hand leading him away from their mother and brother to a carriage awaiting them. She was assisted up the steps by the footman and once inside saw the Wizard already seated. Ella sat across from him and Geoffrey sat on the bench beside her.

  The Wizard smiled at the two of them. “It is so nice to have company on the return trip,” he said. “I look forward to getting to know you both over the next couple of days.”

  “It will indeed be a pleasure, Your Majesty,” Ella said smiling sweetly, but avoiding his eyes. She knew she had better begin practicing her facade of politeness now. She did not want to end up as dinner for the draks.


  The Wizard stared out of the carriage window as the long caravan began to move. He could not help but smile. Elophborne was the fourth kingdom to submit to his rule and he now lorded over half of the kingdoms in the realm. His mother had been right—he was destined to rule the Middle Realm as emperor. He closed his eyes and laid back against the cushioned seat, remembering his first conquest—Beagonia.

  ***

  The fall of Beagonia had begun the same way as the invasion of Riversmeet, with drakmere swimming down the river in a surprise attack late at night. The Wizard had spent decades preparing for it. Building an army of drakmere was not easy, even with the assistance of Lord Rayfen, his mother, and various Shebath worshipers. Equipping them with iron and steel weapons was even harder. They could not be trained to be blacksmiths due to their fear of fire. It had been difficult enough to get them accustomed to lanterns. So, village blacksmiths were abducted or bribed. Armories at castles throughout the realm had been raided for a decade prior to the invasion, but in the end they were able to equip an army of tens of thousands of drakmere. It was not that the draks had never used metal weapons before—they certainly had, having taken them off of the bodies of dead victims—but never in the numbers that the Wizard needed to conquer the entire realm.

  Beagonia had fallen surprisingly swiftly. It had been a warm and cloudless night when thousands of drakmere swam out of the swamps and down the river to the castle. They slowly climbed out of the water one-by-one, remaining on their bellies until they reached the castle wall. Then they began to scale the wall, slowly, carefully, as they would when stalking a deer or other prey. By the time the sentries noticed them and sounded the alarm, it was too late. Thousands poured over the walls, slaughtering the lancers awakened in the middle of the night to fight them. The castle gates were opened by those inside and more drakmere poured through.