by Aderyn Wood
Omar nodded. “Though, there are lessons in the past,”
Yana gave him a smile. “Still love your history then?”
“I do. I’ve written of you, you know? Your role in Gedjon-Brak. I’ve named you Blaze Bearer, naturally.”
Yana laughed, shaking her head. “I hope to read it one day. With the help of your scribes.” Yana dismissed the novices and poured two cups with wine. “Speaking of whom, are they happy to stay with us for some time?”
Omar took the wine with a nod. “They were enthusiastic about it in Zraemia. They remind me of myself at their age, eager to see the world and document everything.”
Yana narrowed her eyes. “Were enthusiastic?”
“The cold here has given them cause for consternation,” he said with a smirk, before turning his attention to the frescoes. “But their eagerness will return in time. You will learn the written word well, Sage Yana.” He sipped the wine and scrunched his nose.
Yana giggled as she sat beside him. “We’ve a way to go before we make wine of Zraemian standards, I’m afraid.”
Omar put down his cup and cast his amber eyes on Yana. “It was good to see Danael, he has five children now, all daughters, and Estr Varg is a thriving little city under his influence.”
“Indeed, though the hus he built is more of a small palace than a Drakian longhus.” Yana laughed. “And I understand you have a wife and children.”
Omar sighed and took a gulp of wine. “Yes, I married Princess Adula of Urul. I had to for political purposes. The woman drives me to drink.” Omar gave her a sidelong look that reminded her of young Sargan. “I have a mistress too. Remember Saraf?”
“My duck-herding assistant?”
“She still breeds ducks. I released her from her slavery years ago. She’s now a free woman in her own right and runs a meat stall in the bazaar selling the world’s best duck meat and upsetting all the other meat merchants with her riches.”
Yana raised an eyebrow. “And she receives frequent visits from the king?”
“I love her, she loves me.” Omar shrugged. “She has a suite in one of the guest palaces and I sleep there most nights.”
“Adula?”
The king took a gulp of wine. “Adula’s life is very separate to mine. She spends her time in Urul where she rules – I made her vizier there. She gave me three healthy children, two boys and a girl, and I insist they all live with me in Bablim. I named my daughter Heduanna, and indeed she is very much like my sister.” He shook his head, “I am not looking forward to her entry to womanhood.”
Yana laughed. “Does she bear the gift?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t seen Zamug for years.”
“If she does, you must send her with him into the desert, or bring her here to me. You don’t want her to face the same challenges Heduanna did.”
“I will, though I will miss her.”
“And your reign? How is it being the one true king?”
“It goes as well as it can. I find it tedious to manage the various Amars and Viziers. They all hold too much ambition. Greed, ambition, short-sightedness are the enemies I now face every day.”
“But Zraemia is peaceful?”
Omar gave her a smile. “It is. There’s not been a battle, not even a border skirmish since the Great War. The prophecy has rung true.” His eyes turned to her, a look of awe on his face. “And to think you were the blaze bearer all the time.”
“Pah. I would’t put much stock in such terms. I think they’re invented by poets such as yourself, by those who enjoy the sound of words. I wouldn’t trust such prophecies at all.”
He squinted. “You think it all a mere coincidence?”
Yana considered. “Not entirely. Gedjon-Brak was part of something bigger. A war that has been going on without our knowledge for aeons. We did our part to help settle it, but we must be watchful lest evil find its way back into our hearts. It’s why my work is so important. Evil lurks in the darkness. And I intend to help humans now, and always, to fight it.”
“By evil, you mean the Ravnak.”
Yana nodded. “We defeated them well and good, but even now they plot our demise.”
The king raised his cup. “Well then, Sage Yana, we must remain close allies. Together we shall keep the enemy at bay.”
Yana inclined her head and replied in Zraemian, “That is my hope as well, Exalted.”
They looked at each other, and then both started laughing. Giant, rolling belly laughs that filled the whole temple and made the novices in the hall frown in wonder.
That afternoon, Yana led the king through the tunnels of the mountain, the largest in all nine isles. Black rock glimmered in the light of their torches. And the king paused to touch a stream of it.
“It’s warm,” he said giving her a quizzical look.
“It is. It’s called dragonshade. A volatile substance that has strong magical properties. I believe it is the reason the Ravnak wanted to occupy these lands.”
The king gave her a glum look. “It’s the substance that killed Heduanna, yes?”
“It is.” Yana exhaled a sharp breath. “Though it gave her the power needed to win the war and save so many.”
“So this mountain is full of it?”
“Not only this mountain, but every mountain on Drakia, as well as the ranges that fill the land betwixt here and Zraemia.”
The king’s eyes widened. “So they attacked us from both sides for the same reason. The Ravnak.”
“Indeed.”
The king turned his attention back to the shiny black gleam of the dragonshade stream. He reached out and touched it once again. “So that’s why your watch is so important. You think the Ravnak will try to claim it again one day.”
“Yes, and if that happens we must be prepared.”
“What of Rayna and Zamug? Do you know if they still live?”
Yana smiled. “They do. Come, there’s somewhat else I want to show you.”
Further up the tunnel was a natural bridge that straddled a deep chasm within the mountain. Beneath, great rivers of red lava streamed by. Steam and pungent aromas rose from it and the heat grew to a cloying level, bringing a light sweat to the king’s brow.
“What is this place?”
Yana looked at him, his face was flushed with the heat. “These mountains are alive. Come, it’s not far.”
They climbed up the tunnel and soon daylight bloomed. She led the king to a rockledge and he emerged from the tunnel blinking. The snow continued to fall, but his gaze was drawn to two smudges in the white sky, flying low over the sea.
“There’s two of them?” The king looked at her, with utter surprise and Yana smiled at the two firebeasts as they flew over the waters, hunting for a meal.
“Yes,” she said. “Argath left for a period of time last wynter. When he returned, he brought a mate.”
The king blinked. “Where did he find her?”
Yana frowned. “I don’t know. Try as I might he won’t let me access that part of him. It remains locked to me. For their protection I suppose. There are some things they will never reveal to humans, not even to me. But come, there is more.”
Yana turned and climbed the mountain a short distance until she came to a cavern. Steam rose from the walls and just inside the entrance lay a nest of rocks. Two large eggs, each the size of an ox filled the nest.
A gasp came from behind and Yana turned to see the king behind her, a look of utter astonishment on his face. “They’re breeding!”
“Yes.”
“This is wonderful!”
Yana laughed. “It is. It is wonderful,” she smiled broadly and stepped closer to the nest, enjoying the moment in which she could finally share her find with someone she trusted above all else. He reached out and touched a shell. Its surface was multicoloured. Yana had been here when the sun shone strong and the colours almost sparkled.
The king shook his head slowly. “Who knows?”
“You and me, and two others tha
t I trust. That is all.”
He nodded. “Thank you for showing me. We must keep this a secret. We must protect them at all costs.”
Yana touched the egg, the warmth immediately comforting. “We must.”
Part XXXIII
Black Eagle Mountain
Wynter’s End
Rayna’s cavern
5,846 years ago…
Rayna
The day was icy, just like all the others, but the sun’s rays had some bite and Rayna soon grew warm from raking the snow back, clearing one of her many little paths. She paused to peruse her work and catch her breath. The path had a beauty about it, with its curved lines and unblemished brush strokes. Until a fat bird dropping fell right in the middle, instantly spoiling it.
Rayna scowled and punched a fist to the branch that hung above. “Rhast, would you do your business elsewhere? You know I walk these paths, and your droppings, warm as they may be, have the worst smell this side of the range. I’m sick of trudging them inside.”
Rhast squawked and spread his wings, taking to the sky and disappearing over the canopy.
“Be like that! See if I care,” Rayna shouted. She snatched her rake and bent her back to finish the path, whinging to herself about Rhast as she worked.
A scuffle sounded behind her. “Back again, then.” She said without looking up. “Just be sure you don’t leave your nuggets of smelly shit on my path. Or you can pick it up with that oversized nose of yours and carry it off elsewhere.”
“Is that how you greet your oldest friend?”
Rayna gasped and spun, dropping the rake and clasping her hands to her chest. Her eyes widened and her mouth spread into a wide smile. “Mook!”
Rayna poured them both a mountain tea and joined Mook at her little table. She removed the clutter of objects from her second stool and dragged it over. It’d been so long since she needed two stools, not since Yana visited five summers past.
She watched Mook as he sipped his tea. He looked old now. Ancient. His dark skin had such thinness that it seemed almost transparent in places, and the blue veins were visible beneath the surface. He caught her staring and she snapped her eyes away.
“How goes things in Zraemia?” she asked.
His watery eyes smiled at her. “All goes well. Everything worked out for the best. There is peace. Enlil is the tribe leader now. He never mastered the gift of magic, but he is an excellent bard and he reads the desert better than most. They will do well under his leadership.”
Rayna narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re not returning to them?”
Mook gave her a solemn stare. “No. My time draws to an end.”
A sob escaped Rayna’s lips and she covered her mouth with a shaking hand. “No.”
“Please, Rayna dear. We’re both too old for tears.”
Rayna shook her head and wiped her eyes.
“I’m on my way north.” He gave her a knowing look.
“To see the mountain-folk.”
Mook nodded. “I want to see them one more time. I want to know certain things before I die.”
Rayna swallowed a thick lump. “Like what?”
“You know what.”
“I don’t see any sense in it. If you’re going to die, what good will it do?” Her tone was too angry and she wished she cold bite the words back.
“You know why. I want to know that all we’ve done, all we’ve sacrificed, hasn’t been in vain.”
Rayna shut her eyes. “You won’t get that satisfaction, Mook. Look at all we’ve achieved. For the first time in aeons there is peace and the Ravnak have scurried back to their holes like spiders. Why must you seek assurance from the Watcher?”
“I say again, you know why.” Mook let out a sharp breath. “How did it go?” He leaned back and closed his eyes and opened his mouth to recite the ancient words:
“In the beginning the eight ruled,
Eight lands,
Eight seas.
Eight races of old.
Difference fed their fear.
And so the first of the wars began.
Destruction followed.
The first age destroyed two.
The second another.
The third age threatened more.
But the fourth age shall see the ultimate destruction. In the end, only one race shall rule the world.”
Rayna’s vision blurred. “We don’t know,” she whispered. “No one knows.”
Mook’s dark eyes gave her a look of desperate hope. “The mountain-folk’s powers of prophesy are strong. I must know before I die.”
Rayna looked down at her hands. “You think Gedjon-Brak was not the Great War, after all?”
Mook gave her a serious nod. “The Great War is yet to come. And when it does, the Ravnak won’t be so easily defeated.” He reached over and placed his wizened hand on her own. “But you are right, my dear friend. We have achieved peace, one that is long lasting, and that is much to be thankful for.”
Rayna gave him a nod. Indeed she was thankful.
“What of you, my friend? Will you stay here?”
Rayna shook her head. “Yana wishes for me to be with her, to help with her new temple.”
Mook nodded. “It is a noble cause to teach the gifted in such a way. They will guard our future.”
“Aye,” she gave Mook a smile. “I believe they will.”
Want to read more in this world? Read on…
I hope you enjoyed Dragonshade. If you have a spare five minutes, it would be wonderful if you could leave a quick review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reviews help spread the word about my books.
While ‘The Secret Chronicles of Lost Magic’ is a collection of standalone fantasy novels set in the same world (rather than a series), there will be a trilogy of short stories called ‘Iluna’s Song’, which follow Iluna’s journey after the events in The Raven.
The first story is called, The Doom of Arlg-Teg, and is now available exclusively for Aderyn’s Newsletter subscribers. Sign up now to Aderyn’s Monthly Newsletter to receive a free copy of The Doom of Arlg-Teg, or a free copy of The Raven, or if you’d prefer, a free book in another series by Aderyn Wood.
Happy reading!
Aderyn.
Acknowledgments
Thanks, as always to my partner Peter for his support and encouragement, and for believing in this book even when, at times, I had lost faith.
Thanks to my grandparents for their influence on my imagination growing up, which had a large impact in the writing of this book.
A big thank you goes to my brother, Barry for his detailed critique and feedback. This book is only about a thousand times better because of his help.
Thanks also goes to Teri, Dan and Karen for your invaluable feedback.
No novel can shine without the aid of an editor – thanks so much Amanda J Spedding for helping Dragonshade to become something I’m rather proud of.
A final thank you goes to Taire Morrigan for creating a cover design to match the kapow of that final battle.
Also by Aderyn Wood
The Raven (The Secret Chronicle of Lost Magic)
When a foreign tribe attacks the peaceful Onan people, a lonely outcast is forced to reveal her secret gift – but can she save herself and the clan?
It is the darkest time in winter, when suns, moons, and stars all wane from the sky. In the Wolf clan, a baby is born with a powerful gift, but dangerous omens brand her an Outcast, and the Elders name her Iluna.
Iluna struggles to find her place in the proud and distrustful Wolf clan, and as her powers bloom, she discovers a mysterious friend.
Dark magic, war, and treachery soon jeopardize the life of every clan member; many suspect Iluna and her gift.
Is this Outcast girl to blame, or is she salvation?
'The Secret Chronicles of Lost Magic' is a collection of standalone Epic Fantasy novels that will take readers on a journey into a rich new fantasy world. Enjoy stepping into the dark days of time in this sweeping prehist
oric tale. 'The Raven' is the first Chronicle in a collection set in a vibrant new world by Aderyn Wood.
The Borderlands Trilogy
Dale has never felt a sense of belonging. She despises the bullies and snobs at school, and her family are difficult to like, let alone love. Rhys, a new boy at school seems to take an interest in her. But can she trust him? When the only friend she has ever had, Old Man Gareth, is murdered before her eyes, she is set on a frantic journey and a lonely adventure; the Borderlands beckon. But what are the Borderlands? Will she make it to them? And if she gets there, will she belong?
The Borderlands: Journey is a magical fantasy adventure that fantasy fiction fans, particularly older teens and the young at heart, will enjoy. It is the first book in the Contemporary Fantasy series 'The Borderlands'.
The Viscount’s Son - Trilogy
The Viscount's Son tells the story of book conservator, Emma, and her online project - to transcribe an ancient and mysterious text. The trouble is, Emma's colleague, Jack, believes the medieval 'diary' is a fake. Emma decides to translate the text and leave it up to her readers to decide - so what will you think? Follow Emma's journey to discern the mysteries of the medieval memoir.
The Viscount's Son may or may not include a mysterious vampire - that's for you to find out! But all fans of dark vampire fantasy fiction will probably enjoy it.
About the Author
From high fantasy to paranormal, Aderyn's stories cover the broad spectrum of Fantasy. Inspired from childhood by the wonder and mystique of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising and the adventures in Tolkien's The Hobbit, her love of the Fantasy genre has been life long. As a writer, Aderyn brings characters and places to life in stories filled with magic, mystery, and a good dollop of mayhem.