by B A Fleming
Valley of the Black Dragon
by B.A.Fleming
Copyright
© 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this book is designed to provide insights on the subjects discussed. This book should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. The publisher and author are not responsible for any specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision and are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation, to any person reading or following the information in this book.
About the author
Ben Fleming was born in Sydney, Australia in 1968. He has previously published a selection of poetry in 1994, a selection of short stories, and a travelers’ love story in 2015. Writing is his part time passion as he balances, as we all do, passion with creativity, and life in general.
Chapter 1
Thais watched as the brown cloaked figure rode into view along the valley. She had taken a break from her archery lesson to check with the tower guards if there had been any further sightings this morning of the black dragon. He had seemed to be hunting along the steep valley walls earlier in the day. The black dragon was a fairly common sight, as Catheridge Castle was a short distance from its lair, but now this figure caught her eye.
As he drew closer, she could clearly see that the horse that he rode was locally bred, stronger and stockier than others of the valley. The horse was quite complacent, and she instantly recognized it as one of those owned by a breeder a few hours along the road. He entered the small outer township and continued on his way along the straight dirt road that led to the castle.
The guards called the stranger to a halt around thirty paces from the gates.
“I seek an audience with your Lord,” came the voice of the stranger, thick and self-assured. He looked up at the guards in the tower, removing his hood.
Although not completely unusual, the mans’ features defined him as an outsider. He had long straight, black semi braided hair and dark eyes, yellowish skin, a small nose, wide cheekbones and small webs of skin over the corners of his eyes. People of similar color to him could be found in the fruit markets and farms around the capital but this man was of a much larger build, with facial tattoos that extended from his cheeks, across his jaw and around the back of his neck, marking him as a warrior.
Thais stood fifty paces along the wall from the tower and smiled to herself. There was no doubt, this man was gorgeous.
She was in her sixteenth year, and although courted by many across the kingdom was always quite reserved. She took one more brief glance at the man as he looked across to her and returned the smile.
Thais turned, her head facing down as she turned away, more so from being noticed by him, and made her way down the stairs to her rooms.
*****
The soldier felt the mass of the broadsword in his hands. Although the hand-and-a-half had been the weapon of choice for this activity, very few had experience in using this two-handed weapon. The Barons’ swordmaster, Nathe, swung the blade whilst discussing the weight qualities, and a series of loose movements that were common in a swordsman’s’ retinue.
Nathe was tall and skinny, although his stature belied his strength and skills as a bladesman. He often progressed to the last four of the Valley Games in sword fighting. His blonde, unfettered locks, flowed down across his shoulders, and his short, well maintained beard noted him of one who was precise in many of his actions. The young men looked at each of the blades they had been given. Casperi, the Barons’ eldest son, was the only one of the young men to have regularly trained with it.
“You have all swung these around with your friends or fathers, but now it is time to actually teach you how to use them”. The sword masters’ second in charge, Denue, stepped forward and faced off with his master. He was shorter than Casperi, but more solid. Several of his peers had nicknamed him ‘the shield’ in his younger years.
Now, in his twenty eighth summer, he had risen through the ranks of swordsmen, although still well known for his signature move of barging his opponents in close quarters, he had become less aggressive since becoming a father five summers before.
“We will teach you how to defend, then we will teach you how to attack,” he commenced. “If we were to teach you the other way, we would have spare limbs laying all over the place.”
Several of the boys laughed at this as the two moved back and forth, showing off some basic moves. Denue laughed through his thick beard that made him look more dwarf than human. He then handed each boy a wooden practice
sword in replacement of the real item, which they then commenced hammering away at each other. Within twenty minutes all except Casperi, and his childhood friend Renual, were covered in bruises.
A servant approached the young prince mid-duel.
“My lord, your father requests your attendance. It seems we have a guest.”
Casperi looked at the man quizzically, who lowered his eyes.
“I shall be there shortly,” he answered and then considered his opponent again.
Casperi had become known as an excellent young leader. As part of battle camp, the teams would play the age-old game of capture the flag, and even at the tender age of fifteen, when his captain had fallen, Casperi had led a small band of four through an enemy three times their number to take success for the House of Catheridge in the Valley Games.
The game had been played in a small valley almost a league long and a third of a league wide, an hour’s ride outside of the capital. The summer Valley Games were held annually, across multiple locations around the capital, and the thick forest of this particular game, which although not the best location for viewing such a battle, enabled the teams to move around each other. Now eighteen, Casperi was respected as one of the finest swordsmen of the kingdom, and a natural leader as a senior royal guard.
He stepped forward, arching to strike from the left, fained a strike, and quickly stepped back, swooping the heavy blade around to crash into his opponents’ knee.
The young man collapsed as Casperi stepped back again with a smile. He stepped forward, his shimmering blue eyes reflecting his smile. He was a solid young warrior with a strong torso and curly brown shoulder length hair, his most identifiable feature.
“Lucky, I pulled the shot,” he joked with his opponent who was still half crouched, both hands on the ground.
Casperi put his hand out and helped the man to his feet before turning to hand the wooden blade to Denue.
“I’d better attend to father,” he indicated as his squire followed him across the practice grounds.
*****
Thais entered the hallways leading to the court at a run. She was dressed in her finest clothes, looking the most feminine that she had been in months. Her two ladies in waiting rushed to keep up with her, and almost crashed into her back when she instantly slowed to a casual walk, taking in deep breaths to compose herself. One slightly adjusted how the dress hung over her shoulder, and Thais instantly slid it back down her arm to reveal the full beauty of her frame.
She took another breath as one of her ladies opened the door for her. The large wooden doors, ornately engraved in rare gold, gently opened. The court of the House of Catheridge was not grand by any means. The room could easily fit a hundred standing guests, but as one of the smaller duchies of the kingdom, the splendor was more humble than opulent
. Word of the warriors’ arrival had spread quickly and within the hour the most influential people of the town and court had coerced their way into the main hall of the Barons castle to catch a glimpse or more of the stranger, the first to be seen in generations in this land.
The township of Catheridge had been named after the Great Queen Catherine – Catherine’s’ Ridge. The original garrison was setup to defend the farmers from Grangol and Troll attacks, and as the fortifications grew a local Baron was installed over one hundred summers before. With fine weather over several seasons of the year, agricultural activity had expanded out from Bhagshau, Vasa and Caitawalaan leading to greater wealth and the establishment of more garrisons and the opportunity for mercenaries to work for independently for richer farmers and merchants. Over time the Barony changed dynasties until the father of the current Baron was installed.
Baron Archivy of Catheridge stood a few paces from his throne, in deep discussion with his guest and a few merchants who happened to be visiting the castle this day. His conversation was broken by the arrival of his daughter.
She quickly glanced around the room, and although more than three dozen people were in attendance, she noted the Barons’ swordmaster, but not her brother.
Her father turned to greet her as his guests momentarily stepped aside. Hands clasped together he admired her as she made the final few strides towards him.
“I have not seen such a lady in months,” he gestured. “Do you know where my daughter has stolen to?” he added with a wink.
He turned to the men. “Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Princess Thais.”
The King had resolved that all sons and daughters of royal houses throughout the kingdom shall be called Prince or Princess. He denoted his own sons’ as Duke, but being very forgetful of names, chose all others to wear the other titles.
All three men bowed, although the stranger kept his head slightly raised as he watched her.
“These two gentlemen you already know my love, but this is a stranger who claims to hail from a distant realm.”
The young man bowed again as they exchanged smiles and pleasantries. He had been afforded a bath and new change of clothes. Of the finest silks offered to him, he had chosen the purple tunic, the color of the royal family of his homeland where he was said to be a member of the court.
Baron Archivy indicated for the man to follow him as he made his way up the five steps to his throne platform. Although it was only a small gathering, he preferred the tradition of presenting in this way. The Baron and stranger with the tattooed face turned to face the others. As the Baron took a breath to commence, the door flung open, and Casperi entered. Everyone turned to face him momentarily.
“My apologies father,” he muttered.
“No harm done,” assured the Baron as he looked back to the faces of those gathered. Casperi walked over to stand by his sister, both now standing at the front of the gathering at floor level. She smiled briefly at him, as he quickly looked her up and down and slightly rolled his eyes with a smirk.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to my court this fine day. We have been blessed with a surprise guest. A man who has travelled a long way, with an equally long and interesting story.”
“I would like to introduce to you the knight Dralan, from the Kingdom of Narthal, to our north. He has briefly outlined to me his recent quest and defeat of the Blue Dragon, Zenath, on behalf of his king. Although only of twenty summers, he has sought great favor for his kingdom and found passage through the Mountains of Sart this very morning. He has, I surmise, come to our kingdom to offer his services to vanquish our own great dragon, Arthung, to free us of this tyranny and commence negotiations for trade on behalf of his king. Although previously a mere orphan, Dralans’ deeds have raised him to the level of knight servant of the King of Narthal, with promises of estates and title if he succeeds in this mission!” Baron Archivy almost shouted as his voice raised to complete the sentence.
The gathered people cheered. The merchants smiled to each other. The prospect of larger markets for their produce was exciting news.
The Baron smiled and led a short applause as the young knight bowed.
Casperi leaned across to his sister. “Bored of leather vests and riding leggings sweet sister?” he casually asked Thais.
She frowned at him through her dark brown, almost black eyes.
“I haven’t seen you dressed like that since mother...” he stopped himself mid-sentence as they both gathered a tear in their eyes. “For a long time,” he added.
“What have you been doing this morning my brother?” she asked, changing subjects.
“Oh, you know, the usual. Long swords, boring stuff like that.”
“You boys get all the fun. I’ve been practicing shooting dead swallows in the eye.”
He smiled at his sister.
“If you were ever called upon to join a fight my darling Thais, all of your opponents would be dead before they even got within ten paces of you.”
The Baron called order of the crowd as side conversations had broken out over the announcement.
“I will call a close to court this morning, and meet with each of our merchant guests individually. Our special guest shall join us at dinner this evening, and I shall arrange for his accommodation for as long as he may wish. Good day to all.”
With this the Baron strode down the stairs as his adviser as several court squires came forward to greet him along with two guards, the swordmaster, and his second.
The stranger was led out by the squires as he half bowed to Thais with a smile. She returned his and looked at her brother.
“What?” she queried. “He’s gorgeous.”
The two swordsmen discussed something for a few moments with the Baron, before they departed with the advisor.
The Baron turned to his children.
“Seems someone has taken an instant fancy to you my lovely,” he posed, looking at Thais. “I think we could all do with a good wedding.”
“Father!” she shuddered. “We don’t even know him! He could be a murderous villain for all we know.”
“Like Canute,” suggested Casperi.
“He’s a piece of work that boy, isn’t he?” proposed the father to his son.
“He certainly intends to hurt every second opponent that comes up against him.”
“Well, this stranger is going to change things in this valley, one way or another. I can just feel it. Either way, I’d rather have Canute standing next to me in battle than in front of me,” advised the Baron.
“Yes, well, let’s see what this stranger has to say during the next few days. Thais, are you up helping gather some information?”
“If I get to spend some time with him, yes.”
“But Thais,” mused Archivy. “Don’t get carried away. We don’t know how truthful anything he has said is yet. I’ve never seen you so interested in a boy before, but best for all of us to keep our distance, just for now.”
“Yes father,” she answered sheepishly. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“Have you had your lesson with Priest Nolan today?”
Thais huffed. Priest Nolan had always seemed languid and serious to her. His eyes were bright, inquisitive, and extremely nearsighted, leaving him no other choice as a child than to become a man of the cloth from a young age even before most and considered their journey.
“No father. I will seek him after lunch.”
“And you, young swordsman? How many of your friends have you incapacitated today?”
“Only one father. Currans’ younger brother.”
“Well go and take him for a private lesson this week, once he has recovered.”
With that the Baron departed as his squire approached with several rolls given to him by the visiting merchants. He departed through the side door to his chambers, the gathered merchants waiting until the first was called.
Chapter 2
Dinner service had been announced with bo
th ladies in waiting and a squire patiently standing near the door. Thais looked at herself in the full-length mirror once more, half spinning in each direction to consider herself from as many angles as possible.
The squire heard a knock at the door and turned to open it, finding Prince Casperi standing outside with his own squire behind him.
“Shall you ever be ready sister?” he mused. She rolled her eyes at him.
“I just wish to make a good impression,” she countered.
She spun once more, smiled at her brother, and took his arm as their entourage quickly fell in step behind them. The court squire ran ahead to ensure the royal guards opened the doors at the appropriate times. Casperi making comments to most of them, including the brother of the young man he had injured earlier in the day.
They entered the dining room, as most of the dinner guests, including the stranger, had already been seated.
Baron Archivy and Dralan rose as Thais was offered the chair beside the stranger. Prince Casperi was seated on the other side of his father. Only a select few had been invited as it was important for the Baron to understand the intentions of his guest before making him available for more formal gatherings.
Small talk ensued through the next few minutes as food and wine was served. The Baron discussed the formal procedures of the kingdom that would need to be taken to include the three across from him including his advisor Merlane, the swordmaster Nathe, and Denue. A visit to the King in the city of Bhagshau would be the first step.
Dralan outlined how he defeated the Blue Dragon Zenath, and said that a strong wizard had travelled with him, fought bravely, and died during the battle. He would hope to find one such wizard here who would come with him to join his quest. Baron Archivy laughed at this suggestion as both Thais and Casperi glanced down momentarily.