The Dragon Orb (The Alaris Chronicles Book 1)

by Mike Shelton

  The Chief Judge turned to Gilan. “You said you were itching for a fight. How are you feeling now?”

  The large guard rubbed his hand over his shaved head and then flexed his arms out in front of him, cracking his knuckles. “I thought you would never ask.”

  Motioning for Tam to move forward, Daymian, Gilan, and the four remaining guards followed him into the night. Tam moved nervously and continued looking around them for trouble. But in short order they approached the steps to the castle.

  Daymian peered up at the gray stone walls of the capital of Alaris and felt a small lump form in his throat. He wondered if he would ever return. Tonight, the battle for the future of Alaris would begin.

  The doors opened, and Wren stood there, torchlight silhouetting him from behind. He was not pleased at seeing the small contingent. “I didn’t think we were bringing everyone.”

  Daymian strode purposefully up the steps, his face devoid of emotion. “This is my home. I will bring in whomever I will, Wren.” He pushed Wren aside and entered the foyer. His boots clicked loudly on the granite floors. Circular columns stood before him, rising to two stories above this floor. Colorful tapestries hung around the entryway, depicting scenes from around Alaris. Lamps were lit, high on the stone walls, illuminating the area, with shadows only appearing in the far recesses of the entryway.

  All was as it should be—except for the twenty or so armed men standing in a semicircle to greet them. At the forefront stood Mericus, the wizard and newly appointed judge of western Alaris. He was dressed in black from head to toe, his leather pants tucked inside knee-high boots and an ornate sword hanging at his hip.

  “Mericus,” Daymian said. “You are far away from your western lands. What will Westridge do in your absence?”

  “Westridge is not my concern right now, Daymian. I’ve been asked to relieve you of your duties, pending a vote on the matter.”

  “You know Kanzar will not allow a vote,” voiced Daymian. “He means to be king and rule this land despite what the people want.”

  Mericus waved a hand in the air. “That is also no concern of mine right now. For now, you will be held prisoner with your family.” He motioned his men forward to take Daymian and his group.

  Before the men could take a step forward, Daymian raised his voice as loudly as he could and shouted, “Attack!”

  Surprise spread across the faces of Mericus and his men. Through side doors, down the stairs, and from hidden panels in the walls emerged a hundred men. Daymian’s chest swelled with pride as his battalion, dressed in red for battle, attacked with their swords drawn high.

  It took a moment for Mericus and his men to figure out what was happening. The wizard judge gave a stern look to Wren, who seemed surprised by the attack also.

  “Traitor,” spat Tam as he slammed his fist into Wren. The man fell to the ground, panting for breath.

  Daymian took a step forward. “You were Kanzar’s man from the first, Wren.”

  “Where did these men come from?” the traitor asked

  “A good leader always plans for contingencies,” Daymian said.

  Wren brought up his hand, to gather his magic, but Tam kicked Wren in the head, knocking him out before turning his attention to the rest of the fight.

  To his right, Daymian heard a low growl. It was from Gilan, who ran full speed into the group of Mericus’s men. He punched, kicked, and then sliced with his sword in every direction possible. Muscles bulging, he fought undeterred in his relentless attack.

  Mericus shot out fireballs at the attacking battalion, though Daymian noticed that these were not killing strikes. He guessed he should take consolation in the fact that his men might live. They cleared a space for Daymian, leading him up the stairs. Meeting his other two guards—the ones who had left through the tunnels earlier—at the top of the stairs, he asked them about his family.

  “All is secure, Sir,” they informed him.

  Daymian entered their rooms, and Mara, his wife, threw herself at him. Tears fell from her eyes. He hugged her fiercely and kissed her forehead. Then his young daughter and son came up and grabbed his legs and waist.

  “We need to leave now, Sir,” one of his guards said. “I don’t know how long we can hold them off.”

  Daymian nodded, gathered up his family, and moved out into the hallway. To their right stepped the man who had previously been appointed general under the new judges. Standing next to him was the other judge Kanzar had appointed from the north. Daymian never did get the man’s name. At this point, it didn’t matter.

  Two of his guards stood between Daymian’s family and the two men. So Daymian moved in the opposite direction, down the hall, pulling his family along. As the two men attacked his guards, the fighting became fiercer, and one of the guards fell. The other one held on, fighting against the two men. He tried to give time for the Chief Judge to get away.

  Suddenly, up the stairs Gilan ran, his bulky frame taking two steps at a time. He crashed into the two attackers.

  “Go!” he yelled to Daymian.

  Daymian moved quickly as he pulled his family into another room. Behind a bookshelf inside stood a secret passage. They entered it and pulled the shelf closed behind them. Running through darkened passageways, he led his family through a maze of rough-cut hallways and stairs, descending below the level of the castle’s floors. Soon they emerged into a wide tunnel. Other men waited there for them, ready to usher them to the exit.

  Coming to a wooden ladder, several guards moved ahead of them. Then Daymian pushed his family up, one by one, into the back of the old barn. Soon a contingent of men came up the ladder behind them.

  They left the barn through the hidden gate in the wall and proceeded to where their horses were being held. Daymian and Mara each pulled up one of their children to ride with them and, with about fifty men, fled into the night.

  Behind Daymian, the sounds of battle still emerged from the castle. A few bolts of fire lit the night sky. Daymian clenched his teeth. Mericus must still be fighting. He slowed and took a last, longing look at his beloved city.

  One of his men, an officer, came back to him. “You must leave, Sir. The men know the sacrifice they have made. You can’t go back.”

  “I know, but that doesn’t make it any easier.” Daymian turned his horse back straight, held on to his son with his left arm, and galloped out of the city.

  “This isn’t over yet!” he yelled out to his remaining men. “To Orr!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  Coming up over a small rise, Bakari marveled at seeing Celestar for the first time. Its gleaming white domes and spires stood out in sharp contrast to the green woods surrounding it. He could see the barrier, off in the distance, shimmering brightly. He took a few steps toward it, but Breelyn put her hand on his arm and motioned him back toward the city.

  “There will be time to study it later,” the elf protector said.

  Bakari scrunched up his face. “I know. It’s just so exciting to be here, near it.” Stepping up to the gates, they were met by a small group of guards. They stood in front of the approaching group as if to stop them. The two men from Celestar accompanying Bakari and his group stepped out in front of Breelyn and Erryl.

  One of them glanced back at the small group and motioned with his arm as he said, “We brought back Erryl Close, the escaped guardian, but some others have insisted on coming along with him.”

  Breelyn looked at Bakari, and he nodded to her. She would take the lead for now. “I am Breelyn Mier, protector for King Arrowyn Soliel, king of Elvyn. I have come through the barrier.”

  The guards stumbled over themselves. Turning to one another, they began arguing about what to do. They too had never seen an elf before. Not only that, but she had breached the barrier.

  Breelyn continued. “We would like to speak with your governor. I am sure we can sort things out.”

  Erryl turned a worried look at Breelyn. He had spoken to her and Bakari about what the governor had done t
o Geran, his old sector protector. So they knew the man was dangerous.

  One of the guards stepped forward. “Who else is in your party?” He eyed Bakari suspiciously. “You seem to be a long way from home—wherever that may be.”

  Bakari ignored the insult. He was used to standing out in a crowd. “I am Bakari, the scholar wizard sent here, under the direction of the Chief Judge, to learn about the barrier. I would like to see the Orb.”

  One of the guards mumbled, “Another young wizard. Governor Ellian will not be happy.”

  “Another?” Bakari asked, wondering what other wizard had made the trip here quicker than he had.

  “A girl,” the man said. “Feisty little thing. Hardly seems old enough to be out on her own.”

  Bakari smiled for the first time in days. By the description, he hoped it would be Alli. It would be nice to see a familiar face in all of this.

  The two men with them grabbed Erryl’s arms. Then the taller one spoke.

  “Well, for certain, we will bring in our escaped guardian. He needs to return to his duties.”

  Erryl tried to pull his arms away, but the men held fast.

  Breelyn touched the shoulder of both men, and they immediately dropped their hold on the young man. The gate guards kept looking at Breelyn nervously.

  She smiled sweetly and stepped closer. “We will not be kept waiting. Please lead us directly to your governor.” She motioned for the others to join her and walked straight through the gates. The guards scrambled to stay ahead of her.

  Bakari observed everything here with interest, filing his surroundings away in his mind for future use. The buildings were clean and white, flanking wide streets and walking paths. The few people walking about wore the same clothes, albeit more clean, that Erryl wore: loose-fitting white tunics and pants. Ahead of them loomed a smooth white building. Four spires reached heavenward, one on each corner, with a large dome of glass in the middle. Bakari felt power radiating from the building.

  Erryl pointed. “That is where the Orb is. You can feel its power, can’t you?”

  Bakari and Breelyn both nodded. But Bakari felt more than power. Distant echoes of the voice he had heard on the cliffs of the river now came back to him.

  Their group was escorted around the side of the building and through a smaller door. Entering the large building, Bakari glanced around. Smooth walls, clean tile floors, and high ceilings met his gaze. They were led to a set of double doors at the end of the hallway. The guard put his hand on the door, but Breelyn pushed him back with authority and moved in ahead of them. Bakari had to almost run to catch up with Breelyn’s long strides.

  Ahead of them, on a chair of significant size—not quite a throne—sat an older man with dark hair and a goatee. Jewels hung around his neck, and silk robes covered his strong frame. A girl stood in front of him, her back to the approaching group.

  Upon noticing their arrival, the man rose from his chair. “What is the meaning of this? Who let these people in?” A scowl covered his face, and his hand went to the pommel of a sword at his side.

  Bakari walked forward with Breelyn at his side. They stopped a few feet behind the girl, who had yet to turn around.

  “I am Breelyn Mier, protector of Elvyn,” she said, introducing herself for the second time that day.

  The governor’s eyes went wide, and he reached his other hand toward the arm of the chair, to steady himself. “So, the barrier is down?”

  “Not fully,” Breelyn informed him. “It was a momentary lapse that allowed me through. Your brave guardian, Erryl Close, saved my life, and I have come to see he is rewarded.”

  Erryl stepped out from behind the group. His clothes were still dirty, and he felt afraid of the governor, but he stood his ground bravely.

  Before the governor could say anything else, Bakari spoke. “And I am Bakari, scholar wizard. I have traveled here to learn more about the barrier and the Orb. There is trouble brewing in the land, and it will become even more likely if the barrier falls.”

  With mention of his name, the young girl had turned around. She smiled now at Bakari, and he felt relieved to find a friend here.

  The governor still stood. “I see you know Wizard Allison Stenos, here?” the man said with a sneer.

  Wizard, huh? Bakari wondered if she had indeed passed the wizard test or was only masquerading as one. A look, warning him to be careful, crossed her face, and Bakari knew he needed to find out more before he proceeded. Knowledge of the situation was always preferable to actions made without any information.

  “We appreciate your hospitality, Governor,” Bakari said. He motioned at Breelyn with his eyes to follow his lead. She caught on. This was not a man to threaten but to stroke his ego. “I can see you run a good, clean city here. We are pleased to see it so spotless and taken care of. You are to be commended.”

  The governor visibly relaxed and sat back down. “Of course. Of course. I thank you. We always try to please the Citadel. How is Kanzar doing, anyway?”

  If Governor Ellian was in league with Kanzar, this was a dangerous place indeed.

  “I grew up in the Citadel as an orphan, Sir, but have been stationed in Cassian. I have not had the pleasure of seeing our wizard leader recently.” It was hard for Bakari to act the counselor. This was a job far more suited for Roland.

  “Good Governor.” As Breelyn spoke, the room fell silent. Her radiance, even after traveling, amazed Bakari. Her presence itself was a breath of fresh air, her voice light and musical. “I bring you tidings from King Arrowyn Soliel. You are the first leader in Alaris we have met in one hundred fifty years. We look forward to working with such esteemed leadership.”

  “Where are my manners?” the governor said, apparently impressed with Breelyn’s greeting. “I am Governor Naylor Ellian of Celestar, and I welcome our Elvyn neighbor to our esteemed city. I will prepare proper rooms for you at once, and perhaps later you will join me for a meal.”

  They all agreed, and the travelers were escorted out. The guards moved to take Erryl back to his rooms. The guardian looked at Breelyn for support, and she nodded to him that it would be all right.

  Bakari found himself next to Alli as they left the building and walked toward a smaller one. “A wizard now?”

  She gave him a pout. “No, not yet, but Gorn was hurt on the way here, and I needed to improvise. They don’t know the difference anyways. I’m stronger than any of their weak wizard guardians.”

  “And the governor?” Bakari asked.

  “He is a dangerous wizard in his own right, and he tightly controls the people here. He is up to something. I arrived this morning. What is this Orb you spoke about?”

  “As far as I can tell, the Orb controls the barrier. Breelyn thinks it’s an ancient dragon’s egg,” Bakari said.

  The group entered the building and was escorted to separate rooms, to clean up and rest. The room Bakari entered was small but serviceable. He was not used to much more. It held a comfortable bed, a washbasin, a pair of chairs, and a small wooden table. The table held an assortment of fruits and breads.

  Grabbing a slice of melon, he sat on the edge of the bed. He slipped off his boots and laid his head back. The comforter felt cool to the touch.

  Closing his eyes, Bakari tried to remember everything that had occurred in the last two weeks since leaving River Bend. His chest constricted; the pain of losing Kharlia was too fresh. He turned his mind to the others. He hoped the Chief Judge was safe at the Citadel and worried how Roland was getting along. He wondered if his friend was behaving himself.

  Right before full slumber would have grasped Bakari, he felt a call come to his mind. A presence filled his mind and heart: similar to what he had felt earlier, but now more clear and immense. It was magic…but on a level he hadn’t felt before.

  A soft, but intense, deep male voice called to him, Come to me. It whispered this to his soul. The voice’s pleading dug deep into his breast, but he was too exhausted. He surrendered to a deep sleep.


  * * *

  Later that evening, Bakari woke up and went to eat with Breelyn, Alli, and the governor of Celestar. They finished eating a nice meal of braised chicken, sweet breads, and fresh vegetables. It felt good to eat a solid meal again. Throughout the meal, the governor steered the conversation away from any talk of the Orb.

  From what Bakari had sifted from his conversations with others that afternoon, Celestar had been founded at the time of the barrier’s creation. A group of wizards and other men built the city. They had been the first guardians. The governor of Celestar took his orders from the wizards, and, in turn, the Citadel provided everything that the city needed.

  Come to me, a voice spoke into Bakari‘s mind during the silence of dessert.

  He sat up straight with a start. He had forgotten about the call he’d heard while falling asleep earlier. He closed his eyes and reached out, much like he did whenever he merged his mind with an animal’s.

  The voice became clear, sharp, and powerful as it said, I need you.

  Who are you? He knew a being of extreme intelligence conversed with him but as yet didn’t know who it was. Was it another wizard, calling to him?

  Where are you? Bakari thought.

  I am the Orb. This message came to him loud and clear. I am the Dragon Orb. Come to me now! These thoughts burst through his mind.

  Bakari opened his eyes to find everyone staring at him. He took off his glasses and rubbed his temples. His head hurt.

  “Bakari?” Alli turned to him. Her green eyes held his with concern. “You’ve been in a trance for a quarter of an hour.”

  Bakari leapt to his feet. “The Orb calls to me. I must go now,” he announced to the group.

  The governor started, spilling a glass of wine to the marble floor and making a shattering sound that brought servants running to the room. Ignoring the cleanup around him, the governor lifted his hand toward Bakari.

  “That is not allowed,” he said in a steady voice. “You must not interrupt the guardians.”