The Dream of Shadows

by Nicholas Clausen

  She had her hair flowing down around her shoulders and a large, ornate golden crown that looked like fire resting on her hair. She slowly walked to the golden throne that sat between the other thrones. Just like her crown, her throne was completely golden, and it shimmered like it was about to melt away.

  She sat down with the utmost care as if she could break it if she sat down too hard.

  “Shane the Copper,” Elizabeth said softly. Shane had been told it was at this point that he was to look up at the queen.

  “We gave you a dragon, your title and a chance to help out the entire land of Arvain.” Elizabeth paused to let the words sink in. “And you repaid our kindness, our generosity with violence. You and your cohorts abandoned us when war was breaking on our walls and joined yourselves with the elves.” Shocked gasps went up in the room. They all knew what had been going on, but they still acted shocked.

  “You killed some of our riders, forcing us to take up arms against the elves. Countless lives have been lost because of you and the other’s betrayals. Arvain is now in open rebellion. Your friends bring every horrible form of nightmare to our doors, to fill our streets with blood.”

  The riders around them growled and shouted their agreement. Elizabeth let them cheer for a few moments before raising her hand slightly to silence them.

  “And yet you return here, of your own free will. Seeking forgiveness and asking us to rejoin our ranks.” Elizabeth locked eyes with Shane as she spoke. Shane returned the gaze.

  “Yes, my Queen,” Shane said loudly.

  “A lesser queen would have you killed, tortured or at the very least locked you away for the rest of your long life.” Elizabeth looked at the ceiling as if she was still thinking about one of those options.

  “Alas, I have a forgiving heart.” The riders took up to cheering for their Queen. “I will reinstate you, Shane. You will once again take on the mantle of a Metallic Rider. You will lead my forces against the vial degenerates that seek to destroy our way of life.” Elizabeth stood and walked to Shane. “Won’t you?” She asked when she stood before him.

  “I will, my Queen,” Shane said.

  “As a reward for you leaving your villainous ways and rejoining our noble cause, your family will be moved to the Metallic Pyramid to reside with us, in honor.” Elizabeth smiled at Shane, but her eyes showed the malice behind her statement. She was going to keep his family close to her to make sure he did as he was told.

  “Thank you, my Queen,” Shane said. His voice never changing.

  “You will be vital to our victory, to the victory of peace.” The riders began shouting and chanting.

  “Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth!”

  “And what will you do when you see your friends on the battlefield?” She asked.

  “I will kill them,” Shane shouted, unsure if he was lying. With his last words, the shout grew louder.

  “Elizabeth The Golden! Elizabeth The Golden!” Their voices rang out.

  “Thank you, Shane. You have secured my legacy.” She said softly enough that only Shane could here. “Let's go and tell the people how we will defeat your friends.” She said as she put her hands on his shoulder and turned him to walk him to where the crowds had grown around the Metallic Pyramid.

  “They are never going to expect this, and it’s all thanks to you.” She said just before they made it to the door leading out of the Hall of Stories. “Take solace in knowing you have played a part in what will be their death.”

  Names

  Hayden the Silver- Rider of silver dragon Draek.

  Draek- Silver dragon that hatched for Hayden.

  Shane the Copper- Friend of Hayden that he met during the trials, rider of Rilora the copper dragon.

  Rilora- Copper dragon that is bound to Shane.

  Cassidy the Gold- Also known as Cass. Friend of Hayden that he met during the trials, rider of Shaylin the gold dragon.

  Shaylin- Golden dragon bound to Cassidy.

  Giles the Silver- Made it through the trials with Hayden. Rider of the silver dragon Kurok.

  Kurok- Silver dragon bound to Giles

  Sebastian the Silver- Did not make it through the trials but was awarded with Hayden’s egg because his father was a rider. Hayden and Sebastian are enemies and Giles and Sebastian are becoming friends. Rider of the silver dragon Sullivan.

  Sullivan- Silver dragon that is bound to Sebastian.

  Arvain- The land that is ruled by the Metallic dragon riders, the land is divided amongst the other races.

  Erskine- Home and birth place of Hayden the Silver.

  Bergelmir- Mountain range that covers most of the north of Arvain and is home to the dwarf tribes and their red dragons.

  Eytherka- Elvin forest that has become over grown and now covers most of the western sea board. It is home to the elves and their green dragons.

  Burden Sea- Ocean that borders Eytherka. Humans came over the sea but were forced to stay out at sea by the elves. Now they are a pirate nation and the have blue dragons.

  Frozen Tundra- Frozen waste land to the south where there is little more than sporadic nomadic tribes of barbarian humans and their white dragons.

  Shadow Desert- Long stretches of grey desert that goes on almost endless. No one knows what’s past it and almost nothing lives in it but the Bone thief’s with their black dragons.

  Celestial City- Center city that is at the center of Arvain. Home to humans and all three metallic dragons.

  Fendrel- Friend of Hayden’s that he met on the road to Celestial City. He had once tried for an egg but lost it to his brother Morgane. That egg was the same egg that Hayden hatched.

  Morgane- Fendrel’s brother who has been warped by the other metallic riders. Rider of the silver dragon Argentum.

  Estraken- Older gold rider that has a slight crazy/outlandish view on everything. He is their teacher and works and lives out of his library. No info on his dragon, yet.

  Lirand- One of Hayden’s trainer during his time at Celestial City. His silver dragon is Shynari.

  Bureg the Swift- Dwarf rider that Hayden chassed for stealing from the orchard of souls, his dragon is Trohen.

  Elizabeth the Gold- One of the current Rulers of Three that rule over Arvain. Rider of the golden dragon Herrdiga.

  Caine the Silver- One of the current Rulers of Three that rule over Arvain. Rider of the silver dragon Katen.

  Bryce the Copper- One of the current Rulers of Three that rule over Arvain. Rider of the copper dragon Sylet.

  Tynan- Hayden’s battle master. Taught Hayden and the other new dragon riders how to fight.

  Dragonauts- weapons worn over the riders hands that resemble a dragons claws.

  Benet the Copper- Friend that helped Hayden during the trials. Rider of the copper dragon Siron.

  Ricen- Silver rider and father to Sebastian, his dragon is Fennet.

  Harvest Tavern- Located in Erskine and was the home of Hayden before he left for Celestial City.

  Harth- Son of Artues the silver. Young child Hayden met in the pyramid.

  Karon- Title for a slave or servant that works in the metallic pyramid.

  Rokesten- Master smith that made Hayden’s armor.

  Turgun- bully who wanted to lead the ground troops during the Crucible.

  General Guthren- general who led the battle against the dwarfs.

  Aelfrie- The King of the Forest, True Guardian of the Woods, Chieftain of the Seven and rider of Alger the Emerald Giant.

  Alger the Emerald Giant- King of the elf’s dragon.

  Kirin- Elf kings daughter and current queen.

  Nignra of the Summer Woods – Kirin’s dragon.

  Feren – Hidden elf city.

  Kraten the butcher- Silver rider who killed Aelfrie.

  Raena- Elf that befriends Hayden. Her dragon Fre`yan.

  Valace- Warrior elf leader who attempted to marry Kirin.

  Rimney Sky- Pirate, rider of Farius The Sunken Death, captain of The Misty Maiden.

 
Jaran- One of the leaders of the pirates.

  Fren- Elf dragon rider that led the fortification of Eytherka.

  Galiants- Trebuchets with giant crossbows mounted around them.

  Toren- Blacksmith pirate working on the ship The Setting Sun.

  TheeAgren – Mountain range that separates the Frozen Tundra from the rest of Arvain.

  Rob and Marge- Keepers of the Harvest Tavern and took Hayden in.

  Tenent The Copper- Rider who announced the trials in Erskine. Rider of the copper dragon Brazen.

  Fren- Elf commander who led the defense of Etheryka.

  Jaran- Pirate captain and member of the Head.

  TheeAgren- Mountain range at the edge of the Frozen Tundra, the name means the end.

  Klarack- first white rider they meet.

  Marian the copper- Rider Cass yelled at the Ice Keep.

  Shanry- Frost Fang elder.

  Dying Canyons- location of the Bone Thieves.

  Catrin The Copper- Fal, the copper dragon.

  The Void- Cnayon in the Shadow Desert.

  Dark Hold- The fortress built in the Shadow Desert.

  Re- Bone Thief that was met at the base of the Dark Hold.

  Kne- Leader of the Bone Thieves.

  Se- young Bone Thief that helped Hayden with his armor.

  Aldreth Stronghold- Outpost help by humans near the Shadow Desert.

  About the Author…..

  Nicholas was born in Fort Knox Kentucky. His parents were both in the United States Army at the time, so moving around every few years quickly became a part of his life. This gave him the gift of being able to call the whole world his home. The only constants that he found on every military base and in every new home were his books.

  At a young age Nicholas quickly became lost in the world of literature, always veering off towards fantasy and science fiction. As he grew older, stories filled with adventure and in breathtaking faraway places began taking root in his mind. It wasn’t until later on down the road that he began to give life to these adventures. In 2011 Nicholas began to pen the story that would be called The Dragon Riders of Arvain.

  Thank you for doing me the honor of taking the time to read my novel. I hope that you have found it enjoyable and that you will join me in my further adventures as we continue on with The Dragon Riders of Arvain series.

  Sincerely,

  Nicholas K. R. Clausen