Dragonia: Dragon Stone (Dragonia Empire Book 3)

by Craig A. Price Jr.

  They were developing the knowledge and skill of everyone who could use it, which turned out to be over a hundred people. Naveen and Fred were training the others how to access and use their powers.

  When the Dragonia Empire attacked them at Saefron, they’d hoped to outfit all the defenders with the scales of one of the fallen dragons, but as it turned out, the only people who were able to use the scales to create magic, were those who already had an extra sensory skill. As far as Zaviana could tell, the sensory skill had been from childhood for most of the people.

  They had hundreds of red dragon scales, but to be more effective, they would need to gather many other scales as well. It would be hard to battle fire with fire.

  Zaviana approached Naveen. “How is everyone doing?”

  Naveen ran her hand through her hair. “Frustrated. Some are getting it, but others have yet to fully comprehend how to access the elements. They do it more by mistake than actual focus.”

  “I see,” Zaviana said. “It’s going to take a while to fully be able to access the power. It took me years to master it. Most of the time, I had to hide what I knew. If I learned too fast, the emperor would have made it even worse on me.”

  “You can access all the elements, can’t you?”

  “Yes,” Zaviana admitted. “When I touched the Dragon stone, all the elements were opened to me.”

  “That’s what we need,” Naveen muttered.

  “What’s that?” Zaviana asked.

  “The dragon stone.”

  “It’s heavily guarded. It’s not something we can just walk in and grab.”

  “I know,” Naveen said. “I’m just frustrated. No matter what we discover to make us stronger … we’re still so much further behind the empire.”

  “Last I checked, the empire hasn’t been using the dragon stone to give anyone power.”

  “What are they using it for?” Naveen asked.

  “To take power away from the dragons. The emperor doesn’t want intelligent dragons, he wants mindless animals who follow his every command. That’s probably why he hasn’t let anyone touch the dragon stone. Who can he trust to not betray him?”

  “But he has it at his beck and call. What if we start winning more battles? He will have no choice but to have people use the dragon stone. The only way we can safely prevent that, is to steal it.”

  “Stealing the dragon stone,” Zaviana laughed.

  “Wait … you said the power is actually that of a dragon? Like, the dragon stone steals the power from a dragon, then it goes into whoever touches it?”

  “I believe so,” Zaviana said.

  “So, you have the power of a dragon inside of you?”

  “Several dragons, I assume.”

  “Several?” Naveen asked.

  “Well, most of the dragons are red, or fire dragons. I can control more than just fire.”

  “I thought the empire only had red dragons.”

  “They do,” Zaviana said. “But there were a lot more. However, once Galedar began betraying the dragons with the dragon stone … once he began stealing their power, most of the other dragons fled Dragonia.”

  “I wonder where they went,” Naveen whispered.

  “I do as well.”

  “If the dragons have magic inside of them, can they share that magic with their rider?”

  Zaviana raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know. We haven’t experienced anything like that yet.”

  “It sure would be handy.” Naveen sighed. “Zaviana, can you help with training?”

  “I can try. I’ve been watching all of you for a while now, trying to comprehend how you’re using the scales. I have my own scale necklace … but I barely used it before touching the dragon stone.”

  Zaviana walked to the center of the field where everyone trained.

  “Good afternoon, everyone. Most of you know who I am, for those of you who don’t, I am Zaviana. I can use magic like you … except much more. I don’t need dragon scales to reach my power.”

  “Can we learn to do it without the dragon scales?” someone in the crowd asked.

  Zaviana shook her head. “No. Something was done to me that changed me. It is the reason I do not need scales. We do not have what is required to replicate that. However, I understand the elements. What I do, I believe, is a little different than using the dragon scales. I can sense the energy all around us. It’s invisible … but it’s there in the atmosphere. I can move heat and cold to create ice or fire, and I can remove moisture from the air to create water. The scales work a little differently, as far as I can tell. There is magic inside of them. I do not know if there is a limit … if they’ll run out, but there is magic inside of them. I can sense it, much like I can sense the elements in the air. What I believe happens, is when you focus on the dragon scale, and the elements around you, they combine to create an element specific to that dragon scale. So, if, like most of you, have a red dragon scale, it gives you the ability to sense heat elements in the atmosphere. It allows you to focus on them, then use its power through them to create fire.”

  “How do we control it?” another person from the crowd asked.

  “That is the hard part. You need to know the element is. Just look at the wyvern’s abilities to know what color does what. Then close off your mind to everything but the scale. Let the scale guide you. It will reveal to you the elements in the atmosphere it needs. Now, imagine them going through the dragon scale. It needs the elements for power. Concentrate on moving them inside of your mind into the scale, then open your hands to direct the magic outward. Imagine a small opening in the center of the scale, releasing the energy in a concentrated beam from your hand. Practice this long enough until you can accomplish this with your eyes open. For now, it will probably be easier to leave your eyes closed so you can focus on it more.”

  Everyone absorbed what she said, then began practicing. Zaviana noticed an immediate difference after her speech. She smiled. They still weren’t masters yet, but at least now they had some direction.

  Devarius approached her from behind. “Zaviana?”

  “Yes?”

  “How are they doing?”

  “They still have much to learn, but they’re improving.”

  “Will they be ready?” Devarius asked.

  “Eventually.”

  Devarius nodded.

  “We need to find more scales,” Zaviana said.

  Devarius frowned at her.

  “Most of what we have are red dragon scales. There are a couple with purple and a couple with blue, but we need more diversity if we hope to use them effectively.”

  Devarius nodded. “It would also be helpful if anyone could use the scales, instead of only a select few.”

  “It would,” Zaviana admitted.

  “Where are we going to get more scales?”

  “Well, I would assume either a dragon scale or a wyvern scale would work.”

  “I’m not going to be carving scales off our wyverns.”

  Zaviana shook her head. “No. I would never suggest that. I just think we should explore this island a little more. Perhaps we can find some scales scattered somewhere, or buried somewhere.”

  Devarius raised his brows.

  “I know it’s a long shot, but if we could find some more scales.”

  Devarius nodded. “All right. All right. I hear you. I’ll let you be in charge of putting together an expedition team.”

  Zaviana gleamed. “It would be my pleasure.”

  Chapter 4

  Devarius stood next to Paedyn at the top of the hill observing the dragomen. They continued to train, with the exception of three whom Devarius selected to refrain from its use. He selected three at random, or mostly random, he did choose Cederic, the shoemaker, who’d been the first to use it. It was more at Naveen’s request though than his own idea. She’d admitted to Cederic being more irritable and quicker to anger since first beginning his use of the wyvern oil. Devarius wondered if Cederic’s anger was a side effect
of using the oil itself, or if something else was the cause. He decided to speak to close family and friends of the others who used the oil to see if they reported similar claims.

  Cederic was at the practice field, speaking with the lead trainer. He didn’t look happy as spit came from his yelling mouth. Cederic glanced up and noticed Devarius on top of the hill watching him. He turned away from the trainer and stomped his feet as he approached Devarius.

  “Be ready,” Devarius whispered.

  “You don’t expect him to attack you, do you?” Paedyn asked.

  “I don’t know what to expect.”

  “Why am I restricted from wyvern oil?” Cederic demanded.

  “We need to do further tests to make sure the oil is safe,” Devarius said.

  “Then why is everyone else still allowed to use it? Why am I being refused? It is because of me we’re using it at all. It is because of me that we defeated the empire at Saefron.”

  “You aren’t the only one. We’ve restricted it from a few people to determine whether it’s safe.”

  “So, what? I’m your lab rat? How dare you. Who do you think you are to determine whether or not I am able to use wyvern oil.”

  “I—”

  Cederic’s fist slammed into Devarius’s jaw. Devarius slumped to the ground. Paedyn jumped in front of Shoemaker, holding his wrists in his hands.

  “Woah, woah, Cederic. You need to calm down. We are testing the safety of this oil, and you’re proving the point that it’s dangerous.”

  “There is no danger,” Cederic growled through clenched teeth. “I have been just fine using it.”

  Devarius stood, rubbing his jaw. “What about when you’re not using it? It seems to me you’re addicted to it.”

  “I am not,” Cederic snarled.

  “Then, why is there a problem? If you’re not addicted, why are you fighting this?”

  “Because it’s not fair. I am the one who began this, and you’re taking this away from me. You haven’t taken it away from anyone else.”

  “Yes, we have,” Paedyn said. “There have been several, and it seems they’re just as upset as you.”

  A few others began to approach them, all people who were forbidden to use the oil.

  “Devarius …” Paedyn whispered.

  “Look,” Devarius called. “You’ve all been selected to cease using the wyvern oil temporarily so we can decide how dangerous it is to keep using it.”

  “This is bull—” Cederic began.

  “And as you’re all proving, this substance is addictive when you stop using it. It’s leading to rage. Tell me, please, what other side effects are you noticing?”

  “Give us access to the wyvern oil,” one of the men said.

  “Not until we understand the consequences of this wyvern oil,” Devarius said.

  “You have no right!” Cederic shouted.

  The five men jumped at Devarius and Paedyn. Punches flew. Two men tackled Devarius to the ground, while a third began throwing punches into his jaw.

  Cederic and another tackled Paedyn, beating their fists into his forehead. He was caught by surprise at first and couldn’t get out of their grip. Paedyn rolled on the ground, trying to move his head out of their reach. After several attempts, he twisted himself where he could slam his elbow into the first opponent. With a little extra room, he twisted and slipped out of Cederic’s grasp. Paedyn crouched, then swept his leg into Cederic’s feet. Cederic collapsed to the ground. Paedyn unsheathed his rapier and slammed the hilt against Cederic’s forehead, then he did the same to his other opponent.

  When Paedyn stood, he saw Devarius still on the ground—being held down by two opponents, while a third continued to pound a fist into his nose. Blood smeared his entire face, and even though he struggled against the two men, his strength was failing.

  “You no good dirt colored—” the man punching Devarius snarled.

  Paedyn slammed the side of his rapier against the side of the man’s temple. The man collapsed to the ground, a welt forming across his forehead. The two holding Devarius down staggered to their feet. Padyn didn’t give them time to gather their focus. He slammed the hilt of his rapier into the skull of the one on his left, spun, then stabbed his rapier through the stomach of the second one. He hadn’t wanted to damage either of the men, but he ran out of time to save Devarius. Both men collapsed onto the ground. He rushed forward, smacking the hilt of his weapon against both of their temples several times until they were rendered unconscious.

  When Paedyn got back to his feet, he noticed the practice field of dragomen had stopped practicing and all rushed toward him. He hoped they weren’t there to attack him as well. Paedyn dropped his rapier and backed away a few steps.

  “What happened?” the trainer asked.

  “These dragomen were upset they were prevented from the wyvern oil while we determine if there are any side effects to being off of the substance. I believe, if I’m not mistaken, they were wrong. I believe they are being affected with withdrawals since they decided to try and murder us with their fists.”

  “Bind them,” the trainer said.

  “Who?” one of the dragomen said.

  “The dragomen who dared attack the leader of the resistance.”

  The dragomen retrieved rope and tied up the four rogue dragomen with their hands behind their back.

  “Take them to isolation, a jail, cages, whatever we have to restrain them,” Paedyn said.

  “What is to become of them?” the trainer asked.

  “When Devarius recovers, he can decide,” Paedyn said.

  The trainer nodded, then he motioned for his trainees to follow him.

  Paedyn knelt by Devarius’ side as the dragomen departed. He ripped the front of his shirt off to clean off Devarius’ bloody face. Bruises were already beginning to form on both of his eyes and his cheeks. Cuts covered his forehead, cheeks, and several on his lips.

  “Devarius, are you all right?” Paedyn asked.

  Devarius panted heavily. “I’ve actually had better days.”

  “Come on, let’s get you an ale. It’s on me.” Paedyn helped Devarius to his feet, put his arm around his neck, and led him toward the center of the village.

  Chapter 5

  Zaviana stepped into the open field. She was alone, as she wanted to be. Her sash held several vials of wyvern oil in small pockets. She’d had the pockets added for this experiment. Zaviana wanted to know what she could do with the oil to aid her in battle. She closed her eyes as she sat on the ground with her legs crossed.

  Her extra sense opened up and she could feel the atmosphere around her. Particles floated in the air. She could feel them all around her. Hot, cold, wind, and static electricity. She could control them; she could manipulate them. Zaviana redirected her focus to the vials in her sash. Compared to the atmosphere around her, the vials were beyond impressive. There was more heat in a single drop of the fire oil than hundreds of feet around her in the atmosphere. Perhaps it explained why dragons and wyverns were so powerful. Was it really the oil mixing with their breath, or was it magic they were using with the oil. Perhaps it was both.

  Zaviana tried to focus on the oil, but it exercised a different part of her mind than she was used to. It took a lot of concentration, but after a while, she was able to tap into it. The trick would be to use the oil to manipulate her magical energy rather than the atmosphere around her, which was very draining on her power. However, she wondered if it could be done, and if it could, could it be done without keeping the vial open. She wanted to displace the energy from inside the vial into the atmosphere, then use it. It would be too dangerous to keep the vials open as they battled. If they spilled one drop, it could be deadly.

  Zaviana felt the oil inside of the vial, and in her mind, she separated a single drop to use, but she couldn’t figure out how to get the drop outside of the vial. No matter what she tried, the glass itself protected the oil from escaping outside.

  She opened her eyes, growing frus
trated, and some of her internal energy drained. Zaviana held up the vial, closely inspecting it in front of her. The vial was small, as large as her index finger, with a small cork top. Out of all the things they discovered to not be effected by wyvern oil, they found glass and cork. Zaviana found that odd.

  She felt the glass holding the oil. It was perfect. Not a single flaw existed on the outside of the vial. Their glass maker was extraordinary. Frowning, she looked closer at the cork. When she tipped the vial upside down, the liquid didn’t drop from the vial. They found the corks weren’t completely resistant, and if given enough time, the oil could eat through the substance.

  Zaviana felt the cork with her fingertip. She wondered if she could move the oil through the cork, or around the edges of the cork to bring it outside. It would deteriorate the corks after a while, but if she could accomplish it, it would be a risk worth taking.

  She held the vial out in front of her, and concentrated on separating a drop of the liquid. A single drop separated from the rest of the liquid inside of the vial. It floated above the rest of the oil, but still inside of the glass. Zaviana used her concentration to push it through the cork. The drop flattened as it pressed against the bottom of the cork, turning it a light orange hue. She focused harder, trying to will it through, imagining the cork as a sponge and the liquid traveling through it. After what felt like an hour, it finally happened. A single drop of oil floated in the air outside of the vial. Zaviana nearly dropped the vial in surprise.

  She closed her eyes again and concentrated on the small drop of oil. The amount of heat inside of it was staggering. She condensed the energy, brought it to her palm, and then released it in front of her.

  When her eyes opened, she saw a flame as big around as an oak tree trunk blaze from her fingertips. Her hands flinched, and instead of it all traveling horizontal with the ground, it began spewing all over the ground and the sky. She released the energy and stepped back. The remaining oil she hadn’t used dropped to the ground, and the ground at her feet burst into a massive flame. Zaviana stumbled backward, slamming the fire oil vial back into its pouch. She immediately grabbed the ice vial, concentrated on it, and was able to displace a single ice drop with more speed than she thought she would be able to. She used the drop of ice oil the same as she had the fire, except this time, she aimed the power at the blazing fires. In a matter of seconds, the fires were out, and then she concentrated to return the remaining of the drop of ice oil back into the vial.