by Mike Shelton
“I knew that moment would come back to haunt me.” Roland patted Bakari on the back. “Just remember, Bak, who is more powerful.”
Abylar roared, and Roland turned his head to the growing beast.
“Remember, I have a few dragons as my friends now, Roland.” Bakari laughed.
Roland rolled his eyes. “I will begin to research how to rid this world of the Chameleon. I don’t think he is done causing trouble yet.”
Bakari jumped back on Abylar. “Let us help, Roland. The purpose of the dragon riders is to help establish peace: Alaris today, the Chameleon tomorrow. We will have peace again.” With a wave of his hand, the young Dragon King flew off into the air. Roland knew that there was one other place Bakari needed to visit.
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Four days later, Bakari stood outside the city of Celestar. Breelyn and Jaimon had just landed with their dragons and were walking toward him. In the background, all three dragons flew off together now, over the Elvyn Forest, looking for something to eat. Their colors of blue, green and yellow forming a spectacular sight in the clear sky.
After the dragons flew out of view, the three dragon riders looked back down at the ground in front of them. Bakari pondered over the rows of freshly dug graves that stood only a few feet from them. Then Gorn and another man walked up next to the three dragon riders.
“Welcome back, Bakari,” Gorn said. The old battle wizard appeared more worn now and walked with a limp. “This is Erryl’s father, Derek.” He motioned a hand toward the thin man standing next to him.
“Pleased to meet you, sir.” Bakari put forth his hand to shake the hand of the father of his friend. He vowed that the sacrifice of the guardians would never be forgotten.
“Breelyn,” Gorn said, nodding his head to the elf, “I see you have picked up a dragon also.”
“This is Jaimon,” Bakari said, introducing the youngest dragon rider.
Gorn shook his head. “And three of you are dragon riders. I would have never believed it. Will there be more?”
Bakari thought of Kolo and Sephtis. What a tragedy to lose a dragon so soon. “I do have a feeling that there may be one more, far to the north,” Bakari said.
There was a calm silence for a moment, then Derek turned to Bakari. “My son, Erryl thought very highly of you, Dragon Rider.”
“And I, him.” Bakari’s words were thick with emotion. He turned back toward the graves and thought about his young friend.
Erryl had been so excited to learn and to see the dragon that the guardian had helped to bring forth. Listening to Abylar’s call from the Dragon Orb he had helped to find Bakari. From what Bakari had heard, in the end, this young man had defied the crazed governor of Silla and held to his principles as a guardian.
“He will be missed,” Bakari said. “Anything you need here in Silla. Anything at all. You let me know. Erryl Close will live on as a hero to all of Alaris. I will make sure of that.” Bakari wiped his eyes on his sleeve and then hesitated a moment, remembering the book Erryl was studying and wondering if he should say something.
But Gorn put his hand on Bakari’s arm and said, “The book? You are wondering about the book?”
Bakari nodded.
“Erryl had told me where to find it,” Gorn said. “I have been studying it, and, though I don’t pretend to understand it all, it does have a few surprises.” He raised his eyebrows at Bakari.
“About me,” Bakari said, feeling depressed.
Gorn dropped his voice so those outside of the dragon riders and Erryl’s father couldn’t hear him. “It seems, Dragon Rider, that you are meant to be a king.”
Breelyn spoke up before Bakari could answer. “It has already been declared, in Cassian. Roland Tyre, newly elevated High Wizard, declared his allegiance to no other but Bakari, the Dragon King.”
Gorn’s face seemed troubled. “And Alaris? Who rules our land now?”
The three dragon riders glanced at one another. They had been out tallying votes for the last few days. The people of Alaris had taken it seriously and the majority had voted their desire.
Breelyn spoke for all of them. “It seems that Alaris will have a new king, sir.”
Gorn held his lips together tightly. Then he said, “So Kanzar will get his way, it seems. What about the Chief Judge? What will happen to him now?”
“Kanzar is dead, and Onius is dead,” Jaimon said, speaking up for the first time, his voice sounding higher and more timid than the other riders. “And Mericus will be the new king of Alaris.”
Gorn’s face grew gray with a flash of anger. “But Mericus was one of Kanzar’s wizards. Surely the Chief Judge would not stand for this.”
“Mericus proved himself worthy, Gorn. He has changed,” Bakari said. “The Chief Judge and Mericus came to terms, agreeing to abide by a vote of the people. And the people want a king.”
“But you…” Gorn paced around and appeared confused.
Bakari felt self-conscious, for this would be the first time that he would acknowledge it himself. “Each land will continue to have a king. But, as leader of the dragon riders, I will need to be proclaimed by each kingdom as High Dragon King of the western lands.”
Gorn was silent.
Bakari could feel his face burning. “I never asked for this, Gorn,” Bakari said in almost a whisper. “I only wanted to be a scholar and pass on the knowledge I gained to others.”
Gorn nodded and seemed to think for a moment. “Then, good luck to you, Dragon King. For, not wanting it makes you a greater king than most would be. The duty will be heavy at times, but there are many who want to see peace in the land. If you can be the means of that, you will indeed be known as a great king.”
Bakari’s gaze was drawn back to the graves. He walked over to them by himself. He knelt down and touched the dirt, letting his tears fall to the ground. It was hard for Bakari to believe how wicked some people could be. He shook his head at the thought of Ellian, the governor of Silla, Kanzar, and Kolo. Bakari wondered how a young man like himself, barely sixteen years old, could keep the peace.
His thoughts moved to Kharlia, still in Cassian. With so many hurt in the battle and the loss of many wizards—either from the conflict or from treason, her skills with herbs and healing were making a difference. He missed her greatly and had promised to return soon. Bakari let out a great sigh. At least she is safe where she is at now!
After another moment by himself, he stood up straight with a new resolve. He looked each of the other dragon riders firmly in the eye. The dragons returned, flying over the edge of the Elvyn Forest. Bakari took strength from both their physical presence and through the magical bond.
“Dragon Riders,” Bakari said firmly, “mount up. We fly together. Peace will yet prevail.”
# # #
Read THE DRAGON KING,
book III in The Alaris Chronicles
to continue the magical adventures of
Bakari, Alli, and Roland.
Coming July, 2017
Pre-order now!
Thanks for reading THE DRAGON RIDER. If you liked this book, Please leave a review on Amazon. As an Indie author, Reviews are one way that my books get noticed by others. I love to hear from my readers. Send me an email at [email protected] and let me know your favorite character or part of the story. Sign up at MichaelSheltonBooks.com to get information of other books, projects, and a FREE prequel novella to my first series.
Thanks,
Mike
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike was born in California and has lived in multiple states from the west coast to the east coast. He cannot remember a time when he wasn’t reading a book. At school, home, on vacation, at work at lunch time, and yes even a few pages in the car (at times when he just couldn’t put that great book down). Though he has read all sorts of genres he has always been drawn to fantasy. It is his way of escaping to a simpler time filled with magic, wonders and heroics of young men and women.
Other than readin
g, Mike has always enjoyed the outdoors. From the beaches in Southern California to the warm waters of North Carolina. From the waterfalls in the Northwest to the Rocky Mountains in Utah. Mike has appreciated the beauty that God provides for us. He also enjoys hiking, discovering nature, playing a little basketball or volleyball, and most recently disc golf. He has a lovely wife who has always supported him, and three beautiful children who have been the center of his life.
Mike began writing stories in elementary school and moved on to larger novels in his early adult years. He has worked in corporate finance for most of his career. That, along with spending time with his wonderful family and obligations at church has made it difficult to find the time to truly dedicate to writing. In the last few years as his children have become older he has returned to doing what he truly enjoys – writing!
www.MichaelSheltonBooks.com
OTHER SERIES BY MIKE SHELTON
The Cremelino Prophecy
A powerful sword, magical horses, lost love, and revenge against nobility. These are just a few of the struggles Darius faces in The Cremelino Prophecy, a teen/young adult series consisting of The Path Of Destiny, The Path Of Decisions, and The Path Of Peace.
"Forgotten lines of ancient magic and the power of the throne. One will make them both his own if his heart sees the true power. . . " So begins The Cremelino Prophecy!
In this new Young Adult/Teen sword and sorcery fantasy series, Darius San Williams, son of one of King Edward's councilors, cares little for his father's politics and vows to leave the city of Anikari to protect and bring glory to the Realm. But when a new-found and ancient power emerges from within him, he and his friends Christine and Kelln are faced with decisions that could shatter or fulfill the prophecy and the lives of all those they know. Wizards and magic have long been looked down upon in the Realm, but Darius learns that no matter where he goes, prophecy and destiny are waiting to find him.