United Dragons

by Calista Lambrechts

  Wizard

  Of

  Elements 2

  THE UNITED DRAGONS

  CHAPTER SELECT

  PROPHECY

  PROLOGUE

  INTERROGATION

  MADNESS REACQUAINTED

  WHEN YOU KNOW YOU’VE MESSED UP

  THE WONDER OF FLYING RATS

  TAKES AN IDIOT TO PUT ME IN A BAD MOOD

  JESTERS OF THE EAST

  NEVER PLAY TUG-OF-WAR WITH A TIGER

  A KEY REVEALED

  THE FAITH OF YE OLE MEN

  ABNORMAL, NO LIES

  REACQUAINTED

  WHY DO I EVEN BOTHER?

  THE WINDS OF CHANGE

  CHASING THE WEATHER

  STARRY NIGHT

  PIERCING THE VEIL

  NECROMANCER VS DRAGON: READY. FIGHT.

  HERMIT OVER YONDER

  TWELVE STRIKES OF OH, MAMA, THAT BURNS!

  INTERMISSION

  AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

  GOOD GREETINGS

  I CLIMB TO FALL

  THE LOST CITY OF ALAN’S FIST

  HOT WATERS

  KINDLED FIRE

  BARRELS ABROAD

  I FREEZE KING NEPTUNE

  DRAGON OF THE DEEP

  HAIRY PRINCESS

  EVER AFTER’S KISS

  BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR

  SON OF THE DEVIL

  AN UNDERSIZED PRISON BREAK

  LOST IN PARADISE (PART 1)

  LOST IN PARADISE (PART 2)

  FORGOTTEN MISTS

  SHADOW OF THE DAMNED

  PROPHECY

  A threat arises

  There is only one

  As blood spill

  Nothing can be

  Enemy to ally

  Ally to foe

  No strife to be won

  Guided by the star

  Aid by a key

  To stop the rising hell

  She must sacrifice all

  Through a dying soul

  CHAPTER 1

  INTERROGATION

  CARLAYLIN

  THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM.

  Birds chirped in choirs that echoed throughout this widespread forest. Sunlight pierced through the tall, forest trees and spears of light lanced down to gently caress the woodland floor.

  A faint breeze rustled through the leaves of emerald green and whispered in my ear.

  I sat still. Very still.

  Timberland animals moved about swiftly, hiding themselves in their natural habitats, scattering as the sound of hooves trampling the earth broke the unsettling silence.

  As I sat quietly, perched up high in one of the towering trees, I stared down at the ground, patiently waiting. Well, not exactly patient, but waiting – waiting for the perfect time to strike at will.

  They would pay for what they have done. Pay dearly with their lives for killing someone very dear to me. And I WOULD get the answers I was after.

  You might recognize my name as Carlaylin Thorel, the new Wizard of Elements – yeah, I just had to put it out there – though the people of Ysellian didn’t. I intended to keep it that way for long as I possibly could.

  Better to stay within the shadows than out in the open where everyone can see you.

  I had been waiting here for a few hours after getting the information I needed from an unfortunate civilian courier.

  May he rest in peace.

  That’ll teach him not to try and kill me when I’m walking, unarmed, down the streets of Suntaria, a place now infested by dwarves with anger issues.

  Wonder what got him down about me, though I can think of quite a few reasons.

  I suddenly heard the sound of horses approaching from a far. I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips as I tried to catch a glimpse of the oncoming horses. I heard the creak of old wooden carriage wheels rolling onward alongside the sound of trampling hooves disturbing the peace. I slowly turned my head to my right and saw the approaching horse carriage, attempting to pass by.

  Perfect.

  I covered my identity by pulling a black hood over my head, leaving my face in the shadows. It only exposed my mouth and the very tip of my nose, leaving my eyes to linger in the dark. A slight smile tugged at my lips as the chariot approached. I was directly, and unnoticeably, above it.

  They’ll never see it coming.

  I got ready as it slowly passed the tree I was synchronizing from. I thoroughly studied the security. There was another horse behind the carriage. A guard was riding it, protecting the carriage from behind.

  Hmm… one guard sitting on top of the carriage roof, another sitting next to the coachman and probably one inside, if you ask me. All were wearing Brendwin’s national copper-brown armour with some red material worked in.

  No problem. I can handle this.

  “I’m coming for you, Edward,” I whispered underneath my breath. I took my bow and readied an arrow, aiming at the one guard riding at the back. I let go of the string and it hit him in the head with deadly accuracy. The guard went limp and slumped off the horse, dropping to the ground, left for Mother Nature to finish him off.

  I can’t lie, I did suck some air in between my teeth. That looked rather painful…

  I sheathed my bow and unfastened the silver dagger from my belt.

  The carriage was still gradually passing me by. If I didn’t do this now, I knew I might never get the chance again.

  I took a deep breath and leapt off the branch, landing in a crouch behind the unsuspected guard on the roof. I quickly slit his throat and threw him off.

  It seemed like only yesterday I worked at the Sleeping Dragon’s inn over at Thorodan Town. I wasn’t able to bring myself to kill anyone. Hell, less than anything. I was only able to bring myself to hit a poor guy with a mug.

  Ah, good times, but things have changed…

  The noise attracted the guard’s attention that sat out front in company of the coachman. He looked back over his shoulder to see what was going on. I quickly hid myself behind a big luggage that was strapped to the carriage with a piece of thick rope. Yep, all that luggage just for that one snob, Edward.

  People declared him as very important and essential to the cause, where I was about to make sure that he was very important and essential.

  Besides, he had upset quite a few people, using all the money he took from us ‘peasants’ to satisfy his own selfish desires and secretly benefit the enemy, Brendwin, with what he had.

  And, also, I needed the money.

  I wasn’t doing this for my own wants and desires. Someone was willing to pay me handsomely for this deed. It’s a two in one for me since I would get the money and the answers I was after.

  Just as the guard decided that nothing was as suspicious as he had anticipated at first, he turned back around to face the road. I gave that slight mischievous smile out of the corner of my mouth and sneaked closer.

  This might cause a ruckus.

  Before he knew it, my dagger had found its way into his neck. He fell off the carriage, giving me the direct chance to jump onto his seat. The coachman was caught by surprise.

  Never before had I seen a man so ashen.

  I could see he was about to call for help and or warn Edward of my arrival, but I didn’t give him that chance.

  I grabbed the horses’ harness’ reins from his grip and shoved him off the carriage with my shoulder. He crashed to the ground and scampered off with only minor wounds.

  What can I say? I was an old time pro. This wasn’t the first carriage I’ve hijacked.

  The horses neighed, frightened, and picked up the pace. I needed to stop this carriage once and for all before any harm could be brought unto further recognition.

  Apparently, the guard inside this moving death trap heard it all and looked out t
he window to see what was wrong. To me he looked like a little meerkat popping his head from his hole.

  “Hey, you! STOP!” he demanded and opened the door. As the carriage rushed through the forest, he tried to climb out, careful not to lose his footing and fall. He withdrew his sword with his one free hand, the other one holding on for dear life at the brim of the carriage roof. He then quickly moved towards me, threatening to kill when he got the chance. His blade swiped at me, but I leapt out of the way in just the nick of time, missing the blade by mere inches, landing on one of the rampaging horses.

  The things I get myself into…

  I tried to put my good balance to the test and stood. I placed my one foot on the right horse and the other on the left.

  I should know the consequences of my actions. If I fell I’d be trampled underneath the stampeding horses’ hooves and the wheels would probably finish the job. Felt like death was right around the corner, calling my name and beckoning me closer with those bony fingers of his.

  No pressure.

  I swallowed.

  I decided to even the odds and also withdrew my own sword. I held it at a ready. The guard reached the front seat and stood, miming my position.

  We were immediately engaged in a dangerous swordfight – just the two of us. We fought with all our skills available, but tried to keep our balance all the same. It took quite a while. This man was no easy opponent!

  I gave one last swing with my sword, but he managed to block it.

  Unfortunately, he started thinking smart for a change and squatted down. I knew where he was going with this…

  My eyes widened and I shook my head in full alert.

  “No, I don’t think you should do that!”

  The guard looked up and his eyes met mine.

  “Try me.”

  He reached for the one screw that attached the horses to the carriage.

  “No, no, no, no!” I panicked. My hands dug into my hair and I was this close to pulling them out.

  I tried to stab him from above, but it was of no use. The rampaging horses robbed me of my steadiness.

  By the time I tried again, it was too late. The guard went for it and was on the edge of pulling that one tiny little screw out of its setting.

  “DAMN!” I yelled and went for the suicidal plan B.

  I couldn’t afford to lose Edward… or my life! I jumped towards the guard, kicked him and grabbed the harness. He fell to the right-hand side seat. I yanked the reins all the way to my left, letting the horses take a sharp turn.

  A very sharp turn.

  So sharp that it caused the horses to stumble upon one another and stumble and fall while still at full speed.

  The screw shot out and the carriage got separated from them and flew into the air the soon as it hit a nearby bolder – like a ramp. Both the guard and I exchanged petrified glances and screamed. We absentmindedly hugged each other for a bit of comfort. It must’ve been the trepidation that got to us.

  I soon noticed what we were busy doing and forcefully jostled him away from me. I saw the ground approaching and instinctively leaned sideways, away from the carriage.

  Next… well… it’s confusing.

  I felt myself hardly hitting the ground, rolling until I came to a stop. Wood chunks, a wheel and splinters flew through the air, hitting everything in its path. Regrettably, I was one of those obstacles it hit. The force of the carriage hitting the ground was so strong that it sent me flying forward into the air again. I tumbled about as though I was little more than a useless ragdoll, no match against Newton’s terrible laws.

  I found myself crashing to the ground and rolling along with the pieces of shards, wood and luxuries Edward had inside his carriage.

  Time ticked by as I was lost to darkness for a second or two.

  I slowly opened my eyes and noticed the crash to have finally been over. I was amid the wreckage.

  I was wounded with numerous cuts and various bruises, but just too glad to be alive, so glad that I started laughing joyfully as though all of this was nothing more than a hilarious joke, but my voice was a bit hoarse, my throat a desert.

  I coughed as I did.

  I tried to get up, but winced. Man, was my body ruined! Well, I guess that’s what you get from being thrown around like a sack of potatoes… I’m not a sack of potatoes.

  I drew my hood back over my head again.

  It seemed that half the carriage was still intact. We had landed near a little waterfall, falling down a stack of naturally formed rocks that led up a small hill, disappearing into the dense tree leaves and foliage. It created a large puddle of water nearby – a small waterhole. The whole area was bathed in a dark blue and green tinge.

  If I weren’t busy, I would’ve stood around and admired the scenery, but my duties didn’t exactly allowed me that privilege.

  I searched the premises for any signs of life and saw the guard lying dead on the ground, nearby the pool.

  “Serves you right,” I spat, pointing at him for effect, feeling a little woozy from all my wounds, bruises and the pain, the agonizing pain! Not to mention the few hits I took to the head. I would not be surprised if someone told me that I managed to lose a few brain cells and gone completely insane… or in this case, actually sane.

  I noticed a slight movement in the pile of rubble.

  A fat and quite fancily and formally dressed man broke loose from his prison of debris and unsteadily got to his feet. I frowned and quickly made my way towards him, only to grab him by the collar of his fancy shirt. I pulled him towards me, meeting him face to face, nose almost touching nose. Our breaths mingled. My blood boiled.

  He panicked and pleaded, “O-Oh please! P-Please don’t kill me!”

  “I won’t kill you by blade if you answer all my questions, okay? Promise.”

  I tried to go easy on him and show him my softer side as to not scare the life out of him.

  “Who are you?” he asked shakily.

  “No one important.”

  Edward pursed his lips and knitted his eyebrows like the stuck-up man he was.

  “Well, at least take off the hood so that we can talk face to face.”

  He seemed to be keen on taking his chances. I couldn’t help but sigh.

  “Enough of this!” I snapped, “Answer my questions or else!”

  “I don’t feel like it. What about tomorrow? We can meet at a nice little tavern perhaps.”

  I pulled him closer to me and tightened my grip on his collar. I was not about to wait a day and meet him at a tavern the next. Like I knew him he probably wouldn’t even show up and alert the guards of my presence. Just like the coward he was!

  “No! Answer me! NOW! Where is the boy?!”

  “Who?”

  Anger smouldered in my eyes.

  “You’re trying my patience! You know exactly who I’m talking about!”

  “Can I have a clue?” I aggressively, not to mention repeatedly, shook him back and forth.

  “Remember Thomason bringing in a hostage?”

  “Who told you that?”

  “Your dear deceased friend in Suntaria. Now… where is he?!”

  Edward shuddered with anxiety and yelped.

  “H-Hayley! Hayley! They’ve taken him to Hayley!” I was satisfied, but not completely… My expression softened.

  “One more thing. Why does Brendwin need the Star of Hallos? For what purpose?” I could feel Edward trembling. Well, he should. I was someone to be feared.

  “I-I don’t know. I promise you. I really d-don’t know! Please don’t kill me! You promised me that if I told you all I know you’d spare me.”

  I heaved a heavy sigh.

  “So I did.”

  I harshly tossed him to the ground, leaving him on his back. I lifted my hand into the air and the earth obeyed. Brown, earthen, stone spikes shot up into the sky and hit Edward on the way up, piercing his body, leaving him for the land of the dead.

  “I promised that you weren’t going to die b
y blade. That doesn’t mean I can’t kill you with magic, now does it?”

  I was mostly speaking to myself, come to think of it.

  I dusted myself off and took my own path. At least now I knew where Terrowin was. I gave a satisfying smirk.

  CHAPTER 2

  MADNESS REACQUAINTED

  CARLAYLIN

  THE AFTERNOON REMAINED sunny as I trudged my way towards Hayley.

  Rays of sun rained down on me as I walked on. I had already decided. I wasn’t about to rest until I found that son of a bastard, Terrowin.

  In case it might be needed to know, saying bad things about that guy always helped brighten the mood, but this time I actually had a reason to insult.

  I could’ve been wrong, but I still couldn’t help but be angry.

  I still wasn’t quite sure what happened or how, but somehow Thomason knew about my location and burned my former master, Murray, and his whole freaking tower down to ruins about four months ago!

  Naturally, it cost him his life…

  In case you’ve missed it, Thomason was one of the commander Rowan’s men, but lives a false life. To my surprise, he was actually a Brendwinian spy. He killed my father, Cassius, and went too far when he killed Murray! Actually, Merlin the Fifth, but we call him Murray for short. I called him Murray. He was also my newly discovered grandfather – the original Wizard of Elements. It’s a long and confusing story and I don’t like talking about it much. It’s too weird… uh.