* * *
Tamara Redwynn: The only daughter of the great Redwynn family. Tamara sneaks away from Redport and her family to chase her dream of becoming a Rider. She finds herself at Fort Squall where she discovers her mate.
* * *
Tess: Head woman of the castle. Tess is like the mother hen of all her little chicks. She keeps everyone in line and takes good care of her charges. Tess is famous for carrying around a wooden spoon and can most often be found within the cookery.
* * *
Verath: One of the six King’s Shields. Verath is dark red in color. He is the oldest Shield, older even than King Talon. Verath is the only Shield to have served two kings. When King Tallek died, he swore himself to Tallek’s son. Because he has the most experience, the Shields often go to him for advice, as does the king.
* * *
Wrath: The current leader of the Ice Clan. His scales are blood red. The Ice Clan was the only remaining wild dragon clan of the thirteen clans that once lived.
* * *
PLACES
* * *
Kastali Dun: Kastali Dun is the capital of Dragonwall. When the Drengr monarchy was formed, King Eymar and Queen Isabella retreated to the south for milder weather. There they founded the city and built its great citadel upon the top of the hill overlooking the sea. There are approximately two hundred thousand people living in the city of Kastali Dun. More live in the countryside surrounding it.
* * *
The Gable Forest: This is a world hidden within a world. The Gable Forest is a dangerous place for outsiders, who often become lost and wander forever within its midst. There are several secret cities within the forest, the largest of which is Esterpine. Esterpine is home to the Crystal Palace, where Queen Jade rules.
* * *
The Ice Mines: This mysterious place is located in the mountains. It is where Ice Metal is mined. The Drengr purchase their Ice Metal from the Dwarves who forge it into weapons. The most famous of these weapons are Sveraks, which are great swords wielded by the Drengr.
* * *
Shadowkeep: The ominous fortress where the infamous Asarlaí named Kane conducts most of his diabolical plans. This fortress was once a dwelling place for the Ice Clan during the early days when they sought to rule Dragonwall.
* * *
Squall’s End: Squall’s End is a large port city on the shores of Stormy Bay. It is the home of Fort Squall, which sits just to the side of the large city.
* * *
Undirfold: The underworld where bad souls go. This is also where the Vodar come from. It is said to be full of monsters and fiends.
* * *
THE THIRTEEN DRAGON CLANS
* * *
Cave Clan
Desert Clan
Fire Clan
Forest Clan
Grassland Clan
Ice Clan
Iron Clan
Lake Clan
Marsh Clan
Mountain Clan
Sea Clan
Stone Clan
Storm Clan
Author’s Note
I often get asked the question of how I came up with my story for Dragonwall and its characters, and why dragons? I have loved dragons since I was a young girl. It all began when my Auntie Barbara sent my big sister Julie books in the Dragonriders of Pern series. I read the entire series in seventh grade. At that point, I think our family had fifteen or so Pern books, most of which had become very dog-eared. I immediately fell in love with the idea of dragons and their riders. I’m not sure my Auntie Barbara knows how much she inadvertently influenced my love of dragons and my later choice to write a series about them. Thanks Auntie Barbara!
* * *
Anne McCaffrey’s books played a huge role in my reading experience. Her series became a top favorite of mine next to the Harry Potter books. I was smitten by the idea of dragons. I began spending time daydreaming about them excessively, and I mean excessively. My favorite time to think up dragon stories was while I was lying in bed falling asleep, which kept me up for hours, and in those boring classes that would have otherwise been insufferable had I not had my imagination for company.
* * *
By high school, I collected several more of the Pern books and read the whole series again in the course of a year. Someone in class saw me reading them and suggested Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle. I immediately purchased the series and got to reading. The story was an entirely different take on dragons, a world where only a few dragons lived, and they were all but extinct. I did not like that too much, despite loving the story. My preference was on a world where dragons flourished, where dragons and their riders filled the sky, and a full political system existed centered around them. But there were aspects of Paolini’s story that I did treasure, such as the elves and their language that shaped magic. And the idea that Paolini had developed his language using various world languages in existence today. That heavily influenced my already developing story for Dragonwall.
* * *
Over the years, Claire’s character took form. Not long after, so did King Talon’s. I wanted Claire to be a modern gal, taking in an ancient world from modern eyes. But that meant I needed a way to get a girl like me swept into a world like Dragonwall. After that, the full story took shape. At that point, the story wrote itself. I put my fingers on the keyboard and simply typed.
* * *
The first chapters of the first draft were written in 2012, just after I finished my Bachelor of Science in physics. I put the first seven chapters up on Wattpad and in a matter of weeks, became highly discouraged. I was writing a story that I myself wanted to read, but no one else seemed to want to. I did not know how to get my story exposure. Moreover, it seemed that all the stories on Wattpad were better than mine. Mine just seemed to be lacking. How harsh of a critic I was! And after only seven chapters. I tucked away the chapters in a folder and never touched them again.
* * *
In 2015, just a month before my wedding rolled around, when I was certain I would accomplish very little in my PhD program because I was too distracted with wedding plans, I decided to revisit my story. During all that time those files sat untouched, Claire’s plot became further developed in my mind. I wanted to read the story so badly, but the only way to do that was to write it myself. I pulled up Wattpad and discovered that I was coming in right at the start of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and Wattpad was doing a November #Justwriteit challenge. The idea was: write fifty thousand words in one month. After my jaw dropped and I got over the shock of fifty thousand words, my motivation immediately kicked in.
* * *
From the depths of my hard drive I summoned my seven rough draft chapters and began reading them. “Hey! These are not as terrible as I thought,” was the first thought to cross my mind. I committed myself and got to work. Over the course of the first three weeks of November, I finished the rough draft of Talon the Black (I had good mental planning). The full draft went back up on Wattpad. And this time it wasn’t coming down.
* * *
After my December wedding, I got straight to work on edits. I was fortunate that a few Wattpad’ers had found my work and offered critiques. I knew exactly what I wanted to begin polishing and changing. Over the course of my edits, the book grew until it doubled in size. A few more rounds of edits and it is now over 178,000 words. The timeline took form, and I realized that it was going to take a lot more than a couple of books to tell Claire’s full story.
* * *
And so you have it. Talon the Black is a product of my love for dragons and my struggle to read the story that pestered my mind for years. Toni Morrison once said, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” That is exactly what I have done.
Acknowledgments
I have many people to thank for helping and supporting me along what is still an ongoing journey. First and foremost is my husband Matthew, whose unyielding dedicati
on to me makes my writing possible. I’m lucky to have someone like him, who understands how important this is to me, and does what he can to make my pursuit possible. Next, I would like to acknowledge three women who have been with me since the beginning: My bardic sister and fellow author, Jeanine Croft, was one of the first people I ever talked plot with while bringing this story to fruition. Jeanine, along with Shannon Rohrer, and my sister Julie Alvarado, were the first three people to read Talon the Black in its rawest form when it was half the word count and an almost painful version of what it is now. The three of them offered me valuable insight in their own ways that helped the story to become what it is today.
* * *
My biggest cheerleader during this whole process has been my mother, Tresha Shelton, who jumps at every opportunity to discuss all things Dragonwall related. I consider myself lucky to share my new ideas with her and receive endless encouragement. Throughout this process I have picked up my phone to find messages from her with new ideas for Claire and the other characters we love so much. Having that kind of support and encouragement has meant the world to me. Sometimes I wonder if she loves Dragonwall more than I do, but I think we each love it in our own ways.
* * *
I would next like to acknowledge Jordyn Brinkley, another special person who has been instrumental in this whole process. Jordyn’s critical eye and creative mind has helped me iron out many complicated details. Every time I hit a brick wall with my plot, she’s ready with endless work-arounds. At times I wonder if she understands my characters better than I do. I know I can always count on her when I get stuck.
* * *
I can’t go further without giving a shout out and huge thank you to all of my readers on Wattpad who have given me a reason to publish this story. What started out as a reluctant idea grew into a fiercely confident story thanks to their encouraging comments. I was brought to tears more than once. My readers on Wattpad are my biggest cheerleaders, with a passion for my characters that I am lucky to have. During the past three years, I’ve received so much feedback from them. Every comment I read helped shape what the story has become today. Every single voice played a part. I would have given up a long time ago were it not for the Wattpad crew supporting me.
* * *
There are a few specific Wattpad’ers and friends I would like to thank for their help during the final processes. These folks have been huge supporters of mine and have worked with me to polish Talon the Black and make sure it’s perfect for publication. A huge thank you for: Andrew Jacobs, Grace Parkhill, Jordyn Brinkley, Madeleine Randall, and Tresha Shelton.
* * *
Finally, I must thank you, the reader. You took the time to pick up this book and give it a chance. That means the world to me. I hope that you enjoyed the story enough to come along for the remainder of the journey.
Preview
Vallahurst, Eagle Lake
Kane surveyed his surroundings. The dark nook and hooded cloak allowed him the anonymity necessary to go unnoticed. In front of him sat a flagon of ale, hardly touched. He didn’t have a taste for the stuff, yet the bar wench insisted.
* * *
Three days had come and passed in much the same way. All the while he grew more certain—he had chosen well—Eagle Knight was the man for the job. What a stupid, boisterous name for an assassin, but he came with a reputation and unquestionable credentials.
* * *
He watched the man whilst he drank with his cronies, analyzing his actions. There was calculated caution in his every movement. To his associates he appeared at ease, but Eagle’s eyes moved discretely around the room as they took note of each happening in the Eagle’s Nest. What came first, he wondered, the tavern name, or the assassin who frequented it?
* * *
It took him a week to track Eagle’s shadow from Mistport to Vallahurst. In that time he had learned a fair bit about the man and his dealings. This assassin covered his tracks well, moved quickly, and surrounded himself with the right people.
* * *
His territory was limited to Eagle Lake and his patrons were often rich nobility. He knew the region well, and there was no need for business to take him elsewhere until now. Kane planned to present the assassin with an offer he would not, could not, refuse.
* * *
“I will give my terms tonight.” He sent the information to Wrath. The dragon waited for him in the Vallahurst Forest. “When I finish, I will meet you on the outskirts of the city. Wait for my call.” They had a journey ahead of them east, all the way to Pavv.
* * *
Walking among humans reminded him why he lived in seclusion. He was eager to be away. Already he risked a great deal. He could not afford to blow his cover.
* * *
Eagle’s eyes suspiciously studied him. Twice the assassin scrutinized him. One of the tavern’s wenches deposited another drink before him. This time Eagle caught her arm and whispered into her ear. Fortunately he was a sorcerer so his inhuman hearing picked up every word.
* * *
“Fair lady, tell me the identity of the hooded man in the corner.”
* * *
“I don’t be knowin’ his name, Eagle. But I’ll tell ya one thing, I will. He paid me a gold dragon to ask no questions,” she said.
* * *
There was a moment of surprise in Eagle’s eyes, which was quickly hidden as he nodded to the wench who then returned to her tasks. A gold dragon was a fair amount of money—far more than any tavern wench saw in a single day. This would peak Eagle’s interest.
* * *
It did.
* * *
Eagle rose from the table, taking his flagon with him. He then made his way over. “Greetings, kind sir.” He stopped before the table. “Mind if I buy you some ale?”
* * *
“Cup’s already full.” He picked it up, tipping some of the nasty liquid into his mouth.
* * *
“This I know. I’ve scarcely seen you take a drink.” It was in the man’s nature to be observant. Merely another reason why he was a perfect fit for the job.
* * *
“Sit. Let’s talk,” he said, motioning to the empty chair across from him.
* * *
Eagle narrowed his eyes. He was about to protest. He would have, were it not for the bag of gold tossed at him. Assassins were predictable. Money made them tick.
* * *
“What is this?” Greed was written all over his face as he picked up the bag and weighed it in his hand.
* * *
“Sit,” he repeated, this time less patiently. Eagle sat.
* * *
“I see you got a job for me,” the assassin said. “Which noble you want dead? I can only assume your target is of the blood, else you wouldn’t offer me so much gold.”
* * *
“No nobles. No death,” he answered, setting his cup down. His target was royal, but only as of recently.
* * *
“Case you ain’t noticed, I deal in death.”
* * *
“Obviously. I will pay you three times what you have there if you are successful.”
* * *
Eagle’s eyes widened. “Who are you, mister?”
* * *
“That is unimportant. Do you wish to hear my terms or not?”
* * *
“Aye, I’ll hear them.” Eagle glanced around the tavern, keeping his awareness intact.
* * *
“Very good.” At that moment the bar wench passed by, stopping briefly at their table. “Another flagon for Eagle, if you please,” he said to her, passing her a silver.
* * *
“Right away, sir.” She took the money and scurried away. He watched her fill the cup. Only after she placed it in front of Eagle and retreated, did he begin.
* * *
“There is a certain person of interest, a woman, who is important to me.” It was no longer within his goals to kill her. Especially no
t after the rumors of her power. “Bring her to me alive and unharmed, and I will make you rich beyond your wildest dreams.”
* * *
“You want me to kidnap some lassie? You must be barking!” The assassin crossed his arms and eyed him doubtfully.
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