The Tainted Crown: The First Book of Caledan (Books of Caledan 1)

by Meg Cowley

  She tried to scry Irumae. The room was in darkness. Last of all, she tried to scry her father – to no avail. “Lessa.” Not even the faintest flicker of light crossed the mirror as she released the seeing spell. She packed away the mirror and, when the moon was high enough, rose to wake Nolwen for the next watch.

  ~

  Eve next awoke to the loud cry of, “Land ho!” She scrambled out from underneath her blanket and peered out into the bright light. As her eyes adjusted to the familiar blue, she spied a faint smudge on the horizon. With a rustle, Nelda stood beside her.

  “The mount that marks Pandora,” Nelda answered Eve’s enquiring glance. “We are close.”

  Even so, reaching the horizon and making port took a great deal longer than Eve anticipated, to the extent that there was ample time for more sword practice. This time however, instead of a relentless pace, Nolwen and Nelda, who had swapped charges today, went through battle motions in exaggerated slowness to correct poor technique. A short and intense full speed practice fight followed this, cheered on by the crew, until once more Luke and Eve found themselves outmatched. Eve had the niggling feeling that their partners were holding back.

  By midday they had sailed into Pandora’s harbour to dock. The great castle on the hill loomed above them to the north over the rest of the city and the lake. The docks bustled, full of people and a barrage of sounds, sights and smells that assaulted them almost physically as they disembarked and dove into the overwhelming maelstrom.

  Towering city walls rose close to the docks but Nolwen steered the group away from them and southeast around the outskirts of the city within the walls so that they could stay in the city outside the fortified ramparts. The hope was that by staying close to the docks and buried deep within the churning chaos of human comings and goings, they would remain undetected.

  The Rose and Crown Inn became their cover of choice, so they stabled the horses there and retired to their room to discuss their strategy. They decided that Nolwen and Nelda, who blended in well with their disguises, would trawl the city for a way into the castle, as they knew the city far better. Luke was to remain with Eve as her protector and they were to remain as low key as possible, roaming around the local precinct to see what news they could glean from the lower levels of the city, which were rife with gossip.

  Pandora was a bustling and vast human population compared to the much quieter town of Arlyn and the loud clamour of people and animals and carts was initially indiscernible. Despite the recent upheaval, there was no clue of any fear or ill feelings on the surface. Rather, everyone seemed to go about their daily business as normal.

  The sole hint of change was the flag that flew from from every flagpole. The crown and dragon of the queen on a blue and gold field was gone, replaced by a crown and sword on gold and black that they presumed must belong to Zaki. The strong presence of soldiers patrolling the city at random hinted at Zaki’s instability.

  Luke and Eve wandered up and down the roads and side streets, losing themselves in the higgledy-piggledy arrangement of buildings, but here the city wall proved of some use. Although the buildings were several storeys tall in places, creating shadowy alleys, the wall was visible in the gaps between them and gave some clue to determine their position.

  From the inn to the docks they wandered and back without success. Snippets of mundane conversation and haggling were all they caught in the commotion. Feeling disheartened, they returned to the inn before sundown, as agreed, to reunite with Nolwen and Nelda.

  The room was just large enough for four and overlooked the busy street below. They perched by the window, but it was dark and some hours later before the two Eldarkind slipped into their rented room, making Eve start. Eve and Luke had eaten without them; cold, salted slices of meat, bread and cheese and strange tasting local water to wash down their meal. Eve didn’t mind – it made a refreshing change from the travelling biscuits, which she was beginning to despise.

  Nolwen and Nelda’s portions lay untouched on the plates and when the two returned, they consumed the food before speaking.

  “I gather you wish for our news first?” Nolwen said.

  Eve and Luke nodded.

  “Well, we have not had a productive day in terms of our purpose, though we learnt interesting things concerning the feelings of the people for their new king,” Nolwen said. “We have been into the city proper through the east gate and circled the castle. From all angles, it is well guarded. The main entrances of course would be no sensible way to enter and all of the side doors we found are guarded more than I would expect to see.

  “We were not able to check the parts of the castle inaccessible to the city – that is to say, those parts that lead into the walled gardens. Unless we scale the walls into the castle gardens and perhaps find a way in there, and mind, this would have to be at night to avoid detection, I do not see how we can gain entry. The fortress is well protected, as Zaki well knows, and he has ensconced himself well.”

  Eve sat up, startling Luke who was slumped on the window-seat next to her. “I may have found something useful!” she said. Luke was nonplussed beside her. “I thought our day was quite fruitless until you said that, but I’m positive I heard today that Zaki may not even currently be in the city. I’m sure as we were at the docks I recall someone mentioning preparations that needed to be made for his return.”

  “Perhaps the guards are for show,” murmured Nelda, her eyes narrowed.

  “We cannot count it for definite if we are to be cautious.” Nolwen bit his lip. “We can make enquiries tomorrow. Do you have any other news?”

  Eve and Luke shook their heads.

  “No matter. We have something to start with. If Zaki is not here it may greatly help us.”

  Soren

  “Before I kill you, insolent humans who trespass in my territory, explain your din!” a fierce, guttural voice that was not his own sounded in Soren’s head and he exclaimed as one with Edmund and Garth.

  “You heard it too?” he asked.

  They nodded. Even Edmund was wide-eyed.

  “Is it..?” Soren trailed off and they gawked at the dragon sat on the cliff top.

  It flexed an onyx paw, crushing stones into pebbles with ease. They dropped into the sea a long distance below. It roared again, a column of fire erupting from its mouth.

  “ANSWER ME!” the voice growled.

  As one, they flinched.

  “Dragon,” called out Soren, but his voice faltered. He coughed and cleared his throat. “Dragon!” he called again as loudly as he could.

  The dragon raised its head.

  “I am Prince Soren of Caledan, son of Her Majesty Queen Naisa. I come to seek the crown of the dragon kings which I believe to be in the safekeeping of your kind, brought here by the great dragon Brithilca.”

  There was silence as the breeze fell and without warning, the dragon leapt off the cliff to fly closer. It battered them with gusts of wind as it circled around the small boat, which pitched upon the water as the displaced air caught the sails. It did not land on their boat, which was fortunate – for the dragon was several times the larger and would have killed them all and destroyed the boat in the attempt – but Soren noted that neither did it land in the water.

  “I am curious of the human that knows of our ancestor Brithilca,” the dragon replied. It circled low above them. Its vast wingspan was terrifyingly enormous; it covered the entire boat and more as it blotted out the light with each pass above.

  Its long tail snaked behind the wings, and they could see that great plates of a strange material – neither skin nor scales – covered its stomach. It alighted on a large rock that broke through the surface of the water much closer than before and settled itself so that not one inch of it touched the sea.

  If any of them had paid attention to the others, Garth, Edmund and Soren would have noticed that they all shared the same expression of fear and wonder. Tightly aligned scales covered its body from head to tail, leaving no visible gap unc
overed and the edge of its face was covered in long barbs that made its streamlined head even more intimidating. Golden-amber eyes with a long, vertical slit-like pupil glared out above smoking nostrils and its ajar mouth revealed a glittering white maze of sharp teeth.

  As it coiled its tail around itself and hid its clawed feet from view, Soren could see that from the top of its head to the tip of its tail it had sharp spikes at regular intervals; some of which, judging by the size of the beast, must have been as long as the prince’s entire leg. Its wings, much like those of the bats that Soren had seen in Pandora only much more beautiful, folded to its body. They were covered partly in armoured scales but mostly in a smooth membrane that gave the wings the required surface area to lift the dragon’s huge bulk from the ground.

  In its entirety, it was a beautiful creature, designed with such perfection and precision that they were left in no doubt that it was a fearsome and successful hunter.

  “Will you release the crown to me?” Soren called after a long silence.

  “I have been waiting for you. I know why you are here however that is not for me to decide alone,” replied the dragon. It exhaled a huge puff of smoke. “You shall return to my brethren with me and we shall confer.” It was not a question.

  Soren looked to Edmund for guidance, but he had none.

  “Out of the frying pan and into the fire,” Edmund said.

  “Or the dragons’ nest,” replied Soren. “Is it safe?”

  “Who can tell.” Edmund shook his head, “I fear we have no choice left now but to go forwards.”

  “You’re right, of course,” admitted Soren. “Where are your brethren?” he called to the dragon.

  “Over the mountain. You shall soar with me. Your floating tree is too slow. Come to the sea shore and we shall fly together.”

  “I shall join him,” Edmund spoke up.

  “So be it,” the dragon replied indifferently. It uncoiled and jumped into the air; powerful wings carried it back to shore as it let out its greatest roar yet.

  Seconds later the roar was answered in the distance and as Garth steered the boat closer to land, a red dragon, far smaller than the black dragon, but still far larger than Soren, Edmund and Garth appeared. It alighted on a beach that became visible as they rounded the tall headland that obscured the rest of the island.

  Garth brought his flat-bottomed boat as close as he dared to the shore so they could disembark and then dropped the anchor. “How long should I wait?” he said.

  Soren and Edmund, who were busy fetching their possessions, paused for a moment.

  “If we do not return in a day, get yourself well away from this place,” Soren answered. “Hopefully we will see you sooner. If not, thank you for your assistance. It is most gratefully appreciated.”

  “You’ll be fine I’m sure,” muttered Garth, but it seemed more for his own peace of mind. He seemed uncomfortable with the parting. “Thanks for showing me real dragons though,” he suddenly grinned. “I know I’m not crazy now!”

  Soren chuckled. “You weren’t imagining things at least, but perhaps your sanity could be questioned for agreeing to chase them?”

  Garth guffawed. “Well I’m as close as I’d want to be now; rather you than me getting closer still, I’ll admit.”

  Soon enough their small pile of possessions were laid out in several bundles on the deck. Edmund and Soren lowered themselves into the surprisingly warm water, which came up to Soren’s and Edmund’s chest and Garth passed down the first two bundles. They relayed them to shore and returned for more until there was nothing left on the deck.

  ~

  Garth stayed on his boat. “I hope I haven’t just sent the King of Caledan to his death,” he muttered to himself, watching them wade to shore with the last of their things. “Fare thee well,” he called as they emerged from the sea, dripping wet. They raised a hand and replied in kind. Garth turned away to raise anchor and take his boat back out to deeper waters before the tide stranded him.

  ~

  Flying was disconcerting and Soren returned to solid ground with great relief. He had ridden upon the black dragon’s back and Edmund the red dragon’s, nestled between and clung to the huge spikes. The two dragons had gathered up the bags of possessions in their great claws to carry. Garth’s small boat soon disappeared behind them as they flew low and quick over the ocean. Wind raced past them as they circled up on thermals, before gliding back over the island and out of sight of the fisherman’s craft.

  Soren’s stomach lurched every time he looked down at the dizzying distance between them and the ground. Instead, he concentrated on looking ahead at either scenery level with them, or better still, the intricate detail and repetition of the dragon’s scales. It was not much easier but he could steady himself enough this way.

  At least, he considered, I am too busy being frightened of the great drop to worry about flying into the midst of a clan of dragons.

  As they rose through the air, the main features of the island became visible. Although one peak was visible from the sea to the south, the island had two volcanic cones: one active and one dormant or extinct. The evidence from minor eruptions in the very recent past dominated the landscape in the form of destructive black trails, which carved through the remaining sparse greenery of the first peak.

  The second, inactive peak stood in sharp contrast. Vegetation clothed it almost fully from bottom to top, showing that it had not been subject to any recent disturbances. It was the rocky summit of this cone that the dragons had made their home.

  They rose higher than the peak itself and Soren dared to look down at this point, clinging even more carefully onto the dragon below him as the wind rushed past and buffeted him unevenly. Laying sprawled below was the entire island laid out just like a map, but in colour and very real. Beaches, bays and cliffs defined the boundaries of the island in a beautiful display of natural forces at work, but the real sight lay at the peaks of the two volcanoes.

  Nearby, the northern side of the first volcano had great oozing vents of hot, molten magma, which expelled ribbons of slow-moving lava. The heat and noxious fumes as they flew over this area were almost unbearable, so they did not linger long. They passed over the taller inactive peak at their highest altitude yet before descending towards it.

  For a few precious minutes, sunlight broke through the clouds dropping piercing golden rays onto the ground and water below. A flash of brightest blue caught their eyes as they flew over the old volcano; in the enormous crater lay a huge pool of the calmest, most pure blue they had ever seen, with a tiny island in its centre.

  The two dragons angled their wings and glided down in ever-smaller spirals. Soren just managed to keep his eyes open as they hurtled down. His stomach turned with the nauseating motion, but his watering eyes were unable to look away from the intoxicating perspective offered to him.

  As they plummeted, the crater opened out beneath them. It was huge, Soren realised and the island in its centre not as tiny as it had first appeared but hundreds of metres wide and long. The black dragon roared; it was deafening this close and Soren clapped his hands over his ears as the sound penetrated deep into his head, holding onto the dragon with just his legs.

  “Come all, I summon thee!”

  Soren braced himself for landing with closed eyes and hugging the spike in front of him with both arms as he was rocked back and forth by the powerful downward beats of the dragon’s wings and jerks of its body as it slowed to touch down. It landed and stopped in a few paces with a series of giant, shock-absorbing steps that jolted Soren, who almost lost his grasp.

  He opened his eyes. The dragon had folded one wing to its side and left the other laid down to the ground for him to climb down. Edmund emerged from behind the red dragon looking shaken by the experience as the black dragon folded in its remaining wing and turned to face Soren. The dragon lowered his head until one of his great eyes was level with the prince’s own.

  “I have called my clan and they will come
.” The great dragon spoke with authority. “You shall follow me to our most sacred place and there we shall have our meet.” Soren shivered, half with nerves and half with cold, still drenched in now ice cold water.

  The dragon turned and strode away, tail slithering on the rocky ground, to the highest point of the small island, which by Soren’s best judgement stood about ten feet above the surface of the lake. Their possessions were left in a jumbled heap by the lake as Soren and Edmund hurried to follow.

  There was not one tree on the island. It was barren and rocky in the centre of the calm lake, though bathed in light as the crater walls extended not so far up as to darken it. As they climbed to the very top of it, a hollow became visible. It seemed odd to Soren; it was no wider than he was tall and almost circular, and strange gouges he could not account for covered its rim. It took him a minute to realise that the strange gouges were of similar spacing and depth as dragon claws, and he wondered aloud at it.

  “We heated the rock with our breath and scraped out the molten stone with our claws,” the dragon explained.

  Soren’s eyes widened in awe, and he moved closer to peer down into it. A shallow pool of still water almost filled the depression. At the bottom, he could see the swirling patterns of claw marks frozen in the stone.

  “What is it for?” the prince asked tentatively.

  The dragon puffed a small column of smoke from its nostrils. “At the beginning of our time, this was the first nest of the first dragon. In this nest, the mother of our race spawned us all. And now, this nest forms our seeing pool,” he said, leaving Soren none the wiser. “With it we can see events from afar and speak with the Eldarkind as we will it.” The dragon paused and his eyes flicked skyward. His nostrils twitched.

  Faint at first and becoming louder, great wings flapped in the air. Soren raised his eyes from the pool to see dragons approaching on the wind from all directions. Some flew directly to land on the island; some spiralled down as they had. All were fearsome and impressive.