by Mike Shelton
Both young men gave him questioning looks.
But he smiled back up at them and said, “All is well. All is well, Dragon Riders.”
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
Six weeks later, Bakari was flying over the Elvyn Forest on the back of his dragon, Abylar. Kharlia sat behind Bakari, holding him tight. They had just returned from spending some time in Mahli together. The last few weeks had been busy, with Bakari visiting most of the kingdoms on the Western Continent and making sure that any damage done by the ancient evil king and his sons was fixed.
A warm summer breeze blew over him and Kharlia as they landed on the sandy beach between the Blue Sea and Lor’l. The sun had flushed their faces as they flew. Bakari noticed that the other dragons were already there. Boats filled the harbor, and thousands of people were walking around.
After landing, elves began to gather around them, offering to feed and take care of the dragon.
As long as they have some meat for me, Abylar said to Bakari. I can’t eat any more of those vegetables.
Bakari laughed out loud and replied, Still always hungry, I see! The dragon had grown again in the last few weeks since his captivity in the mountains. So Abylar now towered over almost everything, except the enormous trees of the Elvyn Forest.
Bakari walked with Kharlia on his arm toward the Elvyn city. She wore a beautiful blue dress that contrasted nicely with her dark skin and eyes. It also matched the whites of his own eyes—which had stayed blue since using the full power of the dragons. Bakari himself wore dark black riding pants and a light shirt, with a small crown atop his head. Both were wearing matching blue cloaks. Bakari’s was trimmed with gold, signifying his rank.
People from all over the continent were in attendance this day, for today was the day that Breelyn Mier would be wed to King Lanwaithian Soliel. Music and laughter filled the air, and Bakari’s soul was lifted—except for one unpleasant task that he needed to do before the wedding.
As they entered Lor’l at the edge of the trees, elves bowed their heads to Kharlia.
She blushed and turned to Bakari. “I’m not used to this.”
“Neither am I.” Bakari laughed with joy. “So, you are Elvyn-friend? That is an honor indeed, Kharlia. You must have many friends here.”
“I do,” she said shyly. “But the friend I care about the most is right here, by my side, Bak.”
Bakari peered down at her, and his stomach fluttered. Kharlia amazed him. Every day with her was the best day of his life.
Spotting Breelyn off in the distance, he turned to Kharlia and said, “I need to talk to Breelyn alone.”
Kharlia pouted but then smiled. “Don’t be too long, my dragon king. One of these elves may steal me away.”
“I won’t be long.” He grinned. “I will find you.”
He walked off toward Breelyn. This was the task he had dreaded. She saw him approach and walked away from the others near her.
They walked together for a few moments in silence. And Bakari noticed only a small band of black at the end of her hair; the rest was now a beautiful silver color.
“Lan is doing well,” Breelyn offered as the first words of their conversation. “He is almost back to his full strength.”
Bakari nodded. He had heard that, once he had killed the Chameleon, the evil magic inside of Lan had begun to recede. With some additional healing from Kharlia and the other Elvyn healers, Lan was expected to make a full recovery.
“But you are not here to talk about the king, are you?” Breelyn asked as she stopped next to a wide tree trunk.
Bakari let out a long breath. How could he tell her that she could no longer be a dragon rider? “Breelyn…”
“Bakari, once again, I am so sorry,” Breelyn apologized for the hundredth time in the last six weeks.
Bakari waved his hand in the air. “I know, Breelyn. I forgive you. I have no problems there: you will make a great queen for Lan and do many wonderful things for the elves. But…”
“But…what?” Breelyn asked.
“You will not be able to be a dragon rider.” The words he had dreaded to say had just rushed out of his mouth.
The two were silent for another moment.
Breelyn eased herself down onto a log and stared absently at a small group of wildflowers poking out of the ground in a spot of sun. She finally glanced back up at him. Tears filled her eyes—eyes that used to be bright blue but were now a light gray.
“I know, Bak.” She nodded her head sadly. “I know, and it kills me to think about it.”
“But you have Lan and the kingdom,” Bakari said as he tried to reassure her.
Breelyn smiled up at him. “But, to lose that bond and never fly over the lands ever again—” she said and then paused. “I will get used to it, and I hold no grudges, Bakari. I understand why. The power of the dragons—the power of the spirit—needs to stay pure.”
Bakari nodded his head, but then his face broke out in a wide smile. “Who says you can’t fly with one of us on a dragon every now and again, Breelyn?”
Breelyn jumped up and grabbed Bakari in a fierce hug. “Oh, Bak, how are you so forgiving and wonderful? Do you truly mean it?”
“Sure, why not?”
With that, the two of them headed back toward the festivities. They found Lan and Kharlia standing together. Both looked up at Bakari and Breelyn.
“Everything all right here?” Lan asked as he grabbed Breelyn’s hands in his own.
Breelyn wiped a tear away, “Yes. Yes, I am fine.”
“Well, everyone is waiting for us.” Lan laughed. “Let’s go and put on a show.”
And quite a show it was. The two stood on a high platform at the edge of the trees, with dignitaries, leaders, and curious onlookers from most of the kingdoms on the continent watching from the ground. Bakari and a few other select friends sat on the stand with the bride and the groom.
Before the wedding ceremony began, Lan was publicly proclaimed as King of Elvyn, all to the cheers and smiles of his people. Then Breelyn joined him, standing up by his side.
The royal couple, dressed all in white, said their vows and then were married by one of the local Elvyn priests. At the end of the ceremony, the four dragons flew overhead, pouring baskets of white flower petals over the happy couple and the cheering crowd.
You owe me one, Dragon Rider, Abylar said to Bakari. Throwing flowers? This is not a thing for dragons to do.
I’ll save you a few good chunks of meat, Bakari said back.
Grrrr, Abylar growled. I want more than a few chunks. I want the whole animal.
You’re going to get fat, Bakari teased. How will you ever fly me around to all the kingdoms we have to visit?
You’re just a stick; I don’t need any strength to fly you around. Anyway, there is always food on the ground for me to eat.
What if we fly across the sea? Bakari asked. Do you like fish?
Big fish! Abylar said, and Bakari laughed.
Lan quieted the crowd and motioned for Bakari to approach. Bakari gave him a questioning glance, but Lan wouldn’t give any hint of what was to come. But Bakari hadn’t been told of any part that he would play in the ceremony.
Lan turned to Bakari and said, “Today would not have been possible without our friend here. He ended the war, freed my bride, and established peace in the lands once again. Today, I name Bakari Elvyn-friend.”
Bakari smiled down at Kharlia, who nodded her head at him.
Then Lan continued by kneeling on the ground in front of Bakari. “I, Lanwaithian Soliel, King of Elvyn, do now give my pledge to Bakari, Dragon Rider, and do support him as the Dragon King. I follow him, bow to him, respect him, and…” Lan paused and stared into Bakari’s eyes with tears in his own and swallowed hard a few times before continuing, “And name him my friend for as long as the both of us shall live.”
Lan stood, hugged Bakari, and then turned to the crowd and said, “Hail the Dragon King.”
Mericus deGrande, king of Alaris, came
forward, then Darius DarSan Williams, king of the Realm, with Mezar Alrishitar, emperor of Gildan, next to him. Then others followed: The newly crowned king of Quentis, the Wolf, with his son, Kaspar, in tow. The two kings of Solshi and the kings and queens of Khazer, Turg, Cyrene, and the Kingdom of Arc all formed a line in front of the raised platform. Joining them were the leaders from all the magic schools in Quentis, the Realm, Gildan, and Arc. Roland, representing the Citadel, also came forward, with Alli at his side. Then Jaimon and Liam walked up behind them.
In one voice, they all yelled together, “Hail the Dragon King! Hail the Dragon King!”
It was a sight that Bakari knew he would never forget—well, he never forgot anything anyway, but it was one sight that would always have special meaning. All the leaders of the West bowed and pledged support to their high king, Bakari, the Dragon King.
The four dragons flew overhead and let out streams of colorful fire as the crowd cheered. Breelyn joined Lan and gave Bakari a hug, then signaled for the unforgettable feast to begin. The celebration continued long into the night.
Late that night, Bakari left Kharlia for a few moments to check on the dragons. On the way there, he found Alli and asked her to join him.
They walked out under a full moon to where the dragons slept, at the edge of the sea. The dragons had been fed well so they didn’t have the urge to fly anywhere for the night.
After watching them for a moment, Bakari turned to his side. “Alli, I wanted to thank you for all you have done this past year. The peace we have today couldn’t have been achieved without you.”
Alli smiled. “Turning into a politician now, Bak—I mean Dragon King.”
Bakari laughed. “With so many roles to play, Alli, sometimes I miss being the old Bak, the boring scholar wizard. You know when that changed?”
Alli shook her head.
“That day you arrived with Gorn in Cassian.”
“Hey, that’s not fair.” Alli furrowed her eyebrows.
“Coincidence, I am sure.” Bakari laughed. “Either way, you have my thanks.”
Alli nodded and said, “You’re welcome.”
“But, there is more.”
“More?” Alli asked, appearing confused.
“Someone else wants to thank you also,” Bakari said.
Behind the two of them, the dragons had stirred, and Miriel stood up and took a few steps closer to Bakari and Alli. Her growing bulk vibrated through the ground. Then she brought her great head up close to Alli.
Alli put out her hand, to touch the dragon, but then turned and looked at Bakari before she did.
Bakari nodded to Alli that it was all right.
So Alli touched Miriel, and a broad smile came to Alli’s face. “Oh, Bak!”
Bakari reached up and touched Miriel also and then said, “She has chosen you, Alli, to be her next rider. Will you join us as one of the dragon riders?”
Alli laughed for a moment, then stopped, and her lips turned downward. “What about Roland?”
“Roland?” Bakari asked and then laughed.
“He…he needs me,” Alli said, stumbling on her words a bit, then blushed. “Well, maybe I need him too.”
Bakari nodded his understanding. “I’m sure we can work things out. Having a dragon rider stationed at the Citadel would be a fine thing, don’t you think?”
“Yes, it would. Someone’s got to watch over that boy.”
“That’s for sure.” Bakari smiled.
Hearing footsteps behind them, Bakari turned to find Roland, Kharlia, Jaimon, and Liam walking up.
“Were you two talking about me?” Roland asked, strutting forward.
“Why do you think we are always talking about you, Roland?” Alli said with her hands on her hips.
“Well, were you?” Roland asked, pushing his hair out of his eyes.
Bakari sighed. “Yes, we were, my friend. Yes, we were.”
Roland gave Alli an I-told-you-so look.
Bakari pointed at the dragons and asked, “Anyone up for a midnight flight?”
“Ooooh,” Kharlia exclaimed and then grabbed Bakari’s hand. “Me!”
“Me, too,” Jaimon said.
“I’m up for it,” Liam said, “if I can get my sleepy dragon awake.”
Ryker, Liam’s red dragon, stirred on the ground and then opened up one of his big yellow eyes.
Roland looked at Alli, who smiled sweetly back at him and said, “I’m a dragon rider now, Mr. High Wizard. Want to take a ride with me?”
Roland’s eyes grew wide for a moment. “I sure would.” Then he winked at her and said, “As long as you don’t let this go to your head. I’m still more powerful than you.”
Bakari laughed and everyone joined in. Then he said, “Wake up, dragons. Mount up, riders. We ride tonight over a peaceful land.”
Beneath the bright moon and clear skies, the dragons carried their riders and friends out over the Blue Sea. Then, banking back westward, they flew out over the Elvyn Forest, the dragons’ wings rustling the tops of the massive trees.
“Hail the dragons!” shouted Bakari with a whoop.
“Hail the dragons!” echoed everyone else.
# # #
Sign up on my website at MichaelSheltonBooks.com to get a FREE copy of PROPHECY OF THE DRAGON, a prequel novella to The Alaris Chronicles. It will be available sometime in August. It takes place 150 years before The Dragon Orb.
Also read The Cremelino Prophecy (The Path Of Destiny, The Path Of Decisions, The Path Of Peace) for more information and background about Kelln, Darius, Mezar, and Danijela – 15 years prior to the Dragon Orb.
Thanks for reading THE DRAGON KING. 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 FREE Prequels to both of my 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 reading, 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 (Takes place 15 years before The Alaris Chronicles)
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.
