The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10)

by Craig Halloran

  Good.

  There was something odd about the commander that Nath couldn’t figure out, but he had other things on his mind. Selene. She’d been evasive. Normally, she stayed close by his side, but now she was distant. She had been ever since they had come out of the cave where she’d killed the rose blossom, the beautiful dragon that had attacked him along with the blue streaks.

  Why did they attack me? Why?

  He inspected his arms. Bands and streaks of white scales adorned them now. Even the patches of white in his palms had grown fuller. He glanced upward. A flock of dragons flew high in the sky in a V formation.

  I should be up there.

  He’d tried every day to turn into the dragon he’d once been, but he couldn’t harness the magic. He didn’t understand why. He snapped his fishing rod and tossed it into the water. “Bah.” He glowered at the stream that rushed swiftly by. “Commander, any idea where we’re headed? We seem to be doing circles.”

  The armored man came back his way and said from underneath the helm, “We go where the High Priestess says.”

  “Do you always do what you’re told?”

  “I follow orders.”

  “Have you ever not followed orders, say, when you were a boy?”

  “Let’s get back to camp,” the commander said. “Perhaps you’ll find the answers you seek there.” The commander started to pass by.

  Nath grabbed him in the nook of his arm.

  “Let go,” the commander said.

  “Say, what is your name, Commander?” Nath said, nostrils flaring.

  “You know that. I’m Commander Haan.” He tried to pull away, but Nath held him fast.

  “No, what is your first name?” Nath said, eyeing him. “And take off that helmet. How can you always wear such an ugly thing? Is your face so horrible that it must be hidden?”

  Commander Haan stiffened and tried to twist from Nath’s grip. He couldn’t break it. He shoved Nath backward.

  Nath shoved him back off his feet, onto the ground. “You’re a big man, but don’t be a fool, Haan.” Nath stood over him. “Now, show me your face and tell me your name.”

  “No.”

  Nath’s nostrils flared. His dander rose. Frustration set in. “Fine. I’ll remove it myself, then.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Selene soared above the clouds with one thought in her mind.

  Nath Dragon must die.

  It didn’t sit well. She’d have lost sleep over it if she slept at all, but that was always very little. Gorn Grattack had been clear. If Nath didn’t turn to their side, then she was to bring him to Gorn, who would put Nath to death. Flapping her massive black wings, she streaked through the clouds.

  A year ago, she’d have been thrilled to see Nath go. She would have killed him herself. She’d relished manipulating him.

  But now, she’d gotten used to him. He was the only one like her, in so many ways: a black dragon who could also be human, the child of a powerful and distant father... She’d watched many die before, but such an outcome for Nath didn’t seem possible. He had become large in her life.

  She circled the skies, hour after hour. She’d marched her armies through the hills and beyond the valley on the longest path she could take toward Gorn Grattack.

  She broke through the clouds again, dipping below their midst. Parts of the green lush lands were still intact, while other portions were dead and broken. The battle blood of men and dragons seeped into the ground all over, and the world trembled. The edges burned. Elves and orcs were in full battle. Dwarves marched out from Morgdon. The Legionnaires combed the lands. The races were restless, yet the Truce remained intact.

  But it will not hold with Nath Dragon dead.

  She glided to the earth and took her place on a spire in the mountains. Her keen dragon sight could pick up anything for miles. The forces of good were being spread out just the way Gorn Grattack had planned.

  No more Nath Dragon. No more Truce. A new world will be ushered in.

  Her black heart skipped a beat, and with a sigh, she puffed a plume of fire into the sky.

  Gorn Grattack’s will must be done. I will obey. Nath Dragon must die.

  CHAPTER 3

  “What kind of man doesn’t get hungry?” Nath said, reaching for Haan’s helmet. “And doesn’t sweat—or even stink, for that matter.” He locked his fingers on Commander Haan’s collar and started jerking at the dark helm. “Oof!”

  Haan launched his metal gauntlet into Nath’s belly, shoved him away, and rose up from his knee, reaching for his sword. “Stop this, Dragon Prince, I urge you.”

  Nath coughed and patted the iron-hard muscles under his scales. “You hit awfully hard for a mortal, too.” He glared into Haan’s hard eyes. “Harder than a big man even your size could. Explain that, and tell me what your name is.” He pounced on the commander, smote him to the ground, and yanked off the helmet.

  Haan cocked his arm back and struck Nath in the ribs.

  Nath grimaced. “You can’t hurt me when I’m ready for it. Now, who are you?”

  Haan struggled.

  Nath strained to hold him fast.

  “Haan. Jason Haan is my name. Are you happy now?”

  “No,” Nath said. He groaned. “Still you don’t sweat. How can that be?”

  Haan’s stern face grimaced under a head of short, black hair. His dark eyes shifted away from Nath’s.

  “Look at me,” Nath demanded.

  “No, I’ll not.” Haan flailed at him.

  Nath grasped Haan’s wrists and pinned them over the man’s head. He squeezed the gauntlets until the metal bent and dug into flesh.

  “How am I supposed to get those off now?” Haan said, rolling his eyes. “Sultans! Will you just let go of me—Nath. You’re messing everything up.”

  Haan’s voice had changed. No longer harsh and deep, it was lighter. And familiar.

  Nath loosened his grip and leaned back.

  Whop!

  Haan’s metal fist cracked him in the face. The big man effortlessly regained his feet and towered over Nath, to his dismay.

  “Gorlee!”

  Forming a sheepish grin, the big warrior nodded. “It’s me.” He reached down and pulled Nath up to his feet. “Sorry.”

  Nath rubbed his jaw. “Think nothing of it. If anything, I’m glad to see that kind of fight in you. But how long, Gorlee, how long?”

  Gorlee scanned the surroundings.

  “It’s all right,” Nath said, “no one is near.”

  Gorlee let out a breath, and his shoulders eased. “Good.”

  “Gorlee, how long have you been near? Have you been spying on me?

  “Protecting you would be a better word.”

  Nath’s eyes narrowed. Something didn’t set with what Gorlee said. The way he said it wasn’t right. “Sasha!” Nath stepped toward Gorlee. “That was you!” His hand lashed out, and his fingers locked around Gorlee’s neck. “Why? Why?!”

  “Keep your voice down,” Gorlee managed to croak out. “Please.” He clutched at Nath’s arms. His face turned purple. “I can explain.”

  “How can you explain posing as my friend, looking me in the eye, and lying to me?”

  “Please, Nath. I came to save you. Selene caught me, captured my essence, and made me her vessel.” He choked. “I swear it.”

  Nath shoved him down.

  For all Nath knew, Gorlee was still under her power. No matter what he did, she was there. How could he trust Gorlee now? How could he trust anyone? And what about Sasha? Bayzog? Where were they now?

  Coughing, Gorlee started to speak. “Nath, you have to believe me. I’ll tell you everything I know. And I know much. It’s Selene.”

  “I don’t want to hear it,” Nath said. “I know she lies.”

  “It’s more than that. She was ordered to turn you, and she failed. Do you know what that means?”

  “Turn me?” Nath said. His anger subsided as confusion set in. “Turn me into what?”

  Gorlee ma
de his way to one knee, shaking his head.

  “Into what, Gorlee? A draykis? Hah. I’m already a dragon. And I’m fully alive, not dead.”

  Gorlee swallowed as his eyes looked up.

  “Kill me? And turn me into one of those monsters?”

  “I believe it means something like that. It’s very confusing.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

  “I couldn’t risk being discovered. I escaped. They still search for me, but I think I have them fooled, for now.” He glanced around. “That’s why you mustn’t reveal my cover. We must play along.”

  “No. I must confront Selene about her plans for me,” Nath said with a sneer.

  “She’s a liar, Nath. She’ll twist your clear thoughts into the mud of worms.”

  “You are a liar.”

  “Not of my own volition.”

  “Hah, a changeling is nothing but a deceiver.”

  “Nath, you know me better than that.”

  “Do I?”

  There was silence between them for a moment. Only the cool breeze that pushed down the tall grasses whistled by their ears. Nath had no one to trust now but himself. He grunted within. I wish Brenwar was here. He never had to doubt Brenwar. But even so, Gorlee’s words had a ring of truth to them.

  “Nath, there’s more. The acolytes, they prepare for something. I fear Gorn Grattack is near.”

  Nath remembered his dream. The evil Dragon Overlord was coming for him, and he could feel a great presence of evil in his scales.

  “So this is why Selene hesitates,” he said, almost with a smile.

  “Pardon?” Gorlee said, picking up his helmet.

  Things fell into place. Selene’s capture had been a ploy. Setting his jaw, he ground his teeth, clenching his fists.

  “We need to keep this charade going, Nath,” Gorlee said. “The way I see it, we need to get to the heart of the matter. That is Gorn. I was waiting for that moment. The moment to strike.”

  “And what exactly were you going to do? As I understand it, Gorn is every bit as powerful as my father.”

  “I was going to be your backup against him or Selene …” He put on his helmet. “Let’s play along while we can.” He extended his hand. “I am your true friend, and I can explain much more later.”

  “I’d be interested to hear it.” Nath stretched out his hand, but he still felt uncertain. A shadow grazed over the grasses. He jerked his head up. “Look out!”

  The feline fury dropped out of the sky, right on top of the both of them.

  Armored Draykis

  CHAPTER 4

  Nath felt the full weight of the feline fury on him. Its claws dug into his back. Peeled at his scales. He screamed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gorlee pinned down underneath its other paw, wide eyed.

  “Get off me,” Nath said in Dragonese.

  The beast stuffed his head into the dirt.

  Nath pushed himself up, straining underneath its power and weight, inching his way up off the ground. “I said get off me!” Nath snarled.

  The dragon cat clocked him in the back of the head with its horns.

  Stars burst in bright spots before his eyes.

  “Sultans of Sulfur!” Nath twisted underneath the cat dragon.

  It pinned him down on his back, crushing his chest. Its jaw opened and struck.

  “Gah!”

  It bit down on his arm and flung him away.

  He skipped over the ground and into the stream. Slinging his mane of auburn hair over his shoulder, he dashed the water from his eyes.

  The feline fury was all over Gorlee. It ripped his armor off and dug its paws into his flesh.

  “Great Guzan!” Nath blew a fireball into his hand and flung it at the monster.

  The ball of flame exploded into its hide, and it let out a crying, cat-like howl, but it kept pounding away.

  Gorlee was up on his feet. In a flash, he drew a gleaming blade from his scabbard. He flashed it at the fury.

  It crawled backward, head low, yellow eyes shifting back and forth. They had it flanked.

  Nath blew a fireball into each hand.

  The feline fury’s ears flattened on its head. It made an eerier howl. It crouched back, ready to pounce.

  “You all right, Gorlee?” Nath said.

  “I’ve a few hunks out of me, but nothing I can’t heal. This beast, Nath, it’s been hunting me for weeks.” He stepped closer, slicing the blade through the air. “It will notify Selene, Nath. It seems I’m exposed. We both are, for that matter.”

  Nath figured Gorlee was right. If Selene found Gorlee, she’d kill him. If they killed the feline fury, she’d know that one of them was involved. Perhaps now was the time to make a break for it? No, with all the dragons and her army, it wouldn’t take her long to hunt him down.

  “Gorlee, I think it’s time you left.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll handle the fury.”

  “No, Nath. We’re in this together.” Sword high, Gorlee advanced.

  “No! Stop!”

  Gorlee froze.

  The feline fury drew back, ready to spring at any moment.

  Nath flicked the balls of flame into the rippling water. They sizzled and disappeared. He kneeled down, eyeing the dragon cat. Summoning a power he felt deep inside, he said in Dragonese, ““Come. Come, great dragon cat. I’m a friend. You should know that,” Nath added, lying flat on the ground.

  “Nath, what are you doing? He’ll gore you.”

  Growling at Gorlee, the feline fury eased out of its stance and slunk closer to Nath.

  Nath spread his arms wide and welcoming. “Come, great dragon cat. Come.” He felt power. A connection with the dragon. Something he’d not felt before. Unlike Selene’s other dragons, the feline fury had a cunning mind of its own, no longer under the influence of a spell or jaxite stones. He stretched his fingers out as the beast inched closer. “Come, friend.”

  “Nath, get away. You’re mad,” Gorlee said in a loud whisper.

  Nath felt the tips of the dragon cat’s whiskers and its lava-hot breath on his face. Its citrine-colored cat eyes bore into his. A purr rumbled in its great scaled belly, and it lay down beside him and licked his hand.

  “I’ll be,” Gorlee said.

  Nath smiled at Gorlee. “Father once told me, ‘You’ll never make new friends unless you try.’”

  ***

  As the dark clouds rolled over the skyline, Nath headed back toward camp, heavy in thought.

  Is Selene really going to kill me?

  Gorlee had made his case, filling in details Nath hadn’t known. The ruse of Gorlee posing as Sasha in order to gain his trust had infuriated him, but he believed Gorlee now. The changeling had no reason to lie. But how would he deal with Selene?

  The feline fury nuzzled past him and took to the air.

  “Are you certain that beast is on our side now?” Gorlee said, marching at his side. “It nearly ripped me apart a few times.”

  “Me too,” Nath said. “But he’s an ally now. He’s made his choice. He just needed a reason, and now he has one.” He frowned. “Poor creature. All these years, Selene kept him through fear, rearing him for wrong, but a little kindness, a tad of submission turned him.”

  “Do you think that will work with the rest of the dragons that want to tear out our throats?”

  “Probably not.”

  They walked on, pushing along the path, less than a mile from the main camp now. Inside, Nath simmered. He’d been manipulated. He’d trusted in the Truce, and now he knew it was all a lie. A ploy to keep him on the sidelines. Selene had used him to fool everybody, and it had worked quite well.

  “Nath,” Gorlee said. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “Deceiving you as Haan.”

  “It wasn’t your fault, Gorlee.”

  “I was foolish,” the changeling said.

  “You were brave. Don’t start doubting yourself now, Gorlee. You risked your life
for me. For the land. That’s … well, that’s something.” He slapped his hand on Gorlee’s shoulder. “That’s the mark of a true friend.”

  “Thanks Nath,” he said. “So, do you really think we can fool her?”

  “I don’t see why not. After all, you fooled me. Plus, now we have another ally in the fury. I think it will be a good one. We’ll see.” Still, something stirred in Nath’s belly. He needed to be at full power, and he hadn’t been for quite some time. Not since he’d flown that first time.

  Selene has done something to me. Hah! I’m a fool not to have realized that.

  Heavy raindrops began to pelt them from above. Soon the path became muddy. Gorlee kept chattering about things. He talked about Bletver the triant. Even Nath hadn’t heard of such a creature. Gorlee also told him about the heroes in the tavern, the ones who fought in the name of Balzurth. It made Nath’s chest swell. Men, the most unpredictable of all, fighting in the name of his father did his heart good.

  “Things are going to have to come undone soon, Nath. The farce called a truce must end. I think that’s on you.”

  It seemed sacrifices were being made all over. Nath felt like everyone gave something but him. He frowned as Gorlee continued speaking. He couldn’t stop thinking about Brenwar, Ben, Bayzog, and Sasha. Did they still even live?

  As they reached the edge of the camp, a group of acolytes, tattooed and bald, greeted them. “You must come with us, Dragon Prince.”

  “Why?” Nath said. “Has something happened?”

  “Peace Bringer,” said another acolyte, “High Priestess Selene has an urgent summons. She awaits you in her tent.”

  “I see. All right, then.” He glanced at Gorlee, but the helmet on his friend’s head hid any expression. “Let’s go then.” He nodded as he left. “Commander.”

  CHAPTER 5

  “I see you are well,” Nath said to Selene.

  She wore all-black robes traced in gold. Her crown of silver leaves was on her head. She took a seat at a long table inside the tent. There was no one else there but them.