Lord Of Dragons (Book 2)

by John Forrester

  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Copyright © 2014 by John Forrester

  All right reserved. Published by Amber Muse.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.

  Cover Design by Anca Gabriela Marginean

  Visit: http://www.theftofdragons.com

  Chapter One

  IN THE REMNANTS of twilight, Sebine glimpsed a fabric of change amidst the delicate filaments of golden light threading over the silky surface of the Ferelian Sea. It was an intricate weave woven of the finest strands of the living and the dead, of times past and of a time yet to come, and it told a sad story of how the world would transform like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. But in this fabric, she could see that the butterfly the world was to become was a demon.

  A heavy tension twisted Sebine's shoulders into knots at the future she saw in her gazing. She wished Master Greyth Shalinor and Master Vhelan had never shown her the art of gazing, for with all the vastness of the sea and the slowness of the ship, she found herself staring for many mindless hours at the sea. This was a deeper kind of meditation than the Hakkadians practiced in their lair, for out here under the wind and the sun and the stars, the world came alive in the sea spray striking her face and the smell of the ocean wafting into her nostrils. Every cell in her body blossomed and stretched open long-dull senses to marvel at the beauty of the world.

  But with that awakening came the realization of the hopelessness of their cause. Master Vhelan had left her without a word and had taken the dragons back to Trikar, and likely returned into the service of the King. Tael had moped about the ship, undoubtedly sad over the loss of the dragons and his grandfather. The wonderment and excitement that had flowered on his face in dragon flight, that was how Sebine pictured Tael when she closed her eyes and thought of him. The freedom and the love pouring from his eyes.

  "What do you see when you stare at the sea?" Tael's soft voice provided a pleasant interruption to her thoughts.

  She inhaled the scents of sea kelp and wet wood from a gentle storm that had drenched the ship only hours ago. "It's like when your grandfather gazed at the clouds in the dawn. A kind of mesmerizing magic that leads your mind astray until something rearranges the view and reassembles into a kind of pattern...a pattern that feels familiar and filled with truth."

  "Sounds indecipherable." He flashed her a teasing smile.

  "Actually, it is understandable, but not in a logical way, more in a feeling way."

  "And what does it tell you?" His eyes aimed at the glittering horizon. "What does the sunset say to you?"

  A heavy sigh escaped from her lips as she turned away to stare at the sun dipping below the sea. "I see the world as it is weaving together, a dark weave of demons and death. Maybe when we remained in Trikar we held some opposing force at bay and prevented the spread of evil, but now that we are gone, I fear the worst will happen to the Kingdom. Humans are the caterpillars and the demons are the ravens that will ravage the land."

  "You see all that in your gazing?" Tael said, his eyes squinting as he studied the sea. "I only see the colors of sunset and a beautiful girl at my side." He tickled her sides and she laughed and threw off her morbid cloak. "Let's just enjoy each moment together out on the ocean. Trouble will come soon enough, but for now we're here in this amazing place. Did you ever imagine it would be so immense?"

  He was right and Sebine knew it, the southern coast and the Ferelian Sea was gorgeous, beyond anything she'd pictured while reading books of pirates and sea captains sailing the southern seas. They had seen dolphins and turtles and gigantic whales that swam in schools through the sea. And at night the stars were reflected in a phosphorescence illuminating the surface of the sea in shimmering threads of blue light. The plaintive and delicate whale song haunted her mind at the memory, so sad and seductive, like the singing of sea nymphs luring sailors to a watery grave.

  The ship's captain had told them a story of a sailor that was in love with swimming in the sea, and of his love for diving and listening to the song of the whales. But each time his dives were longer and the songs more haunting, until the man never returned and was taken by the sea. "Such is the sailor's love of the ocean," the captain had said. And Sebine felt it too.

  There were other stranger things in the sea. Flying fish that flocked in thousands fluttering over the surface. And giant squid and sea serpents threatened the cutter several times, and the sailors had to wield long spears and stab the beasts until they slithered back into the sea. But the most bizarre sight Sebine had witnessed was the beautiful sirens that lay naked on the rocks of a small island singing a mesmerizing song that caused the sailors to plug their ears in desperation. Tael was foolish and stared at the maidens with a stupid puppy-love fondness on his face.

  Sebine had found herself unaffected by the sirens, and she waved at them in a friendly gesture, only to find jealous scowls as they dove into the sea. They must think me the mistress of this vessel, she had mused, and felt like she protected them from harm. Indeed the old captain had said so after the disappearance of the sirens, and after their uncanny knack for avoiding dangerous storms. And now, as they approached the outlaw city of Glar Bay, the captain lamented that their time together would soon be over.

  "Are you sure you don't want to sail on to Rez'el or as far as Erelim?" Sebine winked at the grizzled sea captain who now stood at the wheel with a fierce expression on his face. But his eyes were unwavering as he stared ahead at the darkening shore.

  "As much as I love the blessings you bring of the sea goddess, and how you sweet talk the storms and soothe them of their rage, I'm afraid I have a heavy obligation to Master Oberon to carry his load east to Ghen." The old man cleared his throat and winked at Sebine. "Not to mention the hefty bounty on my head in the Malathian Kingdom. And I most certainly don't want to part with my head, regardless of how ugly it is."

  "Oh I don't know, captain, you have a quite handsome face," Sebine mused, crinkling up her eyes in a wry smile. "I bet that the ladies say you have the distinctive bearing of the old gods, don't they?"

  Captain Greivish blushed at that, and scratched his beard in a nervous tick that Sebine had often observed. "You're far too pretty for me to call you a liar. Though perhaps you left your glasses back home?" He tapped his fist against his brazened face. "This mug is an old pirate's mug, and the only
ladies that love it are ladies with an appetite for gold."

  The blare of a conch shell broke their bantering and all eyes swung around to spy the flickering lights of a city far off in the distance. From her study of the captain's maps, Sebine knew it was Glar Bay, and though she felt relief at the thought of setting foot on land, she also found dread filling her heart at the prospect of making their way through the outlaw city.

  "Now you'll find Glar Bay a bit tricky for the uninitiated to traverse," Captain Greivish said, and rubbed the tiredness from his weathered eyes. "Your grandfather only asked me to get you safely to the city, but I'll do better than that for the old wizard, I'll lead you to Master Oberon himself, who should be able to find you a ship to a western city. And I won't lie to you, getting into the Malathian Kingdom is nigh impossible and you will find the proposition quite expensive. The Malathians are at odds with those of the Kingdom of Valance, especially after what King Braxion did to Prince Jaraz. There are many rumors of a coming war between the two kingdoms, and this makes a pirate's heart grow warm at the prospect of gold and riches from the strife."

  So the news has spread this far, Sebine thought, and wondered how they'd bribe their way into the Malathian Kingdom. Certainly being introduced to this Master Oberon was an advantage that she hadn't expected. Master Greyth Shalinor had practically left them alone on the docks with little guidance on how to proceed in Glar Bay, but at least the captain was helpful, or at least she hoped he wasn't just planning on using their disadvantage to his financial gain...

  "Tell me of this Master Oberon?" Sebine said, and studied the pirate for hints of greed and malice.

  His face contorted into an expression of pain and regret, and she knew the captain was terrible at games of chance that required him to bluff, for his face showed what he felt, and it was clear that the man had some troublesome dealings with Master Oberon.

  "The man is a shrewd businessman, let's put it that way. You'd be wise to be careful with him, he's a jackal with keen senses always sniffing for fresh blood. And yes, you should be wary and suspicious, but I'll be honest with you, you're far better dealing with him than the other snakes and vermin of the foul city of Glar Bay. They'll cheat you and chew you up and spit you out for dead. But I'm most worried about you, little pretty one, 'tis a nasty place for one so young and untainted as you to be entering. I don't believe you'll survive, not with just the two of you."

  Sebine didn't doubt his words, and this only added more worry to her thoughts of what lay ahead. Somehow she believed that once they arrived in the Malathian Kingdom they'd have a better chance at reaching Shaar'el, but they didn't know much of their culture and traditions, and they might be looked upon as spies if the Malathians declared war. We'll just have to sneak in before war breaks out, she thought, and wondered how quickly this Master Oberon could arrange transportation to Erelim. If only they still had their dragons, they'd reach Shaar'el in days rather than the long weeks it was certain to take...

  "Why are you helping us?" Tael said, staring at Captain Greivish as if he doubted his motives.

  The captain scoffed at Tael and wagged his head in disgust. "Do I look like I'm helping you, young lordling? I couldn't give a flea's arse for the likes of you, I only offered to ensure you never see young Sebine here raped in the streets by a band of thugs. You'd be wise to learn to gain the respect of others beneath yourself. This whole trip you've acted all high and mighty and above everyone, while your friend has taken the time to get acquainted with nearly every member of my crew, myself included. You've been moping about the ship as if you've lost the world and woe is you... What's wrong with you?"

  A flicker of anger crossed Tael's face and Sebine hoped he would control himself. She was pleased to see him exhale and calm down. "I suppose you are right, captain. You and your crew deserve my apology. We did suffer a terrible loss back there in Karth, but I should count myself lucky for still being alive." He gave Sebine a look of appreciation. "But you're wrong about me being a lordling, I'm just a man with two dead parents and a wizard for a grandfather. I've no titles nor claim of any lands or gold. I'm a simple man who's fortunate enough to have Sebine's friendship. And that is worth the world to me."

  Sebine felt her heart flourish in love for him. The captain seemed appeased at Tael's words, and nodding his head, spoke once again. "Any man would find themselves fortunate to have her friendship. But mark my words, friendship is a hard thing to gain and an easy bond to break. Don't be foolish like the loads of other men before you. Break new ground and sow the seeds of faithfulness and trust. You'll find the reward slower to reap, but the fruit sweeter in the end."

  The ship neared the city, and in the silence surrounding the captain's words, Sebine wondered about Tael and whether his heart would remain steadfast and unyielding in the face of opposition. Although he had gone through much trouble in his life, his grandfather had managed to protect him from the harsh realities of life. Now that they were out on their own, would he survive or wither under the pressure? For she was sure that they would not find the days ahead easy. Especially when they faced the untenable prospect of negotiating with Master Oberon...

  Chapter Two

  MASTER VHELAN REGRETTED leaving Princess Sebine back in Karth with only the wizard to explain his reasons for leaving. And he doubted Master Shalinor would convey his words in their entirety to the Princess, for he was sure that any master of the Arcanum was certain to paint a Hakkadian sorcerer in the worst possible light.

  A troubled sigh escaped his mouth as he scanned the palace rooftop in the fading light of day, wishing there was another way to eliminate the King's threat against his people. Although Mistress Lassendre was a powerful sorceress, even a fearsome one, he knew that none of them were of any match against the dark power of the Princes of Naverstrom. Which was why Master Vhelan had tried to keep away from that foul lair, despite the fact it was the Hakkadian home now for over two hundred years.

  There she was, standing upright and fierce next to her dragon, and aiming a hand at him in a kind of invitation. His wife was like no ordinary wife, maniacal and headstrong, and unafraid to murder in order to accomplish what she wanted. He loved her for that. Despite the fact that her tainted mind now wanted to kill him.

  "So you've decided to return," she said, and her eyes mocked him for his weakness. "It would have been better to let me be destroyed. Now you've lost your dragons and your advantage, and are utterly at the King's mercy."

  He wagged a finger at her in a playful gesture, and released a stream of golden light that caressed the crown of her beautiful black hair. A green mist evaporated from her head, and he knew that she was cured.

  "I don't seem to have lost any dragons. Look, they're right over there. And as for my advantage, I see the score tied with one point on each side. Except what the King doesn't know is I hold better cards and better maneuvers and I am not afraid to cheat. And speaking of cheating, what did you learn?"

  Mistress Lassendre stretched out her arms and embraced him, and he could smell the faint odor of death on her robe, the familiar scent of darkness, the smell of Naverstrom. And that made his blood go wild with anticipation.

  "The Princes are planning a celebration of blood under the next full moon...dwarven blood." She separated from him and held his arms with those delicate hands of hers that had so often cast spells of terror and destruction. He longed to see her enraged again on the battlefield. "It seems the creatures possess an appetite for dwarven flesh, which is no surprise considering their elven lineage. The question is, why turn them against the Dwarven Kingdom?"

  "Perhaps there is a power or relic they are seeking, or weapons forged in their ancient fires. How tall are the abominations?"

  She stared at her dragon. "More than half his height...around fifteen feet tall. And I think you are correct, they are seeking armor and weapons for their vast army. They are giving the dragonkin an ancient name, draenyx, discovered from the old library in the lonely, cool cavern off Naverstrom. From
what I've heard, the draenyx possess the speed and wisdom of the elves amplified with the strength and mental powers of dragons. An unstoppable army. Not even the elves will be able to resist them. The whole world will fall and prostrate themselves at the foot of their power."

  "Is it really so dire?" For the sake of his people, Master Vhelan hoped that his wife had some bright spot in her report.

  "Actually there are far worse things going on in Naverstrom." She glanced around, concern in her eyes. "Why do we tarry here? The King and the others might come and discover me freed?"

  Master Vhelan grinned and spread his short arms wide. "Then let them come. Do I look concerned? Now that you are safe with me nothing can trouble my mind. But you see, I am a greedy man and do not give up so easily on that which I am lord over. My dragons and my coven. I have already summoned the dragons to me and my fellow Hakkadians, and they will come. Until they come we shall wait and play the game, and let us see if the King dares to show his face to me. I think not, knowing we have destroyed a relic that protects him. Has he not fled to Naverstrom to consult with the Princes? Alas, I sense his dragon Keraxes is far, far from the capitol."

  A wave of relief flooded over Mistress Lassendre's face and the tension seemed to melt from her shoulders. She whirled around, untethered from concern, and her raised hands filled the darkening sky with silver strands of shimmering light.

  "Is it true?" she said, her eyes incredulous. "Would the King leave the capitol so quickly after a siege has threatened his Kingdom?"

  "The King is a fool, and in his foolishness he is often wise. But sometimes that foolishness is mere folly. This is the case. He believed the spell cast over you by the Princes of Naverstrom was unbreakable, and in that power he believed I would bend the knee and once again obey him. There is the root of his folly."

  The sky revealed whispering wings in flight as the remaining dragons landed around them, save for the great Keraxes. Master Vhelan aim his hands to greet the conquered Hakkadians, and surrounded, he wondered whether he could win in such an outnumbered situation.