Drakonika (Book 1)

by Andrea Závodská

  “I've got to try this,” Rodrick said resolutely and with a hypnotised look he pushed both his and Darius' staffs against Henry's chest. He immediately dashed forward and reached Aedan in such speed that he had almost squished his little hawk friend, who flinched back at the last second.

  “I'm ready,” Rodrick announced confidently, breathing wildly in excitement. And as soon as he said that, he turned into a shag of red hair. A fox! This transformation suited him perfectly.

  Aedan looked utterly dazed. He couldn't help giving an applause of praise, “Bravo! That's exemplary!” However, Belinda didn't seem to know what to make of it — what they saw was just impossible!

  “Hold this,” Henry mumbled, as he forced all three staffs into Giselbert's arms. Before their teacher could even recover from the last success, another novice hurried to his side. Aedan looked astonished. How come he hadn't noticed there were so many druids in his group already?

  Henry narrowed his dark eyes and closed them for a moment. When he opened them again, he was looking at something fluffy. It was his own tail! He had turned into a wolf.

  “That must be some kind of a plan, we mustn't screw it up!” Giselbert said swiftly and giving all four druid staffs to Serena, he bolted in front. Moments later, the novices saw a white cat with paws and face as black as night. His dazzling blue eyes had soon noticed the white bird and started chasing him all around Aedan and his two helpers. Everyone seemed to have a good time watching this.

  “Definitely a plan,” Serena said vaguely, when she saw them all turning into animals effortlessly. “If there's something going on, I want to be a part of it,” she decided and swung all the staffs onto Viktor. Magnus had already known what she would turn into, but the others certainly didn't expect it would be a fire-red snake. Well, if they did expect something, it was the colour!

  “A snake!” Fjalldís whispered into Maren's ear. “We have to be careful around her.”

  Maren nodded slightly, “I am not surprised by that.”

  Magnus, Aedan and Belinda were surrounded by a little pack of animals, but one member of the Black Squad was still hesitating in the crowd of novices. It appeared he was not exactly eager to do it, but in the end he decided to follow his comrades. After all, they had all turned and he was the only one missing; he certainly didn't want to give anyone a reason to gossip about the Black Squad breaking apart.

  “Whatever,” Viktor said with undisguised repulsion and was just about to slam the staffs on the ground, when he realised that wouldn't be much of a druid behaviour. He threw the wooden staffs on Lars, who would have stumbled under their weight if Elmar didn't help him. Viktor rushed to Aedan at the speed of wind and as soon as he came there, he turned into ... a black vulture.

  There was a ripple of shocked whispering. The vulture seemed to have scared them even more than the snake.

  “That's ugly,” said one of the girls in disgust and it seemed that everyone agreed with her. While the children were staring at Viktor, commenting on his bad looks, Aedan was ready to cry from joy. He didn't care what they had turned into — they were druids now and that was what mattered the most. Even Aedan himself would turn into a grumpy bear; certainly nothing cute.

  “I don't know what you expected. Bunnies? Duckies? Forget it, this is not a petting zoo,” Aedan said, a little more stoutly now. “You don't want to turn into something that's at the very bottom of the food chain! Our six new druids have shown exceptional abilities and they deserve respect from all of you,” he said and then with a happy smile he looked at the lovely pack of animals around him. “All right, fellow druids, enough fun. Now turn back into your human form.”

  The clatter had suddenly stopped. Obviously, the “Animal Squad” understood what their teacher expected from them, but it didn't seem they knew how to do it. They didn't have the slightest idea how they turned into the animal form and how to turn back into their human form.

  “Uh ... well, don't worry about that, it will stabilise in time ... hopefully,” Aedan said a bit less audibly, hoping the last word would pass unnoticed.

  Magnus gave a little cough. “Ehm ... I have accomplished my quest,” he said carefully. “I would like to hear the answer to my question now.”

  Aedan rounded on Magnus. It was etched in his face that he was still worried about the transformations. He smiled broadly to disguise the fear of the upcoming question and he leaned against his staff gently. “Of course. What did you want to ask me?” he said, expecting a question about druids. But Magnus shocked him again.

  “What happened with the Fellowship of the Devoted?” Magnus asked swiftly as he fixed his big silvery eyes on Aedan's face.

  The sound of his words creaked in Aedan's ears as though he heard the opening of an old rusty door. “This question does NOT apply to this guild!” he roared firmly.

  Magnus stepped back. “It does ... partly,” he said carefully, almost in a whisper.

  Aedan gave a heavy sigh. This was the last thing he wanted to talk about, but it appeared he had no other choice. Magnus had asked him in front of all the novices and if he didn't give him an answer, no one would ever trust his word again.

  “Fine, then. You have the right to know what happened here. Follow me to the citadel. I'll tell you a bed-time story,” Aedan said, his expression clearing a little. He was just about to turn away, when suddenly he paused. “Somebody take those birds,” he muttered and cast Viktor and Darius a fleeting glance. They didn't seem to be exactly experienced in flying. In the end, almost all the work was left for Aedan himself — Viktor was huge, heavy and dangerous and nobody wanted to even lay a finger on Serena, so he had to take her coiled around his staff.

  There was still one left — Darius. He hoped for Fjalldís to take him, but in the next moment his view was darkened by a girl with long wavy hair and a broad grin on her face. Belinda! He already expected that he wouldn't enjoy the journey back very much.

  As Aedan with his group of novices and their “mini zoo” made their way back to Sinei, the sky darkened with grey clouds. It was certain it would rain shortly, so they marched up the lanes straight to the citadel courtyard and from there they walked the long, dim hallway leading into the underground chamber. The novices didn't have the best memories from here — they even named it the “exam cell”. But fortunately, this evening was different. There were no tests or books waiting — Aedan was about to reveal a great secret to them, a secret that all of them had certainly wondered about since their very first day in Sinei. And that was utterly exciting.

  As Aedan lit the torches and made fire in the hearth, the novices took seats around the tables in the way they usually did. The whole chamber was now lit with an orange and yellow glow which cast shadows around, creating a very mysterious environment for Aedan's speech.

  “I am going to reveal a great secret to you now,” Aedan said with a shallow breath. The novices were listening closely which was very unusual for them.

  “Once upon a time, there was a town. This town was named Sinei. There was a mountainous citadel towering at the top of the rocky hill, so tall that none of the castles near and far could match its height. They say it's always been here. No one remembers who built it, when, or how. Save the citadel, there is only one thing that was here before the town itself — a deep well in one of its streets.”

  Hearing these words, Magnus and Maren sat upright on their seats. It must have been the well above the cave where they had found the magickal artefact!

  Aedan swept among the tables like a shadow. It appeared he liked stories and he enjoyed telling them even more. The light of the torches was reflected in his dark eyes and the deep silence made his mystical voice echo in the entire chamber.

  “This citadel was once home to a guild named the Fellowship of the Devoted. Some people think it was them who built this citadel, but the truth lies elsewhere. The Devoted were in fact a fellowship of dragon slayers,” Aedan announced.

  “Dragon slayers?” said one of Maren's secret-keep
ing house mates in a highly doubtful tone. “That's impossible, dragons don't exist. It's nothing but a myth.” Clearly, she only believed in what she had read from books and what was generally considered a fact.

  “Trust me, they do exist,” Aedan contradicted. “And I could prove it to you as well, if I wanted you to end up like a heap of dust. They're closer than you think — it is them who roam the Ragnan streets at night.”

  There was a long silence. It wasn't easy for the children to believe such an absurd idea, even though Aeadan seemed to be completely positive.

  Lars recovered first. “Are you... are you sure?” he said with his voice shaking. He shuddered thinking that the large, cold-blooded and deadly lizards truly existed.

  “I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. I have seen them with my own eyes,” Aedan said, pointing at his eyes to stress the seriousness of his words. “But unfortunately, it seems that no one else has seen them, so I can't expect anyone to believe me. It is said that those who saw them didn't live to tell others about it, but they overlooked me because I was transformed into my animal form. It happened the very same night of the attack at the police station.”

  Magnus and Maren exchanged wordless looks. Except for Aedan, they were the only ones who saw one of the beasts and survived.

  “Did you tell the Magi Police about this?” Belinda said after a while, but Aedan merely waved his hand.

  “That's of no use — Xanthar doesn't believe in dragons. As long as he doesn't see them right in front of his nose, he'd consider me crazy,” he said bitterly. “It's strange, but it almost looks as if the dragons were avoiding being seen. And yet, the citizens of Sinei must have seen them. Yes, they weren't always in Ragna. All the evidence suggests that it started right here in this town. That's why people had to run away in such haste, leaving only the Fellowship of the Devoted here, but they didn't resist the attacks much longer either. There was a battle near the old bridge we cross every time we go to Ragna. This battle left the abyssal crack in the ground, as a scar on Mother Nature's face.” At this point, Aedan had to wipe a tear away with his sleeve. “Anyway ... they lost the battle and no one knows for sure if they fled or where they hid. But if they survived, they must crave revenge.” Aedan surveyed the entire chamber with his mystic gaze. It seemed that after his “good-night” story, they were most likely going to have nightmares.

  “But ... where did they come from?” asked a boy near the middle in a terrified voice.

  “I don't know,” Aedan said in a distant tone, remaining in thought himself.

  The novices were silent like never before. Should they really believe that something unreal and completely made up had just become reality? They used to hear bed-time stories about dragons ever since they were born! But if watermen existed, why not dragons?

  When Magnus noticed that Lars was shaking and almost under the table, he understood the time had come to change the topic. Actually, he had something to say as well — it was now or never.

  “Well,” Magnus started carefully. “Since you have told me your secret, I will also tell you mine...” As soon as he said that, all faces suddenly turned to him.

  “Eh... well, I... I have been...” Magnus stuttered. “I have been invited to engage in the Magiker tournament as a player for Ragna,” he let out finally, then quickly looked at his teacher.

  There was an outbreak of shocked whispering in the chamber. Even Maren and Fjalldís almost forgot to breathe — he told him! Who knows what would happen now ...

  Magnus expected Aedan to frown or shout, but his face brightened instead. “This is very good news indeed,” Aedan said merrily, approaching Magnus with a happy smile.

  Magnus wasn't sure if he was just dreaming. “Really?” he said blankly.

  “Of course! The druids will finally get a chance to shine before everyone,” Aedan said dreamily, watching the dark ceiling as though it was a charming blue sky. It seemed he wagered on Magnus' victory, just like Maren and Fjalldís. That would normally be quite encouraging, but since he had no idea how to play Magiker, it was merely oppressive.

  “But ... I will have to train for the tournament ... with our Rodrick here,” Magnus said, as he looked at the red fox sprawled lazily on the table in the shadowy corner. The cat was still trying to catch the white hawk.

  “No problem,” Aedan said swiftly. “If he'll turn back, that is...”

  “Oh, I'm sure he will,” Magnus said innocently. Reacting to his words, all the animals transformed back into their human forms in the blink of an eye. All attention was aimed at the Black Squad now.

  “Could you take those dirty paws off my face?” Viktor growled at Rodrick, who instantly jumped off the table to take a seat on the bench. “Thanks,” Viktor said grumpily.

  “Hey guys, that was great,” Giselbert breathed, still excited from the sharp cat senses. “We should do that again someday, I tell you! I really enjoyed chasing that white parrot!” he said, but then his head got hit from behind.

  “That was me, you idiot. And I wasn't a parrot,” Darius shot at him in an affronted tone.

  “You were too!” Rodrick agreed, which angered their leader even more.

  The dark corner broke into a fight.

  Aedan gave a small sigh. “I am really glad they were able to turn back, but I have to admit that I wouldn't mind if they remained in their animal forms a little longer,” he said in a slightly nostalgic tone.

  Although most novices broke into a chuckle, Magnus didn't feel like laughing. There was a hard week ahead of him, but what worried him the most right now was the upcoming evening he was supposed to spend studying with Elmar and Lars.

  As night fell over the land, the dark clouds broke into a heavy rain. Magnus and his friends decided to study in his room, since it was the warmest place of their house, located right above the hearth downstairs. Elmar and Lars rushed into the room with such enthusiasm, they left puzzled Magnus, Maren and Fjalldís standing in the doorway. All three of them understood that this was going to be a really long evening.

  Soon they were all lying on the blue carpet with their books open. Magnus slumped down across his bed, facing his friends. The room was lit with a few candles on the table by the wall and in candle-holders on the ground. The raindrops were splattering heavily on the window.

  “That's so exciting,” Elmar was saying nearly every five minutes. “Did you know there's a plant that has such poisonous berries that if you eat them you'll be stiff within a few minutes?” he said with a shallow breath.

  “What? Eh ... no,” Maren said in a confused tone and returned back to reading.

  “You won't believe this!” Lars shrieked abruptly, as though he had found something utterly walloping. Everyone gave him a significant look, waiting for the shocking news. “Elmar is right!” Lars said swiftly, revealing his great find to the others.

  Magnus rolled his eyes and returned to his book.

  “That's so exciting,” Elmar started again. “Did you know there is a plant in Northern Aria that can literally entangle its rods around you and strangle you alive?” He looked up from his book to see the expressions of his friends, but except Lars, they all looked more bored than amazed.

  “Huh? No,” Fjalldís said in a distant voice.

  When they thought that Lars and Elmar had finally understood that nobody was interested in their great discoveries, their studying was interrupted again.

  “Woooow ... did you know there are horses that can fly?” Lars said merrily and Elmar spoke straight after him.

  “And did you know there are also flying –”

  “NO,” Magnus cut them off harshly and giving them a highly annoyed look, he sat upright on his bed. “And did you know that if I have to listen to your boring comments a few minutes longer I'll definitely go insane? I'm trying to study, in case you haven't noticed,” he snarled glumly.

  His four friends gazed back at him in long silence. How did he suddenly come to such anger? But there was not enough time to think about it.


  “M-Magnus ...” Lars stuttered fearfully, “I ... I think there's a snake under your bed!”

  At these words, Magnus' eyes popped open. He carefully leaned over his bed and peeked underneath. There was a row of dark scales right beneath the opposite side of his bed, slithering in the dim candlelight. It wasn't only Lars' imagination!

  The girls gave a terrified shriek, but Lars and Elmar didn't stay behind. They crawled away from the bed, screaming, “AAAAAH! It's a giant snake!”

  Hearing the racket they made, Magnus was thinking frantically how to calm them down. If they continued screaming like this, the neighbouring novices would complain to Aedan and he could forbid them from making group meetings in their homes. “Shhhh ... easy ... relax …” Magnus whispered quickly, with a finger on his lips.

  Maren and Fjalldís stopped shouting. There was the sound of clacking teeth behind them, as Lars and Elmar were holding each other tightly, staring at Magnus and then the horrifying snake under his bed.

  “Maren, you didn't scream like this even when we met that dragon in Ragna,” Magnus said calmly, but it had the opposite effect on his friends.

  “What? You have seen one of those bloodthirsty dragons? And you survived?” said Elmar together with Lars, as though they were twins. In the next second, they exchanged another frightened glance, took a deep breath and broke into more screams.

  Magnus struggled not to cover his ears. “Look — when Serena turned into a snake, you didn't panic like this,” he said, hoping to ease their mind.

  Maren let out a fake laugh. “Eh ... hello! This is a little bigger than Serena's snake form, don't you think? It's huge! You've seen it yourself!” she yelled desperately in an attempt to wake Magnus up to reality. How could he have been so calm? There was a large — and maybe even deadly — snake under his own bed!

  Magnus understood there was only one thing left to do. “Look ... take it easy ... it's not a snake,” he said and leaned closer to them. It appeared he wanted to say something, but he hesitated. After a long pause, he said, “It's ... it's my tail.” As if responding to his words, the long black “snake” coiled out from under his bed.