Dragon's Keep: The Complete Dracengard Series

by Christopher Vale

  Aura looked at him, now lacking a doublet, the only thing protecting him from the cold was a blue silk shirt. “Are you not cold?” she asked.

  Erec shook his head. It was not a particularly cold night, and sitting this close to the fire, he was actually quite warm. They sat in silence for a while staring into the fire until Erec decided to break it. “So, you are Alaric’s sister?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Well then, I suppose that makes you my aunt,” he said with a smile.

  Aura turned her head to look at him. “That would be true based on human familial relationships. However, the relationships of seraph are different and, therefore, it is not accurate to call yourself my nephew. Alaric and I do not share a common bloodline. At least no more so than all seraph do. We are not born of parents, but rather emerge from the light itself. Seraph are always born in pairs. That is, two emerge from the light together. We are brought up and raised together. Alaric and I emerged from the light together and were raised together. Seraph emerge fully grown, there are no children in the strictest sense of the word, but we need to be taught. When we emerge we are conscious, but not learned. Everyone assists in teaching the young. So, I am not your aunt the way that you perceive the term, because Alaric is not my brother the way that you are your sisters’ brother. But Alaric and I do have a special bond, something difficult to explain.” Erec nodded his understanding.

  “My sister, Terrwyn, and I are twins. We were born together like you and Alaric. I have always felt we have a special bond because of that. I want so desperately to find her. Alaric said she is safe, but that I should not pursue her. He said my destiny lies in a different direction than Terrwyn’s.”

  “Alaric is accustomed to others doing as he commands, or at least as he guides them. Even I am not immune. He asked me to save you and so I did. It was his idea to create human rulers by bedding human women. The others followed—though no doubt willingly.”

  “Is it true what the one called Talis said? Did you sit in judgment of the elophim?”

  “I did,” she said. “And I would do it again. The Father was right to punish them.”

  “Who is the Father?”

  “He was the first of us to emerge from the light. He taught and guided the rest of us. He is the oldest, strongest, and wisest of us all. He is our leader.”

  “He emerged from the light alone? I thought you said seraph were always born in pairs.”

  “Every seraph subsequent to the Father.”

  “Oh, I see,” Erec said. Speaking of the Father had reminded Erec of his own father. “When you rescued me from the dungeon, you cut off my father’s head, but then said that he had been dead for a long time already. What did you mean?”

  “That was not your father,” Aura said. “It was his body, his rotting corpse, but not him.”

  “What was it?”

  “A draug.”

  “A draug?”

  “Demons from the Realm of Darkness can possess the bodies of the dead, animating them and controlling them. But the body still decays as normal. They are called draugs.”

  “Can they possess a living person?”

  “Not that I am aware of.”

  “And you are certain my father was dead and that was a draug you killed?”

  “Absolutely certain.” There was a long pause as both watched the flame. “I am sorry that I had to do that.”

  “Do what?” Erec asked.

  “Decapitate your father’s body. I did not mean to desecrate him.”

  “I know. As you said, my father was dead and gone. His body had become a tool of darkness. I do not fault you for doing what you did. I only wish you were able to behead the shedom as easily.”

  “It was a formidable foe.”

  “I distracted you. He stabbed you when I cried out.”

  “Yes.”

  “I am sorry.”

  “You had good reason to cry out.”

  “How is your wound?”

  Her wing moved, unfolded itself from her body, and opened up to reveal her thigh. The black tendrils were again moving down her leg. “It is so cold,” she said.

  Without thinking, as if by instinct, Erec covered the wound with his hand to try and warm it. Aura closed her eyes wincing slightly, but then she relaxed. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He was staring at her. “Is that helping warm it?” he asked.

  “No,” Aura responded. Erec began to pull his hand away, suddenly embarrassed for touching her in such a personal place, but Aura stopped him, placing her hand on top of his. The two stared into each other’s eyes for what seemed to Erec an eternity. She was so beautiful, Erec could hardly believe she was real. He began to lean forward toward her. He wanted to kiss her so badly. He imagined her lips tasted of the sweetest honey. She intertwined her fingers with his as he moved closer to her face. Slowly, slowly. He felt as though he were being pulled by magic. Suddenly the magic was shattered by a voice from behind them.

  “Be careful Aura,” they heard Talis say and Erec leapt quickly away. Talis walked past the two of them smiling broadly. “What do you think the Father would do to you if he found out his favorite kissed a man?” Aura leapt to her feet and spread her wings as her eyes cut to Talis. It was a challenge to him and Talis stopped walking and turned to face her, but he did not meet her challenge. He simply looked at her, the smile erased from his face, his eyes filled with infinite sadness. “What do you think the Father would do to him?” Talis asked her as he pointed to Erec. Aura’s wings wrapped back around her as she turned to look at Erec. Alaric now stood behind the Prince and placed a hand on each of Erec’s shoulders.

  “Come Erec. You must be exhausted from all you have recently endured. Why don’t you sleep at my house tonight.” Aura and Erec’s eyes remained locked as Alaric led him away into the darkness.

  Chapter 13

  Anne sat on the soft cushioned chair at her vanity. She watched herself in the mirror as a servant girl gently brushed out her long, reddish-gold hair. Anne was dressed for bed wearing a soft, sheer, light blue silk gown. She smiled at her reflection. She was beautiful and she knew it. But Anne was not only beautiful. Many girls could claim beauty. Anne had that rare, regal beauty that mused artists, inspired musicians, and could drive men to war or command them to peace.

  Anne was of the House Valestead and a descendant of Ehren. That meant, according to legend, that she was also descended from seraph. While faith in the old stories had waned over the centuries, Anne chose to believe them. At least those stories that told of her divine bloodline. Being part seraph made her superior than most from birth. In fact, it helped solidify what Anne truly believed about herself—she was a goddess meant to be worshiped and adored by all others.

  As she watched herself in the mirror, she saw a shadow move behind her. Then she saw the shadow look at her. She met the servant girl’s eyes in the mirror. “That is enough. You may leave me,” she commanded. The girl gently laid the brush on the vanity and with a deep curtsy quickly left the room, closing the door behind her. Anne kept her eyes on the shadow the entire time. It did not move. Anne waited for the door to close before speaking.

  “What are you and why are you here?” she asked.

  “Do you not fear me?” a voice hissed softly from the darkness.

  “No,” Anne said flatly. “Why are you here?” she asked again.

  “I am here to help you,” the voice replied.

  “To help me do what?”

  “To conquer and rule,” it hissed.

  “What are you?” she demanded.

  “I am a benevolent spirit that has come to bask in your glory.”

  “Do you have a name?”

  “I am called Asmodeus, Your Majesty,” it said.

  “And why would you come to help me?”

  “Because you are a goddess destined to rule the entire Realm.”

  Anne smiled. Suddenly, there was a tapping at her door. Her smile disappeared and she turned her head to face the doo
r. “What is it?” she shouted angrily. The door opened slowly and Anne saw the Wizard standing in the doorway. She quickly leapt to her feet. She then curtsied lowly to him. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, I did not know it was you,” she said.

  “Is this a bad time, my dear?” he asked.

  “Of course not,” she said and glanced over at where Asmodeus had stood, but he was no longer there. “Please come in,” she said as she rose from her curtsy. The Wizard stepped through the doorway and slowly closed the door behind him. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” she asked.

  “Is the girl gone?” he asked, referring to Sephene.

  “Yes,” Anne replied. “She will lead the Greynault forces right into a trap where we shall wipe them out.”

  “I am leaving the destruction of Greynault to your brother. I will be leaving for Elwood in the morning. My ship leaves before dawn.”

  “Elwood?” Anne asked.

  “Yes,” the Wizard smiled. “My newest prize. And a bloodless victory. I wish to go and visit.”

  “Shall I escort you?” she smiled.

  “Not this time,” he said and her smile faded. He crossed the room. “Do not be sad, my dear. I need you to stay here and make sure our empire is run smoothly. No offense to your brother, but you are a far more cunning ruler than he.”

  “Thank you, but I just returned. I was hoping that we would get to spend some time together,” she pouted, pushing her lower lip out like a little girl.

  The Wizard leaned forward and kissed her lip. “Why do you think I am here?”

  Her pout vanished into a broad smile. She took his hand and led him across the room over to the bed. They stood at the foot and she slowly removed her gown and let it fall to the floor. She then began to unbutton his robe. He reached out and pinched her nipple, but she slapped his hand away playfully and shook her head. He was not in as playful a mood and his personality changed abruptly. He grabbed her by her silky hair and jerked her head back. She squealed from surprise and the pain.

  “You are mine to do with as I wish,” he snarled at her. “If I want to pinch your breast, I shall,” he said as he reached forward with his other hand and pinched her nipple hard between his fingers causing her to wince from the pain. “If I wish to burn your flesh with red hot irons, I will do that. Do you understand?” he asked as he pulled her hair harder.

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Anne said.

  The Wizard released her hair. “Good. You must learn to be obedient if you are to be my wife. Now, get on your knees,” he commanded with a smile. Anne obeyed and lowered herself to the floor, fighting hard not to cry.

  ***

  An hour later, Anne laid curled up on her bed, naked, her back to the Wizard. He was also naked lying in her bed. He gently ran his bony fingers up and down her soft white skin. She shuddered with each touch. She did not know why he was still there, but wanted him to leave. She suddenly felt great relief that he was sailing to Elophborne. Now, if only he would leave her room.

  The Wizard rolled over onto his side so that he could look at her. He smiled. She was so young, fresh, and beautiful. She looked stunning with her reddish-gold hair spread over her white pillow and her soft pink lips curved into a pout. His eyes fell to the soft skin below her waist. The red palm prints he had left on her rear had begun to form into red welts. He knew he had hurt her. He meant to. He enjoyed it. Especially when he made her beg for it. Besides, Anne thought quite highly of herself. It was one of the qualities he enjoyed most about her, but she had to remember that as high as she rose, she would always be beneath him. Her life was his to command. He was offering her the opportunity to be empress of the entire realm—a few welts was a small price to pay for such power. The Wizard had sacrificed a lot more than that to achieve his. He leaned over and gently kissed her on the arm.

  “I shall be sailing early in the morning,” he said. “Will you be there to see me off?”

  “I have had a long journey and may be too tired,” she answered without turning to face him. “I hope that you understand.”

  “Of course,” he said. “I will be gone a week or so. You will miss me, I hope?”

  “You know I shall,” she lied.

  The Wizard leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek. He then stood and took his robes, which were draped over the chair, and pulled them on, buttoning them up the front. “Get some rest,” he told her. “We’ll speak again when I return.” He then left her chambers, closing the door gently behind him. Only when she was certain that he had really gone did she begin to sob.

  Anne wept for a long while, lying there on her bed curled up into a ball. But then she suddenly stopped. She sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes. She was not going to cry anymore. She would not let him make her cry. She swung her feet from the bed and stood. She walked across the floor and sat in the chair before her vanity. She looked at her naked body in the mirror and smiled. She was beautiful. She picked up her brush and began slowly brushing her long hair.

  “Asmodeus,” she said.

  “Yes?” she heard his voice from the shadows.

  “To come to power and rule the Middle Realm, do I need a man?” she asked.

  “No,” the voice replied. “You need none but yourself.”

  Anne smiled at the reflection in the mirror. “Good.”

  Chapter 14

  Alaric sat on a chair in the corner of his house wrapped in a blanket. Erec sat on the edge of Alaric’s bed. Erec had stayed awake all night speaking with Alaric. He had had so many questions. Now it was almost dawn and Erec realized how sleepy he was. He began to rub his eyes as he yawned.

  “You should get some sleep,” Alaric said and Erec nodded to him. Alaric stood and took the blanket from around his shoulders and handed it to Erec. Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door. “Come in,” Alaric said. The door opened to reveal Vidar standing there.

  “Come quick, she needs help,” Vidar said. Alaric rushed out of the house and was on the ground before Erec could even get to his feet. By the time Erec made it to the door, he looked out and saw Alaric already at the fire pit kneeling down beside Aura.

  The sky was beginning to lighten as Alaric knelt over his sister. She was curled up in a ball, wrapped in her wings, lying on the ground beside the fire shivering uncontrollably. Her skin was ice cold and Alaric could see the dark tendrils creeping through her wings.

  “Aura,” Alaric said, but she did not respond. “Help me,” he said to Vidar and the two reached under Aura and lifted her to her feet. As her wings parted away from her, they could see that the darkness had spread throughout her body. Only her face was spared, but tendrils were moving up her neck toward it. “Aura can you hear me?”

  Aura opened her eyes and looked at Alaric. She opened her mouth to try to speak, but no words came out. She closed her eyes again and her head drooped. Alaric looked up at the sky and saw that the sun would be up soon. With Vidar’s assistance, he carried Aura to the sun house and laid her down upon the mirrored floor inside. Vidar returned to the camp, but Alaric remained, kneeling beside his sister. He stroked her cold cheek as the tendrils of darkness moved up into her face. Tears began to run down Alaric’s cheeks.

  “I am so sorry,” he told her, though he did not know if she could hear him. “I should never have asked you to go,” he said. Aura’s mouth opened wide as if to scream and her body jerked rigidly. Then her eyelids opened, but only blackness was behind them. He was losing her to the darkness. “Fight it Aura, fight it!” Alaric shouted as the tears continued to flow.

  Then he felt the warmth of the light on his back as it crept over the trees and through the glass walls. Alaric looked up into the sky to see that the sun was rising. He looked back down at Aura and noticed that her body had relaxed and her mouth and eyes were once again closed. He sat with her as the house began to fill with light warming them both. He watched the dark tendrils begin to recede. Soon, she opened her eyes and this time the darkness was gone.

  “The light,” she whisper
ed softly.

  “Yes,” Alaric said as he wiped tears from his eyes. “The light is rising.” Aura reached up and wiped a tear from his cheek.

  “Do not be sorry for coming to me,” she said softy. “He was worth saving.”

  Alaric nodded. “Thank you, Aura,” he said.

  “Now let me rest, brother,” she said.

  “Of course,” Alaric replied. He stood and walked out of the house glancing back over his shoulder to see Aura soaking up the light. He strolled across the open field and found Erec standing at the edge of the field hidden in the tree line.

  “One of the others told me where I could find you,” the Prince said. “Is she going to be alright?”

  “Yes, I believe she will,” Alaric said. “Now, come. Let us find you some breakfast.”

  “No, thank you,” Erec said. “I shall remain here.”

  Alaric nodded. “As you wish. But you must eat, so I shall bring it to you.”

  “Thank you,” Erec said.

  Erec spent the entire day sitting at the edge of the field. He took his breakfast and lunch there. From time to time, Alaric would go into the house to check on Aura and each time he came out with an optimistic report. She seemed to be recovering extremely well. The darkness was almost gone.

  Erec could not keep his eyes open any longer and leaned back against a tree and closed them, falling into a deep sleep. He awoke a few hours later to someone saying his name. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Aura kneeling on the ground in front of him. She was smiling brightly and her skin glowed once again.

  “How are you feeling?” Erec asked groggily as he tried to shake off the sleep.

  “Much better, thank you,” Aura responded.

  “Well, you look good,” Erec said and she laughed softly causing him to stammer. “I mean you look well. Better. You look better than you did,” he said.

  “Thank you,” she smiled. She then rose to her feet and he noticed she was once again fully dressed in battle armor. She offered her hand to him and he accepted it. She pulled him to his feet. “I must go now,” she said. “I have already said farewell to Alaric, but wanted to bid farewell to you as well.”