Dragon's Keep: The Complete Dracengard Series

by Christopher Vale

  “This is the Sword of Light, given to my father’s father’s father and so forth, back to the beginning.”

  Dillan was almost drooling. “You have one,” he said. It was not a question.

  Ashleen turned to him with a smile. “Yes,” she replied.

  “I want one. I tried to trade Willem to an elf for a light sword,” he said. “I’ll make the same offer to you.” Ashleen laughed. “He’s housebroken,” Dillan assured her, causing Ashleen to laugh louder. Willem ignored the comments and instead glanced over at Terrwyn, but saw she was staring at Dillan. Terrwyn was clearly trying to hide her jealousy as this new, pretty princess received the attention Terrwyn had grown so accustomed to.

  “Do you know how to use a sword?” Terrwyn asked Ashleen. Terrwyn knew it was a stupid question the second the words left her lips. Ashleen was a Paladin. Of course she knew how to use a sword.

  Ashleen nodded. “In Caerwynspire, every one—man, woman, and child—is taught how to use a sword. I received my instruction from one of the finest sword masters in the realm.”

  “Do you think you could teach me?” Terrwyn asked.

  “I could teach you,” Dillan and Willem stumbled over each other to say.

  Ashleen placed a hand gently on each prince’s shoulder. “Gentlemen, she wants to learn how to use a sword like a real warrior, and that is why she asked a Paladin.” She smiled at Terrwyn. “I would be honored to teach you,” Ashleen replied. Terrwyn returned the smile. “But first we need to get you out of that skirt.”

  Terrwyn looked down at her skirt and then back up at Ashleen. “What is wrong with my skirt?” she asked puzzled.

  “Nothing. It is very fine as skirts go, but if you are going to be a warrior, you will be much happier in pants.” Terrwyn frowned. She was a lady, a princess at that, and had never worn pants before. “Trust me,” Ashleen said. “They’re wonderful.”

  “I would like to learn how to use a sword to defend myself,” Terrwyn explained. “I realized once all of my lancers were killed by drakmere that I should know how to use a sword for defense. But, I do not think I have it in me to be a warrior.”

  “Then why are you going to Dracengard?” Ashleen asked.

  “I don’t know. My father told me and my brother and sister that we should take our Dracenstone to the Keeper and that we could use its power to free Avonvale.”

  “So, your brother is the warrior?”

  “Yes,” Terrwyn replied.

  “And where is he?”

  “He was captured by draks,” Terrwyn said as she glanced over at Dillan, who looked away into the fire.

  “Then it is up to you,” Ashleen said. “I think it was always your destiny and not your brother’s. That is just my opinion.”

  “What do you mean? What is my destiny?” Terrwyn asked. Dillan and Willem were equally confused. Ashleen glanced around catching each of their eyes.

  “You’ve all had the dream right?” she asked and then looked at Terrwyn. “Isn’t that what woke you tonight? The dragon dream?”

  “How did you know?” Terrwyn asked.

  “Wait, describe this dragon dream,” Dillan said, suddenly extremely serious.

  “When you are flying and turn into a dragon,” Ashleen said looking at Terrwyn expectantly. Terrwyn nodded.

  “You have all dreamed that, too?” Willem asked.

  Dillan leaned back as he watched the others nod. “Alright, Ash,” he said. “You obviously have some insight into what is going on, so fill us in.”

  Ashleen glanced around at her companions. “My father told me that the belief in the ancient legends had waned in the southern kingdoms, but I don’t think even he realized it was to this extent.”

  “I’m not interested in a lecture on religious faith. Just tell us,” Dillan retorted impatiently.

  “We have each formed a mental connection with our dracen. They are beginning to stir,” Ashleen said. “They know the next Realm War is near.

  “What dracen?” asked Terrwyn.

  “The one in your Dracenstone,” Ashleen said causing the others to look at each other surprised.

  “The stones are not stones at all are they?” Dillan asked, but then answered his own question. “They are eggs.”

  “Correct.”

  “Dragon eggs.”

  Ashleen smiled as she polished her sword.

  Chapter 11

  It was a beautiful morning in the Great Forest as the sunlight seeped through the leaves of the tree branches lighting the Elophim village. Alaric stood in a bright meadow, his face turned toward the sky and his eyes closed, soaking up the sun. He breathed deeply enjoying the warmth after another long, cold night.

  “Alaric,” he heard a voice say and opened his eyes to see Erec walking toward him.

  “Good morning, Erec,” Alaric replied smiling.

  “Good morning,” Erec said. “Will you be ready to go soon?”

  “Certainly, let me find the others and we shall be off,” Alaric said.

  “Very well. I need to let Taite know I’m leaving anyway.” Erec walked away in search of his little sister. He soon found her at the edge of the village playing tag with Valko. He watched as Taite chased the wolf as he bounded around in circles, giving her a chance to touch him. Once she finally did Valko would turn and dash after her, tagging her with his snout and then running away again as the little girl gave chase. Erec smiled at the game as he approached them.

  “Good morning,” Taite said glancing quickly at Erec before continuing her pursuit of Valko. She soon caught his tail and then spun to run away from him. Taite ran for safety behind Erec’s legs as Valko chased after her. She quickly ran away with Valko circling Erec’s legs after her and almost knocking Erec to the ground. Valko tapped Taite again with his snout and then ran away.

  “Alright, take a break for a moment,” Erec said and Taite stopped in front of him breathing heavily. Valko trotted up beside her and then lay down on the leaves panting.

  “What is going on?” Taite asked.

  Erec knelt down to be at eye level with her. “I am going to be gone most of the day. Alaric and a couple other elophim are going to take me to the edge of Elwood so we can see what is going on there. A scouting mission of sorts.”

  “Can I come?” Taite asked.

  Erec smiled at her. “Not this time, darling,” he said.

  “Why not?”

  “It could be dangerous,” Erec replied.

  “Erec, I’ve been chased by the Black Knight, hunted by drakmere and nearly eaten I might add, and almost drowned when I fell off of a pirate ship in the middle of a naval battle. I am no stranger to danger,” Taite said as she crossed her arms over her chest and stood tall. Erec worked hard to suppress a laugh.

  “I know that,” he said once all traces of amusement had been cleared from his voice. “So let us not tempt fate. I want you to stay in the village where the other elophim can protect you.” He then looked down at Valko. “Valko, you stay with her,” he instructed the wolf.

  Taite scoffed and shook her head. “Valko doesn’t understand you,” she said. “Only me.” Valko made a noise that, to Erec, sounded like a whine. Taite looked down at him. “He wants you to stay with me, because he is going off on an adventure and leaving me here,” she explained to Valko. Then after another whine from the wolf added, “I know.”

  Erec chuckled, wondering if the wolf really said something or not. “I won’t be gone that long,” he said. “I’ll see you both this afternoon.”

  “Alright,” Taite said as she lowered her head into a pout.

  “Be careful,” Erec said as he pulled her into his arms. “I love you and I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  “I love you, too,” she said as she returned his hug. Erec then stood and walked away toward the elophim who were waiting for him. Taite watched him go. “Another boring day stuck in the village,” she said to Valko. “Who would have ever thought living with elves would be so dull?” She looked down at Valko and saw
the shadow of a giant bird sail quickly across the ground, but when she looked up, she saw nothing in the sky.

  ***

  Taite spent most of the morning sitting on a log in the Elophim village, bored. She spoke to a few small birds that flitted around her, but they did not have anything terribly interesting to say. She then saw a raccoon, which she knew to be clever and adventurous creatures, and went off to follow it. The raccoon paid her little mind as it scurried away into the bushes and Taite chased after it, with Valko close behind. She watched the animal climb over a fallen log and then disappear on the other side. Taite went right over the log too, followed by Valko.

  Soon she watched as the raccoon stepped into a creek and splashed across, running up a hill on the other side. Taite ran to try and catch up. The raccoon disappeared and Taite was unable to find it. She sat down on a stump perplexed at where the little creature could have gone.

  As she thought about it, she realized that she was not entirely sure which way would lead her back to the elophim village. She needed to make sure she got back before Erec or he would be terribly cross.

  Taite heard a twig snap and Valko growled a low, quiet growl. “Is someone there?” Taite asked. She stood up quickly and stepped over to Valko, laying her hand on his back. Valko stopped growling as he sniffed the air. He then dashed off into the forest. “Valko wait!” Taite shouted as she ran after him.

  Taite ran up the side of the small hill and then over the top. She saw Valko’s tail disappear into the bushes. “Valko!” she shouted. She ran down the other side of the hill and then into the bushes after her wolf. After awhile, she stopped and listened. She could not see or hear Valko anymore. “Valko!” she shouted. “Valko!”

  Taite looked around the forest. She did not know where she was now and was beginning to get a little nervous. Everything was fine when she had her giant gray wolf beside her, but now the forest seemed very frightening. What if she could not find her way back to the village? What if there were draks in the woods still looking for her? “Valko!” she shouted again.

  “Hello, little one,” she heard a voice from behind say and quickly spun. There she saw a beautifully radiant woman wearing a forest green cloak, her head covered with the hood.

  “Who are you?” Taite asked.

  The woman smiled at her. “Well, that is not a very polite question is it?” the woman asked as she cocked her head to the side.

  Taite stared and the woman. She was right, her mother would not have approved of her speaking to this woman in such a manner. “I apologize, My Lady,” Taite said. “I am a bit lost and you surprised me.”

  “Do not worry, little one, I am not offended.”

  “Are you an elf?” she asked and then corrected herself. “I mean an elophim?”

  “No,” the woman said shaking her head. She took a step toward Taite. Then Taite heard a rustle of the bushes behind her. She swallowed hard. There was a stranger at her front and something big behind her. The bushes rustled again as the woman took another step toward her. Taite was about to scream when Valko popped out of the bushes and ran over to her. Taite released a sigh of relief. She turned back toward the woman, but she was gone. Taite glanced around and a chill ran up her spine when she realized the woman had vanished.

  “Valko, do you know the way back to the village?” Taite asked.

  Valko assured her that he did and apologized for running off, but he had picked up the raccoon’s scent and hoped to find it for her. Taite laughed as she followed the wolf back through the forest.

  Chapter 12

  Alaric led the way through the forest with Erec, Vidar, and Talis following behind. They climbed a tall, rocky hill and once they crested it, stood near the forest’s edge. Alaric waved his hand motioning for the others to join him and they crept up behind squatting down in the tree line. Erec surveyed Elwood. From the hill they could see most of the city, but were too far away to make out many details. Erec noticed a few draks walking along the streets but wanted a closer look, to get a feel for the mood of the people.

  “Is there somewhere we can get a better view?” he whispered to Alaric. The elophim nodded. The four of them backed away slowly and quietly and continued along the edge of the forest, down the other side of the hill. Soon Alaric stopped and turned to face the others while placing a finger over his mouth indicating that they should be silent as they were nearing the edge of the forest near the city itself. Alaric took a few more steps and then squatted down behind some bushes and waved his hand, signaling the others to join him. They quickly came up behind him and peered out of the tree line.

  They were close to some of the city’s buildings and could see people milling about the streets. They were even close enough to hear voices and make out words, but the city center was too far and obscured to be seen. Erec began to feel frustrated, because from that vantage point he could not really tell what was happening inside the city.

  “I’m going to go into town and get a closer look,” he said.

  Alaric shook his head and grabbed Erec’s arm holding him in place. “I do not think that is wise,” he cautioned.

  “The royal family are friends. I need to determine the extent of the occupation.”

  “If you are captured there is nothing we can do to help you,” Alaric said. “And I don’t think Aura will be very keen to come and rescue you again so quickly.”

  “She’ll probably start to wonder if you are touched,” Vidar added with an amused chuckle resulting in a sharp look from Alaric.

  “I understand,” Erec assured them. “I will only be a little while. I just need to see.”

  Alaric nodded and released his arm. “Be careful,” he said.

  “I will,” Erec replied. He slowly stood and scanned the area to make sure no one was about. He then stepped out of the tree line and moved quickly to the buildings.

  “He’s as stubborn as you,” Vidar said.

  “Perhaps, but it is his recklessness that concerns me.”

  Erec emerged from the tree line and walked nonchalantly through the city streets. He noticed that everyone kept their heads down and no one would meet his gaze. The city was clearly gripped by fear. City guardsmen glared at the citizens as they passed. They no longer appeared to be the friendly men eager to lend a hand to help a citizen. Instead, they were hostile men eager to put the heel of their boots on the necks of the people. The only reason for such ferociousness was fear of an uprising. It pleased Erec to see this, because if there was fear of an uprising, the sentiment must be there.

  He walked on until he saw two drakmere staring at him. He quickened his pace and then stepped into the bakery, attempting to appear as though he were going about his normal business. A bell on the door jingled as Erec entered. He was immediately greeted by the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and he smiled involuntarily, inhaling deeply.

  Two city guardsmen were inside the bakery speaking to the baker and Erec stood near the rear of the shop appearing to simply be waiting his turn. The two loomed over the baker menacingly and the baker was trying not to show his fear.

  “We are the City Guard,” one of the guardsman said. He was a tall, burly man, with a stubbled chin and unkempt hair. Erec thought he looked like he had been in too many fights as a child and that he was probably the youngest of several mean older brothers. “Why should we pay for bread? The only reason you operate is because we allow it.” He punctuated his sentence with a thick finger poke directly into the baker’s chest.

  “The Guard has always paid,” the baker stammered.

  “Not any more,” the guardsman said. “Things have changed. We keep you safe,” he said. “So in return, you give us bread for free.”

  “I already pay my taxes. If I have to start giving my bread away for free, I will go out of business.”

  “That is not my problem.”

  The baker’s eyes darted to Erec involuntarily and the two guards turned to look at the young man standing in the back of the store. Unfortunately for Ere
c, he had a look of pure disgust upon his face and the guards knew it was directed at them.

  “Do you have a problem?” the burly one asked.

  “No,” Erec said as he erased any emotion from his face.

  “Look at this pretty boy, Ralph,” the burly man said to his compatriot. “He’s dressed like an elf.” Both guardsmen began laughing.

  “Does he dance like an elf?” Ralph asked.

  “I don’t know,” the burley one said. “Dance like an elf,” he commanded.

  Erec stared at them without moving.

  “Well?” asked the burley one expectantly, as he stepped closer to Erec.

  “How do elves dance?” Erec asked. The smile vanished from the burley guard’s face and in a flash he slammed his fist into Erec’s jaw knocking the young man to the floor. The guard landed two swift kicks in Erec’s ribs as the Prince attempted to stand.

  “Attacking the City Guard is a serious offense, elf-boy,” the burley man said.

  “I didn’t attack you,” Erec said as he wheezed for breath.

  “Oh yes you did,” the burley guard said. “Didn’t he?” he said as he turned to the baker.

  “Y-yes,” the baker stammered nodding his head, happy to have the guards’ attention turned to terrorizing someone other than him for the moment.

  “Get on your feet,” the burley guard said. Erec attempted to push himself up to his feet, but did not do so quickly enough for the guard’s liking. “I said get on your feet!” the guard barked, kicking him swiftly again. Erec fell back down.

  “Come get this worm on his feet,” the burley one said to Ralph.

  “Sure thing, Woorin,” Ralph said as he stepped over to Erec and reached down, sliding his hands under Erec’s arms and pulling him to his feet. As soon as he was standing, Woorin landed a jab to Erec’s gut and the Prince doubled over from the pain. He would have fallen to the floor again, but Ralph held him up, chuckling.