‘That, my dear, is surely what all warriors feel,’ said Edarna. ‘Can you have compassion whilst still wielding a sword? The time of the bard and the poet is over, now is the time of the warrior.
‘We do not live in happy, fanciful times, my dear, and the world will ask us—demand us—to fight for that which we love or it will be taken away. In these dark days, we’re asked to stand up for that which matters. Do we care for freedom? Would we die for it? For die for it, it seems we must—or lose those things we value most.’
‘Your words inspire me,’ Issa smiled, even as her eyes misted up. ‘I hope I can be that brave. Marakon has asked me to lead the Knights of the Raven, although now he might want to kill me after Ehka plucked out his eye.’
‘A blessing,’ Edarna shivered and held up her hands. Clearly not wanting to hear any more details of the story than she already knew. ‘Who knows what damage that man has wrought with his evil eye. But may he find peace now. Despite his curse, he has suffered much and has become a great warrior. You will learn a lot from him.
‘My oh my, I never imagined the Immortals would reach Carvon in my lifetime. If only I were younger, I’d have more energy, more power. I cannot bear to watch my beautiful Maioria fall.’
Issa touched the witch’s shoulder. ‘We’ll defeat them, I promise… Especially in this new armour,’ she grinned.
Edarna laughed. ‘I hope so, my dear. I hope so.’
In his room in Castle Carvon, Asaph held Coronos’ sword on his lap. He stroked the leather-wrapped hilt and the cold metal of the polished pommel. Simple, powerful, beautiful. He gripped the hilt, imagining how many times his father might have done the same all those years ago.
‘You were more a man back then than I am now. Why did you leave me? How did I not save you? I need you.’ He clenched his jaw and blinked back the tears.
There came a knock at the door followed by King Navarr’s familiar voice. Asaph straightened. Despite what he had feared, the king had not thrown him out of the castle for jeopardising his son’s life when the foltoy had attacked their camp.
After the siege of Carvon, and Asaph’s fearless battle in dragon form, everybody was in awe of him. Even Prince Petar turned pale and dropped his gaze whenever he was near. Not that Asaph cared any more for his respect or even his friendship. He’d lost his desire for friendship and fear of pretty much anything since Coronos had been murdered.
The King, however, always commanded his utmost respect. Asaph jumped up and wiped his face, noticing his unshaven chin as he opened the door.
‘I hope I’m not disturbing you,’ Navarr said, his voice tinged with concern and his gaze penetrating.
‘No, I was just…’ Asaph couldn’t think of what to say, so he shrugged.
The king nodded. ‘Good. Well, I have some of Coronos’ belongings that you should know about and have—other than those that remain in his room. Of course, you are welcome to keep them here, since you have no fixed abode. Come.’
Asaph followed the king past richly detailed tapestries, down many winding staircases and below ground where it was cold and the stone walls thick and unadorned.
They came to a stop beside a room adjacent to the wine cellars. The smell of wine stained oak hung thick in the air. Taking out a huge iron key, Navarr unlocked the heavy door. They stepped inside and the King slotted his brazier into the sconce, the flames filling the room with light and warmth.
The solid-stone room was filled with chests of varying sizes and designs all stacked neatly on top of each other, with the largest at the bottom and the smallest on top, and no more than three high around the room. A wooden table and four chairs stood in the centre.
King Navarr walked along inspecting the top row of smaller chests, then pulled one down. He placed it on the table. It was made of dark wood and decorated with iron metal studs. Was that all that remained of his father’s legacy? Asaph swallowed.
‘Don’t be fooled by size,’ Navarr said, seeing his expression. Clearly, the King already knew what was inside.
‘It’s not that… I…’ Asaph’s voice was unsteady. ‘He knew so much. Everything that was Drax was contained within his mind and the orb. Now…so much has been lost.’ As he spoke he realised the unfathomable wealth of information that really had disappeared.
‘The future lies before us, not behind,’ Navarr said firmly, his voice gruff as he looked into the middle distance. ‘Now we must focus on surviving. The battle has reached us and we are plunged into the fight for the entire world.’
Asaph considered this, then took a deep, silent breath. The King’s priorities were right; the past didn’t matter when your own life was at risk.
‘Nothing can bring Coronos back, but we can make sure he didn’t die for nothing,’ said Navarr. ‘The orb still exists, we just have to take it back.’
It sounded so simple, yet impossible to do. The king passed him a brass coated iron key. Asaph could feel Navarr watching him.
As he opened the chest, beautiful white light burst out from it, filling the room. Asaph’s eyes widened as he stared at three fist-sized, oval-shaped crystals that nestled in the box. They were perfectly smooth and sparkled with all the colours of the rainbow. Now released from their prison of darkness, their light shone out making Asaph catch his breath at their beauty.
‘I’ve never seen anything so wonderful. What are they?’
‘Infinity stones,’ said Navarr. ‘Ten times more valuable than gold and their uses are said to be infinite. Every wizard, alchemist, witch, healer, machinist, miner and countless other crafts have a hundred uses for these stones. They can be found only at a river’s source. Coronos personally searched for, and found, all three of these. He was a bit of collector at heart, a bit of a geologist. And he knew how to travel light and travel clever to complete such long, difficult and dangerous journeys. You can build an entire kingdom from the riches of just one of these stones.’
Asaph touched one. It was warm. He gently held the crystal up to inspect it and it sparkled even more in his hand.
‘They’re beautiful,’ said Asaph. ‘Coronos told me he liked to travel and explore as a young man. But I had no idea he was interested in collecting rocks. Although, now I say that, I remember he’d often study the sea cliffs and boulders at home in the Uncharted Lands.’
He looked back in the box and his eyes widened. Beneath the stones were at least one hundred gold pieces that gleamed in the light. The coins looked as if they had been freshly minted. His eyes moved on to another object that instantly made him forget about the stones and gold. Nestled in the corner and partially concealed by coins was a key, its base heart-shaped and instantly familiar. With his other hand he hesitantly pushed the coins aside and lifted it up, finding it attached to two other, identical keys via a chain.
The Recollection opened in his mind and he saw his mother holding the same keys before her, a half-smile on her handsome face. The Sword of Binding flared behind her, calling to him stronger than ever before. Coronos’ voice echoed in his mind.
“She also passed to me three enchanted keys and whispered so no other would hear. “The keys to the chamber of the Sword of Binding,” she told me. Only one key would work. The Holder of the Keys would know which one, and no other. The other keys were certain death. I tried to protest, but her will was sacrosanct. I still have the keys, but only the goddess knows how to reach the sword.”
‘Asaph?’ Navarr’s voice filtered down to him.
He blinked as the Recollection closed and he looked at the concerned king.
‘Are you all right?’ Navarr repeated.
‘Sorry…Yes. The keys are special. They lead to a sword; the great Sword of Binding. It’s somewhere in Draxa and it calls to me.’
The King laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘A sense of destiny makes us strong, it makes us fearless. Those without it lack purpose. Find what it is you have to do, and do it.’
‘You sound like my Father,’ Asaph smiled. He looked at the keys, then at t
he contents of the box. Taking only two gold coins, he put them in his pocket along with the three keys, then he closed the lid.
‘When Drax belongs to us once more, I’ll use the infinity stones to rebuild it.’ Asaph stood tall.
‘Spoken like a true king, King Asaph,’ Navarr patted him on the back. ‘I’ll be there to help you when we get through this. You’ll have many allies.’
‘Thank you,’ said Asaph. ‘I will need them. On another note, Issa and I plan to leave for Myrn. We don’t want to leave you, but this is important. The seers have requested that she go, and I don’t want her going alone. I also think I’ll learn something there myself.’
‘I don’t want you to go, either,’ said Navarr. ‘We could do with a Dragon Lord defending this castle and assisting my soldiers, but I can see that you must. The seers protect ancient wisdom; you’ll undoubtedly learn a lot. I just hope it will be something to end this infernal war and free Maioria for good.’ The King’s eyes were fiery.
Asaph smiled. ‘I would like that more than anything in the world. But don’t worry, should things get really bad here, we’ll return. Fast. It’s my deepest hope that I can find the Sword of Binding and with it awaken the dragons I know to be sleeping far in the north. With them on our side we have a greater chance of defeating the enemy.’
‘It almost sounds too good to be true.’ Navarr laughed. ‘If you believe there are still dragons out there, I'll believe it too. Come now. Fancy sharing some wine or dwarven spirits with my dukes and I? I have the night free and could do with a drink after that bloody battle.’
‘Sure, I’d be honoured.’ Asaph nodded, pleased to be invited. ‘Looking forward to it.’
4
Council of War
ISSA returned from Edarna’s via Duskar’s stable in Castle Carvon’s grounds, her dragon armour packed neatly in her shoulder pack.
She didn’t fancy wearing it just yet and scaring everybody with her change of appearance. The black horse poked his head out, ears pricked forward, and whinnied at her over a mouthful of hay.
‘There you are.’ She stroked his nose and checked him over, relieved to see he was all right and unscathed.
‘He bolted, Lady Issa. During the attack,’ said the stable boy hurrying over to her from another horse’s stall. He had freckles scattered over his nose and an eager look about him. ‘Clever horse unbolted the door and ran to the forest, almost trampling down the guards. We think he was looking for you. Anyways, he returned of his own accord at dawn.’
‘Clever horse,’ Issa nodded. ‘Well, at least he’s safe now. Thank you for looking after him. He certainly deserves an extra bucket of oats.’
She passed the boy a copper coin and his eyes lit up.
‘Absolutely, Lady Issa, thank you.’ The boy hurried away to find the oats.
Back in Castle Carvon, she opened the door to her room to find a strange sight. Sitting on her bed and facing each other were Maggot and Ehka. The demon and the raven both turned to look at her, as if they had been deep in conversation and she had disturbed them. Ehka cocked his head at her and Maggot tugged an ear under his chin then let it flick back up on his head.
Issa raised an eyebrow. ‘I thought you didn’t like this awful bright world or any of the living things in it,’ she said to the demon.
Maggot stuck out a red tongue and looked at his toes. ‘It is awfully bright but it’s not as bad as it used to be. And King says I must come often, to protect you.’
‘I don’t need protection,’ she said, ‘and I certainly don’t want you getting in harm’s way. Wherever I go, harm follows. I’ll never forgive myself if you get hurt, Maggot.’
She scratched his bald head. Initially he flinched, then, as though making the decision to enjoy it, he closed his eyes and grinned. Issa laughed when his tongue rolled out.
‘How are things at Carmedrak Rock?’ she asked, taking a brush to her hair and sitting before her dresser as her thoughts turned to Gedrock.
‘We have our home back.’ Maggot’s expression was awe-filled. ‘And the Grazen and Shadow Demons are united after hundreds of years at war. But I still miss my secret place overlooking the greeb forest and the Bone Mountains. Carmedrak Rock is full of tunnels, though. I could explore it forever and never know it all. And it isn’t as scary as when I had that awful spear.’
‘That was a brave thing you did, Maggot. Great Carmedrak, Zorock and King are well pleased with you.’
The little demon gave a grin that spread from ear to ear.
Issa paused her brushing. ‘Hmm, I’ve been meaning to for a while now; I think it’s time to pay your king a visit,’ she murmured.
Not wanting to return to the Murk, she’d been putting it off. Now her bargain with the Shadow Demons was complete, she didn’t hear them in her mind or dreams anymore. But she still had to keep them close; one day soon she would need their help against the Maphraxies.
She stood and changed into her dragon armour, a smile spreading across her face. She wanted to look the part if she was going to meet the King of demons. For added effect, she buckled on her sword then took her knife from the dresser. Dipping her finger in a jug of water she drew the symbol of the Murk—two crescent moons back to back with a straight line crossing the two—on the wooden floor, then nicked her thumb with the knife.
Understanding what she was doing, Maggot slipped off the bed and clung to her leg. Ehka flew to her shoulder. She watched two drops of her bright blood fall and splatter on the symbol. The crescent moons flashed green and then hissed green smoke, which swiftly engulfed them.
First appeared the familiar, green crystal shard, and then a whole cavern of green crystals materialised. Issa stood upon a smooth, dark emerald floor. Uncut quartz crusted what could only be described as an enormous cave. The rough gem ceiling stretched for several yards above her. Lit braziers made the rocks gleam and flash. It was stunning and she found herself gawking as Gedrock spoke.
‘I had a feeling you were coming,’ the King’s deep, demonic voice rumbled, sending shivers down her spine. ‘You are the first human to ever see this place. Welcome.’
Gedrock’s huge face materialised out of the shadows, followed by his muscular body. His yellow eyes and narrowing black-slitted pupils made her take an involuntary step back. Even though the demon was a friend, of sorts, and she had fought beside him, she couldn’t keep her heart rate from rising. She ran a hand through her hair and let out an apprehensive breath.
‘I’ve been meaning to come to see how you’re doing but we have had trouble with our enemies. I am honoured to be here in this stunning place.’
As she spoke, Maggot sat on the crystal floor and stared at his reflection.
Gedrock nodded. ‘This is the heart of our kingdom. You look like the Raven Queen I saw so long ago in the vision that raven gave me.’ He indicated to Ehka still perched on her shoulder.
She assumed he meant her dragon armour and gave him a wry smile. ‘I guess not all destinies are bad. However, I’m concerned for Maggot’s safety. Why do you send him? I cannot guarantee his protection. Wherever I go, danger and death follow.’
‘Maggot has been told to look out for you as a gift from us and a reminder of the agreement we had. We are vulnerable as we rebuild ourselves. We need your alliance and can ill afford to have humans invading and warring with us.’
‘That will never happen whilst I’m alive, I promise you,’ Issa resolved.
‘Maggot can look after himself, and he also comes of his own free will,’ Gedrock said.
Issa blinked in surprise and looked down at the little demon. Maggot glared at the floor, ears twitching. She almost laughed aloud at his attempt to appear nonchalant.
‘Ever since he reached you beyond the Abyss, he’s felt a connection to you,’ said Gedrock. ‘Great Zorock has put it there.’
Issa was surprised. Would Zorock really have done that? Not knowing what to say, she mumbled, ‘I’m honoured.’
‘Why do you really come here, R
aven Queen?’ Gedrock asked, ever in his hard, direct manner.
Issa suppressed a smile at his keen observation. There was another reason she was here and Gedrock was always able to sense intention. There was no point being other than direct with him.
‘Our homeland was attacked; the very heart of our stronghold. We fought them off but are badly shaken. We’ll be attacked again, and by greater numbers. I am considering what needs to be done in retaliation. We cannot always be on the defensive. If Baelthrom and his Maphraxies defeat the Free Peoples of Maioria, the Murk will fall to him too. This you know. So I’ve come here to be sure that I have your allegiance when the time comes.’
‘What is it you require exactly?’ Gedrock asked, his unreadable eyes reflecting the green crystals glittering around them.
‘I need your demon soldiers, as many as you can spare, to fight upon Maioria’s soil when the last battle comes, as surely it must. Just as we fought against the greater demons on the earth of the Murk. I cannot say when these battles will be, but they will be soon and I need you to be ready.’
‘Your enemy is unknown to us,’ Gedrock said. His voice was thoughtful rather than dismissive. He turned to Maggot.
‘Maggot,’ said the King.
The little demon tried to stand up tall and looked anywhere else but at his King.
‘You will spend as much time with the Raven Queen as you can, particularly when she engages her enemies. Learn about them and report back to us everything you see.’
Maggot nodded curtly, his tail flicking nervously.
Gedrock looked at Issa. ‘When I have chosen them, I will send a handful of demon warriors to assist you when you engage the enemy. That way we can faster learn this enemies’ way.’
‘Thank you, King Gedrock. Again, I am honoured,’ Issa bowed deeply and smiled.
‘Why are you smiling?’ Asaph asked over dinner, his fork filled with delicious pie pausing on its journey to his mouth.
Dragons of the Dawn Bringer: The Goddess Prophecies Fantasy Series Book 5 Page 4
