The Keeper of Dragons: The Prince Returns

by J. A. Culican

  “Eva darling, come with me I will show you to your room.” Sila gestured for Eva to follow her. “Goodnight son, get some rest.” Sila squeezed my hand as she walked by and Eva gave me a small wave over her shoulder.

  “I’m very proud of you son. Your actions tonight prove you are the true Prince of Ochana. I see great things in your future. Goodnight.” Rylan nodded to me and I heard him walk down the hall and chuckle.

  I turned and faced my door. I began to laugh loudly. Now was as good a time as ever to practice opening the door.

  Chapter Eighteen

  I woke up to the sun shining in my eyes through the open curtains in my room. It was the day of my coronation, or my royal debut, as I’d rather have it called. I stretched and looked to my door, my new door was closed. It seems my mahier with the added tilium is much stronger than anyone had anticipated. Yesterday morning when I tried to open my door, it completely exploded and turned to dust, which set off every alarm on the island to my complete embarrassment. Once everyone settled and had a good laugh at my expense, I was finally able to get some rest.

  Jericho had woken me up later that day to show me the Woland training facilities and explained to Eva and I the different courses on combat and strategy we would be expected to take. He explained to me how the other Woland would test us and make us prove our worth, not just because I was the prince, because Eva and I were the Keeper of Dragons. Jericho then passed us on to Jules, who took us up to the Temple of Aprella. Even though Galians were known as the nurturers, she explained that most of our Galian training would take place here. We were to study the Book of Aprella and learn the long history of the dragons.

  Luka had met us on the steps of the Temple to take us into town. It was our first visit into Ochana. Eva and I were in awe at the sights around us. The energy that surrounded the dragons as they bustled about to complete their tasks was intoxicating. While we watched the dragons, Luka explained that we would not complete the same type of course work as the other Siens due to our role as part of the council. Each Sien is trained to complete a specific job, including production of goods or a service provider; each Sien is assessed when they come to age as to what path they will take. Eva and I will be required to take a crash course in both as we shadow different Siens as they complete their tasks and responsibilities, as a way for us to understand the importance of the Sien’s work.

  Luka then dropped us off in the council room where we met with Allas. She of course deemed the coursework we were to complete with her the most important; leadership and etiquette. Only a small number of dragons ever got the chance to work alongside the Leslos, for their numbers are much lower than the other founding groups.

  A knock at the door brought me out of my memories from the day before. I walked over to the door, and with a small chuckle I opened it. I had practiced opening and closing my new door at least a hundred times before I went to bed the night before. Sila’s smile greeted me from the other side.

  “May I come in son?” She asked with an even bigger smile.

  “Of course.” I waved her in.

  She walked in and had a seat at the table I had only used so far to eat breakfast on. That thought made my stomach growl and wonder where Mira was.

  “She is busy helping the others get ready for today. Do not worry, I will escort you to the hall for breakfast.” She gestured for me to have a seat next to her. “How are you feeling today? Did you rest well?”

  “I did, I don’t even remember falling into bed I was so exhausted. I am however, a bit nervous for the events today.” I watched my hand as my fingers picked at the edge of the table as I thought about the upcoming ceremony.

  “I understand your nerves. Today is a big day, not only for you, but all of Ochana. You are the first ever Prince to be introduced at eighteen. Every prince before you was introduced just days after their birth.” Sila explained.

  “Shouldn’t we call it a royal debut then, or a grand ceremony? I mean, coronation to me is so formal. Where I come from, it only happens when a royal is to become a King or a Queen, but I will be staying the same.” I reflected.

  Sila placed her hand over mine on the table. “Today, you will officially become the Prince of Ochana, a milestone for all that live here. An official ceremony has been written and rewritten many times just for you, just for this day.” She squeezed my hand and let go. “When it is over, you will understand why today is much more than just a debut.” She winked at me and stood. “Go get ready, I will wait for you in the hall.”

  I showered and washed up as quickly as I could and threw on an outfit that had appeared on my bed while I was in the shower. I met Sila in the hallway in record time, as I closed the door behind me I could hear a low chuckle come from her. It seemed it would take quite a bit of time for anyone to forget about my little incident with the door.

  ***

  The procession started much like a wedding. As soon as the music started, Meka, who held the Book of Aprella high in the air above her head, followed by the council led the walk down the path that would bring us to the castle steps. Eva and I followed behind them, our hands held tight, Rylan and Sila were behind us and Zane behind them.

  As we reached the steps, I watched as Meka trotted to the top with the book still held high. The council stopped at the bottom of the stairs and bowed, then split into two groups as they took their places on the steps below Meka; two to the right and two to the left. Eva and I stopped at the bottom of the steps and bowed as we were instructed to do earlier in the day. Rylan, Sila and Zane stopped behind us to do the same. As I looked up towards Meka and the council, I made note of their robes, each represented the four founding dragons. Allas wore a green robe that represented the Leslos, Luka donned the Sien's signature silver, Jules was draped in a blue robe for the Galians and, lastly, Jericho wore a red robe that represented the Wolands.

  Rylan and Sila walked around us and took their spots in the center, halfway up the steps, Zane strode up and stood on the other side of Eva.

  Rylan lifted his arms. “Welcome all of Ochana on this momentous day. This day will be marked in our history books as we celebrate the coronation of my son, Prince Colton of Ochana.” Rylan exclaimed as the dragons behind us clapped and cheered.

  I took my cue and walked forward to ascend the castle steps. I stopped right below Rylan and Sila, head bowed. I prayed no one could see how nervous I was.

  “Eighteen years ago you were born to Queen Sila and myself, giving us great joy.” Rylan tilted my chin up so I had no choice but to look him in the eye. “With joy came sadness as we handed you over to your human parents, Michael and Ella. We will forever be grateful to them for raising you to be the man you are today. The bond that was created between the three of you will live in your heart for the rest of your life. Use the love you have for them as a light during your journey as a protector.” Rylan placed a hand on the top of my head, his other held high in the air as he continued. “Today we offer you the gifts of our four founding dragons, gifts that will reinforce your title as Prince of Ochana and guide you on your passage as our next King, if you so do accept.” Rylan removed his hand from my head and stepped away from me.

  Luka took Rylan’s place in front of me. In his hands, he clutched a golden robe fashioned together with the insignia of each founding dragon. He held the robe out for me, “I offer you this robe, created by the eyes and stitched by the hands of the Siens as a gift and a promise to always stand by your side. This robe represents togetherness and friendship. Do you accept, My Prince?” Luka asked.

  “I do.” I answered as Luka placed the robe over my shoulders and walked back to his spot.

  Jules stepped down next and stood in front of me, holding out a scepter; on the end of it four dragon heads with one of the largest gems I had ever seen held between them. “My Prince, I offer you this scepter to represent power and wealth. The Galians handpicked the diamond from the royal hoard to be placed between the four founding dragons. This scepter represent ou
r everlasting bond and commitment to each other. Do you accept our gift, My Prince?” Jules asked.

  “I do.” I responded as I took hold of the scepter with my right hand.

  Jericho stood in front of me next. He held out a sword enclosed within a scabbard. “My Prince, it is with honor that I offer you this gift representing strength and courage.” He pulled the sword out of its scabbard and held it high. “This sword was created with the strongest of graphene and the fire of Woland. Do you accept this gift?” He asked with his head bowed.

  “I do.” I replied as Jericho place the scabbard over my head, which placed the sword by my left hip.

  Allas joined me next; she stood in front of me with a crown held out in front of her. The crown was a single layer of gems. “My Prince, I offer you this crown to represent knowledge and leadership. This crown was crafted with four precious jewels to represent our four founding dragons. The emeralds represent the Leslos, the rubies the Wolands, the sapphires the Galians and the obsidians represent the Siens. These four gems are welded together using dragon fire. Do you accept our gift?”

  “I do.” I responded as she placed the crown over the top of my head, it rested just above my ears.

  Rylan returned to his position in front of me. “It is an honor to introduce to all, my son, Prince Colton of Ochana.” Rylan announced as he turned me to face the dragons below.

  It was my first real glimpse of all of Ochana, it seemed every dragon was here to witness my coronation. Each dragon clapped and cheered as they took me in donning the gifts I just accepted. Rylan’s voice brought me back to his attention as he turned me back around to face him.

  “Not only today do we acknowledge your birthright as Prince of Ochana, but we acknowledge your right as the Keeper of Dragons.” Rylan stated. “I ask that your other half join us, as you both take your oath as such.”

  Eva climbed up the steps and stood to the right of me. She was wearing a beautiful gold dress that sparkled as it flowed behind her. The gown was custom created by a group of Siens to signify Eva’s role as the golden dragon.

  Rylan placed one hand on my head and the other on Eva’s, he then tilted his head up towards the sky as he spoke. “The Keeper of Dragons have been gifted to us by our mother Aprella. We accept her gift with open hearts and fierce protection.” The crowd behind us echoed Rylan’s last words.

  He looked down to us, his eyes glowing a bright green. “I offer you my protection as you lead us out of this time of fear.” Again, all of Ochana repeated his words.

  “Do you, the Keeper of Dragon’s accept our gift?” Rylan asked.

  Eva’s hand found mine as we spoke together, “We do.”

  Rylan’s hands fell from our heads as we turned to face the dragons of Ochana. Everyone clapped and cheered. Music started to play and many dragons began to dance along the grassy grounds that surrounded the castle. I watched as a few shifted and blew their dragonic breathing fire into the air to demonstrate their excitement.

  “Wherever you lead them, they will follow.” Rylan whispered in my ear as he passed by to lead our procession back through the streets of Ochana. “Our trust lies with the two of you.”

  My future was full of unknowns and I knew the constant threats would continue to be placed on my shoulders. I didn’t know what the future held or how it would turn out. But one thing I knew for sure, as long as I had Eva and my new family by my side, I would fight.

  The End

  Acknowledgements

  The achievement of this book could not have happened if it weren't for my friend, mentor and fellow author Brina Brady. Brina held my hand from the first word all the way to the publish button. Through each fear and every joy. Thank you my dear friend.

  To my sister and editor Danielle Carioti, for taking time from her hectic life to guide and aid me in the completion of this story. For reading, rereading and re-rereading each sentence to make this story perfect.

  To my beta readers Ashley Huh and Teri Dluznieski, thank you for all the hours you spent reading and critiquing this story and helping me make it a reality.

  To the endless list of family and friends who have shown me such love and support, I cannot thank you enough. Each text, message and phone call I received encouraged me to complete this novel and make it an adventure you’ll all remember.

  Lastly, to my poor husband Dan and children, Julianna, Annabella, Gabriel and Eva. Who many nights were forced to make a picnic on the kitchen floor to eat dinner, because my papers were scattered across the kitchen table. For their shared loved of dragons, magic and everything fantastical. And for their endless support and encouragement throughout the whole writing and publishing process. Thank you!

  About the Author

  J.A. Culican is a teacher by day and a writer by night. She lives in New Jersey with her husband of eleven years and their four young children. She spends her evenings at home, with her family, watching Harry Potter and Star Wars. When not home you can find her at the soccer or field hockey fields, rooting her children on.

  J.A. Culican’s inspiration to start writing came from her children and their love for all things magical. Bedtime stories turned to reality after her oldest daughter begged her for the book from which her stories of dragons came from. In turn, the series, The Keeper of Dragons was born.

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