The Return of the Dragon Queen

by Farah Oomerbhoy

  Gabriel Silverthorne nodded. “I know it was hard for her, but it had to be done. I couldn’t stay long, but I was there long enough to meet with Santino and make some plans regarding the war.”

  “Witches and Brandorians don’t really get along, Gabriel,” said Penelope. “How can you be so sure they will listen to Santino?”

  Uncle Gabriel’s eyes twinkled. “It seems our pirate prince is not all he seems.”

  My eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

  Uncle Gabriel shot a glance at Ashara. “As you know, Santino is the son of the emir and a slave that resided at the palace.”

  I nodded. “Yes, he told me.”

  “But what he didn’t know,” said Uncle Gabriel, “is that his mother was from Ashara’s war tribe and is her youngest sister.”

  “In return for our help against the Detoris, Prince Santino has agreed to free all the slaves in Brandor,” Ashara said.

  Penelope’s eyes widened and her eyebrows rose. “All of them?”

  Silverthorne smiled. “Every last one.”

  “And the mines?” Penelope asked.

  Silverthorne rubbed his chin. “Santino is still fighting the Detoris. If he succeeds in securing the east, only then will he get a chance to shut them down and free the slaves.” He furrowed his brow. “But the fae army can still pass through Brandor.”

  Penelope shook her head of golden hair. “Izadora has made it very clear the Elder Council will not send the fae army to fight a war against an army that possesses weapons of blackened iron and the Dark Dagger. The fae will be wiped out and could face extinction. Until the Dagger is in our possession and the mines are shut down, the fae army will not come. Elfi has been sealed off with the most powerful wards they can muster. No one goes in or out.”

  Silverthorne’s blue eyes narrowed. “So we are on our own.”

  Penelope bowed her head. “I’m afraid so.”

  I got up from my seat and started pacing. “What was the point of helping all those ungrateful fae? When we need their help, they run away and shut themselves up in their kingdom.”

  Uncle Gabriel rose and put his hand on my shoulder. “Doing good should not come with any expectations or rewards, young Aurora. You do it because you want to. True goodness reflects our inner selves. You don’t need the approval of others to help people. Your destiny is much greater than any ordinary mage or fae can understand. You are the Dawnstar, whether you like it or not.”

  I knew he was right, but it still hurt to know after everything we had done to help, the fae were not willing to sacrifice anything to help us. Most of them didn’t even understand if we lost this war, their world would be destroyed as well.

  Penelope stood up. “We haven’t lost this war yet. If we can get the Dagger out of Morgana’s clutches, it will halt all her plans. The last we heard, Morgana’s army is amassing in the plains, and the general’s forces are on their way to join her.”

  “They are headed for Eldoren, Gabriel.” Rafe paced in front of the fire with me. He turned to look into Duke Silverthorne’s eyes. “Any idea why?”

  Silverthorne shook his head and looked around at our grave faces. “I know what you are thinking: that they are after the key. But the last key to the Book of Abraxas is not in Eldoren.”

  Penelope glared sharply at my granduncle. “It isn’t?”

  “No, and it’s better none of you know where it is. For now, it is still safe. We must concentrate on getting the Dagger back and stopping Morgana’s army from entering Eldoren.”

  Rafe gave Uncle Gabriel a pointed look. “If the Brandorians and fae don’t come to our aid, we will never be able to stand against them.” He flicked a glance at me, and his eyes looked troubled. “I have to return to lead my soldiers into battle. I have wasted enough time as it is.”

  Uncle Gabriel put his hand on Rafe’s shoulder. “I will return to Eldoren and mobilize the army. You are the only one who can find the druids and help Aurora get into Morgana’s camp. No one knows this area better than you.” He looked at Penelope. “I will take the army to the Eastern Pass. If we can hold it until you steal the Dagger and Santino shuts down the mines, then we may stand a chance. Once we get the Dagger back, will you make sure Izadora sends her warriors to fight?”

  “I will do my best.” Penelope held his gaze. “Getting the witches, Brandorians, mages, and fae to fight together will be a task in itself. They will want to see the Dawnstar on the battlefield, Gabriel.”

  “Then finding the druids should be our top priority,” said Uncle Gabriel, turning his azure gaze on me. “Besides being able to help Kalen, they may have more answers about your magic. Ashara will accompany you. Going up against Morgana and the general without all your powers is a chance I would rather not take.”

  “You know what Lilith did to me?” I asked Uncle Gabriel, not looking him in the eyes.

  He nodded.

  I didn’t know why I’d foolishly hoped he wouldn’t know I had gone and lost my magic.

  I could see the disappointment in his eyes. “The Alkana had a vision. It was she who sent me straight back to Illiador to find you—to warn you to stay away from the Dagger.” He looked into the flames. “But I was too late.”

  “Do you really think these druids will be able to do something to help?”

  “I hope so,” said Uncle Gabriel, stroking his chin, probably expecting his beard to still be there. “Or the world will be overrun with darkness, and there will be nothing any one of us can do about it.”

  Chasing Legends

  I awoke to the sound of birds chirping high above, nestled within the branches of the ancient trees that grew in the forest under the ground. Stray beams of shimmering sunlight forced themselves through the holes in the cavern ceiling, through the dense foliage, illuminating the lush green undergrowth that covered the cave floor. Butterflies fluttered about the little bushes and flowers that grew around me, and insects danced at my feet. A light mist hovered on top of the meandering river that made its way through the underground forest and into the darkness beyond.

  I had been so tired I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the mat. Not having my fae strength and healing was something I was going to have to get used to again. I had pushed myself more than my body could take and didn’t even realize it. Until now.

  Penelope came over and crouched down beside me. “Good! You’re awake.”

  I groaned and sat up. My limbs were stiff, and my back was in agony. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. I was the last one to get up. “Where’s everyone?”

  “Getting ready to move out,” said Penelope, helping me gather my things.

  Kalen was sitting nearby on a rock, cradling his arm. Penelope had made him a makeshift sling so he could be more comfortable.

  “How is he?” I kept my voice low.

  Penelope’s eyes were hard as steel. “The veins in his arm are starting to turn black. I’m afraid we may not have enough time.”

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “We will find a way to heal him, Penelope. We will do everything we can.”

  She nodded and gave me a forced smile. “I know.”

  Uncle Gabriel was talking to Rafe when we approached them. “I need you to go with them, Rafael,” Uncle Gabriel was saying, his voice low. “You are the only one who knows this sailor. And if anyone can find the druids, it’s you.”

  Rafe ran his hand through his hair. “I can’t do this anymore, Gabriel. She’s not my responsibility. I should go back and help my people. They need me. She doesn’t.” His eyes darkened. “She has Tristan.”

  Uncle Gabriel gave Rafe a steely look. “If you don’t get Kalen to the druids, he will die.” His tone softened. “I will handle Eldoren. But I need you to go with them.”

  Just then, Ashara and Tristan joined us.

  “The tunnel is clear,” said Tristan, sheathing his sword. They had done a quick sweep of the surrounding caves and tunnels before we set out.

  Uncle Gabriel had decided it was better for Rafe to
lead us through the tunnels to the town of Royn. It was much safer than traveling through the forest, where more of Morgana’s soldiers would be waiting for us.

  Rafe looked up and saw me. He didn’t smile.

  Silverthorne gestured at Penelope. “Has there been any change?”

  She glanced at Kalen, her eyes troubled. “The shard is moving quickly. The faster we find a druid, the better. There is no time to waste.”

  “If we can find them,” Rafe interrupted, coming over to me. “Don’t get your hopes up. The druids haven’t been seen in years. No one is really sure if they even exist anymore.”

  “There are still a few left in Avalonia,” said Uncle Gabriel in a tone that brooked no argument. “You just have to know where to look.”

  “If you say so,” Rafe shrugged. “But I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

  Penelope’s eyes narrowed. “This is Illiadorian territory. Morgana’s kingdom. We will have to be extra careful.”

  “I will accompany you until we reach the end of these caverns. From there, Penelope can create a portal for me back to Silverthorne Castle,” Uncle Gabriel announced. “If they have fae tracking the portals, it will throw them off your scent and give you more time to find the druids.

  “Penelope will glamour you in the town,” he added, addressing the rest of us. “But be careful, get the information you need and get out fast. Powerful Drakaar and certain mages can see through fae glamour, and, of course, there are the dark fae to watch out for.” He threw us a warning look. “Once you find the druids, get the information you need to heal Kalen and find out what they know about the Dagger and Aurora’s magic. Then we will go after the general. In the meantime, I will gather what forces we have and try to form some semblance of an army.”

  “It’s settled then.” Penelope clapped her hands together. “Let’s move out.”

  The tunnels within the cavern were quiet and eerily still. Occasional sounds of rushing water from the underground rivers and waterfalls faded as we moved deeper into the cavernous maze, which existed as a separate world, hidden underneath the Goldleaf Forest. Some of the caverns we passed were completely filled from top to bottom with stalagmites and stalactites hundreds of feet in length and interlocking like the teeth of a monstrous creature. Droplets trickling into puddles filled the air with noise as we walked deeper into the labyrinth.

  “I have a question,” Tristan said to Uncle Gabriel as we traversed a large cavern with a steep drop on one side leading into the darkness underneath. A valley spread out before us, and the steep rocks climbed high around us like massive underground mountains.

  “Ask away.”

  Tristan lowered his voice. “I would like to know why the Alkana chose to speak to you.”

  “It is a long story,” Uncle Gabriel answered.

  Tristan scowled. “It’s not like we are busy at the moment.”

  Uncle Gabriel laughed. “No, I suppose we are not, Prince Tristan.”

  My ears perked up. I, too, wanted to hear what Uncle Gabriel had to say. I knew that the fae revered the Alkana; they were powerful seers and ancient guardians of this world. For an Alkana to speak to a fae, let alone a mage, was the highest praise.

  Duke Silverthorne began his story as we walked. “When I was a young boy, I got lost in the Willow Woods outside Silverthorne Castle. Maggie found me and revealed to me who she really was. She told me Dragath would rise once again, within my lifetime, and in response, so would the Dawnstar. She also told me I had been chosen to be the guardian of the Dawnstar.”

  “She did?” I repeated, wide-eyed, falling into step just behind them so I could hear more clearly.

  He nodded and continued walking. “Yes. At the time I had no idea what the Dawnstar was. But Maggie trained me in the ancient arts and taught me the Dawnstar would need someone to guard it until the time came for it to reveal itself to the world.”

  We entered another, wider tunnel. Rafe seemed to know where he was going, so we followed. He was the only one who knew the way out.

  Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t know the Dawnstar was a person?”

  “Not at first, because the magic that protected it—” he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, “—protected you, prevented the Alkana from telling me who or what it was. But when I turned eighteen, she did tell me the Dawnstar would be born into my family.”

  I fell into step beside my granduncle. Ashara and Rafe were up front. “So you knew I was the Dawnstar even before I did?”

  He shook his head and flicked a glance at me. “Again, not at first. When your father was born to my sister, Fiona, I thought he was the Dawnstar. It was only when he died I realized my mistake, but it was too late—you were already gone, sent through the portal into the other world. I knew Penelope had been sent here by Izadora to find you, so we worked together to prepare for your coming.”

  I raised an eyebrow and looked back at Penelope, who was walking behind us with Kalen. “You knew who Penelope really was?”

  But it was Penelope who answered, her fae hearing giving her the advantage of eavesdropping easily. “Yes. Gabriel was the only one who knew my secret.”

  I stopped to wait for her to catch up. “You said no one knew.”

  Penelope looked down. “It was the Alkana who told me to work with Gabriel.” She glanced at him, but Uncle Gabriel didn’t look surprised. “It seems she has been guiding us all together.”

  Silverthorne nodded. “Some Ancient Fae creatures have knowledge of things beyond what we perceive.”

  It took us the whole day of walking through the tunnels and caverns that lay under the Goldleaf Forest to reach the exit.

  Penelope quickly went about glamouring all of us to look like poor farmers in worn brown cloaks that covered our heads for extra protection. She hadn’t changed all our features completely, as that would require a lot more magic.

  “I’ll go first,” Tristan said and disappeared out of the cave.

  “I will see that he doesn’t get into trouble,” murmured Ashara as she hurried after him.

  Penelope created a portal for Uncle Gabriel to return to Silverthorne Castle.

  Uncle Gabriel hugged me and patted Rafe on his back. “Find the druids, Rafael,” he said softly. “There is too much at stake.”

  Rafe nodded as Uncle Gabriel stepped into the portal. Penelope closed it behind him.

  I exited the cave with Penelope and Rafe. Though the sun was setting, it took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the onslaught of sudden light after the dim, eerie world of the caverns.

  We were in a small clearing, and there was the distinct sound of swords clashing near the trees. My head whipped around to see Tristan engaged in a fight with over a dozen masked outlaws. Ashara was fighting the rest and had knocked out a few of the bandits. Tristan had disarmed three men already, and two were lying on the ground clutching their stomachs. But there were more coming. Two archers had emerged from behind the trees, and arrows came whizzing toward Tristan.

  Rafe waved his hand and the arrows fell to the ground. He drew his sword and charged into the fray to help Tristan.

  I drew Dawn and ran after him.

  “Stand down!” came a voice as a hooded man made his way toward us from behind the trees. The masked men stopped fighting and backed away from us.

  The leader of the bandits removed his cowl, revealing a worn face with dark shaggy hair that covered his head like a mane.

  “Fagren!” I gasped, my eyes darting to Rafe.

  Rafe’s eyebrows rose. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Neither did I,” said Fagren, raising one bushy eyebrow, bowing briefly, and clasping Rafe’s forearm. “What are you doing so far north, Rafael? I thought the rest of Avalonia had abandoned us. Morgana’s army is on the move, and they are headed for Eldoren.”

  Rafe nodded. “I know.”

  Fagren chuckled. “You choose to travel with a strange group, my friend.”

  Rafe ran his hand through his dar
k wavy hair. “This is personal.”

  Fagren’s dark eyes scanned the unglamoured faces of our motley crew, paused on Tristan and Ashara, and finally settled on me. Fagren raised an eyebrow. “I can see that.”

  My spine bristled as I stared him down. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and stepped forward. “You can’t trust him, Rafe.”

  The leader of the Eldorean underworld narrowed his dark angular eyes at me, shadowed by his bushy eyebrows. He came closer, his worn brown cloak fluttering in the wind. He was wearing brown fitted pants and a green doublet covered by a leather vest and a short, hooded cape. Very different than what he usually wore when he frequented the taverns of the Eldorean underworld. “And it is a pleasure to see you again too, my dear princess.” With a smirk, he gave me a sweeping bow.

  Rafe turned to me. “Fagren can help us, Aurora. Forget about who he once was; I’m only interested in what he can do for us now. Illiador is crawling with Morgana’s guards. It will be impossible to get into town without some assistance.”

  I crossed my arms. “He hates mages. Why help us?”

  “Well,” Fagren answered, stroking his thick beard, his dark eyes boring into mine as he assessed me. “You aren’t exactly just a mage anymore, are you, Princess? You are something else completely, are you not . . . Dawnstar? In any case,” he shrugged, “I owe Rafael a favor.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Another one.”

  “One of many, I am afraid.” He turned his gaze on Tristan, and his eyes seemed to sparkle with delight as he bowed. “It is an honor to serve the High Fae prince, though.”

  Tristan smirked at me. “Clever fellow. I like him.”

  “I’m sure you do,” I said tartly, then glared at Fagren. “You know who he is?”

  “Of course!” said Fagren, a smile flickering on his lips. “Everyone knows the dreaded Prince of the Night Court.” He shrugged. “Plus, the Silver Swords can’t stop talking about him.”

  I raised an eyebrow and flicked a glance at Rafe. “Fagren is part of the Silver Swords?”