by Eden Redd
Dragon Seer
Book 1
Eden Redd
Dragon Seer
© copyright 2021 Eden Redd
All Rights Reserved
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“But it is one thing to read about dragons and another to meet them.”
~ Ursula K. Le Guin, Wizard of Earthsea
Dragon Seer
One
The bow cut through the crystal blue waters, the sail catching the full power of the wind. The medium-sized sailboat left a trail of white foam as sunlight filled the world with brilliant, warm light. White birds floated on high thermals, watching the ship pass under them.
Nate stood toward the bow, his eyes closed and his face bathed in wind and sunlight. Faint memories of the cold, dark north faded to the recesses of his mind as he enjoyed the tropical air. The saltwater scent filled his nose and he let out a long, relaxed sigh.
The sailboat hit a small wave and caused it to bounce.
Nate’s eyes shot open as his hands grabbed the railing. His chuckle filled the air as he regained his balance and held on. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he looked at the small group of passengers enjoying the ride and the crew of subeks along the small ship, the captain at the wheel.
The trip was a short one. Small memories floated along Nate’s mind of travelling from island to island. Summerside was the last town he visited on the mainland before embarking on his long journey. After that, he spent over a week of hopping from island to island. Every night he stayed on a different island. The people were warm and happy. They enjoyed having visitors and many often struck up conversations with him. They often asked where he came from because of his size and obvious strong build. After a drink or two, he was happy to tell them about the frigid north. New acquaintances often sat with their full attention on him, listening to cold stories of the north. Nate didn’t often talk about himself in those conversations, only what he knew of the north. It was enough for many to be intrigued on why a northerner had come all this way to island hop.
Nate didn’t speak to why he was there and where he was going. He could see it made him more mysterious and more than once he was invited to rooms to spend the night with strangers he would never see again.
Nate looked down to the blue waters as the memories continued to wash on the shores of his thoughts. He would politely decline those invitations. He had little interest in those kinds of trysts, his mind often going to his nightly dreams and their arcane meanings.
Nate glanced up to the horizon and a small smile bloomed. In the distance was a tropical island. Three thin and sheer mountains stabbed up to the clear blue sky. Emerald green trees ran along the base of the mountains and covered most of the island. A seaside town filled part of the sandy beach. Its structures stood out against the white sands and green forest behind it. The sight of the simple island caused Nate’s shoulders to relax and he let out a cleansing sigh.
A shadow touched the edge of Nate’s gaze and he turned his attention to a lizard man by his side. The subek had a small snout. Scales only covered part of his visible body. He didn’t have hair, like the rest of his people, but he did have scales interlocking from his brow and running along the top of his head. He had holes for ears on each side of his head. His scales were green with hints of blue. His skin was also a light green. Scales ran down the sides of his neck, accompanied by dark spots. Despite his reptilian appearance, he had a jovial smile.
“Hoping to see a dragon?” the subek grinned.
Nate smiled. “I think I’ve heard that Sky Claw island is occasionally visited by dragons from deeper in the Sapphire Sea. Is it true?”
The subek grinned wider. “It happens, from time to time. The dragons don’t like to visit beyond this point, from what we know. There hasn’t been a dragon sighting here in many years, but each day brings a chance one may appear.”
Nate nodded and looked out to the island in the distance.
The subek looked to the island as well. “We don’t see many large men like you here in our waters.”
Nate smiled and kept his gaze on the island. “Trying to get away from it all. The north is very cold.”
The lizard man let out a throaty laugh. “Agreed! My people would not last a night in such cold climates. How long are you staying?”
“Don’t know yet,” Nate said simply.
The subek nodded. “Well, I know many women from the island that will want you to warm their beds. I can make arrangements, if you choose.”
Nate kept his smile, but his mind darkened a hair. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine. I just want to enjoy the island. If I really like it, I may build a home here.”
The subek nodded. “Someone your size would be a great help. I hope you stay, but don’t take all of our women for yourself.”
Nate grinned as the lizard man let out a throaty howl of laughter.
The ship continued to cut through the water, the island getting closer. The sail was brought to half-mast, the ship gliding on less wind power. Nate stared as his heart beat a little faster in his robust chest. Fingers tightened a little along the railings as the dock appeared and the ship moved closer.
The sail was pulled and the ship glided toward the docks. Lizard men and women grabbed ropes as the ship sailed in. Ropes were thrown to a handful of subeks that were already there, catching the ropes and tying them to the dock. The sailboat bobbed in as the ropes were pulled tight. Once it was secured, a small gangplank slid out and touched the deck.
Nate picked up his large pack leaning against his leg. He hoisted it up effortlessly and put an arm through each strap in turn. The subek that was talking to him had already moved to his duties, stepping off the ship and onto the dock. He helped other passengers get off with a smile and head nod.
Nate helped from the other side with his hand out. A few female passengers gladly took it, smiled and stepped off. Nate smiled back and when every passenger was off, he disembarked and stepped onto the dock.
The sea air continued to fill his nose as brilliant sunlight painted the island in a heavenly glow. After basking in the moment, he took his first step toward the seaside town of Moon Cove.
It didn’t take long for him to reach the center of the small town. He spied places to eat and drink. Small subek children ran with common children through the town. Families waved at the newcomer. Several mothers and female friends let their gazes linger on the large man with the pack. A few even licked their lips.
Part of me wishes this was just a relaxed trip. Sipping drinks on the beach would be welcomed, but that’s not why I’m here.
Nate waved to the people as he walked toward the tavern and inn close to the center of town. He stepped to the front door and looked at the hanging sign “The Serpent’s Grin.”
Nate asked for a room and paid with a few gold coins. He was given a key and he made his way to a long corridor with rows of rooms on each side. From what he saw, every dwelling was one story high and the Serpent’s Grin was no different. When he reached his room, he opened it and stepped inside.
The room was simple. It had a large bed, a water closet, a small desk, a chair and a dresser. The walls were covered in hanging artwork.
Nate moved to the bed, unslung his pack and placed it down. He opened the flap and looked down at his climbing supplies, small dagger, thin bedroll, clothes, a book, a bottle of liquor, and several small sacks filled with gold coins and assorted gems.
Nate eyed the book before reaching down and pulling it out. He opened the journal and leafed through the pages
of thoughts and descriptive dreams written in his own hand. Some of the pages were weathered from Nate reading them again and again. With each turn of the page, he saw his simple drawings of dragons. Notes were scrawled along the edges of each dragon, filled with everything he could learn from his travels.
Pages continued to turn and small maps filled pages. They were simple maps of every place he visited since he left the north and the amazing cities and people he came across. Between each map, a page or two of dreams were written down. In the beginning of the journal, they were vague and sometimes obtuse with very little meaning. But as the journal continued, the descriptions grew more and more detailed. When he reached blank pages, Nate simply stared at them.
“My journey is almost complete. If everything I have dreamed and experienced is true, I’m nearing the end of one quest and preparing for the next one,” Nate whispered to himself.
Nate returned the book to the pack and closed the flap.
I wish I could go to the bar and have a few drinks, but if I’m going to get up before sunrise, I’ll need my rest. The journey through the jungle and the climb up the mountain will take a better part of the day. Some exercise to prime the muscles might be in order.
Nate stepped away from the bed. He lifted his hands before him and bent forward. Hands planted on the floor. Without much effort, he stayed on his hands and lifted his legs straight up. Muscles barely bulged as he stood on his hands and began doing pushups with his legs straight in the air.
500 should be enough for the afternoon.
Nate continued to do his handstand pushups as the outside sun slid into midafternoon.
***
The sun slowly streaked across the sky until it dipped into dusk. The town of Moon Cove became alive with colored lanterns as the light of the day shifted into night’s cloak. Stars twinkled across the crystal-clear night. A moon began to rise, a stream of shifting white light across the now dark sea.
Newcomers and residents spent most of the evening laughing, drinking, eating, and dancing. Only one newcomer stayed in his dark room, dreams rising and wrapping around his spirit as he lay in bed.
Nate swam through his dreams, following the siren call of creatures in the dark distance. Their song played against his soul, the vibrations echoing and filling his mind with scales, claws, and oval eyes. Serpent smiles filled the void and he swam harder to reach them.
The night carried on. Darkness shrouded the world of Arith until a glow touched the eastern horizon.
The seaside town of Moon Cove continued to sleep off the night’s festivities, but a lone man awoke with excited energy. He slipped out of bed, dressed and slung his pack over his shoulders. Silent as a graveyard, he snuck out of his room, out of the inn, out of the town and into the lush jungle as the glow of morning touched the horizon.
Nate moved through the dark jungle, his heart beating like a drum in his chest. His eyes were a little wide, taking in the jungle as he pressed on. When he reached a clearing, he looked up at a sheer mountain and smiled to himself.
They have to be in one of them. My gut tells me it’s the closest one. It’s going to be a long few days if I have to explore each one.
Nate closed his eyes and let the early morning silence calm his heart and mind. It was a trick his father taught him when he was young. Nate centered himself and listened to his outer and inner world. The sounds of animals bled away to the background. Soon, all he could hear was his own heartbeat.
A whisper touched his mind and gently pulled.
Nate opened his eyes and nodded to himself. He made for the closest mountain spire, his boots stepping along the firm ground.
Light stabbed out from the horizon and signaled a new day.
Nate emerged from the jungle brush and looked up at the mountain. It stabbed vertically to the sky. Deep cracks ran along it in a few places. Some places looked like smooth stone, worn away by the elements. The sheerness of it would have had most climbers balk at such an attempt to climb it. Nate smiled to himself as he knew he wasn’t like most climbers.
The large man slipped his bare feet out of his boots. He unslung his pack and put it down. He picked up his boots and placed them inside the pack. Hands rummaged and pulled out worn, leather straps. Nate began wrapping his palms with the leather straps, each in turn. As he wrapped them, his toes dug into the sandy dirt, getting as much grime as he could on them. When his palms were wrapped and his bare feet dirty, he picked up his pack and slung it back over his wide shoulders.
“If it was all a lie, I can enjoy my stay here for a long time. If it wasn’t a lie, then destiny truly tapped me on the shoulder,” Nate whispered.
Nate stepped to the base of the mountain and looked up. The spire stood like a pointed tower on the edge of the world. He lowered his gaze to the mountain base and eyed the stone so he could gain some purchase. A route filled his mind and he stepped to the stone mountain before him.
Lifting his large hands, he took hold of a pair of cracks. With a quick inhale, he started to pull himself up. Muscles bulged along his arms and shoulders. Full pack against his back, he grabbed at an outcropping with one hand and then another crack with the other. Nate was silent, making sure he was secure with one hand before moving higher.
With strength, skill, and precision, he began his climb.
***
Sweat beaded Nate’s brow as he continued to climb. Time had turned into moments of gaining purchase and pulling himself up. The pack grew heavier as he climbed, but experience from the many times he free-climbed mountains in the north whispered their confidence. Some of his family and friends liked to use iron spikes, hooks and ropes to secure themselves as they climbed. Not Nate. He didn’t belittle others for how they climbed. He only wondered if he was in a situation without them, how well would he fare. Memories caressed the edges of his thoughts, speaking to the many times he went climbing just to be free of the world.
His feet and toes gripped the stone like a primal creature. Fingers stabbed into cracks and Nate continued to hoist himself up. Climbing had become such second nature, his thoughts began to drift. Images played on, of how the dreams began. The calling touched his every thought. How he researched in towns and spoke with those trained in the magical arts. They were often not perturbed by his descriptions and explained how those kinds of dreams were indeed a calling that most would not understand. However, they did warn against taking them too literal. There were forces, gods, creatures, and monsters that often sent out a dreamy call, promising power, wealth, and health. Some were honest and pure. Others were deceptive, luring a potential servant to their dark intentions.
Mages informed Nate that he should chronicle his dreams to better understand them. When he left his hometown, he travelled south. Every town and city he would visit, he would spend some time at their libraries and speak with mages, priests, and scholars. They all seemed to agree that there was indeed a calling. The gods were close to Arith and many spoke to some of the primal gods and goddesses wishing to walk among the world again.
Nate grabbed another outcropping stone and pulled himself up as a clear memory stabbed into his mind. He had been travelling for months and visited one of the great cities. He found a mage at one of the colleges and showed them his journal. They sat and poured over it for hours. When the mage looked up, she smiled and told him that his dreams were telling him he was a Dragon Seer.
Nate remembered leaning forward and listening to everything the mage had said. She had studied the dragon cultures for many years and managed to show him that certain times of the year, they called to potential Seers to come find them. Most of the dragons had travelled south when the northern continent filled with people of all races. The Sapphire Sea was vast and hard to travel the further south you sailed. It was often rumored the dragons made a new home and grew their society.
Nate was in awe, hearing how dragons used to live with people of all races. To become a Seer was to be one with dragon society, forming a bond that could never be bro
ken and become among the enlightened.
Nate could hardly believe what he was hearing, but it felt true and natural. It was from that point on, he would truly follow the dreams and see if he was chosen to become a Dragon Seer.
Nate’s eyes widened a little when his hand clamped onto an odd stone. He examined it, seeing that it was carved stone, different from the surrounding area. Its texture was different, much like it was chiseled into its shape. He glanced around and saw that there were many stones like that above him. They all connected together to form a well-made puzzle. He pulled himself up and found hand holds. He stuck his fingers in and pulled himself up again. The sun painted the mountain and Nate in afternoon light.
When Nate reached up again, his hand grabbed at a ledge. With a triumphant smile, he grabbed the ledge with his other hand and hoisted himself up.
Muscles burned as he pulled himself onto a ledge. His knee came up and touched the edge. With one final push, he rolled onto the flat stone and onto his back.
Heavy breath filled the air before a mad chuckle escaped his mouth. Nate stayed on his back, his pack between him and the floor. Weakness crawled along his muscles as his eyes moved in his head. He took in the ancient stonework along the ceiling and walls. A cool wind touched the entrance and flowed over the large man. Nate turned his attention to the side and gazed down a stone corridor with inky darkness further in.
Nate stared at the darkness, watching it writhe and slither like a living thing. Something was beyond the black veil. A call to destiny or an omen to his death. Either way, he could not deny it. Not after such a long journey. Not after giving up his life in the north. Not after feeling the heat of his dreams pressing down on his soul.
Energy surged into his worn body. Nate turned onto his stomach. His powerful arms and legs pressed down and he stood up. A thought slipped along his mind, whispering that he should arm himself. Nate ignored it.
The large man took one steady step after another. He walked along the wide, ancient stone corridor and made his way deeper in. The breeze touched the back of his neck, but every step inward brought a different breeze against his senses. It felt warm and cold and full of life at the same time.
