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Prologue

Embers rose into the cold night air, lifted high upon the heat emitting from the large fire in the middle of the tiny settlement. A thin dusting of snow covered the thatched rooftops and ground, frosting the tall pine trees lightly as a chill breeze from the north drifted listlessly over the mountains.

“One more story, Opa,” the little girl begged, sitting upon her grandfather’s knee and resting her head against his chest. Her legs dangled high above the ground as she hugged her arms against her body and shivered slightly.

“You’re getting cold, Danica,” the old man replied, looking across the fire to a young woman feeding an infant, and a young man seated by her side. “And it’s very late.”

“Please,” she whined, almost singing.

“Your opa is right,” the young man interjected, rising to his feet to move around the blazing hearth. “It is time for all good children to go to bed.”

“But Papa,” she protested. “I don’t want to go to bed. I want to stay up with you.”

“Look around you,” he said, lifting the tiny toddler from the old man’s lap. “All other children have gone to sleep. Most other mothers and fathers have gone to bed too. Your opa, your mama and I are awake, waiting for you to fall to sleep too.”

“But Edan is still awake,” she argued, looking to the infant attached to his mother’s breast.

“Edan will be fast asleep before you and me,” the young man replied as he carried the girl to a small hut a few yards away from the fire. Some goats, penned to the side of the dwelling, snorted and bleated as the man passed by.

“The goats are awake,” Danica pointed out, looking for any reason to stay up.

“You are persistent, aren’t you?”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means, you really want to stay awake,” the man answered. “Don’t you?”

“I don’t like my bed,” she told him.

“Why not?” he asked, entering the dwelling. The old man followed close behind with a lit lantern to help them both find their way in the dark hut.

“Goodnight Gunar, Marcille, Opa Hadlee,” called a tall man walking to his own small house. “Sweet dreams, Danika.”

“Say goodnight,” the young man told the little girl in his arms.

“Goodnight, Dieter,” she waved with one hand as she wiped her eyes with the other.

The baby started to cry as his mother bade the neighbour a good night, rising to her feet to follow the others inside.

“Shhh,” she tried to soothe the infant as the young man carried the little girl to her bed.

“There you are,” her father said, pulling the covers over her. “Nice and warm.”

She suddenly became quiet and withdrawn.

“What is it?” the old man asked her, listening to the soft cries of the baby as his mother brought him through the door of the hut.

“The shadow men will come again,” she whimpered. “I don’t like them.”

“There are no shadow men, Danika,” Gunar, her father, told her. “We’ve talked about this before. The shadows are just from the light of the moon shining through the trees. Nothing more.

“Your Mama and I are in the next room with Edan,” he continued. “Your opa is in the other room next to ours. There are no shadow men in our rooms. Just moonlight dancing on the walls.”

Opa Hadlee turned his head towards the front door. The cold breeze was still coming through.

“Marcille,” he called softly. “You left the door open.”

There was no reply.

The crying of the baby had ceased also.

“There will be no more talk of shadow men,” Gunar instructed his daughter. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Papa.” She frowned.

“Marcille,” Opa Hadlee called again, leaving the girl’s bedroom to investigate.

“Can I have a candle?” Danika asked. “Please?”

“Papa?” Gunar turned to see where the old man was going with the lantern.

His gaze followed Opa Hadlee. The old man held the lantern high as he moved back towards the front door. It swung open, creaking softly as the wind pushed it in.

Tiny white flakes of frost floated through the air and landed softly onto a dark puddle that had formed on the floor.

“By the gods!” the old man gasped, as he followed a trail with his eyes, leading from the puddle and across the ground outside the cottage.

“What is it?” Gunar asked, rising to his feet and rushing to his father’s side.

There was no sign of Marcille or little Edan.

Only a deep, dark, layer of blood trailing into the night.

“Where are they?” The young man bolted into the cold air, looking this way and that.

More dark streams could be seen coming from the open doors of the cottages near to his.

“Arm yourself, Papa,” he said, staring to his neighbour, Dieter’s, door. The blood appeared black and glistened in the moonlight.

There was no reply.

“Papa?” He turned to see the lantern sitting on the floor just inside the door. “Papa?”

Gunar raced back inside, stepping over the lantern before moving back to his daughter’s room.

“Papa? Danika?” he called, making his way through the dwelling. His heart raced in his chest so fast he thought it might explode. His stomach bunched into a tight ball and the taste of bile had reached the back of his throat.

“Danika?” he called again as he stared at his daughter’s bed.

Empty.

The covers had been pulled back and a dark smear of blood stained the bedding.

His legs weakened, causing him to drop upon his knees.

His mouth fell open as the urge to scream filled him.

But no sound came.

It stared at him from a dark corner of the room.

A shadow.

Stepping forward, into the moonlight coming in through the window, Gunar saw the smooth, black skin of the creature.

Its rapier like fingers stretched towards him.

Its mouth expanded wider and wider to reveal needle-like teeth.

When it sank its sharp fingertips deep into his shoulders, closing its lips around his crown, he felt excruciating pain for only a fleeting moment.

Just a mere moment.

After that, he experienced elation, bliss, ecstasy.

His eyelids felt heavy.

His mind swam as if in a dream.

There was no time to scream.

There was no time to run.

There was no way to wake from this nightmare.

But why would he want to?

A loud crunching filled his head as the creature closed its jaws.

Darkness flowed over him like a wave, filling his senses.

Elation.

Bliss.

Ecstasy.

Nothing.

Chapter One

The beast snorted, blowing from its nostrils dust that had been irritating it since the party had left the grasslands. Dust was constantly being blown around as the cold winds swept from the mountains, across the plains, and into the core lands. Some had managed to find its way into the rukyul’s nose and was proving difficult to dislodge.

Alice reached over from her chestnut stallion and rubbed the predator’s shoulder, moving her fingers through a thick clump of fur.

“Haigok.” Nola’ee pointed to large rock formations in the distance that resembled spires stretching into the sky. Her leathery hand lowered back to the reins of her steed as she peered to the girl beside her.

Alice turned her attention to the team, keeping the three hundred horses in a tight herd as they moved across the wasteland. She pointed to the rock formation.

“We can see our destination,” she called to them.

“It’ll be dark by the time we reach it,” David shouted, shielding his eyes as he looked up to the mid-afternoon sun.

“I don’t think that will make a difference to the Night Demons,” his son replied. “We could camp here, but I believe they will come to investigate. Surely, they have spotted us by now.”

“No camping.” Alice shook her head. “We get this done and leave for home as soon as we can.”

Plodding along, continuing to direct the steeds into the harsh lands, they gradually drew nearer and nearer to the spires. Even at such a distance away, the pillars appeared quite impressive. Their massive form towered high above the ground, twisting into sharp tips that reminded the girl of teeth.

Alice swivelled slightly in her saddle to check the two pack horses led by the Agrodien female and herself. Their leads tethered to the horns of their saddles.

The rukyul growled menacingly, setting its hackles on edge as it glared towards the stone pillars.

“Kayl’sro,” Bein hissed. He gestured to the air just above the nearest spire.

A black dot spiralled higher and higher into the air.

Alice didn’t need to observe it for too long before she realized it was a dragon.

There was no doubt in her mind that they had been spotted.

The Agrodien warriors reached for their weapons.

“No,” Alice commanded them, shaking her head and holding up her hand. “No blades.”

“Wouldn’t be of any bloody use anyway,” David said. “Richard is the only man that I know that has ever killed one of those buggers.”

“Kayl’sro?” Nola’ee objected. “Dragon come for us. Agrodien fight. Protect Kayl’sro and husband and father of husband.”

“We didn’t come to kill dragons,” Alice told her. “We didn’t come to kill Haigok. We came to try and make peace. No blades.”

“Yes, Kayl’sro.” She bowed her head before relaying the instruction to the other Agrodien in the party.

Alice moved her attention to the speck in the sky, sweeping around far and high to their right. It moved swiftly against the wind before banking sharply towards them.

The figure grew in her vision, changing from a small, dark object into something more perceivable. She noticed the wings and tail first as it drew nearer.

“Wave to it,” she commanded the others, lifting her hand in a friendly gesture.

“You’ve got to be kidding?” David grunted, unable to look away from the approaching menace.

“Do it,” she barked. “Or you may end up cooked.”

Reluctantly, he lifted his arm and followed her lead.

The dragon started to fall slowly towards the earth, keeping its body level as it sped towards them at an incredible speed.

The six travellers continued to hold their arms high, trying to convey that they approached with peaceful intent.

Dust lifted from the ground as the great winged beast skimmed over the surface. Its broad, membranous wings stretched out far to its sides. Its jaws clamped shut, a few of its giant, yellow incisors protruding over its lips.

Alice tore her attention from the dragon to the rider upon its back. Cloaked in black, his tattered cloth trailing behind, he held the reins steady as he swept his eyes over the herd and the riders.

She held her other arm up, palm exposed for him to see that she concealed no weapon.

Still, the dragon glided closer.

All it would need to do is keep on its bearing and it would wipe her out as its form impacted hers. She pictured herself, Nola’ee and a few horses and a rukyul toppling through the air before settling in a mess some yards away.

With a thrust of its wings, the creature swooped back into the air and over their heads. Dust exploded from the ground, enveloping them in a dry, brown cloud as the dragon and its rider climbed higher into the sky, turning back towards the stone spires.

As the dust settled, Alice turned to the others, squinting to keep the sand out of her eyes.

“Is everyone all right?”

“I think I swallowed half of the desert,” Arthur replied, coughing intermittently.

“Nice way to welcome people,” David quipped, brushing the dust from his face.

“Kayl’sro, they no attack?” Nakra asked.

“I think we would be dead if they intended to attack,” Alice answered.

He grunted, frowning and nodding as he peered to the shrinking object in the air.

The rukyul shook himself, flinging dust into the air and all over Alice and the stallion. Snorting in protest, the steed stomped his feet and moved his head towards the beast beside him, seeming to give the other a look of contempt.

Nola’ee stared at the ground, wide-eyed and bemused.

“What’s wrong?” Alice asked her quietly.

She lowered her head. “I afraid, Kayl’sro.”

Alice tried to bring some comfort to the other by reaching over to her and placing her hand on that of the Agrodien’s.

“Me too,” she confessed before calling to the others. “Let’s keep going. They know we’re here and will be expecting us. Might as well try and pick up the pace a little.”

Driving the horses onward, the troop made ground as the sun slowly drifted towards the western horizon. The rock spires grew into looming towers that seemed both beautiful and terrifying. The wind swept around them, blowing a deep sound that filled the riders’ ears.

Several hooded figures awaited the approaching herd, armed with curved blades and bows. As the travellers drew close, one of them stepped forwards.

Alice noted a horn attached to the Haigok’s belt. It was fashioned from a ram and decorated with markings that she didn’t recognize.

“Stop there,” the cloaked figure hollered over the sound of the wind. “State your business.”

Alice was surprised to hear him speak in her tongue.

“We have come to treat with you,” she replied.

“You are a child,” the Haigok replied. “Why does your man not speak?”

“I am in charge,” she informed the other, a lump growing in her throat. She felt her heart beginning to race but maintained an unflinching demeanour. Her fears were well hidden far beneath the surface. “I will speak for my people.”

“Who are you?”

“My name is Alice Gyfford,” she announced. “I am Kayl’sro of the Agrodien and a daughter of Woodmyst.”

“Woodmyst?” He stepped towards her slowly. His bulbous, yellow eyes held her gaze for a long time before moving to the three reptilians travelling with her. “Our horses were stolen by these ones.”

“I know,” she replied as he stepped within a few yards of her. The rukyul started to growl. She held her hand out to the beast, signalling it to be still.

“Those creatures cannot be tamed,” the Haigok stated, turning to look at the angry rukyul. It had closed its mouth and stopped snarling, but it still glared at the hooded figure.

“It is not tame,” Alice informed him. “My people took your horses under the leadership of the previous Kayl’sro. I have assumed his role and have come to remedy any offences committed.”

“How did you?” he asked sceptically.

She looked at him confusedly, unsure of what his question meant.

“How did you assume the role of Kayl’sro?”

“I killed him,” she answered. “I tore his head off with my bare hands.”

“Why?”

“It was him or me.”

He seemed to accept the answer.

“My people,” he began. “They gave chase to the Agrodien thieves. Only the dragons returned. Do you know what happened?”

“I killed them too,” she replied. “They attacked me on my land.”

He stared at her. She couldn’t tell if he was angry or inquisitive.

“Did they suffer?”

In the corner of her eye, she saw David shift uncomfortably in his saddle. Nola’ee turned her head to the girl, preparing for the order to strike.

Instead, Alice searched for the correct words, the ones she thought he wanted to hear.

“They each died a good death,” she assured him. “They died as warriors.”

He dropped his gaze, his head nodding slightly as he considered what she had said.

“We should not have come so close to your homelands,” he replied. “My father promised one of yours that we would not return.”

“I am hoping that by returning what is yours,” Alice gestured to the herd of steeds, “we may be able to have peace between our people.”

“There are more animals here than were taken from us,” the Haigok replied, looking over the chargers.

“Then accept the additional horses as gifts,” she offered.

He moved his attention to the sun, sinking slowly towards the earth.

“It will be dark soon,” he said. “You must join us tonight. Make camp near our village and sup with us. Please.”

She was hesitant to reply, turning her eyes to her husband who seemed to share her sentiments.

“It will give us a chance to talk terms,” he offered. “A peaceful relationship must be built upon trust; don’t you think?”

“You’re right.” She jumped down from the stallion and reached her hand out to his. “We accept.”

“Good.” He smiled, shaking her hand. “My name is Gruloch, Lord of the Haigok.”

A long fire pit had been lit and many carcasses had been positioned over the flames, roasting slowly and filling the village centre with a wonderful aroma. Alice and her party were ushered to a position by the fire, near the raised seat set aside for the Lord of the Haigok.

Gruloch rested, cross-legged, with his back against fat cushions covered with a variety of animal hides. Rugs made of goat skins covered a small platform where he was situated, overlooking the area where his people gathered for the night’s meal.

“We are having goat tonight,” he told Alice. She was rubbing the ear of the rukyul, resting beside her and eyeing the meat hungrily. “Are you sure your animal would not be more comfortable in our stables?”

“Your horses would all be devoured by morning if he were to be locked in with them,” she assured the other. “Everyone, including your livestock, will be safer with him by my side.”

The Haigok inclined his head, accepting her words.

“Your knowledge of our tongue is excellent,” Arthur commented. “how is it that you came to learn it so well?”

“Believe it or not,” Gruloch said, “we do encounter other men from time to time. Nomads who traverse the Core Lands. Some of them we even trade with. My father thought it would be wise for me to learn the language of men, so he offered livestock and iron in exchange for men to teach me.”

“May I ask what happened to your father?” Alice turned to the Haigok as others started carving the meat, placing portions upon steel trays.

“The Mirikin killed him,” Gruloch answered. “They marched their army across the sand from the west. We destroyed them, but not before one of the witches broke his body with her sorcery.”

“I am sorry.” She peered to the flames. “My father was killed by one of them also.”

“But he still managed to inflict a fatal wound to the bitch before it was all over,” David said proudly.

“What colour did she wear?” Gruloch asked.

“White,” Arthur replied as one of the Haigok females held a tray out towards him. There was a stack of unleavened bread at one end, with shavings of steaming meat next to it, some thin portions of goats’ cheese and some leafy greens at the other side. He looked to Gruloch for help.

“Take the bread,” the other instructed. “Put a little meat in the middle of it. Sprinkle a small amount of cheese over the top and then some of the leaves over the top. Fold the bread over it and try not to lose any out of the ends as you eat.”

Arthur followed the other’s directions. Biting down on the end and getting a good portion of the mix, Arthur spilt a little upon himself. The Haigok chuckled quietly.

“I’ve gone and made a mess already,” the lad muttered.

“It takes a very skilled individual to not spill any, my new friend,” Gruloch told him as the iron tray containing the ingredients moved to Alice. Another platter was offered to the Agrodien and David.

The rukyul looked along the line, salivating slightly as he observed the others beginning to eat. Gruloch was in the process of placing the mixture onto the bread when he noticed the beast looking at him.

“Don’t worry, big one,” he said, pointing along the side of the hearth. “Your share is coming now.”

Alice turned to see two Haigok males carrying a fresh goat carcass, skinned and cleaned. They placed it before the creature. The rukyul didn’t hesitate. It sank its teeth into the rump and tore a large piece of flesh away.

“The white was their leader, if I heard correctly,” Gruloch said.

“She was.” Alice nodded, trying not to spill her food.

“And all of her followers were defeated?”

“All but one,” the girl answered. “The Queen of Newholt allied herself with Woodmyst and fought against the White Witch.”

“And now the colours have appeared again.” Gruloch looked to the travellers. “The Black Witch rules from Woodmyst.”

Alice felt her stomach tighten.

“How do you know this?” she asked.

“The words on the wind speak frequently to one another,” he told her. “I listen to their tales. I listened to how a young girl with strange abilities was shunned by her own and sent into exile. I listened to how that young girl became a leader of a nation and willingly opened her homeland to others seeking refuge. I listened to how she defeated my warriors and frightened my dragons with sorcery.

“I so wanted to meet this girl. I needed to see this one the shadows talked about. I must admit that I knew far more about you than I originally led you to believe, Alice.”

“What do you intend to do with us?” David asked, seeing the Agrodien beside him tense with anticipation.

“Treat with you,” Gruloch assured them. “Make peace. As I said before, my people should not have ventured so close to your home. But in their defence, we do require payment for those things taken from us.

“You have paid for the crimes of one that no longer lives,” he continued. “This act reveals more about the kind of person you are, Alice. You are a person I wish to treat with. I think our peoples are going to need one another before long.

“If the colours have returned, days of doom will surely follow. We must be allies and we must find others to ally ourselves with.”

Alice reached over to her husband and took his hand.

“You had me a little concerned,” she admitted.

“I apologise,” Gruloch replied.

“If all goes well,” she said, “the Queen of Newholt will receive my envoy and treat with us also. But you must know the Black Witch is my mother’s sister. The others, the women of colours, have been friends to my family since long before I was born.”

“You are hesitant to fight them,” Gruloch said. “I understand your concerns. But listen, Alice. A small piece of advice. Sometimes close friends make the worst enemies. They will use your love for them against you. Take care when you’re with them.”

She peered to the ground, considering the Haigok’s words. Her mind raced back to the last time that she saw her Aunt Joanne. To Alice, the witch in black appeared different to the woman she knew as her mother’s sister. Even though Joanne professed her love for the girl, it was clear at that moment, that she had planned to take over Woodmyst for a very long time.

“So!” Gruloch clapped his hands suddenly, looking to the girl with a smile. “I have something for you to see.”

She responded with a quizzical stare.

“One of my dragons has not come out of her cave since she encountered you,” he informed her. “She lets her keepers feed her and clean her den but will not allow anyone to get close enough to even touch her. This is proving to be a little vexing as I need to assign a new rider to her.”

“And if you can’t get her to accept a new rider?” Arthur asked.

“She will only be good for breeding,” he replied. “But to do that, the dragons need to keep their strength up. This means that they need to be flying and breathing fire. She can’t do that inside a cave.”

“I don’t know what you expect me to do,” Alice said, furrowing her brow.

“Truthfully,” Gruloch said, frowning, “neither do I. But I can see you have a bond with this creature beside you. Perhaps your influence can be imparted to a dragon also. I would be grateful if you would at least come and look at her with me.”

Alice nodded.

It wasn’t very often one got a chance to see a dragon. The last time she had the opportunity was one when she was engaged in battle. Perhaps, with no one attacking her, she could admire the beast rather than trying to think of ways to defeat it.

“Of course, I will,” she replied. “But my people must be allowed to join us.”

“I had already assumed they would,” Gruloch replied.

Chapter Two

They sat upon their horses, resting at the top of a hill that overlooked the city by the sea. A great palace with high walls surrounding it had been constructed atop a rocky mound in the centre of the community.

Just to the east of the palace, near the docklands, stood a tall clock tower with four faces that reminded them of the one located on top of the assembly hall in Woodmyst. Reflected light beamed upon timekeeper from all sides so it could be clearly seen during the night.

Street lanterns had been lit and from many windows flickered the orange candescent glow of candlelight and fireplaces. A few people moved about on the paved roads between the buildings, but most had retired to the warmth of their dwellings.

“We should find a tavern,” Akasati suggested. “We have enough coin for a room and a good meal.”

“Let’s not go too close to the docks and try for one closer to the middle of the township instead,” Gustav offered. “I don’t particularly feel like listening to old sea songs or the sounds of whores making money. Perhaps an inn would be a wiser option?”

“We could just camp out here,” Sharek put in.

“I really want a warm meal that we didn’t have to kill beforehand,” Akasati said.

“Agreed.” Rhydra nodded. “Besides, if there is enough left over, we could all use a bath before seeking an audience with the queen.”

Gustav urged his steed forwards, moving slowly down the hillside. The three Erilian women followed closely, their steeds plodding towards the city of Newholt.

The clip-clop of their hoofbeats echoed through the near-empty streets as they made their way through the town. Those they did see roaming about welcomed the travellers with a wave and a smile.

The city seemed relaxed and at ease.

As they drew nearer to the palace, Gustav noticed a pair of soldiers patrolling along the road on foot.

“Excuse me,” he called to them.

“Can we be of service, sir?” asked one of the men. He turned his attention to the three women and touched the brim of his helmet. “Ladies.”

“I certainly hope so,” Gustav replied. “We are looking for an inn for the night. Would you be able to point us in the right direction?”

“You could try the Wolf and Maiden a little further along the road here,” the soldier said, pointing towards the castle. “It’s a quiet establishment, if that’s what you’re seeking.”

“What’s your business in Newholt?” the other asked, eyeing them suspiciously.

“Sorry.” Gustav placed a hand upon his chest. “How impolite of me. My name is Gustav. These are Akasati, Rhydra and Sharek. We come from Woodmyst in hope to seek audience with the queen.”

“Woodmyst?” The second soldier inclined his head. “I thought you ladies looked familiar.”

The Erilian women glanced to one another, shaking their heads.

“Apologies sir,” Sharek said to him. “But we don’t recognise you.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t,” he said, cheerfully. “I was just a soldier amongst many others. But I recognise you. I saw you fight on the battlefield when the white witch fell. It would be inconsiderate if I allowed you to stay at the Wolf and Maiden. Sure, it’s a fine establishment, but you deserve better than that. I would offer you my home immediately, but the queen would reprimand me if I didn’t inform her of your arrival.

“If she is unable to see you tonight,” he continued, “then my door is open to you. Please, let us accompany you at least as far as the guard house?”

“We’re a might bit ripe after travelling,” Akasati put in.

“I know the queen would not be concerned with that,” the first soldier told her.

“Thank you, gentlemen,” Gustav said, lowering himself from his horse. “Please, lead on.”

The guard house was a large structure just inside the gates of the palace grounds. The interior was split into two sections; sleeping quarters to the rear and a mess hall to the front. Several long tables with bench seats stretched from one end of the room to the other. Gustav and the Erilian warriors were seated here, amongst a few of the Newholt men who had visited to Woodmyst during the attack of the Mirikin.

“I was expecting larger quarters for your soldiers,” Rhydra commented as she peered about the room.

“Most of the men dwell in the city,” a man seated across from her, dressed in chain-mail, replied.

“Are you expecting a battle?” Sharek gestured to the apparel.

“I hope not,” he answered. “I am due to go on gate duty soon. We all wear the mail beneath our armour. You just never know when you may need it.

“I see you don’t bother with such formalities,” he said, eyeing her clothing. “How do you defend against attackers without proper protection?”

“I move out of the way of their blades and cut their throats open with my own,” she said, and smiled.

Gustav chuckled quietly and shook his head.

“Besides,” continued Sharek. “All that iron slows you down. It inhibits your movement. I don’t know how you could fight in it.”

“With a great deal of training and practice,” said a man’s voice from the door.

The soldiers sitting along the tables instantly rose to their feet and stood rigidly.

Gustav turned to see a tall man, dressed in formal attire, standing at the edge of the room. He wore a red jacket with gold buttons and trimmings. His dark trousers were decorated with a long gold stripe along the hem, leading down to a shiny pair of black, leather boots. Upon his head, he wore a large, black tricorn.

“Sit, gentlemen.” He gestured for the soldiers to resume their seats as he approached the visitors. “My name is Jonathon Brondt.”

“Ay.” Gustav stood to shake the other’s hand. “I remember you. I’m Gustav. These lovely ladies are Rhydra, Akasati and Sharek.”

“The Erilian warriors,” Brondt bowed slightly. “I’ve come to escort you to the queen. She is helping in the kitchen, preparing something for you at the moment.”

“She needn’t bother,” Akasati replied. “It’s not necessary.”

“Amicia always looks after her friends, my lady,” he replied with a grin. “And she considers any from Woodmyst to be her closest.”

“A meal prepared by royalty,” Sharek uttered. “I can’t say that has happened to me before.”

“She has arranged rooms for you and hot water for your baths,” Brondt continued. “Your horses are stabled and are being fed as we speak. I’ve asked my men to groom them for you also. You might not recognise them afterwards.

“Come…” he tilted his head towards the door. “Let’s get you inside to freshen up and then you can join us for a fine meal of whatever it is that Amicia is working on.”

Refreshed and dressed in fine clothing, the visitors were seated around a long table in the dining quarters of the palace. The room was light with whitewashed walls, adorned with tapestries and iron torch holders jutting from timber fortifications, small flames illuminating the area with orange and yellow.

Upon the table, a silver plate of bread had been placed beside a large candle stand containing six large white sticks of wax. The wicks were lit, spreading a bright glow across the faces of those seated about.

Five young women from the kitchen staff, dressed in dark dresses and white aprons and with their hair covered in bonnets, served large bowls of steaming stew to the visitors. The four of them dug straight into the broth, slurping portions of the casserole from their spoons.

“Good,” Gustav muttered between mouthfuls.

“My lord,” one of the women said, gesturing to Amicia seated at the head of the table. “You forget protocol.”

Gustav and the three Erilians peered to the queen sheepishly. She and Brondt, seated to her right, were still waiting for their bowl of stew.

Amicia was smiling happily.

“No need for formalities,” she told the kitchen girls. “These guests have come a long way and appear to be in dire need of good food tonight.”

“We’re sorry nonetheless,” Akasati told her. “We’ve been enjoying most of our meals around a hearth of late.”

“Please continue.” The queen gestured to the stew as one of the girls placed bowls before her and Brondt.

“Meals around a hearth?” he questioned. “You are not talking about your journey to Newholt, are you”

“No,” Gustav replied, wiping his mouth on a napkin. “Some of us have moved to a glade not too far from Woodmyst. I’m not certain if you were told about the caverns.”

“Not that I recall,” Brondt said as he lowered his spoon into the stew.

“Many years ago,” the other began, “Woodmyst was attacked. The children were kidnapped and taken to the caverns a small ride away. Tomas Warde was one of them. They were kept there while the invaders destroyed everyone and everything inside the village.”

“This part of the story I know,” Brondt interjected. “Dragons tore the walls down and destroyed the town. Richard was the only man to survive.”

“Ay,” Gustav agreed. “The children were later returned and left to rebuild their community. The caverns look upon a wide and long glade and, by unwritten agreement, belonged to Tomas. All who knew him well would tell you that it should be his children who have claim to it. And the family would tell you that Alice, his youngest to Emily, had more right to it than any other.

“She is more at home out there than she ever was in the city. She can outhunt, outfight and outlast any man I know. Additional to that, she has displayed the traits and gifts of a sorceress.”

“A sorceress?” Amicia looked up.

“Ay,” Gustav said. “She can communicate with animals on an elemental level. She told us she was able to make fire dance when a dragon attacked her. She is still learning her abilities.

“Because of that, some feared her and she was exiled from Woodmyst. Some of us left the city to be with her. As amazing as she is, we consider ourselves loyal to her because we were, and still are, loyal to her father.”

“Of course.” The queen looked down to the table. “And the Seven? What of them? Where do their loyalties lie?”

“Now that,” he said, raising his eyebrows, “is a whole new complication in itself. The Seven, it would appear, have not been the women we thought them to be. They left the council and did accompany us to the caverns. Then, there were some murders, including two councilmembers, one of who was married with two children. His family suffered the same fate as he.”

“Was magic involved?” Amicia moved her gaze to the candles, flickering in the middle of the table.

“Yes,” he answered. “The Seven were responsible.”

“And now they sit in a place of power.”

Gustav nodded.

Amicia Elynbrigge, Queen of Newholt, the once Fuchsia Mistress, sighed a deep breath and frowned.

“It’s the prophecy.” She shook her head. “The Maji will rise.”

“That child?” Brondt furrowed his brow.

“He won’t be a child forever,” she replied.

“Wait,” Akasati blurted. “You’re talking about Takmel. He took his father’s name and married Catherine Warde. He’s harmless.”

“Joanne and the other six were able to blind you,” Amicia said slowly. “The boy may have only realised recently who he really is. Perhaps the union with the young lady was what sparked the furnace. She possesses power too, does she not?”

“If she does, she hasn’t made it known,” Rhydra answered.

“She is the daughter of Emily Warde,” the queen reminded. “The niece of Joanne Warde. You can almost guarantee that both of the girls possess power.”

“But I don’t understand.” Sharek looked to the others questionably. “How are the actions of the Seven, and Takmel’s and Catherine’s marriage, in any way linked to this prophecy about the Maji?”

“He’s surrounded by magic,” Amicia told her. “It feeds him and strengthens him. Until now, we have only ever heard of witches or sorceresses with such abilities. The Maji will be a first of his kind.”

“A man-witch.” Gustav grunted.

“A warlock.” She clarified. “The coven has the duty to usher and guide such an individual into a position of authority. With the Mirikin gone, the burden fell upon the Seven. It would appear they understood this for a long time. Perhaps even before the battle of Woodmyst. Or somehow, he is able to influence them.

“In any case,” she continued. “It’s clear to me that the Seven have taken the place of the Mirikin and have situated themselves into a place of authority to guide Takmel into power. Be assured, we are about to see the rise of the Maji.”

Chapter Three

Gruloch led the troop along a well-worn path, past a number of large caves with torchlight emitting from deep within. Growls and deep snorts could be heard reverberating from inside the caverns.

“Are there dragons in all these?” David asked, peering along the path ahead of them and seeing light flickering in the mouths of many more openings into the rock wall.

“Yes,” the Haigok answered. “We have twelve adult females, three males and five new pups. There are seventeen unhatched eggs. They can take several months for the pups to emerge. Would you like to see them?”

“The eggs?” Arthur asked excitedly.

“Yes,” Gruloch replied, pausing in front of a cave. “They’re just in here.”

“Absolutely!” The young man looked enthusiastic.

Alice grinned, squeezing his arm tightly.

“You’re just like a little boy going for his first hunt,” she told him.

“Only taller,” his father quipped.

“Come see.” The Lord of the Haigok entered the hollow.

As they walked along a wide passage, lined with torchlight, they listened to the guttural rumblings of a large beast deep inside. Shadows danced upon the rock as they ventured deeper and deeper.

The cave opened into a large chamber where two Haigok males were tending to a large creature. One used a large scrubbing broom to rub the beast’s thick, scaly skin. It responded by closing its eyes as it rumbled a deep resonating sound from its chest.

The other was filling a hand wagon with faecal matter, discarded by the dragon. He scooped heap upon heap of the sloppy substance into the cart, clearly not enjoying his task as much as his comrade.

“I thought you said we were going to see the eggs,” Arthur said disappointedly.

“We are,” Gruloch informed him. “This is Meera. She acts as egg mother. In nature, a dragon will stay with her eggs until they hatch. Only then will she leave to hunt.

“My father was convinced that the young inside the eggs hear the sounds of the world through the shell, so we have always kept a female by the eggs so the young can hear her breathing and moving. Once they hatch, we take the young to the nursery cave where they are cared for by Haigok only.”

“You don’t wait until they no longer need to suck?” Arthur queried.

“Dragons do not give milk,” the Haigok replied. “They require meat from the moment they hatch.”

“Fascinating,” the boy murmured.

“Come.” Gruloch gestured for them to follow him. “Meera is harmless. She won’t fight like the others, which is why we assigned her to this duty.”

To prove his point, the Haigok moved to the large creature and raised his hand to her snout. She responded by tilting her massive head so he could rub the spiny ridge that ran above her eye.

“Come,” he said to Arthur. “She won’t bite.”

“Go on.” Alice pushed him gently, feeling her heart race with excitement.

Arthur stepped tentatively as he moved towards the beast. She watched him as he approached, never taking her eyes from him.

“By the gods,” David whispered as he observed his son reaching his hand towards the dragon.

Meera, the egg mother, stretched her neck and pressed her snout against his palm. The rough scales rubbed against his skin.

“Oh my,” he gasped. A lump formed in his throat as a wide smile stretched across his face. The dragon rumbled a deep rattle from her chest as he moved his hand over her top lip, touching the protruding incisors as he passed his fingers over her. “She feels warm to the touch,” he observed.

“Dragons are fire,” Gruloch told him. “Quite beautiful when you get to know them. Dangerous if left to their own devices.”

“That’s why you keep them?” David asked. “To control their will?”

“My people have always been the keepers of dragons,” the other replied, moving away from the beast and towards a group of objects resembling large, black stones. “The Haigok never intended to use them to attack. Rather, we protected them from the men who almost wiped them from the world.”

“Yet…” David lowered his brow. “They were used to destroy my home once.”

“And others.” Gruloch crouched by the objects, placing a hand gently upon one. “My father’s act of vengeance was not one that I agreed with. You must understand, David. I am not my father.”

“What are those?” Alice asked, gesturing to the objects in an attempt to soothe the air between David and the Haigok leader.

“These are dragon eggs,” he replied.

Arthur turned from Meera to look at the objects.

“How long before they hatch?” the boy asked.

“The little ones inside won’t see the light of day until well after winter,” Gruloch replied as he lifted himself upright. He then said something to the other two Haigok males, to which they replied with a wave and a nod. “Come. We should go and see Liana.”

“Liana?” Alice frowned.

“The dragon I was telling you about,” he replied, moving by the troop and back to the wide passage. “Her den is a little farther along the path.”

Moments later, the party had entered another cavern and were standing in a chamber with a large beast. This one cowered against the wall as the visitors drew within sight of it.

Upon seeing Alice, it roared before trying to back away, pressing itself against the cavern wall. The sound was deafening, causing the troop to cover their ears with their hands.

“As you can see,” Gruloch said, “she has become timid. This one cannot be ridden again until she moves past this state of being. I’d like to know what happened out there for her to be like this.”

Alice stared at the beast. It bunched into a ball, curling its long tail around itself to hide its face, keeping its eyes fixed upon the girl.

“I remember her.” Alice stepped forward.

“Kayl’sro?” Nola’ee muttered, reaching out to the other. She was too late. Alice had already moved out of reach.

“What are you doing?” Arthur asked her.

The dragon roared again, opening its jaws wide to expose its long teeth.

Alice continued forwards, slowly stepping within striking distance of the giant creature. She kept her scrutiny on the beast as it slid its nose behind its tail again and tensed its muscles.

“Liana,” Alice said soothingly.

The dragon seemed to relax.

Slowly, it lifted its face into view.

“Liana,” the girl whispered, reaching her hand out to the creature.

It stretched its neck towards her, lowering its head towards the girl’s hand.

“I won’t hurt you,” Alice assured the dragon as she swept her hand over its snout.

It emitted a deep rumbling rattle as it pressed its nose against the girl’s hands.

“By the gods,” David gasped, shaking his head.

Alice lifted her other hand and embraced the dragon, placing her arms as far as she could around its snout.

It closed its eyes and rumbled a pleased sound again.

“I have never seen such a thing,” Gruloch admitted, turning to the others, only to see that they were just as astounded as he.

Alice turned to face the others, moving to re-join them. The sound of rustling as the dragon attempted to follow her caused her to stop.

“No,” she said, holding her hand up to the beast. “You must stay here.”

She turned to walk away only to hear the creature calling after her with soft chirping.

“Well, well!” Gruloch shook his head. “It appears I will not be able to use this dragon after all.”

“Why is that?” Arthur asked as Alice came to his side.

“That sound you hear is the call all dragons make to their keepers,” he explained. “It’s the sound of belonging. Liana has decided she belongs to your wife.”

“What?” Alice felt the colour drain from her face and a knot form in her stomach.

“She is of no use to me,” Gruloch told her. “She will fret without you. She will starve herself and die. She will need to be with you from now on.”

“First a rukyul…” Arthur smiled. “And now this. What will your mother think?”

“Not funny,” Alice told him, slapping him on the arm.

“Yes, it is,” he replied.

The dragon chirped again, calling after Alice.

“Liana is yours whether you like it or not,” Gruloch informed her. “She has chosen you and that is the way it is with dragons.”

“David, what do I do?” the girl asked.

“The diplomatic thing would be to accept the gift as part of the peace agreement,” he said, and shrugged.

“It would be a gesture of good relations between our peoples,” Gruloch offered.

“Go on,” Arthur said, giving her a little shove.

Alice breathed a deep sigh as she looked upon her gift. The dragon inched towards her, lowering its head submissively as it chirped.

She placed her hands upon its snout again and rubbed the scales above its nostrils. A soft, soothing rattle resonated from its chest as it fell into a deep sleep.

“I have a dragon,” Alice said to herself.