Knights of the Dragon (of Knights and Wizards Book 1) Page 3
Abram’s blue eyes narrowed as he stopped playing with his scruffy beard. “Is the wizard dying? Without him, all is lost. There are too many of them to fight, but I’ll kill at least five of those bastards before I go down.”
Alexa imagined the carnage that was to come; certain death for most of them and the others would probably wish they were dead. “Father, let me take ten knights and maybe we can capture their wizard and force him to enhance our shield? Or maybe even find another sorcerer.”
“Alexa, it’s too dangerous.”
She didn’t like to be so blunt, but the circumstances dictated it. “Oh is that right? Raped and killed is okay? Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen when they figure out we don’t have a sorcerer or a shield. Yurrosy soldiers are nothing but a bunch of barbarians.”
Stone was disturbed by Alexa’s words but he couldn’t deny them. “Your majesty, Alexa might have an idea there. Trying to capture their wizard is most likely suicide but under the cover of darkness, it might be possible. It might be our only hope. We can come up with a thousand ideas but without magic, all is lost. It’s impossible for each one of us to kill a hundred of them.”
The worst part was that the king knew they weren’t exaggerating. “We still have some time, and I will keep all options available. I’ll have to think about it. Don’t hesitate to approach me if you have any other ideas. Stone, if I do give you the go-ahead for a mission to capture their wizard how many men would you need?”
Stone imagined himself out in search of a sorcerer. “Six men might be enough your majesty. Too many would only call attention and make it easier to give away our position. The odds of returning with our lives, never mind a wizard, would be small. But it would give us some hope.”
Alexa had her mouth open as she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “It’s my idea, and I’ll lead the mission.”
“Daughter, you will not go on this mission. The chances of Stone and his men returning are slim. I know you understand that. Would you have me worry about you along with everything else?”
Alexa preferred her chances out there than sieged inside the castle. “Father, I am going on this mission.”
“I haven’t even approved it yet, and if I do you will not be going.”
“I can handle myself as well as any man.”
Darius knew it might be impossible to stop her, but he would try his best. “That is not the point, and you know it. I’ll lock you in the dungeon for a week if I have to.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Stone, our wizard is only lucid once a week or so, when he becomes so again see if he can’t make you a spell that will increase your odds of capturing a wizard.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“If I do permit the mission and she decides to follow you, then you have my permission to discipline her as you see fit.”
“What a sense of humor you have father. Would you have Stone awake in the night with no hands, and other body parts as well? How would he then wield a sword? I suppose he could stump them to death.”
At times, it could be entertaining to get Alexa’s blood boiling.
The wizard Adorok staggered in, his long white hair unkempt as if he had just rolled out of bed after a long night’s sleep. He was quite frail and was apparently heading down the last part of life’s long road. “I’ve got it! I’ve got the solution! It came to me in a dream. Yes, it was brilliant.” He stopped and stared up at the ceiling. “What was brilliant? Yes, yes, something about a dream. There was some magic involved. And a fire breathing horse? I believe the horse tried to kick me. Was it red and black? Who said red and black?”
“You did.”
“I’ve made provisions for the boy. Is provisions the proper word?”
Adorok’s current state of mind saddened everyone. His faculties and his strength were fading fast, at least once a week he awoke with a brilliant idea that never manifested beyond the ramblings of an old wizard. His enthusiasm quickly turned to confusion as he stared at Stone. He looked around puzzled. “Someone should tell the king!”
“Yes, I wish someone would tell the king,” said the king.
Alexa got up to escort Adorok back to his chamber. “Adorok, come with me and you can tell me all about your brilliant idea.”
Adorok nodded and nodded. “Quite right. It came to me in a dream, and I wasn’t even sleeping.”
CHAPTER FOUR
INARA CAUGHT THE BOY BY THE SHIRT between her two claws just seconds before he would have hit the ground and flew up towards Ryxa. On the way up his shirt ripped and she dropped him and had to catch him a second time. Marcus was starting to think that it might not be such a good idea to hang around with dragons. She was almost twice as big as Ryxa and didn’t look happy. The boy’s shirt ripped and again he started to fall; she grabbed him by his left leg and flew up to her daughter. “Ryxa, did you drop this?”
“Thank you, mother!” Ryxa threw the boy back onto her back. “I thought he was dead for sure.”
Marcus was as white as a ghost, especially his lips; he had been saved from certain death twice on the same day. Nightmares were going to come for him tonight.
“Ryxa, you know this place is forbidden!”
“I just wanted to show Marcus where the Yurrosy lives.”
“Everyone knows where they live.”
“Yes but look how much bigger they are now.”
She had to admit that they were expanding at a rapid pace. “Yes, I see that. It’s not safe here so get your butt home. And tell your father what you’ve been up to.”
“Yes, mother.”
Inara flew up and out of sight, and although Ryxa didn’t know it her mother was doing reconnaissance; she flew up so high that she was but a speck in the sky as she continued to observe the Yurrosy. When the Yurrosy attacked Leeander would they bring all those red dragons with them? If so, the entire area might be taken over. The thought of war with the Reds was unpleasant, especially since a lot of them weren’t under their own power. They would protect their territory if necessary.
Ryxa glided down and dropped with a thud near the castle in Leeander. Several people ran away from the dragon as Stone ran toward it. The sight of Marcus on the dragon’s back was astonishing, and the Knight didn’t know what to make of it. Dragons and humans were from different worlds, and there was no association with the two.
“Marcus, what the hell are you doing up there! Are you trying to get yourself killed?” He helped the boy down off the dragon, showing the boy a stern face. It was likely that he would end up king one day but not if he got himself killed.
Ryxa kept her eye on Stone, wondering if she was going to have to protect the boy from him. Stone stared up at the black dragon as Ryxa looked down at him and neither appeared to be too happy.
“Stone, this dragon is my friend. Her name is Ryxa. She saved my life, and entitled to a reward.” The color had finally returned to the prince’s face.
The dragon brought her left eye down to have a good look at the knight, and he smelled sweaty under the armor. She liked seeing her reflection in his suit of armor; she thought she was quite fetching. “Stone, I’ve heard of that name.”
It was Stone’s duty to protect the kingdom, but it wouldn’t be so easy to defend against a dragon should it come to that. “Dragon, get your big eye away from me, or I’m going to poke it. Marcus, you endanger us all by bringing a dragon here! What is wrong with you? Didn’t I tell you to stay away from that area!”
“The shield let her in, so that means she’s good.” Marcus didn’t like Stone’s harsh stare. “Just get my father before I make the dragon sit on you.”
Stone halted more than a dozen knights from attacking the dragon. He headed for the castle in search of the king but not before giving Marcus a tap in the back of the head to show his disapproval and the dragon gave him a stern look although he didn’t see it. They all stood around puzzled as Marcus talked to Ryxa. It wasn’t long before the king marched out
of the castle with a puzzled look as he didn’t appreciate the council being interrupted. And with this scene unfolding his pounding headache wasn’t getting any better. All the knights bowed to the king and seeing this Ryxa bowed as well.
“Did you see that?” There was a loud voice from someone in the crowd that was gathering. “That dragon bowed to the king.
“Marcus, what on earth have you done now?”
“She’s entitled to a reward Father; she saved my life.” He watched his father’s face to see what expression he would reveal, and he looked annoyed, perhaps a little worried.
More and more people were gathering around the dragon as the king was becoming angry. With everything he had to deal with and now he had a dragon inside the kingdom. Dragons could be temperamental beasts. Darius realized that they would all be in big trouble if the dragon decided to turn on them. The king looked at his son and then at Stone, who shrugged. “Marcus, that law only applies to people, not to dragons.”
Marcus didn’t think that was at all proper. “She saved my life and deserves a reward. Her mother saved my life too.”
Stone laughed as it appeared that the dragon wasn’t a threat. “Little one, is there anyone that hasn’t saved your life today?”
There was laughter from the crowd.
“Yeah you.”
Alexa pushed her way through the crowd, grabbed the boy and shook him. “Marcus, are you crazy bringing that beast here? What is wrong with you?” She continued to shake the kid. They had a love-hate relationship from the day the boy was born, and he certainly loved to annoy his big sister. He thought it was funny, but the dragon didn’t think so.
Ryxa was getting angry at the way Alexa was treating her brother. “I strongly suggest that you take your hands off my friend. It’s never smart to anger a dragon!”
Alexa reluctantly stopped shaking her brother as the dragon stared down at her with attitude. She looked up at it and realized that even a small burst of flame out of that big thing would certainly ruin her day. She would have to wait and kick his butt when the dragon left. “Are you fond of this runt?”
“I am not a runt!” He turned his back to Alexa and as he did so she couldn’t resist kicking him in the rear and knocking him down.
Ryxa nudged Alexa with her head and sent Alexa flying, sliding across the ground. Alexa pulled her sword and tried to attack the dragon but was held back by several knights. Stone smiled at it all. It was going to be one of those days. She gave the dragon a nasty look and then Ryxa showed her an expression of self-satisfaction.
“Ha, ha. You fly pretty good big sister!”
“You’re gonna fly when that dragon is not around.”
The king exhaled. It seemed to him that they would always be jealous of one another. Sibling rivalry was alive and well. “Dragon, what would you like for saving my son? Gold, jewels, a fancy sword or shield?”
Ryxa cocked her head as she thought about it, sticking her tongue out at Alexa. All were silent as the black dragon thought about it and she was enjoying the attention. She hadn’t considered that she might have to pick her reward. “I’d like something sweet.”
Everyone watched and listened for the king’s response. Stone thought it a fascinating situation. Not only was there a dragon in the kingdom but treated as a guest. “Well, we do have an overabundance of melons this year. Would a cart load of melons be good?”
The black dragon liked the sound of that; she loved melons. “Make it two cartloads and we have a deal.”
The king nodded. “Done.” He thought that having a dragon as an ally could certainly come in handy but wondered if she could be trusted.
The dragon jumped with excitement, accidentally knocking over Abram. He immediately got up and chopped the dragon’s tail with his sword, breaking the weapon. “Aw, she broke my sword! My father gave me that sword and his father gave it to him! Your majesty look at my sword!”
Marcus looked up at Abram standing with only the hilt of his sword left in his hand, a disappointed face. “Well, it was probably an old piece of junk then. And the dragon didn’t break it; you broke it on the dragon’s tail.”
“Your majesty! My sword!”
The king shook his head. His headache was getting worse. What had he done to deserve such a fate? The crowd continued to get bigger and was thoroughly enjoying the presence of the dragon though it was frightening. “Abram, pull yourself together. Was it smart to attack a dragon? Get out of my sight.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
CHAPTER FIVE
ELLA LAY IN A MEADOW under a single oak tree as she awoke from having spent the night there. Her head and chest had been soaking up the morning sun as the rest of her had been in the shade. She slowly opened her eyes and wondered what the new day would bring. She had several different locations where she liked to spend time, and this was one of them and here she had even planted her garden of beautiful Canna flowers; her favorites were the yellow ones with their interiors sprinkled orange as if someone had speckled them with paint.
“What a beautiful morning.” She took in a deep breath as she scented the garden.
The red dragon rolled over scratching and yawning, her tail accidentally striking the tree; she cracked her neck and stretched some more. Everyone said that she was the most beautiful of all the red dragons; all her lines and scales were in perfect proportions and her eyes were such a beautiful red with small black lines interspersed in them. Her scales were beautiful shades of Lust red. Her beauty was sometimes a hindrance because all the males saw it without seeing her. Ella had just attained adulthood, and already many suitors were vying for her attention. She hated when they fought over her and when they did she made sure to ignore them, wrote them off her list of possible mates. They so wanted to mate with her and to produce other beautiful dragons, but she would only be interested in a gentle dragon like herself.
Ella had a beautiful singing voice although she only sung when no one else was around. “What will this day bring to me, shade from the sun by a beautiful tree. Take to the sky and see, what will this day bring to me.” And then she yawned.
Ella remained half asleep and had to force her eyes open; she had stared at the sky for most of the night, having observed several shooting stars, postulating about where her life was headed. She loved watching the stars; there was something magical about them, so bright and mysterious. She also enjoyed the quietness of a still night. It helped her dream about her future. Suddenly the dragon had the feeling that she wasn’t alone; she turned around and saw a young male, a black dragon sitting and staring at her with a big smile. At first, she thought that she might be dreaming, but Ella soon realized that she wasn’t. “What ARE you doing?”
The black dragon blinked several times, and she took notice of his beautiful brown eyes. “Watching you sleep. I mean I WAS watching you sleep; I’m not watching you sleep now because you’re awake.” Her beauty was making him uncomfortable. Had his words made any sense or was he babbling? He was also a young dragon and females made him nervous.
Ella sat up and stretched again. “Why would you be watching me sleep?”
How was he to answer that without sounding creepy? He would have to be careful with his words. “I ah, I spotted you from way up there beyond that cloud and even from up there I could tell that you were beautiful. But even more so close up.” Zedock tried to smile but felt awkward. He knew that first impressions were important, but he may have blown this one, not easy to think around a female.
Here we go again she thought. Now she was even attracting black dragons. “Un huh.”
She had the most intriguing scent that he had ever encountered, and he noticed that she was aware that he was trying to sniff her. She was intoxicating. “My name is Zedock. What’s yours?”
Ella was now annoyed for several reasons, one of which was her attraction to the black dragon. She had to admit that he was handsome. “Are you color blind Zadock?”
“My name is Zedock, not Zadock.”
The black dragon knew it to be factual, but he had no grievances with any red dragons. “Why?”
“Hell if I know. Different territories I guess. Different colors. I suppose it is stupid, but that’s the way it is. I’m Ella. You need to go away and stop looking at me like that.”
“What a beautiful name. Ella.”
Ella studied him and his amorous expression. “Un huh. Just go away black dragon unless you want your face burned off.”
“That sounds unpleasant.” Zedock continued to smell her and thought that she smelled wonderful; he thought her aroma would be locked into his brain forever. The process of bonding often commenced from scent; if it weren't appealing then, the union would never work. But her smell was so stimulating that he had to resist licking her face; she was like smoke mixed with the sweetest flower. He also knew that his attraction to her was pointless as they could never be together.
She gave him a nasty look. “Are you trying to get me to take an interest in you? You’re bold black dragon. That is not how things work, and you know it.”
“No, no, of course not.” His mind informed him that he had to forget about her, but his animal instinct told him otherwise. Zedock knew that he wasn’t exactly thinking straight, but he couldn’t help it. Nature had a mind of its own. It was almost as if she had put a spell on him; such was the attraction. Should he pair with her, they would be ostracized from their families. Now he was just foolish. He should have just kept right on flying. “Nothing wrong with talking is there?”
Although Ella’s instinct told her to get the hell away from him, she was surprised by her response. She knew their mutual attraction was serious, and yet she couldn’t put the run on him. “I suppose not.”