Red Dragon's Keep (The Dragon's Children Book 1) Page 18
Aeden screamed in pain and fear and rage. She lurched up to her feet, kicking at the Demons on her legs, raised her hands and face to the sky and shrieked to power.
The sky darkened as an inrushing of smoke, black fog and howling wind created a tornado of force around her.
Every eye was riveted on the tornado. Fighting stopped as if everyone had been paralyzed. Demons squalled in sudden fear and tried to retreat. The tornado grew larger, sending Demons flying into the walls of the Keep and smashing into the ground. The tornado roared as it lifted away.
A huge red Dragon, three times taller than a man, stood in Aeden’s place, tail lashing, eyes red as flame, mouth agape, showing rows of jagged teeth ready to rend and tear. A row of bony spikes traced its backbone to the very end of its tail. That tail lashed, sending Demons cartwheeling into the swords of the defenders.
The scales edged in gold that covered its body glistened. Its neck snaked forward as it swung toward the closest knot of Demons. The frill anchored behind its head lifted and expanded, making the red Dragon’s head look twice its size. Huge sharp teeth clamped down on the cluster of Demons trying to attack its forelegs. It flung the shrieking mass against the Keep wall, shattering bodies and splattering blood.
Red as fire, the Dragon reared onto its hind legs, translucent wings extended, foreclaws lashing out again and again. Its sinuous neck writhed back as it inhaled a great lungful of air. Lunged forward, flames erupted from its mouth. It swung its head from side to side, incinerating Demons and their masters with incandescent Dragon fire. Where it touched, none escaped.
Thomas saw what was coming and anchored his ki into the earth. He raised a shield and extended it over the soldiers and villagers that stood in the Dragon’s path. The fire washed around Thomas and the remaining defenders, parted by his hastily constructed shield, sparing them its ravening, blistering heat.
The forecourt was clear of Demons. The Dragon gave a great bellow and launched itself to the top of the Keep wall. Massive jaws clamped down on Demons scrambling away and crunched. Eyes glittering, it peered over the wall. Another inhale and flames ignited and danced along the Demons climbing the walls on the outside of the Keep. Winged Demons and Smachtmaistirs dove at the Dragon, talons raking its back and neck without effect. It launched itself off the wall and mighty wings drove it high above the Demons. Shrieking, it plummeted toward the ground and the hovering Demons.
The red Dragon swept its head from side to side as waves of fire burst from its throat. Wings and legs and bodies flamed. Demons died twisting and screaming, falling to the earth and disintegrating on impact. It chased those desperately trying to escape and bathed them with its fire. At last, the sky was clear. The Dragon glided above the Keep wall, looking for more Demons to kill.
Finally it tilted its wings and backwinged to land in the forecourt.
Thomas slowly straightened, lowered his sword and stood stunned, not sure what to say or do. The others slowly rose to their feet. Thomas released his shield abruptly. Even HellReaver was silent.
§ § §
The Red Dragon shifted uneasily. What am I supposed to do now?
She flung her head toward the sky and bugled.
The whirlwind formed about her, less intense this time, hiding her magnificent shape. As it dissipated, Lady Aeden stood in the Dragon’s place.
She fell to her knees in shock. She remembered everything: the reason for her long exile; her father, the other Dragons.
Thomas thumped wearily to the ground next to her. “Thank you, Lady Aeden. Is that your name? Why didn't you tell us?”
Hush, young Thomas. The Dragon has returned and now remembers her past. You would do well to give her time.
“It's all right, HellReaver. Thomas, I didn't know myself until the whirlwind took me. I understand so much more now.” She shook her head in disbelief and covered her face with her hands. She raised her head and looked at Thomas, eyes as fierce as those of the Dragon she was.
“I will always fight with you, Thomas. You and yours are my children.”
§ § §
All of the defenders from the interior of the Keep filtered out into the forecourt as the last Demons fell and news of the victory spread. Bodies of Demons and humans littered the ground. Marta and the children sat in a huddle on the steps into the Keep, wounded and exhausted, hardly able to think. Others squatted in groups or simply laid out flat on the ground.
Villagers moved among them, helping the wounded and ladling out cups of water and wine. Thomas accepted a cup from a little girl covered with soot from the Dragon’s fire. She had obviously been behind the shield he had created. She smiled at him, her teeth brilliant as she handed him the cup.
“Thank you, Lord Thomas, for saving me.” Thomas patted her on her shoulder. “You’re welcome,” he rumbled to her. He walked up the steps and turned to the others in the forecourt.
“All of you, I have something everyone needs to know.” Thomas’s voice was hoarse, but he projected it as well as he could. “Lady Aeden is a Dragon.” He shook his head, not believing what he was saying. The water in his cup almost spilled as his hand trembled with weariness. “Without her help, all would have been lost in this first battle.”
“What?!”
“What are you talking about?”
“How could she be a Dragon? She's always been here!” A babble of questions and exclamations broke out among those who had not been in the forecourt for the battle.
Thomas raised his hand for quiet.
Let her tell her story. OathKeeper shocked everyone into silence. Aeden’s sword seldom spoke to others.
“Thank you, OathKeeper,” Aeden said dryly.
She stood up from where she had been kneeling, partially supported by the Keep wall and walked up the stairs to stand beside Thomas.
“My name is Fire and I am a Dragon. Long ago my race withdrew to the Dragon Lands far to the north and west. My father is king of the Dragons. He saw a future after the last Demon War where Dragons came to rule humans. Humans eventually revolted against that rule.
He gave each of us a choice: withdraw and leave off all contact with humans or lose all knowledge of what we are and become simply human mages with no ability to change. I chose the latter. Only three of us so chose.”
She leaned on OathKeeper and gazed at the farthest wall of the Keep, her mind far away, lost in her past. She returned with a start.
“Long ago, the Arachs held Red Dragon’s Keep when Dragons came to the aid of humans against the Ciardha Demons in the first Demon war. At the end of that war, the Arachs, called Dread Lords and Tiarna Geal, Lords of Light , were offered the rule of Ard An Tir. They declined and chose to withdraw to their home, to Red Dragon’s Keep. At need, they would answer the call to fight for the kingdom.
As time passed and peace ruled, or purely human wars raged, knowledge of your past was lost.” She waved her hand at the Keep’s inheritors.
She took a small sip of water from the wooden mug that she held. “Demons raided often, searching for what we didn’t know.” She shook her head, thinking of the talisman. Best not to mention it here and now.
“There were spells worked here that damped your power, so you never knew what you held within you. Those spells were broken when the Swords of Light were lifted. Each of you has gifts that we will train.”
“You are some of the strongest mages in Ard Ri. With these gifts comes much danger. You will be targeted for ambush and assassination. That's what Jalyn and the others were trying to do to all of you. She, and they, failed because of the protections that the Dragons placed on Red Dragon’s Keep.” She paused, then continued.
“I am a mage and a Dragon. I fought in the last war beside the Arachs. I will fight with you again in this one.”
She threw her arms wide. “You are all my children.”
Silent tension filled the forecourt.
Okay. So what do you say to a Dragon? The thought was reflected on everyone’s face.
“Uh,” Evan began. “Uh, so what do we call you and can you show us how you roast things?” he asked brightly. “Can you fly?”
The tension broke as everyone laughed a little hysterically.
“Yes, I can fly, and my name has always been Aeden. Lady Aeden to you, young scamp.” Aeden laughed. “I'll show you soon, but not today. We all need rest.”
Thomas raised his cup. “To Lady Aeden, a new old friend gladly welcome in this Keep. To all of us who vow to fight the Dark!”
Everyone raised their cups with a cheer and drank to the Dragon, and the Dragon's Children.
Chapter 33
Thomas sat with Marta at a table in the great hall. Ten awful days of burying the dead and burning Demon bodies, helping the wounded and cleaning up damage from the battle finally drew to a close.
Thomas picked up the mug of cider that he’d poured for himself and took a swallow. The sweet tartness of the drink made him feel better. It reminded him of seasons past.
Stone workers slowly entered the hall, finished for the day with repairs to the breaches in the Keep walls. They talked quietly among themselves as they poured drinks for themselves and took seats near the doors to the forecourt.
Thomas looked across the table at Marta. HellScream rested on the table next to HellReaver. “If my mother saw that,” he nodded at the swords with a smile, “I wouldn’t sit down for a month. She has a rule. ‘No weapons on the table’.”
Marta gave a tired smile. She’d been helping with the scrubbing and scraping in the Keep, removing the blood that had been spilled. “I think all mothers have that rule, including mine,” she said.
Perhaps we could lean against the table. HellScream spoke sweetly in both of their minds. Or we could lie on the bench. HellReaver said drily.
“I hardly think it matters right now, since neither of them are here,” Thomas said.
Raina walked into the great hall from the kitchen corridor carrying a cup of cider.
Thomas and Marta shared a startled look and hurriedly scooped up the swords and laid them on the benches next to them.
“I saw that,” said Raina. She walked over to the table and sat next to Marta with a tired sigh. “I think we’re finished with the cleaning.”
HellReaver chuckled at Raina’s observation. No exceptions for Swords of Light? He spoke in her mind as well. Raina gave a startled jerk and looked wide-eyed at Thomas and Marta. Stop that, HellScream scolded.
The three humans laughed. “I think so too, Raina,” Thomas agreed with her. They sat in contented silence for a short time.
Raina finished her cider. “I’m going up to bed. Don’t be long, Marta,” she said, smiling knowingly at her daughter. She rose and stepped over the bench. “Would you take this back to the kitchen for me?”
“Of course, Mama. I’ll be up shortly.” She smiled at her mother. Raina slowly climbed the stairs, leaving the two of them alone.
“What happens now?” asked Marta quietly. “Do we stay here or do you want us to find somewhere else to stay?”
“I want all of you to stay here, of course,” Thomas responded, his eyes widening. “I didn’t know that you thought your family had to move. You’ve all helped us enormously. We came within a hair of losing this battle. Without you,” he hesitated, “without all of us working together, I think we would have lost.”
Marta shrugged and shook her head. “We just did what needed doing. Thank you for letting us stay here. I’ve heard Mama and Da talking about what they thought you wanted them to do. Do you want me to tell them?”
“No,” Thomas responded. “I’ll tell Faolan the next time I see him. That will make it official. Not that you telling him isn’t official, but…”
“I know what you mean,” Marta said and chuckled.
“How are you doing?” Thomas asked. “I’ve been having some really bad dreams ever since the battle. Usually Demons eating my arms and legs. I wake up and fall asleep and wake up again and again during the night.”
“Mine are of Demons coming out of the walls and killing everyone while we’re sleeping,” Marta mumbled. “I wish I knew how to make them stop,” she exclaimed more loudly.
“I wonder how your da, or mine for that matter, got through this,” Thomas wondered aloud. “Maybe he can help us. Let’s talk to him in the morning.”
“That’s a good idea, Thomas,” Marta said with approval. “What about the other children? I’ll bet they’re having the same problems.”
“I heard Owen screaming night before last,” Thomas replied. “Cameron and Evan are awfully quiet and Breanna is downright solemn. I hope your father has a solution.”
“I can’t believe Aeden is a Dragon,” Marta changed the subject. She shook her head in astonishment. “That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. When she changed the day after the battle to show us what she really is, I was truly shocked.” Marta’s eyes were wide in remembered wonder.
“I felt the same way,” Thomas agreed. “She’s always been here, as long as I can remember. I’m surprised that no one has noticed that she doesn’t get old. Did she tell us how old she is? I can’t remember.” He turned the empty mug in his hands around and around and around.
Marta shook her head in denial. “No, I don’t think she did. I don’t think it matters, either. I’m just glad that at least one Dragon came to our aid.”
“No question about that,” Thomas agreed with her.
“Have you heard anything about your mother and father?” Marta laid a sympathetic hand on his.
He set the empty mug on the table. He reached out and took her hand in his. “No. That’s been the hardest thing to bear. Not knowing. Maybe Lady Aeden can help. I’ll ask if she can do some scouting from the air.” He gave a crooked smile. “Can you imagine what will happen when she flies over the towns and villages? There’ll be absolute panic!” He huffed a laugh. “Thanks for listening to me, Marta. I really needed to talk to someone.”
“You’re welcome, Thomas. We’ll get through this. We just all need to stick together. She withdrew her hand from his and patted it. “I’m going up to bed. See you in the morning.”
They both stood. “I’ll put these in the kitchen,” Thomas said, picking up the three empty mugs. “See you in the morning.”
Marta turned and made her way up the stairs. Thomas took the mugs to the kitchen and sought his own bed.
Chapter 34
Mannan slammed his fists on the table in rage. Nothing was proceeding according to plan. He swept his arm across the table, sending parchment and spell books flying. He clasped his hands behind his back and stomped to the windows of his turret and back to the table. He fumed in anger to himself. His minions continually failed him.
The Arachs and Gobhlans had been ambushed and taken by Earl Tildon and his disgraced son, Garan. They were held in the dungeon of that minion’s fiefdom. The dungeon had been spelled against all magic. And yet, the prisoners had escaped.
A Dragon had come to the aid of Red Dragon’s Keep! The Swords of Light were awakened once again. His master would not be pleased.
He grabbed up a goblet of wine and drank deeply, then slammed the metal vessel back on the table, bending its stem.
Mannan turned. His blood red robes, bordered with spells in black, flared wide.
“Bring me the king's sorcerer,” he ordered his slave, who knelt in the corner. Plans must be advanced. The war must be won.
The slave hesitated.
“Go! Now!”
§ § §
The story continues in The Dragon’s Children:
Book Two – Windward Range.
Acknowledgements
Many people helped make this book possible. My sister Peg encouraged me every step of the way. My girls, Anne, Debbie and Jenni, helped me over the rough spots and said “Yes, you can.”
Their husbands, Jeremy, Scott and Tom, listened while I talked and gave me some pretty good ideas.
My grandsons, Thomas, Owen, Cameron and Evan and my grandda
ughter Breanna – well, without them this story would not even have been created.
Many thanks to Andi Allott for keeping me grounded. Sherry Collins listened as I read her parts of the story over the phone. Susan Hicks read the story, and even though it’s fantasy, really liked it.
To the members of AuthorU. They have been so supportive and given me so much feedback and inspiration. Red Dragon’s Keep was a finalist in the ‘2016 Draft to Dream Contest’ sponsored by AuthorU. The judges’ critiques were invaluable.
To the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Aurora Critique Group, Susan, John, Amy, John, and Janet. Wow. They helped immeasurably with their critiques; they made Red Dragon’s Keep a better story.
Characters
Duke Sir Thomas (Tom) Arach
Duchess Lady Jennifer Arach
Thomas Arach
Owen Arach
Breanna Arach
Lord John Arach
Lady Eirin Arach
Duke Sir Jeremy Gobhlan
Duchess Lady Anne Gobhlan
Cameron Gobhlan
Evan Gobhlan
Duke Sir Scott Windwalker
Duchess Lady Debra Windwalker
Lady Aeden - Dragon/Mage/Sword Mistress
Captain Braden - appointed captain of the guard after Captain Mathin leaves
Captain Mathin - captain of the guard
Cathair Ri - The Kings City - Capital of Ard An Tir
Ciardha Demon - Demons of the Dark
Claiomh Solas - swords of light
BattleSworn - Lord Tom Arach's sword
FireGuard – Lady Jenni’s sword
GhostWalker - chooses Cameron
HeartStriker- chooses Owen
HellReaver - chooses Thomas
HellScream - chooses Marta
OathKeeper - Aeden's sword
ShadowSworn - chooses Evan