Heart of a Dragon and all its characters, beasts and locations belong to Caitlin "Jaye" Hunter. 

(c) 2015-2016

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Screams echoed through the deserted halls of the fallen Icariann Court. Blood pooled on the floor, from the dead of both sides of the terrible war. Humans and dragons strewn dead and beaten across the now soiled marble floor. The sky was heavy with thick black smoke from the remnant fire, staining the normally blue sky a sickly grey.

A lone Coastal Dragon landed in the courtyard of the ruined palace, surveying the carnage before him. The palace was in ruins, walls were destroyed and ceilings of the grand building were non-existent. The humans had taken them by surprise, driven purely by revenge, and left no living dragon to tell of the tale. Tears welled up in the young dragon’s eyes; as he saw the broken bodies of his now dead mother and younger brother splayed across the blood soaked floor, their wings and necks broken at odd angles and all colour gone from their scales.

“This son, is what happens when you betray me.”

The dragon spun around to face his father, the King of the Dragons stood before him. He towered over his son, formidable and powerful. His long jagged horns jutted out from his thickset skull and long spines ran down the length of his black scaled back. His eyes dripped a milky white glowing substance that splattered to the floor with an acidic hiss. The King of the Dragons stank of carrion and rotting flesh.

“You’re not my father…” Growled the young dragon, “Not any more…”

A rough laugh erupted from the King of the Dragon’s throat and his muzzle contorted into a twisted leer. “Aultire, if only you could have seen the plans I had for this world, the death of the princess was nothing –”

“No!” Roaring, the younger dragon lunged at his father, reaching for his neck. The King reached out with one clawed paw and slammed the younger dragon to the floor. Aultire struggled as his belly and head was pushed roughly to the ground by his father’s sharp claws.

The King’s voice became thick and heavy, no longer sounding like himself. Growling the dragon that was once his father lowered his head close to Aultire’s. “I worked so hard for this…” It snarled. “I’m not going to allow my return to be stopped by some insignificant whelp. Arden is mine and this time Alysheer’ial cannot stop me!”

Struggling against the unnatural grip of the dragon, Aultire threw his head backwards, horns impaling his attacker’s throat. There was a choked cry from the King and a deep gurgling of blood as he collapsed to the floor. Aultire shakily stood up and backed away from the dying dragon. A sudden change came over the King, his scales lost the corrupted black colouring returning to their normal red. His eyes returned to their normal yellow and the smell of death vanished.

But now he lay broken and dying, the lustrous colour began rapidly fading from his scales. Hearing his son turn to leave, he lifted his head slightly. His now brilliant yellow eyes menacing, but fading slowly, their luminescence vanishing as he was slowly slipping from life. The king shuddered as he struggled to take in a breath.

The dying elder coughed suddenly, blood splattered onto the ground. He gasped trying to take in air, through his destroyed windpipe. Trying to fight death, as the red colouring of his scales vanished, but he was fighting a battle he had already lost.

“A-Aultire…” Began the king, “You must run… hide… I-I’m so... Sorry for –”

His labouring breaths intensified, eyes dimming and scales losing their colour rapidly. Aultire stood silently watching, unable to speak to the dragon he once called his father. The King spoke again, his eyes completely void of colour and his scales a purest of white.

“N-never for-get… that I l-lo…”

 “Father?” Asked the young dragon, panic rising in his voice, he shook his father softly. “Father!?”

The old dragon didn’t respond. Drawing his paws away from his father he recoiled as he found them to be covered in the Dragon King’s blood. Faltering, Aultire drew away and sprinted for the Tikan Forest, south of the destroyed palace. He ran away, leaving behind the Icariann Court. Leaving behind the countless colourless dragons that littered the battle field and their blood that would forever stain the ground.

Grief took its hold on the Coastal Dragon as he ran further south through the forest. It icy claws winding around his heart reminding him that he had killed his father, digging into his very being, clawing, shredding and tearing until he couldn’t take it anymore.

Stopping in the ruined city of the Forest Dragons, he let loose and unearthly scream that embodied all of his sorrows. Dropping his head, he allowed the tears that were gathering to fall to ground.

“I can’t do this anymore…”

 

2: Chapter one.

The sun was high in the sky, casting light upon the cove and its calm pale blue waters, and white sandy beaches. There was a sudden disturbance in the tranquillity as a turquoise coastal dragon dove into the water, its ghostly shape remaining beneath the waves. Suddenly the dragon burst triumphant from the crystalline waters and emerged; jaws full of fish.

It glided gently into the cove, sunlight reflecting off its dripping turquoise scales. Light shimmering off its opal coloured wings, jagged horns that arced gently back from its head and two sets of tail spikes that protruded from the end of its tail.

The dragon beat its large wings and came in for a landing on the rocky cliff side, stretching out on the warm rocks, the dragon fanned out its wings and proceeded to dry in the sun. He ate his fish, savouring its watery taste, slim teeth easily piercing its fragile scales.

“Jay are you insane!?”

The dragon whipped its head around, startled. Standing on the beach below him was a man with an outraged look on his face. His usually caring face knitted into a deep frown, blonde hair falling in front of his brilliant blue eyes. Lucas Abdel’s eyes bore into the dragon’s.

“I’m not paying you to lounge around on the beach! You have a job to do!”

The dragon, Jay, sighed and left his fish where they lay. Standing up he stretched out his opalescent wings again and dropped down onto the beach to stand beside the man. Lucas didn’t flinch at the flurry of sand that whipped at his face and as the dragon settled, he continued to berate him further.

“You know how dangerous it is to be out in this form! King Icarius would have your head, literally!”

Jay dropped his head and scuffled at the ground with his paws; he knew full well of the consequences, but after two Sol Cycles, he just couldn’t take hiding any longer. Concentrating, he was surrounded in a flash of white light and in the dragon’s place stood a scruffy young man. His brown hair fell over his stormy grey eyes, the only thing that didn’t change about him in the transformation.

Running a hand through his hair, he began to apologise. “Lucas, I’m sorry… I just really –”

The older man held up his hand, “Its fine Jay, I understand, but it is my responsibility to keep you safe. I promised you, and I’m not going to have that all thrown out the window because you wanted to go fishing!” Ruffling the dragon-boy’s hair, he laughed. “Now, why don’t you come finish those dishes you left behind to go fishing eh?”

Jay playfully shoved him away and began to head up the beach toward the sea-side tavern that he and Lucas called home, “Fine, but you better make up for ruining my lunch old man!”

“I’m only twenty-five Sol Cycles to your twenty!” Retorted Lucas, following the dragon-boy. “You have no rights to call me old man!”

“That’s still five Sol Cycles more than me!”

Lucas harrumphed and opened the door to The Tavern. Jay stopped outside to look up at the weather beaten old building. He didn’t actually know how Lucas had acquired it, he suspected there was some money laundering involved, but to be very honest, he wasn’t going to complain.

Looking out to the west, all Jay could see was the glittering ocean of the western-most side of Arden. He sighed wistfully, he could remember the days when he could fly over the continent of Arden with no fear of being attacked or killed. Recalling his father’s lessons and his memories, he could feel himself soaring over the opulent capital of Arden, Lumen D’Or. The white city. Home to King Icarius of Arden. Reaching further out to the east, where the Majjorah Plains and Forgotten Lands lay, he could almost taste the sand from the Mirage Desert that divided the two locations. He smiled with a grim satisfaction as he remembered the bustling markets of Fronterra Town and the crisp cold air of the Everwinter Forest.

To the north of Arden, joined by a narrow strait of land, lies the dragon province of Glendor. A beautiful country governed by the four major dragon races. Coastal, Forest, Fire and Sky. Each dragon species claiming a part of the province as their own. They lived harmoniously, mostly. Ever since the Great Dragon War however, the dragon land has been destroyed. The humans retaliating in anger, wiping out the species in a cataclysmic event. Now all that is left is a barren wasteland, nothing would now grow in the former lush, verdant province. Jay sighed, he was quite possibly the last of his kind. If Lucas hadn’t found him he would be-

“Great Alysheer’ial, Jay! Hurry up!”

The older man had flung open the back door again. He looked at the dragon boy, his cold blue eyes menacing. “Seriously, get your behind in here now. Dishes don’t wash themselves!” With an angry slam Lucas retreated back inside the weather-beaten old building.

Smiling to himself, Jay opened the door that his friend had slammed so kindly in his face. A blast of heat hit him in the face as he stepped into the warm kitchen. Lucas stood at the counter, finishing a dish that he was about to serve. Shaking his head, Jay pulled up his stool to the sink. His reasoning was; why stand and do the dishes, when you can sit? Of course Lucas always seemed to trip over the blasted thing no matter how out of the way Jay tried to keep it. How Lucas managed to run this tavern with just the two of them, on the busiest road between the capital and the north of Arden, he could never figure out.

He turned on the tap and flinched, then relaxed as the cold water splashed over his hands; helping him to regulate his body temperature. Reaching for the dishes that had been left on the side of the sink, he attacked them vigorously. He hated it when Lucas did the dishes, it appeared that the older man didn’t understand the concept that dishes have two sides, or had a much lower cleaning standard than him.

…

The rest of the afternoon fled from them like the vanishing sunlight out the window. Jay leaned heavily on his mop and looked around the now spotless kitchen. Smiling at his handiwork, the dragon boy headed out into the main dining area where Lucas had been cleaning up for the night. The older man stood behind the counter and was counting the takings for that day. He nodded at Jay, who then turned and headed upstairs to his room.

He had made it halfway up the stairs when there was a loud knocking at the door. Stopping in his tracks Jay could hear hushed voices.

“Lieutenant Thorne, it’s been a while.”  Lucas’ voice was even and steady, Jay could imagine him staring down the person standing in the doorway.

Thorne’s voice was thick and harsh, and as he spoke Jay could hear him shifting restlessly in his white armour. The type that all soldiers of Lumen D’Or wore. “Cut the formalities Abdel. This is the second time that a dragon has been spotted near your property, I swear if you don’t do something about it, I will report you to my captain.”

The dragon boy could almost sense the thickness in the air and he held his breath as he waited for Lucas’ response.

“I will not bring down such a creature, and this time I did not know it was on my lands. You however are, and I do ask you to leave.”

Lieutenant Thorne harrumphed and a sudden slamming of the front door announced the Royal Guard’s departure.

“Jay, I know you’re on the stairs. Listen to me with those freakishly good ears of yours.” Began the blonde man, voice resonating through the empty building. The dragon boy could hear the scraping of a wooden chair as Lucas took a seat. “That was the second time this Sol Cycle Jay, you’ve become too reckless. I forbid you from any flying-”

“What!? No!” Interrupted Jay, throwing himself back down the stairs to glare at Lucas. “You can’t do that!”

The older man looked up from where he sat, blue eyes boring into Jay’s “I’m sorry, your safety is at stake here and we are not going to throw that away based on your stupid decisions.”

Anger welled up inside of Jay, he felt like screaming and shattering the building around him, but he could see Lucas’ reasoning for it.

“Fine.” He growled.  “I won’t fly.”

3: Chapter two

Ghostly moonlight illuminated the lush grass on the front lawns of the Tavern. Treading carefully, Jay made his way down the path to the beach. Finding a dry place on the shell dotted sand, he sat down and looked up to the sky. Being at the ocean at night would often help him to calm his nerves and help him to collect his thoughts. Staring wistfully at the bright starry sky he clawed at the sand, feeling the coarse grains between his fingers. He scrunched his shoulders together and closed his eyes, forcing himself to stop getting emotional.

He missed them. He missed them so much.

Furiously he threw the sand he had grasped into the ocean and stood up. Staring at the moon, he whispered, barely audible.

“Father… I-I’m still unsure as to what you said…” He began, voice shaking and pressure welling in his lungs. Clenching his fists, he continued. “What happened?! I killed you! What sort of son am I?” Collapsing to his knees, his entire body shook as he released his bottled up emotions, tears running down his face. “…What happened? Why did you do what you did? Begin a war and destroy Kenderjouren?” He raised his head and shouted at the sky. “You must have known what the consequences would be!”

Tears streaming freely down his face, Jay lunged toward the ocean, mid leap releasing his changing spell that kept him bound in a human body. Transforming into his true form. A splash echoes through the cove as his reptilian form hit the water. Snaking his way into the icy claws of the water, he swum deeper. All I have to do… He thought, is hold my breath and close my gills and not breathe again, then this will all be over.

Shaking off the ominous thoughts he pushed off the murky ocean floor, wings beating at the water. Exploding from the water, he spiralled into the sky. Water droplets dripping from his wings, cascading upon the beach below him.

A sudden jolt of panic thundered down his spine as he saw the lone white-clad figure standing on the opposite cove. Panicking, Jay dove for the forest below him and prayed that he had not been seen.

…

The figure, a young girl dressed in white and blue, smiled as she saw the dragon dive for cover. It is time… She thought. Let the prophecy be fulfilled at last…

…

There was a dull thump that caused Jay to jolt awake from his slumber. He sat up and glanced out the open window and groaned. The moon still dominated the sky and filtered its light through the thin curtains that covered it. Sitting up he looked around his room, his messy and still slightly damp hair falling in his eyes.

“Who’s there?” He asked, a slight growl rising in his throat.

Silence filled the room and Jay pushed his blanket off himself and eased his legs over the side of the bed, his toes touching the cold wooden floor. A sudden shadow moved in his peripherals, rushing under the bed. A jolt of panic rushed through his stomach as he cautiously leaned over the side of the bed to see what it was.

By the time Jay had looked under the bed, the thing was gone. Turning his head around, he saw the figure on his bed. Reaching for him with clawed hands, it shoved him off the bed, making a dull thud on the floor. Jay groaned and growled pushing himself off the floor with shaky hands.

“You’ll pay for that!” He roared, lunging for the creature.

A smile splayed across the muzzle of the creature and it sent Jay flying back with a swift punch in the stomach. The dragon boy hit the wall and crumpled to the floor.

The door burst open and Lucas stood in the doorway, out of breath and in his scruffy nightclothes. “What happened?” He demanded.

He noticed Jay crumpled against the wall, the dragon boy was clawing at the wall in an attempt to stand up again.

“He came through the window,” Explained Jay, grimacing.

 The creature now sat on Jay’s bed, glaring at him with piercing green eyes. It looked like a cat, but it obviously was bipedal and walked upright. Its short fur was black and it had a white muzzle and paws. The creature was clothed in a dark cloak, it wore no shoes, but was dressed in a black shirt and pants. Around its waist was a red ornamental sash, with markings that were presumably to indicate rank. Slung over its shoulder was a slightly glowing purple bow.

 It spoke roughly, looking directly at Lucas. “Shut. Up.”

Lucas clenched his fists and spoke evenly, trying to not let his temper get the best of him. “You’re the one who came in and smashed through our window!” He crossed the room toward Jay and helped him up off the floor. The dragon boy cast an angry glare at the intruder.

The cat like thing stifled a laugh; then sighed impatiently and fiddled with his claws. “I’ll stay here then and pay you to make up for breaking and entering.” He drawled slowly.

Lucas harrumphed. “Fine, but you have to pay for the broken window,” He informed the cat.

The creature gave him an incredulous look. “But the window isn’t broken.”

The blonde man sighed in exasperation, "Windows have glass on them, you know,"

This guy is a dummy… Thought the cat, inwardly grinning "The window was open when I came through. Obviously your friend here didn’t think to close it.” He pointed to Jay who was doubled over and leaning on Lucas’ shoulder. “I am Keryan.” He announced.

“Well then Keryan, I am Lucas Abdel, and my friend that you just slogged is Jay Everett.”

“Nice to meet you…” Growled Jay. “So, what are you doing here anyway?”

A strange look passed over the cat’s face, then a wide sly grin took its place. “That’s for me to know and for you to never find out.” He replied haughtily. “But if you must know something, I am looking for a dragon, a specific one in fact.”

Jay began to take a step forward, but Lucas pulled him back and gave him a severe look. He let go of the dragon boy and crossed the room toward the newly announced Keryan.

“Well then,” He began, placing a hand on his shoulder, “Could you head outside and wait for me to organise a room for you, I need to speak to Jay.”

The cat nodded and walked out the room, tail and robe swishing behind him. When the door closed with a satisfying click, Jay reached for Lucas’ sleeve.

“What are we going to do?” He whispered desperately. “Rajjir are known to be experts at taking dragons down!”

Lucas gently pried the dragon boy off his sleeve and spoke softly, aware of the cat creature’s sensitive ears. “You do have a point, although, I have never seen one so far away from the Vchraccks Delta.” He thought for a moment. Rajjir were one of the high races of Arden, walking anthropomorphic cats that could speak; and in this case, kill quite effectively. Generally, they kept to themselves choosing to remain to the south of Arden, their main town being located at the Vchraccks Delta, where the Uleiah River broke off into the ocean.

Jay’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “What are we going to do Lucas?”

The older man placed a comforting hand on the younger boy’s shoulder, “We don’t worry,” He said simply. “Keryan the Rajjir is alone and he has no other visible weapons than the bow he carries on his shoulder.” Smiling grimly, he continued. “And if he is of any problem, you know I have the skills to take him down, and so do you. I didn’t teach you how to fight for nothing.”

Nodding, Jay collapsed onto his bed and gave a slight smile to Lucas as he left. He listened to the hushed voices as the Rajjir and man made their way downstairs. Flopping onto his pillow, he grimly smiled, he wouldn’t know what to do without Lucas, two Sol Cycles, that man had shown up out of nowhere and saved him. Had he not, he would most likely be dead at King Icarius’ feet by now. Rolling over to face the window, he looked at the glowing crescent moon. Thank Alysheer’ial for Lucas. He thought. I don’t know what I would do without him.

Feeling his eyelids begin to droop, he closed them and gave into the strong pull of sleep. Allowing himself to be carried on the wings of dreaming. Where nothing was wrong and things were as they should be.

…

The door creaked open and Lucas entered his room. Looking around at his belongings, he sighed. Two Sol Cycles to keep this dragon hidden from the king, but not just that pathetic man ruling Arden, but a force stronger and greater. He closed his eyes and rubbed a hand over his eyes as he lay back down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. How much longer could he lie to Jay? Clenching his fists, he gave a small cry of despair.

‘You know; you hid him pretty well… This has been one of the best wild goose-chases yet…’

Lucas sat bolt upright and glanced around the room, heart racing, he ran a hand through his messy blonde hair.

‘Oh yes… Raezel… I’ve found you at last, I knew you couldn’t hide him forever…’

Paling, Lucas swung his feet over the side of his bed and hit the wooden floor with a thud. Grabbing his boots and clothes he hastily dressed himself. On the way out of his room, he reached for his curved blade and ran down the hallway to where Jay was sleeping. Slamming the door open, he cried out desperately.

“Jay! Get up! We need to go now!”

The dragon boy, woke with a jolt and looked at the frightened man before him, he had never seen such a fear in Lucas’ eyes before, except for that time-

‘I’ve sent a group of soldiers your way Raezel, try fighting your way out of that one. Isn’t this fun?’

“Now!” Lucas roared, turning on his heel. “I’m going to wake the Rajjir!” He dashed out of the room and down the stairs to the apartments for travellers. The voice hounding him as he went.

Jay reached for his clothes, and somewhat haphazardly put them on. Raezel? He wondered. He pulled on his boots and slung his scabbard strap over his shoulder. Grabbing one of his bags he fumbled his way down the stairs to where Keryan and Lucas were waiting.

A loud thundering sounded from the other side of the front door and Lieutenant Thorne’s voice filtered through the thick wooden door. “Lucas, the game is up! Hand over the boy!”

“He’s possessed!” Exclaimed the Rajjir.

Shoving Jay and Keryan toward the kitchen he yelled. “The back door now! To the stables!”

The dragon boy looked back just in time to catch the front door exploding inward and shadows racing into the tavern. Lucas roughly grabbed him by the shoulder. “Don’t look back.”

Upon reaching the stables, Lucas cried out an order. “Forget about saddles and bridles, we don’t have time!”

Jay flung himself onto a mare and Lucas did the same. Keryan stood impassively watching on the ground.

“Rajjir, what about you?” The dragon boy asked.

“I can run.” The cat smiled briefly, then added as an afterthought. “Horses don’t like me.”

The tavern exploded in a sudden ball of fire and light. The heat washing over the three, dust, wood and debris flying in all directions. Thorne advanced, the smouldering wreckage behind him, eyes glittering an eerie red.

“Go, go, go!” Urged Lucas, digging his heels into his mare’s sides, causing her to lurch forward.

Jay cast one last look at the destroyed tavern and then kicked his mounts, flank following the Rajjir and Lucas into the night.

…

Smoke billowed from the remains of the destroyed tavern. Staining the night sky an ugly shade of grey and black, small yellow and orange remnant fires glittered in the burning wood. Standing in the ruins, the man laughed slightly and looked to the north, the direction they had fled. Averting his gaze back to the ruins, he smirked at the dead bodies of the soldiers and the man that was once Lieutenant Thorne. Stepping over the dead man he looked back out to where his targets had vanished.

“You can run Prince, but you cannot hide for much longer, I will destroy Alysheer’ial for once and for all and you will not stand in my way again!”

4: Chapter three

Leaves whipped at his face as Jay drove his horse deeper into the Miiros Woods, thundering after the Rajjir and Lucas. He could feel the heaving breath of his exhausted mount, yet he drove it faster and faster. The forest flashed past, the moon’s light filtering gently through the thin layer of leaves that made the roof of the forest. The dragon boy breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the others slow down in front of him. Pulling his horse into a gentle trot, he pulled up beside the older man and the loping Rajjir.

“Where are we?” He asked craning his head to see further into the moonlit woods.

Lucas tied his mare to a close tree. “We’re by a town called Octus. It’s the last of a historic civilisation.” Looking at both the dragon boy and the Rajjir he spoke sternly. “Wait here, I’ll see if there is somewhere safe for us to stay.”

The two watched the older man’s figure vanish into the woods.

“So…” Began Keryan. “What was all that at the Tavern then?”

Jay froze. Slowly turning away, he spat, “It doesn’t matter cat.”

Smiling, the Rajjir lunged at Jay, pulling him off his mare and against the trunk of a tree. Keryan locked his brilliant green eyes into Jay’s stormy grey. The dragon boy writhed as the cat’s clawed hands dug into his neck, scrabbling at his neck he fought to relieve the pressure on this throat. A growl rose in his throat as Keryan brought his head level to his.

Speaking softly the Rajjir’s face slowly drew back into a sinister grin. “Oh Jay, it does matter… More than you could think…” He growled. “Now. Let’s see what you really are…”

Jay felt something inside of him lurch as the Rajjir’s eyes turned a deep crimson red. A look of glee crossed Keryan’s feline features, before melting into something of horror and surprise. The creature hastily dropped him and backed up quickly. The dragon human rubbed his chafed neck and picked himself up off the floor.

The two stood quietly staring at each other.

“That was uncalled for Rajjir.” Snarled Jay, clenching his fists.

Keryan stood there, staring at the boy, greengage eyes wide. Flicking his tail, he blinked, then suddenly all emotion was gone from his face. A stony expression settling across his feline features. Lunging towards Jay, he punched him firmly in the gut. A sickening crack echoed through the forest as the boy’s head hit the ground. Softly treading across the grass, Keryan approached the downed dragon boy. Reaching out with one clawed hand he felt for a pulse on his neck. Reacting quickly, Jay grabbed the Rajjir’s arm and hauled himself upwards as he flung the cat creature to the floor. Catching himself, Keryan landed lightly on all fours, then snarling he drew his daggers and rushed at Jay.

The dragon boy sidestepped quickly and spun out of the Rajjir’s reach. Thank Alysheer’ial for Lucas’ training! He thought as he sidestepped another attack. Otherwise I’d be too weak to take him on.

A low growl rose from Keryan’s throat and a sudden pain erupted in Jay’s left shoulder.

Gasping, Jay reached for the wound and recoiled as his hand found one of Keryan’s daggers lodged in his shoulder. When did that happen!? He frantically thought, pulling the dagger out. Holding the bloody weapon in his hand and covering the wound with his other, he looked up at Keryan.

The Rajjir’s face was one of grim satisfaction.

“Why are you doing this?” Asked Jay desperately.

“I need the truth, and there is only one way to get it.” Springing forward, Keryan rushed the dragon boy again. As Jay tried to sidestep, the Rajjir swung around and kicked the dragon boy’s legs out from underneath him. As he crumpled to the floor, Keryan flicked the dagger out of the boy’s grasp and took an offensive stance before him.

Jay weakly looked up at the Rajjir, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. “Keryan… Why?”

Roughly kicking Jay, Keryan silenced him. “Shut up. Fight back.”

“I-I don’t-”

A sharp blow to Jay’s head cut him off. Jay collapsed to the ground, head reeling. A screech echoed through the clearing. “Why won’t you fight back dragon!?”

I don’t want to hurt anyone any more….

The Rajjir roughly wrestled Jay into a sitting position and drew his knife close to Jay’s throat. Panicking, Jay edged himself backwards at the cold knife pressed to his throat. Keryan’s raspy voice sounded near his ear. “I know what you are… Dragon.” Pressing the blade close to Jay’s neck, a slight red line of blood formed across his throat, the Rajjir continued. “But if I am wrong; and I am to be wrong yet, and you are not a dragon, I’m afraid I’m going to have to kill you.”

No! No! No!

“Go on dragon! Change form!” The dagger pressed even more against Jay’s throat and the boy let out a slight whimper.

Letting loose an unearthly scream Jay released the changing spell that kept him bound in human form. Throwing the Rajjir aside, he fanned out his wings and towered over his former attacker. Keryan’s face was a mixture of pure terror and excitement as if the cat creature was indecisive about how to feel with the large costal dragon standing above him. Jay took a step forward, pulling his lips back into a snarl, revealing a row of sharp white teeth.

A sharp blow to his flank caused him to rear up in pain. Jay whirled around to see soldiers advancing, weapons drawn. He breathed a stream of blue fire that arced over their heads. Something smashed into the back of his head, as he collapsed to the ground, Jay caught a glimpse of Lucas, unconscious and in the grip of two Royal Guards. Darkness engulfed him as he closed his eyes and nothingness invaded his thoughts.

…

His head felt heavy, like he had been drowned. He could feel the puncture in his left shoulder and an aching in his gut from where he had been punched. It was day, he dully observed. Lifting his head, he was stopped abruptly by metal chains that wrapped around his neck, head and length of his body. Shifting his limbs and wings, he found that he could not move them either.

Glancing upwards the best he could, Jay looked at the village of Octus before him. It appeared that he was in the town centre, as he could see rows of shops and markets lining the square. The houses were pretty, made of stone chiselled from the nearby Crystalline Caves and fragile flowers filled the gardens. Villagers of all classes filled the square, looking at him with intermixed feelings of disgust and triumph.

Looking to his left, Jay could see Lucas. Lying there, lifeless on the cobbled platform, chained to a ring in the stone also, the cold metal cuffs wrapping around his wrists.

A loud trumpet blast interrupted his observations and Jay’s attention was drawn to a knight in white armour before him.

The man spoke clearly and loudly for all in the town square to hear.

“This man and dragon have been condemned to death by the decree of King Icarius!”

Condemned to death.

Condemned.

Death.

No.

5: Chapter four

Smoke exploded through the town square, filling the plaza with a thick, dark haze. Frightened yells and cries of the villagers and the confused shouts of the Royal Guards were swallowed up in the thick smog. The smoke swirled and danced across his vison and a figure strode toward him in the haze. Panic swelled in Jay’s chest, and he tried desperately to shuffle himself backwards away from the approaching figure that now reached out a gloved hand toward him.

An intense heat seared across his ankles, neck and muzzle and a bright red flame danced across the cobbled platform. Then suddenly, the pressure was gone. Looking up at the figure he could see a man, whose deep hazel eyes glared at him with such a fury. They stayed there for a brief moment, eyes locked into each other’s, then the man spoke.

“I don’t want anything to do with your kind, but I feel the need to help you. Change form dragon and let’s get you out of here.”

Jay nodded numbly and Shifted back into his human form. As he picked himself up off the ground, the newcomer gave a slight nod of satisfaction. He started off towards the town again, making his way through the haze amidst the cries of the villagers.

“Wait!” Cried Jay, pulling him to a stop. “What about Lucas?”

The man spun around to face him. “We don’t have time; I’m sure Lucas can handle himself-”

“They’re going to kill him!” Interrupted Jay, running his hand through his hair. He then looked up at the older man, and spoke slowly and definitely. “You saved me, we have to go back for Lucas.”

The man’s stern face slowly melted into a soft smile and he gave a resigned sigh, “Fine, but we have to be quick. The Royal Guard will assume something is up by now.”

The dragon boy nodded and spun on his heel, back towards the stone podium. Upon reaching the platform, his blood turned cold. Lucas lay there, motionless, in a pool of blood. Gasping, Jay raced up the stone stairs and dropped to his knees by the older man’s side. Tears sprung to his eyes and he scrubbed a hand over his eyes, willing himself not to cry. A gentle hand rested on his shoulder; the newcomer.

The man offered him a gentle smile and gently pulled him away. “There is nothing more that can be done.”

“No!” Cried Jay, wrenching away from the man, “Lucas isn’t dead! I know he isn’t!”

“Dragon listen to me, you must come, this man is dead.” Reasoned the man.

Jay collapsed to the ground, shoulders shaking, head lowered. “He can’t be; he was all I ever had…”

A sudden yell sounded off to their right. “The dragon is gone!”

The man roughly grabbed Jay’s shoulder again and forced him to his feet. “We need to go dragon; we can’t do anything.”

The dragon boy nodded numbly and began to follow after the stranger, looking back through the dense fog, he caught sight of the Royal Guards closing in on Lucas’ lifeless body. The man led them through the small town, toward the outlying properties to the east. The stranger pulled to a stop outside an old, rundown cottage The old wood and stone building tilted ever so slightly to one side and the roof looked dangerously worn down. Under a veranda, that was haphazardly supported by two trees, was a small blacksmith’s forge. Looking around, Jay could see the rusty old weapons needing to be fixed and smell the burning coals from a recently lit fire. Along the side of the stone house, rows of gleaming new tools hung, ready to be returned to their owners.

“This way.” The man motioned for Jay to follow him and cautiously the dragon boy made his way through the mess of old pieces of metal and unfinished weapons. The man smiled and held open a door for him and the dragon boy stepped inside.

He almost expected the house to be a mess also, but it was immaculately clean. The small living area was neat and tidy and the adjoining kitchen was free from mess and grime. Moving around the cottage the man closed all of the window and curtains, dimming the light in the cottage to a dull glow from the lamps. A dimly lit corridor opened up to one side, presumably for the bedrooms of the small cottage. The stranger gestured to the lone, small couch in the corner of the room and took a dining room chair for himself. The man settled himself comfortably on the old rugged thing and smiled slightly as Jay reluctantly took a seat on the small couch.

“I suppose I should explain myself then?” Said the man, rubbing the back of his neck.

Jay scowled, crossing his arms, “That would be nice.”

The man leaned forward on his chair and rested his elbows on his knees. Now that they were out of the smoke, Jay could see a faint white scar running underneath his left eye underneath a thin layer of dirt and sweat. The man wore a white undershirt beneath an armour-ribbed blue vest that was now covered in in ashy handprints from the smoke and ash. The man ran a hand through his hair, returned to his hunched over position, then began to speak.

“I’m James Lockhearte. The resident blacksmith of this town.”

“That doesn’t explain much.” Cut in Jay sharply. “I just lost my closest friend and you talk about yourself?”

The man’s face fell, and lines of worry creased his face. “Jay, I never meant for Lucas to die.”

The dragon boy recoiled. “You know my name? How!?” He demanded.

“I told him.”

Keryan’s lithe figure emerged from the corridor and he stood behind James who nodded in agreement, green eyes glowing in the dim light of the cottage. The cat looked rugged, as if he had lost sleep and a new nick had taken residence in his right ear.

“Keryan was the one who found me and brought me to help you and Lucas.” Explained James. “Although at first I thought that he was trying to kill me.”

The Rajjir gave a nonchalant shrug. “He gave me a new hole in my ear, and I did deserve it for sneaking up on him in the first place.”

Jay couldn’t comprehend his shock. The same Rajjir that just tried to get him killed, now helped save his life.

“You owe me one Floor Boy.” Rumbled the cat.

Jay sprung from his chair, outraged. “Floor Boy!? What’s that name for!?” He then winced, feeling suddenly lightheaded and collapsed to the floor.

“Jay, you’ve lost a lot of blood. And the Royal Guard didn’t bother to look after that wound in your shoulder.” Rising from his chair, James crossed the room to where Jay was weakly trying to get up off the floor. Helping the dragon boy onto the couch again he spoke sternly. “You need some rest. You didn’t get proper sleep last night, so you must rest before heading off.” The man turned and headed down the corridor, leaving Jay and Keryan alone.

Jay looked at the cat, unable to determine how he felt about his presence. “You tried to kill me.” He began, “Then you got James to rescue us.”

“Ah, not quite.” A droll smile played across the Rajjir’s muzzle. “I looked into your soul before. Then when I saw that you were a dragon, I had to prove it right, by forcing you to change forms. Otherwise my entire quest would have been for nothing.”

“Your quest?” Asked Jay, weakly raising his head.

Keryan grinned. “That’s for me to know and for you to never find out Floor Boy.”

“Floor Boy!?” Exclaimed Jay. “What is up with that nickname?”

The Rajjir smiled. “As I recall, when we first met, you were on the floor, no?”

Jay slowly nodded, then roughly shook his head. “That’s not enough of a basis for a nickname!”

Keryan’s grin only grew wider before he turned around and loped into the darkness of the corridor.

“Keryan!”

…

A muffled thump woke Jay from his fitful doze. Slowly opening his eyes, he could barely see James’ silhouette in the darkness, fumbling around in the kitchen for the jug of water that was sitting on the table. The moon’s light filtered in from between the curtains, casting a little light on the dining room and kitchen. Struggling to sit up, he found that his shoulder had been tightly bound and blankets and pillows had been arranged around him during the time that he had been asleep.

“…James?” He croaked, throat dry.

The man turned around and his expression softened when he saw Jay sitting up. “You’re awake then.”

“How long was I out?”

James’ face was cast in shadow so it was hard to see the man’s face as he answered, taking a cup from the kitchen bench. “Most of the day, you’ve been asleep for a long time.”

Jay sighed and leaned back against the pillow and James crossed to the dining room and poured himself a drink of water, sitting on one of the chairs by the table. The two sat there in silence for a while before Jay spoke up. “You must be a good fighter to have injured Keryan, are you a Royal Guard?”

“It was just a nick in his ear. But, yes, I was once a Royal Guard.” Answered the man. “That was two Sol Cycles ago now.”

“What happened?” Persisted Jay, eager to know.

James scowled, “I’d rather not recount the tale boy.”

The dragon boy shrunk back against the couch. James looked at the window as if fixated on something that wasn’t there. He then turned his attention back to the injured boy. “I’m sorry about Lucas.” He admitted suddenly. “I just wish I could have found you earlier instead of fighting with the cat.”

“Like you said, there was nothing we could have done.” Said Jay, a slight wobble in his voice.

James nodded then rose from his chair. He gave the dragon boy a nod and exited the room, his voice floating back down the corridor to him. “Sleep well, we leave tomorrow.”

Jay pulled the blankets up over his shoulders and rolled over onto his right side, looking out into the patterns made on the floor by the moonlight.

I’m sorry Lucas. He thought, tears springing to his eyes.

I’m sorry…

6: Chapter 5

The sunlight filtered in gently from behind the closed curtain. Filling the room with a radiant warmth. Jay slowly cracked open one eye and saw James bustling around the kitchen and dining room. He slowly eased his feet over the side of the couch and sleepily rubbed a hand over his eyes. A muffled thump sounded through the room as James tossed a bag into his chest.

“Pack it, we’re leaving.” The knight ordered. “Find some clothes in the room at the end of the hall.”

Keryan strode in through the door, bag slung over his shoulder. “I found the horses from last night, and all of our belongings.” He tossed a bag in Jay’s direction, who squawked and fell backwards as the bag hit him squarely in the face. He grunted and grumbled something about an injured shoulder. Opening the bag, he found his clothes and belongings he had hastily packed the night they left the Tavern.

Standing up, he awkwardly wrestled his boots back on, balancing the two bags on his back as he did. Looking down the corridor, he took an unsteady step forward then made his way down the hallway. The stone cottage seemed so much larger than he had first thought it to be as he passed several rooms. Jay stopped, a room catching his eye.

It looked lived in, but young child’s toys that were scattered across the floor were covered in dust. Untouched for a long time. Entering the room, Jay could see a small plush dog sitting on one of the pillows on the bed and small dresses folded on the end. Sudden footsteps in the corridor alerted Jay to James’ presence as he entered the room.

The look on the older man’s face was one of sadness and longing. He stood by Jay, a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I had a daughter once, my wife and I.” He began, voice wavering. “Cadence loved our girl, but—” He choked on his words and fell silent.

Jay observed the knight, unsure of what to say. James looked at him with a soft smile. “Go pack your bags Jay. We need to leave here soon.”

…

The day wore on, Jay and James travelling side-by-side northwards. Their mares kicking up stones and dust as they cantered over the well-travelled road through the Miiros Woods. Keryan loped across the softly grassed forest beside the trail at a leisurely pace behind them, his black fur shiny and silky in the sunlight.

“So where were you headed before you were attacked?” Asked James over the clattering over the horse’s hooves.

Jay shook his head, and pulled gently his mare to a stop, “North, that’s all.” He looked around at the sunlight dappled forest around them. “We left the Tavern in such a hurry, I don’t think we planned to go anywhere but escape.”

“If he headed north, he was most likely moving onto Fronterra.” Observed Keryan, raising himself up from all fours and dusting off his furred hands, keeping a wary distance from the horses.

A thoughtful look crossed James’ face. “We need to get there as quickly as possible right?” He continued at the nodding of his companions. “If we cut through the Crystalline Caves we should get there sooner, one of the tunnels leads right into the middle of the Everwinter forest.”

“Aren’t their monsters living in there?” Asked Jay, his expression grim.  “The chances of getting killed in there are incredibly high.”

The knight nodded, “That’s a risk we’ll have to take.”

The Crystalline Caves were a long, hard to find, underground complex of tunnels and caves. Many dangerous creatures were said to call it home with the lower depths of the system reaching incredible depths belowground. Jay himself had never managed to find any entrances to the caves, but this might be worth a shot.

“Die?” Keryan laughed roughly. “That sounds like fun!”

Jay and James shared a dubious look, then the dragon boy huffed and urged his mount into a trot. “Sadistic creep.” He muttered under his breath.

Keryan stooped down and picked up a rock on the dusty path and lobbed it at Jay’s head. The stone hit him squarely in the back of the head. The dragon boy snapped his head around, glaring at the Rajjir.

The cat growled at the dragon, “I heard that Floor Boy.” But a slight smile tugged at the edge of his mouth as he struggled to contain his laugher.

Jay fumed, his patience with the Rajjir running thin. “I am not a floor boy!” He exclaimed. His sudden outburst startles a Kurios that was rummaging through the long grass that covered the forest’s floor.

The creature was small and looked up at the travellers with huge golden-orange eyes. It was like a small dog in appearance, with a long furred serpentine tail that was tipped with a small plume of fur. Its pale white face was long and vulpine, with three sets of long golden horns that arced back from its head, glittering slightly in the wood’s dappled light, matched by the claws that adorned its paws. The Kurios’ eyes met Jay’s, who scowled at it. Terrified, the creature vanished into the undergrowth.

“We’re close.” Stated James, watching the fleeing creature intently. “Kurios are known to live near entrances to the Crystalline Caves system. They feed off the lightrocks that line the walls. We’ll follow it to its cave then find our way from there.”

…

The cave glittered with an icy coldness that sent chills down Jay’s spine. The main cave’s wall was magnificent with glowing lightrocks. As the trio travelled deeper into the caves, the cave split off into winding side caverns that were illuminated by the purple and blue light the crystals gave.

Stopping, Jay’s horse screamed and whinnied in fear and threw him to the floor. The dragon boy hit the cold stone with a thud, his sword and belongings clattering into the dark reaches of the cave. His horse bolted, leaving him fumbling for his sword in the darkness. He reached forward, feeling for his sword on the dirty ground. Grasping it, his hand touched something and a pair of bright, glowing, pale yellow eyes opened.

Jay could hear muffled yelling behind him and a horse’s scream cut off by a deep gurgling of liquid and a loud cry of pain as something collapsed to the floor. The dragon boy drew himself backwards, fear fuelling his movements. He struggled to his feet, hearing more yelling behind him, but the creature before him held his gaze. Jay found himself drawn to the creature’s eyes and found himself involuntary moving closer.

A terrible shriek jolted Jay’s attention away from the eyes, and he whipped around to see the carnage behind him.

James’ horse lay on the ground, dead. Its neck was torn open and sinew and blood spilled from the wound that showed the bones of its neck. James and Keryan were fighting back to back. The knight had his sword drawn and Keryan grasped bloody daggers in each hand.

Spinning around to face the creature that had commanded his attention before. He recoiled as he took in the true appearance of the creature for the first time. It looked much like a medium sized dog, but it’s snout was thick and its features were somewhat reptilian and its eyes glowed a pale yellow. Shaggy brown fur covered its torso and sand-coloured, smooth leathery scales that covered the entirety of its body. The creature had a long, almost whip like tail that ended in a deadly curved stinger that it now had raised menacingly over its head. Its ears were large, like a bat’s and seemed impossibly big for its head. Two big downward facing fangs protruded from its upper lip; perfect for taking down prey.

The beast looked at Jay, ran its forked tongue over its reptilian lips and clacked its claws on the stone floor.

It was killed in an instant as a massive red fireball encased its body. The creature’s charred corpse collapsed to the floor and James gripped his shoulders and pulled the dragon boy to face him

“Don’t look them in the eye Jay!” He exclaimed, checking him over for injury. He then added with a more serious tone. “They steal your soul that way.”

“What are they?” Asked Jay, picking his sword up from the floor as a guttural cry came from Keryan, who was attacked by two of them at once.

“Novians.” James, explained. “More commonly known as devil dogs. They are almost blind and rely heavily on their sense of smell and hearing to locate prey.” He paused as Keryan sent a Novian flying into the wall opposite. “They generally stay to the lowest levels of the caves, so it’s unusual that they would up this high.”

“Are you going to help me or stand around chatting like women!?” Howled Keryan, firmly planting his foot into a Novian’s face and narrowly dodging a poison filled stinger.

James grabbed Jay’s arm and pulled him to Keryan’s side. “Stand down.” He ordered Keryan, who reluctantly wiped the bloody daggers on his pants and hid them once again up his sleeve.

A look of concentration passed over the knight’s face and a sickly wall of red fire surrounded the comrades, giving them a chance at rest.

“We need to take out the alpha!” Ordered James, face creased with effort.

“Keryan!” Exclaimed Jay suddenly. “What about that look-into-your-soul thing that you did to me?”

The cat snorted, then his eyes turned a deep red as he searched the beings before them. He pointed to one that looked particularly pale in the light of the fire and glowing crystals as his eyes returned to their normal emerald green. “That one!”

James nodded and forced his hands outward, driving the fire to do the same, replacing the natural blue and purple light of the cavern with a bloody red colour. The Novians retreated, whining and backing away from the roaring, crackling fire that advanced. Jay cringed at the oppressive heat, the vibrancy of the fire overbearing. The blaze was overwhelming for the Costal Dragon who was gradually feeling sick from the warmth.

The remaining devil dogs let out howls of terror as the fire engulfed them. Then, the Crystalline Caves fell silent as the fire diminished and the charred corpses of the Novians collapsed to the floor; the smell of burnt flesh filling the air.

Jay summoned a small ball of water from the depleted moisture in the air and splashed it across his face. Feeling better he turned to James and asked, “Is that what you used to save me back at Octus?”

The knight nodded, the remnant fire casting a red light on his face. “I’ve had my cursed fire for a long time now.” He looked at Jay curiously. “What was yours just then?”

“Costal Dragons can summon the moisture in the air or nearby sources of water to do their bidding.” Explained Jay. “There wasn’t much left in the air as you can tell. Although I do also have magic other than the elemental that comes with being a dragon.”

“So simple spells and stuff?” Inquired Keryan, shouldering a slightly burnt bag. “I thought that was only Royal Dragons that could do that, not Major.”

Jay nodded, “Something like that…” He then fell silent as a sudden cold breeze swept through the cavern. “How far did we get before we were attacked?” He asked.

The knight looked thoughtful. “We have travelled far enough for that to be the Everwinter Forest exit. Do you want to go ahead while we try to salvage our belongings?”

The dragon boy nodded, the further he was from the overheated cave, the better. He handed his sword to James who promised to recover the rest of his things.

He raced towards the cool, fresh, almost icy breeze. Winding his way through the glowing cave. His mind flooded with memories. His family dying… The blood pooling from his dying father’s wounds… He clenched his fists and slowed to a walk. It’s all my fault! He thought, scrunching his eyes together trying desperately to stop thinking.

He crossed the last section of the cave and his mind wandered to the events of recent Sol Cycles. He choked back a sob that was rising in his throat. Lucas. The man who had protected him for so long… Was dead. Lucas was the one who took him in when no one else would. Lucas helped him hide his dangerous dragon secret.

He sighed in relief as the rocks of the cave gave way to open grey sky and foliage. The cold, biting wind of the Everwinter Forest washing over him. He walked out into the ledge that looked out into the forest, boots crunching through the fresh snow. Spying a rock on the ledge, he brushed off the snow and sat down, staring out at the forest before him.

Dark twisted white leaved trees reached for the sky, but they were weighed down by the heavy snow that rested on their branches. The forest floor was covered in a thick blanket of snow with small pale plants peeking through the icy surface. It was always winter here, the sun would never melt this ice and snow.

Jay laughed softly, remembering the time when he was a younger dragon when he and his brother had set fire to this very forest. The local Mist Wolves weren’t too happy; neither was their father…

A sudden movement in his peripherals alerted him to another presence in the forest. Swinging around he gasped in shock.

“Infernacus!”