The Dragon Without
Sample
Chapter 1
The ambient light that filtered through holes carved into the cave ceiling, caused the walls of Dragons’ Hall to shine. The sounds of clinking silverware echoed in the vast hall, as Cole, George, Aileana, and Doodle sat at one of the long tables eating breakfast.
Broc stepped toward the group. George swallowed some eggs. “Hi, Broc. What brings you this way today?”
He spread his hands apart. “I come this way every day.”
George nodded. “I guess, if my chicken needs to eat, you would too.”
Aileana and Cole barely refrained from spewing out their drinks. Doodle stared at George.
“Undoubtedly,” said Broc, smiling. “Though I do have a reason to approach you all today. The council will be meeting tomorrow to decide what you’ll do next. From what was discussed, they'll be sending some of you out to Zureal to see what damage Gorhan did there through George. They were attacked pretty hard.”
George's eyes grew distant. “I remember some of that. Horrible loss. Houses, people, and even chickens. I hated being controlled like that.”
Aileana cuddled George's hand. “It wasn't your fault.”
“I know, I know. That doesn't erase the horror of it all.” His head sank. “The horror of what I was forced to do and watch done.”
Broc placed his hand on George's shoulder. “What's done is done. The point being we need to assess the attitude of those people to the dragons and see what can be done to repair it. I've recommended Cole, Doodle, and Aile for the task.”
Doodle's eyes grew wide. “But—”
The main doors to the hall creaked open and light spilled onto the floor. A guardian stood in the doorway. “Master Broc, we have caught someone exploring the Dragons’ Dying Field.”
Cole gasped. He hoped only this one person knew its location. Or maybe the person didn't know what he or she walked across—that they had traversed the portals to many worlds where dragons go after they die. He prayed knowledge of the fields had not spread beyond this one person.
The guardian stepped forward into the hall and other guardians pushed a bound woman forward.
As they drew close, Cole's eyes fixed on her face and his mouth fell open. He jumped from his seat “Mira!”
Aileana stared at her. “Mira?”
A smile spread upon Mira's face. She sent Cole an image of an embrace.
Though it happened only in his mind, he felt embarrassed that it happened with Aileana in the room. Memories of his time in her world, and her failed attempts to bond with him flew through his mind.
Aileana swatted Cole on the back of the head. “Cole! Why are you standing there staring at her as if you’re infatuated?”
George stood up. “She's pretty, whoever she is.”
Aileana frowned. “George, you're not helping.”
“But do you see the way she's staring at Cole?”
Cole shook his head. “No, George. You’re definitely not helping.”
George said, “But who is she? Why is she wandering around the Dragons’ Dying Field?
Cole focused on George. “She is from a different world than our own. The one you attempted to trap Alie and me in. I helped her and her tribe in the world we were last in.” Cole glanced at Broc fearing he may have forgotten to mention this detail. “I helped her bond with a dragon named Dilroth.”
George let his jaw drop. “Scaly!”
Broc rubbed his forehead. “It appears I'm not the only one bonding humans with dragons without consulting the council.”
Aileana narrowed her eyes. “So this was the task you felt you needed to stay and do while George was out attacking cities? Was bonding her to a dragon the only thing you stayed to do?”
Cole felt her eyes probing him for the truth. He had nothing to hide, but would she feel the same way? And why did he worry what she thought? It wasn't as if they were married or anything.
Cole sighed. “No, nothing like that. I only helped bond her with Dilroth and then left.”
Her eyes accused him of more.
“No, really, that's all that happened.” He groaned inside. The more he complained, the guiltier he sounded.
The lead guardian started to unbind her. “Can you communicate with her then? We don't understand her language. We just get images. Though she did mention your name, Cole.”
Aileana gritted her teeth. “Really?”
Broc cleared his throat. “If you can talk with her, Cole, please do. We need to find out what this is about.”
Cole nodded. He waved his hand and said the spell to understand other tongues as he moved toward Mira. “Mira, why are you here?”
Her smile faded to frown. “Our people are under attack. We are in need of your assistance.”
“But Mira, I've enough to do in this world. I can't be a guardian for two worlds.”
She stomped her foot. “But we are not going to survive because of what you did.”
Cole wrinkled his brow. “What I did? If you have a dragon, that should give you an advantage over the other tribe. I don't understand.”
“Tell me you did not know bonding me with Dilroth wouldn't alert every dragon in our world that a new era had dawned with humans and dragons?” She peered into his eyes.
Cole’s jaw dropped. “No. I did not know that.” Made sense though. The links among dragons were strong. All in his world were familiar with that union, but not in her world, at least before he had arrived there.
She jerked her head back to toss her black hair away from her eyes. “Well, it did. And some of those dragons united with the other tribe. Now our battles are bloodier than ever, and they have the advantage.”
“What advantage is that?”
She bore into his eyes. “My ability with Dilroth is to speed up the production of food.”
Cole shrugged. “Not much of a power, but I can see how that links with Dilroth. He did seem focused on food.”
“But that is nothing against a rider who can multiply.”
Cole gasped. “Multiply!”
George tugged on Cole's shirt. “What did she say?”
Cole met Aileana's eyes. “She said there is a rider in her world who has the ability to multiply.”
Aileana's eyes grew wide. “Zach?”
Cole shook his head. “Zach's dragon.”
Her eyes grew wider. “But he's—”
“Not here any longer.” Cole warned her with his eyes to say no more with Broc standing there. “We don't know what world Gorhan may have ended up in.”
Cole met Broc's eyes. “Her tribe is threatened with extinction because I joined her to a dragon. I have to go back and help repair my mistake.”
Chapter 2
Siroth pointed at Cole from his seat on the council as he stared at Broc. “You see what your example has fostered! Who gave Cole the right to decide another world should have the dragon-human bond introduced into it?” Siroth swung his eyes to stare into Cole's. “You shouldn't get involved in the affairs of other worlds.” Two of the other council members nodded in approval.
Cole sucked in a deep breath. “If I may respond to the most esteemed Siroth?” Cole met Broc's eyes. Broc nodded. Cole focused on Siroth. “With respect, my fellow guardian, are you suggesting that the bond we enjoy with our dragons is not something to be shared and encouraged?”
Siroth grunted. “Of course not. Simply that such a decision is not to be taken lightly and left to one person to decide for an entire world. Do you claim to be a god?”
Cole shook his head. “No sir, I know full well my limits. And you are right. At a minimum I should have consulted with my fellow guardians at the time.” He glanced at Aileana who frowned at him, her eyes agreeing with his statement. “My fault was only that I assumed such a joy should be shared, not withheld selfishly.”
Siroth glanced at Broc. “At least someone here recognizes his place. An innocent mistake, Cole, given you are not an experienced guardian. The same cannot be said for others.”
Broc held out his hand. “We can sit here and cast blame all day if we wish, and we will come to no decision which is just and fair. The question before us now is whether to send Cole and someone else along with him to this other world, to attempt to put things in order that his actions have disrupted. And if so, when do we deal with the discord in Zureal and other places?”
The council members murmured among themselves for a moment. Siroth nudged the one next to him. Elof rose to his feet. “Guardian Broc. I suggest we send Cole to clean up his own mess. He can take George with him. We'll send Aileana and Doodle to Zureal.”
Cole noticed the grin on Siroth's face. No doubt he was glad to get Cole out of the way for a while, and perhaps perish in the other world, or end up trapped there. But they were right. He felt responsible for any problems that had cropped up there due to his actions. It was only logical that he should be the one to go back and set things right.
Aileana raised her hand and Broc nodded to her. “If I may, Guardian Broc, I believe I need to go with Cole, not Doodle.”
Broc raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”
Cole noticed she glanced at Mira. “He'll need a dragon while there, and I can change into one.”
Broc turned to Siroth and Elof. “What do you say?”
Siroth grumbled a moment. “Very well. I don't favor putting Aileana into danger like that, but her argument makes sense. Cole will need a dragon to fight dragons.”
George lifted his hand.
Broc sighed. “Yes, Guardian George?”
A smile spread across his face. “Are you sure it's a good idea to send a boy and girl by themselves? I should go to make sure there's no temptations.”
Broc smiled. “I don't think they are children, Guardian George. I think you are overreaching because you want to go. They are old enough to do what is right and Cole is an honorable man. You will go with Doodle if the council so deems it proper.”
George frowned. “Can't blame me for trying.”
Doodle said, “Guardian Broc?”
Broc turned toward him. “Yes?”
“Are you sure it is a good idea for an inexperienced guardian like myself to be going out on missions?”
Broc nodded. “The mission we are sending you and George on is an information-gathering mission, only. One which your particular abilities could prove quite useful.”
Doodle nodded, apparently relieved he wasn’t being asked to do battle with anyone.
Broc scanned the council members. “Any questions or differing opinions?” No one said anything. “Then all for Cole and Aileana going to Mira's world to fix the problems there, and George and Doodle going to Zureal to assess the damage there and work toward healing, all in favor?””
“Aye!” the chorus rang out.
“All opposed?” No one spoke. “Very well, then. You four will prepare for your tasks and leave in the morning. Tonight, we'll give you a final meal and celebration before you head into danger. Dismissed.”
Cole turned to George. “Sorry, my friend. Looks like we'll not be a team this time.”
George shrugged. “I don't know. I think we'll be a team no matter if we're together or not.”
Cole smiled. “I'm sure we are.”
“But I will miss you all the same. Don't know this Doodle guy too well.”
Cole glanced at Doodle who was talking with his dragon, Rulis. “I only know him from my father's stories and my time spent with him while you were possessed by Gorhan. So you haven't had much real contact with him.”
George smiled. “Other than him trying to kill me. At least I was aware of it. But I don't blame him. I begged your sister to kill me.”
“So she said. But she couldn't do it until it was too late.”
“But I suppose I should be glad. You ended up saving me from that monster in the end.”
Cole glanced at Mira sitting alone at a table. “I suppose I should go tell her what the outcome of the meeting was.”
“Okay. See you later. I'm going to spend some time with Lushlin while I have some time.” George turned to head toward the dragons.
“Later, George.” Cole turned to speak to Mira, but Aileana stood in his way. He jumped back. “What?”
Her eyes bore into his. “Why don't you level with me? What is it between you and her?”
Cole slumped. How could he tell her anything without it looking worse than it really was? “Remember when you found me in her world?”
She nodded and smiled. “Strung up naked on a cross, waiting for a dragon to eat you for lunch.”
Cole tried not to think about the humiliation. “Well, it was Mira that led that procession because I had spurned her the previous evening. She said it had something to do with being united to their tribe.”
Aileana's eyes grew soft. “Why didn't you?”
Now he really felt up against the wall. He couldn't tell her it was because he loved her. They had to keep this a working relationship. “It just didn't feel right. Told her in my world we didn't bond with strangers like that. She didn't understand.”
Aileana stared into Cole's eyes, as if searching for evidence of truth. “All right. All the same, be careful.”
Cole smiled. “Why do you care anyway? You're jealous.”
She stomped her foot on the floor. “I am not jealous! I'm merely concerned. If you get distracted by a pretty woman, it could jeopardize our mission. Don't flatter yourself.” She spun around and stomped off before Cole could add another word.
Cole grinned. Yep, she was jealous all right. He proceeded toward Mira to fill her in concerning what the council had decided.
——-oOo——-
The dinner in their honor was filling and festive. But Cole needed some time with Grinoth. After all, they would be apart for who knew how long.
The dragon met him on the platform overlooking the valley. Trees filled the Dragons' Battlefield as the moon cast an eerie glow over the scene.
Grinoth flicked his thick tail. “How are you feeling?”
Cole thought for a second. “Sad that I'll be away from you for a while. Also worried.”
“Worried? About what?”
Cole sat on the edge of the launching platform, his feet dangling in the air. “While I'm gone, those who want to release Gorhan, if anyone finds out, may try to kill you.”
Grinoth growled low. “I'd like to see them try. I'll keep myself well hidden while you are gone. But I'd be more worried about voicing such things aloud. If we must discuss them, then let's communicate mentally. Don't assume you are alone because you think you are.”
Cole smacked his forehead. “Of course, I wasn't thinking.” He scanned the area. “Let me check to make sure.” He pulled out Josh's old book of spells and looked up the one for revealing the presence of others. He waved his hand and repeated the spell. If anyone was within listening range, they would light up like a campfire to his eyes. But no one showed up in the darkness.
“It appears the area is clear. No one around.”
Grinoth snorted. “There are those who don't need to be present. I know of one guardian who I'd be surprised to find out he doesn't already know.”
Cole swung his eyes around to meet Grinoth's. “Who?”
“Have you ever thought to ask Broc what his guardian ability is?”
Cole realized he'd never known, nor thought to ask. “No.”
“He wouldn't tell you if you did ask. It isn't an obvious one, and I'm sworn to not say as well. But he most likely knows because of it.”
Cole ran his fingers through his hair. “Do you think we're in trouble?”
Grinoth's tongue flicked around his teeth. “I doubt it. He wouldn't want you to know he knows. He'd only use that information in making his own decisions.”
Cole frowned. “That's what I'm worried about. He may decide killing me is worth not having to worry about Gorhan ever returning.”
'I've known Broc a long time. A murderer he is not. He may be happy for you to go into danger, hoping the course of natural events will do it for him, but he wouldn't directly attempt to have you killed.”
Cole grunted. “Like sending me to Mira's world?”
“Exactly.”
Cole sucked in a deep breath. “Let's hope I'm successful there. I feel partly responsible, but on the other hand, I still feel it was the right decision.”
Grinoth turned his thick neck to stare at Cole with his eyes. “Anytime new power is introduced to a society, it creates those who seek to use it to their advantage. It is part of the growing process for a people to learn how to use it constructively for everyone.”
Cole nodded. “Like our world. We haven't exactly been prime examples of that.”
“Let me know when you find a world where dragons and humans exist in perfect harmony. When I die, I'll gladly go there.”
“Paradise.”
The edges of Grinoth's mouth turned up, revealing his razor-sharp teeth. “That's my ultimate home when all but that world has ended. Dragon's are of Paradise, you know. Why do you think you find your dragon there?”
Cole widened his eyes. “What are dragons, then? Angels in disguise?”
Grinoth released a blast of fire from his mouth, lighting up the area in the dark night before it died on his lips. “That's probably the best explanation I've ever heard. But even dragons, as you know, can turn bad. And in some worlds, those are the only ones that are known. Remember the world Aile, George and yourself were almost trapped in by Zach?”
Cole stared off into the night sky. “How could I forget. A very strange world.”
“In that world, dragons are known as evil, because of the one who seeks to destroy that world. It's the reason dragons there will always exist in the form of cats. If they revealed their true form, they would be feared more than those in Zureal do, so steeped into their history is evil associated with us.”
“Thankfully, that's not where I have to go now. Rather, I have to work to prevent the same thing from happening to a new world. Hopefully that task is more doable than the one in that strange world appears to be.”
“Let's pray it is so.”
Cole lifted himself to his feet. “Enough talk. We only have tonight and we'll be separated from each other for a while. I want a good ride before then. What do you say?”
Grinoth lowered himself onto his belly. “I was hoping you'd say that.”
Cole leaped onto Grinoth's wing and bounded onto his back. “I'm ready.”
Grinoth stood on all fours, and leaped off the ledge. His massive wings spread and caught the night breeze. As he pushed down with his wings, they rose into the sky. The stars dotted the black, occasionally obscured by wisps of clouds. Cool wind caressed Cole's skin as his hair flapped behind him.
Grinoth dove toward the treetops of the valley, then pulled up at the last minute, then rolled as he rose straight into the air. His powerful wings beat a steady rhythm, as the air grew cold and thin.
A clump of thicker clouds raced toward them, and they shot into a whitish darkness. In a burst of colors, the sky turned a solid black and brilliant starlight shrouded in a warm moonlight filled Cole's vision.
Grinoth leveled off as Cole's heart beat hard and his breathing labored, but he didn't care. The sight of cloud-tops shimmering in the lights of the night, with little fires burning below in the darkness left him breathless. He glanced at a brighter light to his left, and saw the crest of the sunlight glowing on the curved horizon.
Beautiful, isn't it? Grinoth arched his head back to peer at Cole with one eye.
Beautiful doesn't even begin to describe it.
We'd better get you back to a lower altitude.
Cole shook his head. No, can't we stay here a little longer?
But you're breathing hard. You'll pass out in this thin air.
You'll catch me if I fall off. Like the first time. Remember?
Grinoth angled downward between two clouds. There's no guarantee I could duplicate that, at least not without injuring you.
As they sank, Cole realized he had been breathing rapidly, and appreciated the warmer air to calm his shivering. His breathing leveled out as air filled his lungs.
Cole rubbed the dragon's neck. Do one thing for me.
And that would be?
Keep an eye on George.
But George will be with Doodle and Rulis, being a chameleon-dragon will be with them since he can hide effectively.
I'm just not sure about Doodle yet. I trust George and Aile with our secret, but I don't know Doodle that well. I'm not sure what he will do, or what he might convince Rulis to do.
Grinoth nodded his head. Dragons are highly influenced by their guardians, even as guardians are by their dragons. Though George should have proved with these recent events that he can handle himself very well, I'll try and check in on him when I can.
Cole rubbed his neck again. Thank you. And you know what?
What?
I'm going to miss you.
And I you, my rider. And I you.