The Jai'Quel Chronicles Trilogy Part 1: Conquest of Fire

The Jai’Quel Wars Trilogy

Book 1: Conquest of Fire

By: Gavin J. Coleman

©2006 by Gavin Coleman

Other Smashwords Titles by Gavin Coleman:

The Miracle Prince Series Book 1: Someday You Will Fly

The Dragon Swords

All rights reserved. No part of this

book may be reproduced in any format

without the written permission of the author.

To my wife Tricia-

my love, my life, my soul.

Thank you for all of your endless hours

editing my manuscripts.

Prologue

From the dawn of time, there existed a race of dragon with superhuman intelligence and powers. As they could easily take charge and rule the world the gods feared that this would give the other races very little freedom and would ultimately destroy humanity. They therefore mandated that the dragons were forbidden from interacting directly with the other races. They would be observers only—able to provide sound advice should it be requested but little else. They were also able to scout potential areas of danger and thus inform or warn the other races.

This system worked well for centuries

Until now, some of the younger dragons were becoming restless and sought more…

*

Resting upon a large ledge overlooking the eastern shore of Avachyle, the young golden dragon yawned sleepily in the heat of the noon sun. Completely ignoring all his surroundings, he flexed his wings high above his body and stretched his long neck and tail. Because the young gold dragon was a mere seventy-five years old, he was considered to be a child among the dragons and treated with little respect, despite being the son of the King. Drifting into a deep sleep, the young dragon floated into the pleasant world of dreams. He was flying lazily over a golden field swarming with succulent morsels just waiting to be eaten. Spying a plump and juicy deer with a white-flecked tail, the young dragon dove quickly with his claws outstretched screaming in anticipation of the total ecstasy of the kill.

When the dragon was within inches of his prey, he felt a sudden pain lurch up his spine and tail. The pain jolted him from his daydream just as he was prepared to sink his claws into the delicious morsel—mouth watering with the longing for sweet venison. It felt like a thousand daggers jabbing hard and rippling back and forth along his back and tail. The dragon leaped awake, howling loudly from the excruciating pain and spun around to face his adversary. Growling deeply within his throat as his bleary eyes focused on the culprit, the dragon scowled in frustrated annoyance at seeing his own sister. Rayna! What do you think you’re doing? I was in the middle of the best dream imaginable!

She merely shook her head in disappointment, glaring at him sadly. Have you forgotten our mission, Flame? The Elders choose us to be their patrol in this area. We need to be searching for enemies, not dozing on a rock!

He shrugged slightly, hanging his head in shame. But, Rayna, it’s so boring to patrol when nothing jumps out at you. There are no enemies here—this is all just a waste of time! You know, I’ll bet the real reason they sent us on this ‘patrol’ was to get rid of us long enough to discuss the really important and awesome jobs! They think we’re just kids and aren’t good for anything of importance! He growled loudly in anger. I’ll show them that I’m more than just a no good kid!

Flame, that’s just ridiculous! Rayna scolded her brother. They gave us this patrol because they trust us enough to give us such a huge responsibility! We are responsible for providing all of the dragon isles with advance warning of any threats arising within this area. We will be the first ones to see and report unusual activity and most likely have to fight it off until we are able to return with news. Flame, if you want adventure, this is likely the best way to find it! We are traveling into the unknown searching for anything unusual and threatening.

Flame cocked his head to one side, staring at her intently, absorbing her words with great interest. We’re like adventurers, then, he muttered, thoughtfully. Explorers! Venturing out into the unknown to seek out the wrongdoers and bring back word of their existence! What are you waiting for, Rayna? Let’s go! Flame leaped suddenly into the air and flew hard to the southwest, coasting along the mountains.

Snickering to herself, Rayna grinned at her brother and shook her head. It can be so easy to convince boys sometimes—it’s almost pathetic! Grinning from nose to tail, she flew quickly to keep up with him.

The two siblings were actually twins, an unusual occurrence among the dragons. They were the children of the dragon king and had been given many such jobs in the past, taking advantage of their royal position to serve the kingdom as much as possible. Flame typically enjoyed them especially when they involved high levels of spying and fighting tactics. It gave him the opportunity to explore new areas and escape from the dull daily routine of life in the dragon court. He didn’t enjoy routine patrols or patrolling in familiar areas where nothing ever changed. Flame was an adventurous dragon and didn’t enjoy being confined or bored. When he was bored, he slept. And if he was bored and for some reason unable to sleep, well, that’s when the trouble began. Rayna, on the other claw, enjoyed the debates and intrigue of court life. She was a typical princess and didn’t like the adventurous life. Though twins, they couldn’t have been more different.

Rayna flew slightly behind her brother; keeping a watchful eye on him to ensure he didn’t take any more breaks or detour from the patrol in any way. She also kept a close eye on the landscape below, searching for anything out of place. The island of Avachyle was normally a peaceful place ruled by the Halevens; thus the dragons usually didn’t have to worry about organizing patrols here. For rumors to begin concerning trouble, it must be something fairly large and organized. Flame would get all the action that he desired and more, no doubt.

As Rayna was glancing from the ground to Flame and back, her brother suddenly paused in midair, hovering over a small valley within the northern mountain range of the island. Rayna flew to his side to get a better look at what he saw and peered down into the valley. A small camp was erected along the eastern edge of the valley, filled with dozens of winged imps and a couple dozen black-armored knights. The knights were a common sight as they lived in the castle that was constructed on the western edge of this valley. Though they served evil, the knights were still lawful and honorable. They maintained the balance between good and evil. Being neutral, that was the only thing that concerned the dragons—maintaining the balance. The imps however were new and were a very disturbing sight. They were typically chaotic in nature and loved to destroy and kill. If they were now allied with the black knights, then something had changed and it didn’t look good.

Rayna shook her head. Something’s up. I don’t like all those imps mingling with the knights. And that cave? What’s that, Flame? Can you see?

Flame shook his head, staring at the cave that sat at the northeastern corner of the camp. Smoke billowed forth from the cave in tremendous quantities. I can’t tell. There is lots of smoke, maybe from a creature or something. Another dragon maybe?

The elders and the king need to know about this! Let’s go back, Flame, and report this.

Flame pursed his lips, grinning mischievously. We need more to report than speculation, Rayna. Let’s fly down there and attack those imps and knights. We can explore the cave ourselves and see what’s in it!

Rayna reached out a claw and yanked hard on her brother’s tail, causing him to yowl loudly in pain. Are you crazy, Flame? Do you want to get killed or something? It’ll take more dragons than us to clear out that camp and who knows what is in that cave! We need to report this to the King and have him warn the Halevens or something!

Flame grumbled loudly, shaking his head. We can take care of them, Rayna! We’re strong enough!

She yanked again, harder. Stop it, Flame! Remember the Edicts! We cannot interfere in the affairs of the other races! Let’s return to the King and report this!

Howling loudly in pain, Flame grumbled some more, than spun around. His breath caught in his throat and he choked hard, coughing and sputtering. R-R-R-R-R-R… He shuddered, unable to talk.

Now what? Rayna sighed, turning around to look. Her eyes bulged wide, staring straight ahead. She swallowed hard and flew back slightly.

They both stared at a huge black dragon with crimson fire smoking from between its scales. Monstrous crimson horns rippled along its spine, while rows of razor-sharp teeth filled its mouth. The dragon opened its mouth and clouds of sulfurous smoke billowed forth, choking the two golden dragons. A wide and deadly grin spread across its hideous face.

So, some of my dragon kin have come to visit my camp? Have you come to pay your respects and offer up your worthless souls to my cause, or are you foolish enough to try and fight me and my hordes? Its voice was dry and deep, sounding as if it echoed within the deepest cavern.

Flame shook his head, shuddering so badly it was all he could do to keep himself hovering in midair. Rayna continued to choke on the smoke, unable to speak. The black dragon shook his head. I’ll assume your silence to mean that you do not wish to join my forces. Such foolish young dragons you are. I should kill you here and now, but then, none of our kin will know of my existence. What are your names?

F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-Flame. The dragon managed to stutter out, still staring wide-eyed at the dragon. He suddenly felt compelled to tell everything to this strange black dragon. S-S-S-Son of the d-d-d-dragon k-k-k-king. T-T-T-T-This is my t-t-t-twin sister, R-R-R-Rayna.

The evil dragon’s eyes widened at that. Son of the dragon king? I will release you to return to your father and inform him of my demands and my presence. Your dear sister will remain in my pleasant company to await your return. He breathed a huge cloud of sulfurous smoke, which surrounded Rayna and coated her wings with what appeared to be finely woven cobwebs. The young dragon gasped as her wings suddenly stopped moving. Unable to fly, Rayna tumbled faster and faster to the ground.

Flame broke from his panic attack and stared at his sister. Rayna, NO! He watched as the humans below readied a huge net to catch the helpless dragon and hold her prisoner. Flame glared at the black dragon and made a move to lunge, but a black paw with crimson claws slashed forward to scratch his foreleg. Let her go or I’ll kill you!

Easy now, Flame. The black dragon sneered. I said I would release you. You may return to your father, the king, and tell him what has happened. I want ransom for your sister. Your father will abdicate his throne in favor of me. All of the dragons will swear allegiance to me. Your father, the king, will return here alone to inform me of his acceptance. Only you may accompany him to lead him to my home.

He’ll never agree to that! Flame gasped.

Then your sister will die. The dragon turned away from Flame and flew back to his camp. After a moment, he turned back. Tell your father that my master and I have returned. Tell you father that my master is Jai’Quel and I am Kier’darack, Lord of the Fire Dragons! He then turned away and sped back to his camp.

Flame shook his head, staring at the camp. Rayna! I’ll save you, I promise! Choking back tears, the young dragon quickly flew back home.

*

Caught within the net, Rayna struggled to free herself. She bit and clawed at the ropes, scratching any imps or humans who got too close. Several of the nasty little imps leaped onto her back, using their bodies to effectively pin the young dragon.

She heard her brother’s promise that he would return and rescue her. Staring at the dark form of Kier’darack that loomed about her, Rayna swallowed heavily to moisten her dry throat and mouth. Fear clenched her body tightly, holding it motionless and frozen. Motioning a thick black claw, Kier’darack gestured for one of the Black Knights to step forward, holding a small box.

The knight reverently opened the box, lifting out a thick golden collar encrusted with jewels. Unlatching the collar, he fastened it securely around the struggling golden dragon’s neck while the imps held her still.

NO! Rayna screamed as the collar instantly adhered itself to her scales.

A stabbing pain lanced through her body, forcing her to shift from dragon to human form. Her neck shrank in on itself, while her face and head contorted painfully. She screamed in agony the entire time. Her body twisted and straightened, forcing the imps to the ground as Rayna suddenly was able to stand upright. Her fore- and hind-claws twisted into blunt fingers and toes. Arms and legs shrank as well, becoming less than half their normal size. Her tail slid back into her body painfully.

Rayna shivered, staring down at her naked human body. She had always known that dragons possessed the ability to become human, but had never attempted it. She had never known any dragon that actually chose to become human. Their dragon bodies were a magnificent work of power and pride. Why would any dragon choose to lower themselves to inferior creatures as humans? She felt horribly defiled and invaded at being forced into this disgusting body. She felt so terribly vulnerable and helpless.

Shivering and crouching on the cold ground with imps and knights leering down at her well-proportioned body, Rayna wanted only to die. Kier’darack loomed over her, breathing hot and sulfurous fumes onto her body. It did nothing to warm the chill that she felt.

Take her to the dungeons! The black dragon snarled at the knight who had brought the collar.

Skale grinned viciously and nodded. Aye, my Lord! He grabbed Rayna roughly and dragged her into the cave.

Chapter 1

Flames crackled, filling the air with a choking and sulfurous odor, blinding them with its brilliant light. Their eyes welled with tears, burning with the pain of the tremendous heat, wanting desperately to close and shut out the burning heat. They kept their eyes wrenched open though, watching the horrific events that unfolded only a few feet away. The sulfuric odor burned their throats and left them nauseated. Dark shapes surrounded them in the smoky blackness, moving in a constant circle around them. It was dizzying to watch the darkness swirling around and around. It all led to a feeling of absolute horror and discomfort; an intense desire to be somewhere else—anywhere else!

The eldest son, Gavin, forced himself to remain on his feet, coughing so badly he felt as if his lungs were being ripped from his chest. He recalled the rather peaceful beginnings to this day and wondered how anything could end up this horribly? The daily court hearings with his father were typical as they listened to the normal bickering of the farmers and merchants arguing over the pettiest things. The weekly inspections of the royal guard and the soldiers showed no abnormalities. Meeting with the returning scouts revealed reports of unusual activity occurring within the northern mountains and sent a shiver up his spine. He remembered seeing firsthand that unusual activity in the form of a dozen huge winged beasts that launched themselves at the castle and killed two men while injuring about ten others. Then, a horrible cloud of stinking sulfurous smoke had risen from nowhere trapping him and his entire family within its horrific depths while instantly whisking them away to this fiend’s dark world.

He stared forward at his father, clad as always in his typical black tunic and black pants, holding a huge sword shimmering with a golden radiance. That sword was the Sword of Avachyle, a legendary blade that was passed down from generation to generation and was always wielded by the King or Queen of Avachyle. Rumor said that the blade possessed the magic of Avachyle, enhancing the magic of the one that wielded it and granting him or her complete control over the island of Avachyle. Gavin remembered staring fondly at the blade when he was a child and trying to find opportunities to touch it or hold it. He stared now at the blade in a different manner. It still looked powerful and regal, but it was now the last beacon of hope for Avachyle and the Halevens.

Following the blade up to his father’s face, he stared at him. His father, even as a young man, never looked young. As long as Gavin could remember he had whitened hair and wrinkled skin and yet Luther Haleven was never frail or weak. He was one of the strongest men in Avachyle and could probably match anyone in Avachyle in a contest of strength. He looked so tired and hot now; sweat pouring down his face in thick rivulets. His hand shook as he gripped his sword tightly. Yet, the King Luther Haleven stood defiantly before his enemy. He stared straight ahead with a cold and menacingly gaze, promising his enemy’s death and destruction and willing himself to use every last ounce of his strength to make it so.

Luther Haleven stood opposite the most horrible figure of darkness that the world had ever known. It looked to be a man, clad in the deepest darkest black clothing and armor, trimmed with the blood of tortured people. Skulls and bones dangled from his waist and shoulders and neck like hideous trophies of war. While his arms and legs resembled human limbs with the fingers and toes twisted into menacing claws, his face was the horrible deformed visage of a jackal, leering down at its prey. Glistening fangs gnashed impatiently, growling in anticipation of its upcoming feast. His eyes glowed crimson, curling into narrow slits of rage. His clawed hands gripped a wicked-looking black scythe, stained with blood and twice as long as a normal scythe. Tendrils of smoke crept from the weapon as he swung it back and forth. Thus, the most horrible and evil creature of the entire world stood opposite the King. There stood Jai’Quel, the King of darkness and shadow.

Growling softly, Gavin stared at the horrible creature and drew forth his sword, lunging forward to aid his father. He leaped within a foot of the King of Darkness and swung his blade, which looked pitiful beside the huge black scythe or even the noble Sword of Avachyle. Without warning, the black scythe swiped up once and caught hold of the blade, flinging it far to one side. The sword was soon lost from sight. Jai’Quel’s head then whipped about to stare at the young man of sixteen and lifted a claw to point at his face. A flash of sizzling black fire lashed forward to strike Gavin in the face, hurling him to the ground. One entire side of his face burned incredibly and blistered horribly. His body shook and his fingers spasmed uncontrollably. The eldest prince choked down the rage and huddled on the ground shaking and whimpering, unable to control his body or move on his own. Jai’Quel then swiped a claw straight across. More sizzling fire erupted forming a blazing black fire cage around them all, preventing them from aiding the King while allowing them to watch the carnage.

Finally managing to get some control back in his body, Gavin grimaced and shook his head. Crouching on the ground and digging his fingers into the cold and rocky ground, his emerald green eyes blazed as he stared at the fiendish creature. His dark brown mane of hair looked odd surrounding a face that was half burned and blistered and half pale white. The prince’s once elegant royal blue jerkin, white shirt and black trousers were matted with dirt and blood and torn from sliding across the rocky ground. They looked akin to rags with one exception—the golden hawk surrounded by a neverending circle of fire that stood proudly and nobly upon the breast of his jerkin. The golden hawk was so magnificent that it would have stood proudly on the meanest and dirtiest rags.

Gavin had chosen the hawk as his crest, wearing and proclaiming it proudly. The hawk, which was also the derivation of his name, was proud and majestic and courageous. It battled against all odds to defend what was right and just and fair. The hawk was sleek and strong yet agile and quick; darting into battle and slicing its prey then spinning and diving away before it could be hurt. And so Gavin trained. He watched and studied the hawk and perfected his skills after those of the noble bird. The neverending circle of fire was the symbol of the Haleven family, symbolizing the timelessness of the family as well as the purifying flame of creation and destruction. Luther was the descendent of gods, having the magical powers of the gods that birthed and nurtured him. Luther was an immortal spirit placed within a very mortal body. If his body were destroyed, then his spirit would live on within the kingdom. There was a lake within the center of the kingdom of Avachyle that held within it all the magic of the Halevens and of Avachyle. It was said also that it held the spirits of the Halevens who had long passed away, thus giving their powers to their descendents and ensuring the continuation of the family and the kingdom.

Gavin’s mother, Raella, crouched at his side dabbing at his face with a handkerchief trying to clean and heal the wound. Gavin impatiently pushed her hand away, feeling the slight touch scratch like burning nettles across the wound. Raella was a lovely woman, standing tall and thin as a gazelle. Though she was not strong physically, she was quite intuitive and wise. She often provided sound advice and ideas while serving as Queen of Avachyle. Gabriella, Gavin’s twin sister, and James, his fourteen-year-old brother, stood nearby tight-lipped and pale staring aghast at the terrible scene. Gabriella was as dark of hair as Gavin and nearly as strong, matching him in nearly every way. She was every bit his twin. James on the other hand had a thick head of blonde hair and bright sapphire eyes like his mother. Although strong physically, he didn’t possess the strength of magic that his elder siblings did. Standing near the royal family was the Haleven’s nurse, Adeline, holding the newest prince of the Haleven family cradled in her arms. Alexander, who was only ten months old, already had a thick black mop of hair on his head and shining green eyes. Adeline huddled close to Raella, wishing that she were elsewhere.

Jai’Quel turned away from the onlookers and faced his prey, grinning maliciously while displaying his crooked and blackened fangs, from which drool dripped to the rocky ground, sizzling loudly. His eyes were a dark crimson as he spoke in a scratchy hissing voice. Just you and me, Haleven! Avachyle will be mine while your remains lie rotting here beside those of your kin! I shall take great pleasure in this, Haleven! Long have we challenged each other; it is fitting that we end it here and now with your death.

Luther shook his head, speaking softly, conserving his strength for the upcoming battle. Spare the words. You have threatened us for countless decades and you’ve always been beaten back. It will be no different now. You are a worm and need to be taught your place here in the foul and stinking dirt that you call home!

Big words from such a little man, Jai’Quel sneered, raising his scythe which seemed to glow brightly in the darkness. He stared down at the man who stood about 6-foot-tall, yet was still at least two heads shorter than Jai’Quel himself. Perhaps I’ll spare Avachyle for now and instead abduct your child, he pointed at Alexander. Without you, Avachyle would suffer. Your children are weak, Haleven! Yes, it will be much better to let Avachyle whither away under the constant onslaught of my forces. Watching your children suffer shame at their own failures will hurt far more than death at this moment!

Luther faltered for a moment, casting a sidelong glance at his eldest son Gavin and knowing that to be at least partly true. While the young man was good and strong, he was far weaker in leadership capabilities and was slow in developing the magic. In the past there had been several that had developed the magic slowly and each time they grew to be extremely strong in the power. He