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Dragon's Revenge (book 3 in the Hunters of Reloria series)
Dragon's Revenge (book 3 in the Hunters of Reloria series)
Dragon's Revenge (book 3 in the Hunters of Reloria series)
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Dragon's Revenge (book 3 in the Hunters of Reloria series)

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Dragon's Revenge is the thrilling conclusion to the Hunters of Reloria trilogy.

Magical Reloria is beset by hordes of invading enemy ships carrying giants with ocular laser beams. People and creatures from across the land band together against the invasion, while our group of heroes, the Hunters of Reloria, seek to restore the defensive shield to their borders. A savage attack on the dragons’ town decimates the population and leads the surviving dragon to pledge revenge against the invaders.
Epic battles with dragons and giants ensue, leading to a thrilling climax.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJul 12, 2014
ISBN9781310821066
Dragon's Revenge (book 3 in the Hunters of Reloria series)
Author

Kasper Beaumont

Kasper J. Beaumont was born and raised in Australia and lives a quiet life with the family in a seaside town. Kasper has combined a love of fantasy and a penchant for travel in this trilogy. Kasper started to write on the urging of friends and family and enjoys watching readers become immersed in the magical world of Reloria. If you enjoyed Elven Jewel, please read Hunters' Quest and Dragon's Revenge. New prequels 'The Tragedy of Garass and Asher' and 'Sienna the Huntress' are now available with more coming soon. Check the website for details. www.huntersofreloria.weebly.com.

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    Dragon's Revenge (book 3 in the Hunters of Reloria series) - Kasper Beaumont

    Chapter 1: Bad news for the Hunters

    An invasion fleet of a thousand wooden battleships stretched for miles across the Sea of Orianth. Vergai Warrior Kiprop pounded his heavy staff in time with the other ship-masters. An evil battle-chant roared across the large ocean swells as eighty Vergai belowdecks on each ship rowed in time to the hammering of each loud beat.

    The Vergai were strong, scaly warriors from across the sea, with thick green hides and long tails. These fearsome creatures fought with spiked maces called Morning Stars, yet were slaves of the mighty Cyclops giants who stood expectantly on the rough-made decks above.

    The Cyclops came from a nearby orange planet called Zanarah and were immune to Relorian magic, while their weapon was a white-hot laser beam which blasted from their single eye. In recent generations the Cyclops numbers had diminished through constant warfare among their own kind, thus only eighty-six of the one-eyed giants were spread over the thousand ships. The most powerful and intimidating of these was Emperor Chi’garu.

    The Emperor had a greedy look of anticipation on his face as though he could already see the magical land of Reloria, even though it lay just beyond the eastern horizon. He seemed oblivious to the dozen hand-fighting Junda giants who looked to him with expectation. The Junda could snap a Vergai’s neck with a flick of their large wrist, but even they were wary of the ruthless power and ambition of their leader.

    Now the Emperor absently wrapped his gilt-edged black cloak tighter around himself and his scalp-lock of black hair streaked out behind him in the wind.

    The Cyclops had promised to leave the entire continent of Reloria to the scaly Vergai after gathering their prize of the remaining magical creatures in the land. Kiprop was sceptical the power-hungry Emperor would honour his bargain, though the Vergai people had little choice but to accept his words. Reloria was the only continent on their world of Zumar which had not been plundered and exhausted by these parasitic creatures. Now the Vergai were itching for battle, their spiked morning star weapons within easy reach on the wooden benches next to their oar rings.

    On many of the ships, beaten and miserable prisoners were tied to the mast, which bore a flag with a green background and orange circle with a black inner circle - a crude representation of those in power. All bar one of these prisoners were Nnanelli wizard captives. The giants were somehow immune to the magic of Zumar; a fact that the conquered wizards now fully accepted.

    Heavily shackled on the command ship was the sleeping elf, Celdar-Moon, the crown Prince of Reloria. His fair skin, red-blond hair and pointed features looked out of place among the fleet of orange-skinned warriors. Captured by Warrior Kiprop during his recent attack on the West Lands, he had been taken by portal to the giants. The Emperor had ordered the elf not to be harmed, for he thought there may yet be a use for him in gaining the submission of the Elven Queen.

    The giants and Vergai virtually ignored the prisoner and kept him weak by only feeding him once a day. Prince Celdar-Moon bore a look of utter defeat, for the Cyclops had destroyed his magical jewel and imprisoned his daughter, Shari-Rose, who had helped him create the invisible force-field which protected Reloria. The blackened state of the pearl on his forehead meant he could no longer perform magic, and the elf seemed to have lost his will to live.

    The Emperor’s shouted order to halt was relayed across the entire fleet and the Vergai laid down their oars. Small beady eyes peered expectantly out of scaly muzzled faces, looking through small oar holes at a line of red marker buoys stretched in a line across the midway point in the Sea of Orianth. This marked the boundary of the protective Elven Shield of Reloria which had held out the Vergai for seventy years.

    Emperor Chi’garu barked out an order and his ship alone rowed forward. A strange quiet spread over the fleet, all eyes watching eagerly as the Emperor’s ship closed on the buoys. Expectation hung in the air, but the ship passed unscathed through the line of marker buoys, drums beating incessantly as it headed for Reloria. A triumphant cry went up from the massive invasion force, a victorious chant which echoed across the ocean as thousands of hungry eyes strained in expectation, searching for the fair green lands soon to be visible on the eastern horizon.

    * * *

    Meanwhile …

    On the giants’ homeworld on Zanarah, the mountain man named Asher was bound securely on the rooftop of the Ar’gon Tower. This menacing black fortress rose high over tidal-flooding marshes, as though trying to touch the orange skies. Here, the air was thinner, and the gravity less than on the Hunters’ home planet of Zumar.

    Asher was a shape-shifter and currently in his dragon form. He had been captured by the giants and was now restrained by a heavy chain net. Tied to which were Ildirim, floating creatures that sent random bursts of lightning coursing through the metal and into the dragon’s body. Ash writhed in pain each time the blast of electricity surged through every nerve, before lapsing into unconsciousness once more.

    Far below Ash, the Ar’gon Tower was a hive of stealthy activity. The female Cyclops Mesk’henet was mounting a revolt against their interim commander, General Ab’hijit, who had himself usurped the absent Emperor’s throne when the portal had been destroyed. Now none of the Cyclops knew when, or if, they would ever see their Emperor again; or whether they would have any further contact with the people on the planet Zumar.

    Self-declared Emperor Ab’hijit was an appalling leader, who ruthlessly killed anyone who displeased or dared to question him. As a result, there were now only five Cyclops left in the Tower, a few hundred Junda and an even smaller number of dangerous Vergai.

    Unfortunately for Ab’hijit, his time as ruler was about to end.

    Ab’hijit was sleeping in his Throne Room; the leash wrapped around his wrist was connected to the bruised neck of the beautiful elf, Shari-Rose. She was curled in a ball fast asleep behind the large throne, worn out from a day of enforced dancing and embarrassing grovelling at her master’s feet. A discarded giant’s cape was used as her pillow and sheet, covering the thin band of golden material across her well-endowed chest, while waist-length hair covered her delicate face. Her magical power rested in a crystal shaped like a rose at the base of her neck that emitted a low hum only delicate elven ears could hear, and occasionally, rainbow colours flashed within its depths.

    In a sudden commotion, the guards at the door were mercilessly killed and fifty Junda giants ran into the room ahead of the whip-wielding female Cyclops, named Mesk’henet. The attack caught sleeping Ab’hijit by surprise. He whined in a high-pitch, nasal voice for his guards to protect him, but none responded to his pleas.

    Wasting no time, Mesk’henet’s hazel eye turned red before changing into a white-hot beam of light energy. Ab’hijit rushed to match her with his own ocular laser and the two beams collided in the centre of the hall creating a shower of deadly sparks.

    The Junda huddled against the sides of the large room to avoid disintegration by the duelling Cyclops.

    Hidden in a dark lattice wall behind the Princess were her two companions, the huntress, Sienna, and her bond-fairy Sienna-Li, who had also been fast asleep.

    Fearing detection, the elven Princess hid behind the throne, and her tiny male fairy, Sienna-Li passed her a thin dagger. As she sawed desperately away at the ropes wrapped round her neck, a loud scream, followed by an explosion sounded behind her. When the rope finally fell away, the Princess peered cautiously around the side of the throne.

    Where the self-proclaimed Emperor had been, was now a small pile of ash and the Junda were running from the hall, their footsteps loud on the floor. Voices were heard calling down the corridor, and all bar two of the giants left the room.

    Shari-Rose motioned for the concealed huntress to join her from the hiding place behind the darkened lattice. Sienna passed a longsword to her and the elf, halfling and fairy quickly decided to attack the two guards at the door.

    The Junda were concentrating on the skirmish with more of Ab’hijit’s supporters in the corridor and didn’t notice the Hunters approaching. Sienna fired arrows into one and the Princess managed a shallow stab at the other with the sword, while the fairy flew in his face, blinding his vision. Shari-Rose was not a strong fighter and she was flipped onto the floor, with a foot against her throat, before Sienna finished off the guard with her arrows.

    When they reached the door, the fighting had moved further down the corridor.

    We’re free! exclaimed the relieved elf gleefully, giving Sienna a hug.

    Sienna gave a small smile and said in a low voice, Yes, we have lost a cruel captor, but we are far from safe, Princess. We may have traded one bad master for an even worse one. At least Ab’hijit only harmed your pride. I fear this giantess will be far less kind to you, by the looks of that knotted whip wrapped over her shoulder. Let’s leave this room and look for another place to hide.

    But we must release my guardian, insisted Shari-Rose, referring to the elf Daeron; who had long been imprisoned and tortured by the giants.

    Even though it was the middle of the night, the whole tower was being wakened to the news of Ab’hijit’s death. Everyone was rushing down to the throne room, to see what had happened to their leader, while dozens of Junda, Cyclops and Vergai were hurriedly pledging their allegiance to Mesk’henet, though some of Ab’hijit’s supporters were still resisting the coup.

    Dagger in hand, the huntress cautiously led the way out of the throne room into the maze of halls and chambers making up the massive Ar’gon Tower. This fortress, built to accommodate upwards of ten thousand Zanarahns, was the equivalent of a large city back home on Zumar. Sienna and her fairy had been exploring the tower for some weeks now, so quickly led Shari-Rose to the cell where her guardian was imprisoned. The Princess was still carrying Daeron’s elven longsword, which Sienna had found in the armoury, two days prior.

    Taking a circuitous route to avoid the fighting, the huntress led the Princess to Daeron’s prison cell to find the corridors deserted. Sienna had a key to the door she had stolen from a sleeping Junda several nights before.

    Daeron, hurry! ordered Sienna-Li as he flew into the cell, his fairy body glowing in the dark room to cast a light over the sleeping elf. Wake up! We must go quickly.

    The badly-beaten elf slowly stretched and yawned with a pained moan before staring at the tiny fairy. Sienna-Li? What’s happening? he asked in surprise.

    The tiny fairy was trying to drag the elf towards the door by his belt. We’re here to rescue you. Come quickly, for the giants are fighting each other and we have little time to escape.

    Sienna and Shari-Rose entered the room and handed Daeron his sword, which he strapped around his waist. He gaped in wonder as Shari-Rose hugged him, for he had given up hope of ever seeing her again. Taking care not to touch the many gashes on his back and arms, the young women grabbed his hands and pulled him through the door which Sienna locked behind them to prolong their detection.

    We must head up to the roof and rescue Asher, commanded Shari-Rose, who, being a Princess, was used to giving orders and being obeyed without question. They headed to a massive stairwell and embarked on the half-hour climb.

    A short time later, two Vergai patrolling the mid levels of the tower spotted them from an upper level corridor. The scaly creatures called out, rushing toward the stairwell with maces raised to attack, but Sienna quickly eliminated them with her arrows. The elves helped her to hide the bodies under bedding in a nearby room.

    Afterwards, they saw no one for a long time.

    The giant-sized stairs were steep and the climb seemed interminable, even though the low gravity made climbing a little easier. For once, Shari-Rose didn’t whine and complain, but determinedly set a fast pace for the others to follow. Sienna helped her pull and push the injured Daeron up flight after flight of stone stairs, while the halfling’s fairy led the way, glowing with magic as he lit the stairs for them while scanning for enemies.

    During one of their rest pauses, Sienna mused aloud that most of the tower’s inhabitants must be gathered in the throne room, possibly deciding if Mesk’henet would be the next leader of the giants. The halfling shrugged, thinking it probably didn’t make much difference who led the giants, for they would be severely punished if they were caught, no matter the outcome of the power struggle. Perhaps the enemy would destroy themselves … no, that would be too much to hope for.

    A whirring siren indicated their escape had been detected and the Hunters climbed faster. Daeron seemed to be gaining energy following his rescue, so when they ran into two more Vergai, he attacked them with gusto, flinging them down the stairs as he withdrew his blade from their scaly bodies.

    No time to hide them now, he panted, hurrying them onwards.

    Eventually they reached the large, flat roof of the Ar’gon Tower, with the sun newly rising in the strange orange sky.

    The first rays of sun showed Ash restrained in the centre of the roof by a heavy metal net, with lightning beasts floating in the air above him. The Ildirim looked like bloated yellow toads and occasionally released a methane burp which was ignited by the glowing antenna hanging from their forehead. The lightning ran down the chains to shock the tightly-bound dragon. Shari-Rose let out a cry of despair and ran towards him.

    Shari-Rose was expectantly confronted by two large Vergai.

    Time to eat! one cried raising his morning star above his head.

    The Princess ducked and raised her hands instinctively to ward off the blow, but the Vergai toppled backwards with an arrow protruding from his throat.

    Daeron raced in to protect the Princess. His blade deflected the swinging mace and the second Vergai’s head spun off the tower so quickly Sienna-Li was left blinking in surprise.

    Thank you, Daeron, for saving my life, and you too, Sienna, Shari-Rose said in awe. I must see if Asher is alright. He risked his life coming here for me. She reached out a hand toward the motionless dragon.

    Be careful, Princess. The lightning will kill you! Daeron cautioned, as he moved forward to stop her.

    Guardian, if there is one thing I have spent my whole life perfecting, it is protective shields, she replied sharply. Whispering quietly, the magical rose jewel began to glow. Tiny sparkles glittered and coalesced around her as she wove the familiar shield spell.

    The elf gestured with her hands and a force-field spread to encompass the restrained dragon and her companions. The shield was now virtually invisible, with only the odd shimmer around the edges to let them know they were still protected. The crystal at the base of her neck continued to glow with magic.

    At random intervals, loud crackles sounded as lightning bolts crashed towards the dragon from the chained Ildirim above them. The deadly blasts ran along the metal chains, but to everyone’s relief, they hit the top of the shield and sparked off over the sides of the dome to the ground far below the tower.

    Shari-Rose’s satisfaction with her shield was short-lived, replaced by concern as she drew closer to the grey dragon’s large head. He was making a low moaning sound and his scaly eyelids were closed.

    They removed the heavy chains and dragged them to the far side of the rooftop, where the Ildirim’s lightning would not trouble them.

    Asher, she called urgently, please wake up. We need to escape before we are discovered by the giants. She tried in vain to lift one sharp-clawed talon, but it was too heavy for her.

    The dragon’s moaning had quietened with the pause in the painful lightning attacks. Daeron, Sienna and the fairy surrounded the dragon’s scaled head and pondered how they could possibly rescue such an enormous creature. Frustrated at the futility of this plan and the likelihood of imminent attack, Daeron’s guardian instincts warned him to take the Princess away from the exposed roof to hide.

    He spoke gently, Princess, we must get you to safety before the giants realise you have escaped and come searching for you. At least we will have a brief respite, for they will probably expect you would have escaped from the tower, not climbed a thousand stairs to save your friend. We know the Cyclops are immune to your magic and can walk through your shield, so perhaps we should leave this roof before we are discovered. He gestured to the staircase, Come, we must return for Ash later.

    Shari-Rose looked at Daeron in shock before realising Sienna and her fairy were nodding in agreement. The thought of abandoning this brave shape-shifter who had come to Zanarah to rescue her was inconceivable to the stubborn Princess.

    No! Lifting her chin defiantly, she glared into her guardian’s eyes. I will not leave him helpless on this accursed roof. You will find a way to take him with us. Can’t you make him change back to a human and carry him? He risked his life to come here and save us and you want to abandon him? I … I …, she was suddenly lost for words in a rush of emotion. Her pointed ears reddened as she crossed her arms and stamped her feet.

    Daeron and Sienna exchanged exasperated glances and sighed. The Princess could be as sweet as pie when she wanted, but she was not above throwing a tantrum to get her way.

    The halfling tried a different approach, "Princess; Asher and I risked our lives to come here and save YOU. We knew the price of failure was death and we were willing to put your life ahead of ours for the good of Reloria. Our people need you delivered home safely to restore the protective shield. Our lands are under attack from the

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