The Dragons' Bane

The Dragons’ Bane

Origins Prequel Story

The Dragons’ Bane Chronicles

By

Simon Driscoll

Grendelmen Publishing, LLC

Mesa, Arizona, USA

Copyright Info

The Dragons’ Bane

Origins Prequel Story - The Dragons’ Bane Chronicles

Published by:

Grendelmen Publishing

Mesa, AZ 85204

www.grendelmen.com

Second edition chapter book format

copyright © 2018, Grendelmen Publishing LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission of the author.

eBook version 2.1

ISBN 13: 978-1-948451-01-7

1- Fiction 2- Young Adult 3- Chapter Books 4- Fantasy

Printed in the United States of America

Cover painting and interior artwork by

Meghan Mitchell

One

artel helped the baker stir a second bowl of cake batter, bemoaning for the last time that while on the farm her duties went beyond the care of the birthday girl. Princess Danielle Dwyer was turning two years old, and was about to leave her life on the farm forever. Today, Dani would be released from her exile on the edge of the Forgotten Forest, and taken to live with the family of her betrothed, at Bimtor Castle. Nanny Partel was glad to know she would be going as well.

She'd taken over almost all of Dani's care during the last few months while Dani's mother, Teculah fell ever deeper into depression and fits of rage. Partel's one hope of escaping her increasing wrath was to go with Dani when the royal carriage arrived from Nebo. Dani was a very inquisitive child, and nearly fearless. More than once, Partel had to chase after her to draw her out of those woods. She was a fast runner for a two-year old. Without her constant squeals of joy, Partel would have lost her more than once.

Dani grabbed a sweet roll and wandered off to one corner of the kitchen to eat it.

You're not supposed to eat those until after the party! The baker laughed at her.

Partel went to grab Dani, and she started running, as usual, thinking the whole thing was a game. She would have caught the child, except the door swung open and Dani rushed outside. Partel attempted to follow, but a man blocked the way. His hair looked like he'd been riding the wind.

I have a message for Teculah Dwyer, the man said officially.

She's in her bedroom, Partel said, doing her best to squeeze around the messenger.

The man looked reluctant to enter the bedchambers. Make sure she gets it, then. It's the official announcement of Princess Danielle Dwyer's betrothal to Prince Eyroc Bimtor.

Give it to the cook then, Nanny said, and get out of my way before the young princess runs too far.

The man obligingly stepped aside and Partel ran out the door, looking for Dani. Something else caught her attention first. A horse with wings. No wonder the messenger's hair looked windblown.

Dani's squeals came from the woods and Partel took off after her. Dani, come back!

Tee hee hee, could be heard from off to the left.

Partel turned to follow. You're going to miss your own birthday party!

Dani laughed from somewhere nearby.

Partel tried once more to follow the cute two-year old laughter. The deeper they went into the forest, the harder it was to find Dani.

Ten more frantic minutes passed before Nanny caught Dani and scooped her up into her arms. The only sign of the sweet roll was the sticky mess all over Dani's face.

Partel tickled Dani until she squealed. We're going to have to get you cleaned up again before the party.

That's when Partel realized she couldn't tell which way was which. She'd been running around in circles deeper into the forest than she'd ever gone before. Now she couldn't say which direction led to the farm.

Half an hour of futile wandering later, she was about to give up when she saw the flames. Holding Dani tight, she ran through the forest to see what was happening. The main farmhouse had caught fire, and servants were running in every direction in the futile attempt to put out the blaze.

Pretty fire, Dani said, squirming in Nanny's arms.

Partel held her tighter. No, Dani, those flames are not pretty.

Just when she thought no one inside could possibly still be alive, Teculah came bursting from the door. She screamed as she ran into the forest, but these were not screams of pain. Teculah was in a blind rage.

Nanny held Dani tight, pausing only for a moment before running toward Teculah. Surely the sight of her daughter being safe would calm her down.

But Teculah's screams continued, growing louder, and more animalistic with every howl.

As Nanny came within sight of Teculah, she didn't look human anymore and any hope of calming her rage was gone. One thought filled Nanny's mind. If Teculah finds her daughter, she'll surely kill her and anyone with her before she takes the time to think.

So Nanny ran as fast as she could away from Teculah, away from the farm, and did her best to stay out of the woods.

Two

ulves Mesk brought his latest kill into Macton's Butcher Shop, along with several pelts he'd tanned himself. This wasn't his first visit to the butcher in the two years since his wife passed, but he hadn't been there for several months, feeling more and more at home in the forest.

He entered the main store and checked to see that Macton was the only one inside before removing his heavy cloak which Fulves used more to conceal his identity than to protect against the weather.

Who are you? Macton insisted as he picked up a large knife.

Come on, Macton, Fulves said. I haven't been gone that long.

Macton stared at him awhile, clearly not understanding.

Trying to get back to the business at hand, Fulves said, I put the buck in the fridge, as usual, and stacked my pelts, just the way you like.

Fulves? Macton asked.

Who else? Of course it's me. Don't you recognize me?

Macton shook his head. Not really. You've been in that forest too long.

What are you talking about?

Macton handed Fulves a mirror. He stared at it, trying to determine why the butcher didn't recognize him. He saw the same beady eyes he always saw in the water, the red fur on his face, the same as he had on his hands.

I don't understand, Fulves said. What's wrong?

Macton just shook his head. You're starting to forget.

Forget what?

Your humanity.

Fulves frowned. He shook the matter aside. Look, do you want the buck and the pelts, or what?

Macton nodded slowly. Business is business. I'll give you your usual price, same as always. Do you have a new list of supplies? I know it's been awhile.

Fulves shook his head. Just what I ordered last time. I think I should be all set.

I've got your stuff out back. I'll show you.

Fulves packed away the three new pairs of pants and the half dozen enchanted glow-balls. He'd ordered them six months ago, when he started on the addition to his home. It wasn't easy to get enchanted items in such a remote place, but every traveling merchant who came through stopped at Macton's. Once everything was properly stowed in his bags he waited as Macton spent almost an hour counting the value of everything Fulves brought in.

When he finished at last he handed Fulves six silver Dragon's Teeth and said, By my count you have enough to go wherever you want now.

I do, but the forest is my home.

Macton nodded. I understand. Goodbye, old friend.

Fulves nodded, pulling the hood of his heavy cloak back over his head on his way out of the shop and walked back into the Forgotten Forest.

*      *      *

Fulves’ home had started out as a lean-to and progressed to a log-cabin against the side of a hill. He had a stove for cooking, along with a few pots, pans, and wooden utensils he'd carved. There was a bed made of wood, with a mattress filled with straw he'd collected. The cabin and the bed were larger than anything he'd had in town, but it was the recent addition which attracted him lately.

He'd added a second room leading into a small cave. He was still digging the hole, and hoped he would get deep enough before winter, when he was sure he would need to hibernate for a few months. The glow-balls would allow him to work in here at night, which would give him the extra time he needed. He looked around, trying to think of anything else he would need that silver could buy. Nothing in the house seemed to matter anymore. All he really wanted was to be left alone, here in the forest.

He removed his cloak, hanging it next to his bed, letting his long red tail free of its confinement. Since digging was dirty work, he removed his shirt, revealing his heavily muscled chest, covered in red fur. He never wore shoes anymore, and the old ones wouldn't fit anyway. His feet had become