A Dragon Named Kyle: Dragons, Wizards and Other Troublesome Creatures.

© Copyright 2012 Mark Ellis.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

isbn: 978-1-4669-5260-7 (sc) isbn: 978-1-4669-5262-1 (hc) isbn: 978-1-4669-5261-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012916815

Trafford rev. 09/07/2012

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1  Dragons And Damsels In Distress

Chapter 2  Friends And Enemies

Chapter 3  Catch And Release

Chapter 4  Out Of The Frying Pan?

Chapter 5  Into The Fire

Chapter 6  A Brief Rest

Chapter 7  Fight Or Flight?

Chapter 8  There’s No Elf Like An Old Elf

Chapter 9  Old Wizards And Elvish Kings

Chapter 10  The Elven Way

Chapter 11  To Anger A Dragon

Chapter 12  Twists And Turns

Chapter 13  A Wizard Is As A Wizard Does

Chapter 14  Three Days

Chapter 15  Life And Death, Magic And Mundane

Chapter 16  Home At Last

PROLOGUE

I HATE READING prologues. They usually give away too much, but… here are some things that I think you will need to know. This story comes from a world called Drachnere. Drachnere is a fairly peaceful world with two moons and a whole lot of magic. It wasn’t always a peaceful land. In fact, for hundreds of years, dragons hunted and killed humans of the land, wreaking devastation on their families, their homes, and their livestock. However, the dragons of this world were pretty smart, and they would not kill all of the humans, preferring to leave some breeding stock for the future. Unlike most worlds where either the dragons prevailed or the humans did, Drachnere was the exception.

Let’s face it. Generally, dragons and humans don’t get along. In fact, a world that has dragons in it usually doesn’t have humans. They tend to get eaten to extinction. The hunting and killing of humans on Drachnere, however, all stopped one day when a wizard named Grendal discovered a power previously unknown. You see, the old wizard discovered a way to kill the dragons. The wise old wizard knew that if he just started killing off dragons one by one, eventually, they would kill him. After all, there were a lot of dragons, and a wizard has to sleep sometime. So taking his newfound knowledge, he went out to seek the most powerful dragon in the land. That dragon’s name was Fireheart, and he was the oldest and therefore the strongest of all of the dragons. After a surprisingly short fight, Fireheart was dead, and the rest of the dragons of Drachnere knew they had a problem.

For the first time in their history, dragons had something to fear. So the dragon elders got together and discussed the problem of the humans. After weeks of deliberation, they came to a decision. They would have to form a peace treaty with the humans. This was in fact exactly what Grendal was hoping for. You see, the humans were not ready for war. Yet the dragons were now afraid for the first time, so Grendal took advantage of their fear. He got the dragon elders to agree not to hunt humans or their livestock. In return, he promised the dragons they would not be attacked by wizards.

This was a stroke of genius by the old wizard, for in getting them to agree to leave the humans animals alone, he effectively ensured the survival of the human race. And it didn’t take long for the human population to grow. In fact, it wasn’t long before the humans crowned themselves a king, a knight named Richard Sterling, now King Richard I. Now a king needs a castle, so the people got together and built one. And they called it Castle Sterling. Soon after, a city was formed around the castle, and it was in turn called Sterling City. Not very imaginative, but the people were very proud of their new city.

The kingdom grew and spread, roads were built, and towns sprang up over the next several decades. It also didn’t take long for the people of Sterling to run into other creatures and drive them out of lands they claimed for themselves. This, of course, made humans quite unpopular with the other races in the land.

The elves sent a diplomat to Castle Sterling and negotiated a border with the king. In other words, they told the king to stay out of Shilmestra Forrest and to keep his people out as well. The king at the time was Richard’s son John, and John was no fool. Knowing that it would be impossible to fight the elves in their wood, he quickly agreed to the negotiated border. But he also demanded that the elves allow free passage on a road around the edge of their forest. This way trade with the northern kingdoms was possible over land. The elves agreed and became the first of the magical creatures to ally themselves with the humans.

Not long after that, the dwarves from the eastern mountains came to trade with the humans as well. The dwarves were a wise and noble race, and their steel was unmatched. King John quickly signed a treaty with them, and his kingdom prospered for it. But there were some races that were too warlike or too evil to want peace with the humans. Goblins and ogres, for example. The goblins were evil little creatures that would kill and eat anything, even each other. Ogres were too stupid to understand what peace was, but thankfully, they preferred the mountains. Neither of these races would sign what came to be known as the Human and Magical Creatures Treaty, or the HMCT.

Dragons, dwarves, elves, and sprites all agreed to sign the HMCT and not to molest each other. This treaty was the cornerstone of the current civilization, and the signing of it was a momentous occasion. After the signing of the HMCT, the king declared that such an occasion could only be marked in one way. So the king declared that a new calendar be formed and that all the days and years after the official signing be known as AT (after treaty). This story starts in the spring of 112 AT, and most dragons were still uncomfortable about the whole thing.

CHAPTER 1

DRAGONS AND DAMSELS IN DISTRESS

IT WAS A crisp, clear morning in the mountains. The perfect kind of day to hunt deer, which was exactly what Kyle was doing. Looking down at the clearing below, Kyle thought it would be a perfect day if it weren’t for that pesky wizard. It was always something with Jacob the Wise. Jacob ‘the wise’ indeed, thought Kyle. What a laugh. If it weren’t for the fact that most of his magic came from Kyle, Jacob would be just another poser, pretending to be a wizard. In fact, most human wizards had very little magic of their own. They were all just a bunch of thieves, as far as Kyle was concerned, always taking magic from dragons or unicorns. Some of them would even stoop to stealing it from sprites and imps. Pathetic creatures, thought Kyle.

Why oh why did I ever listen to that wizard? thought Kyle. All of his troubles started last spring with that accursed amulet. It was a beautiful thing really, with a huge sapphire set in the middle and a shiny bright mix of gold and silver woven around the stone in an intricate pattern. A treasure to be coveted by any dragon, and being a dragon, Kyle knew treasure.

Kyle was a young dragon. You see, being just 152 years old had its drawbacks. He was not taken seriously by the adult dragons, and yet being nearly adult size, the humans had no choice but to take him seriously. When a forty-foot-long-twenty-five-foot-high dragon looks you in the eye, it’s not a good time for jokes. Much wiser to see what kind of a mood he’s in. Even if he’s in a good mood, I would advise caution when talking to a dragon. They are notoriously short-tempered creatures, and Kyle was no exception.

Yes, it had all started with the amulet. When Jacob had shown Kyle the amulet, the dragon was immediately taken with it. And when Jacob explained what the amulet could do, he decided to hear out the wizard. It had seemed like such a good idea at the time. Storing his soul in the amulet so that if he were killed he could be reborn sounded like a good idea. But that was before he found out that the amulet gave Jacob power. Power over Kyle!

When he thought about it, Kyle wanted to scream! That puny little human having power over him! It wouldn’t be so bad if a normal human had the amulet as normal humans didn’t really live all that long. But wizards tended to live for two or three centuries or more. So Kyle had a problem. How was he going to get the amulet away from Jacob?

Simply killing him was out of the question. Fighting a wizard was never easy, but that wasn’t really the problem. The problem was that with the amulet, Jacob could cause Kyle pain! Not an ouch! I stubbed my toe kind of pain. But a tearing-muscle, bone-breaking, mind-numbing kind of pain. So Kyle had a problem, and that problem was walking up the hill toward him.

With his chest-length graying beard and wearing a wide-rimmed pointed black hat and a large green flowing robe, Jacob looked just like you would expect a wizard to look. His homespun tunic and pants were brown and comfortable looking. And his handmade black hunting boots looked comfortable and well made too.

Good morning, Mighty Draconis! shouted Jacob.

My name is Kyle, wizard, replied Kyle with an angry rumble in his throat.

Yes, of course it is. But don’t you think Draconis is a better name for a dragon of your stature? asked Jacob.

What do you mean, better? asked Kyle with a dangerous glint in his eye.

Take no offense, my friend. I simply thought I would suggest a name more suitable for you. After all, Kyle is a rather ordinary name and I thought that such a magnificent creature should have… The look on Kyle’s face caused Jacob to stop midsentence.

I will say this only once, wizard. If and when my elders choose a new name for me, it will because they deem me worthy of it. And your opinion on the matter is and always will be meaningless, said Kyle with a hard look. Now tell me why you are here.

Of course, I meant no offense, Kyle. I am here because I have a problem, said Jacob.

You always have a problem, Jacob, now get to the point, said Kyle.

Yes, well, it seems a griffon has moved in to the hills just west of Oakstown, and I was hoping you could do something about it, said Jacob.

Why? asked Kyle.

Well, I don’t really know. I suppose the hunting is good in that area, said Jacob.

"No, you idiot, not why did the griffon move there, why should I do anything about it?" asked Kyle, sounding frustrated.

Oh, well, you see the mayor came to see me last night and told me that the griffon had kidnapped his daughter. And that several hunters have already been killed trying to rescue her. She is after all a pretty lass. So you can see why I came to you, said Jacob.

Not really, said Kyle.

Oh come now, Kyle, we’re talking about a griffon here. You can’t really expect me to fight him all by myself can you? asked Jacob.

Why should I care about what happens to one little town of humans? There are hundreds of towns of humans, what makes this one so special? asked Kyle.

Oh, for crying out loud, Kyle! I can’t just have griffons going around eating people and kidnapping innkeeper’s daughters whenever they feel like it. It’s a violation of the Human and Magical Creatures Treaty. And on top of that, it’s bad for my reputation as a wizard! Jacob practically shouted.

Don’t talk to me about the HMCT, old man. I had nothing to do with that treaty. However, your reputation is another matter. If people start thinking you’re not as powerful as you say, some other wizard might start getting ideas about challenging you, and then what will happen to my amulet? asked Kyle.

Your amulet? said Jacob with a smirk.

Don’t push it, old man, I haven’t had breakfast yet. Besides you’re not going to live forever, and when you die…

Yes, yes, I know, you shall have your freedom then. Now, will you help with the griffon? asked Jacob.

What’s her name? asked Kyle.

Her?

The mayor’s daughter, you jackass, said Kyle.

Oh yes, her name is Sylvia. Although I don’t see why you want to know, said Jacob.

Sylvia was seventeen years old and was already considered one of the prettiest girls in the region. Her long black hair and almond-shaped green eyes had the young men of Oakstown eagerly awaiting her coming of age. She was tall for a girl at five feet eight inches and had an athletic build that had turned more than one head in town. But at the moment she didn’t feel very pretty.

Two days ago, the griffon had attacked her town, killing several men. And before she could do more than scream, it had picked her up and flew away.

After a terrifying flight, it finally set her down in a grove of pine trees looked her straight in the eye and told her to stay there. Then the griffon immediately turned around and flew away.

Sylvia didn’t know what scared her more, the fifteen-foot-tall griffon looking down at her or the fact that it could talk. She knew one thing for sure, she was in trouble. After looking around at her surroundings, Sylvia quickly decided to make a run for it. Unfortunately, she only had a small hunting knife on her, and its five-inch blade was of no use against the griffon. As scared as she had been during her unwanted flight, Sylvia had still managed to keep her head enough to know that they had come almost due west. What she didn’t know was how far they had come.

Sylvia, you see, was not a typical town girl. She didn’t wear dresses if she could avoid it. And playing with dolls had never appealed to her. She didn’t like gossip or playing all the hurtful little kissing games that other girls her age seemed to like. Most of her friends were boys, but she had never kissed any of them. There was no getting around it. She was a tomboy through and through.

Judging by the sun, it was late afternoon by the time the griffon had put her down. And after only a minute or two to get her bearings, Sylvia quickly started off through the woods. She headed east at a long-legged walk, knowing that running on unfamiliar ground was both foolish and dangerous.

A twisted ankle could end her escape in a hurry.

Sylvia wondered why the griffon hadn’t just eaten her. What did it hope to accomplish by dropping her off here? These were questions she had no answers for, so she decided to concentrate on her escape. Her father and mother would be worried sick by now. And it would not surprise her at all if her little brother was already searching for her.

She smiled as she thought about her little brother, Jared. Although little did not fit Jared, at sixteen he was bigger than her. Impulsive was how she thought of Jared, though most people would call him rash, or even thoughtless. She loved her brother dearly but knew he would not wait for a search party. They were not just brother and sister; they were best friends as well. Growing up as the mayor’s children, they had the run of Oakstown. From her father’s inn to the blacksmiths shop and the general store, they were known all over town. And generally they were liked by all, although her brother did tend to get in trouble from time to time. Jared didn’t have a mean bone in his body. It was mostly the good natured practical jokes he pulled that got him in trouble.

Sylvia had barely gone half a mile when the griffon reappeared. This time dropping what seemed to be a large bundle of very dirty rags not far from her. Without a word, the griffon flew off once more. Sylvia looked with trepidation at the bundle on the ground as it started to move. As it stood up she suddenly realized that it was a dwarf. A very dirty dwarf. Grabbing her knife and brandishing it in front of her she asked, Who are you? And what do you want?

The dwarf slowly pulled out a wicked-looking short sword.

Turns arrowns, an goes back, girlsy, he said with a deep voice and heavy accent. This was only the second time Sylvia had ever seen a dwarf, and this one looked nothing like the first. For one thing, this creature was filthy, and the odor coming from it was strong enough to make her eyes water.

Who are you? she asked again, not moving.

Who’s is you? he asked with a hard look.

I am Sylvia Murddock, the daughter of Tom Murddock, the mayor of Oakstown, she said, and she was quite proud that her voice did not quiver with the fear she felt.

Wells, Sylvia Murddock, I’s is Brock. Now turns arrowns an goes back, Brock said, pointing with his sword back the way she had come.

Hesitating for a minute, Sylvia thought it over. Dwarves were known as short but powerful creatures. Generally, they were well thought of as excellent miners and fair traders. This dwarf was definitely short, and his large round shoulders looked powerful indeed. He did not however look like a fair trader. In fact, he looked evil. With his long black unwashed hair, he wore a long scraggly beard, and the scowl from his protruding eyebrows