Rise of the Blood Masters (Book 5) Read online

  Rise of the Blood Masters

  Book Five of the Dragon Stone Saga

  ISBN: 978-1-937361-12-9

  Copyright Notice

  ©Defiant Press, 2014. First Edition.

  This book contains material protected under International and Federal copyright laws and treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted without express written permission from the publisher. Cover illustration: Stephanie Payne Denne

  Find out more about the author at her official website: www.KristianAlva.com

  Printed in the United States of America. The Dragon Stone Saga® is a registered U.S. trademark. All rights reserved.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Title Page

  More Books By Kristian Alva

  Dragon Genealogy

  Map of Durn

  Part One: Dark Family Secrets

  The Return to the Elder Willow

  A Painful Past

  Captured

  Skemtun and Kathir

  A Funeral Interrupted

  Part Two: The Orc Menace

  Tallin’s Fight

  The Oath of Enemies

  Preparing for War

  The Horde

  The Temple

  About the Author

  Rise of the Blood Masters: Book Five of the Dragon Stone Saga

  Kristian Alva

  Defiant Press

  More Books By Kristian Alva

  Enjoy the Bestselling Dragon Stone Saga!

  Original Dragon Stone Trilogy

  Book 1: Dragon Stones

  Book 2: The Return of the Dragon Riders

  Book 3: Vosper’s Revenge

  Chronicles of Tallin Trilogy

  Book 4: The Balborite Curse

  Book 5: Rise of the Blood Masters

  Book 6: Kathir's Redemption (February 2015)

  The Shadow Grid Trilogy

  Book 7: The Shadow Grid Returns (forthcoming)

  Book 8: The Fall of Miklagard (forthcoming)

  Book 9: Sisren's Betrayal (forthcoming)

  Dragons of Durn

  Dragons Paired with Riders

  Brinsop, f. carnelian dragon paired with Sela Matu

  Duskeye, m. sapphire dragon, paired with Tallin Arai

  Nydeired, m. diamond dragon, paired with Elias Dorgumir (offspring of Starclaw)

  Orshek, m, onyx dragon, paired with Galti Thallan

  Karela, f, onyx dragon, paired with Holf Thallan

  Starclaw, f. emerald dragon, paired with Chua Hakmorr

  Blacktooth, m. onyx dragon, paired with Fëanor the elf

  Poth, m. onyx dragon, paired with Carnesîr the elf

  Nagendra, f. carnelian dragon, paired with Amandila the elf

  Charlight, f. (deceased), paired with Hanko

  Wild Dragons

  Shesha, f. carnelian dragon

  Atejul, m, emerald dragon (offspring of Duskeye and Nagendra)

  Part One:

  Dark Family Secrets

  The Return to the Elder Willow

  Tallin and Mugla kept their conversation light as they returned to the Elder Willow. They talked about the weather and other trivial things. Mugla tried several times to start a dialogue with her nephew, but few words passed between them.

  Every time the conversation turned serious, Tallin would find a way to change the subject. He was preoccupied throughout the trip and never regained a peaceful state of mind.

  Whenever Tallin stopped to hunt along the way, Mugla was left alone in the forest. At first, she was overcome with feelings of isolation, but eventually, she grew used to the solitude. She’d been living among the dwarves for so long that she was used to having almost no privacy. Compared to the claustrophobic, cramped quarters of the Highport caverns, the emptiness of the forest seemed vast indeed.

  When the weather was clear, they slept under the stars beside a small campfire. Unfortunately, their journey was punctuated by bursts of freezing rain, and Mugla often spent the night shivering with cold. When it rained, they slept under a tree, or if they were lucky, in a cave. Still, despite their uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, Mugla never complained.

  She wasn’t about to make a fuss over it, especially since she had invited herself along on this trip. Tallin hadn’t been pleased about that, but he eventually agreed.

  She had insisted on coming, partly to make sure that Tallin arrived safely, but also to discover more about Tallin and his connection to Skera-Kina, the Balborite assassin who had attacked them outside the dwarf caverns.

  They sat by the fire together in the evenings, talking occasionally about the assassin Skera-Kina—the woman who had tried to kill him. She was ruthless; something out of a nightmare. It usually soured the mood, so eventually Mugla stopped bringing it up altogether. Sometimes they discussed happier subjects, like the dragon’s nest. This always put Tallin and Duskeye in good spirits. Mugla’s voice broke into his thoughts.

  “So how do ye think the eggs are doing?” Mugla asked.

  Tallin answered with an instant smile. Tallin loved discussing the impending birth of the hatchlings. It was just the sort of distraction he needed. “I’m sure everything is fine, but I worry every minute. I can’t wait to see the nest again.” Then, absently, “I wonder if any of the eggs have hatched yet.”

  “That’s unlikely,” piped Duskeye. “It’s still too early. Once we reach the Elder Willow, we will monitor the nest together until the hatchlings appear. Shesha is waiting for our return.”

  Tallin smiled and crossed his arms behind his head. The dragon’s eggs had consumed his imagination since he saw them for the first time. Of course, the nest was more than a pleasant distraction. It was the key to the future of the dragon race. In the years leading up to the last war, the dragons were almost exterminated by the evil emperor Vosper. The dragons fled to the desert to hide. The emperor was eventually defeated, but very few dragons survived the war, and there had been little hope for their survival since.

  Only a handful of nesting females remained, and the chance that any of them would successfully spawn a clutch of eggs was low. Yet, somehow, Shesha and Duskeye had mated, and produced a healthy nest. Shesha’s sudden fertility had shocked everyone. Tallin had been ecstatic about the news.

  Finally, hope for the dragon race existed! It wasn’t just good news for the dragons and their riders; it was good news for the whole world.

  “How much longer before they hatch?” asked Mugla. She didn’t know much about dragons, for there were no dragons in the dwarf kingdom. Tallin was a dwarf halfling. He was the only dragon rider on the continent with dwarf blood.

  “It varies a lot, but it usually takes about eleven months,” Tallin replied. “Sometimes later if the weather is cold.”

  “Why, that’s nothing,” she replied. “They’ll be hatched soon.”

  He shook his head. “Not soon enough for me. I won’t rest easy until they hatch. But as long as the nest is safe, then that’s really all that matters.” Tallin leaned back, and his face darkened. “Do you think Skera-Kina will come searching for us at the Elder Willow? We can’t risk her finding the nest. “

  “No, I don’t think there’s any chance of that,” she responded. “It’s probably just a coincidence that she showed up at Highport while you were there. And she doesn’t know where we’re going now anyway.” She rubbed the back of his hand.

  He forced a smile. “You’re probably right.” He was clearly distracted now.

  “It’ll be all right. Don’t worry so much.” Mugla cleared her throat and looked away. She felt like she was lying to him, but she didn’t know what else to s
ay.

  After that, the conversation died, and for once Mugla didn’t try to revive it. She decided not to bring up the subject of Skera-Kina again.

  Eventually Mugla nodded off to sleep. The next morning, they continued their journey toward the Elder Willow. The days passed by, and eventually they were near their destination. Now that they were closer, Duskeye flapped his wings and flew very fast.

  Around midday, Tallin said. “I can see the top of the Elder Willow in the distance. We’ll arrive before nightfall.”

  Mugla smiled. “Good. It’ll be nice to see Chua again and to get a good rest for the night. There’s somethin’ about that place that revitalizes my soul… I love the greenery and the trees. It’s such a calm place. Being there helps me think more clearly. “

  Tallin smiled. “I agree. It’s pleasant here. But one has to be tranquil to appreciate it.”

  Mugla squinted, looking through the trees. She could see a fire blazing in the meadow below. There was a small man covered with a blanket at the edge of the firelight. “Look, I see a cook fire.”

  Tallin sniffed the air eagerly. “Did Chua make stew? Or am I so hungry I’m imagining things?”

  “No, ye’re right. He’s definitely cooking something good. Mmmmm! I hope that stew tastes as good as it smells.” The aroma of stewed vegetables and spicy herbs filled the air, making their stomachs growl. As they flew closer, they saw Chua carefully stirring an iron pot that was suspended from a hook over a low fire. Mugla smiled. “We could use something hot to eat after all these cold nights.”

  Duskeye flapped his wings, and they descended toward the sacred grove where Chua made his home. After one final flap, Duskeye landed right near the Elder Willow, underneath the tree’s hanging branches. Paper lanterns swung from vines that coiled up the tree’s enormous trunk. With Tallin’s help, Mugla hopped from Duskeye’s saddle.

  She stretched her back, as it was stiff from riding. Then, smiling, she hobbled toward Chua, pausing next to a small wooden table with a bunch of large wildflowers on it. She plucked a single flower from the bunch, smelled it, and placed it back down. “Sunflowers are so beautiful, aren’t they?”

  “Chua!” she called out. “Did you set all this up yourself? What a nice thing to do!” She planted a friendly kiss on the spellcaster’s scarred cheek. “Thanks for making such a nice effort for us.”

  Starclaw, Chua’s companion, rested close by. “Hello, Starclaw,” Mugla said, patting the green dragon’s nose. Starclaw purred and licked her hand.

  On the other side of the fire, Chua propped himself up on a mound of pillows. He raised his chin to greet them, saying, “Welcome, welcome. We’ve been expecting you. I’m glad you’re both here. You’re right in time for supper. I made the stew, but I can’t take credit for the rest. Starclaw hung the lanterns and set up the table of flowers. She’s a great helper, you know.”

  “I can’t wait to try that stew.” Tallin licked his lips. “It smells heavenly.”

  Mugla nodded and motioned toward the table. “Why don’t ye just sit down, dear? I’ll spoon up a bowl and bring it to ye.” Steam rose from the pot as the liquid within bubbled vigorously; it was filled to the brim with thick broth and vegetables.

  Mugla served each of them some stew, pouring the thick mixture into bowls which were then handed out to everyone. Chua stayed on the ground near Starclaw to eat his meal.

  Tallin inhaled deeply, took one spoonful, and smiled. “This is so good.” The heat scorched his throat, but that didn’t stop him from gulping it down.

  Tallin gobbled up his first bowl of stew and quickly rose up for seconds, which he went to ladle himself. “This tastes great, Chua,” he said.

  Chua chuckled and lifted his bowl into the air in a type of salute. “The recipe is simple—just lots of fresh vegetables from my garden. “

  “Ye’re quite a talented cook.” Mugla said, taking another swallow. “Always so modest.”

  “I’m glad you enjoy it. Have as much as you like. I know you both must be hungry after such a long journey. I don’t get many guests in the fall, so it’s nice to cook for someone else besides myself for a change.”

  “How do you do it…in your condition?” asked Tallin, referring to Chua’s disabilities.

  Chua smiled. “Oh, it’s really not that hard. Starclaw helps me with everything. One learns to take care of oneself, I suppose.” Despite the blindfold over his damaged eyes, Chua looked like he was staring into the fire.

  After a brief pause, he continued, “Life is filled with difficulties, but also with joyful experiences. This life is one that I am best suited to, I think. I’ve enjoyed my life, though it’s come with many sorrows.” He leaned back and patted Starclaw’s side. “At the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade what I’ve learned for anything.”

  Mugla gave him a curious look. “Why so serious all of a sudden? Yer life’s not over yet, old friend! Ye’ve got many good years ahead of ye. And who knows? Maybe ye’ll even outlive me!”

  Smiling softly, Chua said, “Yes… perhaps.”

  Mugla finished her stew and cleaned her bowl in a bucket of water by the fire. Stretched beside her, Duskeye was already snoring. “So how’ve ye been, Chua? What’s happened since the last time we were here?”

  Chua reached out and picked up a slender pipe from his robe before responding, “Nothing much. I’ve had a few visitors come by for readings, but it’s been quiet for the most part. Usually, I just tend to my garden or meditate by the stream. Our days have been peaceful lately. He stuffed the pipe with smokeleaf and lit it with a whispered spell. He took a puff and let out a ring of smoke.

  Mugla watched as it snaked through the air. “So, what do ye have planned for tomorrow?”

  Tallin spoke up. “We’re going back to the nest. Duskeye and I have returned in order to guard the dragon eggs. I don’t plan to leave this area again until after they’ve hatched.”

  “Ah, yes,” Chua said, taking another long draw from the pipe, “the nest. How is Shesha’s brood doing?”

  Tallin shrugged. “Still waiting for them to hatch, but… there’s no worries.”

  “I’m glad you’re here to keep the nest safe. I’ve been hearing some threats and rumors thrown about lately.”

  “Threats?” asked Tallin. “What kind of threats?”

  Chua shrugged. “Threats of war, some slaver prattle, mostly. There’s some talk that the orcs are going to attack Mount Velik. The greenskins have been acting aggressively outside their territory for months now. There’s talk of new hostilities with them. Their numbers have increased, and they’re united under a crafty young leader, King Nar.”

  Mugla flipped her shawl over her shoulders. “I’d like to teach those monsters a lesson they’ll never forget. Filthy greenskins.”

  Chua nodded. “We can hope. I hear whispers. Stories from the occasional traveler. I’ve tried to see the future regarding this, but it’s still too hazy. There’s lots of rumors flying about these days, but nothing is clear.”

  Mugla raised her finger. “Now, now… let’s not put so much faith in gossip. Sometimes rumors are more harmful than weapons; they’re only good for sowing fear.”

  Chua sat up, tapping his pipe on his palm to dislodge some wet smokeleaf from the bowl. Chua’s body looked very frail. “That’s true. Hopefully, it’s just a rumor, and the orcs will decide to stay in Mount Heldeofol where they belong.” He motioned to a stack of blankets nearby. “I have some warm blankets and pillows for you both. You’re both welcome to stay as long as you like. The remains of the fire will keep you warm.”

  Mugla stood and went over to the folded blankets and pillows. She handed a blanket and a pillow to Tallin before taking one of each for herself. Snuggling onto the rugs next to the fire, she watched Chua curl up next to Starclaw.

  “That sounds good. I’m tired, and it’s getting late,” said Tallin, stretching and lying on the ground. He was already half asleep.

  Mugla yawned. The night was warm, and her eyelids sta
rted to droop, too. “Tallin’s right. I’ve had enough chatter for tonight. Let’s try to get some rest.”

  After a few moments, she turned around and spoke to Chua in a quiet voice. “I was hoping to have a private reading with ye tomorrow,” she whispered as she pulled the blanket up to her chin.

  “All right,” Chua replied gently. “Starclaw carries me into the forest to meditate at dawn. Look for me by the creek, near the black oaks that grow along the water.”

  She nodded. “Thank ye… I appreciate your help.” Soft warmth seeped into her tired muscles, and she fell asleep almost instantly.

  Chua didn’t say anything. He only nodded and snuffed out his pipe. “So it’s begun,” he murmured quietly, and then drifted off to sleep.

  A Painful Past

  “Aren’t ye going to eat breakfast first?” Mugla asked the following morning. “Ye look so thin.” She pinched Tallin’s forearm, eying him critically. “I’m worried ye’re not eating properly.”

  Tallin laughed her off. “You saw me eat three bowls of stew yesterday! Anyway, I’m never very hungry in the morning.”

  “Be careful out there,” she warned. “Keep yer guard up. And watch the weather. The skies are clear now, but there are dark clouds in the distance. It’s bound to rain soon, and ye’d best not be caught in a storm.”

  “A little rain never hurt anyone,” he replied lightheartedly, but his aunt didn’t appreciate the humor in his voice.

  Mugla frowned. “Don’t be so glib with me, young man,” she scolded. “I’m not so old and feeble that I can’t tan yer backside. This is serious. You’d do well to heed my advice.”

  Tallin started to roll his eyes but caught himself. “I appreciate your concern, but please don’t worry about me. I’m not afraid of a little rain, and I know how to avoid danger. I’ve been doing it all my life.”

  She rattled on, not really listening to his reply. “I had a nightmare last night. In it, ye were trapped in a dark place, surrounded by bad people. It’s a bad omen. There’s trouble brewing. I can feel it in my bones. Ye need to be careful. If ye plan to explore, stay in the north. There are reports of outlanders in the south, and I don’t want ye tangled up with those dirty bounty hunters.”