closest confidante…
Jake immediately tried to put the boy at ease and gently said, Easy young one, we are not
passing judgment on you. We are merely trying to find the reason for your unusual abilities, and
your dragon’s. Jake’s soothing voice calmed Trey.
Well, we weren’t around other dragons and riders; we didn’t even know you guys existed. We
were both scared to death and neither of us knew what to do. God, she was only a baby!
The boys face was filled with the agony of what he must have gone thru emotionally.
Mariah was torn from her egg… she had to mature outside of the egg, do either of you know how
hard that is? Trey looked at Daniel, and then at Jake. She was so traumatized she almost died –
it took everything I had to keep her alive. He hung his head and wiped his eyes. It took her damn
near two years time to become fully grown. She lost a lot being ripped from her egg like that; she
doesn’t think she was able to mature properly. Trey turned to Jake, but we got by, we managed,
and we became very close.
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Yes Trey, what you two accomplished is a wonder. Your love for Lady Mariah is what kept her
alive during that time. Jake shifted his weight and faced Trey. A quick question Trey, where
was your home originally, what city?
When he answered, Daniel’s eyes were wide, in surprise, “sun-of-a-gun!”
Jake chuckled loudly; your wonders never cease to amaze me, Father!
Trey was looking at them both, what?
Jake silently called Michael to the Riders Hall and had him wait before entering; instructing
him to listen for a moment.
Exactly what happened in the beginning, Trey? Jake asked him. Bear with me, it is very
important.
Trey looked at Daniel, and then at Jake. He took a deep breath and began.
Well, we had been hearing about them on the TV, but they hadn’t made it to our area yet. Mom
and Dad were preparing our things and loading the car. We were going to try and make it to the
mountains. I was in my room when I heard Mom scream and I ran out to the garage. They were
everywhere… our neighborhood was on fire.
Trey took a long breath and continued. It was dusk outside, and there were fires everywhere, and
you could hear them flying overhead. That sound… the roaring… we could hear the neighbor’s
screaming. My mother and father tried to get my brother and me to safety, but the dragons dove
on them; it was very fast; his voice faltered, they were gone in an instant, he whispered, I don’t
think they suffered.
Trey’s voice began to quiver and he tried to clear his throat, I saw others diving on my brother
and me… and… and…
Michael stepped into the cave and picked up the conversation.
…and you pushed me at a pile of debris which fell and covered me...
(Trey spun around and stared at Michael in disbelief, eyes wide - mouth open…)
Michael continued with tears in his eyes.
…hiding me from their view. You ran the other way to attract them away from me, but I saw. I
saw the giant claw come down and pick you up. I heard you scream Trey; I saw you being taken
off… Michael hung is head for a moment, it has haunted me for years, he said softly.
Me-Ma found me a little while after that and took me away.
Trey looked at Michael, studying his face again, looking for what he remembered.
“I’m told I have Dad’s nose, I can see Mom all over you,” said Michael smiling slightly, tears in his eyes. “That’s what was upsetting me when I looked at you; I was seeing Mom.”
“Michael…?” Trey questioned as he came closer.
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Trey held Michael at arms length, staring at him, “Michael, you’re alive!”
Both young men were staring at the other, and then patting each other on the back and hugging
each other, crying, and uttering incoherently.
“Oh God… this is unbelievable!” Michael exclaimed as they both embraced again.
“My God - you really are Michael! There’s the star shaped scar from when I hit you in the
head with the Bar-B-Q thongs.”
“And there’s the mark on your neck when I whacked you with the stupid sword and took out a
chunk of your skin. Remember how you bled all over the place, and scared Mom half to
death.” And then they sat there on the ground, staring at each other and grinning.
“You said Me-Ma found you; Lord, I don’t doubt it. She was one tough cookie; I pity the
dragon that messed with her,” Trey laughed.
My sentiments exactly, Jake interjected sarcastically.
Trey looked at Jake puzzled and then continued, “Is she still alive, Michael?”
Jake chuckled loudly and Daniel choked up laughing, “is she ever…!”
“Alive and kicking Trey… um, yeah, uh…” He looked about at Jake and Daniel, “you really
need to read the Dragon Chronicles, Trey. It tells all about how we got here. It will explain
everything and answer all your questions.”
“Okay Michael, but first I want to see her, tell me, where is she?” Trey smiled at his brother.
“She’s not here right now, but she’ll be back in a couple of days. She’ll be so happy to see you.”
Michael grinned at his brother.
Michael,” Daniel stepped forward, “why don’t you take Trey to your cave and get him a copy
of the Dragon Chronicles so he can catch up quickly.”
“Right Daniel,” reaching out his hand to his brother he said, “come on Trey, we have a lot to
catch up on.”
Turning to Jake Michael added; Oh Jake, our unwanted guest has settled down in the Great Hall.
He’s keeping to himself.
He will wait till the battle is over before making his move, Jake told him, we are well aware of his
movements, Michael. When he makes his way to the mountain we will be ready for him.
The newly found brothers left the Riders Hall arm in arm, chatting about finding each other at
last.
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“… and you have to meet my Sally. She’s going to be so pleased, and my son Taylor… and
Oreo and Tabs… You really need to read the Chronicles!”
Back in the cave Daniel was trying to put all this into perspective. He shook his head smiling,
Jake; this is going to be some kind of shock for Kate. After we’re done with taking out the trash,
maybe I should go to Dragons Bay and prepare her.
That would be a good idea Daniel, I am sure Lady Kate will be overjoyed. Jake now rose up, now
we must get ready for tomorrows battle. They are up over the mountain and will try to sneak down
towards Evansville in the early morning before daylight.
Yeah, laughed Daniel, well they are going to have a welcoming committee like no other.
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Down along the shore of Peru, in Dragons Bay, Kate was making her way to the top of the
plateau. She went directly to Valotin and bowed before him, indicating she wished to have a
private conversation.
Lady Kate, he said acknowledging her, what brings you up here? I sense you are upset.
Oh Valotin, I don’t know, she said hesitantly, I, I feel that something is amiss. I can’t put my
finger on it; but something is out of balance. Is Daniel all right? Is Jake safe and well?
My Lady, Daniel and Michael are fine, as is Jake. You worry needlessly; he said reassuringly,
this is the first time you have been separated, is that correct? Kate nodded and Valotin continued, then that is all it is, My Lady, just separation anxiety.
Do you really think so? Is it possible? Oh, she sighed deeply, I guess you’re right Valotin; I’m
just being foolish. I have spent too much time fearing the worst.
Kate turned and looked out onto the Bay.
Billy and the other children just love it here. Your dragons and riders have been so sweet and
comforting. Kate hugged the large dragon, Thank you for your reassurance Valotin. She turned and went back down the plateau towards the town.
Valotin chuckled to himself as his queen came to his side.
You did not tell her the good news my mate, she said sweetly.
Valotin looked to his mate, my sweet lady that is for Daniel to do when he joins us in a few days.
Ah, I see, she said chuckling and rubbing against her mate.
Speaking of good news, Valotin said as he rubbed his neck against hers, Lady Emily came to see
me this morning. Lady Valeria raised her head and looked at her mate. She will have some
surprising news for Adam when he returns.
I did not think it was possible for them, she said.
Valotin chuckled at her, my dear lady; all things are possible in this new world of ours.
147
6
Back in Evansville, Joe and Stuart were on the front line waiting for the sun to rise. They had
begun to hear howls and yells of surprise coming from the mountain. They knew that the
marauders had passed over the top of the mountain and were attempting to make their way
down towards the town. They could only imagine the surprise on their faces when they ran into
the packs of snarling wolves. Suddenly the silence of early morning was broken by the flash
and sound of gunfire, and then more screams.
“Well, this is one time I’m glad to hear screaming,” said Stuart under his breath.
“Yeah,” answered Joe, “I wouldn’t want to be them right now.” Joe looked up and down the
line of men and women. “Ok folks, this is what you all have trained for. They’ll be coming
over the rise soon. Make your fire count; take your time, pick your targets carefully before you fire.”
Turning to the large green dragon in the field, he called out, Daowyn; you can tell the sharp
shooters to take to the air now.
Come and ride me into battle Joe, Stuart can handle things here. He lowered his wing so Joe could climb on easily.
“Stu, the line is all yours; Daowyn wants me to ride him into battle.”
“You go for it Joe, never get another chance like this. I can handle this easily,” Stuart said
grinning at him. “Good luck man,” he shouted as Joe ran for the mighty dragon. Stuart
turned and looked towards Amy’s squadron of women lined up at the fence and sought out a
face.
Joe and Daowyn took to the air and Joe got a better view of his defenses. From above he could
see the entire town; it was laid out in a large arc that was used as a buffer zone between them
and the mountain. They were ready with their traps, and firepower to repel the invaders.
Amy had come to Joe with a plan her women had come up with and he had given her the okay.
The women proficient in the crossbow offered a plan to create a break-wall at the center of
their outer wall defenses. Amy had the men build a platform just behind the double wooden
fence. Her troops were lined up in three squads of about ten women each. They would fire in a
series of barrages and keep the marauders from bunching up and attempting a push towards
the middle.
Nothing created shear terror as much as arrows silently flying thru the dark; watching the men
around you fall and wondering when you are next. The uncertainty of not knowing where they
would come from would create exactly the effect Amy was hoping for.
She would keep up the barrage till they were out of arrows, and then her team would resort to
their rifles.
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Lady Elsbeth was flying high over the battlefield with Daphne on one wing and Jason on the
other; both had made excellent contact with her in the test runs. Their sniper abilities were
heightened when in her care; she found she could direct their fire to the targets below easily.
The first wave came out of the forest howling and yelling like madmen. They set up several
machine gun nests and began to fire as their men made it further down to the edge of the forest
and began firing. They were setting up a buffer zone while waiting for the rest of the men and
the missile launchers to make their way to their positions. Both sides kept up a barrage of fire and after twenty-five minutes there were more dead and injured on the mountain then in the
town.
Well, this won’t do at all, said Lady Elsbeth looking below. Jason, Daphne, I want you both to
concentrate; look thru my eyes to the scene below. The creatures manning the weapons that shoot
so fast; take them out.
Both men manning the submachine gun positions suddenly fell forward and lay sprawled
across their weapons. When turned over they both had neat little holes in the top of their
heads. The men below raised their heads and looked above, and then ran for cover in a panic.
Lady Elzbeth chuckled, now we must see to the ridge above. I believe those below were waiting
for more weapons to arrive.
My Lady, Daphne asked, why don’t we just fire the whole forest?
Oh no, we can’t do that Daphne, she replied quickly. It would scorch the whole mountain; when
the winter snow and spring rains come there would be nothing to hold the water back. There
would be enormous mudslides, and the town could be flooded as well.
I see, I hadn’t thought about that, replied Daphne, I can see I still have a lot to learn.
That is as it should be my dear, she explained further, we are constantly learning and growing.
Uh, Lady Elzbeth; called Jason excitedly, I think they are carrying rocket launchers; look below,
see? There are five or six of them; that is not a good thing.
Very well Jason, then we will do something about it. Lady Elzbeth banked and flew over the mountain and out onto the plain; she then turned and came in on the backside.
Be careful my lady, yelled Jason, those things are deadly; they could take you out, or do some
serious damage at the least.
Thank you Jason, I shall be careful; both of you check your restraints,