The Gift of the Dragons

By Stephen D. Sullivan

When disaster strikes, morality is often the first casualty.

"The Gift of the Dragons" blends action and adventure when a tsunami overtakes the Blue Kingdoms. The formidable wiles and strength of the Starcutter's crew may not be enough to see them through, this time. A disaster on this scale demands sacrifice! The story features Captain Ali and the saucy Coralshell Sisters from "Sisters in Arms."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen D. Sullivan
• Release date: Sep 25, 2010
• ISBN: 9781465908827

Stephen D. Sullivan

Stephen D. Sullivan has written more than 50 books across many genres: fantasy, SF, horror, detective, movie adaptations, and more. Readers the world over enjoy his fast-moving prose style and hard-hitting action sequences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2016 Scribe Award for his horror-comedy novel, Manos: The Hands of Fate.Not sure where to start? Try these:NEW! Manos: Talons of FateBEST SELLER: Manos: The Hands of Fate (2016 Scribe Award Winner)HORROR & MONSTERS: Daikaiju AttackFANTASY: Tournament of Death novelsSCIENCE FICTION: Heart of Steam & RustADULT: Elf Erotica (Elf Princess on Mars)OVERVIEW: Martian Knights & Other TalesThere are plenty of others to choose from, too. (Including some books from other authors published by Steve's Company, Walkabout Publishing.)Browse! Buy! Enjoy!

Book preview

THE GIFT OF THE DRAGONS

~ A Blue Kingdoms Story ~

Stephen D. Sullivan

• Walkabout Publishing •

Smashwords edition.

© 2011 Stephen D. Sullivan

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the vendor of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Walkabout Publishing

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P.O.Box 151

Kansasville, WI 53139

www.walkaboutpublishing.com

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, scanning, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author.

Special thanks to my first readers, as always, especially Kiff.

Cover art & design © 2010-11 Stephen D. Sullivan.

CONTENTS

THE GIFT OF THE DRAGONS

Samples of Other Stories

Sisters in Arms

Monster Shark

Crimson & Dragons

About the Story

About the Author

Original Cover

THE GIFT OF THE DRAGONS

~ A Blue Kingdoms Story ~

Stephen D. Sullivan

Captain Ali al Shahar eyed the golden trinket in the girl’s hand. So, Princess, he said, why is this bauble so important to you?

Princess Makachiko Sunrii averted her brown eyes from the captain and adjusted her carefully fitted silk garments. It’s been in my family a long time, she said. I didn’t want to see it lost.

The captain shook his head. That may be your story, but I’m not buying it, he said. Even with the pirate ship burning, and cutthroats all around you, you were more concerned with rescuing that necklace than with saving yourself. Why?

Kor dar-Bek, the Starcutter’s first mate, nodded. The half-ogre’s huge frame completely filled the cabin door blocking the afternoon sunlight; his brutish countenance made the nod seem vaguely sinister.

Makachiko frowned. It’s really none of your business, Captain, she said. You may have rescued me from my captors, but neither I nor my family owes you any explanations.

True enough, Ali said. All I was promised for your return was a fat reward. However, he continued, his hazel eyes growing cold, "I am captain of the Starcutter, and anything that may imperil my ship or crew concerns me. Rescuing you from the Purple Tern Brigands was dangerous. Taking you home, even with the pirates defeated, will be more dangerous still. Everything aboard this ship concerns me, including that necklace."

What the captain is saying, Kor explained, is that you either come clean about that trinket, or you practice up on your swimming. The half-ogre’s eyes gleamed poison-green, and a wide grin cracked his gnarled face. He bowed slightly and added, Yer highness.

The princess looked alarmed, too alarmed, really, for one of her breeding. She glanced hopefully from the captain to the half-ogre and then back, pleading with her deep brown eyes.

Princess Makachiko’s looks were enough to sway the mind of nearly any man. She was round in the right places and slender in the rest. Her dark hair cascaded over her bare shoulders. Her silken clothes, rescued from the pirates, clung lovingly to her figure, and revealed much of her tanned skin. Captain, she said, please. . . .

Ali folded his arms across his chest and gazed sternly at her.

Give it up, girl, the half-ogre said, laughing. You’ll never win a battle of will against the captain!

Makachiko sighed. Very well, she said. It seems I have no choice but to tell you.

She held the necklace out so that the captain and the half-ogre could see it better. The medallion glittered enticingly in the sunlight leaking through the cabin’s starboard porthole. The necklace looked like a tiny silver dragon. Its bejeweled form dangled from the end of the stout chain twined through the princess’ slender fingers. The dragon’s body curved into a sinuous S, and its blue gemstone eyes gleamed. It almost looked alive.

This bauble, as you’ve called it, Makachiko said, was given to my father by the dragon queen Argentia Lumus—for services rendered during the recent Wizard War.

Ali arched one dark eyebrow and studied the necklace carefully. So you’re saying its value is more sentimental than monetary, he said. Somehow, I don’t buy that.

Kor moved forward, ducking to keep his head from brushing the cabin’s top timbers. He laughed. The captain’s heard enough fish stories to last his lifetime!

Makachiko’s face reddened. This necklace is a gift from the dragons. Its price is beyond measure!

Ali’s eyes narrowed. Why?

The dragon lady gave it the power to summon her people to my family’s aid! the princess replied.

Kor dar-Bek frowned. That’s a lot of fish-oil, too, Captain, he said. If the trinket has that kind of power, why didn’t she have the dragons save her ship from the Purple Tern Brigands? Or rescue her from their brig? For that matter, why doesn’t she call them now to ferry her back to Sunrii Isle and save us the trouble?

"It