Dedlock

By Devon E. E. Sala

In the second part of the Draca Saga series, a death comes as a shock to Karunel Cynecylnn and his friends. As he continues his exile, Karunel learns more family secrets. New allies and enemies come and go but are they all they appear to be. A step closer to defeating his grandfather is what he must do but everything feels like a step back. fortunately for the blue elf, his friends are on a quest of their own. Eager to see him take the throne with the help of someone from the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Devon E. E. Sala
• Release date: Apr 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301021550

Devon E. E. Sala

Devon E.E. Sala hails from a place called England where they live with their two cats.

Book preview

Dedlock

A Draca Saga Novel

By Devon E. E. Sala

Copyright 2013 Devon E. E. Sala

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Chapter 1

Somewhere in the Draconish colonies.

During the summer holidays, Draconis Dynamic would always run an academy for young aspiring pilots. Different courses run from a week to two months. For the longer courses, some school might be missed.

Two such aspiring pilots were nineteen year old Salazar Bräck and fifteen year old Eamonn Jarlath. Both were friends of the exiled Prince, Karunel Cynecylnn and both had gone for for the slightly shorter six week course at the Draconis Dynamic pilot academy. Even though both had flown previously in a battle against the forces of the tyrant, Sigmon Cynecylnn over the planet of Tywyll Cwm, both were still required to complete the final course in order to qualify.

As he had done before, Karunel hadn't exactly been supportive of Eamonn taking the course to be a pilot so young but the black-haired teen was adamant that he was old enough. Now like Salazar, Eamonn was flying in formation close to the asteroid belt that pretty much cut the colonies galaxy in half. It was in comprehensible to think how much material made up the belt. It did serve as the boundary between the colonies and the so-called dark sector of the galaxy which was largely unexplored. There was something within the belt that brought all ships out of hyperspace making it impossible to explore out there as it would take too long to get anywhere at sub-light speeds.

Alright pilots, time to had back to base, came the order over the communications.

Eamonn sighed and tapped in the coordinates to the pilot academy. It had been a long day and he was actually glad to be heading back. Only two weeks more and he would officially be a Draconis Dynamic fighter pilot and he could stick that fact in Karunel's face.

Out of the corner something had caught his eye. There was a brief flash within the asteroid belt. He thought nothing of it however as he followed the rest of the squad back to base.

We have an unknown on the radar...

Eamonn looked down at the panel. There was in fact something within the asteroid belt. His eyes crossed to where he had seen it but with the trillions of asteroids in there, there was just no finding it now that he had lost eye contact.

Is it hostile? He heard Salazar ask.

Who knows what it is, let's just get back already, came another voice.

A bright red light shot out from the asteroid belt and headed towards Eamonn's fighter. There was nothing that Eamonn could do as it's appearance had been so sudden it hit him before he could even comprehend what was happening.

Eamonn's fighter appeared to explode in front of them. The red beam moved away from the remaining fighters as if Eamonn had been the sole target.

Eamonn! Salazar yelled.

He was absolutely devastated that he hadn't been able to do a single thing to help his friend.

There was nothing from the other fighter pilot trainees. Just the silence at the shock of what had just taken place.

Draconis Dynamic is sending out a search and rescue crew, came the voice of their instructor. There is nothing we can do to help, all trainee's return to base.

Salazar closed his eyes as they returned to the pilot academy. There was no way that that had just happened. This was just a dream, a nightmare, nothing more. He would wake up and Eamonn would be just fine.

Chapter 2

Tortuga DK was baking in the typical summer sun of the region. The temperatures were so high that even the cold-blooded creatures were keeping to the shade. The streets of the colony just weren't as busy as usual and those that needed to go out also stuck to the shade where possible.

Karunel Cynecylnn was sat under the covered balcony that looked down from the governors palace towards the spaceport and the sea beyond. He hadn't slept at all that night, it was impossible after being told what had happened to Eamonn. The wreckage of his fighter had been found and the survival cell was in fact still intact. That had to have meant that Eamonn had survived but it was found empty. He hadn't been in it so there was no body and no body meant that he was possibly still alive. Karunel was sure of it and he wanted to find him and make sure that his friend was safe.

Salazar had come to tell him personally.

Fuck it, the Prince swore to himself.

It is not something that any of us can do much about, came the voice of Salazar himself.

Karunel closed his eyes.

I wish that I'd disobeyed the instructor and had gone to check on him. Search and rescue took much too long to get out to the asteroid belt.

Karunel sighed, brushing his long blue hair away from his face. Having such long hair was proving to be a bother in weather as hot as this. It would get sweaty and damp, making it feel heavier and weighing his mind down. At least it felt that way, but it could just be the heat making him imagine things and at least he didn't have a headache or heat stroke.

Life is all just what ifs, he thought.

Yeah, it is, Salazar agreed.

Like if I had stayed with you or Rag...

Salazar raised an eyebrow. You were not actually thinking about that?

No, the Prince shook his head. It was just passing.

Salazar looked out to the spaceport as a merchant ship was landing. Goods for the local clothes shops it would appear as the ship was plastered with well-known clothing brands. At least the local economy was still going strong since it was out of Sigmon Cynecylnn's reach.

Where is Makoto anyway?

Karunel glanced down at the colony, almost sighing. He went to talk to Eam's mum, he explained. She's been refusing to talk to anyone about her son. The Prince looked visibly upset by what he said next. She keeps saying that she has no son.

Salazar shook his head, that was certainly down to her grief. She had already lost her husband and now her only son as well.

I guess neither of us could really imagine what she is feeling right now, the young black-haired man said. We know that Eamonn had a falling out with his mother last summer before the academy started up again.

Two red swans flew overhead, catching his eye.

Karunel slowly nodded as he remembered that. He rubbed his eyes as he suppressed a yawn, at the same time noticing that Makoto Roiyarutomo had returned below. The look on the young blond man's face was not something that filled the blue elf with hope.

Karunel took Salazar by complete surprise and leaping over the railing to the ground below. Even Makoto was surprised to see the Prince land on the grass in front of him. The landing on the hard ground with its dead grass didn't hurt him at all since it was from the first floor rather then the ground level. Salazar quickly did the same to rejoin him.

How is she? Karunel asked.

Makoto shook his head, his face was telling it all.

No, he replied. She then threatened to kill me if I ever talked to her about Eamonn again.

Not good for her, Salazar said, shaking his head.

There's more to it, Makoto then said. Eamonn was adopted, his parents weren't his birth parents.

Now that was something that Karunel had never expected, it was a complete shock to him and he began to wonder just who Eamonn's real parents were. At times he did think that Eamonn had some elven features to him, his ears seemed pointier then most humans were for one but Karunel had always shrugged it off. It was only now that he was beginning to realise just how different Eamonn had been from his adoptive parents.

Never would have suspected that, Salazar remarked.

No, not until told about it, Makoto agreed. Any way Salazar, what are you going to do about your course?

Salazar's eyes turned to the sky and he was quick to shield his eyes from the glaring sun.

Draconis Dynamic is going to allow me to retake it next year, he explained. Minus what I've already done.

That's good of them, Makoto said, managing a smile.

The Prince was quick to turn and read back inside to avoid the sun once more. The other two followed.

Could be the heat effecting her I guess, Karunel thought before placing his arm around Makoto.

Salazar nodded. Could be if she's been outside enough, but I would avoid talking to her for a while, he warned. If you want to find out about Eamonn's true parentage then I would talk to Wulfmær about it.

Karunel wasn't sure that he wanted to talk to his uncle about it. Someone else could if they wanted to.

No...

Now I'll have to go home anyway, Salazar mentioned. Not looking forward to that.

Still at odds with the olds? Karunel asked. Just stay here instead if you can't afford your own place.

The young black-haired man rubbed his eyes. Guess it's time to really, he admitted. They still don't like me being friends with you even though they'd welcomed me back and I am nineteen... but then I've always said I wouldn't leave home until I left the academy so I could afford it.

Karunel leaned against the wall, thankful that the governors palace had ample air conditioning. It was a wonder that there were still plenty of buildings that didn't have such devices, how could people live or work in such conditions.

I always used to threaten to leave home the moment I turned sixteen, the blue elf sighed. Was never expecting to be out of my home before my sixteenth birthday.

Norns, Salazar stated.

And without them there would apparently be nothing but chaos, a power they had grabbed long ago to wield over all others. Not even Draconish law could hope to keep order without them, especially not with Sigmon Cynecylnn in control of the Kingdom. It was now nearly four years since Sigmon had murdered his son Aeron Cynecylnn and took control of the Draconis Kingdom, killing anyone who got in his way. Especially those whom opposed him.

Well not all, not Karunel and not his friends at the academy. Or any of the staff either, nor had Sigmon killed his uncles, Wulfmær or Corque and their family's. Seemed that Sigmon wasn't all that powerful after all and it did give the Prince that little bit of hope.

Can you not bring them up... Karunel said of the Norns.

I think we owe it to Eamonn to find out who his real parents are, Makoto told them. If Lady Jarlath told him that he was adopted then he may not be able to rest in death.

That's if he is dead, Karunel reminded him. There was no body and as long as there's no body then I am going to believe that he is still alive.

Makoto slowly nodded in understanding. He couldn't blame the Prince for hoping that Eamonn was still out there alive and waiting for them to rescue him, but they had to be realistic he felt.

It would be almost impossible to find him though, Salazar warned. There are too few accessible systems on the other side of that asteroid belt, beyond that no one has ever been able to get to. That's why people call it the dark sector, the unexplorable part of this galaxy.

Karunel banged the back of his head against the wall. It was frustrating to think that Eamonn was out there somewhere and that they were unable to rescue him. He was blaming himself for not stopping him.

Where Svartalfheim might be, he thought.

Salazar nodded. So the legends have stated. He agreed. This galaxy has many secrets it seems. We know Asgard is here and has been since the galaxy formed almost."

Karunel glanced towards his friend. I bet the Aesir know where Svartalfheim is.

But Salazar just smiled at him and said, And don't you think that Thor would have at least told you where it is by now? he pointed out.

But Karunel knew that Thor wouldn't tell him everything that the Aesir knew. That would be bad for their own security, especially with a megalomaniac like Sigmon ruling the Kingdom.

He doesn't tell me everything, the blue elf promptly pointed out. He's not like that.

And you can't always believe what he does say, Makoto pointed out.

Although Karunel for one did always believe what the tívar told him but he wasn't going to tell the others that because they just didn't understand Thor. But Makoto being Makoto would always be quick to notice that he was think and so Karunel decided to try and avoid detection.

Can't really trust anyone all the time, the blue elf remarked.

Makoto briefly looked over at his fiancé questioningly, but Karunel never noticed the look.

But like I said about Eamonn, Salazar said to remind them. It really is best to talk to your uncle, Wulfmær about finding his true parentage.

The Prince slowly nodded. We owe it to him so that his real parents... if he was actually adopted, can know about him.

Well we do know that his parents, at least one of them anyway would be a dragon, Salazar noted. Which makes it highly likely that they came here to the academy when they were young.

Unless brought up by a dark dragon, Karunel pointed out.

That didn't bare thinking about really and there was a silence as the other two contemplated the possibility of that. Eamonn himself had always been worried about the so-called black dragon curse of black dragons always becoming dark dragons. Karunel knew just how silly that whole idea was but it had never stopped the younger teen from worrying about it.

Still, it was an idea that was beginning to trouble the Prince once again.

We have to find out, he stated.

The other two nodded in agreement.

The Draconis Dynamic colony of Elvenfire also served as the company's shipworks. There they built and repaired ships well out of the range of Sigmon's scope. It was still rather new and as such it wasn't yet running to full capacity. That would come soon enough.

The whole system belonged to Draconis Dynamic, as given by the late King Aeron Cynecylnn. The shipworks were easily spread out over a few of the systems planets but only one was naturally able to support life and so large sustained structures adorned the planets which had solid surfaces to support those working there. The main planet was known as DD Prime, which was where Wulfmær Draconis and his family now spent most of their time. It was far safer to be out of the reach of Sigmon and his goons.

Wulfmær as always was very happy to be visited by his nephew, even if it did occur in very difficult circumstances. Karunel, followed by Makoto and Salazar headed up the cold marble steps to the front doors of the mansion where Wulfmær was already stood waiting.

I am very sorry that you are not here under better circumstances, the tall red elf told them.

Karunel just silently nodded.

Come in, it'll be cold and dark soon.

Wulfmær led them into a large front hall with a grand staircase in front of them. The warm air hit Karunel and he was glad for it as he didn't much care for cold weather. His eyes followed the staircase with is dark red carpet up to where a wall adorned with painting was. A painting of Wulfmær, his sister and their parents.

So what is it that you wished to talk to me about? the red elf asked.

It's about Eamonn, Karunel explained as they climbed the stairs. Who are his real parents?

If I tell you, you must promise me that you will never tell Wolfram or anyone else what I have told you, his uncle was quick to warn him.

Karunel didn't like the ominous sound of that. For his uncle to make such a demand, he knew that it had to be pretty bad.

We'll talk in my office, Wulfmær the suggested. That way we won't be disturbed.

Wulfmær's office was situated at the far end of the mansion, down a long corridor that didn't look as well-lit as it could have been. The inside of his office was large and well furnished. Unlike the corridor it was well-lit by the large south facing windows. Aside from Wulfmær's desk, complete with a couple of computer terminals there were several bookcases filled with old books. The wall spaces not covered by bookcases or windows were adorned with a large number of paintings. Mostly of Wulfmær and his ancestors, but there was also one of the royal family. Karunel with his father, mother and sister. He had been thirteen at the time of the painting and just looking at it made the Prince feel sad as it reminded him of much better times.

How he would love to bring those times back.

Sit down please, Wulfmær said.

As they did so, Karunel was very quick to ask the question once again.

So who are Eamonn's parents?

With his elbows on his desk, the red elf placed his chin on the back of his hands as he gave his nephew a very serious look.

His real father is unknown, he admitted.

So Mrs Jarlath was telling the truth when she said Eamonn was adopted, Makoto said.

Wulfmær nodded.

What about his mother then? Karunel questioned.

His uncle bit his lip in anticipation. This was the part he did dread about telling Karunel and the others.

She is a little more difficult to explain.

Karunel sat back and stared at his uncle. We have all the time in the galaxy for you to tell us.

The other two nodded in agreement.

Well then... fifteen years ago there was a young and very ambitious woman by the name of Isolde Dedlock, Wulfmær began. I am sure you are too young to remember her family, the Dedlock's were the then ruling family of Kvass.

Karunel didn't like where this was heading.

She massacred her entire family and provoked a civil war that lasted only a month but cost the lives of millions of Kvass civilians.

This really was becoming all too familiar to Karunel, it was just like his grandfather. It was exactly like his grandfather in fact but it seemed that Isolde Dedlock had been much more successful in killing her entire family.

So she was Jarl Dedlock, Salazar said.

The very same, Wulfmær nodded.

The ceiling briefly creaked above them. Wulfmær's eyes briefly glanced up and he shook his head.

Ah, the building tends to do that sometimes.

Karunel too looked up but he hadn't heard of newer buildings creaking like that before. It had to be someone, or perhaps something above them.

And Eamonn is her son then? Salazar asked.

Wulfmær nodded. Yes, that I am afraid is true, he told them. But you must never tell anyone this, especially not my son. It may well do a lot of damage to Eamonn's memory.

The trio understood and nodded, letting the red elf know that. Karunel couldn't believe what he had heard about his friend, the son of someone whom had been just like Sigmon. That was hard to swallow.

Unlike his uncle however, Karunel still clung to the belief that Eamonn was still alive out there somewhere.

Now Salazar, as promised you can return to finish off your course once your final academy year has finished, Wulfmær reminded him.

Thank you, Salazar replied, although he didn't really think that it was appropriate to bring that up once again.

Not in the current situation any way.

Despite recent events, are you three looking forward to finally leaving the academy? the red elf then asked.

Salazar was quick to nod. I am, he stated. I'm looking forward to becoming a full-time pilot.

Wulfmær managed a smile.

It's been quick actually, Karunel remarked.

Time does indeed fly, Karunel, Wulfmær told his nephew. I still find it very hard that it has been over a hundred years since I left the academy myself. Quite a while ago if you think about it, even for a dragon.

Old codger... Karunel remarked.

To which Wulfmær chuckled. So what do you plan on doing now? he asked. You've heard what you came to see me for.

Count the days until we head off to the academy I guess, his nephew lazily shrugged.

Ah, well I think this will please you though, Wulfmær began to say and smiled. I have received word that the vampire hunting ban has been lifted and so has the bounty on the Nosfveiðr family.

Karunel shook his head. There was going to be a catch though, there was always a catch with his grandfather.

That is good for them, Salazar thought. At least now they can return to their homes in peace.

While Karunel knew that he should be happy for them, he couldn't help but think about Eamonn and what he had learned about him. He just couldn't be happy right now, it was impossible.

Makoto placed his hand on the Princes shoulder in an effort to reassure him. Once again he had been able to read his emotions.

I will have the guest-rooms set up for you then, the red elf mentioned.

There was no reason to leave right away.

Thank you, Mr Draconis, Makoto said politely.

Please, call me Wulfmær, he smiled.

The red elf stood up as Makoto nodded.

Now unfortunately I do have to get back to work, he then said. We are still working on Sigmon's ten mile monster of a ship. He really did have too many resources wasted on building such a ship. He began to walk towards the door as he continued speaking. Generally ships over a mile long are useless in battle. They lack manoeuvrability and present a much larger target.

Karunel agreed with that. But he was using it as a battering ram to destroy those Midgard ships.

Yes he did but, it is still too much of a target and as Namus will tell you, it is too much to fly, his uncle told him. There is no other use for it then a research and colony vessel.

Upon opening the door however, Wulfmær found his son, Wolfram stood directly outside. He had his right hand up as if he had been about to knock on the door, his eyes were wide open.

Is it true? he asked as his eyes regained focus and he looked up at his father.

Is what true? his father questioned him.

He wasn't about to say anything to Wolfram.

That Eamonn is Jarl Dedlock's son.

Wulfmær just said nothing as he looked at his son. There was nothing to tell him, nothing that he needed to know so all he could do would be tell him that he had heard wrong. He expected that his son would believe that.

He knows... we can't lie to him, Makoto said, able to read Wolfram like an open book.

Wulfmær sighed as he had hoped to be able to keep it away from his son.

Yes, it's true, he admitted. And you are not to tell anyone, I didn't want you to know but that would appear impossible.

Wolfram just looked up at his father and nodded.

Good, Wulfmær said and walked past his son.

The young red elf said nothing further to his father and instead he glanced at his cousin, his eyes seeming to ask him to stay. He waited until his father had disappeared down the corridor and finally out of sight.

Father keeps telling my that Eamonn is dead but I don't believe him, I just can't, he then mentioned.

We believe he is still alive as well, Karunel agreed.

Wolfram nodded. I have managed to see the wreckage that they brought back here, he then stated. The survival cell was still intact... if search and rescue had just been there sooner.

To the surprise of the others, Wolfram then slammed his fist against the wall out of frustration and anger. But they couldn't blame him however as they were equally frustrated by this. They knew that surely search and rescue could have been there sooner and Salazar knew that he could have disobeyed orders. Because of that he was the most frustrated and he was angry with himself.

Sometimes you just had to disobey orders.

Then we'll have to search for him ourselves, Wolfram decided. He really needs us right now.

Karunel shook his head. We can't exactly do anything he pointed out. We have no leads to start."

We do have one actually, Salazar mentioned, leaning against the wall. But we'll need to head out to that part of the asteroid belt.

And I can get a ship to take us out there, Wolfram told them. The Alchemist hopefully. Unfortunately the belt spans thousands of light years so it would take forever to scout along.

Unless you remember the exact co-ordinates, Karunel said, looking in Salazar's direction.

He had to remember, the Prince thought. He was supposed to be a Draconis Dynamic trainee pilot after all. It was imperative that they would remember their recent assignments.

I do, the young black-haired man replied.

Karunel was a little relieved.

We'll try and go tomorrow, Wolfram said. By then The Alchemist should have arrived.

Well I guess in the meantime we are going to find out what the guest-rooms are like, Karunel sighed.

Makoto held onto his hand. Get some rest.

He knew that Karunel wasn't looking forward to going out to the place where the trainee squadron had been attacked. It would probably be like a scene from a nightmare. Or one of those films where there would be nothing but silence and everything turned black and white.

Karunel hated those types of films. Slow and boring so he had no idea why he was even thinking of it. His mind was strange like that and sometimes it did bug him as well.

I'm not going to be able to sleep, he shrugged.

No harm in trying, Makoto assured him.

No, but Karunel never did like lying there trying to sleep. It was at times like those that his mind went into hyperdrive and he couldn't stop thinking about things. His grandfather and the Kingdom especially.

Or you could eat, Wolfram suggested.

At least his young cousin knew just how to get his mind of things.

Chapter 3

The atmosphere aboard the bridge of The Alchemist was very sombre as they looked out to the area in which Eamonn had been lost. The asteroid belt stretched out in front of them for as long as the eye could see. Wolfram was quiet, he hadn't uttered a single word since leaving Elvenfire. Karunel too had been rather quiet.

So this is where it happened... Makoto said, breaking the silence.

Salazar nodded as he recalled seeing the red beam shoot out from within the asteroid belt.

Whatever it was, it came from within there, he stated, pointing out at the asteroid belt. A red beam... aiming only for Eamonn's fighter.

Hmph... Captain Kellow remarked. So they were targeting him for a specific reason. They wanted the kid and no-one else then... wonder why.

Karunel groaned. It couldn't possibly be anything to do with his grandfather. His goons hadn't come out to this galaxy at, well so far as anyone knew anyway. Vampires, now that was something crazy enough to be a possibility. There would be plenty of vampires that would know of the Nosfveiðr family's friends and would come after those friends if the opportunity arose. Now vampires did make the Prince worry even more about Eamonn.

Dark elves I reckon, Captain Kellow mentioned. Well they do say that Svartalfheim is out here.

And what would they want with Eam? Karunel questioned him with a shake of the head.

Captain Kellow just shrugged.

Nothing obviously, the Prince then remarked.

Dark elves were once believed to look very similar to humans with their dark hair and pale skin, Rag Nosfveiðr remarked.

It was a few things that he had picked up himself when looking into Svartalfheim for an academy history essay.

But Karunel was staring at him.

There is no fucking way that Eam has anything to do with fucking dark elves, he growled at him.

I wasn't saying that he did, Rag assured him.

The Prince glumly placed his hands in his pockets before looking over at the asteroid belt once again. It did look as though it was easy to hide a ship of any size within it, perhaps even Sigmon's monster. Now that was a worrying thought, and if it were dark elves hiding out there? Karunel really didn't think he should be thinking about such a situation.

Well we are the only ship out here, Rag then mentioned, glancing down at the readings from his control panel.

Oh good, Goran said. The engines are still a little on the rough side, I don't want to have to bring them online at short notice for a quick getaway.

Captain Kellow laughed at the thought of running away even though that was what he should do considering he had the Prince on board.

Oh no. No, no no, we'll be staying and fighting like real Draconish should. We won't run like chickens.

But going on the other side of of that asteroid belt will certainly kill off the engines, Goran pointed out. That part of the galaxy is cursed.

Ah yes, the curse, Captain Kellow chuckled. And then there are some of us who don't believe in it. It is nothing more than a hyperspace inhibitor, they're just stopping us for now but we'll get in.

Meanwhile, Karunel was ignoring what they were talking about and was instead concentrating on the asteroid belt, still waiting for something to appear from it. A ship, maybe a fighter piloted by Eamonn himself, fleeing from whatever evil had originally kidnapped him. The more he stared at the asteroid belt, the more he began to realise that that just wasn't going to happen.

Of course, everyone has heard the stories about dark elves and their child sacrifices, the Captain remarked.

The Prince heard that remark and turned to glare at him. The Captain ignored him however.

Captain, that was not appropriate, Rag scolded him. Besides, dark elves died out a long time ago, everyone knows that. We learned that in history.

Captain Kellow chuckled again but said nothing.

Oh, have you seen one? the silver-haired man asked.

The Captain shook his head.

Of course not, Wolfram then stated. The dark elves and Svartalfheim are myths to scare little children with. My grandmother used to tell me stories about them all the time.

Karunel slowly nodded in agreement. Our grandmother used to like telling her scary stories.

Captain Kellow chuckled. Lady Draconis was always like that, he mentioned. I do miss her though, she was always a very good storyteller.

She and her husband, Jarl Draconis, had been killed in an accident when Karunel was thirteen. It had been the first time that he had ever seen his mother cry. It was the only time in fact. Back then he had heard rumours that it had been no accident, but then that was often the way when people inherited vast fortunes from an accidental death. His uncle, Wulfmær then took control of Draconis Dynamic and that had got tongues wagging.

Wulfmær however had never taken up the Jarl title from his father, he felt closer to the people being just Wulfmær Draconis. Karunel's father had always understood and supported his brother-in-law in his wishes, Karunel on the other hand had always referred to himself as a Prince on the basis of that was what people expected of him. No more, no less.

There's nothing out there, Karunel remarked with a sigh.

Perhaps so, Captain Kellow agreed.

Nothing on-screen.. or on sensors, Rag mentioned. Unless there is a heavily cloaked ship out there, we are wasting our time being out here.

Karunel bit his lip as he glared at the silver-haired man in anger.

This is Eam we are talking about, he said, the anger clear in his voice. It's not a waste of time.

Rag just turned away and looked down to go through his control panel.

We could be here for weeks, the Captain thought. But you four can't stay here that long, you have to go to the academy.

Bur Karunel didn't like the thought of heading back to the academy without Eamonn. It just wasn't possible that this was happening.

Right... academy, Wolfram thought.

Like his cousin, he didn't really want to go back there without Eamonn either. There would be this depressing empty space within the academy. Especially because there would be Eamonn's empty room standing there as a memory inaccessible to everyone.

That just felt wrong.

Chin up boy, Captain Kellow told him. "Eamonn wouldn't want you to be feeling so glum about him.

Wolfram just nodded.

And when we find the kid, we'll take him straight back to the academy. I promise.

Makoto glanced over to the Captain and quietly read his emotions. He could tell that Captain Kellow had no expectation of ever finding Eamonn at all. Makoto would say nothing.

Quietly, Wolfram walked up to the front of the bridge to take a closer look at the asteroid belt. He saw nothing out there, nothing other then rocks bouncing off of each other and generally just floating about. There was absolutely no sign of life, it was a dead zone.

He's out there I know it, Wolfram then said, breaking the short silence that had formed.

I know it too, Karunel agreed.

And you will be first to know if he is found, the Captain then said. If you want to chase this up then I suggest talking to Wulfmær as soon as we get back.

Karunel just nodded.

Of course, I am only too happy to help look for Eamonn Jarlath, Wulfmær promised.

And he knew that both his son and his nephew were going to hold him to that. They just weren't going to let up in their search for their friend and as unlikely as Wulfmær thought that he was alive, he couldn't blame them. If it were a friend of his he would do the same until he knew foe certain what their fate was.

I will have an exploration and research ship explore the area, the red elf then mentioned. They should certainly pick up anything that search and rescue might have missed.

For Karunel that was only slightly reassuring. It was a start but it would only be of any good if Eamonn was indeed found alive and well. Well as well as can be considering what he may be put through by those whom had kidnapped him.

Thank you, father, Wolfram said.

Wulfmær managed a smile. But of course Draconis Dynamic wants one of its most promising pilots back and so we shall do everything in our power to make that so.

So long as a body is not found, then I am going to continue believing that he is alive, Karunel told his uncle. Anyone who believes otherwise is heartless.

Wulfmær nodded.

Karunel was also hoping that the dark elves were just myth and that they hadn't been the ones to take Eamonn. If they had then he would most likely have ended up as one of their sacrifices and that was a thought that Karunel really couldn't bare. He tried but failed to push the thought from his mind.

I am sorry to say that Jarl Dedlock herself was widely believed to be a dark elf herself, the tall red elf mentioned.

Karunel gave his uncle a very questioning glance.

You have seen her pictures, yes? Wulfmær questioned his nephew. Her distinct elf-like features, her pale skin and dark hair... the hallmarks are there of the dark elf of legend.

The Prince shivered at the thought of Eamonn real mother being a dark elf. Troubling the Prince even more was what it could mean for Eamonn himself, could one of his friends really be a dark elf? That troubled him because in legend, dark elves always cold and very selfish. There was a reason they were called dark elves but Eamonn had never really been like that. Especially when he wasn't in one of his brooding moods and being depressive about the whole black dragon curse, he had always been bright and cheerful.

So not a dark elf.

I doubt it, Wolfram remarked.

That derailed the Prince's train of thought.

Be prepared for anything, Wolfram, Wulfmær warned him. It is possible that Jarl Dedlock was a dark elf passing herself off as a human, or perhaps she never even knew she was one. Things like that you should be aware of and either way, Eamonn would certainly not have been aware of his own nature.

Small comfort.

Unless someone tells him who his mother was, Wolfram thought.

His father nodded. Exactly, my son.

Karunel looked over at the window. The sun over Elvenfire was beginning to rise and that meant that they had been in Wulfmær's office all night talking. The Prince hadn't even noticed and he noticed he didn't feel tired at all, most likely because his body-clock was on an entirely different time.

So dark elves may have taken him because maybe he was one of their own? Salazar wondered.

Wulfmær nodded. Perhaps so, Svartalfheim is not a myth, he told them. It is as real as we are, the dark elves have just learnt of a way to keep it's location from the knowledge of others, just as we dragons have done.

Karunel's eyes widened. Just like the academy...

Indeed, the tall red elf said with a firm nod.

The asteroid belt, Karunel soon thought."

Perhaps, Wulfmær nodded. He instantly understood what his nephew was thinking of. Perhaps they are behind the problems our hyperspace engines suffer on the other side of that asteroid belt.

Salazar sat back in his chair and nodded. There is no way to get a hyperspace engine to work on the other side?

Well we are currently working on a new generation of hyperdrive, he admitted. We should be able to get around the limits they have placed out there but only time will tell in the end.

Which didn't really impress the others apart from Wolfram since he was the only one who could understand any of the technical aspects that his father would mention. The young red elf was especially interested in it as it was a part of Draconis Dynamic and one day he might be due to take over the company from his father. A long way off he hoped but in the meantime he would learn all he could.

You should head off to bed, Wulfmær suggested. You have been up long enough and it will do you some good.

Neither Karunel nor his cousin decided to disagree, it wasn't worth the fuss and so they headed for bed.

Chapter 4

Silence.

An uneasy silence as the crowd of students and staff in front of Exonia Academy stood in silence in Eamonn Jarlath's memory. It wasn't mandatory to attend but a large number of students who did know him were there. Though his body had never been found, both Draconis Dynamic and academy authorities had declared Eamonn dead. That statement had angered quite a few of his friends, Karunel especially but there was nothing that they could do to reverse the decision.

Nothing other than finding Eamonn.

After a few more words from Master Dracorgor most of the crowd dispersed. Karunel was one of those staying behind, not wanting to leave the plaque that had been put up for Eamonn. For several minutes he just stared at it, ignoring everyone around him including both Makoto and Zadð. They knew to give him his space.

Stood further back was Wolfram, he had kept himself to himself all throughout the memorial. He hadn't wanted to talk to anyone at all. It was in fact very unlike the young red elf.

As more students drifted away, he and Karunel were amongst the last few still there in the fading sunlight. Morgan Jarlath was also out there, Eamonn's cousin by adoption was being comforted by her friends. Eamonn's death had hit her pretty hard and then finding out that he had been adopted. Well that and been really hard on her. Even so she had still felt that they