Book 5: Spirit Flight

By CC Rose

The fifth book in the Rehema Series.
Rehema has left Draeos, again. Unlike last time, she has put Karson and Creston in jeopardy. She is in great danger. This time she is heading north to save her kindred spirit. Travelling with Karson and Creston should make her feel safe, but with the constant threat of returning looming over them, she questions if they are her friends. Finding herself in the middle of viper attacks, lead to a dark underground city of twisted laws. Creston pulls at her heart strings, stirring feelings of hope that she should turn back, to forget why she is in the north. But she can’t. Not while she has a chance to save Connor. Discovering the power to save Ry’Delgori will cost her dearly and those she journeys with will risk their lives to aid her, regardless of the punishment.
Will Rehema save Connor from his dark side? And will she be able to walk away from Creston and his magnetic love? The Lord of EzRah, is coming for her and the fate of Dy’Monian magic will be decided.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CC Rose
• Release date: Oct 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310033698

CC Rose

C C Rose lives in Queensland Australia.Inspired by all things magical, mystical and other worldly, creatures, fantasy and dragons most of all.Aim for the stars, and you’ll land on the moon.

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Book 5: Spirit Flight

Copyright © 2014 by C. C. Rose

Smashwords Edition

SMASHWORDS EDITION, LICENSE NOTES

This book is protected under the copyright laws of Australia. Any reproduction or other unauthorised use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase and additional copy for each recipient. Please keep this book in its complete original form with the exception of quotes used in reviews. No alteration of content is allowed. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

A Rehema Novel © 2014

First addition: © October 2015

Second addition: may 2021

This book is intended for mature readers of seventeen years and over.

Contains dragon fantasy adventure, adult themes of romance, violence and mild horror

C. C. Rose is an Australian author and Australian English and spelling have been used in this book.

Dangora is a fictional location; all characters and locations are created by the author and have no connection to actual places or locations in this realm or any other. The land and the people, as well as the kin of dragon are all creations of the authors mind and any resemblance to any real persons, living or dead; locations or names, is purely coincidental.

Cover design by C. C. Rose Copyright © 2014

Map design by C. C. Rose Copyright © 2013

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Where To Find CC Rose:

All enquires are welcomed: Email

Keep up to date with the Author: CC Rose

Keep up to date with: The Rehema Series

Visit her profile page at Smashwords

The Rehema Series:

Book 1: Bonded Spirit

Book 2: Kindred Spirit

Book 3: Clouded Spirit

Book 4: Spirit Heart

Book 5: Spirit Flight

Book 6: Spirit Light

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Peace. Hope. Happiness

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For the heasty,

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The rehema series:

Book 5: Spirit Flight

C. C. Rose

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Chapter 1

Rehema.

Gentle hands touched my shoulder, bringing me from the realm of dreams as cool wind blew into my face, blinking to the morning light, the touchable clouds and to the night that was slowly fading into the west; told me one thing—I was flying. I was being doubled by Karson, and on his Bond, Blade’Dur. The forty-five foot dragon of Roo’Bineyes soared with a lull to his flight, beating his wings to a steady rhythm as he hung on the currents, thousands of feet above the lands of Dangora. Peeking at Karson behind me, I hid a smile, sheepishly. He was relaxed holding a deeper look of honour as I rubbed sleep from my eyes and glanced around the land—beneath us.

It was impossible to see the detail of anything but a pattern. It wasn’t like the map I’d seen in Draeos, this was Dangora without words. Without tiny dotted lines to show paths or routes the shuttles would take, without large dots to say, township or city. No banners to say it was the forest of Andorra or the Dragon Sea. It was possibly breathtaking, since I wasn’t suppose to be here. Clouds, meadows, bushland, hills and mountains were in all directions. Morning light was rising in the east chasing the shadows of darkness in the west, but never from the northern mountains. Those shadows were impossible to move even with the rising sun. And it happened to be the one place we were heading.

Narrowing my eyes at the north; I swallowed hard. The misty hill tops of the Terrill’s were not as close as I had hoped.

How long was I asleep?

Five hours, said Karson. We’re going to land, Brow’Dur needs his rest. Karson dipped his head toward the Em’Adels to our left. The others want him to hunt before we head towards the Terrill’s.

I nodded, taking in the group with appreciation. To my left was Brow’Dur. A deep green Em’Adels bull. He was thinner than a bull of eleven years should be; heavily scarred across his rump and hind quarters. He’d slowed in his flight, tired. Dropping ten feet below Blade’Dur’s level in mere moments.

He needed to rest. He should have rested before we headed off, I said to myself.

To my right, was Rayn’Nar. A cerulean Sapherian dragoness; she too was only eleven years old, the colour of rain drops on an ocean reef. I smiled at the thirty-five foot dam as she flew with ease beside Blade’Dur; Karson’s Bond of near eighty six years. Both had rumbled to the other, talking and cautioning without need of words, but throat sounds that were harmonic and relaxing. I spied Rayn’Nar’s Bond, Creston Dalton. My eyes doubled blinked and my throat tightened. It didn’t matter how many times I saw him, how often I talked to him or even now, gazed at him. He was the double of my true love. Spiked bronze hair, windblown with reason now. The handsome face of an angel. A pang of guilt nipped at my heart, stomach, mind—Ugh. Make up your mind. The twinge was there for a different reason; not because he was the twin or the impostor as I had once considered him; nor was it because he was a friend. Okay; so he was a more than friend. A strong, sensual, kind, and kissable—

The dip of Blade’Dur had my thoughts tumble away as the bull descended towards the ground—no. An Island. Three of them were in my sights and I smiled in wonder. The Tear Drop Isles. The Islands looked too tiny, but the closer we came had me gasp in surprise. They were much larger than I thought and we’d been much higher than I had ever been. Trees and hills became visible with each passing moment. The Roo’Bineyes bull landed in a clearing with a lift of his wings. He shook his head to steady his movement. His need to keep moving wasn’t easy to stop, but now we were on the ground, it would take time to get use to land legs. With heavy breaths easing from his lungs as he shuffled his tired wings to his side. The inhale and exhale of his rib cage was deep, long, and a pause before he slowly relaxed now that he had landed. Part of me feared that I could get thrown off with his actions. If enough force was there, but it wasn’t possible with my legs strapped tight to the saddle. He settled with a rumble of comfort as the other two dragons returned the call. Karson waited patiently as I unlatched the straps; lowering myself to the meadow with the aid of thick spikes and thorns along Blade’Dur’s shoulder. Hands caught me around the waist, fanned at my hips as they helped lower me to the ground. My breath caught at the touch, I wasn’t expecting it. And how did he get here so fast?

I turned on the spot. Creston smiled wryly. He didn’t release his hold on me. I couldn’t help but notice the warmth it offered.

Er … thanks, I managed.

Anytime. The smile didn’t fade, even when I stepped around him, keeping my eyes downcast was for the best. The thud of something hitting the ground near my feet had me glance to see Karson was unloading his pack from the saddle, taking in Creston’s several feet away.

I frowned.

Were we camping here? How long are we staying? We should keep moving. We can’t stay too long.

They’re tired, came the gentle voice of La’Kera. My Bond.

It’s been five hours. They’re much older. Why would they be tired so soon.

Brow’Dur needs to rest. He had little sleep when he was here. And the others are still recovering from the bulls challenge. It is best to rest while one can, she offered.

I bit my lip and lifted my pack to my shoulder; heading to a large tree. I didn’t want to talk, I was too focused.

I’ll give them five minutes to do their … man business and then we can head off.

La’Kera snorted a laugh at my impatience and I folded my arms in irritation. Not at her, at the situation.

I flicked at my braided hair, unravelling it, I tousled my brunette curls, taking note of both men moving around their Bond’s. Loosening off the saddles for comfort, watching as they soared again, this time to hunt, talking silently to them, which was what I was doing with La’Kera, but she wasn’t here for me to touch or see. To run my fingers over her white scales, and scratch her on the side of her cheek between the smaller horns, crested neatly along her jaw bone. She wasn’t here in this wilderness, outside Stone Heart Valley—beyond that. This was Dangora. The actual land, okay maybe a section of it, since it was so huge. It remained the same. She wasn’t here with me and that was my fault.

Though our mind was always connected. She was upset that I too could not look upon her, or touch her. She was sulking that I left her in the Valley. I wished not to disturb her thoughts on this. It was early. The sun light I had witnessed above in the clouds had yet to touch the land. Darkness of dawn light filtered around the Island. The morning light created a velvet blue hue, though closer to purple with each passing moment. Breathing in deep to relax my thoughts, I lingered on the strong scent of earthy soils, pines, oaks and honey suckles with fresh rain clouds in the distance. Glancing north, I spied the crackle of lightning. Too far from here, but it was in the direction we would be heading, the Terrill’s.

The dive of the green dragon caught my attention. He folded his wings to his body as he arrowed toward the land. With perfect timing; his wings spread wide, his talons latched onto his prey to fan his wings above the ground before he soared again. I remember seeing an eagle do this in Plumridge. The sudden impact usually killed the rabbit it was after, but this wasn’t a rabbit Brow’Dur had caught, but a deer. A hundred pounds of meat all for him. Blade’Dur and Rayn’Nar followed in the same formation. Hunting. The synchronised attacks were no escape for the deer. As soon as one hunted in the left; they ran right, to the open claws of another and so on. They gathered half a dozen deer dropping them off in the centre of the field. With the pile large enough for their feast, the dragons settled in. Taking a carcass with rumbles and calls to the other. Both Rayn’Nar and Blade’Dur offered a carcass to Brow’Dur. The bull shook his head for a time, with gentle rumbles he took the deer; ripping the carcass in two, he chewed for a few moments, like a dog with a bone, to arch his head higher, to swallow the rest less gracefully. I watched as all three dragons feasted, unsure if I was turned off eating, this was how La’Kera fed, and it never bothered me. The toss of bread landing in my lap had me blink to see Karson and Creston both gathered near by. They had made a fire, laid out a sitting area and now it was Creston who smiled towards me.

Let them rest awhile.

I glanced at the dragons, feasting as they were. The green dragon would shake his head, call a mournful song or even growl for no reason. A twitch that started in his tail and trembled along his spine, his spikes would rise and he’d claw the ground to be nothing moments later. He was suffering. I breathed through my nose, restless, staring at the bread roll in my hands. Unable to bring myself to move or talk. I tore at it, chewing several mouthfuls to discard the rest for later. It was a time of glancing between the dragons, the fire crackling away and watching as Karson and Creston stood, moving around the camp to stretch from the long flight.

You need to move. Come on. Karson, always the mentor and my personal trainer.

I nodded, standing to do simple stretches with them both wasn’t a problem. It was my thoughts that needed to be distracted, maybe my body too.

I glanced at Creston, which wasn’t a good idea.

His deep blue shirt lifted by a fraction to show the muscles of his smooth tanned skin, just like his brothers, I thought. But that voice was so small and far away now. Creston was now … Creston. Nothing he did was like his brother, since all I saw was Creston; bending his toned form to one side and than the other. The tautness of his breeches pressed to his backside had me stifling a giggle. Damn it. Watching him shift and turn to flash that fox smile of amusement. I blushed and focused on the dragons. Waiting for them to finish their meals. It was common knowledge to never interrupt a dragon while in its feast. Brow’Dur had finished his meal, laying heavily on the meadow floor to clean his claws with his teeth, or maybe it was his teeth with his claws. I stopped with my stretches and headed towards him.

Rehema? Karson called. Let him rest.

I just want to talk to him, Karson, I said as I moved closer; I wasn’t going to make him fly just yet. What kind of a person did he think I was?

Brow’Dur? I whispered, unsure if he’d slipped into slumber already.

He lifted his snout, his tail flicked, though this time not in irritation. In greeting.

Would you like me to heal your wounds? I asked. Taking in the scars as the shadows of dawn light touched his green scales. The hide had lost a lot of its shine, the dust perhaps, the flight and maybe the link with Connor made him suffer so much. How, and what he was saying both annoyed and intrigued me. Connor, a Delgori? He was still linked to Brow’Dur, only death would separate that, but not now.

"They are good. They have healed, though slowly," he said. Like all dragons, it was in my mind that his voice lingered. He rumbled, shaking his head to snort disorientated at a fly that was annoying him, but there were none bothering him.

Is he hurting you? I sucked in my lower lip with my words. Why did I have to ask. Of course he is. Connor isn’t well, he’s a delgori. Hello. He is now the undead.

He thinks things and says things that are not him, in truth he hurts me with words more than his actions. The dragon wouldn’t share more on what those words were. Or actions.

Will we be able to save him, Brow’Dur?

"You will. The power of Dy’Monian will. Being a high healer allows for this. A secret none knew and shared with few. It is in you."

Hmm … it was my mother that saved the delgori before, Kane. She was the one that saved him. Brow’Dur blinked a sap green eye, taking me in with curiosity. She was the one who gave birth that night, not moments after saving Kane. I read her journal, my father had it made for me in Plumridge.

"And you fear your death?"

Death? I questioned. My mother died giving birth to me, as her mother before that. But it was because of her Bond’s’ death that she could not live on anymore. It was sad talking about it. How much should I tell the green dragon? I didn’t want to way his thoughts with my mothers story. It wasn’t a pleasant one to tell. Guess I’ll talk with Kane when we get there.

"Remember. Though Kane has a soul and it is good, he has moments he cannot control."

But he’s helping you right. Keeping watch over Connor.

"That he is. As too his son, the boy that was always curious."

Hmm … my twin brother, I said, a reminder to myself more than to Brow’Dur for knowledge. Did you meet him?

No, I did not. He stayed away and while I saw him, a glimpse of him I did not know he was your kin, though his words when spoken reminded me of you at times. I am sorry I did not gain more information for you. Brow’Dur rumbled, to growl in anger a moment later. Connor tries my patients. He makes me mad, angry with him. And yet, I love him still even though he is ill. Kane has had many years of experience with delgori, he knows what Connor says is a lie.

How … how did you capture him?

"I tricked him with his own lie." Brow’Dur snorted and lowered his head to his paws. He didn’t want to elaborate, and it occurred to me, it wasn’t something he wished to tell anyone. Dragon’s hate lies. Hate unjust, and most of all, deception. Brow’Dur had to do something that wasn’t good to the lore in order to make it right. To capture Connor and now, now he taunts him still.

He … is secured right. I would hate to think he’d escape and this flight to the north would be for nought.

He tells Kane we are not on our way, Brow’Dur offered without looking at me. He laughs at my misery, he taunts me with your death, I wish him still of words, but silence he does not. He tells lies and I am thankful Kane is not listening. We have him trapped in a deep cave, one of metal and iron that holds him in place. Delgori don’t like to touch iron laced with salt.

Salt? I puzzled. Delgori are afraid of salt?

Iron and salt. They can not touch it, for it will burn them. Kane has made the bars thick with salt, as to the ground, so he can not dig his way out. For the moment he is, secure. Brow’Dur grizzled to his thoughts. He isn’t Connor like this. Not the Connor I know, he is dark and dangerous, wishing to feed off you and the others. He is not my true Bond like this. Remember that. When we go to him. But it will not be forever. He will be saved, he will be well.

I swallowed hard, taking in the bulls heavy breath and need for rest. His wings hung low, and the rumble from Rayn’Nar told me it was time to let him sleep.

He needs to rest. La’Kera repeated and I headed towards Karson and Creston. Both men had watched, though I wasn’t sure if Brow’Dur had included them in the conversation or not.

You can rest for awhile, said Karson. Brow’Dur will be down for at least two hours maybe more.

I nodded at Karson, taking in his shadowed features by the fire light, though if he turned his head on the right angle, his sea-green eyes were gentle and comforting. He’d yet to say anything about this—mission, if that was what one would call it. We had left in silence last night. Little other than the flight, the weather and maybe the worry of Brow’Dur; there was nothing else mentioned.

Shouldn’t he rest for half the morning, I asked, even though I was in a hurry I didn’t want Brow’Dur to suffer more than he was.

He is pained by Connor. Desperate with hope. Karson held my gaze. It was me that kept Brow’Dur going. He has the energy and the determination to go on in an hour, no matter his body’s needs or his mind. He will rest more once we make it to where Connor is. Karson pushed his jet black hair from his brow, palming the base of his neck as he relaxed more by the fire. I smiled at his casual actions. Last time he was thick with orders and leading a group of Ryders to a battle, this time, he acted as though he was on a camping trip.

I glanced around the meadow and knew this wasn’t Draeos.

The air, the trees, even the flocks of pigeons that fluttered about in the distance, the far off roll of the ocean waves. This was the Tear Drop Isles, the edge of the Dragon Sea and while the main land wasn’t far from sight, It was also the borders of The Red Lands, Roo’Bineyes region. The land mass that stretched the southern base of the Terrill mountains, and the most dangerous of all regions to live in. The vipers and vragons attacked here the most frequent; least on the edge of the Terrill’s. We were safe; least this far south east.

Will we run into vipers? I asked.

Karson held my features for a few moments glancing to the clouds in the distance and the high mountains, which were impressive even from here.

We might. There is chance no matter how close we are to the Terrill’s or not. Vipers find away into Dangora every few days, just hope we are on their off days of entering. Karson grinned to his joke. As much as I expected him to be angry with me, it was nice to know he wasn’t.

What about the EzanGuard. Will they come after us?

It’s hard to say. This isn’t something anyone foresaw and it is a dangerous mission for you, one you don’t have any training for. If we succeed with rescuing Connor, as you say, and we make it back before the week is over, it might pass over as nothing but you being rebellious. He lifted his chin with that comment.

I opened my mouth to protest my actions, but for what. I was being rebellious. I was running away from Draeos; leaving to find Connor and save him wasn’t running away.

I’ll return by the weekend.

La’Kera snorted at my sarcasm. She hated I was so far away from her. The idea she was there; in Draeos, and not here. No matter how many trees she glanced too, I was not next to them. I was here … somewhere north west of her, hundreds of leagues away. South of the Terrill’s, but not there with her.

I exhaled with a slither of unease. I was about to apologise to Karson for getting him into this, he shouldn’t have come. Why did he come? Creston? Well, he came because he wanted to save his brother, but Karson. What reason was he on this trip?

The flicker in my mind showed me La’Kera’s view, a man identical to Karson, but slimmer built. Taking in the chest length black hair, the dip of his crooked nose and the green eyes of mischief as he tilted his head to La’Kera. She was informing him of all that had happened. His face went from his usually flamboyant happy expression, to shock in moments. He was annoyed as he glanced to his Bond, Raid’En.

"You’re just telling me now!" His voice was louder than needed and it made me flinch, how was he so close and yet so far away?

La’Kera rumbled to his tone, but understood that maybe it was a problem we all left and that she should join him.

No, La’Kera. You’re not to follow me. He assured her, since that was what she was begging the most from him.

He shifted around the mighty red bull, like Blade’Dur; Raid’En was an impressive size. I pulled my inner eyes from the scene to the logic of what was and turned to Karson.

Er … Karson. Corbin is heading towards us.

Tell him not to, said Karson sternly.

Wouldn’t it be better if we had more Ryders?

No. This isn’t about more Ryders, we need to be less of a target. Corbin doesn’t need to be here for this.

Corbin looked offended by the words she spoke. She dipped her head in apology to him. He rolled his eyes and continued with what he was doing. Tightening the straps on the saddle, the bull was ready for flight.

I shrugged inward with La’Kera, who couldn’t stop him even if she knew how to.

Karson was talking, pulling me from the scene. Once we return to EzRah, with Connor, we will show the Guild what you can do.

You want to tell them of my powers?

Yes. As I told you before. I was planning it this week. To take you before the Guild, show them how far you have come. Along with aiding a few sick or injured people you would show them your spirit light power.

Oh, I blushed.

He had planned to take me to the Guild. To show them all what a Dy’Monian Ryder can do. He offered I join him in EzRah not four days—five days ago now. I turned him down, not wanting to go. I gave up visiting the grand city, to show off my powers to the Guild of Ryders so I could read my mother’s journal.

Rehema. Karson pulled me from my thoughts. I don’t like what has happened; the promise to save him, to leave the grounds. Brow’Dur wished to take you one way or another, that is cause for concern. While I understand his pain on some level. The other dragon’s would have stopped him if he took you by force, and it would have caused more problems than need. You accepting his offer; that takes that pressure off a battle. I understand your pain—hope. If you can do as he claims, to save the Fallen Ryders. Maybe the Vragons too, it will bring hope back to the lands. But remember. Out here, without your Bond. This is dangerous. We need to keep you safe, you’re still the last Dy’Monian Ryder, even if you’re the first of their return.

Do you think the Guild will see hope in my powers?

"I hope that they do. Your skills are high for any Ryder not yet twelve months, and you still surprise me. Not to mention your fight with Hillary Rosewood. Your