Dragon Legacy (Davie and The Order of Therion)

By Brian D. Burgess

The war had begun. After a crushing first victory, Davie and his friends must push into enemy territory. New allies join the fight to overthrow the Traitor King, but the appearance of another ancient Therion causes Davie to lose faith in his own skills. Defeated, Davie must rise again and fight for his friends and his people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian D. Burgess
• Release date: Aug 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311641724

Brian D. Burgess

Brian Burgess is an independent author living in New York. Mainly, he writes young adult fiction set in both fantasy worlds and in modern times. His works include Dragon Spirit and Dragon Legacy from the Davie and the Order of Therion series and The Witch's Pet from the Witch's Lineage series.Visit Brian's page at https://briandburgess.wordpress.com/orhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7240097.Brian_Burgess

Book preview

Dragon Legacy

Book Two of

Davie and the Order of Therion

Copyright © 2014 by Brian Burgess

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be copied or reproduced by any means, graphic, mechanical, electronic or by any other means without written permission from the author and publisher except in the case of brief quotations for the purposes of articles and reviews.

Dragon Legacy

Book Two of

Davie and the Order of Therion

By Brian Burgess

Table of Contents

Dragon Spirit Synopsis

Chapter 1 - Fire on Ice

Chapter 2 – Imprisoned

Chapter 3 - On all Fronts

Chapter 4 – Birth of Cinaed

Chapter 5 – The War Fleet

Chapter 6 – The Lord of Amara

Chapter 7 – Setting Sail

Chapter 8 – Cadogan's Dilemma

Chapter 9 – A Lesson From the Turtle

Chapter 10 – Forced to Land

Chapter 11 – The Bitter Cold North

Chapter 12 – Cannon Fire

Chapter 13 – The Dragon's Lair

Chapter 14 – Home Again

Chapter 15 – The Dream Fox

Chapter 16 – Cadogan's Last Stand

Chapter 17 – Divide Us No More

Chapter 18 – Bird Hunting

Chapter 19 – Tumbling Down

Chapter 20 – The Screaming Dead

Chapter 21 – Revenge on Revenge

Chapter 22 – Up to the Last Battle

Chapter 23 – The Raining Paranoia

Chapter 24 – The Hunt Begins

Dragon Spirit Synopsis

Davie lived the first seventeen years of his life on the streets of Ogden, the largest and poorest city in Galestead. He was taken in by a thief named Slade days after he was born. Slade raised him to be a self reliant thief. Davie pick pocketed, robbed and scammed his way through life simply to survive. Shortly after Davie turned five years of age, Slade was caught and executed. To survive, Davie had to lift food or coins daily.

One day during his normal routine, he spotted an oddly dressed merchant selling cloths. Davie attempted to lift the coins from the man but was spotted and sent to the city prisons. Theft was a crime that was met with death for the offender in Galestead. On the third day after his capture the guards open his cell, to Davie's surprise they set him free. The merchant he attempted to steal from had paid to spare his life.

Now indebted to Raeburn, the odd and secretive merchant, Davie must work off his debt. Aside from teaching him the art of sales, Raeburn instructs Davie on the history of the kingdoms, literacy, and Davie's favorite – the Therion. When his debt is paid in full, Raeburn offers to let Davie journey with him across the five kingdoms. Davie gladly chooses to accompany Raeburn when five armed strangers arrive at their home.

Raeburn introduces the strangers to Davie and explains that they will be their armed escorts to the eastern country of Tenheim. Sora was their leader. A powerful woman, her gaze alone was enough to frighten her enemies into submission. The other members of her group refer to her as a monster, but in an oddly loving way. Davie also meets Karin and Jon. Two warriors around the same age as himself. At first Davie dislikes Jon. Their first night they nearly get into a physical fight. Karin breaks it up and scolds Jon.

Jon makes an effort to apologize to Davie. The two grow closer during their journey. Davie learn that Jon is from a noble family, but when it comes time for Davie to explain his upbringing, he is rather quiet on the subject of his life.

On the first day of their journey, Davie has a strange dream in which he saves a massive dragon from bleeding out. The dragon asks Davie to wash his wounds with water. As Davie does, the wounds close up. Revived, the dragon thanks Davie and melds into his soul. Davie wakes after the dream to learn that it was no normal dream. It was the dream that Therion call the awakening. Each awakening has effects on the world. Davie's awakening shook the entire world. Other Therion can also feel an awakening which complicates their journey.

Davie learns that a Therion traitor named Aeron, the King of Galestead, is pursuing his group. He also learns that Raeburn and the entire group he is traveling with are Therion. Forced to flee, the group pushes themselves further and faster. They are attacked by a group of soldiers and Therion traitors. Sora and two of her men sacrifice themselves to save the others.

Distraught, the group trained Davie and Jon in the skills of the Therion to avoid dealing with their feelings. Davie and Jon prove to be fast learners. Along their journey in Galestead they are constantly ambushed. They learn that the number of soldiers in the region is increasing because Galestead is preparing to invade its neighbors. Davie and Jon manage to fight off numerous attacks before they finally make it to more friendly territory, or at least they thought it was friendly territory.

They reach the Vor'rok states, a country of 'local marauding tribes slaughter each other and call themselves a democratic society' according to Raeburn. They soon find that it is worse than previously thought. A new power has claimed the kingdoms of Vor'rok and Solmndor. The Weres, half animal and half human monsters, cunningly ceased control of both powerful kingdoms.

The remainder of the group quicken their pace for Fathenhelm, the Therion city in Tenheim. As they nearly crossed into Tenheim they are ambushed by Weres. Davie had never fought creatures so strong. Even with his new abilities he cannot defeat them. During their struggle, Raeburn is killed and Jon, Davie and Karin are captured and brought to the Were Queen.

Davie learns that the Were Queen, Jenna, is conspiring with Aeron. Aeron will leave the Weres in peace if Davie and Jon are captured and given to him. What she doesn’t know is that Aeron doesn’t intend to keep his word. His soldiers are already at her borders. Davie uses this information to his own benefit. He successfully negotiates his release with the terms that when Galestead invades, Davie must bring the last of the Order of Therion to Queen Jenna's aid.

To keep his word, Davie travels to Fathenhelm to finish his training. While there he encounters Lord Darren, the stand in Master of the Order. At first sight, Lord Darren dislikes Davie. Davie knows it's because only a dragon of phoenix Therion is allowed to lead the Order, and Darren is neither.

Davie trains hard, proving himself over and over until the council of Therion is forced to acknowledge he is fit to lead them. Darren has other ideas. He sets up difficult, almost guaranteed to fail, tests for Davie and Jon. Jon is the first to fail in a test that only one of the boys could pass. Jon concedes the match to Davie because he knows Davie would make a better leader. During the tests, Davie and Jon grow closer. Their entire journey Jon hinted at his feelings for Davie, but finally manages to work up the courage to tell him on the eve of the final test. Davie confesses he has the same feeling, but as usual Davie is blind to what other people feel about him.

Davie passes the final test and true to his word, joins the battle front to support Queen Jenna and her Were army. It was a difficult and grueling first battle, but with Queen Jenna planning the over all picture and Davie commanding the battle fronts, they prove victorious.

On the night they should be celebrating their victory, Aeron arrives at their camp and requests their surrender. Aeron claims that he never intended to start a war with the Weres. Queen Jenna is tempted by the offer to leave and not have to fight any further battles, but refuses because she already knows Aeron is a traitor and a deceiver. Infuriated, Aeron attempts to have Jenna, Davie and Jon assassinated in their sleep.

Davie and Jon are lucky, Davie wakes up before his assassin manages to get close to him. Both boys rush to Queen Jenna's aid but they are too late. The Were Queen fell to her assassins, but managed to take all of them with her. Hardened, Davie swears revenge. He will now stop at nothing to slay Aeron and right the century long injustice Aeron has committed.

Chapter 1 - Fire on Ice

The snow had already fallen in the northern territories of Vor'rok. It washed the blood and char from the previous battles. Davie, Jon, Karin and members of the war council stood at the ramparts watching a line of new soldiers advancing toward their camp.

Damn it, Darren, the former stand in leader of the Therion, now adviser to Davie, swore. The Galestead army had advanced on their position three times since the opening battle. Each time they were beaten back quickly, but they continued to advance. Don't they know when they are defeated?

They're persistent little humans, Lev, the new Were King commented as they watched the new line of soldiers form up across no man's land. Maybe they need something more than a quick defeat to drive the point home.

What do you suggest? Davie asked. He was growing weary of killing normal humans. Aeron had a large number of Therion at his service he could easily send to do his bidding. He would rather fight people who stood a chance than to slaughter human after human who couldn’t even see him because he moved so fast.

Something big, Lev said with a devious smile. Davie knew he wanted revenge on Galestead for murdering his Queen. The thought of getting even caused the Were King to create gruesome battle strategies like setting metal plates along the entire enemy side and having Davie and other Therion electrocute the opposing army.

Might I suggest showing them your true form, Angela, one of Davie's most valued council members, suggested, My Lord?

Davie had only transformed into a dragon in battle once before. He had almost no control at that time, but after studying, he was proficient in almost every Therion skill.

It'll make a statement, Karin noted. She had just returned from her mission to destroy a Galestead fleet the previous day, but was already on the front lines assisting Davie and tending to her duties as a Therion general.

Jon, what do you think? Davie asked his friend and lover. Although Davie respected the thoughts of his war council and would ultimately decide for himself, he valued Jon's input.

Not without me, he said. Jon was Davie's only equal. Being a phoenix Therion would have made him Master of the Order if he had passed the unfair tests instead of letting Davie pass in his place. Like I said a long time ago, I'm not about to let a pretty boy have all the glory.

Alright, Davie said with a nod. We'll deal with them together.

Do me a favor, Lev requested, burn them all. Don't let a single one escape.

For Queen Jenna, Davie agreed solemnly. All the Were generals placed their hands on their hearts for their fallen queen. Davie and Jon did likewise before marching into no man's land.

For Davie, the worst part of the battle was when he knew his decisions would result in many deaths. He would think about the soldiers who would never be able to return to their families. The wives, husbands, mothers, fathers and children left behind in agony. Davie wished he could win without the deaths, but knew that was just wishful thinking.

Davie, Jon whispered, interrupting Davie's thoughts, are you sure you want to do this? You could just send an infantry division to deal with them.

I'm sure, Davie assured Jon and himself. He didn’t like what he had to do, but knew it was necessary. Davie watched as the oncoming soldiers advanced. They started to hesitate. He imagined the sight from their eyes. Davie assumed that the soldiers thought two lone and insane men were advancing on them.

Now, Davie said when he judged that the enemy line had come too far to turn around in time.

Both boys removed their tunics. Their bodies grew larger and started taking the shape of their inner animals. Davie felt his animal instincts taking control. He could smell the fear of the soldiers across the field. Davie caught sight of Jon on his left. Jon had fully changed into a blue and fiery phoenix. The soldiers panicked and started to flee at the sight of the two enormous Therion spirits.

Jon flew to the opposite end to cut off their retreat. He landed with a rush of fire and blue embers. Davie opened his maw and released a torrent of black and white flames. Surrounded by flames, the soldier attacked in vain. To Davie, they looked no larger than ants. Like ants, Davie smashed an entire line while Jon fanned the fires with flaps of his gigantic wings.

There was no hope for the Galestead soldiers. Every last one was squished, burnt, or suffocated on the smoke. Davie confirmed that there was none left before returning to his human form. Jon flew back before he transformed back.

They entered their camp to thunderous applauds. Davie didn’t like admitting it, but he loved the sound of victory. Friendly soldiers patted the boys in the back as they passed. Davie searched for his attendant, Vincent. Davie never had to look hard for the boy. He followed Davie everywhere.

Vincent, Davie called and motioned for him to come. Can you please get us some food and water? The amount of energy involved in transforming was as enormous as Davie's inner spirit. The boys practically needed to eat a month's worth of food to recover.

Yes, My Lord, the boy said before running off toward the kitchens.

Davie and Jon worked their way through the throng of soldiers. Most got out of their way, but there were narrow parts between tents where there was no place to move.

When they arrived at their tent, Davie's guard took their positions around the tent. Although Davie had guards since the day he assumed leadership over the Order, he never had so many. After the assassination of Queen Jenna and the failed attempt on his life, Lev and the other members of the war council insisted on doubling and redoubling the amount of guards. He now had four shifts of thirty guards and two captains. He had equal numbers of human, Therion, and Weres.

They took pride in their position, stitching a dragon onto their tunics and naming themselves the Drake's Watch. Davie had made the time to get to know each of them personally. He wanted to show his men that he saw them as people, not servants. They respected him even more for that, but still revered him as god-like.

We need to take the fight to Galestead, Davie decided, slumping down into his chair. He was tired of being on the defensive. They could not win the war by waiting for the enemy to attack. I'll have Angela and Lev devise the best way to invade at the meeting tonight. The sooner we get out of this valley, the better.

If we stay on our own ground, we stand a better chance at winning though, Jon said. Davie knew what his apprehension was. He too didn’t enjoy the killings. If they invaded Galestead, innocent people as well as enemy soldiers would be killed.

I know, Davie admitted, but we can't win by staying in place. We need to go on the offensive.

Jon started to answer, but Vincent walked in with their food. Both boys were too hungry to discuss future war plans. Vincent knew