Dragon Song

By Jim Murdoch

Pat Ferguson, having read the book his Aunt Gaby discovered as a child, delves deeper into the inner experience, meeting more dragons and finding more of Einarr's story. Learn how Einarr travels further East and how the ring and pendant were made.
Follow Pat and the growing "family" as they face a new danger and find dragons walking among them. Visions from the Inside play an even greater role in this sequel to Book 1, Pursuit. Much becomes clear which was left a mystery in Book 1. But more mysteries emerge. Pat loses something precious and his future takes an unexpected turn.
What part do the new characters play, and what relevance does the greater global conflict, which has been going on for eons, play in the life of the protagonists?
The Dragons and Visions series presents an exciting adventure in Visionary-Metaphysical fiction where the Inside, the inner realm of the sub-conscience, and the In Between, a mysterious realm of the dead, are explored by the characters. Could this be the true source of wisdom?
Although Dragon Song can be read on its own, it is highly recommended to read Book 1, Pursuit, in the series first.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jim Murdoch
• Release date: Sep 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310036354

Jim Murdoch

From Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jim Murdoch faced a paradigm shift which gave him a new world view. He views everything and everyone being connected. A path of self development studies followed where he delved into many subjects including metaphysics and, yes, dragons. With his wife, Katharina, he co-authored their self-help story Wings of Change. This got him thinking about writing fiction instead of boring self-help books. Taking inspiration from The Alchemist and The Celestine Prophecies he waited for the inspiration. 'Pursuit' is the result. Jim lives with his wife in Switzerland.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Dragon Song is a continuation of the story told in book 1, Pursuit. Pat Ferguson faces new challenges and explores new areas of consciousness. He begins to feel the power of the ring, given to him by his Aunt Gaby, and he learns more about its origin in new discoveries about Einarr.

In Pursuit it was Gaby, as a little girl, who discovered the story of Einarr, a young Irish warrior, and the pendant hidden in the back of an old book. This led to her encounters with Nimakin, a Keeper of the ring, pendant and the dragon secrets.

In Dragon Song there is mention of a sword, the Viking Ulfberht steel sword. This is an actual sword which has been found with a name inscribed onto the blade: +ULFBERH+T. It is thought to be a Frankish or German name where + in front of the name indicates the name of a Bishop or Abbot. It isn't known whose name it is. However, the reader is presented with a possible candidate in this book.

The Akashic Records are a compendium of mystical knowledge supposedly encoded in the non-physical plane of existence known as the astral plane. There is no scientific evidence of the Akashic records.

There is a quote mentioned in Dragon Song from the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are a collection of 981 texts discovered between 1946 and 1956 at Khirbet Qumran in the West Bank. They were found inside caves about a mile inland from the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name.

Dragon Song can be enjoyed on its own, but it is highly recommended to read Pursuit first for full appreciation of the characters and artefacts.

1 The Dream

Pat's head jolted as the back of a hand smashed into his cheek. He noticed his attacker grimace. The blow hurt him more than it did me, Pat thought. He was tied to a wooden chair and a large Chinese man was hovering over him.

Where is neckliss? he said, glaring in anger at Pat as he rubbed the back of his hand.

I don't know what you mean, answered Pat, thinking fast what to say or do next.

Unwilling to hurt his hand any more, the assailant grabbed Pat's shirt in both hands and pulled him roughly towards him. You know what neckliss. You have ring of dragon. Where is neckliss?

Pat moved his fingers, tied behind his back, and realised the ring was gone. He had been unconscious and was still getting his bearings. They were in, what looked like, a hotel room. Not very classy, and not what Pat was used to. There was a double bed, a wooden table and two wooden chairs. A washbasin was between the bed and the door. There was no toilet or shower. The walls were covered in flower wallpaper, stained with age and peeling off in some places. A single light bulb hung from the ceiling, giving the room an eerie light, as it swung gently on its cable. The dark curtains were drawn, yet daylight was visible through the edges. On the table lay his ring.

The man continued to shake Pat and threw him against the back of the chair in frustration. Where is neckliss? he continued to ask.

Pat feigned semi-unconsciousness. He needed time to think and stop this man's desperation. The neckliss he was asking for must be the pendant his Aunt Gaby wore, the one she had found as a little girl hidden inside the back cover of the book, the mysterious book which seemed to be the instigator of all that was happening now. It was the story of Einarr, a young Irish warrior who had set out to find a treasure and had encountered a dragon. His experiences of being in a trance and dreaming of the dragon were similar to his own. He had met and spoken with his dragon on several occasions now; he had become a kind of mystical friend. Unlike Einarr, his dragon only appeared in dreams, or trances induced by meditation.

The book had led the way to Pat's initiation into the realm of the Dragon, and had led to this. He was trying to remember where he was. The Chinese man had momentarily given up and was pacing the room muttering. London. He was in London on his way home from Aunty's estate. This was the estate she had inherited from Nimakin, the Native American who was Aunt Gaby's guide when she found the book as a little girl. It was he who gave her the ring which was now his and lay on the table. The ring and pendant matched, with a circling dragon spitting fire at the centre. The raised flame of the ring fitted exactly into the flame shaped space of the pendant. Pat hadn't fully understood the significance of the two, but had felt a strange power from the ring and its connection to the pendant.

He had been on his way to Heathrow airport on the train when he became aware of someone watching him. He tried to get lost in the crowd as he left the train, but was grabbed by two men and led out of the station and pushed into a car. That was the last he remembered after smelling chloroform.

The Chinese man was pointing at him and shaking his finger, his face red with rage. Where is dammed neckliss, you white chicken? he raged. This strange expression almost made Pat laugh. He thought it would be rather inappropriate to do so, so he held his face straight. A mobile phone rang and the Chinese man answered. It must be his partner, the other capturer. There was a short conversation in animated Chinese, at least Pat assumed it was Chinese as he didn't understand a thing. The man returned the phone to his pocket and turned to grin at Patrick.

You will tell us where is neckless, he said with a sneer, then wagged his finger at Pat, or you never see daughter again.

Pat stared at the man open mouthed as he turned and walked out the door, closing it behind him. At the mention of not seeing his daughter, Pat froze. His mind couldn't fathom such a statement. His daughter was only six months old and safely in Switzerland with Jenny, his wife. Or so he thought. What did the big Chinese guy mean? Who was that on the phone? Was his daughter in danger?

There was no time to waste. With sudden inspiration, Pat decided he had to get out and go protect his wife and daughter. Pulling at the ropes around his wrists, he realised that he wasn't tied to the chair. He wriggled and bounced until the chair fell away with a clatter. He pulled at the ropes, then lay on the floor and worked his arms until they were in front of him. With his teeth and a lot of tugging, he finally untied the knots and was free. He jumped to his feet, grabbed the ring and placed it back on his finger. His belongings were scattered on the bed by his bag. A quick check satisfied him that everything was there; even the envelope with the photocopies from Aunty's library was untouched. It seems, thought Pat, that all they were looking for was the pendant. If only they knew what was in that envelope! Then it occurred to him that he didn't know who they were. Who could possibly be interested in the ring and its pendant, and how could they possibly know that he had the ring? But if they knew he had the ring, then they must know about Aunty.

He checked his watch. There was still time to catch his flight to Zurich, depending on where he was. He had to warn Aunty and Jenny. Leaving the room with just a little caution, he made for the stairs and headed out. No one was in the grubby lobby, so he went outside to call a taxi. His phone was still in his jacket pocket so he checked his location and was closer to the airport than he had thought. His capturers had brought him halfway. Then he mustn't have been unconscious for long. Taxis weren't exactly queuing up for guests at this bed and breakfast place, so he walked to the end of the street in the hope one would be driving by. On his phone he listened to the ringing tone as he waited for Jenny to pick up. Come on, Jenny, answer! It rang and rang. Where is she? After hanging up, he called her parents' home. Finally, a taxi came along. He got in and told the driver to go, as quickly as possible, to the airport. Pat looked round and down the street. Where was the Chinese man? He was nowhere to be seen. Pat didn't care. The only thing that mattered was that he was free.

There was no answer from Jenny's parents either. That wasn't surprising as they were seldom at home. Why didn't he have their mobile numbers? Then he remembered they didn't carry mobiles. How backward, Pat thought. He tried Jenny's mobile number again. Still no answer. That was strange because she always carried her phone with her. The taxi was weaving through the traffic and Pat checked his watch; yes, he would make it. He decided to call on Frau Kohler, the neighbour from upstairs. He had her home number saved to his phone. After three rings she answered.

Hallo, Kohler.

Frau Kohler, this is Patrick from downstairs, Pat did his best with his broken German. Can you please check if Jenny is at home? Please, it is important and she isn't answering her phone. The lady kindly obliged and laid the phone down on the table. Pat could hear her walk to the door and walk down the stairs. He listened intently for Jenny's voice. After a few moments he heard a door close and she picked up the phone.

Mister Ferguson, she is not there. Her door is open so I went inside and Jennifer is not there. She and the baby are not there. Pat's heart froze. The door was open? They were both not at home?

Mrs. Kohler, did you notice anything unusual? He didn't want to alarm her, but he was too panicked to think of anything else to say.

Well, yes. The baby's pram is still there and nappies are scattered over the floor. Is something wrong, Mister Ferguson?

Pat didn't know what to think. This didn't sound good at all. His heart was racing. The taxi was nearing the terminal entrance. It's ok, I'll call her parents. Thank you, Mrs. Kohler. I'll be home in a few hours. Bye. As he hung up, the taxi pulled up to the terminal door. Keep the change, he said to the taxi driver as he rushed into the terminal. There was no need to check in as he had already done that on the website. Just get to the gate and board the plane. On his way he tried Jenny's parents again. Nothing. Aunty, I must warn Aunty. He pressed her number and called. It only took two rings to get an answer.

Patrick, aren't you at the airport? she inquired curiously.

Yes, Aunty. Pat thought there's no way but to be direct with Aunty, so he took a deep breath and continued. I was kidnapped, Aunty, by two big Chinese men. They wanted to know where the pendant was. Then they said I must tell them or I'd never see Susy again. I'm calling Jenny, but she's not answering and the door is open and no one is at home. Pat knew he was talking much too fast and probably jumbled everything up as he explained what had happened and how he got away.

Patrick, take a deep breath. Typical Aunty, she always kept a cool head, and knew what to do. Pat breathed deeply and relaxed as much as he could under the current circumstances.

Ok, Aunty. What do I do? Who are these men? What do they want?

Patrick, we must act calmly and quickly. Nimakin warned me that this may happen one day. I never thought it would. I am leaving the estate at once. I will go to my half-brother's house. There I will be safe. It sounds like Jenny has either run for it or they already have them both.

Patrick interrupted, almost eating the phone. Have them? Aunty, who has them? What's going on?

Now, listen carefully, Patrick. Aunty always referred to Pat by his full name. I am going to call some friends. They will know what to do. In the meantime, take your flight and get home. Keep alert. It is strange that they let you escape. It may be a trap. Perhaps they are hoping you will lead them to the pendant. A good thing neither of us knows where it is. What? thought Pat, but you have it, Aunty! But Gaby continued on not allowing Pat to speak. If they've taken Jenny and Susy, then they'll soon know that they are making a big mistake. My friends will contact you, Patrick, and tell you what to do. You will find them, do not be afraid. Call me when you get to Zurich. Bye, Patrick. She hung up before Pat could say another word. Aunty Gaby was just like that, dropping bombshells and hanging up or leaving. She didn't want me to speak. Maybe she thinks my phone is being monitored.

The attendant called to board the plane. Once on board, Pat took his seat at the window and closed his eyes. All he could think of doing was talking to Rich, his dragon friend, who had first appeared to him in a vision in a cave in Mount Pilatus and had morphed into a man right before his eyes. They had met and conversed many times since. The meeting always ended with Pat being asleep somewhere nearby. So, Pat was never quite sure if he had met Rich or it was all in his mind. Was Rich contacting him from some psychic realm? One thing Pat was sure of, Rich was real. Rich would tell him things which later proved to be true. He would meet a certain person in a certain place at a particular time, and it would all happen as he had said. There were too many things like that for Pat to doubt Rich's existence, even if he wasn't physically present. He wanted to speak with Rich during the flight.

Taking some deep breaths, Pat struggled to settle his mind. It was difficult not to think about his wife and daughter. Were they safe? Where were they? Would he ever see them again? As he had been trained to do, he allowed these thoughts to be. The aircraft lifted into the darkening December sky and he focused on the sound of the engines. The droning noise was just what he needed to distance his thoughts from the obvious. He pictured himself soaring planelessly into the clouds. There to his left flew Rich the dragon with his long green wings spread out like an airplane and flapping with ease as he flew above the clouds. Pat turned himself to follow.

Grab hold of my neck, called the dragon. Pat willed himself onto the dragon's back and held on tight. The dragon turned to the right and swooped down through the clouds. Even though this was just his imagination, Pat felt his stomach lurch.

Must you go so fast? Pat said holding on for dear life.

This is only getting warmed up, laughed Rich over his scaly shoulder. The dragon headed for a high mountain and landed on a grassy plain. Pat was glad to slide off the dragon's back.

I'll never get used to that, said Pat holding his tummy.

Oh, you simply need more practice, the dragon jested. Rich, as was the way with dragons, always saw the humorous side of things. Now, what's all this about fat men taking my Susanne? Rich had begun referring to little Susy as his own as he grew more and more fond of her.

You know that already? asked Pat. Uh, of course you do. Then you know that these Chinese people are threatening to take her away. I have called home, Rich. Jenny isn't there. What can I do?

Call the cavalry, joked Rich.

The cavalry? cried Pat.

He opened his eyes to see his wife Jenny laughing. The cavalry? she smiled. What have you been dreaming?

Dreaming? Pat asked, rubbing his eyes.

2 Dragon Song

Pat had fallen asleep on the couch with baby Susy sleeping on his chest. Holding the baby, he slowly sat up.

You were calling for the cavalry, laughed Jenny. What were you dreaming?

Oh, was I? Pat rubbed his face. He didn't want to repeat his dream and worry Jenny. Wow! I was really gone, wasn't I? He diverted. I didn't know where I was for a moment. Looking at Jenny he laughed, The cavalry, eh? I wonder what I needed them for.

Who knows? Have you got everything packed?

Yes, I don't need much. I'll only have a carry-on bag. Checking his watch, he got up and passed the baby to Jenny. It's almost time to go. I'll get ready.

Pat was troubled by his dream. It had been so real that it felt as if it had already happened. He wondered if he was getting a premonition. No, it must be the stress getting to me. It was just a weird dream, that's all. Yet it still troubled him because it all fitted into what he was about to do - visit Aunt Gaby in London. Aunty was the wearer of the pendant in his dream and he had the ring. These two items were still somewhat mysterious to him. Aunty had given him the ring months earlier, before his daughter was born, and right after his mind-blowing discovery in a cave in the mountain peak called, Mount Pilatus. After a series of strange dreams he had felt compelled to go up that mountain, which was not far from his home in Zug, Switzerland. What he found there still troubled him.

He had discovered, what could only be, the bodily remains of Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor responsible for Christ's crucifixion and whose corpse, a later Christianised Roman Bishopric didn't want buried in Saint Peter's city. The book of Einarr, which Aunty had given him, was an old mysterious book of unknown origin that told of the young Irish Warrior, Einarr, and his journey in pursuit of treasure, a treasure which his father had ensured him would make him very powerful. But what