Rise of the Silver Dragon: Book One

By Kevin Aodha

Mik Fausten is a seventeen year old preparing to start his first day at the military academy. After dreaming of becoming the greatest secret agent for the Kingdom of Raymeria, he and his sixteen year old cousin Jace Walker begin their new lives in the military.

No sooner than they arrive, Mik begins to question the red-eyed silver dragon amulet he was given as a child. People have tried to take it from him and others have warned him of it's deadly powers.

Mik soon finds out that his amulet is linked to an ancient tribe who created the amulet in order to keep the silver dragon Ungura locked away after it seized every ounce of magic from the kingdom.

As Mik is thrown into a world of magic and danger, Jace has been given the chance to prove to his mother that he can survive in the real world and become the same great soldier his late father was.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Aodha
• Release date: Sep 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311585936

Kevin Aodha

Kevin is a writer and author of Scifi/fantasy ebooks and created the Rise of the Silver Dragon, Internment and the Chronicles of Raymeria series' He was born in 1987 and was raised in Glasgow, Scotland where he still lives to this day.

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Rise of the Silver Dragon – Book One

By Kevin Aodha

Copyright 2014 by Kevin Aodha

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited.

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Dedication

I dedicate this book to all of those who have stuck by me the last few years. It has not been easy and I am indebted to all of you. I also dedicate this to all those who gave the first part of this book praise when it and myself needed it the most. To all of you, thank you so much and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter One

I don’t exactly know what you are, or why you belong to me, said Mik Fausten, but I’m going to shine you up and take you with me tomorrow. The dragon pendant swung in front of his face as he held it by the chain above his head. Its red ruby eyes twinkled and sparkled when it reflected the bedroom light.

Mik had always been an average boy growing up, despite the death of his parents at the age of ten. When he moved to Zido city to live with his aunt Brinnlee and Uncle Edmund, he found it hard to adapt at first. He came from Brindle town not too far from the city, but culturally it was miles away. Brindle town was only a modernised mining village. Only after getting the new shopping mall and additional residential areas did it become a town.

It wasn’t easy for Mik to adapt to his new life. Despite not knowing his aunt and uncle very well, they became his guardians soon after his parents passed away. It felt weird to him at first, especially sharing a room with his younger cousin Jace, who he also didn’t know too well. Soon, however, he grew to love them as he did his parents. Well, obviously not as much as his parents, but near enough.

He attended Sir Hugh Windsor High School, where he gained a passing mark in history, maths and social studies. However, his school studies weren’t going to bring him closer to achieving his life ambition of joining the Raymerian military, or the military intelligence department to be exact.

Military Intelligence and Deployment Agency, or MIDA, was his destiny as he told many people, and he was determined to not let anything stand in his way of becoming a special agent. They were top rank, elite and every boy who Mik went to high school with wanted to carry that golden badge and black Colt sidearm. Many parents had their reservations about the military’s advertising campaigns urging young men and women to join up. One such parent was Mik’s aunt Brinnlee.

It was only when Mik was sent the invitation through the post that he realised they’d finally accepted his application to attend the academy. He’d be thrilled all day and was finally told to stay in his room until dinner was ready for bugging everyone by reading every inch of print on every single page to them. Well, dinner was almost ready and Mik still had a lot to add to the subject. It was finally happening.

He wrapped the amulet’s chain around his finger and held the dragon firmly in his hand. He was right. He didn't know what it was, or what it represented. It was a belated birthday present from his parents seven years ago, and now, at the age of seventeen, he could still never understand why they gave it to him. It was a strange gift to give to your ten year old son, but he loved it nonetheless.

He placed the amulet back into the pocket of his black cargo pants and tucked the leaflet under his pillow. You’re gonna be my lucky charm, buddy, he said to the silver dragon.

There was a knock on his bedroom door. When it opened, a beautiful woman with long brown hair and green eyes stood in the doorway. It was Mik’s aunt Brinnlee.

Mik, dinner is ready, sweetie, she said in her usual soft voice.

Thanks, Auntie, he replied.

Are you looking at the leaflet again? I swear, if you go on about that place again I’ll send you back in here after dinner.

Understood, Auntie, but I’m just so excited about going tomorrow.

Come on, you. Get to the table before it gets cold.

Aunt Brinnlee always laid on a great spread. The food was steaming and the aroma wafted down the hallway, into the bedroom and filled Mik’s nostrils. There never came a bad word said about her cooking, and every single crumb was always gobbled up off the plate.

He sat facing his little cousin Jace who was sixteen years old. People always pointed out that if the both of them weren't cousins, they’d be twins. With their dark spiky hair, brown eyes and slim build, both Mik and Jace did look quite similar.

Mik slapped a generous spoonful of mashed potatoes and green beans onto his plate. The slice of barbecued beef spilt off the plate and had only the thinnest rind of crispy fat on it. The gravy was piping hot and had tiny bits of diced onion floating around in it. Even the dinner rolls were homemade by Brinnlee herself. Oh yes, aunt Brinnlee put on a good spread indeed.

You know what I’m going to ask you, don’t you, Mik? asked aunt Brinnlee.

I believe I do. You’ve been asking me all day and my answer is yes, I still want to go to the academy. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do for the past seven years.

I’m just saying, there are plenty of other things a bright young man like you could do with your life. Seafar city is so much different from Zido. It’s much bigger and a lot more dangerous

Yeah, you could stay here direct traffic, said Jace, mockingly.

Mik stuck his tongue out at his younger cousin.

Jace, are you still going to the city with your cousin tomorrow? asked Brinnlee.

I sure am! I’ve always wanted to see Seafar.

Dinner time conversation would normally involve school work or friends. But for the past few months, much said was short and sweet. The abrupt discussions were becoming tiresome and repetitive. What did you do today? Nothing. But even Brinnlee preferred that than having to talk about the military, and her nephew's decision to follow a career in the services. It wasn’t civilised to talk about such things at the dinner table, she would often think. However, Mik’s departure was growing ever closer, and she had to make sure that he was positive about taking such a giant step. Of course, she hoped that he would eventually change his mind. But deep down, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to keep him home.

Afterwards, the conversation turned to what was happening locally. As usual, there was nothing to report. Mik wasn't going to tell his aunt, his ever so trusting guardian, that he and three of his best friends drank tequila slammers all last night. When Mik woke up that morning, it felt like he was being repeatedly hit on the head with a hammer. He was able to disguise his hangover with a cold shower, a lot of water and a few naps in the middle of the day. He could usually hide it well.

Once the plates had been cleared of all food and practically licked clean in Mik’s case, it was high time to retire to the living room as usual. Brinnlee dumped the plates and cutlery into the sink to let them soak in the warm water. When she joined the boys in the living room, she saw that they’d turned the TV round to a news report on channel three.

The images on the screen depicted an aerial shot of a mountainous terrain located in the Gracemeria region. Numerous state security officials stood around a cluster of government vehicles with flashing blue beacons atop them. The announcer in the helicopter wasn't too sure about what exactly was happening below, but he did point out that a stolen military truck had been pulled over and five armed suspects had been detained.

Mik watched the report with intrigue. He knew that the rebels still existed within the kingdom, but he never knew that they’d become so lacking in their technology over the past few years. Although, you would have achieved advanced status if you knew what hardware to steal and where to steal it from. Nevertheless, the military maintained a policy of constantly moving their more powerful weapons to different locations every day. The only heavy weapons that remained in the same location were the ones being retained in a highly secure dockside warehouse in Seafar.

Is that the kind of thing you’re going to do, Mik? asked Jace, whose eyes were fixated to the slowly escalating tension on screen.

No way, man. I’m not going all the way to Seafar just to become a military grunt. I’ll be working undercover and seeking to bring down the rebels from the inside. MIDA’s operations are so sophisticated, these guys won’t even see me coming, replied Mik.

Slow down, Mik, added Brinnlee, you haven't even gotten to the academy yet and already you’re already talking about entering into war zones. Times are violent right now, and bound to get even more dangerous.

Mik hated it when people, let alone his own family, failed to see his potential, and joining the military was his one and only dream. To be frank, they did see his potential. He was a smart and enthusiastic kid, but they could also see a little bit of arrogance in him as well. The kind that would probably backfire on him one day. Brinnlee’s concern for him flew right over his head. She’d already lost people close to her because of the increasing troubles with the rebels, including her sister.

As the news report came to an end, they could see the armed suspects being taken into custody. The state security cars drove off in the direction of Pitkin city with their lights still flashing. It was soon to be a long journey for the insurgents.

I think I’ll head off to sleep, said Jace, and stood up and walked towards the hallway, leaving Mik and Brinnlee with a simple wave goodnight.

Don’t forget, we have to wake up early tomorrow, said Mik.

Sure.

Aunt Brinnlee still had a few more questions for Mik, and he knew it. Since taking him in at the age of ten, she knew that, although she and Edmund were his new guardians, he wasn't officially their son, and therefore had to give him a lot more independence than they would with Jace. However, the promise she made to her sister to care for Mik if anything ever happened to her or his father meant that she could not help but express her concerns over a few of Mik’s life choices. She knew she could do nothing to stop him, and to be honest, she didn't want to stop him. She only wanted to ensure he knew what he was doing, instead of just acting like he only thought he knew.

The train will leave at noon tomorrow, we should get there about half eleven, just to be safe, said Mik as he sat slumped on the sofa with his hands behind his head.

Brinnlee picked up an old magazine she’d kept under the coffee table for weeks. She had no intent on actually reading it. For her it was just a way to create a less formal environment in which to pick up on important matters. It kept things free and relaxed, and made it seem as though she was disinterested. I know you would want to make your parents proud, Mik, she said, but is leaving home and becoming a spy going to do that?

Whoa, where did that come from all of a sudden? replied Mik.

I’m just saying. I know how fond of their work your parents were, but that doesn't mean they would have expected you to follow in their footsteps. There are other things you can do.

My mind is already made up, Auntie. I want to become just like them, except I don't want to be stuck doing admin all day for the rest of my life. I’ve got bigger ambitions.

Don’t knock it, kiddo, they did very well in their jobs and were proud of the contribution they gave the kingdom.

I know, aunt Brinnlee, but I just need more. Besides, they already have a place for me at the academy, I can’t turn around now.

Brinnlee put the magazine back under the coffee table. It was usually a sign that she’d give up and admitted defeat. She would have given anything to see Mik stay at home and get a job locally in with the quarry or the building site a few blocks down, who’d been hiring for the past three months, but she wanted Mik to be happy, and so offered to drive the boys to the train station the next day.

Brinnlee switched the TV off and suggested that Mik get an early night for his trip in the morning. Mik agreed and, if he was honest, was glad to hear the end of the rather negative conversation they were both having. He got up and kissed his auntie good night. I wish my own son gave me a kiss goodnight, Brinnlee joked.

I’ll talk some sense into him, replied Mik as he walked down the hallway to his bedroom.

Jace was already under his duvet when Mik walked into the bedroom. He’d found Miks military academy leaflet under his pillow and decided to take a read of it. He skimmed through each page, quickly glancing at all the photos of the academy campus and leisure facilities.

Don’t you ask? said Mik, snatching the leaflet from Jace.

Sorry, I was only taking a look at what you were heading tomorrow. I can’t believe you’re actually going through with it.

How do you mean?

Don’t you worry that you won’t do as well as you thought? You’ll end up back here with mum trying to get you a job over at the construction site.

Don’t be stupid, of course I’m going to get in. I’ve been studying my whole life for this chance

Just make sure you will show me the place tomorrow. It looks great!

Yeah, but you’ll only be staying for a short while. The day after tomorrow, you’ll be on a train back to Zido city.

You’re lucky you get to go. My mum would kill me if I joined up.

You know why that is … don’t you?

Jace nodded as he stared at the ceiling. Suddenly there was a silence in the room. They knew they were reflecting on the same person.

I still miss seeing him at the dinner table, Mik, said Jace.

I know, buddy, I do as well. How’s aunt Brinnlee taking it, does she talk about him to you much these days?

She just reminisces about him on occasions. We don’t talk about him much unless one of his favourite TV shows is on, or if she sees an article in the newspaper that he would have commented on. She loved it when he commented on them. I did too.

A picture of the man in question sat on Jace’s bedside table in a silver frame decorated with elevated zigzags. The man was around his mid-forties sporting a black military cap with an assault rifle strapped to his shoulders. He was standing to attention and saluted with each finger stretched out right. He was a proud man by the way he looked in his photograph, which is why Jace insisted on having his very own copy of it for his night stand.

On the day Edmund Walker was reported dead by the military police five years ago in 2045, the entire house fell into complete silence other than the faint whisper of sobs and tears being shed for their fallen patriarch Edmund Walker, sergeant, patriot, father and husband.

It’s still hard, though, said Jace, I know it’ll be a while before I can get over him.

Don’t get over him. Just learn to reflect on him without getting upset. Think of the good times.

Mik took his black trousers off and threw them on the floor. He figured they’d do for tomorrow’s train journey considering he’d only been wearing them for a few hours that night. He lay back on his bed above the duvet and nestled his head into his big fluffy pillow.

It was far too early to go to sleep. One could still hear the birds chirping in the trees outside the bedroom window. It was the middle of summer and there would be another two hours of daylight before it disappeared and the stars came out for the night.

Are you taking that dumb amulet to Seafar with you? asked Jace.

I am, and don’t call it dumb. This was a gift from my parents, replied Mik, offended by Jace’s words to the point where he sat upright in his bed.

Mik rolled from his bed to the floor and crawled towards his trousers. He fished the dragon amulet out of his pocket and sat back in bed with it. Its ruby eyes were dull now. Mik often imagined when its eyes glowed from the light, it had awoken an actual dragon somewhere in the kingdom, and when the eyes dulled, the dragon began its slumber. It was that kind of imagination that made him think that the military would be able to offer him a life filled with adventure. Of course, he knew that there would be the occasional day filled with dread and anxiety, not to mention the gruelling training he’d have to go through. But he always valued the agents of MIDA and respected their work.

The amulet depicted a blurry looking haze in the background that Mik believed to be a portal that the dragon had crossed through. The beast itself had its wings spread out and its mouth open as if to roar. Its tongue was long and thin, and it split at the end just like that of a snake.

I love this thing, said Mik, It’s my lucky charm and I’m taking it with me. Besides it was a gift from my parents, it’s the only thing I have left of them.

Sorry, I forget sometimes, said Jace. I can’t believe it's been seven years since they died. I guess we’re both unlucky when it comes to parents.

I think that’s why your mother never wanted you to join up. She lost her husband and her sister before that. Each of whom died in the army.

For the next hour, Mik and Jace talked about different things. They talked more about their family, a lot of whom also served in the forces. Mik declared it was a family tradition, even if some members of their family refused to join up. Jace, however, felt that most of his kin were duped into joining up with military advertisements and peer pressure from the more senior members of the family who’d served since they were teenagers.

I think it’s safe to say that there is a proud military tradition in our family that’ll carry on for generations, said Mik.

You mean you might one day try to get your own kids involved? replied Jace.

Sure, if they wanted to. I wouldn't want them to have the kind of life they didn't like. But if they ever showed interest in it, I’d help them out.

Mik wrapped the amulet's chain around his finger and let it dangle. The dragon went from side to side like a hypnotist’s pendulum. In fact watching it did sometimes make him feel a little drowsy. Feeling he’d admired it enough for one day, he placed it on his bedside table.

The time was now 11pm, and Jace was now fast asleep. Mik stayed up a little later to plan his timetable for tomorrow. The train journey was to last three hours, after that he had to make his way to the academy and submit his invitation in order to get his dorm room.

Mik didn't fear the academic side of it. He’d been studying the military since he was a young child and knew everything about the great heroes who were decorated, and who also attended the Seafar academy. If they could teach the barely educated folk who were brought up mainly on farmland with past work experience involving nothing more than manual handling, and turn them into heroes, surely a bright guy like Mik would be a shoe in to succeed. That was Mik’s viewpoint, anyway.

With one massive yawn, he decided it was time to get some rest before his big day started. He reached over and switched off the table lamp, and just like that the entire room fell into darkness. Even the moonlight was blocked by the blackout blind on the one and only window in the bedroom.

It didn't take him long to drift off to a peaceful slumber, and it didn't take him long to open his eyes again. He could have sworn he’d seen a flash of red light through his eyelids, but when he opened his eyes, there was nothing there. The room was still in darkness. He chalked it up to his imagination. He was far too tired to think straight on account of being up quite later than usual. He turned onto his side so he was facing the wall and once again drifted off to sleep.

It was only half an hour later, when the boys were now both fast asleep, that Mik would have realised, if he had then woken up again, that it wasn't his imagination playing tricks on him. Whilst the entire room was silent and still, a sudden flash of red light lit the room from wall to wall for a fraction of a second. Soon, the flash became a steady, pulsating glow that would last for only a couple of seconds and then vanish. There didn't seem to be a light source that could have emitted a glow. The entire room was evenly lit. Suddenly the red glow turned back into a flickering, only this time a fizzing, hissing sound could be heard to anyone who would have been awake. The sound became louder and crackled in rhythm with the flashing light. If someone had walked into the room at that moment, they would have seen Mik’s dragon medallion sitting on his bedside table with the chain hovering in mid air all by itself. Its eyes were emitting the strong red light. The rubies were burnished and looked as though they were about to explode in a matter of seconds. Just as the rubies were about to pop,