Dragon's Gold

By Jonathon Baldwin-Hansen

Princess Rava Dosha learns about her family’s ancient lineage which has imbued her with power, and access to her own personal magic. The dragon that killed her mother also stole her inheritance, a personal trinket that means a lot to her. She will seek revenge for her mother, and reclaim her lost inheritance.

Helping her on her quest is her Lady's Maid Jade, Jade's mother the well known sorceresses Macy, her new page boy the princely Vulnar, and the indomitable Lutra.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jonathon Baldwin-Hansen
• Release date: Oct 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310723865

Jonathon Baldwin-Hansen

Jonathon Baldwin-Hansen is a proud member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe of Alaska.In the past he has worked as a Librarian, Fisherman, Behavioral Therapist, Personal Care Attendant, and Tour Guide.It is his goal to write exciting stories, like the ones he himself cannot put down while reading.He currently lives with his family in the beautiful state of Oregon.

Book preview

DRAGON’S GOLD

The Dosha Chronicles: Book 1

By Jonathon Baldwin-Hansen

About The Author

Jonathon Baldwin-Hansen is a proud member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe of Alaska.

He currently lives with his family in the beautiful state of Oregon.

In the past he has worked as a Librarian, Fisherman, Behavioral Therapist, Personal Care Attendant, and Tour Guide.

It is his goal to write exciting stories, like the ones he himself cannot put down while reading.

He can be contacted at [e-mail].

His Smashwords profile is https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JonathonBH.

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 book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author, Jonathon Baldwin-Hansen.

Table of Contents

The Dosha Chronicles: Book 1

About the Author

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Book 2

Chapter 1

Good morning M'Lady, said Jade Sha'Gwin.

She had just entered Princess Rava Dosha's bed chambers.

Jade, please set out a riding outfit for me, my father has invited me along with Langs to join him today, said Princess Rava.

Will do M'Lady, said Jade.

Princess Rava could hear Jade, her newest Lady’s Maid setting the wash for her. She yawned and stretched out her arms as Jade took out a small sachet and poured aromatic herbs and spices into the warm water.

Princess Rava got up from her bed and walked across the stone floor, she flinched from its coldness.

I need to inform my father how much I enjoy the floor made from the stone of his newest quarry, said Princess Rava to Jade, making a light hearted comment.

M'Lady, I must tell you that other people in this great city of Dosha'deena truly appreciate having stone to work with. The Do’s and Sha’s say that this upcoming winter there will be less loss of homes and buildings due to the new stone roofs and walls, said Jade in a serious voice.

With a small sigh only she could hear, Princess Rava got into the bath tub. It was a large wooden barrel cut in half, the edges knee height. A carpenter had added dragon feet to pick it up off the floor, and a slender dragon head on which to place her bathing supplies.

Jade picked up a soft washcloth to clean the princess with.

Langs is a good looking fellow, isn't he? said Jade conversationally as she poured water over Princess Rava's back.

I haven't looked that closely myself. I can see that you might not be the best chaperon for me, said Princess Rava with a laugh.

I will make a great chaperon, if gaiety is desired by both parties, said Jade after a pause to think about what she wanted to say in reply to Princess Rava.

Then they both giggled at their new inside joke, quickly they regained their composure.

I like my new Lady in Waiting, thought Princess Rava to herself. As Princess Rava was thinking to herself, Jade was setting out riding clothes for a great lady.

No Jade! said Princess Rava upon seeing what clothes were set out.

Those are for show only. When I ride out with my father, I always dress in men's riding clothes, said Princess Rava.

Yes M'Lady, I'll do my best to remember that, said Jade in a contrite tone of voice. That does seem sensible when you put it that way, she continued.

You are new, so you do not yet know my personal habits, said Princess Rava. After a short pause she continued, One M'Lady in the morning is plenty enough for me. Call me Rava, or Princess if you must.

Yes Princess, I will try to remember that, said Jade.

Full formality in front of guests, but within the small inner circle around my family, there is no need, said Princess Rava.

Jade was drying her mistress's body with a large towel. After Princess Rava was dry she helped Princess Rava into the mens riding clothes.

Use the water left over in the bath for yourself, if you wish to Jade, said Princess Rava.

Thank you Princess, said Jade.

I like her, she is thoughtful, I have to be careful, thought Jade to herself.

Princess Rava entered the kitchen and sat down at the large wooden kitchen table next to her father who was dressed in similar riding clothes. She saw that Langs was seated with her father. He does look handsome, thought Princess Rava to herself.

Good morning father, said Princess Rava in a cheerful voice.

Good morning Tiger, said her father King Dosha.

How is your new Lady's Maid? he asked Princess Rava, smiling at her father.

I think I am going to like her company a lot, said Princess Rava.

Remember daughter, Jade comes from a long line of Lady's Maids. Her mother was in the service of your own mother, said her father.

I was not aware of that, I will have to talk to her mother, said Princess Rava.

In some ways I have treated you as the son I never had. Do not be surprised if some of your mannerisms cause her to be shocked, said King Dosha.

Oh, already she seemed shocked by my riding outfit this morning, said Princess Rava as she started to eat.

Her father just laughed.

Do what you think is best. Just keep in mind that she knows more about proper young ladies than I do myself at times, said King Dosha.

Princess Rava nodded her head on hearing her father's advice. He left the table with Langs when they were both done eating. She finished her food, then went to the stables herself.

When she got there, her father and Langs were just mounting their horses. Princess Rava went to her own horse, a big black stallion she had named Luck. He had a white star on his forehead and the night he had been born the lucky star was in the evening sky. Luck was devoted to Princess Rava. In his own mind he was still a foal and in need of constant attention from her. Luck started to paw the ground with a hoof when he realized she was about to mount him. Her father and Langs just laughed seeing his reaction to Princess Rava.

It seems that Luck can’t wait for you to get on his back, said Langs with a cheeky grin.

So far, he is the only male I have mounted, said Princess Rava with her own grin.

Aye, sorry M'Lady, said Langs.

But the day will come... said Princess Rava. Then Langs turned scarlet.

When they were all mounted, they set out together. Princess Rava's father was in the middle of the group. Princess Rava was on one side of King Dosha, Langs was on the other.

The city around the castle was looking and feeling vibrant.

Partly from the new stone supplies her father's people were using to build better roofs, and also from increased trade with their neighbors near and far. Hanging to dry was evidence of this recent increase in trade. Colorful clothes, and blankets full of new patterns were hanging from the dry lines.

It looks like trade has picked up, said Princess Rava who was looking at all the new things hanging.

Yes, with the new stone quarry I have been improving our own roads within the castle, and outwards to our distant neighbors, said her father.

Jade told me this morning that the people think there will be less homes and buildings lost this winter, because of the new stone roofs and walls, said Princess Rava.

That and a tax has been levied on any wooden roof that is only slightly more than an upgraded roof would cost a house owner, said Langs.

So I tax wooden roofs, yet do not tax stone roofs. I tax mead and ale, but I do not tax milk and bread, said King Dosha. As he said this a large group of children ran past them screaming and yelling at each other.

It looks like our city is growing greatly in population, said Princess Rava. Both her father and Langs nodded in agreement to her words.

They were just out of the city proper, and going into farmland and small homestead operations. There were a few goats tethered inside small garden plots, a cow here and there, a scattering of pigs, and flocks of chickens.

Princess Rava took a deep breath relaxing her muscles. Luck was a good solid horse. His gait was steady.

Soon they were past the city houses and going past large farms. The houses were much farther apart. In what felt like the next breath, all three of them were past the last farmhouse and into the wild countryside.

It was a bright crisp day, the sky pure blue. The temperature was warm, but a few leaves were starting to change color. Summer was about to depart and autumn arrive.

Langs started to sing bawdy songs. Making both Princess Rava and her father smile at his outrageous lyrics of true love, folly and comedic situations the people he was singing about found themselves in. After several songs, her father loudly cleared his throat. Langs stopped singing.

Next clearing by the river we will stop to have lunch, and give our horses a break, said King Dosha.

Both Princess Rava and Langs nodded their heads in agreement.

As she kept her eyes searching for a suitable site for lunch, she spotted a giant wild cat sign.

Father, I believe I just saw signs of a giant wild cat, said Princess Rava.

I have seen one or two signs of giant wild cats myself, said her father.

I am not to sure that it is safe to dismount any time soon, said Langs.

As if of one mind, they slowly turned their horses around to ride back the way they had come.

It is strange father, I have not heard of giant wild cats being this close to our castle, said Princess Rava in a nervous voice.

Yes, it is out of the ordinary, said King Dosha.

They rode back towards Dosha'deena the way they had come, without saying a word.

Their moods were somber and speaking out loud did not feel right. The horses were starting to get tired, trotting at a slow pace.

Princess Rava had a fur blanket made from the hide of giant wild cat on her bed. The fur blanket was extremely warm. It was also large, dwarfing her bed. She could roll herself up in it multiple times.

I have no desire to become one's meal, thought Princess Rava to herself as she shivered, nor to add my name to the list of horror stories told to kids to be careful of giant wild cats.

Luck tensed up beneath her. He lowered his ears and let out a nervous snort and a soft whinny. His steps slowed a fraction of a second, becoming more wary.

This change in her horse made Princess Rava's heart skip a beat, then start to race and pound inside her chest. This continued and she started to breath faster and more shallowly. She paused and mentally told herself to take a slow deep breaths. Luck sensed her calming down, so he calmed down as well. After his gait became normal once more, their whole party heard a loud guttural hiss, then a scream of a giant wild cat.

Luck reared up kicking his front legs out, almost bucking Princess Rava off his back, then he was galloping in fear of his life away from the source of the scream.

All three horses galloped back towards Dosha'deena where they knew they were safe, their fear giving them bottomless energy. The horses kept galloping until they were out of the forest.

Let’s dismount, and let the horses walk so that they have a chance to calm down, said her father.

That was very tense, said Princess Rava in a breathless voice.

I think that Luck felt like his luck had finally run out, said Langs in a teasing voice, his natural jauntiness showing in his voice.

All of our horses did, and I thought mine might have as well, said King Dosha.

Princess Rava reached up to stroke Luck's neck as she walked beside him. They walked on in silence for a time.

Now that we have gone far enough, could we have lunch soon? asked Langs.

Yes, I am hungry, said Princess Rava in agreement with Langs.

They walked a few yards more in total silence.

Yes, after we get some distance between us and the forest, said her father as he pointed behind them towards the thick forest their horses had galloped them out of.

The signs I saw were days old, but that hiss and scream felt like we were within attacking distance, said Langs.

Please do not say anything of this to anyone yet, I do not wish to alarm my people, said her father.

I have a feeling that your people will know of this on their own soon enough, if a giant wild cat attacks their animals, or themselves, said Langs.

Maybe if you post an official warning the people will appreciate that more, instead of silence, said Princess Rava.

I am convinced by you two, official warnings it will be then, but I do not wish the giant wild cats to be hunted down or killed off, said her father.

After some distance was put between them and the forest, her father finally spoke.

We will have lunch here, said King Dosha.

Finally sire, said Langs in an exasperated tone. Princess Rava had heard his stomach growl several times already.

They let their horses eat grass by the roadside, tethered to a fallen log with enough rope to allow them to graze along the road side at their leisure.

Princess Rava and Langs worked together to set out their picnic. She spread out a thin blanket for them to sit at, and Langs retrieved a meal basket from his horses pack. He had got a large wedge of yellowed cheese, three medium loaves of bread, several slices of thick steak, and two wine bottles to drink.

This looks like an enjoyable meal, thank you Langs, said her father.

Princess Rava felt tired after eating her picnic food. So she laid down and closed her eyes to rest. She could hear her father and Langs' voices talking in the background. She could hear the birds singing in the distance, and she could hear the soft sounds of the horses as they ate the green grass growing nearby.

Rava dear, wake up, said her father as he gently shook Princess Rava by the shoulders. I must have fallen asleep, thought Princess Rava.

She sat up and looked around.

The sky was darker but not by much.

How long was I asleep? asked Princess Rava.

All day and all night, about time you woke up Princess, said Langs in a teasing tone with a grin.

Let’s get moving, all we need is to fold the blanket you have been napping so peacefully on, said Langs.

Did you two have a good talk? asked Princess Rava.

Your new Lady's Maid is rather fetching, don’t you think so? asked Langs.

I would not know, but I do think she is pretty, said Princess Rava.

They got on their horses and raced back to the castle. At this point they did not have very long to go until they reached the Dosha Castle.

Princess, how are you? asked Jade as Princess Rava, her father and Langs entered the castle.

I am fine, I even got a nap, said Princess Rava with a smile in her voice.

That’s nice, Princess, said Jade. Jade followed Princess Rava to her bedchambers.

What did not sound nice was the giant wild cat that tried to eat us! said Princess Rava.

No, what happened? asked Jade, concern plainly in her voice.

So Princess Rava told Jade everything that had happened. As she told Jade about her day, something curious happened. She remembered a small portion of what she had dreamed while napping. In her dream, she was in a cool dark place, and just below her a soft blue glow emanated.

This recall of her dream caused Princess Rava to stop talking.

Jade sensed her Princess Rava's mood and quietly left her bed chambers.

Jade thought to herself, I don’t envy her, she will have a tough time, the change is only just beginning, my mother was right, I will have to be careful.

Princess Rava was able to collect her thoughts in peace, as Jade set about getting things ready for dinner.

Jade picked out a dress and put out a bowl of warm water and a medium sized towel for Princess Rava to wash herself with before diner. Then she gently laid a hand on Princess Rava's shoulder to rouse her from her thoughts.

Princess, I have preparations for dinner ready, said Jade in a warm voice.

Mmm, Thank you Jade, said Princess Rava, as she got up from her bed.

Princess Rava quickly cleaned up, then she put on the dress with Jade's help.

It was getting dark and the castle had cooled. So Princess Rava put on a knitted shawl her father had got for her. It had diamond shapes woven in it. As she put it on, she was mesmerized by her shawl's pattern.

Time seemed to slow down to a dull cadence. Princess Rava shook her head to clear it. Then she went to the formal dining room for supper.

Jade did not know what to do. She was worried about saying something to soon, or saying something to late. She decided to be patient and wait for the right time to say something to Princess Rava. She came to her decision as she walked to the kitchen to eat with the other servants.

While eating with Langs, Jade heard more about the day's events.

She sat there forgetting about her food as she listened with her attention captivated by his words, and the movement of his lips producing those words.

Langs has very attractive lips, thought Jade to herself.

Princess Rava was enjoying supper with her father.

He had made sure the candles were lit. They created a warm intimate atmosphere at the great table. It was long, solid dark wood and polished to a reflective shine with lemon oil and beeswax. She knew just how much work went into that reflective surface.

Once as a young girl she had climbed up onto the table over the protests of her Governess at the time.

Princess Rava, you must get down from the table, had said her Governess to her in an imploring voice.

No! the young Princess Rava had said in an indignant voice. Throwing a fit, she had stomped with her small heels across a large section of the table. In doing so she marred the pristine surface.

It is disrespectful for you to needlessly ruin the servants work, my dear, had said her Governess.

The young Princess Rava did not care, she had kept on marring the surface of the table, for the fit of rage that had come over her compelled her to continue.

Yes, it is my daughter, said her father in a gruff voice from the entrance to the formal dining room.

I am very disappointed in your behavior, that you chose to not follow your Governess's directions, said her father in a stern tone of voice.

Hearing those words, all the rage fled her little body, making her knees feel weak and wobbly with regret. She started to cry, knowing that some punishment was coming her way, for she had crossed a line.

Look at the table daughter, to what you have done, said her father in a calm commanding voice.

Young Princess Rava looked down and saw the skid marks and pointed holes her shoes had created. She was proud that she had made such visible marks to the table.

I do not think you appreciate how much work my servants have done to keep this formal table so lovely, said her father in a calm manner.

Seeing her father's face as he said this, young Princess Rava paled, she knew something terrible was coming her way.

You will have to repair it yourself. You can ask my servants how they do it, but you must do all the work to make the table perfect again, said her father with great clarity.

Young Princess Rava looked down at the table and started to cry silently, tears rolling down her cheek as she realized what the consequences of her actions were.

Her arms were sore the next day, and ever since then she was careful not to mar the beautiful table.

Father, do you remember when I had to polish this table? asked Princess Rava.

Yes, and if memory serves me correctly, you never had to do that again, said her father with a soft chuckle and a smile on his face.

I did take that lesson to heart, said Princess Rava softly with her eyes looking down into her father’s reflections on the dark shimmering table.

Can you tell me about my mother? asked Princess Rava.

She was a beauty, very much like you yourself. I loved her with all my heart. Her voice was music to my ears. She cared about our people. A dragon killed her soon after she gave birth to you, and took the Queen Ann Diamond necklace that she was so looking forward to giving to you when you came into your own, said her father in a cracked voice, holding back tears.

They finished supper in silence. Princess Rava was not disturbed by the silence between her and her father. It happened occasionally, usually when the topic of her mother came up. She knew that her mother was killed by an orange and brown dragon soon after she was born. There was a painting of her mother in the landing of the main entrance to the castle. Her mother was wearing a gorgeous diamond necklace.

The Queen Ann Necklace your mother is wearing was meant to be yours when you came of age, Princess Rava could hear her father telling her may times as she was growing up. She used to lay on her back looking up at the painting of her mother for hours. She would imagine her mother holding her as a newborn baby.

I can so easily imagine touching that necklace and the feel of it, I am positive I did so as a baby, she thought to herself.

Whenever Princess Rava had laid down and gazed at her mother's painting in the landing, the servants had always given her plenty of space. They must feel sorry for me, she had thought at the time. Yet as she grew older, she started to realize that the older servants knew and missed her mother more than she did, for they had actually known her mother.

Princess, are you ready for bed? asked Jade.

Jade had a candle in her hand that had a brass base and a little loop to hold it up in front of her with one finger. The loop was in the shape of a Gerse's neck, which were very long. The Gerse was considered to be a very elegant animal when seen in the distance, all long legs and long neck to reach the most succulent leaves at the top of the trees.

Yes Jade, I am actually, said Princess Rava in a sleepy voice, as she got up from the table she took one last sip from the wine glass in front of her. She lead Jade to her bed chamber. When she entered her bed chamber she saw that Jade had laid out a night gown for her.

Thank you Jade, said Princess Rava.

Your welcome Princess, said Jade, as she helped Princess Rava get out of her dress and into the night gown.

Then Jade picked up a bed warmer which had been heating up next to the fire, and slid it up and down in between Princess Rava's bed sheets and blankets. That task being done, Jade set the brass candle down on a bedside table so that Princess Rava could read if she wished to. Then she quietly left the bed chamber after giving Princess Rava a quick kiss on the cheek.

After Jade had left her bed chamber, Princess Rava got out the old journal she had found recently in the library that had caught her interest.

On the cover of the leather journal was imprinted the shape of a dragon.

Enough flakes of gold still remained in the impression that she could easily imagine the journal when new, having a solid gleaming gold dragon on the cover. It must have been very impressive when new and very reflective, she thought to herself. As it was, the small flakes of gold left shimmered in the soft candle light. The leather was a faded red color. The writing in it was neat. It was the journal of her great grandmother Starletta's, and the more she read of it the harder it was to put down each night, for what was written in it was compelling.

Princess Rava moved the journal so that she could read it better by the glowing candle light. She opened Starletta's journal to the page she had left of on.

August 13th,

I am very excited for the Autumn Ball!

Today I went to a small shop to choose a dress design when I ran into the Duke again. He always has on leather gloves. I wonder if he is missing a finger or something?

That was it for that days journal entry.

Princess Rava wondered what the Duke looked like. In her mind he was a dark, ominous character. In earlier passages her grandmother Starletta had described the Duke with an eye patch.

Princess Rava put the journal down. Then she leaned over to blow out the candle. The smell of the candle comforted her. Ever since her Governess had taught her to read at the age of seven, she had fallen asleep each night after reading something to herself. There were hundreds of books in the castle's Library.

There has always been a bookworm in the castle of Dosha'deena! Since I am not one, what does that make you? her father had once joked with her, teasing her as he picked her up when she was little and reading a book, he had then proceeded to tickle her so much that she lost her breath, and then started to scream.

It was one of a very few light hearted moments she had ever had with her father and she treasured it greatly. She knew that her father loved her and cared for her, but he was so often reserved, as if