The Dragon Realms: Book one - The Wood Carver

By Kent Stinger

Billy has been sent to a summer camp for orphans and under privileged children by his current foster parents to get him out of their way for the summer. This is his second trip to the camp since his parents were killed, a camp where he is bullied by Glenn and his cronies. In fact they are the reason he found the old wood carver and his cabin in the forest in the first place, when they chased him out of the camp his first week there.
Old Tom though has alternative motives and is teaching Billy how to carve to see if he has the skill to replace him as chief carver in the realm of the fairies. A realm created by the pure dragons to hide and protect the mythical creatures who once roamed freely on Earth when man stopped believing in them.
What Billy, and the fairy queen don’t know, is that the spirit of the dragon who once was the guardian of the fairies realm, has noticed something in Billy she likes too. After the queen accepts Billy’s carving, and brings it to life with a kiss, she is prompted by the dragon to have the fairy fly back and kiss Billy. A kiss that changes Billy’s life forever, not only does it bring about a physical change in his stature, but also brings him to the attention of the shadow, the father of all evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kent Stinger
• Release date: Jan 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311425393

Book preview

Chapter 1

Billy quietly entered the bunk house and avoiding the other boys he sat down on his bed and looked around the room. No one seemed to be taking any notice of him, which was normal. The only time anyone took notice was when they picked on him.

Nervously he turned his back to Glen; Glen was a year older than him, he was also the largest boy at the farm, and the meanest. As always he was spinning another of his famous perverted stories about how he had made it with some girl during the last school year.

Billy doubted very much if Glen had even held hands with a girl, besides being a mean bully, his hygiene was not the best either. He only showered every other week, and then only if he was forced to by the cabin director. Besides if he treated the girls in his school the way he treated the ones here at camp, none of them would want to be associated with him.

Billy carefully pulled the small, delicate carving he’d been working on the past few weeks down by the river out from under his shirt. After carefully examining it to see if he was truly finished with it, he knelt down to hide it in the chest under his bed.

Would you look at this? Glen called out, and snatched the carving out from Billy’s hand.

So engrossed was he with his carving, he hadn’t heard Glens approach.

Billy’s carved himself a dolly. Triumphantly he held the carving up so the others could see. Look its even got wings. Should we see if it can fly?

Be careful, the wings are very delicate. Billy protested, amid the shouts for Glen to throw it.

Glen pulled back his hand to throw the carving, and with a yell, Billy began to stand, but Glen kicked him in the chest, and he fell back down to the floor and banged his head against the rail on the bed. With a sinister laugh Glen pulled back his arm again to pitch the carving across the room; when a large callused hand seized his wrist.

Billy watched in amazement as Glen was lifted off his feet, then a deep booming voice demanded. What’s going on here? It was Mr. Weldon, the ranch’s field foreman, and Billy’s only friend.

The doll belongs to Billy. One of Glen’s cronies replied, and then ducked behind another boy when Mr. Weldon looked in his direction.

Mr. Weldon looked at Glen and then down at Billy. A carving with this much detail would have taken a great amount of time and talent to carve.

Glen stared down at Billy with a menacing glare, and from the look in his eye’s he knew Glen would wreak his revenge on him later.

I’ve done a little carving of my own over the years, and it looks to me like there’s about a week’s worth of carving in just the wings alone. Wouldn’t you say so Billy? Mr. Weldon said, and he turned to face Billy with a gleam in his eyes.

The wings were the hardest to carve; I worked on them at night after chores for two weeks.

Two weeks you say! I’d say that’s a sign of and dedicated carver.

Mr. Weldon took the carving from Glen and put him down next to the others, taking a moment to look each and every boy in the eyes before telling them to go to the chapel. As soon as the room cleared he turned to face Billy and smiled. Don’t you have a birthday coming?

Not yet. Billy replied with a shaky voice. My birthday isn’t until December; I’ll turn sixteen on Christmas.

Mr. Weldon nodded and sat down on the bed examining the carving. You know my birthday’s on Christmas too. He said, never taking his eyes off the small fairy carving.

Billy thought he saw a tear run down the old man’s cheek. Feeling nervous he wondered if he too should leave, but he didn’t want to leave his carving.

How long did it take you to carve this?

I’ve been working on the pattern all summer, that one’s the eighth one I carved; I didn’t like the rest of them. They weren’t good enough.

Did you carve them all out of this wood?

No! I used any old wood I could find around the ranch, I didn’t use the wood Old Tom gave me until I knew the pattern was right. After saying this Billy’s face went red. He’d said Tom’s name, he’d promise not to tell anyone about him.

Mr. Weldon just kept staring at the fairy without saying anything. Slowly he turned and handed it to Billy. Old Tom must think you’re pretty good too to let you take wood from his meadow.

Intrigued Billy asked. You know him?

Mr. Weldon smiled, a sad smile, and then looked down at the floor. A few of us orphans have met him over the years. But you’re the first I know of who he’s allowed to take any wood from the meadow. Pointing at the carving in Billy’s hand he continued. From the looks of that fairy, I think he’s finally found the one he’s been looking for all these years.

Dumbfounded Billy placed his carving gently in the chest under his bed and locked it. He then stood up and silently started to follow Mr. Weldon out of the room.

Best wash the cut on your forehead. Mister Weldon said and handed him a bandage from the first aid kit hanging on the wall.

After Billy was done he was escorted out of the cabin and into the court yard. As they crossed the court yard towards the chapel, a few questions popped in his head, no, a lot of questions.

Chapter 2

As one of the older boys started the closing prayer for the Sunday meeting Bill slipped out the back and headed back to their cabin. Since they had free time after church he avoided the others and cut through the back field and into the woods. Stopping at the worn, and faded, off limits sign he looked around to see if anyone was following him, satisfied it was clear, he quickly ran into the trees. Upon entering the meadow he was pleased to see Tom sitting on the stump under the old twisted Redwood tree next to his cabin.

Have you finished the carving? The old man replied with a warm smile.

Yes, using my own pattern like you told me to.

Old Tom stood and motioned for Billy to sit on the stump. Please show me your finished carving, if I’m right you’ve had your last lesson from me.

Bill slowly handed him the carving. What do you mean my last lesson? Have I done something wrong? Is that why you haven’t been here at the cabin when I’ve came for lessons the past month?

Ignoring him Old Tom pulled out his glasses and carefully inspected the carving. Then with a big smile he looked over at Billy.

The proportioning is superb, and the detail so fine that one would expect her to fly right out of your hand. Old Tom handed the fairy back, and knelt down in front of Billy.

From the looks if this carving there is nothing more I can teach you. In fact I believe it’s better than any I’ve carved, even when I was in my prime.

Staring up at the old Redwood tree he continued, and Billy noticed a quiver in his voice. "You must bring the carving back to the clearing tonight, there will be a full moon, and place it on this stump under the old tree. If what I think will happen tonight, happens, you will be given one last task to accomplish over the winter.

If not, there will no longer be a need for me to see you." That said he quickly rose and went to the cabin and closed the door.

Bewildered, frustrated, and with tears in his eyes, Billy ran back down the trail, when he reached the fence line he saw Mr. Weldon waiting for him. ‘Oh great, not I will have to spend more time in the manure pile!’ The manure pile was the punishment for bad deeds on the farm, one had to endure the smell as they shoveled it from the wagon into the compost pit. Not only did it smell bad, but the smell lingered with you for days afterward, no matter how many showers or dips in the river you took.

Slowly waking over to the sign, Billy hung his head and waited for the punishment to be handed out.

What did Old Tom say to you?

Surprised by the question, Billy just stared up at Mr. Weldon for a few minutes before he could answer. He wants me to take my carving back to his cabin tonight.

Then after kicking a dirt clod and watching it burst into fine dust, he added. He said he wouldn’t see me anymore.

Surprised by this, Mr. Weldon stopped and looked back at the forest. He said that, even after asking you to take the fairy back tonight?

Well not in those exact words. He said he couldn’t give me anymore lessons. He said it was because my work was better than his. Do you think he’s mad at me?

No, if he said that, he’s not mad. Just, sad about what he feels will happen tonight.

What do you mean, what will happen?

Don’t worry, it’s not something bad. In fact just the opposite I believe. Mr. Weldon said as they started across the field. Seeing the look on Billy’s face he smiled, and placed his hand on Billy’s shoulder.

Everything will be okay Billy, and don’t worry about the curfew; I’ll come and get you.

After a long pause Billy looked up at him and asked. How come you know so much?

Mr. Weldon just smiled down at him, and then placed his hand on his shoulder.

That night when Billy entered the meadow, he stopped dead in his tracks. The cabin was gone, and the meadow looked different, uninhabited. He was about to retrace his route to see where he had gone wrong, when the moon light peered over the trees and lit up the old tree and the familiar stump beneath it.

Fearful Billy walked toward the old tree; he placed his carving on the stump just like he was instructed. Suddenly he heard a buzzing, and was about to turn and run, when a light burst forth from the tree. It surrounded him and the stump in a rainbow of colors and the buzzing grew louder. Surprisingly for the first time since his parents were killed he felt wanted, and unafraid. He stared over at the base of the old tree where the light originated; the trunk appeared to be ripped open. Leaning forward it was as if he was looking down from the heavens at a lush green forest, as he watched he could see a deep sickening darkness pulsating at its edge.

Suddenly a beautiful fairy blocked his view, only this one wasn’t made of wood, it was flesh and blood. "Greetings Bill, we need a new carver, one who can carve replacements for those valiant warriors who have died in the battle against the evil darkness that wishes to devour our forest, hills, and our magic, and thus destroy our kingdom.

Sadly after four hundred years of valiant service, old Tom’s hands can no longer work like they use to. You however have proven yourself worthy to replace him I’m told, not just because of your carving skills, which he says are better than his ever were, but also because you are pure of heart."

Billy was about to protest when the she flew down and kissed his carving, then flew back towards the tree as his carving rose up and began to spin. As it spun he watched as the wood turned a delicate shade of pink, then when it stopped spinning, he could see his carving smiling at him. Astonished he watched as his fairy began to sing, and fly around him.

She flew up and joined the light, which he could now see was not just a light, but the glow of several other fairies each emitting a different shade of light. They all flew towards the old tree with his fairy flying behind them; he watched as the rainbow of colors disappeared into the tree, his fairy though was stopped at the tree by the beautiful fairy who had talked to him.

Turning around she flew back and kissed him on the cheek, warmth spread from his cheek throughout his whole body, and for a moment he felt invincible, then very tired.

The Queen has given you until next summer to decide if you will accept the position of carver. Fluttering in front of his still bewildered eyes she smiled and added. Next summer I’d like a sister.

Then with a giggle, she flew back to the tree and disappeared, leaving him alone in the darkness of the night.

In the light of the full moon he noticed two pieces of wood, not just one sitting on the stump. Next to the stump he saw a leather pouch. After placing it’s strap around his neck, he pulled out a small box, in it he found a complete set of carving knifes just like the ones old Tom used to teach him how to carve with. Only the blades of these knives were engraved with his name in gold.

After further examination he noticed the top if the box was unfinished. Also inside the pouch he found a letter written by old Tom: ‘Billy you’ll notice that the box is yet unfinished, you will need to decide what you want carved on its lid. It should be a symbol of how you truly see yourself deep in your heart.’

Stay well,

Old Tom

As he walked up the path from the woods, he could see Mr. Weldon waiting for him by the fence, but there seemed to be something different about him. Billy too felt different and he knew no one here would ever harm him again, surprised by this thought, he stopped and looked down at himself. For the first time he noticed that his pants seemed a little small, and the buttons on his shirt looked as if they would burst at any moment.

Passing the ‘Off Limits!’ sign, Billy smiled down at the two blocks of wood he still held in his hand, then back over his shoulder at the forest.

I believe you’ll need a brother too. He whispered.

Chapter 3

Billy awoke the next morning to find he’d over slept; franticly he threw back his covers, and hurriedly climbed out of bed. When he opened his locker he found all his clothes gone, and in their place were different ones, not new, but not his. Attached to the inside of the door was a note from Mr. Weldon which read:

‘Billy, I noticed that your cloths were a bit small for you, so I took the liberty to exchange them for these. I hope they fit, they’re from the lost and found closet, but I believe there’s still some use in them.

Mr. Weldon

Ps: Don’t worry about sleeping so long, I told everyone that you were up late helping me with one of the sick cows.’

After dressing Billy found Mr. Weldon in the kitchen with a large plate of pancakes, bacon, and eggs for him.

Do you fell rested enough to help bring in the last load of hay?

Smiling up at him as he shoved the last of the pancakes into his mouth, Billy only shook his head up and down. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so hungry.

Laughing, Mr. Weldon stood and headed for the door. I’ll meet you at the barn in ten minutes. Then pausing as he opened the door, he turned back and smiled again, then left.

When Billy arrived at the barn, he found Glen and the other larger boys waiting there also. Glen looked at him in disgust, but the others looked at him in wonder.

Look who finally decided to join us, and look, he even has a new outfit on. Glen said and moved to block the entrance to the barn.

Billy noticed that when Glen stepped from the shadows, towards him it looked as though, well, part of it moved with him. In fact he noticed that each of the boys had a different shade of color that surrounded them, but Glen’s was a deep black.

What did you do to yourself? Glen demanded.

What do you mean? I’ve done nothing. Billy replied.

Glen reached out and grabbed the front of Billy’s shirt and tried to pull Billy towards him, like he always did when he had the intention of delivering punishment. Only this time, Billy didn’t move, and he let go and stepped back in surprise.

You’re bigger! He exclaimed. How is that possible? Even steroids don’t work that fast!

It was true, or so it seemed, Billy looked at Glen, I mean, he looked at him square in the eyes, not up at him. The other boys too, were looking at him as if he had two heads, or something.

Hey boys, are you going to stand around all day, or help with the hay? Mr. Weldon called out as he stepped from the barn.

The day went as usual, well not really, instead of only driving the tractor, he helped load the hay and Mr. Weldon drove. In fact when he lifted the first bale he found it light, so light in fact that by the end of the day he was moving them two at a time to the conveyor.

As they unloaded the last of the hay for the day into the barn, Billy noticed that Glen and the other boys were quick to leave, but not after giving him another of the strange looks they’d been giving him all day.

You know why they’re treating you different don’t you? Billy heard Mr. Weldon ask from behind him.

Turning he shrugged his shoulders. I know it may sound weird, but I think I grew two, or three inches last night.

I’d say more like six or seven inches. Mr. Weldon replied with a smile. Not to mention putting on a few pounds of muscle to boot. Then walking over to him, he put his arm around his shoulder. Let’s take a walk.

They left the barn and walked out past the chicken coop down to the river, neither one spoke. Once they reached the river bank, Mr. Weldon sat on one of the rocks and looked over at Billy, who sat down on the log he usually sat on.

Mr. Weldon didn’t know, but this was the spot he liked to come to carve, in fact the ground was covered with wood chips.

"I don’t know what happened in the meadow last night; for when Old Tom was teaching me his art of carving, he told me my skill wasn’t good enough. After that every time I when to the meadow I found it empty, his cabin was gone. That’s when I realized that Old Tom was involved in magic.

I’ve never returned there, even years later when I returned to work here. That is until one night I thought I heard someone calling my name. When I went to investigate I saw a light coming from the forest, it was Old Tom. He asked me to send to him those he had chosen; there have been several boys, and a couple of girls, that I’ve sent to his cabin over the past few years. That’s when I realized that I was different than the others he taught. You see those he did not except, or would not finish teaching, well they forgot about the cabin and Old Tom."

He stopped talking and looked out over the river, when he turned back, Billy could see tears rolling down his face. You are the first to be accepted and maybe the last for hundreds of years. That means I may not remember Old Tom or the cabin, after next year that is if you accept his offer. In fact I may not even remember you, magic is like that you know.

I know about Tom needing a replacement, he told me so. Did you know he claims that he’s been the royal carver for over four hundred years! I know he’s old, but I think it’s affected his memory a little too. And I don’t know if I believe in magic, that’s for little kids.

Mr. Weldon stared back at Billy as if he’d turned green or something; finally he shook his head and whistled. Four hundred years, and I thought I was getting old. As for magic, how do you explain what happened last night, and this morning? Then turning to look up the trail, he brought a finger to his lips and motioned for Billy to move.

After moving behind one of the tall trees on the bank, Billy looked through the lower branches. Soon Glen and his buddies came down the trail, when he looked back over to where Mr. Weldon was he saw only an empty clearing.

See those chips? One of the boys said and pointed to the ground next to the log. That’s where he comes to do his carving. I found them when I was looking for frogs.

Walking over to the log Glen bent down and picked up a hand full of chips. What kind of wood did these chips come from? They’re darker and lighter than the other ones.

You’re asking me? The boy who’d led them here asked. I don’t know anything about wood.

Glen took a large knife from his pocket and whittle of a few chips from some of the dead trees in and around the clearing. It didn’t come from any of these trees.

Well I’ve seen him going through the wood pile up by the big house. A red headed boy said. Maybe that’s where he gets his wood from.

After placing his knife back in his pocket, Glen began to investigate the rest of the clearing, then the river bank.

What are you looking for? The read headed boy asked.

A hiding place, or some berries or something. Then after kicking over a rock on the bank, he stomped back up to the clearing. We eat the same food he does right? All the other boys shook their heads in agreement. Then what’s he been eating that made him grow so big over night?

Maybe he just took on a growing spurt. The boy who led them to the clearing said.

After giving him a scowl, Glen turned his attention to the others. Remember I picked him up off the floor the night before we haled all that hay. In the barn I tried, but I couldn’t move him, let along pick him up. No he had to of ate something that changed him.

Maybe he found an Aladdin’s lamp and the genie fulfilled his wish to be big like you.

For a moment Glen looked as though he might buy that explanation, then shaking his head he headed up the trail. No it’s got to be a new type of steroids; no one can grow that big over night without them.

Maybe you can. Their guide said.

Take it from me, they don’t work that fast. At least none of the ones they’ve got on the market right now.

After they left Billy waited until he saw Mr. Weldon walk around a large rock on the bank, then he too went back to the clearing. It looks like Glen’s looking for an explanation to why you grew so big, and strong. Mr. Weldon said with a chuckle.

How did I grow so big, and why?

Sitting back down on the log, Mr. Weldon shook his head. That’s something you’ll have to ask the fairies next summer, but maybe it’s so you can better defend yourself when you leave. And if that is the reason, I believe Glen might be the least of your problems in the future.

Suddenly Billy felt perplexed, and a little afraid. Then after a moment of thought, he looked out over the river. Or maybe it’s to protect the new figures I carve from the likes of Glen.

Maybe, but I don’t want to scare you, but if I were you. I’d not trust any strangers who just might happen to show up during the coming school year. That said Mr. Weldon stood and headed up the trail. Billy looked down at his chips, the hurried up the trail too.

Chapter 4

After Supper, Billy waited until Glen and his crew were busy playing basket ball on the side of the barn. Then he made his way back down to the river, only this time he moved up stream and crossed just below a small water fall to the other side.

He found a comfortable spot between two trees and sitting down on a large flat rock, he began carving. He’d decided to carve the female first, only because when he looked down at the piece of wood he’d brought with him, it looked like it was for a female fairy. From time to time he looked up over the river expecting Glen, or one of his gang to come looking for him.

It was late when he finally headed back to the ranch; he was surprised to find out that all the others were in bed when he entered the bunk house. Confused he stepped