Dragonbound X: A New Day: Dragonbound, #10

By Rebecca Shelley

Twisted and scarred by his encounter with Khalid, Devaj seeks a new life hiding as a human minstrel in Navgarod, but his past pursues him. Hated and hunted, Devaj faces powerful forces bent on his destruction and the annihilation of the royal line. Epic Fantasy at its finest. Dragonbound X: A New Day inspires a new generation of dragon fans to live lives of courage and hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Shelley
• Release date: Nov 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536525472

Rebecca Shelley

Rebecca Shelley writes a wide variety of books—everything from picture books to spy thrillers.She especially likes to write about fantasy creatures such as dragons and fairies.Her children’s books are written under the Rebecca Shelley name.Her thrillers and other books for adults are written under the R. L. Tyler pen name.She also has two books out under the R. D. Henham pen name—Red Dragon Codex and Brass Dragon Codex.

Book preview

Dragonbound X: A New Day

Rebecca Shelley

Copyright © 2016 Rebecca Shelley

Published by Wonder Realms Books

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any print or electronic form without permission.

All characters, places, and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual places or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover art © Algol | Dreamstime.com

Books in the Dragonbound Series

Dragonbound: Blue Dragon

Dragonbound II: White Dragon

Dragonbound III: Copper Dragon

Dragonbound IV: Red Dragon

Dragonbound V: Silver Dragon

Dragonbound VI: Green Dragon

Dragonbound VII: Gold Dragon

Dragonbound VIII: Black Dragon

Dragonbound IX: Great Blue Liberator

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Map

Foreword

That’s the irony of it, Your Majesty. We think the way everything is right now is so permanent, that things can’t possibly change for the better. But the world always changes. The sun always sets and rises. The rain always washes away what was and leaves new earth for us to write on. I’m just pointing out that even though the worst possible thing we could ever imagine has happened, in our own lifetime no less, it’s not the end. It’s only the beginning of our search for a new day.

                                                        —Bensharie

Chapter One

Devaj paced his chambers from the wide open window, past Elkatran who sat motionless on his mound of pillows, to the human bed near the door, past his desk and Elkatran’s, pausing to run his fingers over the silk strings of his swarabat. He’d not learned to play it in Daro where he’d trained only as a dragon hunter, but when he’d come to Kundiland, Elkatran had taught him to pluck the strings to play the soothing music like the sound of the beat of dragon wings. He glanced over at Elkatran with his eyes and his mind. His eyes reassured him his friend was sitting there, but his mind came up blank. Elkatran was still gone, despite all of Amar’s and Kanvar’s efforts to change it.

Devaj’s hand jerked, plucking a discordant note from the instrument. Elkatran did not react.

Where are you? Devaj wanted to shout. Why won’t you come back to me? Amar had poured the memories of everyone still living that had known Elkatran into his empty mind, to no effect. Kanvar had spent countless hours and days using all his power and that of Akshara’s dragonstone attempting to find Elkatran and call him back. Kanvar’s final analysis had been gloomy.

I can’t reach him, Devaj. With the others there was a thick wall I had to break through to reach them. I find no such wall in Elkatran’s mind. Sometimes I think I can almost sense him, like something out of the corner of my eye, but when I turn, he vanishes, like he’s there but he’s hiding and does not want to be found.

Devaj shook his head and finished the circuit of the room back to the window. The smell of wet greenery lifted on the air from the jungle below. How he’d loved that smell when he’d first come to Kundiland. It was the smell of life and beauty and hope, as opposed to the dusty hot scent of sweat and humanity clustered too close together in Daro. So primitive, so squalid, it was an affront to civilized men that people would live that way. Devaj caught his breath. Was that how he thought about Daro, or had that been one of Khalid’s opinions? The thoughts and feelings were too deeply intertwined for him to pluck them loose from one another. He checked his shields to be sure no one at the palace or in the jungle village could have overheard him. They would hate him if they ever found out so much of him still belonged to Khalid even though Khalid’s spirit was safely locked away in an iron coffin hidden and guarded by the Great Blue dragon pride.

Safely locked away. Devaj let out a rough bark of laughter, and his eyes stung. He could free Khalid in less than a heartbeat if he stepped into the waters of Stonefountain. No iron box that housed the singing stones had kept him from summoning every one of them back to their home. No iron coffin could hold Khalid if Devaj chose to call him back to freedom. No wonder Elkatran was choosing to remain elusive.

Good evening, Devaj, Bensharie said as he swept into the room carrying a steaming roast platter for Elkatran’s dinner.

Devaj jumped and closed the shields even tighter around his own mind.

I wish you wouldn’t do that, Bensharie said to Devaj as he set the tray on a table beside Elkatran’s nest. It’s spooky enough not being able to feel Elkatran’s mind. You know I’m not going to hurt you. Even if you weren’t shielding your mind, I wouldn’t interfere with it.

Devaj could think of nothing to say in response, so he remained quiet.

Kanvar and Tana are up from the village. You should join us for dinner.

Devaj waved Bensharie away. I’m not hungry.

Bensharie remained standing by the table. I don’t know whether to be excited that you just talked to me or frustrated that you still won’t eat like you should.

Just leave me alone, Devaj thought, but didn’t project those words so Bensharie could hear them. He stared at his father’s dragon without further answer for a moment. Bensharie was only about half the size of Elkatran, yet Bensharie seemed to loom over the room, a spear of bright sunshine, casting shadows on those around him.

Bensharie took a step toward him and lifted a foreclaw. Devaj, no one here is going to hurt you. I promise. We are your family, and we will keep you safe.

Devaj winced. He had no fear for his own safety. The memory of forcing Rajahansa’s claw into Parmver’s chest raked through Devaj. The cruel joy he’d felt in torturing Aadi. The sight of the men he had beheaded. The feel of the ones whose minds he had shredded and forced to his will. He closed his eyes to try to push the brutal thoughts from his mind, and that only spread the warm prickle of rapturous joy at hurting others through his body. He gasped and turned away from Bensharie, shaking.

Hey, Brother. Kanvar limped into the room.

Devaj jerked backward and nearly fell, but Bensharie caught him and set him on his feet. It’s not one of his better days, I’m afraid, Bensharie said to Kanvar.

I’ve had better days? Devaj thought to himself. I can’t remember any.

Kanvar grinned as if that would make Devaj feel better. Guess what. Dharanidhar has found a new mate. They and some of the younger blue dragons are going to start a new pride here on the coast where they used to nest before the Maranies came.

Devaj forced himself to smile. I’m sure they will be very happy.

Bellori has fixed the most amazing meal for us. Come on. Kanvar grabbed Devaj’s arm and tried to pull him toward the door.

Devaj held his ground and removed Kanvar’s hand from his arm. No thank you. I’m going to stay here and make sure Elkatran eats. I’ll share his food. There is plenty.

Kanvar stepped back. Father says you’ve refused to leave your room since I gave up trying to find Elkatran. I can try again if you like, but I really think he will come back when he’s ready to and not before.

Elkatran knows what I am, Devaj thought. He will never return. Devaj’s shields were as thick as he could make them, but he still feared Kanvar would hear him. I should have been the one in the iron coffin, he thought. It should have been me. I know you’ve done everything you can, Devaj said aloud. I just need to stay here with him, just in case he comes back. Tell father I’m sorry. You’ll have to dine without me.

Kanvar frowned.

Had he heard Devaj’s secret thoughts? Devaj shuddered and hurried to Elkatran’s side, leaning against his silent dragon for support.

We could all come in here for dinner, Bensharie said. Perhaps being around friends and family would help Elkatran find his way back.

Devaj shook his head. That would be too many people. Too many eyes on him. Too many minds that could see into the blackness of his heart. No. Just leave us alone. Please. The rise and fall of Elkatran’s breath and the slick scent of gold wrapped around Devaj. Hide me, Elkatran, he thought. Hide me. Elkatran settled to the ground and spread his wing down over Devaj. It was not a conscious move on Elkatran’s part. As always, he did exactly as he was told without thinking about it. Devaj could only get him to eat and fly and sleep the same way, with a direct order.

Fine, Kanvar said. But I’m coming back to visit with you after dinner. I worked too hard to save you for you to shut me out of your life. His twisted left foot scuffled against the floor as he limped out, followed by Bensharie.

Devaj released his breath and crawled from under Elkatran’s wing. They ate the roast together. Then Devaj washed his hands and returned to the window. We have to get out of here, he told Elkatran. We can’t stay, but where can we go? His mind turned to Stonefountain and Khalid. The beautiful city, his city, his palace, his throne. Mine, Devaj whispered. I was a king. I had servants. Servants to serve my servants. I had everything. I ruled the world, every last little part of it. If I brought Khalid back, I could be king again.

Elkatran let out a quiet moan.

Devaj whirled to face him. It was the first sound Elkatran had made since Khalid had destroyed his mind. Elkatran? He searched for Elkatran’s mind but found only the familiar blankness.

So, not Stonefountain then? You’re right. That’s a bad idea. The worst possible thing to do. I’m sorry. But where? Where can I hide? His eyes alighted on the swarabat. If I cut my hair and dye it black, if I go to Navgarod where only the guardsmen who came to Stonefountain would know me, I could avoid them; I could dress like a human and live with the humans as a traveling minstrel. I’d keep my mind shielded. No one would know I was once the tyrant king. We could start over again, Elkatran. We could be better this time.

Elkatran lay unmoving in his nest, and Devaj’s plan crumbled. Elkatran could not take care of himself, and no human minstrel would have an empty-minded Great Gold dragon with him. If Devaj wanted to start over, he’d have to leave Elkatran behind. He couldn’t do that. Besides, if he left Elkatran, he would have no way to fly to Navgarod. Khalid’s memories swirled to the surface of Devaj’s mind. There are physicians in Aesir who may know how to help Elkatran. Devaj caught hold on that idea. The Nagas of Aesir could probably do what Kanvar and Amar could not. And even if they couldn’t, Theodoric would care for and protect Elkatran. Devaj could leave him in Theodoric’s care, run away, and hide. Perhaps if Devaj left Elkatran alone, Elkatran might feel safe enough to come back to himself.

It’s the best chance you have, Devaj said, running a reassuring hand down Elkatran’s chest. He went to his swarabat, lifted it by the back strap, and eased it over his shoulder. Fly me to Aesir, Elkatran, please. Take me to Theodoric.

His mind still blank, Elkatran leaned down so Devaj could climb onto his neck, then launched himself out the window.

Rabbit stood on the hillside behind the farm in the misty coolness before sunrise. The fog spread water droplets along the rows of granite headstones. The weeds rustled as small lesser dragons skittered into hiding before daylight caught them out. Rabbit knelt beside the newest mound and pressed his right hook—he had no hands—against the lush grass that had grown over the grave in the last few months. A shiver wracked his body, followed by a flash of heat. He’d been hot now for a week, though he’d hidden it from the other children of Lonely Farm. Rabbit’s foster father had not been so easy to fool. He knew the signs of coming death all too well and had shepherded nine children to their graves on the hillside already in Rabbit’s lifetime.

I guess it’s over, Will, Rabbit said to his friend who had preceded him in death. You knew I wouldn’t be too far behind you.

A twig snapped behind Rabbit. He jumped to his feet and turned. Ernest, the man he called father, took off his ragged hat, crushing it in his calloused farmer’s hands. Are you in pain, Rabbit?

Rabbit swallowed hard and shook his head. Not too much. Not yet.

Ernest nodded. The fog accented his wrinkles and grave eyes. Have you told the others?

No. The word jumped too sudden and shrill from Rabbit’s throat and seemed to set the fog swirling back toward the bunkhouse where the other children were starting to wake. Rabbit shivered again. I-I don’t want them to see me die. It’s too hard.

There is no way to avoid death, Ernest said. The only thing you can control at this point is when and in what manner you pass on.

I’m not ready. Again Rabbit’s words rang out too abruptly for the solemn quiet of the morning and the inevitable silence of the graves around him.

You still have some time. A week or two, three maybe if you can stand the pain that long. I’ll prepare the snakelily for you . . . when you’re ready. You don’t need to suffer. Ernest looked over his shoulder toward the big house. They don’t have to see you die, Rabbit. We can do it in private after you say goodbye.

Rabbit lifted his hooks in front of his face. He had been born with no hands and spent much of his life unable to dress or feed himself. When he’d grown big enough to not hurt himself with them, Ernest had forged him the hooks. They attached to his wrists with a cushioned piece and leather straps that fit tightly along his arms and over his shoulders. The hooks were three-pronged and Rabbit had eventually learned to maneuver his clothes on by himself, though fastening his pants still took him a laughable amount of time. He could spear his food with the prongs or use both sets together to try to lift it to his mouth. Most of the time he didn’t bother making a fool of himself with that and simply lapped water from a bowl and ate food from his plate the way the drapigs did. The only things he was really good at were climbing and weeding. No one at Lonely Farm could take down furrows of weeds as fast as he could with his hooks.

Water condensed on the metal prongs as he twisted them in front of his face. Why? His voice was still rough though he kept it to a hoarse whisper this time.

Ernest sighed and pressed his hat back onto his head. I don’t know. It just happens sometimes with the Nagas. We can’t change what you are, Rabbit.

Just because my body is weak, doesn’t mean my mind has to be. I might be as powerful as any other Naga if I were allowed to bond. You don’t know; I could be. It’s not fair. Rabbit knew he sounded whiny. He couldn’t help it. He and Will had discussed this topic over and over again during the long nights just before Will’s death. Rabbit knew what Ernest’s answer would be before he spoke it, having heard it through Will already.

You cannot bond, Rabbit. Ernest’s voice grew sharp. "Think what it would do to the dragon. It would be the same as if you chopped its hands off yourself. Like chopping my hands off. Could you really do that to another person?"

Rabbit dropped his hooks to his side and stared at the ground. It’s not fair, he repeated in a low mutter. His heart beat against the hollow emptiness in his chest. He was alone and empty and dying. The snakelily would bring a quick end to the pain. The brutal torture of the fever had twisted Will through night after night of agony. In the end, Will had taken what Ernest had offered and been glad of it. Rabbit would have held his hand as he faded away if only Rabbit had hands to do that.

Rabbit scuffed the grass with his foot. At least he had feet. He could stand and walk and run and climb; he was better off than some, and he’d been grateful for that. Maybe tomorrow, he said, keeping his head down. I need at least one more day to say goodbye.

Ernest squeezed his shoulder and walked away toward the bunkhouse, leaving Rabbit alone with all the deformed Naga children who had died before him. I don’t want to die, Rabbit told Will as soon as Ernest was out of earshot. I don’t know how I’m going to survive this fever, but I’m going to find a way. There has to be some medicine or magic somewhere that will keep me alive. He walked to the back of the headstone and hooked up the leather pack he’d dropped there when he’d stopped to talk to Will. Shrugging it over his shoulders, he started up the hill away from the farm. Lonely Farm was situated in a small mountain valley far from any town. Ernest and the children grew their own food and stayed away from everyone, knowing if any of the Nagas found them, they would all be put to death.

Will’s voice seemed to follow him up the mountain from his grave. Rabbit, if the Nagas catch you, they will find out about Lonely Farm from your mind. You will be the death of everyone you love.

Rabbit pivoted back to face his dead friend. What does it matter? They’re all going to die anyway unless I find a way to save them.

Chapter Two

Fly high, Devaj told Elkatran. The sun will set soon, and we don’t want to be down too close to the mountains. Elkatran spiraled upward, riding the last rays of the setting sun into the cold thin air above Kundiland. Then, unprompted by Devaj, he turned westward, choosing the path away from Stonefountain to the other side of the world, the shortest route, and also the safest, the route Devaj had intended to go, but had not verbalized other than agreeing with Elkatran that they would not go to Stonefountain. The path to the east could lead them to Stonefountain and a different fate. In his mind’s eye Devaj stood once again at the window of the palace at Stonefountain and watched the human armies marshal against him. The humans hated him; what did he care? But those humans were lead by his closest friends and family—his father, his grandfather, his brother—they had all rallied against him, all come to kill him. A rush of anger came over him. He would crush them. He had no need for family and friends.

Elkatran faltered, stopped flapping, and dropped toward the ground.

Fly, Devaj ordered. Elkatran, fly!

Slowly, as if Elkatran had little strength left for movement, his wings unfurled and once more caught the wind, stopping their descent.

Elkatran? Devaj felt for his friend’s mind, searching, hoping, but as always he felt nothing. I know you’re in there, he told Elkatran, and I know you don’t want to talk to me. You hate me. I understand. I hate me too. But I don’t know how to change what I’ve become. Devaj shivered as the sun sank below the horizon and the air grew even colder.  It occurred to him he’d run off prematurely. He imagined his grandfather, Kumar Raza’s, scowl and reprimand for going on a hunt unprepared without the right clothes, food, bedding, and weapons. He eased his swarabat around to stroke the strings almost in defiance. I am not a hunter.

He imagined Kumar Raza’s answer. Hunter or not you will end up dead if you set out unprepared on an expedition like this.

A wild laugh burst from Devaj’s throat, and tears stung his eyes. He spread his arms into the wind of Elkatran’s flight and summoned Khalid’s royal cloak. The thick gold cloak was stitched with the image of Stonefountain on the back. Each drop of water in the spray of the fountain was a diamond. White fur edged the cloak. It settled onto his shoulders already clasped in place. He pulled it closed around him to block out the wind. You see, Grandfather, he spoke the bitter words aloud. I am not a dragon hunter. I am a king.

Elkatran did not falter again but flew on smoothly as the stars appeared and the moon rose, lighting the tops of the mountains below them. The mountains gave way to lower slopes where jungle trees flourished. On the horizon, moonbeam-licked waves appeared. As they drew close to the coast, Devaj realized Elkatran’s flight had been on a course they had flown many times before. Firelight flickered from the new village near the beach. Devaj had lost count of the number of times he and Elkatran had flown across the mountains to deliver the jungle villagers to the safety of their new home. Kanvar had said most had returned to their old village in the trees now that the threat of war had passed. But some, it seemed, had stayed behind on the west coast.

Elkatran’s speed slacked and he turned toward the village out of habit, but he did not descend until Devaj gave him the command to do so. They had flown far already, and it was nighttime. They would need rest before they set off across the water. It seemed like a good place to land, at least Devaj hoped it would be. He couldn’t be sure what the villagers’ reception of him would be. He had last been with them as a friend who had worked to save their lives. But surely they had been told of his actions afterward, how he’d freed Khalid, summoned the singing stones, and enslaved the entire human world. The villagers could not be wholly ignorant of who he was and what he’d done.

Land on the beach away from the village, he told Elkatran. I’d prefer to avoid talking to them if I can.

Elkatran complied, but once again thoughts of Kumar Raza haunted Devaj. Yes, you can summon a cloak, but what about food and water? Devaj knew from Khalid’s experience that he could summon water if necessary, but food tended to decay in the process and often would be inedible—fruits and meats worse than breads. All right, Grandfather, you win, Devaj snapped. I’ll get supplies from the villagers in the morning.

In Devaj’s imagination Kumar Raza chuckled and his eyes twinkled with a familiar good humor. Then the twinkle vanished to be replaced by a murderous look. Kumar Raza leading the army to destroy Devaj. Devaj jerked with the pain of the two crossbow bolts that had struck Lord Jesson killing him. Kumar Raza had killed him, and there was no mercy in Kumar Raza’s eyes when he’d done it. No mercy, and why should there be? Khalid in Jesson’s body had just forced a thousand humans to brutally murder their loved ones. And then Khalid had returned to Devaj after Jesson’s death, returned with a murderous rage and the memories. Devaj moaned, slid off Elkatran’s back and crumpled into the sand. If only he could send his own mind as far away as Elkatran’s. But he couldn’t. He was trapped with the memories and the horror and the pain.

Several hours later, in the deepest torment of the night, the heavy flap of dragon wings sounded above Devaj. He rolled over and stared up at the bulky shadow outlined by the moonlight above him. Dharanidhar circled once and then settled into the sand beside Elkatran. Devaj tried to curl into a ball to shut his brother out, but couldn’t muster the strength to do more than make sure his mind was still shielded. His shields remained strong and had never faltered. How had Kanvar found him?

Devaj? Kanvar let Dharanidhar set him on the ground. I’ve been looking for you for hours. Bensharie and Amar are searching for you at the jungle village and Maran Colony, and I’ve been out everywhere else. I didn’t know where you’d gone until I caught sight of you through the eyes of one of the leatherwings above the jungle over here. He limped to Devaj and knelt down beside him. Devaj? he repeated.

Devaj stared up at his brother but could not bring himself to answer.

Devaj? Kanvar brushed his fingertips across Devaj’s forehead and came up against his shields. His hand dropped to the elaborate gold clasp of Khalid’s cloak. Dharanidhar rumbled and his dragonstone flashed in conversation with Kanvar, but Devaj made no attempt to hear what they said to each other. Dharanidhar unclasped the shield with Akshara’s dragonstone from the chain around his neck and handed it down to Kanvar. The dragonstone glowed with a blue light when Kanvar took it in hand.

Devaj sprang to his feet, heart racing. The king’s sword appeared unsheathed in his hand, summoned reflexively to his defense. Devaj set his stance and brought the sword up in position.

Dharanidhar roared, and terror shivered through Devaj. His brother had returned to finish the job, to kill him. Even with the sword, Devaj knew he was no match for Kanvar and Dharanidhar together. He swallowed hard, and his vision blurred with unshed tears.

Khalid? Kanvar’s voice was rough, unsure. With Devaj’s shields up, Kanvar could not know whom he faced. The fire in Akshara’s dragonstone grew intense, lighting the beach around them. Dharanidhar sucked in a deep breath, stoking his own flames.

Devaj shook his head. Kanvar, please, don’t kill me. I didn’t mean to do it. I didn’t want to hurt anyone.

Kanvar’s eyes darted toward the village and then back to Devaj. Have you hurt anyone . . . recently?

Devaj’s heart tumbled into his feet. He’d tried so hard to keep his brother from seeing what he’d become, but it had only made things worse. How could Kanvar even for a moment think he would have harmed any of the villagers? He and Elkatran had worked so hard to save them. Curse the darkness, curse Khalid. The villagers are safe, Devaj managed to say in a hoarse whisper. I haven’t gone near them. His hand shook on the sword, and he let it drop to the ground. He could never use it against his brother. He would have to stand passively and let Kanvar finish what he had started at Stonefountain.

Devaj, where is Khalid? Is he with you? Kanvar’s voice was cold as stone.

Devaj grunted and stumbled backward as if Kanvar had hit him. All was lost. He could not lie to Kanvar. He could not hide the truth any longer. Yes, but you don’t understand.

How did you get him out of the coffin? Kanvar readied the shield and took a step toward him.

Please, Devaj lifted his hands in supplication and backed away. I haven’t called his spirit from the coffin. I could . . . but I haven’t. I swear.

You could? How? Kanvar said. Dharanidhar’s tail slid around behind Devaj, blocking his retreat.

I could summon him from Stonefountain like we did the singing stones. But I didn’t. It doesn’t matter if his spirit is with me or not.

He can still talk to you? Still control you? The cold moonlight glinted in Kanvar’s eyes.

Devaj shook his head, struggling to think of what to say that would make any sense. His thoughts just tangled into tighter knots and refused to form into a coherent explanation.

Kanvar took another step toward him, bringing Akshara’s dragonstone uncomfortably close. If he does not control you, then drop your shields and let me see into your mind.

A last thin wisp of hope slipped away from Devaj. It didn’t matter what anyone else in the world thought of him, only Kanvar. Was that too much to wish for that at least his own brother would still love him? But he knew Kanvar would not. When he saw the truth, he would hate him just as much as Elkatran did. Kanvar would either