Earth Dragons: The Dragon Master Series, #3

By Vicki Shankwitz and Megan Pitts

Twenty years after the battle on Earth, Skye, Phrena Jailynn, and their families were fully entrenched in life on Corux. Suddenly, one of the ancient portals sounded, but it had been magically sealed hundreds of years before. And now three of the children are missing. What was going on?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vicki Shankwitz
• Release date: Oct 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386097358

Vicki Shankwitz

Born in Southern California, Vicki loved adventures whether they were real or in books. Retiring early, she and her husband traveled the country full-time for five years in an RV. During their travels, she caught the writing bug. Always having a love for science fiction and fantasy, Vicki started writing about dragons before branching into children’s books. Now settled on the Gulf Coast, she can write full-time and spend time with her family. Author of the award winning Grimbies of Agowadi, The Dragon Master Series and for kids, The Habitat Series: Goodnight, Gecko; Hello, Dolphin; and Peekaboo, Polar Bear.

Book preview

Prologue

Skye, Jailynn, and Phrena – seventeen-year-old girls – attended high school at Hirkami Castle in central Massachusetts. Hirkami Castle is an exclusive private school for wealthy students, which had been converted from a castle built in the middle ages. There, they befriended like-aged boys Blake, Rubin, and Ethan.

Unknown to anyone but Blake and Rubin, the three girls often spent their spare time exploring unoccupied—and often restricted—parts of Hirkami Castle. On one such adventure, the three happened upon a room which appeared to be a historical archive of the castle. There, Skye found a golden medallion engraved with a dragon’s head, which she pocketed. Later, when she held the medallion, a dragon mark—much like a tattoo—appeared on her wrist; it was not like the dragon on the face of the medallion, but that of a dragon in a circle as if to eat its own tail.

Sometime later, the three girls were unwittingly transported through a magic portal to the land of Corux—a parallel world to Earth, and a world of ancient ways. It was a land filled with magic, mages, and royalty.

This journey led them on a quest of a lifetime which changed them and their families forever.

Part One

The Red Mages

Seven Years After

the Battle of the Dragons

1

The sandcastle grew under the skilled hands of Falin, the three-year-old child who laid on the sand. Building towers and castles, he used the hard-packed sand to create his huge kingdom. With his plastic dragon and men sitting nearby, he created a building fit for a king. The dragon and knights would soon defend the castle against anything that tried to attack it.

Suddenly, a large shadow fell across the castle. A dragon, with green and blue scales sparkling in the sun’s light, swooped over the castle. In response, the dragon that had just minutes ago laid quietly in the sand, sprang up in the young boy’s hand and attacked the sparkling dragon. The two dragons fought, crashing into each other until the boy was laughing too hard to continue.

His father, Reydin asked, Well, what kind of dragon rider will you make if you can’t battle without laughing?

The boy, not knowing what to say, sat silently. Then Reydin picked up his son and threw him in the air. You will make a fine rider one day.

Catching the boy, Reydin took him in his arms and started to tickle him. This was how they played many afternoons when Falin returned from preschool. There was a closeness between the two that one would never have expected.

Falin was an average-sized child and looked much like his father. However, like his mother, Falin had a soft side that was slowly wearing down the seriousness in Reydin’s manner. They both loved him as no one had before, and as each year passed, he became kinder and less gruff.

Alright, now. Clean yourself up, and see if your mother needs help at the store, Reydin said as he ruffled the light-brown hair on Falin’s head.

Yes, Dad, Falin replied as he brushed off his clothes. Collecting his toys, he ran for the store.

Arriving inside he saw his mother.

Rose asked, Falin, what’s with you today?

We played dragons and castles, the excited child replied.

Well, you’d better be careful. Your father is a grand dragon rider. You will need lots of knights and dragons to keep your castle safe. Now, get yourself a drink. Then I need you to go to the back room and smash the boxes by the back door. I need them crushed before putting them in the trash. Maybe when you are finished, you’ll find a box of dragons and knights around here to help you against the powerful daddy dragon rider! Rose said as she smiled.

Alright, Mama, Falin said excitedly before running off to the back of the store.

When he left, Rose went back to work bottling her herbs and teas. Finishing quickly, she then straightened the packages of soups mixes and she shook her head happily. She was glad that her husband and son had bonded so well.

Rose and Reydin had met about many years before at an herb store in another part of the Washington D.C. area. He seemed so nice and knew a lot about herbs and their uses. They dated for about a year before he asked her to marry him. She agreed. Within the next year, she became pregnant. She was so excited as she had always wanted a child. He had never liked children but had allowed the baby to be born. And then he changed. Rose knew that the sight of the child would soften his heart, but she hadn’t realized that her calm, easy-going way had melted it as well.

Over the years, his temper had decreased. He had never been harsh towards her but had an anger towards others that would frighten her at times. Now, the only time he truly got angry was when several odd men came to visit. They were men whom Reydin said he knew from his old life. He had lived far away, or something, as he was vague about the details at first. The men always talked for about half an hour before they stomped out, and afterward, Reydin was usually in an unpleasant mood.

The men looked like Reydin, meaning that they looked out of place and uncomfortable in their clothes and their surroundings. Rose knew that Reydin had been born in an area very different than where they lived now. It sounded like an amazing place, so sparkly and clean.

Just then Reydin entered the store. He asked, Did Falin come in to help?

Falin is helping me with the boxes in the back room. Don’t worry. He will get his box of dragons when he is done, she said. Then changing the subject, she remarked, Look at these new oils that arrived. I think our customers will love them, don’t you?

Looking at the bottles, he said, Yes, they should work out well.

In the back room, Falin jumped up and down on the boxes. He was looking forward to once again playing dragons with his dad.

2

Falin studied his father from behind the tree, attempting to stay unseen and unheard. His seriousness and concentration were uncommon for a four-year-old child. Knowing how his father felt about spies, Falin dared not move a muscle, even though his calves were starting to ache from the tenseness. Slowly moving the light-brown hair from his hazel eyes, Falin saw what few kids ever saw.

Reydin was tall and slightly muscular. Falin appeared to be a smaller version of his father with the same finely chiseled nose, chin, and small, serious mouth. Watching his father, Falin saw him raise his hands, and with the use of magic, lift the plywood sheet off the ground and into place on the wall. Taking the hammer, Reydin nailed the wood into place and moved on to the next board. Of course, Reydin could have done the same work with the help of another, but he would much rather work alone.

Not understanding what magic was, or what the dark arts were, Falin only loved to watch his father perform these strange and amazing things while waving his hands. This was a part of his life which he couldn’t wait to try out, even though he was presently incapable of performing any magic himself.

Feeling something behind him, Reydin quickly spun around and searched the area behind him with his magic. Falin stood still and tried to hold his breath, but Reydin’s magic could still sense someone standing there. Quickly, anger welled up in Reydin until he realized it was Falin.

Falin, you know you are not to spy on me! Come here! Reydin reprimanded, his anger slowly subsiding. Now more under control, he continued, If you want to watch, you must ask.

I know; I’m sorry. I like to watch you work when you do magic...., Falin said seriously.

I know you do, Falin, but some magic can hurt people and I do not want to hurt you. You cannot sneak up on me as I could have killed, or badly injured you. Reydin replied softly to his son.

Falin bowed his head. I know, Dad. I’m sorry. I will ask next time.

You know that magic is our secret. You can talk about magic with only your mother and me. Many people are... scared of magic, and we do not want to frighten people, do we? Reydin replied earnestly, trying to make sure his son understood the seriousness of magic.

No, Dad, Falin replied.

Alright, now off you go, Reydin said as he patted his son on his back.

Can I watch you work, Dad? Falin asked happily.

Did you get all your chores and lessons done? Reydin asked.

Yes, sir, Falin answered.

Alright, you may watch a few minutes until your mother needs you, Reydin answered.

Falin watched his father work, waving his own hands to copy his father. Nothing happened with Falin’s waving, no matter how hard he tried. He had hoped that he too could do magic to make his father proud of him, but so far there was not even a spark of movement, or a tingle of magic within him. This was the part of his life that he could not wait to try out.

■ ■ ■

Day after day, Falin grew. He loved preschool and had made many friends. Of average build and height, he did not stick out in his class of four-year-old’s, except for his ability to make friends and quickness in learning. He did not need to seek friends; they seemed to flock to him. At school, he would do his assignments, like a sponge soaking up knowledge and devouring as many books as he could. He was an above average learner and could read simple books on his own.

When done with his work, he would head to the blocks or puzzles. He liked the way the puzzles had an orderliness about them. With the blocks, he enjoyed creating what he imagined.

After school, Falin helped his parents work in the herb garden and learned about the different plants. He loved to feel the dirt between his fingers and dug his hands deep into the soil.

Falin, what are you doing? Rose asked her son. You are supposed to pull the weeds, not just play in the dirt.

Mom, the dirt feels funny on my fingers. Falin tried to explain.

Does it feel wet or sticky? Rose asked him, curious about what he was feeling.

Oh no! My hands... tickle. Like bugs are crawling on them, Falin replied with a small laugh.

Tickles? Well, maybe there are bugs in there, Stopping for a moment she thought about what he was saying. Then Rose continued, Maybe you are starting to feel the awakening of your magic like your father has. Could it be that Red Mages feel funny things when they play in the dirt?! Trying to tease with him, she had not realized how close to the truth she was.

What is a Red Mage? Falin asked in confusion.

It is someone who does magic, like your father, Rose replied. Now, we’d better get to work or these herbs will never get weeded.

But why is the magic red? I like green, Falin stated as he worked alongside his mother.

Well, I am sure there are other colors, but your father’s magic is red. He will explain it to you one day when you are older, Rose stated proudly.

3

Ayear later, Falin entered Miss Gray’s kindergarten class. The class had the regular curriculum with reading, writing, math, science, history, speaking, listening, and art. Students were often in small groups with parent helpers or teacher’s aides. It was a class made up of twenty students evenly divided between girls and boys. As usual, there was the mix of shy and outgoing kids, varied intelligence, those that wanted to learn, and those that would much rather play.

Miss Gray was young, had blonde hair and green eyes, and average looks. What she lacked in height and build, she made up for in enthusiasm and kindness. She loved the children, and they loved her back. It was a fun classroom, and the kids knew that if they behaved, they would have extra free time. Miss Gray did everything she could to have an orderly class, and this year she seemed to have everything working out well for her.

However, as the year progressed, she noticed one thing. As usual, there were several small groups scattered throughout the room at playtime. The odd thing was the two main groups gathered across the room from each other, with Falin in the center of one and the class bully, Mark, in the center of the other.

As Miss Gray watched, she could see two interesting things. Falin’s group was laughing and playing imaginative games with the blocks and puzzles. It was not that they were disruptive or disrespectful; they appeared to be having a fun time with all the group’s children participating. On the other hand, Mark’s group seemed quiet and many times would stare over at Falin’s group. Only one child in that group seemed to be touching the blocks and that was Mark. He wasn't so much as playing with them but guarding them.

Later that day, Falin had finished with his work and had gone to play with the blocks. He was making a castle, and a few of his friends came over to watch. Soon, Mark finished and walked toward Falin. Miss Gray was busy helping a student, and her back was to the kids. Mark walked up to Falin’s table and took a swing at the castle. Falin blocked the swing with his hand, but without realizing it, also threw magic toward Mark. He fell backward several feet and started to cry.

Miss Gray’s head snapped up, and she gazed at the boys. Mark, what happened? Are you OK?

Mark stood up and stopped crying. "He hit me. I didn’t do