The New World Dragon: Koba's Code

By Christopher A. Willson

An archaeological excavation in southern Idaho unearths the remains of a long extinct species. The scientists working at the site found more than just artifacts and prehistoric bones during their research efforts; they unearthed a dark and foreboding truth.

A sinister darkness has befallen human civilization and now, with the untimely death of the lead archaeologist and several of his closest colleagues, it is up to a small town sheriff and his young deputies to unravel the mystery behind Koba's Code and protect the secrets of the New World Dragon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher A. Willson
• Release date: Jan 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781545555330

Book preview

Chapter One:

The New World Dragon

PALI'NA WATCHED WIDE-eyed from just outside the entrance of her shelter as the world transformed. The warm sun dissolved behind the rolling hills at the edge of the valley and tiny crickets chirped rhythmically among the dewy grasses and just like that, the day turned into another dusky evening and then to a starry, moonless night. The other shelters in the village glowed with warm firelight and Pali'na listened to the voices of her kin resonating throughout the gulley. They spoke with loving expressions in ancient tongues sharing gentle words amongst the other families as they prepared to sleep.

It is time to come in now, Pali'na's mother insisted.

Pali'na didn't argue. She loved to nestle in the soft warm animal hides of her bed and she plopped down excitedly into the pile and closed her eyes, pushing her tiny fingers deep into the fur. By touch, she could distinguish between the deer and the elk hides but her father had returned last fall with new hides -furs from animals that she was less familiar with.

The recently tanned beaver, mink, muskrat, and rock chuck pelts each retained a distinct odor, a pleasant musky smell that was undeniable. She drew the pelts in close letting the soft hairs touch her face. They tickled her nose at first but she sniffed each of the hides in turn. She buried her face deeper into the pile, taking in their pleasant aroma. But then, Pali'na's bedtime ritual was rudely interrupted. Her baby sister, feeling decidedly left out, began to fuss.

Pali'na! her mother said sharply. Pay attention to your sister please.

Swaddled tightly in her papoose, the baby resembled a little doll. With only her tiny face exposed, her big dark eyes spoke for her. An expression of anticipation overtook her face as she watched her sister inch closer across the sea of softness.

Boo! Pali'na popped up. She held a beaver pelt in front of her face and playfully ducked behind it, appearing each time with a different expression. The baby's eyes brightened and they both giggled and played while their mother tidied up for the night.

The flickering firelight graced her mother's face and she beamed happily, warm and safe in the shelter of her home. Pali'na was nearly seven years old, old enough to help her mother with the chores, but it was cold outside and she didn't like doing chores when it was cold, so her mother let her play instead. Besides, keeping the young-one busy was a big help.

Suddenly, Pali'na spied a small mouse scurry in and inspect the shelter. It departed for a moment and then reemerged with its family. Together they found a warm spot in the corner near some wool trade blankets. Pali'na tittered at the sight of the little field mouse shuffling around and tucking the babies into the warm folds, its tiny nose twitching as it prepared the temporary hidey-hole.

The baby yawned a big uncontrollable yawn, the likes of which only seen in such a small child; her whole face participated in the event. Pali'na touched her sister's cheek and the babies suckled on her fingers eventually falling quietly to sleep, content to dream whatever babies dream while sleeping.

Above them the light from the fire danced playfully and Pali'na watched the lambent light and meditative rhythms as the gray smoky wisps rose into the air and escaped from the vent in the peak of the roof. The swirling, churning plume reminded her of a dream.

Mama, do you believe in ghosts? Pali'na asked.

Her mother, surprised by this question, answered as she added more wood to the small fire. A waft of pleasant, sappy attar filled the small shelter as the space brightened. Why yes little one, I guess so. I usually see them when I sleep.

Do you believe in monsters? Pali'na asked next. This time her mother paused and looked curiously at Pali'na. Monsters, little one? she asked.

Yes, like a lizard. A giant one but with huge wings and a long tail and eyes like two big bright summer suns, Pali'na explained.

Oh, that's no monster, her mother said smiling a warm and engaging smile, that sounds like Koba.

Koba? asked Pali'na.

Koba Pai'atay was a great dragon, her mother said with pride. He lived a long time ago, in the time of our ancestors, but he is always with our people in spirit.

What happened to Koba, Mama?

He died, like all things do when their time comes, answered her mother as she checked the shelter door and secured it tightly around the entrance with a long strip of leather. When did you see Koba, baby? she then asked.

I saw k-Koba, in a dream a few nights ago. It was the night that papa left for the hunt. He was friendly, I think.   Pali'na paused, making a funny face -her thinking face. Then her expression turned more serious and her brow stiffened above her bright eyes. But I also see ghosts, Mama, she continued, in the forest sometimes, hiding in the shadows.

Legend says that those are your ancestors, little one. They look over us and so does Koba -they keep us safe, her mother added soothingly.

But I wasn't sleeping when I saw the men in the forest, Pali'na explained.

Men? her mother asked feeling alarmed.

Yes, I think so. Pale men, hidden among the trees.

When? her mother shot back. When did you see these men?

Her mother couldn't hide her concern. Her smile faded and her eyes grew troubled. The firelight presented shadows on her face that were different than before and this startled Pali'na.

I don't know, Mama, last night maybe. Is that bad, Mama?

An ember popped loudly in the fire pit and Pali'na's mother jumped. Pali'na laughed, forgetting her fear for the moment. Her mother smiled in spite of he concern and put her hand over her pounding heart. Her face returned to the kindness of before, offering a reassurance that only a mother can provide to a child.  But then there was another noise, her mother turned sharply toward the sound. This time, the noise came from outside.

The mouse that had found refuge now scurried away with its babies following close behind. There was an eerie silence, like a calm before a crash of thunder, a rumbling, unsettled reticence as Pali'na's mother listened intently at the wall of the shelter. She gestured to Pali'na with her hand, stay down and keep quiet, she whispered.

A blood-curdling scream reverberated across the valley, followed by more cries from the village. The commotion grew louder and more frantic and the sounds drew closer to their shelter. She covered her ears as the desperate screams of her kin filled the night air.

Take your sister, quickly, her mother commanded. Keep her safe and keep her quiet.

Pali'na did as she was told.

Her mother placed her ear against the wall of the shelter. She was tense, purposefully quiet and motionless as she listened. The fire flickered away and the light in the room reduced to a glimmer. Pali'na pulled her sister further under the covers and touched her face gently. She was still sleeping -the noise had not woken her.

Her mother turned toward Pali'na. As she opened her mouth to speak, a hoary metal blade penetrated the wall of the shelter. The blade cut across her mother's arm and she cried out, holding the injury. Another thrust impaled her through the back and the blade burst violently though her chest. Blood spattered across Pali'na's face and she screamed out in horror. The blood pooled in her mother's mouth as she gasped for a breath.

Hide, she wheezed as she fell onto the fire, collapsing the hearth. The sparks and embers were snuffed out beneath her lifeless body as the last waft of smoke swirled around her face.

More slashes of the saber left a gaping hole in the shelter and Pali'na could see fire outside in the darkness, and in the light of that fire, she could see a man, a stranger's face, his eyes barely visible through blood-matted hair. As he turned his gaze toward her, Pali'na burrowed in deeper and remained hidden in the dark.

Mama? she murmured, as she cowered underneath the hides, tears pouring from her once bright and innocent eyes, cascading down her once rosy cheeks, each one disappearing into the darkness. Pali'na flinched at the sound of a loud gunshot, which was followed immediately by a deathly shriek outside. The man's attention was drawn away and she heard him yell, kill them! kill them all! Pali'na knew the white man's word, 'kill'.

Moments later, thick smoke replaced the air around her. The suffocating brume grew more and more potent with each passing moment and she gasped for a breath -her eyes stinging sharply from the toxic smoke and she rubbed them vigorously, but this just made it worse and soon she was blinded by it. Her shelter, her entire world, was now on fire. She burrowed even deeper into the darkness covering her sister with her own body, hoping for reprieve from the attack, but there was no escape.

In a matter of seconds, they were completely buried in the smoldering debris. Her sister had already succumbed to the asphyxiating fumes and the burning timbers fell down on top of them, burning through the animal hides, burning through to her skin. It was fiery hell that consumed everything and she died in the darkness, buried by the very structure built to protect her.

In the fog of war, one might have thought that the ghosts of Pali'na's ancestors had literally risen up in agony as the depths of human kindness forever faded away. The horror was over for Pali'na and all of her kin in the village. No one survived the attack that night. A horrible wickedness had come. The darkness had arrived in the New World.

KOBA PAI'ATAY, THE old Duldess dragon, released Es'ee'wai from the veja'noir, a dream like state, which in dragon speak literally meant, 'to see in the dark.' Koba collapsed to the ground; the burden of this future was too heavy for his ancient heart to bear. The dream he had conjured for the old chief faded and then there was nothing -nothing but blackness, nothing for hope or for courage, just a dark reality of an impending horror that was destined to befall the people of the New World.

Koba spoke softly to Es'ee'wai though the dream.

I am sorry to have shown you this, my brother, he whispered. But this is the future and it cannot be avoided. It is time for you to prepare your people for what is looming on the mist of Mother Earth's dying breath. They are coming, the dragon finished.

Es'ee'wai, the leader for his people lingered in the darkness, between sleep and consciousness as the dragon's voice faded away. The dream was over but the images of fire and death lingered in Es'ee'wai's memory and the dragon's warning resonated in his mind. The brutality of this wickedness frightened him. Sweat poured from his face, mingling with his tears, stinging his eyes. His body shook as he tried to focus in the darkness. He reached out his hand to his granddaughter who slept peacefully in the arms of his eldest son. He found her in the dark and he touched her hair and then her face and he cried for her, and his son, and for all of his people.

The old chief edged from under the blankets and forcefully pushed back the thick hides that covered the entrance of his shelter. As he did this, the first light of day graced his aging face and the frigid air surrounded him stinging his bare skin. From a distance away, Koba watched as Es'ee'wai knelt down in the damp frosty grass by the river. Here he wept openly, lifting his hands to the sky above him.

Sharing in his human brother's pain, the dragon also grieved, the weight of his massive body pushing down on him but it was nothing compared the weight of his broken heart. This was his cross to bear, the burden of veja'noir dul'mortem, dragon speak, for the 'dying dreams.' The old dragon turned his head and he watched the water in the river cascade gently over polished stones. Desperate and vanquished by his heart, he wished for the cool waters of the earth to wash away his pain.

The last days of autumn faded and the arctic winds pushed in from the north tousling the fragile, parched grasses and shrubs that were now vulnerable to the impending winter snow. Small bursts of air rustled the fallen leaves into whimsical circles and a steady rain delivered much needed moisture to the high desert hills. These rains seeped deeply into the rich soils of the earth and the resulting aroma was a bouquet of sweet desert grasses and flaccid wilting flora that happily surrendered its foliage back into the earth's protective fold.

The animals prepared for the coming winter months, rummaging, and foraging, burrowing, and nesting, some already in hibernation by the time the humans, who had summered in the high mountain forests, gathered along the banks of the Great River to make camp for the winter. Hundreds of tributary streams surged into the expansive waterway; the Baa'a'adu, the name given by the local inhabitants, meant the 'Water of the Snake,' and it now flowed freely in its ancient channel. The river provided life to this high desert valley, nourishing the thick stands of Poplar, and Cottonwood, the bulrushes, and sedges, and a variety of edible roots and an assortment of currants and other sweet nourishing berries.

Temperatures were almost freezing in the earliest hours just before the dawn. Es'ee'wai's people had prepared and gathered their supplies -everything they needed to survive the approaching winter. Food stores and wood for cooking fires and warmth were essential and they gathered these in abundance. During the winter months, seeds, and berries, Camas bulbs, dried fish, and smoked game, could be stored almost indefinitely, but collecting these resources and preparing them took energy, and time so, for now, there was little time to rest. This was the time for action.

After some time, Koba joined Es'ee'wai near the bank of the river. There was much to consider now that Koba had shown Es'ee'wai his fate. The future of Es'ee'wai's people was in grave danger and there was much to discuss. Koba could not protect his human brother from what was to come, but Koba was hopeful that someday, a change and a reckoning would come. He knew that there would be a cost -an unimaginable cost-before this would occur. He positioned one wing over the old Indian chief, letting the rain dribble down to his side, and the other he tucked along his body. Like a father to a son, Koba protected Es'ee'wai from the cold rain as the arctic winds whipped around them.

Who will do such horrible things, Koba? Es'ee'wai asked. How can I keep my family safe from such wickedness?

Koba sighed. He had a lot to tell the old chief. He rested his head in the grass next to Es'ee'wai, his breath was warm and his massive chest expanded as he breathed like that of a bellows before the fire.

Long before the written records of human history, he started, in an age of prosperity and enlightenment, there were many dragons like me.

Es'ee'wai shivered as he adjusted his blanket around his aging shoulders. Koba moved in even closer and Es'ee'wai leaned against Koba's warm belly.

Thank you, Koba, Es'ee'wai said.

My kin, Koba continued, along with all of earth's species, witnessed the arrival of the earliest humans into the Old World. That was the home of my earliest ancestors across the great seas to the east. Together, dragons and humans existed together peacefully for thousands of years, enjoying earth's bountiful splendors in the vale of the Baranos Mountains, my home. That is until the Albiet'noir ended the age of dragons, Koba said woefully.

What happened to your kin?

They were purged from time! Koba said forcefully. Now the dragons of old live only in my memory - I am the very last dragon, Es'ee'wai, and soon I will be gone too and I fear that dragons will remain nothing more than old fables and stories."

I am so sorry for you, Koba, Es'ee'wai said placing his hand on Koba's face. My heart hurts for you. I have always wondered from what world you came.

I am afraid that this will be your end too, Es'ee'wai, Koba added. In time, there will be nothing left of your people -the hearts of humankind grows dark once again. This is why I call you into veja'noir more often, so that you can know this truth and prepare your people for what is coming. Humans will suffer greatly in the coming years and the earth will become poisoned by a great sickness. I fear that there will be unimaginable sadness in the human heart for sometime to come.

Why do you tell me this now, Koba? If I cannot stop this from happening, why show me the future?

The earth is growing ill and the people have lost their way and soon there will be the dark earth. We call this the Mond'noir, Koba clarified. Sadly, many humans will perish during this time. Before the arrival of the Mond'noir, there will be more humans on the earth, as many humans as there are stars in the night sky. The lands will be filled with people and the earth will go cold and dark and the humans will be near extinction before it is over.

Koba shifted his weight. He was uncomfortable with this truth. He knew what was coming. He knew what the dark earth meant for humankind and for all species of the earth. He had seen it before.

But some might survive, Koba continued optimistically. I believe that humans will someday remember. They will remember the dragons and they will remember the dragon laws and this is why I tell you this now. The dragons must live on in your stories. They must be protected in the stories of your people and with luck, in a distant future, the dragons will then return to the earth, he said proudly. The humans who do survive, the ones who survive the Mond'noir, they will once again enjoy the ancient ways.

Es'ee'wai remained quiet. He didn't know what to say.

The Albiet'noir will try and keep this truth hidden and it is up to you to make sure that the dragons live on, said Koba as he stretched his great wings.

The shadows grew long the rain subsided. A family of coyotes came out from their burrow and played amongst the sagebrush just across the river. Koba and the chief watched the pups as they bounced around, happy to be out for playtime. Their yips and howls echoed throughout the canyon and Koba and Es'ee'wai both smiled happy to watch them play.

Long before the arrival of humans, Koba continued, before your ancestors came to these lands, the dragons established five basic laws for the protection of all species on the earth. This we called Sing 'Lei and these laws ensured that all of the earth's creatures lived in harmony and in peace, and were kept safe. The laws guided the natural order, so that all creatures could live together in harmony and in balance. The first humans lived by these laws and as the human populations grew in greater numbers, the much-celebrated Clans of Everess were born and like you and your people, they were stewards of the earth and all of her species. They were our greatest allies, Koba added dolefully.

What happened to them? asked Es'ee'wai clearly recognizing the dragon's pain.

In the dark places of the earth, in the Old World, in a place known as Ageny, the Albiet'noir began. It arrived like a sickness -secretive, and greedy, and a group of humans established a stronghold deep in the Baranos Mountains, the place from where I was spawned. At first, the dragons and the Clan of Everess tried to reason with them, and then we tried to negotiate, and when this failed, we fought against them. The greed of the Albiet'noir all but destroyed the lands in the Old World as if everything they touched withered and died. We sought to banish them. Then there was a war. This great conflict lasted a thousand years and it took its toll on the earth and its people, and on the dragons.

We have no wars here Koba, Es'ee'wai said. We are a peaceful people, we are a loving people, and we protect mother earth.

Before the rise of the Albiet'noir, Koba continued, There was no violence and there were no disputes or arguments over possessions or ideas. Humans were selfless, kind, and empathetic, and there was a natural, unlimited gentleness to the human heart. For thousands of years, the dragons and the humans dedicated themselves to the preservation and protection of this earth. Change is coming to your lands, Es'ee'wai. War is coming whether you want it or not. Even the great Clans of Everess faltered, manipulated by power, and wealth, and greed. They abandoned the dragon laws and without our guidance, the humans were lost. Over time the Albiet'noir seized control of all human cultures. Now they will want to take yours too.

Koba turned to look directly at Es'ee'wai, his great dragon eye fixed on the old chief. They will take it from you, one way or another, he added. Don't be fooled. The Albiet'noir are masters of intimidation, manipulation, and deception. In the Old World, the humans became pawns in the maniacal and sinister plans of abhorrence. Soldiers they became, fighting a war for control and domination. Now the Albiet'noir exists in almost every part of the world, enslaving humans with horrendous ideas in a quest for supremacy. Humans claim dominion over the animals, and the lands, and waters of the earth -this is what gives them their power.

Why have you not told me this before, Koba? We have known each other since I was a boy.

Because the Albiet'noir is coming. They have found the unnamed lands. They call it the New World. My time on the earth is coming to an end.

Koba looked up at the sky and he exhaled. I am dying, he finished.

What will become of my people Koba? Will they die in fire too, like the girl in my dream?

Koba turned his head and looked out across the mighty river. He searched for the right words. Koba knew that the people of these lands would suffer greatly, and he hadn't the heart to show Es'ee'wai everything.

In the Old World, humans witnessed the rise and the fall of many great and formidable empires. Many people have come and gone, but the Albiet'noir, measures success by wealth and power. This replaced empathy and kindness in the human heart. The legacy of MEN was born and the Old World was dissected into distinct unnatural territories and all alliances forged between humans were shattered. When they come to these lands they will take you as well.

But my people, we will not be swayed by this. Es'ee'wai responded confidently. Our people are strong and we are kind. We have the dragon laws to guide us.

But they will use this against you. Koba interrupted. They will not see you as human. Pagans and heathens they will call you, and they will not respect your ways. Even the humans who are kind of heart, they will be taught to fear the people of the New World. With thousands of years of dark influence, humans have become selfish, violent, and cruel. Avarice and odium grows in their hearts and this poisons their minds. Deep down, the humans are scared. They fear what they do not know. Koba explained. And they will destroy what they fear.

Koba paused, reflecting on his life. "Dragons are nothing more than myth now and the dragon laws are all but forgotten. Your ways will become a threat to the Albiet'noir because it contradicts their way of life. Your kindness will diminish their power. If humans learn that you live by the dragon laws again, this will strike fear in the dark powers and they will kill you to protect