Dakeb Dragon Warrior: Dakeb Dragon Warrior Trilogy, #1

By J. Thiele

Dakeb watched in silence as his mother's body was turned to ashes. Mahalia stood at his side, grasping his hand in hers. She had only ever spoken a few words since the death of Mehad.

"My heart hurts for you," she said. "But as long as we both fill our chests with air, you will never be alone."

"And nor will you, my loyal companion," he responded.

Have you ever wondered if dragons are real?

If they are, then where do they go?

Where do they hide?

This is the beginning of an epic tale about Dragons, Warriors, War Lords, and Heathens.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Bell & Jordin Thiele Inc.
• Release date: Dec 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781386399957

J. Thiele

J. Thiele lives in Brisbane, Australia. She writes in a variety of genres, ranging from paranormal romance, old fashioned who did it – Detective novels and most recently has broadened her scope with the addition of writing horror. She finds writing therapeutic and centring which tends to balance out her energetic personality, and the occasional bout of insomnia. Although she has realised that writing horror at night can raise your blood pressure when you see a movement out of the corner of the eye. It’s all too easy to scare oneself half to death.

Book preview

Chapter 1

In a time long ago there were three kinds of ordinary people, the settler’s, the traveller’s, and the warrior’s. Though many battles were courageously fought between each of these cultures, there was just one common foe – ‘The Hunter.’

The hunter was a man like no other; he did not travel on horseback like the other villager’s, he travelled on the back of a dragon.

The villager’s never stood a chance when the hunters took to the skies. They would swoop down on the unsuspecting farmers and town folk, taking everything in their wake; food, wine, women, even the livestock to feed their scaly counterparts. With so many women being stolen from the common fold and forced to breed with the filthy warriors, Mehad feared for the safety of his own wife and young son. Soon it would be time for him to move his family to a new location in a desperate bid to keep them safe from the hunters and their tyrannical leader Draco.

What troubles you my love? Cora asked Mehad.

A time of great change is upon us. I know not what it is, but I can feel it in the air. He told her as he looked up to the vast blue sky for any sign of their enemies.

What shall we do? she asked him as she tended to their son.

We must move into the woods, the deepest, densest part, where it will be too thick for the dragons to find us from above. he replied.

Has your mind abandoned you? Cora asked in disbelief. It is far too dangerous. Have you forgotten that the witches live in the woods? They will kill us all and grind our bones to cast their wicked spells. At least out here we can see our enemies approaching. She pleaded, We have a chance.

We have no chance! he retorted. What good is it to see our enemies if we cannot defend ourselves against them? he argued.

Mehad, please, listen to reason. I will follow you to the ends of the earth, you know that, but I will not follow you into the woods to become fodder for the witches. Have you not thought this through? What about Dakeb? Have you considered what will become of him?

It is for Dakeb that I do this! Would you rather he sees the claws of a dragon tear his father apart, because he had nowhere to hide, and no weapons to protect himself or his kinfolk? Mehad stood his ground. He is my son! I will do whatever it takes to keep him safe until he is old enough to defend himself. If you will not follow me, you must step aside and let me do what I know is best.

With a heavy heart Cora reluctantly began to gather supplies; flour, seeds, dried meat and anything else she could carry, that would sustain her family until they were settled in the thick brush of the woods.

Mehad caged his chickens then saddled them to the back of a horse. He rolled as many skins and tools as they could cart on the only two horses they had left. He lifted Cora into her saddle and handed their young son to her to nurse along the journey ahead. He roped their last cow to Cora’s horse then climbed into his own saddle to begin the two-day ride to the edge of the woodlands.

Along the way they passed many villages’ that had been attacked by the hunters, and burnt to the ground. No one was left alive. They could smell the rotting flesh of the dead and the carnage was immeasurable. Dwellings were left ablaze and animals were either strewn everywhere dead or were wondering aimlessly in the fields. Mehad knew in his heart that he’d made the right decision for his family.

Suddenly from under the rubble and the depths of despair a voice was could be heard. Help! Please help me!

Mehad leapt from his horse and ran to a man barely alive. Take me with you or end my misery. he begged.

What is your name? Mehad asked.

Jemaah, he replied. My name is Jemaah.

Mehad pulled Jemaah from the rubble. Where are you pained? he asked.

My legs, I fear they are both broken. Jemaah told him.

Mehad began to build a stretcher for the stranger so he could be dragged to safety behind them.

Hurry Mehad! Before the hunters return. Cora urged from her horse.

They will not return my lady. Jemaah assured her. The hunters never return once they have annihilated everything and taken what they want.

Mehad secured Jemaah into the stretcher then climbed back into his saddle. He looked around at the devastation then nudged his horse with his heel and clicked his tongue, urging his steed to move onwards.

They reached the edge of the woods just before nightfall, Mehad set up camp while Cora tended to the strangers injured legs. They would not enter the woods at night, Mehad decided it was too dangerous, and he needed to familiarise himself with his surroundings to keep his family safe.

He sat by the fire chewing on dried meat, We will enter the woods at daylight. he told them.

Are you not afraid of the witches? Jemaah asked.

Are you? Mehad returned the man’s question with one of his own.

I’ve heard stories.

Stories are for children. Mehad snorted. I would gladly confront a witch and fight for my family’s safety, than allow a hunter to take them from me.

Jemaah bowed his head in respect for the man’s commitment to keep his loved ones safe. It was as if there was a hidden familiarity of conviction in Mehad’s plight that he could relate to.

I do not trust him. Cora whispered venomously as she lay beside her husband.

He is injured my love, he can do us no harm. Mehad assured her.

Not with his limbs, but his tongue is not speaking the truth in its entirety. She said, as she sat upright. There is something he is keeping from us, something dangerous.

Mehad reached up to her shoulder pulling her back down beside him, then rolling on top of her, he grumbled. You are thinking too much Cora. Tis I, you need to concentrate on now.

She felt his hardened cock against her flat stomach, so she widened her legs offering her moist pussy to her lover.

Mehad slid his thick rod inside her and began pumping in and out of her cave; Cora lay in silence so the stranger couldn’t hear her as her husband satisfied himself inside her. Though he was silent, she was certain he was wide awake across the other side of the burning embers.

Chapter 2

The sun was peering over the flat horizon from the direction they’d left behind them. Mehad led his family into the woods on foot, treading carefully with every step. He knew the witches were in there somewhere, but no one knew exactly where they were. He didn’t want to trespass on their domain, but he did want to get deep enough to keep his family out of the hunter’s reach.

Cora felt eyes upon her, but sensed it was her son that was the main interest to the voyeur. She held him in close to her and tightened her grip.

They walked for hours until they came upon a small clearing that Mehad decided would make a good place to settle. It was large enough for his animals to graze but too small to be seen by the hunters should they fly overhead. He began to build a hut for his loved ones and pens for his livestock.

Mehad would trap rabbits, foxes and deer for meat and furs while Cora collected nuts and berries, and churned cheese. Jemaah recovered from his injuries but was left with a limp and needed a crutch to move around. He helped by growing crops of corn, potatoes and other vegetables. Everybody actively tended their duties. Once a week Mehad would ride out and trade his goods for fresh