Aaron & Keja: Orgarlan Saga, #1

By Linda Nelson

The Elven Sorcerer, Lord Ky'debaul wants to kill a silver dragon to restore his magic powers.

This dragon is not just a silver dragon, it is a time dragon. But in order for him to do this, he must send the dragon to another world where it is not against the law to kill a Time Dragon. Here on Orgarlan, killing a Time Dragon is a Death Sentence.

The Orc's Leader, General Mashanga, catches wind of Lord Ky'debaul's plan and sends a party of three Orcs to follow Lord Ky'debaul and the dragon to this other world. Once there, the Orcs begin to track down the whereabouts of the elves and the Time Dragon.

The world the elves have chased the dragon to is Aaron Gillian's world. Here she resides with her friends, a dog named Keja, a cat named Chancy, Marshall who is the boy next door and an old man named Jurgith.

Keja and Chancy have heard talk about the woods of strange creatures being about. Little did they know they were in for their great adventure.

Lord Ky'debaul captures Aaron, Marshall, and Jurgith when he learns of Aaron's ability to talk to the woodland creatures. He believes she is the human spoken of in the prophecy written of in his world and believes she will be able to help him capture the Time Dragon.

The Orcs too have learned of her ability. They decide to seek Aaron out in hopes that she will help them save the Time Dragon. They then discover she has been captured by Lord Ky'debaul and must rescue her and her friends.

Who will succeed? Will Lord Ky'debaul succeed in killing the Time Dragon or will the Orcs manage to thwart his plan? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keelaa B Publishing
• Release date: Sep 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540107077

Linda Nelson

Linda J Nelson  who is a Franklin Pierce University college student that studies Business, Accounting, and Social Services writes fiction about drugs, addiction, alcohol, and substance abuse as a mother and parent of an addict whose child was a runaway and involved in crime, and also writes Slipstream Fantasy and blogs about controversial subjects and the life of a writer. She lives in Southern New Hampshire and is a member of RWA and the Monadnock Writers Group

Book preview

Chapter 1: To Catch a Whelping

SIRE, THE WHELPING dragonlet is in the cavern up ahead. I saw it enter here, through this very crack. Jento pushed the branches back exposing the crack in the base of the mountain. It was hard to believe that a dragonlet of this size could have passed through its narrow space. It only proved the point. A silver dragonlet was capable of just about anything.

Ky’debaul needed that whelping. His powers had been waning for some time. His only hope to restore them was by killing a silver dragon and taking its powers into his soul. But he had to take care of a small problem first.

In the land of Orgarlan, it was forbidden to take the life of any dragon. But taking the life of a Silver Dragon, known to most as a Time Dragon was the worst offense that could be committed. Killing a silver dragonlet in this world was signing your own death sentence. Ky’debaul knew this law all too well. For the dragons had been under protected since from the beginning of time.

So now he faced his first challenge. He needed to get that dragonlet out of the world of Orgarlan and into another world where he was free from this law.

We will follow it then, Ky’debaul ordered. He harshly pushed his Commanding Officer toward the fissure. It may be larger than it looks. If the dragonlet can fit so can we.

Lord Ky’debaul waited while the party of fifteen elves, all equipped with some type of weapon ranging from swords, spears and long bows piled into the opening before him. Once inside they stopped and waited, listening for any little sound.

After a short moment, they heard it. It was a soft scraping sound of scales against rocks. When the scraping stopped it was followed by the sound of a soft huff. The dragonlet must have found its nest and was now settled down.

Ky’debaul motioned to his party to surround the dragonlet on all sides. The trap was now set. The only problem was they could not kill it here. He waited until they were in their position, then he began to move his hands in a motion similar to one making a large invisible ball in the air before him.

Even this simple task put more stress on his waning powers, but this was necessary. Ky’debaul murmured a series of words in an ancient language and tossed the invisible ball in the air before him. A blue green light formed in the center of the chamber. That was where they planned to herd the dragonlet. This sphere of light was the vehicle for which they planned to use to get the young dragon into the rift between this world and the connected world.

They entered into a world where the laws were not the laws of Orgarlan.

Chapter 2: Time of Discovery

GREAT MASHANGA, I AM here to give you my report. There is elf activity near the cave of Nokar. Buggane stood still and waited for the General to respond to his news. He knew he must not push the leader for an answer. It would come in due time.

Mashanga walked about the room made of the granite stone. The walls were lined with swords, axes and maces. A magnificent tapestry rug covered the floor and Tinko Tree furniture waited for occupancy. This furniture was highly prized by the wealthy Orcs as the wood only could be found in the small kingdom of Tinkoloma. This was the home of the arrogant goblins. It was a high price to pay to convince the Goblins in parting with just one piece of this precious wood, let alone, a piece of furniture like a chair.

Did they enter the cave? Best be not, answered Mashanga.

Buggane looked at the floor. "I do not wish to report, but they did. We did not arrive at the cave in time.

Buggane, this is not acceptable. Do you know what will come of this? If that dragon goes through the rift and does not return in due time, we will be all doomed.

Great Mashanga, how do we even know if the dragon has passed through the rift... maybe it was not in that cave...? Buggane eyed the ax on the wall closest to him. He tried to avert his eyes as best as he could do after reporting such grave news to his leader.

It is my responsibility to know where the silver dragon resides at all times. That is why I know of it residing in the cave of Nokar. He paused before carrying on, you must take two others with you and go into the rift and bring the whelping back before it is too late. Whatever you do, do not allow the elves slay the dragon. If it does not return to its den, time may come to an end.

Buggane bowed before the General, as you wish.

"Oh and one more thing, Buggane make sure you equip yourself and your party with proper human clothing. We do not know where the rift may lead, and there is the strong possibility it may lead to a world of humans. The elves will take advantage of such a world. A world where they believe it is free from the laws of our world. Go now and return soon with the whelping.

Oh... and before your party leaves stop and see Arch Lankus. He may have an object for your use in finding the dragonlet or the elves."

Buggane bowed one more time before the General and immediately left to find two others who would be able to accompany him in this quest.

Brimar Fortress was surrounded by a large village. This village was made up primarily by Orcs who were merchants and traders. The outskirts of the village were surrounded by miles and miles of farmland.

Arch Lankus would be the last place Buggane visited. He would be found in the Temple of Mugam. They would need to pass this temple on their way to Nokar Mountain.

The wind whipped up a small dust storm creating a small nuisance for the Orc. He sneezed twice before covering his mouth and nose with the cotton keffiyeh.

Keffiyehs were no more than a wide scarf used to wrap about the wearer's neck during such dust storms. In fact, all the Orcs living or traveling through the village of Birmar could be seen wearing such a thing, male and female alike. If one wasn’t worn and became caught in a dust storm, then breathing would become to difficult because of the dust. Spornek was Buggane’s first choice. He was his first cousin’s son. This Orc was a renowned warrior and would have no problem fighting beside Buggane against Ky’ debaul and his faction.

Buggane found Spornek hard at work pounding on a blade he was creating in his forge. He was a master weapon smith when he was not fighting battles against Lord Ky’debaul and his kingdom.

A brown denko stood outside the stone hut tied to a long hitching post. It was geared up for riding.

The lizard flicked it’s long tongue at the sand by his cloven shaped feet. A long thick tail swung to and fro. This tail could break an Orcs leg with one swipe.

Well Grendich, I am glad to see Spornek had the decency to remove your spikes, Buggane smacked the lizard on its haunches. Got stuck with one of those from a wild denko once, hurt for a nasty long time, it did.

Inside the hut, Buggane found a chair on the opposite side of the room. This was the coolest place for one to sit and chat. The heat from the forge was beginning to wane, but it was still hot enough to make him sit on the other side of the room.

Spornek stopped hammering when he saw Buggane enter the hut. It had been a long time since his cousin had paid him a visit. He tossed his hammer down on the bench beside the anvil. The blade would need to be heated up one more time before it was done anyway.

Buggane, what brings this unexpected visit?

Buggane shifted in the chair while Spornek fetched himself a seat.

Spornek, I would like you to accompany me on a grave matter for General Mashanga. It has to do with Lord Ky’debaul.

Just the mention of the Sorcerer’s name interested Spornek. He dragged his seat closer to Buggane.

Are we to gear up for war again, asked Spornek as he scratched at an itch behind his ear.

Not this time cousin, this time we have a certain dragonlet to find before Ky’debaul does.

Dragons is it? He took a stick from his shirt pocket and began to pick his teeth.

A Time Dragon to be exact, Buggane lowered his voice while patrons passed by the hut. Ky’debaul has sent a silver dragonlet along with himself and a large group of his followers through a rift to another world with the intention of killing the dragon and taking its life essence. A form of magic he believes he can harness for his own benefit. For whatever reason that may be is beyond me.

Spornek looked at the blade resting on the anvil. I do need to finish this blade. How long before we must depart?

We will go when the Red Sun passes behind Nokar Mountain. We will not be able to wait any longer than that.

I guess I better get back to work then. Spornek rose to his feet and held out his right thumb to Buggane.

Buggane accepted the gesture by pressing his right thumb against his cousin’s thumb sealing the partnership for the journey ahead.

I will return soon. I have one other I need to find to help us with our quest. Buggane said as he stomped out the door of the hut.

Every quester needs a healer to travel with them, especially when it is to a far away land. Buggane knew just the Orc for the job. Barghest, his sister’s grandson, the druid Orc, could be found in the Kooma Monastery. He was an excellent healer, and a skilled fighter. It did not matter to Buggane that he was inexperienced when it came to Orcs fighting in battle. Orcs have to start sometime, might as well be now.

Kooma Monastery was on the outskirts of the village just north of the General’s compound. Buggane would need his denko if he wanted to make it there and back in time to go into the rift.

It was a short walk from Spornek’s Blacksmith shed to the stable where his denko, Juwl was kept.

The young troll, Marnga jumped up when he saw Buggane outside the doorway. Master Buggane, may I saddle up Juwl for you?

Marnga was one of the newest stable hands and he was not used to working with the denkos. Sometimes the denkos would whip his legs out from under him with their long tongues. The last time Buggane had witnessed this mishap with this stable hand. It had stuck in his head, making him laugh.

No, Marnga, I think I will do this myself this time. I am in a bit of a hurry right now. Next time I will let you practice.

Marnga did not answer. Instead, he ran to gather up Buggane’s gear as fast as he could move.

Buggane quickly geared up his denko and tightened up the cinch. He then took the bridle from Marnga and tossed it onto the denko’s head.

Marnga, thank you for your help, he said as he quickly tossed the troll a small coin and hoisted himself up on top of the beast. They slithered off at a fast pace. The denko’s tongue flicked at the ground and bushes along the way.

The closer to the outer parts of the village, the buildings became scarce. Farm lands popped up along the country side. Denko’s were the most widely raised farm animal. They kept the locusts at bay and were suitable for tilling the soil. The longer the tail, the more the denko was worth. They were a direct descendent to the dragons.

Kooma Monastery loomed up ahead. A large hitching post stood outside the gate. Buggane tied up the denko and strode inside. Groups of monks were busy training in synchronized rhythm.

A path led up through the court yard to the main temple. This was where Buggane knew he was to find Barghest. All their heads looked up when he entered inside the temple. They looked toward where Barghest sat before the idol Kaadai, the goddess of health. He was meditating.

One of the Monks immediately greeted Buggane.

I am here to see Barghest.

Master Buggane, I will fetch him for you. He then bowed before walking away with haste.

The monk stooped beside Barghest and put his mouth beside the orc’s ear.

Barghest then rocked onto his knees and turned to see where the monk was pointing. Immediately after which, he stood and walked briskly toward Buggane and extended his thumb in greeting, which Buggane accepted by pressing his own thumb against Barghest’s thumb.

Master Buggane, what is it that I may do for you?

Buggane looked sternly at the young Orc. Your services are being required by me and one other. We leave now.

Barghest asked, Why me and not some other monk with greater training.

"You are my sister’s grandson. That is all that needs to be said. We have to stop Ky’debaul from taking the life of the silver dragonlet.

Go and collect your things, we will leave immediately. If we do not succeed, our world will be doomed."

Barghest’s eyes grew wide at the mention of Ky’debaul and the silver dragon. There was a prophecy written about the silver dragon he had just learned of a moon ago. It involved that of a human. Humans were rarely involved in Orc prophecies.

In the southern part of their continent, where the humans resided, they were considered to be savages and unfriendly people. In the north, they were kept by the elves as house servants and slaves.

The Orcs avoided humans as much as possible. They did not believe in keeping slaves or servants, and humans were only thought of as pests or vermin, and not particularly smart. But the woman in the prophecy was otherwise and would bring a dawning of a new age.

Barghest bowed before Buggane. Yes, Master Buggane, he responded. He then quickly walked away leaving Buggane to wait while he gathered a small selection of articles he may require for use as a druid.

When Barghest returned, Buggane led him to where his denko waited hitched to the post. Another denko was tied beside it all geared for riding. Barghest looked at it puzzled.

You do know how to ride, don’t you?

I have ridden a few times. I would prefer to walk, Barghest replied.

We do not have time for walking. Mount your denko and let us go, Buggane ordered.

Barghest reluctantly mounted his denko. He was particularly wary of the tail. Just last week one of the monks had his leg snapped by one. He was in agony for hours while the monks worked on healing it. The leg had been broken in