Rise of the Black Dragon

By Celesta Thiessen

This short prequel to DRAGON WARRIOR & THE PRINCESS chronicles the day that changed everything for Princess Aurelia and her world.

In this fantasy sci-fi adventure, an enemy rises from beneath the royal palace. When the castle is over-run, Princess Aurelia and her supporters use the secret passageways to try to save those loyal to the crown. Their enemy is ruthless and seems unstoppable. Can anyone stand against the black dragon?

This story is rated 13+

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celesta Thiessen
• Release date: Sep 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463065976

Celesta Thiessen

I live in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada with my husband and two young daughters. We're homeschoolers and entrepreneurs. My husband and I make iOS apps and I write stories. Being a writer is magical - spinning nothing into stories - stories that can light the way to a different world.You can connect with me on Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCelesta

Book preview

RISE OF THE BLACK DRAGON

Celesta Thiessen

Copyright 2018 Celesta Thiessen

Chapter 1

Darkness swirled around the castle. The half-moon shone ominously, casting eerie shadows in the courtyard. The water, which surrounded the castle on three sides, looked almost black, reflecting the dark sky.

Princess Aurelia was looking down from her bedroom window on the second floor. The night’s chill, creeping into the castle, made her shiver. But it wasn’t only the cold causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise. Something was wrong. She could feel it.

The ground began to shake. The princess cried out and grabbed onto the windowsill to steady herself. It was like an earthquake. Only they never got earthquakes here. The shaking continued, a deep rumbling emanating from under the castle. The land shook, waving like a flag in the wind.

The castle split open but the section where the princess stood was left undamaged. The shaking subsided. Up from the ground came a great black dragon, climbing up into the courtyard. How could there have been such a beast under her castle?

The Layaz Dragon Warriors, the bonded warrior-slaves who belonged to the royal family, sprang into action. The Layaz fought valiantly. But their blasters and projectile weapons seemed to have no effect on the beast. They rushed in with swords and spears but these glanced off its tough hide. Lasers reflected off its black gleaming scales and seared the Layaz who were wielding the laser weapons.

With massive jaws, the black dragon snapped at them. The princess watched in horror as the Layaz were eaten by the giant creature. She heard bones snapping as the warriors were devoured.

But there were many Layaz, attacking the creature from all sides. Surely one of them would be able to find the dragon's weakness.

Other people came out into the courtyard to see what was happening. It was like they were mesmerized by the dragon, unable to flee to safety or to recognize the danger.

The dragon roared deafeningly, shaking the stone windowsill beneath the princess’s hands. Flames poured from its throat.

The people outside shrieked and ran for cover, leaving the Layaz still fighting the black dragon. As the fire hit the warriors, they were consumed. The dragon slowly turned, filling the courtyard with its fire. The Layaz warriors were reduced to ash in the heat. The flames ceased.

Another Layaz ran out into the courtyard, sprinting towards the beast. But he won't survive if the dragon breathes fire! He will die just as the others have.

Unless… Maybe she could help him! The black dragon had to be stopped. Princess Aurelia turned away from the window and ran through her room. She raced down the stairs. There had to be something that she could do! She had to protect her people from this menace.

She reached the main floor of the castle, gathered up her skirts and raced to the entrance to the courtyard. The door stood open.

The black dragon roared in agony. She saw that the Layaz had dealt it a mortal wound.

How did he do that?

The dragon turned to the Layaz, menacingly.

Aurelia cried out in her heart to the Creator. Love washed over her and she looked down at herself to see that she was glowing with a soft yellow light. She lifted her hands and the light expanded to form a sphere that encompassed her and, for some distance, the area around her in all directions. Tentatively, she walked out into the courtyard, the glowing shield surrounding her.

The dragon inhaled deeply, preparing to spew fire again.

Perhaps her shield would protect the Layaz. She ran to him, raising her hands as high as she could.

Flames poured from the dragon’s mouth. She closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she saw the Layaz standing beside her. The glowing light shield had