Circle of Flames: Dragon's Reclaim, #4

By Steven Smith

Colltalios has been rocked by the mass overhaul of its regal capital, subsequently; the king has been forced to rally troops in order to retaliate, attempting to bring together compliant southern forces, along with the rebellious northern troops. From across the seas, King Eriez will plead for help from the skilful elves who aided his father two decades prior, but as tension reaches a boiling point, it will be difficult to know who can be trusted, and who must be kept at arm's length. 
Meanwhile, elder dragon Tremor must prepare for the inevitable counter-attack, he must dig 
in deep and fortify the castle's defences, while the human army prepares to oust him from 
Chillington. Tremor has an ever-growing force of dragons at his beck and call, and a beastly army in the form of the Djahltongseris. 
The war has only just begun.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Smith
• Release date: May 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393711360

Book preview

Dragon's Reclaim -

Circle of Flames

Book four in the series.

––––––––

Written by Steven Smith

Written in the United Kingdom

Copyright © 2019 by Steven Smith

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Prologue – Allies

Chapter 1 – Before the Storm

Chapter 2 - Truce

Chapter 3 - Northern Return

Chapter 4 - Over the Sea

Chapter 5 - Circle of Flames

Chapter 6 - Southern Strike

Chapter 7 - The King’s Move

Chapter 8 - Dust

Chapter 9 - Combat

Chapter 10 - Blind Faith

Chapter 11 - Extraction

Chapter 12 - Wander

Chapter 13 - Tower Ives

Chapter 14 - Downfall Part One

Chapter 15 – Downfall Part Two

Book 5...

Afterword

Synopsis

Colltalios has been rocked by the mass overhaul of its regal capital, subsequently; the king has been forced to rally troops in order to retaliate, attempting to bring together compliant southern forces, along with the rebellious northern troops. From across the seas, King Eriez will plead for help from the skilful elves who aided his father two decades prior, but as tension reaches a boiling point, it will be difficult to know who can be trusted, and who must be kept at arm's length.

Meanwhile, elder dragon Tremor must prepare for the inevitable counter-attack, he must dig in deep and fortify the castle’s defences, while the human army prepares to oust him from Chillington. Tremor has an ever-growing force of dragons at his beck and call, and a beastly army in the form of the Djahltongseris.

The war has only just begun.

"I told you that this dagger could change the world we live in,

You didn't listen. What good is someone who will not listen?"

Druid Theodore Saunders

Prologue – Allies

An invasion of dragons, how could this be possible? Dragons had been eradicated back in the year 800, they all lost their lives in the War of Flames, and King Gaprone Marchioni had rallied almost fifty thousand soldiers to defeat the monsters of old. Chillington’s finest had aligned with their allies across the sea; the elves of the east. Eight thousand highly skilled archer elves were led into battle by their Elven king, Jodfelli Bolsaveir. Amongst this combined elite force was the army of the beasts; led by a young and volatile Lord Zartagen. The northern army was led by a ferocious leader by the name of Gargario Venerstias, he commanded an army of almost ten thousand strong during this war. Together, this unstoppable force had travelled far and wide across Colltalios, seeking out all known dragon caves, killing every dreaded winged beast that could be sought out. It was a brutal extermination mission and dragons were slain in every possible realm.

The final phase of the mission brought them closer to home, just as their quest was nearing completion. But there had long been generations of rumours, rumours of legendary dragons, powerful and savage magical dragons, and the strongest of their kind. They were known as the Elder Dragons, belonging to a sacred and ancient council known as The Circle of Dragons. The largest and eldest of them all was a monster by the name of Tremor, the most feared dragon alive, he had rarely been seen in Colltalios, just as his younger brother Colossal had barely been seen roaming these lands. This monstrous duo had not yet been tracked down during this entire quest, but this did not deter King Gaprone. White Woods had been scoured; the Fernastian Forest explored fully, where were these Elders hiding? the answer would land right in their hands; it was only during their final trek back towards the capital, seemingly the last of the dragons had been lay in waiting, staring down upon the vast armies from the stunning western mountains beyond Dalwood. The final battle began, several powerful dragons, the last of the dragons, gave everything that they could, magical powers of immense fire, blasts of bone-shattering ice, earth-shuddering kinetic energy shaking the ground, and blasts of stunning stone-like glaze were enough to cut mankind's numbers by over a third.

For all that they gave, it was simply too little too late, the arrows hit hard, clipping the wings of the mighty beasts, and when they could no longer fly the spears splintered in their skins, the swords cut deep. Colossal though, stood the boldest; his thick skin was like stone, raging back against the vast army with spears protruding from his body like a bull in the middle of the Plaza. The mighty dragon pushed on and stood as firm as his legs would allow, defending the younger and smaller dragons to the best of his abilities. Tremor stood alongside his sibling, breathing fire on the advancing soldiers, forcing waves of kinetic energy outwards, trying hard to keep a barrier between the troops and the injured dragons behind him. They were all finally backed up to the Narrow Mountains, the dragon’s last stand as it would become, a brief moment of reprieve before they might meet their maker. And as parts of the cave came crashing down before them, the last of the dragons could only watch in horror as their fate was sealed, trapped in a jagged tomb, forever lost to the narrow and inescapable mountains.

That was the story told over and over for two decades. People relished the victory of mankind's war against dragons. But it was never a war, as they so liked to call it; it was simply a unified hunt, extermination some would say. A victory though none the less, one that they hoped had ended the existence of the dreaded giant reptiles. It was not to be that way, dragons had remained alive, and with help from the druids they had increased their numbers over the passing decades. And when their secret was uncovered, Tremor had to unleash his master-plan a little earlier than ever planned, a new strategy had quickly been put into place, and previous secret plans were brought forward with devastating effects.

Chillington Castle on this current day was now overwhelmed with dragons and beastmen, those people that had not yet fled the city or the castle were now prisoners in their own homes, afraid to venture out knowing what terrors awaited them. Small amounts of disorganised royal soldiers did the best they could as they were forced to barricade themselves in any room where they could seek safety. But how long would it be before dragons and beastmen broke down every door in the vast capital of Chillington? Their numbers were growing as Chillington’s only continued to dwindle, there seemed to be no reprieve for the city folk of Chillington, and with hardly any sergeants to command the royal soldiers, it had become a desperate struggle to survive. Either stay and hide or run for their lives, both now posing an incredible threat to life and the west in truth simply had no answer in return.

Fort Grey Gorge – present day. 

Have our soldiers returned yet? Lord Pauelle Pasbias was eager to get his army back to full capacity; the arrival of over a thousand Chillington soldiers had boosted the northern armies defence, helping Pasbias to mount a battle-plan to fight back against the attacks in the most northern towns and villages.

Not as yet my lord, word has it that the north is still relatively quiet; there has still not been any dragon sightings for some time now, Stanero Hollington updated his commander with the reports he had received from the northern sectors.

Has Lord Ulric returned too Northhall? Pauelle questioned.

He has my lord; he left with his people at first light this morning.

Pasbias looked out across the lands below the Grey Gorge fortress that had been built up high into the stony terrain, Have provisions sent out to the Chillington soldiers, they look tired from their journey.

The Chillington allies had gathered before Grey Gorge’s gates on the grassy banks and had already begun to set up small camps; a temporary perimeter had also been set-up to further protect the frontal slope of the entrance to Fort Grey Gorge.

My lord, if I may? Stanero seemed to be lurking and delaying his exit from the lord’s chambers.

What is it Hollington? Your stalling is putting me on edge.

It is of course none of my business, but are you sure you wish to give provisions to the Chillington forces? Our resources are quite low as things stand, my lord, Stanero sheepishly suggesting that Chillington was wealthy enough to look after themselves.

"I made the king a promise that if he sent any forces north, that those forces would be under my command. Therefore, under my command, they shall be treated like our own troops, no more; no less. And your right Hollington, it is none of your business," Pauelle smiled sarcastically, he was never harsh to the commander but he found this line of questioning rather insulting.

Apologies my lord, I was just making sure is all, Stanero hung his head in shame and left the chambers, he would now make plans to get provisions out to the western troops, a gesture of goodwill from their new northern allies.

As the evening drew in the sky turned a beautiful orange and gold, the sunset casting a peaceful low glow on the wooden walls of Fort Grey Gorge and the camps below. Lord Pauelle Pasbias was being escorted outside the fort’s lower gates; a dozen northern guards followed their lord to the centre of the newly formed Chillington camp. He was greeted by a tall commander, going by the name of Alecks Brunstein, this young man was smart and confident; a well-spoken young lieutenant who had whizzed through the ranks, his high level of intellect and bold mannerisms ensured a collection of speedy promotions. 

Lord of the north; you are Pauelle Pasbias I take it? Alecks bowed gently before the northern leader; this was hugely appreciated and accepted by Pasbias. 

I am indeed the leader here in the north; are you in charge of these battalions? 

Alecks smiled as he removed his silver helmet; brushing his fingers through his medium length light brown hair. This clean-shaven young man had the confidence of a lion; he was charming but bold in every action and every spoken word.

I have been given command of these fine Chillington soldiers; I understand that I will be handing that command over to you; now that we have crossed your northern border? Pauelle returned with his own smile as he replied, There is no need to rush these things; I actually came here to invite you for a feast later this evening, I would like you and a dozen of your finest comrades to join us. We can discuss what will be required of you and your men; a token of the north’s appreciation to our new alliance venture.

As you desire Lord Pasbias, we would be honoured to dine with you; it is a very kind offering, Alecks was stunned by how compliant Pasbias was; this was not the hard-nosed Scouse leader of the north that he had heard so much about.

Very well. I have also arranged some provisions of food, ale and wine to arrive at your camp as soon as possible, it is a long trek from Chillington; your men will need to replenish. 

Alecks was stunned further; this kind offering was far more than the Chillington soldiers were expecting. Not so long-ago hostilities between the North and West were at boiling point. Now there was to be the breaking of bread and clinking of wine cups and ale tankards. People had told Alecks that the North was rude and hostile, it would seem not, this really was a step in the right direction for all involved.

Pasbias parted back for the gates of Fort Grey Gorge; there was a feast to prepare and battle plans to be made, the north would soon begin to reclaim all of its lands from the terrible invading beasts of the sky.

Later that evening a large feast was indeed laid out, wild boar from the White Woods was roasted succulently with juicy marinades of honey and mustard, good quality northern ale flowed and some of the finer wines were served. Pasbias and many of his closest advising lieutenants feasted alongside the higher-ranking officers from the visiting Chillington battalions.

Pasbias watched as everyone present enjoyed the jovial atmosphere, everyone seemed to be getting on and talking about their respective realms. But there was one person present who was clearly not enjoying the feast. Stanero Hollington seemed troubled and had barely touched his food, Pasbias leant across to his left and spoke quietly to the northern commander, Is the meat not to your satisfaction? There is plenty more mustard if you wish?

Stanero stared down at the plate, his head propped up by his left arm, his elbow placed firmly on the table. I don't feel too good my lord,

Pauelle sat back in his chair, he was not convinced by this sudden bout of illness, Stanero loved his food and was not one for missing meals, let alone leaving the plate before him untouched.

Maybe you should go back to your quarters? Surrounded by all this swine has clearly affected your appetite, Pasbias made a scowl as he looked around the table and then back at Stanero.

Hollington saw the annoyance in his leader’s face, "It’s not them, my lord I... I promise you, I just don't feel very well. Maybe I will go and lay down." Stanero slowly stood and moved away from the table, again, he could sense the northern lord’s disappointment.

Pasbias watched Stanero leave and cast a false smile to all those around him, Alecks Brunstein also returned a smile from across the table.

Stanero Hollington turned slowly as he momentarily stood in the doorway, he cast a brief glance across all those sat at the banquet table, and then began staring for a few moments at Pauelle Pasbias, turning quickly away before his lord could catch the sorrow in his stare.

Chapter 1 – Before the Storm

After a short rest and Loosaine having to relive her capture in the south via a realistic dream, the escaping trio had ventured way beyond the escape tunnel from within Chillington, their next port of call would be to head deep into the northern territories. The sky quickly began to darken and the calmness of White Woods would soon become a dangerous nightmare, the quicker they moved the less danger they would be in before nightfall.

Jonariah, slow down, Venerstias cannot keep up, Loosaine called out to her brother.

We don't have much time, Jonariah snapped back.

I don't think you have thought this through. If anyone sees us with Gargario we will be in so much trouble, Loosaine was still deeply concerned.

Sister. The whole of Chillington is overrun with dragons. I don't think anyone will be paying much attention to commoners escaping the to the north.

Wait! Commoners? What do you mean by that? What? just cause I'm not a royal soldier I'm suddenly the dregs of society?

I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just saying that guards won't be concerned about people leaving the capital, that's all.

Loosaine scowled at her elder brother, his broad attitude was something that her sibling never used to have. Maybe Chillington does change people after all, and not for the better.

If we stay in White Woods we can remain out of sight. When we get to Lainehall we can acquire some horses to get us to Grey Gorge.

You are certain this is going to work, aren't you? Loosaine questioned.

Why wouldn't it? The North has had a grudge against Eriez ever since Venerstias was arrested. This will show them that Chillington cannot be trusted. Jonariah continued his long strides without even turning his head.

And what if Pasbias decides to kill us both? Loosaine stopped in her tracks, holding out her arm to halt Venerstias who was clutching at the back of her tunic.

Jonariah smirked as he turned back towards his sister, Why on earth would he do that? I am returning to him not only a man whom he thought to be dead already, but the chance to storm Chillington in place of the absent king, his army is better equipped to deal with this than Eriez. The king will have to beg for his throne back, much to the delight of every northerner in the land, not to mention me. Jonariah turned to face front once more, and continued his hurried pace towards White Woods.

Loosaine was far from convinced, she turned and smiled softly at the dishevelled former-northern leader, holding out her left hand. Gargario took the woman’s hand gratefully and they both attempted to keep up with the disgruntled Chillington guard.

The trio continued on their trek, even the outskirts of White Woods were eerie and scary, the air reeking of stagnant rainwater, not to mention a stomach-churning stench of death. Jonariah though, remained unfazed, focussing instead heavily upon the task in hand, his broad strides showing no signs of slowing.

Loosaine flinched as creepy noises from within the woods continued to freak her out, It isn’t safe here Jonariah, we are making a mistake, Loosaine tried to make her brother see sense during his hurried march through the darkening woods.

You need to trust me, sister, I was right about the weapons cache in the escape tunnel, I got you clothes and shoes from the Chillington tunnels, I can’t do much else for you, the tunnel we escaped from was as close as we could get to Lainehall. There are eight of those tunnels in total, each one leading to a different point beyond the capital, enabling its people to flee if the ever castle comes under attack, trust me, we have chosen the right path, he smirked after delivering his vast knowledge of the royal dwellings. Jonariah displayed his studies in a bold as brass manner, almost chuffed to bits that he could educate his sister with rarely known facts, facts that he had studied in depth. All the years he had been within the walls of the capital he spent learning about the structural plans of the castle, the history of its past rulers, the escape routes and safety gates that made Chillington one of the most complex buildings in the whole of Colltalios.

Jonariah continued to clear a path, cutting down vines as he moved forwards, White woods was a challenging and dense terrain in certain areas, this did not deter the young Cresswell lad, and his focus remained on navigating the edges of the woods to the best of his knowledge.

Jonariah, it really isn’t safe in here, something just grabbed my ankle, I am sure of it, Loosaine discarding a tangle of vines from around her newly