Dragon Knight Chronicles The Hunted: Dragon Knight Chronicles, #3

By Andrew Wichland

The Mines of Morhoth may be behind them, but Robin and his friends will never forget the horrors they saw there. Now, they must travel the stars to reunite their scattered village. Space is vast, but the tyrannical Black Dragon's eyes are all-seeing—Robin knows they can't be too careful.

But hope remains. Robin's heard that his fellow villagers have taken refuge in the shadowy Tortuga, a once-abandoned space station rumored to harbor the fledgling resistance. Even if these rumors are true, getting in will be difficult—but if Robin can convince the outcasts and fugitives of his strength and noble intent, he and his beloved sister Freya can finally begin searching for their long-lost brother.

But the hunt won't be easy. Guided by their dragontooth necklaces, Robin and Freya lead their people across the galaxy, eventually finding themselves on a desert planet, tied up in the downtrodden citizens' fight for clean water. The Black Dragon's men are everywhere, but Robin can't let these people die…

Dragon Knight Chronicles: The Hunted is the latest exciting novel from celebrated storyteller Andrew Wichland. An innovative retelling of the Robin Hood myth, its tale of friendship, honor, and heroism is a must for fans of sci-fi and fantasy alike. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Wichland
• Release date: Jul 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393313373

Book preview

Chapter 1

Tortuga

We’re nearing the exit point, LJ said after looking over his shoulder as Robin, dressed in clothes similar to those he wore when on Alberan, walked into the cockpit. He had discarded the rags he’d been forced into in the mines of Morehoth, grateful that he, his sister, Tekmet, and Kylie escaped from that hell whole.

He sat in the pilot seat of The Will of Odysseus. Killing Hyperdrive engines! Robin called out when he was strapped in his seat.

With a great shudder and a clap of what sounded like thunder from the engines, they dropped into normal space into an asteroid belt

WHOA! Robin barked as he turned the ship sharply, barely avoiding an impact. A little warning would have been nice! he snapped, glancing at his friends.

Well, we wanted to see if your reflexes were still good, Much said with a grin.

Yeah, right, Robin growled, maneuvering around a pair of asteroids with a spin of the ship. I can see why Tortuga was hidden here, he added, reaching overhead to throw and kill switches and make a few adjustments.

"Any ship larger than the Odysseus gets pummeled in this big a field." The others nodded around them.

As you can see, Willa said, and everyone in the cockpit gazed out the corner viewscreen as they flew by a severed section of a battle cruiser, some learn the hard way.

We’re almost there, LJ said as they flew around more asteroids, one of which was the size of a small moon. Better go alert the others.

I’ll do it, Robin said, pressing a button on his chair and making it slide back. Before the others could say anything, he was on his feet and through the hatch.

When he entered the main room, he looked around at his mother, who sat on a bench behind a small table and talked with Tekmet.

He also spied Freya, who looked over Kylie as she slept. She gently stroked her when she grew restless in her dreams, twitching and murmuring in her sleep. It calmed her at once, and she returned to a peaceful slumber.

Turning, Freya looked at Robin. Are we there? she asked, climbing to her feet.

Almost, he answered. Everyone but the sleeping Kylie looked at him. Better get ready. They nodded as he turned back toward the cockpit.

A short while later, back in his seat, the group maneuvered the ship through the belt. Finally, they came to an open area that was large enough for the ruined space station that dwarfed their ship with asteroids circling it. The hull of the station was greatly marred by battle damage. At the bottom of the floating fortress, one of the three sensor fins was broken in half from a long-ago fight.

Robin’s eyebrows arched in surprise. That… he started slowly as they moved closer to it. Is that Tortuga?

LJ glanced at him and frowned. Not what you were expecting?

Kind of, yeah, Robin answered as he made a few more adjustments, but I expected it to be more heavily armed and guarded. He eyed the area again. Did you tell them who we are?

After sharing a glance with him, LJ answered, We thought it would be best for us all to decide that.

Before Robin could say anything, alarms blared. Checking the readouts, he saw they were being targeted. Looking upward, they found what appeared to be a double-barreled cannon drop out of a slot at the bottom of the ship. It swiveled to point right at them.

As more and more smaller cannons appeared from hidden slots, fighters flew out from behind large asteroids and bays opened on the side of the station.

Maybe for now, we should stay behind masks, Robin said as he eyed the fast-approaching fighters. That is, unless Dulgard and Suji shot their mouths off while we were away.

If they did, they’d have to deal with the whole village, Willa growled, and then whatever’s left of them would have to deal with me.

The main body of the fighters was a shaft with a smooth top coming to a cone-like point. At the back, right before the engines, was the cockpit, and on either side of it were two halves of a ring with a pair of trapezoid wings attached.

Another fighter that caught Robin’s eye was shorter in length. It had a broad, rounded front with a second level on top of it and a massive Gatling blaster attached. There were similar guns on its four stout wings with a set of afterburner engines on the main wings with fins attached above and below each tip. Right above the main engine was a rotating double-barrel gun turret.

This is Buccaneer lead! a voice called out over the coms. Identify or be blown out of the stars!

Eyeing the fighters, Robin opened the channel. "This is The Will of Odysseus, he answered the lead fighter. Requesting permission to land."

Passcode, the lead fighter commanded.

Blinking, Robin looked at the others. His eyebrow shot up, and an exasperated look cloaked his face.

Leaning over, LJ said, Passcode James De Wolf.

For a second, there was silence. Passcode accepted, the squadron leader said as the guns on the station were retracted.

While lights started coming on all over the station, the fighters took flanking positions on either side. You will follow us in, the squadron leader told them. For all first timers, I welcome you to Tortuga.

Roger, Buccaneer leader, Robin said as he followed them toward the main hangar. Matching speed and will follow your lead.

When they neared the hangar, the armored doors split and slid open. They passed through the forcefield barrier with a small flash of light, and Robin lowered the landing skids and set the ship down with a small shudder.

After lowering the ramp, the group exited into the hangar. Robin eyed the fighters that had landed around them, noting the pilots in their flight suits as they climbed out and removed their helmets after dethatching the face masks.

He felt at ease when he saw not only humans but also elves, Valeakings, a couple Dromeanias, and even a few broad-muscled dwarfed. One of them had exited the more heavily-armed fighter and moved quickly in their direction, his helmet under his arm.

Good to see you all back. Bryan, the dwarf said, I certainly have missed your crazy streak. He looked at Willa, who propped a hand on her hip. And you must be the famous leader, Ryuu. The dwarf looked up at Robin. Though, what kind of a leader abandons his people? He eyed him while the rest of the squadron gathered around.

Giving the dwarf a side look, Robin rested his hand on Freya’s shoulder; her hand rested on Kylie’s.

The kind who would do what he has to do to rescue family, he answered, and the man eyed Frey’s. That’s something I would have thought a dwarf would understand, considering your people put their clans first. For a few seconds, Robin locked eyes with the dwarf, and then the man issued a great burst of laughter.

That’s certainly the kind of leader I could get behind, the dwarf said, slapping Robin on the arm. One who would put himself in danger to save those he cares about. He stuck out a hand. Roaran, son of Orin.

Smiling, Robin took the dwarf’s firm grip in an equally firm one. I look forward to that—he looked at the rest of the squadron—but only if you can tell me how a dwarf took command of a squadron with elves in it.

Over the sound of a door hissing open, a gruff voice said, I believe you can imagine through the same stubbornness that got you here. Robin turned to see a large black minotaur walked toward him. Pure stubbornness and guts.

Chapter 2

The King of Pirates

You must be the famous Ryuu, the minotaur said, looking him up and down before offering his hand.

I seem to be getting that a lot, Robin said before taking it.

I am curious; what made you decide to leave the people who entrusted you to lead them? the minotaur asked. After coming up with a plan for them to come here, you would just run off and abandon them?

In answer, Robin stepped aside to show them Freya. She did, he said, as both the dwarf and minotaur looked at her. This is my sister Freya, he explained, and they looked back at him. Now, I think anyone would do what they could to save family from the Black Dragon.

Slowly, the pair nodded. Personally, I’d say that earned you a drink from me. Roaran nodded his approval before he turned to walk away.

I suggest you take him up on that, the minotaur said. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be tired of it. He may be one of my best pilots, but he uses any excuse to have a drink.

Do not! Roaran called back before he slipped through the sliding hatch doors.

Sir, said Robin, it seems a little unfair that you would know my name but I don’t know yours.

Nodding, the minotaur faced him. "You may