Wardrake (Dragon Mage Chronicles Book IV)

By J.A. Jaken

Andrei and Jander return home to the city of Vallerin with the grimmest possible news and tell their king to do what he can to prepare his people for war. Kirin is heading toward the capital with a legion behind him, and he is determined to take revenge both on Andrei and on the apprentice he believes supplanted him in his former master's heart. This time, with the might of an entire dragon army at his command, he very well might succeed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.A. Jaken
• Release date: Sep 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005561963

J.A. Jaken

J.A. Jaken has been writing fictional stories and novels for more than ten years, most frequently in the fantasy and science fiction genres. She got her start in the profession writing slash fanfiction, where she has published numerous stories under the pen-name Rushlight. Over the years she has written short stories and novels in genres ranging from science fiction/fantasy to gothic horror to modern detective mysteries, most with at least a touch of m/m romance to them. She lives at home in the southwestern U.S. with her college-aged son, a cat, and the family Rottweiler. Outside of writing, her interests include studying foreign languages, practicing martial arts, riding horses, and collecting medieval weaponry.

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DISCLAIMER

This book is a work of fiction which contains explicit homoerotic content; it is intended for mature readers. Do not read this if it’s not legal for you.

All the characters, locations and events herein are fictional. While elements of existing locations or historical characters or events may be used fictitiously, any resemblance to actual people, places or events is coincidental.

Contents

Disclaimer

1. The Road Home

2. The Return

3. Release

4. The Spy

5. Suspicion

6. Refuge

7. Expectation

8. A Shot in the Dark

9. Insight

10. Espionage

11. Confrontation

12. Retreat

13. Mending

14. A Fighting Chance

15. War Drums

16. Staying the Course

17. Incursion

18. A Call to Arms

19. The Darkness Within

20. A Question of Trust

21. Gambit

22. Into the Dark

23. An Expectation of Defeat

24. Retribution

25. A Deadly Game

26. A Cold and Lonely Place

27. Denouement

28. Battle Cry

29. Aftermath

30. Balance Due

31. A Matter of Perspective

32. Resolution

33. End of the Road

Author's Notes

Art Gallery

The Dragon Mage Chronicles

About the Author

Connect with J.A. Jaken

Other books by this author

The Road Home

Jander crouched gingerly down beside a slow-moving stream, cupping his hand into the current to splash water over his face. The water was frigid, icy, but it succeeded in banishing the lingering weariness that clung like a fog around him.

We’re almost there, Andrei promised. Jander relaxed slightly as he felt his master’s presence approaching, bright and vibrant once again through the telepathic training bond that connected them. Andrei had recovered completely from the magic-suppressing potion he had been given inside Embershorn Mountain, and was back to his full strength in the magic once again. The thought of that filled Jander with a sense of poignant relief.

There was a low rustling of robes behind him, and Jander grunted as strong fingers kneaded into the tops of his shoulders, massaging gently into the muscles at the side of his neck. His head dropped forward bonelessly as warm lips brushed across his nape.

Not soon enough, he murmured, leaning back against Andrei’s chest. It felt good to let the other man hold his weight, at least momentarily. Andrei had been pushing them hard these past couple of weeks, which had been wearying for all of them. But in Jander’s opinion, they couldn’t get to Vallerin soon enough. He had been having dreams for weeks now about the nice, warm bed he shared with Andrei in their quarters, until it had begun to take on an almost mystical quality in the exhausted recesses of his mind.

Andrei chuckled softly. The sound of it vibrated in through the back of Jander’s neck where the other man’s lips touched him, warming him and making him shiver deeply at the same time.

Soon, Andrei said again. This time, he let Jander sense a bit of his own longing. Although I doubt you’ll find it quite the rest that you’re anticipating.

The words made Jander tense just a bit, remembering the troubles that lay ahead of them. He sighed as Andrei’s fingers tightened around his shoulders in a reassuring squeeze. Yes, he knew full well that arriving in Vallerin would only be the beginning of the problems they had to face. Because their country was teetering precariously on the brink of war, and all of their efforts thus far had been unable to stave off that eventuality. Corascia would be at war soon; Jander knew that the way he knew that the sun would rise in the east tomorrow. The only thing left to decide was which of them would come out the victor.

The worst thing was, Jander wasn’t sure he believed they were fighting on the side that had the likeliest chance to win. They were up against a foe that was as powerful as it was mysterious—the vast Drakkarim army, ruled by the dragon priests, who believed that magic should belong solely in the hands of the dragons. Or so they preached. Jander had learned over the past several months that their true goal was power, and that they were more than willing to use magic themselves when it suited their purpose. Or at least to raise slaves to use it for them.

And at the head of the Drakkarim army was Kirin, who now had the power of a dragon mage. The thought of that still filled Jander with a sense of biting despair, as well as a surge of grief for the unhatched dragon eggs Kirin had stolen his power from. So many lives lost.... And how many more would be lost, before this drama found its end? A small, niggling voice in the back of his mind whispered to him almost constantly now, asking him why he should even bother fighting when it was so obvious that they were overmatched. Why prolong the agony of their defeat? Kirin was ruthless and cunning and powerful, and he hated both Jander and Andrei with a passion that had proven devastating on more than one occasion.

Don’t listen to it, Andrei cautioned him gently. The words were warm against Jander’s ear, counteracting the chill of the late autumn air.

Jander pressed his wet fingers to his closed eyes, letting the icy chill of the water shock his thoughts into some semblance of order. The ways of the dark magic were insidious, subtle, and it...whispered...whenever he let his guard down. Kirin had more than one means of attacking them.

I’m okay, he said, letting his breath out in a long sigh. Gods, he was tired. He was just...tired.

Andrei’s arms tightened briefly around him. I know. Another light kiss to the back of Jander’s neck, and then he released him, smoothing out his robes as he stood. We should start moving again soon. If the weather holds, we should be in Vallerin by tomorrow.

Jander glanced up at him and nodded. Yes, Master. The use of the other man’s official title felt comforting to him, reassuring, as it reaffirmed their relationship as teacher and student. As much as he loved having Andrei as his mate, his lover, he was just as grateful for the fact that he was Andrei’s apprentice, staying attentive to the other man’s teachings and following his guidance as he learned how to deepen his connection to the magic. Steeling himself against the lingering aches in his muscles, he pressed his palms to his knees and stood.

This far north, there was already snow on the ground. Jander’s breath fogged in the air as he made his way up the ridge to the makeshift camp that Boaen and Tanith were dutifully clearing away all traces of. They had very little in the way of supplies remaining after their lengthy journey, but they were making do. In these forested regions, game and water were plentiful despite the lateness of the season. That was something to be thankful for, at least.

Today, the evergreens around them rose out of the mist like looming sentinels, casting thick, blue-grey shadows that looked almost alive in the uneven light of the dawn. Jander glanced up at the sky, fighting a twinge of uneasiness without quite knowing why. Somewhere in the far distance, a bird cawed loudly, breaking the stillness of the forest around them.

It’s time to go. Andrei tethered his pack to the side of his horse’s saddle with only the slightest flinch of discomfort as the movement jarred his injured arm. He had been wounded during an attack from the Drakkarim when they had first arrived at Embershorn Mountain, and neither he nor Jander had enough skill with healing magic to repair the damage completely. Fortunately, the wound was not particularly deep and had proven to be little more than an annoyance during their travels of the past couple of weeks. He mounted swiftly and started off in a northeasterly direction without another word, his horse’s hooves crunching loudly on the snow.

Jander saw the looks on his friends’ faces and immediately forced his own exhaustion into the back of his mind. They were very close to home now, and both Boaen and Tanith were looking to him for guidance. We’re almost there, he said as cheerfully as he could, fighting back a wince as he secured his travel pack to his horse’s saddle. Sometime during the night, the wound in his own arm had reopened. Sleeping on the hard ground, coupled with the unforgiving pace Andrei set each day, wasn’t doing much to promote their healing.

That’s what you’ve been saying for the past week. Tanith sounded more weary than annoyed, though, as if she didn’t have the energy to argue with him about it. Jander sympathized wholeheartedly.

Boaen simply gave him a long look and then swung up into the saddle of the spotted gelding that had carried him from Tempest, starting after Andrei without saying a word. Jander frowned slightly but didn’t say anything as he urged his mare to follow him away from the stream, reflexively using the magic to scout out the woods around them. Boaen had grown increasingly more withdrawn the closer they drew to Vallerin, and Jander was worried about him. He knew that Boaen and Alluin hadn’t parted company on the best of terms.

The day passed in soothing monotony, marked only by the brief, too-infrequent breaks Andrei allowed them to take. Jander had always admired the other man, but only now did he fully grasp the kind of iron will that drove Andrei on. The rest of them had been at their endurance’s end for weeks now, but still Andrei forged on, leading them with a tirelessness and a fortitude that Jander envied. It made him feel proud to have Andrei as his master, and he vowed once again that he would not let him down.

A sudden flicker of color overhead caught his eye, and Jander glanced up to see the small golden body of his kitling friend darting around at the tops of the trees. The sight made him smile; through Gabrielle’s eyes, this whole adventure was a bit of a lark, encounters with the various dragons they had come across notwithstanding. Jander wished fleetingly for just a fraction of her energy. Her unflagging optimism was contagious, however, and he found his bad mood lifting as the day progressed.

He felt almost warm when they stopped to rest in the late afternoon. The sunlight slanted heavily through the trees, giving the clearing where they had chosen to rest a bronzish cast, but even so, Jander could tell that the trees around them were thinning. The thought excited him; once they broke free of the forest and reached the main road, it would be only a few hours’ travel to Vallerin’s front gate.

There was something off in the magic around him, however, that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. It didn’t feel urgent, exactly, but there was a definite sense of menace underlying the surrounding scenery that made his chest tighten in response to it. He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed out deeply, centering his thoughts as best he could, but no further insights came to him.

A sudden tug at the back of his mind drew his attention to where Tylandru flew some distance away, scouting the area ahead of them. At first Jander had been reluctant to allow the young red dragon so close to the city, fearing for his safety if any of the soldiers standing watch at the walls saw him before they had a chance to talk to Alluin, but Ty had assured him that he would be careful. And so he would be; he was a dragon, after all, and he was an expert at creeping around unseen after the years he had spent living inside the elder dragon’s volcano. No one would see him unless he wanted to be seen.

Now, however, Jander sensed an undercurrent of uneasiness in the dragon’s thoughts. He frowned, pulling his cloak tighter around him to ward off the sudden chill that gripped him. What is it? he asked silently, knowing that Ty would be able to hear the words through the magic with ease.

Riders, Ty responded, sounding uncertain. He was too far away for Jander to be able to hear him speaking audibly, but the telepathic part of the dragon’s communication was perfectly clear to him. Four of them, on horses. They’re coming from the direction of the city, moving southeast.

Jander shared this information with Andrei. The older mage’s brow creased in a thoughtful frown. Scouts from Vallerin? Andrei mused aloud.

After a few more brief questions to Ty, Jander nodded in confirmation. They’re wearing Alluin’s crest.

Andrei looked relieved. We should meet up with them, if we can.

Boaen glanced up from where he rode to one side of them. Is that normal? Having scouts patrolling this far outside the city walls?

Andrei glanced at him briefly. No. It’s not. The words sounded ominous to Jander.

Because they still had a couple hours of daylight left, Andrei urged them onward once again. Jander almost didn’t notice his weariness or the aches in his overtaxed muscles as his mind flooded with thoughts of returning home. They were close. Tomorrow morning, they would be eating breakfast in Alluin’s dining hall. And sleeping in their own beds again. And taking a bath.

These adventures really weren’t all they were cracked up to be. Jander remembered his initial excitement over the thought of going on an adventure with a rueful smile.

There was still a faint sliver of sun visible at the horizon by the time they broke free of the woods. Jander drew up beside Andrei, gazing down a steep, brush-covered slope at the broad road that wound away into the darkness ahead of them. It angled in from the southwest, sloping steadily upward as it climbed toward Vallerin. Despite the lateness of the hour, Jander was surprised to see that the road was deserted.

There’s been passage here recently, Andrei noted once they had climbed down from the ridge. He slid off of his horse and crouched down over the ground with a pensive frown, combing over the muddy imprints there with the fingers of one hand. These wagon tracks haven’t had the chance to fill with snow yet.

But there’s no one here now. Jander looked around, feeling uncomfortably exposed now that they were out of the woods. If there was a moon out tonight, it was screened away behind the cloud cover, and the twilight around them was rapidly fading to black.

Andrei wiped his hand across the front of his tunic and stood, looking around with narrowed eyes. I don’t sense anyone else in the area. Except.... He turned to look at the road ahead of them. Alluin’s riders. They’re watching the road some distance ahead of us. He nodded, as if this confirmed something he had been expecting. Turning back to face them, he said, I think we should keep going. Even without full moonlight, there should be little in the way of obstacles as long as we stick to the road.

Jander glanced at Boaen and Tanith, who looked weary but agreeable to the suggestion of continuing onward. He suspected they felt the same way he did; he was running on sheer adrenaline at this point, and his body had long moved past the point where it felt anything at all.

Satisfied that they were all in agreement, Andrei remounted his horse and started off in the direction of Vallerin, following the winding track of the road. Jander shared a wry glance with Boaen as he moved to follow. What was a couple more hours’ travel, anyway?

They came across Alluin’s riders much sooner than he expected. Jander sensed their presence through the magic before they came into view, but Andrei merely held up a hand to signal that they should stop and wait. It wasn’t long before Jander heard the low crunching of hooves in the snow off to the right of the road, and he turned in that direction reflexively, wishing they had a light that they dared to use. Andrei had judged that it would be best not to draw attention to themselves by making use of Tanith’s wytchlight after nightfall, just in case there were any Drakkarim agents about in the countryside keeping watch for them.

A hazy yellow glow appeared in the darkness ahead of them, which soon resolved itself into the shape of a lantern hanging off a tall pole held by one of the riders. The dim lamp provided only the sketchiest of illumination, and seemed to cast more shadows than light.

Stop, one of the riders said gruffly, his voice carrying easily to where the four of them waited, in the name of the king. Jander nudged his horse a bit closer to Andrei’s left shoulder, drawing himself up to his full height. His heart was hammering inside his chest, even though he knew that these men were on his side.

Two riders approached from the right-hand side of the road, while yet another materialized almost soundlessly out of the dark behind them. The fourth wasn’t readily visible, although Jander could sense the man’s presence off to the left some distance ahead of them. The three soldiers he could see were dressed in dark leather armor and black cloaks, with Alluin’s crest prominently displayed in silver thread above the smaller insignia of the Night Watch. Jander relaxed slightly; the Night Watch was one of Vallerin’s special infantry units, trained especially in night-fighting tactics.

The road to Vallerin is closed, the first soldier said, resting a hand with unsettling ease on the hilt of the falchion sheathed at his side. He looked guarded, not aggressive, but there was something weathered about his dark-bearded face that set Jander’s nerves on edge. This was not a man who suffered fools gladly. I’m Sergeant Karish, with Vallerin’s night patrol. Please state your business here.

Andrei met the man’s gaze evenly, folding his hands inside the sleeves of his cloak. I am Master Andrei Teresh, he said with a slight inclination of his head. And this is my apprentice, Jander Teregnan. These other two with us are our friends, Boaen and Tanith. My apprentice and I are returning home to Vallerin after being away for the past couple of months on a mission for the king.

The soldier leaned forward in his saddle, peering into Andrei’s face with narrowed eyes. A moment later, he drew back in surprise, hissing lightly through his teeth. Master Teresh, he said. This time, there was a note of deference in his voice. I didn’t recognize you.

Andrei smiled ruefully. Not surprising; we’re hardly at our best at the moment.

Glances were exchanged among the three riders, and then Sergeant Karish turned to face them again. The king has been waiting anxiously for your return. I know he’s eager to speak with you. There have been some disturbing developments during your absence.

No doubt. Andrei’s smile turned grim. How long has the road to Vallerin been closed?

About four days. There have been sightings of dragons in the skies south of Widow’s Ridge, and the king doesn’t want traffic on the road to draw their attention.

That made Jander’s head lift in surprise. Dragons? he echoed, frowning. As in dragons, plural? Again, he felt that strange stirring of menace against his thoughts. Now, with this new information, he could recognize it for what it was: he was sensing the thoughts and minds of dragons, distant for now and not directed toward him in any noticeable way, but waiting patiently with a sense of almost breathless anticipation.

Karish’s dark gaze flickered over to him. Nothing close enough to worry about yet, but you never know. There have been enough rumors flying around lately that half the city’s up in arms demanding some kind of protection from them. Corporal Keyes’ men have had their hands full just keeping order in the streets. His gaze moved to where Gabrielle was curled on top of Jander’s shoulder, blinking up at him with her wide, gold eyes. But I’m sure they’ll all rest easier now that you’re back home with us again, Apprentice Teregnan.

Jander flushed lightly, making a conscious effort not to look away from the directness of the sergeant’s gaze. He had never gotten comfortable with the notoriety he received for being a dragon mage.

We should keep moving, then, Andrei said with a tone of decisiveness. We were hoping to reach Vallerin tonight.

Karish nodded. You’ll make it within the hour if you keep a steady pace. There’s a man named Banto watching the gate; he’ll send an escort with you to the palace.

Andrei nodded briefly in thanks and lifted up his reins again, tightening his fingers around them. Good night then, Sergeant.

Fair journey, Karish replied, and turned his horse smoothly away from them. The other riders fell in behind him, and then they were lost from sight in the darkness as swiftly as they had appeared.

Jander shared a long glance with Andrei, but there was really nothing to be said. Their questions would have to wait until they had a chance to speak to Alluin.

Giving the sky overhead an apprehensive glance, he started forward once again.

The Return

The next hour passed in a bit of a haze, and then Jander found himself being ushered hastily in through the city’s front gate. Exhaustion was a dull buzz at the back of his mind, making it difficult to think, but he gratefully nodded acceptance when the guard at the gate offered them a pair of soldiers to escort them the rest of the way to the palace. Gabrielle looked around excitedly where she was perched on his shoulder, her thin wings rustling next to his ear as her thoughts sent out a happy pulse of home, home, home.

It felt good to be riding along paved city streets instead of across the open countryside, or even the weathered tracks of the merchant road outside the gates. Before he knew it, they were crossing the bridge toward the palace gates, looking down at the familiar reflection of lights that bobbed on the moat’s surface beneath them. With an effort, he forced himself to stay alert. He knew there was still a fair amount of work to be done before he would be able to sleep.

Andrei was already conversing in low, urgent tones with the soldier stationed at the front door of the palace. That was new, too; normally the soldiers at the guard post by the bridge would have been sufficient to maintain the palace’s security during times of peace. There was definitely more going on here than Jander was aware of. He felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to speak to Alluin.

Andrei came back to them with a frown etched deeply between his brows. Alluin is sleeping, he said, watching as their horses were led away by a group of sleepy-looking stable boys to be bedded down for the night. And I’m reluctant to disturb him. I think we should all get what rest we can, and then we’ll talk with him in the morning.

Sounds good to me, Tanith said, giving a massive yawn. She looked a bit abashed by it when she was done.

Andrei nodded, giving her a tired-looking smile. For all his inscrutability, Jander could see the lines of weariness and strain around his eyes, proving that he was also near the end of his endurance after their lengthy journey.

He wasn’t the only one who was suffering. Boaen looked like a ghost where he stood next to Tanith, swaying slightly on his feet. There were dark circles of exhaustion around his eyes, shocking against the paleness of his skin. He was such a far cry from the irrepressible young man Jander had met when he first arrived in Vallerin that he barely recognized him.

Come on, Jander urged gently, reaching out to touch Boaen’s arm. The other man’s eyes focused on him with an effort. Go inside and get some sleep. Just make sure that someone gets a room ready for Tanith, okay?

Boaen nodded gratefully and somehow found the energy to muster up a smile. He squeezed Jander’s arm lightly before turning to go inside.

Once he was alone with Andrei, Jander stood for a moment looking up at the sky. The moon was barely visible behind the clouds, a thin halo of light that seemed unnaturally pale and cold. The sight of it gave him an inexplicable chill. Closing his eyes, he let his senses drift, searching through the magic for the presence of the dragons that Karish had mentioned. After a moment, he found them off to the southwest, right where they had been for the past hour during the last frantic rush Jander’s group had made to the capital. There were three of them that he could detect. They were still some distance away, as Karish had said, but their thoughts....

Their thoughts were on Vallerin.

Andrei’s arm was suddenly warm around his shoulders, holding him close. Jander leaned against him gratefully, nuzzling in against the curve of the taller man’s neck with a sigh. Andrei pressed a kiss against the side of Jander’s face, soft breath wafting warmly across his skin.

I think Ty should remain outside the city walls tonight, Andrei murmured against his hair. Just until we talk to Alluin.

Jander nodded. As much as he hated leaving the young dragon alone out there, Andrei was right. He conversed briefly with Ty through the magic without opening his eyes, and was relieved when his instructions were accepted with good graces.

He says he can find a place to bed down in the hills north of the city easily enough, Jander said. Andrei’s hand stroked in soothing circles between his shoulder blades, threatening to make him drop off to sleep where he stood.

Let’s get some sleep, then. Andrei urged him forward gently, and Jander fell into step beside him. Sleep sounded like a damn good idea, if he did say so himself.

Somehow, they made it inside and to the chambers they shared in the north tower. Jander smiled when he saw that a fire had been lit in the hearth in anticipation of their arrival. He shed his cloak and boots while Gabrielle made herself at home on the warm hearthstones, fluffing out her wings in the comfortable heat and draping her tail over her nose with a contented sigh.

Jander all but fell onto the bed, still fully clothed, and was barely aware of the dip in the mattress beside him as Andrei joined him. The warmth and softness of the bed seemed almost surreal. He curled in against Andrei’s side with a low sigh of pleasure, barely aware of anything beyond the fact that he was home.

It was the last thing he was aware of before he sank into sleep.

****

When Jander opened his eyes again, there was bright sunlight streaming in through the bedroom window. He blinked uncertainly for a few moments, feeling disoriented, before he remembered that he was lying in his bed