The King Arrives: Charles, A Dragon: Book II

By Gary L Henderson

Juvenile fiction.  The boy who befriended a dragon and helped him recover his kingdom  is now hunted by ancient evil.  New friends help to hide him and go to defeat his attackers ... if they can.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RNWC Media LLC DBA of Rivendell Systems LLC
• Release date: Jan 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781937975197

Book preview

Dedication

To Caleb, Joel, Grace, Abi, and Benjamin,                     

who introduced me to Leif and                                       

who love stories, just like Charles. 

And we also welcome

Lydia, Sandra, Gavin, Mackenzie, Lillian, Deklan,

and Virtue, who is on the way.

(2016)

Deep In The Forest

Insash huddled in the saddle and looked about. If there were a deeper, more gloomy, more oppressive forest in the world, he could not imagine it. The branches overhead seemed to press down on him, and the black mold on the ground around him peered up with a filthy anger. Even the air was slimy, bringing the aroma of old fish scrapings. Why had he come into this awful place?

A space opened in the path before him. A black-robed and hooded figure stepped out of nothing. The horse under Insash took two steps backwards before he could stop it.

You have an offer?

Insash cringed. This man, or whatever he was, reeked of power. For a moment he thought better of his plan, but pushed those feelings away. What else could he do, if he did not make this work?

I am Insash.

I know who you are, spat the figure, and I know what you are. I have known you since you were born. And I know what you want.

There was silence for a moment, and the figure repeated, You have an offer?

Kill the boy and help me become King, and I’ll give you whatever you want.

A slow laugh came from the hooded face. It chilled Insash to his toes. What would you know about what I want?

Insash gulped. Whatever it is, I’ll do it.

The man pushed back his hood. The bald head was covered in tattoos, and at first Insash thought the long hooked nose was a beak. The cold eyes looked at him without blinking. Very well. I will do it. And you will do your part. He smiled, and was gone.

Insash wrapped his arms around himself, trying to break the chill that left him shaking. Home, he said to the horse. It turned instantly and began trotting back the way they had come. All the way back to Castle Combin Insash’s imagination was filled with dark pictures of the boy being taken by that … creature … and brighter images of his own coronation, and of him sitting on the throne with people bowing before him.

He trotted into the castle yard and up to the stable gates. A young man came out and took the reins. Insash walked away without speaking.

King Vintar greeted him at the main entrance. You look pensive, Insash. Where have you been?

Insash brushed past him. Nowhere.

Insash.

Something in the voice stopped him. Had he ever heard such steel in the King’s voice before? He stopped, and without turning around, said, What?

Face me.

Insash slowly turned to face the King he despised.

Kneel.

Insash stared. The King looked steadily at him, and he realized he had no choice. To disobey would leave him at the mercy of the King’s whim. He dropped to his knees.

You have been to a forbidden place. You have been to the deep forest, and have neither asked permission nor given report. What are you doing?

My business is my own, he said, trying to make it sound polite and respectful and give the King no cause for anger.

Guard. You, also. Two of the castle guard came and bowed. Secure him in his rooms; he is not to leave.

Insash could not believe it. He was a commander of the troops, a member of the royal family, free to come and go as he pleased. But the King’s word was absolute, and suddenly he was a prisoner in his own bedroom.

Curse you! he shouted, when the guards had gone. You’re too late! I’ve already done it! Soon you will bow to me, and you will remember this day!

It’s Time

She stood on the pavilion that stretched out over the forest hundreds of feet below, with the waterfall roaring past just inches to the side. A simple spell created a screen that kept water from entering her home, so there was no need for glass between her and the wild dance of the foam and spray at her side.

The magnificent eagle soared in the distance, always at her call. She raised her hand; it wheeled in the golden light of sunset and coasted towards her great room. The call of a bull moose sounded to her left, where the forest and the high cliffs wandered into the distance.

The eagle landed as softly as a falling rose petal and stood before her, white feathers over its head and piercing gaze focused on her.

I’m thinking it’s time to bring my son here, she said. Would you be interested?

The eagle blinked at her.

He loves to fly with Sir Argus, so I think if you simply come to his window at night and call him, you’ll have a new friend.

The eagle bowed its head, turned, and stepped into the sky. In less than a minute, it was out of sight.

She turned and wandered back into the house, untying the crimson ribbon holding her pale yellow hair at the neck and letting it flow loosely down past her waist.

What is he like, now? she murmured to the large white dog at the foot of her favorite chair. What has he learned? How much has Soren taught him, and Mizzouk for that matter?

And what of your brother? Do you miss him?

Gyda whimpered, and lay her head down.

Well, it’s time for you to be reacquainted as well, I think.

Gyda sat up and barked.

Let’s bring the boy first, and then see about Leif! she laughed, and Gyda walked a tight circle and lay back down, watching her intently.

Holding her hand out towards a pitcher, she watched as a stream of the clear water flowed up, out, and over to a cherry-red mug on the low mahogany table. She plucked a leaf from the vine running up the wall, rubbed it to a powder and dusted it from her hands into the mug. She spoke quietly to the mug; it glowed for a moment, the water bubbled and turned a light brown, and steam began rising from it.

Homemade tea is always the best, she smiled to Gyda, who just closed her eyes and did not respond. Do you think my son can do that yet?

He’s Not Here

Seth flattened his back against the castle wall, and motioned Jon to do the same. Guards leaned out over the top of the wall, talking casually. Something hit Seth on the top of his head, and stuck there. He reached up, slowly, slowly, and found it. He carefully pulled it out of his hair and brought it down in front of his eyes. Grape stem. They’re eating grapes up there, and dropping their trash on us. He looked at Jon and rolled his eyes. Jon smiled, and looked past Seth.

Seth turned his head slowly and looked along the wall where Jon was looking. A guard had come out through the near door and was staring up at the rising full moon.

Come on, come on, thought Seth. We have things to do.

The guard at the door turned and walked back inside. Seth looked up. The guards above had moved on. He looked at Jon, raising his eyebrows. Jon nodded, and began moving along the castle wall. Behind the shrubbery, they were almost invisible.

Jon stepped on something that crackled. Unless we shake the bushes, or make noise, thought Seth.

They came to the kitchen door. Jon put his hand on the latch and looked back. Seth nodded. Jon slowly turned it, and the door opened silently. They slipped inside.

The kitchen appeared to be empty. A single candle burned at the foot of the stairs, and someone was talking quietly at the other end of the hall. They walked slowly, one step at a time, to the stairs. Seth wet his finger and thumb, reached up, and pinched the wick. The stairs went dark. They began to climb.

They reached the landing at the second story, and Jon put out that candle. One more, whispered Seth. They came to the third floor with only a single creak on the stairs.

As Jon put out the candle on that floor, moonlight streamed in through the window at the other end of the hall. They pressed themselves against the wall in the shadow.

Fourth door, said Seth.

They eased slowly past Soren’s door, then two more, and stood outside the boy’s room. No light came from under the door. Seth pulled a long strip of cloth from his coat pocket, and pointed to his mouth. Jon nodded, and pushed the door open. It creaked, and Jon quickly got it past the creaky point.

They stood without moving and waited.

What was that? whispered Seth.

A bird? Sounded like bird wings.

When no other sound came, they moved inside the room and pushed the door back closed behind them, almost to the noisy place. The moonlight was bright in the room. Jon moved to the bed.

It’s empty.

What?

He’s not here.

Seth looked around. Unless the boy were under the bed, there was no other place he could be. He took a step towards the other side of the bed, and his foot rolled out from under him. He crashed to the floor, and something sharp jabbed his ankle.

Quiet! hissed Jon. What are you doing?

Stepped on a marble or something …

Seth reached down to his ankle and felt wet blood. Good grief, he mumbled, and grabbed a towel from the side of the bathtub. I’m bleeding! He wiped his ankle, and even in the moonlight could see the blood on the towel.

Quiet! repeated Jon.

Seth rolled over and pushed himself back up on his feet. He walked around to the other side of the bed, felt around in it, and sighed. Where could he be?

We can’t just go searching the castle. He could be anywhere.

Right, said Jon. We’re done. Let’s get out of here.

Seth put the pillow in the middle of the bed and pulled up the covers, so it looked like someone was there. Jon looked at him. Seth shrugged.

Agree. Let’s go.

They squeezed out through the partially open door. Jon reached to close it. Don’t bother, said Seth. It will squeak. Jon nodded. They moved quickly to the stairs and down to the ground floor.

As Jon stepped off the stairway, a voice spoke just behind them.

Did you blow out the candles?

Seth poked Jon and pushed him into the deeper darkness under the stairs.

Not me, came another voice just as close.

Two guards emerged from the darkness and walked up to the stairs. One of them struck a flare and touched it to the candle, lighting up the area. Seth tried not to breathe, and felt a sneeze coming on. Jon coughed quietly.

What did you say? asked the first guard. The second cleared his throat and said, Nothing. They stood without moving for a minute.

Look, said the first one. The next candle is out as well.

I’ll go light it.

Check the upper floors, also. Maybe a wind came through.

Maybe something else came through … muttered the first guard.

Seth reached out and put a hand on Jon’s arm. They waited. They listened to the guard climb the stairs, then climb the next flight, then slowly walk back down.

All right, everything’s back. Looks like the higher floors are still lit.

Let’s go check the other stairway, said the first guard, and they walked quickly away.

Now, said Seth. We gotta go.

They ran as quietly as they could to the kitchen door, slipped out, and ran across the moonlit yard to the outer wall door hidden in the hedge.

Don’t stop, whispered Seth, and they ran across open ground for the edge of the forest a hundred paces away.

---

Insash scowled up at the angry moon glaring down at him through the oak and pine trees surrounding Combin castle.

Shut up, he growled. I don’t care if he is your friend, he’s not mine. And I don’t care what you think!

The moon did not respond, but the clouds drifted away and left it staring down at him with all its might. Full and bright, it obviously did not approve of his plan.

I don’t care, I told you. Shut up! Go away!

The fire flickered in front of the guards down below, and the men looked up at him but said nothing. He stared at the fire, intense and silent.

What if my men don’t find him? What if they come back empty-handed? They better not, unless that … thing … gets there first. I don’t care if Rossen’s guards have arrows pointed at them.

When you find him, he said out loud, "you know what to do. And don’t