The Hope for Dragonhold

By M. M. Wedin

A land divided. Two kingdoms fighting for their right to the throne.

War shatters the land of Ordea, twenty seasons of peace between mages and warriors is broken as the King of the south threatens to bring Dragonhold under his rule.

Hunter Hilaniue follow as her commander seeks an unlikely alliance with

• Language: English
• Publisher: Levereth Publishing
• Release date: Jul 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9780648341314

Book preview

Chapter 1

**Hilaniue**

A couple of days passed, the sun stood high up in the sky, warming the skin. The wind was strong but mild; the leaves were starting to change colour from brown to green, every summer marks the spot for a new season.

But Hilaniue could also feel the tension in the air. Villagers all gathered in front of Malconius’ cabin. Thirty soldiers in black chainmail armour stood in a perfect line on each side of his still closed door. Fifteen watchers lined up in front of the soldiers, wearing similar looking scout coats of cloth. Their pants all had sheaths on the belts made to hold daggers. The Watchers Point banner of a great bear fluttered in the wind.

Hilaniue walked on the path towards the cabin with Elsie by her side. Healers and hunters all gathered, waiting for the news. She had told her sister about Neale, but as far as she knew, no one else had any clue.

She saw worried faces, people biting their nails, folding their arms across their chests, eager to listen, but afraid of what the Commander was going to tell them.

Once they stopped, Hilaniue grabbed Elsie's hand; she looked up at her with a worried smile on her lips. Her hazel brown hair flowing in the wind, her narrow, blue eyes filled with concern.

The door swung open. James and Soldier Elias stepped out. Behind them came Malconius, wearing his bear coat. Thank you all for coming, he said. As you all know, I have been to Dragonhold and back in the past couple of days. I had an important message for King Hawkin, which I am now going to share with you all. I believe you all remember the man who came here. His name is Neale, and he claims to be coming from the Mainland, Mages City.

Hands went up to faces, covering their mouths, expressions of disbelief. If only they knew he was a mage, as well.

Neale came to warn us. Our truce with Mages City is about to end.

People were scared. Hilaniue could feel their confusion as they whispered amongst each other.

Malconius raised his voice; Silence people. The murmuring stopped, eyes on Malconius. We must prepare. King Hawkin has given me the numbers, and without sorcery, this is not a war we can win—

We have strong forces stationed in Dragonhold! someone in the crowd yelled out.

Malconius nodded. "We do indeed, but we are outnumbered. Therefore, we are going to prepare; we are going to seek assistance and stand strong. The King has called for a group of warriors and hunters, led by myself, to head out to the woodland and seek an alliance with the elves. Malconius placed his arms behind his back and raised his head. We are going small in numbers, as the elves would not appreciate an army on their land. A new season is coming upon us; it will take us twenty-eight nights to return to Watchers Point. But we will get the support we need."

People started speaking to one another again, drowning the voice of Malconius.

"This is exactly why Watchers Point was built with its defences, with this wall around us! To protect Dragonhold, and to protect our families, our civilians and residents in Dragonhold. We will be heading out through the south gate just before sunrise; I am now going to announce the soldiers and hunters who will be accompanying me to the woodlands."

Hilaniue let go of Elsie’s hand and placed her arm around her shoulders, pulling Elsie closer to her. She knew a war was the last thing anyone wanted, especially after so many seasons of peace, although she always suspected that one day exactly this would happen.

She knew from the stories that King Wymark was a greedy man of great pride, who expected nothing in return but complete loyalty from his soldiers. But he believed the best way to achieve this was through fear – after all, those who feared him would never cross him or question his actions. Hilaniue was quite surprised a man like Wymark had let Dragonhold stand untouched for so long.

Malconius took a breath; My second, Soldier James. Soldier Harding. Hunter Lexa and Hunter Hilaniue will accompany me to the woodlands.

Hilaniue felt her heart drop. Her stomach tightened. A sharp pain hit across her chest. It was pride, confusion, and fear, all at once.

You cannot go, please don’t go, Elsie whispered. A tear escaped from one of her eyes.

Hilaniue placed her hands on each of Elsie’s cheeks and tried to smile. I have to.

Another tear rolled down her face, but she returned Hilaniue’s smile. I know, I am just so scared, you are the only family I have left.

Hilaniue pulled her closer and embraced her body. Trying to process what Malconius had just announced.

Our King is sending out a troop as we speak. They will come and assist all of you in strengthening Watchers Point. To prepare as best we can. There will be intensive training for all remaining soldiers, hunters and watchers. We need to build additional defences on top of our existing walls, we need to improve our weapons, secure our towers, and we need to gather enough food and water for the summer, we will not have the time to continue our usual everyday chores. The King’s Chief Commander, Roberts, will be leading in my place while I am gone.

"Is Neale a mage?" someone in the crowd yelled.

A mage is not a mage without his staff! Remember that people, destroy their weapon and you will destroy their power! Malconius shouted as he swung his hands in the air like you would a sword.

Now, Malconius continued. I need you all to be prepared. Every soul older than thirty seasons, educate the younger, tell them about the war that divided Ordea. We only have today before the troops arrive from Dragonhold. Use it wisely.

It was over. The news was out. Their lives just changed, in a blink of an eye.

***

Elsie walked up to the fireplace while Hilaniue sat down on her bed. The two beds were logs holding up a wooden plank, big enough and strong enough for their bodies, but it happened now and then you would hear a loud thud when someone’s plank broke apart. It caused constant pain in Hilaniue’s back and neck, but nothing she couldn’t live with. She often missed her bed she used to sleep on when she lived in Dragonhold, but she wouldn’t move back there. Her place was at Watchers Point, where she could develop her skills, where she could feel proud of herself.

She leant forward, studying Elsie as she carefully placed the wooden sticks on top of each other. You know, this is why I relocated us here, Elsie, she said.

Elsie didn’t take her eyes off the fireplace. I know, I just didn’t believe this would happen.

Hilaniue sighed. Many hunters here have families back in Dragonhold. You know I would take their place if it was between them and myself, we have no one to come home to but each other.

But what if the armies come here first, when you are gone? Wouldn’t you wish to be here? Elsie asked while turning to look at Hilaniue.

Malconius wants me to come to the woodlands. I don’t know what his predictions are, but he believes I am needed there. I trust his judgement, and so should you.

Elsie didn’t respond. She turned back to look at the fireplace.

I know you are scared, Hilaniue continued. But you won’t be in the heat of the battle; you will be just fine. You will be with the other healers, caring for our wounded.

Hilaniue was only seven seasons old when the war ended, when her father got killed on the battlefield defending the newly crowned king, Ivan Hawkin—son of Hallad Hawkin. Her mother died giving birth to Elsie. She could still see her mother’s face, remembering when she had been crying, screaming in pain. There was blood everywhere, and she asked Hilaniue to take care of her sister. She remembered her mother’s golden blonde hair, the same shade as her own, soaked in sweat, her dusty grey eyes swollen from all the crying. Hilaniue had been told she looked very much like her mother with her round face, prominent dark eyebrows, grey-blue eyes and apple shaped build.

She was proud to have come this far; it had been her decision to relocate with Elsie to Watchers Point. She knew she would be needed here, somewhere she could make her mother, and her father, proud. Show them they had not failed, they were both strong women, and they would follow in their parents’ footsteps.

Elsie turned to her sister, tears rolling down her cheeks. Promise me Hilaniue, promise you will come back for me.

Hilaniue got down on the floor and sat next to Elsie, she moved a string of hair away from her face and placed it behind her ear. Elsie dried her cheeks with her hands.

I promise. I will only be gone for twenty-eight nights, maybe a little longer, okay?

Elsie nodded. Okay.

Hilaniue stroked her hair as she embraced her slim body.

There was a knock on the front door. Hilaniue let go of Elsie and got up. It was Soldier Elias.

Hilaniue, Sir James wishes to speak with you, he is at the south gate, he said.

Thank you; I will go at once.

Elias smiled and walked off.

Elsie, I am going to see James, I won’t be long, she said as she stepped outside.

James stood next to his horse, Storm. The air felt warm on Hilaniue’s skin as she walked down, the wind calmed.

In the sunlight, James’ fair hair had a blue sheen as it tumbled low over his forehead. He smiled. How do you feel?

Hilaniue went up to stroke the kind-hearted Storm on his steel-grey back. Storm immediately turned around, his nose and ears pointed straight at her, circling in curiosity.

Was it you who put me forward to Malconius? she asked.

James let out a short laugh. "You know it was. You are ready. And, we do need a gentle female voice going to the elves."

"So that’s why I’m coming?"

That and the fact that I don’t want to leave you behind, should they arrive here first. James’ smile disappeared, he bit his lip. How’s your sister?

Oh, she will be okay, Hilaniue said. I had a talk with her. I think she knew this would happen, one way or another. I am a hunter, after all.

James walked up to her, standing close. She had to tilt her head up to keep eye contact. Behind James stood the horizontal fortifications, attached to the mountains on each side and blocking the path beyond. So you are, and a good one too. I am going to ensure you get the best bow and arrows Watchers Point has to offer, he said.

Hilaniue smiled, feeling the warmth of James’ words. Thank you, James, I can always count on you.

He returned her smile and looked up at the sun, his pupils narrowing from the light. You know, Malconius has a connection with the elder one, Aien Olanala. But I do think he is a little too optimistic about it all. The elves stayed out of the war last time; I don’t see why they would join us now.

We will just have to see, it was a long time ago, Hilaniue said. But… don’t the elves use sorcery?

No. They use magic; it is different, I have heard it is quite astonishing. James started grooming Storm.

The word sorcery always made Hilaniue’s skin crawl. Do you know much about the others?

So, we have Soldier Harding, a stocky man, he doesn’t talk much, but he is a very strong warrior. Malconius knows him well from the war, there are only four or five seasons between them, so they were both in their twenties back then, James paused and turned to Hilaniue. Then we have Lexa. She is an archer as well, only a few seasons younger than yourself, twenty-four I think she is. She is talented, has been at Watchers Point since the beginning.

Hilaniue nodded. Hearing the names and descriptions of her companions caused her stomach to tighten again, and the constant, nervous feeling in her chest seemed permanent from the moment she heard the news. She did remember Lexa; she was a quiet but strong-minded woman.

She suddenly remembered she needed to bring some boar meat to Elsie for supper. She touched James’ arm and gave him her biggest smile. I need to go, but I am excited. I’ll see you before sunrise. She began walking back.

James cleared his throat behind her. Hilaniue, he said. She turned around. Make sure you get a good night’s rest.

***

She did not sleep much that night. She lay awake, staring into the darkness, thinking about the journey. She was excited to meet the elves, but she did not know what to expect. The only thing to calm her mind was knowing James was going to be by her side. In many ways, he had been like a brother to her ever since she arrived at Watchers Point.

Morning came, and she had managed to catch what she believed was a reasonable amount of sleep. She woke Elsie up and said her goodbyes. Elsie had been half asleep still. Once again, Hilaniue promised she would be back for her.

James came and escorted Hilaniue to the south gate, where Malconius, Lexa and Harding were standing, next to their horses.

I managed to get Midnight for you, he said.

Midnight was Hilaniue’s favourite horse. She was a coal black, beautiful horse, with big, friendly eyes.

Hilaniue made sure she left with the most appropriate hunter clothes she owned, which consisted of black hunter armour of hardened leather with a grey scarf. Her arrows were tucked in a quiver bag behind her back, and she had a special sack for her longbow. On her head, she was wearing a large hood made of lambs’ wool, in the crisp summer morning, she appreciated some protection from the wind. She also wore an extra layer of hardened leather on her arms – stretching down to her hands – and around her chest and thighs. The boots – which were made of deerskin – reached all the way up to her knees. If they were to encounter an attack, she wasn’t supposed to be in the heat of the battle. She had always dreamt of sitting up on a hill, or in a tree, completely hidden, watching the battle unfold and helping her friends by firing a deadly arrow at their opponents. She was a good shot; she knew that much. Commander Malconius would have never asked her to join if he did not believe so himself.

Ready on her horse, she glanced over at Malconius and Harding, who wore their full plate armour from before the war; it was made of iron completed with metal helmets, only showing their eyes, nose and mouth. Their metal shields were attached to their backs, their swords tucked inside leather holsters, stretching out to their left legs. Malconius brought his longsword, which he called Yord.

James, standing next to them, wore his usual black chainmail fitted with an iron chest plate and additional protection around his knees. On top of the armour, he wore a black, padded jack, and on his head a round, iron helmet.

Lexa rode up to Hilaniue just as she thought they were going to leave. She noticed she wore similar clothes to her, her armour dark grey and her scarf white. She was riding Twilight, a light brown and white, patchy horse, not as big as Midnight. Lexa’s brown hair swirled in waterfall braids, joining each other at the back of her head, the very same style as Hilaniue.

Turning around to have a last look at her cabin, she noticed at least half the remaining hunters and soldiers had joined them, waiting to say goodbye and good luck.

James, riding Storm, came over to her. You ready?

She smiled under her hood. As ready as I can be.

Everyone ready? Malconius asked.

Yes, Commander! all four replied at once.

All right. We must reach the woodlands before the mages do.

The Villagers started applauding and yelling out Good luck out there, and We are counting on you!

Malconius told a couple of watchers to open the gate. He went out first, behind him James, and then Harding.

The first thing Hilaniue noticed once they were out, was the forest beneath the steep hill leading up to Watchers Point. Dragonhold lay on a mountain, where the only way to reach the Dragonhold Castle was through Watchers Point. The mountain was too steep and too high to climb all around it, there was only one way up, and only one way down. The hill itself lay covered in grass and moss.

To their right, she could see the water which she knew stretched all the way to Stonelake and Stonelake River—which was a small town just outside of what was now called Mages City—but was once called Ordea Mainland. When it was Ordea Mainland, it had been Hilaniue’s home, her family’s home, and home to everyone who now lived in Dragonhold.

The trees down below appeared taller than what she was used to; they always went out hunting within the Dragonhold land, to ensure they would not encounter anything, or anyone, outside of their establishment.

She turned around to get a last look at Watchers Point. The tall stone fortifications with its two towers, the south gate wide open. With the nervous pain still stuck in her chest, she hoped it would look just the same when she arrived back home.

Chapter 2

**Hilaniue**

They rode until dusk. Further and further into the forest. The sunset painted the sky in an orange, burning colour. Malconius had stopped next to a small river and told the rest to set up the tents for the night. Hilaniue assisted James in setting them up while Lexa and Harding gathered wood for a fire.

Once the tents were up, it started getting colder. The sun was down, and the light disappeared. The fire, placed in the middle of the four tents, lit up everyone’s faces as they sat around it. Harding handed out cooked fish.

Tomorrow we will go further, Malconius said as he took a bite of the trout. We will ride for as long as we can after the sun has set.

So, what we doin’ going to the elves? Lexa asked.

Malconius took another bite of the trout, chewed it, and put it to the side. He had a stern look on his face. We are going to warn them.

Right, so what happened when you took the mage to Dragonhold?

Straight to the point? I like it, James said with a smile.

Lexa didn’t move a muscle. We should know what we’r doing, she said.

As far as Hilaniue knew, a potential war was coming upon them, and she hadn’t heard soul conjuring being mentioned again.

Malconius straightened his back, eyes on Lexa, who chewed her fish with her mouth open, waiting for a response. Not a sign of fear in her eyes, no concerns. Hilaniue could tell she was a fighter, she wouldn’t back down in a battle, even if it was in her best interest to do so.

I brought the mage to the castle, Malconius began, King Hawkin had a private conversation with the man, from which I do not know what was said, he paused and leant forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. The mage claims Wymark has over the seasons found a way to use soul conjuring.

"The mage said that? Who is he anyway?" Lexa asked.

He works for Wymark, as the High Enchanter. I could imagine he would be able to find out a thing or two being that close to the King. Malconius finished his trout, placed his hands in front of the flames and continued; The elves will protect their land, and if we tell them their home may not stand for another season, they will join us.

Lexa shrugged. This all sounds like a big joke.

Well, James said, eyebrows raised. It isn’t.

Lexa walked off to her tent. What is wrong with her? Hilaniue wondered.

The flames coming from the intense fire were dancing around each other, spitting sparks which died before they hit the ground. The men’s faces were bright orange, no other source of light around them; not even the moon shone through the trees. Hilaniue felt relieved knowing the tents were set up close to each other. The thought of going to sleep caused the feeling in her chest to intensify, like it wanted to rip her apart from the inside. Being on the outside, out in the wild, didn’t sit well with her, at least not yet.

We have a long day in front of us. Let us get some rest, Malconius said as he finished his meal.

James came over to Hilaniue’s tent once the fire was out. She was placing her coat on the ground