Ddraig Chronicles: Reclaim

By Carmen Rubino

Nadia is particularly good at finding things.  Selected by Mahrah, the ruler of an ancient race, Nadia is tasked with finding the Talismans, originally created to assist humans.  To help and protect her, four Watchers – a Maasai tribesman, a Peregrine Falcon, a German Shepherd, and Nadia’s closest friend – volunteer t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Big Black Dog Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781733899420

Carmen Rubino

Carmen Rubino was raised in Colorado, on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. She introduces a multiverse with the Ddraig Chronicles series. She combines her love of reading about the world with her tendency for far-fetched explanations to create a tale of many lives coming together for a purpose.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

THERE WERE THE two – Red and White.  And the two went high into the sky.  There were shrieks and lightning.  The people were afraid.  

Mahrah sighed as the memory rose unbidden into her mind. She realized she had retreated into it so shook herself from her head to the end of her tail to bring her back to the present. Gazing at the sky over the hilly region, she spotted a brilliant blue speck, her daughter, Elian. Even from this distance, she could make out her hatchling’s distinct almost metallic color. Instead of flying down to the landing courtyard to meet her, Mahrah chose to walk. Her daughter’s visit could only mean trouble, and Mahrah wanted as much time as possible to prepare herself.

After the two dragons exchanged greetings, they began to communicate, using images and emotions. It was a telepathic method their kind had developed millions of years ago.

Mother, I come to bring you news. . .

Mahrah hissed imperceptibly before her daughter could continue. "Of your brother," she completed.

Elian looked around at the many dragons in the area and understood. Mahrah turned to the large domed structure that was her palace, Elian followed. They spoke of Elian’s brother. Once inside, they dropped the pretense of describing the antics of a male dragon.

Your impatience almost alerted others. Mahrah chastised.

Elian bristled at the reproach. You have been concerned for thousands of years. Surely someone has noticed by now.

Mahrah paused. She did not want to have discord between them, especially at this time. I am sorry. I anticipated what you were to tell me, please continue.

Elian’s emotions settled. She straightened up a bit and pushed her wings back to their resting position. There has been a draw on the energy source that fuels the Talismans in the First World. Given the amount of energy, I believe the Kinetic Talisman has been used.

Then, it is time to act.

Mother, it is the least dangerous of all the Talismans. I don’t know why you are so concerned.

You do not know those beings’ insatiable curiosity. And, I am still unsure of the allegiance of all here. It could be one of our kind helped the two-legged being find and learn how to use the Talisman.

Elian studied her mother for a moment. You think someone here may help those in the First World put together all of the Talismans.

And, the Amulet.

Elian was shocked at the audacity another dragon would have. She wondered how the two worlds could reconnect. How can someone reach a being in the First World?

In the same way I am about to.

CHAPTER TWO

THE INSISTENT BARK from my dog came moments before the doorbell.  Wizard’s four paws were much faster than my two feet and he beat me to the front door.  Just as I was turning the bolt to unlock the door, I heard the rumble of the delivery truck as it sped off to its next destination.

A small box sat on the porch.  That was odd as I had not ordered anything recently.  I double checked the name before slicing the tape on the box.  Both my PO box and my street address had been listed.  Inside the postal package was an old, red, mahogany box.  I took it out gingerly and set it on the dining room table.  The index card sized box gleamed in the sunlight.  

I racked my brain. Maybe it was a late birthday present.  Maybe I had won a raffle.  I definitely had not ordered this.  There was also a card in the package.

When you have a few hours, please go into your beautiful backyard, and sit.  Put this on when you are comfortable.  – A friend

I unlatched the small hook on the front of the box.  Nestled in black velvet was an exquisitely crafted silver bracelet.  The bracelet had the design of a dragon - actually, the dragon was the bracelet.  The light shimmered off its scales, the wings were pulled back along its body, and its head rested on the end of the tail. It was beautiful.  I didn’t even like bracelets and I wanted to wear this one.  I almost put it on right then, but stopped short when I caught sight of the note again.  

I wasn’t going anywhere soon.  I had just finished my last contract looking for archaeological sites for a road construction project.  There were no projects waiting.  I had time.  

Calling Wizard, I went into the yard.  There was a light, early Spring breeze but the morning sun kept me from feeling chilled.  The birds had come back in force and were chattering away to attract mates.  As I filled Wizard’s bowl with water, I noticed the smell of the earth.  Winter was losing its hold and the soil was waking up.  Wizard pranced around the yard a bit and then laid down to watch the squirrels in the neighbor’s tree.  He reminded me of a radar dish with his large cupped German Shepherd ears.  Instead of panning the area, he would turn his head quickly and refocus his ears on other potential prey.  Mostly, they were false alarms.   

I sat down with my back against a large stone which radiated warmth.  It was at the perfect angle for lounging.  I closed my eyes and listened to the songs of the chickadees and white-breasted nuthatch.  My reverie was interrupted by a wet slop across my face.  

Wizard, I remonstrated.

He was standing there looking pleased with himself.  His black and gold brindle coat both caught and reflected the sunlight.  He was smiling.  It was hard to be mad at a smiling dog.  Thanks, but I didn’t need a bath.  Go lay down.  Wizard trotted off to another part of the yard, lowered himself to the ground with a grunt of dissatisfaction, and rolled on to his side. 

I sat for a little longer taking in the essence of Spring, tucked a lock of my brown, shoulder length hair behind my ear, and opened the box.  The bracelet was even more beautiful in the full sunlight.  It almost looked like it was breathing.  I hesitated.  What if this wasn’t meant for me?  What if it was a hoax?  Why was I told to get comfortable in my backyard and then put it on?  I moved to put the bracelet back in the box.

Instead of finishing that action, the bracelet ended up on my left wrist.  One moment it was headed for the box and the next I had slid my hand through it where it promptly contracted and began to turn the same color as the mahogany box.

Hey, was all I could say before I could not move.  For a moment, I panicked and thought I was having a seizure. But, in my peripheral vision I saw Wizard sunbathing on the other side of the yard.  He would have warned me if this was the onset of an episode.

In addition to not being able to move I had the distinct sense that someone was there.  I saw my hands in my lap. My eyes said nothing had changed.  My brain was setting off alarms that someone else shared my space.  

Who’s there?  I noticed this question was mental.  I reasoned my lips were part of my non-moving parts.  Was I being poisoned?

Greetings. 

It was a voice.  I was positive I heard a voice. It was an alto voice that was rich and inviting and nothing quite like I had ever heard.  I was definitely being poisoned.

You are not being poisoned.  You are being contacted by another being.

Not poison.  Crazy.  I must be going crazy.  I finally recalled what I had been told and tried to make sense of it. You mean you are an alien?

The chuckle had a rumble to it.  Not precisely.  My kind once roamed your world but no longer do.

Questions poured through my brain: Who are you?  Why can’t I move? Why can’t I see you?

Calm.  We have much to discuss.

An image of a perfectly still lake came to me.  Then, I felt the peace I had just had moments before come back to me.  It seeped into the frenzied questions and calmed them.

I can speak your language some, but I also use images.   Your words take a while for me to bring together.  You are Nadia.

It was a statement, not a question.  Okay.  You seem to know who I am, who are you?

I have many names but the one that was last used by your beings where I lived was Y Ddraig Goch.

Here, the word sounds of ‘eh dryg goh’ came in the beautiful alto voice.

Pleased to meet you, said one part of my mind automatically.  Another part was wondering what in the breadth and depth of Hades was happening.  

Please forgive my way of contacting you.  Your kind often has a hard time with my kind.

What is your kind?  I asked with some trepidation.  

The answer is on your wrist.

My eyes fell to my wrist and I saw the bracelet was now entirely a red mahogany color.  You are a dragon?  And then I remembered from my European studies, Ddraig was the Welsh word for dragon.  A dragon? I repeated incredulously.  

Yes, it is what your kind calls my kind.

What does your kind call my kind?

A chuckle and small rumble again. We call you Impatient Beings.

Again, an image came.  It was a man pacing.  I gave a small sardonic laugh.  You aren’t far off the mark.  Maybe I was not hallucinating or being poisoned.  If so, I was going to relish the experience.  What are you doing here?

You have been selected to be Chosen.  There is need because your world is now in more danger than it has been for a long time.

No kidding.  We have pollution, overpopulation, climate change. . .

The voice interrupted.  Please explain.

Can I send you images like you sent me?

Yes.

I thought of oil spills, forests being razed, areas parched with drought, poached animals, large urban centers, and people who were diseased.  I sent all these images of degradation.  It was all happening at the hands of a single species.  I began to lose my peace.

I see.  This makes our meeting more important.  Your kind has created great damage to your world.  In addition, some of your beings are about to tip the balance further, threatening the lives of your kind and other beings in your world.

How can I change that?  I can’t take control of the world and fix all that.

Truth.  You are Chosen to keep power out of the hands of those who will abuse it.

That sounds ominous.

Ominous?

I thought of dark clouds rolling over the countryside and a tornado developing out of them.

You aren’t far off the mark.

There are a lot of people in this world, why me?

There are several reasons.  First, one of your ancestors was someone I knew.

How long ago was that?

That is not easy for me to say.   My kind measures time differently than your kind."

I idly wondered how dragons measured time.  The dragon continued.

Also, we are convinced you would stay the course even if it meant your actions may cause you injury.

Um, this sounds a little dangerous.  What if I don’t want to be chosen?  I didn’t realize you could stutter in your thoughts, but I just did.

A sigh.  It is your choice.  Being Chosen is between beings.  At this point, I have Chosen you.  You must also choose.  Before you choose, there is much to tell you.  Then, you can decide to be Chosen or Not Chosen.

And if I decide not to?  Always good to know your options.

I will cease to speak with you. There are other beings in your world who may be able to help - you have been deemed best.  You and I need to speak of what happened when my kind meddled in the lives of your kind and why you have been picked to help.  Then, you can decide.

Sound filtered in around the conversation.  Wizard.  He was growling.

You have been interrupted.  There is one not far from you who wishes for what you have.  Your life will be in jeopardy if it is found that we have met.  Except there was an image of a grave instead of the word jeopardy.  I swallowed hard.  

A voice outside the yard was calling hello.  What about the bracelet?  I can’t take it off.

It will be unseen by others.  Your yard is no longer safe for contact.  Use another place of nature for us to continue our discussion.

Then, the presence was gone.  Wizard was having a barking fit at the gate and a woman called, Anybody home?  I quickly stuffed the box and note under the mulch by the rock.  After calming Wizard and getting him to sit, I opened the gate.  A woman stood there smiling.  A smile that did not reach her eyes.

CHAPTER THREE

CAN I HELP you? I asked.  The woman stood slightly shorter than my five feet eight inches.   Sun was spilling over her shoulder.  It is then I realized it was afternoon, late afternoon.  Where did the time go?

The strawberry blonde woman tossed her hair, Hi!  I’m your new neighbor.  I moved in down the street last week.

Hospitality took over and I extended my hand, Hi, I’m Nadia.  Good to meet you.  How are you finding the neighborhood?  The neighbor reached for my hand.  I swore she gave me the once over as she answered.  I love it here.  The trees and old homes are so charming.

I looked at her expectantly as I removed my hand.  She realized she hadn’t given me her name.  I’m Kelly, she added.

Welcome, Kelly.  There are some good people on this block.  I hope you get to know them.

I’m sure we will. When I looked puzzled at the pronoun she added, My husband Aidan and I.  I caught her looking over my shoulder and I turned to see Wizard standing.  I surreptitiously made the hand signal to sit.  He rested back on his haunches.

I looked back at Kelly and smiled.  She smiled back uncertainly, Is that a wolf?  Does he bite? 

Wizard’s black muzzle and intense brown eyes often led people to believe he was a wolf.  No, and only if he thinks you are a threat, I answered.  I didn’t often say the last part, but I also didn’t entirely trust my new neighbor.  

Did you need something? I asked pointedly.

Right, she replied as she slowly switched her gaze from Wizard to me.  Aidan said he saw a delivery truck come through here today.  Did you happen to get a package?  I hoped I didn’t look as wary as I felt. 

She continued, I was expecting a small package from my mom and Aidan said a small package was left on your doorstep.  I thought maybe the delivery man made a mistake since our addresses are almost the same.

But our names are not, I thought.  I received a package from a friend.  The explanation didn’t seem to be enough to satisfy her curiosity.  Instead of telling her to mind her own business, I added, It was a late birthday present.  I didn’t enjoy lying.  However, the warning from the dragon, if it was a dragon, was fresh in my mind.  Also, there was something unsettling about this woman.  Then again, there was something unsettling about this day.

Kelly seemed to realize I wasn’t going to tell her anything else.  Okay, I guess I will keep looking for it.

You could always track it.

I could, she said as she turned to go, but my mom threw the information away.  She does that.  She gave a dismissive wave of her hand.  Thanks, anyway. 

No worries.  Have a good day.  Another hand wave and Kelly headed back to the street and sashayed down the block.  After making sure she left, I turned to go back into the yard.  Wizard came and licked my hand.  I’m fine, I told him.  I gave him a kiss on the top of his head to convince me more than him.

It took me a long time to fall asleep that night, which was not normal.  I kept looking at my wrist.  The bracelet was silver.  The workmanship was amazing with extremely clear detail and no sharp edges. I tugged on it.  It was smaller than when I slipped it over my hand.  The bracelet was the only thing keeping me tethered to the idea something actually happened. 

When I finally slept, a dream came.  I stood by my messenger bag with the box in my hand.  As I put it in the bag, it glowed a little bit.  I turned to see the card floating in the air right in front of me.  As I reached to grab it, it burst into flames and the ash settled into my hands.  "Do so," said a voice.

The next dream was a whirlwind of all the places I liked to hike.  There were images of the trails near Rocky Mountain National Park, a trail in a wilderness area to the west of Denver, and a few trails in the southwest part of the state.  I sighed happily as I remember the hours spent wandering through forests, up mountains and along streams.  Scenes from all seasons played across my dreamscape.  I relived the snow shoeing of winter, the soaked shoes of spring, the beauty of the flowers from summer, and the golden aspen of fall.  Throughout the dream, I found myself revisiting one particular trail.

At 4:00 a.m., my eyes popped open.  I knew I was not going to go back to sleep even though it was hours before the time I normally woke.  I felt as though I had been up all night.  However, two things were quite clear — where I was going to ‘find nature’ and I was going to light something on fire. 

Wizard and I went into the backyard.  He snuffled off to take care of business and see if a raccoon had been through his domain.  I pulled out the items I had hidden the previous afternoon.  Walking over to the chimenea, I tucked the box into my hoodie pocket.  The moon had waned and there was little light.  I located the matches with a little fumbling, put the card in the chimenea, and lit it on fire.  Even the flame had a slight mahogany tinge to it.  I turned to go back into the house, but stopped.  Just burning the card didn’t seem to be enough.  I pulled the ashes out and made sure the breeze took them to different parts of the neighborhood.

***

Having lunch with Jannet always lightened my mood.  How could it not?  She always had a positive, calm demeanor.  I smiled even as I saw her sitting under the awning of one of our favorite restaurants.  After welcoming hugs and a pat for Wizard we sat and picked up menus.

See anything different about me?  I queried.  Jannet sat up and peered at me closely.  Her long blonde hair had been pulled into a pony tail which swept back and forth as she shook her head. 

No, she began hesitantly, wait, did you cut your bangs?  You always tease me that I don’t notice when you cut your bangs.

I had carefully put both hands on the table.  Even my acquaintances knew that I only wore a watch and only when I needed a timepiece out on a dig.  Jannet was an attentive friend and would not have overlooked an unusual accessory on my wrist. 

Did you get a new shirt? she offered.

I smiled.  No.  I thought I would give you a false positive reading.

I could read your aura.  She took one of my hands in both of hers and looked into my eyes.  Those clear blue eyes had once caused my heart to skip a beat.  

You are a person who cares deeply and makes bad jokes, she proclaimed. I tried to pull my hand away.  It’s true, she said soberly.

Which? I asked.

Both, she smiled. And, you didn’t sleep well last night, she continued, sitting back, and pulling her menu toward her. 

You don’t need to read my aura to tell me that.  My eyes always look a little bleary after a bad night of sleep.

I worry when you don’t sleep well.  It makes you more susceptible to episodes.

Then, let me put your mind to rest.  I haven’t even had a twinge of a seizure in six months, I announced.  It is a good thing I really like Wizard or I would see him as an unwieldy accoutrement.  

Wizard grunted from under the table as if to object to the comparison. 

The waiter came to take our order.  I ordered chicken salad and Jannet settled on a Rueben sandwich with sweet potato fries.  

It’s odd you didn’t sleep last night, she began, because I didn’t either.

That’s unusual for you.  You sleep like the dead.

Jannet laughed, Don’t you know it.  Ben says I could sleep through a war.

How is Ben? I asked just as something caught my attention over Jannet’s shoulder.  It was a woman and a man walking around the corner somewhat quickly.  It seemed almost too quick for such a nice day in such a small town.  I was sure the woman had strawberry blonde hair.  The man was taller and had dark brown hair like mine. 

He seems to be impressing everyone at the company with his ideas.  They are thinking about creating a new department for him, Jannet was saying as I refocused my attention.  

Will he be working away from home more? I asked.

I hope not.  I do enjoy the time we have apart to do our own things, but I married him because I wanted to spend more time with him, not less.

Maybe you should travel.  When Ben was away, Jannet had the time to travel.  Since Ben’s company rewarded him handsomely for his ideas, she also had the means.  

Hmmm, she said hesitantly.  I have a better idea.  We can travel together.  It has been too long since you and I have taken a trip.  I’m afraid you are going to turn into a hermit.

I have Wizard.

Jannet gave me a pained look, You are a good person.  I would love to see you share yourself with someone.  The look on my face told her this wasn’t open for discussion.  

Very well, she continued in a lighter vein, I will be your traveling partner for the foreseeable future.  I will make sure you have proper accommodations and food while you spend your days wrestling with sun and dirt.

Which means you will be by the pool while I am out at a site.

Exactly. We both laughed.

Lunch arrived and I picked up the silverware and prepared to attack my food. I admired people who could eat daintily.  I tried but failed miserably.

A sudden gust caught my napkin and I ended up chasing it a couple of tables across the patio.  I was about to turn back when I looked at the bench across the road.  The dark-haired man from before was there.  The intense gaze of his eyes was unsettling.  I acted like I didn’t notice.  Sitting down again, I said quietly, Jannet, I think there is a guy watching us.

Where? As she asked, she didn’t change her posture or turn around.

On the bench, across the road, I said, beginning to eat again.  

Jannet waited a bit before turning around.  While she waited a bus pulled up in front of the bench.  When it pulled away, the man wasn’t there.

Are you being a bit paranoid? Jannet asked since she saw no one. 

Maybe so, I shrugged, trying to dispel my wariness. Jannet knew me well enough to know that I was really concerned.

Jannet and I met when I had a minor seizure during my third year in college.  I was finishing some research in the library when it happened.  The other students thought I was drunk or on drugs.  Jannet came over and realized it was a medical issue.  She stayed with me until my parents showed up at the emergency room.  I thought it was the last I would see of her, but she tracked me down the next week and wondered if I wanted to hang out.

I soon found out Jannet was one of two daughters of diplomats.  She had lived in ten countries by the time she was eighteen.  She was taken with the idea I had spent my whole life in Colorado.  We spent many nights swapping stories of growing up and found our experiences to be surprisingly very similar.  When I told her I was gay, she didn’t bat an eye, and I was able to take my initial feelings of attraction and turn them into a friendship. 

The waiter put down the dessert menu at the same time he picked up the plates.  He wasn’t being presumptuous, we always ate dessert.  After deciding on what to share, peach cobbler, we chatted about the rest of the week.  I wanted to let her know I was going to be out of town.  Jannet was responsible for knowing my exact whereabouts when my parents were traveling. 

I’m going to be gone a couple of days to see about some sites, I said. Mentally I added, And, talk to a dragon.

Out of state?

No.  I want to check an area I haven’t seen with low snowpack.  I am hoping the dry winter and melting snow will show some boundary markers.

Finding places where people had lived in the past was something I was particularly good at and Jannet found utterly bewildering.  The only reason Jannet would know that some ancient people had used an area for habitation was when there was a large interpretive sign. Sometimes, even that didn’t work.  We once visited Dinosaur Ridge outside of Denver.  I was enthralled with the footprints in the rock; Jannet saw a bunch of dents.

I will think of you when you are freezing and I am very warm under my comforter.  Should I have a cup of hot chocolate for you?

Yes, please, with a few marshmallows.

Wizard and I set out early the