The Dragons of Remgeldon: Book 3

By Florence Joanne Reid

The war at Thanos is over, but Princess Dariella has been captured. Can Lord Darius and two dragons find her in time?

Because of the lightning strike at Thanos, set off by Zandrax, half of King Halvards army has been killed. Half the population left at Thanos has been killed.

Where did Zandrax run to after that dastardly blast?

King Raymon of Heun is having serious trouble with his half-brother Gerald, who is his advisor. Should Raymon send his wife-beating brother away, dissolve his marriage, or is there an alternative?

Spies are sent out to determine how much of the southern army is still in the northern realm. Can Slade and Janatar quietly spy out the southern territory and stay out of trouble?

And in these troubled times, can Jandal and Felyana find happiness? Can Kalan and Altina really be in love? And what of Lord Darius and Dariella? Will they or wont they fall in love?

How can only eighteen dragons help the war effort?

King Halvard has the Seven Gods on his side, plus Lord Darak and his son, Lord Darius. And now the dragons.

Zandrax has called up three demons from the Deep: Grogan, the shape-shifter; Karmac, the shade or shadow; and Whoron, the siren enticer. Will he too want a dragon? And where would he get one?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514426708

Florence Joanne Reid

Florence Reid attended BBI, Bible Baptist Institute, night school, for three years while still in high school, then attended Cedarville University, but didnt finish college. Instead Florence went home and married William Reid, whom she met in church. They had 24 good years together before he went to meet his Heavenly Father. They have 9 children, 21 grandchildren, and as of this writing, 14 great-grandchildren. In the course of her life, Florence taught Sunday School preteens, taught Bible Clubs in three different school after hours, played the piano at church, besides raising 9 children, and outings with preteens, with her children along. Florence loves to read scifi, mysteries, love stories, history, and intrigue, besides the Bible. She started writing when in her late 30s, then spent time rewriting and making them better. For hobbies she sews, embroiders, creates doilies and snowflakes, and knits, and occasionally paints outdoor scenes.

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Copyright © 2015 by Florence Joanne Reid.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015918955

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5144-2672-2

                Softcover        978-1-5144-2671-5

                eBook              978-1-5144-2670-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Rev. date: 11/16/2015

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CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

Thanos 1553.1023

ONE

Velka Road 1553.1024

Thanos 1553.1026

Isle of Rydl 1553.1026

Thanos 1553.1027

Grabaski Castle 1553.1027

The Isle 1553.1027

Jicha Crossing 1553.1028

Thanos 1553.1029

TWO

Heun 1553.1102

The Isle 1553.1104

Heun 1553.1105

Galleo 1553.1108

Baka 1553.1110

THREE

Isle of Rydl 1554.0103

Galleo 1553.0107

Salator 1554.0112

Salator 1554.0126

Galleo 1554.0203

FOUR

Isle of Rydl 1554.0326

Thanos 1554.0601

FIVE

Kobiacyn 1554.0608

Wylche 1554.0609

Britt 1554.0609

Army Camp 1554.0609

Thanos 1554.0610

SIX

Salator 1554.0611

Army Camp 1554.0612

Wylche 1554.0701

Wylche Royal Castle 1554.0702

Army Camp 1554.0702

Samos 1554.0702

Samos 1554.0703

Gathe 1554.0710

Forbidden Hills 1554.0722

Isle of the Dragon 1554.0724

Two Rivers 1554.0808

Baka 1554.0812

SEVEN

Two Rivers 1554.0822

Isle of the Dragon 1554.0908

Isle of the Dragons 1554.1010

Isle of the Dragons 1554.1012

Velka Inn 1554.1015

Thanos 1554.1018

Baka 1554.1022

Pirl 1554.1029

Samos 1554.1030

EIGHT

Wylche 1554.1104

Wylche by the Sea 1554.1106

Wylche by the Sea 1554.1107

Thanos 1554.1124

Baka 1554.1130

Baka 1554.1201

Rowan 1554.1205

Samos 1554.1209

Bryn 1554.1212

Galleo 1554.1213

Wylche by the Sea 1554.1213

Isle of the Dragon 1554.1221

Two Rivers 1554.1228

NINE

Thanos 1555.0103

Galleo 1555.0104

Brogan 1555.0105

Jaffreys 1555.0107

The Cave 1555.0110

Hogue 1555.0126

TEN

Galleo 1555.0209

Thanos 1555.0212

Isle of the Dragons 1555.0309

Isle of the Dragons 1555.0317

ELEVEN

Kalan's Castle 1555.0409

Isle of the Dragons 1555.0426

Baka 1555.0502

TWELVE

Isle of the Dragons 1555.0510

Carnes 1555.0515

Baka 1555.0515

Two Rivers 1555.0528

Galleo 1555.0624

Thanos 1555.0724

MAJOR CHARACTERS

Dedicated in memory of my son, Jim who not only

inspired this story, but worked with me on the outline.

Map%20of%20Remgeldon%20Left%20Page_edited.jpg

PROLOGUE

A LOOK BACK

THANOS 1553.1023

S o now we're kings, Waldon said to his two brothers. Darton was the oldest at fifteen, soon to be sixteen, and Jovian the youngest, ten. He was twelve.

Can't you take anything serious Waldon? Darton grumbled.

None of us can actually be a king until we turn eighteen, Jovian remarked. At least that's what instructor Merklyn up at Two Rivers says. When do we go back up there?

Probably not until Lord Darak and Lord Darius finds Princess Dariella, Darton said crossly. Why did Zandrax have to kidnap her anyway?

Right when everything was going right, too, Waldon added.

They were in the family room at the head of the main stairs, on the second floor, where their mother and father had their apartment. Darton was dressed like a Prince, or king, but Waldon and Jovian had been out in the river playing, since no one was paying any attention to them this day. Both of them were soaked up to their knees, and didn't care. They had not caught any fish. That had been their sole reason for going to the pond, not to go swimming. It was too cold.

The elves who had been camped out beyond the east castle wall were gone. Most of them. What few elves still there were camped in the woods, but far enough away from inside the east wall to give three boys some privacy at their pond in the woods?

It had been shocking to be told that they were elves, taking after their mother, Savanal, whom they heard by eavesdropping, was King Rantriel's half-sister. They would live as long as elves. Rantriel had already lived almost two hundred years, and expected to live eight hundred more.

Which land are you going to choose to be king over? Waldon asked after a lengthy silence.

I don't think it's going to work that way, Darton said. Adric has Hogue, we already know that, and Silk has Galleo. Leaves Drude, Lichen and Pitzar. We'll most likely be learning about those places when we get back to Two Rivers. Still won't matter. We'll get what we get, like it or not.

I think we should have a choice, Waldon disagreed.

Something will happen so we don't have a choice, Darton said dourly. We don't even have any guarantee when we'll really become kings down there, and frankly, the whole idea of being a king scares me spitless. He would only admit that to his brothers.

It's already been a whole day since Dariella disappeared, Jovian said. Why can't they find her? He wanted to go back to Two Rivers. Tall for his age, he was slightly taller than Waldon who was two years older. They all had red hair, but his was a funny carroty color. Waldon's was a nice brassy red, like a lot of the elves he'd seen over the past year. Darton's hair was fiery red. That's what everyone talked about when they said they were elves, besides their green eyes. If no one had ever told him his ears were different, Jovian never would have noticed that everyone had round ears, and his had points on them. Mostly, he was just clumsy, tripping over everything. Waldon's the only one who stayed with him. His friends thought he was a joke. What friends?

Waldon could almost tell what Jovian was thinking by the expression on his face. He said, When we get to Two Rivers you'll meet a lot of guys your age, Jovi.

As big as me? As clumsy as me?

You'll grow out of it, Waldon promised.

He can't take sword training the way he trips over nothing, Darton allowed. He'll end up stabbing himself.

He can too! There'll be a way. Lord Darak will be able to help him.

I just wish they'd find Dariella! Darton said with some exasperation. Then we could return to Two Rivers. The war is over.

For now, Waldon said. Think we'll get a dragon one day? he asked wistfully.

Maybe, Darton said with reservations. Rydl and Rachah are awfully big.

Have to be big if we're to sit on their shoulders and fly. I've dreamed of flying. Wonder what it'll be like for real.

Not that sinking feeling when you come down, Darton mumbled.

Bet it will! Waldon grinned. Flying up high, swooping down. Bet it gives my stomach a tickle better than sliding down the banister.

Jovian perked up at that. He'd slid down the banister a few times, right behind Waldon. He looked over at his older brother. You ever slide down the banister? He didn't think his straitlaced brother did anything like that.

A time or two, Darton admitted. Six years ago I was as young as you, he said dryly.

I'd like a brown dragon like Rydl, Waldon said dreamily.

Rachah won't be laying any eggs until next year, Darton said. I heard father and mother talking. Then they have to hatch, and then grow-up and age.

Wonder how big a dragon egg will be? Jovian sighed. It'll be a long time before I can have my very own dragon.

Things will be different with dragons helping to fight evil magic, Darton remarked in a tone of curiosity. Maybe we won't get a dragon. He didn't know if he wanted one. Darius, though, seemed to enjoy riding on Rydl. Flying. He gave a slight shudder.

Father said it was in our future to have a brown dragon, Waldon told his brothers. But not for Charidan. But Bragan for sure.

What did Mother say? Jovian asked.

If she said anything I didn't hear it, Waldon admitted. He'd eavesdropped on their conversation as soon as he heard dragons mentioned. He had been on his way to the library to find another book to read, books that had been religiously copied by grandfather's scribes, so his father said. By what Father said, we'll have to learn sword fighting. All dragonriders would.

That's why we'll be going up to Two Rivers Castle, Darton said. As soon as Dariella is found.

The brothers sat in glum silence. The Master Mage had somehow taken Dariella from the castle wall, right out from under Thon and Holin's nose, and now Darius was out looking for her with the two dragons, Rydl and Rachah.

Yesterday Silk---Prince Jandal---had married the Lady Felayna and she became Princess Felayna. Jandal had been crowned King of the continent to the south, south of the Ancient Bridge. Same as they had been crowned Kings of those lands in the south, which Waldon sat thinking about.

Darton would be first. He would sixteen soon, but he couldn't be king until after he turned eighteen. He would have to wait at least four years, Waldon thought, and maybe longer. What all could happen in four years? The dragons. More war, more fighting.

Waldon had a dour feeling that he would never see fighting, or be a part of any fighting. And would he get a dragon?

His brothers looked at him when he sighed heavily.

ONE

VELKA ROAD 1553.1024

Z andrax woke with a splitting headache. Sunlight touched his eyes and he tried to move away from it without opening them. The bed was as hard as rocks. His hand moved off the covers and touched, what? Grass? He opened one brown eye and saw he was outside, lying in a grassy knoll, surrounded by a forest of trees. He rolled over onto his stomach, only then opening both eyes.

He was indeed outside. He had no idea how he'd gotten here. Last coherent thought had been the night after the Royal Wedding, drinking himself into a stupor. He retched, as if moving had violated his stomach, heaving up his insides onto the grass. He moved away from that spot. That's when he saw the white mare.

The Master Mage staggered over to the horse to see if there was anything in the saddlebags to eat, something that would settle comfortably in his ailing stomach. He must have drunk half the ale in Thanos, he presumed, yesterday. Maybe it was the day before. His muddled brain couldn't recall what day it was.

He chanced to look over the horses back. Tied to a tree was a beautiful redheaded elfin girl, her head sunk to her bosom in sleep. He assumed she was sleep. He must have done that. He couldn't remember doing it. But seeing the girl, he felt the heavy protect spell hovering over the wooded hill. He must have done that too, secured the area before passing out.

The mage went over to see who the girl was. He yanked her head up, banging the back of her head against the tree, waking her abruptly so that she screamed out.

Aha! The Princess Dariella! He had no recollection of how he had captured his niece, daughter of his half-brother, Rantriel, the King of the Elves.

Who are you? the Princess demanded.

Prince Alexander, your uncle, he answered honestly, then regretted it.

Zandrax the mage, she resupplied with heavy sarcasm. I've heard of you, you pretending to be Lord Sander of Wylche. She spit at him.

He slapped her hard across the face. Mind your manners!

Untie me and I'll show you my manners! she cried, fire in her green eyes.

He studied her, his thoughts racing. If she knew he was pretending to be Lord Sander, then he had to assume everyone who'd been at the Royal Castle for the Royal Wedding knew, also. He couldn't return to Wylche. He looked around, eyes narrowed as he took in his situation. He had no idea where he was, except that he was in a forest. How far had they traveled from Thanos?

He looked back at the girl. He'd have to untie her from the tree. They had to ride out of here. He took note of where the sun was coming up in the east and decided they had to head west and south. He bent to unloosen the ropes, but as soon as he was close enough she kicked him in the chins with her hard-toed boots.

I've a notion to leave you tied to the blasted tree. He went behind the tree to unloosen the bonds that held her, only to discover when he touched the ropes they were held with a spell. He probably did that too. He removed the spell, but left the ropes on her hands, leaving a long enough line to pull her along without getting close.

Although she tried to get up to run away, her legs wouldn't hold her. She let out a cry as she fell, but then got to her feet again.

He held the long end of the rope, mounted the horse, before pulling her in.

Get up behind me, and no tricks. Unless you want me to put you on the horse the hard way? I can, you know.

She glared at him. Dariella thought that at one time he might have been handsome, but there was a cruel look about his dark eyes and pinched mouth. Seeing him in daylight, she could see his elven heritage in the lines of his angular face, but it was purely human. She recalled her father talking about this half-brother, that his mother had been a mage, but she had only used her magic to lengthen her life so she'd live as long as her elderly husband. When he died, she died.

He tugged on the rope and demanded, Get up here right now!

Dariella couldn't think how she was going to get out of this situation, so she complied, with reluctance. Darius had better find her soon. He had called out her name. She remembered that. It had been dark. Right after that this man, whom she now knew, had knocked her out.

He kicked his foot out of the stirrup so she could put her foot in to climb aboard, behind the saddle. He pulled her arms up in the air, once she was settled, and pulled them over his head, her hands still tied securely. He headed west. He belatedly put a spell of silence on her so she couldn't cry out again, for he intended to head to the nearest Inn at the first road he came to, to get some food for their journey.

He could feel her body pressed close to his, and it excited him in a sensual way. She was, after all, a woman. He didn't care that she was a kinswoman. After riding a couple of hours he was thinking of seriously stopping and throwing her on the ground.

Zandrax gave a yelp when her teeth sank into his left shoulder, and he swung his fist up into her face. She might have made a sound if the silence spell had not kept her quiet. He felt her shaking her head.

They rode a few more miles.

Next time he was feeling amorous she bit him in the neck on his right side. He had a hard time dislodging her teeth without punching himself in the neck. While he squirmed to get away from her bite, she bit harder, until he reached back and grabbed her by the hair with both hands and shook her head until she had to let go.

He twisted in the saddle to tie a gag around her mouth, rendering her helpless to bite him again. He massaged his shoulder with one hand, and his neck with the other. She'd drawn blood.

Lord Darius, son of the God, Darak, and Guardian of Remgeldon, had been out looking for the Princess Dariella since her disappearance off the wall where she'd been talking with her cousins, Prince Kalandri and his two brothers, Thon and Holin. Kalan had immediately sent out horseman to search the city for Zandrax and Dariella, but to no avail. Darius had to assume that Zandrax had teleported her off the wall to somewhere outside the city, but how the evil mage had managed it, he did not know, for he shouldn't have been able to touch anyone on the walls of the Royal Enclosure.

Two days he had been looking, riding on Rydl's back, with Rachah flying with them, both dragons in a frenzy to find the Princess.

It was a miracle when her cry reached him. She'd been hurt and cried out. It was enough for the dragons to locate her, and they made a beeline to that location. But it was in the forest. They were too large to land in the forest.

The road, Rydl! Darius shouted to his brown dragon. Get me to the road. I can call up my horse.

Even as they flew to the road, which wasn't more than five miles away, Darius pictured his black horse there to meet him, saddled and ready. And he was. Blacky was the horse his Father had created for him, and he always came to his call, no matter where he was, or when he needed him.

Zandrax and Dariella rode on, westward. They had to come to a road sometime, he reasoned. Even in his muddled state he must have had some destination in mind. He presumed Wylche. After another couple of hours they were still in the forest, and seemingly no closer to a road. He was beginning to get those amorous feelings again, a lust for the use of a woman's body.

His member was swelling as he moved in the saddle. He felt her hands just under his waist, at his stomach. As his swelling increased, it touched those hands. He felt her hand move lower, then close around him, and he gloried in the touch.

Then it tightened and clenched and he felt her nails bit into his skin. He squirmed to get away from those hands with long nails cutting into his flesh and he inadvertently kicked the horse in the side. The horse broke into a run, and the harder Zandrax tried to get away from Dariella's death grip on his manhood, the harder he kicked the horse, all the while he was pulling back on the reigns trying to stop the confounded horse. He wanted off, away from this crazy woman who would not let go of him.

He pulled back so hard on the reigns that he broke the horse's neck. As the horse was falling over, he managed to kick his feet out of the stirrups. Both of them fell off the horse. It was enough to break her hold. But the pain, and the throbbing on his member went on and on. All he could think of was to slash the cord on her wrists and get away from her.

He didn't care if he cut her hand. He found his knife and slashed.

Freed, Dariella rolled off Zandrax's back, got to her feet, and simply could not resist kicking the man between his legs, not once, but twice, until he rolled over on his side, cussing and swearing, unable to do anything but hold himself, and curse her.

Lying on the ground as he was, Zandrax heard the horse pounding in their direction. He had the presence of mind to teleport himself to a safer place, disappearing just as Darius came upon the scene, pulled up on his horse and jumped off to fling his arms around Dariella, holding her to him so the mage could not take her with him.

Would that you had trampled the. . . !

Darius kissed her passionately before she could utter another word.

I'm taking you to the Isle where you'll be safe from Zandrax. He pulled her to his horse, mounted and pulled her up into his arms and rode with her pressed to his breast. At the road, he put her upon Rachah's back, then climbed aboard Rydl. The dragons teleported them in a matter of seconds to the Isle of the Tower where he had taken his instruction in magic, on the island off the coast of Rakon, a little more than four hundred miles from Thanos.

Darius belatedly reminded the horse to return to the stables at the Royal Castle where he'd receive a double measure of oats. If horses could laugh, Blacky gave a good imitation of it, in Darius' mind.

THANOS 1553.1026

Lord Darak ran to the small dining room where he knew King Halvard to be at this time of day, bursting into the room, in spite of the guards at the doors.

Good news, sire! he called out. Darius found Dariella! She's safe, no harm done her, and he's taken her to the Isle where Zandrax can't snatch her again.

The High King had stood at Darak's sudden entrance, knocking over his chair, and knocking the crown off his head when he leaned over to pick up the chair. No one had gotten any sleep in the two days since Dariella had been snatched off the wall. Halvard's usually clean-shaven face was rough with gray whiskers, except for his dark mustache. His blue eyes were dark-rimmed from lack of sleep. He had changed from his wedding finery to his normal dark royal blue pants and overshirt that were trimmed in silver.

Safe! Halvard repeated, very much relieved. Guards! he shouted. Six women entered the room from the three doors. Pass the word to everyone in the castle that Dariella's safe, that Darius has her, and they're on the Isle. He turned to his son-in-law. What of Zandrax?

The wily devil escaped just before Darius showed up. Teleported elsewhere. Darius didn't know where. He simply thought to get Dariella into a safe location.

The King sat down abruptly.

Darak bellowed for a servant to bring in coffee, immediately. He didn't wait, but reached out magically, picking a cup of coffee from midair, handing it to the King.

Drink that! he commanded. You've had a deep shock these past couple of days. All's well now. You really should get some sleep.

I'm probably too tired to sleep, mumbled the King.

Darak thought to add a little something to the King's coffee that would put him to sleep. They'd discuss all this tomorrow. Before Halvard could finish the coffee, people began coming into the dining room to hear the news from the source. By then he was nodding off. Darak then teleported Halvard straight to his bedroom.

Men were left standing open-mouthed when the King vanished while they were in mid-question. Darak passed on the good news.

The King will want to speak to all the Kings tomorrow, and Queens. Make that two hours before lunch in the Throne Room. All Lords and Ladies are invited to attend the meeting. Pass the word around to all guests in the castle.

King Jandal, better known as Silk the spy, entered the small dining room. His wife of two days was with him, now the Princess Felayna. It's true, Darius found Dariella?

True! Darak kept answering that same question for the next hour, even though he had word spread throughout the castle. Even his God-like chiseled features were showing the strain of the wakefulness of two days.

Raymon of Heun, Byram of Kobiacyn and Rantriel of Salator, all reigning Kings, human, dwarf and elf, entered the room and took a seat opposite Lord Darak. He poured coffee from a hot pot that was never empty into cups he conjured up when they entered the room. Silk stayed to hear what they wanted, but Felayna returned to their apartment, where he planned on rejoining her in short order. None of them had slept. He had yet to consummate his marriage.

How long will we be required to remain here at Thanos now that Rantriel's daughter is safe with Lord Darius? Raymon's brown eyes assessed the God cautiously.

You've all already received word that Halvard will want to see you all tomorrow. I gave him a draft to make him sleep. Can I offer you the same Rantriel? I know you've been up these past two days, and under the same strain as the High King.

I'll be fine, said the elf. But I will sleep the clock around once I find my bed. On the other hand, we were interested in when we'll be leaving for home.

You were expected to stay five to seven days after the wedding. There's still a lot of planning to make for an assault on Wylche. How much of an army does everyone think we need to capture that city, and how long can we expect to take to rebuild our forces? We had over forty thousand troops before that lightning strike of Zandrax killed half of them in a flash. We probably won't ever be able to work up an army like that again.

You think not? Byram asked. Dwarves were the ugliest creatures the Seven Gods ever created. Once upon a time Byram's hair had been brown, then it turned gray, now that gray was turning white, a sure sign that he was getting not just old, but at age four hundred thirty-five, ancient. His brown eyes, however, still had the imp of life.

Men who came in ranged in age from eighteen to twenty-six, Darak informed the three Kings. The next men to come in will be young men just turning seventeen, eighteen or nineteen, and we'll be lucky if two hundred a month show up at Two Rivers Castle for training. That's only a little over two thousand a year.

But what of the dragons? Silk asked. Surely in a couple of years we'll have more than two dragons.

We'll have more than two by this time next year. Darak prayed hopefully that they would. It also depends on how fast they mature. That could take a couple more years.

We've all been hoping for a quick solution, Rantriel observed. His red hair, usually kept well combed, was unruly and tangled, and like everyone else in the castle, had dark rings around his green eyes. I see now that that's not likely to happen. He finished his coffee and stood. I must get some rest now. We'll reconvene this meeting tomorrow with the High King. Dariella was safe; that would allow his wife some much needed rest.

It had been rough on Charlayna especially these past few months when they first learned Qarvon had been severely beaten and not expected to live. Relief had come when they saw with their own eyes that he was walking around as if nothing had happened, and had taken a wife. They had received another shock when the King wanted their youngest son, Adric, for a King in the southland. Then Dariella's abduction from the very place they all thought the safest, the Holy City itself, albeit, from the top of the wide wall between the Holy City and the city. The natural spring was back in Rantriel's footsteps as he mounted the steps to the northeast tower where his wife awaited further news.

Safe with Darius on an island? Charlayna quirked a white eyebrow. How safe is that young man when he's obviously head over heels in love with our daughter.

Their wedding will come in due time, Rantriel admonished, adding dryly, If a little late. I would think that feelings and emotions are running high right about now.

ISLE OF RYDL 1553.1026

Rantriel was not far from wrong. While the castle at Thanos slept, that was not the case on the Isle. Rachah, the golden dragon, was ready for her mating flight, had been ready that morning when they found Dariella. She barely had time to drop off her passenger when she bugled her readiness, and took flight.

Unceremoniously Rydl dumped Darius and went after her.

The two humans entered the tower, but their minds were still locked with their dragons. What Rachah wanted, Dariella wanted; and what Rydl ached to give her, Darius felt. He could only lead her to his room where he desperately needed her physically.

He began making love to her, kisses and caresses, taking off her clothing piece by piece; she doing the same to him, sharing kisses and caresses. They fell across the bed when the back of Darius' legs bumped it and she pushed him and fell atop him.

Their joining came the second the dragons joined in mid-flight, wings locked in an eternal embrace of lovers. They were soaring with their dragon mates, falling, sucked into the vortex of desires and mating, until the climax, then the dragons spread their wings to soar up into the skies again to fly side by side in sated bliss.

Darius rolled off Dariella to lay beside her, fingers still entwined, as they soared with their dragons in the same sated bliss. They were neither embarrassed by their nakedness, but marveled at each other, and reached out to touch each other, to kiss and caress each other in delightful happiness.

Before the Seven Gods, my love, Darius avowed, we are married. I intended to ask you to marry me. I hope you love me as much as I love you.

Since the day I clapped eyes on you, she responded. Love me again this way.

They spent the day in each other's arm, only putting off the inevitable when they foraged for a meal. Since they were the only ones in the castle, they didn't bother with dressing, and they found delightful ways to please each other the next few hours.

THANOS 1553.1027

The King was not up at dawn as was his usually schedule. He heard about the midmorning meeting while he was eating breakfast, midmorning for him, from Darak, who had joined him.

A meeting about what?

"I thought you'd want a meeting. We