The Quest of the Gold Dragon: The Dangerous Path Home

By Kassandrae Wones

The quest is nearing its completion, and the eggs are already beginning to show signs of hatching. Can Goldarayne and her companions get to them in time to prevent a catastrophe in two worlds? Or will all be lost? What evil is lurking there on Terra Earth waiting to claim the throne that Arthur left behind for the gold dragon to care of? Follow Goldarayne and her companions as they face an ancient evil that was left behind after the Great Migration of dragonkind. Goldarayne will face a foe that will cost her greatly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984532350

Book preview

The Quest

of the

Gold Dragon

The Dangerous Path Home

47476.png

Kassandrae Wones

Copyright © 2018 by Kassandrae Wones.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2018906535

ISBN:                        Softcover                          978-1-9845-3236-7

                                 eBook                                 978-1-9845-3235-0

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 05/31/2018

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 Stepping Carefully Earth

Chapter 2 Discovery on Arthuralon

Chapter 3 Decisions Made Actions Taken Earth

Chapter 4 A Time to Prepare Arthuralon/Terra Earth

Chapter 5 A Summons, and a Gift

Chapter 6 The Human and the Dragon

Chapter 7 Preparation

Chapter 8 The Battle of a Lifetime

PROLOGUE

ARTHURALON

T HE FOLLOWING IS from the report made by Merlin the Councilor for Her Royal Majesty of Arthuralon, while she is away from her throne. This report was made to the Council of Dragon Kind, in which the Princess Deena is in attendance as representative of the royal family.

Merlin tells the Council that Her Majesty and her rider, Kitriara, are progressing as planned on their quest. It has come to the attention of the Councilor and the Council of Dragon Kind, as well as to certain other members of Dragon Kind, that they have had a few setbacks in accomplishing their task. These setbacks have now been handled and the decisions of the Council that have been handed down to Her Majesty and Kitriara have been enforced. Per the ruling of the Council, Prince Cyrathus had been ordered to stay with Her Majesty, so that the quest could be finished and all return home. Since my return to Arthuralon, I have watched through the Orb of Distance to make sure that all is going well. So far the plans that have been made for recovery are continuing apace, and as well as can be expected. I have been working with the Lady to ensure the success of Her Majesty and the recovery of the eggs and those who were left behind long ago after the Great Migration of Dragon Kind from Arthuralon.

Kitriara continues to send me reports on a weekly basis and I continue to watch closely from here. When the time comes, we shall retrieve those things that have been previously mentioned. Currently Her Majesty is faced with an unknown evil and must bring this evil to heel. She will endeavor to do her best while she is on Terra Earth, and chooses at this time to uphold the Council’s decision of remaining in human form. This unknown evil is a walker from before the Great Migration. She now knows the color of the walker’s true dragon form; and I have been asked to find out from the elders what abilities of the walker are. I will do so, so only that the unknown factors of this evil are made known. The Dragon of the Spine has been awakened on Terra Earth, and this could cause trouble, but I do not think that will be the case here. If anything, the Dragon of the Spine will help our cause, and I will converse with him so that he knows what has gone on since he was last awake."

Merlin finished his report to the Council with a flourish and retreated from the dais. He bowed politely to the Princess Deena, then took his customary seat at the base of the throne. The Council asked if there were any other news from the party and a negative response was given by Merlin. The head of the Council declared that the session of the Council of Dragons was over and all dragons could disperse as they wished.

My Lord Merlin, Princess Deena asked, how fares my sister and her rider?

As well as could be expected, Milady. he answered her.

She asked of him, Do you really think she will succeed?

Of Course, Highness. Your sister is very smart and very quick in a confrontation. Her mate, Cyrathus, is very proud of her, not to mention very protective, Merlin told her standing, By your leave, Highness. He finished, bowing again to her, and walking down the aisle of the throne room to the great doors. The guards there opened the doors for him and he thanked them as he passed through them.

Merlin went to his own chambers, wondering what the Princess Deena was up to. She used to play games of trying to outwit her opponents. She even battled Goldarayne during the Trials to try and gain the throne, but when she saw that she could not succeed, she threw down her own sword and swore fealty to Goldarayne. He remembered the King’s warning before he died that Deena was not to be trusted. She was to always be watched. That was why Goldarayne had made her an official Lady in Waiting and made sure that her home was in the Palace. Deena was kept under constant watch, as the Queen wished. Deena was the source of most of the trouble that faced Goldarayne, and she was always trying to prove that Goldarayne had no right to the throne. When the Trials were over, Goldarayne was proclaimed High Queen of Arthuralon. Goldarayne was made Queen and has proven her right to rule on more than one occasion. She made peace where there was unrest and brought all of dragon kind together under one rule. That was one of Arthur’s pet projects that Goldarayne finished for him after his death. The Queen made sure that I knew that the Princess was in league with the Dragon of the Spine and that he was opposed to the success of this Quest. But I knew that the Dragon could be reasoned with and that was why I had involved the Lady of the Lake. The Dragon of the Spine ultimately belonged to her. It would be her decision on how to handle that particular dragon. She knew him best.

Merlin sat down at his table and again removed the Orb of Distance from his belt pouch. He placed it on the table and an image formed in the Orb. The image that he saw was that of Her Majesty and her mate with the new man, Sir Bartholomew. He wondered what role he would eventually play in their lives. He knew that Goldarayne was going to make him a member of her personal guard. But, he also knew that there was another role that Bartholomew would play other than that of guard to Her Majesty. He only hoped that, when the time was appropriate, that Her Majesty would realize just how special this young man would turn out to be. Merlin watched as the Orb showed him images of what was happening to his beloved Queen and her rider. As far as Deena went, only time would tell him what she was up to. But he would discover her doings and let the Queen know. For now, all that he could do was watch what was happening to his beloved queen and her party on Terra Earth. He could help out when the time came for him to do that. But for the nonce, he had more important matters to attend to, watching the Princess Deena being one of them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EARTH

I talked with Casey and she agreed, that since Cyrathus was now here until the end of this quest, she could use him in security. He would make sure that no one got onto the company grounds that was not supposed to be there. She would pass the word on to everyone that they now had to present ID if they did not have a company badge. Since it would take some time to get the badges to everyone, she would pull all the files of the company drivers and make a list for him to check the names and IDs against. All office personnel would be issued badges by the end of next week. Casey said that she would get the necessary equipment to have them made. The drivers would have to have their badges done as they came into the yard. The idea behind these badges was for the safety of the company and its employees.

Everything was going well and there were no more threats against me. It seems that my enemy was taking a break from trying to kill me. Of course, we were making it harder for my enemy since I was no longer allowed to go out on my own. I was listed as a team driver, or a local, depending on how severely Casey needed me watched. Since I was still in the fair competitions, I was running local loads for her. I got to spend more time with Bartholomew and we would go out on the weekends after the fair closed to watch what he called, a movie or go out dancing. The dancing was nice, but it was not something I was used to doing. So for me, it became more like exercising. I would practice some of my sword movements to the loud music that was played. There were dinners that we would go out to as well. The dates were fun and amusing. I was learning, firsthand, the courtship rituals of this world. To the amusement of my mate and my rider, I occasionally had to ask her for advice on the human rituals that I normally did not participate in.

Cyrathus was a bonus; he kept Casey busy with new things. Well, new to him, at least. She would take him out on horseback rides. He furthered his acquaintance with her and was becoming quite fond of her. He was trying some of the things that Bartholomew and I did together. He thought them strange until he found out how much fun he could have. He tried everything from taking Casey to the movies, to dancing and dinner. They even accompanied us on long walks in the woods. He found out that life here was just as much fun as at home on Arthuralon. That was what Cyrathus lived for most, fun. He enjoyed life and enjoyed many things that life could offer. I doubted that my mate could ever find life to be hateful or spiteful. He enjoyed those things that he found interesting and he definitely had a positive outlook.

The fair was starting to wind down and the last weekend of it was fast approaching. I had one more bout with my lance and sword. Kit, Casey, and Bartholomew now stood along the sidelines and cheered me on. They were eliminated, one by one, during the month long fair. I am the last of the four of us to still be fighting. It is a challenge that I have been enjoying and will miss it when the fair does close. I know that I will do well, so I do not worry about it anymore. I have more pressing matters to attend to than the Renaissance Fair.

I had stayed in touch with the Council of Dragons and gave them regular reports. Each time that I did, I got a little bit homesick. I knew what I had to do and I had promised the Council that I would end this quest as quickly as I could.

CHAPTER ONE

Stepping Carefully Earth

I ALWAYS SEEM TO be trying to make time for something. It has now been three full weeks since Kit and I came here. The last weekend of the fair seems to be the busiest. Casey has suspended any work for me on the last work day, which is a Friday. I seem to be in constant practice with Kit on my sword work. I need to stay sharp if I intend to win this last bout of mine. This last bout will either eliminate me or put me in the position of challenging the second best for the title of Champion. I would like that title to be mine, but it really does not matter.

My weekdays are filled with driving and what all that entails, while my nights are divided. I rarely spend time with Cyrathus, and when I am gone with Bartholomew on a load, I spend time with him. He has turned into a selfish man, wanting me all to himself, and when he has me to himself, he barely says anything to me. I wonder about Bartholomew’s thoughts and jealousies. It is hard for me to understand, but I can feel his pain, therefore, making that pain my own. Cyrathus relieves me of this pain when I am with him. I am glad that this will be the last week I will be with Bartholomew for a while. I have to get back to the shop so that I can talk with Kevin again before the close of the fair in which I hope I shall be declared a successful winner. But only time will tell the outcome of that.

I drove down the highway from the town of Biwandi, where I had delivered a load. I would have the next 15 days off before having to head out again. This next run would be my longest one yet. I would be out for 10 days before having to come back to the shop. I know that Cyrathus would be eager to see me and I was hoping against hope that Bartholomew would be of the same feeling, eager to see me. But as far as he was concerned, I have started to give up hope of his having any feelings for me. I would need to talk with Casey about him to see what she can suggest. I am starting to get a little bit tired of the way that he acts around me. I can understand his feelings, but he has to understand that nothing can change to the eyes of everyone else.

I was about two miles from the shop yard when I saw Bartholomew walking down the road toward town. I put on the brakes, stopped my truck and got out. I went over to him as he stood still watching me climb down from the cab of the truck.

Where are you going? I asked him when I reached him.

I’m going back to Sol Selenga. I’m not needed here now that you got your mate here, he said.

I laughed at that and said, That, my dear heart, is where you are wrong. I need you now just as much as before. Probably more so, and Cyrathus understands this. That is why he is keeping his distance from me, and seeing me only occasionally. He does not want things to change between us; he wants for us to continue.

But isn’t he jealous of me, he asked skeptically.

No, not even a little. He understands what goes on between us and is being supportive of your pursuit. If he wasn’t he would let you know in a very grand way. There would be no doubt on either your part or anyone else’s as to his feelings about it. But, by his being quiet about it, should show you that he is in approval of it, I said, starting to get angry.

I’m sorry then. I just didn’t take that into account. I thought that his silence meant disapproval, not approval, he said blushing and rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.

Get in. I’ll take you back to the yard, I said.

Okay, he replied and took my arm and we walked back to the truck and got in.

I released the brakes and put on the turn signal to get back on the road. I got rolling again and went on to the yard. Cyrathus was at the guard shack and I gave him my return papers to turn in and my ID. He gave me back the ID after checking me off his list. I took the truck into the yard. I went on about my job of getting the truck shut down for the night. Cyrathus came over to us and I told him that I was done for the day and would have the next several days off. I told him that I had plans with Miss Casey for some hunting, off where she knew that I would not be disturbed and could change into my draconic form. He asked if Bartholomew was going along and I told him that I did not know. I also told Cyrathus that he needed to talk with him to assure him of how he felt and let poor Bartholomew know that he was in support of what Bartholomew was doing. Cyrathus told me to consider it done.

As I left Cyrathus standing there with Bartholomew, I walked into the garage and turned in my inspection report. I was headed to the main building and dispatch next when Casey caught up to me. You need to check in on your friend, she said, looking both ways before drawing me aside. Something is not right with her. She looks wrong somehow. I nodded at her comments and went back into the garage. Kit was in the trailer shop working on one of the many trailers. I went to the bay that she was in and saw what Casey was talking about. Kit’s color was wrong somehow. I did not know why, but I would find out. I tapped her on the leg to gain her attention while she was on the ladder. She looked down at me and smiled.

What’s up, Rayne? she said, turning enough to look down at me. Give me a minute and I’ll be down to talk with you, she said to me, smiling weakly. I nodded my understanding. The noise in the shop was deafening. I left her to her work. She would know where to find me, anyway. I went to the cafeteria area that was outdoors and for the mechanics only and sat down to wait for Kit. I didn’t have long to wait. She came out and sat down beside me on the bench.

You look awful, I said to her.

I feel awful. I haven’t been sleeping right or eating much lately. I don’t know what is wrong with me. I feel as though somebody is inside me, trying to wring me out from the inside, she told me.

I have something to give you that may help, I said to her. Meet me tonight in my room and I’ll help you through this.

Ok. I will. I knew that if you saw me, you’d figure it out, she said, smiling at me. Casey said that when you are to go hunting that I was to go with you. But with my feeling this way, is it wise? she asked me, concerned.

You will be as right as the sunshine we both need. I think that there is something that you are not eating that may be affecting you in this manner, I told her.

You might be right. These people eat way too much red meat. I eat red meat, but not in the quantity that these people eat it. I wonder if anyone would notice if I started to eat more white meat, she said to me.

I somehow doubt it. Did you notice that they have been having a lot of fish on the cafeteria menu lately? I asked her.

Yes, I have and have been having a lot of fish lately. But I am tiring of it. The cook here only knows one way to cook it and I’m tired of it. There has to be something else that I can eat that is still a white meat, she said, perplexed that she could not put her finger on what was wrong with her.

That’s alright. Just be there before supper time and I will get you well again. I cannot have you being sick at this time. I need you too much, I said.

At that time, Casey, Cyrathus, and Bartholomew came over to where we were sitting. You, Casey said, pointing a finger in Kit’s direction, go home. You look awful.

Okay, but I need to finish the trailer that I’m working on. Kit told her.

No, you don’t. Mathias will finish it. You go back to the ranch now. Cyrathus will drive you in the wagon if you want, or you can take my car, but get back to the ranch now, she commanded her.

Miss Casey, not to argue with you when you have good intensions, but I do not know the ways of this world. I could fly her but it is too dangerous from what you have told me, Cyrathus told her.

Fine, then we will all go since it is time for the shift change anyway. My work day is through, I know that Rayne is done with her deliveries and Bartholomew is done with his inspections, so we can all go, she said peevishly to him.

I can drive her in the van with all of us. Bartholomew said. No need to interrupt Petey. He’s still working on the horses with Tony. He should be back in about an hour with the group he had to go pickup.

I forgot that I sent him to collect the horses, she said, shaking her head. Fine. Bart, you can drive us, but you’ll have to bring the van back so Petey can get back to the bunkhouse later.

Okay, I can do that. Not a problem, he said as he gathered up the keys to the van.

Cyrathus help me with Kit. We need to get going. I said.

Cyrathus did as I asked of him and we managed to get a very sick Kitriara into the van. Bartholomew slid in behind the wheel as Casey got into the passenger seat. I looked around for Kevin and saw him just leaving the garage. Yelling for us to wait for him, so we waited. He climbed in behind me and sat down. He noticed that Kitriara was feeling unwell and made a comment on it. I told him that she had eaten something that just didn’t agree with her and he seemed fine with the answer that I supplied him. I knew from the private conversation that I had at the start of the work week with Casey that Merlin would be keeping a watchful eye on us from home. I knew that he would send me the proper potion for Kit and that the one I had would be enough for now. After all I only brought my emergency kit with me. I didn’t really think that I would need it. But then, I wasn’t really sure of what I was going to need.

We arrived back at the ranch in quick order. Bartholomew parked and we alighted. Kit was again between Cyrathus and me. We managed to get her out of the van and into the house. I told Cyrathus to head to my room. We got Kit up the stairs and lay her gently on the bed. I went to my dresser and found my emergency kit. I found the potion that I wanted to give her and took it back to the bed. I unstopped the bottle, handing it to her. She drank the contents gratefully, handing me back the empty bottle with a wan smile, then drifting off to sleep. I stood there with Cyrathus beside me, holding my hand comfortingly.

Casey and Bartholomew came in after a short knock and saw Kit stretched out on the bed. Is she going to be okay? Casey asked me, giving my rider a concerned look.

She’ll be fine after a short nap. You really should add some other types of white meat to your truck café menu, I said to her, still watching Kit carefully. I just gave her a potion from home that Merlin made for me. A just-in-case potion, he called it. I don’t know what it is made from, but I do know that your cook only cooks one type of fish and we have a varied diet at home. We do not eat a lot of red meat and she has eaten more than she should have, I said.

Well, in that case, I can have Sheryl add some chicken and pork to the menu as well. She knows lots of different ways to cook those meats. I’ll let Lydia down in the kitchen know to cook up some chicken soup for her. Especially now that I know what was making her ill, it can be corrected, she said to me. About our hunt, we will leave in two days’ time. The following people will be going with us: Bartholomew, Cyrathus, Kitriara, you and me. I have two pack horses being readied with all of the necessities that we are going to need on this trip. Bring whatever weapons that you will need since no fire arms, other than the one that I will bring and Bart’s side arms, will be going along. Be ready to go when I come to collect you. You will need to pack for yourself and Kit, she said from the end of the bed. I nodded to her and she then left the four of us alone.

Cyrathus, if you wish to speak privately with Bartholomew, I can go below or you can go to his room since I need to prepare for dinner, I said, putting a blanket over Kit, who was now asleep in my bed. I can come back after dinner to get Kit undressed for the night.

I’ll speak to him alone in his room, since we must also change for the evening meal, he told me, walking out with Bartholomew right behind him. I nodded absently as they left. I walked over to my wardrobe and selected a dark colored outfit to wear. We would be having no guests that I knew of; but I still wore a long dress that was off the shoulder and proceeded to change my clothes. Once my day wear was off, I put the dress on and sat down at the dressing table. I was holding up my hair in different ways when I heard Kit tell me to just let it flow, since it made me look more like a woman that way. I turned to her and she was trying to sit on the edge of the bed.

You will stay here tonight. Your meal will be brought to you. You are having a nice bowl of soup and some chicken. Casey said that you had too much red meat and that is what was causing you to be ill. She has taken your dietary needs into consideration. Stay away from the beef and other red meats served and she will make sure that there are two meats prepped for us to eat from, I told her.

Yes, my queen. It shall be as you command, she said gratefully as she lay back down on the bed.

You might want to change into some night clothes, I said. That way, I don’t have to help you when I come up from dinner.

You’ll have to help me. Sitting up just makes my head hurt even more, so your help will be greatly appreciated. She said rubbing at her temples.

My emergency kit is here on the dresser, should you need anything else. I think that I still have that potion that you made to relieve headaches, I said, reopening the kit and looking around in it. I found the potion that I had mentioned and handed it to her. She drank the contents down and handed me back the vial. I put it back in with the others that made up my emergency kit, and closed the case that I kept it in.

Thanks, my queen. I’m going to nap while you go down and dazzle Bartholomew with your beauty, she told me, yawning and rolling into the blanket that I covered her with earlier. I giggled at her comment and stood up. I gave her a once over look to make sure that she would be all right. Then I walked to the door. I looked back at my rider with pride and love in my eyes, then opened my door. Bartholomew was standing there with Cyrathus and just about to knock on the door. I walked out, closing the door softly behind me. I took Bartholomew’s arm that he extended to me and Cyrathus took my other arm.

The two of them escorted me down the stairs. We found Casey waiting at the bottom. She took Cyrathus’s arm and he let go of my arm. Cyrathus escorted Casey, while Bartholomew escorted me, to dinner. We sat down and the first course was served. I asked Casey what was being sent up to Kit for dinner. She said that she was having a pheasant and some chicken soup sent up to her. I told Casey that Kit would be her normal self with the passage of the night, but she would need to stay away from eating red meats for quite some time to come.

But why? Bartholomew asked me.

Because, where we come from, we eat white meats and very little red meat, Cyrathus said before I could answer.

But I saw Rayne eat an entire buck and an elk carcass. Those are red meats, he said, still not understanding.

But was Rayne as she is now? he queried back to him.

No, she wasn’t. But I don’t understand what the difference is, Bartholomew said.

It’s easy enough to explain, Casey said to her cousin.

You go right ahead, milady, Cyrathus said, picking up Casey’s hand, kissing the knuckles.

My, is he always this sweet? she asked me.

Always, I said, smiling at his antics.

Well then, it’s like this, Bart. Animals, even animals that possess magic and use it regularly, have different dietary requirements. Humans, normally, eat all types of meat. But if they limit themselves to just one type, rather than their normal diet, they can get pretty sick. Sometimes they get so sick that they have to be hospitalized to correct their mistake. However, that is not the case here. We caught it in time. I hope to get Kit the proper medicines that will help her to correct her dietary mistakes, she said, pausing.

She will be able to continue as before she got sick. She just needed the potions that I had with me to get over her ailment of too much red meat. Kit’s diet is mostly of white meat and vegetables. At home, she has all kinds of white meat, like quail, pheasant, chicken, pork and fish and she balances that out with the proper amount of vegetables, I said to him. But, here, she had little access to white meat, whether wild or tame. But your cousin is going to correct that oversight. So now she will be her usual, charming self.

Oh. So your dietary needs are not the same as hers? he asked me.

Of course not. As a dragon, I can eat all types of meat. But in this shape, I must be careful and conform to only those meats most common on my world, I said. It is why I eat so much when I am a dragon. In case you had not noticed, I pick at my food in this shape and barely eat much at all.

I had noticed that you don’t eat much, but I thought it was because you didn’t want to gain weight, he said sheepishly.

No, it is because I eat white meat while in human form, if I must eat meat. Cyrathus is the same way, I said, although I am not sure about his wild brothers. Do they change to human form at all?

Not as much as you and most of the other dragons do, my sweet, he said. But they are like you in that aspect. When they do change form, they conform to normal human standard and eat only those meats that the humans on Arthuralon eat.

Oh. How come there is no red meats, you know… like cows? Bartholomew asked him.

There are animals that are red meat animals, but cows never made the crossing. From what I have been told, there is plenty of game that would serve the purpose, he told Bartholomew, smiling at him.

Well, as long as red meat is available to eat, he said gloomily.

Okay, Bart, why the aggrieved feelings tonight? Casey asked him.

I just thought that with her husband here, that I wasn’t needed anymore, so I was going to go home. But, I have been informed by Her Majesty and His Highness that it would not do for me to leave. Without finishing my so called pursuit of Her Majesty and bringing it to fruition, he said angrily.

Oh, good grief. Is that all it is, Bart? she asked him.

Yes. he replied with a little less steam in his voice.

You’re making a mountain out of a tiny little mole hill, she said.

Okay, so what do I do? he asked his cousin.

"Cyrathus, did you talk to him as