Tales of the Peacemaker: The First Peacemaker Matt's view

By Ashley Hall

This book describes how and why some children were not named and what they chose as their own names and the reason for those names.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WordHouse Book Publishing
• Release date: Dec 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781685470531

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

My name is Matt Día Monax. I am prince of the Monax nation. My father is king Henry. Mother is named Diana. She is queen of the human nation of Monax and king of the magic nation of the dragons. Dragons go by Donic as a last name. Mom is called Diadon meaning our king in the dragon language. Día means dragon heir to the throne. I have deep red toned eyes because of my magic. However, eye color is not an indicator if one has magic or not, as in father’s nation there are many eye colors, and most do not have magic. My hair is short and dark. I spend lots of time outside flying, walking around or drawing so I have a good tan. I am close to six foot tall now. I will start my story at age five.

Mom and I have just left papa’s castle to visit her parents and people. My father only knows that we are going to visit mom’s parents so I can meet my grandparents. The guards that mom allowed to go with us are some papa trusts the most. They earned that trust. Papa does not know they are dragons. Three warriors and a healer just in case any injuries happen. They would obey mom more than dad though dad does not know it. Dad has no idea any of us are dragons.

We travel out from one of the three accessible sides of the city that is the capital of the Monax nation. Exiting the walls around the city, we pass through a clearing that is two hundred feet wide and into the forest that is all around the city. The fourth side of the city is backed to a sheer cliff. The only tree in the clearing is a pear tree. We walk into the forest until the guards at the walls and gates of the city cannot see us. Reaching that point, the three warriors, the healer, mom and I change to our dragon looks. The warriors have black scales, the healer has white scales and mom and I have purple scales. Mom is darker than I am. Healer is the council member for mom, the healer clan leader. Female as mom is so she can directly touch mom if there was a need. If I had need healer’s intended would be summoned to help me. When I rule, the healer leader position would belong to healer’s intended and she would be the helper. It changes that way, so the ruler always has the top healer able to help them. Their skills are almost the same.

We follow my mom, flying until it is sunset. A three-day carriage ride in the distance we made in four hours. We land at the closest safe distance from the capital of the nation mom’s parents rule and live in. There we change back to human looks and walk into the capital city, going directly to the castle. Grandma was born princess here. She fell in love with grandpa who was king of the dragons. He turned overrule of the dragons to mom when she became stronger than he was. They never told grandma’s parents that he is a dragon. Few know even now.

Since mom is second princess here, we are let in without question. Mom’s older sister, her only sibling, was born without magic. She is heir to my grandparent’s nation. My grandparents chose my dad for my mom as his nation is strong and respected. Dad’s late parents agreed to the betrothal as my grandparent’s people all respected their royal family. A guard shows us into the throne room. All guards in the throne room are dragons except the one who showed us in. Once he leaves, mom says, Mom, Dad this is my son, Matt. He takes after dad and I.

Grandpa says, Día.

Mom says, Yes dad, he is. Everyone will meet him in a few days before we go back to the Monax nation. Henry shows Matt off proudly. Everyone in the Monax capital knows and respects my boy. No one, not even Henry knows we are dragons. I do not have the courage to tell Henry though he is kind. Only the few dragons that live in the Monax capital know that. Henry thinks that Día is just a nickname. He does know it means my heir in my native language, but he does not realize it tells any magic who has interacted with dragons exactly who Matt is.

Grandpa questions, How strong are you, Matt?

I reply, Willing to do a skill match.

Mom says, No you do not. I will not watch you or dad hurt each other. End of discussion. Dad, I made a hidden challenge course in the Monax castle. I replicated the one on the Donic nation. Matt completes it in nine minutes. I still need ten. It is not the flying he cuts time at. It is the water. Matt adjusts to pressure easier than I do.

I say, Papa made sure I can swim since we are a coastal nation. He wanted to be sure if I ever got tossed into the sea while on a voyage, I would be able to live, get to the surface and to safety. I would be able to get back to the castle and be able to rule should he not make it. He trained me on different pressure impacts often.

Mom asks, Trained you how?

I reply, With lifeguards in the pool room, he tossed me into the pool from different spaces and into different depts. He expected me to surface with a heavy object in five minutes. Failure is discipline. It only happened once.

Mom questions, Disciplined how?

I state, He made me swim underwater for an hour then try again. I slept near my fireplace that night.

Grandma asks, How near?

I reply, In it with it going and my bedroom door locked. I did not craw out of it until ten minutes before breakfast. That was just enough time to get ready for the day in human looks. I do not need papa’s staff assuming a dragon hurt me.

Mom says, None of us need that.

Grandma asks, What do you enjoy eating Matt?

I reply, Many things. My favorite is lamb roast.

Grandma says, We will have that for dinner tomorrow. It is late, so I am sure you all have eaten. Tawnily, please show our guests to some rooms. My daughter gets her room. We keep it for her. Put her son near her.

CHAPTER TWO

Blue Fire

A female guard near grandma says, Yes madam. This way Diadon, young prince, friends.

We spend a few days there before going to the Donic nation. Once there all dragons officially meet me. After mom introduces me, they all salute me saying, Young sire.

I reply, My people.

Mom says, Prove your future right over the dragon nation. Take the challenge course.

I do so passing it in my normal time of nine minutes. Though mom does not know it, I could do it in seven. I do not as mom would turn over the rule to me if I were three minutes faster than she is. I do not think I am ready to lead them as their king yet. I still enjoy my free time too much to give it up to state business. After I finish the challenge course, mom shows me the castle. Coming out of it again, we go to the fire pit. As we approach the flame in the center of it, the flame increases in size. At the same time, the lowest rank sits. More people sit as the flame gets bigger and bigger. Its growth is exceedingly small at a time, just barely noticeable without magic. As we reach the deepest burn area, the council salutes looking down. At that moment, I realize we are approaching the guardians. Even mom respects and obeys the guardians as they are immortals, and we are not. I noticed the flame grew as we got closer. Mom says, Honored guardians, this is Matt. He is my son and my heir.

The fire flashes bright blue. Then we are someplace new. There are seven people around us. The seven strangers say it is nice to meet me. I salute them. Another stranger joins us. The guardians all salute him saying, Boss.

Saluting him, I ask, Who are you sir?

The male says, They told you that little prince. What do you want to know more than that?

I ask, Might I know your name?

The seven guardians and my mom all gasp. I understand few would dare ask what I want to know. Boss guardian says, Brave youth. Remember to be kind to others. My name is Zeffron.

I say, I will be kind to others. I will punish those who do wrong. I hope to learn to be as good of a ruler as my parents are.

Suddenly we are back in the fire pit. The fire returns to being its normal red. I want to learn blue fire. I did not realize I had said that, until mom says, What are you talking about Matt? I do not even know blue fire. Only the guardians do.

I quickly drop subject saying, Oh. Never mind.

Still, though I do not voice it, I keep wanting to learn blue fire. My favorite colors are blue and green now. Blue as the sky, the fire and the water, at least the rivers I have seen. Green as the trees, thee grass and the hidden minerals in things that we eat. I wonder if guardian Zeffron would teach me blue fire. After a while, mom and I go back into the castle. Mom lets me pick my room here. I wonder the castle until I am a bit from her room, so I do not disturb her if I wake up at night while she is asleep then I just pick one. Mom agrees and hands me the key to that room. I enter as mom walks off. I stand by the door listening for a bit.

Ten minutes pass in silence before I am sure mom went to her room. I go over to the fireplace and start a fire before I get cold. Once it is going decently enough to keep the room warm all night, I sit in front of it. I wonder aloud, Am I able to learn blue fire?

The fire pops blue. Zeffron joins me. I jump to my feet saluting. Zeffron says, Relax little prince. I am just wondering why you want to learn blue fire.

I reply, Blue is one of my favorite colors. Fire is life. I really enjoy them together. Am I wrong to want to learn any guardian restricted knowledge?

Zeffron says, It is not guardian restricted knowledge Matt. Most assume it is because they do not know it, but they have never asked to learn it either. Anyone could learn it, but not everyone can learn it. Do you understand?

I reply, No.

Zeffron says, It is open for anyone to learn. Most do not have the desire to, so they are not able to do so. You might learn it one day.

I ask, Would you teach me?

Zeffron says, Perhaps someday. I am just wondering, what would you do if someone threatened someone you love, say your mom, and she was not able to defend herself at that time?

Instantly I hiss, The fools!

That is followed quickly by my using my fire breath. In moments, the fire turns blue. My anger at anyone wanting to hurt someone defenseless, let alone my mom is high. Zeffron laughs, I just taught you blue fire. You are welcome. Do relax. Your mom can take care of herself.

Realizing he is right; I start laughing as well. My fire breath ends. I say, Thank you. Would you tell me how I learned it?

Zeffron replies, Only by thinking that someone you love deeply was in mortal danger can anyone learn it. Not even some of us immortals have. Now that you know it, you can master it. One day you might be able to trick your spouse or children into learning it.

I thank him again as I yawn. He leaves. I decide not to tell anyone or use my new skill for a while as they would think I have immortality or would be punished. The less explaining I must do the more fun I can have. After a week with the dragons, I have met them all. Then mom says we must get home. So, mom, me, our three guards and healer fly back to the forest around the Monax capital. We land where we had taken off from and take human appearance. We walk for a few minutes then see a small girl about two alone in the forest. She lives in the capital. Mom asks, Are you lost?

CHAPTER THREE

Tiger Alliance

The child shakes her head. A tiger comes out of the forest. The child holds out her hand to the tiger. It watches us closely as it moves closer to her. In that instant, I get an idea on protecting people traveling through the forest. Without consulting mom, I say, Little fairy, would you tell it I offer a trade? Its pack does not harm any traveler in the forest and brings those in need to the tree in the clearing and I will bring them meat monthly.

A moment later, the fairy girl grins as the tiger leaps straight at me. Before the warriors can move, I command, Stay still! It is not a threat.

The fairy nods saying, That is right sir, it wants to see the truth in your eyes. It wants to talk with one who offers such. I know you are all part of the empire, or you would have asked if it was a pet. As I know I can trust you all, I talk. What nation are you?

Mom says, Donic. All of us. I rule.

Fairy asks, Miss queen, does sir king know?

Mom replies, No.

The tiger smells my hand. I do not move. Fairy says, I will act as a translator. It asks if you mean your words.

I say, It is better for us all to live in peace. I do not mind bringing its pack meat for the safety of all who travel peacefully through the forest.

Fairy moves over by us and touches the tiger. A moment later, she says, Tiger agrees. It is pack leader. It will not harm you, any with you, or those who travel in peace. However, they might hunt herds, and they keep right to defend themselves against any who have a weapon unsheathed.

I say, I would not ask them to give that up. They have and need that right.

A moment later, fairy says, It says that when you bring meat, the pack hunters will surround you. There is no reason to fear, it just wants its pack to know they are not to harm you or your friends ever. As long as the agreement stands, they will do this, and you have nothing to fear from it.

I say, Alright. If I am not well or away, one of those with me will deliver the meat. How much should I bring each month?

Fairy says, As much as you can carry and afford. Anything helps the pack. They do not want to burden you or the town or get lazy. They understand that amount might vary but ask for the minimum to be your current body weight.

I nod. The tiger pushes me hard. I land on my back to scared to move. Tiger rubs its head on my side then walks off. Fairy says, It sealed your life in that agreement. Its life also. It considers you a part of the pack. I will be going now. My parents are going to worry if I do not get back. They are outsiders. My caretaker gave me fairy magic. Bye.

She vanishes. I know she changed to her fairy size and flew off. I get up. The warriors dust me off. We walk into the city. When we get to the castle, on the north side of the city, backed into the sheer cliff, dad asks for a report. The lead of the warriors replies, Safe trip each way. Prince Matt has respect in many places. He will make a good ruler one day.

I say, I can wait my turn. The people love my parents. Long lives to them.

Dad asks, Did you do any swimming at your grandparents’ place Matt?

I reply, No. I swam a small bit on the way home though. Not much chance to swim traveling inland.

Dad says, I expected such. You have swimming lessons tomorrow. I will not have you drowning. We have a sailing trip to an ally nation in two months. I want to be sure that if anything happens you can surface and get back here.

I say, Sure dad.

Thirty minutes after breakfast, the next day, my parents and I are in the pool room. Dad has lifeguards there as well. Dad drops a brick into the deep end saying, Get it.

In my swim trunks I dive. It takes me a bit to surface with the brick. We repeat it fifteen times from different positions and depts before mom says, Enough! It is lunchtime. I insist on you both joining me to eat and rest for a bit.

I say, Sounds good to me.

Dad says, Alright dear, we will eat and rest. Matt needs to learn though. It is our turn to visit our far ally, and this will be the first time they see him since his birth. To get there we must pass through waters of a nation that has tried to defeat us. I need to know that he can swim to safety if they try to harm him.

Mom says, I understand. Matt is my heir. My father gave me rule over his people. Matt will one day inherit that nation as well as this nation. I know we must keep him safe.

Dad says, You have not told me about your father’s nation. I had assumed he was a commoner. I thought your grandparents allowed their marriage as your mom was already pregnant with your sister.

Mom sighs, I did not lie about that. In that nation, dad lived as a commoner. Mom fell in love with him. They were married in his nation under the laws of his nation before they were together. Sister resulted. A few months later, mom showed that she was pregnant. Her parents then wrote out the marriage document in the nation mom now rules. A few months after that, sister was born. Grandpa instantly recognized sister as his granddaughter preventing any from contesting her future rule over his nation. A couple of years later, I was born. Dad named me his heir. Matt is ours.

Dad asks, What nation did your father rule?

Mom says, Let us not talk about that right now. I had lunch prepared. Time to eat.

We go eat. Then to satisfy mom, we wait for a half hour before we go back to the pool room. There dad says, Alright Matt, we need to test your breathing endurance.

I question, What does that entail?

Dad says, We start with seeing how long you can hold your breath underwater at each deepness moving to the deep end. After I get your base levels, we add weights and do it again until you can do the same limits.

Mom gestures, Stay in human limits.

I say, Alright. Let us start.

Dad tells me to get in the shallow end of the pool, hold my breath and go under water, staying there as long as I can. I do as told, except I come up at the human max. This is repeated at each depth. We finish the deep end just before mom says, Dinner time. No more today. No arguments!

None argue with mom when she uses that tone. Dad says, Alright Diana, you do decent Matt.

I ask, Can I have dinner in my room?

Mom leans close to dad and whispers something to him. I do not hear it, but dad grins big then says, Very well, I will have the staff bring your food to your quarters. See you at breakfast.

I reply, Yes sir.

Then I go directly to my quarters and get a fire going. After dinner is served, I have the staff knock on my door ten minutes before breakfast, put up my do not disturb sign, and lock my door. Done with that, I eat quickly then go to sleep in the fireplace. I wake up five minutes before there is a knock. As I am in human looks when the knock comes, and almost ready, I unlock the door and thank them for letting me know the time. I finish getting ready and go to breakfast.

A half hour after we finish eating, we go to the pool room. Dad has skilled divers on standby incase needed, then ties some light weights to my ankles and has me go into the pool staying underwater as long as I can before surfacing. The weights had to stay on and if I needed help, I was to cross my arms over my chest. Mom again gestures for me to stay in human limits. We move from the low depts to the deep end then repeat the process with more weights. Then it is lunch time. After lunch break, the process repeats twice more with more weight each time. As I drop into the deep end the second time, I feel tired. I know I will not be able to do any more today.

I wait until I near human limits then struggle to the surface. Grabbing onto the edge of the pool, I pull myself onto the drain back. I lay there too exhausted to move more. Dad unties the weights saying, You did good son, I am proud of you.

Yawning I ask,