The Shadows of Erisdar: Legend of the Dragon Knights: Ardaman, #1

By Athena Konrad

In the world of Ardaman, mythical and supernatural species are abundant and live alongside humans. Connected to Earth via Ancient portals, the Ardaman Council, ensure that limited travel is allowed through these portals, to prevent their world from suffering the same contamination that plagues the human realm. Dragons are gone and are considered myths. Sorcerers are hard to find. Magnificent ancient creatures are nearly extinct. But there are those of the weaker species that will always hunger for more: more strength, more wealth, and more power unless a forgotten prophecy is fulfilled.

In the Erisdar valley, Alexandra, an orphaned werewolf, has no memory of where she came from or who her past family was, and from this tragedy, she lost her wolf and strangely her scent.

Years later the Alpha wants to marry her off to a new upcoming Alpha, her supposed bondmate. But, Alex knows the truth about her fate. After discovering a heinous plot, she decides to run away to protect her pack and the valley. She leaves for the only place she knows no one will find her, the mysterious and feared forest bordering Boronduin, which is believed inaccessible. During her escape, she is taken hostage by one of the fearsome Shadow beasts: Large, lone monstrous wolves that no one knows anything about, except that they are highly dangerous.

In the home of the Shadow, while trying to escape she uncovers the truth about these fearsome beasts and the mysterious Erisdar forest. Mysteries soon start to unravel as strange and powerful forces awaken within her very soul and secrets of the past come to light. Alex discovers ancient secrets and prophecies about ancient dragon knights that tie her to a greater intertwined destiny than she could have ever imagined. Now she must develop her gift of sorcery to protect her loved ones and her beloved home. She must fulfil her destiny.

 

 

The first book in a series filled with myth and magic, legendary knights, the power of dragons, the rebirth of sorcerers, and overcoming evil. Join the adventure of unlikely enemies that become friends, and chosen ones that find their place in the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Athena Konrad
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201364588

Athena Konrad

Athena Konrad is a young woman from a rural farming community with a passion for the written word. Being able to escape the confines of reality through fantasy books is what inspired her to start creating magical worlds and stories. She hopes to one day create something worthy of standing alongside great fantasy works such as those written by Anne McCaffrey and C.S.Lewis.

Book preview

Copyright Disclaimer

Copyright © 2021 Athena Konrad

All rights reserved.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

This book and all its contents are the sole property of the author, Athena Konrad. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author and/or publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN-13: 9798201364588

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Copyright Disclaimer

Introduction

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Epilogue

About the Author

Connect with Athena Konrad

Introduction

Over four thousand years ago, advanced races of people existed. There were sorcerers and witches and wizards. Not only did these people have remarkable abilities, but some were born with additional gifts such as healing, foresight and telepathy. Many humans envied these people, calling them ‘cursed ones’ or ‘devil’s spawn’, and often attacked them. But some didn’t mind them and felt safe living among their societies, hidden behind the magical barriers created by the sorcerers.

They lived this way for hundreds of years until it became clear that a seer’s vision of a great catastrophe striking earth was becoming a reality. Mere days before this Catastrophe was to strike, the sorcerers had completed the creation of a great portal to another world and they along with their human followers left their doomed world behind for a new world: Ardaman.

On the other side of the portal, they were greeted by the Council - the governing body of Ardaman that consisted of the wisest, strongest and purest of each race - who strangely knew of their arrival, and welcomed them into their world.

The animal and plant life on Ardaman was much more vast than on Earth, with many creatures that were considered mythical. There were other races on Ardaman as well: Shapeshifters (mainly wolf shifters), wielders, witches and the smaller fae folk that inhabit the woods and the waters.

As the decades went by the people from earth settled well and the entire of Ardaman was flourishing, however, among the humans that came through the portal were those that envied the sorcerers for their ability, and at the discovery of the shifters, who could shapeshift into various species, that envy grew tenfold.

These humans desired their ability so much that they enlisted the help of twisted and consumed sorcerers. They experimented with shifters, trying to unlock the secrets of shapeshifting, but they failed, because the ability to shift was due to completely different genes and a much more powerful mental capacity, just like with the sorcerers. But this did not stop them. They began to bind animals to humans. They eventually succeeded in using wolves and a powerful spell that allowed them to change forms, however, the shock of the bond and the loss of its body caused the wolf to take over the mind of the human, shifting and becoming savage. After a while, these people died horribly. It started to seem that they had greater success with children, for the mind adapted easily, but in the end, these too turned savage and died.

It wasn’t until one of the test subjects, a woman, who did not die after turning savage gave birth to twins. It was soon realised that both the wolf used for the procedure was carrying cubs and the souls of two of the unborn cubs were bound to the woman’s unborn boys. These children could shape-shift when they matured, their senses were heightened and they were stronger than humans, yet it seemed that there was still a savage touch to them. These children were the start of a new race. The humans adapted the procedure so that adults could be changed as well by reversing the ageing immensely before speeding it up again, and so, the werewolves were born.

Almost six decades after the creation of werewolves, the race had evolved and adapted. They hardly went savage and lived in organised packs similar to the shifters, the wolf soul within them needing the structure of their wild brethren. Yet, they still envied the shifters, for the shifters were bigger, stronger, faster and better, and they despised it. It wasn’t long before the peace across Ardaman ended and the werewolves started hunting the shifters and many other powerful species down and killing them, and by the time the council realised what was happening, it was already too late. The royals that ruled Ardaman were no more and the council’s members were almost completely replaced, so, the existence of shifters and many other mythical creatures faded into myth and legend.

Legend of the dragon knights graphics

Prologue

Autumn, 1007, Ardaman

I also want to climb Daenaria yelled up at the boys.

You can’t climb, Percy shouted teasingly in return.

I can too! she answered as she stuck her tongue out. Better than you, Perseus, She said, dragging his name out and making Darryl snicker as he watched his brother scowl and stick his tongue out in return. She was faster than all of them, on the ground and in the trees, and they all knew it.

Anduin and Savanna watched their daughter in amusement as she stubbornly stood there, looking for a way up.

Who needs entertainment when you have these four? Calum, Darryl and Percy’s father, commented, earning a laugh from the other three adults.

Yes, they are quite the bunch, especially that daughter of yours, Savanna. She’s so stubborn and very determined, just like her father, said Calum’s mate, And the boys adore her.

Savanna and Anduin smiled That they do. And they see her as their equal, and because of that they also don’t go easy on her. Her being royalty doesn’t count towards her favour either. Savanna noted and they all smiled before they fell into silence as they watched the children in worry, for this could be the last time that they played here together.

There aren’t many shifters left and it won’t be long before the werewolves discover where they are and wipe them out for good. Anduin’s ancestors had gone into hiding hundreds of years ago, but after all these centuries they had been discovered by the original werewolves. Their leader, Alpha Sobeth, hated the shifters and was determined to wipe them out so that he could be the most powerful. He had no remorse and would do whatever it takes to reach his goal, even if it meant slaughtering innocents. Their only hope was if the royal pack sorcerer could find a solution.

Well, you can’t climb with us this time, Lucian said sternly whilst looking down. Not this tree.

And why not? she asked, crossing her arms defiantly.

He rolled his eyes and answered, This is a big tree and its branches are too far apart for you to reach. You’re not tall enough yet.

She couldn’t understand Lucian’s argument. They always helped her from one branch to the next when she was unable to reach it, so why couldn’t they do that now? Well then why don’t you push me up like the other times? she asked Lucian.

He sighed in frustration. Why did she have to be so stubborn? He thought. We can hardly reach between the branches ourselves, so how are we supposed to hold on to push you up? It’s too dangerous. He said as they started to continue their climb.

Before she could muster a reply her father’s stern voice silenced her. Your brother is right Daenaria. They could get injured themselves if they helped you climb. Best you stay down here with us, we’ll be returning home soon anyway. She sighed in dismay before walking back to where her mother and the boy’s parents were, where she helped herself to the snacks.

There was something wrong with her parents. They seldom smiled lately and their eyes were filled with sorrow. She wondered if the time when she would no longer be able to play as much due to training and her royal duties were nearing because when her parents told her about that they were also sad. Yet something told her it was something else, something much worse.

Her father was calling the boys back when the cracking of leaves made her jump and wheel around, this caused the adults to turn as well. A guard emerged from the trees and greeted her parents, Your Majesties he bowed and then greeted Daenaria formally followed by Calum and Leanna. Master Gabriel has sent me to inform you that he has found a solution and is awaiting you in his study.

Anduin sighed in relief before he nodded in understanding, Take the children back to their chambers and have their maids put them to bed. He told the guard as they all turned to leave.

Legend of the dragon knights graphics(1)

Anduin! Master Gabriel yelled as he ran towards the king, Anduin, we must hurry now. Come!

How many are left? he asked as they both hurried to the palace where their families were.

Just you and Calum and your families then it’s everyone. But we must hurry before the werewolves reach us because if they find out what we’ve done we will all perish.

Where’s Calum? Anduin asked.

He should be at the palace already. He left some time ago to get Leanna and the others. Anduin nodded at the answer and they spurred their steeds to pick up the pace, anxious to get their families to safety as quickly as possible. As they neared the palace entrance howls suddenly pierced the evening air. The werewolves were here and they weren’t ready. Anduin was suddenly filled with fear. His family was still in the palace.

Savanna and Leanna had just finished getting Daenaria and the boys ready to leave and were nervously waiting for the men when howls sounded off in the air like an alarm. Panic gripped them; they had to get to the mountain now more than ever. Seeming to hear what the other was thinking the women grabbed the children and dashed out of the room and down the hallways, looking for the fastest route out of the palace.

As they sped down the hallways and rounded a corner they ran into two werewolves. Their fangs were bared in a vicious snarl and they had a bloodthirsty, crazed look in their eyes. Going the other way wasn’t an option as three more wolves came from behind. Daenaria watched with fear as Luna Leanna shifted into a light brown wolf and leapt onto the two wolves, snapping her teeth and growling ferociously at them. The queen shifted into her muddy beast only seconds after and viciously attacked the three behind them.

The two women fought furiously to protect their children. Tears were starting to run down Daenaria’s face as she watched these wolves ripping into her mother and she realised that these wolves had no remorse and would not give killing a mother in front of her children a second thought. Suddenly Alpha Calum arrived and took out one of the wolves attacking the queen before moving on to aid his mate. Shortly after, Daenaria heard her mother’s voice in her head "When I have him pinned to the ground you run past us and go to the mountain as fast as you can and go get your father, Lucian." She said with a tone that clearly stated no arguing. Daenaria looked towards the boys and noticed that they had heard the message too.

The four children watched the queen carefully until she grabbed the werewolf by his throat and pinned him to the floor. They bolted through the gap created and ran as fast as their legs could carry them. But before they had gotten far Daenaria realised that Darryl wasn’t running behind her and she stopped to look for him. He must still be at the fight. Looking back to her brother she saw he hadn’t noticed her stopping, probably believing that Darryl would watch over her. After a few seconds of debating with herself, she turned back to go and get her friend. She was raised to always look out for one another and she knew he would have done the same for her.

Darryl had turned around shortly after bolting away and was now watching the gruesome scene, frozen to the spot, when Daenaria found him. Her mother had killed the wolf she pinned to the floor and was now helping the Alpha and Luna fight the rest. She noticed that more werewolves had joined the fight. The Luna and the queen were each fighting two wolves while the Alpha was holding off the remaining four.

Darryl seemed as if he wanted to help but wasn’t sure how. She pulled on his arm in an attempt to get him to follow her, but he didn’t budge. Come on, we have to go. She begged, but he stood still, his anguished eyes fixed on his parents. It was then that she noticed the Alpha was limping and struggling to fight off the three werewolves.

Just as Daenaria persuaded Darryl to leave, a pain-stricken howl erupted from the Alpha. One of the wolves had clearly broken the Alpha’s hind leg and he was now pinned to the floor with one wolf on his back, another holding him by the scruff and the biggest with his jaw locked around his throat.

The Alpha looked pleadingly at his son, wishing they would turn around and run. He didn’t want them to see this, but both children were frozen in place and they watched in horror as the wolf bit down onto his throat hard and the grey alpha slowly went limp. Darryl screamed in agony and lunged forward to his father’s aid, but he was yanked back by the king, who ordered him to stay away, and shoved towards Daenaria, who held on to him in case he bolted again.

Anduin shifted and ran towards the fight. Two more wolves lay dead on the ground and the two women were now tackling the last ones. Deanaria stared at the Alpha, wanting him to be alright and wishing his wounds would stitch back together.

The king nudged his mate towards the two stunned children, ordering her to take them to safety. Savanna ran towards them and grabbed Darryl, who was still trying to reach his father, on the back of his shirt and threw him on her back before doing the same with her daughter and running down the endless hallways.

Outside the palace, Master Gabriel was waiting with four steeds. Percy and Lucian already mounted on two. She was too shocked to move and didn’t even notice when Gabriel hoisted her onto her steed before mounting one himself and pulling Darryl up with him. Urging their steeds into a gallop they headed away from the palace towards the mountain, the Queen running alongside them in wolf form, but slowly falling behind, unable to keep up with the great beasts that they rode.

Daenaria was shocked to the core at what she had witnessed. In the nearly six years of her young life, she had never witnessed such violence and she only wished she could have done something somehow, but she was not a miracle worker like the great shape-shifters of old, as much as she wished she was at that moment.

She wondered what her friend was thinking and what would happen now. He may be older and more accustomed to the fighting but seeing your own father taken down like that in front of your eyes could make even the strongest of men break down. Looking over to Darryl she saw him staring into the abyss his face emotionless and his demeanour cold as ice and she wondered what type of person he, or any of them for that matter, would be after this.

Pushing those thoughts to the back of her head her mind wandered to the mountain and what they would do once they got there. Their parents hadn’t told them much about what was going on except that the werewolves wanted them dead and they had come up with a plan to keep everyone safe. If only she knew what this plan was.

Legend of the dragon knights graphics(1)

Anduin looked at the maps before him as he listened carefully to what Master Gabriel had to say after his scrying session. Alpha Sobeth died 507 years ago, his son killed him for his position. He has a descendant named Menison who is now 67 years old and the current leader of the Magruk, but his son will soon take over when he has found a bondmate

What are their numbers and current location?

Their numbers have greatly diminished to about 46 adult members. There are about twenty members that can fight. Their territory is situated far north on the edge of the Grey Fields. Anduin nodded thoughtfully at this, pondering what to do next. The Grey Fields were across the Sea of turmoil, which was a raging, churning sea of storms and rogue waves. For the Magruk to return they would have to sail around it, which is a four months journey.

So you think it’s safe to go home? he asked Gabriel.

Mostly. He answered, They believe that all the shifters, including the children of the prophecy, are dead. However, for the possibility that there are still individuals that know of the children and the prophecy or know of our kind, I advise that to protect the children, we send them away to grow up far away from here under the protection of various sorcerers.

Anduin stared at Master Gabriel with a frown of astonishment, You want me and several other parents to just give up our children? How can you even expect us to be able to do something like that? he asked incredulously.

Gabriel sighed, having expected as much, I know it will be hard, but the sacred waters have not yet returned to their peaceful shade. I do believe this is the best option. The sorcerers can keep them safe and hidden, training them until they are strong enough, then they can return to the valley. he said, hoping that his king would see reason. By then our people will have recovered enough to build an efficient defence before any danger comes here. We won’t be caught off guard like before.

There was a long, uncomfortable pause before the king sighed sadly, nodding his head and standing up, Alright then prepare the children for their departure but keep the families in the dark until they are gone. Afterwards, let us return home. he said with dismay.

Legend of the dragon knights graphics

Chapter 1

Autumn 1628, Boronduin Territory, Ardaman

Alpha Markus was about to retire for the night when a warrior burst into the house, Alpha, I apologise for storming in like this but savage ones are making their way down the ravine towards us. Without another word, the alpha, followed by his mate, made their way to the ravine. It was raining hard tonight and the ravine would become flooded in a few hours, so it was extremely strange for anything, even savage ones, to be trying to enter the territory now.

They stopped the cars a distance in front of the mountain pass and carefully moved forward in their wolf forms. The savage ones cannot be allowed to get further than the opening of the pass, so the alpha, beta, gammas and warriors moved up into the ravine.

After quite a few minutes' walk, they noticed movement coming their way and they lay low, hiding next to large rocks and under protruding rocks as they watched. The savage ones were moving along the ravine, sniffing and occasionally scratching at the ground. They were tracking something. How stupid of them to hunt food in a ravine during a storm, and in pack territory nonetheless.

The savage ones were getting more excited the closer they came. Suddenly one came to a stop, looked up with perked ears and after a moment he trotted closer excitedly, followed shortly after by the others. He came to a stop at a large, rough stone lying among the pebbles and sand. There must be a hare or something beneath that stone, the alpha thought. The savage was joined by his three companions and they bound around the stone excitedly.

The Alpha was readying himself to strike when one of the savage ones nudged the stone and it gave way, opened up and fell to the side. Alpha Markus and the wolves accompanying him all flattened their ears and bared their teeth as it dawned on them that the ‘stone’ was an unconscious wolf.

Unbeknownst to the savage ones they silently stalked forward, the rain helping in covering any scent and sound that might arise, and encircled them before finishing them off.

Back in the heart of the territory, the unconscious wolf was being wheeled into the medical house on a gurney. The alpha and beta saw that it was a young female who was injured and exhausted. She looked normal and was therefore not considered a threat but was most likely just lost or she had been running from the savage ones for a while.

How old do you think she is? Luna Annobel asked the doctor once they were in an emergency room.

The doctor looked at the female back and forth as she prepared an IV while a nurse dried her off and warmed her up. Judging by her size she should be around seventeen. She answered after a while, to which the luna nodded while her mate and the beta stood watching from the doorway.

Why is she still in wolf form? the beta asked curiously.

The doctor adjusted the IV before he answered, Well, her back leg is quite swollen which means it’s most likely broken, and shifting back into her human form may cause damage and she’s been exposed to the elements for a long while so her best chance of survival is staying in wolf form. Her body will heal and strengthen faster that way. Satisfied with her answer he turned and left the room.

The alpha stayed by the doorway as he watched the wolf. He wanted to know who she was, where she was from, and mostly, why she was in the ravine. But he was not one to stand idly and wait. Let me know when she wakes up, he said as he lifted himself off the wall and escorted his mate back to the house.

Hello? A sweet little voice came through the phone.

The doctor was momentarily confused as she tried to figure out who answered, James? she asked.

Yes, the sweet voice answered.

Hi, James, will you please give the phone to your father? Tell him it’s Doctor Maxwell.

Ok, the little boy said as he bound downstairs to the living room where his parents were seated in light conversation. His father looked up at him with a raised brow. It’s Doctor Maxwell. She wants to speak to you. James answered his father’s questioning expression.

Alpha Markus frowned as he took the phone, Yes Maia he greeted, I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.

James watched his father speak to the doctor and he wondered what they were talking about. Was it about the sick wolf his father had found? He was rather curious about the wolf since it was the first time they had found anyone on their borders.

The mountain pass to the east with the ravine was the only way into the valley. The valley was surrounded by a vast ring of mountains that reached high into the sky. Many have tried crossing them but they either turn around or die. From the ground, it looks doable, but once you’re up there, you enter a blizzard that is impossible to navigate in and any instruments you take up there stop working at a certain height. The valley is extremely large, but his father’s territory, though large, only occupies a small part of it, for to the west across the rest of the valley is the mysterious Erisdar forest, where no one dares venture near, for they hardly ever return. Those that have say that about a kilometre in, the trees grow so dense and tall that they form a wall and the branches above allow absolutely no light to penetrate. Therefore, they hardly ever find rouges or savage ones, and if they do it’s always in the mountain pass.

Alright. said alpha Markus, We’ll see you tomorrow then and I’ll ask Miss Ensley to be there as well. The female wolf had shifted back to her human form sometime during the afternoon but was still unconscious. Although, it seems that the girl is not a teenager as the doctor had previously thought but a young girl, most likely newly shifted. The Alpha wondered about the girl's origins.

James frowned. Why was the witch needed? Was that about the wolf you found father? he asked.

Alpha Markus was pulled from his thoughts when his son spoke, Yes it was.

Can I come with you tomorrow?

Markus looked at his son. He could tell that James was curious about this wolf, it was the first time something like this had occurred. What harm would there be in him tagging along, he was the future alpha and even if he was only eleven years old, he would need to see how these things are dealt with and Markus didn’t know when such an opportunity would arise again, so he finally answered his son, Alright, but only if you promise to stay out of everyone’s way.

James smiled wide and thanked his father before going off to keep himself busy.

The next morning Markus, his mate and his son, along with Maia and Miss Sarah Ensley were in the room where the girl was. James stood against the wall and watched his parents talk to the witch and the doctor.

Maia’s theory is that she comes from a long line of powerful alphas, Markus said to Sarah, But that only explains her wolf’s size, but it’s still a bit larger than it should be for a newly shifted fourteen-year-old, and her human body is quite small for her age which contradicts her wolf’s size, and she had yet to show signs of puberty as a newly shifted wolf normally would.

They didn’t know what to think, since nothing made sense. Did she have anything with her that can tell us who she is or where she’s from? Sarah asked the alpha.

No, unfortunately not. Can’t you try and find something in her mind? A pack name maybe?

Sarah shook her head as the alpha spoke. It doesn’t work like that. I can put images in someone’s head, and I can tell if someone’s lying, but I can’t look into her thoughts and her memories. Only a true telepath can do that. They all sighed in defeat. This girl was a mystery that seemed would only be solved once she woke up.

When will she wake up? Annobel asked the doctor.

Maia shrugged her shoulders, "It usually takes anything from a week to a fortnight,