The Dragonchild: Dragons & Dirigibles, #1

By Dana Woods

An alchemist who yearns for a quiet life.

A dragonborn destined for greater things.

The queen of beasts who will protect them all.

 

Aneirin returns home to begin his life, immediately swept away on an unexpected adventure to protect a dragonchild from certain death. With the help of his teacher, Brychan, the Great Golden Eye of the Mountain, Aneirin and his friends journey through The Three Realms, encountering sky pirates, dragons and their own fears in order to keep the dragonchild safe.  With the fate of a child in his hands, can Aneirin truly protect him at all costs, or will the balance of the world fall to the reign of dragonkind?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dana Woods
• Release date: Oct 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215608005

Book preview

For The Master of Potions

Special thanks to my Sherlock (Laurie) and Mary (Bradley), you have both been my support and strength for such a long time, I don't know where I'd be right now without you two. I don't know what TPQ would be without you either!

To The Phoenix Quill for your support through the years. I could not have gotten this far in the literary world without all of you.  The journey back into writing and creating has been worth every moment, because of you. Thank you for believing in me, as I have always believed in all of you.

Thank you to Jared Erickson for the inspiration for this story and reading it, and rereading it.

And thank you to Paul, Alex and Paris.

Cover art, map and scene break designed

by Dana Woods

Edited by Paul Davis

I

Metal hooks on a brand new sign clanked against the eyelets on the post above the door. The wooden sign held an image of a slender dragon looped into an infinity circle, with a puff of smoke in the middle wafting from a flask. The name The Infinite Dragon was scrawled underneath. A light squeak of metal on metal sang out when it swung gently back and forth as Aneirin let it go. Stepping down from the stool, the young man focused on the front of his building.

My building. His lips tugged to the side. Warmth settled into his chest as he looked briefly around the waking morning street of the village of Nant, then back at his corner store before going inside to begin setting up.

Several boxes of supplies and product were stacked around the room. A few display shelves all in black sat here and there about the mahogany sales floor.  Behind the cash counter another counter had been built along the wall, shadowbox shelving all in black hung above it reaching to the ceiling. The ceiling was edged in mahogany-stained wood, four rustic chandeliers of electric lights hung evenly spaced from the ceiling. Windows surrounded the wall open to the town road along the left side of his corner store.

Aneirin tied his long dark hair back, and out of his face before he picked up the first of the boxes. He reflected on how the best part of being in his own space was nobody would ever come in abruptly to ruin the unstable formulas he spent weeks and months mastering, as his family and friends had a tendency to do when he was first starting to learn alchemy.

It was at that precise moment of thought the sound of a motorcar came to a halt outside the door. Aneirin sighed; only one person would come by motorcar, and the young man did not wish to see them.

Hallo! The bell jangled as Maxen swung the door open, taking off his tweed flat cap as he looked about the store. The man was the same age as Aneirin, a bit taller and broader in the shoulders, with a thick accent. Nice shop you've got, mate. Good to see ya open and settlin' in.

How did you know I'd be here? Aneirin spoke with mild annoyance through his broad smile, noting to lock the door when Maxen left.

Maxen and Aneirin had been friends for years, however Maxen was the sort to ask too many questions and disrupt Aneirin's concentration.

Caitrin said ya'd be settin' up, so I popped down to see how it was goin'. Maxen smiled with sincerity. Looks swell.

Aneirin put a box down on the counter next to the register. I hope to be open and running by the end of the week.

What caused ya to name it The Infinite Dragon? Maxen pointed to the plaque at the counter with the same logo as the sign outside.

Nothing in all the realms is as powerful as dragons, Maxen, Aneirin replied. With a single tear, I can cure any ailment. With a single scale, I can use any spell. With just a breath of their fire, I can burn down the entire world.

Well, ya know these things better than I do, is sure. Maxen rubbed his hands together looking about. Is there anythin' I can help ya with, Ani?

Not at present, though I do appreciate the offer. Aneirin smiled again, with more sincerity at the thought of Maxen leaving.

Maxen did not make an immediate step toward the door, still twisting his hat in his hands.

Is there something bothering you? Aneirin tried to make himself look extra busy as he unpacked the box, pulling out metal tins and brown leather pouches which he separated by ingredient.

It's Adara, Maxen said with hesitation, likely knowing Aneirin would roll his eyes. Adara was the carefree spirit in their group of friends. Her pixie like features of short red hair, bright blue eyes, and her whimsical approach to life had a way of getting her into trouble–usually in the way she ran into impulsive ideas without fully planning them out.

And what is Adara up to this time? Aneirin's brown eyes flicked to Maxen briefly, as he pulled a wooden rack from the box, setting it next to the register, beginning to load the tins onto it.

We both know how headstron' she can be, and this time she's goin' to get inta trouble.

Aneirin paused, with a knowing smile, turning a tin over in his hand. And what is it Adara wishes to do this time?

She wants to find the sorceress who left her dragonchild here. Maxen became very serious. Ya have to stop her, Aneirin. Yer the only one who can talk any sense into her head.

I will do no such thing. Adara will do what Adara thinks best, whatever that might be. And you should stop her if you're so worried.

Maxen shifted his weight to the other foot, I–

A quest with a dragonchild is not why you're here?

If ya won't talk Adara down, I suppose I've no option?

There's the spirit. Aneirin stated with faux enthusiasm. Now go, quickly, before she convinces the magistrate to let her go on a reckless adventure.

Maxen fumbled with his hat. Aneirin wanted nothing more than to set up his space in peace, but with Maxen showing no signs of leaving, Aneirin finally caved. Alright, Maxen, I will come with you. But I am not going on any quests with dragonchildren.

A WEEK LATER, ANEIRIN sat at a desk in a small stateroom surrounded by business papers, catalogues, and orders for supplies, listening to the sound of propellers on the dirigible as they smoothly glided through the air to Draig Plas. The dirigible wasn't particularly large, with twelve staterooms, and a decent sized dining area that could also be used for a dance floor. It had been built for leisure excursions or modest dinner parties.

My shop was supposed to open this week, he thought to himself, refocusing his view from the seemingly endless tips of mountains out the port window, to the key he held up in front of his face.

When he found Adara with the young, blue-skinned dragonchild, Aneirin knew he couldn't just abandon the boy. After a visit to the magistrate, it was concluded that Aneirin was the only capable member of their town to speak with dragons; and since he knew one personally, Aneirin reluctantly agreed to go. The magistrate supplied them with an airship and crew, and thus, Aneirin, Adara, and their friend Caitrin were on board an