Dane and the Sea Monster: The Dragon Keepers, #0

By Jessica Kemery

He is a mighty dwarf king, but will a nefarious lord end his rule?

Dane has a big problem, as head of the dwarfs, he must lead them to greatness. But a greedy and jealous lord has put in motion a plan to blackmail him into submission. Faced with the threat of a monster on his doorstep, he turns to an old friend for help.

The old friend is a salty sea captain who has hit rock bottom. Bankrupt and without a ship, this is the perfect opportunity he's been waiting for. His mission is to free the dwarves from the sea creature that stalks their harbor, but an expected turn of events sends the kingdom reeling.

Can the dwarves defeat the monster before it destroys everything they hold dear?

If you like short stories that feature LGBTQ characters, sea battles with dangerous monsters, and a little dash of romance, you will love Jessica Kemery's fantastic adventure.

Buy Dane and The Sea Monster and sail into a world of fantasy adventure today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hot Mess Express Publishing
• Release date: Dec 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215559949

Jessica Kemery

Called by some a multi-tasking ninja, Jessica Kemery lives in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she works a day job so that her dog, Rocky, can live a life of pampered luxury. The Hobbit is the first book she read, and she has been searching for dragons ever since. She has two teenagers who firmly believe their mother is slightly unhinged and roll their eyes every time she starts playing the greatest hits of the '80s. She also has a husband who dreams of becoming her business manager one day when she "makes it big." Powered by caffeine and the bare minimum of sleep on a nightly basis, she thinks the world's greatest invention is meal delivery services.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Dane Amdar, King of the Dwarves, moved through the back alleyways of Pelle. It was too late for him to be here; it was too late for anyone in their right minds to be out on this street.

Pelle was a dangerous place for anyone, even a dwarf king accompanied by two of his best soldiers from the King’s Guard. A den of villainy at the end of the world, it was a place that people went to who did not want to be found.

Belrin and Catra walked at either side of him, their hands on their axes. Catra licked her lips as her eyes searched the darkness. She wore her hair in the dwarven style, two braids at her shoulders. Both were wearing the dark uniform of the King’s Guard, and their silver buttons gleamed with the faint light from the moon.

They all walked as quietly as possible through the night. Even with a sliver of moon overhead, it was hard to see. The alley itself was unlit, and the only light was from a gas lamp on the street at the far end.

They were startled when a sharp bang came from their right, and a black streak shoot across the alley.

Hades, Dane cursed, clutching his chest. It was just a black cat. I thought ...

As he was distracted, another shadow stepped through the night. The paid assassin threw the blade. It flew fast and straight, hitting Dane square in the chest. It was a death blow, and it would have killed any other man instantly.

The blade clattered to the ground, and the assassin was confused, but quickly, he recovered and grabbed his dagger, lunging for the king.

The assassin was no match for the King’s Guard. Belrin had already drawn his weapon. He jumped in front of his King, swinging the ax with a mighty roar.

The assassin's head hit the ground with a meaty thunk, rolling away into the night. The body fell at their feet.

Catra leaned down and examined the blade that had been thrown at Dane. It wasn’t just a cheap blade one could buy at the market. The weapon had a leather handle and fine etching on the blade. She sniffed it, being careful not to touch the metal.

Meanwhile, Dane searched the body. He pulled a coin out of the man’s pocket, a Norda Half Hundred. bearing the head of King Brant Modris, and the gold coin felt heavy in his hand. Just as I thought, he said, holding it up. The Assassin's Guild’s calling card was this coin. They left it on the foreheads of their victim. It was said to pay for their mark’s passage to the next world.

It’s an unlucky night, Belrin grumbled, his dark eyes on alert over his compatriots.

Let’s see how unlucky we are. Heads, you go first. Tails I do, Dane chuckled. He flipped the coin in the air and caught it, slapping it on the back of his hand. Heads.

I wouldn’t let you go first anyway, Dane. I think Death lives around here somewhere, for sure. Belrin took the lead, kicking the dead body.

I wish the Assassin’s Guild would stop trying to kill me, Dane said. It’s getting old. Too bad you killed him so quickly. It would have been nice to ask him a few questions.

Dane, if you hadn’t been wearing that enchanted chain mail of yours, you would be dead. And just so you know, this blade is poisoned, Catra said, throwing the blade down beside the headless body.

We need to figure out who has paid the Assassin's Guild to kill you. It’s someone with money. The guild isn’t cheap, and they don’t seem to want to give up, Belrin said, motioning for the others to follow him as he crept down the alley.

That is why we are here in the first place, Dane said, stepping past the dead man. We’ve got to ask, who has the most benefit to me being dead?

Well, I would say Enid, but I doubt your daughter wants you dead, even if she is your heir, Belrin laughed.

Listen, if we stand out here any longer, we might have more assassins to fight, Catra said, putting her axes back on her belt.

Dane nodded as he picked his way carefully past trash and suspicious puddles. A rat scurried into the darkness, holding a crust of bread in its mouth. We aren’t far. It’s just down this way. My old friend Gideon Mansfield lives above the Spotted Hen.

You’ve known him for a long time? Catra asked. She had heard stories of Gideon before. He was a bit of a rakish scoundrel in these parts.

I’ve been friends with him since I was a young lad. He’s originally from Sweetwater, you know.

Catra looked unsure, and Belrin shook his head at her. Dane tolerated no discrimination against his friend or anyone else.

They reached the end of the alley, and the three dwarves ignored the calls from the brothel workers who stood in front of their establishments, wearing the most scandalous of dresses that left too much skin exposed and not a thing to the imagination.

They finally reached their destination, a door just to the right of the