The Dragonblood Chronicles: Wundril And The Mad King

By Andrew Tinman

Travel to a land filled with adventure and magic. Where Elves race among the trees, where Dwarves hollow out entire mountain ranges, and where Dragons soar amongst the clouds. Follow the travels of Wundril Starkoar, a Dragonborn warrior who is the last surviving member of the Dragonblood clan, as he searches for both place and purpose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638144403

Book preview

Chapter 1

He could smell the fire as if it was burning right under his nose. He opened his eyes and saw his village burning, and he could hear the screams of his people. Wundril starred in horror as he saw his kin fall to swords, axes, and arrows. But as he looked on the ground in front of him, he saw his mother, and he fell to his knees. Suddenly, his mother turned her head and grabbed him by the arm and said, You c-can still save us, my b-boy.

Wundril woke with a gasp. He realized it was just a dream. Or perhaps he was reliving the same bad memory that haunted his dreams from time to time; it was impossible to keep track. But as he began to calm down, he heard a branch snap in the forest to his right. He thought to himself, They can’t be elves, too clumsy. He got up and grabbed his two-handed battle-ax. At full height, he stood about 7'10" and weighed roughly 320 pounds. He knew that the group of bounty hunters trailing him were clever enough not to take him on in a straight fight. So he stood with his back to the fire so he could better see his surroundings. He heard another twig snap on the other side of his fire, and he also heard a quiet curse out of the attacker’s frustration. Wundril got tired of his attackers waiting for an opportunity, so he grabbed one of his hand axes and waited for another sound. When he heard rustling in the brush, he threw the small ax in the direction it came from. He heard a howl of pain and rushed in to finish them off. When he reached the attacker, he saw that he was human and snickered.

Too easy, he said out loud and heard running on his left. Wundril had plenty of time to raise his battle-ax to parry the blow. The second attacker he found to be a human female. She attacked relentlessly, barely letting up. But Wundril had almost a century of combat experience, so he had no problem keeping up with the constant lunges and strikes. After the woman had made him retreat a few paces, she slowly backed up to her companion, never letting her sword drop to the ground. She asked if he was okay, and when he only groaned in pain did she look away from her towering opponent. The ax had landed in his thigh, and so he was unable to walk. Wundril, while this was happening, stood patiently by and waited for them to finish. It was not the way of his people to fight a distracted opponent. So he said, I will allow you to retreat and find an easier target but only once. I shall not give you a second chance. If you refuse, I will feed your corpses to the nearest Dire Wolf pack I can find. His two attackers first looked at him, then each other, and then back again at Wundril while they considered his offer. The woman said, We’ll be back for you, monster. Wundril merely smiled and took a few steps forward into the moonlight, fully revealing himself. He said, I think you are confused. I am no monster. I am a Dragonborn. But I don’t expect you half-wits to understand the difference. You both must be from a small town, and no one really sees Dragonborn nowadays except for official business. So the chances of you seeing one of my kind are next to none. So leave, and don’t come after me again.

The man grabbed the woman by the arm and said through gritted teeth, We should listen. I’m no good to you if I’m dead, and we didn’t sign on to fight that…thing. The woman slowly nodded and helped her companion up, and they started to walk away. Wundril merely watched and then said to himself, Skriid, I should have gotten my ax back… Going to have to get a new one. Once he was sure his attackers had really left, he went back to his campsite and looked at the sky. It was nearly daylight, so he began to pack up what little he had.

Once he had all of his things in his backpack, Wundril started to march on. He didn’t have a plan on where he was going. He just left himself to the winds of fate and waited to see what happened. He made his way out of the woods and stepped fully into the daylight. His gold-colored scales gleamed in the bright sun, and his tail left a path in the grass behind him. He looked back and said, That’s probably how those fools found me in the first place. He made a mental note to pick his tail up off the ground more often so he would be harder to track. Wundril made his way to the closest road he could find and began to walk. Along the way, he saw many people. He saw men driving carts full of many different items such as food and other goods. But the one thing they all had in common was that they all either flinched or looked scared at the sight of him. He just ignored it. It had happened so much that he had grown oblivious to it.

At one point, a little girl walked up to him out of curiosity and said, Hiya! My name is Samantha! What’s yours, Lizard-man? with a huge smile on her face.

Wundril was so used to the fact that people usually ignored him out of worry or fear that he was speechless for a moment. Once he regained himself, he said in the friendliest voice he could muster, Greetings, little one, I am Wundril Starkoar. Tell me…why do you not fear me? It wasn’t a mean question. It was merely out of curiosity.

Suddenly, a woman ran up and grabbed Samantha by the arm and said, Get away from that thing! It could eat you in one bite!

Samantha struggled against her mother’s strength and said, But he was friendly! He even told me his name…

I don’t care what its name is. It’s dangerous, and you should not involve yourself with it, said Samantha’s mother. Wundril just bowed his head and stood. He walked away and said nothing. He just moved on as he always did.

Chapter 2

Miles away in a secluded monastery, grunts and gasps of effort and pain could be heard. Inside, young monks in training were sparring and doing other training. Most were watching a certain young woman against four male opponents. She looked calm and collected as she thought to herself, Only four today? Seems a little less than fair… I almost pity them. She readied herself as she sensed that one of the boys was getting impatient and ran forward to attack. He threw a left hook as he closed the distance from behind her, but his punch connected with nothing but air as she ducked under the punch and swung her left leg and knocked the boy’s leg out from under him. He fell to the ground in a gasp of pain, but the girl had no time to assess if he was still a threat. Take them as they come. If they are not a threat, then they won’t attack, she whispered to herself, repeating her master’s words. She leaned just out of reach of the next punch and spun around to deflect another. The other three monk trainees kept a fluid stream of attacks focused on the girl, but she seemed to not just keep up but even predict their movements. The teachers of the individual monks shook their heads, all but one. Master Tezen looked at his pupil with pride as she disabled and defeated her attackers.

Soon, the high monk, who was watching over all of the training exercises from the monastery balcony, grabbed the mallet and swung it and hit the gong on his left. When he did, all the trainees and their masters turned their attention to the balcony. High Monk Kaizon then looked over his monastery and his monks with pride and addressed them, My children! Rikal, the god of wisdom and strength, looks down on us this day and smiles. You all have improved so much over the years, some more than others… He glanced at the girl and continued, As you all know, our yearly pilgrimage is due to leave soon to spread Rikal’s wisdom to the world. So prepare yourselves, for you may be selected for it. With that, he hit the gong again, and everyone bowed and the training session ended.

The masters went to their students and collected them. Master Tezen walked up to his student and said, You have never disappointed me, Atala, and for that I am grateful.

Atala looked at him and gave him a smile. How is that even a possibility when I have the greatest teacher Rikal has to give? she replied while wiping the sweat off her face.

Tezen bowed and shook his head with a smile. You give me too much credit. You started training before most of these recruits. Although, considering the fact you were literally raised here might have something to do with it. He let out a small laugh as did she.

As Atala finished up in the courtyard, she and Tezen began to walk into the temple bathing house. Tezen meditated outside as Atala took a bath and got dressed. Once she was out, she told Tezen, I want to go on this year’s pilgrimage.

Tezen only opened one eye and said, We have been over this. It is too risky for you to go. You are the only woman in the monastery, and we do not need rumors going around about our daily conduct.

Atala rolled her eyes and replied, Concealing me here will only do more damage. What if someone comes here and sees me and goes back out to the world if they decide that Rikal’s path is not for them? The rumors will get out, anyway. Better to have me sort it out before strangers do.

Tezen opened his other eye and sighed as he got up. Even if it were my decision, I would still keep you here for at least two more years, and during those two years, we would educate you on the outside world. Don’t forget that you have never stepped out of the monastery. You would most likely wander and get lost, he said.

Tezen and Atala began to walk as they continued their conversation. Atala said in a frustrated tone, I have spent the last four years of my life reading in the Great Library and Records Room of the Temple. I am ready to face the real world. Whatever it can throw at me. Tezen looked at his student and thought about all the times they had together.

He had raised her ever since she was brought to the monastery as a baby. He fed her, trained her, and comforted her when she was sad. He had become her father. As she looked at him waiting for a reply, another trainee walked down the hall and greeted them. It was Matthew, a young man about the same age as Atala and a little bit behind the rest of the trainees skill-wise. But he was stronger; that much was plain to see with just the naked eye because of his body type. He had a broad chest and was filled out everywhere else. He said, Greetings, Master Tezen and Atala… He visibly blushed, and Atala and Tezen immediately knew what he was about to do. Being the only female in the monastery, Atala occasionally got courtship requests.

She turned them all down, of course, because living in the monastery she got to know them all as her brothers. Tezen realized that she would never accept any of the requests. In fact, he found the attempts amusing after the first few and decided to let them happen. I’ll leave you two alone then… With that, Tezen continued to walk down the hall, and as he rounded the corner, Atala saw a sinister grin on his face.

You evil excuse for a man, she thought to herself. Matthew nodded to Tezen as he left and turned his full attention to her.

Atala, I have been watching you for a few months now… Wait, that came out wrong, he stammered. She merely giggled, and Matthew looked at her embarrassed.

She said, Listen, Matthew, I don’t wish to be rude or to make you feel discomfort. But I’m afraid that I cannot return your feelings.

Matthew at first looked confused, then sad. He looked away and then appeared to come to a realization. He looked back at her and replied, It must be that you are interested in another? John or Peter maybe?

Wait, what? Atala, of all the confessions that she had heard in her life, had never heard a reply such as that. Usually, the man would say respectfully that they understood and would walk away, and then the next day, they would skip training and cry in their rooms. But this was a new frontier, even for her. She had no idea what to say, so she said the first thing that came to mind. What are you going on about, Matthew? I am not interested in anyone. Believe me, you’re not the first man to confess to me, and I doubt that you will be the last. So please stop coming to conclusions. Rikal will lead you to the one you truly love. She paused as she thought of the next thing to say to better help him understand. Think of this as one of the training sessions. You can’t get stronger if you don’t feel any pain. Yes, the first time is the hardest, but it will get easier.

Matthew only looked at her, and his expression got slightly darker. He said, I’m sorry for wasting your time. He bowed and began to walk away. But as he walked away, Atala could’ve sworn that she heard him muttering things about finding out who she was really interested in and talking to him about relinquishing her to him. But she did not like to worry over such things.

If it becomes a bigger problem, then others will take notice of such a petty matter, and the high monk will have to distract himself from his meditation to deal with it, Atala thought to herself. She then shook her head and then marched herself straight to the top of the temple to talk to High Monk Kaizon about going on the pilgrimage. But down another hall, Tezen grew a worried look on his face. The real reason that he didn’t want Atala to leave was that she might not want to return or, worse, she might find a boyfriend.

Chapter 3

Wundril continued on his walk and made it to the next town without having to kill or hurt any possible threats. So there was that at least, he thought to himself. He looked in his coin purse and frowned. Too many ales, he concluded. Realizing he needed money, he went to the tavern to ask the locals if there was any work. When he got there, the whole place went silent and stared. Wundril merely stared back and moved to the bar in silence. He sat down on a stool and felt it shudder under his weight, but he ignored it.

The bartender walked over to him and said, Anything to drink there, mister? Or perhaps something to eat?

Wundril replied, No drinking for me tonight, haven’t got the coin. Just here for a little information. The bartender suddenly got a serious look on his face and leaned on the bar, motioning for Wundril to do the same.

Just ’cause you’re big and scary doesn’t mean that you’re invincible. Now what kind of info you lookin’ for, stranger? the bartender whispered.

Wundril only grew a bored look on his face and thought, Well, that’s not suspicious at all. He whispered back, I don’t need to be invincible. I just need to outlive my enemies. Now what kind of work is available in town?

The bartender grew a worried face at the big Dragonborn’s words and said, I don’t have anything here, but you may want to check out the few guilds we have in town.

Wundril, looking satisfied, leaned back and said, Brak’al, thank you, mister…

The bartender’s expression softened as he replied, Thomas Ale-Drinker. I know it’s not the most fancy of names, but it’s the one I’ve got.

Wundril heard a snicker from across the room, and he stood to address it. And what is your name, hmm? Why do you think it’s so above his that you laugh and mock it?

The person stood up and stated, I am Freeda Eagleshot, you lowly scum, and I can mock his name if I so damn choose. Freeda walked across the room straight over to Wundril, clearly not intimidated, and tried to size the Dragonborn up.

Wundril saw as soon as he stood up that the man was a high elf. Must be wearing strong cologne, didn’t smell him on the way in, Wundril thought to himself.

He smelled the perfume as Freeda got closer and almost gagged. Freeda saw him do this and mocked, I should be the one gagging, you overgrown lizard. For you are the one that is hideous.

Wundril smiled and replied, I may be ugly, but at least I know how to properly bathe, and not in bear droppings, you forest dwelling tree-hugger. At this point, all the inhabitants in the tavern were watching and laughing at Freeda. He looked around, his face becoming extremely red from embarrassment.

Ugh, you’re not worth my time. Let’s go, my friends, said Freeda. With that, he and his group hurried out of the tavern, with the laughter of the tavern pushing them out. Wundril got lots of drink offers and thank-yous after that, which he gladly accepted.

That night, he was about to completely empty his coin purse when Thomas said, Your room is on the house after that favor earlier today, but only for one night.

Wundril smiled. I am hopefully only staying one night. In the morning, I’m going around to this town’s guilds and seeing if they have work, and with any luck, they will.

He did so the next morning. He first visited the Stonemasons. They turned him down. He moved to the Woodcutters guild, but they were already filled to capacity with both members and part-time workers. He finally got to the last guild that the town had to offer, the Artisans Guild. He came to this one last because he didn’t care much for artisans. They always tried to explain their philosophies to him, which made his brain hurt. He entered and was almost immediately hollered at. There were many different peoples of different races inside. He saw humans, elves of different kinds, dwarves, and even gnomes. He approached a dwarf that was painting on a canvas, a picture of a bowl of a dead fish. Artisans…I will never understand as long as I live, he thought to himself. He tapped the dwarf on the shoulder, and when he turned around to see who did it, the dwarf shouted in surprise and fell off his chair.

O-oh…I am sorry, my good sir, you merely caught me by surprise. Now what can I help you with? the dwarf stammered.

Wundril nodded his head at the apology and said, I need to speak with whoever is in charge here. Where can I find them?

The dwarf pointed to his left. The person in charge is an orc named Carla. You’ll find her in her office. I believe that she was working on the last piece for the month. Wundril followed where he pointed and walked up the stairs leading to the Head Artisans office. When he entered, he saw her and was shocked. She didn’t look like an orc. In fact, the only reason he figured she was, was because of her green skin and slightly pointed teeth. Everything else was like a human, her hair, her body size, and her posture when she sat down.

She saw him walk in and smiled. Welcome, friend! It’s a rare occasion to see one of your kind around. Would you mind having me paint a picture of you? I would, of course, pay you. Wundril didn’t know how to react to all of these rapid-fire statements, so he decided to answer to appease the woman.

Sure, but, first, I wish to discuss some business.

She looked overjoyed when he said yes to the painting, and then her expression turned a little more serious. What did you wish to discuss? One of my subordinates didn’t offend you, did they? she asked him with no sarcasm in her voice.

He looked at her just to double-check to make sure she was serious and then said, No…but I was wondering if you had any work for a traveling soldier. He used the title traveling soldier to make these interviews a little easier.

Carla’s expression softened at his words, and she put the smile back on her face as she replied, Yes, in fact, I have something that should be right up your alley. As you probably saw on your way in, we are preparing for a big event that will be happening in the capital city of Prizon. We are preparing even harder this year because the king himself will be there for the Festival Si’von, the Festival of Life. You speak a bit of elvish, correct? Wundril nodded his head. Living as long as he did, even though he was considered about twenty-two years old in mortal years, you tend to pick up on a few things.

Carla continued, Our guild helps bring in a lot of this town’s income from this festival alone. So it’s crucial that we make it to the capital with every piece of our art that we spend so much time making.

Wundril saw where this was going and cut her off, So you want me to run guard duty while you are traveling. Seems simple enough but about my pay.

Carla walked out from behind