Dragons of the Sun

By Esmeralda Heartly

Helios, relentlessly pursued through countless lifetimes by the soulless who seek the gift of eternal life and by the machinations of one man desperate to achieve immortality he is cast from the safety of his home onto a perilous journey.  A greedy, grasping Dragon holds his beloved captive.  She demands an extraordinary ransom.  A ransom that must be paid to avoid catastrophic consequences.

 

Together they must free their universe from an ancient enemy. An enemy that seeks to control all life, an enemy that knows nothing but destruction. They must solve the mystery of dying planets and missing Dragons.

 

Fortunately, they are not alone. Helped by interfering mages, powerful dragons, and loyal friends, they may succeed and, in the process, learn their true purpose. For they are all the ancient Dragon People, the guardians of Light, bringers of true magic – the magic of life and the soul – the magic of joy and peace. 

 

Will they find the answer to the dying planets?

 

Will they find the missing dragons? 

 

Will they escape?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Esmeralda Heartly
• Release date: Aug 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223302896

Book preview

Prologue

Planet of Illumin – Year 3490

King Madoc stared at his face in the huge gilt-edged mirror that hung on the wall next to the throne. The memory of the magnificent, handsome face of his youth now disintegrated into ruddy jowls and deep lines; the grained texture of age infuriated him. Furiously he hurled the mirror across the room. Seven years bad luck! screeched the mirror before it smashed into a thousand pieces against the wall, its shards of glass skittering over the floor in a dangerously sharp swathe.

Seven years, ranted Madoc as he kicked a footstool out of his way. I have had nothing but bad luck all my life! Those tiresome mages cannot hide them forever. I will find them! I will, I will, I will succeed, he growled in frustration as he repeatedly punched his balled fist into the back of the throne. In a fit of pique, he marched up to the mirror on the opposite wall and smashed it as well, ignoring its fading wail. He stood, hands on his hips, looking for something else to break.

Zaroz to see you, Father.

Raz, young and overly confident, was still wise enough to stay a safe distance from the king before introducing their visitor.

Your Highness, I am informed that the mages have found the child before us again! said Zaroz as he carefully stepped over the scattered shards of glass. Madoc noted the vicious venom in the warlock’s tone and his own fury, overcome with fear, evaporated.

Sadly! Yes, they thwarted us again. Instead, take my son; in him is power and talent. Long have the mages requested his presence in White Castle; long have I refused. Take him now. Teach him. Teach him well and he will get us what we want. Madoc, noticing his son’s devastated expression, quickly looked away, his cowardly glance taking in the snow-capped mountains he could see through the window. He had seen that Raz understood his betrayal with clear, annihilating clarity. The view did not soothe him as he could still hear Raz’ desperate appeal:

"But Father, I want to go to White Castle. I can get what you want. Please, Father!" begged Raz, as sudden unwanted tears fogged his eyes and muddied his voice.

As you wish, Sire, and bowing low, Zaroz turned and grabbed the stunned boy by the arm, cruelly digging his fingers into Raz’ tender flesh as he dragged him from the room. Raz’s most treasured dream lay shattered with the shards of glass on the throne room floor as he vainly tried to cling to the rough stone floor of the chamber with his toes through his boots.

You shall do as you are told; besides, you do not know what we want, and a mere student against the might of Mikael is laughable. Even I would not try. First, you must learn, hissed Zaroz with menace as he twisted the boy’s arm to inflict as much pain as possible.

Oh, but I do know! thought Raz. I most certainly do.

Chapter 1

Year 3508 (present time)

Celestial Maps

Watcher One sat in her usual spot and gazed mournfully at the vast celestial map, her mind only half focused on the job at hand. She missed Alarzin. He was gone, summoned to the Dragon Council of Seven. She had thought he was so jolly fine with his flame-red scales and his searching green eyes, not to mention his shiny long black talons. She had harboured a secret hope that he would think her fine too, but he had left, in a whirlwind of excitement, without so much as a goodbye. The new Watcher had not yet arrived, so she was alone, her only companionship Watchers Three and Four, half a galaxy away. A bright flash brought her sharply out of her daydream. She watched as a planet on her map burned brightly and faded to a dull glow. That is another one. We have been losing them here and there for a long time, but why so many so quickly? she thought, thoroughly alarmed.

She spoke in thought with the other watchers: Watcher Three, I lost another one. That is four in the last two days. Have you lost any?

Watcher One, we have lost two, but Watcher Six says that they have lost eleven in the last two days and Watcher Nine says they have lost seven in quick succession, came the reply.

Watcher Three, someone must go to the Council of Twelve. I cannot - I am alone here.

Oh! Where is Alarzin, Jade?

Called to the Council of Seven.

Council of Twelve… mused Watcher Three, …not a chance! They will not even admit one of us, let alone listen to us. I will not go. The last time I brought this problem to their attention they said, Planets die; it’s normal; don’t be stupid. Bert can go to the Council of Seven. They will admit him.

Me, why me?

Watcher Four, you are the oldest; they will listen to you, replied Watcher One with a certainty she did not feel.

You think? And my name is Bartholomew.

Twenty-two listening Watchers smiled to themselves privately and wished him luck.

Chapter 2

White Castle, in the etheric of the planet Illumin

Owl flapped her wings irritably as Helios kicked the bedpost for the umpteenth time. Finally, she squawked in annoyance and flew out of the window. Helios woke up terrified by her screech. Still caught in his dream reality, he struggled to escape his twisted bedding; freeing himself, he lay there for a few moments, shocked by the sheer horror of his dream. Something had been chasing him, something menacing and dangerous, something he could not get away from no matter how far he ran. It was always there, lurking, waiting in the dark, unseen eyes fixed between his shoulder blades. He shuddered as he snatched up his sword, deciding that a bout of practice would help him escape the lingering dread he felt.

Raoul, nursing a stupendous headache, got out of bed carefully and padded barefoot into the bathroom. He lay in the hot water, ruefully examining all the yellow and purple bruises that abundantly decorated his body. Ten days and I still remember nothing, he thought as he gently touched the huge gash on his head, the stitches rough and prickly under his fingertips.

Mikael, fully dressed, his green-hued cloak heavy with sweets and cookies purloined from the kitchen pantry, grinned briefly at the thought of how the disappearance of her carefully guarded stash would flummox Rosemary, the head cook. He checked his pockets to make sure his wand was in easy reach and in no danger of accidentally falling out; wriggled his toes in his scuffed travel boots; and twisted into space, gently landing in a sandy cave.

On the surface of the planet Illumin

It was still dark as Allexa carefully crept into the cottage and up to her room. Her clothes were damp from the dew. Her long, black hair was wet, untidy, and full of leaves. She kicked her grass-encrusted boots under her bed and slid between the sheets in damp clothes with a sigh of relief and a huge grin.

Raz sat at his desk in the dark, the candles long since burnt out. Starved and cold, he had finally mastered the spell Zaroz had insisted he learn. It had taken him many days and nights. Zaroz, cruel as ever, had refused warmth and food until he did. He stood stiffly and went to find the old warlock to prove his competence, hate polluting his heart with thoughts of revenge.

Chapter 3

On a snow-swept mountain far away from where Allexa still slept soundly, at a front door hewn into the mountain, two figures huddled under damp cloaks, with frozen feet. They waited, trembling more from fear than cold, but the promise of riches kept them glued to the spot. Eventually, a shrouded figure stepped out of the doorway and beckoned them in. They stepped into an ice-crusted hallway. Blue-white light from under the floor reflected eerily off the frost-coated walls. The shrouded figure motioned them to follow. They followed him along a lengthy passage past many closed doors, doing their best to ignore all the strange sounds they could hear. The shrouded figure stopped and gestured them through a door but did not follow. The room was full of weird things they had never seen before. Already round-eyed with alarm, they both jumped, startled, at the sound of a disembodied voice from somewhere in the room:

So! You have come here at your peril. What do you want?

My Lord Murdock, we have found you a phoenix. She lives in seclusion in a forest a long way from here with only an old maid to take care of her.

After a long silence: Are you sure?

Absolutely, my lord.

Take me there now! demanded Murdock with unconcealed excitement.

CHAPTER4

Wake up! Wake up! We have overslept. Mikael will be here soon, shouted Mixen urgently as she shook Allexa awake. Be quick! You must be quick about your bath.

Her twig- and leaf-bejewelled hair, black as a raven’s wing, tumbled down her back as she walked naked to the washroom to pour water into the bath. She gave a start: the bath was already full of water, rose-perfumed steam rising gently. Her bathwater poured for her. Hot water! When last had Mixen shown this sort of kindness? She could not remember. Allexa loved the luxury of the steaming hot water and wallowed for as long as she dared. She knew her keeper was often harsh and unkind, and she had been getting harsher and more restrictive of late. Why? She had no idea.

Allexa loved her home, surrounded by tall trees and dense underbrush with many compensations to alleviate the loneliness. There was the bright sunny clearing in the deepest part of the forest where the best berries grew and where one could pick small, sweet apples at the end of each summer; where wild animals would take snacks from her hands; where, if one sat very quietly, very still, and well-hidden on the nights of full moon, one could just see the faeries dancing, ethereal in shimmering stardust, and hear their tinkling festive music. On other nights, she heard the melodies of nightingales as a balm for the soul. Still, she longed to escape it, longed for wild adventure and friends.

Mixen, resentful and bitter, clothed in guilt, stood on the balcony outside Allexa’s bedroom wondering if a small memory charm would silence her charge. She knew she had often been excessively harsh, unkind, and mean. Mixen, sealed to secrecy by the casual wave of a mage’s hand, sent without consent to raise and protect the child. Lonely for the company of her sisters, exiled in this strange place that was full of other magick and scary whisperings she did not understand, she had had, in this lonely place, much time to brood and become embittered. She loved the baby at first, but as she watched Allexa grow more beautiful, more radiant, and more powerful, Mixen had grown exponentially more jealous. Now the time had come as she had known it would. Free at last! But how terrible would the wrath of Mikael be should he find out how she had treated her charge?

CHAPTER 5

Good day my dear, said Mikael, careful not to show his shock at the beauty of the young girl peeping over the banister. Please come down so that I may introduce myself. Allexa stood and walked slowly down the stairs, heart-stopping in a gown of shimmering midnight blue with flashes of iridescent starlight that teased the senses as she glided down the stairs. Her dress’s beauty only marred by the incongruous sword in its scabbard attached to a rough belt around her waist and the strap of her bag over her shoulder. Oh dear! thought Mikael, a rueful smile tugging the corners of his mouth, this is trouble.

Ah! My Lord Mikael! I see you have met my beautiful Allexa, Mixen said inwardly cringing before the discerning, blazing peridot stare of the mage. She waited apprehensively as chills raked through her body and the mage’s eyes narrowed perceptibly.

Yes! So, I have, Mixen; and now you are free to go. Thank you for your years of service.

Allexa gasped as Mixen disappeared.

Where did she go?

Oh…to a place that she deserves, grinned Mikael, a mischievous glimmer in his eye. Unkindness and cruelty have a price, my dear.

Oh! Yes, of course, it would. How long will she be there?

For as long as it takes to redeem herself.

Mixen found herself standing in the scullery of an exceptionally large kitchen with the words, Remember my wrath! ringing in her ears. Whose wrath? Who was angry with her? What had she done? Where were her pretty clothes and why was she dressed in soiled grey rags?

Hey, you! Get a move on, shouted a skinny, harassed, fatigued-faced woman, brandishing a rice-encrusted spoon at her. We have not got all day. Those that expect their lunch are waiting.

Ah! Oh! Yes! Now I remember, grimaced Mixen as she opened her mouth to explain that she did not belong here. To her horror, not a word would come out. Mage’s wrath indeed.

Come, my dear, we must leave at once before the sun is too high in the sky. Allexa followed Mikael as he hurried through the woods that surrounded what had been her home for the last eighteen years. A thousand questions hammered the inside of her brain; eighteen years of unanswered questions revolved relentlessly through her mind, questions that demanded answers. Although Allexa had impeccable manners, she had learned none of the conversational niceties that children learn by association with others; so, she was a little blunt in her pursuit of those answers. She stopped dead, dumped her bag on the ground, and mulishly planted her feet. Where are we going? And why? And why have I been here all my life and why has nobody told me anything and why did I have to learn so much defensive stuff and where is Mixen and where exactly are we? Oh - and while I am about it, where are my parents? demanded Allexa, a determined expression on her beautiful face.

Mikael laughed as he turned to face her, noting that, although she asked with blunt force, there was no petulance in her tone, only determination.

Allexa, all your questions will be answered at the proper time. This is not the time or the place. We must move with haste; it is not safe here and we have a long way to go. Come! I promise I will answer your questions in time. He hurried forward, leaving her no alternative but to follow. Hearing sounds of possible pursuit, Mikael looked over his shoulder and said, I fetched you just in time. How fast can you run?

Faster than you! came the cheeky, confident response.

Let us be going then! laughed Mikael, taking up the challenge.

Allexa picked up her skirts and ran, with little regard for her spectacular dress and delicate slippers, which after a short distance, she impatiently stopped to remove. She ran with unfettered joy and excitement, her hair flowing out behind her in a long black braid. Mikael had the gift of running speed that was unequalled anywhere in the known universe – or so he had believed until this moment. Now, she matched his speed stride for stride and even, on occasion, looked as if she could go faster. Mikael laughed in dumbfounded exhilaration. Allexa grinned in response and ran. Eventually, Mikael slowed down, pointing to a narrow path that wound up the side of a hill. We must follow this but be careful: the loose gravel and small stones can be treacherous. We are still alone, and few know this place, but be wary anyway.

Just a minute, called Allexa, drawing her bag off her back. Opening it, she pulled out her sturdy, grass-speckled boots, rubbed her feet clean, pulled socks over her grubby toes and shoved her feet into her boots. Booted, she shrugged her bag back onto her back, adjusted her sword and grinned at Mikael.

They hurried carefully up the path until they reached a small open space. Allexa noticed the open mouth of a cave. A cave, she thought, how exciting! Allexa had extraordinarily little experience of the world outside her home, apart from the forest and its secrets. She did, however, have a store of information learned from books and long hours spent reading. Noting the excited, questioning expression on her face, Michel said, Come, this is but a step in our journey. They entered the cave, walking over the soft white sand that covered the floor. She could hear the happy tinkle of water somewhere in the cave. Crystals covered the walls and roof, all twinkling like a million tiny multi-coloured fireflies. Allexa gasped as she stopped to gaze at the splendour in awe.

With a smile, Mikael said, Allexa, please take my hand and close your eyes. Allexa felt a wild pull, felt herself grow light, dissolve and land gently with only a momentary sensation of vertigo. You may open your eyes now, my dear. Welcome to White Castle!

Allexa stared speechlessly: she was standing inside a cavernous circular room that glowed with a subdued radiance. The floor was inlaid with a twelve-pointed star, each point made of a different crystal, radiating light. In the centre, there was a spectacular sphere of the most beautiful pink stone she had ever seen. Rose quartz, said Mikael before she could ask. This is a portal. All who come here for the first time must pass through this place. You now carry a mark within your aura that allows you entrance. There are no external doors to White Castle, and all must pass through here the first time.

How do we get in and out? she asked, enchanted with the idea.

There are other linked portals for arrival and departure. You will learn about them, as well as the other uses for this chamber when you are ready.

Allexa jumped as bright pink sparks went off next to her head.

Ah, dinner time, said Mikael setting off through a door at quite a pace. Mikael loved mealtimes and always said life and good magick deserved celebration regularly. Smiling in happy expectation, Allexa followed.

CHAPTER 6

Helios sat chin in hand, his golden hair flopped carelessly about his shoulders, absently admiring the high, white, red-flagged crowned turrets through the classroom window. Pink sparks unseen as memories tugged at the back of his mind. He looked down at his bright red cloak, given to him only last evening by Mikael. This cloak is yours. Take note of your thoughts, Helios. It is time to remember.

Remember?

Yes! The memories we hid at birth so you could grow, unfettered by the past until you came of age. You are now 21 and therefore, it is time.

Can’t you just give them back?

No! The magick buried them deeply; it is best to allow them to return at the appropriate pace.

Helios jumped as a loud bang, accompanied by a painful spark to his posterior, brought the growling groan of a gong from deep within White Castle to his attention. The mages’ ingenious method of preventing tardiness had gotten him again. Helios left the classroom very quickly, almost faster than the sparks faded. He had spent endless hours reading the history of the People of the Dragon. Uncomfortably plagued with an internal conflict as to why he should learn all this history - and the nagging feeling that he already knew it. Running down the passage, he ran straight into Raoul, the latest addition to White Castle, bumping him to the floor. The yellow and blue contusions could not entirely mask his handsome face, framed by long, black curly hair. It was a face graced with wide set, sparkling green eyes, a neat nose, and a mouth that laughed a lot. Helios liked the quick-witted, laughing young man and had decided to be friends from the moment he had met him. Are you coming, Raoul? asked Helios, as he helped him up.

You bet! Word’s out that there is a new arrival – and a girl to boot! said Raoul gleefully, headache forgotten.

Race you there! shouted Helios, already running. They ran, playfully pushing and shoving each other, till they tumbled in disarray into the dining room. Helios, aware of his friend’s still-painful injuries, played with care. Greeted by raised eyebrows, smiles and patient looks from the gathered mages, they found seats quickly. There were mages dressed in cloaks of every imaginable colour. The boys stared amazed. What on earth had brought the entire brotherhood together? Then they saw her, and the world stopped dead.

Allexa felt her heart jerk, fall to her boots, rise, and expand in her chest so that she thought she could take flight. She felt the stirring of a memory, a fleeting feeling of knowing these boys - gossamer, ephemeral, gone. She watched as one boy, a golden-haired, golden-skinned boy with eyes that held the secrets of the universe, blushed a delightful shade of pink as he hurriedly seated himself; and saw the other boy, a shockingly boyish mirror-image of herself, grin, and wink cheekily as he sauntered to his seat. His aplomb marred only by a slight limp and a painful wince as he sat down.

As the mages and their guests feasted, an evil stirred. Noticed and noted by a certain mage, but in his enthusiasm for his supper he delegated the unease to the back of his mind. And after two more glasses of excellent port, the unease stayed there, in the back of his mind.

CHAPTER 7

On Illumin

Far away from the festivities, where a tall tower darkly shadowed the skyline, a figure wrapped in gloom stood on a rock in the ocean staring angrily at the towering wall as he mulled bitterly over his lot in life. How he