Defying the King (Dragon Speakers #2): Dragon Speakers

By Cora Foerstner

Defying the King: An epic, action-packed fantasy!

 

A year ago, six young adventurers climbed Dragon Mountain. They pledged their lives to serve the Kingdom and became Dragon Speakers. Their courage brought magic back to the world. Their vision restored Dragon City to a place of learning and peace.

 

Now Gwendolyn loves her dragon, her healing abilities, and her new friendships. But dreams shatter easily. The king's demands threaten her world. When men attack a young dragon, her tranquil life spins toward a treacherous precipice. 

 

Gwendolyn knows the Dragon Speakers must fight a deadly evil—their king, who plots to destroy them.

 

Don't miss Defying the King, the exciting conclusion of Gwendolyn's first year as a Dragon Speaker. This thrilling story tests the Dragon Speakers' courage as they face overwhelming odds. 

 

Adventure, magic, and romance await you. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sorrel Leaf Press
• Release date: Aug 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781949945096

Book preview

CHAPTER 1: DRAGON CITY

DRAGON YEAR: 24 SEPTEMBER 1548

Dragon City sat high in the Dragon Mountain range. The fledgling city spread out across the mountains, a hungry vine extending in all directions. Artisans and builders raced to keep pace with the growing population.

Like other mountain towns and cities, the buildings and streets followed the curves, the highs, and the lows of the landscape.

Unlike other settlements, dragons roamed the streets and interacted with the citizens.

Two adults and the six juvenile dragons walked the streets or flew overhead. They were as familiar to the citizens as sunrises and sunsets.

Outside the city to the east, a narrow pathway led downward to a grassy glen. Bordering the glen, tall pines and deciduous trees protected the land from the wind. The morning sun made its way over the treetops and brought warmth and sunlight.

This meadow belonged to Gwendolyn, Dragon Speaker, and healer.

She sat on the ground, preparing the soil. Perspiration beaded on her forehead. She wiped her brow with the cloth tucked into the belt of her brown tunic. The cool morning air carried pine and lavender scents in the breeze.

At the edge of the garden, Elu, her year old green and purple dragon, lay curled into a ball. She lifted her head and placed her chin on her two front claws.

I’m bored.

You mean you want to be at the market, Gwendolyn said.

Elu sighed. The air from her nostrils blew dirt toward Gwendolyn, who ignored her pouting dragon.

Instead, she pulled on the milkweed. Its roots clung to the soil. She grabbed the hand spade from her basket and dug the soil around the roots until the plant seemed ready to slide out. She yanked, felt resistance, and her arm flew back as the root broke off in the ground.

She leaned back, perspiring and annoyed.

Still bored, Elu said.

When I finish, we’ll go to the market.

By then, all the good food will be gone.

Gwendolyn tossed the milkweed toward Elu, who batted it away with her talon.

Fly up and see if anyone is coming toward the city.

Elu giggled, her amber eyes full of merriment.

You mean look and see if Thorne and Denali are returning.

The dragon rose, shook her body, and sent bits of grass and soil into the air. The ground rumbled as she rushed forward and leaped into the air.

Gwen attacked the weeds and within an hour had a row cleared and ready for fall plants. She collected her tools, put stakes into the ground, and realized she hadn’t heard giggles, or complaints, or anything from Elu. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she glanced up and searched the sky.

High in the air, almost among the clouds, she spotted two dark spots racing toward her. For a moment, she hoped Denali, Thorne’s dragon, flew with her dragon, but Elu’s companion was black, Takola.

Look who I found, Elu shouted in Gwendolyn’s mind.

The two young dragons dove, falling fast toward the mountainside.

Slow down. Slow down.

"Slow down," Gwendolyn shouted.

Elu’s laughter filled the air, and she ignored the warnings. The two dragons plunged downward.

Faster. Faster. Faster.

They plunged past the tree line, heading for a crash.

Gwendolyn dropped her basket and raced forward. Moments later, the two dragons rose into the sky, laughing and calling to Gwendolyn.

Wasn’t that a marvelous trick? Takola taught me. We fooled you.

They continued climbing and then dove back toward Gwendolyn.

Are you contemplating murder? Risby called as he walked toward her.

He wore leather practice pants and a tunic with his sword strapped to his side. His brown skin glistened in the sunlight. Sometimes Risby’s height and shape jarred her for a moment. Over the last few months, he’d grown taller, surpassing her height, and his shoulders were broader. Since practicing with Vi and her warriors, his body had shed its baby fat, replacing it with lean muscles.

I see you’re still torturing yourself with morning practice.

He grinned. One must prepare.

Is that one of the wizard’s lessons?

I wish my lessons were that easy. Dorin is dead set on me teleporting myself everywhere. He’s quite vicious. I nearly ported myself into a tree. He laughed. I had to restrain myself from attacking the old man.

He gathered up Gwendolyn’s basket, placed the tools back inside, and held out his arm, which she took.

Come. Let us take our wayward charges to market. Takola pestered me all morning about some rice dish that will change my life.

Elu put the idea in his mind.

Both dragons landed in the meadow with heavy thumps and headed for the path. Their tails wiggled as they hurried toward the market at the edge of the city. Takola avoided the poppies. Elu flattened a patch.

Have a care for the poppies. They lift their faces to the sun to cheer us, and you thoughtlessly trampled them, Takola admonished.

They lift sunward because their nature demands it. Elu walked closer to Takola, keeping to the path.

Nonsense. You need a sense of poetry to understand nature.

I should follow Takola’s lead and lecture them on that dangerous trick. Gwendolyn bent and picked up two large stones and tossed them off the path.

They have practiced for the last two weeks to surprise you. You’d best brag outrageously over their antics.

Gwendolyn stopped and squeezed Risby’s arm.

You allowed this? They could have hurt themselves.

Risby might have grown taller, but his crooked grin and the curly lock of black hair that fell over his forehead remained the same.

This from the most impetuous girl I know. They are dragons. They fly. Plus, they aren’t hatchlings that need our constant supervisions. Let them grow up. Besides, they were supervised. Dorin and Faelan taught them.

Goddess, preserve us from wizards. Excluding you.

The path ended at the extra wide Market Street. Venders called out the superiority of their wares. A lean man carrying a large woven basket bartered with a mason for a cheaper price. Others chatted and laughed, while children scampered about and played tag. Takola and Elu chatted with the three children who followed them until their mothers called them back.

A farmer, whose stall held the last of the summer vegetables and fruit, hawked his produce. Last chance. Get them while you can.

She, Risby, and the two Dragons walked along Market Street, and no one had to step aside to let them pass.

Ahead, Elu and Takola hurried forward, aiming for Gillian’s stall. The aroma of rice flavored with meats and vegetables dragons loved reached them.

By the time she and Risby arrived at the stall, their dragons had been served. Gillian’s husband had recently built two pavilions for the dragons. The white washed structures loomed up behind the modest stall.

Your Highness, Gillian said. How can I serve you?

Please, call me Gwen or Gwendolyn.

Aye, Your Highness.

Elu keeps describing the wonders of your lamb and carrot rice. I’d like a bowl of that.

Gillian glanced at Risby and looked down. And you, Sir?

I’ll take the same. And two of your famous brown loaves.

The poor woman’s hands shook as she hurried to get their food.

Will this ever end? Risby whispered.

Without making eye contact with the young wizard, Gillian brought their bowls and bread.

There’s a table and benches, if you’d like to sit with your dragons, Your Highness.

Come, Your Highness, let us join the rascal dragons. Risby grabbed both their bowls.

When Gillian made the misstep of looking up. Risby made eye contact, winked, and added, Thank you, fair lady. The aroma of your food is heavenly.

Her eyes grew wide and her hand went to her throat as if she expected a blow to fall upon her.

Gwendolyn nudged Risby.

As they walked away, he whispered. Someday people will forget you are a princess, but they will always fear me.

Behind the stall, they found both dragons staring into empty bowls and looking satisfied. Gwendolyn hadn’t sat in this area before. Mason’s genius for understanding the needs of dragons touched every area in and around the pavilion, wooden tables the perfect height for dragons, ladles that fit into dragon talons to eat with, and copper vats filled with water for the dragons to clean their claws, and in Elu’s case, her face. While Takola ate with the table manners of a courtier, his partner in crime had no such inclinations.

You couldn’t have waited for us? Gwendolyn asked.

Of course not, Elu said. We assumed you would prefer eating with the other patrons.

We are going to have a quick wash up, and fly out to the highway, Takola said.

Within a few months of hatching, Takola’s voice had gone from squeaky hatchling to settling into a deep, slow cadence that reminded Gwendolyn of a musty old historian.

That’s right. We know how anxious you are for Thorne’s return, so we will fly over the highway and return with news.

We are eager to see Denali. Takola’s amber eyes accused Elu of bad manners.

Return your bowls to Gillian. Gwendolyn wished with all her heart that her loose-mouthed dragon were not privy to her thoughts of Thorne.

Risby watched them exit with raised brows and a suppressed grin.

Keep your thoughts to yourself.

I always keep my thoughts close, Risby said. It might cheer you to know that Takola will certainly lecture her about exposing your thoughts to all and sundry. His solemnity makes me feel young.

Well, we are young.

Yes, but Elu acts and speaks like a young dragon. Oh, how I wish for some occasional silliness. Risby took a bite of his rice and his eyes grew wide. This is heavenly.

For the next few minutes, they ate in silence. Gwendolyn enjoying her friend’s first taste of Gillian’s cooking.

Have you ever wondered about their friendship? They are opposites and yet great friends, Gwendolyn mused.

Whose friendship?

Elu and Takola.

You might ask the same about our friendship. Princess and kitchen lad. Lowly healer and magnificent wizard.

The answer to that is simple. The princess and the kitchen lad are kindred souls. However, the self-important wizard might find the healer to be too busy the next time illness strikes.

So, we have our answer. Kindred souls and backbiting friends.

They’d returned their empty bowls to Gillian and started the long trek back to the Dragon Speakers’ quarters.

A dragon’s loud, angry roar echoed through the market. Takola roared and roared again.

Everyone in the market stopped and glanced around, many gazed skyward. Gwendolyn ignored the concerned questions people called out to them. She had no answers.

Elu screeched, her anger vibrating through the market.

Gwen, Risby, Dragon Speakers, three men have attacked Takola at the crossroads into the city. Elu’s voice reached into Gwendolyn’s mind, sending her dragon’s fear pumping through her veins.

Risby moved his arm in a wide circle. A whirling mass of grey smoke opened. He grabbed Gwendolyn’s arm to drag her into the portal.

CHAPTER 2: TAKOLA

DRAGON YEAR: 24 SEPTEMBER 1548

Gwendolyn had experienced one other wizard’s portal. Last year, Kalima yanked her and Risby into a portal, taking them from the highest castle tower to King Eldritch’s personal study. The brutal experience had terrified her. That portal twisted and spun like an angry tornado. The portal crashed through walls and stone, somehow allowing them to pass. Kalima chanted while she and Risby clung to each other. Gwendolyn implored the goddess, any goddess, to save them.

Now Elu’s cry for help echoed around them. Gwendolyn’s chest tightened, and the portal opened, a gaping mouth ready to swallow them. She stiffened and tried to pull her arm away from Risby, but he held her and stepped in, dragging her with him.

She braced herself, but instead of a raging tornado, Risby’s portal, a tranquil tunnel with a rushing wind surrounding her, posed no threat. Risby guided her forward. Seconds later, the road appeared beneath them, but their feet touched nothing solid. The wind muted the shouting and angry voices outside the portal.

Risby held her close and whispered, Relax. We are safe. You are safe.

The rushing wind vanished as they stepped onto the cobblestone road. Tall pines rose toward the sky on either side of the road. She glanced back and watched the whirling portal shrink and vanish.

Takola roared and Elu screeched. Risby released her and ran down the hill toward the three men who had trapped his dragon in a net. Takola fought and flapped his wings against the netting. He stopped and shoved his talon through the netting, grabbing one man’s body and shaking him until he released the net.

Gwendolyn rushed forward. Behind her, people from the city shouted at the men and hurried past her to help Risby.

Elu grabbed one man by his shoulders and flapped her wings, lifting him off the ground. He released the net and grabbed the back of the large wagon they’d been trying to force Takola into. The weight of him and the wagon was too heavy for the dragon. She shook him and flung him sideways.

Risby lunged at the man Elu dropped. The rage on Risby’s face frightened Gwendolyn. He punched the man several times in the face until he fell to the ground, begging for mercy. Elu captured the villain, holding him down with her talon.

Tie this man up, Elu shouted.

While Risby conjured a fireball, Gwendolyn raced to Takola, who still fought the other two men.

Watch out, Risby shouted.

She stood between the fireball and one man. She dived to the ground and rolled. The fire whizzed past and found its victim. Jumping up, she raced toward Takola. He tucked a broken wing close to his body, protecting it from further harm, and roared, a deep, long sound that echoed around her.

Behind her, the wings of an enormous dragon flapped in broad strokes, stirring up dirt and sending wave after wave of wind and dust rolling over the road and striking anything in its path.

Anya flew over and circled back, bellowing in rage. The man fighting with Takola dropped the net and took two steps away. Before the third step touched the ground, Anya scooped him into her talon, flew to a tall pine tree, and tossed him into its branches. He clung to a thick, sturdy branch, swinging back and forth, trying to hoist himself up to safety.

Gwendolyn reached Takola just as Anya landed, her weight shaking the ground. Ignoring Gwendolyn, she placed her head next to her son and made a sound that sounded like a giant cat purring.

Everyone get back. Gwendolyn touched Anya’s cheek. Even you. Let me see to his wound.

This confounded net needs to go, Takola whispered.

I need two volunteers to remove the net without more harm to Takola.

Two men, swords drawn, stepped forward and methodically cut the net away. Takola made unhelpful suggestions which the men good-naturedly ignored.

Vi and three Synjar warriors arrived and restrained the attackers. Gwendolyn examined Takola and suppressed a grin as she listened to Vi and Risby discuss how to get the man out of the tree.

Leave him there to rot, Risby said.

You don’t want me to question him? Find out who put them up to this stunt?

No, absolutely not, but you make a good point, Risby admitted. I think I can float him to the ground. If this fails, and he falls to his death, promise not to tell Dorin.

Perhaps we should wait for the wizard? Vi said.

Risby missed the humor and teasing in her tone.

No need to call the old man. I can do this.

He pointed to Takola’s attacker, conjured an enormous bubble around him. The man mistook Risby’s intention. Even when man and bubble floated off the branch and moved toward the road, he pounded on the bubble, trying to burst it apart. Risby’s face grew red with the strain of holding the bubble together. The man’s shouts for help went unheeded. No one on the ground showed any compassion for his predicament.

The men helping Gwendolyn cut away the last netting. Takola’s wing, ripped in three places and broken in two, would need weeks to mend. She considered using Dragon’s Cure, but decided healing naturally was the better option.

Elu, come here, Takola called.

The dragon approached, taking care not to bump into her friend.

Are you in pain? Can I help you?

Yes, and yes. Takola used his chin to point upward to the man in Risby’s bubble. Please, go rescue that man before Risby’s power drains, and the man falls to his death.

Why would I do such a thing?

Takola sighed. To protect my wizard. To do the right thing. To be compassionate.

I have no compassion for the villain. He tried to hurt you.

A strange thing for a healer to say, Takola observed. Ouch.

Sorry, Gwendolyn said. Try to hold still.

I’m not just a healer. I have purple scales too, Elu said. Wisdom. Dorin said that means wisdom. And no one notices the black stripe under my chin. It moves down my leg and continues to grow.

Blast it. Go help Risby. He’s on the brink of exhaustion. Ouch.

You keep moving, Gwendolyn said.

Risby’s dragon stayed still as he watched Elu fly up to the man. She clasped him in her talon, and he fainted. Elu laughed. Risby sighed in relief and sank to the ground.

Takola whispered, Oh dear, oh dear, oh, oh, dear.

Am I hurting you? I’m trying to fuse your bones while I wait for my supplies.

No, you are quite gentle. It’s Elu.

What about her?

Did you not hear what she said about black scales? Her new black scales.

Gwendolyn turned from Takola and watched Elu as she helped Vi and her warriors. Black scales ran from Eli’s neck downward to her front leg and covered at least a quarter of her thigh. Scales as black as Takola’s.

You see? He whispered in his deep voice.

She swung around and stared at the dragon. Takola’s yellow eyes had gone a deeper shade, turning almost brown. Since he’d cracked his egg shell as a hatchling, his eyes appeared wise with wisdom beyond his years. Now his eyes shimmered with tears.

Oh, I see. This is—

Terrible or marvelous, but not good.

She is sometimes foolish, Gwendolyn whispered to herself.

Indeed. I love her, but she lacks restraint. Ah, look. Your assistant arrives with herbs and bandages. Behold, I am saved.

By the time Gwendolyn finished bandaging, Elu followed Vi and Risby as they escorted the prisoners away. The people who’d arrived earlier helped clear the road. One by one they stopped, bowed to Takola and wished him a quick recovery.

A young boy came up to him. Takola, thank you for bringing wisdom, peace, and good luck to Aroc.

He raced to his father, unaware of the irony of his words.

A man approached Gwendolyn and Takola. Takola and Your Highness—

Gwendolyn, please.

He nodded. Gwendolyn, the wagon is sturdy, and the horses have calmed. Takola, if you would like to ride, we can take you to your lair.

You are very kind. I think I would prefer to walk with Gwendolyn. According to her, I will not be flying soon. I should get used to strolling about.

When the men left, taking the wagon and horses with them, Elu returned determine to walk alongside her friend. While Takola and Elu strolled, Gwendolyn jogged to keep up.

She stopped and glanced back, disappointed by the empty road. Thorne had sent word he and his party would arrive today. It was afternoon, perhaps by evening or tomorrow?

You two go on. I want to talk to Vi and Risby. Don’t go to the lair, Takola. I want you to sleep in the dragon pavilion. Have someone light the brasiers to keep you warm.

I can stay with him, can’t I? Elu asked.

Of course. Where did Vi take the prisoners?

They are at the barracks.

The dragons headed up the mountain, and Gwendolyn took the road back toward town. A quarter mile in, she turned onto the footpath toward the barracks. Vi’s warriors and the other volunteers used the temporary wooden buildings. The barracks for sleeping, a dining and kitchen area where the men and woman prepared their meals, and another building with offices and a small tavern. There were also areas for exercise and practicing. A small building near the bathing area held a brasier. Atop the fire area, large stones hot stones heated the water and created steam.

Risby called it a sweat house and sang its praises. He claimed after a hard practice, sitting in steam and then bathing refreshed the body like nothing else.

At the stockade, she found two Synjar warriors playing cards and chatting.

Vi and Risby are in Vi’s office. They said to send you there, one warrior said.

Someone had planted heather outside the offices. It flowered along the front and sides of the building. She found Vi and Risby laughing and talking as they drank ale. She took the tankard Vi offered and pulled up a chair, forming a semicircle.

I heard laughter, so the news can not be too bad, Gwendolyn said.

Vi took a long drink and nodded to Risby, who grabbed a soiled flyer off the desk and handed it to Gwendolyn.

Reward 50 gold coins for a young dragon.

Bring the head to Longsteen Castle.

His name is not on this, but this is my father’s doing, Gwendolyn said.

We agree. After some persuasion, the men told us these bills are everywhere in the valley. Vi poured more ale for herself. There are also announcements claiming that dragons steal babies and eat them. They are vile, evil creatures, who destroy people and land.

These fools thought they were doing Aroc a service, Risby said.

My father bargains with us while he sows lies and plants seeds of doubt. What will happen to the men?

We’ll hold them until tomorrow and decide. Thorne should return today. Robin and Sapphire tomorrow. Hopefully, with a Fey alliance. Vi raised her tankard. I wait for the Synjar to send word. The truth is, we have no allies.

Everyone in Dragon City is our ally, Risby said.

Yes, a city filled with Code Keepers, true believers, and those who hope the dragons bring peace. If those people are up here with us, there are few allies in the valleys, towns, villages, and cities. Fear is a persuasive tool. Gwendolyn held out her tankard and Vi filled it.

But your father comes to make a treaty with us.

You do not believe that, Risby, Gwendolyn said. What does your wizard heart tell you?

He hung his head before looking up at the former princess.

He plays with us, bargaining, smiling, and lying, as he plunges his sword into our hearts.

We are meat for the gallows. Vi raised her tankard and looked heavenward.

Gwendolyn stood.

That is the ale speaking. We play his game with our eyes open, and we fight with every fiber of our being. The dragons returned. We answered the call. Now we must create a better life.

Vi and Risby stared at her. She saw their despair before she walked away. At the door, she glanced back.

We fight, Vi said.

We fight, Risby repeated.

We win, Gwendolyn added.

Now she had to face the truth of Elu’s black scales and their true meaning. She could not be a wizard and a healer. Neither she nor her dragon had temperaments suited to wizardry.

CHAPTER 3: KALIMA

DRAGON YEAR: 24 SEPTEMBER 1548

The carriage bounced over uneven ground and knocked Kalima into King Eldritch. She straightened and glanced at him. He frowned and folded his arms across his chest. He sighed and closed his eyes.

Stop staring at me, he commanded.

I’m not staring. I’m trying to figure out why you are in my carriage instead of on your horse.

He replied without opening his eyes. I’m wondering that myself. After a few seconds, he squinted at her. His icy blue eyes studied her for a moment.

My body is growing older. I envy your longevity. What, two hundred years? At least.

More or less, I’ve lost count. She hadn’t intended to start a conversation, but she knew how to use the opportunity.

The point of this journey?

She sighed. To negotiate with the Dragon Speakers. When he frowned, she amended her answer. To feign negotiations and bring Gwendolyn and Sapphire home. Why not leave them be? They will tire of their life in the mountains.

She acted the part of a bored companion. Gwendolyn and Sapphire would never return to their old life. Eldritch would never give up his quest to bring them back to Longsteen. He’d hidden his deeper plan from her, so she played to his need to share his plans. Eventually he’d tell her. She wanted her questions to nudge him closer to revealing his true purpose.

They rode in silence for a few more minutes before he spoke.

Gwendolyn will be queen. Sapphire is beloved by the people. My spies tell me Gwen has formed an attachment to Thorne. He’s a fine young man with a healthy, muscular body. If I take her home, he will follow and agree to marriage.

He confirmed her suspicions. The vein in her neck pulsed. Her stomach churned and bile rose in her throat. She glanced at the tall oak trees in various stages of losing their leaves.

Kalima chuckled and met his gaze. Is Thorne’s muscular body important to you? Perhaps you have a secret fondness for young men.

You are losing your touch. His voice sounded musical and full of jest. You know very well I’m overly fond of the ladies. I told you my body grows old. I’ll soon need a new one. Thorne will do nicely. Gwen has spirit. I would accept her. Sapphire is my last resort. I’ve even considered my brother. He shrugged.

She expected having her worst fear confirmed would lead to despair. It didn’t. Instead, her spirits rose, and a determination she hadn’t experienced in years solidified. She raised her eyebrows as Eldritch watched her response.

You can do that?

Of course. It’s a simple matter. He took a deep breath and the arrogance of years settled over his features. I considered you, but your power is more useful in other ways.

She smiled at him. You little worm, you have no idea what my power can do. I will fight you at every turn. She touched the book hidden in her dress pocket.

Yes, I believe you would enjoy having my power at your disposal. Wouldn’t you?

Perhaps if I knew more about it, she said aloud. Then I would destroy you in a flash.

I’m going to nap now. Wake me when we reach the inn.

The carriage rolled on. The road grew more level, and the scenery