The Dragonborn Farm Boy

By Blaze Drake

In the land of Eldoria, dragons have been extinct for centuries, and the once-revered Dragon Riders are now nothing more than a legend. Espen, a young farm boy, discovers a mysterious stone while plowing his family's fields. The stone, which turns out to be a dragon egg, hatches a beautiful sapphire-scaled dragon that Espen names Saphira.

 

As Espen and Saphira's bond grows, he discovers that he has become the first Dragon Rider in generations. Under the guidance of an old hermit named Roran, who reveals himself to be a former Dragon Rider, Espen learns to harness his newfound powers and the ancient magic that flows through him and his dragon.

 

However, Espen's peaceful life is shattered when war erupts between his homeland, the kingdom of Westhelm, and the neighboring realm of Ostaria. As the conflict escalates, Espen and Saphira find themselves at the center of the struggle. Westhelm's King Aldric seeks to use Espen and Saphira as weapons to crush Ostaria, while Ostarian spies attempt to sway the young Dragon Rider to their cause.

 

Torn between his loyalty to his homeland and his growing doubts about the war's true purpose, Espen must navigate a treacherous web of politics, betrayal, and ancient magic. As he uncovers a sinister plot that threatens both kingdoms, Espen realizes that he and Saphira may be the only hope for bringing peace to the land.

 

With the help of a small group of allies, including a cunning thief named Lia and a disgraced Ostarian knight named Garrick, Espen and Saphira must unravel the secrets of the Dragon Riders' past and confront a malevolent force that seeks to destroy both kingdoms. In the end, Espen must choose between the duty to his homeland and the destiny that awaits him as a Dragon Rider, knowing that his decision could either save the realm or plunge it into eternal darkness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lovestruck Publishing
• Release date: Mar 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224304158

Blaze Drake

Blaze Drake burst onto the paranormal romance scene with her smash hit debut Forbidden Flames, enthralling readers with its tale of fated supernatural lovers. While new to publishing, Blaze has nurtured a lifelong passion for love stories with fantastical twists which is evident in the fiery imagination, intensity and allure woven throughout her breakout first novel. Hailing from the Midwest, she grew up enthralled by dark fairytales and cosmic romance novels, filling her free time scribbling poems and startup fiction which leaned heavily into mystical themes of eternal bonds. After pursuing her English degree with special focus on gothic romantic influences, she continued steeping herself in rich mythological lore and narrative archetypes across different cultures.  Blaze knew she had crafted something special when her undying love for the genre synthesized into Forbidden Flames. The book's perfect alchemical fusion of tender romance with otherworldly stakes proved a hit with audiences. Fans clamor to know if the star-crossed phoenix and dragon lovers will return for more heart-racing adventures exploring the intersections between magic and desire. When not meeting reader's insatiable demands for her unique brand of paranormal passion stories, Blaze enjoys venturing into remote wilderness locations to center herself and collect inspiration for crafting her next world of wonder. She also devotes time to various animal rescue organizations, claiming she gets her best plot ideas while caring for creatures great and small just like her fictional shifter darlings.  Stay tuned for what otherworldly romance Blaze Drake has in store next! If her smash debut is any indication, this ingenious author aims to continue raising the bar in fantasy-fueled amour.

Book preview

The Dragonborn Farm Boy

The Destiny of the Dragon Rider

Copyright © 2024 by Blaze Drake.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

First Edition : March 2024

Content

Chapter 1: A Farmer's Son

Chapter 2 : The Sapphire Hatchling

Chapter 3 : The Hermit's Revelation

Chapter 4 : Whispers of War

Chapter 5 : The King's Summons

Chapter 6 : Shadows in the Night

Chapter 7 : The Disgraced Knight

Chapter 8 : The Dragon Rider's Legacy

Chapter 9 : A Traitor Among Us

Chapter 10 : The Battle of Blackthorn Pass

Chapter 11 : Saphira's Growth

Chapter 12 : The Sorceress's Secrets

Chapter 13 : A Kingdom Divided

Chapter 14 : The Ostarian Gambit

Chapter 15 : Forging Alliances

Chapter 16 : The Roots of Conflict

Chapter 17 : A Family Divided

Chapter 18 : The Ancient Prophecy

Chapter 19 : The Final Battle

Chapter 20 : A New Era

Chapter 1: A Farmer's Son

THE ROOSTER'S CROW pierced the early morning silence, and Espen groaned, rolling over in his narrow bed. He'd been dreaming of soaring through the clouds on the back of a majestic dragon, but the dream faded as the sounds of the waking farm intruded. With a sigh, he sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Across the small room, his sister Ingrid was already up and dressed, her hair braided back and her eyes bright with excitement. Come on, sleepyhead, she teased. Ma's got breakfast ready, and you know Pa won't like it if you're late to the fields.

Espen grumbled, but pulled on his trousers and tunic. I'm coming, I'm coming. Don't get your braids in a twist.

He followed Ingrid out to the kitchen, where his mother, Mara, stood at the hearth, stirring a pot of porridge. She looked up as they entered; her face lined with the cares of a hardscrabble life, but her eyes were warm. Morning, my loves. Sit and eat. There's plenty of work to be done today.

Espen slid onto the bench at the rough-hewn table, inhaling the comforting scent of the porridge. His father, Gunnar, was already seated, his weathered hands wrapped around a mug of tea. I'll need you in the south field today, Espen, he said without preamble. That ground needs turning if we're to get the planting done in time.

Yes, Pa, Espen said around a mouthful of porridge. It was the same every spring - the endless cycle of plowing, planting, and praying for a good harvest. He loved his family and their farm, but sometimes he couldn't help but dream of a different life - one filled with adventure and purpose beyond the turning of the seasons.

As if sensing his thoughts, Ingrid piped up, Aunt Berta said there's been talk of trouble brewing with Ostaria again. Have you heard anything, Pa?

Gunnar's face darkened. There's always trouble with Ostaria. But it's not for us to worry about. We've got our own work to focus on.

Mara set down her spoon with a clatter. But what if it comes to war? What if the fighting reaches us here?

Hush now, Mara. We'll face what comes, same as we always have. Gunnar's voice softened as he reached across to squeeze his wife's hand. No sense borrowing trouble.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the family as they finished their meal. Espen's heart felt heavy as he considered Ingrid's words. He knew little of the politics between Westhelm and Ostaria, but even he could feel the tension that had been building in recent years. If war came, would their quiet farm life be shattered?

Shaking off his dark thoughts, Espen kissed his mother on the cheek, ruffled Ingrid's hair, and followed his father out to the fields. It was a beautiful spring morning, the air crisp and cool, the sun just peeking over the horizon. The rich, dark earth of the south field awaited them, ready to be turned and planted.

They set to work, Gunnar guiding the plow horse while Espen followed behind, breaking up the larger clods of dirt with a hoe. The work was hard; the sun climbing higher in the sky and the sweat trickling down his back, but there was a certain peace to it as well. Out here, with the wide expanse of sky above and the solid earth beneath, it was easy to forget the troubles of the world.

As midday approached, Espen caught his breath, leaning on his hoe. A flash of blue caught his eye, and he squinted against the sun to see a small, round object nestled in the freshly turned earth. Curious, he bent down and plucked it out, brushing off the clinging dirt.

It was a stone, but unlike any he'd ever seen - a luminous blue shot through with swirls of silver. It pulsed with a strange warmth against his palm, almost as if it were alive. Espen stared at it, transfixed, a thrill running through him. What could it be? Some sort of magical artifact, like in the stories the traveling bards told?

Espen! Stop your daydreaming and get back to work! Gunnar's sharp voice cut through his musings, and Espen startled, the stone slipping from his hand. He scrambled to pick it up, shoving it deep in his pocket before his father could see.

Sorry, Pa, he called back, grabbing his hoe. Just caught a stubborn root. His father harrumphed but turned back to his own work, and Espen exhaled in relief. 

The rest of the day passed in a blur of sweat and aching muscles, but Espen's mind kept drifting back to the strange blue stone. As the sun dipped towards the horizon, Gunnar called a halt. That's enough for today. Let's get this horse unhitched and head in for supper.

Espen hurried to help, his hands fumbling in his distraction. His fingers kept straying to his pocket, feeling the outline of the stone. Once his father headed back to the house, Espen slipped into the barn, pulling out the stone to examine it in the light filtering through the cracks in the walls. It seemed to glow even brighter now, pulsing with an inner fire.

A strange scratching sound caught his attention, and he looked around, confused. It seemed to come from beneath the straw in the empty stall at the back of the barn. Espen approached cautiously, the stone clutched in his hand. He reached out with his other hand and pulled back the straw to reveal...

...a large blue egg, cradled in the hollow formed by the straw. Even as he stared in shock, the egg rocked and a crack split up its side. Espen fell back, dropping the stone to watch in awe as the egg shook, bits of shell flaking off onto the straw. 

With a last heave, the egg split open, revealing a small, glistening creature within. A dragon hatchling, its scales the same brilliant blue as the stone in Espen's pocket. It lifted its head, blinking jewel-bright eyes at Espen, and let out a high, musical trill.

By the old gods, Espen breathed. A dragon. A real, live dragon, birthed from the stone he'd found. It was impossible, and yet the evidence was right before his eyes, looking at him with intelligence that was almost human.

With a shaking hand, he reached out to the hatchling. It stretched out its long, sinuous neck and pressed its head against his palm. A shock ran through Espen, a connection snapping into place, and he gasped. He could feel the dragon's mind brushing against his own, could sense its newborn curiosity and hunger.

Saphira, he whispered, the name rising unbidden to his lips. The dragon - Saphira - trilled again, pleased. She felt decidedly feminine to him, though he couldn't have said how he knew.

Espen sat back on his heels, his heart racing. Dragons had been gone from Eldoria for centuries. And yet one had just hatched for him, had chosen him. Exhilaration warred with trepidation within him. What did it mean? And how would he keep her presence a secret from his family, from everyone?

He had no answers, but one thing he knew for sure - his life had just changed irrevocably. Whether for good or ill, he was now bonded to Saphira, a newly minted Dragon Rider in a world that had long forgotten their existence.

Gently, he scooped up the hatchling, cradling her against his chest. Don't worry, he murmured. I'll keep you safe. We'll figure this out together.

Saphira nuzzled into him, a deep, cheerful hum in her throat. Espen smiled, hope and purpose kindling in his heart. He didn't know what challenges lay ahead, but with Saphira at his side, he finally understood his true destiny. 

And it was far greater than he had ever dared to dream.

Chapter 2 : The Sapphire Hatchling

ESPEN WOKE THE NEXT morning with a jolt, his heart pounding. For a moment, he thought the events of the previous day had been a dream - the strange blue stone, the dragon hatchling. But then he felt a warm weight on his chest and looked down to see Saphira curled there, her scales gleaming in the early morning light.

It hadn't been a dream. He was really a Dragon Rider.

Saphira stirred, blinking up at him with her brilliant blue eyes. A sense of hunger emanated from her,