The Dragon Bard

By Xlibris US

The Dragon Bard is the first in a two book series about a young bard named Dalen. In the beginning, Dalen is the typical young man, looking to become a master bard to gain fame and fortune. He inherits a set of dragon treaties from his former master, and decides to achieve his goals by telling the histories of the dragons from their point of view. At first the quest seems to be fairly straightforward, although he quickly finds that nearly all of his preconceived ideas about dragons are wrong. Looking at things from the point of view of an ancient intelligent race causes Dalen to reassess his goals and values. As his quest progresses, he learns that the treaties are much more than they seem. Guided by forces far beyond his control, he becomes enmeshed in a centuries-old conflict between the forces of good and an ancient spreading evil, and learns that the things he had thought were important pale alongside the truly important values of honor, humility, faith, courage, and self-sacrifice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493197507

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Copyright © 2014 by Heather Shropshire.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 04/02/2014

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Contents

The Beginning

Milinda

Garbith and Zyphiniriss

Flux

Gorzeloth

Gir Hassleth

Anabeth, the Red Terror

Lilith Mi Kalun and Mr. Twinkles

Kierluna Gar Mesuth

Dri’Shak

Prelude of the Night

Acknowledgments

This is a special thanks to my friends and family who helped me. Be it in the editing and refining process or the support for moving ahead with this adventure.

I would like to thank my mom for helping in the long nights of creating a cohesive story and editing.

My coworkers, Ginger and Yvonne, who were my review team,

and Roslyn Prestwich for helping me with the final editing process.

Thank you, everyone!

The Beginning

My name is Dalen, son of Gunor, of the great land of Kilian. I am a bard, one of the revered storytellers and lore keepers of the world. It is a bard’s task to compile oral histories into written word and song. To be a master bard had always been my one dream. I had apprenticed, practiced, studied, and successfully completed the tasks I was given, but I had begun to doubt that I would ever achieve my dream. I had created many songs and stories of our history, but only a truly great work, benefitting not only men but all the sentient species of the world we share, is considered to be enough to achieve the rank of master bard and have my name inscribed in the hall for all eternity.

My wise old master, who had taught me so much and was always a source of guidance and inspiration, had died near the end of my studies. Therefore, I had little guidance as to how I should accomplish this last task. I needed inspiration and the guild of bards had little to offer… and then I found it. Five years ago, while sorting through my old master’s belongings, I found my inspiration in a chest filled with old scrolls bound with gold-colored ribbons. The scrolls were clearly unique and undoubtedly very valuable. Laden with golden ink and written in ancient dragonic, these beautiful works of art were dragon-friend treaties. This was the inspiration I was searching for. To explain, anyone in possession of these scrolls is protected by sacred law to not be harmed directly by dragonkind, which is a great benefit should one stumble upon one of the greatest of the intelligent creatures of our world. With these scrolls, I could attempt to do what no bard had done before—collect and tell the histories and stories of dragons!

I made my presentation to the Master’s council. It is suicide! they said. These treaties only say the dragons themselves can’t harm you. Dragons are dangerous, sneaky, and unpredictable. They will find a way to eat you anyway! I persevered, and after long deliberations and arguments, the council finally consented and signed the decree, allowing me to go forward with my plan. I gathered up all of the materials that I would need, including large amounts of wealth so I could sway a dragon if the treaties were not enough. With supplies in hand, including a make-shift journal of deciphered dragon language, I headed out of the safety of my city, Mi Haltha, to face whatever cards fate had dealt me.

Unfortunately, dragon lairs are extremely difficult to locate and even harder to get into. Anyone could guess where a lair might be located, but that is of little help unless you know exactly what kind of dragon you are dealing with. Knowing the nature of the dragon that one could run across, especially if you are the one looking for them, is extremely vital. Most people, humans and dwarves in particular, are very quick to judge these creatures and assume that they are only out to cause massive destruction and harm. Perhaps this trait of aggression is true for a few select types of dragons, but for most, it is more commonly a misunderstanding. How would you feel if someone came at you with a sword every time they saw you?

In returning to my previous statement, dragons are some of the longest living and most intelligent species of our world. Even with as dangerous as they are portrayed, and in some cases proven to be, humans are no better. A dragon will defend his or her home, family, and children with great vigilance and ferocity. Humans or any other sentient species cannot deny that they would do the same. It saddens me to no end when I hear the horrid tales of dragon slayers murdering a dragon, though some of the stories do have a purpose outside of needless slaughter, often for wealth or status. However, if dragons felt the same way about humans, then we’d all be dangling above fire pits in dragon lairs as trophies or lunch.

It is true that dragons are quite vain and very keen on collecting wealth, be it gold and the like, or knowledge. Most dragons, if they feel like it, will bargain a caravan’s safety for monetary wealth, curious objects, or books. Depending on the type, raising, and age of the dragon, their interests may change. An example of this can be seen, although this is not exactly the best example, in the desires of a child. The desires of a child change greatly as the child grows older, going from simple toys to wealth. I restate however, this example is not the greatest, but it is a simple explanation. Dragons come in wide varieties of color schemes, scale types, body types, and manners. The manner cannot be determined by type alone but by their upbringing and experiences that the dragon has undergone. Most dragons live for hundreds of years. I believe the oldest ever recorded was 2,938, and they all have seen things that no human nor any other lesser living creature can ever hope to see in one lifetime.

In my search for dragons, I began with a more locatable dragon. Milinda, a female dragon, was only known to a handful of locals. Although the name Milinda was most likely not her original name, there were enough rumors to assist me in a starting location. Through the rumor mill, I learned that she lived in the mountain region of Kalmire, just south of Mi Haltha. I began my venture going from village to village until I had gained enough information to learn that she was closer to Beluk, a near-port city. I quickly realized that for even being supposedly known, the native folk, for some unbeknownst reason, kept her location very quiet. During my questioning of the locals, I found my way to the tavern called the Four Flagons.

Upon entering, I found the walls adorned with various trophies; the most interesting one was a skull of a large reptile. It was peculiar in the fact that it resembled a very large snake but had small spikey growths radiating along the back of the head and continuing down the neck and back. I examined the other, less remarkable trophies while I found a place at the bar. I ordered a light maple ale and looked about to see who I could possibly ask for information. My eyes were drawn to an odd fellow sitting farther back in the tavern. As I focused, I realized I recognized this fellow, for we had met in the harbor tavern in Mi Haltha. He was a hobbit, the small country folk of Killian. His feet were bare and the tops of his feet were covered with bright red hair. He had his hood up and was keeping to himself. If I recalled correctly he went by the name of Dug, and he served as a trap expert for adventuring parties or anyone else who would happen to need someone who was skilled with locks and traps of all sorts.

I got up and made my way to him. Perhaps he would know about Milinda and her lair. In my previous encounters, he had struck me as a man with his ear to the ground, having a knowledge of many things. His dark eyes watched me from underneath his hood. His expression was blank until apparently he recognized me, as his demeanor changed to a more welcoming mood.

Eh, Dalen, wasn’t it? One of them bards from the college, if I remember right, he stated in a thick Killian accent. I found that odd for I don’t recall him having an accent when we last met.

Yes, you are correct. I was wondering if you could possibly help me out with something.

His eyes reminded me of a weasel, beady and full of mischief. Eh… what type of ‘help’ ye be needin’?

I’m looking for the dragon by the name of Milinda that’s supposedly in the area.

His facial expression changed to possibly one of shock. Ye that daft? Lookin’ fer a dragon? College cut you off of money, so now yer goin’ after dragon horde?

Oh no, no, my friend, you see, I’m on a quest to gather their stories and histories.

He drank from his flagon and muttered, "Yer even nuttier than I thought. Ye know they’ll jus’ eat ye, right?

Do you have any information or not? I stated bluntly, not wanting to waste time doubting my quest.

Aye, but it’ll cost ye.

What?!

I make money by gatherin’ information, ye nutter, thought ye knew that? So do ye want the information or not?

I sighed, Do you have information to sell?

Maybe, but I can tell ye ain’t gonna git much information from the locals.

And why not?

They on her side, dontcha know? They keep her hidden fer good reason.

I grumbled slightly and set down two silver on the table. Now what information do you have for me?

Do ye have a map?

Of course. I pulled my map out of its pouch and I set it on the table. Dug was quick to point to a location near the river, not too far from outside of town.

That’s where it is. Now I best be leavin’. Business in port, ye know. Don’t get eaten or anythin’ like that, heard she fried a guy like a chicken on a spit.

With that, he headed out the door, two silvers richer. I looked over my map and looked for the easiest route to the location Dug had pointed out. It was along the western cliffs that funneled out toward the sea going south. The river would be difficult to get through as it was swollen, but hopefully I could find a ferry or bridge. I may not like dealing with rogue types, but at least I was now on my way to the first dragon of my quest.

Milinda

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When I arrived at the cliffs bordering the Limane River, I saw the massive, shining glass observatory carved into the cliff face. The entrance to the lair was not difficult to find, for there was an obvious path that had been made for visitors. Upon entering the lair, I found it surprisingly well lit with huge silver braziers. The fire, curiously enough, did not produce any heat. Shortly after I ventured into the entryway, there was a loud rumble that shook the very air.

Who enters my home?! the voice demanded; the accent surprisingly reminded me of those of high aristocratic ladies back home in Mi Haltha.

My name is Dalen, my lady. I am a bard, I replied, making sure that my tone was as courteous as possible for dragons rarely enjoy being talked down to.

Oh, the dragon responded while still staying out of sight. Her accent becoming more apparent as her voice settled, Well… do you have an invitation?

Yes, my lady, I said happily as I pulled out the dragon treaty. I have my invitation right here.

It was at that moment that, with awe, I faced Milinda, the great silver dragon of Limane. Her scales shone with an unmatched brilliance in the light of the fires. Her eyes, although marked by age, shone like gems. Each scar undoubtedly held a story of her glories, and triumphs, the wisdom of centuries. She carefully inspected the treaty in my hand, which was quite unnerving, having a dragon’s maw that close to one’s person.

Well, everything seems to be in order, she said happily as she lifted her head away from me. Now, where did I put those amulets? She went looking for a supposed cluster of amulets along the walls, softly muttering to herself until she found them. Ah, here they are, she said softly, holding up a small trinket on a silver chain. Now, be a good dear and put this on.

When she handed it to me, I quickly did as instructed. The amulet was of an odd crystal, one that I have yet to ever see again. It was cool to the touch and had obvious heavy enchantments in place. I presumed it was a protection amulet, which did provide some comfort to the avoidance of being fried. She smiled rather politely and bade me to follow her into her observatory. As we walked the massive hallways of her home I witnessed multiple trinkets of great wealth and power as well as several mundane ones. Another, although more frightening and unnerving mark of her lair, were the frequent burn marks etched into the stone by dragon fire. I quickly said a prayer in hopes that the amulet would protect me from becoming another charred mark on the wall as I hurried to match her pace to her observatory.

So tell me, she cooed softly with curiosity, why have you come here?

As I have mentioned before, my lady, I am a bard, and my quest is collecting the histories of the dragons so all will know how valuable dragonkind is to our world, I replied respectfully, making sure to avoid getting in the way of her massive clawed feet. You see, I am working on creating a great work to be submitted to the Master Bard Council—

So you can become a master bard, she finished my sentence for me. Absolutely splendid that is. I have seen many kings and queens rise and fall. No offense to you, human, for your people do live rather short lives. I have seen collections of histories that your kind could never possibly hope to see in one lifetime. She held her head high in accordance to the remark to which I silently gave acknowledgement. I know that dragons can be quite vain, but they do have a reason for this.

Is there a particular point in history that you would like me to elaborate for you or have you come to hear it all, she asked while climbing onto her resting mat in the observatory, her scales gleaming under the sun.

After she was settled, I found a chair and a small desk to work at. "If it would not disturb you,