Draguntome: A Reaper's Legacy

By K.M. Plum

Where knights and dragons once marched together for honor at the behest of the Good King, nothing remains but sad and broken lore about the glory of the Old Way. Now, titles of nobility are only granted by the spilling of blood under the Order of the Black King.

In the small forest village of Ark, Kalos has lived alone with his father for as long as he can remember. After a strange encounter at the exotic Mercari Fair, which arrives only once a year, the two must immediately depart for the port city of Blefcynn on a mysterious quest. Traveling to the port, Kalos discovers unexpected truths that cause him to question everything he believes. Wild with anger and uncertainty, Kalos ditches his Father that night after arriving and takes off into the city on his own. Soon he encounters a girl unlike anyone he has ever met before and falls into a trap. After returning to the inn where he left his Father, they tentatively make amends and attempt to get some rest only to be abruptly awakened into a chaotic, city-wide fight for survival a few hours later against an army of ruthless pirates bent on ransacking the city...

"A Reaper's Legacy" is book one of an Epic, YA Action/Adventure/Fantasy series with Coming of Age undertones set in an alternative world where pirates, dragons, and knights are woven into the same era, and friends and enemies alike must interact in unexpected ways just to survive. Kalos must conquer overwhelming obstacles while rapidly evolving from the boy he thought he was into a man he never expected to become throughout his journey. Despite the many years of combat training Kalos received from his Father, war, pirates, and unyielding forces threaten to crush him around every corner in this first installment of the Draguntome saga.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.M. Plum
• Release date: May 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224046799

K.M. Plum

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he grew up traveling with his family from a young age until eventually returning home to attend university. Though he has been writing prose, poetry, and songs for many years, he has only recently discovered the kind of passion that comes from combining two of his greatest joys in life — Inspiring kids and writing great stories.

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Draguntome: A Reaper’s Legacy

K. M. Plum

Copyright 2024 by K. M. Plum, All Rights Reserved

Cover art partially generated using Microsoft Copilot, All Rights Reserved

License Notes

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This eBook is licensed for your entertainment only.

This eBook may not be re-sold or freely given to other people or data sources,

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If you would personally like to share a complete, digital copy of this eBook with others,

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If you are reading a full copy of this book and did not purchase it, please visit Smashwords.com, Kindle.com or another authorized eBook platform

and purchase your own full copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of THE AUTHOR.

All characters, objects, events, and locations portrayed in this book are figments of

THE AUTHOR’S unique and creative, (if sometimes bizarre and/or alarming), imagination.

Any resemblance to anything or anyone living (or dead)

is purely coincidental and unintended.

This is fiction, people.

ISBN: 979-8-22404-679-9

***

A special note from THE AUTHOR

Thanks for allowing me to extend a piece of my soul to you. That may sound dramatic, but this first book in the Draguntome series is a labor of love that’s taken many years to prepare, conceive, revamp, and ultimately deliver for your enjoyment. My only hope is that you enjoy reading A Reaper’s Legacy as much as I enjoyed writing it!

As such, if you see anything wrong like typos or grammar errors, please tell me! I’ve spent many hours/days/weeks on making it the best that I can, but nobody’s perfect, especially when beginning a new career as a writer on the side. Sadly, I didn’t have a way to pay for professional editing this time. (Maybe next time, friends!)

If you find something that needs to be corrected, send an email to [e-mail] with the chapter number and full sentence where you found the error, and I’ll take care of it appropriately!

Sincerely,

K. M. Plum

***

Acknowledgements

For my wife, who’s there through every wild

thing that comes up, day and night

For my parents, who always told me that I could

accomplish anything I set my mind to

For everyone reading this book, who’ve so graciously

allowed me to bare my heart and soul to them

in written form

And for God, who’s awesome in every way

***

CHAPTER 1

Beyond barren granite peaks as far as the eye could see stretched countless veins of brilliant, orange light over a vast swath of sunset colors across the sky. Like molten lava tracing every cloud above, the atmosphere glowed with warmth and vibrance. Soon, winds from Rasmont Range would come crashing down upon the little forest village of Ark, carrying with it a mind-boggling bouquet of scents from all throughout the land. Anyone who stopped to sample the aromas might quickly find themselves completely enamored by the mystery of where they all came from.

Kalos often imagined that he could taste those majestic twilight colors above peppered over a mouth-watering assortment of delicacies from far-away lands. When he closed his eyes, he was standing in front of a massive hall full of travelers who had brought their very favorite dishes from all over world to share together with one another in a grand feast.

Two long rows of sea folk wearing pillowy linen shirts, leather trousers, and bright satin belts from the port city of Blefcynn nearly a week’s travel by foot over the mountains sat with one another in his mind. Conjuring-up countless fantastical tales of the sea and singing wild, ancient shanties of old, they took long draws from their favorite spirits between breaths and laughed like happy fools utterly unaffected by the woes of life.

Also present was a group of mysterious travelers who had come to take part in the celebration. Their long, flowing silks in every exotic combination imaginable paired with the richly-decorated gems of every kind made them stand out like poppies in a field of green. Esper Gypsies were notoriously well-known in certain circles. They, as a people group, had wandered from kingdom to kingdom over the centuries, blending every culture they encountered to form a completely unique identity all of their own. Contrary to what one might assume based on the inviting outward appearance they always seemed to maintain, they had proven time and again to be even more dangerous than they were alluring for those who had the misfortune of running into them during their travels.

The young dreamer often fantasized about how many strange creatures and fantastic peoples he could find if only given a chance to explore like sailors or gypsies could. It was invigorating to think about how he might travel across vast, uncharted expanses of land and sea, endlessly revealing ancient secrets along the way that normal people could never even hope to find.

"How amazing would it be to fly all the way to the city from here, Nava?" Kalos loudly blurted out as if to project his voice over the torrential winds that still hadn’t descended from Rasmont Range.

Like a grand ensemble of divine instruments from on high, the winds eventually would vibrate the very depths of the earth itself around them. It was that very same phenomenon that inspired their ancestors to attribute the mountains with unnatural powers of both good and evil depending on how pleasant or difficult the season had been. So profound was the phenomenon to the elders that they would often tell stories about how Rasmont Range had been the cradle of the old gods long ago. They believed it was the only place in the world capable of lulling them to sleep for the sake of the people.

Kalos, tell me the legend of Aelfain again! Wildly attractive eyes like the Northern Aura that set the night sky ablaze with every imaginable shade of green eagerly watched him, waiting for the story to begin.

Over a hundred years ago, before the Wise King’s Commission journeyed from the royal city to forge a new path to the enormously wealthy lands in the south, two friends made an unbreakable pact with one another that they would somehow make a better future for all of Ceirlan, no matter the cost. Now Lord Romel and Lord Aelfain had grown up side-by-side in the Wise King’s court, but, as they would soon learn, they each had a very different idea about what a better future for the world actually meant.

"Aelfain was a great fool of a man, but a terrifyingly powerful wizard, and a wildly successful merchant, but Romel was a knight full of kindness and light, one who could wield behrfire itself in his hands without so much as singing the hair on his arms..."

A gentle breeze wafted by as a precursor of the mighty gale that would soon come crashing down from the mountains above.

Well, Aelfain came to realize that he might vastly increase his influence and wealth by establishing his very own, secret trade system from Blefcynn all the way to the Southern Crossing without the King’s blessing.

A dramatic spark shot through his eyes as the boy continued, And he would stop at nothing to succeed!

Nava tightly crossed her arms in anticipation. Her enthusiastic smile contrasted strongly with his dark expression, making him even more confident for his delivery.

"Even if it meant sacrificing his own dragon’s life, all his family, and everything he ever loved... And that’s just what he did. The very day that the Wise King’s Southern Trade Fellowship was to board a grand vessel that would take them to the Southern Crossing so they could begin their long and difficult journey home, Aelfain, who had been acting suspiciously for some time, was finally called out by Lord Romel in front of everyone for what he had been doing.

"When he realized that his plans had been spoiled by Lord Romel, he grew furious over his best friend’s betrayal.

Suddenly, from the deck of the vessel where three powerful dragons were waiting to accompany the Fellowship on their historic journey, came a terrible roar! Aelfain’s dragon viciously attacked Lord Romel’s without warning. During the commotion, Aelfain quickly drew his dagger and lashed out at Romel while he was distracted by the chaos around them. Kalos made a quick thrusting motion with one hand.

However, Lord Romel was too quick. He knew something was wrong before the blade struck, and turned just in time to save himself from Aelfain’s cowardly attack. Even so, he still took a terrible wound in his side and slept for many days while his body mended itself.

"The instant Romel fell, Aelfain fled toward the ships while his dragon took to the sky in battle. That loyal creature fiercely struggled against two others just as big and strong as it for the sake of his master. Finally collapsing victorious on the dock in a heap of blood, its only desire was to continue protecting its master even after that hellish fight was done.

"Aelfain used his magic to cast-off on a ship that required twenty men to launch, and was never seen again.

"That very next morning, the Wise King’s men executed Aelfain’s brother for not revealing his treachery sooner. Within days, the crown confiscated all his family’s wealth and estates, which were vast even before his greed took over and brought them to that terrible end.

"Aelfain’s name was forever blotted out of the kingdom’s noble echelons, and his family was disgraced to the very last generation because of what he had done.

It was said that the fire in his dragon’s eyes faded to nothing as it lay on the dock after his master left him alone by the sea. Its spirit died the instant that forlorn vessel disappeared over the horizon.

Kalos slowly lowered his head as an unexpected wave of emotion washed over him. He looked up at Nava again, smiling weakly.

"Everything Aelfain had accomplished in his life was destroyed in an instant. His feet never touched home again. Everyone he had ever known came to hate him. All that he had ever accomplished for Ceirlan was rejected by those who knew about what happened that day.

"Many believe he’s still out there somewhere on that forsaken ship, but is now a cursed spirit forever doomed to sail the world’s seas with the weight of his sins shackling him to the deck. Sailors today still talk about how they’ve seen those moldy, tattered sails appear on the horizon for only a moment before once again vanishing into the great beyond.

They say Aelfain will return one day from somewhere between the realms of the living and the dead to take back what was his...

You’re so dramatic sometimes, Nava giggled while shaking her head at him with amusement in her eyes before continuing her thought, But still, it’s always good to remember that it only takes one dumb decision to destroy everything you’ve achieved in life.

As he thought about her words, Kalos realized that he didn’t find the idea of Aelfain’s curse nearly as moving as the betrayal in his heart.

I want to see the Dragonskull monument one day, you know? They say it’s huge and decorated more than the King’s throne itself despite the treachery of the dragon’s master.

Nava tilted her eyes up toward the sky. "My uncle says he saw it many years ago, all laced with gold and covered in jewels of every kind. It sounds like it really is something special to see how the dragon’s memory is honored, no, revered for the courage and loyalty it showed on its master’s behalf."

Slowly, she locked eyes with him as she continued, I don’t think I want to see it, though. It’s such a sad story.

Kalos was puzzled by her comment. I thought everyone would want to see it. The Wise King was deeply moved by what happened. It’s one of the few things the Order hasn’t touched for fear of how the people might react.

Don’t talk about that! Nava snapped at him, defensively tightening her arms around her waist. The stress in her voice was unsettling for him.

"You know what could happen if someone heard you, right? Nobody wants them coming around and messing everything up. The only reason we’re still safe here is because they don’t believe Ark anything of value to them. You don’t want to summon them here anyway, do you?"

Of course I don’t! I mean, it’s not like the wind would carry a message all the way to the royal city or something, right?

Suddenly a blast of cold air spiraled down upon them defiantly. Their conversation was swept away entirely as the wind enveloped them on every side, flaying hair everywhere all at once while attempting to rip any loose items or clothing from their bodies in an instant.

Kalos stretched his arms wide as he smiled up at the night sky where a large, thatch-work veil of black and violet consumed everything they could see. One tiny strip of blue still trailed along the mountain’s edge, but would be visible for only a little while longer.

Nava’s skin exploded with goosebumps as she surrendered her mind and body to the wind. A stunning smile appeared despite the intensity of the chill causing her slender physique to flinch randomly in response. Kalos noticed the veins in her neck pulsing with adrenaline and watched as a single tear flitted into the wind from her lashes with a twinkle.

They immediately turned toward the mountain in unison and froze, listening with every ounce of focus they could muster.

At first, a gentle hum echoed in the distance. Seconds later, a great ensemble of sound filled the forest as wind forcefully played against the trees, the stones, and every nook and cranny of the environment it passed over like some ancient creature singing every note in a grand choir all by itself.

It wasn’t that air sickling over the mountains and through the forest somehow held good timing or yielded pleasant notes in proper cadence, but rather it was the raw sound of the elements and nature itself colliding everywhere all at once that created an orchestra beyond compare.

Suddenly, Kalos’ face twisted and Nava’s brow furrowed with repulsion. He quickly glanced over at her as she covered her face with cupped hands.

Neither uttered a sound at first, but their expressions communicated volumes about what had happened. Never could they have expected the experience to take such a turn for the worse.

A soft flame flickered to life somewhere in the distance. Though Ark itself marked a peaceful retreat from the miles and miles of wilderness all around, there were grave dangers there that could rip a full-grown man to shreds and leave nothing to remember him by.

What is that!? Nava finally said with a voice that sounded like it was pushing through gravel from her gut.

I don’t know, never smelled anything like it before, Kalos shook his head in disgust. He swallowed hard, trying to drive away a sickening lump that was growing in his throat.

It’s getting late now. We should head back.

#

It was very dark in the forest, especially on a partly cloudy night like the one they were now experiencing. Several torches were now lit along the edge of the village as people had continued setting them ablaze for the night ahead.

In Ark, there were no gates. Several cell-shaped barrier walls had been connected around the outermost perimeter over the years by villagers who wanted to keep nosy neighbors, mischievous children, and varmints out of their yards. Their collective efforts eventually established a chest-high barrier between Ark and the wilds all around it.

Long after Lord Romel founded Ark with the intention of housing weary travelers and providing supplies to those on their way to Port Blefcynn, a single watchtower had been constructed at every corner of the village. Those were long gone now, but the tradition of keeping watch that came after the towers had been built was still an important duty that villagers volunteered for.

Walkers patrolled the outskirts of the village at various intervals during the day and at least twice at night. Those who were on duty would often be accompanied by a friend, family member, or concerned passerby at random.

Kalos and Nava both flinched when a gruff voice boomed at them from several paces ahead, What are you two doin’ outside the walls so late? Only one person in the sounded like that.

Good evening, Barnum. We wanted to greet the winds, and...

The old man cut Kalos off while waving his hand at Nava before either one of them could protest, Better run home, girl.

It was easy to see why Barnum was one of the few who remembered what things were like when Lord Romel was still alive. Big and burly as he was, he commanded respect from everyone around him, even at well over seventy-five years of age. With leathery knuckles and broad shoulders, he was known to deliver painful knocks now and again over a drunken hoopla or minor dispute quite regularly. Over half the men in the village had been whipped by him, as he had boasted many times over the years, and everyone knew