Dragoni

"There weren't always dragons in the valley." Lorcan explains to his sons Liam and Pat as the three of them watch the elderly dragon mates gently glide into their cave in the Dragontooth Mountains that surround the valley village of Safe Haven. Lorcan then tells the story of the Great Dragon War that saw the near extinction of the dragons. The only known survivors are the ancient diamond and moonstone dragons that sought out Lorcan's great grandfather, the last of the Dragoni, for protection. Liam and Pat have heard their father tell the same story over and over their entire life. Pat rolls his eyes and begins to go through his sword forms in preparation for their morning sparring session. Liam remains entranced by his father's story.

Liam is the physical superior to his brother but he is more interested in reading and his wolf pup Finn than swordplay. However he is faithful to his father's training and is known as a master swordsman in his own right. Liam notices a tear in the corner of his father's eye as Lorcan gets to the part of the story where Owen Lionheart, his great great great grandfather, destroys the Dragonheart gem to trap the evil Apep and Zemy, the onyx and obsidian dragons who started the Great Dragon War in Quecolane also known as the Dark Place. Lorcan finishes his story and reaches down to pick up his wooden sparring sword and motions to Liam to do the same. The sun peeks over the Dragontooth Mountains as the father and sons finish their sparring. Liam and Pat put away their swords and begin archery practice. Liam draws back the string on his gilded bow, the only thing his mother left him, and releases his black swan feather fletched arrows one after the other and each one hits the bullseye of his targets. As Liam releases his last arrow he hears the booming voice of his friend, mentor and local blacksmith Aiden, the dwarf, greeting his father.

Liam retrieves his arrows and smiles as he grasps Aiden's muscular forearm and pounds him on the back in the Dwarvish form of greeting. Lorcan smiles as he watches Liam follow Aiden back to his forge. Liam's tall six foot four inches and solid muscular frame is a testament to his years of militaristic training with Lorcan and his work in the forge with Aiden. Lorcan and Pat watch Liam walk with the caution and grace that he learned from the time spent in the woods hunting with Finn. Liam's long flowing chestnut hair, muscular build, strong jaw and calm demeanor make him the desire of the young ladies in the village. However, his slightly slanted gray eyes and pointed ears make him a target for the bullies. Liam has been ridiculed for being a halfbreed, Elfkin, so often that his confidence has been shattered.

Liam's mother was the next in line for the throne of the Forest Elves. Lorcan found the wounded elvish princess as he was returning home from fighting in the War of Blazing Forests. Lorcan brought the elf lady home and nursed her back to health and they fell in love with each other. When Liam was still an infant his mother's brothers found her and forced her to return home without Liam. Lorcan was devastated, he hired a local widow named Anya to help him with the infant Liam. Liam was three years old when Lorcan asked Anya to marry him and they had Pat. Lorcan had come to love Anya, but she knew that Lorcan's heart truly belonged to his elf princess. Anya raised Liam as her own son and loved him as much as she did Pat.

As Liam and Aiden are finishing their work for the day, Aiden says, "I want to show you something."

Aiden goes inside his house beside the forge and comes out with a box covered in Dwarvish runes. He opens the box and reveals a shard of multicolored gem. Liam gasps as he recognizes the gem. It is a piece of the same gem that is embedded in the hilt of Lorcan's sword that sits in a place of honor on the mantle above the hearth in their home. Liam reverently asks, "Is this really a piece of the Dragonheart?"

Aiden smiles and says, "Yes, this shard was given to my grandfather by Owen Lionheart on his deathbed and has been handed down to the firstborn son on the day the clan recognizes him as a man since. My father told me that one day the Dragonheart will be made whole and that dragons and the Dragoni would rise again to reunite the races and vanquish the evil destroying Drabroxus."

Shocked that Aiden was showing him this treasure, Liam states, "I thought that only the Dwarf king was given a piece of the gem."

Aiden replies, "Yes. I'm going to tell you something that only your father knows about me, I am the heir to the Dwarven Kingdom. I almost had to fight my father when I volunteered to mentor the new Dragon Lords."

Liam is almost through the gate to his home when a gigantic gust of wind whips his hair into his face. He is pushing his hair out of his eyes when he hears the thud of enormous feet landing behind him. Liam slowly turns around and faces the towering diamond dragon. The dragon takes a giant sniff of air and hums deep in his throat. The dragon then speaks in a deep majestic voice that echoes painfully in Liam's sensitive elven ears, "The blood of Lionheart runs deep in you elfling but how can this be? Who are you?"

Liam recalls his father's advice from when he was younger about how to address the dragons if they ever came to the village as he prepares to answer. Liam stands tall and proudly replies, "I am Berel William Lorcanson, lord dragon. My mother was an elf who left me when I was a baby and my father is the heir to the Broken Kingdom."

Before the dragon can speak Pat appears running to the gate. When Pat spots the dragon he freezes. The dragon sniffs again and states, "Another Lionheart I see. What is your name hatchling?"

Pat stammers, "P-p-p-p Pat." At a glance from Liam, Pat clears his throat, bows and tries again,

"My name is Patrick Owen Lorcanson sir"

The dragon stares at the brothers for a moment then says, "Well met sons of Lorcan. You may call me Gavriel."

The brothers bow and say in unison, "Greetings Lord Gavriel, it is an honor to have you here."

At that moment Finn runs from behind the house barking and growling at the dragon. Finn's noise brings Lorcan and his wife to the door to investigate. As they open the front door Gavriel growls and snaps his razor sharp teeth at Finn who yelps and flees inside to hide under Liam's bed. The dragon chuckles and turns his attention to Lorcan and Anya. Lorcan formally bows and at Gavriel's nodded acknowledgement steps forward and regally introduces himself, "I am Lorcan Elfslayer Lionheart, Lord of the Broken Kingdom, servant of Lord Ryan of Safe Haven and general of the Army of the Summer Lands and this is my wife, Izar-Anya, daughter of Ashyln, sister of Lord Ryan." Gavriel repeats his greeting to Lorcan and Anya then requests a place to sleep for the night. Lorcan instructs Liam and Pat to build a large bonfire. Once the fire is lit Gavriel curls next to it and falls asleep.

The next morning Liam and his family go outside to speak with Gavriel. Lorcan asks him the reason for his visit and Gavriel refuses to answer, instead he says,

"I could sense the bloodline of the last Dragoni in this village but I was not aware that the humans still hold a grudge against his descendants. Because of this I must find the ruler of Safe Haven and speak with him."

Lorcan offers to escort Gavriel to Lord Ryan's estate. Upon their arrival Lord Ryan's guards stop them and ask the reason for their visit. When the guards see Gavriel, they immediately run to fetch Lord Ryan. Ryan quickly comes to welcome his niece and her family. Gavriel speaks to Lord Ryan,

"Greetings, lord of Safe Haven. My mate Atara has laid what will be her final clutch of eggs. She is dying and when she joins our Creator, I too will perish. The time has come for the Dragoni to be reborn. The lesser dragons used their fading life magic to hide their remaining eggs and elemental gems throughout Drabroxus when the Dragonheart gem was destroyed. When the hatchlings sense their soul partner's presence they will hatch and the chosen ones will be able to use the dragon's elemental magic freely. Only one male champion will be chosen from Safe Haven. That champion will bond with my diamond hatchling. The champion will then be tasked with escorting the moonstone egg safely to the elves, so that my oath to the elves will be fulfilled.

Lord Ryan promises to hold a tournament the next day with the top five winners being chosen to be presented to the diamond egg. Gavriel expresses is consent and gratitude and takes flight to return to the ailing Atara. Lord Ryan dismisses his niece and her family with a kiss on Anya's cheek and hand shakes for Liam and Pat. He places his hand on Lorcan's arm to stop him and says,

"Lorcan, I am speaking, not as your liege, but as your uncle by law. I know your family's history and also that you have honorably served the Summer Lands. I ask the Creator to bless one of your sons tomorrow as one of the champions. I also ask the Creator to restore the honor of the House of the Lionheart family, the Line of Heros."

Touched by the respect of his lord, Lorcan embraces his wife's uncle and replies, "You honor me beyond words my lord! May the Creator always smile on you and may your rule be long and prosperous!"

Lorcan catches up with his family in time to hear Liam exclaim,

"For the last time Pat, I am not entering the tournament tomorrow! I'm already the laughing stock of the village, I am not going to embarrass our father further by losing to the other guys!"

Lorcan lays a hand on Liam's broad shoulder and slows down so that is just the two of them on the road leading home. Lorcan looks his eldest son in his gray eyes and is struck by how much of his mother he sees in Liam. Lorcan clears his throat and speaks, "Liam, I have trained you and Pat since you were both old enough to hold a practice blade. Pat may very well be a great warrior but you make swordplay look as effortless as dancing. You are without a doubt the best swordsman in the Summer Lands. If it wasn't for the ignorance of the Sun throne, I would have named you my replacement as general when I retire from the Summer Army. You also have your mother's skills with the bow. No one in the village can beat you or Pat in a race. Berel William Lorcanson, there are not enough words to tell you how proud I am that you are my son. You are my greatest achievement in life. I thank the Creator everyday that I was blessed enough to be your father!"

Brought to tears by his father's words, Liam wipes his eyes and wraps his father in a tight embrace and responds,

"Thank you dad. I love you. Tomorrow I will compete with Pat and we will restore glory to the Lionheart name!"

Early the next morning Liam and Pat preform their fighting forms and check their bows. The family makes their way to the tourney grounds. When they arrive, Pat immediately removes his shirt and begins showing off for the young ladies. Liam laughs at his brother's antics and folds both his and Pat's shirts neatly and hands them to Anya. The first event of the day is archery. Liam effortlessly wins the archery contest. The next contest is wrestling and is easily won by Pat. The final contest before stopping for the noon meal is the race around the village. Pat narrowly avoids being eliminated from the tournament when he twists his ankle on the final leg of the race. He is still faster with a limp than some of his brother's tormentors. Liam finishes the race in second place because he trips over a rock as he is crossing the finish line.

The final contest after lunch and a rest period is the battle royale. Liam and Pat had devised a strategy before hand to watch out for each other until they were the last ones standing. Lord Ryan announces the top competitors and when he calls Liam's name the village boys begin to glare at him and whisper amongst themselves. Pat whispers to Liam, "I have your back brother."

Liam nods his head and draws his blunted practice blade. When the melee begins, Pat charges into the fray like an enraged bull, swinging his twin blades and clearing a path for his brother's more calculated and controlled fighting style. Soon all the other combatants are eliminated. Liam and Pat are the only ones left standing just as they had planned. They begin to circle one another like a pair of young wolves testing each other for weaknesses and each one is waiting on the other to make the first move. Liam feints a strike at Pat's legs and Pat instantly moves to block. In mid strike, Liam reverses his attack and with two sharp taps with his blade makes Pat's swords drop from numb fingers. Liam then places his sword tip to his brother's throat ending the fight. Pat grins and picks up his swords.

Lord Ryan calls the names of the five champions and as he does Gavriel and Atara both land and greet the villagers of Safe Haven. Gavriel folds his massive wings, places the diamond egg on the ground and commands,

"Champions, step forward and present yourselves to my hatchling! One of you is the soul partner to my last son!"

One by one the champions step forward and touch the egg but with no response. Liam is the last in line and timidly steps towards the egg. Atara looks at him and says, "Do not be afraid little elfkin. I can smell the blood of the heroes of old in your veins, step forward."

Liam slowly places his hand on the warm, hard shell. As soon as he touches the egg, a piercing rainbow of light shoots straight into Liam's chest from the gem in Lorcan's sword. Liam feels a pressure on his mind and a feeling in his entire body as if a piece of him had been missing and it suddenly fell into place. The dragons also let out a primal roar that had not been heard since the first of the Dragoni had been chosen! When the light fades from Lorcan's sword the entire village sees a tiny replica of the majestic Gavriel perched on Liam's shoulder. The dragon hatchling squawks at his sire. Gavriel nudges his hatchling with his snout and speaks to Liam,

"Liam Lorcanson, my son has chosen you as his soul partner. As he is a part of you, so you are a part of him. Name him!"

Liam replies, "Since he is the first dragon of the new Dragoni, it is only fitting that he bears the name of the first dragon to create the bond. He shall be named Drakon!"

At the exact moment that Liam bonds with Drakon, dragon hatchlings hidden across Drabroxus and their soul partners become aware of their links. Every elemental mage's magic becomes just a little stronger. In the heart of the Forest Elves realm, the Arcanum Silvam, Leeba-Ariella the favorite niece and named heir of the elf Queen Nava Malka is awakened from her sleep, she has a sudden overwhelming feeling of loneliness and longing. She feels a desire to head southeast out of the forest. Ariella finds her aunt in the Queen's personal garden and explains what has happened to her. Queen Nava responds,

"My dear Leeba, I felt the magic awaken as well since I am the guardian of the shard that was given to the elves for safekeeping. The first of the Dragoni has been chosen! The moonstone egg is calling to you! She has chosen you as her soul partner! The egg should be headed here soon. Be patient. We must prepare!"

As the queen finishes speaking, Ariella's younger sister comes running into the garden exclaiming, " Leeba look!"

The young elf causes an acorn to instantly begin to grow into a young oak tree. Ariella is amazed and says to her sister, "Zehava, that is amazing!"

Queen Nava smiles at her nieces. Doron's, her youngest and favorite brother, daughters are the closest she has come to having children since her other two brothers forced her to leave the man she loved and their son twenty years ago. The reason Nava had named Ariella her heir was because Doron fell in love with a human woman when he was an ambassador to the Water Elves many years ago and Ariella was the product of that union. Nava refused to ruin Doron's life like their brothers did hers. As Nava watches her nieces she softly whispers a prayer, "Creator, please watch over my Liam. If he is chosen, bring him to me safely."