Dragon Rift: Riders of Fire, Book Three - A Dragons’ Realm Novel Read online

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  Dragon Rift and the Riders of Fire series are works of fiction. All characters, events and locations in this book are fictional. Any resemblance to persons or dragons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No dragons were harmed in the making of this book, although there may have been a few injuries to tharuks.

  This book is copyright. No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic means, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for short excerpts for reviews, in fair use, as permitted under the Copyright Act. Dragons’ Realm, the Riders of Fire world, and its characters are copyright.

  Dragon Rift, Riders of Fire © 2019 Eileen Mueller

  Typesetting © Phantom Feather Press, 2019, American English

  Cover Art by Christian Bentulan © Eileen Mueller, 2019

  Dragons’ Realm Map by Ava Fairhall © Eileen Mueller, 2019

  Phantom Feather Press Logo by Geoff Popham, © Phantom Feather Press, 2014

  Paperback ISBNs: KDP: 9781092550734 NZ Edition: 978-0-9951152-2-4

  Phantom Feather Press

  29 Laura Ave, Brooklyn, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

  [email protected]

  www.phantomfeatherpress.wordpress.com

  Magic, every time you turn the page.

  Dedication

  For Kierion, who wanted to become a character in Riders of Fire.

  I met Kierion tramping the Abel Tasman track in New Zealand in December 2010. If you know a Welshman named Kierion, ask him if he was in NZ in 2010, and please tell him he’s become a cheeky dragon rider in Riders of Fire—and that I’ve kept my promise not to kill him off!

  Table of Contents

  Map of Dragons’ Realm

  Six Weeks Earlier

  Dragons’ Hold

  War Council

  Prank Gone Wrong

  Wizardry

  Snake-tongue

  Erob’s Rescue

  Death Valley

  Discoveries

  Stuck

  Surprises

  Return

  Strangleton

  Gossip

  Dragons

  Mage Gate

  Rumors

  Vengeance

  Kierion’s Folly

  Recovery

  Rumble Weed

  Riona’s Trap

  Jael

  Dragon’s Jaws

  Dragon Stunts

  Dragon Race

  Feasting

  Broken

  Spangles

  The Cage

  Torture

  A Crow’s News

  Devil’s Choice

  Weakness

  Mage Fire

  Retaliation

  Dragons’ Hold

  Homeward Bound

  The Rift

  Home

  Shadows

  Prophecy

  Dire News

  Hand-fasting

  Promise

  More Riders of Fire Adventures

  Free Short Story—Silver Dragon—Riders of Fire

  Eileen’s Dragon Adventures for Younger Readers

  Acknowledgements

  About Eileen

  Herbal Lore in Dragons’ Realm

  Map of Dragons’ Realm

  Six Weeks Earlier

  Lars smacked his gavel on the granite table. “Queen Zaarusha and the Council of the Twelve Dragon Masters are in accord.” His voice was crisp in the tension-filled silence of the council chamber. “It is imperative that we understand this new threat to our dragons and our people. Master Roberto and Tomaaz will infiltrate Death Valley to discover what manner of new beasts Commander Zens is developing. We must know how they’ll attack Dragons’ Realm. You’ll leave tonight.” He gave Roberto and Tomaaz a grim nod. The other masters’ eyes slid away. No one envied them this job. “We thank you both,” Lars said. “Our spymaster will instruct you further. I hereby end this meeting.” The council leader gave another sharp rap of his gavel.

  Everyone flooded toward the doors.

  Master Marlies approached Lars. “Please, Lars, this is madness. Let me go in their stead.”

  “The queen’s decision is final,” Lars said, ending the discussion.

  Thumping his fist over his heart, Roberto bowed to the dragon queen, then followed the other dragon masters and Tomaaz toward the chamber’s exit. His head reeled. How had that happened? How had he agreed to return to Death Valley? Last time he’d been there, Commander Zens had broken him. He’d become a monster, a pawn in the hands of the enemy. A powerful pawn.

  He shuddered, remembering the people he’d killed while under Zens’ power. If it hadn’t been for his dragon, Erob, he’d still be Zens’ prisoner, living in a drugged fog of numlock, subservient to Zens’ will. “I’m so glad you found me, Erob.”

  “Don’t go all mushy on me, now,” Erob mind-melded. “Mushy is the last thing you need to face Zens.”

  “I don’t want to go back and face my worst nightmares,” Roberto replied.

  “Worse than nightmares,” Erob said. “People wake from those.”

  Roberto sighed. He’d just promised Zaarusha, his dragon queen, he’d return to that arid hell, but right now, he needed time alone to think.

  Ezaara, the Queen’s Rider, was inside the huge double doors, chatting with the Master of Flight, Alyssa. The elegant flight master tipped her dark head back, laughing. Torchlight played across the highlights in Ezaara’s honeyed hair. How could he leave her when their love was so new and bright, and head to Zens’ soul-crushing slave camp? She furtively mind-melded, while nodding at something Alyssa was saying, “Roberto, you don’t have to go.” Jade eyes met his, full of concern.

  His heart jolted. Gods, what had he done to deserve her? Every time he looked at her, he felt the wonder of a new dawn in spring. “I wish I didn’t have to, Ezaara. You heard Tonio and Giant John. Zens is creating a new type of monster, something that can destroy dragons. We have to find out more.”

  Someone tapped Roberto’s shoulder. “Roberto, a moment, please.”

  It was Tonio, the spymaster.

  “Ezaara, I’ll meet you in the orchard in an hour.” He had to hold her one last time before he left. Burn their time together into his mind for the bleak days ahead.

  “Of course. I look forward to it.” She was swept outside amid the flow of masters and dragons.

  “I’ll be on the ledge,” said Erob. “Watch your step with Tonio.”

  Tonio waited until everyone had left, then pushed the huge double doors shut with an ominous thud. He paced before Roberto, boots snapping on stone.

  Roberto drummed his fingers against his thigh. So little time left with Ezaara. “Lars wants us gone by nightfall. I don’t have much time to prepare. What is it you want?”

  Wheeling, Tonio grabbed Roberto by the shoulders, slamming him against the rock wall. “Antonika was flying the perimeter of the basin earlier. She saw you kissing the Queen’s Rider in the orchard, Master Roberto.” He spat on the rock beside Roberto’s face. “You’re her master. The law says you should be banished for this crime.”

  Roberto clenched his jaw. So, it had finally come to this. “You’ve always had it in for me, Tonio. You tried banishing me usi
ng Fleur’s false evidence, and now this.”

  “How long has this affair been going on?” Tonio snapped.

  Roberto’s blood boiled. Who was Tonio to dictate who he could and couldn’t love? Ezaara had nearly died for him. Had given up her role as Queen’s Rider, had risked everything she loved to save him. And the law said he couldn’t kiss her? Roberto’s mind raced. Antonika’s memories could be used as evidence, but having recently lost four masters from the council, Dragons’ Realm was in a precarious position. They couldn’t afford to banish him now. He had nothing to lose by being honest.

  “Just that one kiss in the orchard. She’s nearly qualified—Lars said so himself. She saved the queen’s life, for the sharding Egg’s sake.” Roberto’s breath sawed in and out of his chest. “And mine.” Tonio’s eyes narrowed, and he jabbed a finger at Roberto, but Roberto cut him off before he could start. “And maybe she saved your life too, by catching the traitors you failed to detect.”

  That last bit was too much. Tonio’s dark eyes flashed.

  Roberto had never noticed the similarity before, but Tonio looked just like Roberto’s abusive father, Amato, with his calculating Naobian eyes. Shards. He shouldn’t have goaded him.

  “I could have your head for this, sent to the Wastelands on a platter,” Tonio snarled. “However, this trip will probably kill you.” He shoved his finger in Roberto’s face. “Find out about those new creatures, Roberto, and get out. If you get stuck in Death Valley, we won’t be coming after you.”

  Roberto pushed off the wall, forcing Tonio to take a step backward. “So, you can forgive Marlies for killing a dragonet, but not me for being Amato’s son? What is it that Amato did to you, Tonio? Why do you hate me so much?”

  Pain flashed across Tonio’s face. Stiff with rage, he stalked out.

  §

  With Tomaaz and Roberto about to leave for Death Valley, and everyone buzzing around preparing, no one noticed Ezaara slipping out to the infirmary ledge. Her boots crunched in the snow.

  Pa’s dragon, Handel, was resting, his tail curled around his huge bronze body. Pa and Handel had the gift of prophecy. If anyone knew the outcome of this trip, it would be them. Thank the Egg, Handel was alone. She couldn’t risk telling Pa how she felt about Roberto.

  “Handel, please tell me,” Ezaara mind-melded. “Will Roberto and Tomaaz be safe in Death Valley?” She hid her feelings for her master so Handel wouldn’t know.

  Handel snorted. “Death Valley is always dangerous. As Queen’s Rider, you should know that.”

  “I’m asking about this specific trip. Will anything happen to them?”

  He huffed, his breath stirring up dust. “You thought I could conjure up a quick prophecy to reassure yourself about your master and your brother? These are perilous times, my Queen’s Rider. You heard the council. Commander Zens is creating new monsters to overthrow us—worse than tharuks—beasts that can easily kill dragons. We must know everything we can about these new enemies.”

  “I know, it’s just that—”

  “You want reassurance, comfort, and safety.” Handel’s tail twitched. “Nowhere is safe. Not even Lush Valley, now that tharuks have breached the pass.”

  Why wouldn’t he answer her? “Handel, listen.”

  “No, you listen. I’ve recently returned from the edge of Death Valley and fought Zen’s tharuks. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone.” He leaned his head down. “I can show you, but don’t blame me if it’s not what you want to see.”

  Although she could mind-meld with any dragon without touching them, when she’d last touched Handel, it had prompted a rush of prophetic visions. Ezaara put a hand on Handel’s hide. This time, there was a single vision. One she’d seen before: Roberto’s face was a mask of hate as he lunged for her—

  Ezaara yanked her hand away.

  Handel blinked his emerald eyes. “This may not come to pass.”

  “A vision so strong? I’ve seen it twice now …” Her stomach clenched. Roberto hurt her? No.

  “All right, so maybe it will happen.” Handel twitched his scaly shoulders and wrapped his tail around his body.

  No. Ezaara refused to accept it. She clung to a sliver of hope. Roberto loved her. Surely, he would never harm her. She shuddered, staring down at the dark forest in the basin of Dragons’ Hold.

  §

  Zaarusha landed in the orchard, the draft from her wings making the autumn leaves flutter. Ezaara slid down to the ground and patted her side. “Thank you.”

  The dragon queen furled her wings and went over to nuzzle her son, Erob, resting on the grass.

  Roberto took Ezaara by the hand and led her under an apple tree. His onyx eyes blazing, he pulled her into his arms. “I swear it, Ezaara. I swear I’ll come back to you.” He buried his lips in her hair, kissing the top of her head.

  Ezaara’s heart banged against her ribcage like a battle drum. “So many things could go wrong,” she mind-melded. “Why did you volunteer? Zens could kill you.”

  “Someone’s got to go. I know Death Valley.”

  “Yes, and Zens knows you. He’ll chew you up and spit you out before breakfast.”

  “Ezaara—”

  “I don’t like it.” She mind-melded with the queen. “Zaarusha, tell him he can stay.”

  Zaarusha replied, “Roberto and Tomaaz are the logical choices.”

  The sadness in his dark eyes made her breath catch. Neither of them wanted him to go, but he would serve their queen.

  “Let’s enjoy our time together,” Roberto said. They sat on a log and he fished in his pocket, pulling out a purple pouch of aged velvet. “This is for you.” He passed it to her. “Go on, open it.”

  “Thank you.” Ezaara hadn’t expected a gift. She loosened the silken drawstring and tipped up the pouch. A crystal teardrop on a fine silver chain slid into her palm. She held it up. The teardrop twirled in the sun, casting tiny rainbows across Roberto’s face. “It’s beautiful.”

  “My mother gave it to me before she died. It belonged to my grandmother. Ma said it was magic, although she never used it.”

  “Magic? What does it do?”

  “I’m not sure, but I wanted to give you something special. I hope it’ll comfort you while I’m gone.” His fingers traced her cheek, lingering. “Besides, I wouldn’t want you to forget me.”

  Forget him? He was seared into her soul. “It was your mother’s. It should go to Adelina.”

  “Ma gave Adelina another heirloom. This one’s mine—and now it belongs to you.”

  The crystal hummed beneath her fingertips. “That’s strange. It’s vibrating.” She closed her palm around its smooth, comforting surface. “You won’t be here for my name day tomorrow.”

  “You’re seventeen summers tomorrow? I’m sorry.” His eyes were tinged with regret.

  She shrugged. “I have something for you too.” She pulled a crinkled green ribbon out of her pocket and passed it to him.

  His eyes widened. “I gave that back to Adelina when I was banished.”

  And Adelina had thrown the ribbon in Ezaara’s face, blaming her for her brother’s banishment, because the ribbon Ezaara had given him had constituted a vow between Queen’s Rider and her trainer—that he would pledge his life to protect Ezaara.

  And he had. He’d taken the blame when she’d been framed for murder, knowing she’d never survive the Wastelands and the Robandi desert assassins.

  “When I gave you this ribbon, I didn’t know it formed a pledge. Did you realize?” she asked.

  “I suspected.”

  “Then why did you take it?”

  “Because I wanted to protect you.” His midnight eyes flashed.

  “Even though you were being so arrogant?”

  “Like this?” Roberto straightened, staring down his nose at her, and curled his lip. “Yes, my Queen’s Rider,” he said in that sarcastic cold voice he was so good at.

  She whacked him, smiling. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

 
Roberto threw back his head and laughed. Grinning, he took the crystal, his fingers tracing delicately across her skin as he fastened it at her nape. She leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “I’ll remember our time together, and I’ll come back to you as soon as I can.”

  “I’m worried. What if Commander Zens—”

  “I won’t let anything keep me away from you. You’ve given my life meaning.” With Roberto’s thoughts came a powerful surge of emotion that left Ezaara breathless.

  “You feel that strongly about me?” she asked.

  “You know I do.”

  He kissed her. Not like their first kiss, just five days ago in this very orchard. This kiss ignited a slow flame that burned inside her, like a beacon for him to come home to.

  His face grew serious. “Before I go, I need to teach you two more mental techniques. In Naobia, I taught you to fixate, to block a mental intrusion by fixing an image in your mind, but there are two other techniques that are just as valuable: submerging and the silent witness.” His voice rumbled through her head, “You’re outnumbered. Tharuks are hunting you.”

  Roberto’s midnight eyes seemed to swallow her. Gods, she could lose herself in them. She had to focus.

  Suddenly, tharuks were in her mind, firing arrows and gashing people with claws. Tusks dripping blood, they tracked her scent through the forest. Fear ratcheted through her. How did he do that? Kick an image into her head so powerful she wanted to cower?

  Roberto’s voice was gentle. “How can you prevent them from finding you?”

  “Take freshweed and hide.” Ezaara’s voice shook, even though she knew these horrific beasts weren’t the real thing. “Hopefully, they’d pass me by. Especially if I doubled back. My scent …”

  A tharuk loomed in her mind. Smaller than the others, with black eyes, it seemed to stare right through her. A vice tightened itself around her head, the way it had in Roberto’s memories. A mind bender. “No,” Ezaara cried out. Shards, this was crazy. It was only a mental image. The monster’s roar ripped through her head, and she hunched, hands over her ears.

  Roberto was doing this. No wonder he hated his talents. No wonder Tonio feared him.