Serena Dracis

If you haven’t read Salt, Sky, and Fire yet, what are you waiting for?

If you have – this is Chapter One from the sequel, Wind, Waves, and Ruin. It picks up right where SSaF left off, with Ozora, Fraser, and Taenya being confronted by an emissary from Alurenth.

This book will be released shortly in a new tier, but I wanted to give my subscribers a sneak peak before that launch.

Enjoy!

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CHAPTER ONE

 

We wanted to create something that had never been before.

A mage school that was truly open to any with the will and talent.

It took thinking of magecraft and how we train new mages in a way no one had ever considered possible.

 

From the personal journal of Ozora

Dean of Magics

The Bestiary

 

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“Twenty silver says he runs. Or pisses himself.” Fraser murmured, close enough to my ear and neck that only I heard. A delicious tremor ran down my spine as his breath caressed my skin and I almost missed what he said.

We trailed behind my friend and fellow magecraft student, Taenya DeLange, who was arm in arm with Quinn Cantrell, Earl of Belizar. She led us through bare stone halls that echoed with the slap of my sandals and clipped ring of boots. “This is really easy to clear up if you’ll relax about Fraser and listen.” Taenya’s voice carried over her shoulder as she tossed a wink back at Fraser and I. “We all get that you’re upset about Emberglen, and King Balceran is understandably concerned about the attack.” She took us winding through the keep guarding the harbor of Hastrior, heading toward the north wall. “I think you just need to see the bigger picture. Then you’ll understand.”

Quinn’s answering scoff and glare over his shoulder as he followed Taenya’s gaze were not promising. He broke off when she snickered and tugged him on a sharp right turn down an adjacent hall. The Earl had but just arrived, with a list of questions from the King of Alurenth about the attack on Emberglen. Quinn was the peer whose Earldom held the little seaside town and Taenya was taking him to meet the one who really was in charge here in Hastrior. Although Cassyrra herself would deny that was so.

The Earl protested Taenya’s rough treatment, and she told him to lighten up. I bit back a laugh; the King of Alurenth’s emissary was about to have his world rocked.

“Nope.” I whispered to Fraser. “And technically that’s two but, why not? I’m feeling generous. You’re still wrong. He faints.”

Fraser Connell, Scourge of the Seas, scrubbed at his jaw as we followed the pair, considering.

“Unless you want to withdraw your wager?” I asked. It was his turn to scowl at my suggestion.

“Done.” We shook on it. Taenya and Quinn were well ahead and lost in their own conversation as we traveled through the dark and sometimes musty corridors of Hastrior’s keep. Not entirely abandoned, and since we moved in, not yet recovered from years of neglect.

Before long, Taenya unlocked a thick wooden door that let out on the north wall into a wide clearing. Sheets of soft grasses waved around us as we stepped out across the threshold; at least a hundred feet lay between the stone walls and the coastal scrub oak woods that filled the interior of the Hastrior peninsula. This side faced toward the further coastline. The city and overlooking keep sat on the southern side, the opposite coast a mile or more away.

Taenya cautioned Quinn, “Listen, whatever you do, don’t run.”

He tossed one hand and scoffed, curling his lips in a rude sneer. “Taenya, I assure you I am not a man who frightens easily.”

Okay, so I only just met him, but I would not have expected that phrase to come out of his mouth. Clearly there was more to Quinn Cantrell than his prettily made-up face and well-tailored clothes. He gave us all a splendid look at his fine attire as he did a slow pirouette. The skeptical lift to his brow as he took in his surroundings growing steeper with each pivot.

“Why have you brought me here? Although it is brighter than your dismal halls. Will we traipse through the woods now?” He asked, the sneer on his face infecting his voice.

Cassyrra hopped over the corner of the keep.

Our encampment sat on the long western wall facing the point, so instead of walking around, she jumped. Flaring her wings wide and giving several strong downbeats provided just enough lift to clear the walls. She threw us all into deep shadow when she passed overhead, a momentary chill in the otherwise bright, sunny day.

The massive dragon landed in the clearing between our group and the north woods, and all the blood drained from Quinn’s face as his green eyes widened, white rimming them all around. For a first meeting, it was a bit dramatic, and I smothered the laugh that bubbled up from my chest. But the hop had what I’m sure was her intended effect, displaying her size and grace as well as the sharp contrast of her pale blue wings and indigo hide. Even in the bright sunlight, the tapestry of spells woven into her being glowed, illuminating her immense, shadowy frame. Brilliant sapphire, teal, and amethyst made her a living, moving work of art that was also lethal beyond imagination.

Just the sheer size of her would be enough to terrify most. Standing with all four feet on the ground, her shoulders were less than ten feet below the stone wall’s top battlements. If she wanted, she’d have no trouble climbing over them.

She settled on her haunches and lowered her long forearms to the dirt. Hide and scales creaked and scraped against each other as she folded herself. A discordant collection of sounds, like armor—leather, plate, and ring—rubbing together, carried across the grass. Rattling, clanging, and chiming, sang out in the silence that followed her arrival.

Obviously putting on a show for our guest. If she wanted, she could be almost as silent as a cat. A really, really big cat.

Laying down her wings stretched taller than the corner turret as she spread and fanned them, sending great gusts of wind over us before folding them with a leathery rustle.

Definitely giving Quinn a show. The tips of my lips twitched and my second half-choked snort of laughter made Fraser shoot me a questioning look. Cassyrra blinked at our little group. Then her nostrils flared and a gush of steam flowed as she exhaled, nestling to the grass.

++ Be welcome, emissary of Alurenth. I know your lovely kingdom. ++ Cassyrra’s telepathic voice was silent, but unmistakable.

Quinn fainted, dragging at Taenya, who threw her arms around him. When the man slumped, Fraser stepped up and slung the Earl to his shoulders after removing Quinn’s rapier. This time, the look he shot me was suspicious as he carried the long, limp form toward the keep’s door.

“Cleobah told you. Somehow, she told you.” He accused as he stalked past me, Quinn draped over his shoulders like a noblewoman’s shawl.

I blinked innocently. The sphinx had not told me. Not in so many words.

“You know she can’t do that. You owe me.” But she could, and did, say something about the emissary taking an unexpected nap and how dragons make grand entrances. I just … interpreted.

He growled but said no more and strode across the grass. Taenya snorted. She was, of course, fully aware of what Cassyrra was up to and chuckled, “good guess,” as she jogged to catch up to him.

“Here. I’ll help you get him settled. Cassyrra wants to talk to you.” She waved me to the dragon as she caught up to Fraser.

Crossing her forelegs, she brought her head close to the ground so we were nearly eye to eye.

++ Come, Ozora. Let’s have a talk. ++

The dry grasses swished against my legs as I made my way across the field. Her bulk no longer intimidated me, but she never failed to inspire awe. Her draconic face was a thing of beauty, long and lean with bony, protective ridges over her eyes and scales that gleamed like faceted amethysts. Up close, her face shimmered in gemmy hues of purple and indigo, with accents of turquoise. I’d learned already they were harder than diamond, and her plate-like scales better than any knight’s armor.

++ I am continually impressed by your ingenuity. You have a positive genius for innovation. I knew I was right choosing you as my first Adept apprentice. ++ She extended her foreleg in invitation. For all her reptilian appearance, she was warm to the touch. Here, near her wrist, the skin and scales were softer, more leathery for flexibility yet impenetrable as the thicker, more armor-like scales along her back and shoulders. I’d spent many hours perched on her leg like a bench, listening and learning from the wise, ancient dragon.

“I thought it was all of us? Me, Taenya, and Fraser?” I asked and felt more than heard her answering low chuckle as a vibration through the muscles of her forearm.

++ They are indeed Adept potential, but both have more training to complete before they are ready for that level of spellcraft. You, ++ she paused, tilting her head as if considering her words. ++ Have crafted Adept-type spell effects from humble components that any Journey mage might have on hand. ++ Cassyrra angled her long jaws so that one scintillant eye could focus directly on me. It was bigger than my head. The full weight of her presence pressed on me. ++ Impressive. Which is why you are getting complex assignments, and they are still learning the basics. ++

It’s not every day an ancient dragon mage compliments your magical skills. I blushed and thanked her. Cassyrra’s tasks typically centered on creating spells according to her specifications. One of the distinguishing hallmarks between Adept and Journey level is Adepts design new spells or magical frameworks for clients depending on the need. Adepts create spells and write the guides and grimoires, which Journey mages follow to make their potions, or other artefacts.

++I’m quite looking forward to seeing you grow in our school. I understand you and Fraser have mended your differences. ++ Her tone, peaceful as ever also held a hint of gentle teasing. ++ How are you getting along with Cleobah? ++

My mouth opened, but I didn’t really know how to answer her. The sphinx’s actions a few weeks ago were instrumental in rescuing Fraser from his former friend, but there was no denying her attitude got on my nerves. Cassyrra must’ve seen my hesitation. ++ Cleobah does have a challenging personality. ++

I kept myself from snickering at the dragon’s delicate phrasing.

++ But I think you’ve already found some value in her friendship, no? ++ Now, her tone was sly and her lid slipping to cover that brilliant eye was definitely a wink. I shrugged and raised my hands. What was I to do? I couldn’t deny the dragon’s statement. I was twenty silvers richer than I’d been this morning.

“She’s growing on me, I’ll admit.” I said, glancing out across the field so I didn’t have to hold her glowing lavender gaze. “Plus, having a sphinx as part of this school project can only be a benefit. She is such an eager kid it’s hard to remember she was born just after the Sundering Wars.” “Speaking of …” I waved at the sphinx landing a few yards away and the dragon turned her massive head, temporarily blocking the sun.

++ I’m so pleased to hear you say this. ++ She paused and swished her tail like a cat, rattling the summer-dry grasses, as if she had more to say but hesitated.

“So, are we good to go?” Cleobah called, trotting up to us.

“Go where?” I asked.

++ Cleobah needs your assistance to retrieve an artefact for the school. ++ Cassyrra explained.

“You’ll get to see something really cool,” Cleobah said, her tone coaxing, but she rustled her feathers like a hen shaking herself after a dust bath. Cleobah’s wings were easily twenty feet across when spread wide, and her pinions had a metallic sheen that made them ring and chime like crystal. She had a habit of fluffing her wings with excitement or nervous energy, which made me suspicious.

“Depends. I probably shouldn’t be gone long. No telling how long Quinn will be out, or what mood he’ll wake up in.” I didn’t need to fill in all the details for little miss “all-the-time-streams,” who nodded and chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry, we’ll be back in plenty of time.” Cleobah said, her eyes glowing with confidence. “I wouldn’t let you miss that.” Her tail swished with excitement. “Come on, hurry up and tie me up.” She said with a smirk.

“Can you please stop saying that?” I’d asked at least a dozen times and always got the same response, her evil little smile. We’d rigged up a harness so when we flew together I didn’t yank on her feathers or fur. Or fall. She’d started calling it “tying her up” whenever we flew, which was comical and disconcerting at the same time.

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “Come on, before your teacher changes her mind.”

++ Take care, Cleobah. Do not break my Adept trainee. ++ Cassyrra’s face was serene, but her voice held a note of caution.

“You know I won’t.” The sphinx’s gave a predictably flippant response. “It’s kind of now or never for this thing, and if we don’t go now, we may miss our chance.”

Within minutes, we were aloft.

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Cleobah takes Ozora on an adventure that is literally out of their world to retrieve the artefact needed to start their mage school.

Stay tuned! I’ll be announcing Wind, Waves, and Ruin’s release date shortly and opening the tier to subscribers.

My Patreon will be the only place you’ll be able to read Wind, Waves and Ruin until the all chapters are published to the new tier.