Prologue From Soon to Release: Fallen Tiers

Here is a tidbit from the upcoming novel: Fallen Tiers - Book 5 of The Blue Dragon's Geas

Art by Rebecca Hunt

Jon nodded to the acolyte that took the reins of his lexital.  His robes were gray from the dust of travel and his hair unkempt.  It was not this that drew the eyes of everyone in the stable yard, it was the little black dragon curled tightly around his neck.  The thin whip of a tail looked more like a choker tight against the mage’s throat.

He looked around in amazement.  He knew of this temple, all death mages did.  But, this was more than he had imagined.  It was fashioned similarly to the tiers, the levels though were not as distinct and black spires rose up here and there.  Where Silverport was built of white glistening stone, the temple was represented in black.  Where he stood now was in a courtyard outside the main wall of the temple.

The death mage’s eyes traveled up to see cave openings lining the far off cliff walls.  How many dragons had the High Priestess managed to gather?  If they were all full, it was a concern he would have to relay to Alador.  He cast a clean spell absently as he continued to take in the breath-taking view.

His eyes caught the far off movement of three dragons flying together.  They looped in and out of one another before making some far off diving run.  As they dropped down, he lost sight of them.  Their choreography in flight had been amazing.  He stroked Nightmare’s small muzzle bringing a soft sigh from the hatchling.

Update on the Final Book!

A title has been chosen for the final book in The Blue Dragon's Geas. The final book will be called Fallen Tiers. I am looking forward to tying up loose ends from Sordith's Wedding to Luthian's suspicions. Here is a small excerpt from Jon's thread.

Jon looked up on hearing the soft footsteps. He had known she was coming. Nightmare had bristled first at sounds that Jon could not hear. It had given him time to prepare himself for what he must do next. He would take no pleasure in it and yet he knew it was the only way he could accomplish his own ends.

A Bank or Bed - The Value of Treasure!

Wisdom of the Flight

by Alador Guldalian

"Why do dragons sleep on their treasure.  It hardly looks comfortable?" asked Alador.

Keensight cocked his large head  as he stared at the mage then snorted smoke from his nostrils.  "A better question would be ... why do mortals hide their treasure where none can see it?  Do you not know boy, the true value of slips is not the amount that you have, but the use that you put it to."

Alador laughed.  "I think that the saying you are quoting has to do with how you spend your slips, and nothing to do with making a bed of them."

Keensight glared at Alador for a long moment before he replied.  "A man's value may be based on how he spends his treasure.  A dragon's value is based on being able to enjoy it, touch it, experience it.  If a dragon spent it as you suggest, why.... he would have no bed at all."

Dragon of the Day!

Be sure to leave comments for the artist who won dragon of the Day!

http://www.deviantart.com/browse/all/?section=&global=1&q=dragon+horde

Cover Art For Next Book

http://ursatomic.deviantart.com/art/Blizzard-Lights-535406422

Heather has exceeded my hopes once again.  I hope you will all stop by the link in the caption and give her some positive feedback.  She is considering stopping cover art.  I love her work and hope she will continue to do covers for me and many more authors.

This cover represents when Alador casts the spell his uncle has been seeking for some time.  Rena, one of the dragons that helped with his instruction, hovers nearby.  She still harbors a crush on the mage despite even her father telling her there is no hope.

Will Alador continue his assault upon the Daezun with the winter spells?  Will Rena win his heart despite the differences in species?  Find out in the soon to be released fourth book of the Blue Dragon's Geas!  Pseudo-Dragon.

A Dragon's Menhir - Live Writing

Nate hit the cold dark marble floor as the two guards tossed him forward.  His hands were bound behind him, so he was unable to catch himself.  The throne room of Jesparian Nethandial was not a welcome place as he managed to pick his head up enough to look about.  The pillars, the floor and even the walls were lined with the same black stone.  The trimmings were all in blood red and the only brightness to the vast room was the crackling fire behind the dais.

Nate did not dare to pick up his head any higher to look upon that dais.  The only sound was the rustling of the two guards, the crackling of the fire, and his own labored breathing.  Fear made his heart pound as an additional sound was slowly added; a slow determined step.  The sound of boots slowly making their steps down from the dais above him till at last he could see the toes of them shining in the torch light just inches from his face.

"Raise him up." The command was curt and held no warmth.

Nate cried out as his hair was grabbed by one of the two guards and he was jerked to his knees. Despite being fully upright now, he kept his eyes down cast.  He wanted to give this man no reason to cause any further harm to him.

"Look at me boy."

Coming Soon!

Every reader has felt that moment where they did not belong.   Some of us know what it is like to grow up with bullies and suffer at their hands.  Even fewer of us know what it is like when you realize you grew up bigger than the bully that tormented you.  Outcast follows the life of a young Daezun who is suddenly gifted with a power he has yet to learn to control.  Follow the life of Alador as he struggles to find his place in the world.

For your sneak peak, we have given you a glance of young Alador's uncle.  Enjoy!

Sneak Peak

The trader unlocked the chest in excitement for with this find; he would not have to go out in the winter seasons.  He would be able to stay home with his small ones and housemate.   He uncovered the pure glass stone with a flourish and stepped back for he had seen  the desire on the minister’s face. 

 Yet instead of the pleasure and anticipation he had expected, he saw fury.  The trader’s eyes flew open with alarm.

“Do you think me a fool.” Hissed Luthian as he turned around to fully face the trader.   “ Who did you sell its magics too?” Luthian tone was ominous, and his hands began to glow an ominous yellow.

The trader stepped back as if that fury was palpable. “N...no one s..sir. It...it was like that when I bought it. I...I did not think it would hurt the value.  I swear. It has been locked within since I purchased it.” The trader squeaked, dropping to his knees in fear.   He had never seen the Minister angry, but he had heard the tales of those that had crossed him.  He had never heard of any leaving such ire unscathed.  The pulse of the trader’s rapid heartbeat was visible in his neck.

“Bought it where? What other mages were present? “  Luthian demanded of the groveling man.  He slowly circled the man upon the ground much as a wolf circles his injured prey.

“S...smallbrook m..my lord.  The Daezun village of Smallbrook and there weren’t no mages there.”  He put his face to the floor in hopes of appeasing the Minister.     “I.. it was a fair stone, and I will give it to you. I won’t want nothing of it.”  He offered in a panic.  His voice muffled against the floor.

“You fool!”  Shouted Luthian.  “Are you really so stupid?” The sneering loud tone brought a visible wince from the trader upon the floor.   “It is clear because it’s magic has been given.  What miner sold the stone?  I want a name.” Luthian kicked the trader over as hard as he could.  “A name!” He demanded. Luthian's tone suddenly softer, cold, and definitely vicious. Luthian’s hand crackled with the power of the fire he could wield.

“Alador...it was a lad named Alador. Still a middlin and didn’t even know what he had.  I swear it.”  The man was practically sobbing now for even he could feel the power radiating from the Minister though he dared not look.

Luthian paused, his foot now on the Trader’s chest who lay beneath him on the floor. . 
 Smallbrook….. Alador.. Alador.. why did he know that name?  Then it dawned on him. That was one of his brother’s spawn from the project.  The boy had come into his power.  By blood, he had come into power with that stone?  He looked back at the chest with alarm.

He removed his foot and moved to the chest gazing down at it’s contents.  The empty stone now beautiful but powerless.  Who knew how much power the boy had absorbed?   Did the boy even know how to use it?  It was not good that such power was uncontrolled.  However, one benefit of the treaty was if any of Lerdenian blood was found on Daezun lands, the Council had the right to demand they be turned over.   This had suited the Daezun well for they distrusted magic.

His anger cooled some as he stared at the stone in calculation.  The whimpering of the trader still lying where he had left interrupted Luthian’s thoughts. He cursed softly and with a fluid motion turned and released the spell at the groveling man.  He did not even stay to if the trader lived beneath the column of fire that had risen up from his writhing form, the music of his screams pleasing enough.    At the door,  he paused to look at the guard.  “Clean it up and put all the bloodstones in the vault.”  He did not acknowledge the guard's chest salute.  Such response was expected.  Besides, he had more important things on his mind.

He strode down the empty hall in anger and frustration. So much power that had been so nearly his and his nephew had it.  His half-breed, tierless nephew who probably did not even know what gift had been given him.   The stark white halls resounded with the steps of his boots as he strode in anger. “Get me my brother …. Now!”  He bellowed.   The words echoed down the vast empty hall. He did not care who heard. He did not care who acted.  He knew someone would see it done.  If he could not have the power, then he would control the boy!