Dragon's Sanctuary

  DRAGON’S SANCTUARY

  McDrakken Warriors, Book Three

  By NICOLE DENNIS

  LYRICAL PRESS

  http://lyricalpress.com/

  KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

  http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/

  For my beloved cousin, Matt, whom we lost too soon from this world. I love you. I miss you. Hope you have fun playing endless games of penny poker with Pop-Pop and the greats up there, sweet cuz!

  Foreword

  While each McDrakken Warriors is a standalone novella, it does help to read the previous books in the series to learn about the previous couples’ stories and what is happening in the world.

  In any case, I hope you enjoy the world of my dragons and the newest addition of the Ices.

  Chapter 1

  Long, powerful wings stroked, slicing through cumulus clouds with ease and grace. They carried the lean dragon through the skies on a circuitous patrol around the farthest edges of the clan’s borders. His scales glittered from the deepest chocolate brown to warm amber with most of the tips, talons, horns, and edges of his wings edged in the richest of silver and blue. Veins of silver and blue raced across the wings’ membranes, creating glorious patterns under the warm rays of the sunlight. His sharp emerald green gaze remained focused, keeping vigilant for his dreaded foe, the dark wraiths. There also might be the occasional aircraft at this altitude. He didn’t want to collide into either one.

  Captain of the Scottish McDrakken clan warriors, Taggert Stuart rarely went on long patrols, especially when danger appeared within the clan. Still his laird, Liam McDrakken, insisted he take a flight with two others on the outer edge of their borders. They knew their internal enemies would try something without him around the castle and Liam figured Tagg needed to stretch his wings.

  “Captain, you doing all right?” asked one of his assistant captains. Gideon Flannagan, a golden dragon with scales ranging from the color of pale honey to the richest amber, flew to his right.

  Freewheeling below them, doing a few lazy loops, Ruarc McMurray, the other assistant, chuckled while he did a figure eight around them. The daredevil, his scarlet red edged in black, pulled his wings in close for a dive before flapping a few hard strokes and coming level on Tagg’s left.

  “Crazy fool, what do you think you’re doing?”

  “Looping, waking my mind up from this boring flight. Need to find a wraith or something,” Ruarc sent as he flipped and flew upside down.

  “Why do we leave the training of our younglings and newbie warriors to this daredevil?” Gideon asked in his sardonic way, reminiscent of his older brother, Dr. Seamus Flannagan’s precise, scientific matter-of-fact attitude.

  “I have no idea, but at times it does seem to work,” Tagg sent back.

  Still doing his maniacal rings, Ruarc chuckled.

  Turning his head, Tagg sent a burst of warm flames on the dragon’s vulnerable belly. He chuckled when the dragon yelped, snorting a burst of smoke, upsetting his balance and almost tumbling out of position.

  “Not funny, Tagg.” Ruarc regained his flight pattern and stroke.

  “Either that or pulling your tail, but I’ve done–” Tagg stopped when his gaze and acute hearing caught something beyond Ruarc’s wing.

  “Captain?” Gideon noticed how hyperaware Tagg had become in a switch of movement.

  “There, to the north west, coming from Iceland. A flash of silver in the clouds. There…a shadow…too dark for normal…Wraiths!” Tagg called.

  Angling his wings, he dove over Ruarc and flew through the currents toward the shadow. He felt the others follow his lead through the clouds without questioning his call. As they moved closer, he saw multiple wraiths circling something. They angled their course, flying higher than the attacking foes.

  “Gideon, fly in high from the right. Ruarc, wheel low to the left. I’ll come straight. Hard and fast. Keep a lookout for others.”

  “Acknowledged.” Gideon caught the current to take him high and away to the left. He blended with the creamy sunlit clouds to his advantage.

  “Roger.” Ruarc executed a tight barrel spin under Tagg’s wing, diving underneath and the far right. Though brilliant scarlet in color, his speed helped make him invisible to most onlookers.

  Tucking in all paws, Tagg headed straight at the wraiths, readying the fire within him. Once he was in reach, the clicks in his throat preceded a burst of multiple fireballs at the largest of the five wraiths circling and tumbling around a small….dragon! Realizing they assaulted a dragon, Tagg flapped harder, increasing his speed to reach and aide. He sent a cascade of fire at the wraith, tearing it, sending it to hell in a rain of dust. He smacked another two with his wing and tail, sending them into Gideon’s fiery onslaught.

  Spiraling for another strike, he twirled from a sudden barrage of snow and ice emitted from the cream-colored dragon. He heard the wraith howl in distress as the ice froze its movements. Turning, he watched the dragon send pure steam at the wraith. A burst of debris marked its destruction. Tagg noted the dragon’s sluggish movements as the newcomer circled away from Ruarc’s ferocious battle with the final wraith.

  Angling, Tagg moved underneath the slender dragon and lifted until the dragon’s claws hit his back. He rumbled a purr to the stranger. “Rest upon me. I can hold your weight, young one. You’ve done enough. We’re friends. Rest.”

  “Thank you for your assistance, warriors. I commend you on your brave actions in helping me. They followed my clan since the attack upon our castle,” the dragon said in an elegant female voice that startled Tagg. She slowed her movements to match his until she curled upon his back.

  “You are wounded, miss. The wraiths clawed your right wing from shoulder to tail,” Gideon said when he flew over them.

  “Just a scratch. My clan…they need assistance. They’re in hiding less than two miles back amongst the trees. We have younglings and injured. Some warriors guard them,” she said and trumpeted a high cry, two deep ones, then another high. “That will bring them to us.”

  “I will search for them,” Ruarc said. “From what direction?”

  “North west. Iceland. We are the McDrakken Ice Dragons. Ices. The last of the Ices thanks to the wraiths and a High Councilor betrayer,” she said in a weary tone.

  Tagg glanced at Gideon while Ruarc rolled and flew in the direction the dragoness pointed with a clawed, furred wing. Though they were surprised to hear a feminine voice, Jackson’s return with a female dragon mate by his side, allowed the dragon warriors to hide their disbelief.

  “May I ask your name and destination, my lady?” Tagg asked.

  “Kristjana Maria McDrakken, Queen of the Icelandic Ices. You may call me Jana. I seek the Scottish laird, Liam McDrakken, and ask for sanctuary. The wraiths ravaged and destroyed our castle hidden within an ancient volcano crater. We have nothing to return too and carry only the items hanging from our claws. We must begin anew,” Jana said.

  “You have run into some bit of luck, Jana. I’m Taggert Stuart, Captain of Liam McDrakken’s warriors. The scarlet dragon is Ruarc and the light gold one is Gideon, two of my finest officers. We’ll escort you and your clan to our castle and help all in need.” Though he knew of Liam’s generosity with other displaced dragons, Tagg had never heard of a castle giving sanctuary to an entire clan before. He felt confident in giving assurance to the queen, but there was always the chance this might fail.

  “Sweet ice and snow, thank you, Captain Stuart.”

  “Call me Tagg, please.”

  Hovering on the current, Tagg sent a warm healing stream over the vicious wound. He felt her shiver, sharp claws prickling his scales. The wound oozed the thick black tar-like substance associated with wraith wounds and bluish-tinted gol
den blood.

  “Do Ices require different healing than Fires?”

  “Less heat and need for iron and fire to fuel. We crave more salt and water.”

  “Captain, Ruarc is returning. I count about thirty flying dragons. Is this correct, my lady?” Gideon asked, circling in a protective fashion.

  Mental calls, from multiple minds of warriors and mates, alerted the queen to their incoming arrival from behind them. It also held questions about the mysterious dragons who flew to her rescue. Jana looked in the direction of the calls. She sent back a comforting series of tones, reassuring all was well with her and they were amongst friends. “Yes, others are clutched in claws, or hanging in hammocks between dragons due to injuries or size.”

  “What about your guardians? Did any survive the attack?”

  “Ices have no guardians. We’re only dragons and mates. It’s unique to our location and castle defenses,” she said, releasing vital information about this secretive dragon society.

  “I know of two historians and genealogists who would love to speak with you after your recovery. You and your Recorder, if he or she survived,” Tagg said, thinking of Jackson and his mate, Marissa, and the numerous scrolls they carted back with them. It ended up filling a new office within the castle, created for them by Liam.

  “I’ll speak with them, as will my Recorder, Birgitta. She received more injuries, but managed to save our scrolls from the destruction. At least, the history of the Ices will not be lost to this horrible betrayal.”

  “When did the attack happen?”

  “Three nights ago. The wraiths have been tracking and attacking our small band since. We lost survivors with every attack, until you three came along. How long till we reach the Scottish castle?”

  “The direct path will take us less than a day’s flight. We’ll be there by nightfall. My companions will help your clan fly and as we get closer, we’ll send word for help and others will fly out to assist.”

  “I’m grateful for all of your assistance.”

  “Rest, Jana. You’re wounded and exhausted.” Twisting his long neck, Tagg stroked his nose against hers and heard her soft purr of contentment. Something deep inside him flared at the touch of this gentle, proud female who cared so strongly for her clan and its survival. Feeling her curl her tail in and cuddle between his wings, he nodded to Gideon to assist members of the clan. He noticed Ruarc carried a hammock in his claws.

  So many injured in the attack, he wondered how any survived.

  “We head straight for home. Keep an eye for the wraiths.” Tagg took a hammock filled with an injured dragon from an exhausted warrior. “I promise food, rest, healing, and safety under the Scottish laird’s wing. We’ll be there before nightfall. You made it this far, I know you can make it a little further,” he encouraged the tired Ices. Seeing their spirit and hope rise in their struggle to flap a little faster, he angled, careful not to dislodge his precious cargo, and led them to his home and laird.

  Chapter 2

  When the Ices landed within the courtyard, most with help of the Scottish warriors, doors opened to release a flood of people. Warriors, guardians, and servants alike were eager to help the newcomers.

  After depositing his precious bundles, Tagg shifted to his human form and kept watch over Jana. She remained in dragon form, curled around her wounded wing. He crouched nearby, stroking behind the slight horns and the long neck, surprised to find it covered with a warm coating of fur. He figured the Ices needed the additional warmth in their northern glacial home.

  Lifting her head from her foreleg, Jana opened her eyelids, fanned long white lashes, and gazed upon him with beautiful, clear, pale blue eyes. So pale they were almost colorless in the dim light. “Are we there? Did my clan make it to safety, Tagg?”

  “You’re safe. All of you made it safe to Scotland. Look, here comes my laird.” He continued to touch her, calming her.

  Jana closed her eyes and dropped her head, exhaustion and pain claiming her.

  “Tagg, welcome back. I didn’t expect this when I sent you on patrol. What did you bring with you?” Liam McDrakken said as he crouched next to his captain.

  “Ice dragons. Wraiths attacked their castle in Iceland, destroyed it like the one in Russia. This is all who survived.” Tagg glanced at Jana and back at Liam. “We saw wraiths while on patrol and attacked them. In their midst, defending herself, was this dragon. We destroyed the wraiths together and I went to support her. She mentioned there were others in hiding during the attack. Ruarc went to lead them back to us. Gideon stayed at my side.”

  “That’s a nasty wound on her wing.”

  “Happened before we came upon her. She mentioned the wraiths followed them for three nights, since the attack.”

  “Who is she, Tagg?”

  “Lady Kristjana McDrakken, Queen of the Iceland clan.”

  Liam gave the cream-colored dragon a long contemplation. “A McDrakken?”

  “According to her, this is the last of the Ices. It may have been another inside High Council attack conspiring with the wraiths.”

  “Sonofa…We need to figure this out and soon. I don’t want another attack like this to happen. No more should die because one damn High Councilor hates the way someone rules,” Liam growled.

  Hearing the growl, Jana opened her eyes, turned, and stared at Liam. She shifted to wrap a fore claw around Tagg and pulled him closer to her body. She snarled at Liam.

  Surprised at the protective streak, Tagg stroked the powerful claw. “Jana, easy, this is my laird, Liam McDrakken.”

  “Darkness…Pain…Hurts…”

  “Oh sweet darkness.” Tagg twisted in her grip, searching for the castle’s finest doctor. “Seamus. Seamus, get over here!”

  “What is going on, Tagg? Why is she protecting you from me?” Liam asked.

  “The wound, it’s infecting her mind. I need Seamus to help her. I need to transform and enter her mind, hopefully she will let me.” Tagg wiggled out of her hold, saw Liam move away as Seamus raced over with his assistant, Guinevere. He transformed, this time keeping his size smaller so that he was only slightly larger than Jana, Tagg shook head to tail and reshuffled his wings. He rubbed his head and chin against Jana’s head, neck, and nearest shoulder, reassuring her with his warmth and comfort. He could feel the pain running through her.

  “A powerful Ice dragon, yes, yes. Wings with all colors of Ice, has control over all forms of water,” Seamus said when he reached Jana’s side and began to examine her.

  Tagg lifted his head, watching Seamus move his sensitive hands over Jana, talking to Gwen, who took notes on the new patient. He knew the dragon warrior with a love for science would figure out how to help Jana.

  “These Ices are very different from our dragons. Different healing techniques, they don’t react to heat. They need cold, water, salt. Gwen, fresh bandages, buckets of ice-cold salt water and clear water. Irrigate this wound the old fashion way,” Seamus said.

  “I’ll have the kitchen set up multiple buckets and bring them to all the wounded to begin care.” Gwen rose and raced away.

  “Good, good. Captain, can you reach her mind?” Seamus lifted his gaze to meet Tagg’s draconic stare.

  “I believe I can. What do you need from me?”

  “This will be painful for her, but must be done. While I cleanse the wound, we must do the same with her mind. They are devious in that fashion with their wounds. The shadows travel with great speed and hers had time to grow and fester.” Seamus caressed one of the horns with a light touch.

  A burst of light snow fell. Tagg raised a wing over Jana to protect her, turning his head to snarl back.

  An Ice male prowled over, limping heavily on an injured foreleg. The male flared cream wings edged with a brilliant blue and shook his horned, flared head. Another burst of snow aimed at Tagg before he stopped. He shoved his head and shoulder against Tagg, trying to force him away from his queen. The Ice dragged a heavy claw through the dirt in defiance.

/>   Tagg didn’t budge from his position over Jana. Nor did he bother to grow to his full length and size over the smaller Ice. He didn’t take advantage of a hurt and exhausted warrior. “What are you doing? Stop this foolishness immediately, warrior.”

  “Eirikur Stefansson, warrior and guardian of our queen. No stranger will enter her mind, not when she is injured and exhausted. No outsider will harm her. Move away this instant.”

  Awakening, Jana snarled and nipped Eirikur’s nearest limb. “Foolish boy. Back away. They’re helping me, Eirik.”

  “I’m only protecting you from these Fires.” Eirik dropped his muzzle in respect.

  “We don’t have time for your foolishness.” Seamus slapped Eirik’s muzzle. “The more time you waste the more the wound will fester. We could lose your queen because of your ignorance. Tagg Stuart is an honorable warrior and your queen chose to let him assist her.”

  Eirik growled at the scientist, but Seamus directed his attention to Gwen, who returned with the necessary supplies. He lay nearby to oversee, his dark blue gaze filled with distrust.

  Tagg nuzzled his muzzle against Jana, reassuring her. “He was trying to protect his queen, as a guardian should. This is our doctor, Seamus Flanagan and his assistant, Gwen Argall. They need to flush your wound with water and salt. Is that what you do?”

  “Yes, it’s what our doctors do with wraith wounds. Then we pack it with fresh blown snow from another dragon and stitch it closed with antibiotic ointments,” Jana said.

  Tagg repeated her orders to Seamus, who nodded and had Gwen make a notation to the records she’d started for Jana. “Jana, would you let me in your mind? I need to see if they created shadows inside and I can help with the pain. The flushing will hurt.”

  “It’s why you shifted to dragon form,” she said, her mental voice tired as she dropped her head on his foreleg.

  “Let me help you.”

  “Let’s get it over with quickly. There are others who need the doctor’s help.” Closing her eyes, steadying her body, she opened the walls in her mind to Tagg.