Blood and Scales Read online

  Metal and Stone: Blood and Scales

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  © 2018 Kevin Potter

  Cover art by Mirela Barbu

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  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  BLOOD

  OF

  THE

  DRAGONS

  VOLUME

  ONE

  METAL AND STONE III:

  BLOOD AND SCALES

  TIMELINE:

  This is an approximate timeline of events for the various books of Blood of the Dragons and The Calamity.

  **Note** I am using the new standard for dates (C.E. or Common Era, formerly known as A.D. and B.C.E. or Before Common Era, formerly known as B.C.)

  ***Note 2*** All dates are approximate and intended for reference as relative to one another only.

  666 B.C.E. — Prologue to Metal and Stone: The Awakening

  2010 C.E. — Metal and Stone: The Awakening (up to chapter 12)

  2035 C.E. — Prologue to The Fall of an Overlord

  2250 C.E. — Remainder of Metal and Stone: The Awakening

  2375 C.E. — Metal and Stone: Fire and Ice

  2700 C.E. — Metal and Stone: Blood and Scales

  2702 C.E. — Metal and Stone: The Age of Extinction, book 1

  3050 C.E. — Metal and Stone: The Age of Extinction, book 2

  3100 C.E. — Untitled book: Blood of the Dragons, volume 2

  14,000 C.E. — The Fall of an Overlord

  14,001 C.E. — Rise of the Overlord (chapters 1-3)

  14,100 C.E. — Prologue to Rise of the Overlord

  14,125 C.E. — Remainder of Rise of the Overlord

  14,280 C.E. — Prologue to Shadow of the Overlord

  14,650 C.E. — Shadow of the Overlord, book 1

  14,660 C.E. — Shadow of the Overlord, book 2

  Contents

  TIMELINE OF EVENTS

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  EPILOGUE

  thanks for reading

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  PROLOGUE

  A breezy summer wind blew through the highest peaks of the gray mountains, the bright sun half-covered by fluffy white clouds. Heat waves rose from the dry, packed earth of the foothills below.

  A single stone tumbled down from the cliffs above, belying the serenity of the empty landscape.

  Beneath the placid peaks, in a claw-carved lair, the scene could not have been less serene.

  The massive charoite wyrm completed his complex ritual with expert precision, drawing out the spirit of the lifeless female garnet wyrm before him. The crimson energy swirled around the ruby-studded walls of the chamber before plunging into his dull, dark purple scales.

  The overall increase to the creature’s Apex was marginal at best. He had absorbed so many dragon spirits and grown so large, no dragon before the resurgence of the Dragon Wars could have hoped to equal the length of his neck alone, much less compete with his arcane strength.

  With relaxed, almost lazy slowness, he moved on to the next chamber in the lair. At the far end another garnet wyrm lay immobilized by the charoite’s magic. He thumped his tail into the wyrm’s skull, extinguishing its life, and began the ritual anew to reap from the creature its spirit and arcane essence.

  “That’s enough,” Graayyyavalll said.

  Even after centuries together, the incredible depth of his voice still amazed Dauria. She had never heard its like, not from any dragon.

  With a thought, she cancelled the scrying spell and the image of the charoite wyrm vanished from the sunlit pool in the glaring ice. Staring up at her mate, she glared in defiance. “Will you finally admit that the time has come to act?”

  “Not yet.”

  “You can’t possibly be serious.”

  “Oh, but I am. We have discussed this many times, my dear.”

  Dauria huffed a frustrated sigh. “How can you say that? Look at what they’re doing!”

  Graayyy winced. “As much as I want them to be, they are not ready. They still revel in the wanton destruction. In the death. In the power for its own sake. I say again, they are not ready.”

  “But what about the group in the east. Angarrullaiie and Sorjiallaan. They have a sizable community of wyrms who live together in peace and want nothing to do with the conflicts. They want to put an end to the nightmare, just as we do.”

  “They are but one group–“

  “Dammit, Graayyy! There must be others!”

  The massive garnet wyrm drew in a huge breath and held it for a moment. This, Dauria knew, was his way of calming himself when he was tempted to say something he might regret. “It is not that simple. We have to make contact with any such groups. And given our current status, presumed dead, that is difficult to say the least.”

  “I know–“

  “No, Dauria. Listen,” he said with a thump of his tail. “There aren’t many groups left above the family level. And almost all who are find themselves in one of two situations. Either they reside only with others of their own breed or they are Overlord or the servant of an Overlord. There is no trust anymore, no cooperation. But neither, as yet, has a large enough group of wyrms come to the point they need to be for my plan to work.”

  Dauria sighed again. As much as it frustrated her, she knew he spoke the truth. They had discussed this before. She hated to admit it, but he was right. Until the wyrms finally grew weary of war and death and destruction, there would be nothing they could do to stop it.

  “There is, however,” Graayyy said, surprising her. “Something we can do that will help. A situation in need of our attention.”

  “I’m all receptors,” she said.

  Graayyyavalll narrowed his eyes and he set his jaw. Clearly, this was something serious. “Your brother.”

  Kwallindauria narrowed her own eyes and curled her lips in a snarl. “What about him?”

  Graayyy clenched his golden eyes tight for a moment before slowly opening them again to stare into her eyes. “Something must be done, my love. When he stayed in Japan, he wasn’t a major threat. But he has been advancing. Already, he has killed and absorbed three other Great Dragons from the east coast of Asia. If he takes many more, he will be fast-approachi
ng unstoppable size and arcane might. I doubt he can be reasoned with, but we must try.”

  Dauria’s eyes widened. She stared at Graayyy for several long moments before giving a small nod. There could be no doubt that Graayyy was serious. But did he realize what he was suggesting? Did he understand what the result of any action would be? “He won’t back down, you can be sure of that.”

  Graayyyavalll sighed, lowering his head. “I recognize that our chances of reasoning with Balhamuut are slim, my dear, but an attempt must be made. I’m not willing to destroy him without at least giving him a chance.”

  As much as she hated the thought of facing the clutch-mate she hadn’t truly known since before The Sleep, she couldn’t argue the point. He was family, after all, and deserved the opportunity.

  Was there anything they could say or do to convince him, though?

  No, she thought. Nothing we can do will alter his path. Nothing short of his death, at least.

  But when they were forced to destroy him, how would they do it? Graayyy was massive and held immense power, but could the two of them defeat Balhamuut alone? She wasn’t certain they could. He had stolen life from many wyrms, his power growing all the time. Judging by the times she had watched him, she wouldn’t be at all surprised if he was taking two or three wyrms each week now.

  Another thought occurred to her then, and her jaw almost fell open. “Agreed, dearest. But what about the twins?”

  “What about them? It isn’t as though we’ve never left them alone before.”

  Dauria narrowed her eyes. “Well, no. You’re right. But for such a long time? Dealing with Balhamuut will not be quick. Unless you know exactly where we can find him, the journey alone is likely to take weeks, if not months. Surely, you aren’t suggesting we leave the boys alone for so long?”

  “Boys?” Graayyy asked in surprise. “You speak as though they are hatchlings still. They would be considered adults now by any measure dragons have ever used. Surely you don’t still think of them as younglings, not after centuries of life.”

  “No,” she said with a sigh. “I know they are grown. But we’ve kept them sheltered from the world, away from all its dangers and its horrors. It’s possible we’ve sheltered them too much. They don’t know what it’s like out there.” She held up a claw, forestalling the inevitable comment. “I know that was largely, possibly entirely, my own doing. But it’s still true. And the fact is they are not ready to face this dark world alone. Especially my sweet Gravvy. He’s so sensitive, this world would break him.”

  Graayyy scoffed. “Sensitive. You mean helpless, right?”

  Dauria’s jaw fell open. “Graayyy!”

  The garnet wyrm smiled, almost apologetic. “I’m sorry, my love, but you know it’s true. As much as we’ve taught him, the fact remains his magic is weaker than an agate hatchling. The only spell he’s ever been able to master is simple telekinesis, which isn’t likely to do him any good in this world.”

  Dauria sighed. She hated herself for admitting he was right. “This doesn’t change anything, dearest. The world out there would break him. And as strong as Bal is, even he might not survive out there on his own.”

  “I don’t disagree, love. But what can we do? Would you have us forsake our responsibilities to continue sheltering them?”

  Dauria swallowed. “We could take them–“

  “No!” Graayyy said with utter finality.

  “But–“

  “I said no. This will be much too dangerous to have them along. Especially if, as you say, your brother will not listen to reason and force ends up our only option.”

  “And when they decide to follow us anyway?” she asked, her tone caressing the edges of condescension. “Or worse, if they take the opportunity and try to find proof that we’re wrong about what the world has become?”

  “They will not,” he said matter-of-factly. “I will forbid it.”

  Dauria scoffed. “Yes, because that’s worked out so well for you in the past.”

  Graayyyavalll’s eyes narrowed, but she ignored it.

  “As much as we’ve tried to protect them, they’ve always done as they please. You know this. Don’t you remember the hunting incident? And the first time they flew on their own? And besides, as you just pointed out, they are adults now. They have no reason to listen to you. Not on this.”

  The garnet clenched his jaw and his brow ridges arched inward to form a wide V above his snout. “What makes you so sure?”

  Dauria grinned and winked at him. “I still remember what it was like to be a young wyrm. I remember, for example, when we first came here and you told me about a time in your youth that you spent wandering the Earth. Wanderlust, you called it. Do you not think your children are afflicted with the same?”

  “Oh,” Graayyyavalll said with a grin that belied his serious tone. “So now this is my fault?”

  “Exactly,” Dauria said through a laugh.

  Graayyy sighed. “I suppose you are correct. I had hoped to keep them away from conflicts such as this. What if something disastrous happens to them?”

  Dauria sobered. “Better that they experience it with us to watch over them than on their own.”

  He nodded. “You’re right, of course. We’re going to have to teach them to care for themselves. The danger out there is only getting worse.”

  Dauria scowled.

  “I understand, dearest, but they are too old for us to keep holding them under our wings. It is time for them to learn to fly on their own. They are going to have to learn to defend themselves. Better they learn that from us than on their own.”

  Dauria’s scowl deepened. “I know. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  CHAPTER ONE

  In the skies above the frigid, though warming, waters to the north of what was once known as Antarctica, a curious group of dragons flew toward the north-east.

  In the lead, a massive garnet wyrm the color of human blood flew almost wingtip-to-wingtip with a shining platinum wyrm a bit over three-quarters his size. Her scales were so fine, she appeared sculpted from a single, massive chunk of the incredibly rare metal.

  Following the two massive wyrms were a nearly identical pair of dragons. Smaller than the other two, but also sleeker and thinner. The twins were a curious admixture of their parents, their scales largely dull, lusterless gray but with flowing waves of scarlet and crimson brushing the edges of a few scales here and there.

  “What do you think it’s about, Bal?” Gravv asked, his tone conspiratorial.

  “Your guess is as good as mine, Sir Gravy.”

  Making a face, he grumbled.

  Bal laughed.

  Dauria turned her head back to face them. “You two conspiring to take over the world?”

  “No!” Gravv said immediately, offended.

  “Yep,” Bal called. “I’ll be king of the Earth by next week. Want to be my advisor?”

  Although he could have been imagining things— it certainly wouldn’t be the first time —Gravv thought his brother sounded serious.

  Dauria grinned as she turned back toward the oncoming wind.

  Bal grinned at him. “Why do you always take Dam so seriously? She was just messing with us.”

  Gravv turned to face the oncoming wind. With luck, it would dry the silvery moisture from his eyes before his brother saw it. “I don’t know.”

  “Awwww,” Bal said, adopting a high, wyrmling voice. “Is da poor, witto Gwavy being sensitive again?”

  “Shut up.”

  “Did I hurt his poor, little feelings?”

  “I said shut up.”

  “Or what?” Bal asked, his voice turning deadly serious.

  Gravv turned to face his brother, rage rising in his gullet. With soft scales skittering together, he pulled in a heavy, angry breath.

  Oh, no!

  Without quite knowing how he’d done it, Gravv’s breath passed into his Golar, the incredible organ which mad
e elemental dragon breath possible, and flames erupted from his throat. The pressure of the flames forced his jaws open and liquid fire flooded from his open maw to engulf his brother.

  Rather than the mocking laughter he’d been expecting, Bal’s eyes darkened with anger and he launched himself at Gravv.

  Snow-white claws tore at Gravv’s scales and glistening teeth snapped at his snout, bringing the scent of fetid, fish-tinged breath to his nostrils.

  Although Bal was the older of the clutch-mates by only minutes, he was larger than Gravv by more than a standard wingspan. And where Gravv was slight, with the small, toned musculature common to long-distance flyers and swimmers, Bal had the build of a frontier brawler, his bulk more than matching his greater length.

  Gravv fended off slashes and snaps from his older brother for several moments, during which he only distantly noticed the shouts of his sire and dam. The muted voices were indistinct and seemed far away.

  Bal flew into him, his larger body crashing into Gravv’s with tremendous force while digging into his flesh with razor-sharp claws.

  The weight of his larger brother pulled him downward. He pulled his own wings in. No way was he going to expend his own energy to try to keep them both aloft.

  With claws digging deeper and deeper into his flanks, Gravv watched the roiling surface of the sea as it rose to meet him.

  “Better fly, brother, or we both die,” his clutch-mate growled.

  Gravv shook his head, determined not to back down this time. These sorts of challenges were frequent. Too frequent, if he was being honest. Even worse was every time they happened, Gravv backed down, letting his older brother have the victory.

  Well not this time, by the Astral Dragon! he swore privately. This time they would drown before he let Bal win the contest.

  The world spun around him. Land. Water. Ice.

  He felt himself growing lightheaded, his eyes seeming to float in the back of his skull.

  Wave. Land. Water. Ice.