Read Online Influence by Stuart Johnstone - Free Book Online Page A

blue flame erupts from its jaws as it sweeps low, immense wings
batter the air below it, slowing its descent. It lands in the middle of the
courtyard. Its massive hind legs flex to take its weight and its wings fold
sharply to become bat-like arms allowing it to crawl four legged toward the
royal party. The crowd gasp, some scream and flee back into the palace.
Dryonas’ own fear is etched across his face. The queen and her daughter huddle
close to him as if he could possibly offer protection should the beast decide
to end all of their lives in a single breath.
    “These
creatures are outlawed in this land Varin, as well you know. When the other
rulers hear of this-”
    “You are
the authority here Dryonas, at least as far as the eye can see. If there is one
among you who wishes to apply the law condemning dragons to the East Isles let
him step forward and deal the death sentence such a trespass demands. That I
would very much like to see.
    Now
Dryonas, you will listen, and listen well. For if you do not I will command
this red death to reduce all you have, and all you love to cinder and I will
consider the debt paid. That or listen to my terms… and obey.” The King appears
crestfallen, furious and defeated. The beast sits, awaiting instruction, its
great scales bristle and scratch as the giant lizard breathes, every exhale threatening
to end all.
    “Speak
Varin,” says the King.
    “That crown
you wear must truly be enchanted to grant you wisdom you never commanded when I
knew you barbarian. The girl will come with me, but do not fear, I do not
intend to harm her, although do not think for a moment I will hesitate to do so
if the following provision is not met.”
    “Take me
Varin, she is young and has her life ahead of her, I am old and it is my debt,
not hers.”
    “Father”
says Malene stepping forward. “I will go, I believe he will not to harm me and
if it means the sparing of all others I do it gladly.”
    “Brave
girl” sneers Varin. “Clearly she is not of your blood Dryonas.”
    “The other
part of the bargain Varin, get on with it,” yells the king.
    “Yes, yes.
Now a brief history lesson Dryonas. There once existed a civilisation of men long
ago, in a more primitive age, in the North Lands. They were farmers and miners
and they prospered for many an age in the shadow of the Ice blade mountains.
That was until a group of miners stumbled upon a seam of rock they had never
encountered before. A rock, in-fact, that nobody anywhere had ever seen before.
A crystal of indiscriminate colour. The stone may look red to one person while
the man beside him would swear blind it was blue. From that day the fate of
that civilisation was sealed. Something about the seam drove the men mad with
thirst for the rock. They mined fast and deep, oh so deep, trying to source the
mother-load. Farmers abandoned their crops when they got a glimpse of the rock
and would instead take up pick and shovel. Mothers and children abandoned their
villages and plunged headlong into the depths of the mountain never to be seen
again. Years would pass before travellers came by these abandoned villages.
Cattle lay as bones in pens, tables set for supper lay rotted and untouched and
no sign of what had happened could be found anywhere. However, one traveller,
while plundering for anything of wealth was busy liberating the church of its
scraps of gold when he came across a journal. Bound and sealed it was, with a
warning to stay clear of the mountain. The journal explained how the priest had
pleaded with the people not to chase this evil stone, that it would only lead
to ruin. The priest went on to describe the crystal and its power to steal the
hearts of men. One day word rose from the depths of the mine that the mother-load
had been discovered. A pure sphere of crystal as large as a man’s head had been
found in a cave fathoms beneath the surface. The final journal entry was an
apology from the priest for his weakness as he himself