Arimore
Chapter 1

The Kingdom of Calithorne sat nestled between the majestic peak of Mount Crystos and the meadowlands that separated it from its long time enemy the Kingdom of Mardock. The vast castle was made entirely of large granite stones that glimmered in the light giving it the appearance of silver. She was a regal city ruled by a kind and compassionate Queen. Queen Elara was young but she had already shown herself to be a strong ruler. She was known to challenge the knights of the Kingdom in battle from time to time and she was a fierce competitor. Queen Elara was as beautiful as she was strong. She was tall with lean muscles, long dark hair with loose curls and bright golden eyes. She truly loved her Kingdom and its people and vowed to protect them at all cost.

This night the castle was shrouded in darkness as the shadows of Mount Crystos fell across the land. Sentries were posted at every entrance and guards patrolled the perimeter. This was the routine every evening in Calithorne but tonight they kept vigilant watch for it had been rumored that the great dragon Arimore had been sighted in the North Country. Queen Elara paced along the great wall accompanied by Rowan, the Captain of the Guard.

“No one has so much as caught a glimpse of this majestic creature in a hundred years,” she posed, “why do you suppose he has chosen to reveal himself now? To be honest, I thought he was but a story told to small children to make them obey their parents.”

“Your Majesty, I wish I had an answer for you,” Rowan replied with a smile, “I must admit that my father used the legend of Arimore to reign me in when I was young.”

Elara grinned, “Well my friend, it seems it may no longer be a legend.”

Atop Mount Crystos was a large cavern that tunneled deep into the heart of the mountain where the life blood of the earth burned and bubbled with the desire to replace freedom. This was home to the great Arimore. He was thought to be the last of his kind, a great and mighty dragon with silver scales that glowed crimson in the light of the great fire. Something had stirred him from his slumber, a call from deep within his heart. There was another, he could feel it. “How could this be? Have I slumbered so long?” his guttural voice echoed in the great cavern. He stood and moved like a great serpent along the floor of the cave. As he reached the mouth he breathed deeply of the cool night air, “Just a faint scent but I know you’re there.” As he sniffed deeply his great head turned south toward Calithorne. He stretched his wings full span and caught the gentle flowing wind lifting his massive body with ease and began circling the great mountain.

Elara retired to her chambers and quickly fell into a deep slumber. She began to dream of days of old when her father, King George ruled. She was but a child then. He was killed in battle during the Great War but she remembered his love and compassion for his people. In her dream she sat upon his lap listening to a story, “The great dragon, Arimore has long been a friend of our Kingdom, child. He is a fearsome and beautiful creature with shimmering silver scales. His wings span the distance across the courtyard, nearly one hundred and twenty feet. His eyes glow with a golden fire which is said to be a reflection of his golden heart. Although he has been an ally you must always remember that he is still a dragon and dragons can be very unpredictable for they are magical creatures.”

She stirred slightly in the bed and returned to her dream, “Have you ever seen the dragon father?”

“Not that I remember but my father spoke of him. He told me that he would never forget the warmth in his eyes,” the King drifted in thought.

“I don’t understand.”

“My father told me that when I was just a babe, a group of men from the Kingdom of Mardock kidnapped me. He said if not for Arimore, I would surely have been killed. Your grandfather told me that as the men were travelling through the mountains Arimore swooped down and grasped me gently in his talons then released his great firestorm upon the men. When he returned me to my father he spoke directly into my father’s heart these words:

‘My King, although I do not care much for the world of men, the men of Mardock are particularly distasteful. I heard their cheers of victory and found them celebrating in the valley of Min. When I saw the child I saw goodness and light in his heart and knew he did not belong to the land of Mardock. Guard him well good King for he will raise a child of his own one day she will be the one to bring true peace to this land.’

I believe my child, he was speaking of you.”

“Elara…”

The whisper of her name awoke her from her dream. She sat silently, uncertain of if she had even heard it.

“Elara…” the voice called again.

“Who’s there?” she asked with a tremble in her voice.

“It is I, Arimore.”

“Arimore? The great dragon?” she asked in surprise.

“Yes child. Search your heart and you will know it is I.”

“How can I hear you speak and understand you?”

“Only those I choose can hear my voice.” As he continued a sense of urgency filled his voice, “You must come to me at once. Get your fastest steed and meet me in the valley of Min. There is a clearing on the south edge that is large enough for me to perch. Come quickly and come alone.”

“I will leave at once.” Elara leapt from her bed and quickly dressed in riding clothes. She stepped to the door and realized that getting out of the castle alone, at this time of night would be no easy task. She cracked the door open just enough to peek through and see that the passage was clear. She opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Slowly, silently, she crept through the castle passages until she came to the door that led to the outer city. She opened the door and saw two soldiers standing guard and quickly closed it again.

“Alright Elara, think,” she paused and looked around the room. There on the wall she saw a long black hooded cloak. She grabbed it off its hook and wrapped it around her slender shoulders carefully tucking her long dark hair into the hood. She grabbed a basket from the floor and hunched her shoulders slightly. She returned to the door and pulled it open. Walking slowly with a slight limp and stiffness to her stride she easily slipped past the guards and headed for the stables.

Once inside the stable she searched the stalls until she found the white stallion, the fastest horse in the entire Kingdom. Placing a blanket on his back she mounted him, opened the stall door and raced out of the city leaving sounds of alarm behind her.

“Stop!” yelled the guard, “Quick! Someone is stealing the white stallion!”

Bells sounded in warning all through the castle and outer city.

Rowan came rushing to the front gate, “Where’s the Queen? She’s not in her chambers…Oh, don’t tell me…”

“You don’t think…” the guard pointed toward the outer gate.

“That’s exactly what I think. Get me a horse and make it a fast one. I must go after her.” He grabbed his sword and ran toward the stable. There a stable boy had readied his steed. He leapt upon the large black stallion and fled out the gates following the tracks left by the white stallion.

Elara slowed her horse as she neared the valley of Min. She dismounted in a small stand of tall pine trees and cautiously walked to the clearing. She remained hidden in the trees awaiting the arrival of Arimore. She peeked through the trees searching the night sky for any sign of him. She thought she saw a glimmer and took a sharp breath as the glimmer faded and then reappeared. She couldn’t make out his form but she knew it was him. She remained still and silent as she watched the dust swirl masking his landing.

“Come out my child,” he spoke aloud, “I mean you no harm.”

She stepped gingerly from her hiding place, “I am here.”

The great dragon bowed before the Queen, “Your Majesty.”

“You are magnificent,” she stated as she walked around him admiring his form, “Even more breathtaking than I imagined.”

“Thank you my Lady,” again he bowed his great head, “You have come alone?”

“Yes. It wasn’t too difficult to get out in fact I’ll have to fix that when I return,” she smiled.

“About that,” his eyes had a tinge of sadness, “There may be a bit of a delay in your return.”

“What do you mean to do with me?”

“I mean you no harm my Lady. I just need your help.”

“My help? What can I, a mere human, possibly do to help you?”

“Many years ago I saved the life of a child in this very clearing.”

“My father.”

“You know?”

“He told me stories when I was young.”

“Shh…” the dragon looked toward the trees, “I thought you said you came alone!” He reared his head and vaulted toward the sky, “Hide. I’ll be watching over you.”

Elara dashed to the tree line on the other side of the clearing. She hid in the low brush watching the clearing for movement.

“Elara?” Rowan called, “Elara, I know you’re here. Show yourself.”

She stood and began to walk to the edge of the trees when she saw a glint in the sky. She jumped into the clearing and shouted at the sky, “He is a friend!”

“But they are not! Quickly climb on my back…both of you!”

“What are you doing?” Rowan asked.

“Trust me,” Elara held out her hand as she mounted the great dragon.

Rowan followed her and the beast rose gently in the sky, “There,” he leaned toward the trees on the north side of the clearing. There was a band of men making their way through the trees, “Mardocians. I can smell them for miles. Their evil is a stench in my nostrils. Hold on, I will take you someplace safe but first I must send your horses away so they are not captured.” Arimore swooped down startling the two regal steeds. They bolted and headed back toward the castle. Arimore rose slowly into the sky searching for a safe place to land and finish his conversation with Elara, “There is a small meadow just west of that tree line. It will be tight for me so hold on.”

The drop into the meadow was turbulent. Elara began to slide once but Rowan reached out and steadied her. Once the dragon landed they both dismounted and stood in awe of the majestic creature.

“We haven’t much time,” Arimore whispered, “They have been hunting me since I emerged from my slumber. I need you to listen carefully,” he looked at Elara, “When I rescued your father all those years ago I needed the help of your grandfather. I gave him something to keep safe for me. Something priceless. Two dragon eggs. I need you to replace them for me. When you do you will notice that one is large and the other is small. The large one holds a baby dragon the other holds the key to controlling and training him,” he paused and glanced at Rowan, “Many men would die to possess such a treasure so it is important that no one knows of this except you. Rowan, you must protect Elara and the egg until it hatches and bonds itself to her. Elara, you were chosen before you were born to raise this young one. It is because of the good that lives strongly in your heart.”

“How will I replace it?”

“Search your heart and keep your mind open, he will call to you.”

“But I don’t know anything about raising a dragon,” there was worry in her voice.

“Do not fret child, you were born for this. The small egg will serve as food for the dragon as he grows. Do not lose it. Do not let it fall into the hands of the enemy. If they can gain control of the young dragon they will use him to bring great evil upon the land. You must keep it secret, keep it hidden. It will be easy at first because he will be small but it will get more difficult as he grows. Rowan, she will need you to help her protect the egg.” Arimore returned his gaze to Elara, “Once the egg has hatched the babe inside will bond with the one that holds the small egg. Teach him goodness. Teach him compassion. Teach him to be like you.”

“I will do my best,” Elara bowed.

“And I will stand beside her and lay down my life to protect them if that is what it takes,” Rowan bowed beside her.

“I must go,” Arimore reared his head, spread his wings and looked to the trees, “I have called your steeds. They will be beyond the trees, there. You must return to the castle quickly the men from Mardock will not slumber until they replace me. I must go.” Arimore vanished into the night sky.