Grandel Isle

Chapter 1

She is Losing the Battle

An eighteen-year-old Marcus lays in his room listening to his mother’s thoughts. Every night he hears her struggle with the beckoning, charred part of her that the Darkness touched. She locked it up when she and his father were young. When his father was here, she was able to keep it locked away, with him healing her every couple of days. The lone healer who had the ability to rejuvenate the soul energy the barrier consumed was Brandon.

The Spirit Dragons can heal physical wounds, but the barrier takes a queen’s soul energy. To repair her, Brandon gives Jacklyn part of his soul energy. His body replaced his, but it took time.

After his father left, the inner barrier started breaking down. Brandon had to take Marcus’ twin sisters to Earth. Even though Jacklyn was healthy, the barricade still wanted to collect the twin’s soul energy. He tried to keep all three of them well, but it was slowly killing him. Brandon’s body could not replace what he was giving away. His dad tried to hide it from his wife, but he found it impossible with their connection. As much as Brandon longed to stay, and as much as Jacklyn did not desire him and her girls to leave, they understood the impossibility of their staying.

The scene was hard to witness and feel. The fear and heartache filling both of his parents was crushing. Marcus experienced what they shared every second of every day. He sensed how every touch, every whisper stirred something in them he did not understand at six. The feelings in his parents grew as they felt what was inside the other. Tears and silent agony filled them all as they tried to tear away from each other.

Uncle Steven, Waterlily, and Tessteel stood a few yards away with the boys. Marcus remembers, while holding onto Steven’s leg, being bombarded with things he did not understand. Thomas sat in Waterlily’s arms. She helped bring him into the world, and it created a bond between them.

“Waterlily, tell Daddy not to go,” Thomas said repeatedly through his tears. He was barely five.

Their father spoke to them about why he had to leave and that they must be big boys and help their mother any way they could. He talked to them beforehand because he knew taking that one small step would be the hardest thing he ever had to do.

Uncle William stood by the portal with the girls. They too were crying. Marcus felt all they understood was that they were being torn from their mother.

When their father finally pulled away from Jacklyn, he took the girls. As they disappeared into the portal, they screamed hysterically for their mother. She made a few hurried steps toward them, but William grabbed her.

“I can’t do this,” she screamed as she crumbled to the ground, unable to stand with the unthinkable loss bearing down on her. William’s arms stayed around her, and for the briefest of moments, Marcus felt something come from him he only felt from his parents.

His mother’s despair blinded him to all the other emotions that were raging on that platform. That was when Marcus’ tears finally came. The sight of his mother so broken, so lost. He understood he was supposed to be a big boy, but it was too much for such a small big boy.

Since that day, Marcus has watched his mother wither away from the loss. The sons do what they can, but they cannot prevent the barrier from draining her. Unlike their father, they do not have strong healing powers. Marcus can hear the thoughts of others and communicate with others like himself. He can also talk to the dragons who fill their world. Marcus can do this over vast distances and has often helped his father with this ability.

Thomas can hear only people and speak to people close to him, but he received the gift to heal minor wounds. The stronger of the twins, Abigale, can communicate with the family and experiences everything’s emotional state from human to the smallest blade of grass. This makes life hard for her. She had been learning how to block out unwanted emotions. Her training started at the age of two. By her third birthday, she was getting decent at it, but she still got overrun. Marcus has fleeting memories of his wailing sister. On the stretching days of battles and the weeks of wounded and dying. When this happens, she finds refuge with her twin sister, Silencia. The only ability she has shown is keeping all emotions at bay. So, when Abigale reaches out to her sister, all things grow quiet, and she can gather her strength.

The sound of wings approaching his window makes Marcus glance up from his bed.

“Where have you been?” he asks the bulky dragon that is squeezing through the already widened balcony window.

“You need quarters on the bottom floor,” she complains, not for the first time.

“Yes, you have told me this before.”

“Well, apparently, I did not get through to you the first time.” She says with a grunt.

“There is nothing I can do about it. They think it is dangerous for the family to be on the first floor.”

Tessteel continues to grumble as she wiggles through.

“I will tell them to make it bigger,” Marcus says, getting up and standing at his full height and built much like his father, tall, strong, and solid. His siblings took after their mother, fragile-looking on the outside but powerful on the inside. “You did not answer. Where have you been?”

“You know full well where I have been. I have felt you on and off all day.” The dragon makes her way to the area that has her bedding. She stops and looks at the blonde, shaggy-headed boy she would give her life to save.

“It was just enough to make sure you were alright, not to spy.”

“Yes,” she says with a sigh. “This will not work much longer.”

Marcus steps closer to her.

“I know. I am working on it. You could sleep elsewhere.”

Marcus sees a flash of anger in her jade eyes. Her irritation also fills his head.

“That is not an option. My purpose of being here is you. You, of all people, are aware of that.”

When Marcus had only been an infant, his father, Steven, and William killed a horrifying creature of the Darkness’ making. They used the five Dragon Relics of the five different dragons who dwell on or around Grandel Isle. When they destroyed the monster in a blast of dragon magic and with a piece of each dragonkind, a multi-colored egg was formed. From the moment of its creation, Marcus could hear her inside.

Everlyn welcomed the egg into her home and was happy to watch over it. Everlyn placed the egg into the bed of her lost daughter, Trulyn. Marcus discovered he could speak to the small life inside. He and Tessteel would secretly communicate through the night, keeping his father and brother out.

One night when Marcus was just short of his sixth birthday, Tessteel told him she wanted out of the egg. She could not be freed until he acquired a path to her. The next day, Marcus started searching for a way to Tessteel. The egg was under constant supervision by dragons and Royal Lions. His father visited the egg every day, attempting to communicate with the soul inside. Life sat behind the hard shell, but he questioned whether the being was noble or bad. He went back and forth. Some days Marcus’ father believed it was wholesome for anything created by the relics and dragons must be, but they never heard of this. Other days, he would believe it must be evil. How could good birth from destroying a being so vile?

Even with Everlyn continually telling him the egg formed into being from pieces of all the dragons and dragon magic, so what laid inside was virtuous. He held onto his doubts.

Marcus watched for a few days. He figured his only hope of getting to her was when his father traveled to Everlyn’s cave in the Low-lands. Steven and Waterlily would go with him and stand guard at the cave opening. He was confident his father, if asked, would let him go. Marcus also realized his father would not let him inside the cave.

Marcus knew what Tessteel was. He was aware of her goodness, and one day they would need each other. The knowledge that he was in contact with the being inside the egg would frighten his parents.

The next day, Marcus found himself riding on top of Glacier with his father. Steven and Waterlily were with them. Marcus still remembers that day and the ride down the grand mountain. The red sky, which always has a hint of gold in it, had been clear and bright with Himber, the red crystal moon, reflecting the sun’s light. As they passed through the regions, the Grandelites stopped and watched the party ride by. Seeing the minor prince, who would never be a king, outside the palace was rare. For Marcus, the Low-lands is where he wanted to view. He loves the smell of earth freshly tilled and the unmistakable smell of decaying leaves. The sounds of laughing families, the milling of animals, and the always restless forest. Everlyn’s cave was on the southern side of the island near the Rose Crystal Cascades.

Marcus heard the Grandelite-made waterfall before he viewed it for the first time. This is the largest waterfall the Lowlanders have to filter the poisonous seawater surrounding the enormous island. They use the water on the farms that circle the mountain. They did not get as close to it as the Queen’s son had hoped, but he could see the glistening water traveling down the cotton and charcoal that help clean it. Gandeans encircle the waterfall, and the open Festival Field is off to the left.

Earth Dragon flowers crowned the entrance of Everlyn’s cave. As Marcus thought, he was prohibited from entering the cave, much less standing close enough to touch the egg, which he must do. Steven stood just inside the cave while Waterlily stayed with him in the small clearing bordered by hawthorn trees.

 Marcus spent several weeks making the trip with his father when what needed to happen finally did. Waterlily was not going with them. Waterlily sensed when he or his brother were contemplating something. Unfortunately, her not coming with them meant Thomas was having an unpleasant day.

A drop of the Kruliden’s venom contaminated his leg. Unlike their mother, who was touched by the Darkness, that part of her remains forever ruined and is no longer a piece of her. Thomas’ leg fused with the venom, and it became a part of him. He took longer to walk because of the weakness that plagued that leg. But on days like today, pain filled the tiny limb. As he grew older, the feebleness stayed, but the pain came less often. Marcus always found it odd that, unlike their father, Thomas could not heal himself.

Even without Waterlily’s watchful eye, he still had his dad and Steven to get past. Something he knew was impossible without a minor miracle. The miracle happened.

Like most days on Grandel Isle, the sun was large and golden, causing the few clouds in the red sky to appear to be glowing yellow. As always, Marcus had to stay outside the cave.

“Why do you not talk to him?” Marcus asked Tessteel. His father was attempting to communicate with her again.

“Who?”

“My father. He tries to talk to you every day, but you never speak.”

“I hear only you. Why do you not speak to him?”

Marcus thought back to when he was still inside his mother. How he loved to listen to them talk back and forth without one word being uttered. One day, his father felt him and reached out to him. Marcus remembers feeling someone else in his head. He quickly shut him out, not liking the feeling. Brandon tried to force his way into his son’s head once; he did it out of frustration. Brandon had not meant to hurt or scare his son, but he did. His payment was having a son who did not fully trust him.

“I cannot,” he answered her, and she did not push him.

The Earth Dragon flowers grow around the small meadow. Marcus was telling Tessteel about them when the ground beneath him shook. A few moments later, a roar reached his ears. Marcus glanced at the entrance to discover not only Steven but his father, both were staring at the treetops. Marcus followed their gaze to see black smoke filling their sky.

“Steven, stay with Marcus. I will be back. Everlyn, come with me.”

Marcus watched as they both hurried into the hawthorns and disappeared.

Marcus walked to Steven’s side to wait. He was holding onto Steven’s leg for a few minutes when Everlyn came busting into the field.

“Steven,” she said, out of breath. “It is the coal mine they need you and the Aquidins. The fire is spreading too fast; they need you to flood the mines.”

Steven dashed as only he can. He needed to travel to the edge of the Outer-lands and return quickly.

“Marcus, you must come into my cave. I fear toxins may reach us before Steven can put the flames out.”

Little Marcus followed the Earth Dragon into her cave. A massive fire sat in the middle of the large cave so its warmth could touch every corner making it inviting. The childhood toys remained, as did the scratches and drawings on the walls. Vegetation flourished even inside the cave with Everlyn’s help. Earth Dragons have the ability to heal plant life.

“Marcus, why is the egg so important to you?” Everlyn asked when they were safely inside. Everlyn smiled at the look Marcus gave her. “Yes, I know you desire to go to the egg. That need beams from you every cycle of the moon and sun. I do not understand how you keep it from your father.”

The little prince gazed up at the earth-toned dragon. Her horns are slighter than the males, but they protect her skull no less. William had taught him that inside the horns is a honeycomb structure. This structure makes them light but stronger than another horn. Everlyn’s curve along her head to the base of her skull. Where it fuses with the skull. Two more grow on the sides of her head like ram horns, helping to protect her head.

“We are meant to be together. Can you not feel that? Can you not hear her?”

“No, I cannot. All I feel is the life inside and its desire to be born.”

“She does, but it is up to me to decide when it happens.”

“Why you?” she asked.

“Because I am the one to save Grandel, and she is supposed to help me.”

Everlyn looked at the child before her. The one so many think will save them will die for them. Everlyn moved the child’s hair, which is so much his father’s, with one of her enormous claws.

“Is this how it begins?”

“No, it began the day life was given to her.” The words, even to Marcus, sound odd coming from a child’s voice.

“Brandon may never forgive me, but I know this is what must be done. Go to her.”

It took Marcus an instant to realize what was being communicated to him. What he had sought since the first sound of Tessteel’s voice entered his mind was his to obtain.

With his tiny trembling legs, he started toward the egg. At last, they would be together, and after his father gazed upon her, he would realize Marcus and Everlyn were correct.

As all those thoughts went through his head, and his mind filled with his and Tessteel’s excitement, his shield dropped.

 Marcus’ hand was about to touch the egg when he heard his father. When he dropped his guard, his father realized what he was about to do.

“Marcus do not,” he heard in his head and with his ears.

He shot one thought to his father.

“It is alright. She is good.”

Marcus shut his father out and touched the warm egg. He felt it shift and heard a light crack. The chamber filled with the smell of lilac.

Strong hands grabbed him from behind, and he knew Steven had arrived.

“Boy, what were you thinking?” Steven asked in a harsh tone.

“She wants out. She needs to be with me,” Marcus said in answer.

Crack! A chunk of the egg hit the floor. A troop of Highlanders who helped with the fire in the mine surrounded the egg, swords raised.

“No, do not hurt her!” Marcus screamed. Panic filled him. The thought that his father would never give her the chance to show her goodness never entered his child’s mind.

He looked around wildly for his father.

“Daddy, please do not harm her. She is my friend. She is like Everlyn.” Brandon turned to the Earth Dragon.

“You knew I did not want him near that egg.” Brandon’s anger was sharp.

“I did what I thought was best.”

“Please, Daddy.”

Brandon turned to his frantic son.

“Marcus, I must make sure. I cannot take the chance she is here to hurt you. Steven, take him out of here.”

“No,” Marcus screamed and tried desperately to break free.

The egg broke open with one last crack, and a small, pale dragon fell to the wet floor. Her eyes rolled to Marcus. Unwilling to take the chance of hurting the boy, Steven had not used all his strength. Frightened that Tessteel was dying, Marcus twisted wildly one last time and broke free. He fell next to the dragon and placed both arms around her. A light built around them. Making many of the guards back up. The sound of tiny wings filled the room, and a haze formed. Brandon recognized the light and the sound. His breath caught.

Could it be?

Could they be coming back?

After so long.

They disappeared after the blast that drove the Darkness back to Majase. The only people who observed them since were the selected dying. Brandon was one of those selected. These unique dragons could heal people, and when they did, gifts came with it. The little dragons healed Brandon twice, and he received two gifts. The ability to connect with his queen and later his family. He also has the skill of healing himself and his family.

He thought of his little friend, Midlight. Cold white light surrounded her petite body and her white scales twinkled. The little black eyes framed in snowflake-like lashes. Her two tiny hands and her tail curled up between her four delicate wings. She healed his body twice and had come to him in dreams and visions. He felt his body cover in goosebumps thinking of seeing one here.

Steven stepped forward to grab Marcus. Brandon held out his hand to stop him. All his fears for his son washed away. No matter what intention the dragon on the ground had for his son, he knew the Spirit Dragons would protect him.

In front of Brandon, two black eyes appeared. Slowly the form materialized, and to his delight, Midlight took form. She fluttered close and brushed his cheek. The Spirit Dragon hovered solid for the first time in thousands of seasons. She then turned, and before them was a chamber filled with Spirit Dragons. They gather around the dragon and Marcus, and as one, they blow their healing mist. The newly born dragon’s body soaked in the vapor. Then she climbed to her four feet.

“Marcus, is that your father?” she asked, her voice was soft with weakness.

He nodded.

The dragon stepped forward and bowed.

“My name is Tessteel. The Spirit Dragons have told me about you, as has your son. Great Protector, I am sorry if I have caused trouble.”

Tessteel was not like the other dragons. She was primarily white but swirls of different colors brown, red, and purple adorned her. Her legs were muscular; they were for walking like an Earth Dragon. Like a Fire Dragon, her tail split at the end. Her eyes were jade-colored like the Earth Dragons. They had narrow pupils, like the Water Dragons, to see in dark places. Her face was long and narrow. Eight horns sat on the top of her head. They were just forming. She stretched her feathered wings. The muscles on her back looked powerful.

From that sun cycle forward, Marcus, and Tessteel have been together. She always sleeps in his room. After twelve years of growing, rearranging, and expanding, it just will not work anymore. The problem was not only her knocking things over because of her body size. Her wings stayed tight to her body for lack of room. They could change the room’s size for those two issues. The problem was her two now fully grown ivory and ebony horns. The eight nobs grouped into fours, and those braided together as they develop to strengthen them. They now scrape his ceiling, and they cannot raise it. They are on the middle floor.

Tessteel wants them to get a room on the ground floor, but his parents would never allow him. Marcus always thought they ought to have a tent on the roof. The hall to the rear of the palace was crafted wider than the others. A small infirmary, storage area, and a few living quarters line this hall.

“I think I have a solu…” Marcus stops short and dashes from his room without a word.

Tessteel can feel his fear, and she goes out the tight door and heads for the balcony on the top floor. The brothers almost collide as they run for the stairs. As usual, two guards stand at his mother’s door.

“Get William!” Marcus screams as he and his brother bust open their mother’s door.

Jacklyn is on the floor, and Snow, her Royal Lion, is standing over her protectively. While Marcus’ own thoughts distracted him, she had done the one thing Jacklyn promised her husband she would never do. Their mother loosened the lock on the gate to the part of her that was no longer belonged to her. The tiniest bit got through, and now she lay dying. William, her Queen’s Advisor, charges into the room.

“She let some out,” Marcus tells him, fighting the tears that threaten to break through.

William knows what he means. Snow steps to the side so they can help his fallen mistress.

“What is wrong?” Thomas asks.

“This has happened before, but your dad was here to give her the strength she needed to fight. I will try and help. I am just not certain what I can do. This is happening in a part of her I cannot reach.”

“Thomas, you have to help her,” Marcus says to his little brother.

“Me, I am not Dad.” Thomas looks at him and takes a step back. Thomas’ slender arms clamp to his thin waist.

“I understand, but you are her only hope. She is losing the battle. It is killing her.”

“I cannot heal her. I am not that strong, and I cannot find her. You and dad do that, not me; you know that.” By the expression on his tear-filled face, Marcus can see it is killing Thomas to utter these words. Thomas has always viewed himself as weak, but Marcus knows different.

“I can help. We must try, now.” Marcus lifts his hand for his little brother to take.

Thomas looks at the hand. Marcus’ hand is strong and steady. He looks at his older brother with their father’s brown eyes and sees only confidence that they can do this. He takes the hand.

William listens to the two boys trying hard to be men. He does not interrupt them. He knows they are their mother’s only hope. The Queen’s Advisor checks her temperature and finds it has gotten way too high. Not to William’s surprise. He looks at the guards.

“I need the Mystics.”

They stare at the women they love most in their ecosphere and in any other.

The boys sit on opposite sides of their mother. They each grab one of her hands, and with the other, they hold on to one another. As one, they close their eyes.