Chapter One

Jaascin and Coorivan scanned the early morning sky. Suddenly, in the distance, three specks appeared over the mountains.

“They are right on time as I expected,” Jaascin commented.

The three specks soon took on the vague form of three winged creatures. Soon it was obvious they were three dragons, actually three very large Silver Dragons. They are magnificent creatures, thought Coorivan. Then he smiled, as it occurred to him, he was thinking that of creatures, he would have been in mortal fear of a short time ago. He was still just a little apprehensive about riding on the back of a dragon. Jaascin seemed very calm, so that somewhat reassured him. The three silver dragons came sailing in to a landing close to where they were standing. They folded their wings as they settled to the ground. Jaascin and Coorivan had their things ready to load on the backs of the dragons. Having gotten over the fear of those huge creatures, Coorivan could think of them as magnificent. For ones so huge, they landed very easily and smoothly. As soon as they were settled, Jaascin and Coorivan loaded their packs on the dragons and then climbed on board. They settled themselves as low on the back of their dragon as was possible. The leather scales were rounded, not sharp, Jaascin noted. The backs of the dragons, although leathery, were rough, so they were not slippery. Jaascin and Coorivan gripped the scales with their gloved hands and locked their soft booted feet in the scales. They settled themselves into a kind of depression between the huge wings. As soon as they were settled on board, the dragons launched themselves into the air and rose into the sky. It was rather exhilarating to watch the ground recede beneath them. Coorivan was surprised the takeoff was as smooth as it was. They were dressed very warmly and crouched low on the dragon’s backs to keep out of the wind. Jaascin had communicated to the leading dragon regarding the landing area, on the other side of the mountains. Apparently the dragon knew of it. As they flew, Jaascin noted they flew through the openings between the mountain peaks, not over them. Jaascin was sure that was to keep he and Coorivan out of the cold and thinner air above the peaks. At times, they seemed to skim the tops of the trees that climbed the lower sides of the peaks.

It was a bright sunny day, so the sun gave them some warmth. Coorivan occasionally glanced as the dragon leaned to one side in a gentle curve. He got a momentary thrill of fear at the sight of the rugged rocks below. As they swooped into a mountain valley, Jaascin saw a herd of huge elk among the trees. He hoped the dragon was not hungry. He did not relish riding the back of a dragon, as she plunged into a clearing to make a meal of one of them. Luckily the dragon flew on, and Jaascin breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps she was noting where they were so she could return for a meal. Jaascin’s keen Elven eyes could see clearly even at that distance. Coorivan saw only light colored moving dots among the green of the forest. Although the dragons did dip and rise as they navigated the mountain peaks, Coorivan noted the flight was unusually smooth. Pretty soon, Jaascin was aware the mountains were becoming less rugged and mostly forest covered. As they came over a forest covered peak, Jaascin saw what looked like a clearing with buildings in it. They reached the landing area in early afternoon. As soon as the dragons settled to the ground, they unloaded their possessions and Jaascin thanked the dragons.

“I hope you enjoyed the trip, Coorivan,” said the dragon on which he rode.

“Actually, I can truthfully say I did enjoy it. It will probably be the only such experience I will ever have,” Coorivan told her.

“That is, unless you insist on traveling with Jaascin,” said the first dragon, with what Coorivan thought was a smile. The dragons then departed, leaving Jaascin and Coorivan to look around the area. The horses, the Elven Prince had promised, were there in an enclosure behind the buildings. The buildings were substantial, although small. They did look like huts compared to the large lodge in the area on the other side of the mountains. Coorivan made a comment to that effect. Jaascin merely smiled. He had done with worse accommodations than this before. Jaascin and Coorivan were only planning to stay the night and then leave for the Elven forest in the morning. Jaascin had been told it would take a day to reach an Inn on the border of the forest.

Jaascin was able to create an enchantment that would keep the magic of the forest from affecting Coorivan. Coorivan was looking forward to being able to see an Elven forest. He had heard of them from the Elven friends from some of the universities. It would be exciting to actually experience being in an Elven forest. It would be an experience he would never have had if he hadn’t met Jaascin. He smiled as he thought of the circumstances that brought him together with Jaascin. He wondered if Jaascin would discover why he had been driven to this area. Coorivan’s ship had inadvertently been caught in that unnatural storm. At least Jaascin claimed it was not of natural origin. That is why they had come to this side of the mountains on the dragon’s backs. Jaascin was now sure it was this side of the mountains on which he should have landed.

They were planning to travel to the Elven forest and to the University in the King’s city. Jaascin wanted to find out as much as he could about the Kingdom that was next to the forest. It was in this kingdom, Jaascin hoped to learn the reason he was driven to this part of the world. He had never traveled this part of the world before.

It seems, there was little known about this Kingdom and the Queen that ruled it. This intrigued Jaascin and made him wary, but did not cause him any great concern. However, he was hoping to learn as much as he could from the scholars at the University in the Elven forest. Perhaps this might give him some clue as to why that storm drove his ship to this area. He still wondered, if it had anything to do with the fact he had the three dragon’s gems. The silver dragons hadn’t hinted at any problem they knew of. Of course, any problems might not have concerned the dragons, at least not yet. Jaascin wondered if the silver dragons might offer their help, if he found he could use it.

As they came into the Elven forest in late afternoon, Coorivan noted the forest was very beautiful and seemed peaceful. Although the trees were very tall, the way was softly lit. To Coorivan, the flowers seemed to be especially beautiful and the air had a very pleasing perfume. There seemed to be brightly colored birds every where. It seemed a peaceful place, full of the songs of birds. With a smile Jaascin said that was Elven music. It is interesting, thought Coorivan, our horses hooves don’t seem to make a sound, as if we were traveling on a carpet.

They did reach a nice Inn toward evening. As they came into the Inn, they were looked over with interest. Although Jaascin looked part Elf, it was obvious Coorivan was not. However, it did not seem that Coorivan was bothered by the magic of the forest. That surprised the Elves in the Inn. As he came up to the Innkeeper, Jaascin decided he would show he was a wizard. He waved his hand over the counter and three gold coins appeared. They were Elven gold, the Innkeeper noted.

“We would like two of your best rooms for the night,” Jaascin said.

“Yes, my Lord,” said the Innkeeper, “You shall have them. Are you on the way to the King’s city?” he asked.

“Yes,” said Jaascin. “We are to meet Prince Caylion there.”

Chapter One

Jaascin and Coorivan scanned the early morning sky. Suddenly, in the distance, three specks appeared over the mountains.

“They are right on time as I expected,” Jaascin commented.

The three specks soon took on the vague form of three winged creatures. Soon it was obvious they were three dragons, actually three very large Silver Dragons. They are magnificent creatures, thought Coorivan. Then he smiled, as it occurred to him, he was thinking that of creatures, he would have been in mortal fear of a short time ago. He was still just a little apprehensive about riding on the back of a dragon. Jaascin seemed very calm, so that somewhat reassured him. The three silver dragons came sailing in to a landing close to where they were standing. They folded their wings as they settled to the ground. Jaascin and Coorivan had their things ready to load on the backs of the dragons. Having gotten over the fear of those huge creatures, Coorivan could think of them as magnificent. For ones so huge, they landed very easily and smoothly. As soon as they were settled, Jaascin and Coorivan loaded their packs on the dragons and then climbed on board. They settled themselves as low on the back of their dragon as was possible. The leather scales were rounded, not sharp, Jaascin noted. The backs of the dragons, although leathery, were rough, so they were not slippery. Jaascin and Coorivan gripped the scales with their gloved hands and locked their soft booted feet in the scales. They settled themselves into a kind of depression between the huge wings. As soon as they were settled on board, the dragons launched themselves into the air and rose into the sky. It was rather exhilarating to watch the ground recede beneath them. Coorivan was surprised the takeoff was as smooth as it was. They were dressed very warmly and crouched low on the dragon’s backs to keep out of the wind. Jaascin had communicated to the leading dragon regarding the landing area, on the other side of the mountains. Apparently the dragon knew of it. As they flew, Jaascin noted they flew through the openings between the mountain peaks, not over them. Jaascin was sure that was to keep he and Coorivan out of the cold and thinner air above the peaks. At times, they seemed to skim the tops of the trees that climbed the lower sides of the peaks.

It was a bright sunny day, so the sun gave them some warmth. Coorivan occasionally glanced as the dragon leaned to one side in a gentle curve. He got a momentary thrill of fear at the sight of the rugged rocks below. As they swooped into a mountain valley, Jaascin saw a herd of huge elk among the trees. He hoped the dragon was not hungry. He did not relish riding the back of a dragon, as she plunged into a clearing to make a meal of one of them. Luckily the dragon flew on, and Jaascin breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps she was noting where they were so she could return for a meal. Jaascin’s keen Elven eyes could see clearly even at that distance. Coorivan saw only light colored moving dots among the green of the forest. Although the dragons did dip and rise as they navigated the mountain peaks, Coorivan noted the flight was unusually smooth. Pretty soon, Jaascin was aware the mountains were becoming less rugged and mostly forest covered. As they came over a forest covered peak, Jaascin saw what looked like a clearing with buildings in it. They reached the landing area in early afternoon. As soon as the dragons settled to the ground, they unloaded their possessions and Jaascin thanked the dragons.

“I hope you enjoyed the trip, Coorivan,” said the dragon on which he rode.

“Actually, I can truthfully say I did enjoy it. It will probably be the only such experience I will ever have,” Coorivan told her.

“That is, unless you insist on traveling with Jaascin,” said the first dragon, with what Coorivan thought was a smile. The dragons then departed, leaving Jaascin and Coorivan to look around the area. The horses, the Elven Prince had promised, were there in an enclosure behind the buildings. The buildings were substantial, although small. They did look like huts compared to the large lodge in the area on the other side of the mountains. Coorivan made a comment to that effect. Jaascin merely smiled. He had done with worse accommodations than this before. Jaascin and Coorivan were only planning to stay the night and then leave for the Elven forest in the morning. Jaascin had been told it would take a day to reach an Inn on the border of the forest.

Jaascin was able to create an enchantment that would keep the magic of the forest from affecting Coorivan. Coorivan was looking forward to being able to see an Elven forest. He had heard of them from the Elven friends from some of the universities. It would be exciting to actually experience being in an Elven forest. It would be an experience he would never have had if he hadn’t met Jaascin. He smiled as he thought of the circumstances that brought him together with Jaascin. He wondered if Jaascin would discover why he had been driven to this area. Coorivan’s ship had inadvertently been caught in that unnatural storm. At least Jaascin claimed it was not of natural origin. That is why they had come to this side of the mountains on the dragon’s backs. Jaascin was now sure it was this side of the mountains on which he should have landed.

They were planning to travel to the Elven forest and to the University in the King’s city. Jaascin wanted to find out as much as he could about the Kingdom that was next to the forest. It was in this kingdom, Jaascin hoped to learn the reason he was driven to this part of the world. He had never traveled this part of the world before.

It seems, there was little known about this Kingdom and the Queen that ruled it. This intrigued Jaascin and made him wary, but did not cause him any great concern. However, he was hoping to learn as much as he could from the scholars at the University in the Elven forest. Perhaps this might give him some clue as to why that storm drove his ship to this area. He still wondered, if it had anything to do with the fact he had the three dragon’s gems. The silver dragons hadn’t hinted at any problem they knew of. Of course, any problems might not have concerned the dragons, at least not yet. Jaascin wondered if the silver dragons might offer their help, if he found he could use it.

As they came into the Elven forest in late afternoon, Coorivan noted the forest was very beautiful and seemed peaceful. Although the trees were very tall, the way was softly lit. To Coorivan, the flowers seemed to be especially beautiful and the air had a very pleasing perfume. There seemed to be brightly colored birds every where. It seemed a peaceful place, full of the songs of birds. With a smile Jaascin said that was Elven music. It is interesting, thought Coorivan, our horses hooves don’t seem to make a sound, as if we were traveling on a carpet.

They did reach a nice Inn toward evening. As they came into the Inn, they were looked over with interest. Although Jaascin looked part Elf, it was obvious Coorivan was not. However, it did not seem that Coorivan was bothered by the magic of the forest. That surprised the Elves in the Inn. As he came up to the Innkeeper, Jaascin decided he would show he was a wizard. He waved his hand over the counter and three gold coins appeared. They were Elven gold, the Innkeeper noted.

“We would like two of your best rooms for the night,” Jaascin said.

“Yes, my Lord,” said the Innkeeper, “You shall have them. Are you on the way to the King’s city?” he asked.

“Yes,” said Jaascin. “We are to meet Prince Caylion there.”