Algadon fan fiction

[malakai]

Draco Gules Also known as the Common Red Dragon, is a creature native to the low desert and sandy wastes east of the kingdom of Algadon. It is the smallest species of Dragon known on the continent, usually reaching a length of about 15 feet, although specimens of up to 22 feet have been known to exist.
The Red Dragon is a ferocious fighter and an apex predator in its natural habitat. The sparse vegetation in this environment allow the Dragon to use its flaming breath weapon with alarming frequency without fear of destroying the local ecosystem. It hunts small desert creatures such as sidewinders, gila monsters, jackrabbits, kangaroo mice, buzzards, coyotes and roadrunners. It also supplements its diet with flora such as barrel cactus, saguaro and prickly pear cactus. The Red Dragon does not go out of its way to hunt humans and their ilk, but it will kill and devour them if they stray into it's terratory. Although after such a large meal they will become sedentary and hibernate in a cave or under the sand until the meal is digested.
The Red Dragon is highly agile and swift, and is capable of natural flight. (Unlike the much larger black dragon which stays aloft assisted by the presence of a magical organ in it's brain. See the entries under Draco Sable and Pegasus Wing Talisman. The extract from this organ is used in the manufacture of these magical items.)
The functioning of the breath weapon is thought to have a magical basis, or be a magically assisted biological function. There seems to be no limit to it's use of the flaming breath technique, and the highly irascable beast will aggressivley attack anything which moves with flames, talons and sharp teeth. The breath flames have low pressure, as if they are mostly composed of a lighter than air gas.
The Red Dragon is known to seek caves to lair in. The low desert and sandy waste region are thought to once have been a sea bed in the remote past, and there are limestone cave formations scaterred liberally thoughout the region. These creatures are possesed of an abnormally long life span, and are known hoarders of gold and other trophy items which they keep from hapless humans who wander into their turf. Their flesh makes an excellent meal and is considered a delicacy by the desert dwelling tribes of the area. It is usually eaten quite rare, as the flesh is highly resistant to heat and takes a long time to cook.
-From Liber Taxonomica Algadonesis by Malakai of Atreides.

[malakai]

Excepted from the extended entry on Draco Sable from Liber Taxonomica Algadonensis by Malakai of Atreides.

-At the time i was sitting in my little workroom in the Keep of Castle Atreides, deep in the heart of Caladan province, southwest of Algadon City, along the rocky western coast. I was soothed by the crash of the surf against the base of the cliff far below, and I would occasionally clear my mind by gazing out the window at the marvellous ocean view.
My humble yet comfortable quarters were reward for faithful service in the Clan Wars, and, in accordance with my new title as Royal Scribe of the Atreides, I had been provided with them for the furtherance of my duties.
I was engrossed in my work, which was, at the moment, quite tedious; cataloging the dead and wounded of our clan, and penning letters of condolences to their widows and families, and the recording of disbursements of rewards, and pensions due.
He came into my study as he usually does, suddenly and utterly silently. I was rubbing my eyes and looked up to gaze out the window at the setting sun over the dark blue ocean once again, and there he was, doing that damn glowing thing, and holding his wings folded back behind him in an uncannily intimidating manner. I jumped a little and gasped. I do it every time, cant help myself.
"Dammit Hotfire, I asked you to quit sneaking up on me like that!"
"I've been watching you for a while."
"You're always watching, dammit, even in my nightmares."
"I mean over time. I have decided I have a special task for you."
This made me cringe, as boring as the secretary work was, I did not relish the idea of going out on another one of Hotfire's tasks. The last one had almost killed me.
"How may I be of service, My Lord," I said.
"First, you could sound a little more enthusiastic, but don't strain yourself."
"Yes my Lord." Humbly.
"I wish you to document the hunting of the Black Dragon. You will not need to fight it, for that you are not ready. Still, it will be dangerous. So you must not be reckless."
"I shall stridently endevour to preserve my grey orcish arse, sire."
"Good. Now, you will rise on the morrow, and meet with the Princess of Cyz. You will travel as part of her entourage, and witness her in personal combat with the beast. You will record what you see for posterity, and for the glory of the Clan."
"As you wish, sire."
"And Malakai, the documents before you must be complete by morning, for the journey will be long, and the wounded and the greived must be served promptly, lest our honour suffer."
"As you wish, sire." The last through gritted teeth.
I did mange to finish that work, and even get a little sleep. The next day I was woken by a page with a silver bell, and an empty bucket of water, as the bell had failed to rouse me. I reported to the great hall and took my meal alongside the company which was preparing for the Black Dragon expedition. I caught a glimpse of the Princess, and suddenly my task did not seem such a burden.
It took about a week of long marches to reach the mountain where the dragon was known to lair. Then there was the treacherous climb to the yawning cavern mouth near the peak. We were near my homeland, and I felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
Only a few of us had made the climb. The cooks and ladies in waiting, the servants and their ilk, had remained at the base camp. Only I, the Princess and six gaurdsmen followed the guide up the steep path.
The guide halted at the cave mouth. The gaurdsmen were visibly nervous. The Princess, however, seemed unafraid. She respected this opponent, and was alert and ready. But she was also dead calm, seemingly unaware or unperturbed by the fearsome reputation of this dragon.
we proceeded down into the darkness, and right away a foul stench struck us. Princess muttered a few words of some minor, obscure spell and the stench faded. Then she drew out a blade crackling with bluish energy and the darkness was banished as well.
We heard a growl from deep within the cavern, but the light she bore did not penetrate that far. Suddenly, the dragon burst into flames all along its sinous back and it roared a mighty roar. Princess was upon it, and the gaurdsmen sought cover behind rocks, taking careful aim with their crossbows and reloading steadily as the mystic warrior Princess held the mighty beast at bay. She was a silluoette against the blazing animal, like a gazelle brazenly facing a flaming lion. The monster was fearsome. But she was fearless, and her magic and her weapons beat down the dragon mercilessly, until it fell back crooning in pain. At last she took its head in a mighty swipe of her magical Blade.
She wooped in triumph, and then cracked its skull open deflty with a special hammer which had dangled by her waist. Moving quickly, she drew out of its brain a small purplish organ, still pulsing with life, and waved to the gaurdsmen. Their leader stepped forward with a glass jar and a pair of special gloves. The Princess of Cyz donned the gloves and crushed the arcane organ with both hands, squeezing a purplish glowing juice into the jar, which the gaurdsman sealed and put away. It would later be used to make a magical energy talisman which could be worn on a garment, or around ones neck.
She strutted past me, back towards to mouth of the cavern, grinning broadly.
"Looks like I got me another pair of wings!"

[malakai]

Draco Or

-Excerpts from the extended entry from Liber Taxonomica Algadonensis by Malakai of Atreides

Draco Or Magnus also known as the great golden dragon, is the largest and most powerful Draconic species on the continent of Algadon. The Golden Dragon dwells cheifly on mountain peaks or upon cloud islands. It is beleived that they sometimes seize the cloud islands from Sky Giants, and dwell in their castles thereon, for the Golden Dragon does not itself engage in construction or architecture. Golden Dragons' diet consists mostly of Sky Giants, giant mountain goats, young Rocs, gems and precious metals. They collect vast hoards of precious metals which serve as both beds and emergency food sources. Minerals and gold deposits find their way into the diamond hard scales of the creatures, which accounts for their color and the tremendous value of their hide. The highly magical nature of the golden dragon allow several magical items to be made from harvested parts, most notably the renowned Mask of Courage. Golden dragons can float like balloons or dart about like swallows. They are exceedingly intelligent, and many speak the tongues of man. They are capable of charming with their words, or even with their gaze alone. Only very powerful beings survive encounters with them, and even some of those end up enslaved, cursed, or insane.

--- I had only recently returned from the expedition hunting the Black Dragon,gotten a little rest and thenrecorded my experience on smooth vellum sheets. Just as I put the finishing seal upon the document, and rose from my chair to bring the scroll to the library vault, Our illustrious leader made another appearence. Once again I was startled at his sudden arrival, I swear I think he does it on purpose. It must amuse him.
"Well done, Malakai, Now prepare yourself for the next mission."
"Where am I off to this time Sire?"
"Both of us are going to visit the venerable Mage Masokis. Then you will act as an observer while he takes posession of a cloud castle that I desire as a summer retreat from its current resident."
"And whom, may I ask, is the current resident?" I said, knowing that I would not like the answer.
"A golden dragon. A most foul old wyrm. Its time has come, and Mage Masokis is just the hand for the deed."
"When will we be leaving?" I asked.
"Now." He said and gestured at the window. The great glass panes unbolted themselves and swung open. As I starred wide eyed at the window I felt strong hands grasp me by the elbows and lift me up. I felt myself lurch forward and I heard the rush of air under Hotfire's powerful wings as we surged through the open window out over the castle walls and the rocky sea cliffs far below. within seconds we were far out over the sea hurtling upwards towrds a string of puffy aclouds. Before too long we were amongst those clouds and I discovered that nestled between them was a smaller cloud fixed with a castle atop it. The castle had tall thin towers with arched bridges connecting them. Flying buttresses held up tall walls of great halls. It was a fairy tale castle, but built of cyclopean dimensions. I had learned from my recent studies that such huge castles in the clouds were the work of sky giants, but were coveted by both golden dragons and mages alike for their security and comfort.
We approached a balcony of a large tower which dominated the lesser structure around it. There was an entrace to the interior and we landed and passed through it. Some arcane rune etched secretly in the doorway glowed as we passed through, but Hotfire muttered a password and the rune did not fry us.
We entered a massive hall. It was sparsely furnished, yet what their was was all of excellent make and rare quality. There were tapestries with moving scenes of ancheint battles and hunts of mysterious monsters, a whale fur rug, and a number of gilt divans clustered around a huge fireplace. Only cold ashes were in the hearth, however, as the weather was fair.
Some yards off towards the center of the floor sat an ordinary looking man lazing in a golden throne. He had his feet propped up upon a jade coffer topped by a silken silver pillow. He wore a yellow silken tunic and blue denim pantaloons. On his feet were pink bunny slippers. I thought them mundane items until one of them blinked. He was smoking a fat cigar which gave off a delicious aroma, and I suspected that it contained some other rare herb in addition to tobacco. Before him was an enormous crystal ball, some four feet in diameter. Within its glass played a most curious scene. There was a stone arena of sorts, with a long rectangular field. Seated within the arena were hundreds of bronze skinned, scantily clothed people watching others run about the field below chasing a head sized ball. The people on the feild wore feathery costumes and would bounce the ball about with their hips and feet, trying to cause the ball to fly through stone hoops affixed to the narrow sides of the rectangular field. Some small groups of persons in very elaborate dress sat in boxes at these ends. watching the game with great enthusiasm.

"Malakai, Meet the esteemed Mage Sir Masokis of Atreides." Said Hotfire.
"My pleasure and honour, Sir Mage. May I ask . . . ?"
"Oh, I was just catching a game. Sacred Indian Football. Don't get too attached to a favorite team, though, they turn the losers into human sacrifices. "
"I have never seen people like that, their skin, their dress . . ."
"Oh, yeah. Aztecs. Live on a continent across the geat ocean. If you ever go to face a monster called Quetzalcoatl, you will find yourself in their land. Dont ask them for assistance though, they worship them."
"Thank you, I will remember that ."
"Allright them. Lets get down to business." He waved his hand and the crystal ball went blank. Then he kicked off the bunny slippers and they ran off to their closet.
"Me and Hotfire have to discuss some clan business, Hot here is gonna be away for a while. I'll have Dontello show you to your quarters and we will begin our little quest tommorow."
I just stood nodding in aknowledgement. This plain looking fellow had just referred to hunting a gold dragon as alittle quest.
"Where is that darn Imp? Dontello! DONATELLO!"
There was a puff of smoke and a two foot tall, devilish looking, bat winged, green skinned, fanged, drooling imp appeared before us
"You called Master" It said.
"Escort Malakai here safely to his assigned quarters, and have the kitchen send him up a suitable meal."
"Ah, the convert. We meet at last." Said the Imp
"Donatello, mind your manners. not all Orcs need be evil."
"Yes master"
I followed the Imp as the two powerful beings remained behind. As I left the room Hotfire was drawing out some map scroll and laying it out on a recently conjured table.
We went down a winding stair, each step three feet high. The Imp flew, appearing amused at my difficulty. We arrived in a long trophy hall with many solid doors along its lenghth. Passing many doors and many things, I saw there arks and chalices of gold, glittering robes hung on pegs, rare books and weapons of myriad kind. There was an old staff of the magi, left in the corner like it was a tattered, disused umbrella.
"Dontatello, Why do they call your master Masokis.?
"Tis not his true name, sure." The imp mused. "Dangerous it would be to let that out. But when he is wounded in battle, he laughs with glee, licks the blood and whatnot, and then redoubles his attack. He seems to enjoy the pain."
"Oh." Said I, still not understanding the reference. I decided to let it be.
Presently we came to a door, and the Imp let me in with a key. I was glad to be rid of him and closed the door behind me. The chamber was comfortable and the meal came quick. It was manflesh. I had not had it in some time. It was delicious, of course. Some one had scared this human good before slaying him, I could taste the fear. I appreciated the Imps joke. His master had said a "suitable" meal. But perhaps he should have been more specific. I just hoped it was a condemned criminal or something.

[malakai]

Donatello fetched me back in the morning, luckily I did not have to climb that colossal stair again, but was led to a broad semicicular balconyon the east side of the castle overlooking a stunningly beautiful sunrise.
Masokis was there, looking quite different than he had the day before. He was clean shaven and had that disturbing glowy effect that the warrior angels like Hotfire and others have when they are angered or ready for battle. He wore magnificent robes and a myriad of various amulets and talismans. He was dripping with magic. He nodded at me breifly, gave a conspiratorial smile, turned towards the rising sun, raised his arms, and called a storm.
It came on fast, boiling up out of the sea borne upon a strong and steady wind out of the east. The clouds about us blew away and I could see the winds were carrying us further out to sea as the shoreline of Algadon's west coast faded into a limb and was gone.
It was several hours later when the winds died and we slowed. There was only our cloud alone in a vast blue sky. Masokis bid me to rise from the cyclopean chamber where we lounged as we waited and ate fine foods and sipped a blue wine. We went to the western balcony this time. Masokis worked another spell, calling the words out loudly, repeatedly, and there before my eyes, a veil of sorts parted, and another cloud island appeared. Its invisibility cloak dispelled, a hundred yards across a gaping divide which led all the way down to the tiny ripples of the waters below.
"Wait here, and keep your head low"
The dragon had roused itself when the invisibility spell went down. It was BIG. Its slow sinous roll and sudden flowing dashes through the air were mesmerizing. Masokis sprouted demon wings and engaged in aerial combat with it. He hit it with a spell called ice needle, which is not a fair description, for it should be called 'surging waves of thousands of five inch long ice daggers which can pierce a dragons scales and melt into acidic pain', but I guess that would be too windy. It was like watching a cockfight in a little village, but on a much grander scale. The Dragon was damaging the mage, it seemed like no human frame could withstand so much, but Masokis, true to the Imp Donatello's description, seemed to thrive on the hits he was taking. He crafitly led the beast back over its own cloud island. A couple of times as it swooped at him, and he would dart aside in a quick wingover manuever, and the dragon slammed into its own castle, damaging both itself and the castle. When it finally fell, it fell into the courtyard, rather than far below to be lost in the sea. In this way, the mighty mage insured that he could harvest its parts for valuable magical ingredients.
I was satisfied. I looked forward to another night in this comfortable castle and perhaps a little more manflesh for dinner. I would have to ask Donatello about it later.

[Belarion]

A lone traveller, an ageless woman clad in flowing green and blue robes and carrying a walking staff, could be seen walking down an endless road, the landscape around her and the road changing from plains, to hills and even forests farther down. The road was straight as an arrow, going in a line though the landscape, and at the end of it, the sun could be seen rising up - it was dawn. The traveller looked towards that horizon as she walked forward determinedly, with the sun shining brightly down at her from above. There appeared to be noone else on the road but the woman, or in the surroundings for that matter. All of a sudden, she stopped up and smiled brightly, and looked up towards the cloudless sky instead, holding her staff in one hand upwards as well. For one moment, there was a flash of the brightest light around her. When it faded, the same woman stood in the same spot, in the same posture, but instead clad in armor of the purest gold, a white, flowing cloak and holding a spear in place of her staff. An aura of what looked roughly like fine golden dust radiating from her, falling downwards but never ceasing, not too unlike dust motes caught in the light.
She smiled and nodded, then changed position and began walking again, satisfied and maybe a little amused aswell, looking towards the horizon again, the sun now clear and well above it.

'Ever onwards.'

[malakai]

Thanks for adding some content Bel! I'm guessing you went premium recently?

[Belarion]

Yup!
Other people dont seem to be interested in your fan fiction though :S I read it and like it, however!

[malakai]

I have a handful of readers in my clan. 525+ views and a dozen posts adds up to about four dozen readers or so . . . in my rough guess.
I am stewing on a story about a contest boss, now. And maybe something about the quests.

[batdan13]

WOW, that is some excellent writing... I love your fan fiction and was totally engrossed in the story. if you ever publish a book, which i believe you are a good enough writer to do, let me know I will get in line to buy it!

Bat

[malakai]

I still gotta do a little editing. Stay tuned for more.