My cats take me to the next world book 3 by D.A. Sanford - HTML preview

The tumultuous years

The world is now under the dragon rule. Not everything is going well. The areas that were under the protection of the dragons, such as the village of Beall, know it as a peace they never had when they were on their own.

They are the exceptions.

For most other areas, they see no difference in the day to day but in the noble’s domain, things are different.

Most have had their fortunes turned up side down. There were a few that were found to be using the funds provided to them by the kingdom being used as they were intended.

Mostly for the care of the orphans. Some even used their own funds to help. They were commended and endorsed by the dragons.

The remainder, however, were found to be using the funds for their own benefit. After hearing what happened to the first ones found. The trip to above the clouds and then dropped was enough to cause them to take action. Most fled with their wealth.

Those became an underground resistance. Forming their own armies, they try to extort money from the population to support the rebellion. A lot of the human population joins

them. No one alive, with the exception of the elder races, remembers what it was like under the previous dragon rule and why they gave it up.

In the first times, the dragon race was the most intelligent race and ruled. Keeping the peace and guiding the other races towards the day that they all could live together.

There came the inevitable time that most races had come to the point that they wanted self rule.

The first were the elven races. They showed a superior intelligence. That later turned into a superiority complex. Being aloof, they tended to be isolationists. They did not want to take the chance that there would be a mixing of blood with other inferior races..

That even led to division in their own species.

Being isolationists, there really was no problem with the peace.

Humans, on the other hand, had the superiority complex also. They to convinced the dragons into letting them self rule. They used the example of the elves. The dragons allowed them to govern themselves.

Over time, unlike the elves, they formed the belief that all other’s were inferior so they needed to be subjugated. Thus slavery began. All other species were fair game. Based on their abilities, their worth was determined and yes, even those aloof elves fell victim to the slavers.

The goblins fared worse. Their value was one of expendable. No resale value. The men and women were worked to death. The only exception was the females that were attractive. They were sold as sex toys. Most were used and abused. If they got pregnant, they weren’t even worth getting abortions or getting fixed. Most were cast out as so much garbage. To die in the forest was their fate.

Little did those humans know, there were some that did not perish. They went on to have those children. Almost all were born as goblins but they did get intelligence boosts from the human parent. Females especially. The male line has taken more time but by the time of Justin, they have proven that the goblin species is evolving from primitive to a productive people.

Humans have retained the racist attitudes. They are guided by their rulers. They are even split among themselves. As example, if some area finds out that a person is from a dragon protected area, such as Beall, they would be driven out.

Today, the dragons have ruled for over a decade. The landscape territory has changed around the manor. Each of our original five outpost manors have dragon towers. The towers were ordered by both the matriarch Gabor and the Watcher.

They are all impressive. Built so several full dragons can land at once, they are manned, so to speak, day and night. Always on alert, all with one mandate, protect the Clan of Martin, All of the towers are designed after the first and only one that is on the manor property itself. The King’s tower.

King Draco, being the father of Justin’s wife Sorra and grandfather of her son Draco, Justin allowed him to have his tower on the manor acreage. That tower is decorated to complement the manor. Flower gardens were planted and are being tended by the four aunts. The design is said to be the inspiration of Abigails first litter’s Shelia.

Shelia, now married, is off duty from the army, due to her being almost ready to deliver her first litter. That is eagerly anticipated by all the army but not as much as the prospective grandparents Chip and Abigail.

Racheal, Mazet and others of the army are at the Clan of the Dragon palace being trained in the dragon ways. On the inspirational end of this is that they all have had larger sizes of their original armor and sash made. Their original armor and sash are framed and hanging in the manor’s great hall.

The three, Draco, Justin and Ellenore are the leaders of the children army and are getting close to the age where they can graduate to the adult army. That is a fifteen year old minimum age. But Draco said that he will not go until Justin and Ellenore are able to go. You can see the bond that the three have.

The two boys are bold and need their sister to ground them. Being an Amazon as her mother Hilda, she is larger than the both and has been known to pick each up off the ground when they get too spirited. It was predicted and now shows, she is the one that grounds the two brothers. With out her they would put themselves in harm’s way.

It was one of those days where the originals were training the new recruits. The group now had more goblins and dragons in it that there was at the beginning. The other species were included but, of late, there were less humans.

Justin felt that was because of the dragon rule. It was just their loss because he has seen that the humans trained, especially at the lake camp come away with a greater respect for each as individuals rather than species.

Again, it started as just one of those days. Suddenly an unwelcomed sound is heard.

The King’s tower is issuing the alert signal. There is an intruder or intruders in the area.

Most are taken care of in quick fashion but this time some of the airborne are being hurt by modified arrows.

It seems that they are being hit in similar spots where the hide is not as thick. When Christine retrieves the arrows and heals the wounds, she brings the arrows to me. One look and I could tell what it was. I call the king.

“How well known is the dragon physiology?”

“Just general things that we display. Why do you ask?”

I show him the arrow. The tail is large and hollow. The smell of rudimentary powder is evident.

“This looks like it is accelerated by an explosive to give it the extra boost in speed.

Christine tells me that all the wounds are in softer areas. They have learned about your anatomy and about propellant. Have you gotten any word on missing dragons or raids on your burial grounds?”

“Burial grounds have wards that will kill anyone other than a dragon if they enter without permission. No one has gone missing.” He hesitates then says “for too long.”

“What do you mean, for too long?”

“There have been a few that have been on routine flights but ended up staying over some place. Weather, fatigue and such.”

Then he can still hear the Watcher’s words.

“King Draco, just know that one of your own kind will betray the Clan of Martin. Be on guard. I will be watching.”

He does not tell me about the Watcher’s warning but tells me that he will be looking into anyone that is too late coming from a mission.

I can see a worried look on his face but I tell him that I’m confident on his ability to take care of it.

As far as the intruders, my goblins are masters of stealth. The ambushed them and tried to take prisoners but to the last man they killed themselves rather than be captured.

Their report and the bodies confirm that they all were human. That meant resistance.

So far, I have been reluctant as to putting spies into the resistance but it may be necessary.

Young Draco has been hanging around us and suggests.

“Why don’t you start trying to pick up the human couriers. They will not be taking the normal routes. If it was me, I would be taking the less traveled routes. They may be longer but safer.”

We both look at him. He is dead serious. He is also right.

He then says,

“I would scout those trails first then see how many are traveling light. Maybe too light for the trail and going fast. Once you find a route, pick up everyone that is like that and bring them to the nearest tower.”

Now my juices are flowing. Then I comment

“They would not risk a trail where there is a tower nearby. I would have a few of the dragons in out of the way hidden places where those trails can be seen. Trusted ones.”

I look at my sons and say.

“Not either of you.”

You would think that they would have grown out of the pouty face but the look went to horror when they started to rise off the ground and a young female voice said

“I know what you both are thinking. Father said no.”

As she started to carry them away, I thank Ellenore.

The king comments,

Matriarch Gabor and the Watcher were right. Your Ellenore is exactly what those boys need. She is their ground.”

We both chuckle and Draco goes off to have the plan implemented. Much to my amazement, I found out later, he gave the assignment not to his most trusted people but to a few new recruit dragons who carried a volunteer goblin with them. The goblin could sneak closer. He later told me that adding the goblin factor was to keep the dragon in check also.

Leave it to the goblins. They came up with a twist on our original idea. Their people had developed a clear gas that would cause symptoms of fatigue and induce a person to sit and doze off. The person would sleep for around two hours. All of the goblins are literate.

The idea was so simple it escaped our attention. It was insidious in nature. Couriers would be bringing important messages, not books of data. Up dates, plans and such.

Most would be short.

The goblins have their own version of short hand. They can copy anything up to ten pages, in less than an hour, in that short hand, then they can convert it back to an accurate reproduction of the original.

This way, that courier would wake up after a short nap and feel better. Nothing missing or disturbed, they would continue on. The route would be still safe. As long as we changed the sleep location, no one would be the wiser.

The dragon and goblin came back from the first run. The goblin went into a room in their village. After an hour of the dragon telling us to please wait, the goblin came up to us and handed us a copy of what the courier was carrying.

We were shocked, to say the least, when they explained what they did.

“You know what you did?” I tell them “You have made it so that we can get a steady flow of information. Both of you now have the position of training our other locations on this technique. King Draco, do you agree.”

He looks at both and tells them.

“You both are no longer recruits. You are to be commended. I would like you to record exactly what you have done. We need more like the both of you.”

The messages that we intercepted had some new information but it did give us a glimpse into their workings. One disturbing item was the mention of information detailing the routine of the manor. There was a hint that they had previously gotten a map of our layout.

I need to hold a team meeting. We gather in the war room. I have invited my father in law King Draco and Gartok the leader of the goblin village.

“You need to know. The information we just received from the intercepted courier had detailed information on our daily routines. There was also a reference about a map they have for the manor grounds.”

Looking at Gartok, I continue.

“There was no specific details but I will say that it would be a safe bet that they know details of your village also. I ask you, have you seen anyone walking around your village that looked like they were studying it?”

“We have not. I can say that because, since we have become in great demand, we have controls in place to limit people sight seeing.”

Draco looks like he carrying a very heavy load. He reluctantly starts to talk.

“I have been holding something that was told to me a long time ago. It was when my grandson was just a baby.”

He looks at my wife and she nods

“The Watcher told me to be on guard because one of my own will betray the Clan of Martin. The only way anyone could make a detailed map of the manor grounds and the village, without anyone suspecting them, would be from my tower. The tower would be the ideal point to record your routines. My own pride has gotten me in trouble. I have only allowed Clan of the Dragon members to man the tower.”

He hangs his head as he speaks this,

“I am no longer fit to be king and will abdicate..”

He is stopped by a loud warning. The Watcher has appeared before him and grabbed his chin and forces him to look her in the eyes. For the first time, I see him with a terrified look.

“I told you and no one else to be on guard. You and you alone must solve this. You will not be allowed to take the coward’s way out. Do your job and protect the Clan of Martin!”

She disappears and Rae does not reappear. We are all stunned at this stern warning.

I go to tell him that I will help him but he seems to know what I am going to say.

“I know that you are going to offer help but The Watcher is right. That was a coward’s way. This is my task and, as you heard, mine alone.”

Now my wife Martha goes up to him, putting her hand on his shoulder, she tells him.

“Yes, the task is yours and yours alone. Does a true leader perform every task himself?

No. A true leader will take a failure as his and his alone. A success for the true leader is using what ever source available but give the credit for the success to those who did the leg work.”

Now she gently holds the same chin, looking into the same eyes, she says to him,

“When the Watcher told you that you alone must solve this, what would the dragon community think if Justin pointed the finger at the Clan of the Dragon? The Watcher told you to solve this because anyone else would cause the future peace to crumble.

Dragons must find out who and why. Do you now understand why she was so forceful?

Now, the Watcher is on top of the tower. Go and tell her what your gut tells you to do.

Think of why you sent recruits out instead of your trusted. Ask for her advise on the best course of action.”

Then she hugs him and tells him to go.

After he leaves, it is Gartok that breaks the tension.

“Damn, that was too intense. Now what do we do to protect ourselves?”

“I would like to see your people erect their own tower. Keep it under the height of the King’s tower but I know that your researchers have studied the arrows they used. I know you. You already have a solution and improvements. Arm your tower so you can fire in a three hundred and sixty degree field of view. I suggest that you get some of the other races to help man that tower. That will promote trust.”

Now I address the others

“This point on, no one is unarmed. I mean no one. Even the children’s army. The defenders have been training with the wooden daggers and swords. Equip them with the real thing. We need them in here with the three leaders. We recall Rachael’s army.

We are under the dragon protection but we need to ultimately be responsible for our own safety.”

“One final thing, I don’t want anyone of you to be running to the king with observations of dragons. Tell me and I will inform him. The dragons are our clan brothers. Remember that.”

After Gartok leaves, I tell my wives that I know that each one can make their own decisions and I respect that. Then I ask Sorra to fly to Beall and bring the chief up to

date. Tell him that they may have trouble directed at them. He can just ring the alarm and we will be there for them.

Now I call for the children’s army to assemble in the hall. I have them all sit but I have the three stand before me. I can tell that they already have an inkling of what is happening.

As I look over the army, I see my children. It does not matter whether born to servant, wife or other clan members, they are all my children. I now address all three of the leaders.

“It has been discovered that the resistance has a map of our grounds and what our routines are. We are under the protection of the dragons but we also need to be able to defend ourselves. You three are the leaders. I have ordered that everyone is to be armed at all times. That includes your defenders. You three are to take your defenders to the armory and equip everyone with a weapon that suits each individuals. Healers will have a side arm but the main defense will be the responsibility of the defenders. You healers are responsible for the well being of your aunts. First sign of trouble you get them to safety. You have seen mama Christine practicing with weapons. You also have been practicing. Sometimes you need to protect. Defenders, your main task is to protect the healers while they do their job of getting the aunts to safety. You three are now in command of an armed force. You are responsible for their well being. This is the task that you all have been training for.”

Now I step back.

“Draco, Justin, Ellenore assemble your troops and see to it that they are properly armed. See to it that they take this seriously. Dismissed.”

This is the first time that I see the true dynamics of the three. Draco and Justin address their charges.

“Defenders follow me” Draco shouts and they march in step following Draco and Justin.

Now Ellenore addresses her charges,

“Healers, follow me.” And they march away.

To say that I am both proud and sad says it all.

I’m proud of them all for being so dedicated but sad that this day had to come. I remember the first time I saw Rachael as a kitten, get truly angry at the man who said that aunt Rose was his. She stood up and told him to get out or else and you could tell she meant it. But now we, no, I must have them be able to truly defend themselves.

On the King’s tower

The dragons of the king’s tower have been orders to leave and go to the other side of the manor grounds. This order came from the two standing at the top of the tower.

While everyone was still talking, The Watcher went to Matriarch Gabor and brought her back to the tower. There, after the dragons were dismissed, she brought matriarch Gabor up to speed on what she said to the king and why.

They were both standing there when a now humble king came to both, took knee and apologized to the Watcher.

“I’m sorry for my actions. I do realize that it was the coward’s way of ducking what my responsibility is.”

“Rise king and look as us.” matriarch Gabor tells him. “The Watcher took that manner because you did not realize what the reason she did not give that task to Justin. It is exactly the reason that Martha told you. We dragons are a proud race and yes we are stubborn and arrogant. Anyone outside our own accusing us of betrayal would demand retribution.”

The Watcher now speaks.

“I had to use that tone with you. You are not allowed to fall on your sword. Your will eventually relinquish your kingdom to its successors Draco and Justin, both your

grandsons. You stepping down at this time will only serve the faction that opposes dragon rule. I will give you a glimpse of that future.”

The three are enveloped in her white light and she takes them to that alternate future.

The future where he abdicated.

The vista he was shown told it all. There before him was a totally burned up landscape.

Dead laying all around.

Matriarch Gabor tells him,

“This is the future. The whole world is like this. There is nothing living on this world. Not even the smallest life exists. The only things living are a couple of humans that are not from this world. They are picking up all those precious things that you hoarded. Gold, silver and jewels. They jump here, collect those things and then leave.”

“This is a world six months after you abdicated. You are that important. That is why I told Justin and his team they could not go on quests. Anyone of you die or quit, this is the result. Death on a world scale. Do you see why I yelled at you?”

Before he could answer, they were back on the tower.

“Look out at the view, which world do you prefer? Now do you want to abdicate?”

Draco is almost broken at what he was shown.

“I never realized what my part in the whole scheme of things was. If I quit that would be the world in six months?”

“Yes” They both said.

“Forgive me for even thinking of that. May I ask you both, what should be my next step in finding who is responsible for this betrayal.”

“In my old world there was a saying. ‘Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. Consider yourself their enemy and you will find your answer.”

They both vanish in the Watcher’s smoke, leaving him all alone at the top of the tower.

Keep your enemies closer. If I’m the enemy than at least my closest may be my enemy.

I need to see who I keep close and who is closer.

The mere recollection of that desolate scene will give him nightmares for the rest of his life and it proves to be his strength.