The Dragon Ring (Book 1) Page 28

  Tournak coughed. Memlatec turned back to Saxthor.

  Memlatec noted the proud, faraway expression on Saxthor’s face. “Though the burdens were heavy, your forefathers never denied your dynasty’s burden. They rose to the challenges,” Memlatec said, thinking the gentle hooks of dynastic responsibility were binding the young man to his destiny. “Will you let all they’ve achieved be swept away?”

  Saxthor looked up smiling.

  An unusual ripple in the river jostled the boat, causing Memlatec to recheck the water lapping on the hull. He hoped the owl wasn’t off looking for rats. If Earwig’s agents discovered them, they were doomed. The craft settled back with no more disturbances. All focused again on Saxthor.

  Saxthor knew his decision would endanger all their lives. He fidgeted, turning the dragon ring on his finger. He glanced at Bodrin and then faced Memlatec with a wry smile.

  “You sent me to Tixos and Yamma-Mirra Heedra, too, I think.”

  “I had to be sure.”

  Saxthor nodded. “I understand that.”

  “Will you undertake the journey to retrieve the jewels?”

  Saxthor stood facing the wizard, his brilliant green eyes resolute. “I’ll do as you ask, if it can save Neuyokkasin.” He turned to his long time companions. “I’ll go alone. No need to endanger my friends.”

  “Fat chance of that,” Bodrin said standing. “Without me to watch out for you, you’ll trip on the boat rail, fall overboard, and drown. I’m going with you.”

  “Us,” Tournak said. He stood and put his hands on both their shoulders. He glanced at the young men and smiled at Saxthor. “You’re coming along with us.”

  Saxthor frowned looking at the ring he spun on his finger. “Wealth, power and position corrupted my aunt and uncle. Couldn’t the crown’s power, and indeed the dragon’s influence corrupt me?”

  “The crown came to you because you can wield the power it possesses without being overwhelmed by that power,” Memlatec said. “Remember who you are, Scion of the House of Calimon, and you’ll master those abilities.”

  “Very well, I’m a Neuyokkasin Prince of the House of Calimon de Chatronier. Like my ancestors, I’ll accept the challenge.”

  “Your lineage is your strength, Saxthor. You won’t fail for lack of trying.”

  Saxthor sat back down and scanned those around him. He took Sorblade from his belt and laid it on the table.

  “I hope this power is worth the risk of our lives.”

  Yamma-Mirra Heedra glowed in the ring on Saxthor’s finger.

  The End

  Neuyokkasinian Dictionary:

  Augusteros (a gus ter’ Os)

  Prince Consort and husband Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin of Neuyokkasin; also name of Crown Prince; brother of Saxthor Claremendak

  Ahkenspec (ah’ ken spek)

  King of Memptahhamin the remnant of forest elves now isolated and hidden in the western hills above the Morass Desert

  Akkin (ah’ kin)

  River flowing from Edros Swamps of southern Dreaddrac; Border between Prertsten and Heggolstockin

  Aleman (Al’ man)

  Memlatec’s housekeeper

  Armon (R’ mon)

  Sail maker and merchant in Tixumemnese; Memlatec’s agent to aid the travelers

  Astorax (as’ tor ax)

  Creature half man half deer with deer’s horns.

  Battara (Ba Tar’ a)

  Saxthor’s dog (as a boy in the palace)

  Betsoya (Bet soy’ a)

  Mother of Bodrin Vicksnak; Countess Vickinsoff

  Bodrin (Bod’ rin)

  Bodrin Vicksnak; Closest friend and companion of Prince Saxthor

  Bordabrundese (Bor’ da brun’ dEs)

  King Bordabrundese was king of the sandhill dwarves of Hador.

  Botahar (BO’ tah har)

  Primary inland commercial center of Sengenwha just north of Lake Pundar

  Calamidese (Cal am’ a dEs)

  King Calamidese VII, king of Sengenwha.

  Chatra (Cha’ tra)

  Prime minister of a sovereign court

  Calimon (Cal’ i mon)

  Family name of dynasty succeeding first dynasty of Neuyokkasin; Augusteros Calimon, Count de Chatronier and Neuyokkasinian Prince Consort; father of Prince Saxthor Claremendak Calimon de Chatronier

  Castilyernov (Cas’ til yer nov)

  Castle or fortress

  Chatronier (Sha’ tron yA)

  Title of Neuyokkasinian prince consort Augusteros Calimon

  Claremendak (Clair rem’ n dak)

  Middle name of Prince Saxthor Claremendak Calimon de Chatronier

  Crackle (Crac’ l)

  Rambunctious young dragon from Dreaddrac

  Dreaddrac (Dred’ drac)

  Kingdom of the Evil One at the northern point of the peninsular of northern Powteros continent

  Earwig (Ear’ wig)

  Upstart, classless woman who sold her soul to the Evil One through witchcraft to overthrow the ruling family of Neuyokkasin. Married to Minnabec III, deposed last ruler of first dynasty of Neuyokkasin Irkin Megla, formal name

  Earwighof (Ear’ wig hof)

  Fortress home of Zerwin and Minnabec III outside of Konnotan

  Edros (ed’ rOs)

  Swamps of southern Dreaddrac between east and west mountains on border of southern Dreaddrac

  Eleatsubetsvyertsin (el eat’ soo bets vyert’ sin)

  Eleatsubetsvyertsin Calimon de Chatronier, Queen of Neuyokkasin, daughter of Minnabec II, husband of Augusteros Calimon and mother of Prince Saxthor

  Favriana (Fav rea ah’ n a)

  Fortress in Talok-Lemnos guarding southern point of Lake Pundar at source of River Nhy

  Feldrik (Fel’ drik)

  Fortress in Heggolstockin at the mouth of the Akkin River that guarded against incursions from Dreaddrac and Prertsten

  Fortresska (For tres’ ka)

  Castilyernov at mouth of River Nhy and guarding harbor at Olnak in western Neuyokkasin

  Girdane (Gir’ dane)

  Commercial city of western Graushdem

  Graushdem (Graush’ dem)

  Principality between Hador and Talok-Lemnos

  Graushdemheimer (Graush’ dem hI mer)

  Capital of Graushdem

  Grekenbach (Grek’ en bok)

  Kings of Graushdem

  Habbernee (Hob ber’ nE)

  Former friend of Saxthor at court school; ner-do-well who sought to recover fortune in Highback Mountains of Tixos

  Hador (HA’ dor)

  Dukedom between Graushdem and Dreaddrac

  Heedra (HE’ dra)

  Neuyokkasinian commercial center at intersection of Rivers Nhy and Upper Nhy. Centrally located on the Vos Plain

  Heggolstockin (Heg’ Ol stock in)

  Principality at center of the northern peninsula of continent of Powteros

  Helshia (Hel’ sha)

  Island created by Memlatec off western coast of Tixos as hidden refuge for Prince Saxthor

  Hendrel of Hador (Hen’ drel)

  Sorcerer from Hador expelled when the dark presence moved in there

  Highback Mountains (HI’ back)

  Three mountains standing well above surrounding hills in remote northern most Tixos

  Hoya (Hoi’ ya)

  Northwestern most city of Talok-Lemnos on the Pundar River at border with Graushdem and Sengenwha

  Hyemka (Hyem’ ka)

  Commercial Neuyokkasinian city on River Nhy on the western edge of the Vos Plain

  Icktak (ic’ tak)

  Greeter elf from Talok Tak Forest elf kingdom

  Irkin (Irk’ n)

  Upstart witch-wife of Minnabec III of Neuyokkasin, from city of Wodin. Usually called Earwig

  Jedrac (Jed’ rac)

  Heggolstockin general who founded Hador as it’s first duke at the end of the Wizard Wars. Carved out his dukedom from Heggolstockin and declared his independence from Graushdem

  Keyock (KE’ ah k)

/>   Pigeon king

  Kious (KI’ us)

  King of Tixos

  Kieechee (KI E’ chE)

  Queen of Pigeons

  Konnotan (Kon’ oh tan)

  Capital of Kingdom of Neuyokkasin

  Lemnos (Lem’ nOs)

  Name of region in southern half, and lake in north of Talok-Lemnos

  Lyttia (Lit’ tE ah)

  Daughter of Henri Tulak, king of Talok-Lemnos; wife of King Minnabec II; Queen of Neuyokkasin, also last queen of Talok-Lemnos before absorption into Neuyokkasin

  Magwan (Mah’ gwan)

  Evil Dragon in time of the Third Wizard War; mother of Dragon Magnosious; Mate to Melnosious

  Magnosious (Mag nO’ shus)

  Dragon conjured from egg by Zerwin to destroy ruling family of Neuyokkasin; Son of Magwan and Melnosious

  Medrax (Med’ rax)

  Creature conjured by a sorcerer from an animal that combines both animal and man. The creature does the bidding of the sorcerer. Invariably evil

  Melnosious (Mel nO’ shus)

  Dragon father of Magnosious from days of Third Wizard War

  Memlatec (Mem’ la tec)

  Ancient primal wizard at the Neuyokkasinian court; mentor to Saxthor

  Memtahhamin (Mem’ tah hah’ min)

  Kingdom of forest elves ruled by Ahkenspec in a forest on the between Lake Pundar and the Morass Mesas

  Mendentak (Men’ den tak)

  King of Talok Tak forest elves (all members’ names end in ‘tak) Son of late King Peldentak and Queen Merritak

  Merritak (Mer’ i tak)

  Dowager Queen of Talok Tak forest elves, widow of King Peldentak, mother of King Mendentak

  Minnabec (Min’ ah bec)

  Kings of Neuyokkasin

  Munattahensenhov (Mun ah’ ta hen sen hov)

  Central mountain and highest peak of the Ice Mountains in Dreaddrac

  Neuyokkasin (Nua yok’ ka sin)

  Kingdom at the neck of the Powterosian peninsular encompassing the River Nhy and the Vos Plain. Ruled by Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin; home of Saxthor Claremendak Calimon

  Nhy (NI)

  Major river of the Powterosian peninsular and heart of the Kingdom of Neuyokkasin. Flows to the western sea at the port of Olnak

  Nonee (NO’ nE)

  Crown Princess of Neuyokkasin, sister of Saxthor, daughter of Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin and Prince Consort Augusteros

  Occintoc (oc’ n toc )

  Ancient empire covering most of the continent before the Wizard Wars. It collapsed in the first Wizard War leaving the continent to fragment into the early kingdoms

  Olnak (Ol’ nak)

  Second largest Neuyokkasinian city; Port for trading with Tixos and Harbor at mouth of the River Nhy

  Orc (Orc)

  Short, muscled, stupid foot soldiers bred by the Evil One to fight his enemies in battle as armies

  Ormadese (or’ ma dEs)

  King Ormadese, King of the Hadorian Mountain Dwarves.

  Ornsmak (Orn’ smak)

  Communications device created by magic with flexible form, able to travel through air, water or on earth with encoded message. Can only be recrystalized and played by addressee

  Pakwic (Pak’ wic)

  Clerk to Merchant of Tixumemnese working for Memlatec

  Persnella (Per Snel’ la)

  Wife of Hendrel the wizard and mother of Meklin and Hendrel Jr.

  Pindradese (Pin’ dra dEs)

  Pindradese II, Prince of Prertsten

  Powteros (Pow’ ter’ Os)

  Continent of the story; also largest empire and neighboring state to the south of Neuyokkasin; sometimes the continent was referred to as Powteros as well

  Prertsten (Prerts’ sten)

  Principality on western tip of peninsular, south of Dreaddrac and bordering Heggolstockin and Sengenwha on it south. Aligned with evil of Dreaddrac against the kingdoms of the southern peninsular

  Pundar (Pun’ dar)

  River and lake of central peninsular serving as border to numerous states

  Radrac (Rad’ rac)

  Enormous wharf rat pet of Witch Zerwin; eaten by Magnosious

  Saxthor (Sax’ thor)

  Second (spare) son of Neuyokkasinian Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin and hero in the story. Full name Saxthor Claremendak Calimon de Chatronier

  Sekkarian (Se kar’ E an)

  Neuyokkasinian general sent to retake Castilyernov Hoyahof from the Dark Lord’s chatra agent

  Sekcmet (Sek’ met)

  Sekcmet Palace, palace of Kings of Sengenwha in Sengenwhapolis

  Sengenwha (Sen’ jen wha)

  Kingdom on west side of peninsular facing Tixos

  Sengenwhapolis (Sen’ jen wha)

  Another name for the capital of the Kingdom of Sengenwha

  Socockensmek (SO cok’ en smek)

  General of Neuyokkasin served under Minnabec I at the end of Wizard Wars, and Minnabec II. Retired to Tixos and watched for rise of Dark Lord’s forces. Mentor to Saxthor

  Sorblade (Sor’ BlAd)

  Dwarf forged with elfin magic sword with spell runes that glow in the presence of evil

  Tackenbeck (Tock’ en beck)

  Plant grown best in the soils and conditions found in eastern Neuyokkasin. Basis of agricultural wealth of the state and best trading product with other nations

  Talok (TA’ lok)

  Northern region of Talok-Lemnos and north-western lake on the border

  Talok-Lemnos (TA’ lok lem’ nos)

  Former kingdom assimilated into Neuyokkasin after death of King Tulak as daughter Lyttia inherited, she queen of Neuyokkasin

  Tashia (TA’ sha)

  Small city east of Hoya whose army once rescued the Prince of Hoya. Tashian soldiers always supplied the palace guards for the Castilyernov Hoyahof

  Tixis (TIk’ sis)

  Major River of southern Tixos

  Tixos (TIk’ sOs)

  Island born from the Wizard Wars to the west of the Powterosian Peninsular. Major trading partner of Neuyokkasin, home of the Highback Mountains. Ruled by King Kious

  Tixumemnese (TIx’ U mem nEs)

  Capital and port of Tixos

  Tonelia (TOn El’ ya)

  Tonelia Tezentok; Daughter of dungeon keeper of Castilyernov Hoyahof

  Tossledorn (Tosl’ dorn)

  Tossledorn Fortress, Graushdem fortress on the Southeastern border with Talok-Lemnos. Built by King Grekenbach III to defend against possible invasion from Neuyokkasin after Queen Lyttia took the throne of Talok-Lemnos from her brother

  Tot (Tot)

  Shape-shifter

  Tournak (Tour’ nak)

  Tournak Delphendor; Steward to the house of Memlatec, mentor and protector of Saxthor and Bodrin during their flight to Helshia, Assistant wizard to Memlatec

  Tulak (TU’ lak)

  King of Talok-Lemnos during reign of Minnabec I and II, father of Queen Lyttia and Minnabec III, grandfather of Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin and great-grandfather of Saxthor Claremendak

  Vicksnak (Vick’ snak)

  Title of Bodrin Vicksnak ‘s father, Count George de Vicksnak

  Vicksylva (Vick sil’ va)

  Country estate of the Vicksnak family

  Virax (VI’ rax)

  Vortex Virax, living vortex anchored in the sea outside the Veil of Helshian Mists to ensnare and suck down boats attempting to pass through the veil; Created by Memlatec

  Vos (Vos)

  Major alluvial plain of the Powterosian Peninsular with the richest agricultural development within Neuyokkasin

  Wodin (WO’ din)

  Village where Witch Earwig was spawned

  Yamma-Mirra Heedra (Yamma Mir a HE’ dra)

  Dragon created from positive wizard energy by Memlatec after the Wizard Wars to hold the energy for future lord of the south to confront the Evil One

  Yensupov (Yen’ sue pov)

  Crown/Necklace created by Memlatec from most of the wizards positive energy in the Wizard
Wars to overthrow the Evil One. Its power was so extreme it was disassembled at the end of the wars and its power jewels were scattered and hidden to prevent its power from corrupting its wearer

  Zelda (Zel’ da)

  Witch in Dreaddra

  About the Author:

  C. Craig Coleman was born and raised in Kinston, North Carolina, USA. He earned his BA in History and his MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a tour of duty in the United States Air Force in between. He currently resides in Greensboro, NC where he wrote this series.

  Visit his website at

  www.ccraigcoleman.com

  Coming soon

  Book 2 of the Neuyokkasinain Arc of Empire Series:

  The Crown of Yensupov

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  DEDICATION

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Prologue

  1: Revelation

  2: The Focus Changes

  3: Escape from Konnotan

  4: Flight

  5: Journey Down the Nhy

  6: Journey to Heedra

  7: Crisis at Hyemka

  8: Olnak and Favriana Fortress

  9: Passage to Tixos

  10: Inland to the Highback Mountains

  11: Return to Tixumemnese

  12: Creation of Helshia

  13: Voyage to Helshia

  14: Mishap in Dreaddrac

  15: Trouble through the Years

  16: Return of the Exiles

  17: Decline of Neuyokkasin

  18: Return to Hyemka

  19: Reunion of Memlatec and the Exiles

  Neuyokkasinian Dictionary:

  About the Author:

  Coming soon