The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons Book 4 Side Stories

Book 4 Side Stories

Side Story 1

Clan Master Diamant, the plan is proceeding smoothly.

Diamants diamondlike eyes glinted as he turned his headwhich surprisingly wasnt his body. He was in the form of a large, human-shaped boulder, and in front of him, there were piles upon piles of valuable jewels stacked atop mounds of gold. Go on, Diamant said and stretched his arm forward. It was thick like a humans, unlike his usual sticklike arms. He grabbed a fistful of jewels, and they slid out from between his fingers, dropping to the floor of the great vault as if they were droplets of water. Im listening.

The small rock that had greeted Diamant saluted. Since Clan Master has successfully tad Ocean Elental Mistle, Tornado Elental Zilphy, and Phoenix Fla Sheryl and turned them into your subordinates, no one has been able to stop the footsteps of our Gemstone rchants Clan. Weve steadily expanded all over the continent, and Tornado Elental Zilphy has already reported the last few civilizations left unconnected previously. Ocean Elental Mistle has also discovered various trade routes we can take to reach new continents. Soon, every piece of gold shall belong to us. The sun shall never set upon the Gemstone rchants Clan.

Excellent, Diamant said and nodded. Is there anything urgent that requires my attention?

It isnt urgent, the small rock said, but the holy dragons have sent two representatives, and with them, theyve brought many tributes. Would you like to address them personally?

No, Diamant said and snorted. His diamondlike eyes crinkled. When a clan is this influential, even dragons arent enough to make the clan master personally take action. Send my secretary, Sheryl, to accommodate them instead.

I understand, the small rock said. It hesitated before clearing his throat. Then, whats an example of an urgent matter that does require your attention?

Diamant stroked his chin, and a small furrow appeared on his forehead. A wide grin split his face, and a booming laughter rang out from his body, coming from deep within his stomach. Nothing, he said and wiped a small tear from his eyes. Theres absolutely nothing that is too urgent for soone as great as . Theres simply nothing that I cant handle.

Yes, thats what I thought, the small rock said and bobbed its head, which was its body, up and down. Clan Master is the greatest. Without you, who knows where our Gemstone rchants Clan would be? Perhaps wed still be an unknown group struggling to survive in a desolate corner sowhere in a wasteland.

Im glad you know it, Diamant said and nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. Now go. I have to count my money. As its always increasing with every passing second, its the hardest job because it never ends.

The small rock straightened its legs and saluted once more. Yes, Clan Master! it said and marched out of the vault.

Diamant watched the small rock leave before turning back towards the piles of riches that was growing at a visible rate. The walls and ceiling were generating gems that fell down, adding to the contents of the vault. He chuckled and picked up another fistful of gems, counting them as they fell through his fingers. To think, a hundred years ago, I was trapped in such an unfair contract. If it wasnt for that sudden flash of insight, Id never have tricked him and escaped. A shiver ran down Diamants body, and he shook his head. Lets forget the unpleasant thoughts and focus on the present. Now, Im free, and nothing in the world can inhibit my growth!

Deedee.

Diamant froze, and a deep crack appeared on his forehead. Forget the unpleasant thoughts. Forget the unpleasant thoughts.

Deedee. Deedee! I said wake up, Deedee!

Diamants diamondlike eyes shot open. A line of pebbles dripped out of his open mouth, which was attached to his body, a small boulder. In front of him, a green rock was staring at him with her hands on her hips. Zilphy? Didnt I send you on a mission to scout out undiscovered points of interest?

You were dreaming, dummy, Zilphy said and blinked her erald eyes.

Diamants face contorted. Then, I didnt escape from Vur? he asked. But thats impossible. According to my calculations, he shouldnt have been able to discover I was gone until it was too late. He never pays attention to .

He did a headcount before we left, and you didnt respond, Zilphy said. She gestured around with her arms. Besides, if you really did escape, do you think youd be trapped in here?

Diamant looked around. The first thing he noticed was the manacle around his leg. It was attached to a chain that led into a wall. This is Stellas dungeon? he asked and swallowed. Why did she imprison down here? He blinked hard and realized Zilphy was in the interior of the cell as well. Wait. How co youre here too?

Because of your little stunt, I was punished too! Zilphy crossed her arms and glared at Deedee. As your wife, I shouldve been responsible for keeping you in lineat least, thats what Stella saidand since I didnt, I was collectively punished because of you. She pointed a finger at Diamant, poking his forehead.

Youre blaming ? Diamant asked. Why are you blaming when you should be blaming Stella? I wasnt the one who forced you into this dungeon.

Zilphy grumbled while looking away. If I could deal with Stella, I would. What if we all ganged up on her? Would we be able to beat her? How co we let her walk all over us anyway? She walked over to the bars of the cell and leaned into them. Isnt that right? Theres so many of us imprisoned here, but we let a tiny little fairy boss us around. I say its ti for an uprising. What do you guys think?

There was a ringing sound as Breeze slapped his hand on the bars of his cell. I agree! Shes just one fairy queen.

Thats right! Ralph said.

A golden spirit nodded. If we work together

Whats with the racket!? Stellas voice echoed through the dungeon, cutting Sir Edward off. Chompys trying to sleep!

Instantly, the dungeon fell silent. Zilphy blinked and looked around. Really, guys? Really? What happened to your fighting spirit just now?

Well, she has Chompy.

Id rather be in a cell than be in Chompys stomach.

Is Chompy that black dragon-looking thing? If it is, I think Ill leave the fairy queen alone.

Zilphy sighed.

Side Story 2

Two phoenixes were perched on a branch, standing next to each other. One of the red birds sighed and turned her head towards her brother. Emile?

Yah?

Were lost again, right?

Emiles head dipped down, and his gaze swept over the scenery. To him, every part of the ground looked the sa. So it seems.

Susan sighed. How co this always happens to us?

Emiles eyes narrowed. After thinking for a bid, he nodded. Its because of Tafel.

Tafel? Susan asked, tilting her head. What does us being lost have to do with Tafel?

Well, Emile said and paused to preen his chest feathers with his beak. After he straightened an unruly feather, he raised his head and stared at his sister. Whenever sothing goes wrong, its always Tafels fault. Shes our big sis, and she shouldnt be letting anything happen to us.

That doesnt sound right, Susan said, her eyebrows furrowing. Arent we Moms responsibilities too? How co its Tafels fault and not Moms fault?

Emiles wings flared out, and his feathers puffed up. Youre always filled with so many questions, arent you? Emile, where are we? Emile, why are we lost? Emile, can you stop eating my food? Emile, Emile, Emile, Emile. Emile snorted, and his wings settled back against the side of his body. Look, it doesnt matter whose fault it is that were lost as long as its not mine, okay?

Susan clacked her beak and rolled her eyes. Well, lets make the most of being lost, she said and looked around. A strange structure in the distance caught her eye. She raised her wing and pointed. Theres sothing strange over there.

Emile craned his neck and squinted. Isnt that just a rock?

It looks like an unnatural rock, Susan said and flapped her wings. She glanced at Emile and gestured with her head. Cmon.

Alright, Emile said and spread his wings. Susan leapt into the air, and Emile followed. He muttered, If thats an unnatural rock, then what does a natural rock look like?

A natural rock doesnt look unnatural, Susan said, turning her head around to look at Emile while flying forward. I dont know how else to explain it to you.

Emile snorted. As he got closer to the structurethat still looked like a rock to hima chill washed over him. Do you feel that? he asked and shivered, his feathers puffing out a bit despite the wind blowing against his body.

Yeah, Susan said and narrowed her eyes. It feels like Im flying through rain. Is it the rocks fault?

I thought you said it wasnt a rock.

You know what I ant, Susan said and snorted. She slowed her speed and landed on a nearby branch, getting a nice view of the object. It was a white boulder in the shape of a pyramid. Vines and moss covered its surface, and a few chipmunks were running about the base of it. Theres sothing special about this thing.

Huh, Emile said as he landed beside Susan. He rubbed his lower beak with the tip of his wing. Youre right: it really does look unnatural. Its too straight.

Susan nodded. See? I think it was built by soone, she said. She fluffed her feathers out and exhaled through her beak. Heat radiated out of her, and Emile shuffled towards her before doing the sa. Its really cold here.

How co those chipmunks arent freezing? Emile muttered. He shivered and held his breath. Heat burst out of him, and the branch the two phoenixes were sitting on was set ablaze. Emile glanced down and blinked. Oops.

Susan ignored the flas. Theres a door over there, she said and pointed at the pyramid with her wing. Do you see it?

Emile followed his sisters wing. There did seem to be a crack on the side of the pyramid underneath all the moss and vines. I think so. Lets explore it.

Should we? Susan asked and furrowed her brow. I dont know. What if sothing happens to us?

Like what?

Well, we could die.

Then well just co back to life, Emile said and rolled his eyes. Cmon, you worrywart. Youre the one who wanted to co here in the first place. Now that were here, we cant just leave without checking it out. What would Tafel think?

Why do you always bring Tafel into things? Susan asked, tilting her head.

Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh. Emile waved his wing in front of Susans face, shushing her while clicking his tongue. What did I say about asking too many questions? He hopped off the burning branch while spreading his wings, gliding towards what he thought was the entrance of the pyramid. Are you coming or not?

Susan sighed and followed after her brother, leaving the tree to burn. The chipmunks at the base of the pyramid scattered as the two phoenixes landed on a vine atop the pyramid. Lets clear so of this away, Susan muttered and took in a deep breath, her chest puffing up. A stream of fire shot out of her beak, setting the side of the pyramid ablaze. A foul odor drifted out of the pyramid, and the chilliness in the air seed to increase despite the burning flas.

What do you think this place is? Emile asked, shuffling towards Susan, puffing himself up to stay warm.

Susan shrugged. Well see soon, she said, waiting for the flas to die down. Once they did, Susan flapped her wings, creating gusts to blow away the accumulated ashes and smoke. A charred hatch ca into view.

Emile hopped forward and landed on the hatchs handle. He pressed one talon against the pyramid and lifted the handle with his other talon. A grunt escaped from his tiny body. Help out here.

Susan hopped forward and wedged her body into the small crack that Emile had created. She puffed herself up, opening the hatch just enough for Emile to crawl through. Once he did, she followed after him, and the hatch slamd shut with a tal banging sound. Susan puffed out a small fla, illuminating the insides of the pyramid.

There was a giant mural of a black dragon painted on the walls of the pyramid, and engraved in the ground, there was a circle with lots of lines crossed through it in symtrical patterns. Emile blinked hard. Susan, he said and swallowed. The black dragon seed to be staring at him as if he were a piece of food despite the fact it was just a painting. I dont think we should be here.

Flee? Susan asked, the flas dying down when she spoke. However, the inside of the pyramid was still illuminated but with a purple light. The glow was coming from the circle on the ground.

Flee! Emile shouted. But it was too late. The purple light flashed, engulfing the two phoenixes. When the light died down, the two birds were gone.

In a dark, faraway place, two phoenixes stared at each other with blank expressions. Emile cleared his throat. I know why were always lost now. Its not Moms fault, and its not Tafels fault either. Its yours! Look at where we are because of you.

Side Story 3

Two dragons, one silver, one black, lay next to each other. They were on their stomachs, their limbs splayed outwards with their heads pointed towards a bundle swaddled in gold cloth. Jutting out from the top of the cloth was the speckled tip of a white egg. The cloth would occasionally rustle every ti a gust of wind washed over it, the air moving thanks to the dragons breaths.

Its beautiful, Leila said and sighed, her eyes misting over.

Its an egg.

Leilas eyes shifted over, staring at Grimmy. Its our egg.

Well, Grimmy said and blinked twice. I suppose it is. A furrow appeared on his brow. Is it moving? Is it about to hatch?

Leila shot to her feet, her eyes widening. She took one step forward and placed her cheek against the side of the egg.

Wait, dont get so close, Grimmy said but didnt do anything to stop his mate. What if you accidentally crush it? Be careful!

Im not going to crush our own egg. Leila rolled her eyes, but she moved her head away from the egg before giving it a deep glance. I, I think it really is hatching.

Is that normal? Grimmy asked, tilting his head. How long has it even been? Do eggs hatch this quickly? He sat up on his haunches and glanced at his front paws. Am I going to be a father so soon?

Leila leaned back and sat up as well, wrapping her left wing over Grimmy, pulling him close to her side. Youll make a great fatherjust look at how well you brought up Vur. And this ti, no one else is going to interfere with us raising our child.

Hmm? Grimmy glanced at Leila. What do you an by that?

Oh, you know, Leila said and gave her mate a slight nod. Imagine how differently Vur wouldve turned out if Prika hadnt been around while he was growing up. Or if Vernon hadnt been the one teaching him to hunt, Vur wouldnt have imprinted a boar and claid it as his son.

Grimmy stroked his chin with the tips of his claws. Dont let them hear you say that, he said and raised one eyebrow. Theyll think youre attacking them.

Leila rolled her eyes. Im thanking them for making mistakes so we dont have to, she said. Besides, no one else is here. Prikas gone off to visit her family with Vur, and Sera and Vernon are at Seras mothers place.

Floofykins and Snuffles are still here, Grimmy said.

That doesnt matter: They cant speak.

Grimmy furrowed his brow. Thats a fair point. I feel like were forgetting soone though.

Leila tilted her head and glanced at her mate. Who?

Grimmy shrugged. A mont later, his eyes widened, and he pointed straight ahead. Its hatching!

Leilas head swiveled to the side, and her eyes glowed silver. A beam of light descended from the ceiling of the cave, enveloping the egg. Small cracks appeared on its surface as the baby dragon inside the egg wriggled, pressing against the shell. You can do it, Leila muttered with her paws clenched. You can do it.

Theres sothing wrong, Grimmy said, a deep furrow appearing on his brow. Theres no way the egg should bulge like that. A baby dragon tries to break out of its egg through one point, but theres two bulges.

Twins? Leila asked. From the sa egg?

Possibly, Grimmy said. His eyes lit up. Or our baby has two heads. After a short pause, he said, Hey. If our baby has two heads, do we have to give it two nas or just one?

Leila smacked Grimmys paw and glared at him.

What? Grimmy asked. It was a serious question.

Not as serious as this, Leila said, turning her attention back onto the egg. The faint cracks had grown even larger, spreading all along the surface of the egg. The golden cloth had fallen to the ground from all the wriggling, and the egg tipped over onto its side. A large eggshell cracked off, and a tiny black dragons head poked through. Its eyes were closed as its mouth opened, letting out small cries similar to a baby birds. While it moved its head around, its mouth made contact with the egg, and it bit down, tearing off a small piece of shell, eating it. Before Grimmy or Leila could say anything to each other, another dragons head, silver in color this ti, appeared beside the first one. It also bit down on the egg, eating away at it.

Now the question is, Grimmy said, his eyes narrowing, how many bodies are there?

Leila dropped onto all fours and crept forward, peaking into the egg. She exhaled a sigh of relief. Theres two. She glared at Grimmy. You almost jinxed it.

Grimmy shrugged. What should we na them?

Leila stared at the two baby dragons eating their way out of the egg. The black one is a girl, and the silver one is a boy. Her expression softened as the two baby dragons munched on the last piece of eggshell starting from different sides. The baby silver dragon tugged the shell away when the black one opened its mouth to bite, causing it to bite down on nothing. Monts later, it cried out and flailed its little limbs as it looked around for the eggshell with its eyes closed. The baby silver dragon seed to have a smug smile on its face as it held the eggshell with its front paws and munched away at it.

Grimmy scratched his chin and narrowed his eyes at the two baby dragons. How about Ramonester and Gloriandra?

Leila raised an eyebrow. Theyre perfect, she said and let out a smile. Little Ramon and Gloria. She exhaled through her nostrils, letting a gust of hot air wash over the two baby dragons. The silver light coming from the ceiling died away, and the two baby dragons let out yawns. They had finished eating the eggshells, and their bellies were round and plump, bulging from their first al.