Lately, I’ve been working on Silver Storm, the third book of my Silver Rose series. I’d like to share a sample from the beginning of the book. Enjoy!
A long time ago, when Alsmora was new, there lived a good king. His name was Nicholas. Everyone prospered under his rule.
But there was a darkness across the valley.
In the nearby mountains, there lived a dragon, a terrible black dragon. Black as midnight. Trapped in endless slumber by a good witch. But everyone feared the dragon would wake again.
Nicholas ruled his people for ten happy years, with no threat of the dragon.
One day, Nicholas was taking a walk near the mountains, when an astonishing sight met his eyes. A young woman stumbled out of the trees at the base of the mountains. Her dress was torn, her hair was a mess, and she appeared close to collapse.
Rushing forward, Nicholas caught the woman as she fell. Her eyes were closed and she seemed unconscious. As Nicholas lowered her to the ground, her eyes fluttered open and she gasped.
“Nithe. The terrible dragon, Nithe, is waking.”
She slipped back into unconsciousness.
Nicholas took the poor woman back to the castle. For three days and nights, she slept. Nicholas waited anxiously outside her door, concerned not only for her well being, but also her cryptic words.
On the fourth day, the woman stirred. Nicholas rushed to her bedside.
“Where am I?” she asked.
“Elton Castle,” Nicholas answered. “I am Nicholas, king of Alsmora. Who are you?”
“Serena, Your Highness. I must warn you. Nithe is waking.”
“Calm yourself, Serena,” Nicholas said soothingly. “Nithe hasn’t woken for a hundred years. What makes you think he is now?”
“Because I have seen him,” Serena said. “I am a sorceress. Recently, I felt a magical surge coming from the mountains. When I went to investigate, I discovered that the dragon will wake in four days, on the day of the solstice.”
“That’s today. I’m sorry, Serena, but you’ve been asleep for three days.”
Her eyes widened. She opened her mouth to respond, when the ground began to shake. Nicholas and Serena both turned to the window. Outside, clearly visible, was the peak of the mountain. A black dragon had landed on the top and roared.
“He’s back,” Serena whispered. “We’re too late.”