The Realm of the Purple Dragon - Children's Fantasy Adventure Novel (on Amazon)

The Realm of the Purple Dragon - prologue

Copyright © Laura Crean 2011   

(This is the prologue to my first children's novel which is for sale on Lulu.com and will soon be available on Amazon)  To buy the book go to http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-realm-of-the-purple-dragon/18780362

 The young Prince pressed his ear hard to the door of the council chambers, although he needn’t have tried so hard to hear the muffled voices of his father and his advisors, as at that very moment the thunderous voice of the Giant King Surt all but deafened the entire castle.

    Bailey jumped back in shock.  “I always knew you were a weak king Radsvinn and an even weaker man.” the giant’s voice rang out, shaking the walls of the chamber so that a crack appeared right next to the boy.  “It is plain to me that you are not able to rule the Dragon Realm competently.  Loki is not an enemy I wish to attain.  I suggest you regain the Dragon Amulet from that Usurper Vindalf before he destroys us all.”

    The Prince’s ears rang with the aftershock of the Giant King’s tumultuous tones.  His father the Light Lord began to speak and Bailey shook his head to relieve the buzzing in his ears so that he could catch the Lord’s response, but all he heard was a muffled rising and falling of a voice full of shame and regret. 

    Once more Surt’s voice rang out causing the Prince to jump in shock again.   “I have lost faith in your ability to keep peace in the Realm Radsvinn.  You are no longer worthy to bare the title ‘Lord of the Dragon Realm’ in my eyes.  I give you four seasons to convince me to remain allied to you and your people.  This time next spring, as a sign of trust and peace I expect your son to enter my throne room carrying a token of that bond of brotherhood.  If he does not appear I will accept it as a sign of weakness on your part and I will align with Vindalf and take this realm by force.”

     There was a sharp intake of breath as all in the chamber responded in shock.  Bailey started to shake at this revelation and the Lord’s voice also sounded as if the shock of this suggestion had shook him to the core.  He started to protest.  “Bailey is a child, not yet 10 years.  He is barely out of his mother’s chambers.  He would not survive the journey.”

    “Then I suggest you prepare him and make use of your so called magical advisors to help him.  I will accept no other.  If he is to be worthy of taking over your court one day, he will need a hero’s heart and a warrior’s spirit.  Four seasons Radsvinn and we will see if it shall be peace or war that binds us.”

    Bailey could feel the blood leaving his face and the shaking became so violent that he felt sure he would be discovered.  He stepped back into the shadows as the Giant King reached the Chamber doors in one small step.  The huge council doors built to accommodate the kingdom’s giant neighbours flew open and the giant ducked his head to exit the council chambers.  In another two small steps he was leaving the castle and the whole site shook like an earthquake as he walked away from the meeting with Bailey’s father.

    A silence smothered the castle in a blanket so dense that Bailey felt suffocated.  He fell to the ground as the weight of the consequences of the meeting pinned him to the floor.  Surely his father would not expect his only son to carry out this absurd quest.  He could not cross the Wide Sea and the Fire Mountains alone – he was just a boy!   

    Suddenly a woman’s voice could be heard screaming in anguish.  He knew at once it was his mother’s voice as she discovered the Giant King’s demands.