Doorway of Pontacit- The Dragon of Arstan

  The Dragon Guardian

  Book:2

  The Doorway of Pontacit.

  By: Izak M. Heaton

  Synopsis of The Anvil:

  Thomas Welton, a blacksmith’s son from Pine Grove, was only thirteen when a robber broke into his house and changed his life.

  Instinctively the young boy attacked the robber and was able to knock him unconscious. He had then gone to get a town watch member when he met Alexander Yinard, a well known Dragon Guardian. The Dragon Guardians were extremely powerful warrior magicians with the ability to transform into dragons. They were law keepers of Arstan.

  He then became Alex’s apprentice and his once simple and mundane life became one of powerful magic, armies, intense training and combat.

  Over the following two years Tom’s life changed quickly. His brother was kidnapped by werewolves and became one before Tom rescued him with the help of an Immortal (Lord Joshua of Grealin, commander of the sixth regiment, Keeper of the Eternal Flame, and High Master of Fire. But he went by Josh) and some vampires.

  Josh became one of Tom’s good friends later. Tom became best friends with a boy the same age as him by the name of Zack, who became a Wyvern Rider apprentice.

  The Ilemite Empire, a very powerful nation to the south of Arstan, attempted to invade the kingdom around the start of Tom’s second year of training. The armies of the kingdom managed to drive back the large armies of the Ilemite Empire, Tom killed the Supreme General whom had been leading the invasion with the help of Alex, Zack, Dejoni, Bryn, and Madison.

  A few months later the empire invaded again. Tom assisted in killing another Supreme General, as there had been three before the first invasion. After weeks of bitter fighting, during which time Tom became leader and trainer of a special group known as the Anvil, the Arstanian army performed a daring attack.

  They seized the enemy fort, putting the enemy army between two forces. The force had been led by Alex, but the Dragon Guardian was wounded in the fighting. Leaving his troops Tom took flight, as he had been taught to create wings, a tail, claws and to cover himself with the scales of a dragon.

  He flew to the last Supreme General alone. He began fighting him and his giant dragon. Their fight was brutal and Tom discovered he was a natural shapeshifter. In the end Tom managed to kill the general and dragon, nearly dying himself.

  The war ended and became known as the Ilemart wars. Tom continued his training to become a Dragon Guardian, turning down an offer to stay leader of the Anvil and live at Castle Arstan, and he began his search for more information about shapeshifters, as he was the only one anyone in Arstan known to be alive. They had been beings of legend before Tom, now he is a living legend.

  Chapter 1

  Tom looked up from sharpening his axe as Alex approached. It had been almost four years since the Ilemart War, where during battle Tom discovered he was a natural shapeshifter. The ability had come as a shock, shapeshifters were subjects of myth. As things now stood he was probably the only shapeshifter alive in the world.

  Tom was nineteen now, nearing his final year as Alex’s apprentice. Tom had grown into a tall and massively built young man, taller than most and much bulkier. He had black hair and dark brown eyes that were almost black. He was tan from the time spent training in the sun.

  Alex, Tom’s teacher, was also built, but not quite as tall. He had blue eyes and dirty blond hair. He and Tom had been master and apprentice for the past six years.

  Alex was proud of the skill and strength his apprentice had gained, but didn’t realize he had been key in Tom’s development into a strong and kind, although sometimes he seemed gruff, young man. Alex never talked much, and when he did he was right to the point without any preamble. It had taken Tom some time to get used to his master’s clipped manner, but now it would seem unnatural if Alex went into long, unneeded explanations.

  Tom put aside the massive battle axe and patiently waited for his master to speak.

  “For the last year of your apprenticeship you will live on the island of Pontacit, in the western ocean. Before you leave however, I have one more assessment for you. I’ve created a pair of dragons that you must kill. Now get going.” Alex stated and walked away.

  Tom considered the challenge for a moment, then quickly picked up his best weapons: his axe, shield, throwing axes, spear, and longbow. He had abandoned the crossbow and switched to the longbow after a mission in which his crossbow had been too slow, even with his modifications. After he had his weapons he packed himself some food and a basic trail kit.

  The first time Alex had given him an assignment so quickly he had hesitated, but now he just got to work when his teacher used that brisk manner to give Tom assignments. He yelled a short farewell to Alex and walked out the cabin door. He looked around the mountain terrain he had lived in for the past year, reminiscing. A moment was all Tom spent in the past then he turned his thoughts to the dragons.

  He rolled his shoulders and transformed into an eagle, feeling the familiar shift of bone and muscle slide through his body. With one strong sweep of his wings he was airborne and started his flight around the countryside. As Tom surveyed the ground he soon saw deep gouges in the earth where a large beast had landed. He glided down and became a human.

  After a quick look he confirmed they were dragon marks, and not one beast, but both the dragons he was looking for. He followed the tracks at a jog as a human so he could more easily follow the tracks, taking short rests every now and then for water. He stopped as the sun set and began to set up camp. He felt he had made progress toward finding the dragons, but was in no hurry to come upon them at night. He gathered branches, started a fire, set up his tent and settled down to make a small dinner.

  He woke the next day and after a quick breakfast broke camp to continue following the tracks. He followed the tracks through the forest for two more days until he came to a large cave. Numerous gouges were at the entrance, indicating several takeoffs and landings. He checked the sun and decided to call it a day.

  After all, he thought, the dragons will still be there in the morning. Tom set up camp once again and prepared for the morning; resting and sharpening his weapons.

  The next day he awoke with the monstrous roars of dragons ringing in his ears. He inventoried his weapons and strapped them on, making sure each one was in place, straighten up and walked to the cave.

  One of the dragons saw him and bellowed a challenge, as if to scare him off. Tom replied by notching an arrow in his bow. He released the arrow and hit the dragon in the nose. Tom had the beast’s full attention now so he threw aside the bow and drew his axe.

  He ran towards the dragon as he shrugged his shield onto his arm. He bashed the dragon on the nose where the arrow had hit, causing the dragon to screech in pain from the already injured area. Tom swung his axe in a high arc at the dragon. The strike missed but Tom saw a chance to quickly defeat the monster.

  He pushed the dragon back with a burst of wind; placing it under a large stalactite hanging from the cave ceiling. He magically broke the stalactite from the roof and smashed it into the beast, breaking its skull. The dragon melted into the cracks of the cave floor. Tom nodded to himself, one spell defeated, one more to go.

  Tom turned his attention to the other dragon, just in time to roll away as it spit fire at him. He easily avoided the attack and turned into a dragon himself. The two circled a moment then launched at each other. Tom bit the dragon’s neck and the dragon tried to cut Tom’s underbelly, but the Guardian was protected by his armour. Tom grabbed the dragon’s legs as he snaked his head around the dragon and bit its wing, breaking the large bone in the front. The dragon squirmed and afte
r a moment broke Tom’s grip and the two broke apart.

  Tom made a quick inspection of his armor. It was enchanted to change into different shapes along with him. He didn’t see any real damage, just slight scratches. Tom changed tactics, morphing into a wyvern and spit acid at the dragon.

  The dragon roared, distracted as the acid ate away at its leg. Tom took the chance to force the dragon out of the cave. With a burst of magic the dragon was sent rolling toward the trees and was buried under a mountain of leaves and broken wood. But it wasn’t long before the monster stood to face Tom again. Tom changed back into a dragon and charged. As he ran he swung his tail into the beast’s side, steel covered spikes puncturing the scales and smashing bones.

  Tom raised his head to concentrate and magically floated a boulder into the air. He hurled it down, smashing the fake dragon beneath it. The dragon melted away, leaving Tom alone.

  Breathing hard, Tom stood still, listening to the forest sounds for any indication of another attack. Alex often tested Tom further than what he told him. The birds began to sing, the leaves rustled as small animals ran through the bushes; things seemed normal again. Tired, he began the flight back to Alex’s cabin after cleaning up his camp.

  Two days later Tom landed in eagle form on the doorstep. He looked at Alex sitting by the door as he transformed back to human.

  Alex nodded approvingly, “Good.” Tom grinned at the small praise, but lost the grin as Alex continued. “Although, real beasts have better fighting skills than my fake ones. Now, prepare to leave.”

  Alex began a thin outline of what he expected Tom to do next. “You get the usual three days to visit your family and friends, then you sail to Pontacit. For the next six months your family and friends will not be able to visit you much, if at all. Meet me at Tuntal.”

  Tom knew the routine, every time they moved to a new assignment Tom got a small vacation while Alex made arrangements. They had moved several times during his apprenticeship in order to have a better place to practice magic or combat. Tom always enjoyed the change of scenery, but he loved the chance to go home, even if it was for only a few days.

  Eager to see his family Tom quickly packed his things and took a last look around the mountains. Memories of his years studying and training with Alex flooded him. He softly muttered to himself “I may have lived here but I have only called two places home, Pine Grove and Blangto.” Tom sighed and walked out of the cabin. He launched into the air as he turned himself into a dragon, and flew off.

  After a few hours he landed outside Pine Grove. He planned to spend his first day with his family at home. The next day would be with his brother, Caleb, who was a Master Smith. Tom planned on spending the final one with his best friends: Zack and his wyvern Dejoni, Madison, a witch apprentice, and Josh, who was an Immortal.

  He walked into town and to his house, slightly annoyed at the attention he got from the people he had known for most his life. He went into his house and heard the familiar ring of metal from the forge connected to the house. Tom walked to the forge and saw his dad outlined by the raging fire of the forge as he pounded the red hot metal.

  Tom went over and grabbed a hammer and began helping, his father grunted recognition and continued. He knew Tom had continued somewhat with smithing and had become better than he used to be, partly because of the strength gained from Dragon Guardian training.

  Soon the metal was back in the forge to be heated again. “Well, welcome back, Tom. What is the occasion?” His dad began as they waited for the metal to be ready.

  “I am moving again. For the next six months you will have to ask Alex when you want a visit. I am going to Pontacit.” The metal finished reheating and his father picked up the tongs to put the project on the anvil.

  They worked in compatible silence for a while, then tidied up the forge and went into the house. His mother and two sisters were there. Tom spent the day catching up with his family and his friends who lived in Pine Grove.

  The next day he flew to Quint, where Caleb and many Master Smiths lived. He spent the day with his brother, who had the day off because it was a full moon.

  Most Master Smiths didn’t get that specific for which days they got off work, but most were not werewolves. Each full moon Caleb either got chained up or secluded himself from others so he didn’t bite them. He had become a werewolf just before the Ilemart War.

  Caleb had been kidnapped by werewolves and freed by a rescue party consisting of Tom, some vampires, and Josh. Josh had become a friend of Tom’s, but even friendship with an Immortal couldn’t help Caleb after a werewolf bite.

  That night Tom chained Caleb to a tree then cast a spell to wake himself if his brother got loose. The night passed without incident; when Tom woke Caleb was smiling weakly. Tom unchained him and made breakfast. The brothers had a good time reconnecting and parted with promises to keep in touch.

  Tom’s final stop was Hilltop Lake, where he had started his training and where Zack, Dejoni and Madison trained still. Josh, the Immortal who had helped free Caleb, was also there for awhile to watch over the humans of Arstan.

  It took Tom an hour to get to Hilltop Lake and as soon as he landed he went to find his friends. Zack and Dejoni were not hard to find, as they were flying above the village. Dejoni was a dull black wyvern, a giant dragon like creature with horns like a bull and acidic spit.

  Madison was practicing in a secluded clearing so it took awhile for Tom, Zack and Dejoni to find her. They went back to town, found the inn and walked in. Josh sat alone in the corner eating.

  The friends talked as Josh finished his meal, then they all went outside and they spent the rest of the day together. About halfway through the afternoon Bryn, another one of Tom’s friends, came and joined them. She was a Sentinel and had become somewhat secluded from her friends.

  The next day started as he planned. He woke, ate and flew off towards Tuntal, the port town Alex told him to meet him at. He found Alex on the docks, where he took him to an inn. Soon Alex began explaining what would happen.

  “This is different, this time you are going alone. I will sometimes come to check on you, but you will usually be without me. You will stay undercover, there is a job offer you will take as a hunter, your employer doesn't know who you are. You will not be allowed to tell anyone you are an apprentice Dragon Guardian.

  “On Pontacit, you will learn the value of hard work, friends and the skill of staying undercover. You leave on a ship tomorrow. Once on Pontacit look for a man named Jacob. He has hired you and will pay for your lodgings.

  “And, as you are are not going as a Guardian Dragon apprentice, you will have very limited weapons. You can take your bow and some hunting knives, but no armor.

  “You will have to learn your new job quickly and succeed or fail on your own merit. Now, you have some free time, do what you want, just make sure to get to the ship on time. Here is the information.” Alex stood, handed Tom a paper and took most of Tom’s weapons and armor.

  Tom spent the rest of the day wandering and finding out what he could about Pontacit. He found out very little he hadn’t already figured out.

  After he ate dinner at the inn he found a dark alley and changed into a dog. He walked around the town, listening and getting information. One benefit of being a shapeshifter was no one could tell the difference between him and any other dog, so long as he behaved as one. The only thing he found out was that strange materials often came from Pontacit

  The next day he stood on The Dragon, the ship that would take him to Pontacit. For the next week The Dragon sailed across the ocean and, on the eighth day of the boring trip, they reached Unat, the main port town on Pontacit. Tom would then travel inland a few hours to reach Intal where he would meet Jacob and start his job.

  The island was lush with a large volcanic mountain in the middle called Totinatacal. They reached land around midday, so Tom asked a local which way to Intal and began the hike towards the center of the island. He got to Intal as the sun began to se
t and went to the inn. Tom knew most people wouldn’t still be working and even if Jacob was he wouldn’t be very happy if he had to show Tom around this late. After a quick dinner Tom went to the room he had rented.

  The next morning Tom ate and went to find Jacob, and after getting directions from a local finally found his shop. Inside Jacob’s shop the walls and shelves were lined with strange animal skins, meats and even some live beasts set back in cages. Behind the counter stood a elderly man Tom guessed was Jacob.

  “Welcome to Jacob’s Beast Store! Everything from skins to live animals, even some weapons. How can I help you?” the man behind the counter asked.

  “I was told to find a man by the name of Jacob. I am a new hunter.” Tom replied and the man smiled widely.

  “The new hunter! Tom, isn’t it? I’m Jacob, owner of this shop. If you will follow me I’ll show you to your quarters.” Jacob led Tom to the back of the store, down a hall, and up some stairs to his room. The room looked comfortable enough with rugs, plenty of blankets, pillows and some chairs. Tom was curious about what the blankets and rugs were made of, as they were a fur he had never seen before, but didn’t ask.

  “Now I leave you to unpack and rest from your travels, report to the store tomorrow morning.” Jacob told Tom, then left the boy alone to settle in.

  The next morning he met Jacob at the store after eating a small breakfast. Jacob led Tom out of the store and up a small path, until they reached a large cave. “Through here is the source of my, the hunters, and now your income. Through here are the beasts you will hunt and capture. Through here is The Doorway of Ponacit.”

  Chapter 2

  “The Doorway is some kind of portal I found. It teleports you to another world, filled with strange beasts and monsters. The land is not just populated by beasts, but also by people who have lived there for centuries without contact with our world. Now, I want you to get me an untril, you will find a descriptions in this book.” And with that Jacob handed over a tattered book and left Tom alone to enter the Doorway.