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  Predgarians Book 3 - Dakkonin's Grudge - Copyright C.A. Ardron 2019

  Publishing rights KGHH PUBLISHING

  C.A. Ardron – owns the rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or other-wise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  This is a work of fiction and any resemblance of the fictional characters to real persons is purely coincidental and non-intentional.

  ISBN: 978-1-912638-55-0 KGHH Publishing

  Cover designed by Parker from KGHH Design

  Published in 2019 by KGHH Publishing

  Predgarians

  Book 3

  Dakkonin's Grudge

  by C. A. Ardron

  Contents

  Chapter One................................................................................................................... 4

  Chapter Two................................................................................................................. 10

  Chapter Three............................................................................................................... 16

  Chapter Four................................................................................................................ 19

  Chapter Five................................................................................................................. 25

  Chapter Six................................................................................................................... 31

  Chapter Seven.............................................................................................................. 36

  Chapter Eight............................................................................................................... 40

  Chapter Nine................................................................................................................ 44

  Chapter Ten.................................................................................................................. 48

  Chapter Eleven............................................................................................................. 52

  Chapter Twelve............................................................................................................ 57

  Chapter Thirteen.......................................................................................................... 61

  Chapter Fourteen.......................................................................................................... 64

  Chapter Fifteen............................................................................................................. 67

  Chapter Sixteen............................................................................................................ 72

  Chapter Seventeen....................................................................................................... 77

  Chapter Eighteen.......................................................................................................... 83

  Chapter Nineteen......................................................................................................... 88

  Chapter Twenty............................................................................................................ 92

  Chapter Twenty-One.................................................................................................... 96

  Chapter Twenty-Two.................................................................................................. 101

  Chapter Twenty-Four................................................................................................. 109

  Chapter Twenty-Five.................................................................................................. 113

  Chapter Twenty-Six.................................................................................................... 117

  Chapter Twenty-Seven............................................................................................... 123

  Chapter Twenty-Eight................................................................................................ 127

  Chapter Twenty-Nine................................................................................................. 130

  Chapter Thirty............................................................................................................ 134

  Chapter Thirty-One.................................................................................................... 138

  Chapter Thirty-Two.................................................................................................... 142

  Chapter Thirty-Three................................................................................................. 145

  Chapter Thirty-Four................................................................................................... 150

  Chapter Thirty-Five.................................................................................................... 153

  Chapter Thirty-Six..................................................................................................... 158

  Chapter Thirty-Seven................................................................................................. 163

  Chapter Thirty-Eight.................................................................................................. 167

  Chapter Thirty-Nine................................................................................................... 172

  Chapter Forty............................................................................................................. 177

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR............................................................................................ 182

  MORE BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR......................................................................... 183

  Chapter One

  Golden Lion watched the TV, arms folded. The Predgarian meeting room was mostly taken up by the large screen mounted on the wall, Lion had never noticed the size of it before. The picture changed, zooming in on the slow procession winding its way through the streets of Central Sector Steiron.

  Yet another loud, eerie wail resounded from the impressive, ceremonial horn at the front of the formal parade.

  Lion studied the glistening warriors as the camera panned to the side, passing by the column of Unician healers, all with activated medallions.

  As awe-inspiring as the Unician Order was, Lion couldn’t focus. His eyes drifted down to his own medallion resting against his smart white shirt. He resisted the urge to adjust the gold coin, or brush at his grey trousers.

  His mouth twisted, remembering how. Dove and Tiger had insisted on taking him shopping. It had been a long morning, he hadn’t bought new clothes in ages. Still, they’d had a point, this was a very special occasion.

  Lion glanced about the room, his eyes skimming over the navy carpet and polished rectangular table with its eight matching chairs. His gaze fell on Captain Silver Bison of North Sector, who was watching the screen.

  He readily admitted the veteran Predgarian was the reason he was ill at ease. Lion wasn’t only the youngest captain in the city, he was the youngest in the entire Order.

  Bison had been leading Predgarians long before Lion was born, and it showed. Despite the captain’s broad shoulders and muscled limbs, his face was heavily lined, his curly hair a dull grey.
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  ‘He’s with them again,’ Bison grunted.

  ‘Who?’ Lion asked.

  The older warrior pointed at the screen.

  Lion studied the Unician parade again, the camera now focused on the front of the procession. Absently, Lion ran one hand through his shoulder-length blond hair, making sure it was in order.

  His breath caught as he beheld the white-robed, ancient Unician man’s medallion. ‘I remember, he led the pilgrimage last time too.’

  The day was still vivid in Lion’s memory, he’d only been the West Sector captain for two years at that point. It had been his first time representing the Predgarian Order. The Unicians made their long journey across the continent of Sieffith every five years, healing the sick and searching for new candidates.

  Bison nodded. ‘He’s the High Ambassador of Unicia - the oldest medallion warrior alive.’

  Lion gave a slow nod. The mention of Unicia reminded him of the conversation he’d had with Falcon that morning. He couldn’t believe how little interest she’d had in seeing this. In fact, it had seemed to him as if she’d been purposefully trying to change the subject.

  It had been six months since Falcon had joined the unit now, yet in so many ways she was still a closed book.

  The door to the small conference room opened and Captain Grey Owl stuck his head through, his sandy hair unkempt and his freckled face harried.

  Lion knew he wasn’t, it’s just the way he looked.

  ‘The area commander wants us in position.’

  Bison sighed, ‘the Unicians haven’t even reached the square yet.’

  Owl shrugged, ‘did you want to argue with him?’

  ‘No, Martial Eagle has a sharp tongue, and I’m in a fairly good mood. Let’s not ruin the moment.’ The old warrior chuckled.

  Bison activated his medallion, disappearing for a few moments in a thick pillar of silvery light. Lion smiled as Bison reappeared, the veteran’s heavy plates and horned helmet concealed the man completely.

  As Lion reached down for the medallion resting against his shirt, he noticed the silver broadsword strapped to the man’s back.

  Silver Bison came from a generation where muscle-bound warriors and hulking weapons were the norm.

  Lion concentrated on the coin in his hand, feeling the surge of the mighty feline as it came to life, putting his own heavy plates, full helmet and glittering sword in place. His armour was so similar to Bison’s, but his role-model had been a different warrior, the brave and wise man who had taught him so much in Predgariah – General Jaguar.

  Lion followed the other two captains out into the wide corridor, and together they made for the great domed chamber which housed the altar to the Light. Beyond the hall lay the bronze double doors of the temple, where Martial Eagle and the five captains of Steiron would be meeting the Unicians.

  Lion tried to still his nerves. There wasn’t a lot he had to do other than stand on the steps with the others and let Martial Eagle do the talking. However, just as five years before, Lion couldn’t help it. The High Ambassador was second in authority only to the Queen of Unicia. Lion tried not to dwell on it, or the fact the queen was considered the most powerful woman on Courin, in more ways than one. It was said no one had ever defeated her in battle.

  ‘Nervous, Golden Lion?’ Bison asked.

  ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘Because I know young warriors, and you may be a captain, but you’re still only twenty-five.’

  ‘Try not to worry,' Owl chuckled. 'This’ll be over before you know it – if the Unicians don’t talk the day away, they’re a formal bunch.’

  Lion shifted his shoulder plates. ‘Really? I have trouble getting mine to talk.’

  ‘Hm?’ Bison asked, ‘who’s that then?’

  ‘You’re talking about the Silver Falcon, I bet. I’ve heard some stories,’Owl mentioned as they reached the inner doors to the sanctuary. ‘Is she really on the wire as much as they say?’

  Lion frowned inside his helm. On the wire? What did he mean by that? ‘I don’t think so, not that I’ve noticed.’

  Owl gave a slow nod and then grinned. ‘Well, rough around the edges or not, she’s got the respect of the Dakkonin, and that’s not an easy thing for a Predgarian to earn.’

  Bison bobbed his horned head. ‘Indeed, she has proven herself worthy. Let us pray she remains in the sky for many years to come.’

  Lion nodded and strode forwards, placing his hands on the heavy door, pushing it inwards.

  He glanced up at the domed ceiling, an intricate mural decorating the entire expanse. Lion forced his head down to focus on the ornate doors on the other side of the chamber. He didn’t have time to get lost in the interconnecting battles from the great Predgarian heroes of the past. Lion took a moment to admire the large, stained-glass arched windows though, the lavender sunlight casting pleasant shadows all around him.

  ‘Hail,’ a dry voice greeted from his right.

  Lion turned his head towards the voice and smiled, seeing the wiry, armoured frame of Golden Baboon and the shorter and far prettier Golden Caracal.

  The two captains were exceptional in more ways than one. Lion knew Captain Baboon of Central Sector had worked under General Jaguar in the past. The man was known for his skill in battle as well as his leadership skills and calm demeanour.

  Lion still couldn’t believe the Feline captain was Baboon’s sister though. What were the chances of the same family producing two gold captains?

  Caracal’s sunny blonde hair could be seen, tied back in a short ponytail behind her gleaming mask.

  She had a friendly face and a cheerful manner and despite her youth, had proven she could command well and make tough decisions when needed.

  ‘Baboon,’ Bison greeted. ‘Good to see you, how goes the watch?’

  Baboon’s mask didn’t hide his smile, ‘not too bad. You know what I love most about the Unician parade?’

  ‘What’s that?’ Owl asked.

  ‘All the Sarpiens dry up.’

  Lion snorted. He could attest to that, the Dakkonin always sent in extra warriors to keep things calm when the Unicians came to visit.

  Caracal grinned in Lion’s direction. ‘You can say what you want about the Unicians, but they have a knack for keeping the peace.’

  ‘Let’s not keep the area commander waiting,’ Bison suggested, striding forwards.

  The veteran pushed on the heavy doors, revealing the marble steps outside, where Martial Eagle was already waiting.

  The commander, in his mid-class grey armour, cast a single glance over the five before gesturing for them to line up.

  Lion was thankful the man had his beaked helm in place – he didn’t have to see Eagle’s ever-present, mocking sneer.

  Martial Eagle was considered one of the best warriors in Steiron, but Lion couldn’t stand him. The man went out of his way to be unhelpful to his unit, questioning his reports and decisions at every opportunity.

  Lion knew Eagle had wanted the captaincy of West Sector, but felt the commander was pushing his grudge to the extremes now.

  He tried to put his thoughts on the matter aside as he lined up with the others. Hopefully, Martial Eagle would have too much to think about today to cause him any bother.

  As the morning wore on, Lion began to notice the sky. It was becoming overcast, the thick blanket of clouds beginning to cover the double suns, Kaliij and Hunoth. He glanced at Kaliij, the giant red star dominating the sky most days and overshadowing the smaller, azure Hunoth.

  Lion frowned, remembering the news had forecast snow this week. He gazed down the steps and into the broad court bordered by the low stone wall, a pretty fountain decorating its centre. The centrepiece was carved marble, the Predgarian griffin rearing up on its hind legs, wings outstretched.

  The wail of the Unician horn rose in the distance, informing the Predgarians the procession was nearby.

  Lion heard Caracal sigh. ‘Why must they always take so long?’

  The great h
orn was heard twice more, each time sounding closer. Lion watched as the procession finally appeared at the entrance of the temple yard.

  He’d seen it before, but Lion couldn’t help but be struck by the Unicians traditional instrument.

  The work of art, its length weaving and spiralling in an intricate pattern before broadening out to the bell, was stood atop a large, decorated platform. Lion couldn’t decide if its luminescence was light reflecting off its pale, opaque surface or was due to some spell. The Unicians were known for their great power and knowledge in the arcane arts, after all.

  His gaze lingered on the four horses pulling the broad platform. Their coats were an unblemished white, their heads decorated with silvery feathered plumes.

  Lion’s attention moved to the host of Unicians marching at their elegant, stately pace.

  He saw the central line was made up of white warriors in a variety of different armour types. Upon closer inspection, Lion noticed there were very few predatory animals in their number.

  This was not the case for the warriors making up the front and sides of the procession. Lion’s eyes roved over the collection of Felines, Canines and birds of prey. There was still a lot of white in their armour and wings, though some were obviously exceptional warriors, sporting gold or silver and sometimes bronze. There was also quite a bit of blue to be seen amongst them. After a moment’s thought, Lion realised this made perfect sense for Unicians, since the element of water was the one which most often overlapped with the talent for healing.

  He glanced over at Grey Owl, stood next to him. The good-humoured captain was the one Lion was most comfortable with. I didn’t think Unicians had such good fighters.

  Lion saw the shorter captain grimace before leaning closer to him.

  ‘I can’t use telepathy,’ he muttered. ‘The Unician Order is split down the middle, one half is led by the high Ambassador, the other by the Unician general.’

  ‘What’s the difference?’ Lion asked, keeping his voice soft.

  ‘The Ambassador’s side are healers, while the General leads the warriors. Rumour is that Unicia’s warriors are on par with Dakkonin.’