• Prologue
    Aronna smiled down at the small infant in her arms as she gently rocked him, finally content after so many months of fear and traveling. The baby slept peacefully and she stood to lay him in the basket that was his bed. He was the youngest addition to her family and she had named him Dane. He was maybe two or three months old and one of four boys she had come by over the last few months. Dane had been found on a hillside, his family murdered by the marauders, an ugly twisted breed of half man, half goblin, who were quickly taking over the country and killing anyone who resisted. Aronna had swept his little body out from under his mother, who had saved his life by shielding him. The next youngest, whom she’d named Jeremy, had been purchased from a family of twelve who could no longer feed all of their children, although; she suspected that the children were not all theirs. It was sad to see so many children becoming orphaned these dark days.
    She went to check on the other boys and leaned down to kiss them each in turn. She came to Jeremy and smoothed his blonde hair as she thought about his possible age. She guessed that he was a little over one year, very close to her nephew’s age. The marauders had murdered Aronna’s older sister along with her husband and so, at nineteen years of age Aronna found herself left in care of their two boys and a small bit of coin. She had taken Gavin and Steven away from their hometown of Whichway and traveled many miles to distance them all from the evil that lurked there. Just a year apart, the boys looked much alike, not quite two and three years of age they could nearly pass for twins.
    Aronna sat down in her chair again and picked up the sewing she had been working on before Dane had woken. She would be content here, away from the larger towns, away from the troubles so affecting (land name) right now. Away from the horror she experienced in Renyygard, the capitol city. Here she would find solace, at least for a while.
    CHAPTER ONE
    Nineteen years later
    Steven grabbed his brother’s arm as he began tying saddlebags to his saddle. “You can’t just up and leave,” his voice clipped with desperation, “go and talk to her at least.”
    “I can’t,” Gavin answered, anger evident in his voice, “She doesn’t understand and never will. Our king needs more soldiers and I’m going.”
    “And what will Mother do when your body is brought back to her on a litter?”
    “I will be fine; I am a good fighter,” he said as he jerked away from Steven’s grasp and went to get his bedroll.
    “Even good fighters are killed in battle. And you‘ve never fought anyone, save us”
    Gavin faced his brother and glared. He was the oldest and had never really been close to the others. Growing up, the younger boys had stuck together, open with each other and always together. Gavin had always been over emotional, hot tempered even. He loved his brothers, had their backs in everyway, but; he was closed to them, unreadable, keeping his emotions bottled up until they bubbled over and exploded. Quick with a sword, Gavin had mastered the skill over his brothers, but, often let his emotions carry him from his task and then lost the battle. He was a handsome man, with a thick crop of sandy colored hair just brushing his shoulders and dark brown eyes. Just over six feet in height he was lean and fit, his broad shoulders straining against the fabric of his tunic as he faced his brother.
    “I am going,” he said again, through clenched teeth, “best you get inside and comfort mother, she’ll need it.” He turned to mount his horse.
    Steven watched as his brother prepared to leave and cursed under his breath. Although, he knew Gavin was skilled, he feared that his lack of actual battle would be an enemy to him.
    Steven stood an inch taller that his older brother, his face leaner, but his body was fuller, more muscled around the chest and legs. Where Gavin’s eye’s were a darker shade, Steven’s hair was a bit darker, and cut shorter than his. Steven’s eyes flashed in anger now as Gavin finished his preparations and turned to his horse.
    As Gavin began to mount Steven grabbed his shoulder, “Will you at least say good bye to Rhainydd?” Gavin nodded. “Godspeed to you then, brother. Keep yourself safe and send word as you can.”
    Looking at his closest brother Gavin gave him a small smile, “I will. Take care of her.” He mounted and left, not looking back as his brother watched him leave.
    Entering the forest, Gavin felt as if his life was just about to begin. This forest and small farm were all he’d ever known. Now he wanted to spread his wings, broaden his horizons and find his destiny. Looking around at the tall oaks and pines that he’d played in as a child, he realized that he may well be looking at them for the last time. He knew and accepted the fact that he may die in battle for the resistance, but it was important to him to do this. For his brothers, his mother, and himself. There would be no peace within him if he didn’t.
    As he came to a small clearing he saw Rhainydd sitting on his favorite rock. The old man had joined the family six years ago, arriving one day from nowhere in particular and just stayed. He gave the impression of being an old man with long tufts of white hair flowing to his shoulders and a wrinkled brow, however; he carried himself like one much younger, strong of body and mind.
    Like a proud grandfather, Rhainydd had taught the boys what they had been longing to know, combat and magic. He filled them with stories of the great dragons, who lie dormant in the High Mountains. He taught them basic magic skills, delighting at the fact that Steven excelled at them. Each of the boys had a skill or skills that complimented the others, and Rhainydd had singled each one out and helped enrich these skills.
    He watched as Gavin now approached. “So, you leave.” he called out, motioning for Gavin to join him.
    “Yes, Sir.” Gavin said as he dismounted, walked over and sat next to the man who had taught him so much.
    “You will do well. I have taught you what you need to know.”
    “Thank you Rhainydd, I will be forever in your debt.”
    Reaching into the pocket of his robe, Rhainydd pulled out a gold chain with a two inch round medallion hanging from it. “I have something for you.” he said as he laid the chain in Gavin’s hand. Eyes wide, Gavin turned the golden medallion over and rubbed his thumb over the carving of a great red dragon. The piece was exquisitely detailed, highly polished and painted with rich hues of red and yellow. “Heirdexron,” Rhainydd said pointing to the dragon.
    “The fire dragon.” Gavin whispered, as he again rubbed the magnificent carving.
    “Yes. There are great things to come for you son. You will see and learn a great deal more than I have taught you. You will be tried and tested. Remember all I have taught you, lest you fall to the wrong side of things.” He tapped the medallion, “This will protect you, not from all harm, but most. Watch your back and do not be ashamed to call on your brothers for help.”
    Gavin looked up at Rhainydd in surprise. “This sounds like a prophecy. How do you know so much?”
    Rhainydd smiled, showing white even teeth. “I know a great many things. It will all be revealed in time. You will know more as you go along.” he stood, reaching out to take Gavin’s hand, “Best you go now, it grows late and you’ll wish to get to Hoggsten before dark.”
    Gavin mounted his horse then turned back to say, “Thank you, Rhainydd. I will not forget you or your teachings.”
    “I hope not,” the man whispered as he watched him ride away, “I hope not.”
    * * * * * * * * * * * *
    Aronna stood at the window and watched her oldest son ride away. She wrapped her arms around her slender waist and tried in vain to settle her anguish. It was beginning, she knew. Each of her boys would leave soon. They may not be grown in her eyes, but they were men, and men desired to fight. She could only hope that between her and Rhainydd, they would choose the right side to fight for. She felt a presence behind her and reached up to touch Jeremy’s hands as he laid them on her shoulders.
    “It will be alright, mamma.” he said, giving her shoulders a slight squeeze, “He’ll be back.”
    “No,” she responded, sadly, “he will never be here again.”
    “I know it’s hard, mamma, but he will be back.”
    Aronna turned and smiled up at her third son. Like all of her sons he was exceedingly handsome. Not quite as tall or slender as the others, he was powerfully built with broad shoulders and thick firm legs. Where the others were quick and agile, Jeremy made up for it in his strength and held his own during their mock battles. He was the fairest of the boys as well with slightly curling light blonde hair and crystal blue eyes.
    “You will all leave to find your way.” Aronna said, closing her eyes to hide the pain. “It is the way of things.”
    “I won’t leave you. You need me here.” He replied with conviction.
    Opening her eyes again, she sadly shook her head. “No, my dear,” she cupped his cheek with her slim hand, “It becomes more and more unsafe to stay here. Even as far from Tyrronton as we are, the marauders come closer. You and your brothers will be needed, to keep the evil from Sventólii and drive it away from (land name). Rhainydd has made me see this, as much as I don’t want to.”
    “You want us to go? Then why did you fight so hard for Gavin to stay?”
    “I hoped for you to go together, watch each other. Gavin would not wait.” Sighing deeply to delay the tears forming in her soft brown eyes, she turned to look out the window again. “I now think that you and Steven should go soon as well. The marauders look for men to fill their ranks, and care not who they grab.”
    “What about Dane? He’ll not want to be left behind.”
    “I know it will anger him, but I need him here. I will be traveling myself within a fortnight. All who wish to avoid this evil have been making their way to Silvertyyn for months now. It is where I will go.”
    Jeremy was immediately irate, hands on his hips he glared at his mother’s back. “You can not mean to travel with only Dane to watch your back?” he shouted.
    “You think I can’t protect her?” Dane asked calmly from the door, having entered and heard the last statement. He leaned on the door frame and crossed his thickly muscled arms over his broad chest. Smiling devilishly, he asked, “And where are we traveling to?”
    Jeremy ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his movements. Of the boys he was the voice of reason, the one to settle the fights and squabbles they’d had growing up. With a quick wit or firm hand, he’d kept them from each other’s throats and helped to forge a greater bond than Aronna’s love alone could have done. He looked now at his youngest brother.
    At nineteen, Dane was every bit as tall and built as his brothers. However, while the older boys were handsome, Dane was devilishly so. He wore his tawny colored hair short, but had allowed his side burns to grow and sported a neatly trimmed beard. There had been more muscle development along his chest and arms than the others and he carried himself with a commanding air of self-confidence. He seemed to be as competent as his older brothers with all things, being as quick in sword as Gavin, able to perform the simple magic spells as Steven did, and with as much strength as Jeremy had. The fact that the others performed their individual skills better, meant nothing to stop the occasional jealousies that had arisen over the years. That Dane could also charm the skin off of a snake didn’t help much either.
    Jeremy studied him for a moment before turning back to Aronna. “Mamma, think about this. Wouldn’t it make more sense for all of us to travel together?”
    Aronna turned back to look at her two boys, shaking her head. “It would draw too much attention to us. You and Steven need to travel through Hoggsten, Dane and I through the mountains.”
    “The mountain passes are too dangerous!” Jeremy and Dane exclaimed in unison.
    “But quicker and with less threat! Don’t argue me on this! Get Steven and wash up, we will discuss everything during dinner.” With a determined look she turned toward the kitchen to finish preparing the meal.