The Unborn Hero of Dragon Village Read online

  Copyright © 2018 Bendideia Publishing

  January 2018

  ebook ISBN-13: 978-0-9996861-4-0

  All rights reserved.

  Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher: www.ronesaaveela.com.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover Design by Dmitry Yakhovsky, www.entaroart.com

  Map and internal artwork by Nelinda, www.nelinda.com

  Dedication

  Many thanks to Owain and Rhys Jones, young beta readers of an early version of the Dragon Village story. Your enthusiasm was endearing. Here’s to hoping you enjoy the final rendering of Theo’s tale as much as the first.

  Thanks also to the many young heroes of the world, especially the youth of Guard Up! who have come to appreciate Bulgarian lore.

  Acknowledgments

  Special thanks will always go to my dedicated group of critiquers: Alex, Erin, Aliya, and Jordan. You’ve seen me through so many revisions: the frustration and the joy. You’re always in my heart.

  So many other Scribophile authors have added their words of wisdom to this labor of love. Thanks go to all of you.

  Other thanks go to those who have had a hand with editing the book: Stephanie Eding and Taylor Tedford.

  And I cannot forget Dmitry Yakhovsky, whose wonderful artwork graces the cover. You can find out more about him at his website: www.entaroart.com/

  Characters

  Theo: Twelve-year-old boy who sets out on a journey to rescue his sister from a dragon.

  Pavel: Theo’s best friend who invents gadgets.

  Nia: Theo’s twin sister.

  Lamia: Three-headed female dragon.

  Zmey: Male dragon. Lamia’s brother.

  Old Lady Witch: Old woman in Selo whom people think casts spells.

  Boo: Magpie Theo follows to Dragon Village.

  Diva: Samodiva girl who lives in Dragon Village. Diva’s name means “wild.” “Samodiva” means “Wild alone.” From Bulgarian mythology, Samodivi were wild creatures who shied away from humans.

  Sur: Diva’s deer-companion.

  Bendis: Thracian goddess of the moon, often said to be the mother of the Samodivi.

  Kosara: Guardian of the Znahar Tree.

  Jabalaka: Man Lamia turned into a frog creature. “Jaba” is the Bulgarian word for “frog.”

  Baba Yaga: Witch from Slavic folklore who lives in a house with chicken feet.

  Kotka: Baba Yaga’s cat. “Kotka” is the Bulgarian word for “cat.”

  Lesh: Vulture guarding one of Lamia’s souls.

  Ruslana: Red-haired Rusalka (mermaid).

  Dimana: Blonde Rusalka.

  Vodna: Queen of the Rusalki.

  Magura: Turtle librarian who lives in the Rusalki kingdom.

  Morunduk: Evil octopus guarding one of Lamia’s souls.

  Youda Stana: The leader of the Youdi (bad Samodivi), attended by an unnamed blonde and brunette.

  Jega: A Kuker (mummer) who wields fire. The word “jega” means “hot” in Bulgarian.

  Zima: A Kuker who has the power of freezing. The word “zima” means “winter” in Bulgarian.

  Mraz: The oldest of the Kukeri brothers.

  Zunitza: Samodiva Zmey loved.

  Torbalan: Bulgarian demonic creature with great strength and capable of shape-shifting.

  Sitara: Vurkolak (werewolf) guarding one of Lamia’s souls.

  Zachary: Prisoner who was once a palace guard.

  Vela: Servant girl in Lamia’s castle.

  Glossary

  Cherna Mountain: “Cherna” is the Bulgarian word for “black.” This is where the dragon castle is found.

  Devil’s Throat: A cave in the western Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria, said to be the entrance to Hades.

  Dragon Village: Ancient name is Zmeykovo. Mystical land where mythological creatures live. Said to be at the end of the world.

  Eniovden: Midsummer’s Day, celebrated on June 24.

  Firebird: In Slavic mythology, a bird that can be both a blessing and a curse. Its feathers glow brightly, and some say the bird can see the future.

  Harpy: Half-woman, half-bird creature from Thrace and found in Greek mythology.

  Kaval: Shepherd’s pipe. A long, flute-like instrument that Samodivi like to dance to. They often make shepherds play the instrument until they drop dead from exhaustion.

  Kuker (plural, Kukeri): Man who wears animal skins and huge bells that scare evil spirits. The tradition dates back to Thracian times.

  Lamia: A female dragon with three dog-like heads. She is cruel and brings hail to destroy crops, as well as stopping the flow of water. In this story, “lamia” is used as a proper name.

  Obrok: A sacred place where some believe ancient rituals were performed.

  Paveltron: Pavel’s multi-purpose gadget.

  Pazach: Bulgarian for “keeper.”

  Rodina Forest: “Rodina” means “homeland” in Bulgarian. Named after a forest in the Strandja Mountains in southern Bulgaria.

  Rusalka (plural, Rusalki): Bulgarian word for mermaids.

  Rusalnaya nedelja: Rusalka Week. A time in early June when Rusalki are most dangerous.

  Selo: Fictitious place along the Black Sea. Bulgarian word for “village.”

  Samodiva (plural, Samodivi): Woodland nymph in Bulgarian lore. You may be more familiar with one of their other names: Veelas, like in the Harry Potter stories.

  Smil: Magical flower harvested in Dragon Village.

  Youda (plural, Youdi): Evil Samodiva who lives in forests and mountains. She has the power of witchcraft.

  Vodnik (plural, Vodni): Slavic water creature that looks like an old man.

  Vurkolak: Bulgarian word for “werewolf.”

  Zandan: Prison in the dragon castle. Bulgarian word for “prison” or “dark place.”

  Zmey: A male dragon. Villages throughout Bulgaria have invisible patrons who protect their villages. In this story, “zmey” is used as a proper name.

  Znahar: Woman who heals with herbs. People sometimes call them witches because they are often clairvoyants as well.

  Znahar Tree: A fictitious World Tree connecting the three realms: heavens, earth, and underworld.

  Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Characters

  Glossary

  Chapter 1: A Boy with Wings

  Chapter 2: Magpie’s Secret

  Chapter 3: Crazy, Winged Woman

  Chapter 4: Wild Girl

  Chapter 5: Something in the Water

  Chapter 6: Whispers in the Dark

  Chapter 7: Frightful Frog-Man

  Chapter 8: A Strange House in the Woods

  Chapter 9: Unexpected Visitor

  Chapter 10: Trapped by a Vulture

  Chapter 11: Unraveling Nature’s First Clue

  Chapter 12: Forest of Souls

  Chapter 13: The Power of Music

  Chapter 14: Into Inky Depths

  Chapter 15: Wicked Witches

  Chapter 16: Giant, Furry Monsters

  Chapter 17: Lightning Light

  Chapter 18: Demon Forest

  Chapter 19: Devil’s Throat

  Chapter 20: Destruction of Beauty

 
; Chapter 21: Dark and Dingy Dungeon

  Chapter 22: Betrayal

  Chapter 23: Visions, Dreams, or Reality?

  Chapter 24: In the Morning Light

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  A Boy with Wings

  Theoooo. The beckoning call of the Samodiva stilled his feet, his name floating toward him like a whisper on the wind.

  His muscles tense, he scanned the forest for the hostile woodland nymph, who hunted prey for her amusement. She was nowhere in sight. He opened his mouth to warn his friend, Pavel, a few feet in front of him, but closed it, not wanting to disclose their location.

  Theoooo. Again, she summoned him, the sound closer.

  Instinct told him to run, hide, before she enchanted him. But where was she?

  He shivered as a flash of white flitted around the towering pines. Early-morning light filtered through the canopy of branches, casting red streaks across the nymph’s garment. She disappeared in a blur, dissolving like mist. His lips trembled.

  Where had she gone?

  The forest became eerily quiet as if the predator lurked nearby. Until this moment, he had thought stories about Samodivi were fairy tales, but perhaps the legends held a grain of truth.

  A stick cracked. Another streak of white darted closer, concealing itself within the shadows of a gnarled oak.

  Now wasn’t the time to speculate about the creatures if he wanted to live.

  “Hide!” Theo rushed toward Pavel, gripping his friend’s wrist and pulling him behind a half-destroyed stone wall covered with ivy and blackberries.

  No way would the Samodiva enchant them with her melodic voice if the stories were true.

  Pavel whispered, “What’s the matter?”

  “White flashes. S-s-samodivi!” He dropped a pair of mechanical wings on the ground and crossed his arms over his chest to keep them from shaking.

  It was stupid to come to the Stone Forest so he could try to fly. Yes, the rocky hill was the highest point in the village, and the robust wind would launch him skyward—if the wings actually worked. But now that he huddled at the base of the ancient pagan site, goosebumps held a family gathering on his arms.

  “Nonsense.” Pavel peered around the corner. “There’s gotta be a logical explanation for any white lights you saw—if you really did. Maybe gas escaping from the ground.”

  “What about that ring of flowers we passed?” Theo’s breath hitched. “That’s gotta be where the shepherd was killed last week.”

  Older residents in the village gossiped that small, white blossoms dotted the ground at the murder site—flowers that hadn’t flourished there before. They cited this as proof that the delicate feet of the nymphs had trod upon the soil.

  “They’re just flowers. My mom’s got a bunch in her garden.”

  “But he had a kaval clenched in his fist! That has to mean something,” Theo insisted.

  Villagers claimed the Samodivi had summoned the man to play the flutelike instrument. Afterwards, they’d forced their prey to dance with them until the break of dawn when exhaustion overcame him. With a kiss, the old people said, the nymph stole the man’s last breath.

  Theo, where are you? The nymph called him again.

  “Did you hear—” Theo stopped speaking and pressed his back against the rough stone. Pavel wouldn’t believe him about the voice either.

  Scattered throughout dense grass, broken rocks crackled beneath his feet. Overgrown blackberry bushes wedged between stones pricked his skin and snagged his clothes. Refusing to remove the thorns, Theo remained quiet until birds resumed chirping and animals scampered through nature’s debris.

  “This is ridiculous.” Pavel shoved away from the stones and wiped dirt and twigs off his pants as he stood. “See? Nothing to worry about. Probably just a white rabbit. Have you been reading Alice in Wonderland? Going to see the Cheshire cat grinning next?”

  Theo shook his head. “Forget I said anything. All those stories Mom’s been telling me—”

  A gust of wind tugged at a dead limb on the old oak. With a slow creak, the branch groaned before crashing to the ground. A shrill screech followed.

  “Who’s there?” Pavel whipped around toward the noise, planted his feet on the ground, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Stop playing games and come out.”

  Dark curls appeared from behind the tree, and a girl wearing a white dress with red polka dots stepped into the open. “It’s just me.”

  “It looks like Princess Nia is your forest nymph, Theo.” Pavel glared at Theo’s twin sister. “Why are you following us?”

  Her voice quivered. “I ...”

  Nia did act like a princess at times, expecting people to obey her commands, but right now, seeing her fear, Theo wanted to protect her. “You shouldn’t be here. Look at you! This isn’t a place to wear flip-flops. Your feet and legs are scratched from all the blackberry bushes. And ... what if a snake had bitten you?”

  Nia’s eyes bugged out, and she scurried closer to Theo. “I don’t see any snakes.”

  “I’m sure I can find one.” Pavel grinned as he tossed aside rocks.

  “No, geek boy!” Still shivering, she stuck out her tongue.

  Pavel did look the part of a geek with his wire-frame glasses. Plus all his inventions—like the wings Theo planned to try out today—added to that illusion. But, he also enjoyed the outdoors and sports, and had tons of friends.

  “Go home, Nia.” Pavel pointed toward the path. “Theo and I have important things to do here. You should be picking magic weeds with the old ladies and all the other dumb, giggling girls.”

  “Miracle herbs, not weeds, you dork.” Nia shook her head, and a single dark curl in the middle of her forehead lingered on her nose. “We already got them at dawn.”

  “Well, go back and make a wreath from your herbs to protect you.” Pavel looked over the rim of his glasses and smirked. “We wouldn’t want a dragon to get you, would we?”

  “You know there aren’t any dragons. It’s just tradition, something your family doesn’t understand,” Nia spat back.

  “Why aren’t you at the Midsummer’s Day Fair?” Theo asked. “You’ve been excited about walking through the wreath since you saw it last year. Now that you’re twelve, you can participate.”

  Theo had been bored last year, watching the women and girls twist herbs into a giant, gate-like wreath, but Nia had talked about it nonstop the rest of the day. He had no clue how stepping through a wreath was supposed to prevent dragons like Zmey and his sister, Lamia, from carrying off girls, but villagers had performed the ceremony for centuries. He grinned at the silly notion. Maybe it did work, because a dragon hadn’t kidnapped anyone he knew.

  “Mom insisted I wear her mothball-smelling dress.” Nia’s eyes, black as a forest night, flashed. “My friends all have pretty new dresses. I should be able to wear whatever I want on my birthday.”

  “You didn’t have to tag along with us,” Pavel said under his breath.

  “I was trying to find somewhere to hide where Mom wouldn’t find me, and then I saw you guys take off.”

  “Well, it’s Theo’s birthday, too, and we don’t want a girl around,” Pavel said.

  “I’m staying.” Nia curled her lips into a smug smile as her eyes traveled to the wings by the stone wall. “If you don’t let me, I’ll tell Mom Theo’s trying to fly again.”

  Theo clenched his fists. Why did Nia have to be here now? After all the failed attempts, he was certain he’d be able to fly today. Pavel had been working on the new wings for ages. They’d have to work.

  Nia must be bluffing. She’d already said she was hiding from Mom. He wanted to say “Go ahead and tell,” but stopped as he looked around the forest. A niggling sensation told him something bad loomed on the horizon. Pretending he didn’t care, he shrugged. “Stay then.”

  “Fine, just be quiet.” Pavel turned away and dug in his backpack.

  Nia shielded her eyes from th
e sun. “How are we going to get to the top of the cliff?”

  “I brought rock-climbing equipment,” Pavel said.

  “I’m not doing that. I’ll get blisters. There has to be another way up.” Nia stomped off around the hill.

  Pavel moaned. “Man, girls are so annoying.”

  “Nia’s not always so bad.” Theo craned his neck to look up the steep hill. Even if his wings worked and he could fly to the top, he wouldn’t leave his sister behind. Nia might be a pain, but he didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. “I should follow her to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

  “Theo, I found something,” Nia yelled.

  He rushed toward her voice. She paced in front of a tangled web of ivy. “In there.” She pointed to the ivy.

  A flat, diamond-shaped rock about a yard long lay at its base. Round holes like sockets had been hewn in a haphazard manner into the center, with a trough circling the edges. Had rain and ice formed the gouges, or had the holes been created to perform an ancient ritual? Maybe blood filled them from sacrifices. Theo shuddered as he stepped around the rock and cleared away roots from the cliff wall.

  A fluttering of wings broke the silence. Theo ducked and Nia screamed when a black-and-white bird with a yellow beak fled the ivy and flew to a high branch of a pine. Its chattering scolded them.

  Pavel rolled his eyes. “It’s just a bird.”

  Theo peered behind the ivy. Chiseled stone steps led upward into a narrow tunnel. They looked like tracks left by monster-truck tires that had sunk into mud and solidified.

  “We talked about lost civilizations in school.” Nia looked over Theo’s shoulder. “I wonder if this leads to Dragon Village. Old people in the village say there’s a portal near the Stone Forest.”

  Pavel smirked. “Dragon Village is make-believe. You won’t find any dragons or Samodivi around here.”

  “I know!” Nia rolled her eyes. “But it’d be cool to see what’s up there. Maybe treasure.”

  “The only way to find out is to head up it,” Theo said, but he hesitated.