Page 4 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
The stone arched doorway was massive, with moss growing on it that was as ancient as the gate itself. Some said it had been there since the dawn of time itself, but Auslin found that hard to believe. It waseven taller than the multistoried temple in the background, looming over everything.
Ornate carvings of dragon spirits decorated the stones, which had always been the protectors of Valzerna. It was why Kitsuki’s ancestors had ruled the region for so many millennia. There were ancient runes on the stone that only the oldest of mages could decipher after years of devoted studies to the language. Auslin didn’t have the patience for that kind of learning.
Everyone in the area was familiar with the superstitions around Fate’s Gate, which was why a small, sacred cord was all that prevented someone from approaching it. Fear was by far the biggest deterrent to going near it. The real possibility of earning a worse fate by angering the Fate Power was too high for most people to risk.
On the other side of the monument were crumbling ruins of a staircase that led further up the hillside, but no one dared ascend them through the gate.
Auslin had been up to that area via another route. It led to a beautiful clearing where he used to sneak to when he wanted to get away from everything.
Kio was also deeply superstitious by nature. He thought Fate’s Gate was creepy nonsense that should be torn down and destroyed. Auslin was confident that Kio wouldn’t dare follow him up to the clearing because he assumed the entire area beyond the gatewas also sacred ground. That meant Auslin could have some peace up there to clear his mind.
The other routes were too arduous to scale at night, even with the generous light of the full moon, so that made it easier for Auslin to decide.
He ducked under the red cord decorated with golden medallions etched with dragon spirits that served as protective wards. Auslin had a momentary flash of doubt because he had been raised with the same superstitions about angering the Fate Power by using the monument to his benefit, giving him some trepidation about going through it.
But he figured there were worse things than having his fate rewritten. Auslin pushed the thoughts from his mind and confidently walked through Fate’s Gate. He was unprepared for the feeling of ancient magic embracing him with a crackle of energy as he crossed to the other side, where his rewritten fate now awaited him.
Chapter 3
Auslin
The ancient magic activating momentarily disoriented Auslin. When the dizziness passed, his eyes widened as the crumbled staircase before him was now in far better condition. “Wait, what?”
Immediately losing his nerve, Auslin went back through Fate’s Gate, but it remained dormant.
When he looked around, he noticed the old annex and storage house were missing. A chill ran through Auslin as he realized something had gone very, very wrong when he went through the ancient monument.
“Roltan, are you out there?”
Auslin froze. He knew all the mages that lived at the temple, and there was no one by that name. He momentarily debated the wisdom of seeking the person who called out and explaining what had happened. But a stranger appearing at the temple atnight on the Day of Remembrance Festival would seem suspicious. It was smarter to retreat. Maybe it wasn’t too late for Fate’s Gate to fix the situation.
It once again failed to activate when he passed back through it. The impossibly newer stairs before him were easily ascended as he hurried up them to reach the clearing. His heart pounded with fear as he struggled to keep control of his anxiety.
Auslin skirted closer to the trees for coverage. He would wait out the night in the peaceful glen, then try to make sense of everything in the morning. Maybe by then, he could come up with a realistic story that the strangers at the temple would believe.
Off to the side, something caught Auslin’s attention. An enormous white dragon lay still, although it was clearly watching him. Its iridescent scales seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. The creature was one of the most beautiful Auslin had ever seen.
Afraid it was hurt, Auslin’s need to help overrode his fear as he calmly approached the creature that was easily ten times his size.It must be a shifter in their dragon form, he realized.
As Auslin approached, he held his hands so it could see he had no intention of harming him. “Are you hurt?”
The dragon huffed, but Auslin didn’t know how to translate that sound. It surprised Auslin when he felt the shifter’s aura move against his in curiosity. It felt warm and kind, putting Auslin atease.
“I want to make sure you’re okay,” Auslin said. “Will you let me?”
The dragon lifted its head when the human was next to him, calmly looking down at him. Its silver eyes seemed to swirl with power as it intently studied him.
Because his senses were extended for the dragon’s benefit, Auslin felt a bat shifter rapidly approaching. He instantly stood up in a defensive stance in front of the dragon since he still didn’t know whether it was hurt or not.
When the bat flew into the clearing, he shifted into his person form. He retained his oversized fangs and glowing red eyes as he approached with menace. “Is there some reason a human is guarding a dragon shifter?”
Auslin stood his ground. “I won’t let you harm him.”
The bat shifter laughed. “At this point, I’m more interested in harmingyou.”
“I would not advise trying.” Auslin flared his aura to put the aggressor on notice that he was not to be trifled with lightly. “I’m stronger than I look.”
The bat shifter arrogantly chuckled. “You think that a merehumancould harm the likes of me?”
