Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper's Golden Shoes Read online

  Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes

  By Keira Gillett

  Text copyright ©2016

  Keira Gillett

  All Rights Reserved

  Image copyright ©2016

  Eoghan Kerrigan

  All Rights Reserved

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-942750-04-8

  Paperback ISBN: 978-1-942750-05-5

  LCCN: 2016909531

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  Click here to get started: http://keiragillett.com/

  Reading Order:

  Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest

  Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword

  Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes

  Praise for Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest

  “Are you in the mood for an old fashioned magical jaunt? Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest by Keira Gillett is a classic “perilous adventure” book for middle grade readers.” Jennifer Bardsley, The YA Gal

  “A captivating blending of fantasy storytelling with today's technology. At the base of this tale is deep, abiding friendship that stands the tests of time, adventure and even danger.” Kathy Haw, Goodreads Review

  “If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure dipped in fantasy, look no further. This book kept me on my toes with its many cliffhangers and plot twists; it was quite hard to put down at times.” Meredith, All ‘Bout Them Books and Stuff

  “This was a really good book with a great setting and cool plot line. I really liked how it didn’t hide that Zaria was adopted and she knew it. I also liked how her adoptive parents were nice. You don’t see that often in books (as an adopted kid, I like it when adoption is portrayed well).” – Erik, This Kid Reviews Books

  “A great book with vivid descriptions and relatable characters. The main character becomes a strong female lead, and the writing and illustrations make this fantasy world even more real and interesting.” – Analee, Book Snacks

  Praise for Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword

  “The Zaria Fierce series just keeps getting better, with this sequel! This is an awesome fantasy filled with suspense, from the first page to the last! The vivid descriptions combined with the beautiful illustrations make the setting come to life.” Brandi Nyborg, Goodreads Review

  “This is one of the most amazing second books in a trilogy that I’ve read. I like how empowering the book is, especially on facing your own demons. Just like Zaria.” Danissa, The Booklandia

  “I like how the action begins quickly and Gillett brings the reader up to speed on the plot, no time is wasted in getting these friends off on another adventure through the Norwegian countryside. Oh, and that setting, it's one of the most enjoyable things in reading Gillett's stories. All the lovely rich details of each of the magical kingdoms, each place is unique and highlights the depth of her imagination.” Brenda, Log Cabin Library

  “Zaria is both vulnerable and strong, and very much a role model for my own daughters.” APinFL, Audible Review

  Praise for Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes

  “That’s the great thing about the Zaria Fierce trilogy: adventure is fast, furious, and loaded with Norse mythology, but the friendship between Zaria and her group of friends is the heart that drives this story.” Rosemary, Mom Read It

  “Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes was the magical conclusion this trilogy asked for. Filled with action and adventure, Zaria and her friends showed us the importance of teamwork, friendship, and having courage in ourselves. The perfect ending to a fun series, I recommend this to all fantasy lovers, middle school and beyond!” - Emily, Midwestern Book Nerd

  “Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper's Golden Shoes was a spectacular conclusion to a great trilogy (though the ending left the door open for more adventures). Filled with magic, a great story line, amazing and real characters, wonderful settings and beautifully explored themes, Keira Gillett created a trilogy that I will always cherish and will visit anytime. If you like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, The Spiderwick Chronicles or simply love a book filled with Norwegian folklore and fantasy, then this is the ultimate series for you to read, devour and lose yourselves in.” - Ner, A Cup of Coffee and a Book

  Dedication:

  I dedicate this book to the wonderful individuals behind the scenes who bring new aspects of Zaria Fierce to life. Thank you Eoghan and Michele for all the passion and talent you’ve given to the series. I really appreciate it. We made a great team.

  To Readers:

  Zaria Fierce has been a truly delightful project. I have so enjoyed spending time with Zaria and her friends. In this final book of the trilogy, we will travel once again into the depths of mythical Norway, catch up with old friends, and take a stand for good. Adventure’s waiting. Join me. Keep your wits about you as there be dragons in this here book.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue: The Fallout

  Chapter One: A Hidden Gem

  Chapter Two: The Summer Deception

  Chapter Three: A Journey Measured in Half-Leagues

  Chapter Four: The Malmdor Beastie

  Chapter Five: The Real Hart

  Chapter Six: A King’s Weasel

  Chapter Seven: The Headless Statue

  Chapter Eight: Escape from Malmdor

  Chapter Nine: The Elf Queen’s Army

  Chapter Ten: Some Girl’s Shoes

  Chapter Eleven: Crossing the Gjallarbrú

  Chapter Twelve: Stopping the Rot

  Chapter Thirteen: The Dragon Brothers

  Chapter Fourteen: Light and Darkness

  Epilogue: A Fête Accompli

  About the Author: Keira Gillett

  About the Artist: Eoghan Kerrigan

  Prologue: The Fallout

  Zaria stood huddled with her friends in the receiving hall of King Flein, somewhere far north and underground in the Norwegian dwarf kingdom of Jerndor. Once again, Zaria had managed to royally screw up, and she hadn’t needed to be a princess in order to do it. Just hours before, she’d released Koll, a dragon of ferocious appetite, from his chains in the Under Realm.

  It didn’t matter that at the time she thought she was freeing Hart, a young ellefolken (that’s elk-folk) prince – a prince who wouldn’t have needed rescuing in the first place, if she hadn’t mistakenly traded him to a devious river-troll named Olaf in exchange for her best friend’s freedom eight months ago. She could kick herself.

  This made it twice now she’d been misled into doing the opposite of what she would do, if she had all the facts. Remorse laced with self-loathing swirled inside her – a potent combination that her head knew didn’t help, but her heart couldn’t untangle.

  She felt disembodied from the present, as if she was a spectator watching her life instead of living it. She stared at her sneakers and refused to look up or make eye contact with anyone, not even her friends. Surely they were disgusted with her for being so idiotic. Again. She sighed gustily and kicked her shoe against a stone on the ground.

  Zaria knew how she’d been manipulated, but she still didn’t understand the why and wherefore. Koll had admitted to using her emotions to influence her into doing what he wanted. He had slipped in through the cracks of her mental armor on the waves of self-pity and anger she’d harbored over the kidnapping of Hart.

  Koll then used her emotions to gain power over her and make her see things that weren’t there. He frightened her with a phantom image that only she co
uld see. It had been a horrid troll-like thing, a combination of hers and Olaf’s features.

  It seemed that no matter what she did, or how she felt, she was condemned to make the wrong choice, to feel the wrong thing, and to act wrongly. Where did her feelings end and Koll’s manipulation start? Was he playing with her now? She tried to search her thoughts, but Zaria didn’t know what she’d even look for to see if he was there.

  She couldn’t wallow forever, it wouldn’t help anyone. Steeling herself, she took a deep shuddering breath and forced herself to peek up through her braids at her friends. Christoffer, her Chinese best friend, stood at her side in support. Filip, blond and green- eyed, flanked her other side with Geirr and Aleks standing slightly behind.

  Aleks leaned on the Drakeland Sword, heedless of the lock of red hair falling over his brown eyes, as he followed the adults’ discussion. Geirr, a serious black teen, looked like he was having a conversation with himself. His lips moved silently and his blue eyes narrowed as he debated something nobody could hear.

  Hector – Hart’s father and the Stag Lord of the ellefolken – paced the room, wearing a trail in the dirt floor in front of the dais where King Flein and Prince Floki sat. Hector was furious with King Flein about the existence of a magic mirror. The dwarf king denied having anything to do with it and refused to believe someone from his kingdom could have created it.

  The mirror, which had been a portal to the Under Realm, had been broken immediately upon Zaria’s return. It had been deemed too dangerous an object to allow it to continue to exist. According to Hector, it never should have been created in the first place. It was wildly, utterly, imprudent.

  An object like the mirror threatened the whole world, because the dragons wouldn’t need to overcome magical or physical protections to use it. If the dragons had managed to escape the Under Realm through the mirror, the devastation would be unimaginable. There would be total world order collapse – countries in ruin, billions of people affected, not to mention the perils to wildlife and the environment.

  In short, if one dragon could cause something as terrible as a world war, imagine what a pack of them would do – nothing short of plunging the world back into the worst of the Dark Ages. And now, with one loose in the Under Realm, potentially freeing his compatriots and gathering an army, it was imperative that the forces of good did the same. Action was needed, and it had to be fast and in full coordination with the other magical Norwegian rulers.

  “The question is no longer why was this mirror present?” Hector growled, pacing back and forth, over and over, as he thought of the dangers ahead. “The question is where will the dwarves throw their support? Are you on the side of good, or on the side of evil? Will you help?”

  Chapter One: A Hidden Gem

  Aleks turned to Zaria and the others, whispering, “We need to contact our parents. I don’t know about you, but my mobile is deader than a doornail.”

  At the suggestion, Christoffer looked relieved. “I agree. Mum and dad are going to ground me for the rest of my life. I’ll never be allowed outside again at this rate.”

  Filip gave him a cheerless nudge. “I’ll be right there with you. What do you think my mum will do to me? She chased after me to stop me from leaving with you guys.”

  “I hate to even think about what they’re all saying to each other,” Geirr mumbled, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. His usual preppy look was beginning to show signs of wear and tear. The hems of his pants were becoming raggedy. “They’re probably starting a city-wide panic.”

  Zaria sighed, twisting her dark braids in her hands. “I’m sorry I got you guys into this mess. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.”

  “Don’t kid yourself, Zar-Zar,” said Filip, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “We’d just be in another mess, if you weren’t here.”

  “And, we’re glad to have you around,” Geirr said, giving her a gentle push.

  “I have an idea,” Aleks said with some injected cheer, looking over at Hector and the dwarves. “And, better still, I think it’s going to work.”

  “What is it?” Zaria asked, eager for something to do.

  “Well,” he whispered, “Remember the handheld mirror at the Hidden Gem; the one that could communicate with loved ones? I think we should use that.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Christoffer interjected. “Everything at Granny’s shop was either broken or deadly. We can’t risk it.”

  Zaria stared at them both, remembering the poisoned teapot and the charmed quill. Each item had killed. Then, there were the malfunctioning keys, half a pair of the seven-league boots, and an incomplete tailor’s kit. But she also remembered the mirror, which was one of the only promising items inside the Hidden Gem.

  “I like Aleks’ plan,” she decided. “I think it could work. Granny even offered to let us try it before buying it.”

  Christoffer threw a pleading glance at Filip and Geirr. “Granny didn’t know anything about it. Half her store is useless, and the other half is dangerous. Could you risk hurting your parents with it? I couldn’t.”

  Aleks gestured with his hands to get their attention. “Stop. Stop. I plan to use it to contact my grams first. She gave me the stargazer. She understands how it works. She’s most likely covering for us. Well, I hope so, anyway. I’m counting on it.”

  “Your gran is pretty cool,” Geirr shrugged. “If it could work, why not try it?”

  “How do we get out of here, though?” Filip asked, tilting his head at the guards. “Do you think they’ll let us go?”

  “We’re not prisoners, are we?” Zaria asked. “Let me tell Hector. I’m in enough trouble already.”

  “Good luck,” Geirr said, watching as she made her way to the front of the room.

  As Zaria approached, she shrank under the intense glare of King Flein. His short round frame quivered in agitation. The dwarf king was not pleased with her, or with the situation she placed him in. Hector noticed the look and turned around, giving her a hand and helping her onto the raised dais, where he now stood.

  “Princess,” he said gravely. “Is there something you need?”

  “We’ve been here for a while now…” She bit her lip, hesitating.

  Hector scratched his dark blond beard. “Yes, we have. Are you tired? Do you and the boys need to rest? I’ll come get you when King Flein and I are done talking.”

  “Actually, we want to contact our parents. Aleks has an idea, but I think we might need dwarf currency.”

  “Ah,” Hector said. “In that case, I have a little in my bag.”

  “Our guards will escort you,” Prince Floki’s cool voice interrupted. “It wouldn’t do for you to get lost again. You might unleash a whole horde of dragons and make the situation worse.”

  “Your Highness,” Hector warned. “It is not her fault.”

  “Isn’t it?” Floki sneered, drumming his bejeweled fingers on the throne’s armrest. “If it wasn’t her, then pray tell who went through a mirror, and who loosed Koll from his chains?”

  “Why was the mirror there?” Hector countered. “When the Under Realm was built, the Drakeland Council forbad any entrances into it other than the Gjöll river.”

  King Flein bristled, his bushy red beard trembling with the strength of his ire. “Now see here, Stag Lord. We just agreed that the mirror wasn’t sanctioned by the crown. This entrance was hidden from us as well.”

  “Even though it was in your kingdom?” Hector said, arching a brow in disbelief. “In your mine shafts?”

  “Abandoned mine shafts,” King Flein retorted, thumping a fist on his knee. “Some rogue did this in secret. I will find out who it is and execute him.”

  “So you don’t deny it was of dwarfish origin?”

  Flein scowled, slumping against the back of his seat. “It’d be hard to deny. Only silver from a single vein in the heart of Jerndor can be polished and formed into a mirror portal.”

  “Is it possible that the mirror was create
d in Malmdor and sneaked into your kingdom?” Hector asked.

  The king frowned. “What makes you question them? Where would they get the silver?”

  “Malmdor dwarves might be stealing from you. They supplied Olaf with the chain to capture my son. Why would they help the river-troll by giving him dragon resistant chain?”

  Zaria cleared her throat, as delicately as she could. “Uh, Hector, may we go?”

  “Sorry, Princess,” he said, remembering her initial request. “Yes, go, but be careful. Return to your rooms as soon as you’re done. We will leave after lunch.”

  Zaria sidled away, scurrying over to her friends as soon as she cleared the dais. She gave them the thumbs up. Aleks grinned, sweeping back his red hair. He handed her the sword, which she took.

  “Let’s be off,” he said, and the children ducked out the wide open doors.

  “Uh, guys,” Geirr said after a moment, looking back over his shoulder. “We have company. Some guards are following us.”

  Zaria glanced over and sighed. “Prince Floki insists that I’m followed, so I don’t run blindly through another portal. I can’t say that I blame him.”

  “Why not?” Christoffer asked. “I can. He’s treating you like an idiot.”

  She gave him a sour look.

  “You’re not an idiot. You’ve been put through the wringer by Koll. Now that you know it, you can block him.”

  “Maybe,” she said, staring at her hands. “Maybe not. He plays with my emotions. I know now how I should resist him, but I don’t know where my feelings stop and his tricks begin. It was so subtle, how he attached himself to my thoughts.”

  Filip took her hand and gave it a hard squeeze. “We’ll figure it out. We’ll help you. It’s going to be okay.”

  She squeezed back. “Thanks.”

  “You know,” Aleks thought aloud, as he guided them through the dwarf city back to the guest hallway. “If Koll attached himself to your negative feelings, maybe the answer is in being positive.”