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In DRAGON'S MARK, the Darkness called forth by the evil dragon Ziess-Falnoor, seeps from the Beyond into the Now, threatening the World. With this as the backdrop, the tale of two female human babies, Arlee and Sardia, along with the male dragon youngling, Fyregon, unfolds. Sardia, daughter to the evil wizard King Bartok, born after Bartok raped then killed her mother, wears the Dragon's Mark, bestowed upon her and her father by Ziess-Falnoor. A bright, beautiful child, Sardia is molested by her father. Princess Sardia, with help from Ziess-Falnoor and the Book of Power, grows into a powerful, evil wizard. Arlee, who also wears the Dragon's Mark,
witnesses her mother's horrific
death. While gathering berries, she is chased by night beasts and flees
to
safety in a cave with the help of a goddess. Arlee is befriended by the
red
dragon, Fyregon, who as a youngling was called Flame. She goes to As Arlee and Sardia mature, they learn to travel the Paths of Life in the Beyond where the Great Battle of Wizards and Dragons takes place. To save the World the rift made by Ziess-Falnoor must be mended and the Darkness destroyed. What will happen in the Great Battle that follows? This is a novel about life's choices between good and evil, where the sacrifices offered are sometimes greater than the rewards received. 
In
the beginning before there could be Time, before there could be a Here,
before
there could be Existence and Demise, there were Paths. “Halakar, are there really unicorns?” “All things are possible, Arlee.” “But have you ever seen a unicorn?” “There are many ways to see things. You have seen a unicorn in a book. People have seen them in dreams, and in their minds. The old ones say there are a few who have seen unicorns with their own eyes.” Bartok spoke to the large dragon. “Ziess-Falnoor, did you have to kill your sister?” He heard the dragon’s answer in his mind. ‘Does it matter?’ “Never speak to me unless spoken to. Do not ask for forgiveness. Not even in death is there forgiveness. I can give you death, but I do not forgive.” “I am all you need. I am both your father and your mother. I planted your seed and I delivered you into this world. It is me and me alone whom you owe your life. The hole in a woman’s body is for men to fill. Women do not create life. They carry the life put into their bellies like a beast of burden. Do not be proud of your womanhood. Be proud in spite of it.” Straining for one last look at her mother, Arlee struggled in Cook’s grasp. The smell of burning wood and the stench of seared flesh permeated the air. Black smoke rose to stain the clouds above. “I am the goddess Arleena, your namesake.” Arlee struggled to hold back tears. “Will you help me? Night beasts are after me. I’m lost.” “You will help yourself.” Arleena answered. “You must believe. You will find your way.” “But how?” “Trust in yourself.” “I’m afraid.” “Have faith. Do not fear. I am with you.” Fire exploded from the dragon’s mouth with a deafening roar. The beast banked to the side, barely missing the trees before landing on the ground in a swirl of dust. Enraged, it charged, clamping onto Arlee’s dress with long teeth, shaking her from side to side causing the child to cry out in fear. Hooking its claws into the Arlee’s dress, the dragon lifted her off the ground.
With
the tip of his curved claw, Ziess-Falnoor pushed Sardia to the
dirt-covered
floor, rolled her over, and flicked her dress up to see the mark on her
back. ‘Do you know what this is? Searching for an answer, Denara went into the Beyond. As the light died away, she saw swirling grayness. The farther she went into the unfamiliar darkness the colder it became. She jerked back to the Now lest she be lost. The Beyond existed before Eternity and will exist long after Eternity is no more. How could it change? “Those who serve do so because they have no choice. Only those who rule have choices. Because I am the strongest, I would have their respect and obedience. The greatest pleasure of all is not that others obey me, but rather I obey no one. Since there can be but one ruler, I would be that one. To have others respect me, they must first fear me. After pain, fear is the best motivator, for everyone respects that which they fear. Fear outlasts all other feelings.” Denara saw a green dragon, its wings spread and teeth bared, threatening Arlee who lay face down in the dirt, wailing. Forcing herself between Arlee and the green dragon, Denara rustled her wings and arched her neck in defiance. ‘Stop, Urslyn. Do not touch this youngling,’ Denara warned, shifting her weight from one foot to another.
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