Dragon Cursed

Think of the most beautiful music you’ve ever heard. Now, imagine a master musician—a virtuoso—who can play that music perfectly, but only on a single, specific instrument. This instrument, crafted from rare wood and enchanted silver, is her entire world. Her identity, her purpose, her magic are all bound to it. One day, the instrument is stolen. Not just stolen, but taken by the one person she thought she could trust, leaving her with nothing but silence and a profound, aching emptiness. She is now adrift in a world that no longer recognizes her, stripped of the one thing that made her special. How does a master find her music again when her instrument is gone forever, and the silence that remains is a constant, screaming reminder of her betrayal and loss?

The question of how to rebuild an identity from the ashes of betrayal is a central theme for author Elise Kova. Known for crafting intricate worlds where magic is deeply personal and often comes at a great cost, Kova has a history of exploring characters pushed to their absolute limits. In her Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles, she wanted to take this exploration a step further. After establishing a powerful, confident protagonist in the first book, she deliberately stripped everything away from her for the sequel, Dragon Cursed. This was a way for Kova to grapple with the idea of what remains when a person’s core purpose is violently taken from them, forcing them—and the reader—to discover what new strengths can be forged in the ensuing silence.

Module 1: The System of Control — Vinguard's Walls and Doctrines

The city of Vinguard is a fortress. It's surrounded by a massive wall, a physical barrier against a blighted world. But the most important walls are built from fear and doctrine, enforced by a powerful institution known as the Creed. This system is designed to maintain order, but it does so through rigid control.

First, the system manufactures consent through fear of an external enemy. The Creed teaches that dragons are creatures of pure evil, born from a corrupting force called Ethershade. This doctrine justifies the city's isolation. It justifies the absolute authority of the Mercy Knights, the city's dragon-hunting military order. The constant threat of dragons is a political tool that keeps the population compliant and dependent on the Creed for protection. Any deviation from this doctrine is treason.

From there, the control becomes more personal. The system uses a rite of passage to identify and eliminate internal threats. This is the Tribunal. It's a three-week ordeal where every young adult is tested to see if they are "dragon cursed." The Creed claims this process is to root out those susceptible to Ethershade, who might transform into dragons themselves. The tests are brutal. They involve starvation, psychological torment, and constant surveillance. Inquisitors watch for any sign of weakness, any deviation from the norm. The message is clear: conform or be eliminated. The deadliest dragon, the supplicants are told, is the one within.

And here's the thing. The system maintains its power by controlling knowledge. Access to information is a privilege. The main library, containing ancient maps and histories, is restricted to those with "gilding," a mark of full citizenship. The protagonist, Isola, is denied access despite her high-profile status. This information control ensures the Creed's version of history is the only one most people ever hear. Isola’s mother, a disgraced scholar, conducts secret, illegal research on dragons. She believes the Creed's teachings are a lie. Her forbidden work represents a direct challenge to the system. It suggests that the truth about dragons, Ethershade, and the curse might be a science that can be understood, and perhaps, even cured.