Red Dragon's Keep

Demons want to kill him. Dragons need to save him.Mages, Demons, and a Dragon Talisman plague first born son and heir Thomas Arach in the intriguing debut novel Red Dragon's Keep by Natli VanDerWerken, first book in the Young Adult fantasy series The Dragon's Children.Red Dragon's Keep has been held by the Arachs for centuries. Fourteen year old Thomas Arach wants desperately to earn his father's respect. He's been kept safe from danger all his life and he's bitterly sure he'll never be allowed to learn the arts of war.He's bullied by one of the squires in front of Lady Aeden, a warrior in her own right and trusted friend of the Duke. Aeden confronts the bully. He refuses to recognize her authority and attacks her. Thomas tries to intervene. Aeden uses her magic to stop the attack. The Duke is summoned and expels the bully from Red Dragon's Keep, sending him home in disgrace. With the best of intentions, the Duke was planning on teaching Thomas the skills he'll need to run the duchy and fight in battle. He realizes that he's run out of time and sets up training with his trusted advisers, including Lady Aeden.The Duke and Duchess have been summoned to the capital, Cathair Ri. A war with Demons is brewing, and the King is calling in all reserves and asking for help from the surrounding countries. On the way to the capital, they are ambushed and disappear.There are traitors who have been suborned by the High Sorcerer Mannan, ordered to kill the Arachs and anyone who supports them. More of the squires have been turned, conspiring to kill him. The cook almost does. She, and they, sabotage the supplies stored at the Keep, weaken the walls and gates of the Keep and plan on poisoning the water.Tales of Dragons that fought beside men against Demons have faded into legend. Archives tell of an amulet, part of an ancient talisman, a talisman that will call the Dragons back. Is one of the amulets hidden in the Dragon Tower, with its red dragon worked in stone rising up the eastern wall?Thomas learns that he can control magic. Aeden takes on the task of training him in its use. She, Captain Mathin and the Keep's seneschal, Gregory, work to train Thomas in the use of weapons, strategy and Keep management. Thomas's younger brother and sister are pulled into the training plan.Demons are attacking the outlying farmlands, called Steadings. Refugees stream toward Red Dragon's Keep. Thomas's cousins arrive at the Keep, having been driven from their home at Falcon's Spire.Demons in the undercroft below the Tower, and a Sword of Light change everything.Faolan Haloran and his family, including Marta Haloran, arrive at the Keep. Faolan served with Thomas's father as the master sergeant in charge of troops during the last war. He agrees to do so again for Thomas. Battles are planned and the Keep is prepared for attack by Demons.Can Thomas learn the lessons of war, master the magic hidden in his blood, find the Dragon Amulet, and lead the defense of his family's home before the Demons arrive?Secret passages. Amulets and Talismans. Magic and Swords of Light. Will Dragons come to aid him?Can Thomas bring everything together to save Red Dragon's Keep?