Read Online A Balance Broken (Dragonsoul Saga) by J.T. Hartke - Free Book Online

but Dorias knew that it was a sign of respect. He has accepted my scent.
    “Many of my lesser kin have disappeared.” The dragon’s lips moved with great dexterity, forming the words clearly. “I believe they flock to the Dragonscales. Whatever call they answer I cannot fathom. The presence hides from me behind a dark cloud.” He flicked his long tongue along his upper lip, curling it in a threatening way around his fangs. “Those of my kind who have heard the call are removed by many generations from the Ancient Ones. They are more…primitive. My sire was of the Ancient, as well as my mother.”
    Dorias raised one eyebrow with hesitation, uncertain the dragon allowed questions in this parley. “Why do you tell me this?”
    A ridge above the dragon’s own eye lifted. “I tell you because…” The dragon paused again as if considering. “…because there are too few Ancient Ones left among us to stop our kin. Whatever power calls the lesser dragons cannot mean well for those of us who remain beyond its influence.” Groovax flicked his tail, his horned brow furrowing. “Most of my brethren have given up on human kind.”
    “Yes.” Dorias tapped his bare upper lip. “That would explain why so few have been seen in recent centuries. Most humans believe dragons to be extinct.”
    “We nearly are.” Groovax held both regret and anger in his voice. “A good portion of that is our own doing, however.”
    Dorias nodded. Of all humans, he best understood the sad history of the dragons. “There is something I should tell you.” The dragon’s head popped forward, sending Dorias a half step back. He calmed his heart with a deep breath before continuing. “I believe that I have sensed the same presence you mentioned.”
    The dragon cocked his head in a quizzical expression. “It forbids me entry into the Dreamrealm,” Dorias continued. “It is a dark, shadowy cloud that I cannot penetrate with my mind.”
    Silence pervaded the clearing. Groovax stared in thought. Shade stamped cautiously. Any other horse would have bolted long before. Merl sat in his perch, for once saying nothing.
    “Perhaps…” The dragon cocked his head. “I will not speculate. Your magic is far different from ours.” He stepped back and stretched his arms, fanning out the fingers of his golden wings. They caught the firelight and reflected it back like polished bronze. “I know your resonance, human. If you find a way back into your Dreamrealm, you may contact me from there. If I discover anything more, I will find you myself.”
    Dorias bowed again. “You may be confident in your trust, Lord Dragon. This darkness has spurned me to action already. Our alliance against it honors me.”
    Groovax laughed once more. It echoed across of the rivers below, masking the rush of their flow. Dorias felt the laughter in his stomach and bones. It made him want to giggle.
    “We shall see if this becomes an alliance , human.” The dragon laughed again, flapped his wings, and leaped into the moonlit sky. Dorias heard another chuckle from a distance as the great beast disappeared into the night. His spirits dipped in sadness at the dragon’s parting.
    “Flame!” Merl cawed out, startling Dorias.
    “At least that flame isn’t aimed at us, Merl.” He watched a dark shape cross the moon. “For now.”

“Blessed are the Fires from which were made. Blessed be the Fires to which we return”
    — Boar Clan funerary rites
     
    S lar slumped back into the tall chair of carved ebony, abandoned to him by Boar chieftain Lagdred. A sneering Brother Ortax leaned in close to his ear.
    “The Wolves do not deserve to join our holy war,” the lead shaman of the Boar Clan whispered. “Send them on their way. They ask too much.”
    A wave of Slar’s hand silenced the shaman. Ortax stepped back with a deferential nod of his head.
    “It is the command of Galdreth that I be Warchief of the united clans, not just the Boar and Ram.” Slar inclined his head