Read Online Dragon Stones (Book One in the Dragon Stone Saga) by Kristian Alva - Free Book Online

vast.”
    “I have an instinct, and I will follow it,”
said Tallin. The others waited for him to elaborate, but he did not
offer anything more. Duskeye nudged his rider, but also remained
silent. Their thoughts were guarded, as always.
    “It is an honorable choice. I will report
our decision to the king,” said Sela.
    “It is decided, then. Duskeye and I leave
for Darkmouth Forest tonight,” said Tallin.

    ***

Chapter 5: The Mage’s Flame
    Elias awoke with a start. It had been
exactly one week since he found the dragon stone. His dreams had
grown more disturbing. When he closed his eyes at night, he dreamt
only of dragons. When he woke up, his mind wandered, and he
daydreamed of dragons. He rubbed his eyes and peeked outside the
window. It was snowing. Again.
    His grandmother was already awake, stirring
porridge in the kitchen.
    “Good morning, Elias. I am using some of
your honey to make breakfast. I got fresh goat’s milk this morning
from Borgil. He still owed me for sewing up his arm two months
ago.” She put the wooden spoon to her lips and tasted, nodding with
satisfaction. “It’s only wheat gruel, but it is sweet and
delicious.”
    Elias got up and put on his cloak. “It’s
freezing. A hot breakfast sounds wonderful.” He walked over and
inhaled the aroma of bubbling porridge.
    “It snowed last night, and it will continue
to snow throughout the week. These mountains are colder than the
valley. It’s a trade-off. We are safer from bandits and the
emperor’s tax collectors, but we have to deal with more severe
weather. The mountains and the forest offer us protection.”
    “I still wish it was warmer.” He shivered.
“Grandmother, are the Death Sands hot all the time, even in the
winter?”
    “Yes. It is always warm in the Death Sands,
although the temperatures are milder in the fall and winter. The
desert is treacherous. A healthy man can die there in just a few
hours. The Death Sands are filled with dangerous creatures, nomads,
and bandits. One should never underestimate the power of the
desert.”
    “Have you ever been to the Death Sands,
grandmother?”
    “Yes, many years ago, before you were born.
I dare not speak of it much; it is a rebel territory, after all.
It’s best to keep quiet about such things.” She looked wistfully at
the ceiling. “It’s beautiful, though. In all of Durn, there is no
place like it. At night, you can see a million stars in the sky.
There are no clouds. In the spring, the rain comes and the cactus
flowers bloom purple and white. There is nothing as lovely as the
desert in bloom. And there are the dragons. It’s amazing to see
them fly free.”
    “Really? What do they look like?” Elias
started to ask her more questions about the desert, but was
distracted by shouting outside.
    “What was that?” asked Carina.
    “I don’t know.” Elias peeked out the window.
“There’s something going on in the village. I see men on horses.
They’re dressed in yellow and red.”
    Carina rushed to the window, pulling away
the sackcloth curtain, “Elias!” she gasped. “Those are empire
soldiers! They are coming towards us!” The men were still a good
distance away, but their armor and horses set them apart. These
were the emperor’s men.
    Elias ran to the door, but Carina shoved him
back. She grabbed his shoulders, and twisted him around to face
her. Her knuckles were white.
    “Elias—tell me the truth—did you tell anyone
else about the stone?” Carina whispered anxiously.
    “I—Y-Yes. I tried to sell it to Frogar a few
days ago. I-I’m sorry! I thought I could get some money—to help us
through the winter!” His eyes filled with tears. He had never seen
his grandmother this frantic.
    “Don’t cry—just tell me—where is the stone
now?”
    “It-it’s in my room, hidden.” Elias
trembled. “I-I didn’t take the stone back to the forest, like you
asked me. I was going to take it to Jutland, and sell it. I’m
sorry! I’m so sorry!”
    “Elias!