Read Online Finding the Wolf(The Dragon's Hoard #1) by Mell Eight - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mell Eight
Tags: Fantasy, M/M romance
Ads: Link
the Eldest's caves in silence. The cave they entered was huge, probably the largest under the dragon mountain. Dragons of all colors sat in no apparent order on huge outcroppings of rock kept bare of all sparkle so nothing could distract the dragons from the serious matters discussed within the cave.
Nyle led Leon and Bast across the empty floor. He directed Bast to sit on the human-sized ledge to the left of where the Eldest sat, next to a man who must be the representative of the werewolves. Leon helped Nyle clamber higher onto a riser next to the one Toel and Gail occupied on the right of the Eldest.
"Grave matters befall dragon-kind," the Eldest said softly as Nyle wiggled uncomfortably on the ledge that was moderately comfortable when he was dragon sized, rather than human. He leaned against Leon and cradled his injury in his lap.
"The humans must be punished!" a dragon across the room growled. "How dare they disrespect their betters!"
Toel hissed and raised his head to glare at the speaker, but it was Gail whose voice rang out over the protests of the dragon. "The Eldest said grave matters, not human disobedience," she snapped. "We go to war, not against the humans, but against a being called the magi who have enslaved human and wolf alike and now wish to enslave dragons as well."
"Impossible," another dragon gasped. There was a soft murmuring of agreement throughout the room before the Eldest raised one paw for silence.
Into the quiet room the Eldest spoke very softly, but no one missed a word or doubted the seriousness of the situation.
"We gather to discuss our battle plans. Information has been collected and allies gathered. Now we must attack." He turned to the werewolf envoy. "Dragons are hindered among trees. Can your kind attack from the royal forest to the north of the castle, Envoy Nel?"
Nel stood and bowed politely to the Eldest, the white splash of color in his otherwise brown hair, as if he had dipped part of his bangs in a can of paint, was clearly visible with the movement. "It would be our pleasure. However, we need a sign to separate ally humans from non-ally so we do not attack the wrong force."
The Eldest turned to Bast with an eyebrow lifted in question.
"I will have all my troops wear a strip of red cloth around their arms," Bast said after a moment's thought.
Nel smiled humbly. "An excess bit of cloth tied around a bicep is acceptable, but only the strongest of my kind see color in their animal form. Color does not matter."
"Our thanks," the Eldest said to Nel. "The humans must infiltrate from the city," he said to Bast.
"I am already in place within the city," Bast agreed. "I also have forces in place inside the castle, but after tonight I'm inclined to think them compromised," he added ruefully.
"Such inclinations are most likely correct," the Eldest said. "I would also suggest that you consider any information gathered in recent days from your operatives within the castle to be compromised as well."
"Of course," Bast replied.
"And Prince Felix?" the Eldest inquired politely. "Is he prepared for the battle as well?"
"Felix is hidden with my forces in the city," Bast replied. "He's a diplomat, not a fighter, but he is prepared to take the throne once our father has been removed."
"That is heartening news," the Eldest said.
"And what about dragons?" Meil called from nearby.
"I believe a two-fold plan for the dragon attack is most apt," the Eldest answered. "First we must set fire to the castle to sow fear and confusion. Then, as the human armies led by Bast and the werewolf forces attack, dragons will fly in. You will be split into task forces one led by An'tatoel, a second by An'mameil, and the last by An'sasaul," he said, nodding to a large fire-orange dragon that looked as if he were almost as old as the Eldest.
"We need volunteers for those willing to set the fires," the Eldest added.
Nyle perked up. He didn't relish following someone else's flight path, nor did he like
Nyle led Leon and Bast across the empty floor. He directed Bast to sit on the human-sized ledge to the left of where the Eldest sat, next to a man who must be the representative of the werewolves. Leon helped Nyle clamber higher onto a riser next to the one Toel and Gail occupied on the right of the Eldest.
"Grave matters befall dragon-kind," the Eldest said softly as Nyle wiggled uncomfortably on the ledge that was moderately comfortable when he was dragon sized, rather than human. He leaned against Leon and cradled his injury in his lap.
"The humans must be punished!" a dragon across the room growled. "How dare they disrespect their betters!"
Toel hissed and raised his head to glare at the speaker, but it was Gail whose voice rang out over the protests of the dragon. "The Eldest said grave matters, not human disobedience," she snapped. "We go to war, not against the humans, but against a being called the magi who have enslaved human and wolf alike and now wish to enslave dragons as well."
"Impossible," another dragon gasped. There was a soft murmuring of agreement throughout the room before the Eldest raised one paw for silence.
Into the quiet room the Eldest spoke very softly, but no one missed a word or doubted the seriousness of the situation.
"We gather to discuss our battle plans. Information has been collected and allies gathered. Now we must attack." He turned to the werewolf envoy. "Dragons are hindered among trees. Can your kind attack from the royal forest to the north of the castle, Envoy Nel?"
Nel stood and bowed politely to the Eldest, the white splash of color in his otherwise brown hair, as if he had dipped part of his bangs in a can of paint, was clearly visible with the movement. "It would be our pleasure. However, we need a sign to separate ally humans from non-ally so we do not attack the wrong force."
The Eldest turned to Bast with an eyebrow lifted in question.
"I will have all my troops wear a strip of red cloth around their arms," Bast said after a moment's thought.
Nel smiled humbly. "An excess bit of cloth tied around a bicep is acceptable, but only the strongest of my kind see color in their animal form. Color does not matter."
"Our thanks," the Eldest said to Nel. "The humans must infiltrate from the city," he said to Bast.
"I am already in place within the city," Bast agreed. "I also have forces in place inside the castle, but after tonight I'm inclined to think them compromised," he added ruefully.
"Such inclinations are most likely correct," the Eldest said. "I would also suggest that you consider any information gathered in recent days from your operatives within the castle to be compromised as well."
"Of course," Bast replied.
"And Prince Felix?" the Eldest inquired politely. "Is he prepared for the battle as well?"
"Felix is hidden with my forces in the city," Bast replied. "He's a diplomat, not a fighter, but he is prepared to take the throne once our father has been removed."
"That is heartening news," the Eldest said.
"And what about dragons?" Meil called from nearby.
"I believe a two-fold plan for the dragon attack is most apt," the Eldest answered. "First we must set fire to the castle to sow fear and confusion. Then, as the human armies led by Bast and the werewolf forces attack, dragons will fly in. You will be split into task forces one led by An'tatoel, a second by An'mameil, and the last by An'sasaul," he said, nodding to a large fire-orange dragon that looked as if he were almost as old as the Eldest.
"We need volunteers for those willing to set the fires," the Eldest added.
Nyle perked up. He didn't relish following someone else's flight path, nor did he like
Similar Books
