Read Online Tail of the Dragon by Craig Halloran - Free Book Online
Authors: Craig Halloran
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Genre Fiction, Teen & Young Adult
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said, bumping her horns against his.
Clack!
Nath’s temper boiled over.
Somewhere deep inside him, his conscience said, Nath, what are you getting so mad for?
He couldn’t control it, though. His inner volcano was erupting. The fires in his chest wanted to explode. “You better get out of here, Selene. I think I’ve had enough of you.”
Taken aback, she scooted away. There was hurt in her eyes. She spread her wings. “Fine. Fine, then, Nath. Good-bye.” In one powerful flap, she took to the sky.
Nath clutched the horns on his head. What am I doing? “ No, wait! Selene, come back!”
She was little more than a speck in the sky now. An ash drifting away.
He spread his own wings and cried out in pain. “Ow! Blast my busted wing!”
***
Hours later, Nath had made his way deep down inside a ravine. He’d pushed himself far into the brush overhanging the creek. His temper had long cooled, and now he hid from the world with a belly full of regret.
What in the world got into me? That was no way for a king to behave. Selene was right about that.
Sulking, he raced through the scenarios on how to make things right.
How am I supposed to apologize to someone who will probably never want to see me again? I can’t fly. I’ve lost Brenwar. Now that’s two people I have to find. Him and my mother. Not to mention there is another threat to Nalzambor. What do I do?
He closed his eyes and let it all soak in. Everything had happened at once. A sudden storm. A turn of the tide. At the moment, missing Brenwar hurt even more than losing Selene. Brenwar was his rock. The dwarf would have something to say that Nath needed to hear. But hadn’t Selene?
Aw, I mess everything up.
Things were different than before now that he was a dragon. He was still getting used to it. He needed to focus on the best way to find Brenwar first. Another part of him wanted to be with Selene.
Think, Dragon, think!
He recalled a conversation that he’d had a long time ago, before he and Bayzog had parted. The part-elven wizard had given him some advice. “When in doubt, ask yourself what your father would do.”
Yes, what would my father do?
He envisioned Balzurth’s mightier red dragon frame sitting on the throne within the great treasure chamber. His father’s eyes were often closed, but he was always aware of everything around him. Not even a mouse escaped his attention.
Come on, Nath, you’re the greatest tracker in all the lands. At least you used to be. Think of your father. Think of something. How hard can it be to find Brenwar?
He thought back to when he was much younger. Back when he spent more time with his father. It was just the two of them most of the time: hunting, fishing, and feasting together. Both of them would lie down with a bellyful and count the stars in the sky.
But every once in a while, another dragon would come by and share news with Balzurth, speaking into his father’s ear. Balzurth would nod, grunt a little, and send the dragon messenger on its way. Those were good, good times.
Nath’s eyes snapped open.
I’ve got it!
CHAPTER 16
Nath returned to the spot where he’d lost the scent of Brenwar. There was nothing extraordinary about it. It was just another stretch of woodland and heavy brush.
All right, someone around here must have seen something.
He stretched out his senses. The pulse of life was all around. The birds perched high up in the trees. The vermin that scurried over the ground. The insects that crawled underneath the moss and through the branches within. All Nath had to do was ask them.
Nath opened up his paw and sat it down on the ground. Creating a gentle hum in his voice, he beckoned to all the life that was around. His melody gently massaged the leaves in the trees. Everything that crept or crawled stopped in its path.
Come now, come. Come and help me out. I seek. Help me find.
He kept at it for minutes. There was hesitation. Fear. Curiosity. Not one creature came
Clack!
Nath’s temper boiled over.
Somewhere deep inside him, his conscience said, Nath, what are you getting so mad for?
He couldn’t control it, though. His inner volcano was erupting. The fires in his chest wanted to explode. “You better get out of here, Selene. I think I’ve had enough of you.”
Taken aback, she scooted away. There was hurt in her eyes. She spread her wings. “Fine. Fine, then, Nath. Good-bye.” In one powerful flap, she took to the sky.
Nath clutched the horns on his head. What am I doing? “ No, wait! Selene, come back!”
She was little more than a speck in the sky now. An ash drifting away.
He spread his own wings and cried out in pain. “Ow! Blast my busted wing!”
***
Hours later, Nath had made his way deep down inside a ravine. He’d pushed himself far into the brush overhanging the creek. His temper had long cooled, and now he hid from the world with a belly full of regret.
What in the world got into me? That was no way for a king to behave. Selene was right about that.
Sulking, he raced through the scenarios on how to make things right.
How am I supposed to apologize to someone who will probably never want to see me again? I can’t fly. I’ve lost Brenwar. Now that’s two people I have to find. Him and my mother. Not to mention there is another threat to Nalzambor. What do I do?
He closed his eyes and let it all soak in. Everything had happened at once. A sudden storm. A turn of the tide. At the moment, missing Brenwar hurt even more than losing Selene. Brenwar was his rock. The dwarf would have something to say that Nath needed to hear. But hadn’t Selene?
Aw, I mess everything up.
Things were different than before now that he was a dragon. He was still getting used to it. He needed to focus on the best way to find Brenwar first. Another part of him wanted to be with Selene.
Think, Dragon, think!
He recalled a conversation that he’d had a long time ago, before he and Bayzog had parted. The part-elven wizard had given him some advice. “When in doubt, ask yourself what your father would do.”
Yes, what would my father do?
He envisioned Balzurth’s mightier red dragon frame sitting on the throne within the great treasure chamber. His father’s eyes were often closed, but he was always aware of everything around him. Not even a mouse escaped his attention.
Come on, Nath, you’re the greatest tracker in all the lands. At least you used to be. Think of your father. Think of something. How hard can it be to find Brenwar?
He thought back to when he was much younger. Back when he spent more time with his father. It was just the two of them most of the time: hunting, fishing, and feasting together. Both of them would lie down with a bellyful and count the stars in the sky.
But every once in a while, another dragon would come by and share news with Balzurth, speaking into his father’s ear. Balzurth would nod, grunt a little, and send the dragon messenger on its way. Those were good, good times.
Nath’s eyes snapped open.
I’ve got it!
CHAPTER 16
Nath returned to the spot where he’d lost the scent of Brenwar. There was nothing extraordinary about it. It was just another stretch of woodland and heavy brush.
All right, someone around here must have seen something.
He stretched out his senses. The pulse of life was all around. The birds perched high up in the trees. The vermin that scurried over the ground. The insects that crawled underneath the moss and through the branches within. All Nath had to do was ask them.
Nath opened up his paw and sat it down on the ground. Creating a gentle hum in his voice, he beckoned to all the life that was around. His melody gently massaged the leaves in the trees. Everything that crept or crawled stopped in its path.
Come now, come. Come and help me out. I seek. Help me find.
He kept at it for minutes. There was hesitation. Fear. Curiosity. Not one creature came
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