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forward. Nath continued, however. Even though he was a friendly force, he still looked like a giant predator—for dragons fed on all kinds of things. The world was their buffet. Some ate bugs, others fish of the waters and the fowl of the air. Some dragons only ate the flowers and leaves.
    Come , Nath beckoned. Come.
    Nothing came.
    Blast!
    Nath sat down, shaking his head. He didn’t have anyone left to help him. No friends in sight, and he couldn’t blame them. He’d run Selene off. He’d acted like a lousy king, and even the creatures of the forest knew that. He’d lost all credibility.
    I’m a sad excuse for a Dragon King. And I thought things would be easy once I was a dragon. Out of the corner of his eye he caught some movement. What’s this?
    A raccoon approached, head low. It was a big one, bushy, with chestnut brown spots and rings instead of black. It stopped short of Nath’s paw.
    Nath hummed out a welcoming sound.
    The raccoon lifted its head.
    Now came the tricky part. Animals and insects couldn’t speak, but they had their ways of communicating. Nath summoned his magic and released a spell. He had several he could recall that he’d learned when he was younger and walked the lands more. Speaking with animals was one of them, and it had helped him rescue many dragons.
    “How are you?” he said in words the raccoon could understand.
    It spoke back. “I am well, Mighty Dragon. How may I assist?”
    “What is your name, little friend?”
    “I’m called the Ringed Goose by my family,” it said.
    “I lost a friend, a dwarf. Bones for a hand and black bearded. Have you seen him?”
    “Yes,” the raccoon said. “He was here yesterday. He marched through and then was taken.”
    “Taken by what or who?”
    Tiny clawed hands together, the raccoon looked back over his shoulders. “I’m scared to say for fear that me and my family might be eaten.”
    “I won’t let that happen,” Nath said. “Please, help me. He’s my dear friend, and he means as much to me as your family to you.”
    The raccoon nodded. “A black, black dragon dropped from the sky and took him.”
    No! Not Selene!
    “Can you describe this dragon in better detail? Did it have blood-red eyes and rough, dark scales, perhaps?”
    “The scales were such as yours,” the raccoon said.
    “Did it have horns on its head?”
    “The raccoon rubbed its chin. “Yes, I think so.”
    Nath’s heart dipped. “Now think hard on this. Did you see the dragon’s eyes?”
    “Oh, most definitely, they were the prettiest and deadliest violet I ever saw.”
    ***
    Head filled with troubles, Nath burrowed his way into a nearby mountainside and blended in with his surroundings. The raccoon’s news was deeply disturbing. Selene had betrayed him once again, it seemed.
    After all we have been through, she’s turned on me? Why?
    His heart ached.
    And why take Brenwar? She wouldn’t kill him, would she?
    Of course, if anyone wasn’t as blind as Nath, it was Brenwar. Nath cared deeply for Selene, Brenwar not so much. He wasn’t a very forgiving sort. And if the seasoned soldier suspected something, he wouldn’t hesitate to let Nath know about it.
    I can’t believe this is happening. And it couldn’t be more perfect. Here I am grounded with a busted wing.
    He curled deeper into his spot. Mind filled with doubt, he ran over countless scenarios. Did Selene want his throne? Did Gorn Grattack still live? Was she trying to prevent him from finding his mother?
    It seems my suspicions were right all along. That Selene. She’s such an actress. I should have known better. Fine, I’ll wait it out, Selene. My wing will heal soon enough, and then I’m going to hunt you down like a draykis.
    Burrowed deep in the earth, he settled in and used his energy to heal up. All around him the plant life perked up, starting with new growth. Hours went by that turned into days. Before long he was covered in the brush and flowers. The varmints of the forest didn’t