Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
There are signs of trespassers navigating between Oldrik’s mountain and mine. I have notified him as well.
Is there a road or a pass there?
Not for a hundred years. I am following the trail. They are strategically staying under cover of the forest.
I’m coming.
After one last look at his sleeping mate, Khadar forced himself to stand and walk quietly from the room. He stopped at a blackboard pinned next to the door and wrote in green chalk: Dragon business. I’ll be back.
Once in flight, he headed for the bronze and blue dragon’s mountains, spotting the two immediately as they circled over an isolated thatch of trees. As he neared the two, Khadar roared. Immediately, the other dragons roared back. That sound should scare and terrify whoever was below.
Plumes of colored smoke rose, obstructing their view. It was as if a thousand smoke bombs from the old fireworks stands were detonated. Blue, red, and green pillars rose into the sky. Khadar wheeled off to avoid breathing in the chemicals. Something smelled wrong.
Danger! Beware the fumes!
Too late. Dizzy.
Khadar wheeled, heading back toward Oldrik. He had to try to help, even if he put himself in danger. Sending a burst of flame toward the colored smoke, he hoped the fire would eliminate any possible danger. A weird musical tune distracted him for a second and he shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Refocused, he continued on his path. The sound of a huge collision made Khadar wheel to the side. What had just happened in the smoky haze? He saw Oldrik’s gigantic form emerge from the thick colored mess, flying sideways as if from the impact. Ardon appeared after him, propelled by his own power. Khadar guessed Ardon had slammed into Oldrik, pushing him out of danger.
Good job, Ardon!
Khadar commended the bronze dragon as he watched the affected dragon settle in a safe place. Oldrik shook his snout, obviously trying to free his mind of whatever was in that smoke.
I owe you one, Ardon. If I’d been inside any longer…
I’ll collect someday, Oldrik. For now, let’s eliminate whoever is causing this. Can you use your sound, Khadar?
Wait! There are twelve people on the ground. Eleven are huddled together and appear to be shackled.
At that report from Ardon, Khadar abandoned the idea of unleashing his sound.
Ardon, would you like to join me on the ground to do some hunting?
Good idea.
Oldrik? What’s your viability?
I’m eighty percent but improving. I’m with you.
I’ll land in the north. Oldrik, take your side. Ardon, can you attack from the west?
An affirmative roar from the bronze dragon triggered the release of more colored smoke into the air. Gotcha! That thick cover would keep the one man orchestrating the attack from the ground from seeing that the dragons had landed and shifted. Khadar sent a warning to Oldrik and Ardon.
Watch for sensors on the ground.
Landing as softly as he could, Khadar shifted quickly and moved cautiously but quickly toward the small murmur of voices. In a few minutes, he could see a man who focused on the obscured sky above. He held a long torch in his hand.
Khadar glanced up. Immediately, he relayed what he saw.
Above his head are bags tied to the trees. He is using a torch to reach and ignite them.
I’m here. I see them.
With Ardon in place, Khadar moved closer. Pulling out a knife, he prepared to take out the man wielding the torch. A flash to the left warned him, and Khadar dropped to the ground, feeling a bolt glance over his shoulders.
Booby traps in the trees. I’m taking this guy out.
Finding the widest spot between the trees, Khadar shifted. His armored sides snapped off a few trunks, toppling them to the side. As soon as his transformation into dragon form finished, he roared a pinpointed line of fire over the heads of those shackled. The torch bearer erupted in flames and died within a fraction of a second. His attempt to ignite another bag failed due to the intensity of Khadar’s attack.
“Well, that didn’t take long.” Ardon’s voice carried from the other side of the camp. “I’ll free these people.”
“Hold off on that for a few,” Oldrik suggested as he approached from the opposite direction.
“Thank you!” a woman called from the group. “We didn’t know how to warn you. They grabbed us from our camp and made us carry those bags up there.”
Khadar didn’t buy it. The victims could have easily overpowered one man. This makes no sense.
Agreed. Ardon moved closer to those secured together as if he were coming to free them. Weapons under their cloaks. They’re holding something in their fists.
Seeing them move to raise their hands, Khadar opened his jaw and released his special call. The group dropped to the ground. Two additional thumps resounded sickeningly. The dragon shifters, even in human form, had no ill effects.