Dragon Bones And Tombstones (Book 2) by Craig Halloran Read Free Book Online Page B

stuffed a gag in its mouth. “We’ve got to find dragons now. This one stayed behind for some reason, or was tracking back. Me thinks they're worried they might be followed.”
    “Other poachers, you think?”
    “It wouldn’t be the first time." Brenwar slung the goblin over his shoulder. “You know that.  Now carry my sack. Daylight's burning.”
    “What are you going to do with the goblin, Brenwar?” I held my nose. “It stinks.”
    “Evil stinks. You should be used to it by now.” He started hoofing it up the mountain. “When it comes to, I'll beat what we need out of it, but there ain’t no sense in waiting for that when the poachers have a lead on us.”
    I slung Brenwar’s pack over my shoulder along with mine. His pack was twice as heavy. Of course, most of the stuff was mine anyway, so I shouldn’t complain. But it didn’t do my ailing leg much good. So I tried to block out my discomfort, opting to marvel at my incredible arm all I could. It was fast! Insanely so, and I liked it.
    “Quit looking at it,” Brenwar growled, forcing us deep up the mountain and into the woods.

 
    CHAPTER 9
     
     
    After the first few miles, my wounded leg was in agony, and I’d forgotten all about my dragon arm. I just wanted to stop. I had no idea how Brenwar carried so much, no problem, no complaint, no issue at all. I wiped the sweat from my eyes and groaned. I could see the trail of the goblins. Moving a dragon over the faint and rugged pathways wouldn’t be easy, but they had their ways. Judging by things, there were many to carry the load, too, so at least I had a good idea about the sizable force we’d run into. They were careful to cover their tracks, but it wasn’t enough.
    Ahead, Brenwar stopped. The goblin had awoken and now was wriggling in its bonds, eyeballing us with hatred. Brenwar’s shoulders heaved up, and the goblin fell to the ground with a wump.
    “Interrogation time,” Brenwar said, a row of white teeth showing over his beard.
    Now, you might be thinking that an interrogation could be cruel and painful. And that it might conflict with the higher standards that I’d set in life. And you’re right; they can, and they will sometimes. Of course, that’s what Brenwar’s for. 
    I dropped the two packs on the ground and started rubbing my aching shoulders. “Finally.”
    Brenwar jerked the rag from the goblin’s mouth and drew back to wallop it in the nose.
    “Easy Brenwar,” I said, “let’s give it a chance to speak first.”
    Brenwar stayed close, eyes intent on the goblin's mouth. Goblins have many tricks, and they only need a few seconds to send a warning.
    “Nah, I don’t trust him.” Brenwar wrapped his fingers around its throat. “Just ask yer questions and make it quick.”
    The first question was the obvious choice.
    “How many in your troop?”
    “Heh … heh … I’ll not tell— urk! ”
    Its eyes widened as Brenwar squeezed. I could see its grimy coat of skin begin to turn red in the cheeks.
    I checked the dirt under my dragon claw nails. My, my black claws were so shiny.
    “Oh goblin,” I wagged my finger in his face, “I don’t think you want to toy with us again. Now, when I ask you a question, I suggest that you answer, with all the forthcoming integrity I’ve come to expect from your race.”
    Brenwar’s fingers slacked.
    “I don’t have integrity,” the goblin said. “Goblins don’t know what that is.”
    “Ah, an honest goblin, that is a good thing. Perhaps we can compromise on the information I require then.”
    It cocked its ugly head. It seemed as if it wanted to scratch its head and consider what I had suggested. Goblins were always open to bargain, especially when it concerned their lives.
    “C-Compromise,” it said, eyes sliding over towards Brenwar then back to me. “What kind?”
    Now that was good. The goblin was open to negotiate, but I think it had more to do with its own self-preservation than anything else.
    “You tell me where