Dragon Down by Casey Knight Read Free Book Online Page B

Please be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you and Tokem.”
    “We ’ll be careful and we’ll bring Traygen home. After all, we have a wedding to plan.”
    We finished our goodbyes and I returned to my room. I would be traveling light. No designer clothes needed for this trip. Basic black fatigues, soft soled leather combat boots and no makeup. I shuddered to think. I felt my bracelet vibrating softly on my wrist, and I carried my staff. There were numerous concealed weapons and I carried several knives. I had my Smith and Wesson securely strapped to my thigh and I wore an ammo belt full of vials. I was as armed and as dangerous as I could make myself. God only knew what we would face and I didn’t want to be unprepared. Knowing I’d have to make do with whatever I could carry. Satisfied that I had everything I could possibly need, I stretched out on the bed.
    I don ’t know how long I dozed, but a persistent rap on my door woke me. “I’m coming.” I mumbled as I staggered to unlock my door.
    Zane was standing there. “We are ready to go if you are.”
    “I’ll be right down,” I said without preamble and shut the door in his face.
    By the time I’d finished dressing and got downstairs, the general and four dragons were waiting.
    “Nice of you to join us ,” Tokem teased as he darted just out of my reach.
    We got underway without comment or fanfare. The sun wasn ’t up yet and the only hint of the coming dawn was a few smudges of orange in the eastern sky. I hauled myself up on the nearest dragon, settling in for the ride. My teeth were already chattering and my hands were numb. I pulled my chin further down inside my jacket and leaned down close to my dragon. I was trying to make myself as small as possible. We flew for what seemed like an eternity. By the time we landed, I had all I could do to slide down off my dragon. My legs were so cold they dropped me unceremoniously on my ass. Very ladylike, my mom would have been so proud. I struggled to regain my footing and pride. I managed to regain my footing. Pride, as everyone knows, goes before the fall and in my case literally true.
    Having made an impressive landing I helped Zane unload our supplies. It didn ’t take us long to stow our things on the boat. We chatted with General Wingo about our planned route. He gave us a few words of caution about the reefs and currents in the area before leaving. After the general and his men departed, I hugged my coat tightly around me. Finally, we were going after Traygen. I’m coming my love, hang in there. Don’t give up my love, not now . Tokem landed lightly on my shoulder.
    “Don ’t worry Lauren, we’ll bring him home.”
    “If you two would lend a hand , we can get under sail.”
    Tokem and I exchanged glances and then got to work. It took us about an hour to carry all the supplies below decks and secure them. Then we sat down and studied the maps. Our course was set and so were our sails. The boat tacked efficiently out to sea. Zane appeared to be a seasoned sailor, which is a good thing. My experience sailing was limited to cocktail cruises. Even I questioned my sea worthiness.
    We fe ll into an easy silence. There wasn’t any need for conversation. Chores were assigned and duties accomplished. Sometime around midday, we ate our lunch. This was not a gourmet cruise. Lunch consisted of dried meat, stale bread and water. A weight watcher’s dream, I wouldn’t have any trouble fitting into my wedding gown when we returned.
    “How long do you think it will be before we reach one of the Paradise Islands?”
    Zane finished tying off the cleat before he answered. “Depending on the tides, I’d say a day or two. The islands are not ease to find. They are enchanted to protect their occupants.”
    “What enchantments?”
    “Lauren, they use the mists to try to disguise their presence. More often than not, they are successful. It took Jason and me nearly a week the last time we tried to find