Flight of the Dragon (The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Book 5 of 10) (Tail of the Dragon) by Craig Halloran Read Free Book Online

Ben’s eyes were wide on the chest full of magic. “I’m certain you’ll need it as much as we will.”
    “Nath?” Brenwar said with a perched brow. “Help him make a decision.”
    Rubbing his chin, Nath gave it more thought. His father had given the chest to Brenwar to help them. But it was to give aid to anyone, not just them. He opened it up and removed several items. He gathered them up into a small sack hidden within his clothes. “There, we have something, that’s better than nothing.” He closed the lid and handed the chest to Ben. “You and those sorcerers need to make the most of it. And take the horses too.”
    Ben smiled, then burped a puff of smoke. “Sultans of Sulfur! Did you see that?”
    “Yeah, I did. Don’t overdo it on the fire-breath potions,” Nath said. “They stick with you.”
    “Will do, Dragon,” Ben moved on, horses in tow, after Bayzog and Sasha, who had veered down a steep split in the path. It left Nath, Brenwar, and Laylana with only one another’s company.
    The dark-haired, green-eyed elven woman dressed in the leather garb of an elven warrior said to him, “If you like, I’ll go with them, too.”
    “You would?”
    “Yes. As much as I’ve enjoyed your company, I find my questions have been answered. You’re a good man—dragon—Nath. It’s been nothing short of an honor to fight by your side.” She gave him a warm embrace and a kiss on the cheek. “I know you were a true friend of my grandfather Laedorn, and that like your eyes, you have a heart of gold. But now my instincts beckon me to return home. And it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if the elves were still in pursuit of you, Nath. They won’t rest until Laedorn’s slayer is found. It’s best I get some sense of what’s going on. There must be clues to who did this. You don’t need any other distractions while you look for your father. The world’s dangerous enough as it is.”
    Nath wrapped her up in his arms and lifted her off her feet. He liked Laylana very much and found it difficult to let go. “I’ll miss you. Be well.” He let her slip out of his arms.
    Arms still draped around his neck, her eyes held his with a deeper passion. Slowly, she looked away. “Farewell, Nath.” She waved. “Farewell, Brenwar.”
    With a grunt, Brenwar said, “Uh, goodbye, elf lady.”
    Moving with the grace of a swan and the strength of a lion in her strides, Laylana vanished down the path the others had taken.
    “I guess it’s just the two of us versus the world again,” Brenwar said.
    Nath looked at his missing hand. “What’s left of us, anyway.”
    “Har!” Brenwar showed a fierce smile. “By the time it’s over, nothing will be left of us but my beard and those flaming locks of yours.”
    Nath lowered his satchel over his shoulder. “True, but you know what?”
    “What?”
    “We’re still going to win.”
    “Now you’re talking like a dwarf.”
     

CHAPTER 11
     
     
    Nath and Brenwar moved north at a brisk pace.
    “I don’t think your father should be hard to find.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “He’s too big to hide. Someone or something will have seen him.” Brenwar grumbled, “Besides, Balzurth would never get himself into a situation he couldn’t handle.”
    “No, but he’s not himself. Not since he cured Sasha. I saw darkness in his eyes when it happened.”
    “Your father will be fine.” Brenwar stroked his beard. “I’m certain of it.”
    “Of course you are,” Nath replied.
    There wasn’t much else for him to say. Part of him didn’t want to help—not because he didn’t love his father. He did. But in the back of his mind, Nath kept thinking maybe he should be working on something else. For one thing, he needed to find out who Laedorn and Uurluuk’s assassin was. Every elf and dwarf, aside from his friends, thought it was him. There were the titans to worry about, too. He needed to stop them. They and the giants had taken over every town they had passed.