Trusted: Dragons' Trust Book 1 by Krista Wayment Read Free Book Online

Thane and Lainey's attention. "Lainey," Renick said when he had gained a little more control, "we aren't really going to eat it."
    "We aren't?" Her voice was fearful and pleading.
    "No," Thane said with a smile, "its meat is poisonous."
    Relief showed on Lainey's face. "Good. Renick, did you make a spit?"
    Renick nodded his head and handed one of the support sticks he had found to Thane, who drove it into the ground next to their fire. Renick had to try a few times before he could get the other one into the ground directly across from it. Thane picked up the roasting stick and pushed the pointy end through the first rabbit.
    "Wait," Renick said. "Dragons eat their meat raw. Give me some of that second rabbit."
    Thane cut the rabbit in half with his knife and handed the rump end to Renick. He put the other half on the skewer and set it across the two support sticks.
    "Can I borrow your knife?" Renick asked. Thane flipped the knife so he was holding the tip of the blade and held it out to Renick, who cut the rabbit into small pieces.
    "What're you doing?" Lainey asked.
    "The dragon's still too small to eat on his own. At this age, the mother dragon would still be partially digesting his food for him. But if we cut up the meat small enough, he'll be able to manage." Renick held out a handful of meat to Lainey. After a moment's hesitation, she took it.
    "You must've fed a lot of baby dragons," she said.
    Renick shrugged. "Every once in a while, there's a runt that needs hand–feeding. That usually fell to me."
    "So, how do I do it?"
    "Hold one little piece over his head. When he opens his mouth, drop it on his tongue, not down his throat." Renick explained.
    As Lainey fed it, the baby dragon started to wiggle around and seemed to sigh contentedly.
    "You look like you have something on your mind, Renick," Lainey said without raising her eyes.
    "I was just remembering a story."
    "Let's hear it then," Thane said gruffly. Lainey shot a dagger–like look at him. "What?" He raised his hands in surrender. "I knew you were going to ask. I just beat you too it." They both turned to watch Renick expectantly.
    "A long time ago, there was a boy called Louren, who rescued a dragon that had been rejected by its mother," Renick started. He knew this tale well, as his father had told it many times. "The dragon was so grateful for what Louren had done that he stayed by his side day and night, protecting him. When Louren grew into a man, the dragon would follow him to market, where no one dared to cheat him. No thief ever stepped foot on his land. No bandits ever gave him trouble. Louren had a long and successful life. When his hair turned gray and his body started to fail, the dragon gave him a final gift. The dragon spoke Louren's name and then surrendered his life to Louren. With his body restored to its youth, Louren was able to live a second life that was just as plentiful as the first."
    His tale finished, Renick looked up from the fire to see Thane and Lainey still watching him. The daylight had faded and their faces glowed against the darkness.
    "I like that story," Lainey said with a yawn.
    "It's just a story. Dragons don't really speak," Thane insisted.
    Renick shrugged. "They don't." But he wished in his heart that they did.

Chapter 8: The River Rushes On
     
    Lainey looked up at the canopy of trees. Sunlight danced across the wet leaves, making them sparkle. She breathed in the refreshing scent of the forest after a rain. Aunt Melatheen loved the rain. The thought brought a pang of worry and regret. Lainey let herself feel it for a just a moment before carefully tucking it away. The best thing to do for her aunt was to get out of the forest and find help.
    "Look," Thane called out.
    She turned to follow the line of Thane's outstretched arm. Up ahead, the river widened to fill a large gap in the forest. The river was so flooded that it lapped at the trunks of some of the trees that lined its banks. Here the river flowed at a much