Battle of the Dragon (The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Book 3) (Tail of the Dragon)

by Craig Halloran

  Battle of the Dragon

  The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Book 3

  By Craig Halloran

  Battle of the Dragon

  The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Book 3

  By Craig Halloran

  Copyright © March 2016 by Craig Halloran

  Amazon Edition

  TWO-TEN BOOK PRESS

  P.O. Box 4215, Charleston, WV 25364

  ISBN eBook: 978-1-941208-37-3

  ISBN Paperback: 978-1-941208-38-0

  http://www.thedarkslayer.net

  Cover Illustration by Joe Shawcross

  Map by Gillis Bjork

  Edited by Cherise Kelley

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recorded, photocopied, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

  Publisher's Note

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter 1

  The Elven Field of Dreams. Nath lay face down in a pile of yellow and pink lilies, waving his arms and letting the fragrant flowers tickle his nose.

  “Ah-hahahahaha!”

  He rolled, hugging and kissing Fang. If there had ever been a time in his life when he had doubted his survival, it had been today. Surrounded by giants, wurmers, and the titan king Eckubahn, he’d cheated death once again.

  That he was elated was an understatement. He rolled on his back and kicked his legs.

  “Fang, you are amazing!”

  “Tang is amazing!” said Pepper, the giant halfling. “What is Tang?”

  “Fang,” Nath said, sitting up and correcting the gray-headed halfling. “With an ‘F’!”

  Pepper cupped his hand to his ear. “Who’s Jeff?”

  “He said ‘F’ for Fang!” yelled Brenwar the dwarf, looking up at Pepper and then glancing at Nath. “Where in the world did you dig up this oversized mop top, Nath?”

  Coming to his feet, Nath said, “The Urslay dungeons. He came to my aid, sort of.”

  With one eyebrow cocked and his nose twitching, Brenwar said, “Sure he did. Seems a bit shifty to me. Those beady eyes.” His grip tightened on his war hammer’s haft. “I don’t like him.”

  Looking down at Brenwar, Pepper said, “I like you too.” He wandered away, staring at all the lush greenery.

  Brenwar yelled after him, “I said I didn’t like you!”

  “You don’t like anybody,” Selene added, rolling her eyes. She sauntered over to Nath and ran her thumb over a bloody scratch on his cheek. “You look terrible.”

  The nearness of Selene’s beautiful face revealed a swollen eye and a bruise on her chin. Nath took her hand in his. “And you’ve never looked better. Didn’t I tell you two not to come after me?”

  “Yes,” Selene and Brenwar said together.

  “I just wanted to make sure you were each just as hardheaded as the other.” Nath stuck Fang tip first in the ground and marveled. “Sultans of Sulfur! I don’t know what made me do that. I didn’t know he was capable of such a feat. My scales are still tingling.” He turned his head.

  The Elven Field of Dreams was a place of wonder and marvel. Every imaginable flower and bush of beauty was there. Lavender and sage splashed the tree line in the distance. Pink-, blue-, and white-spotted roses and knee-high daffodils spread as far as the eye could see. The fragrant aroma was intoxicating, energizing, and soothing. “I wonder why he brought us here.”

  “Morgdon would have been far better.” Brenwar flicked Fang with his finger. “Take me to an ale house.”

  “Don’t do that,” Nath said, shielding the blade.

  “Oh, pardon me.” Brenwar patted the blade on the pommel. “Apparently everyone else can have a sense of humor, but I can’t.”

  “Oh, the dwarf made a jest.” Selene had bent over to pick some flowers. “How unfunny.”

  “You’re one to talk, frostbite queen,” said the dwarf.

  “None of this bickering will make our wounds any better,” Nath replied.

  “Maybe not you, but I’m feeling better already.” Brenwar rolled his burly shoulders and grimaced. “Ooh!”

  Selene chuckled.

  “No, but seriously, why did Fang bring us here?” Nath cocked his head. Nearby was the sound of cascading water. He pulled the great blade out of the ground and started heading in that direction.

  Alongside him, Selene said, “Isn’t that blade of elven craftsmanship? Perhaps that’s why.”

  “Pah!” Brenwar scoffed.

  “Perhaps the elves had a part in it, but Father was always clear that he made Fang for me himself.”

  “Pah!” Brenwar said again.

  Nath turned around and walked backward so he could face his friends. “What are your thoughts, Brenwar?”

  “Only a dwarven forge could have sired that blade. Your father used the fires of Morgdon to temper it.”

  “And you know that for a fact? Didn’t Laedorn say he was there for its making?”

  “I know what I know!” Brenwar stormed forward right by the both of them. “Now get out of my way. I’m thirsty. And if I can’t get any ale, I guess I’ll have to make do with this elven pond water.”

  The three of them approached a pond so clear you could see to the bottom. Bright fish darted back and forth underneath. There was plant life too, like mushrooms with a soft radiant glow to them. On the other side, water cascaded over rocky falls, plunging into the pond to create foaming bubbles. It didn’t make any ripples.

  Seeing the looks on his friends’ faces, Nath turned to look. “That’s odd.”

  Selene lifted her brows. “That’s magic.”

  “Hi-Hoooo!” Pepper yelled from out of nowhere. He was standing on some rocks to Nath’s left, gazing at the waters. He was waving his arms and only wearing his trousers. “Watcha waiting for? Get in!”

  “No, Pepper, wait!” Nath cried.

  Knees up and jumping high, Pepper cannonballed into the pond.

  Splash!

  On his knees, scooping a mouthful of water into his bearded face, Brenwar glowered. “Dirty halflings aren’t good for anything. Now the entire pond is ruined.”

  Floating on his back and paddling with his feet, Pepper waved his hand in the air. “Get in. This water is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. So exhilarating!”

  Nath lifted up his foot, tried to tug his boot off, and fell down. “Perhaps I’m a little wearier than I expected.” He rubbed the scales on his shoulder. He was aching all over. More so than he’d realized. With a grunt, he tugged at his boot again, but it didn’t come off. “I’m going to have to cut them off.”

  Selene approached. “Maybe your feet grew.” Her tail snaked over and coiled around Nath’s ankle. She grabbed his boot by the heel and pulled it off. She did the same with the other. “You just needed a woman’s touch.”

  “Apparently so.” Nath removed his chest plate and the tunic underneath. He moved toward the water and said to Selene, “Coming?”

  “Perhaps.”

  Nath waded in. The cool water cleansed every pore and filled his body with a tantalizing sensation. The throbbing in his sore muscles and bones subsided. Elated, he submerged himself. A school of fish
swam past his eyes. They were a brilliant lime-yellow with green stripes. One of them winked at him. He gaped, choked on some water, and resurfaced, coughing and laughing. Finally, he said, “This feels great! Get in, Brenwar!”

  Arms crossed over his barrel chest and sporting visible cuts on his arms and legs, the black-bearded dwarf said, “No.”

  Nath splashed him.

  Backing away, Brenwar said, “Cut that out!”

  “You really need to get in. There’s nothing to fear here. It’s the Elven Field of Dreams. A place of sanctuary.” He eyed Selene. “Join me?”

  Eyeing the surroundings and settling her gaze on an arm of the pond that jutted into a grove of trees, she picked up the hem of her robe. “I could use privacy.”

  Nath nodded. “As you wish.”

  Selene disappeared into the trees.

  Nath shrugged and splashed through the waters. He swallowed a mouthful and smiled. He’d been to the Elven Field of Dreams before, long ago when he was much younger. There was no other place like it in Nalzambor. The creatures were friendly, not one bit shy. Two stags with black coats and white horns drank from the waters on a nearby bank. Blue birds with red wings skimmed the surface. A family of pink-feathered swans swam nearby. As he lay floating, all of Nath’s worries faded away.

  This is how life should be—for every creature in the world.

  “Ho! Fighting Dragon, come and feel this!” Pepper sat beneath the small waterfall that ran over the rocks and fell into the pond. Its foaming bed now formed around him. “It makes me ticklish. I’d forgotten what it was like to be tickled. It’s funny.”

  Nath found a spot near the giant halfling and soaked up the refreshment. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so good. At least, not in the form of a man. Being in dragon form was different, oh so different.

  “I want to thank you for coming to my rescue,” Pepper said.

  “To be clear, saving you wasn’t part of the plan.”

  “You never know what the true plan is until it plays out.” Pepper rinsed his puffy face off. The giant halfling’s bulk still dwarfed the gilded frame of Nath. “You can count on that.”

  “It seems the waters have improved your hearing, Pepper.”

  The halfling cupped his ear and said, “What?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Nath soaked up the cool waters and enjoyed the warm sunlight.

  I could sit here forever.

  But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed some movement cutting through the cove Selene had vanished into.

  Maybe I should check on her. Just to be safe.

  He scooted out from under the falls.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Uh, just checking things out.”

  Pepper pointed his huge finger toward the cove and winked. “Checking things out that way, I reckon.”

  Nath’s throat tightened. “No, just…”

  Pepper leaned behind the falls and disappeared from sight.

  Shaking his head, Nath paddled toward the grove. The waters were a little mistier below the surface once he crossed beyond the jetty of trees. Neck deep, he slipped through the coolness, but he saw no sign of Selene. The pond didn’t extend any farther, it just ended. Other than a distinct lack of wildlife, there weren’t any signs of Selene at all. He headed for shore with his heart racing. He spun around in a full circle.

  She’d better not have abandoned me again.

  “Brenwar,” Nath called out. “Brenwar!”

  His gruff friend wasn’t anywhere to be heard from. He hurried up the bank, hoping to find a sign of her tracks.

  Something seized his leg and pulled him under.

  He started choking.

  Ulp!

  CHAPTER 2

  Legs bound by an unseen force, Nath was pulled deeper into the pond. Thrashing and flailing his arms, he swam for the surface to no avail. A strong arm locked around his neck and squeezed his throat. He clutched at it. Without the use of his legs, his desperate maneuvering was futile. A strong supine figure had latched onto him, pressing its body into his and with angry force, dragging him up above the waters. He gasped and choked from his constricted throat.

  A familiar voice with a sharp and biting tone spoke harsh words into his ear. “What kind of Dragon are you that spies on a bathing woman? Do you not know the meaning of privacy? Discretion?” She tightened her lock on his neck. “Hmmm, Dragon Prince?”

  Coughing, he forced out his words. “Sorry. I was worried.”

  “Worried? About the likes of me, in this place of refuge? The safest spot in all the world? Don’t toy with me, Little Dragon.”

  “I thought you might have departed. That’s all.”

  Her strong grip eased. “And why would I do that?” Her voice became more of a purr. “Especially after all we’ve been through.”

  Nath swallowed. The mood had changed. The taut muscles of Selene’s majestic figure had softened into something else. His throat turned dry. He turned his body into hers. Her long arms no longer held him in her grip. Instead, they draped over his shoulders.

  His eyes searched her face. He’d never seen Selene look like this before. Her hard features had softened. A playful smile was on her maroon lips. Her dark wet hair lay on the waters like black lily pads. The violet in her eyes sparkled. She was glowing. Happy.

  His heart started pounding in his chest.

  “What?” she said to him.

  “Nothing, it’s just that you look so … beautiful. A hundred ballads from Helflim wouldn’t do your radiance justice. I’m at a loss for words.”

  Her tail came up out of the waters, pushed the hair from his eyes, and touched his cheek. “How flattering.” She eased into him, chest to chest. “I can feel your heart, Nath. Tell me more.”

  Nath’s hands found her waist. He’d never felt like this before in Selene’s presence. He was excited and uneasy. Maybe it was the waters or the sanctuary, but she was different, in a very good yet confusing way. “Uh—”

  She put her fingertip on his lips and said with dreamy eyes, “No, let me speak. Nath, I don’t think I ever properly thanked you for all you’ve done for me. Nath, will you kiss me?”

  Nath could barely remember the last time he kissed a woman of any kind, but it must have been at least thirty years, aside from Sasha kissing him on the cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned in.

  Someone interrupted. “Ahem.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Nath’s eyes popped open. Selene’s were still closed. Slowly, they fluttered open.

  “Ahem.” A voice repeated.

  It was Brenwar. Nath was certain of that.

  Go figure.

  Wrapped up with Selene, Nath turned. “You always have to spoil every—”

  Brenwar wasn’t alone. He was surrounded by a host of elven soldiers clad in light but ornate black-and-green armor. Each had a tall spear. The slender-faced elves looked even taller alongside the bulk of Brenwar. They didn’t wear helmets. Instead, their handsome facial features were distinguished by their long, wispy moustaches.

  “See what happens when you fool around?” Brenwar said. “These lanky predators show up.”

  A pair of elves lowered their spears on Brenwar’s ribs.

  Another who was a half head taller than the others, with silvery hair, stepped forward. “You are trespassing on elven land, strangers. You taint our waters. There is a high price to pay for that.”

  “Get those toothpicks away from me,” Brenwar growled. “Don’t point things if you don’t aim to use them.”

  “Oh, we will use them,” the commander said to Brenwar, but he was looking at Nath. “On all of you.”

  Selene slipped out of Nath’s arms. “Strange, but I think they mean it.” She whispered to Nath, “Something doesn’t seem right.” She eyed the commander. “I hope the elves haven’t lost all of their manners to the point where a woman would be deprived of the chance to clothe herself upon getting out of the water. A moment of privacy, if you please.
”

  With the distinguished haughtiness of an elven commander, the leader said, “As soon as the red hair steps out of the waters and into our custody, you can dress yourself.” He let out a whistle. Another pack of soldiers came forward, shorter. They were hard-eyed elven ladies with blue meshed into the black of their armor instead of green. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”

  Nath sloshed out of the waters. Trousers soaked and dripping wet, he said to the commander, “You wouldn’t happen to have a towel on you, would you? I’d hate to catch cold from this sudden frost.”

  The elven commander looked around but zeroed in on Nath’s scales. “Oh, you jest. You can rely on your jokes to keep you warm, then. Bind them.”

  “Now, now. Hold on.” Brenwar backed away. “Wait until I get ahold—”

  “Do as they say,” Nath ordered Brenwar, “and please, keep your thoughts to yourself. We don’t want any trouble.”

  Brenwar looked like his beard was going to explode, but he fell silent.

  The elves marched them to the other side of the pond, where Nath gathered his tunic. His breastplate was seized, along with Fang and his scabbard. Brenwar’s war hammer, Mortuun, had been gathered up as well.

  Nath scanned the pond and the surrounding area, but Pepper was nowhere to be found. He felt Brenwar’s eyes on him. It was clear that the dwarf was at a loss too.

  How does the biggest one of all of us evade the elves? Halflings never cease to surprise me.

  “You know,” Nath lifted his bound wrists before him, “I can’t put my shirt on with my hands tied like this, and I just don’t feel right strutting around half naked.” He pulled his shoulders back, flung back his long, wet red hair, and smiled. “I fear I might distract the elven ladies from their duties.”

  The commander gave a nod to one of the guards. The wiry elven warrior rammed his spear butt into Nath’s gut. It dropped him to one knee.

  Nath’s golden eyes burned like flames when he said to that elf, “I wouldn’t ever do that again if I were you.”

  “Then you had better mind your comments,” said the commander.