Read Flight of the Dragon (The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Book 5 of 10) (Tail of the Dragon) for Free Online Page B

said, hours later. The storm had passed and the entire party had moved on from the Temple of Spires. They were all back on the woodland path that had brought them there to begin with. Boots covered in mud, they trudged on.
    Chin up, Nath said, “It was, wasn’t it?”
    Brenwar glanced at his hand and said, “Costly. Mmmm, I’ve never seen a man fight like that. Not on his own merit. Rybek cheated.” He scratched his beard with his skeleton hand. “Evil’s never truthful. I think he would have lied to you anyway if you beat him.”
    “I did beat him,” Nath said to Brenwar. “You don’t think I won?”
    “He was more intact than you when I last saw him,” the dwarf said.
    “Don’t listen to him, Nath,” Ben said. The older warrior hobbled along, using a stick for a cane. “You had him. I saw it with my own eyes. I’ve never seen a sword move so fast. I just wish when you flicked his helmet off, his head was with it.”
    “Well, he’s gone now.” Nath shook his head. “And the whereabouts of my father with him.”
    “I’m sure we’ll be able to find your father, Nath,” Sasha said to him. Her pretty, bright eyes had a sparkle in them.
    Bayzog walked with the aid of his staff in one hand and the fingers of the other locked with hers. With most of his black hair now gray from the battle with the phantom, he looked as old as her. “There’s always more than one way to accomplish anything. You’ll find him.”
    “With friends like you, no doubt I will,” he said. Sasha’s face became sympathetic and distant. “What?”
    In a raspy voice, Bayzog said, “Our sons, Nath. They search for a cure for Sasha. We need to find them. Given the nature of what I’ve seen and heard, these times are perilous. We must go to them.”
    “Aye,” Brenwar agreed. “You aren’t getting any younger. The dirt you tread on has more youth to it than you do.”
    Violet eyes still filled with endless strength, Bayzog replied, “Well, at least it’s not smarter.”
    “What? Why you rigid little elven trickster. I’m as smart as any elf, particularly in all things dwarven.”
    “That hardly matters in the grand scheme of things,” Bayzog replied.
    As everyone bickered back and forth, Nath’s thoughts went elsewhere. To his father’s whereabouts, and to Selene. It seemed like forever since he’d seen her, and he had no idea about her condition. She’d fallen into a slumber, and there was no telling when she might awaken. And if could happen to her, then it could happen to him. Again.
    Nath thumbed the stump of his missing hand.
    I want my hand back, but I can’t let it happen at such a critical time. I have to find … I have to help Father.
    He turned his attention back to his friends. “I don’t think the two of you are equipped to go it alone. With all the wurmers and giants scouring the countryside, it’s too big a risk. We should stay together.”
    Sasha walked over to him, rested her forearms on his shoulders, looked deep into his eyes, and said, “When you have children one day, you’ll understand. My sons lost me once, but now they need to know I’m back again.” She kissed his cheek. “I have faith in you, Nath. I always have. And I’m oh so grateful to your father for lifting the curse from me. I think I’m doing right by him in going after my sons. Family. It’s the most important thing of all.”
    “I know.” He clasped her hands and watched her and Bayzog go. All the wizard did was wave.
    “Dragon.” Ben the durable warrior stood beside him now. “I’ll go with them.”
    “Ben, you can hardly walk.”
    Ben opened up his hands, revealing several clear but colorful potion vials. With a devilish grin, he said, “I’ll make it.” He squeezed Nath’s shoulder. “Margo, Tristin, and Justine will kill me if I don’t.”
    Brenwar pushed the chest over to Ben with his boot. “Take this.”
    “No, I couldn’t.”
    “You’ll need it,” Brenwar argued.
    “Perhaps, perhaps not.”