Read Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising for Free Online

that wrapped his cloak about him, and the harsh breathing that seared his throat and burned in his chest. The cave gaped before him like some deep wound in the rock face, filled with darkness. Rupert moved slowly forward, fatigue trembling in his legs. The Night Witch's map hadn't lied; he'd finally found his dragon. Ever since leaving the Court, he'd wondered how he'd feel when he finally had to face the dragon. If he'd be ... scared. But now the time had come, and he didn't feel much of anything, if truth be told. He'd given his word, and he was here. He didn't believe he could beat the dragon, but then he never had. Deep down, the'd always known he was going to his death. Rupert shrugged. The Court expected him to die; maybe he'd live anyway, just to spite them. He drew his sword, and took up the best position he could on the narrow ledge. He tried not to think about the long drop behind him, and concentrated instead on the correct form of the challenge.
    All in all, he'd never felt less heroic in his life.
    'Hideous monster, I, Prince Rupert of the Forest Kingdom, do hereby challenge ye! Come forth and fight!'
    There was a long pause, and then finally a deep voice from far inside the cave said 'Pardon?'
    Feeling slightly ridiculous, the Prince took a better grip on his sword and repeated his challenge. There was an even longer pause, and then Rupert dropped into his fighting stance as the dragon emerged slowly out of the darkness, filling the cave mouth with his massive bulk. Long sweeping wings wrapped the creature like a ribbed emerald cloak, clasped at the chest by wickedly clawed hands. A good thirty feet from snout to tail, light slithered caressingly along his shimmering green scales as the dragon towered over the Prince, studying him with glowing golden eyes. Rupert shifted his sword, and the dragon smiled widely, revealing dozens of very sharp teeth.
    'Hi,' said the dragon. 'Nice day, isn't it?'
    Rupert blinked resentfully. 'You're not supposed to say anything,' he told the dragon firmly. 'You're supposed to roar horribly, claw the ground, and then charge upon me breathing fire.'
    The dragon thought about this. Two thin plumes of smoke drifted up from his nostrils. 'Why?' he asked finally.
    Rupert lowered his sword, which was becoming heavier by the minute, and leaned on it. 'Well,' he said slowly, 'it's traditional, I suppose. That's the way it's always been.'
    'Not with me,' said the dragon. 'Why do you want to kill me?'
    'It's a long story,' said the Prince.
    The dragon grunted. 'Thought it might be. You'd better come on in.'
    He retreated into his cave and, after a moment's hesitation, Rupert followed him into what quickly proved to be a tunnel. In a strange way, he felt almost angry that he hadn't had to fight; he'd spent so long preparing for the moment, and now it had been taken from him. He wondered if the creature might just be playing with him, but it seemed unlikely. If the dragon had wanted him dead, he'd be dead by now. He clumsily stumbled on down the tunnel, a cold sweat beading his brow as the light fell away behind him.
    The unrelieved gloom reminded him of the Darkwood, and he was glad when the darkness gave wav to
    the cheerful crimson glow of a banked fire. He hurried towards the light, and burst out of the tunnel mouth to find the dragon waiting patiently for him in a huge rock chamber easily five hundred feet across, the walls of which were covered with the largest collection of preserved butterflies Rupert had ever seen.
    'I thought dragons collected hoards of gold and silver,' said Rupert, gesturing at the hundreds of highly polished display cases.
    The dragon shrugged. 'Some collect gold and silver. Some collect jewels. I collect butterflies. They're just as pretty, aren't they?'
    'Sure, sure,' said the Prince soothingly, as sparks glowed hotly in the dragon's nostrils. He sheathed his sword, sank down on to his haunches opposite the reclining dragon, and studied him curiously.
    'What's the