“This isn’t helping, Bayzog,” I said, holding my head in my hands, irritated.
“Our deeds are what define us. Our actions. Our words. Not our garments, not our looks. What is inside a man, in his heart―his Dragon heart―is what counts. Keep doing what you are doing.”
“But I want to get rid of it.” Sort of.
“And what if you can’t? Will you stop being good altogether then? Will you join the Clerics of Barnabus?”
“NO!”
“So stop whining then,” Bayzog said.
“I’m not whining.”
“You are whining,” Brenwar added, folding his arms across his chest. “Like a baby orc.”
“Fine, I’m whining, but I’m sure all of you would do the same if you had these.” I lifted my arms. “I’m not going to be wooing the ladies like I used to; that’s for sure. But, I imagine I could be used in a carnival to frighten children.”
Brenwar harrumphed.
“I like them,” Sasha said, rubbing my scales, smiling. “I think they are marvelous.”
Her sweet words made me feel better; they really did. I guess I was just going to have to get used it, but I really needed to fix it.
“Bayzog, my father says there are many things in this world that can heal. Perhaps you can help me find some of those things. Maybe I just need a different Thunderstone or something.”
Bayzog walked over to his large table, opened his tome, thumbed through the pages, and threw his hands out. When he twitched his fingers, an image of a mystic amulet formed and hung in the air, gold and silver with a bright green gemstone in the middle.
“The Ocular of Orray. The legend says that it can bring health, peace and prosperity. Its powers have been known to cure lycanthropes and liches, and to restore the undead. Perhaps it can help.”
“So, where is it?”
Bayzog flicked his fingers. The amulet broke into several pieces.
“It was stolen from the elves in Elome a century after the last Dragon War, never to be seen again. According to the lore, the thieves broke it up into many pieces and spread them all over Nalzambor, for the Occular cannot be destroyed.”
“So, who stole it? Who can go into Elome and steal anything?” Nath sighed. “It’s a fortress.”
“We’d have to ask the elves that,” he said, closing the book.
“So, I’m supposed to search the entire world for this Occular? I’d rather just save the Dragons.” I looked at Shum. “And what are you doing here?”
“I have an interest in the power of the Occular as well. Remember my King? He needs the healing, too.”
“I see. And what about the Dragons? I’m not going to abandon them for this quest.”
Brenwar shoved my sword and scabbard in my chest.
“We won’t!”
Bayzog and Sasha donned their traveling cloaks.
“Where are you going?”
“With you,” Sasha said, tying the neck with the magic of her fingers. “I’ve been needing to stretch my legs. Bayzog has kept me cooped up in here too long.”
It seemed everybody was ready for a trip but me as I shook my head and rose to my feet.
“So, now I need supervision everywhere I go?”
“And then some,” Brenwar huffed. “Let’s go!”
“Fine,” I said, buckling my sword around my waist as Sasha draped my quiver over my shoulder and handed me Akron. I was ready for anything. But before I closed my eyes, I said one last thing. “But I’m going to save whoever and whatever I want to. Agreed?”
Everyone shook their heads except Brenwar, who laughed.
“Well, let it never be said I didn’t consort with highly unreasonable people.”
As soon as I closed my eyes, the adventure began.
About the Author
Craig Halloran resides with his family outside of his hometown of Charleston, West Virginia. When he isn’t entertaining mankind, he is seeking adventure, working out, or watching sports. To learn more about him, go to: www.thedarkslayer.com
Other works by the author
The Darkslayer: Wrath of the Royals (Book 1)
The Darkslayer: Blades in the Night (Book 2)
The Darkslayer: Underling Revenge (Book 3)
The Darkslayer: Danger and the Druid (Book 4)
The Darkslayer: Outrage in the Outlands (Book 5)
The Chronicles of Dragon: The Hero, The Sword and The Dragons (Book 1)
The Chronicles of Dragon: Dragon Bones and Tombstones (Book 2)
The Chronicles of Dragon: Terror at the Temple
Zombie Day Care: Impact Series: Book 1
Zombie Rehab: Impact Series: Book 2
Jerk of All Trades: It’s not him; it’s them
In the works by the author
The Darkslayer (Book 6)
The Chronicles of Dragon (Book 4)
You can learn more about The Darkslayer and my other books at:
Twitter – Craig Halloran
Table of Contents
Copyright
Prologue
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
Excerpt
About the Author