%2BDragons%2BOf%2BWar.jpg)
Title: Dragons Of War (Firebrand #3)
Author: Kyra Dune
Genre: YA Sword &
Sorcery
Blurb
With the High King dead and the future of the Ten Kingdoms at stake,
the companions have split into two groups. Jada’s group is bound for Waterfall
in the north, with the intention of removing the usurper Tarel Andrassis from
her throne. Carlan’s group flies south to Slithering, there to hopefully find
an ally in the slyph king.
In both directions wait
dangers neither group will see coming. Dangers of the flesh and dangers of the
heart. In the end, whether the war for the Ten Kingdoms is won or lost, nothing
can ever be the same again.
Excerpt
“And you were just going to let us sleep
while some danger crept up on us.” Verdin took a step toward the mage. “You son
of a--”
“Do you know what it is?” Carlan broke in
before there could be any trouble.
“Yes.”
Verdin growled with impatience. “Well
would you like to enlighten the rest of us?”
Zazere sat up and pushed the hood of his
robe back. Blue firelight danced in his black eyes. “That would be a dragon.
Unless I mistake myself. Which of course I don’t.”
“Are...” Carlan swallowed back a sudden
dryness in his throat. “Are you certain it’s a dragon?”
“Yes.”
Carlan and Verdin exchanged a look, and
then Carlan went to kneel beside Rinitha. He gently shook her awake. When she
opened her bright blue eyes and looked up at him, he had to try very hard to
remain calm.
“I don’t want you to panic,” he said, “but
there may be a dragon somewhere nearby.”
Rinitha squeaked in alarm as she sat up
and grabbed hold of his arm. “What do we do?”
“There is no cause for alarm I assure
you.” Zazere stood, straightening out his black robes. “If you all remain calm,
that is.”
“Forgive me if I don’t take your word for
it.” Verdin drew his gun as the sounds came closer.
Carlan helped Rinitha to her feet, then called
his fire up to surround his hands with blue flames. Zazere stepped in front of
him. “It would be highly unwise to greet what’s coming with violence.”
Carlan stared into the mage’s unfathomable
black eyes and wished he had the other man’s ability for reading minds. Well,
either he was going to trust Zazere or he wasn’t. Time to make up his mind.
“Put your gun away, Verdin,” Carlan said.
“What?” Verdin looked over his shoulder.
“Are you seriously going to listen to him?”
Carlan met his gaze. “Yes.” He looked to
Sundance. “Stand down, boy.” The young gryphon gave him a quizzical look, then
sat back on his haunches. Carlan looked back to Verdin, who was still holding
the gun. “Please, trust me.”
“I trust you fine, Carlan.” Verdin
glanced at Zazere, then holstered his gun. “Stand down, Starshine.” The black
gryphon sat, but his muscles remained bunched.
When the dragon entered the cavern it was
not at all what Carlan was expecting. It was not much larger than the gryphons
and its scales were a rather unremarkable shade of mottled green and brown. But
most surprising of all was the fact that it was being led on a chain by a tall
slyph woman in gleaming silver chainmail.
Her gaze swept over them and came to rest
on Zazere. “I dare say I think my eyes must be playing tricks on me. Zee Zee,
could that really be you? I would have thought you too smart to ever show your
face in this kingdom again after you ran away with your tail between your legs
like a scalded dog.”
“It’s good to see you too, Sana. Still
prefer the company of large, scaly beasts to men I see.”
About The
Author
Kyra Dune was born in
Oklahoma, but spent most of her life travelling with her family. She is the
author of more than twenty fantasy novels, including: Shadow of the Dragon, Elfblood, and Firebrand. As a child, her favorite stories were those that told
of ordinary children being whisked away to magical lands. She has yet to find
her own secret wardrobe or rabbit hole, but she hasn’t given up the search. You never know what might be waiting over the next rainbow.
No comments:
Post a Comment