Free Temple of the Dragonslayer by Tim Waggoner Page B

the plains, and these are the ways most traders travel. But there are always folk who for one reason or another need to travel through the forests. There is a main path—notreally wide enough to be called a road—that runs the length of the southern forest.”
    “That’s where I woke up,” Nearra said.
    Elidor nodded. “There is a similar path through the northern forest and out into the plains, but unfortunately, it begins to curve eastward long before reaching the temple you seek. So while we shall be able to make use of this path for part of the journey, eventually we shall be forced to leave the path and forge our own trail.”
    Nearra wasn’t worried about traveling through the known sections of the northern forest, not with her new friends accompanying her. But the idea of leaving the path and traveling through wild territory did frighten her. Yesterday in the southern forest, she had encountered goblin raiders and a green dragon. What new dangers might await her?
    Their footsteps thumped as they crossed the wooden bridge over the Vingaard River. Though it was early, the bridge was already busy with travelers entering the town. A woodcutter pushed a wheelbarrow full of firewood in from the woods. Behind him, a farmer drove a wagon filled with vegetables headed for the market at the center of town. Neither one gave the travelers a second glance as they passed.
    On the other side of the bridge, the road cut through a field of tall grass. In the distance, Nearra could just make out a stand of trees: the northern forest.
    Bees buzzed lazily above the tall grass on either side of the road and birds flew about, singing to one another. Blue sky, fluffy white clouds—a perfect day for traveling.
    But as they walked along, Nearra became increasingly uncomfortable. The straps of her pack dug into her shoulders, and her new boots were stiff and beginning to make her feet ache. And to top it all off, though it wasn’t even midmorning yet, it was warming up quickly. It appeared the day was going to be a hot one.
    Nearra wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of herhand. “Somehow I didn’t expect adventuring to start out so uncomfortably.”
    Elidor laughed. “I’m not sure I’d call a simple trip like this an adventure, but even so, you know the old saying about adventures, don’t you?”
    “She doesn’t know much of anything,” Sindri said. “She’s lost her memory.”
    Nearra knew the kender was only trying to be helpful, but she wished he’d chosen his words more carefully.
    Elidor acknowledged the kender’s statement with a nod, then turned once more to Nearra. “The saying goes like this: an adventure is someone else having a very difficult time a thousand miles away.”
    Nearra frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.”
    “What he means,” Catriona said, “is that often the idea of adventuring is much more fun than the reality.”
    There was a hard edge to Catriona’s voice, and Nearra knew her friend spoke from bitter experience.
    “Especially when the reality includes something like that!” Elidor pointed skyward, and they all looked up to see a large, winged reptilian form circling high above.
    It was Slean.
    Sindri clapped his hands in glee. “A dragon! I’ve finally seen a dragon! Do you think she’ll come closer? I hope she does. Maybe I should yell for her to come down.” Before Sindri could do so, Catriona clamped her hand tight over the kender’s mouth and spoke softly in his ear.
    “I know this will be hard to get into that one-track kender mind of yours, but just because the dragon is interesting to look at doesn’t mean she won’t kill us if she gets the chance.” Catriona slowly removed her hand.
    “So I shouldn’t say anything?” Sindri asked, clearly confused.
    Before Catriona could reply, Elidor said, “We’re too easy to spot here on the road—get in the grass and stay down as lowas you can!” Without waiting to see if the others would follow, Elidor ran off