Free Dragon's Breath by E. D. Baker Page B

the swamp fairy and ask if we can have it back?"
    "Even if we could find that fairy, and even if she agreed to give it back, there's no guarantee that the dragon who breathed into that vial was green. Breath of a dragon green isn't the same as green breath of a dragon. I think we're going to have to find a green dragon and get its breath somehow."
    "I've had a few run-ins with dragons," said Eadric, "and they all have nasty tempers. Even when we find one, we can't just ask it to breathe into a vial. I'm going to need a new sword. I lost my old one in the swamp when that witch turned me into a frog. All I've got now is my dagger, and that's not nearly enough if I'm going to face a dragon. I've been thinking about that, too. Killing a dragon isn't so hard, but collecting its breath while it's still alive ..." Eadric tapped his chin. "I suppose I could do it if the beast was asleep."
    "Then that's our solution. I'll have a sleeping spell
    ready when—"
    Eadric scowled. "I thought we'd get a sleeping potion."
    "What would you do, toss the dragon meat laced with your potion and hope it eats the meat before it eats your
    "I'd sooner do that than depend on your magic!" Eadric said. "For all I know, you'd put us to sleep instead of the dragon!"
    "I'll have you know that my magic is getting better!"
    "Oh, really? You already turned me into an old man with your magic, remember? I'll take my chances with a potion, if you don't mind. I'd rather you didn't come up with any more spells for a while. I think we'd both be better off without them."
    "I didn't know you felt that way!"
    "I didn't know you could be so stubborn!"
    Eadric was right in a way. My magic wasn't very good yet, and it did complicate things. I didn't seem to be having any problems with the spells I read, only the ones I came up with myself. Grassina had told me to keep working on my magic, but maybe I should have just concentrated on learning the established spells. I seemed to have a good memory for spells, even though I'd never been very adept at remembering other things, like the social niceties my mother wanted me to learn.
    The rest of the trip was spent in cold, miserable silence. I dozed for a time, coming fully awake as dawn was breaking behind the Purple Mountains. Although shrouded in mist, they were a lovely and welcome sight. Eadric woke when the carpet entered the tower window; the funny popping sound it made when the window widened was loud enough to wake the ghosts in the dungeon. The straps came undone as soon as we landed, slipping off us like an insult off an ogre. It felt good to have solid footing, and I bent and stretched, trying to work the kinks out of my legs and back.
    Still refusing to talk to me, Eadric headed straight for the castle kitchen, but I wanted to say hello to Li'l first. I found her in the storage room, hanging from a rafter.
    "So, there you are!" she said, sounding delighted to see me. "I heard you come in. Quick, tell me everything that happened."
    I did, and I finished with the list of items we needed to transform Haywood. As it was Wednesday morning, we didn't have much time, so we'd have to go see Grassina's friend Coral as soon as we could. "And Grassina said that I should find a gift for the sea witch. Do you have any ideas?"
    Li'l tilted her head and looked thoughtful. "I'd be happy to help, but I'm going to need time to think. Why don't you get something to eat before you scare everybody in the castle? Your stomach sounds like a dragon having a bad dream."
    As I was leaving Grassina's apartment, I nearly ran into Eadric. He was juggling a tottering platter heaped high with cold roast duck, boiled partridge eggs, thick slices of dark bread and chunks of yellow cheese. "Hey!"
    he said. "What's the hurry?"
    "I was heading to the kitchen."
    He eyed the pile of food. "Good, then get me a couple more—"
    Someone must have opened the door at the bottom of the steps, for suddenly the stairwell was flooded with noise. Because of the