Free The Green Dragon: A Claire-Agon Dragon Book (Dragon Series 3) by Salvador Mercer

glad that my father didn’t force me upon the prince of Ekos, even if it would have brought peace for a time. I am thankful for that,” Helvie said, smiling at her companions.
    “Until war breaks out again,” Godfrey said.
    Lucina frowned at the man.
     

     
    “Why does our master care what the barbarians are doing?” Elister asked Edric, who walked quickly in front of him along the mountain trail.
    “The different clans serve different purposes at different times. The Arnen can glean what factions move, as well as who they move against, and when, by observing the actions of the northern clans,” Edric answered without looking back.
    Elister puffed but was doing well in the rarefied air. Living in the mountain abbey had prepared him for the long walks and marches that would await them. He also had his staff and, while it helped him to walk, he didn’t need it for that purpose. It was something that simply came with his position, and he accepted it. “I guess it could be worse.”
    “You refer to your task, Elly?”
    “Yes, I do.”
    “You have been spared the most dangerous one. Tristan and Dunric will see that through,” Edric said, coming to a stop at the top of the high mountain pass.
    “It wasn’t really the dragon itself I was thinking about,” Elister said, reaching the summit next to the Ranger, leaning on his staff and looking north at a breathtaking view of the wild lands. A look back south showed a virtual green carpet of the Greenfeld, and far in the distance, a small mountain chain where at the base he knew Vulkor to lie, the capital of Vulcrest. Beth and Wulfric would be heading there.
    Edric laughed out loud, rearing his head back and coughing as he gained control of himself. “Oh, Elly. I should have known that you are still like a child. It takes centuries for the Arnen to mature.”
    “What?” Elister asked. “I only speak the truth.”
    “Yes, you do,” Edric conceded. “You speak the truth as a child would. You do not fear the dragon, as you should, and you don’t know enough about the filth and foulness of a city. That would bring tears to your eyes, let me tell you, and not tears of joy or sorrow either. You know not how fortunate you are to be in the crisp, clean air of Agon, and to walk upon her body with nothing more than a leather sole between her and your tender foot. Instead you worry about your companion.”
    “Yes, well, the man is rather strict with me for some reason, and he never seems to approve of anything I do.”
    “You hardly know Wulfric,” Edric explained. “You met him only decades ago as a child, until Agon called us to sleep in her bosom until we were needed again. Still, I understand your concern. Wulfric is pure of heart, and not one for overly kind gestures, but I assure you, he would give his life to protect yours.”
    Elister nodded. “I don’t doubt his soul or its goodness. He is just rather hard to be around. That is all I was thinking.”
    “Understood. Now come, let us not tarry further. We have a long way to go, much further than your companions,” Edric said.
    The pair began their descent into the wild northern lands along the barely noticeable path that was little more than a game trail used by small animals to traverse the land. “You’re wrong, though, about one thing.”
    “What’s that, Elly?” Edric asked, looking at his companion from over his shoulder.
    Elister returned the look, keeping pace with the long strides of his Ranger companion and protector. “I do fear the dragon. Don’t mistake my desire to forget for any lack of said fear.”
    Edric resumed looking at the trail in front of him. “Understood, Master Elister.”
     

     
    “I think we are going to die out here,” the woman said to the elderly man as they ran along the ridgeline, trying to put as much distance between themselves and their pursuers.
    “We may very well,” the elderly man said, finally stopping to catch his breath and taking a moment to drop his