Free Trusted: Dragons' Trust Book 1 by Krista Wayment

wrapped the rope a little tighter than was necessary around Renick's wrists.
    The lead hunter, the one with the scars, pulled a knife from his belt and held it up to Renick. "I'll get your secret out one way or the other," he threatened.

Chapter 12: In the Hunters' Camp
     
    The way station was transformed. It did not look abandoned anymore. Instead, it looked like a proper camp. The sleeping tents had been righted and the whole area was clean and orderly. The fire pit glowed with coals still hot from the night's fire. Renick could smell breakfast. Bacon, eggs, biscuits. His stomach groaned at the savory smells. Without his permission, Renick's tongue ran across his lips.
    "Ah, is the runt hungry?" one of the hunters jeered. He picked up a half–eaten piece of bacon, wiggled it in front of Renick's nose, and crammed the whole thing in his mouth.
    "Sit him here," the lead hunter said. The man stood over an uneven log near the fire pit, still holding his knife.
    Renick felt cold sweat trickle down his neck.
    "Yes, sir, Horrin." Gunther pushed him roughly down onto the log.
    "Now, Rub, was it?" the lead hunter said, leaning close to Renick's face. The man's breath smelled terrible and his teeth were yellow. "Where is the baby dragon?"
    "Dragon?" Renick asked.
    "Yes, the baby dragon. Lost its mother a few days back. Gunther here heard it squawking just before we caught you."
    "I don't know what you're talking about," Renick answered.
    The leader held his knife to Renick's throat. "Is that so? Have you seen a baby dragon recently?"
    "How recently?" Renick asked.
    Gunther struck Renick across the face with the back of his hand. The force of the blow startled Renick and made his cheek sting.
    "Enough with the smart talk! Answer my question," the lead hunter ordered, his voice dropping to a threatening tone.
    "Yes. I grew up on a dragon ranch, so I see baby dragons all the time," Renick answered. To him it felt like it came out sounding funny. He rubbed the inside of his cheek with his tongue, hoping it would bring the feeling back. Gunther kicked his left shin and sharp lances of pain shot through it. He tried to hold a straight face, but a small moan of pain betrayed Renick.
    "Have you seen one in the woods?" Horrin clarified.
    "One what?" Renick was rewarded with another slap to the face.
    "I don't have time to play with you, boy." Horrin spat in his face. "You know where that dragon is—I am sure of it. And I know you heard it talk. So, if you want to make it out of this forest alive, you'll tell me where it is!"
    "Never," Renick said through clenched teeth.
    Horrin smiled at him. "We shall see." Turning to Gunther, he said, "Put him over there."
    "But …" Gunther started to protest.
    Horrin met the other hunter's eye—a look of silent communication passed between them. "Put him there."
    "Ah," Gunther said. He nodded his head and tapped his temple. "I sees. I'll put 'im over there, shall I?"
    Renick was dragged to the far side of the way station to a bare spot next to the thickest part of the thorny bush wall. Gunther threw him down on his side. "Stay put." Gunther kicked him once, then turned and walked away.
    Wriggling on the ground like a worm, Renick managed to get himself onto his back. A giant crossbow caught his attention. Renick swallowed as the sun glinted off the point of one of the enormous bolts. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and tried not to think about the weapon.
    He turned his head to inspect the thorny bushes. At the base of one bush, there was a small gap less than two hands high. It was not much, but it was all he had. Renick lifted his head and tried to sit up. He managed to make it halfway before he fell back to the ground. Next, he tried kicking his legs to get more momentum. After a few minutes of failure, Renick changed tactics.
    Using his proven method of worm wriggling, Renick got himself onto his stomach and began to crawl. He lifted his legs until his knees rested on the dirt. He