Free Dragon Stones (Book One in the Dragon Stone Saga) by Kristian Alva

“The
name’s Thorin—Thorin Ulfarsson—what’s yours, boy?”
    “My name’s Elias,” he said cautiously. “What
were you looking for? Can’t you see there’s a beehive?” The bees
were buzzing slowly in the air, still coming in and out of the hole
in the tree.
    Thorin’s eyes lit up and he laughed. “I’m
not afraid of bees, boy. A little bee sting isn’t going to affect
me much—there’s precious little for them to go after!”
    He had a point. The dwarf wore his long hair
in a braid, and his beard was also pleated. Every patch of skin was
covered with jet black hair—even his ears and knuckles. He was like
a bear—only his nose, mouth, and tiny black eyes were exposed.
    “So, you’re Elias, eh? Why, you’re almost a
full-grown man!” Thorin clapped him on the back so hard that Elias
coughed.
    “Yes... I had my fifteenth cycle. H-How do
you know me?”
    “I don’t know you , boy. I knew
your grandmother ,
Carina. She’s the one who sent me the message, and I came as soon
as I could. I’m glad you’re here. It saves me the trip all the way
to Persil.”
    “Message? What message? My grandmother
didn’t tell me anything about you,” said Elias with suspicion. Then
he sighed. “But—she didn’t tell me much of anything—she always had
her secrets. Thorin…my grandmother is dead. Soldiers came to our
village this morning. They forced their way into the cottage and
attacked her. She died trying to save me.” Elias sat down, putting
his head in his hands.
    “Ah, I’m sorry lad. That’s a shame. Carina
was a fine woman.” Thorin patted Elias’ shoulder. “Your grandmother
died an honorable death, boy. She was a friend of my people. She
was fearless, too—one day I will tell you some stories. But there’s
no time for sorrows. Do you have the dragon stone with you?”
    “Y-Yes,” admitted Elias, startled. “I was
trying to put it back where I found it. My grandmother told me to
return it days ago, but I disobeyed her. I tried to sell the stone
last week. The man I tried to sell it to—he’s a bad man. I’m
certain that’s how the soldiers found out about it.” Elias’ voice
cracked. “It’s my fault she’s dead.”
    “Now, now… there’s no reason to be blamin’
yourself, lad. You couldn’t have known.”
    “I’m just trying to be rid of it—the stone
has been bad luck since I found it.” Elias pulled the stone out of
his pocket and showed him. Thorin’s eyebrows went up, but he did
not touch the stone.
    “Aye, that’s a true dragon stone. Your
grandmother asked me to come and get it—take it back to Mount Velik
for safekeepin’. The plan was for me to take the stone back to our
vaults. But I’m guessin’ our plans have changed.”
    “I don’t know what to do. I’ve never
traveled outside Darkmouth Forest.”
    “Well, it looks like we’ll be travelling
companions, then,” said Thorin.
    “Okay.” Elias looked visibly relieved. “I
can’t go back to the village… probably not ever.”
    “Yes, I’m sure you’re right. The reward for
a dragon stone is tempting—the emperor offers a hundred gold crowns
to anyone who brings him one. Times are bad, and neighbors can’t be
trusted when they’re starvin’.”
    “A hundred crowns!” Elias gasped. It was a
vast fortune. “I should have just taken the stone to the
emperor!”
    “No, boy. Be glad you didn’t. It’s a fine
bit o’ coin, but the emperor would spit you alive. You can’t enjoy
a reward if you’re rottin’ in the ground!” Thorin examined the
stone carefully in Elias’ palm. “Yup. A true dragon stone that is.
Hide it securely. We can’t afford to lose it now.”
    Elias shook his head. “Can you tell me
what’s going on? I don’t understand any of this.”
    “Don’t worry, boy. I’ll
explain it to you in due time. Are you sure that your grandmother
killed all the
soldiers?”
    “Yes—I‘m sure. The whole house went up in
flames. No one escaped.”
    “Good. That means