“About Tom?”
*Him too. Let us discuss him first. He arrived at the docks near dawn, far too late to follow you. He is asking about your destination, no way to prevent that, but I believe he is going back to fish the Dunsmuir Sea. He found a very nice fishing boat waiting for him in Drakesport and a message from you. It explained that if he will forget about you, the boat is his. Also, you will forget about exercising any revenge on him. Since I was not able to be there personally, Cinder handled the negotiations.* Laughter sounded, booming like it rolled from a large drum.
“There is other news?”
*Oh yes, there is one other minor item that may hold some interest for you. Through a series of inquiries, enough to mentally wear on me, I found the location of your parents. Both are in good health, and you have three siblings.*
“My mother and father? How?”
*How does not matter. Without your permission, I took the liberty of booking them passage to the Carnal Islands on a ship to depart for Brown Horse in eleven days unless you tell me different.*
The words were like a veil slipping between their conversation and unreality. He had no parents. None. He lived on Odd’s farm in Dun Mare. Until five or six days ago he had nothing. Nobody. Now, this voice booming inside his head told him he had a family? He didn’t respond. His thinking was like a spilled can of worms, writhing and wiggling as they escaped. A few breaths later he managed to ask, “They’re going to meet me at the end of this voyage?”
The gleeful laughter transformed to friendly warmth *Of course. What kind of parents wouldn’t want to see their eldest son who has been missing for so many years? Anyhow, you also have two younger brothers and a sister aged between the boys. They are all eager to meet you.*
“How can I thank you for this? I don’t know what to say.”
*If I managed to locate them so quickly, others can too. Family will be used against you by those seeking power and control, so you need to keep them close. Protect them. I have sent more gold with them. Build a home for the family, if not in the Carnal Islands, find another place. They are in danger because of you, so take good care of them.*
“I will. You avoided telling me your name, again, you know. Don’t think I didn’t notice. I’m beginning to believe you’re avoiding that question for a reason I can’t fathom.”
Laughter filled his mind. Not laughter in the normal sense or even in the mind-speaking sense. The laughter had turned gleeful and loud. *Can you think of any reason I might avoid such an obvious answer to your question?*
“No, but whenever I ask, you either change the subject or laugh as if you find it funny.”
*It does strike me funny, but remember I indirectly told you my name when we first talked.* There were sparkles of laughter in the tone.
“I don’t remember you ever telling me your name.”
More laughter. *I mentioned that you are a younger me.*
“I remember that,” Gareth said.
*Well, I am called Gareth, too. As was my mentor, and his before that.*
“I don’t understand.”
*Gareth is a word from a language so old it’s no longer spoken, although there have been a line of Gareths from the time of that ancient language, and perhaps before then. Gareth means ‘caretaker’ and much more. Caretaker of all is more correct, I suppose. It is a title more than a name. You are not only a man named Gareth, but you will also be ‘the Gareth’ from my death until yours. Another will follow you.*
“I don’t understand any of this.”
*You will. A half century from now you may understand your duties and be ready to continue my work.*
“A half century?”
*Maybe more. Gareths and their dragons tend to live very long lives. On the other hand, there’s a lot to do when you’re keeping wars to a minimum and trying to do what’s best for the most people. It’s not an easy job, and you have the Brotherhood and Sisterhood to contend with, as well as a greedy king. You must guide them, as well as keep the rest of humanity satisfied. There are also the many kingdoms with kings wanting to make war and expand their holdings. You will learn to manage and control their desires.*
“I can’t possibly do all those things.”
*Not yet, but you will, Gareth. You will.*
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LeRoy Clary
I have never met a dragon. Never even seen one. But wish I had. They fascinate me, so I decided to construct a mental world where they coexist with people. Most of my books are about them, and I call the people the Dragon Clan.
A book called DRAGON! started it. While similar to the Dragon Clan Series, it set up the idea of how to live and survive in a world where dragons are part of the landscape without resorting to cartoonish dragons or creatures as intelligent and conniving as people. The next hurdle was to keep the stories coming fast enough to satisfy the readers.
The book called the Blade of Lies was a finalist in an Amazon national novel writer’s contest, although under another name. It survives with humor, a medieval setting, and the idea that good guys do win. It is worth the read.
I've done a bit of everything before retiring from teaching high school math and special education. Before that I served in the US Navy, I worked in the electronics field as a technician, supervisor, and owner of a telecom business. I earned my papers as a sea captain for sailboats and motor craft, all of which gives me the background to write books about dragons.
Now that I have the time . . . I write. Every day. I'm writing about the Dragon Clan now, a series of interrelated books and characters. Each book is about them, but centers on one or two characters. They often meet each other in different books. I hope to have several more of them published soon.
AUTHOR’S NOTES
If you have any comments or suggestions—good or bad—or anything else to say, please feel free to contact me at my personal email leroy.clary@gmail.com I have responded to all emails, so far, and hope to continue with that trend. I love the comments, and, at least, one future book is because of an email exchange with a fan.
Please return to Amazon Kindle where you purchased this book and leave a review, I will appreciate it. Simply scroll down to the bottom of the page where you purchased the book and fill out your review. The only way for others to learn if readers like a book are from reviews
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Dragon! Book One: Stealing The Egg