"Someone do something!" Julian shouted, besides himself with grief and anxiety. "Why didn't Whittle slay the beast when he had the chance!" he groaned.

"And why didn't you keep your yap shut until he did?" Clayton asked unaware, or uncaring, of the boy's anguish. "Was your loud bellowing that woke the beast, I'll wager."

"Finger pointing won't bring the lad back," Chester said soberly. "Tid-Bit would you be kind enough to follow the dragon and see where he goes? It's to be hoped he won't carry Whittle out to sea and drop him in, as his father was wont to do with things that didn't please him."

Wordlessly Tid-Bit took to the sky, Timon trailing along like a shadow behind his father.

"If only I'd learned more, I could have used magic against the dragon," Julian moaned.

Clayton snorted in contempt, "You people don't know nothing about dragons," he told them scornfully. "Dragons ain't like people, and they ain't like animals. They got minds like people do, but they got a different way of reasoning. No magic can deceive a dragon. And no person can tame one, like they could if they was a dumb beast."

"How do you know so much about dragons, Clayton?" Alanna asked. "I have trained as an apprentice under Cedric for many moons, and he never told me anything about dragons."

"Might be cause you never asked him about them, little lady," Clayton said, his eyes narrowing until they were mere slits. "In the future you might all be advised to listen more carefully to what Clayton has to say. He knows a thing or two worth knowing he does."

"Oh, do be quiet!" Hope snapped, in no mood for the boastings of such a common lout. "I expect everything you know about dragons has been hearsay. Chester and I, on the other hand, have lived with both Garreth and his offspring and know them better than any of you. Even a great wizard's apprentice, such as yourself," she said leveling a stern eye on Clayton, "can only know what they have been taught - unless you have, perhaps, had dealings with a dragon that we are unaware of?"

Anger flared up behind the man's eyes, but before he could say anything in response Tid-Bit returned and landed on Hope's shoulder.

"Dragon not go far," he said, a trifle breathless from his hasty flight. "Take young man into dragon's cave."

"Oh blimey! He's going to eat him!" Julian moaned, but Chester shook his head.

"I don't think so," he said looking toward Hope, who nodded her head as if in agreement.

"The dragon devours his meals in the open. Usually at daybreak, or nightfall," she explained, her voice reflecting some relief. "The cave is where the dragon keeps his treasures. I have a feeling your brother has just been added to the collection."

"You mean the dragon was so taken with Whittle's music that he claimed him as a possession," Alanna said, quick to catch on. "Just like his father added you to his treasures because he fancied the color of your hair."

"I'm hoping so," Hope admitted. "The only way we'll know for certain is to go into the cave and see if Whittle is still there, and if he is still alive," she added the last in a somber voice.

"Well what are we waiting for!" Julian demanded. "Let's go and rescue Whittle!"

"It's not that easy, lad," Chester said with a shake of his head. "You can't just go barging into a dragon's cave, take what he thinks belongs to him, and waltz merrily on your way."

"We must wait until the dragon leaves, and then go in after Whittle," Hope said, though she was as impatient as any of them to get Whittle back.

"Much as Tid-Bit would like to help, he has been away from his beloved too long. He left queen in Obil's care, but he must return now to see that she is resting comfortably," the king of the pixies announced and without waiting for a response he buzzed away.

"Scared, huh?" Clayton's scorn was met with a boxing of his ears from tiny fists.

"King Jakin not fear anything, you big stinky oaf!" Timon buzzed angrily. "Him bravest pixie in whole world."

"That so? Then why is he hiding here instead of fighting Avery and his evil spirits?" Clayton asked, taking wide swipes at the pixie who hovered near his head. "Wasn't it Avery that sent a storm to destroy your people? If your pa was a true king he'd be out seeking revenge, not hiding out on some forsaken island with his little woman."

"One shouldn't pass judgments without knowing all the facts," Hope said in a chilly voice as Timon burst into tears - whether of anger or shame, only the little prince knew. "It so happens that the king stays here as a matter of honor, and not from desire. Only a fool would think that living on this island away from everyone of their kind, other than an ailing wife and a strong-willed son, was the act of a coward!"

"That's twice you've called me names, little miss," Clayton ground through his teeth, "Don't do it a third time!"

"You forget you are talking to the Princess of Lark!" Chester reminded the man sternly. "I would advice you to show a little respect to your betters."

Clayton snorted his contempt, but Hope held up a hand. "Please, this bickering is getting us nowhere. We must lay some plans for freeing Whittle and getting off this island before the dragon comes after us all."

"What do you suggest, your highness?" Alanna asked respectfully.

"Please call me Hope," the girl responded. "There are no titles here, and no one has authority over anyone else. But I would like to make some suggestions if I might."

"If it will help get Whittle back I'd even listen to what Clayton has to say!" Julian announced with emotion.

In response the man grumbled something under his breath and plumped down on a fallen half rotted log where he crossed his arms over his ample stomach and watched the others with smoldering eyes as they plotted.

"As I see it, someone must keep watch on the cave so that we'll know when the dragon leaves. Do you think you can do that, Timon?" Hope asked.

"Timon can watch cave. Timon will even go into cave and see what dragon has done to Whittle," the young pixie announced bravely.

"Perhaps if the dragon doesn't leave before nightfall, Timon," Hope said, fearing the pixie might be discovered if he were to enter the dragon's cave while the beast still inhabited it. "Once the dragon leaves someone can go up the hidden path and bring Whittle back down the same way."

"The dragon will be furious when he returns and finds his treasure missing," Chester predicted.

"That is why we must mend the balloon as soon as possible and get off this island," the girl said firmly. "In order to do that we must keep our strength up. Chester, I think you should cook us all a dinner while the dragon is otherwise occupied."

"That sounds like a dandy idea, Hope, but what, may I ask, do you suggest I use for food? Unless you've decided to kill that pet cow of yours, we've nothing. Even the garden has been picked clean."

"You mean we've been going hungry when there's beef on the hoof running around this island!" Clayton exploded.

"We don't need beef. Whittle has found a new source of food," Hope said, not liking the light that shone out from behind the man's narrow eyes. "Do you know any herbs that go with fish, Chester?" she asked, turning a merry eye on the old man.

Chester stared blankly at her for a moment and then slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. "There's no fool like an old fool!" he announced. "We been slowly starving when all around us the water is crawling with fish."

"Actually fish swim, not crawl," Hope pointed out with a faint smile. "But be that as it may, Whittle and Timon have managed to catch a rather large one which I hid in a bush when the dragon went after Whittle."

"And you went after the dragon," Chester said with a sigh. "You really should be more careful, your highness. Remember you are a princess, and will one day be crowned the Queen of Lark."

"No one will be anything unless we fix that balloon and get off this island.

"Julian," Hope said turning toward the boy, "you and Alanna must figure out a way to patch the holes the dragon made in the balloon. While you are doing that, I will wait until the dragon leaves and then climb the secret path to get Whittle."

"Why can't I get Whittle?" Julian wanted to know. "He's my brother, not yours."

"Do you know the way up to the cave?" Hope asked gently. "I thought not," she said, then seeing the boy's face she relented. "Perhaps you can come along, and Alanna can work at finding some way to repair the balloon. But I warn you, it will most likely be dusk before the dragon leaves, and the going will be difficult, even for those who know the trail. Come Chester, I'll show you where I put the fish. Then Julian and I will take a seat on that nearby log and wait for Timon's return. Timon, be sure you come directly here as soon as the dragon leaves. On no account are you to go into the cave on your own."

"Timon find Hope and then both Timon and Hope go to rescue Whittle," the little pixie said firmly. "Whittle save Timon, is Timon's duty to save friend from dragon!" the pixie announced proudly.

"All right, Timon," Hope relented. "Only do be sure and stay out of sight. Dragon's have very keen eye-sight."

"I say, where's Clayton gotten off to?" Julian asked later as the party prepared to go their separate ways.

"I care not," Hope said with contempt. "I find the man both rude and ill-mannered."

"I agree!" Alanna said, looking about with a frown. "but he is also hard-hearted and cunning. I fear he might cause mischief if he thought it would be to his advantage."

"Let's not waste time talking about Clayton!" Julian advised. "We must get back to the agreed meeting place and await Timon's return, your highness," the boy added the last with a painful attempt at chivalry.

"You are right, Julian, we must hurry," Hope agreed, and with a few words of encouragement to one another, the company parted ways.

The sky was turning pink with the setting of the sun as Hope and Julian returned and took a seat on a log to await Timon's return. Hope needn't have sent the young pixie, for she saw the large figure as it emerged from the cave at dusk, spread its great wings and with a shrill cry took to the air. The red dragon circled a few times overhead and then flew swiftly away.

A few moments later Timon appeared and landed on Hope's shoulder. "Dragon gone," he announced knowingly. "Must hurry before is too dark to walk hidden path!"

Neither girl, boy, nor pixie noticed the dark form that stepped out from behind a tree and followed silently behind them.

Dragon's Claw Book One
Price $12.95  
    by Charles M. Clark
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

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Prince Adam returns home to find his father, the King, gravely ill, some say dying. Feeling unprepared for the duties of kingship, and unhappy about a proposed marriage between himself and a rather plain princess, Adam makes a plea to the Powers that be for guidance and help. Adam then falls into a deep sleep and awakes in an unfamiliar land full of sinister foes and wild men. Yet it is one of these wild men that takes Adam under his wing and teaches the young prince what it takes to be a real leader. Charles M. Clark has written this book for older children and teens, but older folks enjoy it as well. All Antelope Publishing's fantasy books are browser readable and come on CD-ROM. The CD-ROM contains TWO books. One book with music and special electronic enhancements, and one book without, for times when a quieter read is desired. For more information about browser readable e-books CLICK HERE

The Making of a King
Price $9.95  
    by Charles M. Clark
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

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