Obil had flown ahead to let Whittle know they were coming, while Julian had remained behind to guard the lamp and Todd's walking staff, mostly from Clayton, but there was always the possibility that the dragon might discover their hiding place and make off with their treasures. The young boy had announced with some heat that should the dragon show itself he would slay it. Chester had suggested, rather, that the boy stay hidden, saying if the dragon killed the lad they couldn't bring him back to life, but if it took their belongings they could retrieve them from the cave at a later date.

There was little likelihood that the dragon would be about the island, for Obil had reported that it had flown due west, disappearing into the setting sun. Most likely the dragon was off raiding some poor shepherd's flock, or terrorizing a defenseless village, Chester had announced bitterly. Chester had no love for the young dragon who had attacked his own father and robbed him of the treasures Garreth had brought Chester to the island to guard.

Hope was happy that the queen was going to get her wing mended, but also apprehensive about seeing Whittle again, for they had not parted on the best of terms. Mostly, she realized in hindsight, it had been her own foolish pride that had caused the rift between them. What she had expected from him she wasn't at all clear on herself, all she knew was that she had felt shunned and neglected when the young man had bade her a rather formal and distracted farewell, as though his mind were on other, more important matters.

When she had questioned Tid-Bit about what they had discussed during her absence, the pixie had merely shaken his head and declared she must not trouble herself about such matters, and advised her to focus her attention on seeing everyone's spirits were kept up. Tid-Bit, she was beginning to realize, was rather like other kings she had known, in that he had a narrow view on a woman's involvement in matters of state.

It was a risk they were taking, and a rather large one, bringing Queen Atar to the cave in order to have Whittle play music while her husband worked on her wing with Chester's help and guidance. When it was suggested that they do the operation without Whittle's music, but in a safer location, King Jakin had shaken his head. "Is best to have music so queen can sleep through what might be very painful procedure. Will also help to steady hands of those who must work on sensitive wing. No easy task to perform. Tid-Bit think Whittle be great help in making sure everything go well for beloved wife."

And so Alanna, who provided light with her wand, Chester who carried a new batch of very carefully concocted glue, and Hope, who would not be left behind, set off with Timon and his parents, traveling the path that would take them to the dragon's cave, and Whittle.

Whittle was waiting at the cave's entrance. "Greetings, Queen Atar," he said, bowing slightly. "May I say, I think you are very brave. Rest assured, we will do our best to see you are made comfortable."

"Whittle think it best, and Obil agree, if Queen Atar stay outside, and not in cave," Obil told his king. "Whittle has found very nice, private place where Queen can watch stars while Whittle play and King work on wing."

"It be too cold outside," Tid-Bit protested as a chilly gust of wind blew over them.

"Don't worry, King Jakin, I can cast a spell to keep the air a comfortable temperature," Alanna assured.

The place Whittle lead them to was near the stream whose subtle bubbling sounded faintly, and while there was, indeed, a spot where the stars could clearly be seen overhead, it was sheltered by many trees that would make it difficult for the dragon to spot them. Whittle had laid a small flat rock near the stream, and covered it with a soft piece of fabric, its bright red color suggesting it had once been a part of Garreth's horde.

The queen made herself comfortable on the rock while Tid-Bit unwrapped a leaf that contained a slender, fish bone. "Sure this be what you want?" he asked, taking his wife's hand and gazing into her eyes.

"Very sure," she answered firmly. "Is time husband returned to our people. They need help to battle the darkness that threatens to cover whole world," she said, unwilling to even mention the name of the dreaded wizard, Avery.

The King nodded and then looked at Chester. "We be ready," he told his old friend.

Whittle played a soft tune that made Hope feel at once peaceful and confident. Alanna had made the air comfortable, so there was no evening chill, and lit the area where the queen lay with a soft light, giving King Jakin and Chester a clear view of the wing upon which they carefully smeared glue and gingerly forced into its rightful shape before placing the fish bone and holding it down until the glue hardened. The queen felt none of this, for she had fallen into a restful sleep shortly after Whittle started playing.

It was toward the end of the procedure that Hope began to feel restless. Though Obil and Timon were watching the sky for the dragon's return, no one was guarding the entrance of the cave. Fearing that the dragon may have escaped Obil and Timon's detection, she left the others and made her way back to the cave.

There was no sign of the dragon, but a shadow passing into the woods caught Hope's eye and sent a cold chill up her spine.

"She should sleep for several hours yet," Whittle was saying as Hope returned to the others who were standing in a circle around the slumbering queen. "See she moves as little as possible until we're certain the glue has fully set. I wish she could rest here, but I think she would be more comfortable, and safer, in her own bed."

"Timon wish Whittle might go with him," the young pixie, who had grown weary of guard duty and joined them, announced emotionally. "Not like to think of his friend being trapped in cave with evil dragon."

"The dragon isn't evil, Timon, just wild," Whittle explained.

"He's bewitched you, that's what he's done!" Chester's passion, though full of anger, was keep low so as not to disturb the sleeping patient. "Everyone knows the beast is as savage as the sea in full storm. What sort of creature is it that tries to kill his own flesh and blood? And after all Garreth has done for him too!"

"I've been wondering, Chester, how did you come by the dragon's name? Was he called that by the villagers, or did you make it up on your own?"

The old man scratched his head as though considering Whittle's question. "I can't rightly say," he admitted at last. "As I recall, it just came to me, don't you know. Like that was what he wanted to be called. I know it sounds foolish," he said sheepishly, glancing around at the others as if he expected them to mock his statement.

"Not at all, Chester," Whittle assured. "The more I'm around the dragon, the more I sense what he is thinking. Perhaps that is the way it is with you and Garreth."

"All I know, boy, is that that young dragon is a blood thirsty devil that's not to be trusted. I say you slay it and put an end to all our worries."

"It's not that easy, Chester," Whittle tired to explain. "If I were to even think about hurting the dragon it would sense the threat and kill me."

"Then someone else will have to do it," the old man insisted. "I expect Clayton would be happy to plunge a sword into a sleeping enemy."

"Or a friend, if he thought it would be to his advantage," Whittle laughed. "No, we don't want to rely on Clayton. There are other, safer ways of dealing with the dragon."

"Must discuss this some other time," Tid-Bit announced firmly. "Chester be so kind as to carry queen down hill? Must be safely back to tree-house before dragon returns."

Aware of the great responsibility he had been given, Chester carefully lifted the rock without disturbing the sleeping queen.

"Grab up the bucket, Hope," he told the girl who had taken a stand next to Whittle. "Thankfully we'll have Alanna to light our path. I'd hate to think what would happen should I trip while carrying such a precious burden."

"Your friend has a softer heart than his gruff speech and sour face would indicate," Whittle said lowly to Hope as they trailed along behind Alanna and Chester.

"He has been very kind to me," Hope said, but her mind was on other matters.

"Please be careful, Whittle," Hope pleaded, keeping her voice low so that the others couldn't hear. "Clayton knows the way up to this cave, and he covets the treasure. I wouldn't put it past him to kill you, blame the dragon, and pilfer Garreth's hoard with none the wiser."

"Don't worry, Hope," Whittle soothed. "I've seen Clayton lurking in the woods when I go out to get some air. He will find it difficult to catch me off guard. I have Brent's sword, and, if necessary, I wouldn't hesitate to use it."

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

FROM THE BOOK STORE

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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