The Lost Dragons of Fire Island (Dragon Adventure Series 2: Book 3)

The Lost Dragons of Fire Island

Ben L. Hughes

Dragon Adventure Series, Jr.

The Dragon Egg That Rolled Away

Dragon Adventure Series 1

A Dragon Named Splinter

The Blue Dragon

The Dragon Wizard

Dragon Adventure Series 2

Fire Dragons

The Cave of Secrets

The Lost Dragons of Fire Island

Copyright 2015 Ben L. Hughes

Edited By: Jen Hughes and LJ Cummings

Revision Date: August 23rd, 2017

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

2,500 Years of Dragon Coins

About the Series

Chapter 1

James clung to the ship’s railing as the raging storm continued to intensify. The thundering clouds and blinding flashes of light revealed an angry sea that seemed to be lashing out like a wild animal. It was all James could do to stay on his feet as the swells battered against the ship’s weary hull, causing the vessel to creak and moan in agony.

How much more can she take? James asked as a crewman pushed past him. The lack of a reply did nothing to calm his nerves, and only reinforced his suspicions that the ship was in trouble. As James stared out in the abyss, he couldn’t help but question the sanity of his decision to go searching for the lost dragons mentioned in Captain Baldon’s letter. At the time it seemed like a noble venture, but as the storm-driven waves crashed over the ship, he wondered if his obsession was leading him to his demise. If Captain Baldon had only returned to port, he might have been able to find the dragons with ease. But his ship the Sea Wolf never returned, and all James had was a tattered old letter that hinted at a forgotten island in the middle of nowhere. With so little to go on, James had turned to a crotchety old captain and his crew for help. They were an unpleasant bunch, exactly the kind of men that could locate an island that pirates only whispered about. After they set sail, the captain revealed that they would sail to Fire Island since few knew of its existence and it was larger than most. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but as the storm raged on, James couldn’t help but wonder if this adventure might be his last.

Where’s the captain? James asked when a sailor grabbed the railing next to him to keep from being swept away as another wave crested over the bow.

He’s in his cabin, the crewmen replied in a gruff voice before disappearing into the darkness after the wave passed. James slowly inched his way towards the front of the ship, clutching his journal in one hand, while pulling himself along with the other. It may have seemed foolhardy to risk being swept away for a book, but he had spent countless years of his life recording everything he knew about dragons upon its pages. Every adventure they had shared, every tale they had told him, and the only written account of the prophecies outside of the Cave of Secrets. He knew it was the most complete record of their species ever compiled, and he wasn’t about to let the sea take it from him without a fight.

As he struggled to reach the far end of the ship where the captain resided, he heard the mainsail tearing as the wind clawed at it. When the lightning cracked overhead, he instinctively looked up, and for a fleeting moment he thought he saw an outline of a dragon in the clouds. He knew it was nothing more than the storm playing a trick on him, using light and shadow to calm its weary prey. The sailors called the sea a maiden in fair weather, but what was she now James wondered… frothing and foaming like a hungry beast? It was all he could do to pull himself along, inching towards the captain’s quarters as the waves washed over the deck, sweeping away unsuspecting souls.

I thought the storm might have taken you, the Captain remarked as James staggered into the refuge, barely able to pull the door closed behind him.

It’s trying, James replied.

Curse it, he muttered under his breath a couple of times as he stared at a pile of soggy maps laid out on the table in front of him. James wasn’t sure if his anger was directed at him or the storm, but he couldn’t remain silent either way.

Do you know where we are? James asked, avoiding the more ominous question of whether or not the ship would survive the storm.

No, The captain admitted in a defeated tone. We should have reached the island by now.

You said you could find the island even though it wasn’t on any map.

I thought I could, but I also told you what you wanted to hear so you would hire me and my crew.

Then I don’t know who is the bigger fool… me, for believing the word of a drunken captain, or you, for risking it all for twenty pieces gold? James yelled out in frustration.

The sea has made fools of us both, the captain replied as a large wave slammed into the side of the ship, causing some of the beams to snap.

How much more can she take? James asked as he tucked his journal into his waistband and cinched down his belt as hard as he could to keep it safe.

If you have any last wishes, you had better make them, the captain replied as water started to force its way through the deteriorating hull. James looked away as if to hide the emotions welling up inside him. He knew they were a hundred miles from nowhere, and there would be no rescue, and no escape. If the hull ruptured, the sea would devour them one by one.

Is there anything we can do to shore her up, or lighten the load so she won’t sink? James asked as he looked around the cabin for a moment.

I already had my men do all of that and more…. I’m sorry, the ship wasn’t built for this much abuse, the captain admitted. James felt his chest constricting and his thoughts quickly turned to his sons Nathan and Jacob, and his brother Sean. As James closed his eyes so he could picture their faces, he found comfort in the fact that they were grown men in their own right, and his passing would not weigh too heavily on their hearts. He had said good-bye to them before he set sail, and they knew he would never return if he found the lost dragons. When another large wave struck the vessel, he heard a whimpering cry coming from under the captain’s table and he instinctively knelt down to see who was there.

Are you alright? James asked as the light from the oil lamp revealed a frightened young woman hiding in fear. She didn’t reply, but when he looked into her eyes, he felt something pass between them, as if they shared some unspoken connection. Whatever it was, it seemed to comfort her for a moment.

She won’t come out of there… the captain remarked, but before could finish the rest of his sentence, a wave slammed into the hull followed by a thunderous roar as it ruptured open. James pulled the young woman into his arms, shielding her from the wall of water and broken planks, as the ship broke apart around them.

Hold on! James yelled as he used his feet to push away from the sinking debris, and tangled ropes that seemed to grab at his feet like tentacles. The young woman clung to him in morbid silence as the ocean devoured it prey. Within a matter of minutes, the last screams of the scattered crew faded into the depths as James paddled into the darkness, wondering if they would be next.

Don’t let go, James insisted as he fought to keep his head above water.

I’m pulling you under, just let me go, the woman remarked as she started to loosen her grip on him.

I don’t want to die alone, James remarked as he encouraged her to continue holding onto him. When she heard the fear in his voice, she tightened her grip, not only to comfort him, but because she didn’t want to die alone either. When James felt her grip him, he forged on through the endless darkness even though he could not see where they were going.

I hear something in the distance, the woman remarked optimistically.

So do I, James replied as he paddled towards it. With each stroke, the sound grew louder and he prayed that it was land and not just the swells crashing against a large piece of debris from the ship that was being carried along by a current.

We’re getting close, James remarked as the waves broke against an unseen object that sounded more and more promising as they closed in on it.

Can you see anything? the woman asked as she loosened her grip around his chest as if preparing to swim on her own.

Not yet, James replied as a large swell picked him up and slammed him against something hard. When he righted himself, the woman was gone, and he began frantically calling out for her. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a dark shape in the water, and as he swam towards it, another wave picked him up and slammed him head-first into some rocks, knocking him out cold.

Chapter 2

When James woke up the next morning, he was laying on his back on the sand, and the waves were gently lapping at his feet. Had it not been for the searing pain radiating from the injury on his head, he might have thought he was dreaming because there were two young Fire Dragons staring down at him.

I told you he wasn’t dead, the black dragon remarked to the gray one who was standing by his side.

Fine, you won the bet… what do I have to eat? the gray dragon asked, seeming unaware that James was drifting in and out of consciousness.

How about that ball of seaweed next to your tail, the black dragon replied as he pointed at it with his claw.

That’s gross! Pick something else, the gray dragon snorted in protest.

A bet is a bet… but if you prefer, you can lick one of the dead pirates that washed up last night, the black dragon chuckled.

That’s even more disgusting. I’m not doing that! the gray dragon objected as he turned his head so he could sniff the seaweed for a moment.

Ash, you agreed that the loser of the bet had to eat whatever the winner wanted them to as long as it wasn’t dangerous, or poisonous.

Fine, I’ll eat the yucky seaweed. No sooner had he bit into the tangled green mass, when he abruptly yelped and then spat it out.

What’s wrong? the back dragon asked, as he tried not to laugh at his brother.

The seaweed was full of crabs, Ash cried as he pulled the little red crustaceans off his tongue one-by-one. When he looked up at his brother he suspected he had been tricked by him.

Shadow, did you know there were crabs living in it before you told me eat it? Ash snorted after he pulled the last crab off his bleeding tongue.

Maybe, Shadow replied as he fell to the ground and started laughing at him.

You shouldn’t have done that, Ash replied as he nipped his brother on the tail.

Hey, you tricked me into licking a jellyfish, so this was just payback, Shadow remarked as he rose up and shook the sand off his wings and tail.

Alright, I guess we’re even, Ash admitted as he glanced over at James when he heard him coughing. Should we try and help him?

I don’t know, Shadow replied as he walked away.

He’s turning blue.

Just let the tide take him out along with the others, Shadow replied as he grabbed at a large fish that was swimming in the shallows.

But he’s not dead.

Stardust is expecting us back soon, and with a broken wing, I don’t want to keep her waiting, Shadow replied as he snagged the fish with his claw and then unfolded his wings. When Ash realized his brother was leaving the beach, he started to follow after him.

Help me, James asked in a garbled voice before starting to pass out from a lack of oxygen. Ash turned and looked at him for a moment, and then at his brother, who had just taken to the air.

Please… James sputtered as he struggled to get the water out of his lungs so he