Dragon Stone: Dragon Cliff Trilogy Book Two

Dragon Stone

Julie Young

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

Dragon Stone

Dragon Cliff Trilogy Book Two

Copyright © 2011 Julie Young

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4620-0682-3 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-0683-0 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 4/18/11

DEDICATED TO

Roan Sophia-Lynn

Our Granddaughter, Love of Our

Lives.

May HaShem Watch Over You

We Love You

Grandpa and Grandma

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 Visions

Chapter 2 The Agar

Chapter 3 The Crypt

Chapter 4 Esa Recovers

Chapter 5 Rune Revealed

Chapter 6 The Rune ‘F’

Chapter 7 Ice at the Crypt

Chapter 8 The Bailey

Chapter 9 Mid-Night on the Bailey

Chapter 10 Opade Gazette

Chapter 11 Opade Inn

Chapter 12 All the Clues

Chapter 13 Back to the Dungeon

Chapter 14 The Dragon Stone

Chapter 15 Game On

Chapter 16 The Witch Knows

Chapter 17 The Message

Chapter 18 The Elders

Chapter 19 The Power

Chapter 20 Swathmore’s Diversion

Chapter 21 Captured

Glossary of Characters

Prologue

Gobomor stood at the bottom of the stone stairs watching the trio as they ascended. He had never shown anyone these hidden stairs. Their location was known only to himself and to the queen.

He stepped back into the shelter of the forest shadows. He continued to watch until the trio was out of site. He knew he should go with them; they were very young to be alone on this perilous journey.

He also knew the prophecy. The queen had told him the Dragon Stone would only reveal itself to Zoe. That only she would be able to wield the power of the Dragon Stone.

Besides, he had another mission. To find his queen! He knew who had taken her and how that fateful event had occurred. He had an idea of where she might be; but not a single soul had ever traveled to Gullvieg Isle and returned.

He turned to leave with urgency in his steps. Making his way through the thick dense forest; he was unaware of the pair of red eyes that glistened in the dark shadows. Watching his every step.

Chapter 1

Visions

Zoe, Sam and Swathmore watched as Gobomor disappeared into the thick darkness of the forest.

Swathmore had perched himself on Sam’s shoulder.

Let’s get going. I have no intentions of staying on this mountain all night! Swathmore stated loudly.

The three friends looked up towards the top of Blackwicks Peak. Ahead of them rising into the thick dense fog that always covered Blackwicks Peak were hundreds of narrow steps carved from stone. Twisting and turning disappearing into the dense fog.

Zoe thought of the past two weeks since she arrived on Opade Isle. She thought of the first time she meant Sam on the beach below Dragon Cliff Manor. They had collided head on. She thought of the secret room below her tower; and the precious scroll with the prophecy left for her.

She thought about poor little Esa lying near death at Gran’s. Why and who had placed the poisonous Ranaccula flowers on her bed side table?

If it was Gullvieg; how did she get into her tower? The most puzzling question, ‘What was the meaning of the glass globe with the replica of Dragon Cliff Manor inside?’

She was so deep in thought she didn’t hear Sam tell her to watch for the large mound of moss growing on the step and she slipped and fell.

OW! She cried out. Standing back up and wiping her hands on her jeans.

Are you alright? I tried to warn you. You weren’t paying attention. Sam told her.

I was thinking about all that has happened in the short time I have been on Opade Isle. Zoe said as she adjusted her backpack.

You must listen and pay attention! This place is very dangerous! Gullvieg has minions everywhere watching! Swathmore was most insistent.

I was thinking of who put those poisonous flowers in my room. I was thinking of Esa. She said in a very defensive tone. She didn’t want to make the brownie mad; but she didn’t need to be reminded of the dangers.

Gullvieg! That’s who put them there girl! Swathmore was getting mad.

Stop! Let’s not fight. Sam told both his friends. He was worried about Esa too.

Zoe huffed as she passed up Sam and Swathmore. She couldn’t believe sometimes that she was talking with faeries, brownies, or any other magical creatures for that matter. Much less arguing with one!

The fog was getting thicker now. Dew drops dripped off her nose. The air was suddenly icy. She pulled her hoodie tight.

Zoe turned to see how far back Sam was but he was right behind her.

She stood on the stone step looking out into thick whiteness. A shiver ran up her spine. She remembered the last time she was in fog this thick. The day the raven tried to kill her.

Zoe jumped when Sam stopped next to her.

What’s wrong? he asked looking in the direction she was looking in.

Just remembering the last time I was in fog this thick; the day the raven tried to kill me. She shivered again; this time the hair on her neck started to raise.

Sam, do you see anything in the fog? She had a bad feeling they were being watched.

No. Do you see anything? Sam looked hard but all he saw was the thick blanket of whiteness.

No. Something is watching us. The hair on my neck is on end, bad sign. She whispered.

Swathmore popped out from inside Sam’s backpack. He had been staying warm and taking a nap.

Something is out there. Swathmore said as he disappeared back into the backpack.

Let’s get to the top. Zoe said in a low voice as if someone was listening.

The two hurried. Taking some of the steps two at a time. As they rounded the next turn they found themselves standing on a huge plateau.

Wow! Sam exclaimed. I wonder how big this plateau is.

We can find out another time. I don’t want to walk off the edge into thin air. Zoe said.

There wasn’t much too see thanks to the thick fog. They had made it to the top of Blackwicks Peak.

Now they needed to find the entrance.

Over here Zoe. Sam called to her.

She could just make out where he was. As she got closer a huge black stone wall loomed up in front of her.

This is the entrance I’m sure, but how do we get inside? Sam looked at Zoe droplets of water dripping of the end of his nose.

As they both stood in front of the massive stone wall; they saw something unusual happen right before their eyes.

As a large tuft of thick fog passed by it was suddenly sucked into the massive stone wall.

Did you see that? Sam exclaimed. Swathmore had popped out of the backpack at the sound of the excitement.

Together they walked up to the wall where the fog had been sucked in.

Zoe placed her hand on the stone wall. Only her hand didn’t touch stone, it touched air.

Sam watched as Zoe’s hand just disappeared into the wall.

What just happened?! Sam asked in astonishment.

Before she answered him she walked straight into the wall. She was gone!

ZOE! Sam yelled. As he was putting his hands on the wall something reached out grabbing both his hands pulling him into blackness.

Sam blinked trying to focus on where he was and what had grabbed him.

ZOE! He yelled out.

I’m right here. No need to shout. She replied.

Something grabbed me! He looked around where they were standing.

That would be me silly. She said laughing.

This is the entrance. At first glance with all the fog and shadows all you see is the stone wall. It’s an illusion. Zoe said.

They were standing in the Entrance Hall to the dragon’s lair. It was enormous.

Flashlights. They both said in unison.

Swathmore, could you dig out my flashlight? Sam asked.

Yes. He dove into the backpack shuffling and digging then popped out with the flashlight.

CLICK! CLICK!

Shinning their flashlights around the entrance they looked at their surroundings.

Look at the size of this place! Sam was awe struck by the enormity.

Dragons are no small creatures. Swathmore said matter of factly.

Zoe was looking at the walls. They seemed familiar…smooth black stone, like black glass. Just like the stone floors at Dragon Cliff Manor.

A thick blanket of darkness surrounded them. Only their narrow flashlight beams broke through the dense blackness.

Zoe shivered as she flashed her light around. Something was watching; she could feel its eyes.

Sam, do you get the feeling we are not alone in here? She asked.

I feel it too. Something is watching us. But from where? He shined his light all around them. They were alone.

A minion; something awful I fear. Swathmore whispered from inside Sam’s backpack

They shined their lights at each other then took off running as fast as they could, straight into the thick darkness of the tunnel.

They had been running for some distance. It seemed the tunnel curved slightly at times then straightened out.

Zoe stopped abruptly! She was gasping for air. Sam went right past her before realizing she had stopped.

He came back to where she was bent over trying to catch her breath.

They shinned their lights. They had stopped inside a chamber room. Just ahead was an arched entrance with carvings.

Look at these carvings on the walls. Sam said walking up to them. He reached out to touch the carvings. They had been deeply carved into the stone and painted in with brilliant colors of reds, orange, blues, and purples.

The carvings were battle scenes between men and dragons. The dragons were fierce looking; breathing fire, flying down attacking the enemy below. The men were outfitted in ancient armor. The men wielded swords fighting the dragons as they flew above them.

The scene was gruesome. Men were depicted with huge gashes in their armor where the dragon’s talons had ripped them open. Dragons were shown flying in the air towards a huge black peak; carrying their captives in giant talons.

Look where the dragons are flying to. It’s Blackwicks Peak. Zoe said in a hushed voice.

I thought the dragons were friendly? Sam whispered back.

Well, maybe this was before the Baron’s time. Maybe these men came for the dragon’s treasure. Zoe tried to sound convincing.

She is right. The dragons’ were friendly once Baron Borrack came. Swathmore had moved onto Sam’s shoulder and was staring at the carvings.

Why are we whispering? Sam asked.

"I don’t know. Because it’s