Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Focus, Slate. Blow, then scorch.
Small beam. I’m listening, Mom.
You’ve got this, Slate. Thank you for helping.
Always. Now, let me work.
She continued searching. A few minutes later, a large green form rose from the ground. As she approached, a silver dragon came into view close by. Once again, Rimi signaled the mates she carried to dismount, and she shifted to share the news. I’ve found Khadar and Argenis. From here, I can tell they’re in the same state. Alive but not functioning. Again, a small number of men are with them. Lalani and Ciel nodded bravely as they fought back tears.
Skye’s mind reached out to her. Are the guards with the dragons dressed in protective clothes like those in the main camp?
Rimi reported, I’m staring at this group now. These guys aren’t. I don’t think the others were. Why?
If they shoot off any more dust, they’ll sacrifice those guys. The guards have to realize that, Skye suggested. Brooks came up with that.
Everyone keep thinking, Rimi said. Something tickled against her mind. Keres? He didn’t answer. That had to be him. Was he rousing?
Slate? How’s it going with Keres? Is he waking up?
Maybe? If I could use a larger fire beam, it would go faster.
Broaden it a bit, Slate, but stay in control. Don’t light up the area with fire. We can’t warn them we’re fighting back.
Chapter 16
Rain!
Rimi rocked back as if struck as Keres’s voice boomed inside her brain. Still in human form, she wrapped her arms around herself. He was back!
Daddy! Are you okay?
That had to be Keres, Skye chimed in.
Silence followed. Rimi shook her head when the mates with her pummeled her with questions. She tried to listen for Keres to answer. When no further messages came in, she asked, Slate?
Busy.
Seething with frustration at not knowing what was going on, Rimi gathered Aurora, Ciel, and Lalani whisper close. She quickly clued them in as she waited.
Slate, you have to tell me what’s happening.
Smart move, Mate, to have our son roast me alive. Keres’s grim humor made her want to cheer, but who knew if someone was listening. She controlled herself with sheer willpower. Keres! I’m so glad you’re okay!
Okay is a big stretch. At least my mind is starting to work. Come to me, Snowflake. Bring the others here. When he lapsed into silence, she updated her small group before shifting quickly. Rimi messaged Skye as Aurora, Lalani, and Ciel climbed up on her shoulders.
Rimi moved as quickly as she could. Several times, she had to drop to the ground. The mates moved quickly each time to hide behind her camouflaging. Thank goodness they were used to mounting and sliding down a dragon’s scales.
Finally, they reached Keres and Slate. The smaller dragon still attacked the dust. He currently treated Keres’s rear legs. Rimi was relieved to see he carefully stayed away from the dust scattered by the black dragon’s impact.
The mates slid off her back, and Rimi darted forward. Keres growled, Stop! The black dragon heaved his bulk upward and staggered forward to drop to the ground where no dust had scattered. Slate shifted and continued to attack the powder as Rimi rushed to his side.
He shook his head, keeping his scales away when she tried to rub her snout against his. It’s not all gone, Snowflake. Can you be brave for me?
Of course.
I need you to take the remains of the barrel and fly into the clouds. Scatter the substance through the clouds. Concentrate it heavily on the areas over the dragons.
Why?
Silver Iodide will make it rain. Planes used to seed it into clouds for farmers who needed rain.
Does it work immediately? Rimi asked.
It will likely take hours.
Likely? Does that mean it could take longer than that?
Keres nodded his head. It might not even work.
They said they’d wait for a response for a day or two, she reported.
You’ve been to the main camp?
Yes, I was able to sneak close enough to hear. There’s an old man. They call him the chemist. I think he’s the one who created the dust. He hates dragons. He wants them smote down, she shared.
Of course, he does. There are always dragon haters.
There’s also a guy named Evan. His men are providing the muscle. He’s only in this for all the dragons’ treasure.
Keres low growl made her smile. He was recovering more all the time. She continued to distract him. There’s no love lost between Evan and the chemist. My guess is they’d get rid of him as fast as possible if they could get the formula for the powder. The chemist won’t give it up.
Then, he’s our target, Keres declared.
Tell me what I need to do.
This is dangerous, Snowflake. Even disguised, they’re going to see you. You need to stay high in the clouds and dodge when they shoot dust at you. You need a spotter to tell you how to avoid the plumes, but there’s no one who can go with you. Slate’s still to wonky. He’d be dosed again in a flash. And he’d distract you.