Beast Quest #1: Ferno the Fire Dragon Read Online Free

“But in these strange times, all things are possible.”
    “I suppose they are,” Tom agreed with a smile. “Are the sword and shield for me?”
    “Let’s find out.” Aduro tossed the sword over to him.
    Tom caught it by the hilt. It matched his grip perfectly and felt far lighter than the blacksmith’s tools he’d used for practice. “This is the sword for me!” he cried.
    Now Aduro passed him the polished wooden shield. It was well crafted, but very plain. Tom remembered the knights at the king’s coronation with their bright, colorful shields and felt a twinge of disappointment.
    “Appearances can be deceiving,” Aduro smiled, reading Tom’s thoughts. “On your quest, you will find allies in the strangest of places and in unlikely forms. But you have a wise heart, boy. Trust your instincts.”
    “I’ll try. But tell me …” Tom hesitated. “I have always thought that my father left me to go on a quest of his own. Is that true, Aduro?”
    “So I have heard,” the wizard said evenly. “And I believe his quest goes on, even now.”
    “Then he had a reason for leaving me alone,” Tom realized. “And I shall do all I can to help save the kingdom — and to make him proud of me.” He paused, looking into Aduro’s eyes. “Do you think I will ever see him again?”
    “All things are possible,” said Aduro quietly. “Now, I have other gifts for you. Firstly …” He took a parchment scroll from his pocket. The scroll was just like the one Robin had been holding the night before.
    As Aduro unrolled it, Tom saw it was a map of the whole kingdom. Tom stepped closer for a better look, and the map came to life! Trees and hills and mountains rose up from the paper, standing as tall as Tom’s thumbnail. Cautiously he reached out to touch one of the white mountains in the north. His finger came away glittering with frost.
    Tom looked up at Aduro, startled. The wizard nodded at the map.
    “Look closer,” Aduro commanded. Now Tom saw tiny twisting paths spring up like veins on the pale parchment. They slowly spread across the map toward a large mountain in the southwest, dark and unwelcoming.
    “The Fire Dragon’s mountain,” Tom guessed.
    “Yes.” Aduro held up the silver key Tom had been shown the night before. A loop of leather cord had been threaded through the top, and Aduro hung the key around Tom’s neck like a medal. “Only if you set Ferno free can I begin to put right Malvel’s evil.”
    “I will do all I can,” Tom promised.
    “Now, you must go,” Aduro said. “Your horse waits outside.”
    Tom picked up his sword and shield and followed Aduro out to the stable yard, where a groom stood with a jet-black stallion. Tom had seen many horses and ponies come into his uncle’s forge, but he had never before seen one as beautiful as this.
    The stallion whinnied in greeting. It had a white mark the shape of an arrowhead between its eyes. Two leather bags hung down on either side of its saddle.
    “The stallion’s name is Storm,” said Aduro. “He is young and fast.”
    Storm pushed his nose against Tom’s shoulder and looked up at him.
    Tom beamed. “I think we’ll get along well, Storm,” he said as he grabbed the reins and swung himself up onto the horse’s back.
    He looked down at the wizard. “What will happen to my village? They are relying on me for help.”
    “A cart is on its way there with food and water,” said Aduro. “The driver will tell your uncle you have been sent on a special errand for the king — and that you will return as soon as you can.”
    Tom patted Storm’s neck. “Thank you, Aduro — and good-bye!”
    “Farewell, my young friend. All our hopes go with you.”
    Tom nodded and clapped his heels to Storm’s sides. Storm cantered away, out of the palace courtyard and into the hectic city streets. Storm’shooves clattered on the cobblestones as he swerved around carts and passersby. Tom saw the city gates looming up ahead. His heart pounded with