Land of Ice and Snow [Cairngorm Dragons 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free Page A

the legend,” Gudrin said.
    “I challenge him to do it,” Helga screeched.
    “Now he is obliged to accept or withdraw,” Axl stated.
    “Then I accept.” Lachlann’s voice was loud and steady, his tone betraying none of the fear that Helga had obviously hoped to hear.
    “Let’s go inside and eat a meal. I can tell you the rest of the legend then,” Axl suggested.

Chapter Four
     
    As they sat and ate, Axl recounted the rest of the legend.
    “The saga tells us that the golden-orange dragon that comes to claim his mate from amongst us is a warrior from over the water. He wields a huge sword, and if he is challenged, he must regain the lost golden torc. This is a circlet of gold which was always worn by the brides of our community on their wedding day. It is of ancient Norse workmanship and said to have belonged to the very Harold Hardrada that went over the seas to conquer the lands that lie on the other side of the world. I have never seen it. In fact, it has been lost to us for many generations. Under the mountain, Galdhopiggen, there are caves, and there dwells an old one. He guards the torc and will not allow its removal. He will slay any who attempt to retrieve it.”
    “Father, does he have to do this? You know full well why Helga got me banished. Now she wants to get Lachlann killed, so I will have to marry her revolting son. I will not marry him. Lachlann is my mate. I know that now. I know what it is to meet the one you are destined to love for the rest of your life, and now I could be satisfied with no other.”
    “Do I have no say in this my little dove?” Lachlann’s voice was stern. “I won’t be judged a coward and unworthy of you. I accept this challenge and will go on the quest tomorrow. Now settle down and eat your meal. We have a lot of talking to do, you and I, and not many hours before I must leave.”
    “Yes, Lachlann,” she said quietly. She caught a glimpse of the astonished faces of her parents as they heard their rebellious daughter acquiesce so easily. She’d been surprised herself. Normally she would have ranted and railed and argued, but there was that in his tone that said he brooked no argument and he would have his way. Consequently they sat and ate.
    “Tell us about your land across the sea,” Sigourney pleaded.
    “I come from Scotland. It’s a mountainous land but doesn’t have the amount of snow yours has. We do have snow in the winter, and we have beautiful glens and lochs. My sister is wedded to Ness, a water dragon, and they live on the biggest of our lochs, Loch Ness. My brother is Braemuir of Braemuir, our Clan chieftain. He has charge of the Clan lands and the welfare of the people, as does Ness for his lands.”
    “Are you a water dragon?” Axl asked.
    “No, my dragon name is Feasgar. Only Ness and his Clan are water dragons.”
    “Why do you have to have a dragon name, too?” Sigourney asked.
    “It’s the custom. My name means afternoon or evening in the old tongue of our ancestors. Don’t you have a dragon name?”
    “No, there are so few of us left now. We keep our own names. The ability to shape-change is dying out,” Gudrin said sadly. “Some say it is because of the loss of the torc, but I can’t see how that would make any difference.”
    “Well, I will do my best to get it back, and we shall then see if the legend lies about it or not. I am tired now, and I will need rest if I’m to tackle an old one tomorrow.”
    Gudrin showed Lachlann to a guest chamber in their hall. All was golden wood varnished to a sheen. The bed was huge, and instead of blankets of woven wool as was the custom at home, there was a sort of stuffed quilted cover.
    “It’s very warm. These quilts retain the heat very well even in the coldest winter.”
    Lachlann found that difficult to believe but was too polite to contradict her. She left him, and he placed his bag on the chair. He seated himself on the bed. Gudrin was right about one thing. The quilt was soft. He