The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) Read Online Free

the dwarves and learned about blacksmithing and forged the sword you’ve become so fond of over the years.”
    I jumped to my feet.
    “You made Fang?”
    “Indeed.”
    “But, if you weren’t supposed to kill anybody, then why did you make the sword?”
    “Because it’s a symbol of truth, hope, and strength. The men respected a man that swung a blade. And I never said you couldn’t kill, just that it’s only a last resort. But again, take a life, safe a life or more.”
    “How many did you kill?”
    “Enough to remember each and every one. Seeing life diminishing in a dying creature's eyes is a sad thing indeed. We are here to save lives, not take them.”
    I thought about that.
    “But don’t we save lives when we take the lives of those endangering others?”
    “How can you know for sure? At what cost, Son? Men will always fight and feud, whether we help them or not. They’ll listen for a while, then wage war with one another. In all of your heroics, how much have you really changed?”
    It was true. Battles were won and lost. Good men died, and bad ones lived. Evil withered in the dirt only to rise again into a strong and mighty tower. There was nothing that held it back for long. Not war. Not power. Not peace. This was the part that gave me a headache. Holding back against evil, the despicable beast.
    “Save the ones you can, Son. Expect no rewards nor thank-yous, and move on, which I don’t think you are very eager to do.”
    I liked being with people, but they aged quickly, and sooner or later I would always have to move on. It was hard to watch them fight so hard for a life that wasn’t long lasting. And maybe that was what I liked most about men. Every day mattered to them. Each one was new, never the same, filled with new adventures over every horizon. Men, good and bad, knew how to live.
    I let out a long sigh. I still had no idea how to get my scales.
    “I can see in your eyes that you are frustrated, Nath—”
    “NO! Don't say it again!” I held my hands up.
    “Sorry, Son. You should stay among your brothers and sisters awhile. I’d enjoy your company. Maybe my guidance will sink in.”
    He was talking another hundred years at least.
    “No,” I stammered, a good bit angry at myself, “I want to earn my scales. I want to be a dragon!”
    My father leaned back, dragon claws clasping his knees, and said, “Take the sword. The one you borrowed. It was going to be a gift anyway, but you slipped out of here like a halfling rogue before I could gift it to you. Take Brenwar,” my father’s tone darkened, and so did his smoldering eyes, “and do not return this time without your scales.”
    “What? I can’t come back?”
    An impatient tone took over his voice like a dam about to break.
    “NO! Take with you that which you need. You’ve earned that much at least, but do not return without your scales.”
    I shouted back. “Earned it for what?”
    “Saving our kin. The dragons. Like I’ve told you to. Focus on the dragons. The little green one, Ezabel, was quite grateful for your intrusion. She sends her best. And she’s not the only one.”
    “Really?” I said, surprised.
    “Son, have I ever lied?”
    “No,” I said.
    “Or been wrong?”
    I remained silent. I wasn’t ready yet to admit that, so I shrugged.
    My father shook his neck, a column of red armor over pure muscle. Then he said, “I don’t just sit here as you think and leave every once in a while to gorge myself on cattle. I do many things you aren’t aware of. I see things that you cannot.”
    That was new, but I wasn’t so sure I believed it. If he ever did pop out of the mountain, I was certain the entire world would know; each and every being would be screaming like the world was on fire. I know that I would be if I wasn’t his son. Then I realized he’d gotten me off track.
    “Am I really banished as you say?” I asked, unable to disguise my worry.
    “Yes,” he said, his voice stern. “It’s time you