The Flames of Dragons Read Online Free

leaves, and their leather clothes matched its bark. Tattoos of rainforest animals adorned every exposed inch of skin. None wore swords, but each carried a bow on his back and a machete at his hip.
    They were Narunë’s finest scouts. He’d hand-picked them to accompany Minawë and Rondel to Shikari, and they’d all sworn they wouldn’t leave until the journeying pair returned.
    For the first week they’d been excited. They’d told fanciful stories and placed bets as to what might be happening in Shikari.
    That enthusiasm had vanished in recent days. Now, as Narunë and his squad passed around supper bowls, there was no conversation. The Kodamas ate in brooding silence. Narunë could guess what they were thinking. Oath or no oath, how much longer were they going to stay out here, waiting for people who might be dead?
    Narunë was halfway through his stew when a rustling behind him made him pause. He tensed, immediately on alert. Things in the jungle didn’t make noise without reason, not if they enjoyed living. The air was still and heavy. Not a trace of wind passed through the forest floor that could have made the sound.
    The Kodaman prince glanced around at his companions. They were all as focused as he was. Narunë stood and faced the sound, but he could see nothing. Between the dense brush, the darkness of evening, and the campfire that had ruined his night vision, he was blind.
    Fortunately, there was more than one way to see in the forest, at least for Narunë. He placed his palm against a nearby tree and connected his magic to it, feeling the forest around him through its roots.
    He only needed to touch the tree’s smooth bark a few seconds before he figured out what had made the sound. He laughed aloud, a bellowing cry that made him wink his right eye when he did it.
    “Minawë!” he shouted. “Rondel! You’re back! We’re over here!”
    A rustling of leaves followed, and then a high-pitched female voice whined, “Make me sit in a cave for a month, then drag me back to the forest after dark. Honestly, children these days have no respect for their parents at all. I’m going to trip over a root and break my neck.”
    Narunë laughed again. That voice could only belong to Rondel. Better still, her complaining meant she was in a good mood.
    But as Rondel emerged into the circle of firelight, Narunë’s laughter died. The silver-haired Maantec glared at the Kodaman prince with cold eyes that sparked with Lightning Sight.
    Behind Rondel came Minawë. When Narunë saw his niece’s face, any lingering joy he might have felt at their reunion fled. Her emerald eyes bore just as frosty an expression as Rondel’s. Even though a month had passed since she’d seen her uncle, she didn’t say a word to him. She kept her gaze fixed on Rondel.
    Rondel walked up to Narunë. With her diminutive frame, the crone had to bend her neck back to look him in the face. “It’s been a long time,” she said. Her voice was friendly, but the blue sparks leaping across her irises told Narunë the tone was false. “I’m sure a lot’s happened to you since we left. Walk with me, and let’s swap stories. Minawë, we’ll be right back. Why don’t you stay here and warm yourself? It looks like they’re just sitting down to eat. You must be starving. I’m sure they’ll share with you.”
    Narunë caught the hint. “That’s a good idea, Minawë. We’ll catch up when Rondel and I return. Boys, make sure my niece is well fed. She is your queen after all. Give her your utmost care and attention.” He stressed the last word.
    Minawë cocked an eyebrow, but she shrugged and sat down in the fire ring. She refilled Narunë’s own bowl and ate like it was the first food she’d seen in days.
    Rondel gestured to her left. Narunë let her guide him away from camp.
    They’d walked in silence about ten minutes before Rondel said, “This should be far enough.”
    “Did she follow us?”
    Rondel’s Lightning Sight flashed. “I