Firestorm (28 page)

Then Firestorm’s voice suddenly began chanting in Nolita’s head, blocking out everything else that was being said.

‘Delve ’neath the surface, life’s transport hides,

Healing, restoring – bright river tides.

Enter the sun’s steps; shed no more tears.

Attain ye the orb; vanquish the fears.

‘The Oracle’s words are clear now. “Life’s transport” is blood. It hides beneath the surface of our skin. We also delved beneath the surface layer of the orb and
hid blood within it – though it is hardly hidden, as the orb is transparent. And dragons have long identified that there are properties within blood that act to heal and restore our bodies
when we are injured. We did enter the sun’s steps; and you vanquished your fears. The verse all makes sense.’

Nolita relayed his words to the others and they looked at her with a mixture of astonishment and respect. Elian’s jaw literally dropped when Firestorm opened his mouth and Nolita stepped
forward and reached between his rows of teeth to recover the orb from the dragon’s tongue. She laughed as she saw his gaping mouth. It had been worth the wild surge of fear as she reached for
the orb just to see Elian’s face. Kira was beaming with approval too.

Barnabas stepped forwards and took the orb from her hands and held it up, examining it closely. After a moment he nodded and handed it back to her.

‘You have done well, Nolita,’ he said. ‘Very well. But the three of you must now look to the future. The success of your quest hangs by a fragile thread. If it breaks, you will
fail and all dragonkind will be ruined. Take this orb to the Oracle as fast as you can. The verse you quoted was different to those the Oracle gave to previous questors. Each time the Oracle has
initiated the Great Quest the riddles have been different. Can you tell me the next verse?’

‘Release the dark orb – death brings me life.

Take brave ones’ counsel, ’ware ye the knife.

Exercise caution, stay pure and heed,

Yield unto justice: truth will succeed,’
Nolita responded eagerly. ‘Can you tell us what it means? Who are the brave ones? Is Pell right? Are they the leaders of the night
dragon enclave?’

Barnabas closed his eyes for a moment, his lips moving slightly as he repeated the words of the verse over again. When he opened his eyes, his expression was more serious than ever.

‘No, I do not believe that is the meaning of the verse,’ he replied. ‘If I’m not mistaken, the brave ones you should seek are the griffins. Before you begin your search
for them, however, you must stop your companion, Pell, from reaching the night dragon enclave.’

‘Why, sir?’ Kira asked.

‘The night dragons have always harboured an anarchic streak,’ Barnabas explained. ‘They have long felt restricted by the boundaries held in place by the Oracle. If they
discover that the final attempt at the Great Quest has begun, they will likely see this as their chance to be rid of the Oracle. This will also provide an opportunity for them to dispose of the
life purpose they have long held to be restrictive and troublesome. Without the Oracle’s binding power to hold them in check, the night dragon enclave will likely move to seize power in every
continent of the world. I doubt any could stand before them. Their strength and numbers are too great.’

‘Then we should go – now!’ Elian said, his impatient movement towards Ra matching the urgency in his voice. ‘There’s plenty of daylight left. We should use
it.’

Kira nodded, but Nolita paled as she realised that she would have to climb into her saddle again. She felt emotionally exhausted, but knew that if she refused now, she might never do it
again.

‘Your backpacks are ready,’ Barnabas told them, his face beaming as he gave each of them a brief hug goodbye. ‘Nolita, you and Firestorm have honoured our enclave with your
success. You will always be welcome here. We will pray good fortune for your quest. Good luck, riders.’

They grabbed their bags and climbed up into their saddles. Elian looked across at Nolita, who appeared as terrified as he had ever seen her. But she had mastered her fears. She was sitting on
Firestorm’s back. She was a proper dragonrider.

‘Just let Pell try to mock her bravery again,’ he said softly. With a final wave to the assembled day dragon enclave, he and Aurora powered into the air alongside Kira and Longfang.
Firestorm paused a moment to give a roar of triumph, before carrying Nolita into the air behind them.

Here ends Book One of the Dragon Orb Quartet.

www.markrobsonauthor.com

DRAGON ORB: SHADOW

Book 2 in the fantasy series.

F
OUR DRAGON RIDERS ON A
MISSION TO SAVE THEIR WORLD

Pell and his night dragon Shadow must find the dark orb to help save the Oracle, leader of all dragonkind. But Segun, a powerhungry tyrant, stands in their way. Pell must use his flying skills,
bravery and resourcefulness to the limit, as Segun is determined to get the orb - even if it means killing the opposition...

ISBN 978-1-84738-069-2

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