PART THREE:

THE DRAGON GUARD

Harold sat glumly in a corner of a ship that was sailing to Alderwood. King Umphishire had ordered the captain to sail over to Wayle, and the captain, rather begrudgingly, had agreed to do so.

Five days later, the ship landed on Wayle’s dismal shore, and a young cabinmate entered. “Captain says ye’ve got ter leave the ship.” was all he said, and the boy left the cabin shortly afterward.

Harold left the ship to many jeers and taunts and hastened up the craggy slope. It had begun rain heavily and Harold could barely see through the lashing rain. Then he heard a noise, quite apart from the falling rain and the rolling thunder.

“So, you wish to wish to enter our island, human.”

Harold whirled around to face a dark black dragon. Even in the driving rain, Harold could see that the dragon before him was smiling a twisted smile. A heavy claw descended onto his forehead, and he sank to the rocky ground, senseless and immobile.

The black dragon turned to the assembly behind him and hissed, “Bring him to the queen,” and Harold was lifted onto the Guard’s backs and carried to the cave where Morka dwelled.