The Erth Dragons Book 1: The Wearle Read Online Free PDF

what the blue was planning to i:mage?’
    Per Grogan looked flustered. His eyes lost focus. Momentarily, his balance faltered. ‘I…advised him tactically, of course, but—’
    ‘Advised?’ Grynt said, picking out the word and holding it up like a piece of skewered prey.
    ‘Wait,’ said Gabrial, stepping up to Grogan’s shoulder. He could see where this line of questioning was going. ‘It was my idea to draw G’vard across the crater.’
    ‘You’ve been warned more than once to be silent,’ said Grynt. ‘Do I need to remind you, you stand before your Prime? This impertinence will not serve you well.’
    ‘I won’t let you hold Grogan to blame,’ said Gabrial, the words squirming carelessly out of his mouth.
    Every watching dragon caught their breath. To disrespect the Elders in this manner was as good as inviting death’s fire to rain down.
    ‘Still – your – voice,’ Grynt said, barely needing to open his jaws. Black smoke played around his purple face. ‘The per was asked for his opinion and he alone shall give it.’
    Grogan cleared his throat. Looking squarely at Galarhade, he said, ‘I have thought on this and I do not believe my charge was capable of causing a physical eruption. A few live sparks, perhaps, but nothing of the magnitude so witnessed. He’s simply not advanced enough.’
    Prime Galarhade tilted his head. ‘Then what are you saying?’
    ‘That it was a natural event – or that some other force took advantage of the moment.’
    Now there were cries of ‘ Shame! ’ from the mountainside.
    Elder Grynt leant forward, making his pillar creak beneath his weight. ‘Are you accusing a dragon more accomplished of callously causing the death of a queen?’ ‘Murder’ was an ugly word among dragons. Even the Veng did not kill for pleasure or reward.
    ‘Of course not,’ Grogan snapped. Raising his voice above the clamour, he roared, ‘We were sent to this planet to find the first Wearle! How can we be sure that whatever force has conspired to hide them from us did not bring about the death of Grystina?’
    A good argument, but not strong enough to stay the tide of insults.
    Only the De:allus dragon, Graymere, was truly taking note of Grogan’s words.
    In spite of the hysteria, the Elders consulted. The Prime exchanged brief words with Grynt, but spent longer in silent communion with Givnay. In tragic situations such as this, it was Givnay the Wearle would turn to for solace. His long contemplations on the wonders of Godith marked him as a source of spiritual comfort. If any dragon would show mercy, it would be the mute.
    Calm fell as Galarhade raised his head. He said, ‘We find the blue guilty of causing the rock fall which killed Grystina and her myss. We accept there was no malice intended, and for this reason he is spared the worst of punishments. We also find that the dangers of the i:mage should have been recognised by the per. We therefore hold both to account. Before I pass sentence, would anyone speak in favour of these dragons?’
    ‘I would,’ said a voice. To Gabrial’s surprise, per Gorst came forward. He was a cousin of Grogan and shared similar gradations in the grey-green blushes that dignified his sides. ‘Per Grogan is older than most of my teeth—’
    ‘And nearly as useless,’ a Veng voice muttered.
    ‘—but his loyalty to the Wearle is without question. I ask that his sentence be light. As for the blue…yes, he has caused a great misfortune. But let us not forget that he fought to be this queen’s companion – and bravely so.’
    This was met by another hail of roars.
    Per Gorst lengthened his neck and shouted, ‘When other, more legitimate candidates, closed their wings and would not even court her!’
    Hrrrrrr . The storm of criticism blew itself out.
    Per Gorst looked at the dismayed figure of G’vard. ‘My charge is wounded, his challenge unfulfilled. But he will recover to fight for another queen. This is a terrible day, I agree. But the