Trusted: Dragons' Trust Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

by the rains," Thane said from behind him.
    "Well, we can't cross it here," Lainey declared. She sounded slightly out of breath.
    "We don't need to cross it." Thane smirked.
    "We don't?" Lainey placed her hands on her hips and glared at Thane.
    Thane shook his head, his damp hair flopping oddly around his head. "If we follow the river upstream, we should come out of the forest on the outside bank of the river."
    "Upstream?"
    "Yes," Renick answered. "The river loops past Trevinni and comes back into the forest. So upstream is the way to go."
    Lainey mouthed "Oh." She looked at the river and a small smile spread on her face. "Do you think the others are in Trevinni? Do you think they're okay?"
    Renick could not answer. He hoped Lainey's aunt and Thane's friend were all right. It was possible that they landed safely somewhere else. But he could not be sure, and he did not want to give Lainey false hope. Before Renick could form a reply, Thane answered.
    "Getting back to Trevinni is the best way to find them."
    "All right then, we follow the river." Renick turned as he spoke and started trudging along beside the overfilled river. They walked for some time. He lost himself in the rhythm of his footsteps.
    A squishing noise followed by a wet thud and a surprised grunt drew Renick back from where his mind had wandered. He stopped and turned to look behind him. Thane lay on the ground, propped up on his elbows in the middle of a large mud puddle. He looked up, his eyes glaring darkly from under his muddy bangs. Lainey chuckled softly and extended her hand to him. Thane hesitated for a moment, turning his eyes away from her. After a few sighs, he relented. As Thane pulled on Lainey to right himself, she too lost her footing and fell smack down in the mud. She sat there with her shoulders shaking. Renick was unsure what to do; Thane just stared at Lainey with a dumbfounded look on his face.
    Lainey's bubbly laugh burst out. She slapped the mud with the flat of her hand and wiggled her feet. Renick exchanged a look with Thane. Lainey's laughter was so contagious, it did not take long for Renick to follow suit. Thane's lips twitched before he finally let a deep laugh escape his strict demeanor.
    Renick was completely absorbed in the mirth of the moment when an odd sound distracted him. He stopped laughing and cocked his head, listening. The sound came again. It was a small, thin gurgle with a light hiss at the end. Renick turned his head and heard the sound once more. With a start, he realized it was coming from the dragon.
    "What?" Lainey asked as she wiped tears from her cheek with a clean spot on her sleeve.
    "I think …" Renick started. He paused and took the rucksack from his back. Pulling the flap back, he stared at the dragon. It looked up at him with dark eyes and made the sound again. "I think the dragon's laughing."
    "What?" Lainey knelt down next to the dragon, still huddled in its pack, and scrutinized it. The dragon had grown silent and peered at Lainey curiously.
    "Dragons don't laugh," Thane said. Lainey looked up at Renick and rolled her eyes. She turned her head over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at Thane. "What?"
    "Come on, let's get going. I would like to find a nice spot to dry out," Lainey said. She stood and picked up the pack. "Can I carry him for a while?" she asked Renick. The tone of her voice made her sound small.
    "Sure."
    Lainey put the pack on backwards so she could cradle the injured dragon. She whispered to it as she set off to follow the river again.
    Renick turned to glare at Thane.
    "What?" the older boy asked. "They don't. Do they?"
    "My father says that dragons are born with a sense of humor. How else would they put up with our silly antics?" Renick answered.
    "You believe that?" Thane had a smirk on his face. No doubt he had a quick response on the tip of his tongue.
    "Does it matter? Lainey does." With that, he turned and followed after Lainey. After a while, he heard Thane's footsteps