War of Dragons Read Online Free PDF Page B

into two groups.
    Could one be a decoy? the nearest dragon asked.
    Unlikely; look at their footprints. They were moving too fast to have had time to set up a decoy. No, they probably split up by accident. There are now two groups.
    Which should we follow? another Blue Dragon asked.
    Both. We are ten; there are only five of them. Two groups of five, so even if they have split into four and one, which I doubt, we'll still outnumber them. I think the two groups are both about the same size. He glanced back at his dragons. You, at the back, where are the others? You're not the last, are you? Tell them to move forwards and keep up!
    I'm the last, sir. There's no one behind me, he replied.
    Well, where are the rest?
    I don't know, sir, he replied.
    Maybe they took a wrong turning, sir, another dragon suggested. Just like the Red Dragons.
    Unbelievable! the commander hissed. How many are we now? He briefly counted the heads. Six! Four idiots left behind! They will pay for this, whether it is cowardice or stupidity. He fumed for a moment. Right. You two, block up this tunnel. Collapse the roof! Trap one group till we deal with the other, but don't block us all in whatever you do! You three, follow me!
    ***
    Daisy and Jenna sat in silence like two red statues, listening to the approaching Blues. The light from the Blue Dragons' fire reflected along the tunnels and slowly became visible in their chamber. They shrank further back into the cave, trying to hide, even though hiding was impossible. The light became brighter and the footsteps, which were slow and wary, gradually became louder.
    Suddenly a burst of flames entered the chamber and the head of a Blue Dragon appeared in the entrance. Daisy thought she could detect the hint of an evil smile. The Blue Dragon broadcast his thoughts so they could hear as well.
    Just two of them against four of us. No wonder they tremble. Don't worry, we'll make this quick.
    Perhaps you should recount, Daisy retorted, there's just three of you. Are you sure you don't want to get out while you can?
    She sounded braver than she was, but she was right: there were just three dragons facing them.
    What? Incompetents! Never mind, the three of us will be more than enough to tear you —
    He failed to finish his sentence. The Blue Dragon to his right had slowly and calmly reached over and seized his neck with his jaws, before ripping his throat out, killing him instantly. His killer spun to face the third dragon, slashing at its throat with his claws, but his intended victim was wise to his attack, blocking it with a foreleg and receiving only minor scratches.
    John! Daisy cried out, realising who the mystery Blue Dragon was. The two Blue Dragons were circling each other and Daisy lost track of who was who, the two combatants indistinguishable in the dim light they created with their breath.
    What do we do? Daisy asked Jenna frantically.
    Let them fight. He killed one, he can handle the other, she replied, her thoughts sounding shaky and weak.
    He surprised one, but he's no good at combat on the ground. You've seen him fight. We need to help!
    Which one? I can't tell them apart, Jenna replied. She shrank back even further from the two Blue Dragons.
    Suddenly, one of the Blue Dragons sent a burst of flame at the other before charging and trying to slash at his throat while he was distracted. It was a poor effort and the other Blue saw what he was trying to do and dodged and slashed at his opponents flank, streaking his side with three bright red gashes. He moved in to finish him, but the injured Blue backed just out of his reach.
    That's John—the injured one! Daisy said to Jenna.
    How can you be sure? Jenna asked, still pressed against the wall. Daisy looked at her and then moved forwards to intervene. She sent a blast of fire at the other Blue Dragon, who spun to face her, temporarily ignoring the dragon that she assumed was John. The Blue Dragon rushed at her quickly, faster than she thought he would be