The Lost Dragon (Cycle of Dragons Book 3) by Dan Michaelson (good summer reads .txt) 📗

dragons. “We use what we can, connecting to them as we can, and it permits us the ability to use that power.”

“And you?”

“My role is a bit unique,” he said.

“How so?”

“I am the Sharath,” he said.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“I told you we traveled when I was young,” Natalie said. “Our people are fragmented. Our lands have been divided. The kingdom claims land all around and has granted us small pockets. It is within those markets that we have been able to maintain some space of our own, though not nearly as much as we once had.”

“You are part of multiple cycles,” I said. That would explain why he had been so powerful and had so much energy.

The Sharath nodded. “I serve as a linkage between the Djarn people and the kingdom.”

“Are there other cycles within the kingdom?”

The Sharath watched me. “You would be the first.”

The words hung in the air. They felt dangerous, as if I had done something I should not have. “I wasn’t trying to do anything to harm the dragons.”

The Sharath cocked a brow. “Did you get the impression I was disappointed?”

“No, I just—”

“Just because something hasn’t been done in the kingdom before doesn’t mean it should not have been done. Having the dragons as a part of something like that gives them the ability to be more powerful than they would be otherwise. It allows them to heal and recover. As you have no doubt detected, the energy flows from one dragon to the next, and within that flow is a connection that binds them, bridging them together.”

“I have felt that,” I admitted.

“And you have no doubt learned that by doing so, you can heal the dragons, and you find that your own power is not nearly as diminished as it would be otherwise.”

It fit with my experience. I had seen my energy increase by connecting to many dragons.

“Why hasn’t the king done it before?”

“Dragon mages are interesting,” he said. “They have potential, and there is no doubt that they have the ability to understand the power that the dragons possess, but many dragon mages have been unwilling to share.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are a part of the cycle. What do you think I mean?”

I frowned, thinking.

“They have to share something of themselves,” I said.

“They do,” the Sharath said. “The cycle is such that it pulls from all who are a part of it. The people recognize that, and recognize the value in bonding them together. When you’re connected long enough, you can begin to understand that connection, and you can begin to glean valuable insight from it. It makes it easier.”

“Easier?”

“Indeed,” he said. “You can communicate.”

“With the dragons?”

He held my gaze for a moment. “You can communicate with others.”

I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I see.”

“Do you?”

“I think so. What you’re saying is that by connecting, we are able to visit with those we could not reach otherwise.”

“Very good. Now, you will also find you can use that. That power grants you an understanding of the others who are a part of your circle—or cycle, as it were. Much like they can have an understanding of you.”

I looked over to Natalie. “How many cycles are you a part of?”

“None.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t serve the people like that,” she said softly.

Her father watched her, regarding her for a moment. “Do not be disappointed in this,” he said. “You serve, only you serve in your own way.”

“I would like to serve in a way that helps the people,” she muttered.

“And you do.”

“I don’t feel as if I do.”

He chuckled. “Ah, but time will change things. That is, if we have the opportunity for it to change things.” He turned his attention to me. “I suppose you don’t fully understand all of this.”

“I don’t,” I agreed. “All I know is that something has been taking place, and I have been doing my best to try to understand it.”

“I know.”

“Which is why I’m afraid of what I told you,” Natalie said. “With the Vard moving, I’m worried about what it means.”

“It means nothing,” he said. “We have sent riders to intervene.”

“How many?”

The Sharath chuckled, leaning back in his chair, watching. “I’m not sure you need to be involved in this, Natalie.”

“At least tell me how many you sent. I think I deserve to know that.”

“We have sent a dozen. Three dragon mages went with them.”

I frowned, thinking about what I had detected when we were out there. The pull upon us was potent, and it was enough that I had barely managed to escape.

But then I thought of how the king had neutralized the Vard before.

He thought they were attacking from the south.

And moving on Berestal.

“That can’t destroy Berestal,” I said.

I had to go. As I got to my feet, I felt the Sharath’s power push me back.

“They will not destroy anything,” he said.

I looked at him, searching for confirmation. I didn’t know if he could be trusted. I didn’t know if the king could be trusted.

That bothered me.

I had to try a different approach.

“The dragon mages won’t be able to withstand that kind of an attack,” I said.

“Why do you say that?” the Sharath asked.

“Because I know what I felt,” I said, looking to Natalie. I wanted to be done with this. I wanted to find the green dragon, make my way to Berestal, and stop the other attackers.

By using my cycle—or by adding more to it—I thought I could.

“I know what was out there. I know there was something more than you believe. We know the Vard have been a threat to the kingdom.” I had to acknowledge that. Given everything I’d heard from others, including Natalie, I believed the Vard truly did pose a threat to the kingdom, and if they were left unchecked, they would continue to be a threat. “But they aren’t the only factor. They might not even be the only ones who want to target the kingdom.”

“You know what you think you felt,” he said. “Thankfully, there has