Dragon Thief (A Tale of Nälu, 2)

By J. L. Mbewe

What if all you knew had been a lie?

The teaching of the Guardians has guided Semine’s footsteps since her infancy. When her mentor shows up with information contrary to what she’s been taught, she doubts her decision to follow in their footsteps. She must decide if there is life beyond what she has always known or embrace a new, mysterious path and reject the Guardians’ legacy.

This is a short story set in the world of Nälu years before the opening scene of Secrets Kept, a fantasy novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. L. Mbewe
• Release date: Apr 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311072559

J. L. Mbewe

Writing as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves trying to capture the abstract and make it concrete. She is currently living her second childhood with a wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and swords, among other things. Here, between reality and dreams, you will find her busily creating worlds inhabited by all sorts of fantasy creatures and characters, all questing about and discovering true love amid lots of peril. She has two short stories published in The Clockwork Dragon anthology, and four short stories set in the world of Nälu. Her debut novel, Secrets Kept, was nominated for the 2014 Clive Staples Award. For more information about her journey as a writer mama and all things creative please visit her at http://jlmbewe.com/

Book preview

A Tale of Nälu

Dragon Thief

J. L. Mbewe

a division of Pala Press

Lindale, TX

Dragon Thief

A Tale of Nälu

2nd Edition

© 2014 J. L. Mbewe

Published by BrokenSeed Books

P. O. Box 335

Lindale, TX 75771

BrokenSeed.palapress.com

BrokenSeed Books is a division of Pala Press, Lindale, TX

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This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and events are a creation of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to reality is entirely coincidental. Enjoy the adventure!

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Dragon Thief

A Tale of Nälu

SEMINE FROZE, CLENCHING her trembling hands against her chest. The brown speckled dragon arched its neck and turned its glare on her. Its obsidian eyes reflected her ghostly silhouette and flaming red hair. Semine held her breath, waiting for the strike that was sure to come. Instead, the dragon stretched its long, wiry wings and rocked back on its haunches, drawing up to a height of a large oak tree. It towered over her and the three melon-sized eggs resting in a bed of black dirt. The dragon hissed, and the tan frill around its neck flared.

Semine stumbled back and gulped deep breaths. The sulfurous steam filled her lungs, but did nothing to slow her heart and loosen the constriction in her throat.

She glanced back up the way she came. A stone staircase snaked around the edge of the placid water and then plunged upward, disappearing into the stone ceiling above. No, she had gotten this far, this close.

I won’t hurt you, she whispered. She raised her hand as if the dragon was a horse to be calmed, her fingers still trembling. If she could just draw close enough to touch a scale, her studies would not be in vain. The pearly eggs gleamed in the glow of the hot, phosphorous rocks. Semine swiped the sweat beading her forehead, the humid air offering little comfort.

No wonder the merfolk walked around half nude.

The dragon scraped sand toward its tan underbelly and over the nest. Its tail curled around the mound, and the reptile hissed again, bearing is sharp teeth. Semine stood her ground, determined to be patient and fearless. Whether or not the dragon could be fooled, it had at least, calmed considerably. She was making progress.

What are you doing here?

Semine jumped. The dragon screeched and lashed out