The Dragon Thieves: A Tale of Hope and Adventure, #1

By Jonathan Austen

When Hope's family mysteriously disappear, Hope the young dragon finds herself alone in the world. She finds friends in the unlikeliest of creatures: a wolf named Ruff, and a Fenrir beast called Buffasip. Together the trio fights back against a group of nasty hunters who have been kidnapping the creatures of the Wandering Oak Forest for far too long. Join Hope, Ruff, and Buffasip on their exciting quest to save their home.

The Dragon Thieves is the first book in the series, and it delivers a strong, positive message about family, friendship, and accepting others for their differences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hearthstone Fairytales
• Release date: Dec 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9780998497716

Book preview

A Tale of Hope

and Adventure

The Dragon Thieves

by

Jonathan Austen

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Copyright

Other Titles Available

About the Author

Bonus Material

Chapter 1

Deep inside a dark cave in the heart of the Wandering Oak Forest, lived a young Rahken, a breed of dragon, feared for their deadly acid spit.

Not too long ago, on a day much like today, the Rahken awoke and discovered her family had disappeared. No note. No signs of a struggle. Her mother, father, and sister had simply vanished. She wasn’t entirely alone, though. She shared her cave with bats, snakes, snails, and other creepy crawlies.

Since that dreadful day, life had become colorless. She never went outside and she didn’t know anyone. She spent her days hiding in her cave, afraid of what lurked beyond the entrance. And with no one to provide her with food or to even show her how to hunt, her stomach ached and growled with hunger.

One morning, an unusual noise woke her up. Thinking her family was returning, she leaped from her bed of rocks and scampered across the cave floor. I knew they’d come back, she said to herself, as she rushed to greet them.

Near the entrance, she skidded to a halt. Rahkens have enhanced eyesight in the dark, and she immediately knew the source of the noise wasn’t her family as no large dragon was there to greet her. Instead, a furry, four-legged animal was bouncing towards her cave. She spun around and scurried back to her bed of rocks, curling herself into a little ball.

A moment later, she peeked with one eye to see if it had followed her. The intruder had wandered to the back of her cave, talking to itself.

They’ll never find me in here, the intruder said. Its voice drew nearer and the young Rahken kept her eyes tightly shut.

But then she heard it breathing and sensed the intruder standing right next to her. Her heart pounded so loudly, she thought the creature would hear it.

Time passed slowly, and before long, not knowing if the intruder could see her became too stressful. She carefully opened one eye a little, revealing the strangest creature she had ever seen. It appeared giant-like with its four legs towering over her. Its light blue fur nearly blended into the darkness except for a small patch of white on its chest, and its tongue sagged loosely from its mouth.

What is this?

The intruder sat down, resting its furry body against the Rahken. Her heart nearly burst through her chest. She closed her eyes and held her breath. Then, her body began to shake rapidly.

What’s going on?

Ah… the furry intruder said. That’s the spot. Oh yeah.

A moment later the shaking stopped then the furry intruder collapsed next to her. She couldn’t contain her curiosity and snuck another look. The creature had stretched itself out, resting its head on its front legs. It seemed that it wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

Her hands went numb. Her head ached. Then without warning, she hiccupped.

Who’s there? the intruder whispered.

Hic, she hiccupped again, causing her eyes to unintentionally open.

The intruder sprung up on all fours. Who…who’s there?

The creature looked down and made eye contact with the Rahken. She quickly closed her eyes.

Chapter 2

The Rahken held her breath and clamped her mouth shut, trying to prevent another hiccup. It didn’t help.

HIC!

What the heck? the intruder said. The Rahken felt something spongy and wet nudge her wing. What are you?

The Rahken surrendered, opened her eyes, and looked up, the intruder looming over her. Slowly she uncurled herself, sat up, and pulled her wings in close.

You’re a Rahken! it cried out in shock.

She nodded.

The intruder looked around quickly. Your family. Are they here?

She shook her head.

But they’ll be back soon, right? the intruder asked.

She shook her head again.

What’s your name?

She lowered her eyes and shrugged. I don’t have one.

The intruder tilted his head to one side. How come you don’t have a name? Everyone has a name. Mine’s Ruff.

Ruff, she echoed and smiled.

Well, you can’t go around without a name. Give me some time, and I’ll fix ya up with a good one. Okay?

She nodded firmly.

Can you fly?

A little, she said.

Show me what ya got.

Not wanting to disappoint her guest, the only creature in the world she knew, she reluctantly agreed.

She unfurled her body and shook the numbness out of her arms. She bent her knees and looked up. You can do this, she encouraged herself. She counted to three and flapped her wings, then took off like a rocket towards the ceiling. Her body thumped into a stalactite, sending debris to the ground, narrowly missing Ruff. A moment later, she thudded to the ground too. She staggered to her feet and shook her head, dirt flying everywhere.

Ruff laughed hard. I think you need to practice the takeoff.

The Rahken’s face warmed and she lowered her eyes. Why are you here? she asked.

"I’m playing a game with my older brothers. They call it hide and seek."

The Rahken’s eyes brightened. Oh, I like that game. I played it with my sister.

"Yeah, well not like this you haven’t. I call it bury the pup," he said, none too happy.

Why’s that?

Well, you see, it goes like this. I hide, and if my brothers find me, then they bury me up to my neck.

The Rahken crinkled her nose. That doesn’t sound like fun.

"It’s not, which