Hadley and the Dragon Clear: Hadley's Dragon Drama

By Dave Powell

There is only one way to help the dragons. But will it be enough?

 

Hidden on a far-off island is a powerful treasure: a guarded book of sorcery which could hold the key to stopping the evil Noma Deeve for good. Determined to clear the minds of the dragons under his control, Hadley, her brother, Brody, and their new friends embark on a journey to obtain the book and use it to save this world.

 

But reaching this island will be no easy task, what with the likes of montons, mingle trees, and a strange little creature called the Feen to deal with. Even if the companions can find this book of spells, capturing Noma Deeve will require all of their skills and cunning.

 

And Hadley hasn't forgotten that the humans still want in through the rift between the two worlds. Qi'ola the dragon can keep the newly revealed secret government faction at bay for only so long.

 

Ready or not, Hadley and her friends have no choice but to execute their plan now!

 

Dive into the second riveting book of Hadley's adventure! Hadley and the Dragon Clear is a wonderful middle grade read that anyone 10 and up won't be able to put down. Grab your copy now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dave Powell
• Release date: Sep 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201497163

Book preview

For Noah, Madison, Evelyn, and Luciana

Special thanks to:

Tai Falor

Kennidie Johnsen

Logan Lowry

Mackenzie Lowry

Chapter 1

Holf looked over their great room and took everything in. It had been so very long since the mingle trees had had this many visitors at the same time. Holf and Hyfer’s branches flowed non-stop among the different groups. They effortlessly delivered food and drink to one table and cleaned empty plates and cups from another. The mingle trees were definitely in all of their glory on this late evening.

It’s just better to hunker down somewhere safe for the time being, Holf heard a dwarf say. What with all the montons running loose.

The three dwarves with him all nodded their heads in agreement.

Holf and Hyfer had known this particular group of dwarves for a long time now. Unlike the last dwarf who had visited them, Calamus, these were wanderers, not calling any specific place home. Because of their constant travels, they tended to bring the mingle trees some of the best stories.

Well... started an ogre. She leaned back in her chair on the other side of the room and continued. If your fellow dwarves hadn’t have stirred up such a ruckus...

The ogre seated next to her laughed hard once before taking a drink from an ogre-sized mug that one of Hyfer’s branches had just placed on their table.

Holf had been very relieved to see these honorable ogres from the land of Letharia find their way to them. It was from the ogres that the mingle trees learned that the dwarves of Strevindor had been allowed shelter within their ogre kingdom.

Now now now, the dwarf pointed defensively across the room to the ogres. We had nothing to do with that. I, for one, do not believe in Strevindor’s goal to disrupt Noma Deeve any chance they can get. Look what it has caused. Montons running amok. This area being the new hot bed for his dragon patrols. These lands are less safe now than when Noma Deeve had firm control over them.

The ogre, still with a nonchalance to her tone responded quickly, I never thought I’d hear a dwarf taking Noma Deeve’s side.

Ha! That’s not what I am saying! The dwarf countered.

Holf sensed the beginning of strife within their branches, and the mingle tree made it a point to catch Hyfer’s attention silently. Like all mingle trees, Holf and Hyfer did not need to audibly speak to carry on a conversation. They had been together for so long that simple touches and movements relayed enough information between the two that communication had long ago become effortless. In times like this, their closeness became very convenient.

After a few quick moments, they had decided to lead the talk in the great room to more pleasant topics.

Hyfer used a soothing tone, Everyone, everyone. Hyfer’s voice, although calm, still resounded with much more volume than the room had originally been speaking. Hyfer gave their guests a moment to quiet before continuing. I can not tell you how happy we are to have you visit us on this day. We are aware of the recent happenings, but we hope you all can find peace with us for a little while and rest up for whatever journeys you have ahead of you.

Yes, Hyfer, an elf said as he sat alone at a small table in the corner of the room. He raised his cup into the air for a toast. To you and Holf. We can not thank you enough for your wonderful hospitality.

That seemed to do the trick. The dwarves, ogres, and even a group of three gnomes all raised whatever drink they held in honor of Holf and Hyfer. Holf found that gesture from the gnomes especially rewarding, for the mingle tree knew their timid nature. It was a strange time for sure when gnomes were not only seeking out mingle trees for friendly shelter but also engaging in group tidings like a toast.

You are wonderful, my love, Holf said verbally to Hyfer, bringing a branch to caress the side of Hyfer’s flower-eyed face.

Enough of that, Hyfer teased as another branch smacked Holf’s away. There is much to do still.

Holf smiled. I’m already on it. I have sent the animals out for extra fruit. We have more loaves of bread warming down below. I am cleaning the first round of dishes as we speak.

Yes, yes. But we better make sure we have reserves in case more guests find their way to us.

Holf’s eyes widened at this. More guests? We may have to ready a second level then.

I was thinking that also. Hyfer’s eyes skittered about the great room. We haven’t had to do that since... the mingle tree trailed off.

Since the time when Noma Deeve first arrived to this land. Yes, Holf finished the thought. When every being of Eashia had fled for their lives.

Just as they both had fallen into memory of a time long ago, a quick flap of wings caught their attention. A small black bird flew in through one of the holes at the top of the great room. With precision, the bird fluttered above the heads of the guests and aimed right between the mingle trees’ trunks. It chirped loudly and purposefully.

Both Holf and Hyfer gasped hard enough to stop every conversation around them.

Are you sure? Hyfer asked the bird. The bird’s response was an even louder chirp.

Holf barely waited until the bird was finished and announced, Listen to me, everyone. There is a dragon flying in the area. We need you to all stay calm.

Immediately, the fires were doused. The holes in the roof of the room sealed up as branches moved and flowed to conceal anything other than the appearance of normal trees. Because of the leaves and array of branches above them, any dragon flying overhead would never see the room of wood that held the travelers.

Shhh, Hyfer whispered any time one of their guests made even a murmur. The mingle tree would follow that up with, You are safe here as long as you all remain still and quiet.

Minutes passed. The room remained as silent as a group of strangers could be. Every now and then a foot would shift or a tool on a belt would clink, but everyone there seemed to understand the severity of their situation.

Then, through the branched walls and still very far off, a giant swoosh reached them. The powerful beat of a dragon’s wings. Every single guest froze up even more than before. Not long after, another swoosh, this time louder, closer. It was obvious that the dragon was not in any hurry but was definitely approaching the mingle trees’ direction.

Holf’s flower-eyes glanced over to Hyfer. Hyfer’s eyes motioned up and then bounced in an affirmative manner that showed the other mingle tree they were in agreement. Holf’s eyes then disappeared from their usual place overlooking the great room. So too did Holf’s mouth. Hyfer’s eyes then raised again and stayed as if the mingle tree was watching something above all of them.

All the way up at the forest’s canopy, the same two flowers that had been present in Holf’s eyes a moment before now sprouted from the end of a couple of branches, breaking into the evening sky as if they had always been there. Sure enough, Holf watched as a large dragon glided slowly over the forest trees. It possessed the glowing eyes of Noma Deeve’s control.

The mingle tree followed the dragon’s path with more curiosity than caution. Holf knew that unless the dragon was aware of the exact whereabouts of Holf and Hyfer, there would be no way for the beast to distinguish the mingle trees from any of the other trees in the forest. Any caution that Holf garnered, though, was because they were harboring their guests down below. An errant motion or unintentional noise from the strangers they now held in their branches could mean the destruction of all of them. If finding the need, a dragon could easily rip this forest apart.

Holf watched the dragon flap its wings again, briefly raising its flight because of such power. As predicted the dragon passed by the area where the mingle trees lived with not so much as a second glance in Holf’s direction. Soon, the dragon had flown far enough away from them that when it beat its wings, the mingle tree could not hear it any longer.

The flowers from Holf’s rooftop branches retracted, only to appear seconds later back in the great room.

The dragon has moved past us, Holf informed them.

Oomanslok, the eldest dwarf swore. This is exactly what we were talking about.

The ogre nodded her head, acquiescing to the obvious. She then turned to the faces of the mingle trees and asked, Holf. Hyfer. It has only been a day since the monton stampede. This dragon must have been searching for stray montons. Are we to assume otherwise?

Hyfer replied, Hmmm. To be honest, I doubt a monton would try to labor through a forest of this size.  We are among a species of pretty tall trees, probably reaching the shoulders of a full-grown one. It’d be tough going for a domesticated monton.

The dwarf smacked the table he was sitting at and immediately winced at his own action. He raised his other arm up in a show of apology. Nonetheless, he held the floor to speak, You know, I tried to dissuade Strevindor. We... he gestured to his companions, we were there a couple months ago, passing through. They could never learn to tolerate life under Noma Deeve. Even Beralise has never been able to grasp the consequences of crossing that monster.

The elf countered, They certainly did a tremendous job of doing just that by sabotaging the monton ranch.

But where does that put us? The dwarf shrugged. Holf and Hyfer, I have been a guest of yours countless times over the many years I have traveled these parts...

And a wonderful guest indeed, Hyfer said as a branch moved to a spot on the mingle tree’s trunk a ways below the mouth in a heartfelt gesture.

The dwarf bowed in appreciation. Many years. Never have I visited you when a dragon has even come close to this part of the forest. It is just best to let Noma Deeve be Noma Deeve and stay out of his way. I have heard that his dragons have already destroyed Strevindor just for thinking about sabotaging the monton ranch. Oomanslok. What do you think he will do to this region of the world now that they have succeeded?

That is easy for you to say, the ogre replied after a long drink of her mug. Do you dwarves claim to be a part of any nation or land? There are people out there that are in constant agony or fear because of Noma Deeve.

Because they refuse to accept the hard truth. There is no stopping him.  Twenty-two dragons, my friend. All the armies of all the beings in Eashia would not be able to defeat Noma Deeve because he somehow has control of his twenty-two dragons, the dwarf paused a moment, cocking his head as an idea came to him, Unless you could get the rest of the dragons involved.

Ha, the elf spoke up again. That’s never going to happen. You’d never be able to get them back down here from their moon. For one thing, every one of them would run the risk of falling under the control of Noma Deeve. We have all heard stories of his ability to drop one dragon for another.

Indeed. The ogre nodded. And the dragons up on Moondraga all have made it very clear that they will not physically harm their brethren.

Yes, the dwarf finished with a sigh. Yes. So, you see, it is best to just exist around the tyranny of Noma Deeve and not stir up trouble that can only lead to hardship.

There was a long silence after the dwarf was done speaking. Holf, although still beaming internally because of how many guests had visited them that day, openly frowned at the sour mood that had fallen upon their great room. The mingle tree aimed to change that.

Alright, everyone, Holf announced, even gesturing with two larger branches that he wanted attention. You know the drill here at Holf and Hyfer’s. Time to pay for your refreshments and accommodations. We want to hear some stories.

Hyfer wrapped a couple of branches around Holf’s main body and laughed. That is right, fine guests. Would anyone like to volunteer to tell their tale first?

There were several grumbles as heads lowered. If the group of gnomes could have silently snuck under the table, Holf believed they would have.

Now, now, folks, Hyfer continued. There is no need to be nervous. I realize that we haven’t had this big of a crowd in a very... Hyfer’s voice trailed off. Something had caught the mingle trees’ attention.

A chipmunk had jumped hastily through one of the great room’s windows and hurried over to a halt directly in between the mingle trees. It chattered for several moments. Holf and Hyfer listened intently, and as the chipmunk continued, the mingle trees looked more and more flabbergasted.

Where, little one? Holf asked hurriedly.

The chipmunk squeaked and motioned at the floor behind the trees.

Thank you, Hyfer said. Be safe.

And the chipmunk scurried off through another window.

The two mingle trees exchanged a long, unbroken look with one another. Their mouths stayed silent and foreboding. They had other ways to communicate, and Holf knew beyond anything that their guests should not learn of what the chipmunk had told them.

Fine, Hyfer said out loud finally. You go see. But... be... careful!

Holf did not even spend the time to assure Hyfer. The mingle tree’s eyes and mouth disappeared from the great room.

Holf’s flower-eyes reappeared at the mingle tree’s trunk. The ground floor. The eyes moved about, searching for something, flitting back and forth to try and catch all possible angles. It did not take long before Holf had caught sight of what they had been warned about by the chipmunk.

A cloud, possibly, is the first thing that popped into Holf’s mind. About the height of an ogre, but a little thinner widthwise, it floated along very slowly through the trees. What amazed Holf was that this cloud seemed to have its own inner light, parts of it changing from azure blue to a deep yellow gold in an ever-constant, seamless flow. What appeared to be small charcoal globs poured out from within the light, only to disappear before ever reaching the cloud’s edge.

It moved silently, never rustling a fallen leaf or bending a nearby branch. Every so often, though, it would slow down to an almost halt and change direction slightly, just enough to correct some course that the cloud had been set on.

Holf, still awestruck, eventually had to summon for Hyfer.

Hyfer’s face quickly appeared at the same level as Holf’s, and Holf wasted no time using a branch to point out the fluid cloud about fifteen trees away.

Hyfer’s eyes followed the cloud. Both mingle trees now seemed as if they were in a trance of some sort.

Finally, Hyfer spoke, Is that what I think it is?

Holf did not mince words. It has to be.

Hyfer let out a long, defeated sigh. Oh no... Poor, poor Hadley.

Chapter 2

G o, GO Hadley! Brody Morgan insisted as they urgently rushed over Echo Ledge towards the mountain cavern. Calamus the dwarf, Nesta the darrow, and Wroa the elf hurried close by their side.

The sun had just started to set off in the distance. Hadley could not hear any shouts from the government camp yet, which surprised her. Their play had just been made. She and Brody were probably going to be grounded for the rest of their lives, but she knew in her heart that they were doing the right thing.

They came to a stop in front of the dragons, Qi’ola and Daymar. Nesta immediately popped onto Qi’ola’s front left paw, sitting on it with such a casual grace it was as if she had grown up bonding with this dragon. Hadley couldn’t help but smile.

Dragons, Calamus said in a sharp whisper, here starts the plan. Remember, just guard the rift. Nothing more.

You know, Daymar offered, we won’t have to take turns flying off to refresh ourselves if we could just-

Hey, Brody said too loudly, and then shushed himself as he continued. What did we tell you? No. Eating. Humans.

Qi’ola agreed, Daymar, you seriously worry me. What has gotten into you?

Have you ever tried goblin, Qi’ola? Daymar said. You wouldn’t think of it by looking at them, but that is one tasty snack. These humans, yes, they’re from a different world and all, but they seem like they have a bit of goblin in them.

You have to be kidding me. Brody stood up straight and turned back to the military encampment, crossing his arms with annoyance. I’ve been called an elf for a better part of a week now. And now this?

You are no elf, human, Wroa said with a pleasant laugh.

Thank you very much, Wroa, Brody sassed. I am sure we are all very aware of that. But now we’re getting compared to goblins? What’s next?

Well, you are whining like a child... Calamus answered.

Oh, Oomanslok, Calamus. Oomanslok to you.

Hadley had had enough. Am I the only one here that hasn’t forgotten what we have set out to do? Daymar! We aren’t food. Qi’ola will point out some places to hunt. Qi’ola, keep an eye on your dragon friend. And both of you, we have to remember what Dr. Mathews and the mingle trees warned us about... Except for us, no one gets through the rift. We know what Dr. Mathews found out. We need to get to Holf and Hyfer.

That seemed to get everyone back on track. Nesta rose from Qi’ola’s left paw and gave the dragon a strong hug on the cheek. Calamus cracked his knuckles as he motioned in between the two dragons and towards the cave to the rift. Wroa flexed her lean arms back and forth as she hurried up beside him. Brody did the same... until he saw Daymar lick his lips as the dragon watched them pass by.

Brody pointed to him. You’ve got issues, dude.

Daymar’s chuckle was deep yet charming. I tease, little human. I tease.

Hadley began to follow also, but she did stop to put her hand on Qi’ola’s snout. Don’t let them harm you, Qi’ola. Give up the rift if you have to.

Oh Hadley, I hope it doesn’t come to that.

I wish you were coming with us. Hadley could not help but pat Qi’ola, shaking her head a bit to stop the emotions.

It is not safe yet, young one. You know that. It may never be. Now go. Get us some answers. Daymar and I will keep your world at bay as long as we can.

With that, Qi’ola moved her head like a mother cat was gently shoving her kitten in the direction she wanted the little one to go.

We will be back soon, Hadley said as she passed out of Qi’ola’s line of sight behind the dragons and into the cave.

The dying glow of the day surrendered to the harsh light of the rift’s cave. By the time Hadley had caught up to her companions, Calamus, Nesta, and Wroa had already rendered the human guards at the rift defenseless. Wroa had used several of her sling weapons that had wrapped around the guards’ faces to leave them unable to speak or even shout out. Nesta had unveiled her wings to swiftly spring from guard to guard and tie off their legs to keep them from escaping. And Calamus finished off the disabling by entangling each guard’s body and arms with sets of ropes they had taken from the encampment earlier. It had been extremely quick. More importantly, it had been extremely quiet. Their escape back through the rift was clear.

Calamus watched their rear as one by one they hurried through the rift and back into Eashia. Hadley could not fight the urge to stop just short of the light ring though, startling the dwarf.

What is wrong, Hadley? Calamus asked, glancing back past the struggling guards, watching for any unwanted movement.

Calamus, Hadley said, Qi’ola and Daymar are powerful, but they are going to have to hold off a whole world. It is not fair of us to ask them-

Bah, Calamus stopped her. You are ignorant, human.

Heyyyyy... Hadley looked at the dwarf with her arms out in a ‘what the heck’ gesture.

Sorry. Calamus bowed his head. What I meant is that you need not worry, Hadley. There is a reason why Noma Deeve only needs twenty-two dragons to maintain control of the whole land beyond that rift. Qi’ola and Daymar will be fine. No matter what your race throws at them, they will be fine. And... the dwarf reached up and turned Hadley’s worried face so they were staring right at each other. Remember. We have already stressed to them that if it comes to the point where your human race sets out to actually harm them, they should fly away and find solace somewhere safe. Humans returning to Eashia is an inevitability if you ask me. We are just hoping for a little more time to prepare.

Hadley finally nodded her head. You’re right. You’re right.

Of course I’m right, Calamus said. I am never wrong.

Hadley laughed. What about when you thought Qi’ola-

Bah... get in there, Calamus said with his own smile as he pushed Hadley through the rift, using the flash of blue light to silence her sentence. The dwarf gave one last check of the cave behind him and then walked through himself.

It had been the consensus of not only the Eashian companions but also the human government to barely change anything on this side of the rift for the time being. The access to Shimmer Wood still appeared to be undiscovered, and regular updates from the dwarves stationed there gave no worry to the group. Excavating Noma Deeve’s land slide seemed foolish at this point. Yes, it would take some time - possibly weeks - to move the rubble enough to allow a creature such as a dragon through again, but why would they? Maybe the third dragon that got through the rift would still have the glowing eyes. Best to keep everything as it was for now since the companions could safely and silently return unnoticed.

So, they had to climb.

We should have at least had them put in an elevator, Hadley heard Brody say from the tunnel above her.

It was not until about halfway up when Hadley remembered her sorcery. She had returned to Eashia. Did that mean she could conjure the blue flame again? She fought the curiosity to make the proper flower motion with her hand and just focused on getting up the shaft to the top. Best to be on solid ground before finding out.

Nesta, who had led the way up the shaft, called up to the dwarves who had volunteered to guard the shaft’s exit, Ven? Asida?

No one answered.

She waited a little while longer and tried again.

Still nothing.

The darrow then turned her attention to the companions below her. They are not responding. Should we just keep going?

What choice do we have? Wroa asked, sounding a little unnerved. Go back down or just hang out in here? Neither option sounds appealing at all. And to be honest, my claustrophobia is winning out as we speak.

I’m on Wroa’s side, Brody added. Silence up there is better than being all cramped up in here.

If they are not answering, then something is wrong, Calamus said flatly. We should stop our ascent.

We can’t stay like this forever, Calamus, Nesta argued.

I understand. But at least in here we are relatively safe.

Suddenly, though, a familiar voice called down to them, Calamus?

It was Asida. Hadley breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Asida, Calamus called over the rest of the group. Yes. It is us. Everything okay?

Yes, for the most part, Asida answered. Best to stay quiet and get up here though.

You heard her, Calamus whispered.

It wasn’t long before Hadley was able to pick herself out of the shaft and into a warm day on Shimmer Wood. She looked around to see Asida, Ven, and the others crouching by the base of the tree where the shaft came out. No one seemed uneasy, but any words spoken were said in a low volume.

And she could not get over how ordinary Shimmer Wood looked now without the light rips and the sorrowful moans and all that scary stuff. None of them knew what had happened to this area. Best guess had been that all that messing around with rift and the rift’s cavern somehow extinguished any outlying mini-rifts that had worked their way up to Shimmer Wood. Whatever had happened, Hadley was thankful they wouldn’t have to deal with that chaos again.

Alright, Calamus started as he emerged from the shaft and bent down to get level with everyone. What is going on here?

Ven didn’t seem ready to explain yet. He looked at the base of the tree. This is everyone? I figured you’d have some more humans with you.

Let’s not get into that now, Nesta stressed. "You sounded as though there may