DUG: The Scales of Gondraca

By Cooper Schaar

Dug, an ordinary earth dragon, soon realizes things aren't so ordinary. When he finds the key to his magic abilities, with the help of his newly found friends, Dug learns that it is a big part of his past and, possibly, the destruction of his future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639857579

Book preview

Prologue

One-hundred-eighty-two summers ago

A normal day in the Earthdrai kingdom. Fisher Earthdrais were casting their lines and throwing their nets along the shore. Little Earthdrais were playing games in the field. Everybody’s having a blast just like any other day.

Okay, Scales, I think I got it this time. Are you ready?

"Squick!"

Seven-year-old Orchid, practicing her magic, tried to move objects with her mind with a green-glowing rock in her hand and her pet lizard, Scales, cheering on from the side.

Every forty summers, the entire Earthdrai kingdom comes and gathers to get new Madgrais (magic dragons) for the kingdom. This year, Orchid and three others were chosen.

Okay, okay, okay, you got this, Orchid, 1…2—

(Crash) Her practicing was interrupted by breaking sounds in the distance. Orchid quickly grabbed Scales and hid under the table to her left. She picked up the tablecloth and slid under the table not knowing what would happen next.

E-everything’s going to be all right, Scales, just hang in there, Orchid said with shakiness in her voice. Just stay calm a-and quiet, okay?

"Squick," said Scales, agreeing.

One after another, she could hear Earthdrais scrambling past the window. Then abruptly, she heard the front curtain at the entrance of the hut swing open with a loud swoosh sound. A hand reached under, grabbed Orchid’s hand, and pulled her out from under the table. The mystery Drai wrapped their arms around Orchid.

I was worried sick, I couldn’t find you anywhere.

I was worried about you too, but I was scared to go outside. Or else I would’ve gone searching for you.

It’s okay. There’s no need to worry. Mama’s here now. Orchid was relieved to know her mother was okay. How’s Scales doing?

A little frightened, but he’s fine.

That’s good—

(Crash) They heard more breaking sounds followed by some screams.

Oh, snap! Orchid, we better get somewhere safe, fast!

Okay, let’s go! Orchid said agreeingly. Orchid turned around to grab her leather bag and opened it to put the stone in, along with some sticks, and her bracelet made out of little purple gemlike rocks on it.

*****

Now they were off to find a safer location to hide. With Orchid right behind her mother, they had to sneak out of their hut and go around the back to get as far away as they could. Running quick, they were weaving around other huts, trying to be as quiet as possible.

Psst, over here. someone whispered off to the side. They looked over to see a group of Earthdrais all scrunched up behind some bushes. One of the Earthdrais she had recognized was Crocodile. Orchid had a couple of classes at school with him, and they had hunting lessons together also. She had a little crush on this Earthdrai as well, so she thought it was a win-win situation.

She and her mother squeezed in as much as they could, Orchid being beside Crocodile of course.

I’m scared! said Orchid.

I thought your name was Orchid, not scared, said Crocodile. She could tell he was trying to make her feel better, and it worked. Orchid managed to let out a small giggle.

Hopefully it’s over soon, Crocodile said, unsure.

A little while passed, with everybody squished together in the bushes, it was hard to hear anything going on around them.

It felt like days passed before they did get out and celebrate their victory. Orchid, Crocodile, and everybody else were so relieved to know that the fighting was over. Later that same night, the entire kingdom held a party in the royal gardens. Orchid and her mother arrived, and there were all kinds of delicious food and drinks and sweets—tables full of edible deliciousness. Different-colored firefly jars were hung overhead everywhere, lighting the main patio; others lit up the different pathways through the gardens. Orchid looked around and saw everybody happy. Everyone, for the first time in a long time, looked as joyous as can be. But Orchid still had this gut feeling. It didn’t matter how much she partied with her friends; no matter how many times she ate the different foods, no matter how glad and excited she felt, Orchid still had a feeling that the war was far from over.

Chapter 1

Present day

Dug was ready this time. He was prepared to finally do what he’s been wanting to do for four winters now.

Okay, Dug, you got this. This grass is so tall. Well, I am crouching so it would seem tall to. Dug, you need to focus, he thought to himself. For some reason, he was having trouble focusing. Okay, okay, one…two…, there was a pause and then, "Graaaaaagh!" shouted Dug as he lunged at a sheep with his arms outstretched. Pinning it to the ground, he managed to snap its neck.

Excellent job, Dug. You did it perfectly. You have earned yourself an A+ on your senior hunting exam, said a female voice near him. He looked over and saw it was his hunting teacher and some students waiting behind her. They were in a field near his school. (This was Dug’s senior year of high school.)

Sweet! Thank you! All his hard work finally paid off, no more worrying and stress. He was a senior in high school, which meant this was his last hunting exam he could take. He jumped up in the air and headed toward the school. Dug had a thin body with brown eyes and light-brown skin, with a small horn