Dragon Quest: The Myth-Quest Chronicles, #2

By Honey Roman, R. Roman and C.L. Roman

In the small town of Dabbleton, adventures are hard to come by. But ten-year-old Anthony has a problem only magic can solve. When he hears about his cousin's thrilling adventure, he's inspired to seek one of his own.

Determined to find a way to defeat the bully at his school, Anthony packs up and ventures into Heartsinger Wood. There, he meets a wizard who agrees to brew him a dragon potion, but only if Anthony can find four magical items for him.

With his list in hand and accompanied by Draggol, a talking rat with a pack on his back, Anthony sets out on his quest. But Heartsinger Wood is a mysterious place, full of surprises and secrets where monarchs rule, and even the animals have the power of speech.

As Anthony and Draggol journey deeper into the wood, they encounter challenges and obstacles they never could have anticipated. The wizard's true intentions come to light, and Anthony is forced to confront the truth about himself. Will he continue on his quest, or will he embrace his true identity?

With heart-pounding action and unexpected twists and turns, Heartsinger Wood is a thrilling adventure for readers of all ages. Anthony's journey of self-discovery will inspire and delight, and the magical world of Heartsinger Wood will capture the imagination.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brass Rag Press
• Release date: Aug 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223440796

Book preview

Dragon Quest

A black and white image of a dragon Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Honey & R. Roman

Copyright © 2023 by C.L. Roman

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Contents

1: Boredom and Bullies

2: Prepping for Adventure

3: In Dreams

4: Meet Draggol

5: The Raven King

6: Scelestus

7: Caverns and Springs

8: Return of the Orb

9: The Fox King

10: Treachery

11: Real Treasure

12: A Single Feather is Not a Wing

13: Charybdis

14: The Elder Tortoise

15: Wisps

16: The Marsh

17: The Swamp Witch

18: A Friendly Monster

19: The Wizard

20: Bearded Dragon

21: Transformation

22: Moment of Truth

Epilogue

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Other Books in the Myth Quest Chronicles

Coming Soon:

1: Boredom and Bullies

Anthony Enrique Basilio Hernández stared out the living room window on the street below, wishing there was something exciting for a ten-year-old kid like himself to do. Or be.

The park was out, and so was the school playground. Jerry MacAddams hung out in both places on the weekend, and there was no way Anthony wanted to run into that bully. Their last encounter had ended with Anthony almost getting suspended. Jerry had been picking on Anthony’s younger brother, and when Anthony stepped in to put a stop to it, Jerry turned on him.

By the time Mr. Overton hurried in to stop the resulting fight, Anthony and Jerry both had black eyes, and it was impossible for the teacher to tell who started it. If it hadn’t been for Marrianna speaking up, Anthony would have gotten suspended.

Another encounter, even if it wasn’t at school, would get him put on restriction for certain.

So here he was, stuck with no place to go and nothing fun to do. As usual.

A book on the table caught his attention. He’d borrowed it from his cousin, Angelina. She’d gotten turned into a unicorn the previous spring and had a fantastic adventure to get changed back again. But nothing like that ever happened to Anthony.

It didn’t seem fair.

A hand touched his shoulder. What’s going on, Anthony? His mom looked out the window too, trying to see what he was staring at.

He shrugged. I’m bored. Can I watch some videos?

No, you’ve already had your screen time today. Did you finish your homework?

It was Saturday. No one should have to do homework on the weekend. It had to be unconstitutional or something.

I only have a few problems left in math. I was going to do it after dinner, Anthony said. His voice held a tiny whine and he cleared his throat to get rid of it. Is that OK?

I suppose. What about raking the yard? You need to get that done before the weekend is out, you know.

I know. The whine was back, and he cleared his throat again. If he wasn’t careful, Mom would find a whole list of chores for him to do. I need to take Angelina’s book back to her. Can I go to her house?

Mom gave him a long, steady look. I suppose. But don’t be long. Those leaves won’t rake themselves.

Anthony grinned at her. I won’t, Mom. I promise. Before she could change her mind, he scooped up the book and shot out the back door.

They built the houses in Dabbleton on oval blocks, with the back yards touching, and front doors facing the street. Angelina’s house was on the opposite side of the oval from his, and one house up.

Tucking the book in his waistband, Anthony sprinted across his yard and climbed the fence at the corner. He jumped, catching the top of the fence with both hands to pull himself up, clambered over the corner posts, and dropped down on the other side. He didn’t want to end up in Angelina’s neighbor’s yard. The man didn’t like visitors.

Instead, Anthony landed in Angelina’s yard. He ran to the back door and gave it a single knock before pushing it open.

His cousin was a year older, and several inches taller than Anthony. They looked nothing alike. Where Angelina was tall and slender with long brown curls and blue eyes, Anthony was shorter and built like a line-backer with dark, curly hair and brown eyes.

Angelina looked up from a project she was doing at the kitchen table. Hi, Anthony. What’s up?

I brought your book back. Anthony tossed the book on the table. It slid across the smooth wood, almost toppling the spaceship she was building.

Hey! Careful! Angelina stopped the book with one hand, steadying her project with the other. I’ve been working on this for hours and I’m almost done. I don’t want to have to start over.

Sorry. Fun or profit?

She grinned at him. Both. I enjoy building these things, but my teacher said to build a ‘vehicle of the future.’ It has to be as real as possible, extra points if it can move on its own power.

What a cool assignment! I wish my teacher would assign something like that.

I had Mr. Hanson last year. He had us program a video game for our final project. The kids really liked it, so he might do it again this year in the fourth quarter.

Anthony sighed. Yeah, I like Mr. Hanson. But I need something to do now.

Want to play Highland Explorer? she asked, putting the final touches on her ship.

Anthony shook his head. I beat the last level last night. And they aren’t coming out with a new module for at least a month.

Angelina opened her mouth to make another suggestion, but he beat her to it.

I finished Destructown last week, and Shangri-Zombietopia, too. He wandered into the living room and collapsed on the couch. Angie, I am so bored! I have done everything already except homework and chores, and doing those will just make me more bored.

We could go to the school playground, Angelina suggested.

Anthony looked at her. Jerry might be there, and I don’t want to end up on restriction.

Oh. Right. Well, don’t tell your mom you’re bored. She’ll find something for you to do, and you know how that goes. Angelina put her spaceship on top of the refrigerator where her youngest sister couldn’t see it, let alone reach it. 

Anthony looked around the room. Where is everyone?

Mom took the girls to the park. Angelina came in to sit next to him. I wanted to work on my project, so I stayed here. They’ll be back soon.

Gotcha. He leaned back and stared up at the ceiling. What I really want is to have an adventure, like you did.

So? She rubbed the star-shaped mark on her forehead. Ask your Mom to take you camping or something. You don’t have to get turned into something to have an adventure.

Anthony sat up, leaning toward her in his excitement. Are you kidding? You getting turned into a unicorn is the greatest thing to ever happen in this boring old town.

Angelina frowned at him. It was not. It was awful. I couldn’t even brush my own teeth. You ever go a week without brushing? She wrinkled her nose at the memory. It’s gross.

Tell me the whole story, Anthony begged.

Again? I’ve told you about it at least a million times.

Sure, but what else have we got to do?

Angelina rolled her eyes. I have to finish my chores. I don’t have much left to do, but I want to be done before Mom gets back. We’re doing pizza and movie night. I’m not missing that.

Ok, sure, but can you just hit the highlights? I still can’t believe that unicorn was you. I wish I could have an adventure like that!

It was me, she said with a grimace. It was a spell or something. I never found out exactly how he did it.

And then you had to complete a bunch of tasks so the wizard could turn you back.

I had to gather the ingredients for the new spell to turn me back, she corrected him. And that part was way trickier than you might think.

It sounds like an adventure right out of a story book to me. You know, where the hero has to get a special sword or conquer a terrible giant or something? Real hero stuff.

Yeah, well, I’d have been just as happy to stay human in the first place. That wizard is no one you want to mess around with.

Oh, come on. You know you wouldn’t change anything. Would you give up knowing Warbel?

Angelina thought about it for a moment. Well, maybe not. I’m just saying it wasn’t as fun as you think it was.

But Anthony wasn’t listening. I’d give anything to become a powerful creature like that. Not a unicorn, though. He wrinkled his nose. Too girly.

Hey! Angelina giggled and tossed a throw pillow at him.

No offense. I want to be something bigger and more gnarly. You know. Like... His eyes got big. A dragon! Can you imagine being a dragon? That would be amazing.

A dragon? Angelina laughed. That sounds like a problem waiting to happen.

What problem? Dragons can do what they want, go where they want, whenever they want. Because really, who’s going to argue?

Sure, but where are you going to sleep? And I’ll bet with those claws, brushing their teeth is a problem. And they don’t have hair.

Sure, but no one picks on a dragon, or on anyone he cares about. Anthony stroked a hand through his curls. If it meant being a dragon instead of a boring human, I’d be bald for the rest of my life.

Angelina’s eyebrows rose. Sure, you would.

I would. In fact... Anthony’s eyes sparkled with excitement. I think I’m going to go find that wizard and see if he’ll turn me into a dragon.

Anthony, that isn’t a good idea.

What? Why? You found him, and that turned out fine.

Yeah, and I almost got stuck as a unicorn for the rest of my life. The wizard is selfish and cruel, plus he’s very smart. Any deal you make with him is going to turn out badly.

Anthony was silent for several moments, and Angelina’s frown deepened.

Anthony, promise me you won’t go into the woods after that wizard. It will only cause trouble for you.

I—

The door opened and Angelina’s mom and sisters entered in a tumble of laughter and shed coats. Cool spring air followed them in, setting the air to dancing on the