Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure by Larry Forkner (dark books to read .txt) 📕

all but a few of them with her; I’d estimate they’ll be no more than a dozen for us to deal with.”

“A dozen?” Sean asked nervously. “I know we’re fighting on the side of the angels and all, but we’ve only got eight dragons altogether.”

“True enough. But their dragons are all grays except for Grainne–who is the only known black dragon in existence. You’ve fought the grays before, Sean. They’re no match for a red, green, brown or blue dragon.”

“I understand that, Eamon,” Sean said. “The thing is, they could double or even triple team us with their browns and grays. On top of that, most of our eight dragons are young and inexperienced. They are still learning how to deal with their dragon-selves.”

“What you say is all true, Sean,” Ashling interjected. “That’s why we’re only bringing two of them with us.”

“Says who?” Eamon asked with a furrowed brow.

“I already told you this, Da. Even the two we’re bringing don’t have any battle experience,” Ashling said. “Those who have just released their dragon selves would get slaughtered against their experienced grays. I mean, it’s not like we are all red dragons.”

“True, but a brown dragon will whip a gray dragon anytime and anyplace,” Eamon said.

“Experienced browns would. These new dragons are not ready to fight.”

“Nor was I when I went into battle for the first time,” Eamon said stubbornly. “If I say so myself, I did pretty well on that dark day.”

“Come on, Da,” Ashling said wearily. “You had a full year’s training before your first battle. On top of that, you were surrounded by experienced dragons who kept an eye on you.”

“And how do you know all about my first battle since you weren’t even born yet?”

“From Mom and from you! You both told me the story often enough.” Ashling said with growing irritation. “You know as well as I do that it’s not fair to compare your first experience in battle what these children can offer.”

Sean decided it was time to intervene between father and daughter, even though he really didn’t want to get between them when they were arguing. At this point, he had no choice.

“I’ve got to side with Ashling on this point, Eamon. Other than David and Susan, the others who’ve recently accepted their dragon selves are not close to being ready. Even with those two, I wish we had more time before they’re thrust into battle.”

“Didn’t you say that Susan is a golden dragon?” Eamon asked.

“That she is, and her powers are already exceeding our brown dragons,” Sean said. “While she has awesome potential, there’s no way she should be going into battle without more training.”

“We have no choice but to bring David and Susan with us,” Ashling said. “Bringing the other six young dragons into battle before they’re ready would be like killing them ourselves. It’s nothing short of a miracle that we’re seeing new dragons after centuries without even one. We can’t sacrifice this gift from the Creator to their own inexperience.”

Eamon was silent for a few minutes, while he stood on the training grounds watching the newest dragons trying to complete very basic fighting drills. As much as he wanted to argue the point, he could see that Sean and Ashling were right. They wouldn’t last for five minutes against Grainne’s more experienced and ruthless dragons.

“Aye, I see the truth of what you’re saying, Sean and Ashling. Even David and Susan will struggle in a real fight,” Eamon said, dejectedly.

“Tis true,” Ashling said. “So, Sean will fly with David and I will fly with Susan. We’ll fight as teams to help offset their inexperience.”

Eamon sighed and said, “Ashling, I should be going with you since no one has more battle experience than your old Da’.”

Ashling stepped in and hugged her Da close as she said, “Truer words were never spoken, but we can’t take the chance. If we were both lost in battle, it would be the beginning of the end for our people.”

Eamon stepped back and looked at Ashling, his eyes filled with sadness. Finally, he nodded his head slowly and said, “You’re right as rain, my dear, but I don’t have to like it and that be the truth of it. You and Sean come home safe along with the young ones,” he added with his voice choked with emotion.

* * *

“So, we’re sure this thing is safe?” Sean asked nervously.

“You’ve traveled by portal with me before, Sean,” Ashling said patiently.

“That’s true, but this time we’re traveling across the ocean. We’re also taking five hundred of our people with us,” Sean said.

“Faith and begorra, Sean. Do you trust me or not?” Ashling said impatiently.

Sean was silent for a moment before saying, “When you put it that way, I’d have to say open the portal and let’s get this done.”

Truthfully, Ashling hadn’t opened a portal of this size for a hundred of years. The principle was the same regardless of the portal size. The difference was that it required massive amounts of power.

In the past, she’d relied on Eamon to strengthen her own great powers. This time it would be Sean lending a hand. It was their best chance since his own magical powers appeared almost unlimited.

“All right then. Let’s get on with it,” she shouted to her troops. “Sean, it’s just like we practiced it. You stand behind me and wrap your arms around my waist.”

“I like this part,” Sean said as he took his place behind her with his arms around her waist.

“Typical man,” Ashling said, smiling. “Once I get the portal open, you join your powers to mine.” She turned and looked at Eamon and said, “Da, when we open the portal please keep everyone moving through it as quickly as possible.”

“Will do, my darlin’ girl, and may the Creator be with you all,” Eamon said solemnly.

Ashling nodded in return, as she glanced back at the five hundred warriors lined up in columns behind Eamon. It was a comforting sight, but she also felt a