Options of Survival by Gail Daley

Author:Gail Daley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science fiction, Science Fiction Romance, danger, journey, quest, exploration, exploration of the stars, interstellar, voyage, travelling, adventure, kidnap, discovery, Arranged Marriage
Publisher: Gail Daleys Fine Art
Published: 2019-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

TAMING A SAND DRAGON

THE NEXT morning, Katherine, Zack and the children set off for Veiled Isle on a Fisher. Corrine’s main seat was a large island a half days journey from Glass Isle. Corrine and Vernal expected to follow Katherine, Zack and the children with the rest of the new immigrants and the Lodge’s share of the imported goods and building materials.

Corrine's great grandfather had named it Veiled Isle because of the translucent half crescent of Glasslike stone hanging partway over most of the largest cove serving as a seaport for the small fleet of fishers attached to the Lodge. He called the port Hooded Beach because two-thirds of the bay was underneath a shelf rising high above sea level. The water in the cove was deep enough below the hood to accept a four-masted sailing ship at its wharf.

The Clan used the open areas of golden sand to the west of the docks for recreation. The left side of the wharf was used to process the catch from Fishers affiliated with O’Teague. A series of steps led from the dock to the top of the cliffs and the family landing where a small dome held carts for transporting people or goods to the main house and barns. The Lodge was about a half mile inland. In the back of the dome were three rooms set into the cliff itself. These led into the access to the tunnel leading to a heated underground lake and caves. The lake and caves were used for shelter during the Swarm and Storm seasons.

Further along the recreational side of the wharf was a wide-open space with white beaches. This area occasionally drew Sand Dragons in the birthing season. Sand Dragons were related to but not the same species as the water Dragons and spent a larger portion of their time upon land than did the Nessies.

Katherine had directed the waiting retainers to take their luggage to the house, when she noticed Violet had taken off toward the open side of the beach.

"Wow, what’s that?" asked Rupert, pointing towards what Katherine identified as a Sand Dragon. The creature was about the size of a large horse. It had a thick round body and four short legs. It stood upon webbed feet, the talons on its five toes digging into the sand. Rudimentary webbed flippers might once have served as wings appeared about midway up its shoulders. Large wide set eyes appeared above a short, blunt snout and small flaps covered its ears. The neck and shoulders, shorter than the Nessies, fit smoothly together. The dragon was covered from head to toe with shiney scales. The scales looked hard, but were quite smooth like the tops of fingernails.

"A Sand Dragon", Katherine said. Touching her crystal pendant, she reached out with her talent and sensed both hope/pain/fear from the beast.

"It’s all right," she murmured, stopping Zack from reaching for his weapon. "Everyone, that is a cow Sand Dragon, and she wants our help. We’re going to all

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