Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary by Brandon Mull

Author:Brandon Mull [Mull, Brandon]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Published: 2009-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

Wyrmroost

The helicopter soared through the clear sky, rotors beating at the cold air. Sitting up front with the pilot, Kendra enjoyed a breathtaking view of the snowy forest below through the large, curved windows. She had never seen beauty to compare with this rugged panorama of frozen summits and icy lakes.

Not long after they had taken off, Kendra had decided she never wanted to be a helicopter pilot. The numerous dials and gauges intimidated her. Aaron Stone controlled their direction with a stick that projected up between his legs. He used a second stick to take them up or down, and foot pedals to swing the tail from side to side. The coordination and know-how required seemed hopelessly beyond her.

“Go more to the right, Aaron,” Kendra said. Once again, the pilot was veering away from the pair of lofty peaks that dwarfed all others. Trask had said the mountains were actually the two highest points in North America, but were unrecognized as such because of the potent distracter spell shielding the sanctuary.

“You sure you see two tall mountains?”

“I’m staring right at them.”

Aaron lifted the visor on his helmet and squinted. “Are you looking at those summits?” He pointed away from their heading.

“No, the ones I see are much bigger. They’re by far the tallest mountains out here.”

He flipped down his visor. “This is odd. I can usually think my way around a distracter spell.”

As they drew nearer, Kendra noticed that the shoulders of the imposing mountains were virtually clear of snow, along with much of the surrounding wilderness. She scoured the hills and valleys for dragons or other creatures, but saw none. She began to notice a faint rainbow shimmer in the air ahead of them, reminiscent of the aurora borealis. The soaring mountains drew ever nearer.

“We’re getting close,” Kendra said.

“You see the valentine?”

Kendra scanned the snow-choked forest below for a heart-shaped clearing. The helicopter was supposed to set down in the cordate meadow so they could continue the journey on foot. “Not yet.”

They continued forward, but the helicopter began to slowly lose altitude as Aaron eased them closer to the ground. Below, the shadow of the helicopter rose and fell with the contours of the terrain. On many slopes, the snow sparkled in the sunlight. Kendra spotted a clearing shaped vaguely like a kidney. “Could that be it?” she asked, pointing.

Aaron followed her finger to the ground. “I don’t think so.”

“You’re veering off course again. Go back to the right.”

Less than a minute later, the desired meadow came into view, an unmistakable white valentine amidst the trees, smaller than Kendra had expected. “Here we are,” Kendra announced. “Aaron, bring us more to the right. See it?”

“I’ve got it. Sharp eyes. Good job, Kendra.” He raised his head, surveying the horizon. “I still don’t see those mountains.”

“They’re straight ahead. Their summits are much higher than we are.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Along with plenty of lower ones,” Kendra reported. “Rocky ridges and steep hills. Looks like rugged terrain inside the sanctuary. Some unfrozen lakes. It isn’t snowy in there, just at the tops of the peaks.

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