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  Ruby Dragon and the Riders of Fire series are works of fiction. All characters, events and locations in this book are fictional. Any resemblance to persons or dragons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No dragons were harmed in the making of this book, although there may have been a few injuries to tharuks.

  This book is copyright. No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic means, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for short excerpts for reviews, in fair use, as permitted under the Copyright Act. Dragons’ Realm, the Riders of Fire world, and its characters are copyright.

  Ruby Dragon, Riders of Fire © 2020 Eileen Mueller

  Typesetting © Phantom Feather Press, 2020, American English

  Cover Art by Christian Bentulan © Eileen Mueller, 2020

  Dragons’ Realm Map by Ava Fairhall © Eileen Mueller, 2020

  Phantom Feather Press Logo by Geoff Popham, © Phantom Feather Press, 2014

  Phantom Feather Press

  Wellington 6021, New Zealand

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  www.phantomfeatherpress.wordpress.com

  Magic, every time you turn the page.

  Dedication

  For everyone fighting to stand up for what you believe in.

  Don’t give up.

  Your voice makes a difference.

  Table of Contents

  Map of Dragons’ Realm

  Ruby Dragon

  Encounter

  A Dicey Proposition

  Trouble

  The Shadow Stalkers

  The Bloody Knives

  Marius

  Farewell

  Bonus Material

  Free Prequel Novelettes: Silver Dragon & Bronze Dragon

  Coming in 2021: Riders of Fire Dragon Masters

  Ezaara – preview

  Anakisha’s Dragon, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters, Book 1

  Eileen’s Dragon Adventures for Younger Readers

  Acknowledgements

  About Eileen

  Herbal Lore in Dragons’ Realm

  Map of Dragons’ Realm

  Encounter

  Heart thundering, Tonio ducked around the back of the fish stall and crouched behind stinking crates. The fishmonger raised his cleaver and thwacked a fish. Its head plopped off the bench, slithered along the cobbles and hit Tonio’s boot.

  The man pointed his cleaver at the bruise blossoming on Tonio’s cheek. “Marius do that?”

  Tonio shrugged.

  At the next stall, the smithy’s wicked curved blades, fine swords and daggers gleamed in the sun. Merchants were selling spices fresh from the docks, the scent of cinnamon and cardamom drowned out by the overpowering stench of fish. Exotic fabric decorated with fantastical beasts, wild seascapes and bright patterns was draped over a stand, glinting as it caught the light. People bustled between stalls haggling, laughing and chatting, without a care in the world.

  Above the babble of bleating goats and hawkers selling fruit and vegetables, someone bellowed, “Where’s that shrotty Tonio?”

  Tonio peeked around the crates. Marius. Holding a birch switch.

  His hands shook. Shards! Not Marius. Not now. There was too much at stake.

  Marius slapped the birch against a cage, startling chickens into squawking and flapping against their cane prisons.

  A rash of sweat peppered Tonio’s brow. His backside still ached from this morning’s thrashing. There was no way he wanted another. Staying low, he scrambled out from behind the crates and raced down the alley to the fountain.

  He was late for Sam. For a week, they’d been watching for Gianni’s arrival, and this trade was too lucrative to miss. By the dragon gods, he needed coin. Lots of it.

  Sam was pacing by the fountain, the opaline sea dragons glittering in the sun, sparkling water spraying from their maws. Rainbows danced on droplets scattered over the tangle of sea dragons.

  “There you are.” Sam sucked in air. “Impressive bruise, but you’re not the only one, you know.” He rolled up his breeches, displaying a bloody bandage. “Got jumped by the Knives last night when I was trailing someone on their turf.”

  Tonio winced.

  “But our fortune’s changing.” Sam grinned. “Gianni’s wagon’s coming.”

  “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day,” Tonio replied. “I’ll tell Crum. You tell Grubio.”

  “Do you think they know we’re scamming them?”

  Tonio sighed. “I got no choice. Time’s running out. I need coin.” Desperately.

  “Your ma’s that bad, huh?”

  Tonio’s breath hitched as he saw Ma’s pale wan face all over again. Gods, if Ma died... What would he do, then?

  Wings rustled overhead.

  “Green guards,” Sam hissed. “Hide.”

  They scuttled under the eaves of a house. A breeze stirred their hair as dragons shot across rooftops. Emerald scales winking in the sun, the dragons circled the town. With a rush of wingbeats, four more greens spiraled down to the marketplace.

  Someone was in big trouble.

  This news could bring good coin, too.

  Marius’ bellows ricocheted down the alley, setting Tonio’s heart thumping again. “We’ll find out what’s going on. But first, the bakers.”

  “We can do this, Tonio. We’ll find enough coin for your ma’s healing tonic.” Sam bumped Tonio’s knuckles. “Dragon speed.”

  Tonio raced down an alley, ducked a man with a barrow of turnips, and ran around a corner. He smacked into a wall of red-scaled hide—an enormous ruby dragon. He leaped back, bumping the stony wall of a building.

  Orange eyes narrowing, the dragon snorted at him, curling its lip to bare gleaming fangs. A snarl built in its throat. Flame speared from its jaws.

  Shells and shards! Trembling, Tonio ducked, scalp prickling with heat. “Um, sorry. Clumsy of me.” He darted around the beast, into the market, hoping like the blazes it wouldn’t incinerate him.

  By the dragon gods, that had been close.

  More dragons loomed behind stalls, jade scales bristling. Green guards scanned the crowd from their saddles. Nervous whispers darted around the square.

  Tonio dived down the lane to Crum’s and came face-to-chest with a towering dragon rider outside the bakery—a stranger with a shock of black hair. And a tough, pitted face. The rider flicked his dark cloak, scabbard glinting. Daggers jutted from his boots.

  Hands shooting out, the stranger pinned Tonio against a wall. His chilly-blue eyes drilled through him. “Hello, Tonio,” he purred.

  Rough bricks bit into Tonio’s back. “Don’t hurt me, sir.” Sweat slithered down his neck. “I ain’t done nothing.”

  Well, not yet.

  “Aren’t you duping innocent bakers into parting with their coin?”

  How in flame’s name did this stranger know that? Tonio twitched a shoulder. “It’s valuable information.”

  “Indeed.” The stranger dropped his hands from Tonio’s shoulders, his broad body blocking Tonio’s escape.

  Why had this dragon rider stopped him? Oh! “Was that your ruby dragon?”

  “Yes.”

  “She looked mad.”

  “She’s angry, all right.” The man cocked
his head. “Perceptive, huh. Not everyone can read dragons.” With a grim chuckle, he pulled back his cloak and patted a leather coin pouch at his waist. “I need eyes and ears around town.”

  Tonio glanced up and down the lane. If the Bloody Knives or the Shadow Stalkers saw him with this stranger, he’d be dragon toast.

  “Come on, lad, don’t muck around. You know the town, the people. You can spot a stranger to Naobia.”

  Tonio shrugged, his eyes darting to the stranger’s bulging coin purse. “Naobia’s a shipping port. I could easily miss someone.”

  “I’ll make it worth your while. Someone stole something. Three silvers for information. One dragon head for retrieving the stolen goods.” He pulled a coin from his pouch, gold glinting in the shadows.

  A golden dragon head? Tonio had only seen a dragon head once. He battled to keep his gaze cool. “I’ll think about it.”

  The coin dropped back into the rider’s purse, clinking. “Be a shame if your ma didn’t get better.”

  How in dragon’s teeth did this man know so much about him? Tonio thrust off the wall, glaring. “Leave Ma out of it.”

  “I will. If you cooperate.” The stranger flashed his teeth. “Find what’s stolen—otherwise I might have to pay her a visit.” The man’s finger stroked the hilt of a blade at his hip.

  Tonio’s throat grew tight. He had nowhere to turn. Everyone knew he lived at the eastern stables. Barely able to sit up, Ma was in no condition for visitors. Especially not dangerous ones. Besides, he needed serious coin for Ma’s fancy healing tonic. Way more than a dragon head.

  Perhaps, if he played his cards right, he could get what he wanted. “What’s been stolen?”

  “First, I’ll need your word that you’ll do the job, then my dragon will show you.”

  That furious hulking ruby beast? No way.

  But the lure of that golden dragon head called him. “Two dragon heads or there’s no deal.”

  “Done.” The rider shook his hand. “Even cornered, you drive a hard bargain.”

  Although the price had doubled, Tonio had the odd feeling that the stranger had gotten the better deal. He flicked imaginary dust off his sleeve, a trick Pa had used to disguise his feelings when haggling for horses.

  “Crum’s expecting me.” Pushing off the wall, Tonio gestured to the bakery next to them.

  “I’ll be waiting right here to take you to my dragon.”

  He had to touch that ferocious dragon to mind-meld with her. A hollow pit formed in Tonio’s stomach.

  “Sure,” he bluffed. “Let’s fetch my friend Sam. He’s handy in a pinch. I’ll only be a moment.” Tonio smoothed his shirt and ducked inside.

  §

  The bell tinkled as Tonio entered the bakery, the sweet aroma of cake and pastries tickling his taste buds and making his mouth water. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and sauntered to the counter.

  If Grubio and Crum found out that he and Sam were selling the same information to both bakers and playing them off against each other, they’d never buy their tips again. He didn’t want to lose their trade. Dealing with the bakers was a lot safer than plying dangerous secrets to the Bloody Knives and the Shadow Stalkers—Naobia’s rival gangs.

  Crum bustled out to the counter. “Morning, Tonio. Any word on the dinkel?”

  Tonio raised an eyebrow, playing it cool. He’d honed news bartering to a fine art. Too eager, and Crum could tell the dinkel flour was on its way. Too cool, and Crum might not pay up. “Might have some news…” He shrugged.

  Crum pounced. “It’s coming, isn’t it? Will it be auctioned today?”

  Tonio slid his gaze outside as Crum fished coin from his purse and weighed a silver in his palm. That flapping dragon rider was still there, watching. He leaned across the counter. “Gianni’s on his way with finely-ground dinkel flour, perfect for your fluffiest teacakes. It’ll be here in an hour, ready for auction.” Dinkel was rare, and Gianni’s was the best. Every baker coveted his annual harvest.

  Crum broke into a grin, thrusting a silver at Tonio. “Thanks for keeping an eye out.” He loosened the ties on his flour-smeared apron.

  Flashing a smile, Tonio pocketed the silver. Not bad for a morning’s work.

  “Here, some peach pies, your favorite.” Crum placed three steaming pies on stiff card. Fishing two loaves from under the counter, he put them in a string bag. “And some rye bread for your ma. Keep me in mind when there’s more news.”

  “Thanks.” Tonio tucked the bag under his arm and scooped up the peach pies, inhaling their fruity aroma. Ah, bliss. One for him, one for Ma, and one to keep Marius in a good mood—or to bribe a dragon rider. He glanced over his shoulder. Outside, the dragon rider was talking to a green guard—Amato. He should’ve known the stranger had found out his secrets from Amato—Marius’ friend was a new green guard and eager to impress his superiors.

  “That rider giving you trouble?” Crum’s eyes flitted to the window.

  Tonio nodded.

  Crum lifted the hinged part of the counter. “Quick, out the back, while he’s not looking.”

  Tonio couldn’t believe his luck. His legs tensed to flee, but then he remembered Ma’s sunken eyes and gaunt face—and the gleaming golden dragon heads. He thrust his shoulders back. He’d earn coin for Ma’s tonic and face that tough rider and fiery dragon.

  “I’ll see what he wants.” Tonio forced a swagger into his step. “Thanks for the treats.”

  The bell tinkled as he closed the door behind him.

  Amato grinned, his teeth a slash in his tanned face. “I’m surprised you didn’t chicken out.”

  “Ready?” the stranger barked, marching Tonio along the lane between him and Amato.

  Tonio shoveled peach pie into his mouth. Better not to face a grumpy dragon on an empty stomach.

  “You can’t breathe a word of this,” hissed Amato.

  “Of what?” Tonio mumbled through his pastry. “I ain’t seen nothing.”

  The stranger gave a dark chuckle. They entered the crowded market square. The ruby dragon’s maw snaked down to sniff Tonio, nostrils flaring. His knees went slack, but luckily, no flame gusted from her fangs.

  “Um, pie?” Tonio squeaked, holding out Crum’s delicacy.

  The dragon wolfed it down, then snorted.

  So much for bribery. He slid Ma’s pie into his bag.

  “Climb up.” The tough rider shoved Tonio into the ruby dragon’s saddle and jumped up behind him, snaring Tonio around the waist. “Wriggle once and I’ll toss you off,” he snapped.

  Around them, people murmured.

  “In trouble again. Never could learn, that one,” an old herbalist muttered.

  “Always up to no good.” The shoemaker shook his head.

  Amato swung into the saddle of his enormous emerald dragon, Matotoi.

  If Tonio was going to be eyes and ears for the ruby and her rider, he’d best fool the crowd. “It wasn’t my fault,” Tonio whined, extra loud. “It was Sam’s idea. He always gets me in trouble.”

  The stranger’s grip on his waist tightened. “Fool,” the man hissed. “Now, we’ll have to involve this flaming Sam, wherever he is.”

  Oh, strike him dead! At the edge of the market, one of the stooges for the Bloody Knives was watching Tonio like an owl tracking a field mouse. Shards. On the second floor of a storehouse, a cloaked figure appeared at a grimy window. The Shadow Stalkers had eyes on him too.

  Tonio bucked and thrashed. “No. Ain’t my fault. I didn’t do it.” He cussed and twisted, forcing the stranger to slide a dagger against his throat.

  Nice—much more convincing.

  The ruby beast tensed her haunches and leapt, the wind from her wings stirring the crowd’s hair. Moments later, they were above the rooftops, Matotoi gliding alongside them. “Now, where’s this Sam?” the stranger barked.

  “Over there, on the eastern side of town.”

  Sure enough, on the verdigris roof shingles, basking in the sun and eating Grubio’s
pastries, Sam was waiting for him. High above any eyes and ears, Tonio finally let himself grin. The stranger’s hold slackened.

  “I’d best fill Sam in,” Tonio said.

  “No need,” the stranger replied.

  Matotoi swooped over the roof and snatched Sam up in his talons. Sam’s bloodcurdling scream echoed through the alleys—and probably across the Naobian Sea all the way to the Wastelands. The pastries flew from his hands, scattering like ash across the green shingles. Tonio’s best friend bleated like a lamb as they swept above the city.

  A snarl from the green dragon soon quieted Sam.

  Where in the Egg’s name were these riders taking them? And what stolen goods were they seeking?

  A Dicey Proposition

  The ruby dragon rose high above the city, faster than a galloping horse, its enormous wings flapping like giant sails. Tonio’s heart pounded as the sparkling sea came into view. On the docks, people bustled like beetles. The beast belched a gust of flame, its fire bright above the sea’s aquamarine ripples. A rumble ran through the creature’s body, vibrating against Tonio’s calves. A thrill coursed through his blood. If only he could be a dragon rider.

  Leaving the city behind, the dragons wheeled inland toward houses dotted across meadows.

  “Where are you taking us?” Tonio asked.

  “Somewhere we won’t be interrupted.”

  Sam yelped as Matotoi plunged, furling his wings to dive toward the peach grove between the eastern stables and town. The ruby followed, tears streaming from Tonio’s eyes as wind rushed into his face. His stomach flew into his throat. If his heart hammered any harder, his ribs would burst. So, this was flying. No wonder Amato liked it.

  The treetops rushed toward them. There was a crash and a yelp as Sam’s leg knocked a branch. Then Matotoi swooped into a clearing, dropping Sam onto the grass. Sam rolled toward a peach tree, and stopped at the foot of its trunk.

  The ruby dragon thudded to the ground, her talons ripping out a clod that smacked against the peach trunk, narrowly missing Sam’s head. The dragon rider swung out of the saddle. Tonio followed.