Star Trader Update .051

I apologize for not posting this past Saturday, but life got in the way of art. My 94 year old father, who lives with me, experienced a heart attack. He is recovering slowly, but it may be a while before I post to the blog again. I hope you will scan through the other stories I have here and find something to keep you busy until I return. 

Thank you so much for your readership. I love you all. 

Once dad and I have established a new routine I will be back with another great story either 

sci-fi, fantasy or paranormal.

Don't forget to check out my main website for free books and great series.

Theresa Snyder's Books

Now on with the conclusion of our story...

051.01


“I was one of the first to hear its call,” Mul’drak told us. “Tal’on was my father’s Great. When I was a youngling. I listened to his tale of Tal’on over and over again.”

“So, it was at least three generations between Tal’on’s capture and the Sollen sounding again?” Jake asked.

“Yes, and for your humankind, many, many more generation,” Mul’drak said. “You live such short lives.”

“When the call came five of us answered. We mistakenly thought five was enough,” the old dragon said and shrugged his shoulders making his wings rise in the process. “We found out later that the Prime passed on the story of the Sollen and its location through his family and political associates as Tal’on and my father had passed it on to us. In fact, the ruling of the Valdare had been retained in the Prime’s family line. When we arrived, we found the Valdare had developed into an advanced technological society with no pity for their own kind, much less ours.

Star Trader Update .043

043.01

“On the fourth day Tal’on woke up ravenous and shivering, sure indications he was going into stasis,” Mul’drak said. “Of course, Graf’tal had told him what to expect, but he had also told the youngling that he would be there for him to guide him through. The Great left the details of the journey through the mental muck of stasis to the time when it came, so as not to frighten Tal’on.”

“So, in short,” Rudd’ard added, “he knew little of what was about to befall him.”

043.02 

Tal’on couldn’t remember ever being this hungry. Even the first few days without food when he arrived in this place did not compare to the gnawing emptiness he felt. When Delevy arrived with his meal he knelt, bolting it down half chewed and raised his platter to beg for more. He was not adverse to begging. He had an almost primeval desire to eat and it was all he could do to keep from thinking of Delevy as his next meal.

“Morrrrr…Pleeez,” he begged.

Star Trader Update .042

042.01

Tal’on watched the green come and go as he finished up his meal. She dragged in numerous things that looked like their skins, but were in large squares. She spread one out on the stone beneath her feet and piled the others at her side. After making several trips she appeared to tire and sweat formed on her brow to dampened the fur that fell across it. Tal’on watched with horror, his mouth full of the last morsel off his platter, as she shed her outer skin and threw it to the ground. She proceeded to pull off another layer of her skin and wiped her face with it before she tossed it to the pile on the large skin. She now stood with only a layer of green around her chest and covering her legs. The rest of her, neck, shoulders, arms, appeared as her hands and face, pale and soft. Tal’on didn’t realize it, but his mouth was hanging open in surprise.

Star Trader Update .041

041.01

Tal’on had drifted off into a troubled sleep where the beings on this planet hit and probed him with their fiery sticks. He was brought back to reality by the sound of something grating against the stone floor. He bolted to his feet and yanked his chain to its full length in order to follow the sound to the see-through wall. He was surprised to see part of the wall was open now. One of the beings, blue from neck to feet, except for his hands, was standing there flanked by six other red beings, equipped with the pain sticks Tal’on encountered before. Several other beings of multiple colors stood behind them. Tal’on could see at least four more before the cave curved to conceal where others of their kind might have been hiding.

He wondered if the color of the beings designated their rank in their society as the color of his skin gave others an idea of his lineage, age and status. Perhaps the blue was a ruler…a leader of some type.

Star Trader Update .040

040.01


Tal’on vaulted onto Graf’tal’s haunches, finding purchase with his claws between the plates of his senior’s scales.

“Careful there youngling,” Graf’tal chided. He curled his long neck around and spied the young wingless dragon, his charge, with a shinny pair of obsidian black eyes rimmed and flecked with gold. “Why can’t you mount like any normal youngling?” He snorted smoke into the face of the lizard looking Tal’on on his back. “You scramble like a hatchling.”

“I would board properly by wing if we were not always the last to leave the ground,” Tal’on shot back as he finally made it up Graf’tal’s back and settled on the dragon’s shoulders with his scaly legs wrapped around Graf’tal’s neck and his tail lying out along the dragon’s spine.

Star Trader Update .038

038.01

At first, I didn’t know what woke me. I was just jolted awake by some unfamiliar noise. But then the sound rattled the hull of Ma-rye-a again. There was no mistaking it. It was Kay-o bellowing at the top of his lungs. His booming howl vibrated my chest as if I had the bass tuned up way too high on Ma-rye-a’s sound system.

“What the…” I started to swear.

I tumbled out of bed and headed out of my room and down the hall toward the guest room where Jake, Arr and Kay-o chose to spend the night rather than pod back over to their ship. We had a few too many drinks. They considered that room theirs anyway, so had tucked in for the night.

The fact that I had one too many before retiring, was not helping my navigation down the hall. Jake came crashing out of the guest room. We collided head on.

“What the…” Jake said.

The Fur and Frost Dragon Winter Games

Here is a little holiday tale Farloft passed on to me yesterday, 

which I thought you all would enjoy.

The Fur and Frost Dragon Winter Games

Norla shook and pulled at the furs Farloft was curled up on. “Time to get up sleepy head! The competition starts in two hours and you haven’t even had breakfast.” The youngling female furry dragon had been his constant companion since he arrived at the Fur and Frost clan’s stronghold in the far north.

“I’m up…” Farloft replied with a yawn.

Books on Sale!

Hi everyone,

While you are waiting for the next Serial Story to start on August 4th, I thought you might like something to read. Pick up any of my books for either FREE or 50% OFF this month on Smashwords. The lazy days of summer are fast approaching. There is nothing I like better on a hot August day then laying in my lawn chair reading a good book in the shade.

A Gathering of Dragon - Chapter One

Queen Larkin, the ruler of Kerth, stood on the parapet, in the cool night air, awaiting the arrival of Farloft, the Dragon. Her guard rested close at hand, for no one, least of all the Queen, was safe since they learned of the threat from the neighboring Kingdom of Baldar.

“They surely will return soon,” Sarah, her sorceress assured her. “You should try to go back to bed. The night is cold.”

“I know… I know…” the Queen sighed.

She paced a bit away from her companions and strained her eyes in the hope she would glimpse Farloft and Adrian returning from their reconnaissance mission to the Kingdom of Baldar. She had awoken from a very vivid dream where Farloft called her name. The two had been gone for almost a full moon’s cycle. However, she had a very clear picture of them arriving tonight through the cool fall air. She wanted to be here to meet them. She pulled her fur cape up higher around her shoulders and leaned against the wall of the north tower behind her.

“Let’s wait just a little longer.”

Happy Holidays!

I hope you are all having a lovely Holiday Season. 

I wish you all the best!

Next week I will start the new fantasy story I promised you - "A Gathering of Dragons." Farloft is off on an adventure to save the Kingdom of Kerth from an invading force.

Until then, being a self-published author, I could not help by take the opportunity
to help you with your last minute shopping.

There are several GREAT reasons to give the gift of a book.

And if you feel like giving one of my collection, I would be honored.

The Star Traveler

(Scifi - YA to Adult)

In2Minds Trilogy
(Book 3 out in January 2018)

(Scifi YA to Adult)

The Farloft Chronicles

(Dragons for all ages)

The Shifting Books of the Twin Cities Series

(Paranormal/Fantasy/Romance Mature YA to Adult)

See you next week!

A Fantasy Short Story - Fur and Frost - A Dragon Love Story

This week I will continue with my posting of short stories for the Holiday season.

These are fun because you can have them emailed to yourself and
download them to read
while standing in those long lines at the department stores.

Today is
Fur and Frost - A Dragon Love Story

This story has also appeared here on this blog in serial form previously. 

By downloading it in its entirety, you join the many followers on my Monthly Newsletter. 

Each month I send out a letter with free reads, contests and author news.

If you enjoy this story, you might consider picking up a copy of
The Farloft Chronicles.

They are Dragon Fun for All Ages.

There are six middle-school formatted books,
two collected works formatted for adults
and one pre-school volume with 9 short stories and coloring pages.

Fur and Frost - A Dragon Love Story

Have you been reading Fur and Frost - A Dragon Love Story?

Now you can Download it for FREE!

This will sign you up for my monthly Newsletter.
I keep you up-to-date on my latest releases and author insights.

I run some fun contests with some incredible prize packages like this one!

And I usually have some fun give-away reads.

So Download Fur and Frost 

and

Welcome to My Worlds!

To the Rescue!

A short story today for your enjoyment. Join Farloft and Darris as they rescue a little lost tyke.

To the Rescue!

Nakita sat on one side of the fence and the puppy romped around on the other side. The puppy was so cute it made the child’s heart sing. It was fluffy and white, with a patch of brown over one eye and ear. Nakita wanted to pick him up and cuddle him so very much. She had wanted a puppy of her very own, ever since the day she saw one in the window of the pet store in town. This puppy looked so much like that one.

She stuck her hand through the webbing of the chain-link fence and the little bundle of fur ran over to her and rubbed its head on her hand; just like it was her very own. This brought such a big smile to Nakita's face. When she giggled it licked her and whined with excitement. Its tale wagged so fast, it made its rump wiggle excitedly. Nakita could see it wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with it.

She tickled its soft ears. “Where did you come from?”

A Christmas Celebration!

“Hold your paw right there,” Anna said to her father.

Farloft placed one large green paw on the paper to hold it in place while Anna wrapped the ribbon around the package. It was handy having a shape-shifting-dragon for a daughter. Her human hands were made for this type of work, unlike his huge paws.

The two of them were quickly wrapping presents while everyone else was off picking up the company. Clearair’s first stop was to pick up Theresa, the healer and Farloft’s best friend. Then they would continue to the castle to pick up Sarah, Theresa’s niece and the sorcerous in the kingdom.

James had left to pick up Adrian, the bard.

They were all going to celebrate Christmas in the dragon family’s lair where there was enough room for all.

A Tale of Pirates and Sea Dragons

This in one of Farloft's tales during the time of his friendship with Thomas. Farloft details his life with Thomas in Book 6 of his Farloft Chronicles "Dragon Memories, Dreams & Reflection."

A Tale of Pirates and Sea Dragons

“My liege, if you could but consider loaning me the services of your dragon, I can prove to you that my trading vessel will work,” Captain Lea pleaded.

King Alfred shook his head. “I do not doubt that you can do as you say, Captain. I saw your impressive machine pull into the dock belching smoke like Farloft himself. But you see, he is not my dragon, as you put it. Farloft is very much his own commander. You would have to approach him directly.”

Hanging his head slightly and working his hat between his hands, the Captain confessed, “I must admit, though I have sailed the wildest seas, the idea of confronting a dragon seems a bit daunting, Sire.”

“I will send someone with you to make your ordeal a bit smoother.” The King smiled and waved the Captain aside in order for the next of his subjects to come forward with their appeal.

The Pack Rat Mage

In this story you will be surprised to find out who has the courage to pilfer from Farloft's hoard.

*****

The Pack Rat Mage

“Have you seen that pearl necklace I received from Queen Sophia?” Farloft asked, as he came into the main part of the cave.

Clearair waded out of the thermal pool in their lair. “It was in the top of the silver caldron with the other jewels in your hoard last time I saw it.”

Farloft sat down on his haunches and gazed lovingly at his beautiful blue dragoness. “You always shine so when you are wet from the pool.” He shook his head. He needed to keep his mind on the task at hand, not his lovely mate. “Have the younglings been playing in the hoard again?”

An Encounter - A Farloft the Dragon Tale

As promised here is a short story you can read in one setting. 

We will do this every Saturday through the holidays. 

In January I will start a new serialized story.

Haristaan - Art by Kitsooki of Deviant Art

Farloft and Haristaan had been traveling together for several weeks. The old dragon enjoyed the company of the younger black. Haristaan was quick witted, charming and best of all he was a good listener. The younger dragon seemed to absorb Farloft’s stories like a sponge. He never tired of the old one’s tales of times long gone by.

Farloft swooped to the right, did a flip, and looked quickly up into the puffy clouds above. This morning Haristaan had started a game of tag and currently he was ‘it.’ Farloft was not near as fast as the young dragon, but he did have years of cunning on his side. He knew Haristaan was just waiting for that perfect moment to dive from the clouds and tag him.

“Ha!” he laughed, “I see you.”

Haristaan’s black was hard to hide in those white fluffy clouds. The black dipped back out of sight, his exposed wing tip disappeared.

Isle of Mystery - Chapter 17 - The Conclusion

It felt to Farloft as though every member of his clan were gathered around him and desperate to hear where he had been and what had happened the six and a half months he had been ‘lost.’

His father and mother had not left his side since they spotted him approaching the lair from his jump point. His sister was snuggled so tightly up against him she was like moss on a tree trunk.

Personally, Farloft couldn’t stop grinning. It was so good to be home, even if he couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

“Give him some room to breathe,” his Father said to the collective group. “Let’s all give him some time to get his paws under him and then we can all sit down and listen to his story.”

Isle of Mystery - Chapter 16

“He’s so happy with his family home.” Farloft watched Rugarth with Ralgarth playing on the ledge outside their cave. He heaved a big sigh.

“You miss your family,” Mesanth said. “It’s only natural.” She draped a wing over Farloft’s shoulders. She knew that their visitor had become very attached to the clan leader. “Will you be going home soon?”

“There is no need for him to hurry off,” Trisk spoke up from her perch over their head in the apple tree. “We’ve only just returned home. You should rest up.” She addressed Farloft craning her neck to see him below in the grass.

“I do miss my family. Most likely they have given up looking for me by now.” He shook his head when he imagined what his parents must have gone through over the last few months. Many times he had wished he could send them a message, but there was no way. “I should leave soon.”

Isle of Mystery - Chapter 15

The next day, Rugarth led his party in a wide sweep of the volcanic island below them as he roared a greeting at the top of his lungs. Farloft wondered what was in store for them. Perhaps he was going to be introduced to another clan of dragons on this mysterious island.

The volcano at its center puffed plumes of smoke and ash. Farloft could see a river of lava trailing down its side and bisecting the island in its rush toward the shelf where it fell off into the sea creating giant clouds of steam. On either side of the lava the island was lush and green with huge palms and oasis’ of little valleys with glittering pools of fresh water. It was in one of these valleys that the party landed, in a meadow, beside a pool.

“Should we go up?” Daldrath asked excitedly.

“They saw and heard us. They will come down.” Tempith tucked her wings and lowered her head to the pool for a drink.