Tuesday's Short - The Seeker from Hivrala

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This week’s short story takes us from a fantasy tale of destiny in an elemental world of destruction to a fantasy setting where dragons rule the air and artefacts are closely guarded. Welcome to The Seeker from Hivrala.

Sandfire is a dragon, a guardian of the mountains, and a servant of the Gatekeepers. It is her duty to collect those the Gatekeepers designate seekers and bring them to her masters. The only problem is that the latest seeker doesn’t want to go. Vestari doesn’t care what the dragon wants; as far as she’s concerned she’s not about to become a dragon’s pet—but now she has to choose: go with the dragon, or face the royal guard. If only she knew which was worse...

The Seeker from Hivrala (Excerpt)



Sandfire snorted at the air, snuffling down the sweet currents blowing up from the plains lapping at her mountain’s feet. She raised her snout and flicked out her tongue, tasting the sweetness, making sure the faint touch of sharpness was still there, that somewhere amidst the grasses below a seeker came. When she was sure, the dragon trumpeted the news to the mountain heights, and launched herself into the wind. Hers was the honour of the first overflight, and the capture, if she could take it.



*   *   *



Vestera heard the bugled notes ring out in the distant range, and curled her lip. If they thought she came looking for one of them, they had another think coming. She did not want to become a dragon’s pet. She had merely fled the city before the royal guard could find her. Charlatan, indeed! What would they know?


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The Seeker from Hivrala is available as a stand-alone short story at the following links: books2read.com/u/3nexY6.

You can also find Kristine Kathryn Rusch's latest free short story over on her blog: kriswrites.com. Why don't you go and check it out?
Location: Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

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