Dragon Outcast

by E. E. Knight

  Praise for the novels of E. E. Knight

  Dragon Avenger

  BOOK TWO OF THE AGE OF FIRE

  “Knight breathes new life into old conventions…. Here is no warmed-over Tolkien playground, but a new world breathed to life and populated with fascinating characters we long to hear more from…. Knight, a master plotter and world builder, alternately surprises and delights, keeping us on the edge of our seats…. Knight has written a classic here, a kind of Watership Down with dragons—a book that will be cherished for generations to come. It is, simply, a grand tale, full of the mystery and wonder fantasy readers long to discover and too often find absent in modern fiction.”

  —Black Gate

  “[A] gritty coming-of-age story…. Knight makes the story complex enough to entertain readers of all ages.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Knight offers a thoroughly crafted fantasy world…. For a lushly unique fantasy read, look into Dragon Avenger, as well as its predecessor, Dragon Champion. You’ll never look at dragons the same way again.”

  —Wantz Upon a Time Book Reviews

  Praise for Dragon Champion

  BOOK ONE OF THE AGE OF FIRE

  “Smoothly written…a bloody, unsentimental fairy tale.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Dragon Champion is an enchanting story of a young dragon’s search for answers to help him understand what it is to be a dragon. This is a heartwarming story full of adventure, where good deeds and friendship always succeed. The characters are wonderfully endearing, and the adventures that Auron experiences as he grows into an adult dragon are exciting and entertaining. A superb introduction to what I hope will be a wonderful series.”

  —The Eternal Night

  “The author of the Vampire Earth series has crafted a series opener with a refreshingly new protagonist who views the world from a draconic, rather than a human, perspective. A fine addition to most fantasy collections.”

  —Library Journal (starred review)

  “Knight did a great job of hooking me into the story…. This concern and attention to the details illustrate how strong the overall feel of the book is—Knight clearly is building something more in this world, and the amount of back story to the characters and creatures is very impressive…. Very entertaining—the characters were genuine and the world full of depth. With the ending Knight gave us, I am very interested to see where he takes these characters next.”

  —SFF World

  “E. E. Knight makes the transition from the science fiction of his Vampire Earth series to a fantasy saga with an ease that is amazing but not surprising with someone with his enormous amount of writing talent.”

  —Paranormal Romance Reviews

  TALE OF THE THUNDERBOLT

  “An entertaining romp rife with plausible characters; powerful, frightening villains; suspense; romance; and monsters…everything good fantasy and science fiction should have.”

  —SFF World

  CHOICE OF THE CAT

  “David Valentine is…a true hero. I found myself rooting for him on page one.”

  —SF Site

  “Memorable.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Strong characterization, excellent pacing, [and] believable depth in world building.”

  —SFF World

  “Impressive…sure to delight all fans of dark fantasy and hair-raising heroic adventure…a unique and wonderfully entertaining novel.”

  —Rambles

  “I highly recommend Choice of the Cat to speculative-fiction fans who enjoy science fiction/horror hybrids, and especially to fans of apocalyptic fiction.”

  —SFReader

  “I dare you to try to stop reading this exciting tale of human resistance in the face of impossible odds.”

  —SF Reviews

  WAY OF THE WOLF

  “Knight’s style made me think that if The Red Badge of Courage had been written by H. P. Lovecraft, the result would have been something like this.”

  —Paul Witcover, author of Tumbling After

  “A winner. If you’re going to read only one more postapocalyptic novel, make it this one.”

  —Fred Saberhagen, author of the Berserker series

  “Knight’s dark book of wonders is a marvel—simultaneously hip and classic, pulpy and profound. Evocative of Richard Matheson as well as Howard Hawks, Knight’s terrifying future world is an epic canvas on which he paints a tale of human courage, heroism…and, yes, even love.”

  —Jay Bonansinga, author of The Sinking of the Eastland

  “This is one of the best books I’ve read in years. If you like action books (or horror or military or suspense…), just buy it.”

  —Scott Sigler, author of Earthcore

  “Four stars…. Lays down a strong beginning for what promises to be an engrossing series. The author handles traditional motifs in fresh and often unsettling ways. Fans of slipstream fiction will definitely want to read this. It also holds great appeal for readers who enjoy any of the component genres: dark fantasy, horror, or adventure. Highly recommended.”

  —Infinity Plus

  “One of the most impressive debut novels I have ever read.”

  —Rambles

  “The style is compelling and skilled. E. E. Knight manages to blend battles and violence with the gentler side of his characters, allowing them to…experience a wide range of emotions…. Stunning! I am looking forward to the next installment of the adventure!”

  —The Eternal Night

  “I have no doubt that E. E. Knight is going to be a household name in the genre before he’s done.”

  —Silver Oak

  Dragon Outcast

  BOOK THREE OF THE AGE OF FIRE

  E. E. KNIGHT

  ROC

  Published by New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  First published by Roc, an imprint of New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  Copyright © Eric Frisch, 2007

  All rights reserved

  Map by Thomas Manning and Eric Frisch.

  REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

  Knight, E. E.

  Dragon outcast / by E. E. Knight.

  p. cm. —(The age of firep. cm. —(The age of fire; bk. 3)

  ISBN: 978-1-1012-1280-6

  1. Dragons—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3611.N564D736 2007

  813'.6—dc22 2007022537

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are t
he product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  TO DAWN,

  WHO KNOWS ABOUT GROWING UP DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  BOOK ONEHatchling

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  BOOK TWODrake

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  BOOK THREEDragon

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  Drakine Glossary

  Draconic Personae

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Each novel requires effort from a platoon of professionals working behind the scenes, represented by nothing more than the chip-sized graphic of the publisher’s imprint. Sharp-eyed copy editors and imaginative artists, painstaking typesetters and overloaded editorial assistants, plus the agents, sales staff, lawyers, accountants, and executives…

  I thank you all.

  One important face behind that little orange-and-black icon has gone missing, however. Liz Scheier recently moved on to a different publishing house. This volume represents the last of our efforts together. She was (and is) a clever wordsmith, an inspired advocate for my work, an ally in success as well as adversity, and a patient “boss.” Her flair and polish is woven into this saga. Like the young Copper fellow you’re about to meet, I feel like I’ve got a bad leg and a bum wing without her.

  Thanks, Liz.

  Dragon Outcast

  BOOK ONE

  Hatchling

  “A BAD START IS STILL A START.”

  —Tyr FeHazathant

  Chapter 1

  No pleasant dream, this. Discomfort and darkness, cold and cramp, clinging tendrils binding. The restrictions vexed him.

  The hatchling struggled against his torment, twisting his neck to a more comfortable position, for his head kept jerking uncontrollably.

  Suddenly his nose tore free of its bonds with a startling crack that ran down his body to the tail-tip. A membrane gave way, air tickled at his nose, and his lungs greedily pulled in its enticing freshness and a comforting, musky odor that filled him with longing.

  A weight dragged at his belly, and he knew he had to be free of it. He reached up a rear claw and tore it away, the small pain worth the greater freedom.

  The pain brought an additional benefit: His mind cleared of dreams and confusion and doubt. Instinct took over his little body, from deepest fiber to smallest hatchling scale. He pushed in every direction at once, head twisting and battering at the gap as his nose worked out.

  Then it all gave way and he sprawled, whipping his tail around and fighting to right himself in a mass of clinging membrane and white shards. He opened his eyes, but the light pained and confused him, so he shut them again.

  A wet web hung on him. It stuck everywhere in his scales, in the folds of hide and bone behind his jaw, his crest, his claws.

  Strange, strange, strange. No clouds or currents or friendly sun, yet he was not frightened at the newness. The musky smell told him that all was well. He was safe.

  He brought up a forelimb and wiped the web away from his eyes and off his crest. Now he could go to work with his long, flexible neck and sharp teeth, getting it off his limbs.

  “We’ve done it; oh, thank Susirion and the four shapers, he lives.” The voice, the mind, more than half his own, had spoken to him in the egg. Through it he had seen brilliant sunlight and hot, flowing gold, blended and poured into his consciousness. This was the voice of his dreams, the spinner of images bright but vague around the edges, sunlight, crashing ocean waves, herds of blotch-backed beasts thundering below, leathery wings flapping and a proud, booming voice shaking the mountainside with song.

  “Open your eyes, my jewel. See your mother and your world!”

  Mother!

  He opened his eyes, and it took a moment for his vision to clear. Too much to take in: a wall of green scale, curled-down head with its sniffing nostrils and shining, wide-open eyes, darkness filled with strange columns bathed in a glow from pools of light gathered on the floor, even a gentle, probing tail-tip as thick as his midwaist flicking bits of…of…shell, his brain supplied…flicking bits of shell off his haunches.

  Wave after wave of love, delight, contentment rolled out of her and over him. This was better than any of the dreams before. The hatchling basked in it, a tiny thrumming deep in his throat answering her powerful one. They prrumed to each other. The ground almost vibrated with the low, resonant thrumming.

  Two other eggs stirred. One rolled into the other with a soft tap.

  The shifted egg opened like a jagged-toothed mouth, and a powerful red form spilled out. Its back legs outdrove its front, and it collapsed forward for a moment, jaw flat against the hard ground.

  It squawked. He listened to the echoes and determined that they were in a confined space, but a very large one, and that a vast distance—to his few moments of experience—yawned behind, like his body, far longer than it was high.

  The hatchling hardly noticed its smaller forelegs, its powerful neck, the clinging goo trailing from its rear limbs and bits of egg flying off its whipping tail. He had eyes only for its crest, a short rise of flattened horn sweeping back from its eyes.

  Every instinct screeched: Threat, threat, threat!

  The Red snorted liquid out of his nose. He opened his eyes and blinked. The tiny sharp spur crowning his nose turned toward the hatchling. The Red gathered himself, short flaps of armored skin behind his jawline rattling angrily against the base of his crest.

  The hatchling found his own flaps answering the sound.

  Tchkka-tchak tchkka-tchak tchkka-tchak!

  The Red lowered his head and exploded toward him in a flash of glittering scales, mouth agape, fans wide and menacing.

  He shifted to dodge him, but the clumsy new body didn’t react the way it did in dreams. They reared up on hindquarters, claws scrabbling and mouths biting—

  —suddenly they were suspended in space.

  Falling, but not for long.

  They hit hard, the hatchling atop the Red, the Red’s crest striking first and absorbing much of the blow.

  The hatchling brought up a rear limb and raked the Red’s flank. When the Red shifted he bit, but his jaws closed on air as the Red lurched away.

  The Red swung around, rushed him, used his weight to roll the Copper, got atop him. Bit down—

  He put up his left forelimb to protect his neck, and the Red’s jaws closed on it rather than his neck and they rolled again. They clawed and scratched at each other’s scales. He tried to push the Red away and right himself. A tearing pain in his forelimb, and the Red tightened his grip, braced those massive rear haunches, and began to pull, jerking his head back and forth, rending muscle and joints as the hatchling squawked and
tried to bite at the Red’s neck.

  Craack!

  The hatchling didn’t know what caused the Red to drop his limb. Then the Red jumped off him and climbed up, up, toward the eggs and another crested head.

  The hatchling jumped after him—no foe is getting away that easy!—but he sprawled as he took his first step, hurt forelimb not where it should be. It seemed to be folding itself against his breast, claw turned inward.

  He wobbled on three limbs and tried to climb, but fell on the first attempt. He heard high-pitched, angry cries from the vicinity of the eggs.

  His second attempt at a climb went a little better, as he braced himself with his tail. But he fell again when he shifted his rear limbs and his tail slipped on the hot, wet liquid dripping from his limb.

  The third time he used his jaws, gripping a projection with his teeth when his tail could no longer support his weight. Panting, he heaved himself over the edge, up among the eggs again.

  His vision blurred a moment and he felt dizzy from the climb. When it cleared again…

  The Red fought another hatchling, a slight gray thing compared to the Red’s bulk. It had leathery skin rather than scales. The Red used his weight to upset the Gray and managed to get his jaws around the Gray’s neck.

  The hatchling saw his chance. He coiled and jumped, throwing himself on the Red’s back with his powerful back limbs. He got his jaws around the Red’s neck, where it was thinnest just under the jaw….

  The Red thrashed, used his weight to knock him over, and scrabbled. The hatchling bore down, feeling the Red’s panting breath and pounding neck hearts through his teeth….