Copyright © 2018, 2020, 2023, 2025. Fourth Edition — 2025. All Rights Reserved. First Edition published 2018. Second Edition published 2025. Third Edition published 2023. Fourth Edition published 2025. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any for, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information browsing, storage, or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Arden Erimitis.
“Once upon a time, there was a young Trihorn Snapper…” The driver of the squirrel-drawn carriage projected his voice, making it possible for his passenger to hear every detail as he steered his team of squirrels up the last leg of a steep hill. “No, no, no. Start from when I was an egg. From when you found me by the river.” His passenger poked her scaly magenta head through the carriage window, careful not to scratch the intricately designed pane with her horns. The young earthbound drakaina beamed around the side of the carriage at the thickset gnome sitting in the driver’s seat. Known by his friends as Carrick Gaelen and by his loved ones as Da, the cheery- eyed gnome toyed with his graying beard and directed the carriage over a wooden bridge. Carrick cleared his throat and continued. “Once upon a time—” “No, no. Da! Start over in that deep, silly voice you do when you tell the story. That’s the best part.” Carrick glanced over his shoulder and beamed at the grinning dragon. “Once upon a time . . .” The words boomed out in an exaggerated manner, causing the dragon to giggle profusely. “Better?” She nodded and rested her chin in her upturned palm, watching the scenery pass as Carrick drove the carriage along a switchback forest trail. “Better.” “Once upon a time, there was an egg.” He settled more firmly into his seat. “Not an ordinary egg either, for neither robin nor bluebird would dare bring this egg into its own nest. It was a lone dragon egg, dropped on the bank of the Crescent Call River—” “Why do they call it that anyway?” she asked. “Dragon! I thought you wanted me to actually tell the story,” Carrick said in his normal voice.
“You’re right. You’re right. Sorry. Continue.” Dragon’s head bobbed back and forth as they dodged an exceptionally large cluster of boulders on the trail. “Ahem. Now where was I?” “Dropped on the bank of the Crescent Call River,” she said. “Right. Dropped on the bank of the—” “But was I really dropped? I mean, the mountain isn’t right there. It’s more like I was washed down-stream from the Purple Crested Mountains, right?” Carrick sat silent. “Sorry, sorry. I keep interrupting.” “It’s okay, love. I’m really glad you want to hear the story. Seems lately you haven’t wanted to.” “Sometimes it’s hard to talk about,” she said quietly. “Plus, I’m a little nervous. The story helps.” “I know, love. I know.” He reached back and patted the top of her scaly magenta head. “It’s a big day. Being nervous is perfectly normal.” Carrick guided his team of squirrels around the final bend to the towering stone entrance of the schoolyard. “Speaking of, here we are!” He pulled the carriage to a full stop in a sunny spot on the edge of the large school grounds. Dragon unlatched the carriage door and thrust it open. Nervous anticipation fluttered in her stomach as she glanced up at the ornate lettering of the sun-speckled sign above them. Her wide violet eyes dilated as she took the words in. Breezemaple Academy for Gifted Learners. Carrick leaned back in the driver’s seat. “You want me to finish the story?”
Dragon balked. The knot in her stomach had jumped to the back of her throat, which made it impossible for her to offer any sort of audible response. She wondered if she was indeed gifted enough to be a student at her new school. “You’ll do fine today, kiddo,” Carrick assured. She shot a sideways glance at her adoptive father, who was busy steadying the squirrels in their harnesses. They were clearly unsettled by being that close to a school full of magical, and quite possibly carnivorous, creatures. “Da?” Her voice squeaked with insecurity. Carrick turned in his seat and gave her a knowing look. “Dragon, I promise things will be all right.” He hitched himself out of his seat and walked over to Dragon. Gazing up at her, he hugged her leg tenderly. “I wish Annalene were here. And Ma.” Dragon stared down at his small hand, only slightly bigger than her talon. A sudden awareness of their differences washed over her, making her even more withdrawn and insecure. “They wished they could be here too, but you know how things are in Mossbark Acres today. It’s all hands on deck.” Carrick and Dragon had made the long trip from the Gaelens’ cozy home in Mossbark Acres, a bustling and friendly neighborhood in Gnome Colony, which lay south of campus. Gnome Colony was one of several colonies of charmed and magical folk in Darragh, a land as vast and varied as the many creatures who inhabited it. And today was a special day in Gnome Colony, a day when the gnome community banded together to observe the annual Great Rebuild. Aestivus had recently ended, taking with it the worst of the seasonal storms that devastated the land south of the Purple Crested Mountains of Dragon Colony. In its wake, the optimistic gnomes addressed the destruction left behind with an unyielding, cheerful attitude and strategy.
Through dedication and comradery, the gnomes never failed to pave a way back to peace and harmony. Dragon shook the tension from her shoulders. “I’m really glad Gnome Colony didn’t get hit hard this year.” “Maith be good to us, it’s been pretty mild these past eight years. Nothing like when we first found you near the river. Poor little thing, not even hatched in your tattered old nest.” Carrick’s chestnut-colored eyes twinkled playfully. “Makes me wonder if you coming along didn’t have something to do with our lack of storms.” “Oh, come on, Da,” Dragon said, swatting the idea away with one hand. “I can’t make storms go away.” Carrick sighed. “You and Annalene are getting way too big. Seems like just yesterday you were—” His voice choked off. Dragon gazed out at the expansive schoolyard. “I can’t believe it’s been eight turns around the sun already. I miss being smaller. Remember how I used to spend so much time with you, Ma, and Annalene in the house? I miss that.” “I do too, kiddo, but you need your space to grow. We don’t want to hold you back.” Carrick jerked his thumb toward the school campus. “That’s a big reason why we enrolled you here. It’s high time you got to know your peers.” Dragon nudged him gently with her knuckle, her deep-set violet eyes bright with nostalgia. “You remember how Annalene and I used to play Gnomes and Dragons?” “Oh, that darling hat Ma made for you!” Carrick could hardly stifle his chuckles. “And Annalene’s dragon costume!” Dragon giggled giddily. Carrick laughed as he wiped away happy tears. “Those were truly wonderful days.” Dragon looked down at him, her own eyes misty with tears. “Thank you.”
Carrick cocked his head. “For what, love?” “For you, Ma, and Annalene helping me to fit in. I never told you, but doing those things . . . making me a gnome hat and encouraging Annalene to play with me in a dragon costume . . . I’ll never forget that.” “Oh, honey. She would have played in that costume whether or not we suggested it, that’s for sure. She loved it, and she loved playing with you. You two were inseparable.” Dragon cast a glance at the large white stone building that lay beyond the gate, looking more like a whimsical castle than a school. “What if they don’t like me?” Dragon asked self-consciously. “What’s not to love? You have the biggest heart! And you’re kind as can be. Trust me, everyone will be fighting hand over fist to be your friend. They’d be silly not to.” A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Really?” “Really,” he assured. “Well, I hope so. Gnomes seem to like me all right, at least,” she muttered to herself encouragingly. “Listen, kiddo. You’re in good hands. Professor Culpepper—he’s a good friend of mine. He’ll make sure you’re okay. Plus, this school has been recommended by Elder Greenwood. You trust him, don’t you?” Dragon took a moment to consider her Da’s words. “I guess you’re right.” “And after your first day—which, of course, will be an awesome first day, right?” He nudged her leg playfully with his elbow. “There’s the feast at the celebration in Gnome City tonight! “Much to be excited about, Dragon. It’s a new day. A new school. A new start.” Dragon’s anxiety started to melt away. “But how can you be sure I’ll have a good day?”
He smiled up at the shining sun. “I feel it in my bones, Dragon. You’ll see.” “Promise?” she asked, skeptical. “Promise.” He drew an X over his chest to secure his promise before walking back to the front of the carriage. “Now, let’s get this thing parked and you to the office. There’s still some paperwork I need to fill out before you head to your first class.” He grabbed the reins and waited patiently for Dragon to shut the carriage door. Dragon sat back in her seat and jammed her eyes shut, doing what she could to settle her rattled nerves. The carriage rocked and swayed as Carrick directed the squirrels to take a sharp right, increasing the queasiness of Dragon’s already upset stomach. She jolted upright the second they crossed through the entrance gate. Excitement tingled all the way to her talons as they headed up the gravel driveway. Something had shifted. Something unseen and electric hung in the air, as if the school itself had a captivating charge to it. Dragon leaned out the carriage and took in her surroundings. She spotted a team of gardeners tending to the pristinely manicured shrubbery and brightly colored trees. Only slightly taller than Carrick, the small worker creatures tended the landscaped lawn with great focus. Carrick tipped his hat to what appeared to be the group’s manager. “Morning, Pimley!” “G’day, Carrick. Blessings to you and yours.” “Greatest Good be with you as well.” Dragon gently nudged Carrick. “Pimley?” she asked in a hushed voice, eyeing the creature who was smiling and waving directly at her. “He’s from Fae Colony. A hobgoblin.” “Fae?” Her brow knit together. “Shouldn’t he have wings, then?”
“It’s complicated there. Let’s simply say, at one point, he did.” Carrick took a quick swig of berry juice from the earthen mug at his side before tightening his grip on the reins. Dragon kept her gaze on the workers. “Did? As in they fell off or something?” “They get removed.” “Removed?” Dragon gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth. “That’s horrible!” Carrick whipped around in his seat to face her. “Hush, Dragon! They’ll hear you,” he hissed, lowering his voice. “Yes. Removed.” “As in, plucked-off removed?” Dragon’s face contorted in disgust. “Never mind that.” Carrick turned around and focused his gaze on the gravel drive ahead. “It’s not right to gossip. We have other things to attend to. More important things.” Dragon grimaced guiltily and leaned back in her seat. “Sorry.” Carrick pulled the carriage to a stop near the entrance of the school’s smaller wooden stable and hopped out of the driver’s seat. Unhitching the team of squirrels, he led them into the stable to get their fill of food and water after the long trip. As he disappeared inside, he called Dragon over to join him. “Dragon! Bring the food here, dear?” “Sure thing, Da.” Dragon carried the bag of leftovers from the carriage and tipped it into an empty trough. Several of the squirrels scurried over to gobble down the vegetable scraps as the others rushed to lap up mouthfuls of cool spring water from the adjacent trough. Once the feed bag was empty, Dragon folded it in half and handed it to Carrick. “Is that what Amika is, then? A hobgoblin?” Carrick shot her a warning look. “What?”
“I told you we were done with that.” “But I mean . . .” Carrick inhaled sharply and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. He took off his pointed red cap and set it on the ground, tugging his stubby fingers through his sweat-dampened salt-and-pepper hair. “Dragon. Of course she’s not a hobgoblin. Whatever gave you that impression?” “I don’t know. She doesn’t have wings either?” Dragon shrugged and shied away from his gaze. “No, Dragon. Your friend is not a hobgoblin.” “My friend?” Dragon exclaimed, quite put off by the idea. “She’s Annalene’s friend. Seems like they’re best friends, even,” Dragon muttered grudgingly. Carrick patted one of the squirrels on the head. “You don’t like Amika?” “It’s not that I don’t like her. It’s more to do with how much time Annalene spends with her.” “Because you used to have her all to yourself?” Dragon smiled and squirmed. “Maybe . . .” “It’s perfectly okay for your sister to have friends. Amika is a sweet fae. I don’t know why you don’t like her more.” “I miss my sister, is all,” she said under her breath. Then she shook the brief twinge of sadness off, refusing to let it take over her entire day. “She’s not a hobgoblin, then? Why doesn’t she have wings?” “Like I said, it’s complicated in Fae Colony. And impolite to talk about others when they’re not present.” “But . . . I’m not trying to gossip. I’m trying to understand—”
“Dragon. Leave it, please.” Dragon dropped her gaze and clutched her arms behind her back, kicking the small pebbles at her feet. “Okay.” Carrick dotingly patted the squirrels’ heads before heading toward the walkway. Dragon hung back, still stung by his sharp tone. He turned around and waved her over. “You coming?” “Yes, Da. Coming.” Dragon walked reluctantly toward him. Leaning over, she gently scooped him up off the white brick walkway and placed him near the crook of her neck, where he could sit on her shoulder. The tip of his fuzzy red cap tickled the side of her cheek, causing her to squirm a little. “Steady, Dragon,” Carrick said as he settled into his sitting spot. Dragon followed the path to the south-side entrance. She paused before taking hold of the handle, unsure what was waiting for her on the other side of the door. Would Breezemaple live up to its praise? Would it be like Gnome Colony, where Dragon had been welcomed and included as a well-loved member of the community? Gnomes were very agreeable creatures, but what about dragonkind? Not to mention, everyone else who lived beyond the friendly borders of Gnome Colony. “What is it?” Carrick asked as Dragon peered up, nearly stumbling backward from the dizzying massiveness of the tall building. A morass of emotions and unanswered questions flooded her head. Dragon shrugged. “I . . . I’m not used to being the small one in a new place, is all.” Carrick chuckled. “Too late to turn back now,” he teased. Dragon gulped audibly. “Hey, kiddo. It’s a joke. Take a deep breath, okay? Everything will be fine.”
“Everything will be fine,” she echoed, attempting to force enthusiasm through gritted teeth. She took several quick breaths and grabbed the brass handle. “Here we go,” Carrick said. “Ready or not.” Dragon tugged open the heavy door and stepped inside.
Arden Erimitis is an author, poet, and mixed-media artist based in the Midwest. Having worked in youth advocacy for over thirteen years before becoming a published author, Arden dedicates her energy to encouraging the creative spark in others so that they can utilize their voice, personal strengths, and creative potential to make a positive difference in the world. Connect with Arden on Instagram at @arden_erimitis_author and support her work at www.patreon.com/ArdenErimitis.