The Dragon Savior of Tone: World of Tone: Book 2 Read Free Page B

were taken, the planters began to notice a drop in how much food they gathered at each picking. It took many sets of seasons, but food slowly began to become less available,” his mother started to explain.
    “What is a set of seasons?” Terra asked.
    “I’m sorry you were raised by the dragons. They don’t measure time as humans do. Let me explain. There are three seasons in the valleys known as a set of seasons. The cold season starts the cycle and is laced with a biting rain that tears at the skin and spirit. The cold and wet season turns into a short dry period, known as planting time. Then, the long, warm, wet growing season finishes the cycle. The moon of Tone marks seasonal time passage. The great yellow moon goes from its full round shape to various crescents, finally ending with no moon at all. It then passes back through the crescents in reverse order until it reaches full roundness once again. This cycle takes sixty-two sun-risings. The people know time based on the light of the sunrise and darkness of the sunset and the seven full moons it takes to complete the three seasons. Twice during a single set of seasons, the great full moon turns an angry red color. This happens at the end of the growing season and at the beginning of the dry planting time. Does that help?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “Let me continue explaining. The people, who had never had an interest in having any type of leadership, began to listen to various fools. These people promised more food and an easier life if they would just follow them. Now there are two groups that claim to be the leaders of all humans. One is a set of three sisters. They were healers and somehow they figured out a way of combining their powers. I have never seen them, but I hear they can do a bit more than healing when they combine. They have concentrated their powers in the northern part of the valleys. In the southern portion, a man calling himself the king has obtained control. I know little about how he did this or who he is. I do know that both groups have formed bands of men that do their bidding.”
    “Have they managed to start killing each other yet?” Terra asked in a sarcastic tone.
    “You do not like people, do you?” she asked.
    “I have only met a few, and most of them have tried to kill me.” Reicka could not disagree with that.
    “Most people are good; you have met the worst of us.”
    “You were telling me about these groups.”
    “Oh, yes. Well, they have not yet fought each other, because they have to pass over the Lake of Solan first.”
    “The Lake of Solan, what is that?” Terra asked.
    “The valleys that we live in run along the coast. About halfway, a huge lake divides them into two separate areas. Waterfalls that are fed by the melting snow and the rain of the Barrier Mountains feed the lake. On the opposite side, the water from the lake spills down into a deep gorge, which empties into the great water. Some say people live at the bottom of the gorge, but it is so deep you can hardly see into its depths. Once, there was a bridge that spanned the edge of the gorge and allowed people to go from one side to the other. The Solans created it before they were killed, but a few seasons ago, it collapsed. It was said that the sisters destroyed it to protect themselves until they are ready to kill those who control the southern valleys.”
    “So they are separated by a lake and can’t kill each other?” Terra said in a questioning tone.
    “Yes.”
    “Which side of the lake are we on?”
    “My village and this crevice sit at the most northern part of the coast. The Sisters control this side.”
    “Why are you telling me this, mother?”
    "Because I think it's time for you to take your place in our world. You have powers far greater than any I've ever seen. Our people need help and I believe you are the one sent for that purpose.”
    “I was not sent. I just am. Whether I should help people or not is a decision I have yet to make.