Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
That was like magic. I couldn’t see a line even hinting a door was on that wall…. Her thoughts shut down as she gazed over the vast space. Every imaginable type of art, jewelry, and gold and silver coins attracted her attention with glistening and gleaming splendor.
“What?” slipped from her mouth as she tried to take it all in.
Skye pointed to a bronze sculpture in the room's corner. “Is that Rodin’s Thinker?”
“Just his preliminary scale model. The large one is in Paris.” Ardon’s voice echoed around the large chamber.
It is, huh? Skye couldn’t figure out what to say to that. It almost sounded like Ardon knew the famous artist. How many jeweled necklaces do you have?
“Two million four hundred and seventy-three.”
That’s it? she asked sarcastically. He knew how many necklaces he had that precisely?
“For today.”
Dragons do love their treasure, don’t they?
“Of course we do.”
Skye walked toward a mound of coins in the center of the room. It was at least four times her size, and she couldn’t even estimate how far it spanned in each direction. She reached down to scoop up a handful and studied it. The ancient lettering, foreign languages, and the weight of the metal in her hand fascinated her. This small selection spanned the course of human civilization for hundreds of years.
“Here. Check this out,” he suggested, extending a large, old book.
Holding out her hands, Skye accepted it and ran her fingers over the thin metal casing. “What is this?”
“Open it up.”
She followed his directions and gently turned the cover. Inside were a ton of sketches of familiar designs. This is Rodin’s? This should be in a museum.
“These were his sketches from his childhood. He made me promise not to show them to anyone in a position of power in the art world before he gave it to me. In those drawings, he experimented with perspective and other artsy endeavors. I thought perhaps you would be interested in studying what appears to be almost scientific experiments to me.”
The appeal of all the shining, precious items in the vault disappeared. This meant more to Skye than any jewelry or wealth. She wanted to cry but was afraid she’d get the pages wet.
Interested? Skye shook her head in disbelief. This is incredible. Can I take it back to my room?
“It is yours, My Treasure. You may rip it to shreds if you wish.”
Her eyes widened in shock at that idea. She closed the volume and hugged it against her chest.
“Or you can study it and perhaps Rodin can teach you something. I suspect he’d be pleased to have it go to a talented artist who’d appreciate his early attempts.”
Skye set the book carefully on the ground before rushing over to throw herself into Ardon’s arms. I don’t know how to thank you.
“No thanks are needed, Skye. I will, however, accept a kiss.”
Skye pressed her mouth eagerly to Ardon’s. When heat flared between them, she pulled back, not wishing to betray Oldrik in the other room. “I will cherish this,” she forced herself to say out loud. This was too big just for a mental message.
“Then it is with the right person. Would you like to take anything else with you? A ring, some coins, a chalice?”
No, thank you. This is more than enough.
She picked up the volume and hugged it to her chest. Walking with Ardon back to the room where Oldrik waited, she still struggled to process the treasure he had shared with her.
Oldrik was dutifully impressed as well. “Well done, Ardon. I will have to try to top that.”
This isn’t a competition, Skye told them both, glaring from dragon to dragon.
“Of course it is, Blueberry,” Oldrik assured her with a complete lack of concern.
She shook her head, wondering if she’d ever understand her dragons. My dragons, she repeated to herself. Skye liked the sound of that.
“Now that Ardon has had the chance to check on his loot and found something special for you, how about going on an excursion together. How would you feel about going outside to tour the area by air?”
That would be fun. Can we drop this off at home first? I don’t want to damage it.
“Of course. Then, we thought you might like to go to a waterfall that Ardon found a few years ago,” Oldrik suggested.
I’d love that. It’s so cool to soar through the sky and feel the wind. Skye threaded her fingers through her hair. I love my new cut. Oh, no! I forgot to pay Lalani. We have to go back.
“She is not expecting money, My Treasure,” Ardon assured her as they landed in front of the large mansion.
Of course I need to give her something. I don’t have any money. Do you think she’d like me to draw a picture of her and Khadar together? I can do it from memory. Or we could pick up something while we’re out?