Invasion of the Dregs

by Barnes, Kenneth Edward

• ISBN13: 9781463407452
• ISBN10: 1463407459
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-24
• Publisher: Textstream

Summary

ABOUT THE BOOK Invasion of the Dregs is a story of adventure and drama in a mysterious land of strange animals and countless dangers. Strange animals like: monothorian dragons, grawls, hopspurs, vulgons, triodons, dreers, dredons, giant forest wolves, the "thunder beast" and others. The Gossets are a race of tiny people, who lived on the earth before humans, and the world, as we knew it. They are the ancestors of all little people, except for Elves. The land is invaded by beings called Dregs. No one will help the Gossets defend their territory. Even the Trolls turn their backs on them and become their enemies. Now they have no choice. Commander Rufus T. Gruff, Queston, Nason, Orpis, Markis and Nod must go to "the top of the world" to find King Zedar, to see if he can help bring justice to the land of Adreus. Go with the Gossets and Piper the Elf, on their long incredible journey; a journey that is full of dangers, adventures, drama, and surprises.

Excerpts

Free Preview After resting a few more minutes, they continued up the jagged mountain, the howling wind sometimes nearly pushing them from the precarious ledges. By early evening, they were nearing the top. The peak they had chosen, was not as high as some, and only had a dusting of snow, as the strong winds kept most of it from accumulating. An hour later, they were standing at the top, looking down the other side. It seemed as if they were on top of the wold. Far in the distance to the north, and barely visible in the light of the setting sun, was Mount Morad. The red sun shone on its west side, making it glow like a golden pillar, crowned with white clouds. It was so far away it looked tiny, but its glory was unmistakable. No one even asked if it was Mount Morad, for they knew. And in silence, they all stood gazing at its beauty, as the sun slowly set. Suddenly, a piercing sound jarred them back to reality, and turning, they saw three black specks far in the distance coming toward them. "The triodons!" exclaimed the Commander. "We best find a place to hide," and they quickly started down the other side of the mountain. Searching for a place to be out of the sharp eyes of the giant vultures, the Gossets could hear the eerie squawks getting closer. "Here's a place," Queston said, pointing to a large crevice. "Come on, let's hurry and get in it!" exclaimed the Commander, and they rushed into the protection of the rocks, just as a triodon appeared overhead. "Don't anyone move!" whispered Ruff Gruff, as the giant black birds circled right above them. Huddling close together beside Piper's stretcher, the Gossets covered themselves with one of the blankets as soon as the triodons disappeared behind the peak. Peering from under the blanket, they watched the birds gliding down, seemingly to land almost on top of them. The giant birds were just out of sight and they could hear them fighting over the best roosting spots. While they were fighting, a lone black feather floated down into their hiding place, landing on the blanket. "They're right above us," whispered Queston. "Shhh," cautioned Ruff Gruff. "Don't make any noise and we'll be fine. They won't even know we're here." All night they huddled together, trying to stay warm and trying to get a few minutes sleep, but sleep didn't come easy. The cold and their empty stomachs gnawed at them throughout the long dark night. Three small pieces of fish remained, but they dared not take it from the bag. The triodons could smell it and be waiting for them in the morning to emerge from the rocks. Dawn finally started to make its appearance, but it was very slow. Every minute seemed like an hour. The sky seemed to be getting lighter, then seemed to stop. But eventually, one by one the stars gave up and faded away, as the sky in the east grew redder. Then the sun began to show itself, but only partially behind a long thin veil of purple clouds that lay on the horizon. "It's morning," Ruff Gruff whispered, but he didn't have to wake anyone, for all found sleep difficult that night. If someone had been asleep they would have been abruptly awakened, for the screaming cry of a triodon shook the morning air, as the birds awoke from their sleep. "They're fighting again," said Nason very softly. "Why do they fight?" asked Nod. "They have the whole mountain to roost on." "I don't know," Ruff Gruff answered. "I suppose they enjoy it." Just then, the dark form of one of the triodons went across the crevice, and the bird swung in a small circle. Again and again it circled, looking down like it knew something was there. "You think it knows we're here?" Queston asked the Ruff Gruff. "I don't know," he whispered. As he spoke, there was sudden silence, except for the wind whistling through the wing tips of the huge bird, that was holding in the air just above the crevice. It was hovering only a few feet above them, floating on the stiff wind, rocking side to side to dump the air from under its wings, to keep it from drifting up. For a long time it waited, watching the crevice, searching for any movement. Finally convinced there was nothing below it floated higher and higher, its wings still outstretched. Then tipping to its right, it drifted out and away from the mountain. "Let's go," said the Commander, and the men slowly crawled out of their hiding place in the rocks.