"Wrede,.Patricia.C.-.Chronicles.Of.The.Enchanted.Forest.v1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

"That is, I've heard of dragons who have captive princesses to cook for
them and-and so on," said Cimorene, who had very little idea what
captive princesses did all day.

The dragon in front of Cimorene nodded. One of the others, a yellowish
green in color, shifted restlessly and said, "Oh, let's just go ahead
and eat her. It will save trouble."

Before any of the other dragons could answer, there was a loud, booming
noise, and a sixth dragon slithered into the cave. His scales were
more gray than green, and the dragons by the door made way for him
respectfully.

"Kazul!" said the newcomer in a loud voice. "Achoo! Sorry I'm late,
but a terrible thing happened on the way here, achoo!"

"What was it?" said the dragon to whom Cimorene had been talkin

"Ran into a wizard. Achoo! Had to eat him; no help for it. Achoo,
achoo. And now look at me!" Every time the gray-green dragon sneezed,
he emitted a small ball of fire that scorched the wall of the cave.

"Calm down, Roxim," said Kazul. "You're only making it worse."

"A choo! Calm down? When I'm having an allergy attack? Achoo, oh,
bother, achoo!" said the gray-green dragon. "Somebody give me a
handkerchief. A choo!"

"Here," said Cimorene, holding out one of the ones she had brought with
her. "Use this." She was beginning to feel much less frightened, for
the gray-green dragon reminded her of her great-uncle, who was old and
rather hard of hearing and of whom she was rather fond.

"What's that?" said Roxim. "Achoo! Oh, hurry up and give it here."

Kazul took the handkerchief from Cimorene, using two claws very
delicately, and passed it to Roxim. The gray-green dragon mopped his
streaming eyes and blew his nose. "That's better, I think. Achoo!

Oh, drat!"

The ball of fire that accompanied the dragoh's sneeze had reduced the
handkerchief to a charred scrap. Cimorene hastily dug out another one
and handed it to Kazul, feeling very glad that she had brought several
spares.

Roxim went through two more handkerchiefs before his sneezing spasms
finally stopped. "Much better," he said. "Now then, who's this that
lent me the handkerchiefs? Somebody's new princess, eh?"