Dragon Bones: science fiction fantasy short story

by Alice M. Roelke

Lina is in the past--or rather, a past--acting a part to change the course or history. Dallin, the trusty computer program by her side, knows far more than she does. Except for when he's not there. And Lord Jonathan, the man they're here to guide, may be the most troubled of all...[Contains two excerpts from the author's other science fiction works.]EXCERPT - Dragon BonesSix thick, clean-stripped bones lay under the rowan, which stood down the winding road from a large castle."Dragon bones?" said Lina, kicking one. "But why-""Here?" The brown-robed figure tucked his arms inside ample sleeves that remained unruffled by the chill wind. "They killed it last year. Village had a giant roast. These were bones the lord saved for display-boiled and scraped clean. But-""He doesn't want them anymore?" Lina guessed."He doesn't have much say in the matter. He's dead.""Oh. The old lord, then." Lina stuffed her hands in her pocket and kicked the shinbone again."That's right. His son Jonathan ordered them discarded."She looked around, up at the tree, and sighed. "When am I going to get to meet him?" Where she stood, she could not see very far down the road."Any minute now, sir."Lina glanced at her friend Dallin. "You don't have to call me sir." She took a deep breath. The air smelled clean and green.The figure nodded slightly. "Here he comes now. Remember your identity. Shall I...?""No, I might need you. Stay." She reached out as if to grasp his cloak, then thought better of it, and let her hands fall to her sides, as fists. She sucked air through her teeth.The young lord came riding up at a half gallop, decked in hunting gear and trailing a huntsman. On Jonathan's arm was a falcon.Jonathan drew to a halt, grinning. "Sir Martin, what are you doing here?"Slender hooves stopped just in front of her, paused and pawed. The lord released the falcon's jesses; the bird shot upwards to circle. Jonathan smiled down at Lina. "Does business bring you back to Grensledle? Or pleasure?" He dismounted.Lina gave a low laugh. "Both, I hope. But is that any way to greet a guest?" She faltered for a moment."'Come here, Jonathan!'" prompted Dallin. "'You've gotten so tall.'""Come here Jonathan. You've gotten so tall!" repeated Lina. Jonathan's face lit with a grin of boyish delight. They embraced, slapped backs, and regarded one another at arm's length. Then he frowned. "Where's your mount, sir?""I'm afraid it was spooked by the smell of the dragon bones and got away from me. I'm not as young as I used to be." Lina grimaced."I'm sorry," said Jonathan. "I'll send someone to look for it. Gamekeep-give me your horse for Sir Martin. And go to the castle and have a feast started. Then send someone to look for Martin's mount." The game keeper nodded once and obeyed.

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2013