The Dragons of Bone and Dust (Tales from the New Earth Book 7) by J. J. Thompson

but it would never go to Kronk's. He's much too grounded for
that.”
    Aeris rose
up several feet and spun around in an exaggerated show of amusement.
    “ A
pun! Grounded! Oh you are a clever one, most magnificent wizard.”
    “ Stop
that.”
    Simon made
his tea and nodded toward the doorway.
    “ Let's
sit out on the steps. I want to enjoy the sights and smells of home.”
    “ Certainly.”
    The two of
them went out into the bright sunshine and the wizard sat down at the
top of the stairs. Aeris floated to his left, wafting gently in the
breeze.
    “ So
the dragons were betrayed by the very beings who first created them,”
Simon said thoughtfully. “It's sad but almost poetic in its
irony, I suppose.”
    “ Evil
is as evil does,” Aeris replied primly. “Those demons who
call themselves gods are twisted to their very cores. They will do
anything and use anyone to achieve their goal of conquering this
world and all the other worlds beyond it.”
    “ So
I've noticed,” the wizard said and sipped his tea slowly. “How
the hell do you fight something like that?”
    Aeris
looked troubled and, for a change, had no answer.
    They sat,
and floated, in the morning sunlight for some time before Kronk came
barreling around the corner of the tower.
    “ Good
morning, master!” he exclaimed as he hopped up the steps. “Did
you sleep well?”
    “ Morning,
Kronk. I did, thanks.”
    Simon
raised his cup.
    “ And
thank you for the honey. There was no rush, you know. I can drink my
tea or coffee without it.”
    “ I
am sure that you can, master. But I was at loose ends last night and
thought it would be a good time to go in search of some. I am glad
that you are pleased.”
    “ I'm
delighted. So, Aeris tells me that you've been working to restore the
garden?”
    Kronk sat
down on the step next to Simon and nodded, a smile on his craggy
face.
    “ Yes,
master. But it is not too hard of a task. Most of the plants have
survived over the past few years. They need some pruning and
organizing, but will not need to be replanted. In fact, I will have
some early beans and carrots for you in a day or two.”
    “ That's
fantastic news,” Simon told him. “I love the taste of
fresh vegetables.”
    “ I
know, master.”
    The
earthen looked up at Aeris.
    “ And
what have you been up to this morning?”
    “ I
woke up the wizard and got him some breakfast. And I started a fire
in the fireplace. Why?”
    He sounded
a little defensive and Simon watched the interchange with quiet
amusement.
    “ Because
master's horses are out in the wild somewhere, not to mention our
cows and chickens. Shouldn't you be out there searching for them?
What about the famous scouting skill of the airy ones that I've heard
so much about, hmm?”
    Aeris
spluttered in indignation and seemed to be having trouble answering.
    “ As
I thought,” Kronk said dismissively. “Master, I would be
happy to go off into the forest and search for the livestock.”
    His tone
was so unlike that of the agreeable earthen Simon knew that he stared
at Kronk in shock.
    The little
guy looked over at Aeris shaking with anger and then winked at the
wizard surreptitiously.
    Simon
raised a hand to his mouth to hide his grin and tried to sound like
he was seriously considering the suggestion.
    “ Well,
I suppose you could,” he said to Kronk slowly, trying to look
thoughtful. “If the garden isn't really in bad shape, then...”
    “ Now
wait just a minute here!” Aeris interrupted. “Have you
lost your mind?”
    “ Probably.
Several times. Why?”
    “ Are
you actually thinking about sending this rock head out into the
wilderness to look for the horses? He'll be lost once he gets out of
sight of the tower!”
    “ Oh,
I think Kronk's much more reliable than that. Aren't you?”
    “ Of
course I am, master. Aeris is just worried that I'll replace him as
your go-to scout, that's all.”
    “ What!”
    Simon had
never heard the air elemental hit that high a note before and