Two Renegade Realms (Realm Walkers Book 2) by Donita K. Paul Page A

falling forward. After a few whacks to their heads, they soon became adept at spotting low-hanging outcrops. Constantly looking down and up made Cantor’s neck hurt.
    Neekoh was short enough to charge through.
    “Neekoh,” Cantor called down the tunnel. “Slow down.”
    In a moment, their guide was back, facing them with a contrite expression. “I am so, so sorry. I’m excited. We’re going into the valley. We’ll see Chomountain. Everything will be different from this day forward.”
    “Don’t leave us behind, or it’ll be just you going into the valley.”
    Neekoh bobbed his head in eager agreement. Before they actually got to the last tunnel and the archway that led outside the mountain, the poor man had to return many times. He just couldn’t keep his feet moving at a sedate pace.
    Bridger stopped when they could see the light from outside. “Check on Bixby and Dukmee, Cantor. I thought I felt them twitching.”
    Cantor doubled back and squeezed between the dragon’s side and the rocks. “Bixby looks the same.”
    He pushed into the slim space on the other side. “Dukmee has shifted, but he’s still asleep.”
    Bridger grumbled and ambled forward. “Neekoh is coming back. I bet that little man has traveled twice as far as we have with all his backtracking.”
    “Probably.” The passage widened, and Cantor could walk beside the dragon. He placed a hand on the beast’s shoulder. “We are nearly at the end of this part of the journey. We’ll find Chomountain. He can wake Bixby and Dukmee. We’ll help him out of his trap, get his advice, and move on to the defense against the Lymen.”
    “Sounds like a good plan.” Bridger made a moue with his scaley dragon lips. “Nothing is likely to go wrong with such an unassuming agenda. No likelihood in that outline of events for mishaps, mischief, misfortune, and miscellaneous mayhem.”
    Cantor turned to give Bridger a disapproving stare. “Mmm? Are you quite finished with your sarcasm? It doesn’t suit you, you know?”
    “So you’ve said before. Yes, I am finished.”
    Neekoh stopped in his return trip and waited for them, his form bouncing and fidgeting in silhouette against the lightfrom the cave entrance. Cantor couldn’t see his expression, but he could imagine his silly grin.
    “I wonder what Neekoh will do now that he no longer has to guard the entrance to the valley.”
    Bridger exhaled a puff of smoke. “He’d be free to go to his village. All the Neekohs from here on out will live ordinary lives.” Again Bridger puffed smoke. “I wonder if they know how to do anything practical to support themselves.”
    Cantor batted a wispy cloud from in front of his face. “Why are you smoking?”
    “I don’t know.” Bridger cleared his throat and touched his neck with his hand. “It feels a bit ticklish.”
    “I hope you aren’t coming down with something. This mountain is bad for one’s health. First, Bixby and Dukmee succumb to some sleeping sickness, and now you’re catching cold.”
    Bridger dragged his feet, slowing down the pace. “I suppose Chomountain will be able to cure a sore throat.”
    “Let’s hope so.” Cantor scratched the dragon under his jaw in a place that Bridger always found comforting.
    They came up to Neekoh, who rubbed his hands together as if unable to contain his excited energy. “I can’t get through the archway without you. I tried, but it held me back.”
    Cantor scratched his head. “Are you sure that our being with you will allow you to enter?”
    “Of course! You broke the ward. You’ll be able to go through, and I’ll just go with you.”
    For a fleeting moment, doubt assailed Cantor’s peace of mind. Suppose they couldn’t get through. Suppose Chomountain wasn’t even in the valley. Suppose if he were in the valley, he chose not to help them.
    He quickened his stride. When they got to the entrance, he strode straight through onto a large stone shelf jutting from the mouth of the cave. Stopping at