The hoofbeats neared, and the voices clarified. He distinguished words, a chant:

Explored the Plain's edge east and north,

Sought scarlet dragons' Smoking Hills Beyond bare Saltlands' bitter rills. Four scouts fared forth, fast shoulder-friends, Climbed clouded cliffs where world ends, And, ragged ranks reduced to three, Were warned of wyvern treachery By Melintelinas, lithe queen Of dragons languid, long, and lean. One scout sped south, strove to return, Lest Halla, herd, and homeland burn. His fellows fallen, stranded here, Have heard no word four hundred year. Their daughters' sons bide, yearning yet For news of Halla's offspring's get That wyrms lie vanquished, Hallows freed By valiant victors' distant deed. Come outlander with tidings and His name shall be the Firebrand. More swart than midnight swept of stars, The moon athwart his brow bescars. One heel whicked white by wyvern stings, His flame the final firefall brings. We dragons' denmates must remain Till Firebrand fetch us home again...

Now fare we forth, far Hallows bound,

When time betides, a way be found. Afar, ancestrial comerades call. We answer ambly, ardent all.

So soon the Scouts of Halla, we Fare forth to fill our destiny: On hardy wyrms to hone our horns, Unite in arms with unicorns Who march the Mare's Back; thus we must Endure the deadly Saltland dust As firedrake allies ope the way, Behold our Firebrand's battle day...

The Firebringer Triology, M.A.Pierce