The Prophecy
Born to be Strong, Raised to be Free
Fighting Dragons in his Youth
Leading Armies, Nothing Loth
Ridding his Country of a Sore
Joining Two, then uniting Four
Until from Seven there be One
Only then will his Task be Done
When Kelvin was a child, his mother read to him from the Book of Prophecy and he asked what the poem meant. Now he was about to learn.
The Kingdom of Rud languishes under the heel of a usurper; an evil sorcerer has taken the throne in the name of his wicked daughter. Even deep in the forest, away from all power, the people tremble and await the day of prophecy's fulfillment. It cannot come too soon: Charlain and her children are soon to lose their home to the tax collector.
But Kelvin and Jon have other plans. they have found a dragon's territory, where scales of purest gold, shed by the dragon, lie free on the ground for anyone with courage, or innocence, to take.
And the words of Mouvar the prophet echo across Rud.
Piers Anthony is one of the world's most prolific and popular authors. His fantasy Xanth novels have been read and loved by millions of readers around the world, and have been on the New York Times Best Seller list twenty-one times. Although Piers is mostly known for fantasy and science fiction, he has written several novels in other genres as well, including historical fiction, martial arts, and horror. Piers lives with his wife in a secluded woods hidden deep in Central Florida.
Robert Adams (1932-1990) is best known as the creator of one series, The Horseclans. Heavy on the action, these tales are set in the 26th Century of immortal mutant warriors in a balkanized North America The history of the brave horse-riders grew from the first tale of Milo Morai (written by Adams while in hospital) into a vast saga. Some novels feature big cats instead of horses. Adams also edited several anthologies of note, Magic in Ithkar with Andre Norton and Barbarians with his wife, Pamela Crippen Adams, and Martin Greenberg.
Spiced by some genuinely frightening moments. A persuasive performance...that should swell the ranks of Anthony's already huge audience.
Kirkus ReviewsAnthony and Margroff mix fantasy and science much as Mark Twain did in A Connecticut Yankee. Action, character development, and romance blend nicely in this captivating tale.
Kliatt Paperback Book GuideGood quest fantasy...one of the better examples of its type.
Science Fiction ChronicleThis pleasant...fantasy adventure possesses the added irony and realism one expects from Anthony.
Publishers Weekly"Dragon's Gold" is a great introduction to the world of fantasy for any young reader as well as any seasoned lover of the genre. Full of action, magic, dragons, and more than a touch of humor, it's sure to pull you in from the first words and refuse to let you go until the very end. With a well thought out plot, engaging characters, and something lurking around every corner, you'll never get bored in the land of Rud!
Cholla of Aurora: The Long and the Short of It -- 4 suns"Kel, I see...I think I see the dragon!"
"What!"
"The dragon. I think it’s dead. It’s dead, Kel! It got licked in the fight. All those scales! We’re rich, Kel! Come on up, and...oh-oh."
"What is it, Jon?" His heart thumped. His throat dried instantly.
"Oh, Kel, it’s alive, but I think it’s almost dead. I think we can kill it and—"
"Jon, come away from there!" If the dragon was alive, but badly injured, they might be able to escape.
"A fortune, Kel! A fortune! Kel, I’m going to sling a rock at it."
Total folly! "No, Jon, no!" Kelvin croaked, his throat so tight with fear he could hardly speak.
But the intrepid little sister was already twirling her sling. With the skill of long practice and a natural knack she let fly and followed through with her usual "Got him!"
Kelvin couldn’t speak; his horror had closed off his throat entirely. He held his breath as Jon stared down the opposite side of the pile. What was she seeing there, anyway?
"It sees me, Kel," her voice came back, rising with sudden alarm. "It’s awake. It—Kel, it’s coming for me!"