Book excerpt: Marta couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, beat up her pillow, changed positions a million times, covered up and uncovered, but sleep was not to be. She kept imagining the type of cruel people that would hunt a dragon, let alone a she dragon. How would they get that close to her without her knowledge? Was a friend or someone sent to collect the eggs before the hatching? All these thoughts kept circling in Marta's thoughts. When she did finally dose off, her dreams were filled with terrible screams and vicious battle cries. And blood, the sacred blood of the dragon mixed with the tainted blood of the criminals, except this blood was Namahline's. Waking with a start and barely stopping a scream herself, Marta slipped from her room out to the crutch. As she entered Nama lifted her head gazing on Marta with sleepy eyes. What brings you here in the middle of night, Marta? I am troubled with dreams when I do sleep and sleeplessness when I can't. Would you care to sit with me awhile, then? Yes, Namahline, you are a great friend. Marta stepped into Nama's stall and curled into her side. Nama exuded a calming mind chant and soon Marta was sleeping quite peacefully.