Dragons of the Clockwork City

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>Dani isn't the heroine of her own story. Her body is too weak to stand her ground or land a punch. Instead she weaves tales at the tavern hoping some kind soul will toss a coin her way. Until her abusive father sells her to the enigmatic Lady Alabaster.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>Soon she becomes entangled in a web of mysteries at the neglected estate where she must teach another lowly the art of storytelling aid a starving dragon and prepare for the dragonrider tests.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>Becoming a rider could be her chance to become the main character. She could shape an entire generation of dragons with her stories and change Londinium forever. Her stories have power.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>But not everyone will share power. The Geared City will riot.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>Are you brave or stupid?</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>The rider waved toward my crutches. Looks like you really need those. You're not faking. But you still came to test to join my dagonriders. So either you're brave enough to overcome or you're stupid. Which is it?</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)> Probably stupid I said quietly.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>She nodded. But honest. Good. Come here. She brought me into a recess. There was a little nest of straw there and inside was a tiny dragon not even the size of a rat.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)> She's so small!</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)> Dragons need stories to grow. So tell one. Let her eat.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)> I felt a grin sprout on my face. I can do that. I paused a moment. What kind of story would a dragon like? Hello little dragon. I'm Dani. I-</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)> All right. Out. We ain't got time for this.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)> Wait! Let me try. I looked into the dragon's eyes. I've got a story for you.</span></p>