Teal's Bargain by Roy Day

I haven't read many books with dragons in the narrative. Perhaps, this is why I almost liked the dragon in Teal's Bargain. Teal didn't seem to really want to get away from her captor. I think she began to enjoy bargaining with the hot breathed creature. I think Teal liked that challenge as much as she liked playing her flute. Yes, Teal is a Bard. She is captured by the dragon. She almost becomes a human sacrifice in her community. Brought to his lair she finds herself bargaining to save four men with too much pride and also bargaining for a good amount of free days away from the dragon and his fiery breath.

"I ask that you not kill them, or damage them in any way. In return, I will play, or tell a tale for you, for four days. One day for each of their lives."

 I have to admit to wondering what it might feel like to ride a dragon and hold on to his scale. I also would have liked to have seen a picture of  Teal's bracelet which really was a leash. With all lightness aside, Teal is a prisoner. I felt an ambivalence on the side of Royce Day.  It seemed he was undecided whether to make this creature dreadful or not too dreadful.

"In a strange sort of way he was a shy creature, never venturing out into the light in all the years she had been his prisoner."

I also liked Teal's spunk. "I am a prisoner. But I am not an amusement. I am not a toy. I am not a slave. My body can not leave this place, but my mind is free. She couldn't play her lute. The notes would waft down the tunnel..."  Pictorial illustrations would make this novella even more exciting. Without the illustrations I had my amazing imagination.Looking forward to meeting my next dragon. Hope the next dragon falls in love with the visitor to his lair.