Dragon Fire — Gilbert B. Cross

Dragon Fire takes the reader back to the end of days when the Elvin King, Ereborn, is dying from a poisoned spear thrust. The Age of Men has begun, but the Elvin folk cannot pass on to the Land in the West unless their king, Ereborn, leads them. His only chance of recovery is a magical cauldron, which cures all wounds but has not been seen in many years. Frantic searches have proved fruitless. The great White Wizard, Zugjans, has found an ancient prophecy stating only a mortal youth can guide him to the cauldron's hiding place. He sends the unicorn, Marshaum, to seek Bryan, son of Sîon. Zugjans' interpretation of rare parchment scrolls leads him to believe the cauldron lies in the hoard of the fearful dragon Huzdraka. A company of elves has been gathered together by the wizard but, although they have special skills, it cannot be said that they are the most friendly of comrades -- an angry elf who claims he isn't a dwarf, a bossy princess who feels she could kill the dragon without the help of any mortal, and an apprentice wizard who never seems likely to earn his cloak. However, Sigwaurd, a warrior poet, acts as leader in the early search. Less useful than any of the travelers is a late arrival, Sir Hector Crapaud. He claims to be a very great knight in his country, wherever it is, but the only real question about him is whether his cowardice is equal to his stupidity. Yet, despite everything, these dysfunctional companions begin to pull together, and great acts of courage and sacrifice take place. But other eyes are on Bryan. If he can search for a pagan cauldron, then he can help the irascible Sir Bors de Ganis find the most hallowed of Christian relics, the Holy Grail -- whether he wants to or not is irrelevant . . .