The Dragons of Apenninus

Fourteen-year-old Icabus used to dream about dragons. That was before the nightmares about the man in the well began - before the red ships came. Now, Icabus’ island village is under siege by the Authian King, Furius, and Icabus must abandon everything he knows to the answer the hundred-year-old mystery of what happened to the dragons of Apenninus. But time is against Icabus, and he must act quickly before everyone he loves are transformed into monsters to serve the mad king. 

Armed with only his father's sword and an ancient dragon pendant, Dagan, the son of the King, flees into the Highlands, where the dragon, Aurifer, rescues him. But Dagan's relief is quickly shattered when he accidentally injures one of the dragon younglings, Corylus. Faced with the loss of his kingdom and the shame of his act, Dagan vows to heal Corylus and quests for the healing spring of Apenninius. But standing between Dagan and the spring is the 12 kingdoms ruled by the ruthless Praetor Marius.