Dragons wind their 'tails' throughout the 'tales' in this book of short stories. From the balmy Mediterranean to cold British Isles, from imperial Chinese palaces to mammoth Aztec temples, splendid winged creatures interact with sailors, astrologers, priests, merchants, and laundrymen, in vivid settings packed with exciting action and laced with humour. It is a blend of 'historical fantasy' and new mythology that dracophiles will read over and over. An exotic treasure attracts both pirates and privateers in "Celestial Wisdom". "Atlantis" and "Quetzalcoatl" provide new looks at old legends; in "The Garden", two young people learn of life, love, and loyalty. Behind "The Wall", the Emperor's dragons frolic amid court intrigue, while "Plague" becomes the least of a village cobbler's woes. "The Place Between" descends into a dark realm of enchantment, and an old woman recalls the summer that changed her life forever in "Irinova Remembers". Immigrants harbor an odd pet in "Beautiful Origin", and fishermen look for "Nessie" but come home empty-handed. The post-Harry-Potter teen crowd will enjoy this book, as will adult fantasy readers and, of course, dragon aficionados of all ages.