A Dragon's Bond

by Johnson, S. B.

  In the time it had taken the three and their dragons to travel on the train to Seaport, the imp and the twelve minotaurs tracking them had made their way to Demetrius' house. They had traveled nonstop until they reached the house.

  Luckily they had found it to be empty. Demetrius sensing the trouble had sent all of the servants away and had left himself. The house was ransacked and torn apart. The minotaurs turned up all the furniture and brought down a few walls. One wouldn't have thought it had just been recently lived in, the way the minotaurs left it. The imp stood furious. Knowing they had just been there. "Burn it down!" He yelled. The minotaurs worked quickly and the house was engulfed in a blaze of fire. The smoke rose high above the trees as piece by piece it began to burn away and fall apart. The group of minotaurs and the imp were hot on the trail once again, fallowing the road up to the train station.

  "Now lets discuss that book you seem to need so badly." Lord Eldenwood paced the room puffing on an old pipe filled with vanilla Cavendish. "You do know that a lot of what my father wrote about was superstition in my opinion. He did write a lot about his travels in one of his books. It's more of a journal really. There is a whole section on the Ancient One as they call it. My father was a very strange man and did lose his mind a few years before he passed. I never knew what stories of his to believe. But he was always adamant about this one."

  "Is it very detailed?" Chloe asked.

  Lord Eldenwood smiled softly and took a puff from his pipe. "Let me get it for you and you can see for yourself. You are more than welcome to borrow it. I just ask that you return it when you're done with it." He walked over to a large book shelf and immediately grabbed for one of the books. He dusted it off as he picked it up and set it down on the small table in front of the Chloe. Derrick and Davin leaned in to look as well. Chloe started slowly turning the pages until she got to the section they needed. "The Ancient One", was written in large print on an otherwise blank page. The three studied the book for about thirty minutes.

  "Do you mind if we stay here tonight? We will leave early tomorrow morning. We don't mean to be a bother." Davin said as he stood up from the table.

  Lord Eldenwood had continued to smoke his pipe and was reading from another book he had picked up. "Oh, don't you worry about it. Demetrius is a very dear friend of mine. I am most honored to be able to do him a favor. You may make yourself at home. My room is at the end of the hall upstairs. That is the only place I ask that you not enter. As for the rest of the house, feel as though it is yours."

  To the kids surprise, Lord Eldenwood didn't ask any questions of what had happened or even why they wanted his father's journal. He seemed to be somewhat of a quiet and reserved person. He was very much willing to answer any question they had asked as they perused the journal. Other than that, he seemed to just sit quietly reading and going on about his business as though they were not even there. He was quite intelligent and very well spoken. He seemed to have an answer for all of their questions. Speaking as though he had rehearsed the answer a thousand times.

  The rest of the day The kids continued their research. They just had a feeling the journal would tell them where to find the Ancient One. There were many references to different land marks throughout the journal. It was like a map. They had borrowed one of the many atlases that were amongst the books and were carefully cross referencing everything. Finally they came to a conclusion. They had located the position of the cave, where Lord Eldenwood's father said he saw the Ancient dragon. The last part was a riddle. It simply read, "In the cave beneath the sea but not.". The final location was not exact. But based on what he had written and looking at the maps and land marks, it was off of a beach on the far eastern end of the Forgotten Forest. Passing through it would be a task of it's own.

  The three rose early that morning. The train they were going to have to catch was not until two o'clock. They were going into town to get supplies for the travel.

  Davin walked over to Lord Eldenwood, who was already sitting in his chair in the study sipping on a cup of coffee. "Thank you for your help sir."

  "Again boy, no thanks is necessary. It has been my pleasure. I much enjoyed hearing you three talking about my father's work. It was almost as though he was here among us once again."

  "Time to get going Davin." Chloe came running across the room. "We have a bunch of things we need before we go." She turned towards Lord Eldenwood. "We appreciate your hospitality."

  "Again, My pleasure."

  Derrick came running down from up stairs. "Let's go, let's go." Calling as he hurried to the door. Derrick was in such a hurry to get into the city he didn't even give a proper thank you or farewell.

  Davin and Chloe gathered the books up that Eldenwood had lent them and followed Derrick to the front where the dragons were waiting. Lord Eldenwood didn't get up from his seat. He just kept on reading and sipping away at his coffee.

  The three headed down the street back towards the center of town and the dragons followed along.

  "Well I think we should get some packs and some spare clothes, along with a few other things." Chloe elbowed Derrick in the side. "How much did your Dad give you anyway?" She smiled.

  "He gave me quite a bit actually. We should be able to get all of the things that we need. There is a bag shop up here on the corner."Derrick pointed down the road a couple of blocks ahead.

  They each got a backpack at the bag shop and Derrick led them off one of the side streets to a small clothing store. They each found a couple changes of clothes and a coat to wear during the night.

  After getting the required supplies they stopped at a cafe in the square a couple of blocks from the train station. They each ordered something to eat, planning on relaxing a while before having to board the train.

  The streets suddenly became strangely quiet. It was as though the movement of the town had come to a halt. Faint screams began to fill the air from a couple of streets over. Halo, Calypso and Tesla stood on edge and began to snarl and hiss.

  The side of the small shop on the corner suddenly burst into pieces, as three minotaur plowed through the wooden building and stopped in the middle of the street.

  "Let's go, let's go!" Davin shouted jumping up from the table.

  The three ran over and stood next to their dragons, urging them to flee. The dragons wouldn't budge. Halo stood and let out an enormous roar. Sending a stream of hot fire towards the minotaur.

  "Get them Davin!" Chloe yelled as she began building a ball of energy.

  Davin stepped in beside Halo and began throwing alternating balls of fire and electric energy. The first minotaur fell to the ground and Tesla let out a large stream of electrical current frying it where it fell.

  The second minotaur charged towards Davin. Chloe let the burst of energy go, hurling it towards the charging beast. It crashed into it's side and sent it tumbling. Halo took charge and rushed in to attack the minotaur standing furthest away. It began to scrape it's hoof against the ground, as to accept Halo's challenge. It turned down it's head and barreled towards Halo. The two crashed together and Halo grabbed the minotaur and flung it to the ground, immediately smothering it in flames.

  Davin had turned his attention towards the minotaur Chloe had hammered. He approached the beast as it staggered to it's feet. He clenched his fists and his hands burst into flames. He pushed his hands outward towards the minotaur and sent a stream of fire towards it. It screamed in agony as it's body burst into flames.

  "Come on, let's get out of here!" Derrick cried. "We need to go now before more of those things come."

  "Right. Let's get a move on!" Chloe said while nodding her head quickly.

  They rushed up the street towards the train station. They were about a block away when four more minotaurs turned the corner after them. Davin turned as they ran and let out a few bursts of energy in front of the minotaurs. The front runner stumbled as one of the bursts hit it's feet. The one immediately behind, smashed into the stumbling minotaur and they both became e
ntangled on the ground as they rolled along the street.

  Calypso turned and lunged towards one of the minotaur. He grabbed on to it's shoulders and ripped off it's head. He leaped from the body as it fell to the ground.

  Chloe turned and threw a ball of energy hitting the side of one of the buildings. The balcony above came crashing down on top of the minotaur still chasing them. It was now buried in a mass of stone from the building.

  The two that had been previously tripped up were now in pursuit again. Halo and Tesla stopped and turned to meet the two minotaur head on. Halo let out a stream of fire and Tesla a bolt of energy and mowed them down.

  They continued running and rounded the corner towards the train station. "We're almost there!" Davin yelled. They were just about to approach the train station.

  They stopped suddenly when they saw what was waiting for them as the turned the corner. In front of them stood five more minotaur. But of the five, three had been bonders and their green dragons stood fiercely behind them. Lastly was the devilish imp that had tortured Davin. Davin's heart began to race at the anticipation of possible revenge for what had been done.

  The three green dragons took first charge. Halo, Calypso and Tesla intercepted their attack and the six dragons began a bloody brawl. That left the five minotaur and the imp to face Davin Chloe and Derrick.

  Derrick wasn't much in the way of a strong attacker but he had his advantages. He had become quite apt at shadowing himself, so well that he almost appeared to teleport several feet away. This trick became an irritating distraction for two of the minotaur. Davin made quick work of one as he engulfed it in flames. The imp only sneered at Davin and wasn't putting forth any effort in the fight. Chloe shot small bursts of energy at one of the other minotaurs, which was just enough to keep him off of her. Davin turned to aid Chloe when out of nowhere, one of the minotaur clubbed Davin in the side, sending him tumbling to the ground. Seeing Davin attacked, Halo snarled and roared. She grabbed the green dragon she had been fighting and in a rage bit at its neck ripping it open with her teeth. She took to the air and flew quickly towards Davin. She grabbed the minotaur and lifted him high into the air and ripped off his head, letting it and the body fall to the ground. The dragon fighting Calypso fell dead as the minotaur died, it's life ending with it's bonder. This left Calypso free to join Tesla. They made quick work of the last green dragon together.

  Davin got back to his feet and began with a barrage of fireballs at the minotaur attacking Chloe. Davin let out one final burst of flame and the minotaur fell to it's knees.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Davin saw the imp slide in behind Chloe. He had pulled out a dagger as he approached. Davin watched as if in slow motion, as he ran the dagger into Chloe's rib cage. In a fury, Davin threw a ball of fire towards the imp, striking him in the left eye. The imp screamed in pain and quickly ran off down the street taking to the air after getting some space between them. The two remaining minotaur turned their attention from Derrick and quickly followed the imp.

  Davin ran to Chloe as she fell to the ground holding her side. He slid down to his knees next to her and picked her up into his arms, using one of his hands to press firmly onto her wound. "I can't stop the bleeding!" he cried to Derrick who was rushing over. "Please Chloe, please." He wept as he held her. Chloe was gasping for breath and was coughing up blood. Her eyes rolled back into her head and her eyelids were fluttering as she began to go into shock.

  "Help! Somebody help us!" Derrick yelled. "She needs help!"

  Davin closed his eyes, still pressing firmly on Chloe's wound. Tesla laid down on the ground next to Chloe, his breathing became heavy and labored with hers.

  Davin and Derrick both continued to yell for help as people slowly began to emerge from the closed up buildings.

  Davin looked back down to Chloe. "You just can't... You can't leave me Chloe."

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  THE INCIDENT IN SEAPORT CONTINUED

  Davin was still holding on to Chloe tightly. He had one hand pressed against her side where she had been stabbed. Chloe's eyes were still fluttering and appeared as though she was going to become unconscious at any moment. A circle of people had gathered around them, none helping and only staring at the dying girl.

  Finally somebody from the crowd shouted out. "Look at his hand!"

  Davin looked down at his hand which had begun to glow a pale blue. The hole in Chloe's side was slowly closing. The blood had stopped flowing and Chloe let out a gasp as though her lungs had been waiting to take in a long needed breath. The fluttering of her eyes had slowed down and then came to a stop. She gave Davin a quick smile and fell to sleep. Her wound had completely healed and she was breathing steadily again. Tesla also seemed to have gotten back to normal.

  A small elderly woman stepped through the crowd of people. "Quickly, bring the girl and follow me."

  She waited for Derrick and Davin to pick up Chloe and began pushing her way back through the crowd. The three dragons followed quickly and the people all scattered again, to get out of the way of the dragons.

  The small lady hurried down the road and darted down a small alley back behind one of the shops. Davin and Derrick followed as quickly as they could. The lady stopped just around the corner in front a a door leading into the back of one of the buildings on the main street. As she opened the door she motioned for the kids to enter. She shut the door behind them and left the dragons to sit outside.

  "Over here boys." She pointed to a small sofa in the middle of the room. "Set her down here. I'll get some water." The lady rushed over across the room to the small kitchen, grabbed a bowl and filled it with cool water. She took a small rag from one of the drawers and draped it on the side of the bowl.

  She shewed the boys out of her way so that she could examine Chloe. "Her wound is completely healed. Other than being a bonder, are you some kind of freak?" She looked at Davin.

  "No Miss. I am not quite sure what happened. It's never happened before. One minute she appeared to be bleeding to death and struggling for life, and the next she seemed to be peacefully sleeping after a long day." Davin stood still with a confused look on his face.

  "Well it seems by some grace, you managed to heal her and save her life. She's asleep now but she appears as though she is going to be just fine when she wakes. Why are your eyes glowing blue by the way? Aren't bonder's eyes supposed to be green like your friend there?" Pointing to Derrick. The old lady looked at Davin awaiting an answer. "No bother, none of my business anyhow. I'm betting you should be moving along as soon as your friend there wakes up. You can stay and keep me company until then, while I have a cup of tea.

  Derrick and Davin sat and listened to that old lady talk for at least two hours. They still didn't even know her name. She had told them just about everything else they could know about her and some things they wished she hadn't. Finally Derrick broke in.

  "I'm sorry. But we don't even know who you are. My name is Derrick, this is Davin and our friend on the sofa is Chloe."

  The old lady paused for a moment. "How rude of me. I didn't even properly introduce myself. My name is Marie. I have a cute little flower shop just in front of the apartment here. It's on the main street side. Those creatures just looked so awful, and to be after a couple of nice looking kids. I feared for your poor lives when I saw the commotion."

  "We really do appreciate your help Marie." Davin was still in half thought about what had happened to Chloe and what he had done.

  "Where are we?" They heard Chloe ask from the other room. She came walking in still looking half asleep. She pulled a seat out and sat down, right next to Davin and leaned into him slightly.

  "This is Marie. She was kind enough to let us stay here while you rested. Are you feeling OK?"

  "I feel fine now. What happened exactly?"

  Derrick cut Davin off as he began to talk. "It was amazing Chloe. For a moment we thought you were a goner, and the next thing we knew, Davin healed you. I watched the hole from the
knife close up right before my eyes. You were so close to death that even Tesla had fallen weak."

  "Davin healed me? I thought that was a dream. All I remember is Davin holding me. Then I saw this bright blue light and everything went black." She turned to Davin and kissed him on the cheek and squeezed him in a tight hug. "Guess you're my hero today huh? So, you can heal too? That must be Halo's special gift."

  Marie stood from the table. "Well, you all probably need to get a move on. Surely those things are going to be coming back after you again. And quite honestly, I don't want you around here when they do. Not to be rude or anything, but I saw what they did out there in the streets. I really do hope you all the best. I would be more than happy to send some food along with you though. I have a couple of fresh loaves of bread you can take."

  "Really Marie, it's not necessary. And we do understand."

  She turned to Davin and pushed the loaves of bread into his hands. "Now don't you tell me no. I wish I could do more but I can't. So, please take it." Her eyes had teared up from the fear she felt for Davin and the others.

  Davin nodded his head to her and stuck the bread into one of the bags. "You are right though Marie. We should be going, and they probably will come looking for us. Act as though you hadn't seen us and should they find out you did, tell them we forced you to help."

  "There is a train that is headed out of town in just about fifteen minutes. It's headed North through the pass to Summit Ridge."

  "That's perfect." Chloe said. "We need to go North anyway."

  They all got up and began to head towards the door. They stopped only briefly to thank Marie again and then they were on their way. Chloe seemed to be completely back to herself and they all hurried along to the train station once again. Things seem to have had fallen back in order. There were different shop owners cleaning up in their buildings; they frowned at the kids as they ran past towards the station. The one corner store that the minotaurs ran through, had almost completely fallen down.