Dragon Charmers: #1 Mountains of Fire

by Linda McNabb

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - THE GOLDEN PALACE

  Branches hit Logan’s head, arms and legs as the blue crashed through the branches of the trees that clung to the cliff face. Luckily the riding straps were still in place or all three of them would have been knocked off before they had gone more than a few hundred feet.

  ‘Do you have to make so much noise and disturb the trees? They’ll be sure to notice us,’ Myles asked after he was hit on the head for the tenth time.

  You said you were in a hurry, the blue replied, but stopped and hovered behind a large tree that leaned out at a precarious angle. It was heavy with snow and most of it fell off as the blue perched on the trunk. Look, they’re all busy. They aren’t looking up here.

  Logan looked down to the village below and saw that the dragon was right. The villagers and their dragon masters were still in the park taking part in a celebration that could be heard halfway up the cliff. The people looked like tiny dolls from up here, but the dragons still looked big and scary.

  ‘The old dragon is still circling,’ Alyxa said, pointing. Sure enough Longtooth was still doing laps of the park and the crowd was cheering him on.

  ‘We might be able to beat them up there if we hurry,’ Myles suggested.

  You want to hurry? the blue asked, then added dryly. Then put up with the branches.

  Nobody argued as the blue leapt vertically again, but it did seem to try to avoid as many trees as it could. Looking down made Logan feel ill as the people got smaller, so he looked up instead. Between the branches he caught glimpses of snow-covered houses and a larger building that glinted in the sun.

  The blue stopped again a short distance from the top of the cliff. They could see right across the city now and right down to the valley below. Way down in the distance a red spot was growing slowly larger.

  ‘Which way now?’ Logan asked, scanning the city and looking for Silverhorn even though he knew he would never spot the colour-changing dragon.

  ‘There don’t seem to be many dragons up in the city,’ Alyxa commented. ‘Certainly not as many as down in the village. They’re all red too, just like the ones below. I haven’t seen a single blue or green, or even a yellow.’

  Logan could see only a handful of red dragons and they were all near the larger building at the back of the city. It was built right onto the face of a huge mountain. It had to be a palace. It glittered golden in the sunlight and there wasn’t a speck of snow clinging to any of the walls. The roof was flat and another smaller building seemed to have been built on top of it.

  If I were a red dragon, I’d be heading for that golden place. All dragons love gold, the blue told them.

  ‘Then I say we head for it. It looks like where the king would live. Perhaps we can get his help. I’m sure he wouldn’t refuse the request of a neighbouring royal,’ Myles said with a tone that said he had made his mind up.

  ‘I agree,’ Logan said, before Alyxa could tell the prince off for being bossy. ‘Although I don’t imagine the king will listen to us. He’s bound to be under the dragons’ charm as well.’

  The blue took off again and skirted around the edges of the city, stopping frequently to avoid the city folk going about their daily business. One young boy spotted them and yelled to his mother as the blue ducked behind a wall.

  ‘I saw a dragon!’

  ‘So? We see them every day,’ his mother replied in a bored tone as she continued sweeping snow from her path.

  ‘This one was blue,’ the boy argued. ‘And there were three people on its back.’

  ‘Blue? Mick, you stop those lies of yours. There’s no blue dragons in the city any longer,’ his mother scolded and sent her son into the house.

  They went more carefully after that, and by the time they neared the golden palace Logan was sure the red dragon must have reached the city by now.

  ‘We should land around here,’ Alyxa suggested as they flew low through a small forest that bordered the palace on one side. ‘There are red dragons in the front and we can’t go around the back as it backs onto the mountain. Perhaps we can hide and ambush the dragon when it lands.’

  Logan didn’t argue with the plan, even though he knew it had no hope of working. They were going to have to think of a real plan soon though. He looked back across the city and saw Longtooth appear on the horizon. The blue reached the edge of the forest and landed. The forest looked out onto a lavish garden which led up to the palace.

  Logan! a voice rumbled quietly from just behind them.

  Logan almost fell off the blue’s back as he twisted suddenly and saw Silverhorn. The white dragon, shimmering from the green of the forest floor to his normal silvery-white colour, beckoned them over. All three slid to the ground and walked over to join the white dragon.

  ‘Where is Zared?’ Logan asked, looking around for the wizard.

  He will be back soon, Silverhorn replied. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the three companions. Where is the young prince?

  ‘We couldn’t get to him,’ Alyxa replied with a sigh.

  ‘He’s on his way up here on the back of a really old red dragon,’ Myles added.

  Silverhorn looked downcast at the news and tapped a claw on a rock, deep in thought. I’m sure you did everything possible. We’ll just have to go to the ceremony and grab him there.

  ‘He didn’t want to come with us,’ Alyxa told Silverhorn.

  He’s under their charm already, the white dragon muttered. It is getting stronger each year.

  ‘The red dragons aren’t really that bad are they?’ Myles asked with a frown. ‘They weren’t hurting the villagers and they seemed nice enough. Perhaps we’re wrong about them?’

  ‘Are you mad!’ Alyxa hissed. ‘They want to turn the entire world into a steamy volcano and flood the valleys with boiling lakes. I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan on letting them do that. We’re getting your brother and leaving as soon as we can.’

  Silverhorn stared hard at the prince for a few seconds and shook his huge white head in despair. The charm is affecting you all now. Even I would succumb to it if I stayed more than a day.

  Logan looked out through the trees and saw a red dragon perched on the edge of the roof of the palace. He had to admit that he didn’t see them as the vicious creatures he had thought when they arrived. In fact he felt like going out there and seeing if he could talk to it. He started walking towards it, sure it wouldn’t harm him.

  ‘Logan, snap out of it!’ Alyxa grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

  ‘Sorry,’ Logan muttered as he reminded himself exactly why they were here.

  We don’t have much time, Silverhorn said, still tapping his claw irritatingly on the rock. Or we’ll all want to stay.

  Zared came hurrying across the manicured lawn and into the forest. ‘I couldn’t find the king’s sword of peace. It must be up in your old lair. We need to get on the roof then back to the village—’

  He stopped when he saw Logan and the others and took in the situation in an instant.

  ‘A red dragon is bringing Erik up here,’ Alyxa told the wizard. Logan and Myles had returned to staring out at the red dragon on the roof again, and Alyxa pinched them both on the arm. ‘These two seem to be losing the plot.’

  ‘I know what they are feeling. It is affecting me faster than I had thought it would. Even though I still have my crystal to absorb the charm,’ Zared said with a sad look. He drew out the necklace with the pale purple crystal and let it drop against his tunic. ‘It doesn’t work as well as it did many years ago when the queen made it.’

  It’s not affecting the girl at all, Silverhorn said, still tapping the rock.

  ‘She didn’t see the fake mountain either,’ Logan added, realising that the white dragon was using the tapping to distract itself from the effects of the charm. The air seemed to throb all around them and feelings of happiness washed over him. He picked up several small stones and started to juggle them. Focusing on the stones seemed to help and after a few seconds he stopped and slip
ped them into his pocket in case he needed them again.

  ‘Maybe it’s because she’s a girl,’ Myles suggested.

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Zared replied.

  ‘Was the queen a wizard?’ Logan asked, looking at the crystal necklace the wizard wore.

  ‘Yes, all queens are, but female wizards are called Enchantresses and their magic is even stronger than a male’s,’ Zared replied. ’They escaped the city with Silverhorn’s help before the charm took hold completely. I have not seen my daughter, Rhia, since.’

  Zared tucked the necklace away and Logan frowned as several things tried to click together in his mind, but he couldn’t quite work out what they were. He took the stones out of his pocket and juggled them in an effort to concentrate harder.

  ‘So my mother was an Enchantress as well?’ Logan asked, trying to sort out his thoughts. ‘But my father wasn’t a wizard. What were their names?’

  Zared looked a little startled at such a direct question, and he stared at Logan in silence as if searching for an answer

  A shrill cry pierced the silence and Longtooth’s shadow passed over them. They looked at one another; nobody spoke for a few seconds. Logan tried desperately to think of a plan to save the prince, but even Alyxa’s idea of ambushing Longtooth seemed a good one right now.

  ‘It will be a couple of minutes before they let the old dragon go up on the roof. We need to get up there fast and get the king’s sword,’ Zared said with a quick nod, as if confirming to himself that he had a plan that would work. ‘Silverhorn, you and the blue stay here. We’ll call if we need you.’

  Why do you call him ‘the blue’? Silverhorn asked suddenly. You all have names, so why doesn’t he?

  Logan stared in surprise. Nobody had an answer.

  ‘He can pick his own name if he wants one,’ Myles said finally. The blue’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing in concentration.

  ‘Tell us what you have picked later,’ Zared suggested. ‘We have things to do.’

  I can fly you up to the roof, Silverhorn offered.

  ‘No, we would be seen. I know another way up there,’ Zared said, although he nodded his appreciation of the offer.

  He led them quickly in a direct line towards the palace. Logan wondered if the old man was going to just march up there and demand the release of the prince. Logan looked around to see where Longtooth had landed, but there were no dragons in sight at all. As they reached the golden palace, the wizard veered off and down a flight of steps.

  There was no gilding on the building down here, and the stone walls were whitewashed. Zared quietly opened a green door and motioned to the others to follow him in. He led them down a long corridor, pausing to check that nobody was about each time they came to an open door. Shortly, they came to a steep staircase that was so narrow they had to go up it one at a time. The stairs led to a door which opened out onto the roof of the palace. It was a small walled area that was lined with pots and had several wooden chairs facing out across the city.

  ‘This is where the servants come on their breaks. They like the view,’ Zared said, shutting the door after them.

  Logan could see why they liked the view. It looked out across the city, down to the valley below and beyond to the snowy mountains. The sun was only a short way from setting and it cast a beautiful red and golden glow across the mountains. He could have stared at it all day, but Zared was talking again.

  ‘We need to go over this wall.’ Zared stepped onto the side of a large pot and peered over the wall. Logan reluctantly got up on the other side and pulled himself up to see over. The red dragon they had seen perched on the roof earlier was nowhere to be seen. A large snow-covered garden led to an archway, seemingly made entirely of gold and glass. It was at the back of the palace and framed an opening that led directly into the face of the rocky mountain.

  ‘That used to be Silverhorn’s lair when he lived here. We’ve got to go in there,’ Zared muttered, then, without waiting for a vote on the matter, he hoisted himself over the wall and dropped to the other side. ‘Quick, before the dragons get here.’

  They helped each other over the wall and had only just crouched in the cold snow behind a small hedge when wingbeats announced the arrival of several dragons. The first one was Longtooth, still carrying Erik and Djana.

  ‘Too late,’ Zared muttered in frustration. ‘We’ll have to get the prince first now.’

  ‘He’s quite a handsome dragon really,’ Myles muttered and Alyxa pinched him hard. Myles rubbed his arm and looked embarrassed.

  A second dragon, the younger red who had been on the roof earlier, perched on the side of the golden palace while Longtooth landed directly in front of the golden archway. The younger dragon appeared nervous and its wings weren’t quite folded back, as if it were ready to fly off in a hurry.

  Djana and Erik slipped off the dragon’s back and the girl walked over to the golden archway and took something from her pocket. Logan squinted through the leaves of the hedge and saw that it was a gold and crystal tube with holes in it.

  ‘That is the flute of an Enchantress,’ Zared informed them quietly, looking worried. ‘Nobody except those endowed with magic can make it sing.’

  ‘What is it used for?’ Myles asked, pushing a prickly branch out of his face.

  ‘Many things. Spells, entertainment, or to call a village meeting,’ Zared replied absently. ‘The sound carries a long way.’

  Djana lifted the flute to her lips and a clear, pure sound filled the air. A single, high note that was only just in their hearing range.

  ‘Alyxa, that sounds like your voice when you sing a charm,’ Logan said, nudging his friend.

  ‘Quiet!’ Zared hissed as Djana paused and then repeated the long note. ‘He has excellent hearing.’

  ‘Who? The red dragon?’ Logan whispered, but his question was answered a second later when an answering cry came from within the mountain. It was a dragon, that much Logan could tell, but it wasn’t another red that came from the dark opening. A huge golden dragon, with eyes of red fire, flew out onto the roof and landed next to Djana. The young girl did not flinch, but both Erik and Longtooth took a step backwards.

  The golden dragon looked annoyed at being summoned and it glared at Longtooth with unrestrained contempt. Its voice boomed out over the rooftop and dripped with evil and anger. You dare to bring me another? Is he The One I taught you to see through the shadows and sent you for? My patience has grown thin. So many times I have seen him in the shadows, yet you always bring the wrong child.

  ‘We have already confirmed he is The One,’ Djana spoke out boldly. The huge golden dragon’s attention settled on the young girl, and it looked at her as if she were nothing more than an ant to be squashed.

  You may be able to summon me, but do not mistake that for importance, it said scathingly. You have yet to prove your worth to us.

  ‘I meant no disrespect, oh great Firetongue,’ Djana said, bowing her head and sinking to one knee.

  Firetongue seemed slightly appeased by her manner and turned its fiery eyes towards Erik. It doesn’t look any different to the others. Show me his arm.

  Djana paused and looked a little hesitant. She got up and pushed Erik’s right sleeve up and the golden dragon leaned in close to look.

  There is no scar. He cannot be The One, Firetongue snapped. I had hold of the prince many years ago, but he wriggled down a tunnel I could not follow along. But I know I cut his arm deeply.

  ‘The young heal quickly. It may not have left a scar,’ Djana replied desperately as she stepped forward and unhooked a long silver sword on an ornate belt from a recess just inside the entrance to the lair.

  Keep that sword away from me, Firetongue said nervously and he took several steps back.

  ‘Why is he afraid of the sword?’ Logan whispered to Zared.

  ‘If silver touches a dragon they turn instantly to stone and stay that way forever,’ Zared replied quietly.

  ‘But what about Silverhorn?
I’m sure the sword has touched him on our flight here,’ Alyxa asked.

  ‘He is the only dragon in this world who is not affected by silver. His silver horn absorbs the effects,’ Zared explained.

  ‘So all we need to do is attack them with silver swords and they turn to stone,’ Myles said, looking like he was ready to grab Logan’s sword and rush at the golden dragon.

  ‘Except he would turn you to ashes with his breath before you got that close,’ Zared said. Myles settle back down to watch.

  Djana put the silver sword on the ground in front of the golden dragon and stepped back several more paces. ‘King Jarret’s sword will prove our claim.’

  We will see, Firetongue said in a tone that said the dragon was in no mood for a failure. Boy, pick up the sword. If it does not glow with the fire of royalty, you will have just drawn your last breath.

  Erik stepped forward calmly and picked up the sword. Alyxa nudged Logan hard in the ribs and he glared at her.

  ‘It’s a bigger version of your one,’ she said.

  ‘Quiet,’ Zared hissed. He did not appear surprised to see the sword, but Logan frowned. He longed to ask the old wizard why it was here, but now was not the time so he turned his attention back to the golden dragon.

  Erik drew the sword from its sheath and held it up. Logan felt a lump in his throat as he saw the blade glowing with a faint blue light in the gathering dusk. It was nowhere near as bright as the light the short-sword gave off though.

  A full minute of silence followed as Prince Erik continued to hold the sword. Then the golden dragon settled on its haunches, raised its snout to the sky and gave an ear-splitting howl. Logan and the others covered their ears but were still left with a faint ringing noise even after Firetongue had stopped.

  He is not The One. The sword does not burn as brightly as it should. He must be a distant relative — but he will do, Firetongue said without a hint of gratitude in a voice dripping with sarcasm. You left it until the last moment as well. A few more moons and the mountain would have died completely. We would all have frozen to death.

  It was my duty, Great One, Longtooth said simperingly. I live only to serve you.

  Human, call the clan together at Red Mountain, Firetongue snapped at Djana. Longtooth, take the humans. We need them for a little longer.

  Djana frowned a little at the golden dragon’s words, but simply bowed, as did Erik. Djana began playing the crystal flute again. This time she was facing down to the city and village below.

  Longtooth bent to let her climb on its back, which she did without pausing in her playing, but, as Erik went to climb up as well, Longtooth moved away.

  Put that sword inside your shirt first, Longtooth insisted.

  Erik did so, and then climbed up behind Djana. The old red dragon extended its wings and trotted to the edge of the palace roof. The dragon stepped off, swooping down and relying on an air current to carry it off. The sound of the flute faded as Longtooth glided towards the village below.

  The golden dragon then turned to the lone red dragon still perched at the edge of the roof. The red dragon looked nervous and did not meet the gaze of the larger dragon.

  Burn the city and the village below. We have no more need of these humans. The only ones we need are on the way to Red Mountain and we will dispose of them as well shortly.

  The red dragon looked up, slightly startled, but it nodded vigorously and flew off, calling out with a high-pitched cry to its fellow dragons.

  The golden dragon extended its wings, beat down just once and lifted with impressive speed, straight up. After a second it was so high Logan could not even see it.

  ‘What did the golden dragon mean by fire of loyalty?’ Logan asked, looking at his own sword, tucked into his belt. ‘And Djana said it was the king’s sword. It looks just like mine, only bigger.’ Thoughtfully, he ran his finger along the long scar on his right arm

  ‘Ah, well...’ Zared looked evasively around the garden as they stood up. ‘There’s a few things I didn’t tell you, but now isn’t the time. We have to follow them and stop them.’

  ‘Who was my father?’ Logan insisted. His brain had already told him, but it seemed so ludicrous that he needed to hear it from Zared. The old wizard simply stared at him, looking guilty.

  ‘If he was the king, wouldn’t that make you a prince?’ Alyxa asked. Her eyebrows had risen so far they were lost in her messy copper hair.

  ‘A prince of what, though?’ Prince Myles muttered, not looking at all impressed to hear that Logan was on equal footing with him. He pointed down to the city and Logan looked with horror. All the red dragons were setting fire to the houses. The entire city seemed to be burning. People were running from the flames, heading for the snow-capped mountains. ‘He’s the Prince of Ashes.’