Dragons of Draegonia

by Michael Libra

  Signed. Dragon Yellow.

  Green with a broad smile re-read out loud the report and handed it to Yellow with his pen. “Good report, Yellow. They will be proud of you!”

  Yellow, not quite knowing what was fact or what was fiction, or who had made up what, hesitatingly held the pen. “Is that what actually happened Green?” He questioned, Green nodded, “Well isn’t it? Did you not see and chase away the few remaining creatures and see them take to their crafts? If not, then you told Dragon Black a pack of lies.”

  Yellow grabbed the report, saying as he hurriedly signed it “Look, I have a splitting headache Green, I’m tired and exhausted. It’s all been too much for me and I need to see a ‘Dragon Doctor’ about my nonexistent flame.”

  Green, showing some false compassion blinked a couple of times, licked his lips in pleasure as his manipulation of events were really taking shape, waved and pointed his tail in the direction where Yellow lived. “Off you go, leave everything to me; I’ll give YOUR report to Dragon Brown at the same time I make mine.”

  “Thank you Green you’re the best dragon friend anyone could have!” Yellow’s departing words fell on deaf ears. Dragon Green was now thinking of his own report and how he was going to implicate Brown and Yellow as incompetent fools. Once more Dragon Green searched the folds of his scaly skin for another paper-like parchment to write his report.

  I Dragon Green report as follows

  I Dragon Green was on lookout yesterday late evening following the report by Dragon White of intruders to our Island and the connection that may be between them and our ability as dragons, to no longer spit fire.

  During the evening I saw many lights coming from the south and believed it essential for an investigation. I crept towards the lights and heard what could have been many creatures but before I could really determine actual numbers was set upon by at least four. They used clubs and sticks and caught me by surprise resulting in a number of injuries. Deciding that it was more important to return to Draegonia Central and report I did no more than fight off the attackers and returned as expediently as my injuries would allow.

  I reported to Dragon Brown that I had seen some lights and the small number of creatures that attacked me. Dragon Brown informed me that there were hundreds of these creatures and that we needed to report to Dragon Black for further instructions.

  The Council of Dragons ordered me and Dragon Yellow with some minimum support to proceed to capture the invaders’ commanders/generals or anyone in command and report on numbers and weapons the invaders may have.

  Dragon Yellow was charged with the task of surveying the size and whereabouts of the mass army and reported that he had chased away some stragglers of a vast army that had already decided to depart Draegonia.

  My role was to identify and apprehend the invaders, believed to be the commanders, spotted by me hiding in a camp site by the second southern most ledge of open ground some four Dragon Miles from the City.

  Despite these terrorists putting up a fight, they were no match and insignificant against my onslaught. They were subsequently captured and tied up. They are clever creatures though and twice they managed to break free requiring further apprehension by me. These perpetrators were under restraint when Dragons White and Grey were sent to assist.

  I requested Dragon Yellow to take charge of the prisoners and return to Draegonia Central. But, before he could reach where they had been left fully tied up, they had broken free and attacked him. As a consequence Yellow, I believe was frightened and was seen to run off by Dragons White, Grey and I. Seeing the urgency of the situation I launched myself at all four perpetrators and on seeing me approaching they immediately surrendered.

  I sent Dragon Grey after Dragon Yellow and ordered Dragon White to return with the updated intelligence. I then secured the prisoners and marched them back to Draegonia Central and placed them into the custody of Dragon Brown requesting they be immediately placed in cells for interrogation. All equipment that was found in the prisoners’ camp was made to be carried back by them and held by Dragon Brown and awaiting further investigation. However, I believe that there is more to the foiled invasion and that we may well have a traitor in our midst. I question why and how is it that all dragons have ‘Flame out’ and if Dragon Yellow is correct in reporting the invaders have left in crafts, where are they now, will they return and what plan has Dragon Brown got to defend us? I am also concerned that Dragon Brown is showing a complete lack of urgency in this matter.

  It is my recommendation that we appoint a younger and more energetic dragon as head of the Draegonia Army as Commander in Chief.

  Signed.Dragon Green

  Dragon Green read his report to himself out loud and grinned. He was taking a mighty risk but he had nothing to lose. Both his and Yellow’s report were not going to be handed to Dragon Brown. Green had decided that Dragon Black would immediately react to any thought of a traitor within their midst.

  Green also knew that, when he informed Dragon Black that Brown was going to feed and water the prisoners, showing them compassion and not immediately getting down to interrogating them, Black would become distrustful of Brown. It would be easy for Green to suggest that it was Brown who was in fact a traitor, in league with the four prisoners and their invading army, planning to overthrow Draegonia’s leadership.

  Of course, what Dragon Green did not know was that there were two other dragons that had been in contact with the four children and knew the true facts as to how they had arrived on the island. Green’s plan was not foolproof, but of course, this he did not know.

  Dragon Blue quizzically looked at Dragon Brown. “Why have we not started the interrogation Brown, what’s the holdup?” Brown stroked his chin. “Look Blue” he said, “I just cannot get my head round things. It does not make sense. Firstly the size of these creatures, they are no match for any dragon, including Dragon Yellow, who wants us to believe chased away the remnants of an invading force, who ran away from HIM!”

  Blue nodded in agreement, “It is strange,” he said.

  “Then there is this thing about the loss of our ability to throw flames” Brown moved closer to Blue and whispered, “If I did not know better I would think we are all being taken for fools and that all is not what it seems.”

  Dragon Blue, seeing the concern on Brown’s face and an ever deepening frown, sat bolt upright and with all the authority of a legal representative he could muster, said: “Right Brown, let’s look at the facts. Firstly, we have corroborating evidence from four dragons.” Blue stood up and paced the room and continued with his assessment. “Dragon White reported we were being invaded yesterday morning and spotted what we can assume was the advance party of three creatures. Then, there is Dragon Green who appears to have been the most heroic of us all, who spotted a camp site, investigated and escaped with actual injuries.”

  “Umm, that’s a matter of opinion and interpretation” Brown interjected.

  “Well, interpretation or not we have Dragon Yellow’s actual sightings of the forces, his being attacked by the prisoners and then on top of this we have the observations of Dragon Grey.” Dragon Blue stopped his pacing and looking straight at Dragon Brown finalised his understanding of events by saying. “Finally, of course there is my sighting the day before yesterday of a weird looking craft approaching the island, I think it was either red or orange in colour. And if that’s not enough, every dragon on the island has lost their flame and we now have four prisoners to interrogate.”

  Brown did not move but raising his head, he just stared at Blue. Dragon Brown could see the facts, he just had nothing to go on, but his instincts told him, something was very wrong.

  Dragon Blue made for the door that led to the cells. “Come on Brown, let’s talk to the prisoners.”

  Brown beckoned Blue to stop. “Look, it’s been a long day and those four are not going anywhere. Feed them, make them comfortable and we will speak with each one in the morning. Sleeping in a dark cell overnight is enough
to persuade anyone to talk.”

  Blue, somewhat taken aback, stared at Brown, for these comments worried him. “Brown, we go back a long way when our fathers and forefathers could fly and roamed the world but I have never thought you to be the first one to go directly against Dragon Black’s orders. Black has ordered us to capture and interrogate, nothing about making the prisoners comfortable or leaving their interrogation until they have had chance to sleep.”

  A tired Dragon Brown heaved himself up and moving towards the main entrance door, looked back at Blue, smiled and said: “You know that Dragon Black is cold hearted and that for him, interrogation actually means torture. Let’s investigate further before we make a mistake we will regret.” Brown opened the door onto the deserted street and in parting, waved a salute to Blue. “We are supposed to be professionals Dragon Blue and should be dealing with this in a professional way.”

  Blue watched, as Brown marched off up the road as the sun, with its last glowing embers of light, gave way to the full blackness of night.

  Dragon Green was once more re-entering the Great Hall feeling somewhat confident and clasping both his and Yellow’s written reports tightly within his sweaty claws. He knocked hard on the enormous stone door leading to where Dragon Black was still seated on his throne.

  “Sir,” Green started, “I require some guidance and advice.” Green knew that Dragon Black was positively agreeable to being ‘sucked’ up to.

  “What is it?” Black barked back. “It’s late and I have no time for idle chitchat.”

  “Oh!, your Dragonship,” Green responded in a sickly, smothering voice, “I know you have much to do and have little time to waste, but I have some important news concerning the prisoners.” Green continued to move nearer to Black bowing and with head down, mumbled “If you’re not interested then of course I…..” Green was interrupted.

  “What are you mumbling about Green, speak up? If it’s important spit it out and get on with it, for if you are wasting my time,” Dragon Black paused, lowered his head and looking Green full in the eyes, snarled, “You will not only be sorry but possibly may not live to regret your intrusion.”

  With that, Green placed both reports, he had been so nervously clutching, on a round granite table immediately to Dragon Black’s left and in easy reach for him to grab them. “What are these?” Green took a deep breath thinking perhaps this had not been such a good idea. “Sire, your Dragonship, Sir,” he whimpered.

  “Oh, get on with it, Green” Dragon Black exclaimed as he read Yellow’s report first. “These should be given to Dragon Brown.” Black once more snarled, his large sharp white teeth periodically being licked by his large, long, blood-red tongue.

  Green seeing that Black had fully read Yellow’s report stood on his hind legs stretched himself up to full height, (he was still tiny compared to Dragon Black). “I believe we have a traitor in our midst”

   Green’s comment was immediately jumped on by Black. “Do you know for certain who?” Black was now more than interested and was intently reading Green’s report when his eyes fell on the statement;

  “However, I believe that there is more to the foiled invasion and that we may well have a traitor in our midst.”

  Black once again placed his ugly and enormous head close to Green’s “Whoooo“ he bellowed, sending shock waves not only through the Great Hall, but so loud and violent was his outburst, he could be heard as far as the police station.

  Green, wasted no time “Sir, your Dragonship.”

  “Oh don’t start that again,” Black snarled once more, his eyes becoming so fiery they looked like two very red hot coals that with his gaze burnt through to the soul.

  “Look Sir, I was told to give my reports only to Brown and, because of events, I was not sure if you would ever see them.” Green continued, “We have the prisoners locked up but I overheard Dragon Brown order Dragon Blue that they should be fed and watered and…” Green paused for effect, “And he ordered for them to be well looked after, is that a way to treat terrorists?” Green continued as Dragon Black moved back allowing Green more space to breathe.

  “I am also concerned Sir, that Dragon Brown has not done anything to ensure our defences are reinforced, or that sufficient lookout posts have dragons on duty. In fact he appears not to take the situation we are in seriously and I can only presume that he either is incompetent or in league with the invading force.”

  Black’s eyes narrowed. His head was once more close to Green’s. “Is that all the evidence you have against one of our oldest and respected dragons?”

  Green smiled a sickly grin and holding up outstretched arms replied, “I can only give you the facts and no doubt if Brown is doing everything you have asked…” Green’s grin slowly faded and a more menacing look ran across his face. “Brown should have completed the interrogations with a report on your desk by now. As I have said, either Brown is just incompetent or a traitor, but either way should such a dragon be in charge of our defences at a time when you, Dragon Black, need total and unquestioning commitment…” Green paused and then added “…and loyalty?”

  Green had played his final card. He knew that Dragon Black had a vicious temper, acted on little information and was highly defensive of his position and authority. No one would be allowed to threaten him or his position as King of Draegonia. Dragon Black pondered, reread Green’s report, raised his head and looked down again at Dragon Green. “You have done well Green, but there is one more job I need you to do.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Green Makes an Arrest

  At Draegonia Police Station, Dragon Blue had heard the roar that came from the Hall of Dragons earlier. It sent a shiver down his blue spine. He thought of what some poor dragon soul was going to go through as that particular sound came from Dragon Black and always spelt trouble.

  Blue had just finished feeding and offering some refreshments to the four prisoners, who he admitted to himself, seemed no real threat and with the exception of the smallest, who said he was going to beat them all up, did seem to be very frightened. Dragon Blue had switched the entrance to the cells lights off and was just about to crouch at his desk and finalise his report for Dragon Black when he heard a knocking at the door.

  Blue turned from his desk and went over to the same door where much earlier Brown had departed. On opening Blue was amazed to see Dragon Green standing there. “Good evening Dragon Blue, I have a message from Dragon Black. It’s most urgent.” Dragon Blue looked at his watch. It was late and, recognising Green’s urgency, he beckoned Green to enter, but Green politely refused. “I’m sorry, but you are required to attend immediately with your report to Dragon Black and importantly the findings of the interrogation that both you and Dragon Brown have no doubt completed.”

  The shiver that had earlier gone down Dragon Blue’s spine reoccurred, but this time making his knees also tremble. He knew Dragon Black had ordered immediate interrogations, he was not entirely happy that Dragon Brown had persuaded him to leave it until tomorrow and now he was having to go to face the music and, worse still, face Dragon Black.

  Dragon Brown had reached his cave, concerned that something was not quite right but knowing not what. Similar to all other caves of Draegonia, it was coloured as per the skin of the dragon living there. Brown’s bedroom was just large enough for him; his bed was covered with a Karkheh covering on a mattress of fine twigs.

  On the lumpy walls were ancient picture carvings and drawings in old frames depicting a dark reddish brown dragon being attacked by a Knight in shining armour, sitting astride a white horse, holding a silver lance. Under each of the pictures was the same title.

  ‘George and the Dragon’

  Dragon Brown, fatigued from a very exhausting day, had eaten a hurried snack of fish and dragon balls, made himself a cold drink (he had nothing to heat his drink up with) and was fast asleep in dragon dreamland, conjuring up thoughts and images of long ago. His dreams brought back the good times when dragons could fly and the I
sland of Draegonia was a safe haven for all dragons to live.

  Meanwhile, Dragons Blue and Green had hurried to where Dragon Black was now pacing impatiently up and down the Great Hall, every stride resonating throughout. Dragons Blue and Green entered. Dragon Green taking a safe option stood behind Dragon Blue, peering over his shoulder.

  Dragon Black hearing them enter his chamber, spun round and hurtled himself towards them. “I expect you have some news for me Dragon Blue, no doubt by now you have interrogated the prisoners and have a full report for me. Let me see it!”