by Julia Suzuki
Romao unfurled his large wings.
‘I have to go, Yoshiko,’ he said apologetically. ‘But you are ready to take on the easiest trail by yourself. You don’t need me looking on. Head down towards those mountains and do some practice.’
* * *
As he arrived at the head of the Trail Mountains Yoshiko realised he should have asked for better directions from Romao.
Five openings lay ahead of him but there were no dragons at the entrance of any. Yoshiko was about to backtrack to the training grounds and ask which opening he should take when he heard a familiar voice.
‘Well, well, well! If it isn’t the hopeless Feddy!’
‘What do you want now, Igorr?’ Yoshiko said, turning to him.
‘To see you mess up the easiest trail in the mountains.’
‘Just go away, Igorr.’
‘I’ve been flying the Trail Mountains for months and months,’ continued Igorr. ‘I expect this is your first time here. Perhaps you’ll just about be off the baby trail by the time you’re old and gnarled.’
But Igorr was looking at Yoshiko in a different way to previously. Yoshiko realised that Igorr was actually eyeing his muscular stomach and strengthened wings.
‘If you want to try a really hard trail, take that one,’ Igorr then said, pointing to a rocky opening. ‘I fly it all the time with my elder.
‘But you’ll want to fly that one,’ continued Igorr, pointing to another entrance. ‘That’s the baby trail for the likes of you.’
Yoshiko sighed and unfurled his wings. He considered the opening to the training trail, which looked large enough.
‘I will take the easy trail, I know I still have much to learn,’ he said, as he drew back to take flight.
And he took to the air, heading for the training pass.
Yoshiko opened his wings out and began the steep mount upwards to swoop into the entrance from a height.
Below him Igorr started to shout something but the sound faded as he entered the training trail.
Two mountains closed either side of him, blotting out almost all the light. The gap between them was wide enough for his full wingspan, and he flapped forward, propelling himself deeper into the pass.
Up ahead the route twisted back and forth, and it was impossible to see what to expect. Yoshiko kept level, turning gracefully as the rocky sides of each mountain closed tighter and wound deeper into the trail.
Beneath him were bushes and trees, and a narrow stream following the direction of the rocks. Yoshiko wheeled in the air, feeling confident.
Then suddenly, the trail twisted sharply and the two mountains closed tight around him. Yoshiko turned quickly, narrowly avoiding grazing a wing on the rocks.
Concentrating hard, he paid close attention to the jagged edges on either side of him, expecting them to open up wider at any moment.
But as he flew onwards the trail became even more hazardous.
It was more difficult than Romao had described and the dark rocks wove ever tighter.
Several sharp turns followed, and the pass got so narrow that Yoshiko had to use all the strength in his wings to stay airborne whilst avoiding making contact.
Gritting his teeth he wound in and out of the rocks.
Up ahead, all looked black.
Yoshiko slowed, straining his eyes to see. The trail was blocked.
A web of stiff tree branches forked out at all angles, covering the pass.
Yoshiko realised with a spasm of fear that the mountain pass was too tight to turn back. The only way was onwards directly into the blockage of branches.
He tried desperately to think of a way around; he saw that the branches were blackened, and a sudden realisation occurred. It was actually a training obstacle of the pass. Dragons coming through were supposed to blow their own way through using fire.
He was already short of breath after the exhausting twists and turns, but Yoshiko drew on his reserves of energy and took a huge inhalation.
He’d have to time it just right, he considered. Blow fire too early or late and he’d crash straight into the branches and fall from the air, hitting the sharp rocks.
He saw the jagged branches come near, and let out the biggest ball of flame his belly would allow.
The fireball tunnelled through the air in front of him; crackling with heat, it blew the blacked branches flat against the mountain pass on both sides.
Yoshiko gave a great flap of his wings and shot through the gap. The trees closed back behind him, snagging his tail, and gouging into his scales. He winced at the gash that a sharp branch made.
The trail was widening again now, and an unfamiliar sight lay ahead of him.
Glowing red pools were scattered all over the ground in front of him, sending up thick plumes of smoke.
Glowing red pools.
Yoshiko peered ahead.
Lava pools.
He realised that Igorr had sent him into the most dangerous trail in Dragor. Instead of taking the training trail, he was flying the one that only the very best Guard Dragons ever managed. The shapes of the rocks were designed for one direction only and the branches had been woven layer upon layer to form a thick roof above, making it impossible to fly out. He had only one choice – to keep going.
He slowed in the air, trying to keep his reserves of energy steady.
The first lava pool approached and he turned sideways to avoid it.
A belch of hot smoke went up, scorching the edge of his wing and sending him spinning in the air.
The rapid movement was close to thrusting him straight into the next lava pool but he just managed to correct himself in time, beating his wings as fast as he could to waft the smoke down as if fanning the furnaces.
He swerved past the next lava pool, and then the next.
The fifth pool was the largest, and bubbled and spat scorching red stones into the air as it threw up one small explosion after another. Yoshiko observed that the timings between each eruption formed a regular pattern, as if it was breathing in and out.
His heart raced. If he got the timing wrong he knew the flying rocks would hit him and would probably break his wings.
As soon as one explosion finished Yoshiko decided it was time to make the biggest flap of his wings that he could. He propelled himself past the danger and with another few twists and turns the lava pools were behind him. A huge hot column of thick black smoke then shot up, narrowly avoiding his muzzle.
He was exhausted, and his wings felt ready to give out.
But a bubbling sound ahead alerted him to the fact that his trial was in no way over.
Ahead of him now were boiling hot-water springs, and the air was full of steam.
Yoshiko blinked away the hot mist. It settled on his snout in droplets. There were so many waterfalls ahead and water jets spurting in all directions through the rocks – so many he couldn’t even see the end of them.
He gave a tired flap towards the hot water and just about passed through the first area, but his wings totally failed him on the second stretch where he failed to turn in time. A draft of boiling steam caught the front of wing, and he fell spiralling into a deep pool.
Yoshiko swam frantically in the red-hot water but he knew he didn’t have the strength to keep afloat for long. He felt his weight pulling him down.
Just as he was about to give up hope, he caught a glimpse of purple in the sky above.
‘Yoshiko!’
It was Igorr, diving down from above.
‘Over there!’ he cried.
Yoshiko knew that it was his deceiver, and considered he might be trying to lure him into further danger. But he had to take the chance. It was all he had.
With one final burst of power he swam to where Igorr was signalling.
A flat ledge came into view, and Igorr beckoned him towards it.
‘It is a service route in,’ he called. ‘The rock has been made to land on. There is a safe way out from here.’
Yoshiko flopped his stomach o
n to the rock as steam rose from his skin.
‘You! You so nearly killed me,’ he panted.
Yoshiko looked up. Igorr’s purple face looked down on him, trying to look sorry.
Yoshiko spluttered and coughed.
‘What sort of evil species are you?’
‘I made a mistake, then I realised that if you actually died and someone had seen me point you to that trail I would be in big trouble.’
‘Mistake? Your lies will catch up with you one day, Igorr. Just get me straight out of here,’ replied Yoshiko now that his energy had restored a little.
‘Please don’t tell on me,’ said Igorr looking Yoshiko straight in the eye and trying to appear sorry.
Yoshiko paused before replying. ‘Just why would I do anything to please you after everything you have done to try to harm me?’
Igorr retorted ‘Well, how about if I promise not to call you Feddy any more?’
‘What! You give your word! Never, ever again?’ asked Yoshiko.
‘Yes. I give my word. I promise I will be nice,’ said Igorr nodding but hiding a wry smile.
‘Then I shall give mine too,’ Yoshiko agreed.
Igorr hopped up and began clambering through the service exit tunnel that opened into the mountainside. Yoshiko followed.
They reached the outside of the mountain and the rocks widened enough for a wingspan.
Igorr took off immediately, flying swiftly down to the Alana territory.
Yoshiko’s scales still felt sore and his wings ached, but he had greater thoughts on his mind.
From the very top of the mountain Yoshiko could see all of Dragor beneath him. He could see far across to the charcoal tree woods where he knew the Goadah pot sat.
Yoshiko remembered the third challenge from Guya and took to the air to go to study the Goadah pot further. It was the one thing now holding him back from passing Guya’s tests and discovering more.
Yoshiko arrived by a cluster of charcoal trees that hid him from view. As soon as he landed a large Guard Dragon came out of the Fire Pit.
As Yoshiko watched on, the dragon turned his back to the great clay vessel and slipped his arms backwards. The pot like magic produced two handles from its scale-like covering. The Guard Dragon bent his knees, tilted back, and lifted the pot straight up as if to exercise. As he put it down the handles disappeared.
Yoshiko gasped.
The Goadah pot. There was a trick to lifting it that had nothing really to do with strength – and the pot was truly magical.
15
Colour Control
Yoshiko kept his word to Igorr and made no mention of what had happened at the Trail Mountain. Meanwhile, he had started to train independently, although Romao often checked in on him. Day by day he felt more confident in himself.
He rose early, gathered charcoal wood and slipped into the slow heat of the Saiga Fire Pit. He loved the way that Dragor was almost empty of life as he took to the skies before dawn with only a few other dragons sharing the secret charm of the land at this hour.
He was different at Fire School too, and even his friends noticed it. Yoshiko had more self-confidence.
‘You never ask for help any more,’ said Amlie, as Yoshiko carefully filled out his slab with the charcoal stick. ‘You used to check with the teacher that everything you did was right. You were always scared of getting something wrong. Now you hardly ever ask.’
‘I just figured it’s better to just get on with things and learn by trial and error,’ said Yoshiko.
Then, just a few months later something wonderful happened.
All the young dragons were talking about Red Seventh Moon. And in the atmosphere of excitement Elsy had insisted they all go back to the Fire Pit to try out their skills. Yoshiko was dreading it, knowing that the Alanas would be there, but Elsy was adamant.
‘If we don’t stand up to them, they’ll think they own the whole Fire Pit.’
* * *
Yoshiko had felt the fear rising even before they approached the Fire Pit, and as they got closer he knew it was about to happen. He was changing colour again, and this time it was even before they had reached the pit. He knew he’d have to take flight again to avoid being noticed and began to unfurl his wings to fly off when a shout went up.
‘Look! Yoshiko is turning yellow!’
Igorr had spotted the first signs of the transformation, and was shouting loudly. All the other dragons at the Fire Pit turned to stare.
Yoshiko turned to give Igorr a look of disappointment as he felt the colour rising further up through him. He reached for the callstone hidden away under his wing. It burned brightly as he held it in his claws.
The deep calm feeling he had when fanning the Effram flames came over him. He felt he was totally in control of his emotions and an inner calm filled him.
Yoshiko held on to the feeling and could sense that the gold colour was slipping back down, through his feet and away. In the next moment another shout went up.
‘What d’you mean by yellow, Igorr? He’s red like any other Nephan!’ Igorr’s friend was laughing at him.
‘You’re going colour blind, Igorr,’ said another Alana.
The gang of young Nephans approached the Fire Pit and this time it was Yoshiko who stepped proudly to the front. He strode calmly into the outer section. When he came out the other side all the dragons were clapping.
* * *
After that there were a few more times when Yoshiko felt a colour change rising. Once when he was in the Effram hills with Ketu. They had been looking at some incredible art and he felt a green colour spreading from his feet.
This time he responded much quicker, and after breathing deeply his scales slipped back to their normal red shade before the green even crept past his knees. Another time he had found himself frustrated in class, he looked down to see his claws were a turquoise shade like a Talana dragon. Quickly he thought back to fanning the Effram fires and it slid away.
It was as if learning to complete all the tasks had helped him find the solution to his colour changing. And Yoshiko felt ready to return to Cattlewick Cave.
16
Return to Guya
Guya was waiting outside his cave when Yoshiko arrived, as if he’d been expecting him.
‘So you are back, smalling,’ he said as Yoshiko landed. ‘But I see actually you are not so small any more. Are you are now ready for my challenges?’
‘I am ready.’
‘Well, then, you had better come with me,’ replied Guya.
Silently Yoshiko followed the older dragon into the enormous entrance. Today it was brightly lit as daylight with a dozen fire torches and a roaring fire in the corner. They passed rows of bookcases filled with strange symbols, and dozens of tall clay vases.
Then they walked through to the left of the cave where the walls closed around them in a maze of colourful crystal. All kinds of glittering minerals grew from the stone in pinks, greens, blues and purples.
A smell of smoking herbs wafted out and there in the very far corner was the most complicated set of cauldrons he’d ever seen. Glass tubes, bubbling pans and pots joined a large copper centrepiece.
‘That is where I make the sorrel juice,’ said Guya. ‘Now, are you ready to try your first challenge?’
He pointed to the Goadah pot, which had been brought inside. It was standing right in the centre of the cave.
Looking at it again, Yoshiko realised it was far bigger than the one by the Fire Pit.
Guya watched on with interest.
Yoshiko turned his back to the pot. His arms felt back for the handles and as he bent his knees they instantly sprouted out of the pot’s sides for him. He grasped them and hauled the pot on to his back.
‘Well done! Well done, Yoshiko,’ Guya said. ‘The Goadah pot chose to help you. The Goadah pot only chooses to reveal magic to those it trusts. That is the wonder of this pot, its incredible wisdom to become known only to the worthy! The other important thing to learn from it is
that you have built up your physical strength by trying to lift it.’
Guya walked towards the pot and patted it appreciatively.
‘Task one completed, Yoshiko,’ he said as he chuckled to himself. ‘Now we must come to the second task – to fly around Dragor seven times. Do you think you can do it?’
This time Yoshiko was more than sure of himself.
‘I know I can,’ he grinned.
* * *
Yoshiko landed back on Guya’s mountain, panting but exhilarated.
‘I am back,’ he called. ‘I have circled Dragor seven times just as you wanted.’
He walked slowly towards the cave entrance, getting his breath back.
But the older dragon was nowhere to be seen.
Yoshiko headed around the edge of the cliff, where he and Guya had first watched the lake, and made out the bulk of the older dragon. Guya was seated with his eyes closed, breathing slowly. Yoshiko approached him quietly.
‘I have flown around Dragor as you asked,’ he said gently.
Guya’s eyes snapped open. ‘Come sit here with me, Yoshiko,’ he said.
Yoshiko settled himself next to Guya. ‘While you have been gone I have been thinking. We have never talked of why I live alone on this mountain,’ said Guya. ‘I am sure you are curious.’
Yoshiko kept silent, not wanting to let on that he knew more about Guya since asking Ketu about him.
‘As you know, Dragor is only one land,’ continued Guya, ‘the other places are not hidden like Dragor, let me show you more clearly.’ Guya picked up a metal ball that was resting in his lap. ‘All of the lands rest on this circle that you see. The world is actually ball-shaped. The green, brown and yellow shown on the globe is the land. The blue part is the ocean – the great waters that seem to run forever.
‘They can be very peaceful,’ he said, ‘but then they can quickly change to storms and become dangerous. And outside of the oceans there are many battles between lands. I have a tale now to tell you.’
Yoshiko was mesmerised by Guya’s words.