by Andy Holland
You're all in luck. It's not far at all. We just need to bear a bit more to the north than we are at the moment. Come on, follow me.
Within a few minutes, they were safely on the ground by a lush oasis in the middle of the desert. There was a beautiful pool, surrounded by strikingly green vegetation standing out against the dry, dead landscape all around. John actually allowed them to relax a little and to cool down they splashed about in the pool, although only for a short time and while he flew high above them as the tiny colourful dragon. Tents were still forbidden until nightfall and the day ended in almost exactly the same way as the previous day.
Chapter 2 - The Caves
As on the previous morning, Crystal and the others were woken by John before the sun rose so they could fly as soon as it was light.
"Today we will only reach as far as the Caves of Dust," John told them. "This whole desert is outside of the Blue territory of course, but they patrol here quite regularly and there aren't many places that offer any cover, so the Caves are the best place to stay."
"Wouldn't it be better to choose a place where they don't patrol?" Jenna asked as she helped Crystal pack away their tent. "Couldn't we just fly further south?"
"Unfortunately, no, we can't. To get out of their range, we would have to fly too far south, near to the Forbidden Quarter. Trust me, the land there is even more dangerous than here. After today though, we will be able to put some distance between us and them, and the journey will become a lot safer."
"You're in charge, John," Arthur told him, ignoring Jenna's grumbles. "Lead away. Just remember, we're not used to flying these sort of distances. It's getting tiring flying day after day and I don't feel as if I've recovered from yesterday yet."
"You'll surprise yourself," John assured him confidently. "You all did better yesterday than you did the day before, so you're getting stronger. But don't worry, I'm paying close attention to how you're all faring and won't push you beyond what you can manage. Just make sure you take plenty of water for tonight, as there will be none in the caves."
So they began their third day of flying in the same way as the second, with John flying high above them looking out for any potential trouble ahead. But unlike yesterday, which had been remarkably trouble free, this time trouble found them. It was late in the day when it happened and the five Red Dragons were already tired when John spotted the group of Blue Dragons ahead of them.
Blue Dragons! he called out to them in warning. About eight of them, not that far ahead. I don't think they've spotted us but I can't be sure. Quickly, we can hide in those rocks down there.
Will they conceal us? Arthur asked, sounding doubtful. We can't get this wrong, remember. If they catch us here….
You'll be fine, John assured him. I'll lead them away from you all and then we can carry on. Just do as I say and you'll be safe. Follow me. Quickly now.
John brought his wings close to his body, dropping into an aggressive dive and urging the others to follow. Once they landed he ordered them to transform and squat under some boulders.
"Are you sure they won't see us here?" Jenna asked as she struggled with her clothing. "I really don't like this."
"You'll be fine, although you should try and stay still as much as possible. I'll have a look from the air to check before I fly off."
John transformed into the tiny colourful dragon and floated up above them. He hovered for a moment to look at them before flying off into the distance. A few moments later they heard the angry screams of the Blues, which then slowly faded away and then all was quiet.
"He must have led them away," Crystal said quietly, hoping that to be the case.
"He must have," Daisy agreed. "Hopefully he'll be back soon."
They sat as still as they could, staring into the sky expectantly. "He's taking a long time," Jenna said nervously after about ten minutes of sitting silently.
"Not that long," Daisy retorted. "He'll be back."
"This is much longer than he's ever left us alone before. What would we do if he doesn't come back?" Seth asked.
"He'll come back," Daisy hissed. "Just stay quiet."
"I know, but I'm just saying. What would the plan be?"
Daisy glared at him but said nothing.
"We're too exposed here," Jenna complained. "How could John be completely sure that we're hidden enough? If we can see into the sky then surely we can be seen from the air. Suppose he doesn't come back soon. How long do you think we should wait?"
"As long as it takes," Daisy replied irritably. "He'll be back!"
"I know, but suppose it takes longer than he expected to lose them and another group of Blues comes along and sees us. Then what?" Jenna asked.
No one spoke for a few seconds. "Arthur, did John discuss the route with you?" Seth asked.
Arthur nodded. "He has each morning, in case we get separated. We're not far away from the caves now."
Jenna tutted. "See, Daisy? John knew this could happen. He's been delayed and we're too exposed. We should move on."
"We should go," Seth agreed. "We'll be safer in those caves. If anyone was flying directly overhead they would see us immediately. This isn't safe."
"I don't know," Daisy replied, unsure of herself. "What did he say to you, Arthur?"
"He told me how to get to the caves," Arthur replied. "He wouldn't have done that without having considered this situation arising. I can lead us there."
"Then let's go," Jenna urged. "Crystal, you haven't said anything. What do you think we should do? Surely you don't want to stay here."
Crystal hesitated. She was inclined to agree with Daisy that John would come back, but felt very uncomfortable being where they were. "John would never willingly leave us alone for this long. I think we need to get to these caves quickly."
Arthur turned to his sister. "We won't go if you're not convinced, but John did tell me how to get us there. The longer we wait the more likely we are to meet another patrol."
Daisy bit her lip, clearly torn over what to do. "You're sure about this, Arthur?"
Arthur nodded. "Finding them won't be hard. John gave me detailed directions."
Daisy paused for a moment before nodding reluctantly.
"Good," Jenna replied, moving behind a rock to begin her transformation. Within two minutes they were all back in the air.
Fly fast, Arthur urged as they climbed. It shouldn't be far, but we don't want to be spotted—not without John here.
Too late! Crystal cried in alarm, spotting a group of Blues in the distance. Over to the left—I think they've seen us!
All five of them broke into panicked outbursts, so Crystal couldn’t understand anything that any of them were saying. When they finally calmed down, Arthur took charge.
We have to keep going. There's nowhere to hide here and John will look for us in the caves. If we keep going towards there he should be able to find us.
If he's still alive, Jenna replied. These could be the same dragons returning after killing John.
Jenna! Daisy said in horror. How could you say that?
It's not them, Seth replied. There are ten of them, not eight. And they've definitely seen us. They're heading straight for us!
Crystal strained her eyes looking for any distinguishing features in the desert below them. Then she saw them; several large holes on a slope that could only be the caves John was leading them to. I can see the caves! She called to the others. Perhaps we can lose them in there.
I don't know, Seth replied anxiously. What's to stop them following us?
Nothing, but they'll catch us in the air for sure, Crystal replied without looking back, trying to fly as quickly as she could. They're faster than us, but they know we're stronger and larger than they are; they might be reluctant to follow us into the caves.
They're trained soldiers and we're just children, Jenna pointed out. They'd tear us apart if they caught us.
They don't know that, Crystal replied. As far as they know we could be the elite of
our army. Why else would we be out here?
Seth glanced back at the group of advancing Blues. It's worth a try; John is nowhere to be seen and they're closing in on us. I don't think we have any other option.
No one had any better plans, so the five of them flew as fast as they could towards the caves. Although the slowest in the group, Crystal had a head start and landed first, stopping outside the largest of the cave entrances, unsure which way to go. Arthur landed beside her, with Daisy, Jenna and Seth just behind him.
Follow me, he commanded, running past Crystal. We need to move quickly. Arthur sprang forwards and chose the largest tunnel leading out of the large entrance cave—the tunnel to the left. The tunnels were large enough for them to run through as dragons and Arthur moved swiftly, making it hard for Crystal to keep up. After running for about ten minutes and taking seven or eight turns, they reached a dead end; a large chamber with no exits.
We can't go any further, Seth whispered. Let's hope they can't work out which route we took.
Arthur breathed a gentle stream of fire to light the chamber. Hey, where are Daisy and Jenna?
Crystal spun around and lit up the chamber with her own fire and found that there was just the three of them.
They were right behind me, Seth replied in surprise.
They must have taken a wrong turn, Arthur said, moving back towards the tunnel they came from. We'll have to go back!
We can't! We're as likely to run into the Blues as them, and then what? How will that help them? Seth asked.
I can't leave my sister alone to face that patrol—
She's not alone; she's with Jenna, and the patrol might not find them, Crystal pointed out. She has probably gone deep into the caves by now. Getting out might be a bigger problem.
She's right, Seth agreed quickly. I couldn't remember the way back. We could be lost in here.
A shrill scream echoed through the caves. The Blue Dragon patrol had just landed outside.
Look, just shut up and stop moving about, will you? Crystal snapped at Arthur. We need to stay quiet and hope they give up looking for us. It's our only chance. After all, they can't track us in these caves, but they can hear us; our movements if not our thoughts. If we stay still and make no noise, they may not find us.
***
Ten Blue Dragons were gathered around the cave entrance, deciding what to do next.
Commander, do we enter? These caves are a maze and many have died by getting lost in here. They may not find their way out anyway.
Coward! the commander hissed at him. We have our enemy cornered and we will finish the job. Follow me. He entered the cave and two of the others stood behind him as he lit up the entrance chamber with a puff of flame.
There are three tunnels, sir, one of the two behind him stated. Which one do we take?
Light the cave, he instructed them. The two dragons blew a series of fireballs into the ceiling while their commander examined the floor.
The left tunnel, he replied. Look at their tracks in the dust on the floor. Finding them will be easy. Move!
***
Jenna and Daisy had also reached a dead end and were struggling to work out what to do.
We must have taken a wrong turn, Daisy pointed out. We've lost the others!
You think? Thanks for letting me know, Jenna replied sarcastically.
There's no need to be like that, Daisy replied, sounding hurt. You were the one in front, not me.
So I got us lost, did I? This is my fault? Jenna snapped.
I didn't say that, Daisy objected.
Well, you may as well have, Jenna replied irritably. What are we going to do?
How should I know? Daisy replied coldly. I'm the half-witted airhead, remember?
Jenna had forgotten she had called her that. Look, I'm sorry I said that. I was upset. I didn't mean it.
Yes, you did mean it, Daisy retorted. You think that to be unpleasant is clever and to be nice to people is stupid.
Jenna hesitated, wishing she was here with anyone else. No, I don't think that. I think being oblivious to what's going on around you makes you half-witted.
I see people's flaws just the same as you do; I just don't make fun of them. I've known what you thought of me from when we first met and you called my brother my babysitter.
Do we need to do this right now? Jenna asked. We've a good chance of dying in the next few minutes. We should concentrate on working out how to get out of here.
They paused for a moment, hearing the scraping and scratching of claws on rock echoing through the caves.
Sounds like they're getting close, Jenna said nervously.
The echoes can be deceptive, Daisy replied. They may be going away from us.
If they're not, what do we do? Jenna was getting anxious.
Stay still; make no sounds, not even when they're right on top of us. Our only chance is to stay hidden. Let's just stop talking and wait.
Jenna was a little confused. Why? Could they hear us communicating like this, telepathically?
No, of course not, Daisy replied coldly. I just don't want to hear your voice any more. Not ever.
***
The Blue Dragon commander had reached a fork in the tunnels and stopped to examine the ground. The trails split here. They have divided into two groups.
Could one be a decoy? the nearest dragon asked.
Unlikely; look at their footprints. They were moving too fast to have had time to set up a decoy. No, they probably split up by accident. There are now two groups.
Which should we follow? another Blue Dragon asked.
Both. We are ten; there are only five of them. Two groups of five, so even if they have split into four and one, which I doubt, we'll still outnumber them. I think the two groups are both about the same size. He glanced back at his dragons. You, at the back, where are the others? You're not the last, are you? Tell them to move forwards and keep up!
I'm the last, sir. There's no one behind me, he replied.
Well, where are the rest?
I don't know, sir, he replied.
Maybe they took a wrong turning, sir, another dragon suggested. Just like the Red Dragons.
Unbelievable! the commander hissed. How many are we now? He briefly counted the heads. Six! Four idiots left behind! They will pay for this, whether it is cowardice or stupidity. He fumed for a moment. Right. You two, block up this tunnel. Collapse the roof! Trap one group till we deal with the other, but don't block us all in whatever you do! You three, follow me!
***
Daisy and Jenna sat in silence like two red statues, listening to the approaching Blues. The light from the Blue Dragons' fire reflected along the tunnels and slowly became visible in their chamber. They shrank further back into the cave, trying to hide, even though hiding was impossible. The light became brighter and the footsteps, which were slow and wary, gradually became louder.
Suddenly a burst of flames entered the chamber and the head of a Blue Dragon appeared in the entrance. Daisy thought she could detect the hint of an evil smile. The Blue Dragon broadcast his thoughts so they could hear as well.
Just two of them against four of us. No wonder they tremble. Don't worry, we'll make this quick.
Perhaps you should recount, Daisy retorted, there's just three of you. Are you sure you don't want to get out while you can?
She sounded braver than she was, but she was right: there were just three dragons facing them.
What? Incompetents! Never mind, the three of us will be more than enough to tear you—
He failed to finish his sentence. The Blue Dragon to his right had slowly and calmly reached over and seized his neck with his jaws, before ripping his throat out, killing him instantly. His killer spun to face the third dragon, slashing at its throat with his claws, but his intended victim was wise to his attack, blocking it with a foreleg and receiving only minor scratches.
John! Daisy cried out, realising who the mystery Blue Dragon was. The two Blue Dragons were c
ircling each other and Daisy lost track of who was who, the two combatants indistinguishable in the dim light they created with their breath.
What do we do? Daisy asked Jenna frantically.
Let them fight. He killed one, he can handle the other, she replied, her thoughts sounding shaky and weak.
He surprised one, but he's no good at combat on the ground. You've seen him fight. We need to help!
Which one? I can't tell them apart, Jenna replied. She shrank back even further from the two Blue Dragons.
Suddenly, one of the Blue Dragons sent a burst of flame at the other before charging and trying to slash at his throat while he was distracted. It was a poor effort and the other Blue saw what he was trying to do and dodged and slashed at his opponents flank, streaking his side with three bright red gashes. He moved in to finish him, but the injured Blue backed just out of his reach.
That's John—the injured one! Daisy said to Jenna.
How can you be sure? Jenna asked, still pressed against the wall. Daisy looked at her and then moved forwards to intervene. She sent a blast of fire at the other Blue Dragon, who spun to face her, temporarily ignoring the dragon that she assumed was John. The Blue Dragon rushed at her quickly, faster than she thought he would be able to move, nimbly evading her blows before lunging for the kill. He just stopped short of her throat, pulled back by John, who had grabbed hold of his tail with his own jaws. The Blue Dragon turned to face John and struck at John's head angrily, but John let go and pulled back again. Daisy saw her chance and struck her claws into his exposed flank, opening a deep wound. The Blue Dragon roared in anger and turned to try and face her, but as he did John struck at his other side, opening up an almost identical wound. The Blue Dragon roared again, this time in pain, and hesitated, unsure which way to turn. Daisy took advantage of his confusion and attacked. She lunged and seized him by the neck just beneath the jaw. She shook him vigorously as she bit down as hard as she could, before slamming his head and neck into the cave floor. Warm blood splashed into her face as her teeth ripped his neck apart, and she dropped him and sprang back in surprise and disgust. The corpse sprawled lifelessly in front of her, dark blood spreading across the cave floor towards the horrified Jenna.