War of Dragons

by Andy Holland

  Nice work, John called weakly. That's eight down; just two to go. Do you think you two could handle those for me?

  Daisy laughed and ran over to John, greeting him by rubbing noses. This is so weird, seeing you as a Blue Dragon! I was so glad when I realised it was you.

  Can you change back? Jenna asked. I hate seeing you like this. She was regarding him nervously from the far side of the cavern.

  John glanced down at his wounded flank. Yes, but it would be very painful. There are two more to fight and I can surprise them only like this.

  But you can't fight two—not like that, Daisy replied. You're bleeding quite badly. You'd stand no chance. Can't you change into a stronger dragon?

  John shook his head. Stronger means larger and the tunnels are too small for that. My injuries would transfer over too and would probably get worse.

  So what do we do? Jenna asked. There are still two more.

  John hesitated. We don't have a choice; we have to kill them. If they get out, in the morning there will be a hundred more of them. You're right, I can't take them on my own, but I could with both of you helping me.

  No way, said Jenna firmly. I can't fight! I haven't had enough training.

  You've had as much as me, Daisy countered, but that didn't stop me a minute ago. That's your boyfriend and cousin trapped back there. Are you really going to leave them?

  I—I can't, Jenna blurted out, looking down at the ground in shame. I can't fight. Not against these things.

  Pathetic, Daisy replied bitterly. I've never met anyone as selfish as you. Why did you even come?

  Daisy, Daisy, John protested, that's not like you. She's just scared.

  Scared? I'm scared as well. But scared of losing you, losing Arthur, just as much as being scared of what happens to me. All she thinks about is herself.

  Jenna was still huddled in the corner, her tail wrapped around her and her head on the ground. She did look rather pathetic.

  Jenna, you have to come with us, John told her. For your own safety as well as to help us. Suppose when we go back we somehow pass the remaining Blues? They'd find you here on your own. There were lots of twists and turns, so it could easily happen. How would that turn out?

  Badly, Jenna said with a sob. Hearing the thoughts of a crying dragon was quite disconcerting, but Daisy felt no pity for her.

  If you don't help and we fail, you'll be on your own and they'll find you and tear you apart. Do you understand that?

  Yes, Jenna replied weakly.

  Then do exactly what I tell you, John told her. If we fight them and lose, then you'll be killed anyway. You have to help.

  Alright, Jenna agreed, rising to her feet and moving gingerly towards them.

  Good idea, John, Daisy noted sourly. Spell it out in terms that appeal to her self-interest. That's the only way to motivate her.

  Don't be like that, Daisy, John urged. It's not like you.

  I hate her, Daisy replied angrily, her tail swishing irritably. She's always so horrible to me. I've never done anything but be nice to her and now she won't do anything to help anyone but herself. Jenna hung her head, refusing to meet Daisy's glare.

  John looked at her sadly. Maybe that's true, but don't let her selfishness spoil you. You're too good for that. Besides, we have work to do.

  Daisy shook her head but turned to look at John. So what's the plan?

  ***

  When John reached the other two Blue Dragons, he found that they had blocked up the tunnel and were waiting for their return, but were not expecting an enemy, casually calling out to him in greeting. They didn't notice his wounds or comment on the fact that he was on his own, allowing him to walk right up to them without alarming their suspicions. Then using the arrival of Jenna and Daisy to distract them, he managed to make quick work of them, striking both in the neck simultaneously with his razor sharp claws, inflicting fatal wounds that eliminated them as threats immediately. Now that the danger was gone, Daisy and Jenna released their friends before they all retraced their footprints back to the entrance to the caves.

  Quickly, go outside and bring the bodies in here, John commanded the others. They'll be easily spotted from the air. He sat down to rest in the entrance to the caves, surveying the mess that he had created. His wound was very painful and he was feeling too weak to help the others. As Red Dragons they were stronger than him anyway and shouldn't need this help.

  Seth, Arthur and Crystal were at the front, and tentatively peered out from the cave entrance, gazing up into the empty sky above them.

  All clear, Seth stated before hopping from the raised ledge at the cave entrance to the rock-strewn sand below. The sun was low and was creating long shadows from the rocks that were scattered over the sand. Amongst them were the lifeless corpses of the dragons John had slain before entering.

  Wow, Seth said in awe, examining one of the dead dragons. This one has been totally crushed. Hey, John, how did you do this?

  Worry about that later, Arthur replied impatiently as he started to drag one of the corpses by the tail across the sand, leaving an ugly red trail behind it. However he did it, he's in no shape to do it again, so let's move them before we're seen. He dragged the crushed corpse to the cave and disappeared into the darkness.

  This one looks like it's been chewed up, Seth called, looking at a body that was further away from the cave. Hey, these are just like the ones that had us pinned down near your place, Crystal! I told you John had something to do with it.

  Seth! Just move them! Crystal cried in frustration, half carrying, half dragging another body. Talk inside the cave!

  Seth sighed and clamped onto the tail of the dead dragon, dragging it across the sand and stones and leaving another trail of blood behind him. Arthur was already moving the final body.

  Daisy and Jenna were still standing next to John, watching the others move the bodies. Daisy, we should cover the blood, John told her. It's unlikely to be seen, but it may stand out from the air.

  Stay here, she replied quickly. I can do it. She sprang out of the cave and used her claws and tail to scatter sand over the trails of blood that led to the entrance. There, she said as she came back in. All done.

  Excellent, replied John. We should be safe now. We were unlucky to be spotted in the first place.

  Are you sure? Crystal asked, glancing up at the sky apprehensively before hurrying back into the cave.

  Very sure, John replied. We're some way away from the Blue border now and it's getting late, so no Blue Dragon would want to be flying around here now. No other dragons live near here.

  How can you know that? Jenna asked. They could have moved in since you were last here. How do you know that no one lives here?

  Isn't that obvious? Daisy asked. Did you see any plants or water while we were flying over this place? Anything that anyone could live on? We're in the middle of a desert. No one lives here because no one can live here. She paused. Or are you totally oblivious to what's around you?

  There was a slightly stunned silence following her response. Her voice and words had an edge that the others had not heard before.

  Daisy, that was a bit harsh, Arthur cautioned her. Are you alright?

  Daisy moved out of sight into one of the tunnels and transformed.

  "I'm fine, Arthur. Care for a walk in the caves?"

  Arthur nodded before transforming and joining her. They wandered off into the middle tunnel.

  Crystal and Seth looked at each before following their lead and transforming as well. "Don't get lost," Seth called after them. He turned to Crystal, "Do you fancy exploring as well?"

  "Not really. I think I've seen enough of these caves to last me a lifetime. Besides, they'll be pitch-black after a few metres."

  "Hmm, that's true. I can't see why they're bothering exploring."

  Crystal turned to Jenna, who was still a dragon and facing the ground morosely. "I think they're probably talking about whatever went on between Daisy and Jenna. Jenna, are you going to trans
form? Do you want to talk about it?"

  Jenna shook her head, staying where she was. Crystal shrugged. "Alright, I guess we could try and explore. Let's look in the other tunnel." They wandered off into the darkness, leaving John and Jenna both still as dragons. John stared at Jenna, her reptilian features masked her feelings, but he could tell that she was very upset.

  What? Jenna asked finally, staring back at him. She seemed uncomfortable looking at him and quickly turned back to studying the floor of the cave.

  I was wondering what your plan was, John replied. I don't know what was said or what happened earlier, but I do know that Daisy wouldn't have started anything on her own. So whatever you did, Daisy is presumably telling her brother right now. To get Daisy to hate you—well, to hate anyone—takes a lot, so I'm guessing that Arthur isn't going to take it well. So when he comes back to see you, I was wondering what you were thinking of doing.

  Jenna stared up at him again, a cold look in her red reptilian eyes. I should have known you'd take her side.

  John sighed audibly, breathing out bright blue flames. Do you really want to talk about sides? If you push everyone into taking sides, who will they side with? Who would you side with if you were Arthur? What could you say to him to make him take your side?

  Jenna shook her head miserably. I don't know. I thought that maybe I could hide in the caves, but I'm scared of them now. I don't want to face him.

  Or Daisy. You've somehow crossed a line with her. I've never seen her so angry. I guess you won't be calling her little Daisy any time soon.

  Jenna shook her head, a sense of hopelessness about her. John stared at her sadly, knowing that she only had herself to blame, but still feeling sorry for her.

  He's going to do whatever she tells him, Jenna stated glumly. He'll believe whatever she tells him, and that'll be it. He'll end it with me. There was a bitter tone to her thoughts.

  Could you blame him? John asked. Would you do anything differently in his place?

  Jenna didn't reply, her head sinking even lower.

  What about Daisy? Can you blame her for the way she's reacting? Have you treated her fairly?

  Jenna raised her red eyes to meet his blue ones, but didn't respond.

  Transform, Jenna. You don't want to meet them as a dragon when they come back.

  Jenna shook her head.

  You'll look like you're sulking and as hard as it is to believe, I know you'll make it even worse.

  What about you? Are you staying as a Blue Dragon? I hate looking at you like that. Can't you transform as well?

  John glanced at his wounds; the three deep gashes in his side would be even more painful after transforming, but he had little choice; the sun would set soon anyway. He transformed quickly, resolving to just get it over with and gasped as the intense pain flooded his body. He clutched his side, panting heavily and leaning on the cave wall for support. He looked back at Jenna as he caught his breath, giving her a hard look. She looked away, then began her transformation. John turned away to give her some privacy.

  "You can look," Jenna told him. She was standing a little way away from him, eyes trained on the floor. Tears were starting to roll down her cheeks. "Not much to look at now, eh?"

  "If you want sympathy, you may get it looking like that, but that's not what you need."

  "What do I need, John?"

  "Forgiveness. From Daisy mainly. If she forgives you then Arthur might let it go."

  "Fat chance of that," Jenna replied bitterly. "She hates me."

  "Why does she hate you?"

  "You know the answer to that."

  "Tell me anyway."

  Jenna paused. "She thinks I'm mean to her. That I treat her badly."

  John shook his head. "It's more than that. She thinks you despise her; that you look down on her."

  Jenna shrugged. "Same thing really."

  "Just saying sorry won't change what she thinks, because believe it or not, she can read you quite well and will need more than words. You need to change how you think, and you start by recognising that you have no reason to look down on her. She's a better flier than you, she's better at combat, she's smarter than you and does better than you in almost every subject. The only thing you were better at was being vicious and after watching her rip the head off that Blue Dragon, I think that's probably changed, hasn't it?"

  Jenna nodded. "She's braver than I am. I was so scared; I froze. I'm really sorry I didn't help you. I just couldn't…." Jenna broke down into tears, but John decided against comforting her.

  "I'm not the one you should be apologising to," John replied softly.

  "But your wounds," Jenna stuttered, "they looked so bad."

  "They'll heal," John replied with a shrug, trying to ignore the spasm of pain that it caused.

  "But how quickly?" Jenna asked between sobs. "What if we're found first? Could you defend us now? I've put us all in danger!"

  "Time will heal these wounds," John insisted. "There's nothing you can do to speed it up. And although you have much which you should feel bad about, that shouldn't include my injuries. You couldn't have done anything to stop that. But you can try and make things right with Daisy. And don't worry, we won't be found in these caves."

  Jenna didn't reply, but just carried on sobbing.

  "Can you try doing that, Jenna?" John pressed.

  Jenna nodded, still crying quietly.

  "Good," John replied. "Now if you don't mind, I think I'll have a little sleep."

  John sunk to the floor, his knees collapsing as his strength began to fail him before he lay down and passed out from the pain.

  Chapter 3 - A long rest

  "I think he's waking up."

  John opened his eyes slowly, adjusting to the firelight, and saw Jenna staring down at him. He was lying on the floor of a cave and the others were gathered around a small fire. Jenna backed away to give Daisy some room as she hurried over to see him.

  "John, John, can you hear me? Are you alright?"

  He closed his eyes again for a second, gathering his thoughts and trying to remember where he was. It came back to him; he was in the cave and had had a nap. There appeared to be some bedding underneath him and there was a blanket laid over his body. He wondered how they had done this without waking him.

  He opened his eyes again. "Oh, hello. I'm fine. Really, I just needed a little rest. Don't look so worried."

  Daisy and Jenna exchanged glances. They clearly weren't convinced. Daisy just shook her head and wiped his brow, which he was surprised to find was damp with perspiration.

  "I'll be fine," John assured her. "It's sweet of you to worry, but I'm sure my wounds will heal quickly."

  "You worried the nurses a bit there," Seth said, sauntering over casually and sitting down in front of him. "All of us, truth be told."

  "Why?" John asked, trying to sit up before clutching his side in pain.

  "Don't!" Daisy cried in alarm. "Your side looks terrible! You need to stay still."

  John pulled back the blankets and lifted up his top. His whole left side was a mess of reds, blues and blacks.

  "It all looks internal," Daisy explained. "You have no external cuts or wounds, but it looks really bad."

  John sighed. "I know, I can see it." He had wondered what would happen to his wounds when he transformed, and now he knew.

  "It doesn't look any better," Jenna told him. "Shouldn't it be getting better?"

  "After a couple of hours? It wouldn't heal that quickly. Not even as a dragon."

  Daisy's eyes widened. "A couple of hours? You've been unconscious for over a day."

  "A day!" John exclaimed in horror. "No wonder it looks bad. It won't heal properly while I'm human."

  "Then why did you change so quickly?" Daisy asked incredulously. "You could have spent more time healing before the sun went down."

  Jenna blushed immediately, but John ignored her. "It was getting late anyway; I would have had to change soon anyway. Besides, I wasn't too sure it wouldn
't heal. It's just what I'd read. Oh, and what my father had told me."

  "John!" Daisy hit his arm in frustration. "What were you thinking?"

  "I don't know," he confessed. "It's a bit of a blur to be honest. What time is it now? I can't tell if it's night or day in here."

  "It'll be morning soon," Arthur told him. "It's pitch-black out there and pretty cold too. We've moved you further into the caves, as the temperature seems to stay the same all the time here. You can't see the light from this fire outside; we checked."

  "So two nights here. Wow, that must have been fun."

  "It improved when these two signed a truce," Seth said, gesturing to Daisy and Jenna. "Although it has been boring. If I ever see a cave again—"

  "There is nothing out there, John," Crystal said, interrupting him. "Just sand and rocks. We managed to find some very dry wood, hence the fire, but there's nothing to see for miles."

  "The only thing keeping us from complete boredom has been betting on whether you'd wake up or not," Seth told him straight-faced, dodging Daisy's subsequent blow. "Hey, calm down! She's become feistier since her mortal combat, John. I'm starting to agree with Arthur. Perhaps you're not such a good influence on her—"

  Daisy glared at him and tried to swipe at him again.

  "Cut it out, you two," Arthur snapped. "John, seriously, what's the plan? We're running out of water and you're still looking pretty ill. Will you be able to fly soon?"

  John nodded. "Transforming will be very painful, but as a Golden Dragon my wounds will heal faster. We can fly today."

  "Today!" Daisy cried. "But you're not well enough! You should wait."

  "What if we meet any other dragons?" Jenna asked. "Can you still transform mid-air? You collapsed after transforming yesterday."

  "I'll have to stay as a Golden Dragon all day. But don't worry, we shouldn't meet anyone."

  "Hmm, shouldn't… that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, John," Seth told him. "Can't you give us something more than that?"

  John shrugged. "We're two hours' flight from the Blue Dragons' territory and will get further away as we fly as their border veers northward. No one else lives close to here. They'll patrol here, but never first thing in the morning. The alternative is dying of thirst. Take your pick."