by Andy Holland
Fantastic strike sir! Eric shouted. You've done it!
Of course, Perak boasted, listening to the cheers from the Blue Dragons. He wondered if they knew who it was who had saved them. He didn't wonder for long. Thousands and thousands of Blue Dragons began chanting his name.
Perak! Perak! Perak! Perak!
Come, Eric, Perak said, beginning to ascend again. The monster has dented our numbers, but we will still crush the Reds. On to the battle!
***
Jude! Mark called, seeing him rising up from the group of commanders. Have you brought any news?
The Blues hadn't taken off yet, at least not when I last saw them, which was some time ago. I've been stuck talking with the commanders. They fly so slowly.
Do you have any spies near their army? Mark asked. Do we know how many there are?
No, none unfortunately and we only have a guess at the numbers based on what we saw from a distance yesterday. They've been very effective at keeping us away. They're not going to tolerate any spies near their army so close to this battle.
Quite understandable, Mark replied. I'm guessing these Reds will be doing the same to any Blues they spot. How are the commanders?
Over-confident, Jude replied. Noah is being a little too downbeat, if you ask me, but it's not affecting their mood. A little more caution wouldn't be inappropriate.
Agreed, Mark replied. But there's nothing we can do about that. What are you going to do now?
Fly east, Jude replied. We can't rule out the possibility of a second army approaching and if they did, they'd almost certainly approach from the east. In fact, it's the most likely thing for the Blues to do, as we think that the numbers are in the Reds' favour at the moment. Most of my spies are spread out over the East and the South, just in case reinforcements appear. If that happens, then we need to get these Reds to turn around quickly.
That won't be happening, Mark replied. You didn't see them take off. It took for ever.
Then they'll die if reinforcements arrive, Jude replied. See you later, Mark. Farewell.
You too, Mark called after him as Jude quickened his pace and flew towards the east. Mark looked down at the slow-moving army beneath him. Now they were all in the air it was a truly spectacular sight with the dragons flying in rows several hundred across and stacked twenty high. The commanders were towards the back, flying above the army—a tiny group compared to the army they commanded. Hopefully small enough for the Blues to ignore if they have to escape, Mark thought to himself, spotting the five children flying behind the commanders. He wondered what John would think of this if he could see it...
***
That looks really bad, John said. Do you think it can survive that?
Wami and John circled high above the Blue Dragons, who had ignored them while they engaged the True Dragon. John had transformed into a Blue Dragon to lose the creature and then back to Golden once he was clear of the army. The True Dragon was still flapping its wings on the ground, trying to fly, but they could clearly see a stream of blood trickling from the wound behind its ear and it appeared to have lost its coordination. Its roars were even louder than before, the deafening sounds conveying a mixture of pain and anger.
No, I don't think so, Wami replied eventually. That was an amazing strike—something I didn't really think was possible. It's a good thing they can't all fly like the one who attacked it or we wouldn't stand a chance. Look, the Blue Dragons are starting to regroup and get ready to leave; they clearly don't see it as a threat any more. I can't believe it, but I think that Blue Dragon may have actually killed it. Much as I hate them, I have to admire that attack.
John's heart sank. Well, that's it, isn't it? This army is going to be on the move any minute now. They've lost loads of dragons but there's still too many and there's nothing to stop them now. We've wasted precious time that we should have spent going to warn the Red Dragons. Instead, they'll be flying here to meet their deaths.
Oh, no, it's not over yet, Wami replied confidently. No, the others will hear those cries. They'll be coming to help it any minute now.
Others? John asked in surprise. Other True Dragons? I thought there was just one of them. That's why we call it The True Dragon, rather than a True Dragon.
No, that's just a title. There's three of those in the Circle of Death. Didn't you know that?
No! Of course not! John couldn't believe Wami had failed to tell him this. I asked you to tell me everything, and I'd have thought that's something you'd have mentioned.
I didn't realise how little you Golden Dragons know about the True Dragons. Anyway, I'm telling you now. That sound will carry for a long way and they have great hearing you know. I expect we'll see them coming soon.
Wami! Suppose we had met one while that one was chasing us—we'd have had no chance!
I suppose that's true, Wami replied absent-mindedly. I did tell you that it was a crazy plan.
Well, either way, we need to get out of here. The Blues will be flying up here to attack us any minute now and then they'll be moving on. We need to get to the Red Dragon Army and warn them. If we can turn them around it might give them the head start they need.
Hmmm, Wami replied. Although I'm guessing that they'll probably need to worry about the True Dragons more than the Blues now. They'll probably attack every dragon they find for hundreds of miles around now.
Great, thanks, Wami. The plan was for the True Dragon to attack the Blues, not the Reds. Look, the Blue Dragons are flying this way. I think they've seen us.
Yes, I can see that, thank you. Hard to miss, really; hundreds of thousands of dragons flying towards you. Still, we're far too high for them to get to that quickly. What's the plan?
We have to split up, John replied. We don't know exactly where the Red Dragons are and we need to warn them. They're either going to meet two True Dragons or the Blue Army. You head that way and I'll head this way. Fly as fast as you can as we'll probably have the Blues chasing after us for the whole way.
Least of our worries, Wami replied. If a True Dragon doesn't get us, then you never know with the Red Dragons; they might turn on us anyway.
They won't, John replied. They know we're allies. Just go!
***
Why are they wasting time with those two dragons? Perak asked irritably, watching troops chase after John and Wami. They should be moving on.
There's only a few of our dragons going after them, Pan commented. But, Perak, that was amazing what you did! I thought you were going to instruct Kessick to kill the beast. I had no idea you were planning on attacking it yourself!
Kessick did attack it, Perak said cheerfully. The last thing that idiot will ever do. He actually died doing something very useful. I probably couldn't have landed that blow without him distracting it first.
I guess he will be remembered as a hero after all then, Pan agreed. Do you think he will get the statue he craved?
Not if I have anything to do with it. Only one dragon shall have a statue to commemorate that incredible achievement and that shall be me. I might not be permitted to join in the attack on the Red Dragons, but I shall still be remembered as the one who saved the army.
That you will, sir, Pan said in awe. Simply incredible. That thing is still screaming. It is dying, isn't it?
Without a question, Perak replied confidently. Can you not see the blood pouring from its head? It'll bleed to death eventually, although how long that will take is anyone's guess. It can't fly any more though, so it doesn't pose a threat to any of us.
I hate having to hear it, Pan said. Shame no one can't just put it out of its misery.
Don't be so sentimental, Perak scolded. It's just a dumb beast. It'll die soon enough. Besides, we won't hear it for long—we're on the move at last. Come, let's go and watch the Reds meet their doom....
***
Have your spies reported back to you again? Prince Henry asked Noah as he drew close to him and the other Lords. The Red Dragon Army was in the air and heading to
the south-east.
Not yet, your Majesty, Noah replied. Which is probably a good thing, since they're looking for any signs of reinforcements. It looks like the only Blue Dragons we'll be meeting are the ones in that camp.
Excellent, Prince Henry replied enthusiastically. You shall be apologising to me for your lack of faith this evening, Noah. We shall soon see the back of the Blue Dragons for good.
How far is it? Daisy asked. Will we see the army soon, do you think?
Not long, I suspect, Noah told her. Especially if they are flying towards us. If that is the case, I would advise you to turn around immediately, Princess, and return to your capital. You can do two useful things by doing that; passing on useful information, and surviving.
Come now, Prince Gerald argued, there's no need for such negativity, Noah. We're committed now. Try and show a little faith.
We'll see them long before we meet in the air, Lord Daniel told the young princess. This will be a sizeable army and we'll be able to spot them from far away. I'd like to surprise them, but our numbers are too high for that.
There's a Golden Dragon approaching, Jude announced, flying towards them. Not one of my spies, though, and I'm not sure who he is to be honest. I've sent one of my men to meet him. I think we can see the Blue Dragons in the distance behind as well. Jude turned and flew back to meet the newcomer.
He's flying quickly, Crystal observed, spotting the approaching dragon. Whoever he is, he appears to be in a hurry. Hey, is that a Brown Dragon behind him?
Why, it is! Princess Daisy replied brightly. Perhaps they've arrived to help us in the battle.
I doubt there would be just one if that were the case, Noah replied. Let's find out what they're doing here. Lords, a single Brown doesn't pose a threat, and remember, they are our allies. Please, come with me to meet him.
The commanding party sped up, slowly moving to the front of the army to meet the two dragons approaching them. Jude and one of his men had joined it in the air and were flying back towards them, leaving the two newcomers behind.
Turn the army around! Jude called out urgently as he approached. Now! Quickly, get everyone out of here.
Turn around? Prince Henry replied incredulously. Don't be ridiculous; we're on the verge of victory here.
The verge of utter destruction, Jude countered. Give the order now! I'll explain afterwards.
I'll do no such thing, Prince Henry replied. Not until you've explained yourself.
True Dragon! the new Golden Dragon screamed as it approached. Flee for your lives! It's coming this way! The Golden Dragon turned around after giving this warning, flying back to join the Brown Dragon.
That's John! Daisy screamed, recognising his voice. John! Come back!
But John was already too far away, having missed seeing the children behind the commanders, and was now flying swiftly with the Brown Dragon, heading away from the army back to where he had come from.
A True Dragon? Prince Henry asked. What on earth is that?
Turn the troops around! Lord Robert commanded loudly. Captain, give the order to the troops.
Of course, sir, the captain beside Lord Robert replied, flying ahead.
Wait a minute! Prince Henry objected angrily. I'm leading this attack, remember, Lord Robert.
These are not all your troops, Lord Robert replied sharply. They're here to help you, but I lead them and mine will be retreating and yours should as well if they want to survive. Lord Daniel, command yours to retreat if you want to have any alive after today.
Lord Daniel gave the order to his captains and the order began to spread throughout the army.
What's a True Dragon? Will someone tell me—Prince Henry's words died mid-sentence, as in the distance a huge, green, flying beast became visible, bearing straight for them. It's not possible, he gasped in shock. Nothing is that large!
That's a True Dragon, Prince Henry, Arthur told him, the alarm evident in his voice. I really think we should be leaving now. It's flying straight towards us.
That can't be real, Lord Daniel said slowly.
It is, and your troops are not turning fast enough, Noah replied anxiously. Up ahead, the army was splitting in two, with half turning to the right and half to the left. They were packed too closely, and changing direction was going to take too long to avoid the approaching danger.
Shouldn't we go back now? Jenna asked nervously. That thing is faster than the Golden Dragons. If it comes after us it'll catch us.
Yes, turn about now, Lord Robert replied, an urgent tone in his thoughts. Crystal, that's an order. All of you, go back now!
What about you, Father? Crystal asked. I told you how fast that thing is. You have to flee now if you're going to escape it.
I'll be able to concentrate on escaping once I know that you're out of here, Lord Robert replied. Go now!
Crystal, Seth, Jenna and Arthur began to turn, flying away from the commanders, who were still flying with the army, which was changing direction incredibly slowly. Hey, Daisy, Arthur called, flying back towards her, why aren't you coming?
Look! she called. It's John. He's flying straight at that True Dragon. What's he doing? she wailed. He'll be killed! Doesn't he know how dangerous it is?
I think he knows exactly how dangerous it is, Arthur replied, and he wouldn't want you anywhere near here. If something is going to happen to him he wouldn't want you to watch.
I'm staying, Daisy replied firmly. Arthur, you can leave if you want. I'm not leaving till I see what happens to John.
He's almost reached it, Noah called from above. John was flying away from them very fast so Noah flew higher to get a better look at what he was doing. Wait, I can't believe it. There's a second one! It's just visible, approaching us from the south. I thought there was only just one.
That's it, Daisy. Leave! Prince Gerald yelled at her.
You leave! You're the heir. I'm staying!
John's flying directly towards it, Noah called to them, now flying high above them. He's getting closer, closer… wait, he just threw something at its head!
The angry roars of the True Dragon filled the air immediately and Noah saw it turn abruptly to the right, flying to the east. It's going after John! he cried. I have no idea what he threw at that dragon, but it's infuriated it. I think the other one is flying after him as well. He's leading them away from us.
Two True Dragons after him! Daisy cried. Noah, can't you do something?
Not really, Noah replied. They're True Dragons, Daisy. They're faster than we are. If it's after John, it'll catch him before I could get to him and even if I could get there first, there's nothing I could do.
Mark! Daisy screamed. Can you see this?
Mark dropped down to fly next to Noah. I can see those True Dragons flying after that Golden Dragon. He's leading them away from this army, which means we can get you all out of here. What's the problem?
That's your brother! Daisy screamed in desperation. You have to do something!
Mark started in surprise, turning abruptly to face the True Dragon again. He would have had the same view of John that Noah would have had; John was doing well at dodging the huge dragon’s attacks, but it could only be a matter of time before he was caught and there wasn't anything that he could do.
We have to flee, Noah urged him. Don't let your brother's death be for nothing.
Mark was silent for a few seconds, his eyes fixed on the scene ahead of them. John was too far ahead of the second creature, but the first was gaining on him. In a few seconds he would almost certainly watch his brother die. Noah didn't want him to see that, or Daisy for that matter. Just before he spoke Mark saw something ahead.
Wait, Mark said to Noah. Look, ahead of John. What's that?
What's what? Noah asked, seeing nothing but the two huge creatures chasing John. Suddenly he realised what Mark was referring to. Oh, I don't believe it—
We can't see! Daisy cried from below. Tell us what you see.
Noah said nothing, watching
the horizon in absolute horror. Just ahead of John, the sky was dark, and he had just realised what it was. The huge Blue Dragon Army was approaching them, so numerous that they blurred into a huge dark mass, and they were flying straight towards John and the two huge True Dragons.
Is that what I think it is? Lord Robert asked, awestruck.
Enough Blue Dragons to utterly destroy this army, Noah replied coldly. It's fortunate that we're already turning around. We wouldn't stand a chance against them. I only hope we have enough of a lead to make it back.