by Andy Holland
Crystal looked at her father in confusion. Her mind had wandered a little in the ceremony, so perhaps she had missed something.
"Dear, were you not paying attention?" her mother asked, raising her eyes to the sky. "Some things never change."
"I'm to be our Ambassador to the new city," Lord Robert stated proudly. "I volunteered for the position."
Crystal's mouth opened in surprise. "Why Father, why did you do that?"
"A couple of reasons," he replied. "Firstly, I believe that this could work, but it needs to have the right people involved. There are few people who have my experience and connections within our government and most of the others are less keen on this whole project. I don't want to be boastful, but I think that I could make a real difference. Secondly, it will be much nearer to the Golden Dragons. If you choose to live there, we would just a day's flight away."
"Maybe slightly more," John added. "But much nearer all the same. And I think you'll make an excellent Ambassador, Lord Robert."
"But what about school?" Crystal asked. "I need to finish my education. I will be staying in Furnace, won't I?"
"The city isn't built yet," her mother replied. "And won't be for some time. It will be months before father moves and I won't be moving until you've finished school."
"You'll probably be working with my brother," John told Lord Robert. "He's going to be working on setting up the new cities. Prince Gerald is going to show him some of the Western Principality first, but then they're both going to be working together next year."
"I heard about that," Lord Robert replied. "Having Gerald's support will be invaluable; he's very popular in the Centre and in the West. And your brother's experience working in your Sanctuary will be very useful."
"What about you, John?" Crystal asked. "Where will you be next year?"
John smiled. "I will remain here for another year, myself and plenty of other Golden Dragons. Our government is keen to build on the relationships we've formed during the war and your Prince has agreed to let us stay in Furnace for the time being. The others will be mainly looking at possibilities for trade, but I'll be back at school. The Headmaster has kindly asked me to return to teach flying again, but in a more official capacity and I'll also be helping update some of your history books."
"Sounds exciting," Jenna commented, having just turned up with Arthur, Daisy and Seth. "But I guess you'll take any excuse to keep you here with Daisy. We read your little scroll, by the way."
Daisy took John's arm, beaming proudly. Crystal wondered if John had discussed his health with her.
"How are you feeling, John?" she asked meaningfully. "Fully recovered yet?"
Daisy's face fell immediately and Crystal could tell that they had spoken about it, but John appeared more upbeat.
"Not too bad, thanks, Crystal. I've had some discussions with Noah about that. I felt a lot better while I was in the Circle of Death, almost completely healthy, and I wondered if there was something special about the place. Maybe there's a cure to be found there. He's agreed to go there with Wami and me on his way home."
"A holiday in the Circle of Death, now that sounds fun, John," Seth said with a laugh. "Count me out of that one. Are you going to let us know what you're talking about, or is this another secret between you and Crystal."
"I'll tell you later, Seth," John replied. "I don't think now is the time for serious discussions."
"Never a truer word said," Seth replied. "Now is the time to celebrate. I sneaked out of the ceremony after we received our medals and bumped into your other cousin, Crystal, in one of the more interesting city squares, with some of the other Golden Dragons who weren't invited to the ceremony. She was showing off a very impressive transformation trick, where she partially transforms so that scales only cover part of her body, so she doesn't actually require any clothes. It's like a scaly swimming costume. Arthur, you have to see it. She was very popular. You should get her to teach you how to do it, Crystal."
"I bet she was," Jenna replied, glaring at Seth. "But Arthur does not need to see it."
"I think she may have had some alcohol," Seth commented. "Nothing particularly strong, but I don't think she knew what they were serving. It may have been affecting her behaviour."
"This we can watch," Jenna replied. "Coming, Crystal? John? I'm sure Daisy would like to see this."
"I'm not sure about this," Crystal replied. "I can't drink, remember? Watching you all make fools of yourself is less fun than you might imagine."
"I'll come," John added. "But I don't think I'll stay that long. Parties aren't really my thing."
"Oh," Jenna replied, looking disappointed. "That's a shame. But we should do something to celebrate with all of us. Perhaps we could all go away somewhere. Maybe we could go and stay in the West?"
"No, I have a much better idea," John said, smiling with an uncharacteristically mischievous look. "Let’s go camping! I know some marvellous caves we can explore!"
Chapter 36 - Never over
Jerome approached the cave cautiously. This was the agreed meeting place and it was a location that was unlikely to be visited by any Red Dragons, especially not at the moment. Despite their noisy celebrations and bravado in the safety of their cities, few would dare venturing so close to the Blue Dragons border as this. Yet he felt uncomfortable nonetheless. He knew someone was in; they had an agreed sign which was updated each day to let him know it was safe to approach, but was there anyone that was safe to trust now? So many dragons were dead; perhaps there were none left alive who knew anything about the role he had played. Even if they had, now that the peace treaty had been signed, how could he tell whether he had been sold out or not? Many had been taken prisoner by the Red Dragons and had been in captivity for quite a few days before being released. He wondered what information they had given before their release and whether this was a trap or not. There was only way to tell.
He reached the entrance and peered into the cave, looking around carefully. There was no light in the cave and he couldn't even hear the sound of someone breathing.
"So you finally came?" The question came from the back of the gloomy cave and took him by surprise, the echo making it hard to recognise the voice.
"Perak?" he asked hesitantly. "Is that you?"
"Who else would it be?" Perak's voice was scathing, the anger barely disguised. He moved into the light, glaring at Jerome.
"An enemy," Jerome replied. "A trap, perhaps. They've taken many prisoners; maybe one of them could have talked."
"Never!" Perak snapped. "Only my men know of this meeting place and none of them would ever talk. They are not weak like the Red Dragons." He glared at Jerome as he spoke, as if he was including him in their number.
"You mean the Red Dragons that have just defeated you; the ones that Kanesh has surrendered to and signed a humiliating treaty with?"
"Bah! It was not the Red Dragons that defeated us. It was the monstrosities brought on by that filthy golden beast. Had they not arrived, Red Dragons would be wiped from history, forgotten within two generations, never to be mentioned again."
Jerome did not ask where that left him, starting to wonder whether he would like the answer. "But they did turn up and they did wipe out your army. I hear that they are still feasting on the remains of those they killed, taking back hundreds of corpses each day to store in their hidden lair."
Perak's eyes narrowed, sneering at Jerome. "You hear? I did much more than just hear about them. I saw them. I saw them as close as I now see you. I was the one that struck the fatal blow that killed the first of them. Do not talk to me of what you hear."
"No? Isn't that the reason that I am here? To tell you what I hear? Perhaps there is no point any more. After all, the army is routed, the monstrosities are busy ravaging our cities and Kanesh is the new leader of a country that is about to be divided up and ruled over by the Reds and Browns. What possible use could you have for my news?"
"Revenge of course," Perak hissed. "Kanesh can have
his moment of glory—it will not last. That schemer is no leader. Zygar intended that I would rule after him, not Kanesh. He was merely to be the Prime Minister. I was the chosen successor. He has no authority with which to sign any treaty. And ours is not a nation that will stand to be ruled over. Mark my words, this treaty will not last.
But no, none of this is my immediate concern. These are matters that will wait. My concern is ensuring that the Golden Dragon that ruined us, the boy that brought in the Browns as well as stirring up those devils, that he suffers. There will be no quick death for him. I want him to feel this pain I and every other Blue Dragon feels right now. One day we'll rid this land of those unnatural beasts; it would have been my dream even if we had won that battle; they're not safe to leave alive. But I can't wait until we attack all of them. He'll suffer much sooner than the rest. I need you to tell me how to make him suffer. I want him to pay!"
Jerome shrugged, growing bored of Perak's rants. "I can't see how you'll make that happen. He's in the West, with his girlfriend, the Princess, probably staying in her palace. It's probably the most secure place in the whole Kingdom."
Perak fumed as he thought this over. "Fine, I can wait. He's not one of them, so he won't be able to stay there for ever. He'll move eventually and when he does I want you to find out and let me know."
"Seriously? You're just going to stay in this cave until he leaves the West? That could takes weeks. Months, even."
"Don't be a fool! I will leave here today. I must begin to make preparations for Kanesh's departure. His reign will be very short. No, you will leave a note here whenever you have any news. Come frequently. I may leave instructions."
Jerome sighed, not concealing his irritation. He was no longer intimidated by Perak, his downfall having shattered Jerome's illusions about Perak's invulnerability. Perak had always been far better at him than everything; taller, smarter, stronger, faster, skilful at everything he did, more determined… the list went on. But just as Jerome had now caught up with him in height, he had in turn excelled at many things himself, and suspected that the gap in their abilities was no longer there. True, Perak had killed that beast—at least so he claimed. Surely he couldn't have done so on his own. "I'll have to see," Jerome replied. "I may not be able to come that frequently. To tell you the truth, I can't really see the point. You won't send any minions to check, as, well, you have none any more and you won't check yourself, so why should I waste my time?"
"Because I order you to!" Perak shouted, forgetting himself. He dropped his voice quickly. "Don't forget who you are, Jerome. You were brought up by us and you've been our spy all this time. Not a very good one, I add. You should have realised what that boy was and told me about it. Your failure is what has led us to the situation we are now in. But that doesn't change what you are. If the Reds were to learn that you were a spy—the spy who gave away so much information to us—then your life would be over. Walking away from me is not an option. Do I make myself clear?"
The threat was hardly subtle. Do as I say, or I'll give you up to the Reds. Jerome met his cold gaze. If he had a weapon to hand, he would have used it on Perak without hesitation. Then he caught a glimpse of Perak's sword hanging from his side and knew that Perak could draw it and cut him in two in a single movement should he choose to do so, such was his expertise with the ancient weapon. Even if Jerome tried to transform, Perak could kill him with that sword before he had formed thick enough scales to protect himself. Yet he felt more hatred than fear. This was the thanks that he received for his years of faithful service. "Perfectly clear, Perak. I had no intention of walking away."
Perak nodded and put his bag on his back before leaving the cave. He walked away from Jerome without another word and began the long trek towards the border. Jerome watched him leave, wondering how long he would need to wait before transforming and flying back east.
"You made yourself perfectly clear, Perak," he said out loud to himself once Perak was safely away. "And the next time you threaten me, I'll kill you." He transformed and took off, beginning the long flight back to Furnace; back to his home.
***
Thank you for reading this book, and I hope you enjoyed it. If you did enjoy it, please take a moment to leave a review at your favourite retailer.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Jered Gunn, who provided so much valuable feedback and advice that has helped vastly improve this book, and to thank my wife, Becky, who encouraged and supported me throughout the writing of these two books.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Beginning the Journey
Chapter 2 - The Caves
Chapter 3 - A long rest
Chapter 4 - End of the Journey
Chapter 5 - Golden Capital
Chapter 6 - City Tour
Chapter 7 - Before Parliament
Chapter 8 - Official Party
Chapter 9 - Meeting the Browns
Chapter 10 - The Report
Chapter 11 - Beginning the invasion
Chapter 12 - The Rescue Mission
Chapter 13 - Raising the alarm
Chapter 14 - Inside the Prison Camp
Chapter 15 - First attack
Chapter 16 - An appeal to the parliament
Chapter 17 - Attacking the Prison Camp
Chapter 18 - Return to home
Chapter 19 - Consolidation
Chapter 20 - Evacuating the camp
Chapter 21 - Strange encounters
Chapter 22 - Flying the prisoners home
Chapter 23 - Planning the defence
Chapter 24 - The Circle of Death
Chapter 25 - Succession
Chapter 26 - Return to Furnace
Chapter 27 - Under siege
Chapter 28 - John's war
Chapter 29 - Planning the response
Chapter 30 - Fighting back
Chapter 31 - Rushing back
Chapter 32 - Final Victory
Chapter 33 - Aftermath
Chapter 34 - Peace Treaty
Chapter 35 - The End
Chapter 36 - Never over
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS