by Ritu Ghosh
Jane didn’t protest much, she knew she needed rest. She smiled at Aaron and walked behind him in the corridor to her room.
Aaron was standing in the corridor quite puzzled; he never got how anyone can know which door is what room. It was so confusing, all the doors looked alike.
Jane came behind Aaron and laughed.
“Are you lost”? she giggled.
“This is not funny, I really can't figure out what room is what. How do you know? They are all the same” said Aaron.
“That’s because you do not know the secret” said Jane.
“The secret? What secret?!”
“Here, just half close your eyes and you will see the secret." Aaron did as Jane said and he saw an entirely different place. The doors were of all different colors and with numbers on them. The corridor was not white at all. It was just lit by a few torches and was made of stones.
He opened his eyes fully again and it all changed back to white.
“What just happened? I saw a very different place”
“Well, that is the real place Aaron”
"So, what I am seeing now is an illusion?"
“Yes it is, the wizard’s house could not be a very easy place to be. The invaders should never be able to figure this place out” said Jane with a grin.
But Aaron’s expressions changed to a worried one.
“But then, how did the Lurgs manage to come here and find the dragon eggs?”
Jane grew serious too; she was not sure about what to say.
“I don’t know Aaron, there is something to all this. The Lurgs are not very smart to crack the magic codes by themselves, may be they were helped by somebody else, but I don’t know for sure”
Aaron looked around for a second, he could find Jane’s room easily this time. He opened the door of Jane’s room and kept her bag near the wardrobe.
“Thanks” said Jane and sat on the bed.
Aaron was still in deep thoughts; more questions were forming in his mind. He turned back to ask Jane something but Jane was already fallen on the bed and was fast asleep. Aaron held onto his questions for later, he slowly slid out of the room and gently closed the door behind him.
‘Poor Jane must have had a pretty hard day’ he thought to himself.
Aaron walked through the corridor but now it was not the same place as he had seen before. He stopped from place to place and looked around with his eyes half closed. He was happy to learn the secret. Once he came out of the corridors and walked into the hall, he closed his eyes half again. It was different instantly. The white halls were gone and Aaron saw an elaborate decorated hall with big furniture and rich furnishing.
He walked outside the house and reached the lawn. There, the rest of the company was sitting huddled together except Billy who was not included and was standing looking at the horizon near the gates.
They were discussing important matters clearly, Belster and Ony were upset over what they had learned from Dan about the dragon eggs.
Aaron walked towards them. Dan stood up instantly seeing Aaron.
“Any news of Flynn?” he asked.
“Yes, his wound healed. The poison is gone. He will be able to get better soon." said Aaron happily.
Ony gave a sigh of relief and Dan stood there looking at Aaron “Did Jane find a cure?” he finally asked.
“No but Arkion did” said Aaron.
“Who is Arkion?” asked Belster.
“Arkion is my pet dragon” said Aaron looking at Belster.
“Your pet dragon?” Belster looked confused.
“Yes Belster, Aaron found a newborn dragon and it wishes to be taken care by him” said Dan interrupting.
“Found a dragon? Do you know how dangerous dragons are boy? You have no idea about their strength. Nobody keeps a dragon as a pet” said Belster frowning.
“I can take care of Arkion” said Aaron.
“Dragons are nothing but trouble, you know nothing about them, get rid of it as soon as you can” added Belster.
It was true, Aaron knew nothing about dragons but that didn’t mean he couldn’t keep Arkion. He would go to any length to understand Arkion.
“Arkion is not trouble. He is a healing dragon, he healed Flynn” Aaron said loudly.
Ony gasped and stood up. Dan looked at Aaron and even Billy came running from a distance.
“The dragon healed Flynn, are you sure Aaron?” asked Dan.
“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. Jane said he is a Teradox or Orchix, she will know soon."
Nobody said anything. Belster was alone in deep thoughts now. "I think we should take the dragon to Alfadon. He would know more about him and also what the Lurgs are up to”, said Belster as he sat down on the lawn stairs.
“Alfadon will not know about what the Lurgs were up to Belster, we have to find that out ourselves” said Dan.
“But I thought they were raising an army of dragons” said Aaron.
“Yes they are kid, but we do not know why or what other plans they have and till we find that out, there is no point in going back” said Ony and thumped his axe on the ground.
“Jane said there was somebody helping the Lurgs in this house, the Lurgs are not smart enough to reach the hidden chambers” said Aaron.
“This doesn’t sound good” said Dan and paced around for sometime
“We should know what is going on”
“But how?” asked Dan. Ony and Belster and looked at each other.
“May be we should catch one of those Lurgs and ask him” Billy said suddenly.
Everybody looked at him. Belster was annoyed beyond words. He was fuming. Ony kept a hand on Belster’s shoulders "He is trying to help” Ony whispered.
Belster cooled down but then Aaron said “In fact, it’s a great idea" and looked at Dan with his eyes glittering.
Dan’s mouth gaped for a second “What are you saying Aaron?” he asked.
“The boy has gone mad. That is what it is. He wants to go among the Lurgs again and get killed” said Belster and leapt towards Aaron. Aaron took a few steps back.
“These are unlike any Lurgs we have seen boy, if they find us here, things will not be great” said Belster,
“No I do not mean I want to bring all of them here, just one, so that we could know what is really going on and don’t have to guess any more. What they are planning could be dangerous for Kron." said Aaron.
Before Belster could say anything more, Dan came forward and said “How are you going to do that?”
Belster looked back at Dan.
“I can’t believe you are actually listening to the boy. This is a ridiculous idea” said Belster.
“Belster, the only thing to do now is to know what exactly is going on” said Dan and turned to Aaron.
“Aaron, have you thought it through?" Dan asked.
“Not really, but I think we should try to find the Lurgs and single one out” said Aaron as his lips curled into a smile. The others huddled around to listen to Aaron’s plan.
“The Lurgs may be well armored and trained fighters, but they are not very bright. We could trick one of them out of their company. We can then bring him here and then Ony can make sure that he talks” said Aaron. Ony stumped his axe again and said “Yeah”.
“It’s a very stupid plan boy, if the Lurg manages to inform the others or if he doesn’t speak, then we would have given them our location and we can’t even flee with your friend wounded” said Belster.
“Don’t you worry about the Lurg Belster, we will make sure he talks and could never inform his friends” said Dan.
“Now Aaron, how do we distract the Lurgs?" Dan asked.
Aaron smiled and told them the plan that he made.
“Excellent!” said Ony "We will do that the first thing in the morning as the sun comes out”
Belster didn't seem to be in agreement at all, but he nodded and walked inside the house.
“We should have some food, I am starving” said Ony.
The
y all went inside after securing the entrance and the gates. They closed all the doors and windows of the house tightly.
Chapter 8
The Invisibility Potion
Jane was up again and tending to Flynn. Ony and Dan made food arrangements in the kitchen and Bo helped them. Belster sat in the hall like a king and helped no one.
Aaron sat next to Flynn watching him sleep peacefully. Aaron and Jane spoke about the new plan he had come up with.
“Be careful out there” said Jane with concern, the Lurgs are dangerous and also they are cruel and ruthless, try not to be seen at all”
"How could I do that? Its really hard to be invisible in the jungle Jane, but I will be careful” Aaron assured Jane.
“Wait a minute” said Jane and went out of Flynn’s room. After a few moments she returned with a small potion bottle. "Here, this is an invisibility potion, if you have this, you will be invisible for up to an hour” said Jane.
Aaron grabbed the bottle eagerly.
“Wow! Invisibility potion, this is so awesome” he said.
“Yes, but be very careful with it and use it only when you really need it. This is made with very rare ingredients which is not found in Kron”
“How did you get it?” asked Aaron.
“Well, I know some secret places where Alfadon has hidden such rare things” said Jane and gave Aaron a mischievous smile.
Aaron was surprised. He always thought Jane was one of those good people who lived by the good rules, but she was much more fun that he had expected. Aaron laughed with her and thanked her for the potion.
“Dinner is served” said Bo standing near the door and went away.
Both Aaron and Jane got up to come out of the room.
Aaron looked at Flynn and said “I wish he could have dinner with us tomorrow”
Jane kept her hand softly on Aaron’s shoulder “I am very sure he will”.
They walked down to the dining hall and found the others already digging into the food. Bread, cheese and plenty of rabbit meat was kept for dinner. Even a good supply of wine and ale was available.
Bo wore a small apron and brought out special herbed chicken and turnips that he cooked. Everyone enjoyed the dinner very much.
Ony was again in a merry mood and everybody joined him in singing after the dinner. But they kept it very low and short.
After some fresh plums for dessert, they went to their rooms to retire for the day.
Before going to his room, Aaron came back to Flynn’s room. Jane and Bo were making some special medicine for him. Dan was sitting next to Flynn.
“I don’t think we should leave Flynn alone like this” said Aaron and Dan looked up at him.
“You don’t have to worry Aaron, I and Bo will be here for Flynn” said Jane as she poured the medicine into Flynn’s mouth.
“You think he will be fine by tomorrow?” asked Dan.
“I don’t know for sure Dan but Arthium leaves will ensure it” said Jane.
“Arthium leaves. The same leaves that Dan brought before?” asked Aaron.
“Yes, last time it didn’t work because the poison was still in his body. But now, it is sure to work. He will be able to walk in no time if he gets Arthium leaves” said Jane.
“I will get some more tomorrow” said Dan and walked out of the room.
“You should get some rest too Aaron, you will be on an important mission tomorrow” said Jane.
Aaron nodded and said “Thanks for taking care of Flynn. It means a lot to me”
Jane smiled and Aaron felt comforted. He went to his room.
Arkion was still sleeping in his basket. Aaron kept some plums and some grains in a small tray next to him in case he woke up and got hungry at night.
Aaron lay on his bed and soon sweet sleep came over him.
The next morning Aaron was the first one to wake up. He went through his plan in his mind once again. Arkion was wide awake and was walking around in the room looking at everything. He had some of the plums and grains that Aaron had left near the basket.
When Arkion saw Aaron awake, he stood near the leg of the bed and looked at Aaron. When Aaron didn’t do anything Arkion made a noise and tried to fly. Aaron picked him up in his palm and kept Arkion next to himself. Arkion walked on the bed for some time and then sat all curled up.
Aaron got ready and made a small pack of the things he would need. He took the invisibility potion and kept it in his bag very carefully. He also took a few tomatoes from the kitchen and some smooth stones that were lying around in the garden.
The others were ready by the time Aaron was done collecting all the things he would need to execute his plan. He went inside in hope of some breakfast.
Jane had made breakfast. Plenty of fruits were laid out on the table and the sweet smell of bread and honey filled the air. Big jars of milk were kept separately on the table.
Aaron quickly grabbed a plate and joined the others for breakfast. He had a little of everything and gave Jane a thankful smile.
Belster and Ony were waiting for Dan and Aaron after their breakfast. Jane was warning them against going very near the Lurgs.
“They can sense humans even if you are invisible. It’s their power. Stay away as much as you can from them and you will be fine” Jane said to Aaron.
“Don’t worry Jane, we will be safe” said Aaron and gave her an assuring smile.
Jane smiled back “Take care!” she said to Dan and Aaron.
“You be safe too, shut down all the doors and windows, we do not know who else is out there. The news of our disappearance must have reached the other spies of the Evil Force” said Dan.
Jane nodded. Aaron and Dan walked outside and joined the others. Jane slowly closed the door behind them and walked inside with Bo at her side.
“Are we still sticking to the boys’ plan?” asked Ony as he saw Aaron.
“Not really. There are some last minute changes” said Aaron.
Belster gave Aaron his irritated look “You can't keep changing plans at the last moment” he said.
“I have an invisibility potion now. I will drink it and try to distract one of the Lurgs out of their group. None of you have to come near when I am doing this. The Lurgs can smell humans, only Billy can come closer and help me. But we should not be seen by them at any cost” added Aaron quickly.
They all agreed to the new plan and advanced for their horses.
“So where do we start with Aaron?” asked Dan.
“Let’s look for the Lurgs first” said Aaron and pulled his horses’ reins.
Everybody followed Aaron’s lead. Aaron seemed to remember the way they had come from earlier. Soon, they came to the same place where they last encountered the Lurgs.
He got down from his horse and examined the place “What do you have to say Ony? Where have the Lurgs gone?” he asked as Ony came towards him.
“I don’t think the Lurgs have gone very far” said Ony.
Ony examined the ground and trees very carefully. He even smelled the ground they fought on.
“The dead bodies are gone too. They have dragged the bodies with them, they could not have reached very far” he said and Dan agreed.
“We just need to follow their trails, with their leader gone, they will not be able to hide like before. Belster and Ony are the best at tracking. Start your work then” Dan said and went back to his horse.
Belster and Ony walked in opposite directions. While Ony was examining every physical thing there was, Belster seemed to feel the air around him. They both walked with their horses and others followed them.
“They have camped here for the night” said Ony as he bent down and plucked a berry from the shrubs. “They didn’t light a fire but they were here for the night”
“They are not very far away, I can smell them, it’s getting stronger. I also smell something burning that is very pungent” said Belster and covered his nose.
They walked silently through the jungle avoiding the branches t
hat protruded in some places. Because the forest was not very thick it was easier to find the path, but there was also the danger of getting seen.
A smoky smell hit their noses. It wasn’t very far. They could see a pile of something almost in ashes at a distance. Ony ran towards it.
“Belster was right. Look, they burned their dead here. Its still burning” he said and looked closer into the burning pile.