Crystal shook her head firmly. "No, sorry John, but it's not enough. I'm very grateful that you saved my father, and me and my friends, and I'm sorry I was mean to you, but I don't want to spend hours of my life discussing all this with you. I have enough of it at school and I don't have much interest in the lessons I have to take. Not unless you can give me something more. I know you told me your father asked you to do this, but I have no idea why."
John paused for a long time before replying, as if struggling with how to respond. "It's partly to do with your real mother. I need to tell you who she was...when you're ready."
Crystal sat up in surprise at this news. "My mother? You've never mentioned this. What do you know of my mother? I don't even know her name. Why have you not mentioned anything about her before?"
"If I tell you, will you agree to be my student?" John asked coyly.
"That's not fair!" Crystal objected angrily. "You don't have a right to keep that information from me!"
"You're not ready to learn about your mother," John replied stubbornly. "And I'm not allowed to tell you about her. I've been given clear instructions on how to explain all of this to you, and it's been planned in a way to make easiest for you to handle. Who and what your mother was is part of the final lesson. This is for your benefit and your safety."
"My safety?" Crystal asked in confusion. "How is my safety at stake? I really don't understand."
John shrugged again, something that Crystal was starting to find very annoying. "Again, that will not be clear till the final lesson."
"Aargh!" Crystal screamed at him. "This is so frustrating! Why can't you just answer my questions? At least tell me my mother's name."
"Her name was Mary," John stated.
"Mary? Just Mary. Any other names?"
John shook his head. "Yes, but I haven't been told what they are. Look, I think you can admit that there are things I can teach you that you do want to know. But you will not know what you want to know until you learn a little more. The final lesson will be the most interesting lesson, but we can only get there once we have completed the other lessons, which will be faster if we start now. I want to tell you all about your mother, but I've been told very clearly what order I have to give you all of this information, and I've promised to follow that instruction. I wish I could tell you more but you aren't ready yet."
Crystal sighed, defeated. "I do want to know about my mother," she admitted, her voice softening. "I can't believe you didn't mention this sooner."
"That was not my choice," John replied apologetically. "My orders were to gain your friendship first, teach you the first nine lessons and then tell you everything about your mother in the final lesson. I've broken a promise to many people I respect just by telling you as much as I have." John paused and looked down, a sad expression on his face. "Look, I was selected on my ability to learn and to understand information as they thought it would make me a better teacher, not on my ability to make friends. That was harder than I thought it would be. If I was better at this you'd already know about your mother."
Crystal felt sorry for him. It wasn't a plea for sympathy, but an apology for failure. "I guess I didn't make it that easy for you. But anyway, what do you mean, selected? I thought it was your father's idea. Wasn't he a friend of my mother?"
John smiled. "There will be a lot to cover in that final lesson. May we begin?"
"Everything of interest apparently. Alright, I accept, although under protest. How are we going to do this?"
"At your pace, of course. My only purpose for being here in Furnace is for this, so I am obliged to make myself available as much as possible."
"Obliged to?" Crystal shook her head. "You really know how to make someone feel special. I do hope you're not going to be like this with Daisy."
John shook his head. "I probably am not as I should be with Daisy, but it is easier. Please understand, before I moved to Furnace, I spent the last six years living with just my father in a community with no other children. My father taught me everything, and was an excellent tutor, but social interactions were, well, rather limited. Coming to this place has been far harder than I expected."
Crystal suddenly felt very bad; sorry for how she treated him. "Just your father? What about your mother? Is she…."
John shook his head. "No, she's alive, but in poor health. She isn't able to travel, so stayed behind when we had to move. My father has gone back to her now."
Crystal was confused. "Why did you have to move? Have you really not seen her at all in six years? Couldn't you have visited her? You're such a good flier; couldn't you have just flown to your old home?"
John shook his head. "Some journeys are a little more difficult than others. I haven't seen her even once, and I've had very few letters. My father has visited her a few times, of course, but then he is a far better flier than me. It hasn't been possible for me to do so yet."
"So why did you move?" Crystal asked.
John looked at her with a sad smile. "Perhaps you can guess the answer to that one. If not, we'll cover it in the final lesson."
Crystal had a nasty suspicion that she was the reason he had moved, but decided not to press the matter.
"Alright, so, I understand your 'obligations', but I think you need to add Daisy to that list—if you want to keep her—as well as working for the Keeper if you want to stay here at this school. How about we meet after school twice a week for an hour?"
"It is agreed," John said solemnly. "You may choose the time and location."
"Alright. We can start after the holidays. There's only one more week and then I'll be away. Perhaps we can make this a two way lesson. I'll help you socially in return. My first bit of advice is to try to speak to me like a sixteen-year-old friend rather than a judge or a general or a professor. Haven't you noticed that no one else speaks like you?"
John smiled and relaxed a tiny bit. "Thank you. I'll try and do as you advise."
Crystal shook her head and smiled. "We'll have to work on that."
Chapter 26: End of Term
It was the last week of term and most of the students were heading home for the holidays, the exceptions being those students from the capital and the few whose parents were visiting them instead. All of them were going to be spending time with their parents—all except John.
But Crystal could tell that his last week at school was going to be much more enjoyable than the rest of the term had been. Although Daisy was not one to hide her feelings, she had heeded her brother's warnings, and was doing her best to hide the fact that she was with John; so far, only a handful of students knew. Despite their restraint, Jenna was finding her adoring glances at John nauseating.
"A little sickening, aren't they?" Jenna commented to Crystal as they watched them sitting closely together at break. "I'm surprised she's not sitting in his lap."
Crystal laughed. "Something you'd never do of course!"
"Nasty! It's not so nauseating when I flirt; besides, I only do it when I'm trying to win them in the first place, not afterwards. And I thought they were trying to keep it a secret. Look at her dopey face; she's completely oblivious to everyone around her. As always!"
"Just ignore her! She's not doing anything to you. You should be grateful to her. If she hadn't invited John you'd be dead."
"Yes, I know because you keep on reminding me. You'd be dead as well of course."
"Yes, I know but at least I've spoken to and thanked John. And agreed to talk to him more in the future."
"Hmmm, about that," Jenna commented, "how much time are you going to be wasting with him each week?"
Crystal shrugged. "I don't know. And it won't be wasted time if he tells me anything about my mother."
"If he knows anything, of course," Jenna countered. "He could be making it all up. I'm surprised Daisy is alright with all of this. Still, she's not too sharp, so she probably can't see what he's trying to do."
Crystal raised her eyes to the ceiling and tried to change the subj
ect. "Looking forward to the holidays?"
Jenna sighed. "Not particularly. We're going to somewhere in the west to visit relatives, but it's not near to where Arthur lives, and when I asked if he wanted me to fly over and stay for a couple of days he told me not to bother, saying that he's going to be too busy with family."
Crystal nodded. "I suppose it is only two weeks. I don't think his parents have visited here even once."
"A lot can happen in two weeks," Jenna pointed out. "Arthur could meet someone else. He wouldn't be able to do that if I was there."
"Please, Arthur isn't like that; you were the one who did all the chasing, remember?"
"What are you two arguing about?" It was Jerome, who sauntered over and sat down in front of them. As usual, he was dressed immaculately, and Crystal wondered hopefully if that was for her benefit. He had been paying more attention to her again, although Jenna suspected he was seeing someone else as well.
"Just discussing the holidays," Crystal replied casually. "What have you got planned?"
Jerome shrugged. "I'll be heading back to my home in the East for some of it. I haven't decided what I'll do for all of it yet though. I like to keep my options open. What about you two? Anything exciting planned?"
"Jenna is going on holiday with her family, to the West, and I'm going back home to see my father," Crystal replied. "We have a house in the country as well, so we will probably stay there for some of the time."
Jerome nodded, not looking very interested. "And what about our class's newest couple? Do you know what they're up to?"
Jenna shrugged, feigning indifference and wondering how Jerome knew about them. "How should we know? Ask them."
Jerome didn't let that pass. "Come now, you're seeing her brother, and John has been pestering Crystal all term. You must have an idea."
"I think John is staying here," Crystal replied uncertainly. "Daisy is going home—I know that much. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason. So John has to work through the holidays? Seems a little unreasonable."
Crystal shrugged, surprised that Jerome would show any sympathy for John. "I guess. I hadn't asked him about it." She suddenly felt a little bad for having taken so little interest in his life. Would it have hurt to have asked him just a little bit about himself? More importantly, could it have helped her learn anything about her own family? She looked over to where John was sat alone, Daisy having disappeared.
"What about you, Jerome?" Jenna asked. "Have you got any brothers or sisters? You never mention them."
Jerome glanced up at Jenna, looking a little surprised. "Just one, an older brother. I don't see him often though."
"Oh, what's his name?" Jenna asked.
"Umm, Per, Perry," Jerome replied. "His name is Perry."
Crystal realised that she had never asked Jerome anything about his family while they were going out, but had just let him ask all of the questions about her instead. Was that why he had lost interest in her? Had she really shown so little interest in him? She looked over at John again, who was reading a book on his own.
"Hey, Jenna, Jerome, can you excuse me for a moment. We'll be leaving after this next lesson and I want to say goodbye to John."
Crystal didn't wait for the inevitable protests from Jenna, and marched over to John's desk. He looked up at her in surprise.
"Oh, hello, Crystal. Is there something I can help you with?"
She shook her head. "No, I just wanted to say goodbye before I left for the holidays. I hope you enjoy the break."
John looked even more confused than he had done before, but stammered a "Thank you." She smiled at him, and walked back to Jenna and Jerome.
"What was that about?" Jenna asked. "You're not starting to fancy him, are you?"
"Jenna, please. Of course not. But I've decided I may as well be nicer to him now. I don't understand him, but he's always tried with me, so I'll do the same."
Jenna shook her head in despair. "If you must. Just don't expect me to waste any of my time with him. Come on, lessons are about to restart. Let's head to the class…."
Much later that night, when the moon was high in the sky, Perak was wandering through a forest deep within Red Dragon territory. He found that he could see his way through the forest easily without the need for a torch. He would have had no fear of being discovered had he lit a torch, having chosen an isolated spot, but found there was no advantage in doing so. Up ahead, he could see a light flickering in the woods, and knew that the person he was due to meet had already arrived. Excellent, he thought to himself. Isolated as this place was, spending more time than necessary in Red Dragon territory was not something that he was particularly comfortable with.
"Perak," the young man said in greeting as he arrived, looking up from where he was sat near the fire. "Good journey here?" The young man was wearing a hooded cloak, and his face was barely visible.
Perak nodded curtly. "Their borders are poorly guarded. Slipping in unnoticed is almost too easy. What do you have for me?"
The young man reached for his bag, and pulled out a folder. "As requested, here's a map of Furnace, along with one of their Kingdom, and some basic ones of the other cities. These are all quite recent."
Perak sat down on a log and flicked through the maps. "The one of Furnace is good, and the one that shows the whole country, but the others are of little use and show little more than we already know. We'll need something better this. Is this all that you have brought me? What about the other documents that I requested?"
The young man frowned and shook his head. "The military library is easy enough to access, but it's hard to explain why I'd want the other documents. I hoped it would be quieter over the next couple of weeks, but it hasn't worked out that way."
"Think of a way," Perak told him simply, having little sympathy for his complaints. "They're of vital importance. I wouldn't have requested them otherwise. And I'll need you to start delivering this information soon."
"Soon?" The young man didn't hide his surprise. "But Perak, Furnace is not near the border; disappearing for a couple of days on a regular basis would raise suspicions. It's hard enough as it is explaining these disappearances."
Perak nodded. "I know. Which is why I'm glad you have given me this map of Furnace. Next time, we will come to you."
"What? You; come to Furnace? Are you mad? You'll be caught, or killed!"
Perak shook his head. "I doubt I will come personally. I will send someone else, someone I trust. Where would be a good place to meet?"
"Nowhere! How on earth could anyone fly into Furnace unnoticed? Whether it's you or someone else they'll still be caught! This is madness!"
Perak shrugged. "That's what we will have to work out. I was thinking of having them fly somewhere near to the capital, then hike in overnight to an agreed meeting point and then hike back before flying the next day. Is there really nowhere within a half day's walk where a Blue Dragon could land unnoticed?"
The hooded man rubbed his chin, thinking it through. "I still don't see how they can fly all day without being noticed. But, yes, I guess there a few spots which are isolated enough and not too far away from the capital. But how would they get there? That's a long way to fly without being noticed. There are a lot of towns and villages between here and the border."
Perak picked up the map of the country. "How up to date is this? You said it was a recent version."
The hooded man shrugged. "As up to date as you can get. There aren't any newer ones. What are you thinking?"
Perak studied the map carefully. "We could plot a route that weaves through these gaps where there are no communities. Fly low the whole time, skim over the trees and fields, and if we were to paint the messenger's scales green, he'd have a good chance of getting there unseen."
The young man bent down to study the map. "It could work. It probably won't, but it's plausible at least. I wouldn't want to risk it myself. When would they come?"
Perak shook his head. "That's still to be confirm
ed. I'd need you to be at the meeting place once a week, ready for when and if I send someone."
"Once a week! Are you sure that's needed? What's the sudden urgency?"
Perak nodded. "Quite sure. And I can't tell you why; not yet. Name the meeting place."
The hooded man looked at the map. "Here," he said, pointing to a spot to the east of the capital. "It's not too far from the city but you should be able to get there without being seen."
Perak studied the map before nodding approvingly. "Fine. It won't be me though. What day shall we say?"
The hooded man paused. "Can't say there is a good day. How about Sunday night? If I'm tired on the following morning I can blame it on partying over the weekend."
Perak's eyes narrowed. "Is that how you spend your time? Partying?"
The young man nodded, shrugging dismissively. "Of course. How else could I gain the trust of these people?"
Perak scowled and turned away. "Just remember why you're here, Malick. Here's a list of the information I need you to obtain. Now go. Your camping trip is over."
Chapter 27: Future leaders
"Comrades, I think you know why you have all been gathered. If you don't, then you don't belong here. You're the officers I believe will be the future leaders of this great nation, the generals of tomorrow."
A young Zygar was sat in the distinguished audience, listening to the great General Amok, the conquering hero who had just defeated one of their most hated enemies. Zygar wore the uniform of a Division Commander, a position he had held throughout the long campaign against the Green Dragons, and was surrounded by thirteen fellow veterans, who looked at Amok with genuine admiration and pride.
General Amok was the head of the army, and had masterminded the whole campaign. This moment was the result of twenty years of planning and hard work, and he had real reasons for being proud. This was a pivotal moment in their history; the defeat of the Green Dragons, something many had believed would never happen. Many had expected Amok to retire now that the war was over; to name himself as Prime Minister and hand over the leadership of the army and effective leadership of the country to his chosen successor. The problem was, there wasn't a chosen successor, an unusual situation in itself, and of the current generals none were obvious choices. Even more significantly, there were none in this room listening to this speech. Zygar felt honoured to be among this group nonetheless, made up of the most celebrated and able senior officers there were, a group made up of just Colonels and Division Commanders.
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