Battle sounds erupted as bolts from Niamh blasted banshees from their reeds and sent them scurrying to the darkness of the forest. The banshees realised they were outnumbered and outmatched. Grady was bewildered by the sudden change in fortune. As he moved to stand up his fingertips found his wand. Grasping the beautifully carved piece of blackthorn Grady felt anger rising and a red mist descend. Ahead of him he could see banshees disappearing into the forest and, without thinking, he unleashed a fireball which cut a path through the trees towards the disappearing enemy. He saw more shapes off to his left and right and unleashed volley after volley of the spells. By now it was clear the banshees were routed. Grady turned to see Iris stirring, shaking her head as she lifted herself groggily from the ground.
‘Oh, my head,’ she said. ‘Where are they?’
‘Gone now. We had help,’ said Grady, pointing to Niamh, Emily and Devin as they landed in what was now a very clear space due to Grady’s blasting. Trees smouldered and burned on the edge of the clearing.
‘Don’t forget about me!’ came another voice from behind him. Walking towards them and wiping her mouth was Vynda, and behind her, several other faces Grady and Niamh recognised from the castle – but would never have picked as werewolves. As she walked towards them Niamh saw Vynda’s mouth was red and raw as if burnt. She was clearly in some discomfort.
‘What happened to you?’ said Niamh, running up to her.
‘Banshees. They taste foul,’ said Vynda, pointing back to the prone shape on the ground hidden under a cloak.
‘You mean that was you who got the big one?’ said Grady.
‘Yes, that was me,’ said Vynda, gingerly touching the corners of her mouth. ‘They are disgusting creatures. It’s like biting burning rotting meat.’ She shivered as she wiped her mouth again. ‘But how are you? Are you hurt?’
‘I’ve a cut on my head but I think it’s just one of those enthusiastic head wounds. They always seem worse than they are. Do you remember, Niamh, when we were back home and I ran into that tree head first and ...?’
‘Yes, I’m sure that’s all very wonderful to reminisce,’ said Vynda. ‘But if you are okay, then get back onto that dragon and ride! You’ve a race to win!’
‘Vynda!’ said Niamh. ‘You expect him to race after this?’
‘Of course! This race isn’t a matter of life and death. It’s much more important than that! Do you want those snobs at Flamville gloating over us all year just because some banshees took a fancy to your brother?’
‘Get on,’ came a voice in Grady’s head. ‘I can still win this,’ said the viper, stretching its wings.
‘But we’ve lost so much time,’ said Grady. ‘We must be miles behind by now.’
‘Not really. We already had a big lead on Van Stuutering and that attack can’t have taken long. Get on!’
‘But ...’ Grady started to say.
‘We haven’t got time for this!’ came Vynda’s voice as she picked up Grady and threw him onto Iris’ back. ‘Get going!’ she yelled, slapping the dragon on the rump.
Iris growled and flashed an angry look at Vynda.
‘She really doesn’t like that, Vynda,’ said Grady, smiling.
‘Grady! You can’t do this!’ yelled Niamh, stomping forward.
‘I think I have to,’ said Grady as he clambered up onto the dragon’s back and took the reins. ‘But if I die I promise not to blame it on you, if it makes you feel better.’
‘No it won’t, Grady, I ...’ Niamh didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as Iris let out another bellow and rearing up onto her haunches she leapt up into the twilight sky.
‘Oohhh, that boy,’ said Niamh, stamping her feet. ‘It’ll be me that gets into trouble with Mum and Dad for letting him get back up there. He’s always doing that to me! He hates me!’Behind her Niamh heard a giggle. Devin, Emily and Vynda were trying hard, but failing, to suppress a laugh. ‘Don’t laugh at me,’ said Niamh haughtily. ‘I am a princess, you know,’ she said, giving another foot stamp. At this Devin lost it and burst out laughing.
‘Oh Niamh, you are funny when you’re angry, but don’t worry. We’ll tell everyone you did everything you could. You probably won’t get another detention for it.’
‘I should hope not!’ said Niamh, trying to calm down. ‘I have just saved his life – again.’
Around the clear space lay the thin frail shapes of the dead banshees. Vynda and her friends had done their job well. ‘Should we do something with these ... things?’ said Niamh, wandering over to the nearest banshee.
‘No need,’ said Vynda. ‘Just watch for a moment.’
As she spoke, a thin high screeching note sounded through the forest, accompanied by an ice cold breeze. The cloaks covering the bodies of the banshees fluttered before crumbling to dust. The icy wind stirred the piles of foul remains, lifting them into a spiralling whirling mass which rose up and drifted slowly, malevolently, into the darkness of the forest. The keening noise rose and fell as the dust moved wraithlike out of sight. The two sounds seemed to merge and, in moments there was nothing left. The note and the breeze faded to echoes and silence fell across the group.
‘Let’s get back,’ said Vynda. ‘We’ve seen enough here tonight.’
‘Can you see what’s happening out there, Murray?’
‘Sorry Bill, but we’ve lost all our pictures from the course between the second and third catch points. Looks like the video gremlins have got back into the system.’
‘I thought we’d had the Gremlinator Service through just this week? Haven’t they sorted it out?’
‘Just goes to show, Bill, those gremlins are harder to shift than a dried up heap of troll droppings. Those nasty little teeth they have and those googly eyes make them tricky little blighters.’
‘Well, thanks for that, Murray. I’d just like to remind all our parents listening tonight that complaints about the standard of the commentary or your thoughts on troll … ah ... well you know what Murray just said – can be made via the network wandwidewebsite at www.we-give-a-fig.wand.av.
‘Well, sorry about that, Bill, but we honestly can’t see a thing out there. We’ve had reports coming in from our spotters that there’s been some unusual activity out there with blasting spells being cast where they shouldn’t be. Course marshals are on their way to check it out.’
‘Looks like they might be a bit late, Murray! The pictures are back up and ... my word! Flamville are back in the lead!’
‘Right you are Billy-o! That must have been great flying to get past the prince and his viper ...why are you giving me that look, Bill?’
‘No reason “Muzzy boy”,’ said Bill, with barely disguised annoyance in his voice. ‘But the question now is what happened to the prince? He had a big lead going into that section of the course but he seems to have disappeared.’
The crowd reaction was split between the Flamville supporters and everyone else. The red and black flags of Flamville with their Rampant Dragon insignias began waving furiously as they sensed another victory. The rest of the crowd were hushed as they tried to figure out what might have happened to Grady.
The big screens showed Van Stuutering racing ahead to the next catch point, his piggy little eyes gleaming at his good fortune. A weak roar went up from the Sandune and Titania College supporters as their riders appeared on the screens racing neck and neck. The Rookwood fans looked crestfallen and sat glumly in their seats trying to figure out what had happened.
‘Well Murray, it looks like Rookwood must have had some bad luck out on that course because there’s no sign of Ham...’ He was interrupted by a roar from Murray.
‘There they are, Bill! The prince doesn’t look too good. That’s obviously blood on his face, but he’s gamely sticking at it.’
Grady hunkered down over the neck of Iris as they headed towards the next catch point. The fog had lifted with the disappearance of the banshees but the dew was thick in the air, bringing a chill to the night. ‘Come on girl,’ he said
to the viper. ‘I can see them up ahead. We can get them!’
‘Hold tight,’ said the viper. The trees at the edge of the course were sucked forward as Iris swept past at speed. Leaves were blown off scattering a trail of debris behind. Up ahead, the Titania and Sandune riders had both made their last circlet catch and were heading for home. Van Stuutering was still ahead but all three teams behind were closing in rapidly.
‘I don’t know where this is going to end, Murray! We have three teams out in front with a rapidly closing and we presume injured Rookwood rider behind coming at them like a bat out of hell.’
‘Or a dragon out a forest, Bill,’ said Murray.
‘I was trying to bring some colour into the conversation, Murray, but either way that viper is coming up fast. It’s going to be close at the finish.’
Niamh and the rest of the coven glided back over the castle rooftops looking for Bree. ‘There she is!’ yelled Devin, pointing towards the top of a tower. A prone figure could be seen propped against the side of the crenellations with a shadow looming over it.
‘Wands, girls!’ cried Niamh as she whipped hers out. The others did likewise but before they could do anything the figure turned and darted around the corner of the tower.
‘Dang it!’ said Niamh. ‘Emily go left, Devin go right. Don’t let him get away!’
The two girls raced to opposite sides of the tower while Niamh headed straight for Bree. As she dropped to the battlements Devin and Emily swept round the tower.
‘There’s no one there!’ yelled Emily, coming to a halt just above the battlements.
‘What do you mean there’s no one there? We just saw him and the way down is through the only door which we could see the whole time.’
‘I know, Niamh, but there’s no one there. Whoever they were they were faster than any of us. They’ve gone.’
Devin and Emily drifted down beside Niamh and swung themselves off their broomsticks. Niamh knelt down beside Bree who looked completely asleep. Her wand and broomstick had been carefully laid beside her and she was covered with a fine wool blanket. ‘She looks completely unhurt – just sleeping. Whoever they were I don’t think they meant to harm her.’
Bree started to stir. Slowly she opened her eyes and stretched as she looked at her friends. ‘Oh, hello. Where have you guys been? I’ve been having the loveliest sleep!’
‘Sleep?’ said Emily. ‘Weren’t you meant to be calling for help?’
Bree suddenly sat bolt upright and awake. ‘Help! Oh no! What happened?’
‘We were about to ask you the same thing. The last thing we knew you were calling for help,’ said Niamh, looking puzzled.
Bree’s eyes went wide. ‘I remember now! I tried to call someone up but all I could get was noisy greyness from my wand. Then I heard a sound behind me and the next thing I saw was a flash of light. Then you guys just woke me up. Have I missed anything?’
‘Trust me, you aren’t going to BELIEVE what you’ve missed,’ said Emily, with a gleam in her eye.
Before she could say anything else a roar went up from the crowd below as the riders closed on the final Platinum Hoop.
‘Van Stuutering is fading, Bill! It looks like the effort his dragon put in to stay with the viper has cost him now.’
‘Yes Bill, this race is all about pacing and Van Stuutering has broken the golden rule. Here comes Rookwood and O’Connell. They’ve overcome impossible odds to get back up into contention here tonight, but just as Van Stuutering is caught by the Titania and Sandune riders it looks like all of them are about to be caught by that viper!’
‘I think O’Connell is going to run out of racecourse though, Murray! It’s Sandune by a neck – No! Now it’s Titania. No! Flamville!! Oh Murray, I don’t think I can take it! This is better than the 1973 Grand Derby run over the Hillingham course in Olde England!’
‘Sorry Bill, but none of us are old enough to remember that. Quick – take one of my pills. They really help!’
Without thinking Bill downed one of the pills with a big drink of water. ‘Terrific, Murray. And here they come! Into the finishing straight!!’
‘We can’t do it, Iris. We don’t have enough of the course left!’
‘Watch this, young Prince. And be ready to catch that circlet!’
Ahead of Grady and Iris the last golden circlet hung from the catchpost illuminated by rows of lights below so that it shone and sparkled. The dragons ahead of Grady were bunching up as they converged on the prize. Iris surged one last time as a tiny gap opened up between the Flamville and Titania dragons.
‘It’s too narrow!’ yelled Grady. ‘We can’t get through!!’
The only response Grady got from Iris was a chuckle as the dragon rolled onto its side and shot through the tiny gap like a missile. As she did so the shockwave thumped into the opposing dragons making their riders lose control and spiral away from the goal. Iris flipped through the rest of the roll and as she came level again Grady reached up and felt the final prize latch onto his hand. The crowd below roared as the finishing siren blew loudly signalling the end of the race.
‘It’s Rookwood, Murray! It’s ... it’s ...’ A thump sounded through the loudspeakers.
‘Oh dear, sports fans, it looks like my pills might have been a bit much for Murray who’s just keeled over. But don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll be fine in the morning with just a bit of a headache. The old dog is right though! It’s Rookwood with a famous victory here at the Kingdom course tonight!’
Another volley of fireworks exploded overhead as the Rookwood fans hugged each other and cheered raucously. The Flamville supporters’ flags hung limply in the still air as they tried to understand how they lost the un-losable race. The Titania and Sandune College supporters didn’t seem to mind that they had come so close to winning only to be pipped on the line. The elves stood serenely, smiling, nodding appreciatively and applauding along with the rest of the crowd, while the Sandune entourage happily waved their golden banners alongside the jubilant Rookwood fans, slapping them on the back and celebrating the most exciting finish in years.
After crossing the finish line Grady and Iris circled lazily around and back down to the landing strip – easily avoiding a petulant blast of flame from Van Stuutering’s angry dragon. ‘Bad loser, isn’t he,’ murmured Iris.
Grady was still trying to catch his breath and took a moment before replying. ‘That was awesome! But I’m not sure I can hang on much longer. Can you get me down please?’ he said as a giant-sized headache started to pound behind his temples.
‘Of course,’ said Iris as she steepened her dive towards the landing chutes and the waiting crowd. Iris sped downward before spreading her huge wings into a parachute-like sail which brought her almost to a standstill as she lightly touched down. Grady held on for a moment more before looking up at the surging crowd – his parents at the front. Grady slipped from the dragon’s back and landed on the ground with a thump. The crowd cheered as Merritt and Grace raced to his side.
‘Grady!’ said Merritt as he helped Grady to sit up. ‘Are you okay?’
Grady felt his eyes slowly closing as the events of the race started to take their toll and the effect of adrenalin wore off. ‘Yeah, Dad. I’m fine. Honestly.’
‘Fine!’ screeched his mother. ‘Look at your face!’
‘Mum, I can’t look at my face without turning my eyes inside out.’
‘He’s fine, Grace,’ said Merritt, laughing. ‘But let’s get him home.’
‘Grady!’ yelled Niamh as she pushed her way through the crowd.
‘Hey, sis. Thanks for that,’ said Grady.
‘You idiot!’ yelled Niamh. ‘I suppose you think that was funny acting the big dragon racer out there!’
‘Niamh, I think you could cut him some slack, don’t you?’ said Merritt.
‘Cut him slack? Him?’ Niamh took a moment to look at the crowd which had gathered around them before composing herself. ‘Yes. Well I suppose he was rather good in the end,’ she gr
udgingly conceded. ‘But don’t think this is the end of it,’ she said under her breath.
‘Aye,’ said McHavering, after elbowing his way up to the group. ‘There’ll be hell t’pay for this one t’night. Come on, laddie. Let’s get ye home.’
Merritt helped Grady up and followed the bow wave of people McHavering made as he parted the crowd on the way back to the castle. As they moved through the throng the cheering erupted again and again as supporters tried to pat Grady on the shoulder or back or any body part they could get close to.
The crowd started to drift away from the team chutes and pens. A few admiring dragon racing aficionados hung back and sidled up to the viper, trying not to upset the rare dragon. As a couple of particularly keen, but obviously not terribly clever, fans started to discuss the aerodynamics of the viper’s tail fins, Iris let loose with a low, slow, and menacing growl, accompanied by the unmistakeable sound of internal plumbing building up fuel for a belch of flame. The dragon turned its head slowly, nostrils smoking lightly, and stared at the two dragon spotters who then promptly set a record for the one hundred metres exit from a dragon pen. Anyone close would have thought Iris chuckled to herself as the anorak-wearing pair sprinted away from the pens.
‘Don’t try that one on me,’ said a voice from the darkness.
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