by Andy Holland
"Sounds reasonable," Crystal replied, feeling a little annoyed that she was hearing this from Jenna instead of her mother. "What about your father? Surely he can't flee to the west as well."
"I don't see why not," Jenna replied haughtily. "But no, my father won't be coming. In fact, he'll be doing the opposite and flying south. For some reason, he has decided that this would be a good time to start taking his job seriously, just when there's nothing he can really do other than needlessly put his life in danger. It's not as if we could actually fight these things."
Jenna spoke bitterly and avoided Crystal's eyes. If she had been Daisy, Crystal would have hugged her, but Jenna wouldn't have appreciated it. "The True Dragons are flying long distances now,” Crystal told her. “The south is probably no more dangerous than Furnace. Your father has good advisors around him and Black Rock has good defences. He'll be able to stay safe."
"No one is safe, Crystal. That's why we're leaving. Just be ready to leave first thing tomorrow and don't tell anyone else. They don't want to start a panic."
Crystal didn't need to be told that. If word got out that the rich were evacuating it could spark a mass exodus. She would have asked Jenna more questions but their teacher came in, silencing the class with a wave of his hand. Further discussion would have to wait.
But Jenna made herself scarce at lunch, so Crystal ate with Daisy and Seth. As she had expected, Arthur had already told him the plan.
"So, school at the summer palace," Seth commented. "What's it like, Daisy? Are we going to have fun?"
Daisy looked as if she was unlikely to ever have fun again. "You'll have fun, Seth. You always do."
Seth wasn't to be put off. "You've never been to the West, have you, Crystal? Are you looking forward to going?"
Crystal regarded him coldly. "This isn't meant to be fun, Seth. We're being sent to keep us safe. Not everyone will have that option. And we're going early, thanks to Jenna's father. You should be grateful."
Seth sighed. "I know all of that. But I think you'll find plenty of people have already gone. Why do you think so many students were away today?"
Crystal had assumed that they were staying at home, rather than having fled to the West. "You think they've already left?"
"Why not?" Seth asked. "My whole family left the day that True Dragon appeared. When I got home, there was just one servant left with a note telling me to catch up the next day."
Crystal gasped. She couldn't imagine her family doing anything like that. "Oh, Seth! They left you behind!"
Seth shrugged. "I've just been waiting for you to all be ready to leave. I could get upset about my family's indifference, but what would that achieve. Why not just try to make the most of every situation?" He hadn't finished his lunch but stood up to leave anyway. "Look, I am going to skip this afternoon's classes. I sent the servant ahead, so I need to pack myself. Make some excuse for me. Not that anyone will really care. See you tomorrow at the palace."
Before Crystal could reply, Seth hurried away from the table and out of sight. She sat in silence with Daisy for a minute. "I had no idea his parents could be so thoughtless," Crystal said dumbly.
"No?" Daisy asked, staring at Crystal intently.
"Well, I knew that he was hardly their favourite child, but I didn't think they could do something like this."
Daisy hadn't taken her eyes off Crystal and she squirmed under her gaze. "Seth's parents are completely disinterested in him. He pretends that it doesn't bother him, but every now and then what he really thinks slips out."
Crystal wasn't sure what to say to that. Seth was usually so easy going as if nothing bothered him. Had she really been oblivious to his situation?
Daisy pushed her untouched plate of food away and stood up. "I'll go home now as well. Don't bother making excuses for me. If they ask, just tell them I've gone home."
The Princess left without another word. There was something very disconcerting about her manner. She was no longer visibly upset, that Crystal would have been able to handle. Instead, she seemed empty, as if something was broken inside. She had always been so charming, sweet and cheerful, but now she was so utterly joyless and devoid of emotions that it was like speaking to someone she didn’t know.
Crystal suddenly felt very alone, despite all the other students eating their lunch around her. She knew many of them but was close to none of them. Jenna, Seth and the twins were the only ones she really cared about. She rose to her feet and hurried away from the table to a secluded spot where she could transform. Moments later she was in the air. She wasn't alone for long though.
Crystal! Up above you!
Crystal bent her long scaly neck around to look above her. Her biological cousin, Leah, was flying towards her from above. Hi Leah, she replied. Just passing?
No, I was looking for you. Where are you headed?
Home, Crystal replied, not really sure where she was going. What's up?
I'm leaving, Leah replied, dropping to fly next to her. I know I keep saying that, but I'm really leaving now. Right now. I'm here to say goodbye.
Oh, Crystal replied, feeling even more abandoned. Why now? Surely you're not afraid of the True Dragon.
Of course I am! Leah replied. I'm not stupid, Crystal. You should be afraid too. But that's not the reason I'm leaving, well, not directly anyway. I've been ordered to leave. I've just learnt how to transform into a Worm Dragon and have been instructed to go and help dig holes in Blue Dragon villages. Hardly glamorous, is it?"
No, I guess not, Crystal replied, feeling a stab of jealousy. Her cousin might not have relished the idea of digging holes but at least she could transform into more than one type of dragon, something which Crystal doubted she would ever be able to do.
That's why I haven't been around for a while, Leah explained. I had to learn. It's a while since I've had to do so. It gave me a better appreciation of what you're trying to do. It's a shame I have to leave as I think I would be better at teaching you now.
Maybe the teacher wasn't the problem, Crystal replied bitterly. Maybe I'm just not meant to learn this.
Don't give up, Leah urged. I'm not sure you realise how much progress you have made. Just find yourself a better teacher. I don't think you'll have to look far. Maybe you could even let John have a go. That's if his girlfriend lets him!
Leah hadn't heard the news, which, Crystal realised, shouldn't have been a surprise. She had told no one except for her friends and family. She hadn't even told the school yet. But telling Leah was just too hard. Maybe he could. And thanks for all of your help, I do appreciate it.
Good, Leah replied. I'd hate to think that all of that time was wasted. Anyway, I only came to say goodbye. I should get going.
Of course. Hopefully, I'll see you soon.
Hopefully. Bye, Crystal.
Leah ascended quickly, screeching once in farewell before turning to fly to the southeast. She must have been in a hurry as she set off at a tremendous pace, disappearing quickly over the top of the volcanoes. Crystal felt bad about having said nothing about John, but it couldn't be helped now.
Crystal hadn't realised that she was so near her home, having absent-mindedly headed there, and landed behind her house and transformed. She could see her mother inside the house but slipped behind a tree before she could see her, not ready to speak to anyone yet. She still felt wretched, recalling her lunch with Seth and Daisy. How had she not realised how poorly Seth had been treated by his family? And what would happen to Daisy? She had seemed so distant, cold, nothing like the real Daisy that Crystal knew. John would be mortified to see her like this.
Thinking about John finally brought Crystal to her senses. No matter how wretched his situation and regardless of how few people were on his side, John never let anything distract him from what he had put his mind to doing. She straightened herself out and came out from behind the tree. Just as John wouldn’t want to see Daisy like this, he’s also be disappointed to see her like this as well. He had put too much time
into her training for her to allow herself to be defeated. She would go to the west if that was what was required, but she wasn’t going to give up, she owed him that much. She was going to become a Golden Dragon!
Chapter 22: First attempt
They’re not there, Mark called as he ascended from the school. We’ve missed them.
Great, so now what do we do? Jorah asked irritably, the young captain descending to fly beside him. We haven’t got time to stay here and track them down. We’ll struggle to find the others if we don’t get moving. You said that this would only take a few minutes.
Alright, you didn’t have to come, Mark retorted. You can hardly blame me for wanting to warn my brother that the True Dragons are headed this way. Besides, we’re not staying here. Come on; we can pick up the pace. We’ll catch up with Gabriel and the others now.
Oh? Jorah replied, confused. What about warning your brother and his friends?
The school staff said that they haven’t seen my brother in days and that they have no idea where he is, Mark replied, which troubles me. But even worse, all of his friends have flown west. They’re evacuating the school, and his friends have gone ahead.
That’s good, isn’t it? Jorah replied, sounding even more confused. They should be safer in their Western Principality, shouldn’t they? Safer than us, hunting down these wretched creatures.
If they were there, yes, but they’re not in the West yet, Mark replied. They left this morning, just a few hours ago. We’ve only just missed them. Mark and Jorah had flown from the ruins of the capital city of the Red Dragons' Eastern Principality, Obud, that morning, having spent the night there, along with the rest of the Extermination Group.
Oh, no, Jorah replied, so they’ll be somewhere to the west of Furnace, right where Jude thinks the black True Dragon was likely to be headed.
And the bronze one, Mark replied grimly, if Gabriel’s sources are to be believed. He’s pretty sure it had flown to the west and should be headed back past Furnace again. They could encounter either of them.
Or both, Jorah pointed out. It’s not a good time to be in the air. Unless you’re as stupid as us and are hunting the things. But with any luck, Gabriel will have seen them and warned them. Either way, we had better catch up.
As I said, Mark replied. Pick up the pace.
Mark doubted that Gabriel would go out of his way to warn anyone. He had been reluctant to let Jorah and Mark take this detour to warn the citizens of Furnace, although that was mainly because Gabriel suspected that Mark's main reason was to find his brother and his friends instead. Jude would warn them though, and he would be ahead of the group with the scouts, so if he could catch up with the group and get the message to him, there was a chance that they would get the warning in time.
Fortunately, Jorah was not going to slow him down, and although the Extermination Group would be ahead of him, they wouldn’t be that far ahead. The group was formed of a mixture of Red, Blue, Brown and Golden Dragons, which meant it could only move at the speed of the slowest dragons, the Reds. It wouldn’t take more than an hour to reach them.
Eventually, the group appeared in the distance, approximately a hundred dragons all flying together. The captains had been very strict in their selections, and there were fewer than half of the volunteers with them, but there were still twelve teams of eight dragons - one Red, two Blue, two Brown and seven Golden Dragon teams. Jorah flew straight to the dragons he was leading, but Mark flew on, looking for Jude. Gabriel spotted him as he drew near.
You're in a hurry, Gabriel commented disapprovingly. You should save your energy. Either of those creatures could appear at any moment. You need to be ready.
I know, Mark replied irritably. But I have another concern. My brother's girlfriend and her friends are flying through this region. They have no idea what is going on. Have you seen them?
Gabriel snorted irritably before replying. Look, Mark, I allowed your detour to go into Furnace as it wasn't going to make any difference to us, but I didn't approve of it as you should be focussed on the job. Our mission is much more important than the safety of a few over-privileged children, who no, I haven’t seen. You need to remember what is at stake. Their whole city could be destroyed if we fail.
Mark bristled at the rebuke. I don't need to be told by you what is important. Two of these children, as you call them, are siblings to Prince Gerald, heir to the Red Dragons' Western Principality. I have a responsibility not only to their brother, who is a friend, but also to the peace process. What do you think will happen to support for the treaty if they die?
Gabriel snorted again, smoke trailing from his golden nostrils. I have no interest in your personal relationships, and at the moment they should not be occupying your mind. The peace treaty is dependent on us destroying those three beasts and nothing else. That's all I want my dragons to focus on, and if you can't do that, then you shouldn't have volunteered.
Fortunately, before Mark was able to reply and say something that he might regret, Jude appeared and interrupted them. A small convoy of dragons are ahead, he told them. I think it's your friends, Mark.
Our friends, surely, Jude, Mark corrected cheerfully, forgetting about Gabriel's comment. I'll go and speak to them. Before Gabriel could object, he sped up to keep pace with Jude who was heading off towards the distant group of dragons. As they grew closer, Mark recognised the distinguishing features of the five dragons. At first, he struggled to identify Crystal, so much had her flying improved, but there was no doubt it was her. She noticed them as they approached and greeted them enthusiastically.
Mark! And Jude! What are you two doing here? I thought you were hunting for the True Dragons. Are you here to report success?
No, quite the opposite, Mark replied. Our group hasn't encountered them yet, but all of our analysis indicates that two of them may be heading through this region. You're in terrible danger. I'm glad we reached you in time.
Aren't we always? Crystal replied. But don't worry, we're leaving the area. We are going to stay in the West. We should be safe there.
She clearly didn't understand the gravity of the situation. You're not safe at all, Mark told her. You're heading into the most dangerous place you could find. The West might be safe, but if you meet one of those things on the way, then you'll never get there. You need to take cover and do so quickly.
Wouldn't it be best to go as far as we can first? Arthur added, joining the conversation. Surely the further away we are the better.
Oh, hello, Arthur, Mark replied. No, today, you would be safer hidden away. I can't stress enough how serious I am. Two of them are almost certainly heading this way.
The black one? Jenna asked anxiously. If the black one is heading this way, then we should hide immediately.
They've never come this far, Seth argued, demonstrating how little he knew of their movements. I say we keep going. If we delay we won't reach your palace by nightfall. Where would we stay?
We met one of them before, Daisy pointed out. It didn't attack us then. Do we really need to stop?
Mark squawked irritably. She was the one person she thought would back her up. Did she really think they weren't dangerous? Fortunately at least one of them took him seriously.
I don't care what the rest of you do, Jenna stated defiantly. I'm finding somewhere to hide, right now. On my own if necessary. Any suggestions, Mark?
Mark studied the ground beneath them. There weren't any obvious places, and it would take too long to dig a tunnel. There were some scattered woods, but they would offer little protection.
There's a village up ahead, Jude pointed out. They should have somewhere to shelter.
Mark wasn't so sure. No one had thought they might come this far north and they were unlikely to have dug hiding tunnels. But there were no other choices that he could see.
Alright, head for this village. Jude, can you lead them there?
Before he could answer, a deafening roar greeted them from the south. Every head spun to the l
eft, watching in horror as the gigantic form of the black True Dragon approached. There was no doubt that it had seen them.
Oh no! Jenna said, her red eyes wild with fear. Can we outfly it?
No chance, Jude replied grimly. It's far too fast. Even we couldn't outfly it.
We're not here to evade it. It was Gabriel, who had caught up with them. Mark, Jude, prepare your units to attack. You have your orders.
What about us? Jenna asked. What are we supposed to do?
Gabriel turned about to head back towards the rest of the convoy, not bothering to look at her as he replied. Whatever you like. It'll probably ignore you anyway. Just try to avoid getting killed.
Thanks a lot! Seth replied angrily. Look, Mark, we're the slowest dragons in the air here. If things go badly, you can retreat, but then it will get us instead.
He was right. The creature was too near for the youngsters to fly far enough away to escape and if their plan didn't work, they would be next.
Land! Mark commanded. Land and transform. Then hide. It'll have less interest in you as people.
You're joking, surely, Jenna called in disbelief as he turned to fly after the rest of his group. But he didn't have time to discuss it with her. The True Dragon was getting closer and their only chance, if the Extermination Group was unsuccessful, was to be completely uninteresting to the creature and hope it ignored them. More importantly, Mark had to worry about a much more pressing concern: attacking the thing and surviving.
Gabriel’s battle plan was being executed expertly so far. The whole group had turned to face the creature, manoeuvring pleasingly quickly. They didn’t rush to engage it though, approaching as slowly as they could, rather than waste energy when they didn’t need to do so. They would wait until the True Dragon was close enough and then Gabriel would give the order to engage.
This slow flying allowed Mark to catch up and join his unit. His unit comprised seven Golden Dragons, young men and women who he had known for less than ten days. Having focussed on the Red, Blue and Brown Dragons, he had hardly spent any time with them, and as skilled and as disciplined as they were there, there just wasn't the bond that they should have, that innate understanding of exactly what he wanted them to do. The situation did not fill him with confidence. He could sense the same foreboding in his dragons.