The True Dragon

by Andy Holland

  Chapter 25: The Island

  It was some time before Daisy could speak, kneeling on the sand and staring at the letters in disbelief. When she turned back to the creature, she saw that it had lowered its head near to hers and was staring at her intently.

  "John?" she asked weakly, still unable to believe it could be him.

  John nodded, unable to do anything else.

  "But, how? How is this possible?"

  Of course, John said nothing. He was a dragon, and as dragons, they could only communicate telepathically or in the case of the True Dragons, not at all. Or so she had believed. She nodded, realising that he couldn't answer.

  "Why don't you transform so we can talk? Are you stuck in this form?"

  John nodded, a slow and rather sad nod, if that were possible.

  "Oh, I see. That explains it. Crystal thought you had died."

  John didn't say anything or respond, his huge figure towering over her, but whereas before it terrified her, now she was reassured by it.

  "They caught the Blue Dragon, Perak, in case you were wondering. He told Crystal where he had left you and that you had fallen on a True Dragon and been eaten. Crystal went to the place that he described, and they found your footprints going in, but no footprints going out, except for that of a True Dragon. That was you, wasn't it?"

  John nodded again.

  "So, how did it happen?" Daisy covered her mouth, remembering herself. "Sorry, I'm just thinking aloud. I know you can't answer that one. We have to work out how to get you unstuck. Do you know how we can do that? Can we help you transform back?"

  John shook his head, looking down miserably.

  Daisy patted the end of his enormous nose. It was hard and smooth but surprisingly warm. "Don't worry; we'll figure it out. You have to help me though. Tell me everything you know. I'll only ask yes, no questions. So, did it happen in the city? Getting stuck in this form?"

  Another nod.

  "Right, that narrows it down. Was it where Perak said, in that room? Right, good. Do you remember it happening? Oh, that's a shame. What was the last thing you remember? Sorry, let me rephrase that. Do you remember falling, jumping away from Perak? Good, what about after that? Ah, so that's your last memory before you became like this. Can you remember waking up? Were you in the same spot? Where you had fallen? That's great; now we know where it happened. Now, you need to tell me about the room and about the place where you landed. Crystal said that it was a big room with a hole in the middle. I want to know everything about what happened from the moment you woke up till this second now. I know it's a lot to ask, but we'll get there. Did it take you long to write 'I am John' in the sand?"

  John nodded, looking back at his handiwork.

  "Well, don't worry, we have time. We'll stick to nods and shaking your head as much as we can, and you can write when we get stuck. Let's start at the very beginning…"

  Chapter 26: Final Chance

  "Perak, you have a visitor. Stay back from the door."

  Perak looked up from his bed. He couldn't see the speaker but recognised the voice as belonging to one of the Golden Dragon guards. He could try to rush at the door when they opened it, but there was little point. The guards were excessively cautious, and he almost certainly had a second guard with him, transformed into whatever dragon they thought most suitable for fighting in the confines of this dungeon. Besides, he was curious as to who the visitor was.

  "Fine," he replied. "I'm on my bed."

  The metal door squeaked as it swung open and Pan was surprised to see Pan enter. To his disappointment, he was not bound. Had his old friend betrayed him and gone over to Kanesh?

  "General, it is good to see you," Pan began, but Perak cut him off with a wave of his hand.

  "What are you doing here, Pan? And why aren't you restrained? What have you done?"

  Pan nodded, looking very serious. "Perak, I'm afraid that I have to tell you that I have come to the conclusion that it is time that we recognised Kanesh and the peace treaty. It is all over, our rebellion, and any hopes you may have had of taking revenge on the Golden Dragons and that boy, John."

  Perak would have sprung at him and gone straight for his throat had Pan not winked at home meaningfully. What game was he playing?

  "Why have you come?" he asked him again, this time much more curious. “You can’t seriously expect me to recognise that pretender?”

  "I think I can persuade you,” Pan replied, speaking in a solemn tone but with a wide grin. “In return for my pardon, I have offered to convince you to join me in recognising the rightful claim Kanesh has to be our great leader and to atone for your crimes by assisting the Extermination Group in killing the creatures that are devastating not only the lands of our neighbours but also our own villages and towns."

  "Ha! Kill those beasts? The Golds woke them up, let them take care of them." Perak was impatient to find the real reason Pan was here. Obviously, they were listening to him so he couldn't speak freely, but did he have to be so pompous?

  "Alas, the Golds have proven that they are not up to the task and beg for your help. It is especially important now that there are three of the beasts."

  "Three? I don't believe it. I killed that one, there's no question about it."

  "No, not that one. A new one has appeared." Pan smirked meaningfully, as if Perak should understand him. "Your help is essential."

  A new one? That was interesting. As far as Perak knew, those creatures had been there for centuries. Where had the new one come from? "Are you sure?" Perak asked. "Those things can't breed, can they? I thought they'd been there for ever."

  Pan was looking very pleased with himself at the moment. "No one knows where it came from. It appeared very recently, just after you visited that city. It's a complete mystery."

  Again Pan winked at him, indicating that he knew exactly where it had come from. Why couldn't he just spit it out?

  "Really, well why should I help?" Perak asked. "Let them die failing to do what I have already done."

  "Because this would be a chance to take revenge on those that really destroyed our army. It's what you have been craving for."

  Perak stared at him, wondering where he was going with this. He didn't care about the creatures in the slightest. They were just dumb beasts. John was the one he had wanted to take revenge on, as Pan well knew, but he was dead, so that wasn't an option.

  Pan continued. "Perhaps I should tell you more about the new creature. That might help you decide."

  "I can't see how it will make any difference," Perak replied irritably.

  "I’m pretty sure it will,” Pan replied confidently. “It's smaller than the black one and so far hasn't attacked anyone but obviously it's just a matter of time. Although it is smaller, it is much faster."

  "Wonderful," Perak replied, now completely bored.

  "It looks quite different as well. They refer to it as the bronze True Dragon, but personally, I think it is more like a gold colour. Funny that, how they're all different colours."

  "Very funny," Perak replied. What was Pan wittering on about? He was starting to regret not having attacked him.

  "It first appeared just after you were caught. Just think, you might have been the first one to see it. Almost feels like you're destined to be the one to kill it. Strange that, no one having seen it before."

  Perak sat up and stared at Pan. What was he alluding to? Pan smiled back at him but nodded at the door. The guards were almost certainly listening to every word they were saying.

  "But anyway, Perak, I know you don't want to help these wretched Golds, and of course, neither do I, but it is your duty to your nation. Not only would you be removing a terrible threat but you would be taking revenge on the creature that was responsible for the destruction of our army."

  Creature? Not creatures? Perak's eyes widened as he realised what Pan was insinuating. Was that even possible? "You don't mean…”

  Pan nodded, smiling smugly. "Yes, Perak, you might have thought tha
t you had missed your chance for revenge on those that most deserve it, but you're being offered the chance to do just that. Please say you'll reconsider."

  Perak glanced at the door. The guards were listening, and he couldn't arouse their suspicion. "Fine, I will consider it. When are they thinking of doing this?"

  Pan rapped twice on the door with his knuckles. "Oh, they're waiting outside for you. Good luck, General."

  Chapter 27: Recollection

  The beginning felt like a long time ago now, and John had found it hard to keep track of days whilst a True Dragon. He cast his mind back to when he had first woken up, in that cave, and tried his best to communicate them to Daisy.

  He remembered opening his eyes, not being able to remember where he was or how he had got there. His eyes had adjusted to the dim light immediately, and he had realised that he was in a large cave. No, not just a large cave, a huge cave. Although it had been very dark, he had been able to make out the features of the cave, but it was unfamiliar to him.

  His last memories before then were of falling into darkness. He vaguely remembered Perak’s face looking down at him, but at the time he couldn't remember who he was and why he was with him. He had hit something on the way down, something large, dark and terrible. As soon as he had made contact with it, he had experienced incredible pain, not from the impact, but throughout his whole body as if he were on fire. Then there was nothing.

  It was only when he had stood up that he had realised that he had transformed. Fire from his nostrils lit up the cave, startling him. How had that been that possible? You couldn't sleep as a dragon; you'd just transform back as soon as you tried. Was it different if you were knocked unconscious? John vaguely recalled being told that, but didn't believe it at the time, dismissing it as more Red Dragon superstition. But he couldn't see how else he could explain the situation.

  He blew flames at the ceiling, lighting it up again. He must have moved after falling as there was no hole above him, at least not one large enough to enter through. There was a small circular hole not far away, but it was very small. Beneath it stood a strange, black, egg-shaped rock. There was something unpleasant about it, and it made John feel uncomfortable to look at it. There was something familiar about the shape, but he couldn't quite remember what.

  John had pondered this as he stood in the darkness, still unsure of where he was until a distant roar brought him back to his senses. The noise could only have been from a True Dragon; he was in the Circle of Death. He panicked as he realised that this enormous cave was large enough for the creature to move around in and could easily be its home. He would need to find a place to hide, and quickly. A second, much nearer roar informed him that the monster was approaching. He lit up the cave with flames again, searching for a suitable hiding place, but seeing nothing suitable. Where was that hole he had fallen through? He couldn't have moved far from it, surely?

  Flames that were not his own lit up the far side of the cave. That must be the way in and out, John thought to himself, and the beast was almost upon him. Was it too late to transform into a Worm Dragon and dig his way out? It was his only option, so he had to try it. John concentrated for a second and prepared to transform, but nothing happened. This was very odd. He tried again, but still nothing happened. He was stuck in this form, something that had never happened before. John then asked himself the question he should have asked earlier. What type of Dragon was he at the moment?

  Before he could answer that question, the cave lit up with flames again, and the huge and angry face of the True Dragon appeared at the other end of the cave. It was the green one, which was marginally better than the black one, but still a terrifying sight. John was frozen to the spot with fear, waiting for the inevitable attack, but it never came. The creature stared at him, its look of anger replaced by one of confusion. John was just as confused. Whatever form he had taken shouldn't bother a True Dragon. They were the most powerful creatures alive and were afraid of no other dragon. Even a Teradon would be no match for one. Yet it still didn't attack. John realised that it wasn't afraid of him, it just looked curious, as if trying to work out what he was. It opened its mouth and roared, but much more quietly than usual as if it were trying to communicate with him. Was this thing actually intelligent? They had always assumed that they were not, but perhaps they were wrong about that. Maybe they could communicate in the same way he could. Surely someone would have tried before though, although then again, maybe not. When something as large and murderous as a True Dragon was bearing down on you, talking is the last thing on your mind.

  John concentrated hard, trying to speak slowly and loudly. Something was wrong. Even without the complete lack of reaction from the beast, he could tell that he wasn't projecting his thoughts. It was as if he had lost his voice. He tried again, but again, nothing. Regardless of whether the True Dragon could hear or not, John couldn't speak, not to it or anyone.

  The True Dragon was the first to move, but instead of attacking, just nodded at John and backed away. John wasn't sure, but he thought that the beast wanted him to follow it. It went against his instincts, but he was too curious not to follow. Besides, he was trapped in this cave; outside, he might have a chance of outflying this thing.

  As soon as he started walking, he realised he was large, much larger than he thought possible. What form had he taken? He could feel his wings so knew that it wasn't a Teradon and that was the only large dragon he knew how to transform into. This cave was too dark to see properly, and he didn't want to use fire in case the True Dragon saw it as an act of aggression. He would just have to wait till he got out of the cave. He could see bright light just ahead of the True Dragon, surely that had to be the cave entrance. It had its back to John. Perhaps if he made a dash for it he could get away. Then again, he didn't know how to fly as this dragon, or if it could fly that quickly. True Dragons were fast, and the only dragons that he knew of that would have a chance of outflying it were Golden and Brown Dragons, and he definitely wasn't either of those. Why couldn't he just transform? He tried again, but he was still stuck like this.

  The True Dragon stepped outside into the light and John followed it outside. He hadn't realised how dark the cave had been and was dazzled by the sunlight. He stopped in the cave entrance, wary of the True Dragon waiting for him, but it just stood watching him, giving no indication that it had any intention of attacking.

  The two of them remained like this for a couple of minutes, staring at each other like two giant statues. John was the first to move and tentatively left the cave, watching the creature to see what it was going to do. He didn't dare fly yet, so just walked away from the cave, crossing the clearing and heading towards a small lake. This could be a way of escape. He couldn't outfly it, but he could outswim it. As soon as he reached the water, he could transform into a water dragon and dive into the water. The lake looked quite long; John hoped it was deep too. He glanced back at the True Dragon. It still hadn't moved and was just watching him. Why wasn't it attacking him? John was still looking at it as he stepped into the water, having not paid attention to where he was walking. He stopped and looked into the lake. The water was clear and certainly looked deep, although he couldn't tell yet as he had disturbed the surface. He glanced back, wondering if it had worked out what he intended to do, but it still hadn't moved. He had to take the chance and concentrated, trying once more to transform, only then realising that he still couldn't do so. How had he forgotten that? What was wrong with his memory?

  As he stood there, wondering what to do, the surface of the lake slowly settled until it was completely still. John glanced down at the surface to look at his reflection and couldn't believe what he saw staring back at him. Unfamiliar dark golden scales, but a very recognizable face stared back at him with a look of amazement. Powerful jaws, fierce eyes and facial figures that could be only one dragon. John didn't know how, or why it had happened, but he had turned into a True Dragon!

  It had taken several hours to explain all of that
to Daisy, and although it was impossible to communicate all of the details, she had a quick mind and pieced together all of the pertinent facts. She wanted to know more about the stone than he knew but was satisfied to move on.

  He had remembered staring at his reflection in that lake for what felt like hours. There was no wind, and the water was very still, so he could see himself very clearly. His scales were quite different to any other dragon he had seen before, including the other True Dragons. He would have liked to say that they were a dark gold colour, but maybe that was being a little too complimentary. His body looked heavy and powerful, although lighter than the green True Dragon that was still watching him. His appearance was a little menacing, he had to admit, but there was an unmistakable glimmer of intelligence in his eyes that he was surprised that had missed in the other True Dragons.

  Eventually, he looked back at where the other True Dragon was sitting. It had curled up on the ground and appeared to be sleeping. Other True Dragon! How could it be that he was now one of them?

  As John reflected on his situation, a number of things dawned on him. This explained the minor variations in the appearance of the True Dragons. One was black, one green and one brown, and now he, the fourth, was dark gold. The others must have also been different dragons originally. He looked over at the sleeping dragon. Could it have been a Green Dragon once? The brown one was quite a bit smaller so it would make sense if that was a type of brown dragon originally and both races of brown dragons had lived near to here. What about the black one? He couldn't think of any black dragon races, but it was probably very old so it could be the last of its race. He shuddered to think of that True Dragon. This was the one that was causing all of the trouble. The green one hadn't been seen outside the Circle since the war had ended, and obviously the brown one hadn't moved in ages and was quite possibly already dead. But the black one was a very different story. John wondered how it would take to seeing John standing here in the lake.