The True Dragon

by Andy Holland

  After waking, his first thoughts had been of getting out of the Circle. Would it be possible to leave the Circle again so soon? But then again, what would be the point? He had looked down at the burnt stubs stuck in his scales. The Red Dragons' weapons had not hurt him at all, failing to penetrate very far into his thick scales. He had been more worried that they might miss and hit Daisy or the others. But even without the city defenders, he still wouldn't be able to communicate with her. Unable to recognise him for who he was, if she had any sense she would have run as soon as she saw him. She hadn't, but as he could see from up high above, she had been very upset about something. At first, that had confused him, until he had heard her ask Crystal whether "that thing had killed him." John was horrified to realise that she meant him, as it dawned on him that he had no way of showing her who he was. Somehow, Crystal had come to believe that he had been killed by a True Dragon. If anything, he had expected them to conclude that he had died at Perak's hands. Not that it mattered. He was just another True Dragon to them, unable to talk to them and something to hate and fear, to run away from, not try to communicate with. He had pondered how to let them know who he was when the city defences had finally woken up and targeted him. It didn't take long for him to realise that they posed no risk to him whatsoever, but their poorly aimed crossbow bolts did put Daisy at risk and he couldn't have that.

  He had spent most of that morning dwelling on these questions without coming to any conclusions. Eventually, he took to the air again, but without any plan of where he would go. He heard one of the other two True Dragons roar in the distance and decided that despite his reservations he would try to leave the Circle again, anxious to avoid the aggressive black True Dragon. It wasn't far to the border and it wasn't long before the irritating buzzing sound returned. As soon as it began to hurt he sped up, knowing that however bad the pain became it would stop as soon as he passed the invisible border. To his surprise, instead of lessening the pain was much worse this time and he was almost tempted to abort the attempt and turn back, as the green one had done a few days ago. Just as the pain reached the point where he thought he might black out, it suddenly vanished along with the terrible noise. He was flying faster than he had even thought possible, the ground flashing past beneath him too quickly for him to recognise where he was. Then again, he didn't really care where he was or where he was going and still feeling strong, he decided to see how long he could maintain this speed. He had heard the terrified screams of Red Dragons as they scattered in his wake, but paid no attention to them. They couldn't hurt him or even come close to keeping up with him, and he had no interest in them, unable to communicate with them. Small towns and villages passed below him, surrounded by fertile green fields and woods and forests. It was hard to say how quickly he was travelling, but he guessed it was maybe twice as fast as he could as a Golden Dragon. The feeling was marvellous and it distracted him from his predicament, unable to communicate with anyone and with no plan of how he would resolve the situation.

  He had lost track of time, not having really noticed what time of day it was that he left the Circle, but it was approaching nightfall when he reached the coast. Normally, this would be when he would stop, land and transform, but as he couldn't transform and wasn't in the slightest bit tired, he continued straight out over the water. He knew he must have been on the west coast of the Red Dragon Kingdom, but he couldn't tell if it was the southern or western Principality. Not it made much difference as he didn't know the coast of either very well, indeed, it was a region that was very poorly mapped. It didn't take long for the shore to disappear behind him, and as the sun set, he realised he was probably flying somewhere that no other dragon had flown before. Soon after sunset the moon began to rise and illuminated the whole sky. But even with his incredible True Dragon eyesight, he could see nothing ahead, no indication that he would ever find land. Thus unnerved him and he decided to veer to the north, flying parallel with the coast rather than away from it. He felt very strong, but his strength wouldn't last for ever and he didn't want to run out of energy in the middle of the ocean.

  He flew for about an hour before he saw the island. It was not particularly large or with any exciting features, but John was very excited by its discovery. He saw it when it was some way away and flew even harder, keen to land and explore. He would have to admit that there wasn't a lot to explore. It was fairly flat, with the highest point probably no more than twenty metres above sea level and the whole thing no more than a few hundred metres across at the narrowest point. It had a few pretty beaches on the east coast and was covered by grass and low lying bushes. Still, it was a new discovery and was something he could claim for himself. Maybe he could call it John's Island. Here he could be King John. He could grow enough fruit and vegetables to live on and fish for food. Here, he and Daisy could live without worrying about who approved of their relationship. She had often spoken about flying off, but they had never had anywhere they could fly to. This place could be perfect.

  Then John remembered that this place couldn't be perfect, as he couldn't tell Daisy about it. He had no idea how to talk with her. He could still hear and understand her, but how could he make her understand him? He couldn't speak, he couldn't communicate telepathically and he could hardly write a letter. He sat down in the middle of one of the pretty little beaches, feeling very sorry for himself, scratching the sand irritably when the idea of writing in the sand came to him. He roared loudly, unable to express himself any other way and leapt into the air and headed to the east, back to shore. Finally, he knew exactly what he had to do! From there, he headed straight back to Furnace, to find Daisy, and now his story was complete.

  Chapter 28: Back up to speed

  "So, that brings us to now," Daisy said, having worked out the last part of John's story. It had taken all night, and it was already midway through the morning. She should have been feeling sleepy, but she had never felt as alert in her whole life. She was still ecstatic about the fact that John was alive, but she now had to work out how to help him transform back into human form.

  "Your transformation must have something to do with the Dragonstone in that cave," Daisy began, thinking out loud. "It's clear that the Circle is centred on that thing and it has some sort of power over you. Have you been back to look at it since?"

  The giant True Dragon shook its head, which, other than slowly scratching huge letters into the sand, was the only way he could answer her. That seemed a little odd to her. That would have been the first thing she would have done. After all, it might hold answers as to how he came to be like this. She would have liked to have asked him why he hadn't gone back, but they were running out of time.

  "Look, I don't think we can stay here any longer, John,” Daisy told him. “Everyone will be very worried about me, and I'm also getting a little hungry. I haven't eaten or drunk anything in a whole day."

  John sprang to his feet in alarm, spraying sand everywhere. Despite now being half-covered by sand, Daisy had to laugh at him. "Don't worry; I can last a little longer. But you should take me back now. I think we need wiser people to help here. Perhaps I could ask that old Golden Dragon you met in Furnace. You never know, he might still be there. I think he came back to visit again, probably to collect his books. If anyone can help, he will be able to."

  John nodded and held out his claw, beckoning Daisy to climb on. She looked at him thoughtfully.

  "Would I be able to ride on top of your head?" she asked. "I doubt I would slow you down."

  John shook his head vigorously, clearly unhappy with this idea.

  "Why, are you worried I might fall off? In that case, what about if I was a Red Dragon? If I fell, I could fly. Would I slow you down? I'd still be tiny compared to you. The black one ate loads of dragons and still flew without any problems. Would you mind? I've never been this far from land, and I'd love to see it properly. After we fix you, I won't be able to come back."

  John thought for a moment, before lowering his head for her
to get on.

  "Oh, thank you, John, just let me transform first. I'll just be a minute."

  Daisy turned around to transform, although knowing that John would have turned his head away already, respecting her privacy. Like all feelings of cold or warmth, the pangs of hunger vanished as soon as she finished her transformation. He turned back to look at her, his huge form still towering over her even now she had transformed. He lowered her head so she could climb up, although she could have flown there if he had waited. But she had no way of telling him that, not able to speak or communicate with him telepathically. If only he could, this situation would be so much easier to bear. Even if he was stuck in this form forever, it might be bearable if she could hear his voice.

  Daisy settled down on John's head, clinging on to his thick scales. Recalling the battle with the black True Dragon and how little any of the dragons had been able to do to it, she had no worries about hurting John with her claws. As soon as she was settled John took off. He moved cautiously at first, so much so that Daisy wished that she could tell him to relax, that she wasn't going to fall off. But as he gradually sped up, she found it harder and harder to cling on, having to dig her claws deep into his scales to maintain her grip. He flew unnervingly fast. If Daisy ever had the power to fly this fast she couldn't imagine actually doing so, after all, how would be able to react in time if something got in your way?

  Before long she could see land in the distance. She recognised where she was straight away, knowing that stretch of coast very well. It was a popular destination for the well-off families in the West, and she had visited there every year since she was born. She wondered how people would react to seeing them pass overhead. Not that she would be able to see as John was flying too quickly for her to be able to focus on anyone below. Indeed when they did reach land if she had blinked, she would have missed the beaches as they passed over them so quickly. John didn't react at all to the alarmed screeches from below, flying straight ahead to the east at the same incredible speed that he had maintained since they had left that island without any indication that he was tiring. He continued like this for a few more hours, paying no attention to the dragons they passed and never deviating from the course he had chosen. But then without any warning, he slowed down abruptly before landing beside a small lake. He lowered his head to allow Daisy to climb down.

  "What is it, John?" Daisy asked after she had transformed. "Aren't you going to fly me to Furnace?"

  He shook his head. He looked a little upset about something.

  "What's wrong, are you worried about how people will react? They won't shoot at you with me on your head."

  John shook his head again and started pacing back and forth. Not being able to communicate must have been just as frustrating for him as it was for Daisy.

  "What is it then? Is it the Circle? Do you need to go back?"

  John nodded his head vigorously. He was absent-mindedly shredding the ground with his claws, looking more and more agitated.

  "Alright, I understand. Don't worry; I can fly the rest of the way alone. It isn't too far from here. Go on, go."

  John nodded and after pausing briefly took off and flew to the south east. He really was in a hurry, flying very quickly and not even looking back. That saddened her for a moment, but it was clear that the Circle had some sort of hold on him that he couldn't control. The Circle had kept the True Dragons locked inside for centuries; it was hardly surprising that it was pulling John back in as well.

  She looked at the lake, trying to work out where she was. Despite what she had told him, she had no idea how far it was to Furnace. He had been flying too quickly to really follow where they were going, but he must have been heading in roughly the right direction. Wherever it was, the lake was deserted, so she disrobed and transformed again, taking to the air immediately. Now that she was high enough and moving at a speed that allowed her to focus on her surroundings, it didn't take too long before she started recognising landmarks. She was flying over an agricultural region just to the south west of Furnace, an area that she didn't know well but navigating back would be easy, and within an hour she was flying over the volcanoes surrounding the Red Dragon capital. It felt strange to be back so soon after having only just yesterday said goodbye to the place. Then again, although she had been away for just a day, it felt as if it had been much longer.

  Now that she was back she was torn between going to see Arthur and seeking out the Golden Dragon who had put John in touch with the Worm Dragons. He might leave the city at any moment, but Arthur would always be there. Then again, her brother would be very upset, as would many other people, and it would be wrong to do nothing about that. John would have told her to see her brother first, so that's what she decided to do.

  "Princess Daisy! Is that really you?"

  It was Simon, their elderly servant who managed all of the palace staff. He had known her for her whole life and as far as she could remember he had always looked very old. At the moment he looked absolutely astounded.

  "Hello, Simon, yes it's me," Daisy told him before he could say anything more. "I'm sorry I gave you all a scare, but I'm quite unharmed. I'll tell you all about it, but first I must see my brother. Is he in?"

  For a moment Simon struggled to speak before finally regaining his composure. "No, your highness, he isn't. He went to the palace, the other palace, to report your death. He'll be there all day."

  Simon was referring to the King's palace in the centre of the city. As a member of the Royal Family, even of a Principality, it was necessary to inform the palace of her death at the first opportunity. They would notify all of the other Principalities, although presumably Arthur had already written to their parents.

  "What a pity, I was hoping he would be here. He must be very upset."

  "Devastated, your highness, as were all of your servants. I don't think I've known a darker day than yesterday. I can't say what a relief it is to see you alive and well. You must come in and see everyone; they'll be so delighted."

  "Thank you, Simon, that's very kind of you, but unfortunately I can't stay. I have an urgent task to perform. Can you send a message to Arthur for me?"

  "I will deliver it myself," he replied grandly. "It would be my pleasure."

  "Thank you; I know you'll find him. Tell him that I'm fine and that I've gone to find Solomon. Tell him to come and find me. Oh, and tell him that the bronze True Dragon is perfectly safe and isn't at all what we thought it was."

  "Princess, of course, I will deliver any message that you like, but are you sure about that last part? I wouldn't want you taking any unnecessary risks."

  Daisy smiled back at him as she walked away. "Perfectly sure. Tell him it's someone we know! Oh, and make sure that you get a message to my parents that I'm alive!"

  Daisy was eager to go and see Solomon but wanted someone to come with her, and as Arthur might be busy all day, she decided to find Crystal. She would make a suitable alternative, being a Golden Dragon, and she would be very pleased to hear the news about John. She transformed and flew to her house to find her.

  Crystal's mother didn't seem as surprised to see Daisy as she thought she would have been. Hadn't Crystal told her what had happened? She simply led her through to see Crystal in a courtyard at the back of the house.

  "Hello, Daisy! Welcome back! I was wondering when you would show up."

  Crystal hugged her warmly, but Daisy was dumbfounded. "How did you know? Did someone see me fly back in? I've only been back for an hour."

  Crystal shook her head and laughed. "No, but I knew that you would come back. John would never harm you."

  Daisy's jaw dropped in amazement. "You knew?" she asked incredulously. "How? And why didn't you say something before?"

  Crystal recounted her trip back to the valley. Although impressed that she had dared to go alone, Daisy was a little disappointed that her news was already old.

  "So, who have you told?" Daisy asked. "I haven't seen anyone since I've been back. I've tri
ed to find Arthur, but he was out."

  "No one," Crystal replied. "They didn't even know I had gone. No one came to call while I was gone, so my mother didn't even realise I was missing."

  Crystal sounded a bit put out, which confused Daisy. "But that's good, isn't it? Otherwise she would have worried."

  "I suppose so," Crystal replied, not looking convinced. "But anyway, I don't mean to be rude, but I was about to go out. I am going to see that old Golden Dragon, Solomon."

  Daisy grabbed Crystal's arm excitedly. "Me too! That's why I'm here. I thought we could go together."

  "That sounds like a good idea," Crystal replied brightly. "Shall we fly?"

  Crystal went to tell her mother as Daisy transformed in the courtyard. When Crystal returned she disrobed and transformed immediately and Daisy was struck how quickly she did so. Despite being a Golden Dragon, Crystal had always been quite slow at transforming, and although she was still no way near as fast as John, she was now much faster than Daisy or probably any of the other students in her class.

  You're much faster at that now, Daisy commented as they flew. Leah must have taught you very well.

  I still can't turn into a Golden Dragon, though, Crystal replied sadly. I think that's down to the student rather than the teacher.

  Don't give up yet, Daisy replied. I'm sure you'll get there in the end. Crystal might not realise it but she already flew a lot more like John did. Some of that was John's tuition as all of his students flew well now, but Crystal had progressed a lot further than most and Daisy was sure that being a Golden Dragon must have something to do with it.