Becoming a Dragon (21 page)

"What boy is this?" Lord Oscar asked.

"Some boy working for the Keeper," Prince Henry replied dismissively. "He entertained us with his theories at a dinner party at Lord Robert house."

"The same boy who saved me today," Lord Robert commented. "And his theories didn't just entertain us, your majesty. Lord Karl has been taking them quite seriously."

Lord Karl, the head of army intelligence, nodded politely. "As I take all possible threats," he replied smoothly, stroking his dark red beard. "But I had no idea it was the boy who saved you. How was that even possible? What was he doing in the air at the time?"

"He's a classmate of my daughter's," Lord Robert replied. "She was upset when she heard the alarm and saw that we were outnumbered, so John jumped out of the school window and flew up to join us."

"My word! That's pretty bold," Lord Ronald declared. "Did he join in the defence?" Lord Ronald Thane was a good friend of Lord Robert's, being the only other council member from the south.

"No, the first I knew about his being there was when I was plummeting towards the ground. He appeared out of nowhere and grabbed hold of my wing, urging me to transform. I thought he was crazy at first, but now that it's happened I don't know why we haven't tried this before."

"So, he caught you mid-air and brought you down?" Lord Daniel asked incredulously. "I bet the Blue Dragons were furious when they saw that."

"Look, much as I would love to discuss this boy," Prince Henry remarked caustically, "we do have more important things to discuss."

"We do," Lord Jeremy agreed. "But like this boy, I suspect these raids are designed to draw us into a retaliation and I urge caution."

"The West urging us to do nothing," Lord Greytower observed coolly. "Well there's a surprise."

"Just urging you to think before rushing in and losing more than we bargained for," Lord Thorne replied. "Not something that comes naturally to some." Lord Thomas Thorne was one of the two nobles from the West, and was no friend of Lord Greytower's.

"I think we can see where everyone's positions lie," Lord Oscar observed piously, "and who is willing to show their loyalty. I suggest we put this to a vote straight away. I vote that we send a national force to strike at the heart of the enemy, to show the Blue Dragons what happens when you insult a great nation such as ours by attacking the home of the King."

"Well said," Prince Henry replied, though without any enthusiasm. The votes of the nobles were of little relevance in a matter such as this, as only the five Commanders had any actual authority. "What about you, Lord Robert? I know you have reservations about any acts of aggression, as you put it, but you were the victim this time, and could so easily have not been here with us today. Surely you see the need to strike back?"

Lord Robert paused, weighing the arguments. Any motion put forward by Lord Oscar was likely to fail, hated as he was for his toadying to the prince, unless someone like Lord Robert backed it as well.

"We need to respond," Lord Robert agreed, "but we need to bear in mind that they will be expecting a response, and we can't let them dictate our actions."

"What do you suggest?" Lord Lance asked. "Anything other than a big attack reeks of weakness. As soon as they think we aren't capable of fighting back and they'll invade."

Lord Robert nodded. "I know, but this attack cost them hardly anything. Do we need to send hundreds in response?"

"It was an attack on the capital!" Lord Oscar declared loudly. "We cannot send anything less than hundreds."

"Why don't you personally lead the response?" Lord Thorne suggested slyly. "Show us the true level of your commitment and loyalty."

Lord Oscar reddened indignantly. "I am the Lord of a great house! I command armies, not lead charges like some lowly captain."

"It wouldn't be without precedent," Lord Jeremy pointed out with a wry smile. "Lord Lance, didn't you lead the last great attack on the Blues yourself, when you had just inherited your father's title?"

Lord Lance nodded sternly. "I was no lowly Captain, Lord Oscar, but commander of an army. What armies have you ever commanded?"

"This is getting us nowhere," Prince Henry interrupted impatiently. "No one is seriously expecting Lord Oscar to lead the attack. A vote; who doesn't support a retaliatory attack?"

Everyone looked around the room, but not even the dovish members of the group, the three from the west and the three from the south, opposed the motion.

"Good, we just need to agree the manner of the attack," Prince Henry continued, "the number of warriors and who will form their number. I suggest equal numbers from the capital and each of the principalities. Any objections?"

"Shouldn't we agree the total number first?" Lord Jeremy asked. "Before we agree proportions?"

"It's a national response," Lord Oscar replied, "the principle of equally sharing the honour of punishing those that insulted the King should be a given; why, who would question it?"

"Clearly I question it, Lord Oscar, as anyone but a fool could see," Lord Jeremy snapped in irritation. "And as I hardly need to remind you, I actually have a real vote, not just an advisory one. I have no intention of being rushed into a decision that I can't defend when I present it to Prince Carl."

"Fine," Prince Henry replied calmly. "You're against; anyone else?"

The two high lords from the west, Lord Thorne and Lord Dominic raised their hands, in an unusual show of unity, but no one else moved. "Good, another decision made," Prince Henry declared triumphantly, ignoring the fact that the west was now unlikely to send any support. "It seems that unpleasant as these events are, they at least bring us together. Now, the target and the number we send. Lord Lance, are there any targets you could suggest?"

"Plenty, Prince Henry, as you would be aware if you took a greater interest in the battles we fight on a regular basis," Lord Lance replied coldly.

The prince ignored this comment. "Can you suggest a high profile target, something that will equal the insult of attacking Furnace?"

"Perhaps some of their farms," Lord Jeremy suggested, "I understand they have a number of pig farms along your border, do they not, Lord Daniel?"

Lord Daniel laughed, nodding. "A few pig farms might be about right."

Prince Henry reddened, and Lord Oscar looked as though he might explode. Before either could respond Lord Robert spoke up. "Hit three of their towns," he stated, "one on the border with the north, two on the east. Forty dragons in each raiding party, and prioritise that intelligence gathering Lord Karl. I want to have a report before the next time we meet."

Lord Thorne began to object "One hundred and twenty dragons sounds—"

"About right," said Lord Lance firmly, cutting Lord Thorne off. "I vote in favour. Anyone opposed?"

No one raised their hand, and Lord Robert rose from the table. "Excellent, well, this is the Capital's mission; I suggest Prince Henry works with Lord Lance and Lord Daniel to agree the details. Now, this has been a trying day for me, so I will bid you farewell and go and spend what's left of the day with my family. Good night to you all." 

"John, come in," the headmaster said with a welcoming smile as he opened the door, gesturing to an empty chair. "Please take a seat. I'm just finished with Camilla."

John was a little surprised, expecting to be in trouble; perhaps a complaint from Professor Silver or Newt. The Headmaster was always supportive, but today he seemed unusually polite.

"Thank you, sir," John replied, entering the room and sitting down. There was a particularly attractive girl in the seat next to him, someone that he didn't recognise, so probably a student from the year above him. She was tall and slim, with very long, dark hair and high cheekbones; obviously from the West.

"So you'll be able to help, sir?" Camilla said, standing up to leave.

"Of course my dear," the Headmaster replied with a broad smile. "Leave it with me."

Camilla smiled and thanked him, before leaving the room and closing the door. John watched her as she left.

"If you think she was attractive John, you should have seen her mother when she was a student," the Headmaster commented, noticing John's gaze. "Now
she
was stunning. Quite a few fights amongst the students over that one, I can tell you."

John quickly turned to face him, looking flustered. "Sorry sir, I wasn't looking, I mean I was, but I …"

"That's alright, John. There's no reason why you shouldn't look," the headmaster replied casually. "Many of our parents send their children here specifically to meet their well-connected future spouse. We pride ourselves on our education standards, but we know that's not the reason they all come here or indeed why this school was set up."

"But, sir, that's not why I'm here, I promise you. I know that you've given me a great opportunity here to learn, and I mean to make the most of it."

"Here to learn, eh, John?" The Headmaster chuckled. "Somehow I doubt it. From what I hear from your teachers, they may have more to learn from you than you have from them, although some wouldn't admit it, even to themselves. No, I don't think you're here to learn, but I believe you when you say that you're not here to find a wife."

"So why do you think I'm here, sir?" John asked, unsure where this was going.

"Hard to say. You're a bit of a mystery. You've caused me quite a bit of work, I can tell you. Plenty of complaints from the usual suspects, plus there was that business with Thorne."

"I'm sorry I've caused you trouble, sir," John replied. "I assure you it was not my intention."

The Headmaster shook his head. "Oh there's no need to apologise, John. Especially not regarding Thorne. I'm glad to see you're healing well following that unfortunate incident. Most of the cuts have cleared up without leaving scars, I see. How are your ribs? I understand one or two were broken."

"A little stiff, but getting better. Transforming is still painful, but less so."

The Headmaster nodded. "Not surprising, the way you do it. Maybe if you did it more slowly it might be easier. Not that the pain seems to have stopped you, eh? No, in every case, without exception, I've realised that you've done the right thing, even when the wrong thing would have been far easier. A number of these complaints really comes down to the fact that they don't like the scholarship programme, especially those from the teachers. They seem to forget that it was my idea."

"Quite, sir. I'm very glad that you pursued it," John replied. "I'm grateful for this opportunity."

"The benefit goes both ways, John. The scholarship students raise the standards of the school, and although they might not like it, the other students learn more from having you here."

John nodded and muttered his appreciation.

"And now you've distinguished yourself in an even more remarkable way, with your stunt with Lord Robert. I wish I'd seen that one myself. Yet, from what your teachers tell me, you haven't been puffing yourself up and using it to win popularity, or behaving differently at all. They tell me that you've behaved just as you did before, and if anything, you're the student who has been least affected by the events nine days ago. Yes, you really are a bit of a mystery, although I think I've finally cracked it. I've worked out why you want to be here."

"You have, sir?" John had no idea where the headmaster was going with this.

"Yes, John, I think I have. I'd heard that you spend a lot of time pursuing that blonde girl in your class, Crystal. I'd just assumed it was your normal, teenage romantic pursuit, but I happened to overhear one of your conversations yesterday, and realised that that's not it at all."

John froze at this comment, trying to remember what he had discussed with Crystal. Had he mentioned anything he shouldn't have?

"She was trying to thank you in a slightly clumsy fashion, which was quite natural, considering you'd saved her father. Not sure why she waited so long, but there we are. But you didn't try to charm her at all, which I thought you'd do, now that you might have a chance to finally win her over. No, you actually seemed to be trying to educate her. About Blue Dragon battle tactics, flying, politics and seemingly anything you could think of, none of which I could quite fathom why you thought she would be interested in learning, if I'm honest. Now, I could be wrong, and you're perhaps you're just the most socially inept student I've ever met, but I think you genuinely just want to share knowledge. In short, you want to teach. Tell me, am I wrong?"

John gave a sigh of relief. "That's pretty close to the mark, sir, yes."

The Headmaster beamed at him. "I must admit, you were choosing the most inappropriate moment. The usual response would have been to have graciously accepted the girl's thanks, but you'll learn."

John nodded. "Was this what you wanted to speak to me about, sir? About a future career in teaching?"

The Headmaster frowned and shook his head. "I'm afraid I have a more immediate concern. It's about Professor Stone, your flying instructor. I'm afraid his mother has been taken ill, and he's to leave us. Immediately."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, sir. I do hope it's not serious. Do you think he'll be back soon?"

The Headmaster shook his head. "I'm afraid not. It's a wasting disease, and from what he said, she probably has not that long—a few months at most. He wants to be with her until the end."

John looked down saddened by this news, thinking of his own mother who was suffering from a similar illness. "I see, sir. Is there anything we can do to help?"

The Headmaster smiled at him. "Actually, yes. Now there is something
you
can help with…."

The penultimate lesson of the week always seemed the longest, coming as it did before the firm favourite, their flying lesson. It would have seemed dull by comparison regardless of the topic, but being maths just made it worse. People regarded John's empty seat with envy.

"So where is he?" Seth asked Daisy after they left class. "You sit next to him all the time. How'd he get out of maths?"

Daisy shrugged. "He didn't tell me anything. I haven't seen him since before lunch."

Seth shook his head. "Well he can't be in trouble, not after what happened with Crystal's father. He'll be able to ride that one for at least a few weeks." He turned to Crystal. "Hey, Crystal, he's always pestering you. Did he tell you how he escaped maths?"

Crystal shook her head. "I've been spared his company since yesterday, thankfully," she replied. "I think I heard someone say that he was seen outside the Headmaster's office. Why do you care anyway?"

Seth shrugged. "If there is a way to miss that class I want to know. I think you should find out for us. I'd sure he'll tell you."

"No chance," Crystal replied firmly. "I do my best to avoid speaking to him. I'm not going to encourage a conversation."

"Why are you so mean to him?" Daisy asked in disbelief. "I thought you'd be grateful. He could have died going up there to save your father."

Crystal shrugged indifferently. "I am grateful; I just don't want to speak to him. He bores me to tears. What's it to you anyway?"

"Hey, look," Seth said, looking up ahead. "The Captain isn't here. What's the Headmaster doing here? They'd better not have cancelled flying. I've been looking forward to this all day. It's the only enjoyable lesson of the week."

The students all gathered around the headmaster, who was waiting near the edge of the amphitheatre, regarding them as they arrived. No one asked him why he was there, waiting for him to volunteer the information. He waited till they all arrived.

"Students," he said loudly. "I'm afraid to tell you that I have some bad news. Professor Stone will no longer be teaching you. His mother has been taken ill rather suddenly, so Professor Stone will have to leave Furnace immediately and will not be returning any time soon."

The Headmaster waited for the inevitable uproar to subside, waiting for a civilised question. Seth raised his hand.

"Ah, Bragon, please go ahead."

"So who will teach us, sir? We can't miss out on flying lessons."

"Yes, of course. No one wants that. As it happens, we do have someone who can teach you. He's a slightly unorthodox choice, but I have the approval of the school board, and he has my full support so I expect you to show him the respect that you would show to any other teacher. If I find that isn't the case, the penalties will be most severe."

"So who is he, sir?" Seth asked. "Will he be teaching us today? Where is he?"

The Headmaster stepped aside to reveal John, who has been standing at the edge of the amphitheatre.

"Class," John began. "Go and transform. We have much to do."

There was a stunned silence. "Is this some sort of joke, sir?" Daniel Thorne asked.

"No, Thorne, it isn't. And do I need to remind you of the recent letter from your father that I shared with you? I don't generally approve of caning students, but he was adamant that you should be punished severely if you step out of line again."

Daniel blushed, muttered something under his breath, and shook his head.

"But, sir, he's just a boy," Amber pointed out. "How can be allowed to teach? Surely there must be some rules against it?"

"It's all perfectly above board and correct," the headmaster replied, "although I don't remember asking any of you for your approval, and I certainly don't need it. Now, I believe you've been given an instruction by your new teacher; what are you waiting for?"

The students shuffled towards the changing rooms, muttering and grumbling, before filing through the two doors into the separate changing huts.

"This is ridiculous!" Jenna said loudly as she and Crystal entered the room. "Our parents aren't paying all this money to be taught by a child."

"It must be just for today," Crystal replied confidently. "Although I can't see why another teacher couldn't have covered the class."

"I'm going to get Mother to complain," Jenna declared. "We should all do it. They couldn't let him teach us if everyone objected. Will you do it as well, Crystal?"

Crystal shook her head. "Somehow I don't think my mother would agree to that. Maybe two weeks ago, but not now. If anything, she'd write a letter of support."

Jenna shook her head and tutted. "Fine. Who else? Mildred, will you get your parents to complain?"

Mildred nodded. "Definitely; it's bad enough they let him in the class, let alone teach it." Mildred, like John, was from the East, but she saw him as nothing more than an embarrassment to the principality.

"I'll get my uncle to complain," Amber ventured confidently.  "He could probably get the King to stop this. They're very close."

Jenna smiled, her plan coming together. She turned to Tara.

"Tara, what about you? Isn't your mother a school governor? Surely she could do something about this?"

Tara was a shy girl who rarely spoke to Jenna. She shrugged noncommittally, avoiding Jenna's eyes. "Maybe she could, but perhaps we should see how he goes first."

"What?" Jenna asked angrily. "He's a child. He shouldn't be teaching us anyway. Why on earth would you want to see how he goes?"

"Look, he's been teaching for weeks anyway, just not officially. If Professor Stone couldn't teach someone he just sent them to John. I didn't always find Professor Stone that easy to understand, but when John explained anything it always seemed easier to do."

Jenna rolled her eyes. "Fine, let him teach the remedial class. Not normal students." Tara coloured immediately and turned away.

"I think it's a good idea," Daisy opined haughtily. "Arthur and I won't be making any complaints. In fact, I might ask Gerard to send a letter of support to the headmaster. John's a very good flier. It shouldn't matter that he's young."

Daisy didn't wait for Jenna to reply; she removed her clothes and transformed before leaving the room.

Jenna tutted as she left. "We'll see about that, princess," she said quietly. She turned to Crystal. "Arthur doesn't always do what she wants. I can be very persuasive, you know."

Crystal rolled her eyes. "I don't want to know, and I'd avoid a fight with Daisy if I was you. You'll probably win, but she's still his twin; do you really want to turn her against you?"