Becoming a Dragon (35 page)

Crystal raised her eyebrows, becoming bored of this excuse.

"So, nine groups," John continued. "We'll start with the ones you're most familiar with; the large flying dragon group. Red, Blue, Green and Rhino are all in this group."

"Wait a minute. Aren't the Rhino Dragons much bigger than us? Surely we are medium sized?"

"No, Reds are a little small for the group if you include the extinct races, but are in the same group, and of the surviving races are the second largest. Blues are the smallest in the group. You should be aware that this is the most aggressive group; with the exception of the Rhino Dragons all are extremely violent and expansionist."

"Hey, wait a minute," Crystal objected. "That's not true. Blue and Green, yes, they are violent and aggressive, but we aren't. All our wars have been in response to attacks on our territory and people. And you can't tell me that Rhino Dragons aren't aggressive. We've fought numerous wars against them and they've killed many of us."

John shook his head. "Have you seen a statue of a Rhino Dragon?"

Crystal shook her head.

"Well, there is one on the other side of the lake. It isn't a bad likeness. They're huge. One long nasty horn on the nose—hence the name—thick tough skin, which is too strong to cut with your claws, and hard, bony feet, which could kill you with one strike. Their teeth are quite blunt, but they could still crush the life out of you with them. Their tail is a powerful weapon too. They might have no fire—well, none that could be used as a weapon—but they are unaffected by our fire as well. In the air they're pretty slow but they are nearly indestructible as well. What do you think would happen if a troop of them were to land in Furnace?"

Crystal paused. "I'm guessing they would be very hard to stop?"

"Nearly impossible. They could probably destroy most of the city before you stopped them, yet it hasn't happened. Why?"

Crystal shrugged. "I don't know. You tell me."

"Because they haven't started any of the wars," John replied. "They never attack us and in fact, they never attack
anyone
. They don't even send retaliatory troops when you go into their territory and attack them, which you have done many times. Every dragon killed by a Rhino Dragon dies on their land, nowhere else. They're unwelcoming, that I grant you, but considering their neighbours have invaded them more times than they can remember, can you blame them?"

"Wait a minute. That can't be true. We only attack in response—"

John cut her off before she could finish her sentence. "A complete lie and one which even our official records don't repeat, so if you don't believe me, I can point you to many sources in the military library that will back me up. Yes, our records do record lies sometimes, but only to support the government's lies, not to contradict them."

Crystal frowned, dubious about this. "And our wars with the Blues and Greens? You can't tell me we've started all of those."

"No, the blame is to be shared relatively equally; well, the Blues a bit more so, and the Greens a little less. The Greens are history now though, so you may as well forget them. I suspect your teachers will soon be denying they ever existed. As for wars with other neighbours—and there have been many, which Reds have started or provoked to the point where the neighbours had to fight—do you know where the neighbours are now. Can you guess?"

"No," Crystal answered in a small voice, avoiding John's gaze.

"Long gone," John replied sadly. "Wiped out. Forgotten by history in some cases probably, definitely by Red Dragon history in other cases. And how did they die? After all, pregnant women and children aren't sent into battle, so what happened to them? Same thing that Blue Dragons do when they attack Red Dragon villages."

Crystal closed her eyes, and a tear trickled down her cheek. It was hard to believe, but something told her that John was right. "So I should feel guilty about this. Feel bad about being a Red Dragon? Is that what you do John? Do you hate yourself? Is that what you're teaching me to do?"

She looked at him bitterly, and the gaze that met hers was sad and sympathetic. "Of course not. Hating yourself for what you were born is as ludicrous as taking pride in it; you had no control over it and as for the actions of your ancestors, you have as little reason to feel guilt over them as you could take credit for them. How does that that make sense?"

Crystal nodded.

"Good, then I feel I have taught you one of the most important lessons. Perhaps this would be a good time to stop for the day."

"Already? We've been going for less than ten minutes!"

"True, but I've upset you more than enough, and upsetting you was never my intention. I think your time might be better spent doing some homework."

"Homework? What homework? We don't have any from school."

"No, from me. I'm pretty sure you trust me at the moment but that could change. I want you to know that I am telling the truth by discovering some of this yourself."

"How would I do that?" Crystal asked.

"Visiting the military library, of course. Speak to the Keeper. Rhino Dragons are a special interest of his, and he could point you to every book on the subject. He would love it if you took an interest. He will show you all the records and will be able to answer any question you might have."

Crystal shook her head. "Alright, although I'm not sure why I can't take your word for it." She frowned. "Hang on, if everything you say is true, and our records back it up, wouldn't the Keeper agree with you? Wouldn't he also admit that they're not aggressive?"

John smiled, but his eyes looked sad. "That's a good question. When you ask him about them, try not to challenge him—as he's old and set in his ways—but ask yourself, how of what he believes is based on the records he knows inside out, and how much is without any foundation."

John stood up as if to leave, and picked up his school bag.

"Wait," Crystal said. "Do you want a drink or anything before you go home?"

"Oh, I'm not going home. Not yet. I thought I'd visit the twins."

Crystal smiled at his casual reference to Daisy. "And how are things with you and little Daisy?"

John paused. "They're good, thank you. We're still keeping it secret as much as we can, at Gerald's suggestion, but it bothers her much more than me. It feels very natural being with her, which I didn't expect."

"Why didn't you expect that?"

"I wasn't planning on having a girlfriend here, and I've never had one before, so I guess I didn't know what to expect. To be honest, she's also the first friend I'd had in over six years. She was the only one at school who wanted to be friends with me. I think she was a little sorry for me at first."

"Sorry about that. I wasn't really fair to you at the start. Although you have to admit, you were a little odd."

"That's alright. It didn't bother me most of the time."

Crystal laughed. "This is why I can trust you. You're a terrible liar."

John laughed. "Just one more thing: don't call her little Daisy. She doesn't mind her brothers or parents doing it, but she hates everyone else calling her that. She won't say anything, but she feels like you're looking down on her."

Crystal nodded, knowing that she was right. "What about you? Does she mind
you
calling her that?"

John shrugged. "I don't know. I never have."

With that, he turned and jumped off the steps and with a burst of red scales, transformed instantly, flapping his wings quickly as he flew off towards the setting sun.

"I have got to learn how he does that," she told herself, glancing at the sun and deciding to walk to the library.

"So what happened to Daniel?" Jenna asked Crystal, looking at his empty seat as they waited for Professor Silver to arrive to take registration.

"Why are you asking me?" Crystal replied, idly playing with her hair. "How should I know?"

Jenna groaned. "Come on; don't pretend you didn't ask John. You had that silly lesson with him yesterday, didn't you? I bet it was the first thing you asked him."

"I won't pretend anything," Crystal replied indignantly. "He wouldn't tell me."

Jenna rolled her eyes. "Oh, typical John! Tells you all the boring things you don't need to know, but leaves out the important stuff."

Crystal smiled, knowing Jenna was still annoyed at embarrassing herself in yesterday's flying lesson.

"So, how was your lesson?" Jenna asked nonchalantly. "Did you manage to stay awake for all of it?"

Crystal nodded. "It was pretty short, actually. He wanted me to go to the library afterwards on my own and confirm what he was telling me. Just in case I didn't trust him."

"I bet that was a waste of time," Jenna replied. "He probably knows every book in there, and I doubt he has enough imagination to make anything up anyway. How long are you going to continue with these lessons? He can't use your guilt against you forever."

Crystal shrugged. "I'm not sure how long. But there are ten topics that he wants to cover with me so I'll know when we're getting near to the end. But he's not using my guilt against me anyway. Hey, look! Here's Daniel."

Daniel came into the room, walking rather stiffly, followed by Professor Silver. The class fell silent as he walked across the room, refusing to even look at John, who likewise ignored him. Presumably the Headmaster had been forced to carry out his father's instructions and cane him, although it was hard to imagine him doing so. Professor Silver gave John a very dirty look before addressing the class. "Ground combat training begins today," he told them curtly. "I don't need to remind you of the need to behave in this class, I take it?" He looked pointedly at John, and then Daniel. John stared back at him blankly. "Well, if any of you were planning on using this class as a chance to settle old scores, you may want to think again. The Headmaster will be taking this class until a replacement for Professor Stone can be found."

Crystal raised her hand and the professor nodded at her. "Will John continue teaching flying when that happens, or will the new teacher take over?"

Professor Silver looked at John with an expression of contempt. "I doubt he'll continue. I can't imagine John would be preferred over a properly qualified teacher."

"But John's an excellent teacher, sir," Tara said. "We've learnt much more from him than from Professor Stone."

Professor Silver looked at her in surprise, as she was very quiet student and Crystal couldn't recall having heard her speak before.

"It's true, sir," Lauren agreed. "Professor Stone was good, but we're learning more under John."

Professor Silver glared at them both. "The school doesn't require your opinion on staff selections, thank you, Lauren and Tara. It's time for your first lesson, which I believe is literature. Class dismissed."

After their literature lesson, Daisy sidled up to John to speak to him about the Professor's comments. "I can't believe Silver felt he had the right to say that about you this morning. He shouldn't have even answered Crystal's question."

John shrugged. "What Professor Silver thinks doesn't matter to me. Don't let it bother you."

"But it does," Daisy replied stubbornly. "You're a teacher now. Well, a special teacher. He shouldn't be allowed to speak about your qualifications in that way. It's not professional."

John smiled at her. "Come on Daisy, we have ground combat training now. Aren't you excited about that?"

Daisy smiled and nodded. "But why aren't you teaching this? You smashed Daniel last term."

John shook his head. "I've told you, I'm no good at it. I've trained every day for years perfecting my flying, but spent hardly any time on ground combat, and I'm not a natural at it anyway. Daniel had no idea what he was doing so was easy to beat, but given a couple of lessons that would change. You'll see."

Daisy shook her head, assuming that John was just being modest, and followed him to the large grass field their lesson was to be held in. When they arrived they found that everyone had already transformed.

"Oh, sorry," Daisy muttered, running to the changing rooms that were in a large building in front of the green. John simply transformed where he was and hurried to join the group.

"Thank you for joining us," the headmaster said drolly, gazing at John. "I'm afraid that you will have to put up with me for this term, as we have been unable to find a suitable replacement for Professor Stone. We had some very capable applicants that would have been suitable for other less prestigious schools, but have decided to wait until we found a candidate that meets our highly demanding expectations." The headmaster gazed around at the sea of red faces, waiting for a response. "Very well, let us begin. You've already had a demonstration, last term, so we can move straight to more practical matters. Firstly, we'll have a look at the safety equipment. Everyone find a partner, and Daisy, as you're the last to join us, can you please distribute the sets of equipment to each pair?" He nodded to a pile of claw and jaw guards that lay behind him.

I'll help you,
John offered as Daisy struggled to hold the equipment in her claws.
You can be my partner if you like.

Of course I would, but go easy on me, won't you?

John shook his scaly head.
That won't be necessary. You'll be as good as me before you know it.

Quickly now
, the Headmaster urged them.
Yes, I thought you might lend her a hand, or rather a claw. Now, these aren't the standard sets used for competitions, like the ones you were shown earlier, but they'll do the job. These are much easier to put on and take off, which is useful for training, and they're made of a slightly softer material, which should reduce the impact, and hopefully compensate for your lack of control.

Can you show us how to put them on, sir?
Lauren asked, struggling with her claw guards.

Tut, tut, you don't put them on yourself. You'll still need help from each other, although you should be able to help each other without transforming back first. Pick one of you to go first and then the other needs to help them don the protective equipment. Yes, that's it, Mia; everyone look at Mia and Amber.

Proudly displaying her equipment, Amber twirled on the spot. It was something that might have appeared endearing as a girl, but as a dragon, just looked odd. The others quickly followed her example and put on the protective equipment.

Excellent,
the headmaster said encouragingly.
Now, don't worry, you'll all have a turn. Grab another pair, and form groups of four. Quickly! We haven't all day!

The class rushed to form groups of four, and then stood watching the headmaster for their instruction. Daisy realised that this was probably the first time that she had seen the headmaster as a dragon, and it didn't really suit him.

Now as you are aware, on the ground, you have two sets of weapons: your teeth, and your claws. You also have your fire, but it's not generally a lot of use on the ground so we will stick to teeth and claws. When you're in the air, you'll generally target your enemy's wings, followed by the neck or head. After all, if they can't fly, the fall will probably kill them.

Now you're on the ground that all changes,
the headmaster told them
. You may be fighting on the ground because you're injured and can't fly, or you because you have to fight inside a tunnel or a building where there is no room to fly. The reason is immaterial; the important thing is that wings no longer matter. Your main target now is your enemy's neck, and most importantly, the underside of the neck. Blue Dragon's necks, other than being shorter and weaker, are similar to ours in having thicker, stronger scales on top, but weak, vulnerable scales underneath. A fast, powerful strike to the top of the neck can still cause a lot of damage, and even kill an opponent if executed properly, but that's almost impossible while on the ground, so you have to target the underside, and of course, defend your own neck at the same time. We use a point system in these competitions, and for the underside of the neck you get five points, which is a win, but just one for the top of the neck, so to win a bout you'd have to strike the top of the neck five times, so it's not a tactic you should rely on.

What about the belly, sir?
Seth asked.
That's a win too, isn't it?

The headmaster shook his head.
It used to be, but they changed the rules so now it's just three points. A slash on the belly may kill your opponent, but not straight away and a dying opponent could still strike back and kill you. Two points for a head or chest strike, and nothing for the back, legs or tail, as your claws or teeth would do little damage, and obviously nothing for the wings. We usually play for the best of three bouts, so you just have to win two to win a match.

Is that it?
Mia asked.
I thought it was more complicated than that.

These are the simplified rules, Mia, but they will more than suffice. Normally, a bout is judged by three people, but, I think you can make do with two.

Aren't you going to teach us techniques?
Dale asked incredulously.

Not yet,
the headmaster replied.
First, I'd like to see how you perform without training. In each four, compete to the best of three bouts and then swap pairs. When you're both done, have the winners compete, and let me know when you're done.

Can't we hurt each other?
Amber asked.
Is there anything that isn't allowed?

Not if you stop as soon as you score a point. I don't want to see any heads slammed into the ground today, thank you. Off you go; get started!

John and Daisy had been joined by a pair from another class—two girls they didn't know well, who introduced themselves as Dee and Nicola. Daisy went first, and faced Dee.

Shall we have a couple of practice attempts first?
Dee suggested.

Daisy just nodded, a little apprehensive. Dee appeared to be no more confident, and the two dragons approached each other cautiously. Daisy swiped with her left foreleg at Dee's neck, who merely backed away slightly to avoid the blow before making the same ineffective gesture, but without any conviction. Dee lunged forwards and snapped at Daisy with her jaws, and Daisy caught her on the side of her head with her right front foot; a point, but only a gentle blow that a stricter judge might not have awarded.

Good, Daisy,
John said encouragingly,
but you need to be a bit more aggressive.

Just as he spoke, the dragons fighting in the neighbouring four crashed into Daisy and Dee, the aggressor forcing his opponent backwards into the two of them.

Hey!
Daisy objected.
Be careful!

Sorry, princess
, Jerome replied, being the dragon that had just defeated the other.
I didn't expect Joel to run away so quickly. He's a nervous thing, bless him.

Shut up, Jerome
, Joel snapped, angry wisps of flame appearing from his nostrils.
That's just one win. It's still best of three.

They returned to their space, and Dee and Daisy faced each other again. Dee came at Daisy more quickly this time, swiping at her twice with her right as she advanced, before rearing onto her back legs and rushing at Daisy, swiping at her with her left and then her right, catching Daisy's neck with the second blow.

That would be a win,
Nicola observed.
Are you two ready to compete? Some of the others are already swapping equipment for the second set of bouts.

I'm ready,
Dee replied confidently.

Alright,
Daisy replied reluctantly.
We can begin.

Dee approached Daisy much more aggressively now, her confidence buoyed by her small victory, repeating her previous strategy and rushing at Daisy swinging. Daisy dodged the first few attacks before catching a glancing blow on her nose.

Stop!
Nicola called.
Two points for Dee! Come back to the middle.

You're doing fine,
John said quietly to Daisy.
Block those swings with your forelegs if you need to, and when she rushes at you, remember you can sidestep as well. She'll be coming too fast to stop.

Daisy faced Dee again, and Dee immediately began as she had before, rushing at Daisy. Daisy blocked the first few blows, and swiped back at Dee tentatively, a blow that Dee took on the foreleg. Dee rushed at Daisy again, and Daisy sidestepped, but Dee managed to catch her again on the nose.

Four points!
the other girl shouted.
One more to win. Back to the middle.

Sorry, Daisy,
John apologised.
I thought that would help.