War of Dragons (47 page)

Chapter 26 - Return to Furnace

Crystal felt herself being lowered to the ground and she loosened the top of her bag to cautiously peer out. They had been flying for hours and she was glad to be let out of her bag. However, since leaving the limits of the Circle she had heard the shrieks of the Blue Dragons almost continuously and they had been audible till just a few moments ago, so she was a little surprised that they had landed.

"Is it safe?" she asked Levi, who had transformed already.

"Not really," Levi whispered in reply, leading her to where the others had gathered under some trees.

"Then why have we stopped?" she whispered back.

Mark answered for him, his voice low but calm. "The other groups of Golden Dragons are with us again. We're now in between the Blue Dragons and territory still controlled by the Red Dragons. We've already seen quite a few Red Dragons and witnessed a few clashes with the Blues."

"It would be a little ironic to have brought you this far to have you killed by your own people," Noah added. "I think it's time to do your own flying, don't you?"

"What about the Blue Dragons?" Jenna asked. "I thought I could still hear them when we landed. Will we be safe from them?"

Noah shrugged. "That does depend on how many of them there are, but I think we can keep you safe. We will fly as Golden Dragons."

"That might be a bad idea," Seth replied. "You may be attacked by our army."

Levi laughed. "You are aware of how slowly you fly?"

Seth bristled at the slight. "We are faster when we're near our cities. Our Dragonstones are pretty powerful."

Levi looked at him blankly. "What are Dragonstones?"

Noah answered the question before Seth could reply. "They're part of the Red Dragons defences. They look like large red gemstones and are made using special scales from each Red Dragon in a city. They're used by Blue Dragons as well and the Green Dragons used to have them. Giving a scale links a dragon to a stone and while they are near to the stone they are faster and stronger."

"How near?" Mark asked.

"They're effective while you're flying over the city," Arthur replied. "They make our cities much harder to attack. They're the first things that the Blues will try and destroy in order to weaken us."

"And the Blues know where to find them as they had a spy in the city," Noah added. "They make quite a difference; they're one of the main reasons these three races survived for so long. Defenders always have a big advantage."

"Can't you just move them?" Mark asked. "Hide them in other buildings?"

"Doing so would render them useless," Noah replied. "It is the same for all Dragonstones."

Mark nodded. "Well, this is very interesting, but it doesn't answer our question. What would you like us to do? Shall we sneak in as Red Dragons?"

Arthur shook his head. "Of course not. If we fly as one group, seeing us flying with you should prevent any Red Dragon attacking you. Besides, Jenna's right. There are still too many Blues here. Let’s take no unnecessary chances."

"Either way, staying on the ground any longer is unnecessarily dangerous," Noah pointed out. "The Blue Dragons are still active here." He nodded at the Golden Dragons, who transformed and took off, leaving just Mark and Noah with the five youngsters.

"Transform," Mark instructed them. "Don't worry, we'll turn away to give you privacy." Mark and Noah transformed and turned their backs on the five, who began their more sedate transformations.

Done
, Crystal said to them both, finishing last.

Mark turned to face her and the other four Red Dragons. He nodded his golden head approvingly.
Good, now take off. We're in your country now, so you can lead the way if you wish.

The five took to the air and immediately found themselves surrounded by the Golden Dragons, who seemed to be constantly moving around them. They heard a blood curdling screech to the left and they watched two of the Golden Dragons peel away from the group to head off the danger. They returned just moments later, fresh blood on their claws.

It feels good to be flying again, doesn't it?
Crystal said to Jenna.
Being a passenger wasn't that much fun.

Yes, I suppose so,
Jenna replied. Her thoughts sounded anxious and distracted.
Although it would be more enjoyable if we weren't worrying about Blue Dragons.

Mark and Noah seem more than capable of taking care of them,
Crystal said. She studied the ground beneath them. Maps were never her strong point and she didn't know the Eastern Principality that well, so didn't recognise any landmarks.
Do you recognise where we are?

Not really,
Jenna replied.
Although I have the nasty suspicion we're a lot further from where the border should be than I would have hoped.

Do you think they've captured Obud?
Crystal asked nervously.

Jenna didn't have a chance to reply as Noah flew near to them and drew their attention.
We have company ahead. Jude tells me that there are a number of Red Dragons heading straight for us. We could go around them possibly, or you could meet your countrymen. What would you prefer?

We will meet them,
Arthur replied firmly.
We can't be wasting time dodging our own people or we'd never get there before nightfall.

Noah paused.
As you wish. Just expect a little hostility when we meet them.

It will be fine,
Arthur replied.
Just hang back and I will do all of the talking.

Perhaps it might be better if we were a smaller group,
one of the captains suggested.

Good idea, Micah,
Noah replied. He gave an order and the seven groups that had joined them ascended high above them until they were out of sight, leaving just the original group. The remaining Golden Dragons dropped back a little, flying behind the Reds. They could see Jude high above them and some way in front of them, so expected to see the Red Dragons at any moment.

There they are,
Seth announced as a group of twenty dragons appeared on the horizon.

What are they doing here?
Jenna asked.
That's far too small a group to be flying around here. They'll be killed.

Perhaps they don't realise how close the Blues are,
Crystal replied,
or how many are here.

You there,
the lead Red Dragon from the approaching group called.
Identify yourselves and explain the presence of the intruders.

Prince Arthur, third in line to the Western throne, his sister Princess Daisy, Crystal and Jenna, daughter and niece of the Commander of the Southern Army and Seth, a distant relative of the King,
Arthur replied
. Identify yourselves.

Captain Dunn, your highness, of the twenty-seventh reserve unit. It's good to see you return your highness, but please, explain the presence of these intruders. Who are they and why are they flying with you?
The two groups were close to converging.

They're our escort,
Arthur replied.
Are you aware of our mission?

Yes, your highness, to form a treaty with the Brown Dragons. But the treaty didn't include allowing the Brown Dragons to enter our territory and these are not Brown Dragons, are they?

The approaching group turned, keeping their distance from the five dragons and their escort, flying parallel to them. The Golden Dragons moved to fly beside the five youngsters, keeping them between the Golds and the new group.

We can be if you like,
Mark replied drolly.

They're Golden Dragons,
Daisy replied.
They're our escort.

Your Highness, there was no mention of them coming with you to Furnace. I must protest at their presence. You don't need an escort from here on. Not that I can really see what use such small dragons could be anyway.

There was no mention of Golden Dragons at all,
Arthur replied.
Nonetheless, they are here as allies to help defend Furnace and they will be accompanying us there now.

Your highness, this is not the West; your words carry no authority here. I'm afraid I cannot allow them to continue.

You would turn away the offer of help?
Mark asked incredulously.
Is the war going so well that you don't require our assistance?

The captain's reply was cold and bitter.
How the war is going is none of your concern. My concern is whether you are truly on our side.

Arthur,
Noah began,
unless you can convince your kinsmen to let us pass, we can go no further and will have to return. Our mandate does not allow us to be here against the wishes of your people.

Wait,
Daisy begged.
Captain, there are Blues everywhere. How can you guarantee our safety?

You are safe here,
he replied.
This is beyond the limit of where they fly. The intruders must leave.

A chorus of shrill shrieks interrupted the discourse and ahead of them, a group of between forty and fifty Blue Dragons materialised, flying straight towards them.

I can't believe it!
the captain said angrily.
How dare they fly here!

You were saying, Captain?
Mark commented drily.
Without us, you're outnumbered over two to one. Would you like us to stay or not?

Look!
Jenna called out in alarm and slowed down.
There are more of them!

A second group were rapidly approaching the first group from above, taking the total to over sixty.

Captain!
Crystal cried.
That's almost three to one now. What are you going to do?
Even with the Golden Dragons she no longer felt safe. She wished that Noah hadn't sent the others away.

The captain hesitated for a moment. One of the others spoke up.
Captain, these are members of the royalty. We can't risk their lives unnecessarily. You would be executed if they die. Besides, we are outnumbered.

Very well,
the captain relented.
They may assist us. I can't see how much good they'll be. Look at the size of them.

Shall I go and ask them to turn back, Noah?
Joseph asked.

What!
the captain asked.
Are you crazy?

Go ahead, Joseph,
Noah replied, ignoring the captain's outburst. Joseph sped up and flew ahead of the group, heading straight towards the approaching Blues. Noah turned to the captain.
Not at all, Captain, but our laws don't allow us to fight other than in defence. We can't attack them unless they make the first move. Mark, Levi, Ezra; follow after him to back him up.

The other three dragons pulled away from the group, following after Joseph. The four of them had sped up a little, but were not rushing particularly quickly towards the Blues.

This is ridiculous,
the captain said dismissively.
You're sending your dragons to their deaths.

Turn to the west,
Noah instructed.
Let's give ourselves a little more room.
The five youngsters and the Golden Dragons did so immediately.

Why bother?
the captain asked.
We can't outfly them or evade them. We will have to engage them eventually.

These children will not,
Noah replied confidently.
The Blue Dragons will not reach this far.
Joseph was some way ahead of the group and was getting close to the approaching Blues.

What?
the captain asked.
You think they'll listen to your friend? Just turn around and go home? Some help you're going to be if you think that will work.

Noah didn't reply, but just kept his gaze fixed on the four Golden Dragons approaching the Blues.

Depart!
Joseph called, his thoughts audible as far away as the group of Red Dragons behind him.
You are not welcome here! Turn around while you are able.

A fresh rally of shrieks filled the air. The Blue Dragons were too angry and hate-filled to see any humour in the request.

Kill him!
the foremost dragon screamed.

Joseph turned to the left slightly, heading towards the left flank of the approaching group of Blue Dragons and getting dangerously close to them. Two Blue Dragons broke away from the group to engage him. Crystal and the others held their breath watching the events unfold, waiting for the collision. The two Blue Dragons let loose their flames, which was what Joseph and the others had been waiting for. Immediately Joseph fired back, hitting each dragon in the head with a fireball. At the same time he sped up, accelerating forwards very quickly and rising above them. As one of the scouts, he was fast even for a Golden Dragon and Crystal heard gasps of shock from the Red Dragons accompanying them, astounded by his sudden turn of pace. He flew over the Blues very quickly, slashing at the wings of two of them as he passed by. Both dragons dropped away, their torn wings flapping as they fell. But there were still over sixty Blues headed towards them and she couldn't see how the four Golden Dragons could stop them before they reached her and her friends.

Then, at the back of the group of Blue Dragons, something strange began to happen. The group that had joined the first group, who were flying just above them, abandoned their regular flying formation and spread out above their compatriots before dropping down to pass through the first group, slashing at their wings as they passed through the cluster of Blue Dragons. About twenty Blue Dragons all dropped from the sky, plummeting towards the ground, screaming in rage as they fell. Their assailants all seemingly disappeared as they passed through the group before reappearing as Golden Dragons, calling triumphantly at their foes above them. Mark, Levi and Ezra attacked immediately afterwards, weaving through the scattered dragons, leaving a trail of dragons dropping from the sky.