Guardian Dragons

by Catherine L Vickers

  And so, the huphin race began and evolved throughout time. She never forgot how she had lost her beloved Quintim and vowed that no land creature would be allowed to stay within a huphin city longer than four moonwakes, so that their muscles would not waste. She named this a seawake period. Then she added that no land creature could return to the huphin city until a further three moonwakes had passed, to ensure their limbs were supple. She named this the seasleep period.

  Of course, no-one really knows the truth of this legend.’ Prince Gadon ended his story.

  ‘Yes poppa, but it is how we measure our time, so I think it must be true? Thank you for my story. I do love you and tell momma I love her too.’ Settling in her sleeping pool, she closed her eyes.

  ‘I know you do Princess and we love you too. Sleep well my little one’ Prince Gadon climbed out of his daughter’s sleeping pool, watching her leave the world of reality and enter into the world of dreams.

  Chapter 11 A Princely Decision

  ‘So, have you finally ended your fairy-tale?’ Shorwin’s voice whispered as she caused the tiny shells to tinkle upon the door hanger. ‘As if your daughter’s head isn’t filled with enough nonsense.’

  Prince Gadon slowly crept out of the sleeping chamber and followed his wife to their own sleeping chamber.

  ‘I don’t tell her nonsense Shorwin,’ he defended his story telling. ‘I would only tell my children the truth of the world and well you know.’

  ‘No, I do not know Prince Gadon,’ Shorwin spoke sharply at her husband’s self-defiance. ‘I do not know if that legend is truth or not but I do suspect it is just childish legend’

  ‘Yes well. If our child cannot enjoy a bit of nonsense at her age, then she would be growing up all too fast for my liking.’

  ‘Oh and you’ll be the one to answer all her many questions when she wakes up with her head full of fantasy.’

  ‘If I were here, yes, I would gladly and truthfully answer her questions. I cannot help that I must attend my father at every moonwake. He does have an entire ocean to care for, as well you know.’

  As Shorwin climbed down to join her husband in their shared sleeping pool, she looked at his sulking eyes with a fondness.

  ‘I suspect my husband is chastised enough. With an ocean to organise you had better not let a mother and her daughter take up too much of your time.’

  ‘I am happy for that mother and daughter to fill my life. I am their willing protector’

  Prince Gadon turned to roll on his wife in a playful attack as they blissfully readied themselves for their sleeping.

  ‘Actually,’ Gadon suddenly remembered, ‘I’m not with my father in the moonwake, I’m going to the surface, to meet with the human Prince Leon.’

  ‘And what deeds are the two of you up to this time?’ She stared into his black eyes as he attempted to crush her in his fake attack. ‘I recall the last time you went off with one of those human Princes, you got so heavily intoxicated on some human liquor, that I might add your father is far too fond of, the pair of you nearly drowned yourselves.’

  He gently rolled off his captured wife, laughing at the good memory of this past event.

  ‘Well you can’t blame Leon for that, it was his older brother not he, and, I’ll have you know, we are both future Kings of our races so why should we not indulge ourselves?’

  ‘Such rubbish you speak of. As future Kings you should be better behaved,’ Shorwin turned her back on her husband so he could not see her smiling. ‘I’m going to sleep now and don’t wish to hear of any more of your childish antics. The future Queen needs her rest.’

  ‘Worry not my dear, I am helping Leon with a favour and will not be gone long. Now, if you aren’t going to kiss me then I’m going to sleep.’

  ‘You cheeky little ...’

  ‘Now, now Shorwin, don’t get over excited. By the way,’ he whispered in an attempt to end on a lighter note, ‘your daughter said to tell you that she loves you.’ He watched her smile as they both pictured the image of their lovechild. Closing their eyes, they jointly entered into a blissful world of sleep.

  Bryley awakened to the muffled sounds of voices emanating from the living quarters. Climbing out of her sleeping pond she went to wake up her parents but as she entered their sleeping chamber, she found them gone. Realising the voices were those of her parents speaking with someone else, she sneaked through the connecting tunnel to spy upon the living quarters.

  ‘But sire, the baby will be eaten for sure!’ a distressed male voice pleaded.

  ‘We cannot breach the barrier of our city for every whale that is attacked.’ Her father’s stern voice was slowly getting louder. ‘It is the nature of the sea for sharks to devour other sea creatures. Why should we interfere on account of one incident?’

  ‘This is not just any whale sire,’ the male voice explained. ‘It is one of the Queens of the ruling harem, begging that we aid her. The sharks have hunted them for a long while and she cannot out-swim them with such a young cub in tow. She only asks that we mislead them while she makes her escape with her cub.’

  ‘Absolutely not! The sharks will be in an uproar if we start to interfere with their feeding.’ Prince Gadon was adamant that no help would be forthcoming.

  ‘My dear,’ Shorwin joined in. ‘I must disagree. I think we should help one another where the young are involved. Think of your own daughter’s life.’

  ‘No Shorwin!’

  Bryley nearly announced her presence as she gave a startled cry at the sound of her father shouting at her mother.

  ‘We cannot interfere in the natural running of the seas. This is one of our most fundamental rules as leaders.’

  ‘Shall I awaken the King?’ the other voice asked.

  ‘No, no. That is not necessary I can deal with this matter.’ Prince Gadon looked at his wife’s pleading face. ‘Look, take the whale and her young one into one of the loading bays for the rest of the moonsleep. That is all we can offer. We cannot and must not attack the sharks. We are here to protect all the sea creatures and that does not mean that we assist in starving the sharks just because they chose the wrong whale to eat. Hopefully, they’ll tire of waiting for the whales to emerge and will swim away. Upon early moonwake, you can inform the mother whale that she must be on her way. We cannot afford to be seen as favouring one creature over another. Are my orders clear?’

  ‘Yes sire,’ the other voice answered. ‘I will ensure your orders are followed. Thank you sire.’

  ‘Good because I do not want to hear of this matter again. Now then, my wife and I wish to return to our sleeping chamber.’

  Bryley quickly scampered out of sight. Swiftly making her way back to her chamber, she was horrified that the baby whale was going to be eaten by the sharks. She had always believed that the sea would be a better place without those viscous sharks. In fact, they were better suited to live in the dark side ocean with others of there ilk.

  Listening to the soothing trickle of the running water in her sleeping pod, she was unable to sleep. In her restlessness she weaved a plan that would allow her to help the trapped whales.

  Chapter 12 Mother Whale

  The next moonwake, Bryley was very pleased with herself, arriving early at the docking bay where she would find the whales. Surely, her parents had suspected nothing of her excuses to leave early due to extra chores in her schooling. Well, maybe she felt a little guilty at telling a small untruth but it was very necessary and it was for the good of the ocean that she served in her duties as a Princess.

  The walls of a docking bay were black when the bay was full of water and awaiting a ship to be transported from the surface of the city regions. If the bays were empty of water then the walls were transparent as there was no danger from within the large loading area. At this moment, it was half-full of seawater and Bryley attempted to see through the opaque wall of the bay, she could just make out large murky dark shapes moving around in the water. Approaching the golden membrane that allowed passage throug
h to the bay, Bryley attempted Mindtalk to the mother whale at the other side.

  Can you hear me beautiful creature of the ocean? The young Princess asked hopefully. I am here to help you and your baby?

  The mother whale awkwardly tried to turn her huge body in the shallow water. This was not an easy task but she wanted to look upon the creature that was Mindtalking to her. Alas, the mother could only make out a tiny silhouette. Surely, this was not the creature who offered assistance against the danger that still circled the waters outside.

  Can you hear me? Persistent in her efforts to contact the mother whale, Bryley would not give up easily. Soon you will have to leave the safety of our protection and the sharks are still waiting for you. You must allow me to help you.

  Again, the water in the loading bay swirled around as the mother whale attempted to get a closer look.

  I cannot see who you are but if you truly can save my child, I will be forever in your debt, the mother whale replied.

  I am a Princess of the huphins, so I am allowed to assist you, Bryley did not look upon this as lying but more as exaggerating the truth.

  ‘Guards,’ she shouted trying to sound confident. ‘It’s time to release the whales. As my father is busy, I am to swim with them for a short while.’

  ‘Are you certain of this?’ the guards questioned. ‘Those sharks would as soon eat you as the young whale. I cannot see why our young Princess should put her life in danger. Your father cannot possibly have sanctioned this order?’

  ‘You dare to question my instructions. I am Huphin Royalty and the sharks would not dare to attack whilst I swim with the Queen. Now release them immediately so we can be on our way.’

  Not so easily convinced, the guard watched her suspiciously as she entered the water and joined the whales. She had hopes that the guard would take this as an order to open the hatchway. This did not happen immediately and she began to suspect the worse but her patience paid off and a moment later, the outer hatch-door opened. Seawater gradually flooded in and Bryley quickly swam out of the protected area with the Queen whale following, her baby staying protectively beneath her huge belly.

  Sure enough, the sharks had remained, determined not be cheated out of their meal. They followed the little group coming out of the huphin hatch-door, not attacking but swimming closely by, bemused at the small huphin that had joined the whales.

  I am Princess Bryley and I order you to leave these waters that are protected by the Royal Huphin Family. Bryley bravely Mindtalked to the sharks, hoping they were not too stupid enough to ignore her Royal Command.

  It appeared to be working, the sharks seemed to have swam away as they were nowhere in sight.

  See Queen Whale, my father and grandfather are truly respected, even by low life such as the sharks.

  She could not have wished for a better result and decided to stay and enjoy a short swim with her new friends.

  You are a brave Princess but now that they are gone I think you should return to your city. The mother whale was not so convinced and wanted to speed up her swim to allow her cub a head start.

  I would like to stay with you awhile if that’s all right. Swimming with whales is fun. Come on, we should quicken our pace in case they return, sensing the whales urgency, she knew she could keep up with them for a while.

  Very well Princess but you must swim with my cub close to my belly. I will lead the way.

  The sharks had remained well behind and out of sight, easily confused at the huphin’s presence and wondering why she was stealing their meal. Soon they would be away from the protective magic of the huphin city and then they could strike.

  Chapter 13 Meeting of Friends

  Prince Gadon surfaced from the rippling waves and exposed the top half of his body to the warm heat of the sun, showing the world a glistening deep blue-green human form. His smooth head is without hair, his ears covered with fine gills and his large eyes oval and black with a transparent skin covering them protectively. Two small oval slits pulsed open and shut in the centre of his face, allowing him to breathe air. Pale pink lips hide a blue tongue and teeth that are similar to those of humans. A transparent grey skin attaches the inside of his elbow to his waist. Along the tops of his arms short fins run down resembling a straggly line of thin hairs.

  Huphin hands have five webbed digits. The chest is similar to human male or female appropriately, but underneath the breasts lays a line of tiny gills. Their legs are also similar to humans and wear the same short fins as their arms. The five toes are webbed.

  Looking out at the stillness of the sea he observed dolphins jumping up and down and in and out of the biggest waves they could find.

  Probably showing off as they always do, Leon thought.

  Yes, I agree, a voice invaded his private thoughts. Dolphins are terribly vain, the huphin Prince Mindtalked.

  ‘Aaah, I’m honoured that you’ve agreed to meet with me Gadon, but ask that you be patient a moment longer? I’m waiting at the top of the cliff for my friend to arrive. We’ll meet you in the Red Rock Bay, as agreed. I have to admit it isn’t really anything urgent but rather a favour for a very good friend of mine, Leon ended, not too confident that Gadon would agree once he was fully aware of his reasons for calling him here.

  Good to be seeing you again Leon, Gadon replied, glad that his human friend was asking for his help in his time of need. I shall be pleased to meet any friend of yours. See you soon.

  He dived down below his companions the dolphins and watched them follow him in his descent. He had come alone on this visit to the surface, so was thankful of their company to pass away the time whilst awaiting the Shankhall whistle from his human friend, which would indicate their arrival at the meeting place.

  On top of the steep cliff, Leon lifted his youthful face and peered through the tall pine trees with piercing blue eyes. His eyebrows furrowed into a v-shape as he squinted in an attempt to try to make the image of Heather appear. He had been sitting patiently for far too long under the willow tree at the top of the cliff path. This was their regular meeting place where the huge dangling green arms of the tree arch out and droop down, hiding them within the green den so no-one ever knows they are there.

  Looking at the winding path that stretches down to the beach, he still felt uneasy at this contrived proposal. They usually took it in turns to think up some mischievous deed to perform. Last time it had been his idea and they had put rotting fish under some of the noble’s beds. A bit of a childish prank, he chuckled, but it did result in some fun when it turned out that Lord Promple was allergic to fish and he sneezed so much that his hairpiece came flying off. No one had ever seen his bald head that had just a few white hairs protruding up like fluff. Everyone knew he wore a hairpiece but one does not dare ask of a noble why.

  In the dry heat he was glad of the shade of the tree but was becoming increasingly restless and feeling a little annoyed that she was always late. He was never sure if she did this on purpose or if her constant stream of excuses were genuine.

  Standing up he shook his muscled legs to rid himself of the stinging cramp in his thigh. As he stood there, he could just make out a dark shape darting around through the pine trees in the woods. Running around in a never-ending circle was a large longhaired white dog, chasing everything that moved. Barking at squirrels and even attempting to climb the giant trees that they scampered up, it was Frizzle and wherever he was then Heather was never far away. Heather was not moving with any great speed but he knew how keen she was about this secret meeting, she had never before tried the ‘Changeling’ magic.

  * * *

  Deep in the seabed a small huphin Princess, a huge Queen whale and her baby had taken refuge in a large school of dolphins as a mass of savage sharks circled the entire group. The brave dolphins chose to protect the whales only because a huphin’s life was at stake. The whale called out a cry for help to her own kind, but alas no reply. How long these bold dolphins would remain so, with their own young at risk, was not
something that Princess Bryley wanted to contemplate. It had been her idea to ask them for help when the sharks had suddenly pounced out of nowhere, unexpectedly, and the baby whale had taken a small injury from one of the attackers. The sharks would not give up so easily now they had the scent of blood drifting in the sea currents. The dolphins, for their part, had sent out signals to obtain help from their nearest neighbours. They waited, but not without fear. The sharks may reconsider and decide a couple of baby dolphins would suffice for their meal, or even a young huphin. Princess Bryley would not give up hope but she watched despondently as the sharks tightened their trap. They were going to eat something, but who was to make their meal was what she feared. They were clearly angry with her for interfering. She longed to be with her parents. At least the baby whale would die by its mother’s side. She was to die alone.

  * * *

  Gadon made a slow upward stroke to look out of the waters and observed Leon still waiting near the large green tree. He was about to reach out to Leon’s mind when he noticed another human arriving. The dolphins started to screech at him, trying in turn to get his attention but he just ignored their noisy twittering and swam away, indicating to them that he did not wish for their company anymore. None dare to defy his instructions for privacy. Instead, they went into an excited frenzy that just made the Prince push them away all the more. Aware of the little Princess’s true danger, they desperately wanted his attention but none would dare to challenge him.

  Chapter 14 Changeling

  Moving with a little more haste, Heather and Leon carefully made their way down the steep, narrow sandy path leading to a red gritty beach. On one side of the path, bright yellow petals of the healing herb Danlon carpeted the ground. The seeds protected within the golden petals could be ground into a healing powder. To the other side were scatterings of prickly dark green bushes and bushy brown shrubs that dangled with bright red berries. The hidden wildlife was wise to the tasty looking fruits that could poison instantly. Unknown to passersby, the luring shrubbery concealed the closeness of the cliff’s edge that led to a dangerous sheer drop down to the crashing waves. The path had originally been walked by fisher men, who had once used this beach to trawl small boats, carrying their day’s catch up the path to go on and trade at the market in Beldroth. The Royal City, since those times, has expanded its harbour and so the fisher men now take a more direct route.