Dragons of Draegonia

by Michael Libra

  Meanwhile, Dragon White had just arrived at police headquarters where Blue and Brown were in deep conference. “White,” Brown demanded taking off his reading specs and peering into White’s eyes, “what have you to report?” Dragon White had always been impressed by Brown and today felt that Brown should be told the whole story from the beginning and that although the creatures had appeared to have attacked Dragon Yellow, who she had always considered a bit of a weakling, now believed the creatures were actually quite small and really not a threat to any dragon.

  “AHtisshooo” White let out an almighty sneeze showering all around with more sticky black spots. Dragon Blue, who had not recovered fully from the last sneeze of Dragon White, wiped his front and face peering at him in disgust. “Once you have made your final report you had better get yourself off to the hospital. You’re no good to anyone with that cold” he said.

  Brown, wanting just the facts, ignored everything. “Look,” he said “what is your report?” White took a deep breath and informed of the events leading up to Dragon Green’s re-capture of the creatures that Green had said were the ones previously responsible for his beatings and injuries. White also informed of Green’s intention to bring in the General’s (Creatures, Children, whatever they were called) to be locked up and that Brown and Blue should prepare for their imminent arrival. Dragon Blue jumped up. “Right, the cells are prepared and ready I will arrange for extra officers to be on hand!” Brown, still with a frown on his face, looked at White and asked “And what about the weapons they used, are they chemical and have they been secured, and have we the antidote?”

  White looked totally blank, She had an idea that her sneezing could be the cause of ‘Flame Outs’ and that possibly, she had got the disease not from chemical warfare, but a combination of swallowing huge amounts of sea water and a strange type of seaweed that had been ignited by some form of missile fired by the strangers earlier. “I only saw them use sticks” she hastily replied. “And I never got close enough to their camp to see if they had anything like chemical weapons and I don’t really know what an antidote looks like.”

  “Enough of your whimpering,” Brown retorted. “Get yourself off to the hospital and have a thorough check up, we will await Dragon Green and the prisoners.” With no more to say, White bounded out of the police station into the bright sunlight, worried that she had still not been able to have the courage to tell of her earlier encounters with the prisoners, now being brought in by Dragon Green.

  CHAPTER 12

  Imprisoned

  Dragon Green had made superficial friendship with the four, what Green referred to as ‘the Generals’. Although he knew there was never any real army and that Dragon Yellow would most probably get the blame for the misinformation, Green wanted to make Brown the real scapegoat. Dragon Brown had never trusted Green and there was bad feeling between them, mainly on Green’s part. Green was now entering the last phase of his plan to take Dragon Brown down.

  Firstly, he had to win the confidence of the four children standing in front of him. Secondly he had to establish what the true facts were if he was to weave them into the story he had to concoct and present. “So what are your names? He asked. The four children answered in turn. Dragon Green fired question after question.

  “What are you doing on this Island and how did you get here? What weapons do you have? Are there others? Where is your landing craft? How did you destroy our flames?” These were just a few of the questions Green raised. The four children co-operated providing concise and accurate answers, telling Green they had nothing to hide and that they had no idea that dragon flames had been destroyed. After a short time and with a benevolent smile and reassurance from Green, they once more collected all their things and headed off to where Dragon Green promised help. After some time they approached the steepest part of the island, having to walk around a narrow ledge leading to the plateau of Draegonia and the home of all the dragons.

  Green raised his claw hand and halted the group, suggesting they had a rest before tackling the difficult track ahead that narrowed and ran round the volcano’s steepest part. Green pulled a long rope from one of the children’s bags and knowing that George and Grace were the ones in charge, suggested that they consider the dangers ahead. “Look” said the Green pointing to the steep drop below, “I think it would be a sound and safe decision for each of you to tie yourselves round the waist and let me walk ahead with the rope tied to my tail. If anyone then slips the rope will save them” George and Grace both saw the sense in the suggestion and allowed Dragon Green to tie the blue nylon rope round each of them and pass a longer yellow one through, linking them altogether just like climbers do.

  What George found worrying was that the dragon insisted that the right hand of each of the children should also be tied to the rope. “Why do we have to have our hand tied?” George demanded. “Well,” said the dragon, “It saves you time if something did happen. Rather than trying to grab the rope, the rope is more readily to hand.” With that the dragon pulled hard on the lead rope forcing each child in turn to take a step forward. Dragon Green quickened his pace; the children clearly now prisoners, dragged at great speed, they soon rounded the precipice and were in sight of the City of Draegonia.

  Dragon Brown was taking in the late afternoon summer sun and looking in the distance towards the main route into Draegonia could see Dragon Green with a line of small creatures behind him. “Good grief!” he exclaimed. “The blighter has done it; he has captured them and is bringing them in.”

  Dragon Blue arrived at Brown’s side with two other dragons (Pale and Light Blue) behind him. They were Dragon Blue’s senior constables whom he relied upon for special occasions. All four dragons watched as the procession neared.

  Green was now pulling hard on the rope that tightly held the four and as their right hands ware all firmly disabled, they had no chance of undoing the rope and escaping. They all knew that things were bad and that instead of them being helped they were now in deep trouble and that Dragon Green was a liar and certainly no longer to be trusted. Unfortunately the realisation that was too late to stop them being dragged towards four important looking dragons standing outside a blue painted section of the volcano face, with a cave entrance displaying the sign of a ‘Police Station’.

  “Thank goodness” Grace shouted above the noise of cheering that got louder by the minute as more and more differently coloured dragons came out of door like holes, all cheering and clapping Dragon Green. “We haven’t done anything” Grace protested. George shouted “Look we are friendly and just need help and this green dragon has tied us up for no reason.” The crowd of dragons grew larger, dividing into two lines either side of the street as Green violently dragged the four through the channel of surging onlookers, towards Dragon Brown.

  Brown spoke and as he did so the cacophony of grunts, groans, growls and cheers, of all the dragons abruptly stopped, so that everyone could hear him. “Well done Dragon Green, capturing such a dangerous looking mob must have taken some real courage.” Brown was not sincere in his remarks as he quickly surveyed four very distraught youngsters.

  Green, with the crowd obviously on his side took the initiative and replied “Thank you Dragon Brown, it was no more than you ordered.” Brown noted the sarcasm and not wishing to have a public debate turned to Dragon Blue. “Untie these creatures, take them into the station and provide them with food and water. They look as though they need it.” Blue reminded Brown that Dragon Black was insistent that anyone caught was to be placed in individual cells for interrogation. “Yes, yes” Brown said with some agitation, “But not now. It is very hot and if we are not careful we shall all be crushed by so many dragons all trying to look at the prisoners. We also need to get all evidence and information first, before we do any interviewing.” Blue cut the ropes and with his two assistants marched the four children inside the station and to where one uncomfortable cell awaited for each of them.

  Grace, George, Zach and Joel all fo
ught and struggled but the dragons were far too strong for them. “George.” Grace shouted. “Have you noticed that all the dragons have black spots, just like the ones that appeared on the Green one?” George was not interested in Grace’s observation for he, unceremoniously, was being thrown into a large damp, very black cell that was only punctuated with a sliver shaft of light passing through a very narrow slit of a window high on the rocky wall. Behind him the cell door of thick granite rock slid into place. These cells were designed to hold dangerous dragons, not small children. There was no escape.

  Each of the children had similar cells and the food and water ordered by Dragon Brown was nowhere to be seen. The intrepid four were all hungry, thirsty, tired, frightened and now well and truly locked up.

  Dragon Green was still receiving praise and adoration from the vast crowd of dragons that had gathered outside the Draegonia Police Station. Green was finding the constant back slapping rather painful as dragons showed their appreciation by using their tails instead of clapping their paws together.

  Green moved quickly, he needed to see Dragon Black and get his story straight. Yellow could take the praise for chasing away the army of invaders that Green now knew had never existed. Green had the creatures, believed by everyone to be the ‘Generals’ or leaders. Green further calculated that it was Dragon Brown who was in charge and it was Dragon Black who ordered him and Dragon Yellow to capture the four, who were all safely locked up.

  Green also knew it was Dragon Black’s wish for the prisoners to be interrogated immediately and right now he had important information which would be the undoing of Dragon Brown.

  CHAPTER 13

  Green, Envy & More Deception

  As Dragon Green approached the Great Hall’s main entrance he could hear Dragons Yellow and Grey discussing the recent events with Dragon Black.

  “SO,” Dragon Black spoke in a gruff and very loud growl “the invaders have been repelled thanks to the bravery of Dragon Yellow and those commanding them have been apprehended after a brave struggle by Dragon Green. Where are they now?” Just as Yellow was about to reply, Green very casually but with an air of superiority, ambled in.

  “I have handed them over to Dragon Brown for interrogation” Green reported, “and they are now securely all locked up in the cells.” Dragon Green was full of himself. He knew he would be seen as the dragon that had taken the initiative and followed the strict orders given to him by Dragon Black.

  “As commanded by you Dragon Black and after a further struggle, I managed to apprehend and disarm the creatures, just as they ambushed and attacked Dragon Yellow.”

  Yellow interjected. “Yes, they did attack me, ambushed me, were going to kill me, but I eluded them.” Yellow did not want Dragon Black to know he had in fact run away. Yellow continued. “Earlier, I reported to Dragon Green other important intelligence concerning the failed invasion and met up with Dragon Grey to report back, as instructed, to you Sir.” Yellow was again bending the truth but both Dragon Grey and Green just nodded.

  Dragon Black looked down from his throne where he surveyed all of the Great Hall, “How did you manage to capture them, Green?” Black quizzically asked. Green was not ready for this question so soon and thinking on his feet he explained, “Well, on seeing me again and knowing that I had fought them off earlier they, knew they were no match for dragons and surrendered as soon as they saw me running to defend Dragon Yellow.”

  “That’s right,” Grey said, “I saw it all. Dragon Green was magnificent, he just went straight up to those terrorists, raised his claws, pointed to the ground and they threw their weapons down and kneeled before him.”

  Dragon Black snarled. “Well done Green, so what of the weapons they used to destroy our ability to spit fire?” “I made them carry back everything they had with them Sir,” Green reported.

  Dragon Green was delighted with the way things were turning out. Soon he would have Dragon Brown’s job of Chief of the Army. He was about to stitch Dragon Brown well and truly up.

  Green, cocking his head to one side in a questioning manner, continued: “Brown has taken full command of all the perpetrators and their equipment is held at the station. Do you wish for me to bring it here for you, Dragon Black?” Black stretched his wings and bringing them back to his side, opened his very large jaws, gulped a mass of air and breathing out tried and failed to shoot his flame. Dragon Black’s ability to strike fear through his enormous flame throwing expertise was no more, he too had lost his most fearsome weapon.

  Black did not want anyone to be a threat to him and his most urgent goal now was how he could quickly obtain the ability to spit fire from his huge mouth before anyone else could.

  “Green, take Dragon Yellow with you and bring to me all the equipment taken from the prisoners. Grey,” he continued “you go and position yourself at the northern lookout point and report to me immediately if the invaders should return.” Then, with three mighty thrashes of his tail, Dragon Black thumped the ground, sending echoes throughout the cavernous and numerous corridors of Draegonia’s seat of power.

  Yellow moved swiftly to the main exit backing all the way, not wishing to offend Dragon Black by turning his back on him. Green yanked Yellow’s tail. “Come on let’s be quick about it. We have more work to do!”

  Green and Yellow exited the Council of Dragons as the sun was sinking in the West, a ball of glowing red fire heading below the far and distant horizon. Soon it would be dusk and Green wanted to finalise the destruction of Brown’s reputation and position.

  “Look Yellow,” Green said, “you have had a tough day and I know that Dragon Brown will want you to make a full written report before you can turn in.” Yellow nodded, thinking that all he wanted to do now was find a place to curl up and sleep. After all he had fought off an army, helped capture some fearsome generals of an invading force and been praised for his efforts by Dragon Black, this was a day for him to remember and it was through the help of Dragon Green that his ‘Heroic Deeds’ had been recognised.

  “But Dragon Brown will want my report first,” Yellow exclaimed.

  “Yes, but not necessarily in person, Yellow” Dragon Green was again hatching yet another devious plan. “Why not give me your written report and I will take it with me to save you time and inconvenience of attending in person?” Green suggested.

  “But I don’t know how such a report should be written or the type of information it should contain” Yellow moaned. Green sat on his haunches, and from one of his pouches (that all dragons have within their folds of skin) pulled something that looked closely like paper and a pen. “Yellow, you tell me what you saw and did and I will write it for you.”

  Green rose up and went over to where a large tree cast a shadow from the sinking sun and within its shadow sat down on a seat made out of volcanic rock. Green then with pen in claw started to write. “Yellow,” he said, “When and where did you first see the invading army retreat?”

  Yellow answered that he was uncertain. “How many were there?” Green continued.

  “I’m not sure.” Yellow was confused. He knew he had told everyone that he had seen the invaders leave but in all honesty could not recall seeing them.

  “Dragon Green,” Yellow spoke in a nervous whisper, “I am exhausted, it has been a tiring day and you know what happened probably better than me and anyhow I am just no good at expressing myself and well,” Yellow paused, “I just am no good at writing.”

  Green, not wanting Yellow to say any more, interrupted him and said: “Oh, OK if you’re asking me to help you write it, let me see, the events went something like this” and he began to speak as he wrote.

  Report of Events

  Today I was ordered by Dragon Black to support Dragon Green in verification of the strength and position of the invaders that appeared to have made camp due south of our City, reported by Dragon Green who had seen a number of moving lights the previous evening.

  Dragon Green had gone to investigate on his own and had be
en attacked by four creatures, most likely terrorists, and returned injured with his report. Dragon Brown was provided with full information and had determined there must be hundreds if not thousands of invaders. Following a meeting and the bequest of Dragon Black it was agreed for me (Dragon Yellow) and Dragon Green to investigate further and report back.

  Early this morning Green and I crept up to where the lights seen the previous evening had come from. We split up to gain as much and useful intelligence as was possible. Dragon Green took on the task of capturing those who we believed to be in command and I sought out where the main army was located. Following my natural instincts I saw that the army was in fact departing and that just a few stragglers remained. On seeing me running towards them they took fright and ran to their crafts that were departing out to sea. I counted several of these craft and estimate there could have been a thousand or more, but confirm they had now all run off.

  On returning back to Dragon Green who was joined by Dragon Grey and Dragon White I was ordered by Green to take charge of the prisoners and return back to Draegonia Central. On approaching where Dragon Green had them captive, it would appear that the prisoners had managed to free themselves and on my approach, attacked me. Naturally I was concerned for Dragons Green’s, White’s and Grey’s safety and returned to Draegonia Central with the news and to obtain additional support. But on reaching Draegonia City outskirts, Dragon Grey caught up with me and confirmed that single handed Dragon Green had recaptured the four creatures and was bringing them in and that he did not require any assistance.