The Dragon's Game

by James Erith

  Archie and Daisy looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  Very shortly they heard a “doff” followed by a yowl.

  Archie exploded into hysterics.

  ‘She’s run straight into a tree,’ Daisy chuckled, staring intently into the fog. ‘I will never, ever let her live this one down. Come on, Archie. We’d better go and sort her out.’

  Isabella lay on the ground but when she heard the twins, she shifted, sat up and rubbed her head.

  ‘Don’t you dare say a thing,’ she said, massaging her scalp. ‘I don’t know what came over me but … anyway. Woo. Groggy.’

  ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘Spinning. Phew, a bit of a headache.’ She took a couple of deep breaths. ‘Think it’s OK now. Truly, I feel as fresh as a daisy. Like you,’ she exclaimed, pointing at Archie, ‘Where am I? Are you a good one, or a bad one?’

  Archie and Daisy exchanged a confused glance.

  ‘Um. A good one, I think—’

  And then she sang a scale like an opera singer. ‘La, la, la, LAAA!’

  ‘Sshh, Bells, ssh. Shut up,’ Daisy whispered.

  But Isabella merely looked past her as if she didn’t exist. ‘Tra-la-la-LAAA!’

  ‘Bells, Please, for goodness’ sake, quieten down, or we’ve had it.’

  ‘La-la-la-Liii.’

  Archie put a finger to his forehead and twirled it around, ‘She’s away with the fairies.’

  ‘That’s all very well, but she’s going to get us killed.’ Daisy held two fingers out. ‘Bells! How many fingers?’

  ‘Ten,’ Isabella answered. ‘Okay, eight.’

  Daisy frowned. ‘What’s your name?’

  ‘Prime Minister de Lowe at your service,’ she said. ‘And I have eight children whose names all begin with “K”. Keith, Kelvin, Kev, Karl, Kathy, Kate, Kitty and Kat.’

  Archie started tittering. Daisy punched his arm.

  ‘And where do you live?’

  ‘Buckingham Palace,’ Isabella said abruptly, before roaring with laughter and slapping the tree in front of her. ‘Oh, aren’t you gorgeous,’ she said, as she wrapped her arms around it and moved in for a hug.

  Daisy’s face said it all. ‘Unexpectedly big problem, Arch,’ she said. ’She’s got a massive concussion.’

  ‘Old Man Wood’s Resplendix Mix! That’ll sort her out.’ The strange medicine Old Man Wood had found in his cellar had already cured them of multiple injuries after the storm.

  ‘Sure. Brilliant idea. Definitely worth a try,’ Daisy said. ‘Only, I don’t know if it works on brains. I hope he remembered to bring it … bit of a classic if he hasn’t.’ She looked over towards the rock where they’d left the old man. ‘Archie, you stay here and make sure she doesn’t do anything too stupid - try and calm her down, talk to her about something she’s familiar with — meteorology or science or anatomy or something nerdy — I’ll get Old Man Wood. Back in a tick.’

  She dashed off.

  A short while passed. Isabella sang a couple of chart hits, followed by, Archie thought, the Song of the Trees from when they’d found the first tablet with swishing, whirring, gurgling and whooshing noises spilling from her mouth.

  Daisy’s lighted eyes and slurping footsteps made him turn. ‘How’s she doing - any better?’

  Archie shook his head. ’No. Worse, if anything. Any luck with the Resplendix Mix?’

  Daisy sighed. ‘Right, a couple of things. Good news or bad news?’

  ‘Good news, first,’ he replied.

  ‘There isn’t any. In fact, Arch, this entire thing is turning into a complete disaster. The first thing is that, just beyond the rock, sitting quietly in the courtyard are literally all the animals from the hills and zoos—’

  ‘Zoos? Animals?' he replied incredulously. 'Animals?’

  ‘Yes, four-legged things,’ she chided. ‘All kinds. They appear to be waiting for us. God knows why, but I’m not sure it’s good. You’ll see them in a minute.’

  ‘What’s the other thing?’

  ‘Old Man Wood’s out like a light. I slapped him and pinched him, and then I kicked him and … well, nothing. He’s sound asleep. I searched his pockets but only found the jam jar where he’d put the Havilarian Toadstool powder poison.

  ‘The toadstool poison that nearly killed him?’

  ‘Yup, that same vile stuff.'

  'What about the Resplendix Mix?’

  ‘Ah. There isn’t any. Unless he’s hidden it in his pants.’ She kicked a loose stone which flew into the fog. ‘Typical. Just when we really, really, really need him, he’s gone and done it again.’

  16 AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

  Janana, a small dreamspinner, squeezed her invisible spider-like form underneath Old Man Wood’s knees and began to administer the dream made by Genesis and given to her by Gaia.

  With every breath of the old man, the dreamspinner moved her many legs and claws to blend the powders and then sprinkled them at precisely the right time and rate so that the dream was just right.

  And when it was done, without anyone knowing, or caring, or having the slightest inkling of what was happening, she inverted through her maghole and away into the universe.

  ARCHIE AND DAISY sat behind the rock, trying to figure out what to do next.

  ‘If we leave him here,’ Archie said, ‘he’ll get eaten — either by the beast or by that lot over there.’

  ‘But we have to leave him here,’ Daisy reasoned. ‘How can we possibly move him? And anyway, what about Isabella? We can’t go without her.’

  ‘Agreed,’ Archie said. ‘Look, I can carry him on my back, while you escort Isabella.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous.’ Then she thought about it. ‘OK, you’re going to do your superman-boy bit, aren’t you?’

  Archie grinned.

  Noises approached — hooves in the mud. Daisy and Archie froze. ‘I think it’s the old deer I saw earlier,’ she whispered.

  ‘An old dear?’

  ‘No, not one of those, a real one, you dumb…’

  ‘Heirs of Eden,’ said a deep, powerful voice, ‘we await your instructions. The Song of Awakening called us. Time draws on. You must open the labyrinth. We must all face our future.’

  Daisy squeezed the little lyre she’d put in her pocket.

  Archie stood up, feeling his heart thumping in his chest. A colossal reindeer, an impressive crown of antlers nestled above its his head, stood in front of him, flanked by a grey wolf, a black bull, a fox with a bushy tail and an eagle.

  ‘Who are you?’ Archie said, nervously.

  ‘We offer our services to you,’ the wolf said, bowing its head.

  ‘Offer your services?’ Archie said, noting the size and sharpness of its teeth.

  ‘We come to help the Heirs of Eden,’ the booming voice of the reindeer said. ‘If you do not find the tablet, we perish too.’

  Archie looked confused.

  The bull, Burger, blew out of his nose ‘Ancient lore says that other humans may not enter the labyrinth. However, those with hooves and claws and fur and flight are free to pass.’

  Archie and Daisy hadn’t even registered this consequence, and the idea that their status made them responsible for the entire animal kingdom temporarily rendered them speechless.

  ‘How many,’ Daisy squeaked, ‘are you?’

  ‘We come as one body in every shape and size from every part of this land and from over the waters where possible. We are your shield; we are your protectors.’

  ‘Holy-smoke,’ Daisy said out-loud. ‘Er, your deeriness,’ she began, ‘would you mind if I speak to my er… colleague alone for a few moments.’

  ‘My name is Thunderfoot. Do as you wish.’

  Daisy marched off to the side dragging Archie with her. ‘Blimey! Firstly, have you noticed that we’re both speaking fluent “animal”! Awesome, and I don’t even know how! Secondly, what the hell are we supposed to do?’

  Archie shrugged. ‘Dunno. I suppose we’ve got to find this laby
rinth entrance. We could ask them if they’ve got any ideas? What do you think?’

  ‘Yeah. I’ve got a bit of a brain-freeze,’ Daisy said, running a hand through her hair. ‘I’m guessing that in the animal kingdom, this “legend” you know, us, has been passed down from year to year, whereas we, the human race, have had to rely on Old Man Wood. That’s pretty crappy, right?’

  Archie nodded and took her hand. ‘Then remember, Daisy, that we’re these special Heirs of Eden or whatever, so I think they’re expecting us to be, like, super-amazing.’ He winked. ‘Statesman-like-ish, yeah?’

  ‘Yeah, I think I get it,’ she tapped him gently on his arm. ‘We can definitely crush this, bro.’

  ‘Crush it,’ he repeated, trying to think what on earth he was going to say. ‘I wish Old Man Wood would wake up.’

  They returned to the animals. Daisy looked from one animal to the next. ‘So, what next. Pray tell?’ She said, immediately reddening. Her words sounded so amateur.

  Thunderfoot tossed his head. ‘We will protect you, to give you time, though it be bloody and at great cost. Gorialla Yingarna is, in one moment a huge meat-eating dragon with fire in its belly and the next a small, venomous slithering snake. However, in all known time, the Council of the Great Kingdom of Animals has identified one possible weakness.’

  ‘Only one?’ Archie whispered. ‘In all of time…’

  ‘That sounds like a pretty long time,’ Daisy added, cringing. ‘And, this one weakness is…?’

  Thunderfoot pawed the ground. ‘Gorialla Yingarna is cold-blooded. She changes only into cold-blooded animals. Therefore, the beast will tire if it does not feed regularly. The more energy Gorialla Yingarna expends, the greater your chances.’

  ‘That’s the weakness?’ Daisy said.

  Thunderfoot raised his head up and down which, to all intents and purposes signalled to Daisy that it was so.

  ‘And, do you have a plan?’

  The animals confirmed that they did.

  ‘Well, that’s great,’ Archie said, enthusiastically.

  Daisy coughed. ‘You may tell us what it is.’

  The huge grey wolf with a black stripe that extended in a single line from the tip of his nose all the way to the end of his tail stepped forward. ‘I am Icefang, Slayer of cold northern lands where the sky dances. When the entrance seal breaks, magic is released. From that moment, the beast is free to kill not just for food but for pleasure. You will need our help.’

  ‘And where is the entrance?’ Archie said.

  ‘That is for you to find.’

  ‘Great,’ Daisy whispered to Archie. ‘What a belter: Isabella knocked out, Old Man Wood asleep, another bleeding riddle to figure out.’ She addressed the animals. ‘How do we do that?’

  ‘You are the Heirs of Eden?’ the fox piped up, a tone of disappointment in his reedy voice. ‘We are led to believe that you have been shown these things. Did you not understand?’

  The animals grunted and groaned.

  Archie needed to buy some time. ‘We are waiting for the old man to wake and for Isabella to come to her senses. Please, if you don’t mind holding on for a bit, I’m sure it’s only a temporary thing. He is quite old you know.’ He flicked a glance over his shoulder.

  Daisy understood. ‘We’ll check on him and be back in just a mo.’

  The fox snarled as the two young humans slipped out of sight. ‘Friends,’ he said, stepping forward and then turning to the congregation. ‘With respect, these Heirs of Eden are but children. They are cubs. Look at them,’ he said dryly. ‘They will fail, miserably.’ He turned. ‘I will order my band to leave so they may spend their last hours foraging in the wreckage of the storm. It will be better that way.’

  ‘You will do no such thing, Red,’ Thunderfoot said. ‘They have been chosen for a reason. You must trust the energies of the universe.’

  ‘A universe which sends children to save us deserves everything it gets.’

  The bull pawed the earth. ‘We are too far gone to leave now, Red. Let us go to our ends with an honourable fight.’

  ‘Aye,’ the great eagle said flapping its wings. ‘Death is inevitable. Let us go with dignity. We birds will stay.’

  The fox backed away and turned its pointed nose up at them. ‘I will ask my band of animals what their will is.’

  He trotted off, just as Archie returned.

  ‘Friends. Do you know exactly what lies under here? Does anyone know how the labyrinth is laid out?’

  Icefang stepped forward. ‘That is for the old man to tell. Legend has it that it starts with a big cavern. Paths wind and turn until the belly is reached. Discomfort, anxiety and worry grow in the marrow of those who journey to the middle.’

  ‘And, all the while,’ Archie asked, ‘the monster can change into any reptile?’.

  ‘Indeed. The stories say that it is cunning and merciless, and must never be bargained with. It will never do anything for another that does not accelerate its own purpose.’

  ‘And it fears nothing,’ the eagle said, bowing her head. ‘The beast is cruel. Ancient birds recorded that the beast would toy with its prey, like a cat.’

  Archie rubbed a hair spike. ‘Who is best to spot when the beast changes.’

  The eagle flapped her wings. ‘Creatures of the skies have sharp eyes. We see all that is below. We watch, and we warn as it roams within these walls,’ the eagle added.

  ‘And it cannot get away from here?’ Daisy said.

  ‘Until Gorialla Yingarna defeats the Heirs of Eden, it is held within these ancient walls.’

  ‘Good,’ Archie said, as a plan started forming. ‘How many birds have we, eagle?’ he asked.

  The magnificent golden bird shook her head. ‘Many, of all types.’

  ‘And how many of the groundlings — badgers, rabbits, weasels, squirrels, stoats those creatures?’

  ‘They too are numerous.’

  'Good,' Archie said as he clapped his hands. ‘Let me recap. This monster, being cold-blooded must keep feeding to sustain its energy, right? And you will do whatever it takes to protect us?’

  ‘That is the lore,’ Thunderfoot replied.

  Archie puffed out his chest. ‘Then we have an advantage it cannot have imagined,’ he said addressing them one by one. ‘Creatures big or small, have but one set of eyes. If it is a tiny snake or even a wriggling newt, those creatures nearer the ground must attack the eyes of the beast. Make sure the ground animals go in groups deep into these passages. Eagle, your birds must do likewise; divide into patrols, some far into the labyrinth and some close at hand. If the beast becomes a flying dragon, target its eyes with your claws and beaks. They must charge without regard and with all the bravery they can muster. By relentlessly attacking its eyes in small numbers, we will keep the beast moving. You must not give it time to feed. If this is successful, it may retreat or make a mistake or do something that assists us in our quest to find the tablet.’

  A murmur of approval broke out among the gathering.

  The eagle flapped its wings. ‘I will tell fox that the Heirs of Eden are not merely cubs, after all. There is hope, still.’ The eagle launched itself into the air.

  Thunderfoot nestled closer to Archie. ‘Why does the old man sleep?’

  Archie shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Look, don’t you worry, he kind of does this a lot — he’s super-old. He’ll be up soon though. I'm sure he’ll be alright.’ Archie hoped like mad he’d done enough to win them over.

  He nudged Daisy who, he noticed, was staring at him with her mouth open.

  ‘Creatures,’ Archie continued. ‘Generous, valued animals and birds of this planet that we share, that we call Earth, it’s time we got a move on—’

  ‘Yeah,’ Daisy said, punching the air. ‘Gather your tribes, dudes. Let’s find the entrance to this thing and go and kick some butt.’ She winked at her brother.

  Archie marched over to where the old man was snoring. In one go he picked him up and, without straining a muscle, hauled
him up until he was draped entirely over his shoulder like a large rug.

  The bull followed him. ‘Do you wish to lay him over me, young Heir of Eden?’

  Archie smiled. ‘Thanks for the offer. But in all honesty, it’s really no big deal.’

  17 KEMP TELLS SUE WHY

  Sue picked her way over the tree stumps and rocks bashing her shins on the jagged surfaces and grazing her limbs on fallen branches for what felt like the millionth time. She rubbed her bruises and traced her fingers over a multitude of small cuts.

  She had lost Solomon shortly after they thought they had found the track. A fallen tree had blocked their path and, while Solomon clambered over it, Sue decided to go around it. There she slipped and fell careering head over heels out of control before landing in a pool of mud.

  She’d replied to Solomon’s concerned calls, yelling up to him she was OK. They decided that to communicate, they’d make owl-hooting noises; twit-twos, with the knuckle of their hands.

  She didn’t mind being separated from him, lovely though he was. Eating at her heart was Gus. His toothy grin wouldn’t leave her alone.

  Gus and Kemp had fought on the ruin, Daisy said, under the gaze of a strange monster, who kept changing into different creatures - a massive python one minute or a dragon the next followed by a cobra with a hood over its eyes.

  Daisy told them that the boys had given each other a terrible hammering until Gus fell hard. She remembered how tears had rolled down Daisy’s cheeks, how Daisy couldn’t look anyone in the eye. Then, she told them, he’d collapsed and disappeared.

  The thought of this made Sue determined to go to the ruin for herself. But of course, in the blinding fog, she had no way of knowing where she was. And, wallowing in despair, she’d tripped on a dangling root and fallen again, tumbling further downhill, colliding with branches, collecting mud and bruises, unable to get a foothold or a hand-hold as she fell, desperate to cling on, to hold onto something that would break her fall.

  When her battered body finally came to a shuddering halt in a pool of muddy water, she found, much to her surprise, after checking herself over, that she hadn’t sustained any lasting or, she hoped, permanent injuries.