The Dragon's Game

by James Erith

  ‘If the dragon pops its mouth in the hole and delivers a jet of fire,’ Daisy began, ‘this is going to be the world’s biggest barbecue.’

  "GAGOG GAGOG – BARK!"

  This was followed by a huge roar. Everyone froze.

  Isabella cowered, her knees buckling. ‘What the—’

  The sound sent the hairs on the children flying up their backs as a lion leapt onto the frame of a huge bull.

  ‘Good Lord,’ Archie said, his jaw hanging. ‘I didn’t think it could get any weirder.’

  The bull stood firm, unflinching under the weight of the cat.

  ‘LISTEN TO ME!’ it roared.

  Isabella slipped to the floor as Archie pinned himself to the cavern wall, his eyes out on stalks.

  ‘I am Leo Magna,’ the cat purred. ‘Larger animals. Do your duty and form a phalanx around the Heirs. Smaller creatures claim the sides. NOW!’

  Instantly, the mood changed. Animals shuffled around the children, who soon found themselves squashed in between bulls and cows and sheep. Cats and dogs ran beneath, bats and various birds hovered above.

  ‘There is one thing you must do,’ Leo Magna said, patrolling. ‘Know thy neighbour! Make a bond with all the big and all the tiny animals next to you. The beast will attempt to trick us, but do not be found out. Know all creatures, big and small, surrounding you,’ he repeated, snarling at those who had the tenacity to turn towards him with a confused look on their faces. ‘And remember, together we are strong. Do it now!’ he roared.

  An extraordinary noise rose up in the chamber as the animals turned to one another.

  The largest of the sheep, a ram, with small, but perfectly formed, horns addressed Archie.

  ‘We know of your noble mission, Master. Bethedi the Willow told the birds about your trials.’ The ram stopped talking even though its mouth continued to grind around in circles. ‘My name is Himsworth. I will not let you down.’

  Suddenly a further bundle of animals tumbled down the chute. Geese, ducks, a whole load of rabbits and stoats and deer and countless birds, flooding the room.

  ‘We’ll help too!’ the birds cried, swooping and cawing as they went.

  Archie looked around and found Old Man Wood in conversation with Leo Magna, who looked up and caught his eye.

  Seconds later, the lion, with a couple of bounds jumped over three sheep and landed on top of a black and white cow that stood directly in front of them. The bovine wobbled in surprise, her legs buckling somewhat before straightening out again.

  ‘Greetings, Heirs of Eden,’ the lion said, looking down at their astonished faces. ‘We will escort you as far into the tunnels as we can. Show no fear. Worry not about the waste of life. Only the outcome is important. That is all you must remember.'

  The lion's head examined each one. 'You will ride to your fate. Those whom you ride will know your needs. They will charge where necessary; they will travel at great speed. Show no fear.’

  Archie, Daisy and especially Isabella nearly collapsed in shock when another ear-splitting noise blasted around the chamber.

  ‘GAGOG GAGOG GAGOG - BARK!’

  A deathly silence filled the room.

  Almost as one, the assembled mass turned towards the chute.

  One by one, four magnificent horses, their coats glistening in the firelight, jumped gracefully through the hole, creatures in their path scrambling out of the way.

  ‘Ride what? Those horses?’ Daisy said.

  ‘Horses?’ said the lion. ‘You will not be riding horses.’

  From near the chute, the four white, equine creatures flashed through the assembled throng, halting in a small group nearby.

  ‘You have got to be kidding me!’ Isabella scoffed. She looked increasingly flustered. ‘But they’re … that's … it’s impossible.’

  ‘They’ve got horns!’ Archie blurted out. ‘And sparkly bits on their manes.’

  ‘They’re those unicycle-horse things, aren’t they,’ Daisy said, clumsily. ‘Aren't they … they’re made up—’

  ‘They're beautiful,’ Isabella gushed.

  ‘Stunning,’ Archie agreed.

  The lion motioned towards them with a fat paw. ‘The unicorns have travelled far. They are a gift. They will protect you from your greatest danger at any one time. They will always go to wherever they are needed the most. They are swift, fearless and cannot be poisoned. Fire bounces off their coats and rarely are they injured. Furthermore, Heirs of Eden, they will know you and understand you, even though you will never hear one speak.’

  The unicorns nuzzled up to each heir and individually snorted into the face of each one, including Old Man Wood, who laughed.

  ‘Mount your steed.’

  ‘Seriously? You want me to ride one of those?’ Isabella complained. ‘I was hopeless at riding, always falling off—’

  ‘You’re going to ride a unicorn, whether you like it or not, Isabella,’ Archie said, a smile spreading across his face.

  Isabella trembled. ‘Ride a unicorn — goodness. Didn’t see that coming.’

  ‘Be not afraid,’ Leo Magna growled. ‘Each one will take good care of you to the point where you have either succeeded or you have failed within these walls.’

  Old Man Wood enveloped Isabella with a reassuring hug before turning towards the body of animals.

  When the old man spoke, his kindly face and bright eyes darted over the animals that stared back at him. Speaking in a wispy, blowy sound, in a way that reminded each one of the children of the Song of the Trees, he began. ‘Brave and noble animals of Earth, your sacrifice will be remembered for all time. Let us go forward now together, as one, and face our destiny.’

  Leo Magna turned to the Heirs. ‘Heirs of Eden. There are things I must attend to. I will delay the beast for as long as I can. For all our sakes, I hope that we see each other again. Go, NOW!’

  With that, he turned towards the chute and, with a huge growl and a single bound, the lion sprang through and into the rocky confines of the ruin roaring his defiance at the beast.

  Each white unicorn, as though intuitively knowing what needed to be done, knelt down in front of each Heir of Eden and moments later, the procession along the crumbling passages lit by the flickering firelight of the old braziers, had begun.

  Sandwiched on all sides by animals, birds circling above, cats and smaller animals darting in and around the legs and hooves of the large animals, deeper and deeper into the labyrinth they went.

  The pace settled into a steady, consistent rhythm. The further the horde went, the quieter they became until there was only the clacking, scuffing of hooves, the fluttering of wings and the occasional snort, whinny and grunt was all that could be heard.

  There was little doubt in any of their minds that before long, somewhere around the very next corner, a terrible, unknown fate lay in wait.

  And so, at each turn, they collectively held their breath as they travelled safely round, further and further into the beast’s lair. Nearer and nearer to an attack, closer, they knew, to death.

  24 STONE’S TORCH

  Stone hoisted the weapon onto the soldiers back.

  ‘Let’s see what this baby can do - might even eat through this fog – help us make up for lost time.’

  The seconds ticked by. Shortly, the radio crackled. ‘We’re ready when you are, sir.’

  Kemp and Sue crouched lower behind the stone.

  Suddenly the roar of the flamethrower burst over them, tearing a hole into the fog, the stench of fuel filling the dank air, the gushing, whirring noise of the deadly fire machine blowing out its fury. Then it ceased, and the heat of the flare retracted.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ Stone said under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. He picked up the radio and pressed the button, his voice filled with excitement. ‘Did you see that? Ripped a hole clean through this stuff.’

  ‘Affirmative, sir,’ came the reply.

  ‘Was it similar to the event Mills saw earlier?’

 
The radio went silent. ‘Affirmative,’ the voice came back. ‘Pink and orange colours accentuating the white fog. We reckon it’s the same, sir.’

  Stone cursed. ‘Right, that means someone else is on these hills, probably with the same idea. Keep your eyes sharp and your ears peeled,’ he said into the radio. ‘They may have spotted us, too. Team two, do you copy.’

  The radio crackled again. ‘Team two here. Yes, we copy. Would you like us to lay out some further devices now we’ve completed the perimeter, over?’

  ‘Yes, why not. Use your flamethrower from now on; one blast and the fog melts like butter until it folds back in. You’ll make far quicker progress that way. Should have done it ages ago, especially on those damned fish.’

  Stone’s radio went silent.

  ‘OK. Roger and out.’

  Stone spoke into the radio once again. ‘Dickinson. Dickinson only. To channel ten please.’

  Moments later, the knobs on the machine moved, Dickinson responded.

  ‘Dickinson here, sir, over.’

  ‘Right,’ Stone said. ‘Between you and me, I’ve got a better plan.’

  ‘I’m all ears, sir.’

  ‘Geddis thinks he recognises our position. We could be nearer to the cottage than we thought. If he’s right, we can make up some of the time we lost and approach the cottage in sub-one hour.’

  ‘Yes, sir, I understand.’

  Stone continued, slowly, his voice level. ‘Here’s the new plan, Dickinson. I’m going to head directly towards the cottage and torch the whole damn place with this little beauty. That’ll bring them running, like rats out of a nest.’

  The radio went quiet.

  ‘Dickinson, are you there?’

  ‘The radio crackled again. ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Well?’

  ‘Are you sure about that?’ Dickinson replied. ‘I mean, what if there are others in there? What about Mrs Pye - she’s innocent, as is the headmaster and the two kids. They might be in the house.’

  Stone grinned as he stepped a boot up on a boulder. ‘They’re all involved,’ he said. ‘My guess is they all know more than you think. Let’s burn the place and see what happens. To be honest with you, Dickinson, there’s nothing to lose from this, but a hell of a lot to gain. Over.’

  The radio remained lifeless. Then the static came over again. ‘Just for the record, sir, I’m not sure such a move—‘

  ‘I don’t give a crap what you think, soldier. Just remember, I’m your superior officer, and you will obey my commands. Do you copy?’

  ‘Sir.’ The radio went silent.

  ‘Good. Let’s get on with it. Switching channel.’

  Stone stepped off the boulder, moved into the clearing and spoke into his radio. ‘I’m taking a small team directly to the buildings,’ he said. ‘The rest of you have twenty minutes to plant-out as many traps as you can. Then I want all personnel to start moving towards the buildings. Understand? There’s going to be a little wake-up call for them when I get there, and I want you lot to see what comes wriggling out of their den. I’ll let you know the timing of my little surprise.’

  Stone smiled. Then we’ll see what the de Lowe family are truly made of.

  25 THE TEMPERATURE RISES

  Isabella draped her arms around the neck of her unicorn, her face nestled in its silky, soft mane.

  The delicate fibres seemed to glow in a range of colours and had a curiously soothing effect that doused the feelings of dread that had consumed her. Now she rode with her eyes closed, every so often opening them, peeking out as though from behind a sofa. At every turn, she shook and moaned in expectation of a gory, violent meeting with the beast.

  ‘This is what it feels like to expect death,’ she said quietly. ‘It’s like the moment when the hangman puts the noose around your neck, knowing at any moment you’re going to slip through the trapdoor. We’ve got a better chance of reaching the moon than we have of surviving this—’

  ‘Will you stop thinking about dying Bells and try to concentrate on living,’ Archie muttered. ‘If you keep droning on, I will personally offer you up—’

  ‘Bagsy her mobile phone,’ Daisy said, loud enough so that Isabella could hear her. ‘You can have her precious diary—’

  ‘Diary and tablet?’ Archie bargained. ‘You can keep her phone. It’s rubbish.’

  ‘Deal,’ Daisy said. ‘As long as I get first dibs on her library, now that I’m officially a boffin like her.’

  Archie chuckled. ‘Talking animals, riding unicorns and Daisy the nerd. Not sure which is stranger.’

  ‘You wait,’ Daisy said. ‘This learning thing is a doddle. I’m good at it, Archie. Better than misery guts over there.’

  Isabella sat up. ‘Give it a break, you fools,’ she said. Did the twins have no idea how dangerous and insane this was?

  She leaned into the mane of the unicorn and, to take her mind off the others, thought about her best friend Sue. Sue and Gus had been stuck out in their tiny boat in the sea with the rain cascading down on them hour after hour. When they came to, they found themselves, cold, isolated - without a speck of land in sight. Sue had beaten impossible odds, she thought, so she had to pull herself together and do the same. She closed her eyes, conscious of her thumping heart, wishing she had eyes in the back of her head and on the sides of her head, too.

  The animals shifted position as they rounded another corner.

  ‘Know your neighbour,’ Old Man Wood repeated. ‘Concentrate only on the matter at hand.’

  Old Man Wood and Isabella, surrounded by animals, positioned themselves towards the front of the column, Daisy behind and Archie nearer the rear. Birds flew above their heads, occasionally flashing further forward, checking that the path was clear, returning to rest on the animals’ backs as another flock took off in its place.

  The procession ground on, its rhythm steady, like a heartbeat, on and on and on. At the fourth bend, there was still no sign or sightings of the beast. No sound of it either.

  At every turn there was a growing unease that it would be waiting for them. Then, finding nothing but a long, empty passage ahead lined by the fire-torches, they breathed a sigh of relief and hurried on, the pace picking up.

  Three passages and four more corners and still nothing.

  The cavalcade turned again and, as the collective relaxed, Daisy started sniggering.

  ‘Daisy, really?’ Isabella demanded, giving her a hard stare.

  ‘Yeah, sorry Bells,’ Daisy snorted. ‘Nerves. And a bird has poo-ed in your hair,’ she said, ‘it’s dribbling.’

  Archie burst out laughing as Isabella combed her hands through her hair, her face contorted in disgust.

  ‘Well, I don’t know why you think it’s so bloody hilarious. It’s the same with the both of you.’

  Archie didn’t believe her until he felt a slimy slug-like object slipping past his left lower hair-spike and behind the back of his ear. Daisy, now a little more restrained, tentatively patted her hair only to find a deposit right on top.

  A red-breasted robin fluttered down. ‘It is good luck you know. It really is.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Daisy said, the smile removed from her face. ‘Just what we need: lucky bird droppings.’

  But as the procession marched along, a strange thing was happening.

  ‘Hey, Daisy,’ Archie said, wiping his brow, ‘You thinking what I’m thinking?’

  ‘The heat?’

  ‘It’s like we’re walking into the middle of the Earth.’

  ‘I know what you mean. But we’re not even going downhill,’ she said. Daisy plucked her shirt from her back and loosened her leather jacket. From the increasing volume, she noted how unsettled the animals were getting.

  ‘You never know,’ Archie continued, ‘Perhaps there’s a volcano here under the Yorkshire Moors.’

  ‘Impossible,’ Isabella retorted. ‘Geographically it can’t happen. Trust me.’

  Daisy mimicked Isabella’s voice ‘Impossible, isn’t a word I c
an trust anymore.’

  Archie removed his coat, exposing a wet T-shirt underneath. ‘I’m boiling.’

  ‘You think that’s bad,’ bleated a sheep to his left, ‘We’re stuck with ours. I could do with a long drink of cool stream water.’

  ‘Me too,’ another bleated.

  ‘Oh yes,’ said the large heifer. ‘A refreshing drink.’

  On they went, the temperature rising. At the ninth turn, the sense of unease had deepened and the noise level had escalated.

  Daisy turned to Archie. ‘Hey, Arch,’ she whispered sniffing the air and arching her brows. ‘Have you noticed?’

  Archie creased his brow. ‘No. What is it?’ he said, his voice filled with alarm. ‘Have you seen it?’

  Daisy held her nose. ‘No. The pong. Think of the sweaty armpits of these hundreds of animals, all those glands—’

  ‘I’m not interested, Daisy,’ Archie said, concentrating. ‘I have a strong feeling something is just about to happen.’

  26 TIME FOR A DRINK

  Old Man Wood, his face dripping with sweat, removed his big old coat, folded it over the rear of his unicorn and, just as the column of animals finished along one passageway he heard a cry of ‘Halt!’

  The procession shuffled to a stop.

  'What is it?' the old man asked.

  ‘Listen,’ Himsworth said. ‘Sounds like a trickle of water winding its way over the rocks at the Cod Beck.’

  ‘Well, I never, so it is,’ said a bull, known by the family as Burger. Others around him pawed the ground in agreement.

  ‘There’s water somewhere around here, that’s for sure,’ sang some little birds darting to and fro around their heads.

  Daisy turned to the others her head cocked to one side as she listened intently. ‘But I can’t hear anything? Can you, Archie?’

  ‘No, but I could murder a drink too,’ Archie said. ‘Anyone else?’

  A volley of grunts and barks and other animal noises came back at him.