Eventually, one asked how John had managed to find them. Arthur shrugged, and suggested they ask John these questions.
"Thank, you young man," Lord Lance replied. "I would like to hear from John. I think we can move to our next witness, wouldn't you all agree?"
The table murmured their ascent, and John took Arthur's place at the table.
Lord Lance address John first. "John, we've heard a lot about you since we first met you at that dinner party. An extraordinary year, wouldn't you agree?"
John nodded. "These are extraordinary times, sir."
"Indeed they are, although strangely, it all seems to involve you. First, you present your seemingly impossible theory on the Green Dragons, which turns out to be true, and then you stage that dramatic rescue of Lord Robert, pulling off a stunt that none of our most experienced flight instructors would be willing to attempt. Then we hear of a sneak attack from a group of Blue Dragons, which was inexplicably thwarted, and you're at the scene yet again. Finally, when we hear that a group of youths have been blown over the border and have unearthed invasion plans, I don't think there was a person on this council who was surprised to hear your name amongst the group."
"Indeed an extraordinary year," John agreed.
Prince Henry spoke up. "Indeed. Rather a lot of coincidences though. A man could be forgiven for being suspicious as to why you're always there."
"Perhaps, although I think it's all easy to explain. Hundreds if not thousands saw the attack on Furnace; the only thing that separated me from the rest was that my classmate is his daughter, and she begged me to do something, knowing that I fly well. I just stepped forward when others didn't."
"Fly well might be an understatement," Lord Robert observed drily.
John continued. "Similarly, I wasn't one of the ones blown over the border, I just chose to go and look for them. Many were involved in the search; I just chose to cross the border, as it was the most likely place they would be, considering the direction of the storm and where they were last seen."
"Yes, how did you find your friends?" Prince Henry asked. "Without being caught?"
"I put it down to good fortune, your highness," John replied.
"We could ask these questions all day," Lord Daniel observed. "Where would it get us? Do we really want to know about this young man, and question his motives and means, or to ask about the enemy gathering on our doorstep?"
"Hear, hear," Crystal's father said in support. "Arthur's report was illuminating, but I get the feeling you can add a lot more to it."
John nodded solemnly. "Just as with the Green Dragons, I have the same information as you, but I think I can bring a fresh and different interpretation."
Prince Henry regarded him scornfully. "What other interpretation is there? They're preparing to invade us. It's as simple as that. It's not as if it hasn't happened before. It was bound to happen eventually."
John shook his head. "No, an invasion on this scale has never happened before. They're preparing to wipe us out. They intend to leave no trace of us left."
There was uproar in the room. "How could you possibly know that?" Lord Oscar asked incredulously. "Can you read their minds?"
"It's impossible!" The prince shouted angrily. "You badly underestimate our strength, boy!"
Lord Daniel was one of the few who remained calm. "Gentlemen, I'm sure that the Green Dragons would have greeted this idea in the same way had someone like John presented it to them."
Prince Henry turned to face him. "You can't seriously be entertaining this ridiculous notion? We'll fight them off as we always do."
"Not always, your highness," John pointed out. "King Jerle II lost a city to them, did he not? If anything, we're weaker than then, and the Blues are stronger."
"Bah," Prince Henry replied. "You forget, my Great grandfather, King Henry II defeated both the Greens and Blues in the last of the great wars over a hundred years ago. The Blues amassed a huge force then but it did them no good, just as it won't now."
John shook his head. "Did he really win? He made some modest gains—capturing Black Rock from the Greens and some small movement in the southeast border with the Blues—but the Blues took half of the Green Dragons' territory, and then took the rest twenty years ago. They were the real winners. This time they will only be fighting you, not the Greens as well."
"What nonsense!" Lord Oscar objected. "Do you expect us to believe any of that?"
Lord Nicholas Highwind, one of the lords from the North whose family owned most of Newcastle, spoke up. "Tell me this, boy, where do your predictions of doom get us? What would you have us do?"
John nodded. "Thank you for asking. Something new. An alliance with the enemies of the Blue Dragons. We can't beat them alone, but we might stand a chance with some help."
The uproar that filled the room after this statement surpassed that following his previous statement. John sat calmly, waiting for it to subside.
"An alliance," Lord Dominic replied with a laugh. "With whom? The Rhino Dragons? Those primitive monsters can't be trusted and wouldn't agree anyway."
John turned to address Lord Dominic. "They wouldn't agree, although I'm not sure how you can accuse them of being primitive, since we know almost nothing about them, but the Brown Dragons might agree. They're the Blue Dragons' most obvious next victims. Put yourself back twenty years, with the knowledge you have now. If the Green Dragons had suggested an alliance to fight the Blues, would you have accepted it?"
"No," Prince Henry replied coldly. "We'd have taken advantage of their weakness and attacked them instead. Carved them up between us and the Blues. They were just as hated as the Blues and we don't mourn their demise. The Browns will treat this request in the same light."
Many called out "hear, hear" and other words of agreement, showing this was a popular view, but John was not dissuaded.
"But your highness, they don't share a border with you, and even if they did, there are far fewer of them than you. They're not in a position to take advantage of your weaknesses. Their choice is fight the Blues now and try to contain them, or be swept aside by them in five years' time. Then after the Browns, the Blues get to colour in the whole map."
"With respect," Prince Henry noted coldly, "no one here gives a damn about what happens after our demise. I can't quite see why you would."
John ignored the hostile tone. "Because being able to think from the point of view of people outside of this room is the only way to be able to present an agreement to the Browns that they might accept. I have prepared a draft treaty to be offered to them."
A number of people gasped in surprise as he laid a document on the table. "Don't you think you're being a little presumptuous, John?" Lord Lance asked.
John shook his head. "Time is short. At best I would say you have a month before the Blue Dragons invade. After I presented my theory on the Green Dragons to you it took months before any action was taken. If you take the same approach here, you'll lose this war."
There were some murmurs of agreement following this comment, and Lord Karl reddened but said nothing. Crystal's father reached over for the document and scanned through it quickly. "Some unusual thoughts here, John. But how would we even present this to them? We share no border, and the Blues are between us and them."
John nodded. "I will take it to them. I think there's a narrow point in their territory to the south east which shouldn't take too long to fly across. I will cross there."
"You?" Prince Henry asked scornfully. "Why should we trust something this important to a boy?" He twisted the word boy, making no attempt to hide his contempt.
"How many people here have ventured into Blue Dragon territory recently?" John asked him. "How many people alive have done that? I've done it twice within the last year, without detection. Who else would you trust this task to?"
"I've done it more than twice, young man," Lord Lance replied sternly. "But not at your age. There are older, more experienced dragons than you who would be more suitable."<
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"We're getting ahead of ourselves here," Lord Richard pointed out. He was another of the Northern lords. "We haven't agreed whether we should even offer a treaty yet, much less what should be in it, so I can't see why we're discussing who should present it."
Crystal's father nodded. "We'll put it to a vote. Personally, I see nothing to be lost from an alliance. He's right; they can't attack us without going through the Blues first. If they refuse it, then we're no worse off than we are now. If they agree and don't fulfil their side of the bargain then it's the same. But if they agree and fight with us, it will make it that much harder for the Blues. There's nothing to lose, and something to gain. A vote; who thinks we should seek an alliance with the Brown Dragons, rather than to try to fight the Blues on our own?"
John looked around the table. About three quarters of the hands went up slowly, with unanimous support from the South and the East.
"Carried," Lord Robert said. "Next, the details of the treaty. This is what John has put in, if you don't mind me summarising your words: one, we agree to a military alliance, to be continued until this current conflict with the Blue Dragons ends, or whenever either party decides that it is no longer in their interests."
"That doesn't really hold them to much," Lord Greytower pointed out.
"Or us," Lord Robert replied. "I will read out the rest:
Two, that we agree to respect the integrity of each other's territorial borders, and only enter after being granted permission.
Three, if we engage with the Blue Dragons on their territory and come into contact with each other, we agree to come to each other's aid if required, and to treat each other as allies.
Four, if we or the Browns recapture land from the Blue Dragons that was recently land held by the other party, we will forgo the right to claim this land.
Five, if we are in a position to rescue any prisoners, we shall do so and will return them to the Browns as soon as practically possible.
Six, if we encounter Brown Dragons in need of refuge, we'll allow them entry until they can retreat, and they shall offer our troops the same.
Seven, if at the end of the war, the Blues are defeated but surrender rather than being destroyed, we will offer them a treaty, under a long list of conditions, which I am not going to read out with non-members here. Look, John, I think you have some interesting ideas here, but it's going to take a long time to discuss them all. I think it's best if we continue this in private, and we'll notify you as soon as we have reached a decision."
John bowed deferentially. "Of course, sir. I will be nearby if you need anything further from me."
"John," Lord Lance called to him as he walked away from the table. "It's a brave offer and one we appreciate. For that, and returning these children, we thank you."
"Thank you, sir," John replied. "The offer was made sincerely. I know I can make it to the Brown Dragons, and that this alliance will help. I am ready to leave as soon as you make a decision."
Lord Lance nodded. "We will discuss it. Goodbye, John. Clear the room!"
Guards ushered John and the other spectators at the other end of the room out into the corridor.
"What now?" Seth asked. "Will they take long to decide?"
"Probably," Crystal replied. "Father's always complaining about how indecisive they all are."
"Darling," Crystal's mother said quietly, "perhaps you should be a little more discrete?"
"Will you really go?" Daisy asked John. "If the council says yes?"
John nodded. "I have to. You know what we saw, and what it means. I don't think we have much of a chance without this alliance, and I don't think there's anyone else who could take it to them."
"A bit full of yourself, aren't you, young man?" Daisy's mother asked. "Do you really think there's no one else who can do what you can?"
"You haven't seen John fly, Mother," Daisy replied proudly. "No one else comes close."
The princess eyed Daisy suspiciously before John replied, "I apologise if my words sounded boastful, but I have entered their lands many times and I know how to evade them. I lived on the border for a long time, and I had to learn how to do this."
The princess shrugged indifferently before frowning at her daughter, who was gazing at John with a slightly dopey smile. John made an excuse to leave, suspecting that if Daisy's mother hadn't already worked out the nature of the relationship, it wouldn't take long for her to do so.
The council meeting continued through the night, and eventually Crystal and the others gave up waiting and went to bed. She woke early the next morning and went straight to the common room to see if any of the others were up. To her surprise they were all already awake and waiting for her in the common room. John was sat in an arm chair, staring into space, a blank expression on his face, and the twins were sat together on a sofa. Seth was pacing the room.
"Has there been any news?" she asked. "Do we know what they decided?"
Arthur shook his head. "They are still in session. Someone—I think it was your father—managed to invoke some rule that meant they couldn't close the session before they reached an agreement on the treaty. They've been in there all night."
"Have we any idea of where the discussions are going?" she asked.
"None," Seth replied. "I can't believe how few of them seem to be taking this seriously. Do you think they even believed us?"
"My father believed us," Crystal replied. "No one would openly accuse his daughter of lying in that room."
"Lord Oscar came close. And actions speak louder than words, Crystal. They might not say it but their lack of enthusiasm shows they don't believe us," Seth replied.
"There's nothing we can do now," Arthur pointed out. "We just have to wait until they come out."
Seth shrugged and went back to pacing the room and Crystal sat down in one of the chairs, lapsing into silence. A few minutes later her father entered the room, looking thoroughly worn out, but still alert and determined.
"Father, have they made a decision?" Crystal asked, jumping to her feet.
He nodded. "It took a long time, but we got there eventually. Refusing to end a meeting until we reach agreement tends to focus minds. We have a draft treaty, John, based on the one you wrote, which is being drawn up officially as we speak. The council has voted to authorise you to offer this treaty to the Brown Dragons."
The room burst alive with excitement. "Excellent!" said Seth. "Who are they going to send with him?"
"What about preparing for the attack?" Arthur asked. "What have they agreed?"
"When can John leave?" Crystal asked.
Lord Robert raised his hands. "One question at a time. John will be travelling on his own. It's not ideal, but it's what he requested. He can leave as soon as the document is prepared and signed. Unfortunately, the King will need to sign it as well, so it will have to go via Furnace."
"On his own?" Daisy asked in dismay. "Do they want him to die?"
"Surely he should have some sort of escort?" Arthur asked. "And what do you mean it's what he asked for? He asked to go, but he didn't say alone."
"I wrote it in a note with the draft treaty," John explained. "An escort won't be required, or of any use."
"John, you can't go on your own!" Daisy cried, grabbing his arm. "It's too dangerous!"
John smiled at her. "I'll be safer on my own, I assure you."
"Father, this is craziness," Crystal pleaded. "Can't someone be sent with him?"
Lord Robert shook his head. "It's been agreed. John, the document should be ready to go to Furnace soon. You can leave as soon as you're ready."
John nodded. "I'm already ready, sir." He nodded to the floor next to his chair where his bag lay, having already packed.
"What? John, when were you going to tell me that you're going alone?" Daisy asked. "Were you just going to leave?"
John shook his head. "Of course not, but time is short. I should leave immediately."
"We will fly with you to the border," Crystal volunteered.
"We should do at least that much."
"Wait a minute, Crystal," her father objected. "I'd prefer you to stay away from the border. It's dangerous enough at the best of times, but now it'll be even worse."
"I've been over the border, father," she replied, "and John brought me back. I think we should be alright to go near it."
He shook his head. "I'm not happy at all about this. I was planning on sending you to the West. I expect Arthur and Daisy will be heading there as well."
"So we have to run and hide while John goes alone?" Daisy asked bitterly. "At least we could say goodbye to him at the border."
Lord Robert shook his head. "What you do is between you and your parents. But Crystal—"
"Is going with John," she finished. "Father, he rescued you, and now me too. Three times, if truth be told. We owe him this much. If he is going to do this for us all, we should at least accompany him that far."
Lord Robert sighed irritably. "Does John even want you to come?" he asked. "Seems to me he's gone to great lengths to keep you out of danger."
They turned to John, who was still sitting in his chair. "I would appreciate the company, sir. Just up to the border, anyway."
Crystal looked at her father triumphantly. "I've made my mind up, Father. You'd have to forcibly stop me."
He shook his head, exasperated. "Oh alright, fine, but I want you to go straight to the West afterwards. And you can only go if someone else goes with you."
"We will be going too, won't we Arthur?" Daisy stated firmly.
"Shouldn't you ask your parents first?" Lord Robert asked.
Daisy shook her head firmly. "We will be going."
"Don't worry, sir," Seth said. "Even if they don't go, I'll go with Crystal. My parents won't mind. Or even notice." Crystal watched him carefully; if he was bothered by his parent's absence in Oldcastle he hid it well.
Lord Robert frowned. "Well, be careful. I do believe what you said you saw and I think an invasion is imminent. We've noticed subtle increases in border activity recently which had already made us suspicious. I'll be organising our defences in the South, and I'd feel a lot happier if I knew you were safely in the West."
Becoming a Dragon Page 48
