The Beginning Chapter 1

 

The Beginning.

 

Chapter One.

 

A Visitation of Dragons.

 

Princess Jasmine’s Coming Out Ball had been a great success. True to her promise, she saved a dance for Prince Emdan, and true to his word, he proved to be an excellent dancer. Jasmine would happily have danced with him more often, but her mother insisted she dance with every other young man present.

A few mornings later, Jasmine and Emdan were walking along the castle battlements, talking about the strange events they had shared.

“I have to go home tomorrow,” said Emdan. “My parents have already left, and I’m still in trouble for borrowing the Shadow People’s armour without asking.”

“I know,” said Jasmine. “My mother is furious that I was on the battlements alone and could be kidnapped by a dragon. She’s gone to visit my grandmother. She said she’d deal with me when she comes back. But I do wish you could stay a little longer.”

“So do I,” said Emdan. He blushed. “I’d like to get to know you better. Everyone keeps treating me like a hero for saving you from the evil dragon.” He grinned. “It’s much nicer than spending my whole visit in your dusty old records room.”

“What about Aldan?” asked Jasmine. “He knows most of what really happened.”

Emdan nodded. “I told him everything that happened at the Witch’s cottage, so he knows the whole story. He hasn’t said a word to anyone, and he treats me like a hero as well, even though I’m not.”

“I danced with him at the Ball. He was very charming,” said Jasmine.

“All the girls fall for him,” said Emdan. “He really is the best of my cousins.”

“He spent most of the dance talking about you,” said Jasmine.

Emdan blushed again.

“Perhaps I could come and visit you?” Jasmine suggested. “I’m sure my parents would allow it.”

Before Emdan could reply, the Captain of the Guard appeared. “I’m sorry, your Highnesses, but there is a major problem on the beach. You must come inside for safety.”

He gave them no chance to ask questions before ushering them in.

“That’s better,” he said once they reached the safety of the Throne Room. King Oswald stood at the far end, speaking urgently with a group of heavily armed soldiers.

“Ah, there you are,” he said, heaving a sigh of relief.

“What is the problem?” Jasmine and Emdan asked together.

“Please don’t be alarmed, but there is a dragon on the beach. A very large dragon, if the guards are to be believed.”

Before either could speak, another guard rushed in. Breathlessly he saluted the King. “S–ss–s—”

“Take a deep breath and calm down,” ordered the Captain.

The soldier tried again. “Sire… the beach…”

“The beach,” said the King gently. “We know. There is a dragon on the beach.”

The soldier shook his head. “Not that one, Sire. Another one has just flown up and landed.”

“What?” demanded the King.

“There are two of them now,” said the soldier.

The Captain hurried out and returned moments later. “He’s right. Two dragons. The second one is much smaller.”

“An invasion,” groaned King Oswald. “I wish your mother were here. She’s much better at dealing with emergencies than I am.”

“Er… excuse me,” said Emdan.

“You’re the hero who saved Jasmine from the dragon before,” said the King. “Perhaps they’ve come to take revenge on you.”

“I hope not,” said Emdan. “May I ask a question?”

The King nodded.

Emdan turned to the soldiers. “What colour is the larger dragon?”

“Red,” said the Captain. “Very red.”

“And the smaller one?”

“Green,” said the soldier. “A dull green.”

Emdan looked at Jasmine and raised an eyebrow. “I wonder…”

Before Jasmine could reply, yet another soldier entered. “Excuse me, your Highnesses, but the smaller dragon is on the battlements. He’s asking for the Princess. He says his name is Das.”

King Oswald groaned. “I knew it. It wants to eat my only daughter.”

“I’ll go and talk to him,” said Emdan. “Perhaps I can persuade him to leave peacefully.”

Without waiting for permission, he made his way up to the battlements. The dragon was indeed Das.

“I thought you said you’d never leave the islands again,” said Emdan.

Das sniffed. “I hoped I’d never have to, but when a Royal Dragon gives an order, you obey.”

“So why is there a Royal Dragon on the beach? And who is he?”

“Do you remember me saying I needed something to stop my old grandfather snoring?” said Das.

Emdan nodded.

“Well, this is the Royal Dragon who couldn’t sleep because of the noise. He ordered me to fetch the potion from Calizone. Now he wants to speak to you and Princess Jasmine about the Dragon Skin Box.”

“He isn’t angry with us, is he?” asked Emdan nervously.

Das shook his head. “No, not at all. He’s very pleased you returned the last bits of Uncle Arthur. I told him everything that happened at Calizone’s cottage, and he wants to tell you, and her, the full story of what happened back then.”

“I’d love to know,” said Emdan. “And I’m sure Jasmine and Calizone would too.”

“Good. You and the Princess must go down to the beach. When I fetch Calizone, he’ll tell you everything. Oh, and no soldiers. He’s worried about crowds.”

“You fetch Calizone. I’ll persuade King Oswald that it’s safe for Jasmine and me to sit with a Royal Dragon.”

Das flew off.

Emdan returned to the Throne Room. “The Royal Dragon wishes to speak to Princess Jasmine and myself. Alone.”

King Oswald squeaked.

“It’s perfectly safe,” said Emdan. “He has given his word that no harm will come to us, provided there are no soldiers.”

“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear,” moaned the King. “The Queen will never forgive me if anything happens to Jasmine.”

“Dragons never break their word,” said Emdan.

“I’m not afraid,” said Jasmine. “If Emdan believes it’s safe, then I’ll go.”

King Oswald sagged. “Then you had better go.” He turned to the Captain. “Keep all your men well back from the beach.”

Jasmine and Emdan walked out through the castle gates and down to the shore.

“The Dragon wants to tell us what happened all those years ago,” said Emdan. “He’s sent Das to fetch Calizone.”

Jasmine clapped her hands. “I’d love to know the full story. Alphaz left an awful lot untold.”

The Royal Dragon lay on the sand, resting his head on his front claws. His eyes were closed.

Emdan coughed.

The Dragon opened one large, red‑tinged eye. “Prince Emdan and Princess Jasmine, I hope,” he said, with a puff of smoke.

They stepped back.

“Sorry about that,” he said. “A bit of smoke is all I can manage these days. My burning days are long gone. Now, I’m forgetting my manners. Please sit down, and let us wait for that silly dragon you call Das to bring the Witch.”