The Dragons' Lair Chapter 6

Chapter Six.

 

Finn Learns About Dragons.

 

Finn washed his face and ate the food Rose had brought. He tried the door, just in case, it was definitely locked. With nothing else to do, he wandered over to the bookshelves. He pulled down a book titled Dragons: Truths and Myths.

He opened it and read aloud the first lines:

“There are three types of Dragon: Royal Dragons, which are the most rare; Mountain Dragons, which are the type most commonly met; and Sea Dragons, which rarely come to shore. There are many myths…”

He sat on the bed and read the rest. There were plenty of stories, but very little real information. He took out the paper with the crayon rubbing and stared at the Dragon on it.

“I wonder which type you are,” he thought.

The key turned in the lock. Finn jumped and hid under the bed. A different girl entered.

“Prince Finn? Where are you?”

Finn stood up. “Sorry, you startled me.”

The girl laughed. “I’m Princess Sarriette. We’ve actually met, but I didn’t look like myself at the time. Your father, your brother, and my father have taken soldiers into town to look for you. Rose has had to help her mother. Now, how can we help you?”

Finn remembered his manners and bowed. “Your Highness—”

“Fiddle,” said Sarriette. “If we’re going to have an adventure together, you’d better call me Sari, like my father does.”

“Sari,” said Finn.

“I see you found a book on Dragons,” said Sarriette. “Does it tell you what you want to know?”

“Not really.” Finn showed her the rubbing and explained about the tower called Dragon’s Lair. “I just want to know what made the Dragons leave.”

“There are islands out to sea,” said Sarriette. “The Dragons live on them. The ones we’ve seen here are Sea Dragons. Mother was supposed to have been kidnapped by one, but Rose and I don’t believe that, the Dragons were friendly. It was a Sea Dragon whose tail was built on when they put up this Castle. Rose’s father and my mother set him free. His name was Das. He came to my Naming Day, but no one has seen him since. And no one is allowed to go to the islands.”

“I don’t think the Dragons in Dragon’s Lair were Sea Dragons,” said Finn. “We’re a long way from the sea, and this book says they eat only seaweed. Not much of that grows on mountains.”

“The other island is where the Royal Dragons live,” said Sarriette. “They’re the ones that breathe fire. They’ve never been seen here. I don’t think yours were Royal Dragons, they’re not supposed to be friendly.”

“That leaves Mountain Dragons,” said Finn. “Is there another island with them on it?”

Sarriette tried to remember her geography lessons. “No… I don’t think so. I’ve never heard of one.”

Finn sat heavily on the bed. “They must have gone somewhere. But how do we find out?”

“We’ll have to ask the Sea Dragons,” said Sarriette.

“But how?” demanded Finn. “If no one is allowed to go to the islands?”

Before she could answer, there was a clatter in the courtyard below. Sarriette looked out of the window.

“It’s the search party returning. They’ve brought extra horses.”

“They must have found mine at the inn,” said Finn.

“I have to go or I’ll be missed,” said Sarriette. “Don’t worry, Rose and I will think of something.” She giggled. “This is very exciting. My very own adventure.” She left and locked the door behind her.

 

Half an hour later, Sarriette and Rose returned with the Book of Spells and the wand.

“Your father and brother have gone into town to search for you,” said Sarriette. “So, we should be safe for a few hours. I asked my grandmother how she contacted the Dragons for my Naming Day. She said she put a message in a bottle and floated it out to sea, hoping it would reach the islands.”

“If my father is here, I don’t have time for that,” said Finn.

“Hopefully there’s a spell that will let us talk to the Sea Dragons,” said Sarriette.

Together they searched the book. On the last page was a spell titled How to Talk to Someone Far Away.

Rose read it. “Seems straightforward. I just have to think of the person’s name while saying the spell.”

“Oh dear,” said Finn. “According to the Dragon book, Dragons never tell anyone their true names. Will the name you know him by work?”

“Only one way to find out,” said Sarriette. “His name was Das.”

Rose recited the spell.

A mist formed in one corner of the room. It thickened, and a Dragon’s head appeared.

“So,” it said, “who dares disturb me?”

“Are you Das?” asked Rose.

“No,” said the Dragon. “Why do you want him? He made it very clear he would never have anything to do with humans again.”

Rose quickly explained about Finn and the disappearing Dragons.

“Interesting,” said the Dragon. “But what do you want a Dragon to do about it?”

“I… don’t know,” admitted Finn. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”

“I suppose I could fly out and look at this Dragon’s Lair place,” said the Dragon. “Might be interesting.”

“I could show you where it is,” said Finn.

The Dragon nodded. “Go up to the roof of the Castle. I’ll meet you there.”

The mist faded.

Sariette looked down at her dress. “I can’t ride a Dragon in this. Nor can Rose in those clothes. We’ll have to change.”

“What makes you think I’m letting you ride a Dragon?” asked Finn.

“Don’t be silly,” said Sarriette. “This is our adventure too. Stay here while we change.”

Five minutes later they returned and led Finn up to the roof. There was no sign of the Dragon.

“I hope he’s not long,” worried Rose. “I’m supposed to be helping Mother in the kitchen.”

“Is that him?” asked Finn, pointing to a distant dot.

The dot grew larger until it was clearly a Dragon. It landed on the roof.

“Hello,” it said.

“Hello,” said Sarriette. “I’m Princess Sarriette, this is Rose, and this is Prince Finn. Are you sure you can carry all three of us?”

“No trouble,” said the Dragon. “We fly using magic, not wings.”

“What do we call you?” asked Finn.

“Jak will do. But hurry, my landing hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

He was right. A warning trumpet sounded from a tower.

“Ladies first,” said Finn, helping Sarriette onto Jak’s back. He turned to help Rose, but she was backing away.

“I can’t,” she squealed. “It hurts. The closer I get, the worse it is. Like being on fire.”

Jak studied her. “You’ve been doing magic, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” groaned Rose.

“Oh dear,” said Jak. “People who do magic cannot touch Dragons. Sorry.”

Footsteps clattered on the stairs behind them.

“Never mind,” said Rose. “Finn, go. I’ll be all right.”

“I’m sorry,” said Sarriette. “This was supposed to be our adventure.”

With a swoosh of air, Jak took off. “Hold tight!” he shouted.

Rose turned to face the stairs, expecting soldiers. But before the door opened, a figure stepped from the shadows.

“So, my little one. Been practising magic, have you?”

It was Calizone.

Rose screamed.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t feel someone casting spells?” said Calizone. “You and I are going to have a long discussion about this.” She swirled her cloak around them.

When Prince Emdan reached the roof, it was empty. Dragon, Princess Sarriette, Prince Finn, and Rose were nowhere to be seen.