The Dragons' Lair Chapter 9

Chapter Nine.

 

Home.

 

“Home at last,” said the Mountain Dragon leader. “But there is no food here.”

“It isn’t far to the lake where we camped the other night,” said Finn. “And I, for one, would like something to eat, and a change of clothes. Jak could drop us at the Castle, then you could go on and hunt in the forest.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Jak. “I’d like to try cooked food for once.” He blew a small flame in demonstration.

A short time later they landed in the courtyard of Finn’s home. The Mountain Dragons settled on the walls and towers. Finn helped Sarriette down.

“Go hunt,” she said. The Dragons took off and vanished into the sky.

“Is it usually this quiet and empty?” she asked Finn.

“No. There should be people everywhere. There were when I came before. Follow me.”

He led Sarriette inside. Not a soul was in sight. They searched the Castle, empty. Everywhere there were signs that people had left in a hurry.

“They must have run away when they saw the Dragons,” suggested Sarriette.

“True,” said Finn. “We’ll just have to fend for ourselves.”

He led the way to the kitchen. They helped themselves to food and sat by the fire to eat.

“If Rose were here, she’d be able to cook us a proper meal,” said Sarriette. “I hope she isn’t too upset that I had an adventure and she missed it.”

“Tell me about Rose,” said Finn. “Is she… especially friendly with anyone?” He blushed.

“Not that I know of,” said Sarriette.

“What about that Billy who was following her?” asked Finn.

Sarriette shook her head. “Tell me about Prince Glinn. Is he seeing anyone?” She blushed too.

“No,” said Finn.

They spent a comfortable evening talking about Rose, Glinn, and Dragons. Sarriette had a pleasant guest room to sleep in.

After a cold breakfast, the people still had not returned, they waited in the courtyard for Jak and the Mountain Dragons.

Jak landed beside them, looking very pleased with himself.

“I didn’t know how much better fish tastes when it’s cooked,” he said.

The Mountain Dragon leader landed too. “Good hunting in the forest,” he said. “Though there are an awful lot of people hiding in the trees.”

“Now,” said Finn, “why did you leave all those years ago?”

“It was a misunderstanding,” said the Dragon. “We used to be the King’s Messengers. We could fly from town to town faster than any horseman.”

He sighed. “It was a good life. People were pleased to see us, and we were fed.”

“I’m sure my father would be happy to use you as messengers again,” said Finn.

“Anyway,” the Dragon continued, “as you know, Dragons don’t sleep like humans. When our long sleep approached, I warned King Olinn, but he didn’t understand. Words were said, by both of us, and I led my people north. We were tired and hungry. We found a herd of reindeer and ate some. Then we found a big cave and fell asleep. When we woke, we couldn’t get out because of the ice, so we went back to sleep. You know the rest.”

Finn nodded. “So, it was as simple as that, a silly man who didn’t understand Dragons, and Dragons who ate the wrong food.”

“I can’t wait to tell Rose,” said Sarriette. “Can we go back to Sealand now?”

“If Jak is ready to carry us, then yes. And I think the people here would like to return to the Castle too. I’ll leave a note explaining that the Dragons are our friends.”

“We are coming with you,” said the Mountain Dragon leader. “We have always wanted to meet our Royal Dragon cousins, and the Sea Dragons too.”

Sarriette giggled. “Mother came home with one Sea Dragon, and I’m coming home with a Royal Dragon and dozens of Mountain Dragons.”

They arrived in Sealand in mid‑afternoon. As Sarriette had predicted, their arrival caused a major panic. Jak landed on the Castle roof. Sarriette and Finn climbed down. Soldiers surrounded them at once.

Prince Emdan hugged Sarriette. “Your mother is waiting for you to explain,” he said.

He shook Finn’s hand. “And your father is waiting for you to explain too.”

“This is Jak,” said Sarriette. “He’s a Royal Dragon, and a friend. The others are Mountain Dragons. They’re friends too.”

“Then they are most welcome,” said Prince Emdan.

“Where is Rose?” asked Sarriette, looking around. “I have so much to tell her.”

“Is she not with you?” asked Prince Emdan.

“No,” said Finn. “She couldn’t go near the Dragon, so we had to leave her behind.”

“Oh,” said Prince Emdan. “She hasn’t been seen since you flew away.” He turned to Sarriette. “You are going to be in a lot of trouble over this.”

Sarriette nodded. “But I only did what Mother did, all those years ago.”

“Sh!” warned Prince Emdan. “Don’t say that in front of your grandfather. We never told him what really happened with Das. That’s why you were never told the true story.”

“But what about Rose?” asked Finn. “What happened to her?”

“We’ll have to find out,” said Prince Emdan. “I wasn’t worried when we thought she’d gone with you on a Dragon. It’s happened before, and that ended happily. But this changes everything.”

“Jak found the Mountain Dragons by following their scent, and that was three hundred years old. I wonder if he can follow Rose’s scent,” said Sarriette.

Jak sniffed. “Human scent is harder. There are so many of you. Bring me something of hers to smell, and send everyone away.”

Thomas and Mary soon arrived with one of Rose’s scarves. Jak sniffed it. Prince Emdan cleared the roof, leaving only Sarriette and Finn.

Jak nodded. “She went that way. And… there was another human with her. They flew, not walked or rode.”

“Can you follow the scent?” asked Finn.

“Yes,” said Jak.

Finn climbed onto his back. Sarriette moved to join him.

“Oh no you don’t, my girl,” said Prince Emdan. “You have explaining to do.”

Jak took off. The Mountain Dragons followed.

Very soon they reached a small cottage in a clearing among tall pines. As they approached, a flock of rooks rose screeching into the air.

“She is in that cottage,” said Jak. “I can smell her.”

Finn climbed down.

“Be careful,” warned Jak. “The whole place stinks of magic.”

The cottage door opened and a tall woman stepped out.

“So, who dares disturb the Witch of the Dark Forest?” she called. She sniffed. “And with Dragons too.”

“I am Prince Finn,” said Finn. “You have a friend of mine. May I speak to her?”

“The little witch‑girl is mine now,” said Calizone. “She practised magic, and no one but me may do that.”

“Leave this to me,” said Jak.

He took a deep breath and blew a long, searing flame towards the Witch.

“You cannot harm Dragons,” he said. “And there are many Dragons here. Free Rose, or we will stay. I will burn your trees, destroy your garden, and my friends will cover your cottage with their wings. Even you will not get past them.”

“So, the little one has powerful friends,” hissed Calizone.

“Very,” said Jak. “And my Royal Dragon relatives will be happy to help.”

“Be careful of making me your enemy, Prince Finn,” snarled Calizone.

“There’s no need for this to be unfriendly,” said Finn. “I’m sure we can sort this out. Please, let me talk to Rose.”

Calizone snapped her fingers. Rose came out of the cottage.

“Are you all right?” asked Finn.

“Yes,” said Rose. “But I want to go home.”

“If Rose promises never to do magic again, would you let her go?” asked Finn.

“Magic is not so easily stopped,” said Calizone. “Once you taste it, you want more.”

“But I don’t know how to do it!” cried Rose. “I just read the spells and waved the wand. I don’t want to do any more. I just want to be me again.”

“If we gave you the Book of Spells and the wand, would that do?” asked Finn. “Rose couldn’t do magic without them.”

“It is that, or make enemies of all Dragons,” added Jak.

“Bring me the book and the wand,” said Calizone.

“Please,” begged Rose. “Can’t you put a spell on me to take the magic away?”

Calizone shook her head. “Magic cannot be stopped like that.”

Rose began to cry.

Jak took a deep breath and began to glow red.

“It will have to do,” said Calizone quickly. “Fetch the things, and the wretched girl may go free.”

Finn let out a long breath of relief.

Jak exhaled slowly.

“Now,” he said, “we can all go home.”