The First Witch Chapter 2

 

Chapter Two.

 

Princess Jasmine.

 

Princess Jasmine was angry.

She stood on the Castle battlements kicking the wall and muttering some very un‑princess‑like words. She was in trouble, again. That morning she had gone out for her usual ride with her groom and a guard. But Jasmine had been bored and restless, and instead of riding quietly and princess‑like, she had kicked her horse into a gallop and left her escort far behind.

When she finally returned, her parents had given her a long, stern lecture and sent her to her room. Jasmine had stormed out onto the battlements without even changing out of her riding clothes.

She was so busy kicking the wall that she didn’t turn around when a voice behind her said, “Does that not hurt?”

She stopped mid‑kick. “Yes, I suppose it does.” She turned, and found herself face to face with a green dragon.

Being a princess and made of stern stuff, she only gave a small squeak and stepped back a little.

“Sorry,” said the Dragon. “I didn’t mean to startle you, but you were so busy trying to knock the Castle wall down that you didn’t see me land.”

Jasmine blushed. She peered at the scaly face. “I know you, don’t I?”

“Yes,” replied the Dragon. “I had my tail stuck under your Castle a couple of years ago. Your Magician kindly helped me get free.”

Jasmine nodded. “That was the last time anything interesting happened here,” she muttered.

“I was wondering if the Magician was still here,” said the Dragon hopefully.

Jasmine shook her head. “I’m sorry. He left soon after you were released. He went off hunting for more spells.”

The Dragon’s shoulders drooped. “Oh. I was hoping he could help me. What about that nice kitchen boy, Thomas? He was very, very helpful.”

“Sorry,” said Jasmine. “He’s gone to School to learn to be a Butler. He won’t be back for weeks.”

“Oh dear,” sighed the Dragon. “I really was hoping one of them could help me.”

“Perhaps I can help,” said Jasmine. “What’s the problem?”

The Dragon sighed again. “You remember that I was sent to the Witch of the Dark Forest to get a potion to stop Grandfather from snoring?”

“I remember. Did it work?”

“Oh yes. He hasn’t snored since. The Royal dragons are much happier now.”

“Good,” said Jasmine.

“Anyway,” the Dragon continued, “to get the potion I had to give the Witch a piece of Royal Dragon claw and a scale. And that’s where the trouble starts. Anyone who has a dragon’s claw and scale, and knows how to use them, can make that dragon obey any command.”

Jasmine’s eyes widened.

“I meant to give her pieces from Uncle Cyril,” the Dragon went on. “He was the oldest of the Royal dragons. Too old and sleepy to leave the island. It wouldn’t have mattered if the Witch had controlled him.”

“So, what happened?” asked Jasmine.

“I put the claw and scale in a satchel, but I didn’t fasten it properly. They fell out into the sea while I was flying. I had to give the Witch one of my claws and a scale instead.” He sniffed miserably. “Stupid of me, really. But we desperately needed the snoring cure or there would have been a Dragon War.”

Jasmine nodded. “And I’ll bet you didn’t tell the Witch she wasn’t getting Royal Dragon pieces, did you?”

The Dragon shook his head. “No. But she never asked. She just put on a pair of gloves, took the claw and scale, and gave me the cure.”

Jasmine frowned. “But that was over a hundred years ago. You fell asleep and we built our Castle over your tail. It can’t be the same Witch.”

“True,” said the Dragon. “It’s a different Witch, but she’s found out how to use the claw and scale to control me. She’s calling me to her Cottage and I can’t resist much longer.” A green tear trickled down his cheek.

“She’s probably expecting a great big fierce fire‑breathing monster,” he added sadly. “She’s going to be very angry when she finds I’m only a Sea Dragon. And I don’t want to hurt anyone, but if she uses the claw and scale… I might be made to.”

More tears rolled down his face. Jasmine offered him her handkerchief. He blew his nose loudly, then tried to hand it back. As it was now very wet and very green, Jasmine shook her head.

She paced up and down the battlements, thinking hard. Then she turned to the Dragon.

“Well, since the Magician and Thomas aren’t here, it’s up to me. I’ll come with you and explain everything to the Witch.”

“Would you?” exclaimed the Dragon. Then he hesitated. “But… aren’t you afraid she’ll do something nasty to you?”

“A little,” admitted Jasmine. “But I’m so bored here. I need an adventure. Let’s go before my parents come looking for me.”

“Won’t your parents be upset?” asked the Dragon anxiously.

“Don’t care,” sniffed Jasmine. “All I ever get to do is go for tame rides around the Castle. I never get any excitement.”

“If you think it’s all right,” said the Dragon, “then climb onto my back and we’ll go.”

Jasmine swung a leg over, and squealed, jumping straight off again. “Ow! That’s like sitting on a pin‑cushion!”

“Odd,” said the Dragon. “My skin is scaly, not prickly.” He paused. “You’re not a Witch, are you? Only Witches can’t touch dragon skin.”

Jasmine shook her head.

“Then you must have done some magic at some point,” said the Dragon. “Even one spell would be enough.”

Jasmine clapped her hands. “Of course! Thomas and I did a spell to make the Magician remember things.”

“That would do it,” said the Dragon. “If it was only one spell, you should be fine with a blanket.”

Jasmine ran to her room, grabbed a blanket, and draped it over the Dragon’s back. She climbed on again, no pain this time. She also brought a pad and pencil.

“We must hurry,” said the Dragon. “The Witch is calling me again. I can’t hold out much longer.”

“I have to leave a note for my parents,” said Jasmine. “They’ll be terribly worried if I just disappear.”

“Do hurry,” begged the Dragon.

Jasmine scribbled quickly: I’m off on an adventure with a dragon called… She stopped. “Er… what is your name?”

“Dragons never tell anyone their true name,” he said. “Knowing it would give you even more power over me than the Witch has. You may call me Das.”

“Das?” Jasmine repeated.

“Short for Draco Aqua Salarius.”

Jasmine thought for a moment, then nodded. “Sea Water Dragon.” She finished the note and placed it on the battlements where she thought it would be easily found.

“Ready,” she said.

Das leapt into the air. The wind from his wings blew the note off the battlements. It fluttered gently down… and drifted away into the sea.