Dragons of Draegonia Page 15

  As he moves the final block to complete the breakwater, Dragon Brown appears on the rocky shore line and Dragon Black wades back towards him. Dragon Black’s legs and tail are still heavily chained. On approaching the water’s edge Black overhears Dragon Brown informing the guards that Black is to be taken back to Draegonia Central where Dragon Red and Dragon Smokey Blue, Draegonia’s Chief Technical Dragon, are waiting with George and the three other children for his arrival. Dragon Black thinks of how he can escape. His thoughts focus on how he will wreak revenge, how he will make everyone suffer and how he will deal with the four who have caused him so much humiliation and pain.

  Black’s thoughts are interrupted as he is dragon-handled, placed under heavy guard and unceremoniously marched to the awaiting crowd of dragons who now filled the main square. On arrival, to numerous jeers and growls from the crowd encircling him, Dragon Black is restrained by his guards during the fitting of a large iron collar around his neck. A loud click is heard, as George and Joel presses home and securely locks the collar. Grace holds a tiny black taped box with a small silver aerial protruding from it.

  “The collar is a very tight fit, Grace. Dragon Black won’t get out of that in a hurry.” Grace looks up at George who helping Joel down from the ladder perched against Dragon Black’s long neck, adds. “In fact we can honestly say it is made to measure.” All four as well as Dragon Red, Pink and Smokey Blue roared with laughter. Dragon Black makes no move, all the while thinking his time will come.

  Whilst Dragon Black had been in the north serving part of his Hard Labour sentence, the four children had also been hard at work. The iron rings of a washed up wine barrel had been forged using ‘Dragon Flame’ and heat into a perfect fitting metal collar. The locking mechanism obtained from an old chest was packed with the explosive left over from the reduced sized cartridges of the flares that had been used to restore the ‘Dragon Flame’. The three boys had worked together to modify the emergency radio into two units: one to act as a receiver and detonator and fitted within the collars explosive packed lock and the other to transmit the firing signal.

  Now the day had come to put everything together. Black was fitted with his explosive collar and all the dragons had turned out to witness their departure from Draegonia. The children had been given a number of small gifts now packed in the bag that originally had held their survival equipment. Dragon Pink had organised several of her friends to make farewell banners and were now proudly displaying them. They read;

  Thank You for Restoring Our Flames.

  Come back and see us sometime.

  Remember us as your Dragon Friends

  And one held at one corner by Dragon Pink just had three words.

  We Love You

  Pink had tears in her eyes, “Please come back sometime to see us,” she said.

  Dragon Gold moved forward, his Gold Chain glistening in the mid afternoon sun. First he spoke to Dragon Black. “Dragon Black, you have completed just 14 days of your 50 Year Hard Labour Sentence, I am sure you do not wish to do anymore. You also have a collar filled with high explosive that should you try to do any foul deed between now and taking the children home, will result in detonation and your head being blown off.”

  All the dragons surrounding Dragon Black laughed and as they did so flames spouted out of their mouths in all directions demonstrating that their flames had been fully restored.

  Dragon Gold pointed to a specially designed four seat saddle arrangement and ordered it to be affixed to Dragon Black’s back. “Dragon Black” Gold spoke yet again in an authoritative manner. “You may well think that whilst the four children are seated on your back you could fly them anywhere other than their home and that they can’t do anything about it. Well” Gold continued, “the seat you see being fitted to your back also has a means of being detonated. It has been fitted with what the children call a parachute. The seat would serve as a boat over water but wherever and for whatever reason it should be used make no mistake, it allows the children to also detonate your collar, without them being harmed.”

  Dragon Black said nothing. He had no idea how he would wreak revenge but knew this was not the time or place to show his hatred for them all. For now he would do as he was told, anything to get away.

  The four children strapped themselves into their seats and as the dragons released the chains locked to Black’s legs and tail he outstretched his wings and with a mighty flap lifted off the ground flying high into the air. He circled high above, looking down on what he now considered, were his deadly adversaries and with a final flap of his huge wings, shot off Westwards, into the setting Sun.

  Darkness fell and as the black dragon approached the shores of England the four children felt a sense of relief. This had been an adventure they would all talk about to each other, but how would they explain things to their parents?

  The thought of explaining about being lost in a storm, washed up on what they thought was a desert island only to learn it was full of coloured dragons and that they had been arrested sentenced to death, escaped and flown back home by a black dragon, was going to be difficult if not impossible.

  Their chatter and thought sharing was interrupted as George pointed to where the two younger boys and Grace lived. Their house lights were still on as the black dragon carefully landed and allowed them off. “Bye George,” the three all said together and waved, as once more Dragon Black soared into the night sky and finally headed For George’s house. His Mum, who had waved George a good bye only that morning, was peering out of the window, just as the dragon landed. She rushed out exclaiming, “Where the…. have you been?” But then seeing the shadow of Dragon Black as he lifted off yet again into the night sky, passing over the house, she blinked and hugging George said. “This had better be a good story.”

  Meanwhile Dragon Black, still with the four seats and explosive collar strapped to him, headed eastwards, growling and spitting black puffs of smutty smoke from his flameless mouth …

  “IF THEY THINK THIS IS THE END, WELL IT’S NOT!!

  EPILOGUE

  The Dragons of Draegonia carry a number of messages for all to learn from.

  Operating as a team, the four children survive a number of ordeals. They work together. They look after each other and are bonded more by friendship than blood relationships.

  Colours have a distinct bearing on how we perceive things, the language we use, people and attitude. Green is traditionally used in conjunction with ‘Envy’. Yellow in relationship to cowardice, Pink all things nice and sweet the opposite to Black that often signifies the darker side of life.

  The narrative follows those problems that can grow from exaggerations or untruths and unveils the lies that create the need for more lies. Children of all ages learn by example and the Dragons of Draegonia places their imaginations in the midst of the need to survive as a result of those telling lies to derive direct benefit and those exaggerating events to cover up perhaps their own inadequacies.

  Simple lessons to be learnt;

   1) Work Together especially when things are difficult.

   2) Don’t give up, just try harder.

   3) Be supportive and see the best in others.

   4) Don’t be envious of others.

   5) Cowardice is not respected.

   6) Don’t Bully or try to control through Fear.

   7) Learn as much as you can whilst at school, you never know when the knowledge will be useful.

   8) Communicate and discuss things rather than give up.

   9) Abide by the law.

  And finally:

  10) Always inform your parents or guardians where you’re going, for they will be worried if they do not know where you are.

  Glossary

  Book 1

  Dragons of Draegonia

  The Adventure Begins

  Dragon Black

  The self appointed leader, the most scary and most feared dragon of all. Black is the largest of all
dragons, uses his long steel like tail as both a lethal weapon and symbol of authority. Black sports two enormous powerful wings and is the only dragon that can fly. His threatening appearance is further enhanced by two fiery red piercing eyes. Dragon Black is one dragon never to be crossed.

  Dragon Gold

  The Mayor and Part Time Judge. Gold is a little pompous, full of his own self importance, a worrier, honest and absolutely fair. He waddles due to a rather fat stomach and little exercise.

  Dragon Blue

  Head of the Draegonia Dragon Police Force. He is a little on the plump side, stern faced and a stickler for implementing the law.

  Dragon Red

  Head of Draegonia’s Fire Service. Dragon Red is very fit and has a good sense of humour. Red does not put fires out but starts them for those dragons that may have lost their flames.

  Dragon Brown

  Recently appointed as Commander in Chief of the Draegonia Army. One of the oldest of dragons, he can be abrupt and austere Brown is astute, can be quick witted and respected.

  Dragon Green.

  Disliked by many because of his envious nature and willing to do almost anything to get his own way, even if he has to lie. His eyes are very close together; his ears twitch a great deal, specifically being more pronounced when he tells lies.

  Dragon Yellow

  As is his colour, he is yellow in nature frightened often of his own shadow. Tends to rush and bump into things especially when he has concerns or his anxiety level is raised.

  Dragon White

  A large female dragon responsible for the environment of the South Island. She has a very large mouth and cleans the beach by turning drift wood into ashes with one burst of her ferocious flames.

  Dragon Cream

  Sister to Dragon White who patrols the northern side of the Island also keeping it clear of washed up debris. Like her sister she also has the ability to shoot flames up to ten meters turning everything to dust and ashes in its path.

  Dragon Rainbow

  Head waiter of the exclusive Draegonia Rainbow Restaurant. Originally from the South of France, Rainbow Dragon speaks with a very strong French accent.

  Dragon Pink

  The youngest and smallest of all dragons. She is the friendliest and kindest of all and is the only dragon (apart from Dragon Black) that has not had her wings clipped. She however is still too young to fly. Dragon Pink has important ancestry and is a direct descendent of a Wizard Dragon.

  Dragon Onyx

  Onyx is Clerk to the Draegonian Court. He has a distinctive and very loud autocratic voice and a head that never stays still for a moment.

  Dragon Smokey Blue

  Draegonia’s Chief Technical Dragon. A scientist typified by his large monocle necessary for his weak right eye. Although very intelligent has a habit of staring but not finishing sentences, assuming those around him, have understood his point, without any further explanation.

  Dragon Mauve

  A self opinionated legal prosecutor who talks in legalise. He has long thin dragon paws that he uses to direct his audiences attention.

  Dragon Purple

  Dragon Purple is the court’s appointed legal defender. He is a slick, smooth talking dragon able to twist witness statements to his advantage. Being shorter than Dragon Mauve he tends to roll back and forth on his hind legs, occasionally standing on the tips of his feet, to gain extra height.

  Dragon Grey

  Draegonia’s Chief Physician. Dragons rarely become ill thus the Draegonia Hospital is mainly used as a dragon maternity unit and research centre. Grey’s main duties are as ‘Personal Physician’ to Dragon Black who has made Grey responsible for clipping the wings of all dragons when they reach seven dragon years old, thus ensuring no dragon is able to fly. Grey is a very fit dragon, priding himself on good eating habits and exercise. He is however, very boring, has little conversational skills and sometimes a bumbler.

  Twin Lilac Dragons

  Brother and sister, the Lilac Twins are Draegonia’s environmental engineers commonly known as the refuse disposal duo. They are always seen together with each one finishing the others sentence when they speak. They are the *’Jedward’s’ of Draegonia and even sport a similar head style.

  Dragon Indigo

  Indigo is a hard working young dragon holding down two jobs within the Hall of Dragons. He is both the security officer at night and during the day works in administrations. He is full of his own self importance.

  Flame Out

  The effect of a serious dragon illness or event. Should a dragon lose its flames, it most certainly, will slowly die.

  Dragon Time

  The Island of Draegonia is shrouded in a magical mist. All within the mist live their lives under Dragon Time where time outside the island’s protective shield, almost stands still, in comparison.

  Garond

  An anagram of Dragon.

  *John Paul Henry Daniel Richard Grimes and Edward Peter Anthony Kevin Patrick Grimes (born 16 October 1991 in Dublin, Ireland) are an Irish pop duo. They are identical twins and perform under the name Jedward. Widely known for their blond quiffs, the twins first appeared as John & Edward on the sixth series of the UK TV show, The X Factor in 2009

  All rights reserved

  Copyright © Michael W Libra, 2011

  Michael W Libra is hereby identified as author of this

  work in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs

  and Patents Act 1988

  ISBN : 978-1-908596-07-9 in epub format

  The book cover picture is copyright to Michael W Libra

  This book is published by

  Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd

  28-30 High Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3EL.

  www.grosvenorhousepublishing.co.uk

  This book is sold subject to the conditions that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the author's or publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library