Island of Dragons (17 page)

“Hold out your fist, like this,” said Alex, showing him how to greet the dragons.

“Why?”

“So they can smell you and determine if you are more good than evil.”

Aaron's face went gray. “You're joking.”

“No,” said Alex.

“What if . . . what if I'm . . . not?”

Alex shrugged. “You are.”

“How do you know?”

Alex gave his brother a sympathetic look. “Just do it.”

Aaron did it, trying not to shake. His eyes closed and he held his breath. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Arabis sniffed Aaron's fist. Then she sniffed again, lingering over him for several moments as if trying to decide. Eventually she seemed satisfied with him and moved her head over to Alex to do the same thing. Alex greeted her.

Aaron opened one eye. “Is she done?” he whispered.

“You passed,” said Alex. “Congratulations. You are more good than evil.”

Aaron let out a deep breath. “I was worried.”

One of the other young dragons blew a small blast of fire into the air nearby, making both boys jump.

Pan nodded at Alex. “She's ready.”

Alex took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He plucked a meld component from his pocket and lifted the base of the first wing in the air. He pressed the wing against the dragon's back, moving it around, trying to find the exact best angle to secure it. Once he felt confident the wing was placed correctly, he applied the meld spell and watched as the base of the wing melded into the dragon's back, and the wing magically took on the exact sheen of the dragon's body. Alex stepped back and looked carefully at it from all directions, as Arabis turned her head curiously to see what had been attached to her.

Aaron handed Alex the second wing, and Alex did the same with it on the other side of the dragon's back. Once attached, it also took on the magic sheen of the dragon's body. “Okay, Aaron,” said Alex. “Can you bring them to life?”

Aaron nodded and gingerly stepped toward Arabis. The orange dragon's spiny back rippled as she tried to get used to the new appendages, and she shifted uncomfortably. Aaron put his hand out and touched the dragon's side. “Don't be afraid,” Aaron whispered, partly to remind himself to calm down.

The dragon turned her face so she could see Aaron, and the two gazes connected. Arabis's trembling stopped, and Aaron smiled at the beast. “I'm going to make your new wings feel better,” he said. He didn't know if the dragon could understand him, but she bowed her head as if she did.

After a moment, Aaron touched her right wing and concentrated on it, thinking about bringing it to life. “Live,” he said softly.

The wing shimmered and began to move of its own accord. Aaron gently guided the wing into its folded position while Arabis craned her neck to see what was happening. Then Aaron moved around to her other side and did the same with the left.

Pan watched from a short distance away, her eyes shining.

When Aaron looked up, he said, “You'll want to give them some lessons before they are suited to fly long distances. We tested the wings at home and discovered that the wearer must command the wings to go to a certain place or to fly in a certain direction. And they must concentrate and think about flying.”

“I will teach them the requirements,” said Pan.

Alex looked up. “I've made the wings a little larger than necessary to accommodate small amounts of growth. Unfortunately, because the wings are magical and not real appendages, I was unable to give them the ability to grow along with the dragons. But you had mentioned that the young dragons would remain this size for about ten years before they begin to grow rapidly, so these wings should be sufficient to last them until then.”

“It is long enough,” said Pan humbly. “Thank you.”

Alex bowed. “If you are able to bring the dragons back to me in Artimé when they've begun their growth spurt, we will happily make new wings to suit their larger size.”

Pan bowed in return. “We shall never forget your kindness. Both of you.”

Aaron cleared his throat. “We should probably finish the job before you thank us,” he said. “Which one is next?”

“Yarbeck, the purple and gold,” said Pan. “And then Ivis, the green. Then we'll do the males, Hux and Drock, after the females are done. I'll help you bring the rest of the wings.”

While Arabis the orange experimented with moving her wings, Pan wrapped her tail around the boys and went back to the boat, returning a short time later with the other four sets. Over the course of the morning, all five young dragons received their magical appendages, and Alex and Aaron finished up their work getting only a tiny bit singed by Drock, the dark purple dragon, who seemed the most temperamental of the entire cylinder of dragons.

The dragons were clever, and soon Arabis and Yarbeck were managing to take short, awkward flights around the inside of the island. Pan left them to their antics. She brought Alex and Aaron back outside of the island and delivered them to their boat.

As she set them gently into the
Claire
and thanked them once more, Charlie exited the cabin and began signing to Alex.

Alex concentrated, trying to decipher Charlie's sign language. “What is it?” he said. “Is something wrong? Slow down a bit, will you?”

Charlie began again, slower this time, and Alex followed along, mumbling a word or two under his breath. And then he relaxed a bit.

“What is it?” asked Aaron.

Pan's eyes blazed with concern. “What's happened?”

Alex put his hand in the air to reassure the dragon. “I don't think there's cause to worry,” he said. “A visitor has arrived on the shores of Artimé.”

W
hat sort of visitor?” demanded Pan.

Charlie signed again.

When he finished, Alex looked up. “The unconscious sort,” he said. “This isn't the first time it's happened. Charlie says the folks at home are certain she's an escapee from Warbler. She's wearing rags and a thorn necklace, just like Sky and Crow were when they arrived on a raft.”

“I see,” said Pan, settling down. “Is she expected to survive?”

“I hope so,” said Alex. “Claire and Carina are working on her.”

Pan blinked slowly. “I wish her the best. Perhaps she can shed some light on the recent activities on Warbler.”

“We'll pass that on,” said Alex. He turned to Charlie. “Did you get that?”

Charlie nodded.

Alex glanced at Aaron. “Ready?”

“Ready,” said Aaron. His stomach fluttered with excitement. He lifted a hand in farewell to Pan.

“Thank you,” Pan said to them. “You'll never know the depth of my gratitude.”

“We're glad we could help,” said Aaron.

Alex smiled at the dragon. “I'll stop back to see you on my way home in case there's news,” he said. And with that, the brothers were on their way to the Island of Shipwrecks.

» » « «

The rest of the journey was uneventful. Alex was tired and fell asleep early, and Aaron stared out over the water in front of them, fretting about Panther and the jungle. Finally he decided he'd confess right before Alex left the Island of Shipwrecks. That way Aaron wouldn't have to witness Alex's disappointment for long.

With his mind finally settled, Aaron slept. They passed the Island of Graves without incident, and by morning they awoke to the sight of shipwrecks.

Aaron jumped to his feet and combed his hair with his fingers. Alex offered him breakfast, but Aaron was too nervous to eat. He strained to see if there was any movement on the island. Were the scientists still alive and healthy?

His fears were soon assuaged when he saw them emerge from behind the rocks, moving swiftly toward the shore to greet them.

Aaron sighed with relief and bounced on his toes, leaning forward over the bow, as Ishibashi lifted a hand to his eyes to shield the sun.

Alex shoved his hands in his pockets and glared at the water, trying to swallow the lump in his throat, and let the boat steer itself carefully around the wrecks and rocks near the shore. Soon they were within spitting distance, floating close enough to walk across a handful of rocks to the island. Before the boat stopped, Aaron hopped out and rushed across the rocky path toward the scientists. He caught the old men in a giant group embrace, almost knocking them down.

Alex lagged behind on the boat, heaving two sacks of the dirt they'd transported and bringing them onto the shore, then going back for more. He wanted to give Aaron a moment to catch up. He also selfishly wanted Aaron to feel sad about leaving him, but that didn't seem to be happening. Alex was miserable, and Aaron seemed actually . . . joyful.

Soon Ito broke away and rushed across the rocks to Alex's side. He grabbed the last sack of dirt, flung it over his shoulder and carried it to the pile, then pulled Alex by the arm to the others, talking excitedly in his native language. Alex smiled reluctantly and joined them.

“We are glad to see you both alive and well,” Ishibashi said. “We've been worried these past months. He turned to Aaron. “And how is your applecorn?”

Aaron laughed. “It's intact,” he said.

Alex looked puzzled, but no one explained.

“Are you here to visit? Or to stay?” asked Ishibashi.

“My job in Artimé is done, and I'm here to stay,” said Aaron. “If you'll let me.”

Ishibashi's grin grew wide. He turned to Ito and Sato and translated the news. The two older men clasped their hands together, expressing their happiness.

“And Alex-san?”

“Oh,” said Alex, “I've got to go home.”

“Will you stay for tea?” Ishibashi asked.

Alex didn't know how long he wanted to extend the agony. But it wouldn't be polite to say no. “Sure, I'd love that,” he said. “Thank you.”

Ishibashi spoke to Ito and Sato again, and soon the two hurried off toward the shelter.

Alex, Aaron, and Ishibashi remained on the shore, and while Aaron and Ishibashi talked excitedly, Alex looked on, feeling a bit lost. He watched his brother become alive and animated—a rare sight—and he knew Aaron was in the right place here. But it didn't make Alex feel much better.

Alex's sight blurred. “You forgot your bag,” he said, turning abruptly. He crossed the rocks to the white boat, taking a few deep breaths to steady himself. It would be a lonely ride home, just him and Charlie.

Alex climbed into the boat and picked up Aaron's trunk and bag of belongings. They weren't heavy—Aaron hadn't acquired much in his time away from the Island of Shipwrecks. Alex carried them ashore and dropped them at Aaron's feet.

Aaron looked up. “Thank you,” he said, sounding a bit guilty. “You didn't have to do that.”

Alex waved him off, not trusting his voice. He attempted a smile, which came out a bit crooked.

Ishibashi put his hand on Alex's arm. “Thank you for bringing Aaron home to us. Perhaps we can convince you to stay the night?”

Alex shook his head. “No, thank you, Ishibashi-san. I've got to get back to Artimé and check on Henry. He's been out saving the giant crab island's life . . . somehow.”

Ishibashi looked confused for a moment, but then his face cleared. “Ah, I see,” he said knowingly. Then his eyes grew troubled. He looked from one boy to the other, but he remained silent.

Alex couldn't bear to look at Aaron. “Actually,” he said abruptly, “I should probably skip tea and head out. I'm . . . I'm sorry for the trouble.”

Ishibashi smiled sympathetically. “Tea is never trouble. But I understand.”

Alex's face crumbled. He had to get out of there. Finally he looked at his brother. “Good-bye,” he said.

Aaron reached out his arms and embraced Alex for a long moment. “I'll see you again soon.” He patted Alex on the back, a bit harder than he intended, for he hadn't yet perfected the sort of touch one gives when one is going to miss someone. And then he remembered the jungle.

Aaron closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. “Before you go, there's something you should know,” he said. He opened his eyes and looked out over Alex's shoulder at the white boat, where Charlie was waving and jumping up and down on one of the seat cushions. Aaron frowned and released Alex. “Oh my,” he said. “Look. Charlie's waving, and I don't think he's just saying good-bye.”

Alex turned quickly and squinted at the gargoyle, whose waving now turned to hand signals.

Aaron looked from Alex's face to Charlie's, and back again.

Alex strained to make out what Charlie was saying. After a minute, his hand rose to his chest. He clutched his robe and swore under his breath. Charlie finished signing and stood there in the boat, shoulders slumped.

“What is it?” asked Aaron anxiously. “What's happened?”

Alex turned to Aaron and Ishibashi. “I've got awful news,” he said with agonizing slowness. “It appears Artimé is about to be obliterated.”