War of Dragons (58 page)

Not bad,
Wami admitted.
Although I'm assuming that’s memorised from a book.

I grew up without any other children,
John replied.
I ended up reading a lot.

Fair enough. They also have an excellent sense of smell. Did your book tell you that?

No,
John replied,
although I can't see how that matters.

Ah, well let me tell you how it matters to us. You've heard of the Putrid Fruit?

Of course, who hasn't? I smelt some once at the zoo when I was little. It was horrible.

Well, imagine smelling that with the most sensitive and powerful sense of smell a creature could have. Unless you're one of those disgusting striped tree rats which live off that fruit or have no sense of smell, that's something you'd avoid, right? Well, in the Circle of Death there is a small wood full of Putrid Fruit trees, and as we're in the season, they'll be in fruit at the moment. A True Dragon wouldn't come anywhere near that wood. Once we get there, we'll be completely safe from them. You would even be able to light a fire without worrying about them.

What about the smell?
John asked.
Won't it be pretty bad?

Wami paused.
Well, I'm only going on what my grandfather told me, but he described it as a smell so bad that you'd be tempted to remove your own nose with an axe, and he claims that half of his group lost consciousness the first night they stayed there, but hey, it's better than being supper for a True Dragon, isn't it?

Marginally,
John replied doubtfully.
What else do you know about the Circle?

What do you want to know?
Wami asked.
Ask me anything.

I don't know; I haven't been there. Tell me what you think I'd need to know.

Well, I haven't been there either,
Wami admitted.
But I do know how to get there and how to get out again safely. What more do you want?

John sighed.
Well, just tell me how to get there and get out again then. We haven't got that long until we reach the border.

I'll do better than that,
Wami replied cheerfully.
I'll lead you there myself. I've always wanted to visit the place.

Wami!
John replied in frustration.
We have to fly across Blue territory to get there. This isn't a fun day out. It won't be safe for you to come with me.

Won't be safe for you either. Besides, it's not safe here anyway. Look, I owe you for all your help yesterday and this will be my way of repaying you. You won't get in and out safely without me. I couldn't tell you all that you need to know, not in such a short time, so you'd need me with you. Besides, you know how fast I fly and the Blues will all be north of the Circle waiting to attack the Reds. I'll get through without any problems.

John sighed inwardly.
I guess I have no choice. Lead on. 

Wami guided them towards the border with the Blues, which as the Golden Dragon they had met told them, was undefended and they didn't encounter any battles on the journey there. They crossed apprehensively, but found the skies clear and the ground below them deserted. There was an eerie silence, and John found himself almost wishing they could see a Blue Dragon. 

Wami flew quickly across the enemy territory, his conversation and furtive glances belying his unease. John, being naturally taciturn, allowed his companion to do all of the talking and concentrated on scanning the horizon for signs of enemy movements. 

But no Blue Dragons were sighted—not for the whole day. Wami explained that the area surrounding the Circle was sparsely populated at the best of times, so this should have been expected. Uninterrupted, and with the benefit of a helpful tail wind, they made good time and long before sunset Wami pointed out the peaks ahead that marked the edge of the Circle of Death. This was a range of both extinct and active volcanoes that was home to the True Dragon, a beast that John feared yet was curious to see. Despite the Golden Dragon's extensive knowledge, this was one of only a few places that they knew virtually nothing about, represented on maps by a blank circle, which had become known as the Circle of Death, a name that was used by all races that knew of its existence.  

The question that plagued him most was whether this was an intelligent creature or not. Every book that John had read made the assumption that they were little more than dumb animals, unable to communicate telepathically, but John found it hard to believe that something that looked so similar to him could be so utterly different.

The Circle is up ahead,
Wami told him as they flew.
It's like an invisible barrier, keeping the True Dragon within. Even if we're seen here from inside the Circle, we'd still be safe until we entered.

Is it trapped in there?
John asked.
Is it possible for them to leave?

It's possible,
Wami admitted.
In the war between the Blues and Greens, it appeared at a battle outside the Circle and killed hundreds from both sides. My father told me about it. He and some of his comrades had flown deep into Green Dragon territory and were waiting for the battle to end so they could finish off any survivors. We weren't openly in the war, but took advantage of the opportunity to weaken the Blues. Of course, the Greens were no friends of ours either.

What happened
? John asked.

Our job was done for us,
Wami replied.
My father and those he was with kept a safe distance and watched the True Dragon destroy them all. This was some way outside of the Circle. He said it was terrifying to watch. They didn't stand a chance.

Wami spoke in a tone of awe, as if describing something marvellous.
How far into the Circle do we have to travel?
John asked.

Further than I would like,
Wami replied.
But distance travelled today is less to travel tomorrow as you need to cross the Circle anyway. These peaks look exactly as Grandfather described them, so finding this wood shouldn't be too hard. Just as long as we don't meet anyone on the way.

They both ascended, knowing that high above the ground it would be impossible for such a large dragon to surprise them and they'd have a much better chance of outflying it if it gave chase. Their journey was an anxious one and John breathed a sigh of relief when Wami finally pointed out the wood ahead.

It's probably safe around the wood, as the stench is likely to travel for some distance from the fruit trees. But it's probably worth waiting till we're almost over it and then diving to land in the wood.

Agreed,
John replied.
I can't see anywhere where a huge dragon could be hiding, so we're probably safe but let's not take any chances.

Moments later they were hurtling towards the ground, falling like rocks towards the protection of the wood. Long before they reached the ground the rising smell hit their nostrils.

Ugh,
Wami said in disgust.
I can see how it drives away the monsters. I'm not sure I can handle it.

It's getting worse,
John replied, gasping.
It might be worth pulling out of this dive early in case we pass out. This smell is incredible.

Wami broke out of the dive just after John did and they glided slowly down to the ground, trying to relax and adjust to the overpowering stench. After landing, they both collapsed to their knees.

This is unbearable,
Wami declared.
I think I'd rather face the True Dragon.

That would be death,
John pointed out.
We'll get used to this.

Death might be preferable. If I could make myself pass out I would.

Transform,
John instructed him.
Our smell is more sensitive like this. It might be easier on two legs.

Both of them transformed back to their human forms and the smell hit them afresh.

"Wow, that's still terrible," Wami said, covering his nose with his fingers. "Terrible in a different way though."

"I think it's better," John said tentatively. "At least we can block our nostrils with our hands."

"Not ideal though," Wami said. He bent down and picked up some clay and moulded it into two little stoppers before bunging one in each nostril. "Phew, that seems a little better." He handed John two lumps of clay so he could follow his example.

"Thanks," John replied, putting the clay bungs in. He sighed and leaned against a tree.

"How are you feeling, John?" Wami asked. "Is your chest hurting you again?"

John paused for a moment. "No, it's fine at the moment. It's not hurting at all. Being a dragon all day probably helps."

"Or you're distracted by this awful smell. I can't believe I volunteered to come on this trip."

"Shall we go further into the wood?" John asked. "We're quite visible here."

Wami nodded. "Visible, agreed, although probably safe enough. Still, moving in couldn't hurt, as I doubt the smell can get any worse. Look, there's a fruit tree just over there. There's a lot of ripe fruit hanging from it. No wonder the smell is so bad here. Come on, let’s see if we can find a spot where there's less fruit."

He led John into the heart of the wood, but there seemed to be nowhere without Putrid Fruit Trees heavy with their disgusting fruit. Eventually Wami threw his hands in the air and admitted defeat. "We will stop here," he declared. "We will have a little fire as well. The burning smell will reduce the smell of the fruit. You Golden Dragons pride yourselves on your speedy transformations, so you can light the fire. I'll gather some wood."

Within a few minutes they were sat around a little fire, enjoying the warmth and minor relief from the smell.

"Say, John, have you much food with you? I didn't bring a lot. Just more cold rabbit, I'm afraid. Not enough for supper and breakfast."

"You could always eat fruit," John commented drily.

Wami laughed raucously. "Very good, Gold. There was I worrying you were a humourless one. You've been very glum all day."

John shrugged. "It's hard not to think about what's going to happen tomorrow. Especially after meeting that messenger."

"I suppose so," Wami agreed. "Still, look on the bright side. If things are going well, you'll be seeing your girl tomorrow."

John's eyes brightened for a second before his face fell again. "If I’m honest, I'd prefer it if she was further away from the battle. The West of the country would be safest."

"And that's where she's from, isn't it? Then you won't have anything to worry about. Tell me about this girl that you're risking your life for. She must be something. Pretty, is she?"

John smiled. "You have no idea. But she's so much more than that. She's truly special."

Wami nodded and smiled. "Well, hopefully, with a bit of luck, tomorrow you'll see her."

John nodded and then frowned, his glum expression returning.

"I know what you're thinking, and don't," Wami said. "If you hadn't stopped to help me you wouldn't have got any further, as you wouldn't have known about this place. You couldn't have got any further today than this."

John shook his head. "That wasn't what I was thinking. I was wondering how we're going to get past that army, warn the Red Dragons and find a way to stop the Blues before they sweep away everyone in their path. If that Golden Dragon is right then they could probably defeat the Reds even if they make it back to Furnace. The Reds would just take more of the Blues with them."

"That would be enough for me," Wami replied. "Look, there's nothing you can do tonight. Sleep on it and I'm sure you'll think of something in the morning." He yawned and lay back. "If I am going to die tomorrow, I'll do so fully rested, even if not well fed. Goodnight."

John nodded and lay down to drift into a troubled sleep.

Chapter 32 - Final Victory

John woke up early, having slept poorly. His nostrils were sore from the clay bungs and he removed them warily to see if he had grown accustomed to the smell of the putrid fruit. Although still quite unpleasant, it was bearable. He glanced over to where Wami was and decided to let him sleep a little longer as it was still dark. From the flickering light of their fire he could see several striped tree rats scampering across the forest floor. They were the only creatures that they had seen since they had arrived in the Circle of Death; a squirrel-like rodent that lived solely on the foul fruit that grew here. He watched as they hurried around, oblivious to his presence as they busily collected their disgusting staple diet. John turned away, wondering how any animal could stand to consume anything that smelt that bad, before the idea hit him.

"Wami!" he exclaimed loudly, causing the striped tree rats to squeak loudly in alarm. "I've got it! I know what we need to do."

"Hmmm," Wami replied sleepily, "two eggs please." He rolled onto his other side.

"Wake up!" John said loudly, jumping to his feet. "We have work to do!"

Wami turned back to him, his eyes now wide open. "What's got into you?" he asked crossly. "We can't fly yet. Can't I sleep a little longer?"

John shook his head. "No, we don't have time for sleep. I want to leave as soon as it is light and we have much to do."

"Do we? What do we need to do?"

"We need to gather fruit," John replied as he pulled on his shoes. "As much as we can carry."

"What?" Wami asked in disbelief. "John, we can't carry the fruit as dragons. The smell is much worse as a dragon, don't you remember?"

"Uh huh," John replied. "Then when we have enough fruit, I want you to tell me how we find this True Dragon."

"What! Have you lost your mind? The plan is to try and avoid them. That's why I'm here, remember?"

"The plan has changed. Just help me gather the fruit. I'll explain it all once we're done…."