War of Dragons (66 page)

"Exactly," John continued. "You retreated, just as the Blues did. The Browns could have just as easily claimed the land, or the Blues could have tried to retake it. But no one really had much appetite for any battle so close to where the True Dragons were last seen though, so persuading everyone to agree wasn't as difficult as you might imagine. The True Dragons are still flying about, but we think they'll return home soon."

"So who will own these three cities?" Crystal asked. "If it's not to be the Blues, Browns or us?"

"They'll be three independent city-states," John replied. "One will be a home for Blues spawned by those slave camps. Their mothers, who come from all nations, can live there with them if they wish and we think a lot will choose to do so. The Blues don't want the youngsters, as they only wanted them for the first wave of the attacks, their so called suicide squads. As far as they're concerned they dilute the purity of their race and were not meant to survive the war. None of the other nations want them either and will kill most of them if they get the chance, but their mothers do want them and are used to living together with other races. This city will be theirs."

"That's an excellent idea," Daisy commented. "You were worried about what would happen to them, weren't you?"

"They'll probably have a statue of him in the city centre," Jenna commented rather drily. "What else, John? What about the other two cities?"

"The second city will be based on the Sanctuary, the part of our capital that you visited that hosts refugee nations, but a larger version. A home for the homeless, on the former lands of the nation that made most of them homeless in the first place. Sanctuary has been far too crowded for a long time."

"I'm guessing that was your brother's suggestion," Crystal observed. "Maybe they'll have a statue of him too."

"Very funny," John replied. "The third city is the most interesting one. It will be jointly owned, funded by the Blues, Browns and Reds equally and will host representatives from every nation that wishes to attend to hold continuous talks on how to further improve relations between us all, promote peace and facilitate trade. If this works, it could prevent wars like this one ever happening again."

"What a nice idea," Jenna commented. "I mean, it hasn't a chance of working, but it's a nice idea."

"It might work," Daisy protested. "They worked together in this war."

"For just over ten days," Seth replied. "And there was no direct cooperation. It won't work in the long run."

"I don't know," Arthur said thoughtfully. "If you'd asked me a year ago whether we could form an alliance with Brown Dragons I'd have laughed at the question. If you'd have asked the same question about Golden Dragons, I'd have told you that they don't exist. Who knows what is possible?"

"Only time will tell," John added. They had just reached the palace grounds. The ceremony was to be held in the great hall. "It doesn't seem that long ago that I was here, asking for another treaty to be signed."

"It wasn't that long ago," Crystal replied. "We should go in now. I need to find my parents in there."

"Do you want to sit with us?" Daisy asked John. "I'm sure my parents would be happy for you to join us."

John smiled politely. "Perhaps your mother might not be."

Arthur shook his head. "John, Daisy is delusional. Mother most definitely won't be happy to see you. But don't worry, you only have to get Grandfather to like you."

"And the King," Seth added. "Leah told us about your rules for marrying foreigners."

John nodded, noticing Daisy's sad expression. "Yes, Mark told me about that. I wish I'd known about that conversation at the time. Look, I should go and join Mark and the others. I'd like to sit with you, but Noah insisted. Do you mind looking after this for me, Daisy?" He handed her a scroll. "I picked it up from the palace last time I was here."

"What is it?" Daisy asked.

"Something I should have showed you a long time ago. Have a read if you like," he replied. "I'll see you after the ceremony." He hurried away before she could reply and disappeared from sight.

"What is it?" Seth asked as Daisy unrolled the scroll.

"It's some sort of official document," Arthur said, glancing over her shoulder. Daisy let out an excited scream and Arthur gasped.

"What does it say?" Seth asked again.

"I can't believe it," Arthur said in amazement. "How did he get the King to sign this?" Daisy said nothing, covering her mouth with one hand and her eyes wide, staring at the scroll.

"Give it here," Seth said, prising it from Daisy's hand. "I, King Henry III, grant permission for John Wood, the Golden Dragon, to marry Princess Daisy, provided this is agreeable to Prince Carl, ruler of the Western Principality. How on earth did he get the King to sign this?"

Crystal and Jenna shrieked and snatched the scroll from him. "Is this real?" Jenna asked. "Is this really his signature?"

"It's real alright," Seth replied. "Actually, that was pretty clever. John must have asked the King when Prince Henry was still in the North. The Prince would have stopped it, but the King probably didn't care what he was signing, especially after signing that treaty. He probably thought that John wouldn't make it back anyway. Anyway, congratulations, Daisy. That's one less obstacle."

"I can't believe it," Daisy replied weakly. "He must have been carrying this the whole time we were away."

"Not the most romantic way of telling you," Jenna said.

"Who cares?" Daisy replied happily. "I just wish I could show this to that stupid cousin of yours, Crystal. Leah, not Jenna," she added quickly.

"Be careful what you wish for," a voice said from behind them. The five of them spun around to find Leah, standing behind them. Daisy blushed immediately, but Leah smiled at her and approached. "Congratulations, Princess, I heard your conversation. I'm sure the two of you will be very happy together. And I apologise for how I behaved when you visited. Mark was right to send me away."

"What are you doing here?" Crystal asked, having recovered from her surprise. "When did you arrive?"

"Just moments ago," Leah replied. "And although Mark sent me away, he also summoned me back again. John's idea, apparently. He thinks it's time for you to learn how to transform and that I should be the one to teach you. Which means I finally get my wish and visit your capital city. For some reason he's treating me far more kindly than I ever treated him."

Crystal nodded, taking her cousin's hands. "Don't worry, you're not alone in having treated him badly. Fortunately he's not good at holding a grudge."

"Neither am I," Daisy added, smiling sweetly. "Especially on an occasion such as this. Welcome to Furnace!"

"Thank you, Princess," Leah replied. "I just came to say hello, for the moment. I will go and join the other Golden Dragons, well, the ones who aren't attending the ceremony. I'll see you afterwards. I think it's about to start. Have fun!"

The ceremony wasn't as dull as Seth feared, although it was quite long and Crystal struggled to pay attention to everything. The King sat at the front, but let his son, Prince Henry, do all of the talking, presenting medals to a long list of commanders and soldiers who distinguished themselves during the war. Her father had explained to her all of the different medals that you could be presented with, and their relative importance, but she had never paid that much attention, something she now regretted as she didn't really understand everything that was said. Her father was included in the long list of commanders that were recognised. Then they were called up, all six of them, including John, to be presented with medals. Crystal had worried that he wasn't going to be recognised at all. Prince Henry did mention their bravery in carrying the treaty to the Browns, but glossed over John's name too quickly for her liking. There were a few Brown Dragons there and they were presented with medals as well; then finally the Golden Dragons were called up. John went up again, along with each of the captains who had fought and they were each presented with various medals. Noah was asked to make a short speech on behalf of all of the Golden Dragons. Crystal hoped that he would mention John, but knew that he wouldn't. Then they sat down and she couldn't see him any more.

Every medal was rewarded with polite clapping and Crystal's hands ached by the end of the ceremony. She had never thought she would see the day when the palace hosted two foreign nations; the Browns and the Golds and she knew that she should have felt elated. But, although the Prince had done an excellent job and had spoken most graciously, Crystal felt a little let down by the whole event. Her mother picked up on her mood as they walked outside.

"Is something the matter, dear?" She asked. "I would have you thought you would be happy."

Crystal shrugged. "I was just hoping they would have said a little bit more about John. It feels like he has been forgotten."

"I understand that was his request," her mother replied. "He does seem to be quite shy, doesn't he? Here he is now, dear."

"Hi Crystal," John said in greeting. "Why are you so sad? I thought you'd be pleased about your father's new job?"

Crystal looked at her father in confusion. Her mind had wandered a little in the ceremony, so perhaps she had missed something.

"Dear, were you not paying attention?" her mother asked, raising her eyes to the sky. "Some things never change."

"I'm to be our Ambassador to the new city," Lord Robert stated proudly. "I volunteered for the position."

Crystal's mouth opened in surprise. "Why Father, why did you do that?"

"A couple of reasons," he replied. "Firstly, I believe that this could work, but it needs to have the right people involved. There are few people who have my experience and connections within our government and most of the others are less keen on this whole project. I don't want to be boastful, but I think that I could make a real difference. Secondly, it will be much nearer to the Golden Dragons. If you choose to live there, we would just a day's flight away."

"Maybe slightly more," John added. "But much nearer all the same. And I think you'll make an excellent Ambassador, Lord Robert."

"But what about school?" Crystal asked. "I need to finish my education. I will be staying in Furnace, won't I?"

"The city isn't built yet," her mother replied. "And won't be for some time. It will be months before father moves and I won't be moving until you've finished school."

"You'll probably be working with my brother," John told Lord Robert. "He's going to be working on setting up the new cities. Prince Gerald is going to show him some of the Western Principality first, but then they're both going to be working together next year."

"I heard about that," Lord Robert replied. "Having Gerald's support will be invaluable; he's very popular in the Centre and in the West. And your brother's experience working in your Sanctuary will be very useful."

"What about you, John?" Crystal asked. "Where will you be next year?"

John smiled. "I will remain here for another year, myself and plenty of other Golden Dragons. Our government is keen to build on the relationships we've formed during the war and your Prince has agreed to let us stay in Furnace for the time being. The others will be mainly looking at possibilities for trade, but I'll be back at school. The Headmaster has kindly asked me to return to teach flying again, but in a more official capacity and I'll also be helping update some of your history books."

"Sounds exciting," Jenna commented, having just turned up with Arthur, Daisy and Seth. "But I guess you'll take any excuse to keep you here with Daisy. We read your little scroll, by the way."

Daisy took John's arm, beaming proudly. Crystal wondered if John had discussed his health with her.

"How are you feeling, John?" she asked meaningfully. "Fully recovered yet?"

Daisy's face fell immediately and Crystal could tell that they had spoken about it, but John appeared more upbeat.

"Not too bad, thanks, Crystal. I've had some discussions with Noah about that. I felt a lot better while I was in the Circle of Death, almost completely healthy, and I wondered if there was something special about the place. Maybe there's a cure to be found there. He's agreed to go there with Wami and me on his way home."

"A holiday in the Circle of Death, now that sounds fun, John," Seth said with a laugh. "Count me out of that one. Are you going to let us know what you're talking about, or is this another secret between you and Crystal."

"I'll tell you later, Seth," John replied. "I don't think now is the time for serious discussions."

"Never a truer word said," Seth replied. "Now is the time to celebrate. I sneaked out of the ceremony after we received our medals and bumped into your other cousin, Crystal, in one of the more interesting city squares, with some of the other Golden Dragons who weren't invited to the ceremony. She was showing off a very impressive transformation trick, where she partially transforms so that scales only cover part of her body, so she doesn't actually require any clothes. It's like a scaly swimming costume. Arthur, you have to see it. She was very popular. You should get her to teach you how to do it, Crystal."

"I bet she was," Jenna replied, glaring at Seth. "But Arthur does not need to see it."

"I think she may have had some alcohol," Seth commented. "Nothing particularly strong, but I don't think she knew what they were serving. It may have been affecting her behaviour."

"This we can watch," Jenna replied. "Coming, Crystal? John? I'm sure Daisy would like to see this."

"I'm not sure about this," Crystal replied. "I can't drink, remember? Watching you all make fools of yourself is less fun than you might imagine."

"I'll come," John added. "But I don't think I'll stay that long. Parties aren't really my thing."

"Oh," Jenna replied, looking disappointed. "That's a shame. But we should do something to celebrate with all of us. Perhaps we could all go away somewhere. Maybe we could go and stay in the West?"

"No, I have a much better idea," John said, smiling with an uncharacteristically mischievous look. "Let’s go camping! I know some marvellous caves we can explore!"