Becoming a Dragon (40 page)

"How is that different to the Capital?" Daisy asked. "Last year was the first attack on Furnace in over two hundred years. Even the South isn't attacked often, and has had just a handful of raids in the last twenty years. It's only the north and the east that has any real reason to complain, and we've provided a lot of financial support for rebuilding after the attacks. Much more than the Capital."

"Another student of John's, I see," Seth replied, not just a little impressed. "I submit. I can't claim to know much of our history, so there's no point arguing with you."

"Well, I can't claim to know much more," Crystal added. "John is doing his best to change that, but it seems he's having more success with Daisy."

"Perhaps I knew some of this anyway," Daisy replied indignantly. "I might have had an excellent knowledge of our history before I met John."

"She did, actually," Arthur confirmed. "Having your own tutor helps a lot. But coming back to Lord Thorne. It could make sense, his being behind a plot. I know your father doesn't think very highly of him, and our family is equally dismissive of him, but he is actually pretty intelligent. He is very influential and would be the only really convincing rival to the Royal Family. No other family has the resources or backing that could allow them to think that a plot would be worthwhile. If this is an internal plot, which to me seems more likely, it would have to be Thorne."

"Are you sure this isn't just because you don't like him?" Daisy asked. "Don't misunderstand me, I hate Daniel and have never trusted his family, but couldn't John be right? The Blue Dragons are the real enemy, aren't they?"

Arthur shook his head. "Blue Dragons are just a nuisance; they have given up attacking us properly years ago. We're too strong for them to ever invade, and they know it. No, I think this is an internal plot, and personally, I mean to keep an eye on Daniel. I'd advise you all to do the same."

After the relative excitement of the first week of term the students settled down into a tedious routine. Jenna, who became bored easily, pestered Crystal to speak to her mother about a weekend away at their holiday residence just so that they had something to look forward to. Crystal pointed out that this was only the second week, and this was the party season with the majority of the class having their birthdays in the next two months, but Jenna was not to be placated so a date was agreed and Seth and the twins all managed to persuade their parents to allow them to go. John of course needed no such permission, something that irked Jenna, knowing there was no way to stop him coming.

But the trip was several weeks away, and although they now had both combat training and flying to break up the monotony of the more academic subjects, the weeks still dragged.

"I can't say these lessons are as fun as I hoped they'd be," Jenna told Crystal after their second lesson. "I'm surprised, I'll admit, but it was more fun with the headmaster teaching. This new teacher has sucked all the fun out of the class."

Crystal couldn't help but agree. The whole class had been spent on drills; endless practicing of set moves and strengthening exercises. The Professor explained that by doing this their responses would become automatic; they wouldn't have to think what to do, and it all sounded sensible, but was also very dull.

No such criticism of their flying class could be made. John had managed to maintain the high standard of teaching that he had from the outset, and had slowly won over all but the more fervent of his critics. He managed to follow the syllabus and still teach them plenty that wasn't on there, yet never leaving behind even the slowest learners in the class. Even Jenna admitted that Gerald told Arthur that John had taught them far more than he had learnt by this point in his first year and that he was teaching them things even first year army recruits didn't know.

The third week promised a small but welcome distraction in the form of another school day trip, this time to the Army's practice towers. Furnace, like all of the big cities, was dotted with tall defensive towers, armed with powerful, self-loading cross bows; they were powerful enough to take down a Blue Dragon if one was accurate enough to hit one.

"This is something common to most races," John told Crystal in their lesson just before the trip. "Although we mainly rely on claws, teeth and fire, almost every surviving race has some form of these towers. There are always those who can't transform, such as children and pregnant women, and even ignoring that argument, it's useful to have something to fall back on if your enemy takes control of the skies. The Greens used to have the most sophisticated and powerful of these weapons, although that didn't prevent their utter defeat at the hands of the Blues."

"If they have been defeated," she pointed out. "My father told me that you'd presented that theory but they haven't investigated it yet. And how can you know all this about Green Dragon weapons? Oh, I know, don't tell me. A final lesson question, right?"

John nodded. "You are learning. I presented the Greens' destruction as a theory as I couldn't explain how I knew it to be true, but trust me, the Green Dragons are long gone. It's just a matter of time before the Council confirms that."

And you're not going to tell me how you know that, are you?
Crystal thought to herself. She didn't see how he could know this, but knew better than to question whether it was correct. A number of things that he taught her could be verified, and everything she double checked turned out to be correct. There was plenty that couldn't be verified though, and John was frustratingly evasive on how he knew any of it. Daisy was even more frustrating, unquestioningly accepting every word John said regardless of how unlikely it was that he could know whether it was true. Crystal had once asked her how she was sure whether something John had told her was true, and her answer was, "Because John told me." It was the one time she had sympathised with Jenna's dismal view of the girl.

"Made it on time today," Professor Silver said as Crystal entered the classroom for the early registration. She saw John was already settled at his desk, seemingly ignoring the Professor. She chose to follow his example and pretended not to hear what he said. Although she was on time, she was one of the last to arrive, and they left shortly afterwards.

"We will be flying there today," Professor Silver told them, "as it is too far to walk. I guess we will see how much you really have learnt in your flying lessons."

Crystal saw that Daisy visibly fumed at this obvious slight at John's expense, but as ever, John's expression was an impenetrable mask. The class split up to transform, before regrouping as dragons in the school gardens where the Professor was waiting for them.

Circle if you need to gain height to clear the school buildings
, Professor Silver told them.
I don't want any of you crashing into a window. We will all leave together; I don't want any of you getting lost on the way. Once you're in the air and have cleared the buildings, just circle until I tell you that we're ready to leave. Now, first, I want—

Excuse me, Professor. Haven't you forgotten something?

Professor Silver turned to face John, who, being the first to transform, had been waiting patiently for the class to ensemble.

What? No, Wood. I don't think I've forgotten anything, and don't interrupt me.

The Headmaster told you that, as the Flying instructor, the students would be my responsibility from the moment they transformed till we landed. Had you forgotten? I was standing beside you when he told you.

Professor Silver said nothing for a moment, staring at John.
No, I hadn't forgotten. I just thought—

Then I will take it from here, Professor.  You may watch, but do not interfere—

Now just hang on, young man. Who do you think you're talking to?

Please let me finish
, John replied.
You may watch, but do not interfere. 'John is to take responsibility for the class'
were the Headmaster's words, were they not?

Professor Silver remained silent for a long moment, staring at John coldly. As a dragon, it was a little harder for him to intimidate any of the students, as they were now all the same size as him, and he never seemed to have much effect on John anyway.
Fine. The class is yours.

John turned away from him to face the class with his tail curled around his legs like some giant pet cat.
Class, form three lines. Give yourselves plenty of space. You won't hit anything, I assure you, but there's no need to make it difficult for yourselves. That's it, spread yourselves out. Now, I'll be above you, watching you all the time. Take off when you're ready.

Crystal watched John take off and ascend quickly—much more quickly than she or any of her classmates could—and then he circled above them to watch them.
Feel free to join me up here, Professor,
he called to Professor Silver. Professor Silver didn't even acknowledge him, still seething quietly.

The three dragons at the front glanced at each other hesitantly. They had all taken off many times before, but usually at the top of a hill, or if on the flat, without any obstacles ahead. This was a little more challenging, having all of the school buildings surrounding them. The first to take off was Mia, flapping quickly at first, then circling counter-clockwise to slowly ascend. Behind her, Jerome took her place and took off before any of the others in the first row could take off, quickly catching up with and passing Mia.

Excellent, Mia,
John called.
Thank you for being the first. Good, Jerome; very confident flying.

The other two in the front row, Amber and Lauren, began to take off, flying together. Behind them, the next three dragons moved forwards and followed them, and then the next three.

Excellent. Keep going,
John urged them.
Circle slowly above the school. Stay in your threes; when we leave, we'll travel in Vs of nine, so you may as well get into that formation now.
The class slowly organised themselves into V shaped lines of nine, circling over the school until the last student in the class took to the air and cleared the school building. Professor Silver was the last to take off, and kept some distance from the students.

Follow me,
John instructed the class,
and stay in formation. It's not a long flight, but we may as well use this opportunity to practice flying as you would do on a longer journey.
As they left the school, ten of the school guards took off from the towers to fly above them. Their presence was unnecessary, only being there to ensure the children felt safe, but being led by John they all felt safe anyway.

It took about thirty minutes to reach the towers, but the class kept in formation for the whole journey, flying slowly but confidently, much to Professor Silver's disgust, who was most likely hoping to have something to criticise.

We will have more room to land,
John told them all as they approached their destination, which appeared to be a large field ringed by trees,
but give yourself plenty of space. Slow down, and leave about twice as much space between you and the dragon in front as you have now. That's better. When you land, move forwards quickly to give room to those behind. You don't want anyone crashing into the back of you. Follow me down, and start landing just where I land.

John glided slowly towards the ground, gently coming to a halt and then trotting forwards. Professor Silver stayed behind the students, under the guise of ensuring that no one wandered off, but really looking for mistakes to criticise.

Run forwards. Towards me,
John commanded the first nine as they touched down.
Quickly now; give room to those behind you.

The class came in to land without any problems, and Professor Silver said nothing to John at first after landing, still angry with him for humiliating him. After a slightly uncomfortable silence, he snapped at John.

Well, aren't you going to tell them to transform? We haven't all day.

John nodded.
Excellent flying, class. We do not have any changing rooms, I'm afraid, but we can use the trees to provide some privacy. Ladies, please head to the left. Gentlemen, please, use the trees to the right. Meet back here when you're done.

John didn't bother using the trees, transforming and dressing in one smooth movement, landing on two feet fully composed. His glance at the Professor was almost defiant, a challenge as to whether he could do the same. Professor Silver merely ignored him and headed to a separate group of trees to transform rather than suffer the indignity of transforming with the boys.

"Silver is furious," Jenna told Crystal after they transformed. "I think he would have rather seen us mess up."

"Fat chance," Crystal replied. "We weren't asked to do anything difficult. Well, not compared to what John usually asks of us. I couldn't believe how direct John was to the Professor though."

"Silver hates him anyway," Jenna pointed out. "John had nothing to lose. Still, he managed to actually impress me a little; he wasn't quite as boring as usual."

"Huh? A compliment to John? Are you feeling well?"

"Please, you were the one who hated him, not me. I just found him boring, and I still do, just not for those few minutes."

"Who are you talking about?" Daisy asked, coming to join them.

"Professor Silver," Jenna replied without hesitation. "Dull man; I'd loved to have seen his real face when John put him in his place. It's a shame we have no real expressions when we're dragons."

"I know!" Daisy replied enthusiastically. "I was so proud of John for standing up to him. He's always picked on John, right from day one. He'll have to be more careful now!"

"Gather around!" Professor Silver called. "We're running late, and we don't want to keep them waiting."

He glanced meaningfully at John when he spoke, but John merely stared blankly at him as if he didn't understand what he meant.

Professor Silver marched towards the north edge of the field and led them along a path that cut through the trees to a second, larger field with three large towers along the southern edge. Crystal was surprised that they hadn't noticed them when they landed.

"Hello, Silver. You're early!" A loud, red-faced man with a bushy moustache was approaching them, smiling broadly. "I thought you'd be late, bringing a bunch of rich brats! Did you all make it or did you lose any of them on the way?" He laughed loudly and clapped Professor Silver on the back.

"We were fine, Captain," Professor Silver replied stiffly.

"Really? Bit of a dull lot then. Not like in our day; remember? These school trips were always an opportunity for a day off!"

"Thank you, Captain, but the students don't need to hear about that. We don't lose students on school trips, not when I'm there, and they wouldn't dare try and sneak off. Yes, the school has changed a lot since we were there." He frowned at John. "Sadly, not all for the better."

"Professor Silver didn't lead us here, sir," Daisy told the Captain. "John did."

The Captain leered at Daisy. "Now look what we have here. She's a very pretty one, isn't she, Silver? What's your name, miss?"