Dragons of Draegonia (11 page)

Green smiled a sickly grin and holding up outstretched arms replied, “I can only give you the facts and no doubt if Brown is doing everything you have asked…” Green’s grin slowly faded and a more menacing look ran across his face. “Brown should have completed the interrogations with a report on your desk by now. As I have said, either Brown is just incompetent or a traitor, but either way should such a dragon be in charge of our defences at a time when you, Dragon Black, need total and unquestioning commitment…” Green paused and then added “…and loyalty?”

Green had played his final card. He knew that Dragon Black had a vicious temper, acted on little information and was highly defensive of his position and authority. No one would be allowed to threaten him or his position as King of Draegonia. Dragon Black pondered, reread Green’s report, raised his head and looked down again at Dragon Green. “You have done well Green, but there is one more job I need you to do.”

At Draegonia Police Station, Dragon Blue had heard the roar that came from the Hall of Dragons earlier. It sent a shiver down his blue spine. He thought of what some poor dragon soul was going to go through as that particular sound came from Dragon Black and always spelt trouble.

Blue had just finished feeding and offering some refreshments to the four prisoners, who he admitted to himself, seemed no real threat and with the exception of the smallest, who said he was going to beat them all up, did seem to be very frightened. Dragon Blue had switched the entrance to the cells lights off and was just about to crouch at his desk and finalise his report for Dragon Black when he heard a knocking at the door.

Blue turned from his desk and went over to the same door where much earlier Brown had departed. On opening Blue was amazed to see Dragon Green standing there. “Good evening Dragon Blue, I have a message from Dragon Black. It’s most urgent.” Dragon Blue looked at his watch. It was late and, recognising Green’s urgency, he beckoned Green to enter, but Green politely refused. “I’m sorry, but you are required to attend immediately with your report to Dragon Black and importantly the findings of the interrogation that both you and Dragon Brown have no doubt completed.”

The shiver that had earlier gone down Dragon Blue’s spine reoccurred, but this time making his knees also tremble. He knew Dragon Black had ordered immediate interrogations, he was not entirely happy that Dragon Brown had persuaded him to leave it until tomorrow and now he was having to go to face the music and, worse still, face Dragon Black.

Dragon Brown had reached his cave, concerned that something was not quite right but knowing not what. Similar to all other caves of Draegonia, it was coloured as per the skin of the dragon living there. Brown’s bedroom was just large enough for him; his bed was covered with a Karkheh covering on a mattress of fine twigs.

On the lumpy walls were ancient picture carvings and drawings in old frames depicting a dark reddish brown dragon being attacked by a Knight in shining armour, sitting astride a white horse, holding a silver lance. Under each of the pictures was the same title.

‘George and the Dragon’

Dragon Brown, fatigued from a very exhausting day, had eaten a hurried snack of fish and dragon balls, made himself a cold drink (he had nothing to heat his drink up with) and was fast asleep in dragon dreamland, conjuring up thoughts and images of long ago. His dreams brought back the good times when dragons could fly and the Island of Draegonia was a safe haven for all dragons to live.

Meanwhile, Dragons Blue and Green had hurried to where Dragon Black was now pacing impatiently up and down the Great Hall, every stride resonating throughout. Dragons Blue and Green entered. Dragon Green taking a safe option stood behind Dragon Blue, peering over his shoulder.

Dragon Black hearing them enter his chamber, spun round and hurtled himself towards them. “I expect you have some news for me Dragon Blue, no doubt by now you have interrogated the prisoners and have a full report for me. Let me see it!”

Green smirked as Dragon Blue, somewhat flustered, told Black that he had not had sufficient time and that Dragon Brown needed to investigate further to obtain all information and facts prior to the interviews.

“WHAT?” bellowed Black, “I made it perfectly clear that the ‘Generals’ were to be captured and immediately interrogated! Who countermanded MY orders?”

Before Dragon Blue opened his mouth Green interjected: “Dragon Brown did not want to interrogate the prisoners.”

Blue catching his breath defended Brown’s decision by repeating himself. “Dragon Black, we have every intention of interrogating the prisoners and Brown and I believe we just need to investigate some anomalies first. By tomorrow afternoon we shall…”

Blue never had chance to finish. Black interrupted. “Green you are now in charge and you Dragon Blue, you are to go with Green, arrest Brown and place him in the cells.” Blue stuttered “Oh…Oh…on what charges?”

Black glared at him “The same charges you will be on if you do not carry out my orders Dragon Blue.” Black continued, his face displaying a look of thunder. “Brown is to be charged with Incompetence, dereliction of duty and of being a suspected TRAITOR!”

Blue was just about to lodge another protest but saw Dragon Black with his piercing eyes staring at him ready to perhaps have him arrested too. In response Blue agreed he would arrest Brown immediately but really did not require Green to be in attendance. Dragon Black looked even more terrifying and with an attempt to breathe a rain of fire failing, resulting in a small circular puff of smoke emanating from his open mouth, Green was unable to suppress a snigger.

“Green,” barked a very angry and annoyed Dragon Black, “Irrespective of what Blue wants, you are
both
to arrest Brown. Green you are in charge of Draegonia’s forces and I am issuing a second state of emergency,
AND Blue
from this moment on
YOU WILL
report to Dragon Green, now go and do your duty!”

Dragons Blue and Green turned and in doing so Green saluted. He had achieved his goal. He had engineered what some would have considered impossible. He had won the trust of Dragon Black, was on his way to arrest Dragon Brown and at last, had Dragon Blue reporting to him. Everyone would now be ‘Green with Envy’ but not him.

Dragon Brown was rudely awakened by a loud banging on the outside door. He stretched and switched on the ‘Dragon light’ in his bedroom by turning a black disk that revealed an already lit candle. “Who is it” he bellowed.

Moving across the bedroom floor and through into his lounge he opened his front door where Dragon Blue and Dragon Green were standing. “What on earth do you want, what time do you call this?” Brown demanded, “What has happened, have the prisoners escaped, are there more of them coming?” Brown rubbed his tired eyes and stared at the two of them, waiting for an answer.

“I’m sorry Brown” Blue started to say but was interrupted by an officious Dragon Green. “You’re under arrest on the orders of Dragon Black,” Green spurted out. “Come quietly or we will use force, won’t we Dragon Blue?”

Blue ignored Green’s feeble attempt to make an arrest and continued in an authoritative but friendly tone. “I am afraid, Dragon Brown, that we have been sent under a state of emergency order issued by Dragon Black to take you into custody.”

Dragon Brown thrashed his tail up and down in anger and looking straight at Dragon Green said, “And on what charges am I supposed to be arrested?”

Dragon Blue, somewhat embarrassed, coughed, cleared his throat and continued. “On the basis of negligence and dereliction of duty and suspicion of being…” Blue paused, swallowed with a large gulp and said the words that visibly stunned Dragon Brown,
“suspicion of being a traitor.”

“Put the cuffs on him Dragon Blue,” shouted Dragon Green. Green smirked and preened himself, he was loving every minute.

“Is that necessary Green?” Blue demanded. “I don’t think Dragon Brown deserves to be treated as a common criminal dragon, after all nothing has been proved and he has nowhere to run.”

Green snatched the cuffs dangling from Blues belt and snapped one bracelet to each of Brown’s front paws with the chain between, being linked to a similar pair of bracelet cuffs he also affixed to Dragon Brown’s hind legs. “He certainly won’t run with those on, now let’s get him locked up! Or do you want me to report you to Dragon Black as being uncooperative, Dragon Blue?”

Blue looked at Brown who immediately understood that Green was obviously empowered by Dragon Black and that Dragon Blue was powerless but to do exactly as Dragon Green said.

“OK Green,” Dragon Brown spoke in an unhurried commanding officer tone of voice, “Let’s go NOW, I need my sleep. I expect we’re going to have a very busy day tomorrow Green and I trust you will come to your senses.” Green just smirked and pushing Dragon Brown forward made him move slowly, taking very short steps because of his chains, marching him back towards the police station, where he too was to be locked up.

All other Dragons of Draegonia were asleep, not knowing what had taken place. That is all dragons bar one. Dragon Pink had spent the whole day as usual walking around the island. She usually came back late, but on this occasion it was very much later as she had visited the spot where the four children had landed on the shore. She had wanted to see for herself where the dingy had been placed and if it was secure. Pink had made her mind up that she was going to assist the four to get back to their home. It was nearly three o’clock in the morning and the police station lights were still on. Why? She thought?

There was a knock on the police station door that made Dragon Blue jump. Now what, who can this be at this time of night? Dragon Green was still interrogating the prisoners wanting to be left alone to do it. Dragon Brown was on his own in one of the more comfortable cells, despite what Dragon Green wished. Dragon Blue was not going to let his friend suffer at the claws of Green.

Here however was yet another visitor to the police station. Blue opened the door and revealed the smiling face of Dragon Pink. “What ‘Dragon Time’ do you call this? It’s late Pink, and you should be at home fast asleep. Why are you here? Is there a problem?” Dragon Pink peered in through the open door and seeing no one else around asked Dragon Blue why he was still on duty. Normally the lights would be off and Dragon Blue in bed fast asleep, so something was up.

“Look, Pink” Blue said rather frustratingly, “we have caught some of the invaders who are responsible for the failure of our flames. They are,” Blue continued, “in the cells, being interrogated by Dragon Green who is now Commander in Chief of ‘Special Forces’, the Army and the Police Force of Draegonia.” Blue coughed, “And I am sorry to say we also have Dragon Brown in a cell on the command of Dragon Black, so it has been a very difficult and tiresome day. It’s nearly morning and I need you to go.”

Pink, opened her mouth in a gasp and in doing so a small jet of yellow and white flame was expelled. “Ah, I see your flame has returned then,” Blue exclaimed. “
Returned?”
Pink queried, taken aback by this comment. “I never lost it in the first place Dragon Blue.”

Blue dismissed the comment in the same way as he dismissed her. “Look I have no time to stand here chatting with you. I’ve told you, it’s late and you should be home. Just leave and let me get on, good night and good morning!” And with a closing farewell gesture shut the door, returned to his desk and crouched down. It had been a very traumatic day, and he still had to wait for Green.

Dragon Green was in the main cell block. The walls were rough and very wet and because there was little light getting through during the day, the air was musty and damp. This was not a place to spend any time and Green wanted to get away as quickly as possible. He knew however, that he had to go through the paces of being seen or heard to be conducting the necessary interviews with the prisoners.

Zach, the youngest, was the first he was to interrogate. Green carried a flickering light that cast weird and sometimes frightening shadows on both walls and across the very high ceiling. The shadows danced menacingly from wall to wall with shapes of ogres, goblins, dragons and fearsome giants. On entering Zach’s cell Green first asked for Zach’s name. Zach, very angry at being dragged and locked up that afternoon, refused to speak.

Green gave one of his sickly smiles and said, “Look, I really am here to help you. I didn’t want to have you captured and treated like criminals but I was under orders, mainly because you and your friends are responsible for us dragons losing our flames.”

Green had planned to be nice in order to find out about the antidote urgently required by Dragon Black. Zach turned his back on Green. “I’m not talking to you. You know my name we all told you them earlier and I don’t trust you one bit!” Zach was not showing that underneath his bravado he really was shaking with fright. “Anyway, you’re going to get everything you deserve Mr Dragon!” Zach said angrily “When George and Grace finish with you, you’ll be trussed and stuffed ready for a Christmas dinner!”

Green, realising he was not going to get anywhere with this creature, exited the cell, leaving it once more in pitch blackness. He moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridor to the second cell holding Joel.

Green had exhausted himself and in the darkness, broken only by the flickering flames of Green’s portable light. He entered the cell containing Joel but failed to see Joel lunge at him.

Joel kicked, punched and yelled, “Let me out of here! I’m not going to talk to you unless I can have something to eat and drink!” Joel, even though being locked up in the dark, thousands of miles from home and facing his capturer, which was a green dragon, was still thinking of his stomach.

Dragon Green demanded Joel’s name and this time, with more direct and aggressive questioning, ordered him to tell how the dragons’ flames might be restored. Without any pause or giving time for his prisoner to really answer, Dragon Green rained down a barrage of questions. Green had absolutely no interview technique whatsoever and failed dismally to get any response from Joel, who just scowled at his capturer.