Dragons of Draegonia (17 page)

Within the Great Hall there was much chatter as the time was fast approaching when Dragon Black would be brought from his cell and placed in the prisoner’s dock. He would be anchored to the floor by chains to each of his hind legs and his wings strapped to prevent him from expanding them. His gigantic tail would also be tied to his back to prevent him from whipping those nearby. Dragon Black’s throne had now been converted to a judge’s bench, where Dragon Gold in all his splendour would take charge of proceedings supported either side by legal advisors.

In front of him were two separate blocks, each supported on either side by two rectangular plinths. Standing behind these, to the right, was Dragon Mauve for the prosecution and on the left Dragon Purple for the defence. Both Mauve and Purple sported the customary legal silk gowns. High on both sides of the hall were two spectator galleries, full to capacity with dragons, who had scores to settle with Black and were delighted at his predicament.

A hush settled over the Hall as Dragon Onyx, the clerk to the court entered. He stood immediately under where Dragon Gold would preside and in an emphatic legal voice proclaimed: “Be all upstanding for the Judge. The court is in session Draegonia vs. Dragon Black.” As Onyx spoke the doors at the rear of the hall opened and in walked Dragon Gold with his legal advisors who took up their places. “All be seated” Onyx ordered. All dragons including those in the gallery sat down, many started to chat noisily. Onyx, without looking to where the chatter was coming from was heard to cry “Silence in the Court” and if one had dropped you could have heard a ‘Dragon Pin’.

The Clerk of the Court then picked up his charge sheet, prepared by the ‘Draegonian Prosecution’, instructed Dragon Black to rise and then read out the crimes and charges made against him. On completion, Onyx looked squarely at Dragon Black and asked “How do you plead, Guilty or Not Guilty?”

Unsurprisingly Dragon Black just growled: “Not guilty of all charges.” He was then told to sit down as Dragon Mauve stood up and presented the case for the prosecution. The trial was now in full swing.

Meanwhile inside the makeshift workshop the four children had been working furiously to change the barrel of the Flare Gun and to modify the last remaining cartridge. It was once more necessary to remove the cartridge’s lumpy ignition powder and grind it down to a fine black dust. Joel then weighed it and removed 60%, mixing the remainder with some hemp and tightly packing it into the base of the shell.

Zach had been busy cutting the explosive charge down to a third of its original size. Grace placed the remaining two thirds with that left over from the previous failed test in one of Dragon Pink’s smaller wooden chests, for safe keeping.

George supervised, clearing away the mess caused by so much activity. Both the gun and cartridge had been modified, they were ready. It was lunchtime and everyone, especially Joel, was very hungry. They had only had a snack at breakfast and now their stomachs were making gurgling noises.

Dragon Pink brought in some coconut milk, fresh orange juice and cold water on a tray that also had two plates of ‘Dragon Sandwiches’ containing an assortment of fillings. “You must eat,” she said placing the tray on the bench table, moving tools and old cartridge casings. “Be careful” Joel exclaimed. “We don’t want to lose anything, you never know if these will be needed again.”

Dragon Pink was only interested in feeding the four, she smiled and asked what time would they be ready and where was the experiment to take place. “At the Dragon Hall about”…George looking at his watch paused. “Oh!” He exclaimed. “The court of course is in session and we cannot use it.”

Grace responded. “George it does not matter where we do the deed so long as we have Dragon Red and perhaps a dragon doctor standing by, I do not want to take any chances.”

Dragon Pink laughed, “You’re worrying too much and anyway apart from Dragon Red, who has agreed to help, all other dragons are cramped up in the Great Hall listening to the case against Dragon Black. In fact, I believe the defence is so weak that sentencing could well be given this afternoon.”

“Well that’s it.” George hurriedly said.”Zach, you go and alert Dragon Red we are ready and that we will carry out the firing outside the Fire Station.” Looking at Dragon Pink, and in a softer voice, George asked. “Are you ready, Pink?” Pink just nodded and moved towards the door. “Let’s get it over with.” She said.

The four joined Zach and the Fire Chief outside his premises where he had cordoned off a section. Although all other dragons were busy elsewhere, he was not going to take any chances. “Is this going to work?” he said looking hard at George and Grace. “I don’t much care for the idea of you shooting into Dragon Pink those explosives especially after last night’s fiasco.”

The children did not speak. They were also worried, but now was not the time to voice their real concerns for Dragon Pink’s safety.

Back at the Great Hall the day had been gruelling for Black. He was made to listen to all his alleged crimes as one by one witnesses came forward to give their account of Black’s involvement in the disappearance of their relatives or friends. Dragon Black just scowled and through his defence argued that no one had actually witnessed any deaths and it was shear speculation that he, Dragon Black, had murdered any of them.

The prosecution counter argued that it was not a Draegonian legal point to present a body and that it was a fact that the last dragon to see all of the 172 missing ones was in fact Dragon Black and that this could not just be coincidence. Dragon Black looked on, murmuring that he would get even, as charges, accusations and counter arguments were tossed from prosecution to defence and back.

The court had adjourned for lunch and had returned to hear final arguments and the findings that were to be summed up by Dragon Gold, The Judge.

Draegonian legal system (in this case) did not call for a jury and relied solely on the findings of the presiding judge. Once sentence was passed there was no right of appeal and Black looked on in horror as he knew his time was almost up. Black was told by Onyx to stand.

Dragon Gold spoke; there was a hush throughout the court;

“
This is a complex case in part, yet has some components that are very straightforward to deal with and I shall focus on these first.

The Charges brought against you Dragon Black have been well argued by your defence and you have been given every opportunity to put your views across. I shall now deal with the charges made against you one by one.

1)
 
The Attempted Murder of Dragon Brown.

The evidence is overwhelming and has been proved conclusively that you did with intent use your powers and the Draegonia legal system to falsify evidence in collusion with Dragon Green to falsely pass a death sentence on Dragon Brown. To this charge I find you guilty and sentence you to 10 Years Hard Labour.

2)
 
The Attempted Murder of George Slayer.

The facts have been evaluated and it is unclear as to whether or not you were in league or not in league with Dragon Green, specifically in the attempted murder plot. But the court does find you Guilty of perverting Dragon justice and believe that you failed deliberately to take every opportunity to allow him to prove his innocence. Thus on this account I do find you GUILTY and sentence you to a further 10 Years Hard labour.

3)
 
The Attempted Murder of Grace Garond.

4)
 
The Attempted Murder of Joel Garond.

5)
 
The Attempted Murder of Zach Garond.

On these three accounts my findings are no different from those surrounding George Slayer. It is fortunate that visitors to our island did not die and I treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

Dragon Judge Gold was just about to pass another sentence when there was a loud gun fire, a scream and ear piercing screech, then silence. Everyone in the court room started to ask and discuss what the noise was, where it was coming from and who had caused it? Unknown to them all George had fired the last of the home made explosive devices straight into the mouth of Dragon Pink, the screams were hers.

Dragon Onyx, clearing his throat shouted twice, “Silence in The Court.” The second much louder shout brought immediate silence and Judge Gold continued his summing up and sentencing.

“As I said before the interruption, I treat these offences with the seriousness they deserve and sentence you Dragon Black to a further Thirty Years Hard Labour.

Now to Charge 6.

The Aiding and abetting the death of Dragon Green.

Dragon Green’s death I believe was more of his own making and as a key player in the intrigue of a fictitious invading force, the cohersion and persuasion of Dragon Yellow to lie, I feel met an untimely death that I will record as misadventure. In doing so Dragon Black I cannot find you Guilty of his death, thus on this charge, I find you
NOT GUILTY.”

There was a loud exclamation from the audience of on looking dragons who expected at least a guilty sentence and a greater expectation that Black would have faced the death penalty.

“Quiet in the Court,” Onyx called once more.

Judge Dragon Gold again paused, looked at Dragon Black and this time the Judge’s face twitched as he held back some considerable anger.

“
I will now move onto the more serious charge that I tell the court and especially you Dragon Black that carries an automatic death penalty. I refer to the charge of:

172 cases of suspected murder in the First Degree

The court was so silent that as the Judge clearly spoke you could hear his voice echoing throughout the chambers.

“
Dragon Black we have heard witness after witness implicate you in the disappearances of 172 dragons over the past one thousand Dragon Years. I have heard all the evidence.”

Pausing for breath Dragon Judge Gold stretched out his claws, pulled from beneath his table top a black cap and placed it upon his judicial head.

The entire court knew that this was the moment. Dragon Black was about to be sentenced to death.

George took aim, Dragon Pink stood twenty Joel paces from where she was about to receive a missile, fired from the extended barrel of a gun, now held and ready to fire in the hands of George.

“Good luck,” said Dragon Red, hardly bearing to look with his paws held tightly protecting his ears. Dragon Pink opened her dainty little mouth, this time with no smile. She shut her eyes and braced herself. Grace instructed her to take a deep breath and blow a flame out of her mouth and that would indicate to George she was ready. It was also necessary for her flames to be strong and hot enough to ignite the incoming explosive charge.

“I’m ready,” she nervously said and with that took a deep breath and spat a white hot fire streak from her open mouth. George instantaneously squeezed the trigger and fired the projectile in a thunderous bang. The missile entered Dragon Pink’s mouth with her white hot breath exploding the reduced charge, but still knocking her off balance with such force, she let out a mighty screech.

There was a minute that seemed an eternity of silence. Dragon Pink’s eyes were spinning counter clock wise as she staggered to her feet. Dragon Red and the children rushed to her aid but before they could reach her she bellowed out a roar and with it out shot flames several feet high of reds, oranges, and blues. Her Dragon Flame was even stronger than Dragon Black’s had been in the past.

“Quick” said Grace, “try to ignite Dragon Red’s flame!” Dragon Red opened his mouth and Pink fired into it a terrific red and blue flame that gave off tremendous heat. Immediately Dragon Red’s Flame was restored…
A Success
.

The three boys cheered. Grace hugged Dragon Pink with affection, “Well done,” she said, as Dragon Red was opening and closing his mouth, exercising his restored flame.

George looking at his watch exclaimed. “Quick, we have no time to lose. If they sentence Black to death we will lose what chance we have of getting off this island.” Dragon Red led the four racing towards the Hall of Dragons, closely followed by Dragon Pink.

It was both Grace and George who reached the main entrance first. They had run their hearts out and on entering the Court Room spied Dragon Judge Gold placing a black cap on his head, just about to pass sentence of death. The two, in one voice shouted out as loud as they could “WAIT, WE HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION!”

Every dragon turned their heads, some stretching to see the two children and the others now appearing in the court room behind them. Dragon Onyx was not amused. He shouted the familiar “Silence in court,” but this time no one took any notice.

Judge Gold banged on his desk furiously “Order, Order. Order!” he demanded. Gradually, silence returned. George stepped forward for all to hear. In a firm voice he said. “May I have your permission to address the court, Sir?” Dragon Judge Gold quite liked George and bending a rule that he would not have bent for anyone else, responded. “I will let you speak but if you waste the courts time, I will hold you in contempt, do you understand?” George moved closer still with his three companions joining his side. Once more, with supreme confidence, in a clear voice, he said.

“Sir, I see that we may be just in time to prevent you passing the death penalty on Dragon Black.”

The galleries of dragons came alive with chatter, Dragon Black’s ears pricked up, his glazed eyes becoming sharper, his jaw dropping. “What?” demanded Dragon Judge Gold, “Do you really understand what you are saying? The conviction of 172 dragon murders must carry the deserved and ultimate penalty.”

George stood his ground, “Sir, of course Dragon Black should be given the full penalty for the crimes he has committed, I cannot argue with that, but by killing Dragon Black you may well inadvertently kill us too.” George pointed to each of his cousins. “You see Sir, Dragon Black is really the only one who can get us home. Kill him and we are left stranded and cannot survive on Draegonia for long. Dragons are unable to survive for too long without ‘Dragon Flames’ as are we unable to survive on Draegonia for any length of time.”