Chapter 25 - Return to the Dragonlands.
The next morning, it was business as usual. They put on what they called their working cloaks, the light-absorbing black uniform, as did their dad and Flintock. The boys of the Black Hood were back! But now they were four. Tryg didn’t want to play their little game, so, Tryg remained Tryg. He didn’t need to really, he could disappear into a swirl of smoke whenever he needed to, Tryg didn’t need their silly cloaks. He thought to himself.
Breakfast was only a light one, toast and jam with a mug of warm oat milk and was completed in about two minutes,
“Why can’t we have a nice cup of tea in this place?” asked Tom, “me mam always made us tea in the morning.”
“Because we don’t have tea in Trymyll, well no one except the Cadwaladers, I tried bringing it in once or twice, but there was no market for it. Folks here thought it was weird and didn’t like the taste," Llewellyn replied, “now, off with you. To the Dragonlands.”
Tom picked up Howl, they all held hands and apparated away. They did it this way because with only one person initiating the spell, they would all arrive at the same place at the same time. They also apparated back to base the same way, they did it as a group because Llewellyn still hadn’t revealed the exact location of ‘home’ to Flintock and Tryg.
They appeared at the entrance of the cave where they had last met the Master.
“I thought we were supposed to be collecting our new companion dragons, not coming back here,” complained Jon with Tom nodding in agreement. There was still a strong smell of burnt dragon hanging in the air which immediately made Tom feel queasy. Most of the congealed blood was gone now, cleared away by an infestation of a million maggots and other vermin.
“All in good time, but first the Elder has set us the task of closing the portal through to wherever the so-called Master comes from. Shouldn’t take long. We know it’s in the main chamber somewhere, we just need to locate it and seal it.”
“Okay dad, but let’s be quick. We don’t want to meet him again down there.”
“Neither do I Tom, neither do I,” Llewellyn held up a still bandaged wand hand.
They headed down into the cave, Howel trotting along beside them, following the familiar pattern of torches lighting before them, and going out behind them. This time there were always three lit torches in front and three lit behind. Deeper and deeper they went until they finally came to the vast cavern. Torches magically lit all around the cavern, but even in their light, it was difficult to see Llewellyn, Flintock and the two new wizards Tom and Jon in their working clothes.
“Wands out and stay alert. We need to head down to the area where we both disappeared, the portal must be there or thereabout.”
“But what are we actually looking for?” asked Tom.
“Not a clue,” said his dad, “but hopefully we’ll know it when we find it.”
“So, we’re looking for an invisible needle in a massive haystack?” Tom replied.
“That just about sums it up. Yes.”
“Great,” he said with a sigh.
“Flintock, Tom and Tryg, you circle that way around, Jon, Howel and I will go the other way.”
He said indicating the direction he wanted everyone to go. They then went around in ever increasing circles until they met up again at the exit tunnel. They stood there staring at each other and shrugged their shoulders.
“Well, that is strange, we didn’t know what we are looking for and we didn’t know where to find it, and yet somehow, we haven’t.”
Once they had worked out what he had just said, they all smiled, breaking the tension.
“Let’s try another tack. Perhaps my disappearance was nothing to do with the portal. Let’s check the walls of the cavern, see if we can find anything.”
The two teams split again and went their separate ways. Llewellyn and Flintock tapped the walls as they went around with their wands to see if anything opened. Finally, they all met up again and stood there staring at each other as if looking for inspiration.
Tom spoke, "If we do find this door or whatever it is, and presumably to find it we have to open it, what if we all get sucked in and disappear off to another dimension?”
Jon added, "Or what if, when we open it, we release the hounds of hell or something?”
Llewellyn thought carefully for a moment.
“Oh, that’s simple. If either of those things happens, we’re in deep do-do! Except that, when I was dragged through the portal there was nothing, just a bare and barren land. I could see nothing that lived, not even a blade of grass. The Master has ravaged that land and now he’s coming for ours.”
“Great!” they both said, “no one’s actually thought it through then,” continued Tom.
“No, not really. But when you don’t know what you’re looking for and you don’t know how to find it, planning is a little difficult.”
“Then let’s retreat back to the surface, go away and come back when we have a plan,” Flintock suggested.
“WELL, WHEN YOU DO, LET ME KNOW AND I’LL TELL YOU IF IT WILL WORK!” The voice of the Master echoed around the chamber.
Jon instinctively tapped his staff down and threw up a force field around them, as he did an almighty bolt of energy hit it and whistled off into the distance. Rocks rained down all around them and a huge chunk of the cavern ceiling crashed to the floor narrowly missing the Master. Fortunately, Jon’s defensive shields were just as powerful as his offensive firepower and that was better than any of the others. Jon immediately shot one off towards the Master, but he was gone, he was not going to hang around to be shot at by them. “Coward,” thought Jon.
They retreated to the surface and apparated away to a safe distance.
“That was close, too close in fact,” Llewellyn said, stating the obvious, "next time I think we go with a proper plan and strategy, try not to make it up as we go along.”
They all agreed with that idea, although none of them knew what the plan might look like.
“Can we go and get our dragons now? You never know, they might come in handy,” Tom said, with an air of excited expectancy.
“Good idea," his dad replied, and they all disappeared again.
“Máthair, Queen of the Golden Dragons, I come as you have bid me,” announced Tom.
He stood amid the canyon and caves where the Golden Dragons lived, loved, and learnt. Somehow Tom had expected some sort of royal palace, but instead, it looked like rocks, rubble, and ruin. This was a quest he had to undertake on his own, the others stood waiting at the head of the valley which led down to the canyon. A Golden Dragon magically apparated next to him, giving Tom quite a start.
“Thomas, youngest son of Llewellyn the Brave, I will escort you to Máthair, Queen of all Dragons,” he spoke very formally.
Tom was then led off to the entrance of a cave. As they entered his eyes quickly adjusted to the gloom, it took Tom’s breath away. It was beautiful, gold ornaments everywhere, jewels encrusted the walls, golden statues and a solid gold pathway that led into the most fabulous cavern he had ever seen. Statues of full-size dragons made from pure solid gold, gems, and stones of every description; gold chandeliers hung from the ceiling lit with dragon light giving a soft glow to all around. At the far end was a massive chaise-longue sixty or seventy feet long with twenty or more gilded legs all along the front of it. Reclining on the chaise-longue was Máthair, Queen of them all, and this was her throne.
“Thomas, son of Llewellyn the Brave, welcome. You have come today to receive a companion dragon, Ren. Ren, appear before me.”
A most beautiful Golden Dragon flew across and hovered next to the Queen.
“Ren, son of Heulwen, daughter of Máthair, Queen of all dragons, may I present to you a young wizard, Thomas, son of Llewellyn the Brave. For his courage, and maturity in the face of great danger, you are to be companion wizard and companion Golden Dragon. This binding is made by solemn oath and cannot be unbound except by death. You will both learn from each other, together you will have great power, possibly greater than any who may have gone before you. However, do not speak of this to anyone lest it is thought of as boastful. Your powers will increase with your years and with your learning. Go now into the world, show compassion, wisdom and judgement all your long lives.”
Thomas didn’t know quite what to say so he just quietly said, “Thank you.”
Then ‘POP’ and they were outside again back in the valley. Ren looked magnificent in the sunlight; his scales looked like plates of solid gold. Next to him was a huge chest that looks just like the sort you would expect a pirate to have. Tom thought it must be Ren’s things as he was leaving home. They both apparated to the head of the valley with the chest.
Tom introduced him to all his family and friends, including a rather sniffy and snooty Howel.
“Tom, the box is a little gift from Máthair to you. A little extra for your bravery in defeating the three Blue Dragons.”
Tom opened the lid, he struggled because it was so massive and heavy, but inside was just stuffed with gold coins, silver coins, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and every precious stone you could think of, the case itself was lined with gold, the hinges and the clasp were solid gold. He was now incredibly wealthy. Rich beyond his wildest dreams, he had more wealth now than he would have ever thought possible.
“Dad,” he said quietly, “I don’t need all of this, hardly any of it in fact. Can’t I send it to mum?”
“Oh my,” said Ren, "what a son you have Llewellyn the Brave. You must be so proud. But in answer to your question. No, you can’t. But next time she digs potatoes in her garden, she will unearth a new pot of gold and she will know that it is your gift to her.”
“Wow! You would do that for our mum? How?”
“Well Golden Dragons are the most magical of all creatures, so if we can’t do it, who can?” Ren replied, "Meanwhile I’ll transport this little lot back to your lodgings for safekeeping.”
“But you don’t know where we live, even I don’t know exactly.”
“Tut, tut. You really have not been listening. I know more about you than even you know yourself.”
And with that, the cask disappeared and hopefully reappeared back at their hideout in Blaenoraid.
Howel looked as if his nose was out of joint. He had one of his superior, looking down his nose looks on.
“Well,” he started, “that is all very well, but, in my opinion, gold and precious gems are a most unsuitable gift for a thirteen-year-old boy.”
“True,” Ren retorted sarcastically with an equally haughty look on his face, “but what were you expecting? A train set. He will not be thirteen for long and one day, when he is a man, he will make good use of his wealth, I assure you he will not use it foolishly or gloat over his fortune but use it for the good of others.”
Llewellyn stepped in, "Now lads, you two must all get along together. We are a team,” he said waving his hands towards Flintock, Tryg and the boys, “You two, and soon to be three, are members of the Black Hood Gang or whatever Tom calls us.”
Ren laughed at the name, Howel just looked snooty still.
“It’s Boys of the Black Hood, and we’re not a gang,” Tom said.
Now it was Jon’s turn. They stood at the head of the valley which led down into the home of the Red Dragons. He too thought it was a rubbish place to live, just rocks and caves. If Aelwyd was really a queen, she should have something better than this he thought.
“Aelwyd, Queen of the Red Dragons, I come as commanded by Máthair, Queen of all dragons," Jon announced in just the same way as Tom had done. This time a Red Dragon swooped down and landed beside him.
“Jonathan, son of Llewellyn the Brave, we bid you welcome to the palace of Queen Aelwyd, Queen of the Red Dragons!”
He announced with the same pomp. ‘Palace’? Thought Jon. Looks more like a caveman’s house. The dragon led Jon into a narrow cave that opened out into another magnificent cavern. The floor was made of red rubies, the walls were hung with silk tapestries and encrusted with rubies, there were piles of gold coins and silver coins, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies just dumped in piles around the cavern, everywhere had a red glow and everywhere glistened under the light of a thousand candles floating in the air. Jon was gobsmacked.
Again, just like in Máthair’s cave, at the end was a massive golden chaise-longue, upholstered in rich red velvet, with the Queen lying along its length.
Jon couldn’t believe his eyes. There was a flutter and a large red cockerel appeared at his side.
Queen Aelwyd spoke, “Jonathan, son of Llewellyn the Brave, welcome to my humble home,” with that, she visibly smiled, “I know, bit over the top really, far too much bling, but that’s what you get when you’re the queen. Now down to business. You are here to receive a great reward for your bravery and courage in assisting in the rescue of a Golden Dragon, Morcan and her whelp Bryn. Queen Máthair, mother of dragons and queen of all dragons has bid me offer a companion for life in the form of Bevon, an almost mature Red Dragon having a span of one hundred and fifty of your years. May I present to you your lifelong companion Bevon, not quite fully grown, but very accomplished at both magic and warfare. He is a lifelong companion because you cannot leave a dragon and a dragon cannot leave you. That is why every care has been taken in picking you as the ideal companion for Bevon. Blah, blah, blah, blah!” as she spoke, her tone changed from one of great pomp to a slightly higher pitched maniacal voice.
“So, it’s to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, I pronounce you companion wizard and companion dragon. You may now kiss the bride.”
Jon stepped forward; lips puckered.
“Stop! Only joking. Well, you can kiss him if you want, but I don’t advise it. His breath probably stinks!” she then laughed out loud, little puffs of smoke and small flames running down her nose. Bevon himself was not looking at all amused.
“Yes well, sorry about that, I’ve always wanted to say that little speech, you know it’s from your human wedding ceremony, but it makes me laugh so much," and she was off again laughing, “I mean, what does it mean! They all say it, but hardly any of them stick to it.”
Jon was laughing too, "I’m sorry your majesty,” laughed Jon, “I didn’t mean to laugh.”
“Oh, don’t worry my dear, and please don’t call me majesty, just call me Aelwyd, or Queenie or something.”
“Sorry, but I thought that dragons were always serious and dignified in the way they spoke and the way they conducted themselves.”
“Oh no, that’s just an act we put on for the council and Phobls and people like that. Actually, we are quite fun but don’t tell anyone, it’s our little secret my dear," and with that, she burst out laughing again.
“Okay, that’s it, off you go and don’t forget to take Bev with you.”
“That’s it? Sorry, I was expecting a ceremony of some sort, solemn vows and stuff like that,” said Jon.
“Well, I just married you, didn’t I? What more do you want! A wedding breakfast with after dinner speeches?” and she was off again, laughing so much that she nearly fell off the throne. All the other dragons in the great hall were laughing so much that the ground was shaking. All except for Bevon.
Jon and Bevon exited the cave, there was a ‘pop’ as the red cockerel morphed into a Red Dragon, about fifty-foot long with ruby iridescent scales which shimmered and changed to every hue of red and crimson possible, and a huge case of rubies, gold and silver coins and other jewellery.
“I’m so sorry about that, please don’t mention mum’s behaviour to anyone, she can be so uncouth sometimes,” he said in a very haughty tone and sounding just as bad as Howel.
That’s more like it, thought Jon, that’s how a dragon should be, snobbish, cultured and slightly pompous sounding.
Bevon, of course, caught the thought.
“I may be cultured, but I am not snobbish or pompous,” he declared.
“Sorry," said Jon, remembering that dragons can catch your thoughts, “I’ll introduce you to my little group in a bit. There are four of us plus a trygall, a Purple Dragon called Howel who’s me dad’s and a Golden Dragon called Ren I think, only just met him, he’s with my brother Tom.”
“Oh goody," Bevon said with a bored and ‘do I care’ sort of attitude, “I’m so looking forward to that.”
“So why did Queen Aelwyd choose you and not one of the others?” asked Jon.
“She wants to be rid of me; seems to think I have attitude problems and lack respect.”
“Ooh, I never noticed,” said Jon with more than a hint of sarcasm.
“Really,” said Bevon with a hint of mock shock, “there is no need for sarcasm!”
“Well, I think your mother matched me as your companion for the same reason.”
“And what is that dear boy?”
“She probably thinks that I also have attitude problems and lack respect.”
“Oh,” said Bevon, “in that case, I think we are going to get on just fine.”