THE DRAGON’S EYES

BY THOMAS BRAZIL
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER 1: The Great Mountain.

CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
Chapter 1.
The Great Mountain.
The Northern Mountain range in the land of Northhurst was once said to be infested
with dragons. Many magnificent tales and ballads were written about the great heroes
who bravely faced the fire breathing monsters in an effort to bring peace to the
villages located at the base of the mountains.

Now the ballads and stories are all that remain of those days. For over five hundred
years dragons have been considered extinct. The villages have lived so long in peace
and quiet that the great tales have faded into nothing more than legends told to
children at bedtime. The only things people worry about these days are the constant
growing rate of taxes. Ever since King Farran came to the throne, everything in the
kingdom has gone from bad to worse. As the saying goes, two things you can be
certain of, long winters and high taxes. Most villagers are wise enough to keep quiet
about the hardships; one wrong word could be your last!

And yet, if anyone has the time to turn from everyday problems and gaze at the Great
Mountain, he will have reason to wonder if perhaps the legends of dragons are more
than mere stories of days gone by. Mystery surrounds the Great Mountain as it rises
high into the sky, majestic and strong. All the other mountains in the mountain range
are a mere backdrop, compared to this one glorious figure or rock, covered in a cloak
of evergreens.

It is with this very mountain that our story begins.

At the base of the mountain, divided only by a dirt road, stood a little green house,
surrounded by a matching green fence. It was a small house, two stories, no more than
three bedrooms, a kitchen that also served as dining room, and a terrace. The roof was
brown and the windows painted white. By the house was a garden, a hen house, and a
small stable, housing two horses and four goats.
Walking down the dirt road, merrily swinging a basket filled with wild flowers was a
young girl dressed in a light brown blouse and a dark green sundress. Her nut-brown
hair, gathered in a braid, was uncovered and the summer sun had made bleached
patches in it. Her almond eyes darted merrily here and there, drinking in the feast that
summer set before her. The child was small, but sturdy, and filled with an air of
carefree joy.2

Sofia, for that is the name of the happy girl, looked at the little green house with a
smile of tender care. This was her home and she lived here with her father and
brother. Once, a long time ago, there had been a mother, but she went to stay in the
land the lies beyond the rainbow when Sofia had been very little, and Sofia hardly
remembered her. There had also been a grandmother, but two years ago, when Sofia
was eight, the grandmother had also passed away. So now it was just Father,
Lynwood, and herself.

Father, whom everyone else called Lyndon, was a woodsman by trade and worked in
the forests that surrounded their home. Sometimes Lynwood would help Father work,
at other times Lynwood and Sofia would work in the vegetable garden behind the
house. They would also do the housework, milk the goats, gather the eggs and
everyone took turns cooking. Having no mother or grandmother and a father who
spends most of his days off in the woods left Sofia a carefree little creature, a child of
the mountains, who is as untamed as they are.

Turning lightly on her dancing feet Sofia unlatched the gate to their property and
stepped inside.

"Sofia!" a voice sounded from behind the house.

"Over here!" Sofia answered.

"Where the blazers have you been young lady?"

"Out in the fields picking wild flowers."

"Why do you bother to pick those things anyway?" The owner of the voice, a youth of
thirteen, walked out from behind the house.

"What, I can't?" Sofia got on the defensive.

"They are just useless and don't do anyone any good."

"They do me a lot of good!" She stomped her foot indignantly. "I put them in my
room and look at them and feel happy."

"Then they wither and die and you throw them out."

"Ah, but that means I get to go and pick new ones! Half the joy really comes from
gathering the flowers. They will die out in the fields someday too; everyone knows
flowers never last very long."

"You still waste a lot of time!" The boy taunted.

"Really, Lynwood, I don't see why you have a problem with me and the flowers. It's
not like I make you go and pick them and I don't put them in your room. Why do you
have to bother me about it?"

Lynwood only shrugged his shoulders. "Will you fetch supper or shall I have to do it
again?"

"Again?"Sofia's dark little eyebrows knit together in annoyance. "Allow me to remind

you, Lyn, you have not cooked supper for the past four days!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, do NOT call me Lyn?!" Lynwood glared at
his sister. "It makes me feel like a girl!"

"What shall I call you? Lynwood is far too long. Perhaps I could call you Woody?"

"Oh, so now I've gone from girl to tree! Honestly, Sofia, the things you come up
with!" The sarcasm was strong in Lynwood's voice as he rolled his eyes before
placing them cynically on his sister. Sofia looked down and bit her lip.
"I'll fetch supper; I have nothing better to do at the moment anyway."

With that she turned and walked into the house. The bounce was gone from her step
and the hand that had been swinging the basket so merrily now hung limply at her
side. Even the flowers seemed to droop downward. It was always this way. Lynwood
was a good boy, but he had a tongue sharper than father's axe; a tongue that always
had something smart and cutting to say, and he never missed an opportunity to put
down his sister. Often Sofia could answer back, but his rude words still hurt.

Lynwood had been left standing alone on the front porch, contemplating on whether
or not to go and apologize to Sofia; he really hadn't meant to offend her. After a
moment's hesitation, he thought the better of it. After all it was really her fault for
calling him Lyn again. He had told her time again not to call him that and she just
kept on doing it. At ten years old, Sofia was a smart girl, why couldn't she remember
something so simple? Lynwood shrugged his shoulders; he didn't think he would ever
be able to understand the mind of girls. They were complicated and very difficult
creatures, almost like goats. You had to treat them with a weird sort of respect and
never push them if they didn't want to go anywhere, or you might end up getting
kicked.3

Lynwood was a rough and rugged boy, who stood fairly tall in height, with broad
shoulders and strong arms. His light hair was longish and had a bad habit of getting
into his green eyes; eyes that thirsted for adventure. Like Sofia he was a child of the
mountains, born and raised among them. He had grown up here, he loved it here, and
yet at times it seemed something was lacking. He couldn't really put his finger on it;
perhaps it was the idleness of his secluded life. They lived some distance from the
town and rarely went there. Father was a good friend, but they weren't able to spend
much time together because Lynwood often had to stay behind and keep an eye on
Sofia. Lynwood often wondered if the life of a woodsman was really the life for him.
He wanted to be a hero, to do great deeds, travel on dangerous quests, defeat terrible
foes, fight dragons, and save damsels in distress.

Sadly, none of those things were really possible. There were no deeds to be done,
except the daily chores, no quests that required traveling, and there was terrible
shortage of damsels in distress! As for dragons, they had long, long become extinct.
So, he was stuck here, with his father and sister, meant to do little humble chores, and
baby-sit.

But deep, deep in his mind, he dreamed and yearned for the day when he would be
able to ride to the rescue, save the day, and maybe even save the world.
Chapter2.
The Woodsman Family.
"Supper is ready!"

Lynwood heard Sofia call as she rang the dinner bell.

"Come and get it while it is still hot."

"Is Father home yet?" He asked as he entered the house.

"Yes, he is. Didn't you see him come in?" Sofia replied as she firmly set a vase with
wild flowers in the middle of the round table, as though to prove a point that had been
spoken of earlier.

"No, I was at the back of the house and didn't notice."

Sofia shook her head. "Daydreaming again." She said with a suspicious look.

"What's it to you?" Lynwood retorted. "Why do you have to know everything?"

"I don't. I just made a statement, that's all."

"That wasn't a statement, it was a question."

"It was a statement; I know what I said."

"Now listen here Sofia..."

"Children, that's enough!" The deep voice of their father cut short was about to
become yet another argument. "The two of you need to learn to get along better."

"Well, she started it," Lynwood mumbled as he plopped down in his seat at the table.

"I did not!" Sofia shook her head. "I never start fights!"

"Oh ho, is that so?"

"Lynwood, Sofia, stop!" Lyndon let out a sigh. "This is starting to get out of hand. I
am afraid to leave you both alone for very long in fear that you will fight each other
out of this house."

Sofia and Lynwood glared at each other but said nothing more. Lyndon shook his
head at them and took his seat at the head of the table.

The woodsman was a rugged man, just two years short of forty. His light brown hair
was gathered in a ponytail and tied with a leather string. His beard was neat and the
same shade as his hair. Sofia had inherited his almond colored eyes, while Lynwood
shared the same chin and nose.

"Sofia, you are becoming a wonderful little cook," Lyndon said as they began to eat.

Sofia grinned and blushed from the compliment.

"What have you been doing today?" Lyndon asked, still directing his attention to
Sofia.

"Well," Sofia began, digging deep into her memory and trying to remember what
exactly she done and in what particular order. "After breakfast I tidied up in room and
watered the flowers. Then I cleaned the hen house and gathered the eggs....or did I
first gather the eggs and then clean the hen house....I don't remember. Anyway, after
that I helped Lynwood weed the garden, and then I made us some lunch. After lunch I
went for a walk in the fields, and then I came home and cooked supper."

"Sounds like you had a busy day." Lyndon gently patted Sofia's hair. "How about you
Lynwood, how did your day go?"

"Well enough," Lynwood curtly replied.

"Well enough?" Lyndon repeated, raising an eyebrow and glancing at his son.
Lynwood nodded and busied himself with cleaning the edge of his plate with the
corner of his napkin. It was his way of saying 'I don't want to talk right now.' Lyndon
understood the message and made a mental note to talk to him later when they were
alone.

"And how was your day, Papa?" Sofia sweetly asked.

"It was good, very good."

"May I go and work with you in the woods tomorrow?" Lynwood asked, looking up
from his plate.

"No son, I need you to stay here."

"But Father," Lynwood scowled. "How will I learn to be a woodsman if you are
always leaving me behind? Sofia is not a little girl, she can manage just fine on her
own. I want to go..."

"I said no and that means no. End of discussion." Lyndon cut off his son with a firm
look. Lynwood grumbled under his breath and turned his attention back to his plate.

"Children, the day after tomorrow I am going to town, would you like to come with
me?"

Sofia's eyes brightened. "Will we be able to visit uncle Tristan?"

"That is precisely why we are going. I thought it would be a good idea to call on
Tristan and his wife."

"That is a wonderful idea, Papa; I should dearly love to go," Sofia exclaimed with
excitement.

Lynwood made a face but didn't say anything.

"It is settled then. Now Lynwood, I think it would be best if you and I cleared the
dishes."
The boy nodded his consent, stilly busy with his useless task with the plate and
napkin.

"I'll go see if the hens have laid any more eggs since this morning," Sofia merrily said
as she grabbed a basket and headed out the door. Lyndon and his son cleared the table
in silence for a while till at last Lyndon broke it.

"You are rather quiet this evening, what's happened?"

"Nothing." Lynwood shrugged.

"Your behavior tells me otherwise."

"I'm just tired of having to stay back and look after the house. I'm bored to tears and
sometimes I fear I'll go insane. I want to go out into the woods and work with you."

"Lynwood, you know I need you to look after Sofia. She is very young and impulsive
and can easily get into trouble. I wish you would stop complaining and understand
how important it is for you remain at home."

"There is nothing special about me staying back here. Can't I just go once with you,
just once? Maybe we could take Sofia with us, she loves going deep into the forest."

"Absolutely out of the question. No, the two of you will remain here."

"But Father..."

"Not 'buts'. Lynwood, you're not a little boy, stop behaving like one."

Lynwood knew better than to argue, but deep inside he boiled with rage. If he wasn't a
little boy, why did his father keep treating him like one? 1

Once the chores had been completed, the woodsman family sat on the porch, watching
the sun as it disappeared behind the mountains.
"I think the view would be a hundred times more beautiful we could see the sunset
from atop the Great Mountain," Lynwood stated with a sigh that expressed both
wonder and longing.

"Has anyone ever reached the summit of the Great Mountain, Papa?" Sofia turned to
her father.

"No dearest, it is far too dangerous. Once you get high up the rocks are slippery and
the wind blows strong. Nearer to the peak there are snow drifts and icecaps. It would
be suicide to try and climb it. We have not the proper tools to climb such mountains."

"Where can we get the proper tools, Papa?"

"Oh, we can't get them child; the mountain is just not the sort for climbing; it doesn't
want to be climbed."

"Why not?"

"Because it does not want to be tamed, it wants to remain unknown and unconquered
by man."

"Someday I shall reach the very top!" Lynwood exclaimed, jumping to his feet.
"Someday I shall stand on the peak and watch the sun set behind the horizon. I shall
be the first man to have reached the summit of the Great Mountain."

"How will you reach the summit if the mountain cannot be climbed?" Sofia asked in a
practical tone.

"I don't know yet, but I will."

"Perhaps you could fly up you know, on a giant bird or something."

"A giant bird?" Lynwood laughed. "Sofia, there are no birds big enough to carry me
all the way up there."

"Well, a dragon perhaps."

"Dragons don't exist anymore," Lynwood replied, sitting down once more. "And even
if they did, I wouldn't be able fly on one because it would have me for supper.
Dragons are carnivores and humans in particular are their favorite meal."

Sofia shrugged, "if you say so. Though I think it would be amazing to ride a dragon."

"Maybe."

"Do you suppose," Sofia continued, "do you suppose, if you reached the top of the
mountain, you would be able to get a glimpse of the land beyond the rainbow?"

"Of course, you wouldn't be able too," Lynwood scoffed.

"Why not?"

"Because to see the land beyond the rainbow, you have to get to the top of the
rainbow and not the mountain"

"Maybe if someone were to climb to the top mountain, he would be higher than the
rainbow."

"Oh, Sofia." Lynwood shook his head at the ignorance of his sister. "You wouldn't
be."

"What makes you think so?" Sofia challenged, defiance in her little brown eyes.

"I think it's time to go to bed." Lyndon rose from his seat with a disapproving look at
his children. "When will the two of you learn to get along?"

Lynwood and Sofia gazed at the ground in shame.

"Come along, we have to get up early tomorrow morning."

Sofia followed her father into the house. Lynwood lingered for a moment, gazing at
the Great Mountain. He had been in full seriousness when he said he would reach the
summit one day. He didn't know how or when, but one day he would be the first man
in history to have conquered the unconquerable mountain.

It was really the only quest that he could realistically dream about. The only frontier
left in all of Northurst.
Chapter3.
The Town.
.

"Lynwood, hurry up, we haven't got all day," Lyndon called as he helped Sofia climb
into the wagon

"It's not liked the town is going anywhere." Lynwood's voice drifted from his room on
the second floor.

"But Tristan is waiting for us and it is just rude to be late."

"I'll be there soon," Lynwood called in a lazy voice.

"And when exactly is 'soon'?"

"I dunno." His voice was a bit closer now, telling Lyndon that Lynwood was walking
down the stairs.

"Don't know," Sofia corrected. 'Dunno is grammatically incorrect."

"You said it yourself the other day," Lynwood retorted, coming out of the front door.

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Stop it!" Lyndon interrupted them. "End this argument right now or you will be
grounded for three days. This is just not the right way for a brother and sister to
behave! Do you hear me?"

"Yes sir." Sofia sighed

"And you Lynwood?"

"Yes sir," Lynwood mumbled as he locked the front door. Sofia was such a stick in
the mud; she made trouble for him day and night and then Father got all angry at
something that wasn't even Lynwood's fault. Lynwood climbed into the wagon feeling
very sorry for all the injustice he had to endure from his family.

It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining brightly and the birds sang as the wagon
rolled down the dirt road to town.

"Today is the sort of day when one is happy to be alive!" Sofia exclaimed. "Lynwood,
what are you staring at the mountain again? All you ever do is gawk at it."

"There is something mystical about that mountain, and I'm trying to discover its
mystery."

"I heard that dragons were once abundant in these mountains." Sofia said. "Were they
really, Papa?"

"So, the legends tell us. There is no way of really knowing, dragons were long gone
when I was a boy."

"Don't you think it is a pity that there are none left?"

"Certainly not, the dragons were a great threat to all the villages. People lived in utter
terror of them."

"What were the dragons like?"

"That is a question you had better ask your brother. He spends his free time reading all
sorts of books and I've noticed many of them have something to do with dragons."

"Lyn, what are dragons like?" Sofia turned her question to her brother.

"Stop calling me Lyn," Lynwood barked. "Dragons were dangerous thieves who
would fly in and grab whatever loot they can get their claws on. They were very large
and very strong and very cunning. It would take a great deal to outsmart one."
"How do you outsmart them?"

"Oh, there are many ways; it really depends on the dragon. One of the most effective
ways was to set up a trap and lure the dragon in. Of course, the hard part is convincing
the dragon that it's not a trap. The trick is to disguise you trap and then the dragon
won't suspect anything, after all, dragons are nothing more than very large animals."

"What do you do with a dragon after you've caught it?"

"Kill it."

"KILL IT?"

"Of course, silly, what else are you supposed to do? Dragons are dangerous,
treacherous creatures. Just because you showed mercy to one doesn't mean he will
show the same mercy to you."

"How do you know this, Lynwood?"

"It's a well-accepted fact, Sofia, everyone knows it."

"Oh."

The arrival to the town brought an end to the conversation.

***

Briston was the central town in the small area up in the north of the country. It had ten
long streets and a large market place to which all the other surrounding towns and
villages came to trade. The woodsman family rode up down one of the streets until
they arrived at the house of Tristan the Blacksmith. He was a rough looking man with
thick curly hair and a large black beard. His hands were filled with calluses and he
had several scars on his arms. Despite his menacing looks, Tristan was a very kind
man and a great favorite with the village children. He was sitting on the porch when
the woodsman family drove up and rising from his seat, greeted them with a large
smile.

"Lyndon, children, how glad I am you have finally arrived. Elaine my dear, come,
Lyndon and his family have arrived."

"It is good to see you, Tristan," Lyndon said as he climbed down of the wagon and
lifted Sofia out. "How have things been going? I think the last time we were here was
over a week ago."

"Oh fine, everything is going fine. How are you, dearest Sofia?"

"I am wonderful thank you," Sofia beamed as she was scooped up by Tristan. "I'm
enjoying the summer to the fullest."

"That is good little cricket, that is good. And how are you, Lynwood?"

"I'm good." It was a standard flat reply. Lynwood was never known to talk lot in
company.

From the house a woman emerged. Elaine was Tristans wife and a kind lady. Rather
short and a bit plump, but with kind hazel eyes and a beautiful smile. Her simple
village gown was pressed and clean, her hair gathered up and covered with a linen
headpiece, as was customary for married women."We are so glad that you could come
and pay us a visit," she said, greeting the family warmly. "The children are getting so
tanned. No doubt they spend a lot of time in the sun. Goodness me, Sofia, why don't
you have a hat on your head?"

"Do I need one?" Sofia asked with a careless shrug.

"Of course, you need one. Lyndon, Lyndon, why don't you cover your daughter's
head? The sun is piping hot and she is running around with no hat. She could get
sunstroke, fever, anything! You simply must cover her head when she goes outside.
Did you forget to put your hat on today?"
"I never wear a hat." Sofia replied.

"Never? Never, never?" Elaine looked wide eyed at Sofia, concern filling her voice. 1

Sofia shook her head.

"Oh child, why ever not? Foolish little girl, you will get a fever for sure! Come with
me into the house and I will find you something to wear. Lyndon, Lyndon look at
me."

Lyndon, who had been conversing with Tristan, turned his head.

"Listen, you must always make sure that this child wears a hat when she goes outside
or she will get sunstroke and end up in bed. It is summer after all and the sun is
strong. Who knows, a stroke may even kill her. Never let her go anywhere without a
hat, you hear me, can you remember that Lyndon?"

"Yes, yes, Elaine, I will remember." Lyndon nodded his head and turned back to
Tristan.

"Oh, but of course you won't!" Elaine fussed.

"I won't?"

"No, you won't. You are as absent minded as my husband standing there and will
forget what I said even before I finish telling it to you. No, this simply won't do. Now
I will be worrying over the child night and day. Lyndon, I'll be visiting you sometime
soon, to make sure this sweet and precious flower is alright and in good health. Now
come with me, dear girl." So, saying Elaine took Sofia's hand and led her into the
house.

"What's the matter with her, Father?" Lynwood chuckled.

"Nothing is the matter with her; she is just worried that your sister stays healthy. I
should have told her to put something in her head; sort of slipped my mind. I suppose
Elaine is right when she says I am absent minded."

"You're not absent minded, Father," Lynwood argued.

"I need to discuss something with Tristan, why don't you go into the house." Lyndon
suddenly said.

"Nah, Elaine will start fussing about the fact that I don't have a hat either. Tristan may
I go into your workshop, I promise not to wreck anything."

"Go ahead boy, I know you are careful." Tristan nodded and Lynwood trotted off.

"They're growing really fast," he heard Tristan comment to father.

"They are," Lyndon said with a small sigh. "A little too fast, I think. Sometimes I find
it hard to believe that Lynwood is already thirteen. I only wish they wouldn't argue so
often; it's beginning to get out of hand."

Lynwood smiled as he walked off and the voices of his father and Tristan became
faint. They were indeed growing up. Sofia was already ten, three or so more years and
she would be able to take full control of the house. In three years, he would be
sixteen; that was even more grown up than he was now. When Sofia got older, maybe
Father wouldn't be so scared to leave her alone and then at last Lynwood would be
able to work with his father in the woods and leave all of the housekeeping to his
sister. And it surely wasn't his fault if they argued from time to time. Sofia was the
one who was so annoying and purposely getting on his nerves.

Presently Sofia came running and called Lynwood for lunch. That was the nice thing
about coming to Tristan's home. Even if Elaine was quite the worry case and fretted
all the time, she was an excellent cook. Lynwood thought her to be the best in the
world. Even though food variety here in the village was rather limited, she always
came up with new and creative ways to prepare a meal. No one could match up to her
skills in baking either and she could whip up such wonderful hot buns, honey breads
and other sweet delights. Lynwood hoped Sofia would grow up to be as good a cook
as Elaine was.

After lunch, Tristan and Lyndon went off again, leaving a very disappointed
Lynwood. He was stuck day in and day out with Sofia and now here was the one
chance for him to get some real male company and Tristan and Father just walked off
while he was stuck with the womenfolk.

Sofia dragged Lynwood to the village square where the other children playing a game
of blind man's bluff. Sofia jumped right into the game, but Lynwood, who never cared
for company, didn't want to join in. He watched for a while before going off and
wandering around the town, lost in his own world. Before he knew it Tristan called
him for supper after which they all got back into the wagon and headed for home.

"Did you have a good time at the village?" Lyndon asked as they once more rode in
the wagon.

"I had a wonderful time," Sofia stated with a contented sigh.

"I was thinking, perhaps I could take the two of you to stay with Tristan and Elaine
for a week or so."

"Oh no, no, father, don't do that!" Lynwood burst out. Spend a whole week in the
village? That was more than he could bear.

"Why not?"

"What would we do there? And who would take care of the house while you are gone.
There are chickens to feed, goats to milk, and the garden needs tending."

"But just for one week."

"Father, are you trying to get rid of us?" Sofia put in.

"Of course not, I just thought perhaps it would be safer..." Lyndon's voice trailed off
and he looked into the distance.

"Safer?" Lynwood was puzzled. "Safer from what?"

"From a lot of things, who knows what could happen." Lyndon's voice was distant.

"Papa, what are you talking about?" Sofia tugged on his sleeve. Lyndon looked at his
two children staring at him wide eyed.

"Nothing." He shook his head. "It's nothing."

"So you won't send us off to Elaine and Tristan?" Lynwood asked.

"If you don't want me too, I won't."

Lynwood was relieved to hear they wouldn't be stuck in the town for a whole week,
but was still puzzled about his father's strange behavior. Father had a troubled look in
his eyes, and Lynwood suspected something was wrong. At the same time, it was
obvious his father was not going to talk about it and Lynwood knew better than to ask.
So, he decided to watch and wait and if he was patient and observant, he might just
figure out what the problem was.
Chapter4.
The Argument.
Two weeks had passed since Father had come up with the strange idea of sending the
children to live with Tristan and Elaine. He never brought the topic up again and
Lynwood was convinced nothing was wrong and he had just let his imagination get
the better of him. He kept his guard up just in case. After all, Father had said
something about it being safer at Tristan's home. He carried his knife on his belt at all
times and if he had to go anywhere took his bow and arrows with him.

Sofia couldn't help thinking Lynwood's actions strange, but she concluded Lynwood
had simply taken his daydreams to the next level. This only added to her fixed opinion
that her brother daydreamed far too much.

On one particularly cloudy day the children when had finished eating lunch and were
clearing the dishes Sofia asked her brother, "How come you didn't want to go and live
with Tristan and Elaine?"

"Because I'm not fond of the idea of being stuck in the village for a whole week,"
Lynwood replied.

"I thought you liked Tristan and his wife."

"I do, but that doesn't mean I want to live with them. Living in the town would be
death to me. I would get homesick for my dear mountain and for my beautiful
meadow and for the large blue sky."

"The sky is just the same in the town," Sofia pointed out.

"Not really, all those roof tops make it look smaller."

Sofia shrugged, not understanding her brother's logic. She loved it in the town; there
were other children to play with and plenty of things to keep her occupied.
"I really wish dragons had not gone extinct," she suddenly stated after a few moments
of silence.

"What is it with you and dragons? You keep bring them up."

"I do not keep bringing them up! I just dreamed about one a few nights ago. It actually
wasn't the most pleasant of dreams; the dragon was big and black and had red eyes.
He was chasing me and I woke up with a scream. It took Father a lot of time to calm
me down."

"And after a dream like that you still go on wishing dragons hadn't gone extinct?"

"It is just I was thinking I could tame one and then I could ride it whenever I wanted."

"You can't tame dragons, Sofia."

"You could if you go one that was only a baby."

"In order to get a dragon baby, you would have to find a dragon's nest and try to get
past the mother, who will be protecting her young. And even if you did manage to get
a dragon when it is a baby, you would not be able to tame it. Dragons are born with
certain instincts and eating any living creature that is smaller than it is one of them."

"But if it is a baby then I would be bigger."

"Yes, but one day it will grow up and see you as dinner."

"Would it really do that?"

"Of course, like I said, dragons are traitors to their very core. They live to steal and to
betray. It's just the way they are, and that is why they were hunted and killed and that
is why they aren't around anymore. You should be glad for all the brave men who
destroyed them and made this place safe to live."

"How do you know so much about dragons?"

"I read about them. I can lend you my books if you want, only you must give them
back to me when you are done."

"Why would I want to read your books, they are so boring"

"They aren't boring."

"They are for me; I don't like such books."

"The only books you like are the ones filled with romance and love, like all girls." 1

"How dare you say that? I hate books about romance."

"Oh really, then what sort of books do you read?"

"I read books about our woods, and the animals that live in them. I don't care for your
silly stack of books filled with legends and tales of men who did stupid things. I
wouldn't be surprised, Lyn, if all those farfetched stories are really just a figment of
someone's imagination."

"For the hundredth time, Sofia, DON'T call me Lyn!" Lynwood lost his temper. "Why
do you have such a bad memory?"

"I have a very good memory, thank you!" Sofia snapped.

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"Do not! If you did then you would remember how I HATE being called Lyn."

"Oh, I remember. I just did it this time to annoy you."

"So, you did it on purpose?"

"Yes, I did. You want to know something else? I think those books are really bad for
you. They just fill your head with foolishness and make you lose touch with reality.
Wake up from your endless daydreams and grow up."

"Grow up? I will remind you Sofia that I am three years older than you."

"From the way you are behaving anyone would think you are three years younger."

"This coming from the girl who spends most of her days in the fields, picking flowers
while I stay here and do the dirty work."

"YOU do all the dirty work? Tell me, who cooks most the meals?"

"And you might tell me who cleans the hen house and shed; who waters the garden
and picks out the weeds? If you are so big on growing up than why don't you grow up
and share in the responsibilities? I already am stuck here most of the time babysitting
you."

"Babysitting!" Sofia burst out. "So that is what you think you are doing, babysitting
me? For your information, Lynwood, I am not a BABY!"

"Okay fine, I apologize; you are not a baby, just a little girl."

"Little? I am ten years old."

"I know how old you are."

"Then stop calling me a little girl."

"But that is what you are, Sofia; a spoiled little brat!" 1

"Oh!" Sofia threw down the table rag and put her hands on her hips. "Lynwood, you
have got to be the worse, most horrible boy I have ever met. And to think I live with
you!"

"And you have got to be the most annoying girl I have ever seen."
"Fine, since you think me so annoying, you will be pleased to know I am leaving right
now to pick black berries and shan't return till dinner. This means you can enjoy my
absence for a nice long time. Oh, you might want to cook supper as well, since I won't
be back in time to make it. Instead of cluttering you head with silly books, why don't
you follow my example and do something useful with your life? Goodbye."

So, saying Sofia grabbed her basket and marched out the door before Lynwood even
had time to respond. His face flushed red and he kicked a chair as hard as he could;
knocking it over.

"For goodness sake, Lyn," Sofia poked her head through the door, "don't wreck the
house, what would Father say?"

With that she took off as fast as her legs could carry her, knowing Lynwood would
vent his wrath on her in no small quantity if she didn't get away quick enough. Sofia
felt very proud of herself for having been able to outwit Lynwood this once.

It was all Lynwood could do from keeping himself from running after Sofia and
strangling her, but he knew better. Sofia had just run off and left him with all the
work, again. Wasn't that just like her? To think she had the nerve to lecture him about
responsibility and growing up. It took a while for Lynwood to pull himself together.
Once he calmed down, he went upstairs and flinging himself on his bed, took out one
of his books and buried his head into it, getting lost in a mythical world of magic and
sorcerers, brave knights and of course, dragons.
Chapter5.
Arrested.
Lynwood spent most of the afternoon reading. Remembering he was supposed to cook
supper, he finally put the book down and went into the garden. Lynwood was still
very upset at Sofia and even considered burning her portion of the food to get back at
her, but then that would take extra work and Father would get angry, so he put the
idea out of his head.

Once outside Lynwood noticed the chickens had gotten lose from their pen and were
in the garden. Grumbling at how today everything seemed to be against him, he
grabbed the tools and went to mend the broken chicken coop. There was a slight
drizzle outside and by the time he finished fixing the pen and chased the chickens
back into its Lynwood was pretty damp. Going back into the house, Lynwood put
together a simple supper and then sat down to wait for the rest of the family to return
home.

A hand on his shoulder woke him up suddenly. Shaking his head Lynwood glanced up
and found himself looking into the eyes of Father.

"Looks like you drifted off to sleep," Lyndon chuckled.

"Did I?" Lynwood rubbed his eyes.

"You sure did, I called your name and you didn't lift you head. Where is Sofia?"

"She went out picking black berries."

"And she isn't back yet?" Lyndon's voice became tense.

"Nope, she said something about being back late for dinner."

"You just let her go out into the woods, on her own? Lynwood, what if something
happened to her, what if she got lost or attacked by some wild animal?"
"She'll be fine father; after all, she isn't a baby!" The sarcasm was so strong in
Lynwood's voice that it made Lyndon narrowed his eyes.

"Did the two of you have another argument?"

Lynwood shrugged and looked down.

"Oh, Lynwood, when are the two of you going to learn to get along?" Lyndon
moaned.

"Look Father, it wasn't my fault. She's the one who started it, going on and on about
how I read too much and how I am irresponsible and immature. What was I supposed
to do, smile and nod?"

"Well one thing you really shouldn't have done is let her go off deep into the woods
alone. When did she leave?"

"Right after lunch."

"Right after lunch...right after LUNCH! Lynwood, do you realize how long she has
been gone? Nearly seven hours, SEVEN HOURS! Did it even cross you mind she
might be in some sort of trouble?"

"No, I didn't even realize so much time had passed. I spent most of the day reading
and then got up to cook supper."

"Lynwood, I leave you here in the faith that you will look after your younger sister. I
trust you will take care of her, not argue and then pay no attention when she
disappears for many hours. Instead of taking responsibility, you spend most of your
days reading books and daydreaming. Look at me, young man, you are thirteen years
old, when are you going to finally grow up? So far you are being nothing more than
an immature disappointment to me."
Lynwood felt his face grow hot from anger. Knocking his chair over, Lynwood raced
from the table ran up the stairs to his room, slamming to door behind him. He threw
himself on the bed, angry and humiliated.

"Lynwood, come down, we're going to go look for Sofia." His father called from
downstairs.

"Well go and look for her," Lynwood retorted. "I probably won't be of much help to
you anyways." It was perhaps the first time he had ever so openly contradicted his
father.

"Young man, you get down here this instant!"

"Shan't!" Lynwood replied. "Since I am so young and immature, there is no reason for
me to go. I will be more of a hinder than a help to you."

"Now you listen to me, Lynwood, come down here or I will make you." He could hear
his father coming up the stairs.

"Then make me." Lynwood challenged and crossed his arms in front of his chest. The
door opened and Lyndon walked in.1

"What is up with your behavior, young man?" He angrily asked.

"I'll tell you what it's about," Lynwood burst out. "This is about me being sick and
tired of having to sit here with Sofia day in and day out. I never get to do anything
fun, and you, you never care about it. You don't care anything for me; everything is
always about Sofia."1

"Stop being selfish, Lynwood. You are quite grown up and Sofia is still small. She
needs to be looked after, and since her mother is gone and I cannot stay here, I count
on you to look after her."
"Well, I am tired of looking after her. It's a job that never gets any credit, not from her
and not from you. I am always the bad guy, and since I am such a bad guy then I shall
just stay up here in my room and Sofia can get lost for all I care."

Lyndon raised his hand and hit the boy across the face. Lynwood's left ear and cheek
turned a deep red, but his eyes burned with anger. It was the first time in his life that
his father, usually so easy going, had ever hit him.

"Now listen to me, you get off this bed and help me look for your sister!"

"I said I am not!" Lynwood shot out. "And you know what, you can't make me! Sure,
drag me, drag me all you want, beat me black and blue, I am not going anywhere!" 2

"Very well, young man," Lyndon coldly stated. "Stay here if you wish, but know that
this conversation is not over."

With that Lyndon turned and marched out of the room. Lynwood angrily rubbed his
sore cheek. Once his father was gone, he got up and paced the room. Back and forth,
back and forth. Perhaps he should just run away, go off into the mountains for a long,
long time. Maybe then his father would miss him and appreciate him. Let's see how
they would get along without the selfish, immature Lynwood to do all the dirty work.
Yes, that is what he would do; he would leave, now, while his father was gone.

Grabbing his pack, Lynwood rolled up a woolen blanket and placed it inside. An extra
pair of pants and two shirts followed. He would need a flint to make a fire if he
planned to live in the woods a couple of days, and of course he would take his hunting
knife. He counted the arrows in his quiver and checke his bowstring to make sure it
was still good. He had just packed his three favorite books when he heard a loud crash
downstairs.

Walking to the door of his room he put his ear to it and was startled by another crash;
something very large was being knocked over. Lynwood stiffened when he heard
angry voices downstairs. His hand slipped to his knife and silently he opened the door
and tip-toed down the stairs. Peeking out from behind the corner, he saw two men
restraining his father while another man stood gloating over him. The crash had been
the front door, which had been broken down, and then the table and chairs after them.
There were three other men hunting around the room, all were dressed in uniform.

"There is no use denying it," the man in front of Father was saying. "We know about
everything! Tell us where the letter is, we know you have it."

Father remained silent as he looked defiantly into the eyes of the captain. Lynwood
knew that that the captain was wasting time, if Father didn't want to tell him
something, no one would ever get it out of him. But what was the letter that the man
wanted? What sort of letter could Father have that this man, this soldier, this captain,
would want?

"We have him you know; we have your blacksmith friend and fellow plotter. If you
won't tell us where it is, we will torture him, we will burn your houses; we will kill
your families. Tell us where the letter is!"

Father didn't say one word. The man reached out and struck him on the face. Father
staggered and blood appeared, but he still remained silent. Lynwood covered his
mouth to stop the cry that nearly came from his lips. He knew that if he wanted to
help Father, he would need to keep very quiet.

As silently as he could, Lynwood slipped back upstairs, fastened his cloak, and
attached his quiver to his belt. He then grabbed his bag and bow hanging them over
his shoulder. There was one problem, how was he to get out of the house? The
thought of climbing out of the window crossed his mind. He was on the second floor,
but it was worth a try.

"We found it sir!" A voice downstairs called.

Something inside told Lynwood to go back down. Peeking out, he saw another soldier
standing in front of the captain, holding some sort of letter in his hand.
"I told you we would find it." The captain laughed cruelly in Father's face. "You can't
hide anything from us, it's over..." He was cut short by Lynwood, who had rushed out
of his hiding place and running as fast as he could, snatched the letter out of the
soldier's hand. He succeeded in this because the soldier had been completely off
guard.

"Hey you, who are you? Who is this? Get him, catch him!" The captain shouted.

"Run, Lynwood, run as fast as you can," Lyndon yelled. "Find Sofia and get as far
away from here as possible. You have to take the letter to the nephew of the king! Do
you understand? The nephew of the king! Get to the capital city of Arrol! But find
Sofia first!"

"Silence you!" The captain commanded, giving Lyndon a rough kick.

Lynwood, despite not wanting to leave his father, knew he couldn't be of help to him,
so pushing and shoving he managed to get away from the soldiers, who were all trying
to grab him. Racing out the front door he ran for dear life into the woods as fast as his
legs could carry him.

"Catch him!" He could hear the captain yelling at the top of his lungs. "Get him!
Bring him back! Don't let him get away. Retrieve that letter at all costs! Find him! Do
you hear me? Find him!"1

Lynwood ran all the faster, not even stopping to look back. Zig-zagging here and
there, diving under branches and over logs. He tried to keep his mind clear even
though he was so confused. Father had just been arrested, but Lynwood didn't know
for what. Where on earth was Sofia?
Chapter6.
Trouble.
 
Sofia was walking down the path humming a tune to herself. She was in no hurry to
get home, knowing Lynwood was still probably boiling mad. It has started to rain but
she didn't mind, the rain didn't' bother her. She had gone deep, deep into the woods to
find the delicious black berries; she had also collected mushrooms and raspberries.
Deeper and deeper she had gone, but at last decided to stop. Father would start getting
worried and maybe he would get mad a Lynwood. As she made her way home, she
took her time, studying the birds and watching squirrels climbing trees.

Sofia had finally reached the edge of the woods when someone suddenly crashed into
her. Tumbling to the ground, Sofia dropped her basket and spilled the contents
everywhere. Annoyed, she looked to see who it could have been.

"Lynwood, you silly boy! Watch where you are going; you could have really hurt
me."

"Sofia?" Lynwood stammered. "Thank goodness I found you. Quick, quick, we don't
have much time."

"Much time for what?" Sofia was taken aback by Lynwood's statement.

"I'll explain later, we don't have time now, do you hear."

"Lynwood, what on earth is the matter?" Sofia was very perplexed.

"I'll tell you later, quick, they catching up."

"Who is catching up?"

"Just run, you hear? Run!"

Grabbing her hand, he dragged her behind him as he kept on running. They would
have to get up the mountain; he knew they would be able to lose the soldiers in the
thick forest. After all they were acquainted with these woods while the soldiers
weren't. Higher up the mountain the forests were deep and dark and it would be hard
to track them down. Of course, running uphill was no joke, but there really wasn't
much choice. They couldn't go to the village; the soldiers would find them there. He
knew they had captured Tristan, but what they had done with Elaine? Did they capture
her to? What were they supposed to do now? He had this letter; Father had told him to
take it to the nephew of the king in the capital city. He wanted him to go to Arrol!
How on earth was he supposed to get there? He didn't even know where it was, or
which road would take him there. And what was he supposed to do with Sofia? Was
Father gone for good? Would they kill him? Would they ever see him again?
Lynwood did his best to keep such thoughts out if his mind as he ran and ran, with
poor Sofia stumbling behind him.

"Lynwood, I can't I can't run anymore!" Sofia panted after some time. "Tell me what
is going on, where's Father?"

"Later Sofia, later, later!" Lynwood replied, gripping her harder and dragging her with
all his might. "If you value your life you must keep running. Don't look back, don't
stop; keep going."

On and on they ran, Lynwood did even look back, he couldn't afford to; he just knew
they had to get away. Soon the voices became distant and then disappeared altogether.
They had lost the guards at last, but to remain on the safe side it would be wise to run
up just a little further. Just a little more and Lynwood was sure they would be safe.

But then it happened!

Sofia tripped over some rock or root or log or something, and fell down in a heap. She
gave a loud shriek which made Lynwood turn around and clamp his hand over her
mouth.

"Shush you!" he hissed. Tears appeared in Sofia's eyes.

"My ankle," she whispered, "I think I have broken it."

"Oh no," Lynwood groaned to himself. "This is the last thing we needed." Out loud he
asked. "Are you sure, Sofia?"

"I think so," Sofia was biting her lip and the tears were coming down in a steady
stream. "It really, really, really hurts."

Lynwood quickly looked at her foot and saw that it was swelling. Swiftly he felt it
with his hand to see if it was broken. To his relief it was only sprained, but touching it
made Sofia cry even harder.

"Sofia, please be quiet," he pleaded. "You just have to bear it, we only have a little
more to go."

"I can't walk on it."

"I know, I'm going to find us a hiding place." With those words he took off, leaving
poor Sofia bewildered and in tears.

Lynwood searched for a spot he could hide with his sister and suddenly fell into a
ditch. The tall grass had completely hid it from view. Looking up he saw a low log,
hanging over the ditch. This would be a good hiding place. The grass covered it from
prying eyes and the log provided a bit of a cave they could crouch under. Getting out
he returned to his frightened and confused sister, and help her hobble to the low log.

"Sofia we are going to have to hide very silently for a little while, I know your leg
really hurts but you must be very quiet."
"Okay," Sofia answered. Together they crawled down underneath the log and sat
there. Lynwood could see that Sofia was in pain, she kept biting her lip and trying not
to cry, he couldn't help but think what a brave sister he had. Putting his arm around
her, he whispered, "You can bury you head in my shoulder if you want."

"Did I break my ankle?" Sofia asked at last.

"No, it's not broken, it's only sprained."

"So, what is the matter Lynwood, what is happening? Where is Papa, why did we
have to run?"

"Oh dear, Sofia, everything is so complicated. Father was arrested for some reason,
and the soldiers found this letter that he didn't want them to find, so I took the letter
and ran off."

"And Papa, where is Papa now?" Sofia's eyes had gotten wider and wider with horror.

"He is still there."

"Lynwood, Papa is caught, why did you stay and help him? We have to go back and
help him. We can't leave him he needs our help. Let's go back, oh please let’s go
back!"1

"We can't go back Sofia; we will only get caught ourselves; we have to stay here.
What can we do to help? Those men are big and strong and will just put us under
arrest as well."

Sofia nodded silently, realizing the truth in her brother's words. She crawled over to
sit down more comfortable and Lynwood carefully took her shoe off and examined
her foot.

"I don't know what to do," he said at last, "I suppose I'll wrap it up in my shirt for
now. What we need of course is ice..."
"Lynwood," Sofia's voice was suddenly tense. "Look around you very carefully."

Lynwood noticed that her face was white and her eyes were filled a mixture of fear
and wonder.

"What is it?" He asked in a whisper, almost afraid of what was behind him.

"Just turn around, but don't do it very suddenly."

Lynwood slowly looked over his shoulder. The sight nearly made him fall over in
shock. Not far away, resting on a clear patch of forest, was a dragon.
Chapter 7.
The Dragon.
 

"Is that a dragon, Lynwood, a real one?" Sofia whispered.

Lynwood slowly nodded his head. "Yes. Where on earth did, he come from? Dragons
were supposed to have gone extinct a long time ago."

"I guess they didn't," Sofia said.

"What is he d*doing here?"

"I'm sure I don't know! Lynwood, you're the specialist about dragons, I'm the one who
should be asking you the questions. Do you think it's alive?"

"I'm not sure, his eyes are closed but I can't tell if he is breathing or not. I'm going to
and take a closer look."

"Oh Lynwood, please be careful." Sofia grabbed her brother's shoulder. "If something
should happen to you, I wouldn't know what do, stuck out here, alone with a sprained
ankle and a dragon right nearby."

Lynwood quietly crept up to where the dragon lay; he had often gone hunting with
father and knew how to walk about without making a lot of noise. As he got closer, he
noticed that the dragon was breathing. Okay, this dragon was a live dragon, that
couldn't be good news. Creeping up, he took a good look at him. The dragon was dark
red in color, with golden scales blended in on his back. He had four legs, four huge
paws and Lynwood could just imagine what sort of claws they possessed. Two large
wings were folded on his back. The dragon was breathing heavily, almost as if it was
sick. Taking a close look at the dragon's face, Lynwood saw he had a horn on the tip
of his nose, and sticking out of his left eyebrow was an arrow.
"Lynwood."

Lynwood jumped and looked behind him. "For goodness sake, Sofia, what are you
doing here? You nearly scared the living daylights out of me. What if I were to yell;
then what would have happened to us?"

"I'm sorry," Sofia looked down a little ashamed, yet at the same time feeling very
pleased for having come so quietly. "Is it alive? The dragon I mean."

"Yes, it's alive, but he is hurt. See his eyebrow has been pierced with an arrow. This
dragon was attacked by someone."

"Oh, the poor dear," Sofia clasped her hands to her chest. "Lynwood, I thought that
dragons have scales so strong that an arrow can't pierce them. Weren't they supposed
to be like stronger that iron or something?"

"I guess they're not."

"How come?"

"How should I know?"

"I thought that you knew everything about dragons."

"Yeah, well, I only know of what I have read, and that wasn't so much. The town
library can only offer so much. Come on, we should get out of here, after all, we don't
want the dragon to notice us."

They turned to go, but Sofia accidently broke a stick lying in her path. There was a
loud crack followed a deathly silence. The dragon jerked his eyes open and looked
around. Lynwood and Sofia froze as the head slowly turned and the large yellow
green eyes of the dragon met the terrified gaze of the children.
For a moment, the dragon and the children stared at each other completely motionless.
At last Lynwood carefully strung his bow, after which he reached into his quiver for
an arrow. The dragon became alert

"Lynwood, what are you doing?" Sofia hissed.

"Killing it before it kills us of course. Is that what you want to become, dragon
dinner?"

"Lynwood put the bow away! Look at him; the minute you took the arrow out he
became angry and fierce."

"Sofia, if you don't get the dragon first, then the dragon will get you. Everyone knows
that." Lynwood replied and took his aim. The dragon in turn raised himself to his full
height, and stood, towering over them. He was big, very, very big. He took a step
closer to them, hate burning in his eyes.

"Lynwood, put the arrow down!" Sofia whispered. "Don't you realize it will do more
harm than good? We have to gain the dragon's trust, maybe then he will be willing to
help us. The only way we are going to get out of this mess is if we convince the
dragon we are not going to hurt him."

"We're not?"

"Lynwood!"

The dragon was getting nearer and it was obvious that he was headed for Lynwood.

"Lynwood, for the last time PUT THE ARROW DOWN!" Sofia nearly screamed at
him. Lynwood, taken back by his sister's uncharacteristic behavior, obeyed and
lowered his bow. The dragon stopped and stared at the two children again.
"This staring contest is making me nervous," Lynwood growled. "So, what is your
plan now, Sofia?"

"Plan, I don't have any plan." Sofia shrugged. "I just knew that if you were to start
shooting the dragon then we would all be in a lot of trouble."

Lynwood rolled his eyes.

At last the dragon started moving again, making his way to Lynwood. As he got
closer Lynwood could feel his warm breath. Slowly Lynwood's hand reached for his
knife. The fire got stronger in the dragon's eyes as he continued to get closer to him.

"Oh no you don't!" Sofia managed to pull herself up to a standing position and stood
in front of Lynwood. "Now you listen to me! We didn't attack you, Lynwood put the
bow and arrow down, and the only reason he is reaching for his knife is because you
are coming to him. Keep your distance and we will keep ours."

"Sofia, you are talking to an animal, he doesn't understand you."

"Maybe he does," Sofia replied. "He has very intelligent eyes, just look at them. "

Sofia was right; the dragon's eyes were intelligent. And behind those eyes was the
dragon's brain and Lynwood couldn't help but wonder what sort of thoughts were
going through that brain right now. Slowly he released his hold on the knife, then,
after second thought, he took the knife out and dropped it on the ground. The dragon
watched his actions without moving a muscle.

"Lyn, why don't we try to help him?" Sofia suggested.

"Don't call me that," Lynwood threw his hands up in annoyance. "What do you mean
by help him?"

"Let's pull the arrow out from his eye."

"Oh no, no, no, no, there is no way you are going to get me to do that."
"And why not?"

"Why not? I'll tell you why not, because I don't want to get any closer him than I have
too. He may interpret it in the wrong way and attack me."

"I will stay here and talk to him while you do it." Sofia reassured but Lynwood was
not comforted.

"Sofia, we have to go. We managed to get away from the guards, but they are
probably still looking for us and we have to get deeper into the forest and find a place
to hide."

"Lynwood, you know very well that I can't get anywhere on this foot. I think it would
be the right thing for us to help this poor creature. Imagine if you were shot with an
arrow and happened upon a stranger, wouldn't you want him to help you?"

"That's easy for you to say, seeing as you won't be the one actually doing anything,"
Lynwood grumbled and walked closer to the dragon. The dragon growled softly.

"Now listen," Lynwood addressed the dragon.” I want to help you; I want to take that
arrow out of your eye because I know it is giving you a lot of pain. However, your
head is too high, so you have to lower it. If you will put it down, I'll try to get the
arrow out."

The dragon eyed Lynwood suspiciously for a moment then lowered his large red head.
The arrow was not very large, and hadn't actually pierced into the dragon's head. It
had gone through the eyebrow and come out the other end, so Lynwood was pretty
sure it didn't do any damage to his brain. Lynwood noticed that the arrow was slightly
hooked at the sharp edge, and if one tried to pull it out, it would rip the flesh. Despite
himself, Lynwood couldn't help but feel very disgusted at this horrid sort of arrow. If
the dragon had tried to get rid of it on his own, he could have seriously hurt himself.
Lynwood put his hand on the scaly head as he pondered what to do. The scales felt
weird, it wasn't like touching the skin of a frog or a lizard; this was so very different.
The dragon stirred violently when the boy had touched him and Lynwood could feel a
shiver go down the dragon's entire body, which sent a shiver down his spine.

After some thought Lynwood decided that the best way to do it would be to cut the
skin and take out the arrow. It was the safest way he could think of doing it. Any other
way he might do some damage to the dragon's eye. Fetching his knife from where he
had dropped it and wiping it with his shirt, came up to the dragon again. The dragon
gave a low growl at the sight of the boy with the knife.

"Gently, gently," Lynwood tried to reassure. "The knife is going to cut your skin so
that I can take the arrow out. It's the only way. You must bear the pain quietly, we
don't want to draw attention to ourselves, do we?" With those words, he proceeded to
cut the flesh. The dragon gave a bit of a wheezing sound, yet other than that he made
no noise.

It was not a pleasant task, but Lynwood tried to just focus on the urgency of the
matter. Soon the arrow was in Lynwood's hand, but there was now an open wound
and was bleeding. Lynwood searched for something to stop the blood flow. Noticing
the bag, he had tossed aside, he rushed to it and looked inside. Pulling out his shirt he
ripped it, handing one half to Sofia.

"Sofia you wait here with the dragon, press this to the cut. I'm going to wet this shirt
and then be back to wash the wound."

"Um..." Sofia didn't seem too happy with the idea of Lynwood walking away, but
Lynwood had already run off.

The one nice thing about this mountain was its abundance of streams, and there was
one not far from where the children and the dragon were. Lynwood dipped his shirt in
the cool waters. Not bothering to wring it out, he ran back all the time not believing
what he was doing. All the books he had ever read it always said to kill a dragon on
sight, and here he was, treating a dragon's wound. This was beyond all common sense.

Upon returning, he pressed the wet cloth to the dragon's head. It was a small wound,
but cleaning it was not easy. He had no proper tools, and when he did get the bleeding
to stop, it didn't look to promising. They had to somehow ensure that the wound
wouldn't get infected, and without any linen or ointment, Lynwood went for the only
option he had.

"Sofia, listen to me, I don't have any way to bandage the wound, so I am going to sear
it. Your job is to the keep this monster calm while I am doing it. The wound is small,
so it shouldn't take too long."

Sofia's eyes got wide. "Oh, Lynwood, do you have too?"

"Yes, I do. Keep him from freaking out, I'll handle everything else."

"Lynwood, how are you going to make a fire?"

"I have a flint in my bag."

"You have a flint?" Sofia was confused. How strange that Lynwood had a bag with all
sorts of things; almost as though he had known beforehand that they were going to be
raided.

"I'm going to hunt around for some dry wood to start the fire." Lynwood continued.
"You sit here with the dragon and hold the remnants of my shirt to his wound to keep
the blood from flowing."

"You're going to leave me alone? What if those soldiers should come and get me?"

"Sofia, you are sitting right next to a dragon. I don't think anyone stands a chance with
him. Don't you worry; I'll be back real soon."
Sofia wasn't exactly comforted but Lynwood didn't give her any room for argument
and ran off again. How glad he was his father had taught him what to do if he should
get lost in the woods. After some diligent search, he managed to find some wood that
was pretty dry and gathering it he ran back to where Sofia was sitting.

"Lynwood, this wound looks ugly and I don't like touching it." Sofia was obviously
disgusted with her task.

"I know," Lynwood nodded. "That's why we are going to sear it." With that he pulled
his book out of the bag and with a grimace tore out some pages which he used to help
him start the fire. Making a fire in foggy, drizzly weather is not easy, but Lynwood
worked diligently and managed at last to get a small flame going. Quickly he wiped
his knife, washed in the stream, and then carefully he stuck it in the fire. Once it had
turned white from the heat he turned and placed it to the dragon's wound. This process
was repeated several times. He worked quickly and carefully, not keeping the knife
there for too long so that he wouldn't burn the dragon's skin.

"How do you know what to do, Lynwood?" Sofia loudly whispered.

"I read about it in a book." Lynwood hurriedly replied, concentrating on the task at
hand.

"But you've never actually done it before?"

Lynwood shook his head as he placed his knife back into the fire. He tried his best to
be careful, but did burn the dragon's skin a bit more than he should have and the
dragon gave another violent shudder, and yanked his head in the opposite direction.
Apart from that, the dragon sat quietly through the whole procedure and allowed
Lynwood to sear his wound. It had hurt him greatly; but he did not utter any sound. It
was as though he understood Lynwood was helping him.
The dragon was rather puzzled, he had always thought that humans were evil and
cruel, but this young human was doing something completely unheard of, he was
trying to help.

At last Lynwood was finished and placing his knife down, surveyed his work. There
would be an ugly scar, but the wound was closed and with good hope it had not gotten
infected. Lynwood got up and washed his hands, then taking the dirty shirt he ran off
and hid it among the thick shrubbery, after which he put out the fire and covered it
with fallen branches and wet pine needles.

"Come on, Sofia," Lynwood said when he was done. "We have to get out of here.
We've wasted way too much time as it is with this fellow. It is almost dark and there
are all sorts of animals in these woods, not to mention those soldiers might still be on
the lookout for us."

"How are we going to get anywhere, Lynwood? I can't get very far with my sprained
ankle."

"But we can't stay here either; we will get caught sooner or later."

"What makes you think that they will come looking for us."

"I have this letter," he pulled the envelope from his pocket. "And they really want it."

"What is in the letter?"

"I don't know, the envelope is sealed. Father said we have to take it to the nephew of
the king."

"The king has a nephew?"

"Well obviously. I don't think Father would lie to me at that moment."

"How are we going to get it there?"

"I have no idea! At this moment, I'm just as confused as you are." Lynwood threw
himself on the wet ground next to Sofia and sighed. "I just don't know," he repeated.

The entire time the dragon had been watching the children, listening to their
conversation. He had hated humans his entire life, they were the reason he had been
wounded. They had killed his kind, and in his mind, they were nothing more than
bloodthirsty parasites. But these little humans were so very different. They had taken
the time to stop him and now they were both very sad, and it seemed very lost. It was
not normal for human children to wander deep in the woods at sunset. Something
must be wrong then. Perhaps they had nowhere to go. It must be that way, after all, if
they had some place to stay, they would have left and not just remained sitting there
on the wet ground. He moved his head and nudged Sofia a bit. Startled, she looked at
the dragon.

"Lynwood, I think the dragon wants to tell us something."

"Dragons can't talk," Lynwood replied.

"I know that, but still, I think he wants to tell us something."

Lynwood lifted his head. "Alright dragon, what do you want to tell us?"

The dragon turned his gaze towards Lynwood. He didn't really like this little human,
and he knew that the little human didn't like him, but the little human had gone
through quite some trouble to fix his wounds, and had done it as carefully as he
possibly could, and the dragon was determined to repay the debt. He nudged towards
his back, then stared straight at Lynwood for a few minutes. Lynwood didn't feel very
comfortable looking straight into the dragon's eyes, but the dragon held his gaze. It
was almost as if he was talking with his eyes. They seemed to say, "Climb on my
back, I can take you somewhere safe."
Lynwood was sure he was imagining. Dragons couldn't talk and they most certainly
couldn't talk with their eyes. The dragon once more tossed his head and nudged
toward his back; Lynwood felt certain that the dragon wanted them to climb on.

"I think he wants us to get on him," Lynwood whispered to Sofia.

"I think so too," Sofia nodded. "Okay, then let's go!"

"Now just wait a minute, Sofia, how do we know we can trust him? He may just
decide to take us somewhere and eat us."

"Lynwood, don't you think that if he wanted to eat us he would have attacked us
earlier?"

"Well, maybe he wants to keep us and then eat us, you know like catch us and eat us
for dinner."

"Then he would have just grabbed us and flown away. Come on, this fellow is like six
times larger than the both of us. Really, Lynwood, stop being so skeptical about
everything."

"You do have a point I suppose," Lynwood shrugged and seeing no other option
helped his sister hobble to the dragon and lifted her onto his back. "Anyway, it's not
like becoming dragon dinner is any worse than staying out here, left to the mercy of
the elements and in danger of being captured by the soldiers."

"Oh, Lynwood, you are so pessimistic."

Lynwood smiled and was about to climb on the dragon, when he stopped and ran back
to the place where he had dropped the arrow. Picking it up, he hurriedly placed it in
the bag he had brought with him, wondering who had shot it at the dragon, and why of
all places, had he aimed for the dragon's eye?
Chapter 8
The Dragon's Cave.
As soon as the children had seated themselves on his back, the dragon lifted his wings
and took off from the ground. Lynwood looked down a little uneasily, and then lifted
his face to the sky. He was flying! The only thing that really spoiled this first flight
was the fact that he was flying on the back of some unknown dragon, and he wasn't
sure where this dragon was taking him. Higher and higher they flew up the Great
Mountain. Lynwood was sure they were higher than any man had ever climbed. They
got to a place where the trees became bare and the rocks became large. Here at one
point the dragon descended and they saw they were headed to the mouth of a large
cave.

"He's taking us to his cave!" Sofia whispered, delight and wonder in her voice.

"I noticed," was Lynwood's dry response.

The dragon flew inside, then rested his feet on the ground and began walking. The
cave looked more like a tunnel; it just went on and on. There was little light, and it
became darker and darker.

"SOOO it's spooky here." Sofia shivered a little. "It's a good thing we have a dragon
with us to protect us!"

"Uhm right," Lynwood muttered. "This has got to be the weirdest thing that is
happening to me!" He shook his head. "I must be dreaming, I must be, this just can't
be real!"

"It's very real, Lyn," Sofia smiled. Because I think it would be very odd if both you
and me were having the same dream."

"Stop calling me Lyn!"

"Sorry."

At last the dragon stopped. Lynwood climbed off his back and helped Sofia get down
and the two of them took a look at their surroundings. They were at the end of the
cave, a little light coming in from cracks on one side. The light was dim, the sun had
just about set and the few rays that managed to get through the cracks would all but
disappear soon. On one side was a large pile of hay, twigs, pine needles, and moss. To
the left of the cave was a clear mountain pool, other than that the cave was bare and
grey.

"Did you notice something wrong about this cave?" Sofia was frowning.

"Wrong?" Lynwood raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, look around, what do you see?"

"I, uh," Lynwood turned his head this way and that way. "I uh, well I see dragon in the
cave."

"And besides that?"

"Besides that, there is this pool, and rocks, and over there is a nest of some sort, and
of course there's you."

"Yes, yes, but besides that."

"Besides that, well, nothing." Lynwood shrugged. "What is all this leading too Sofia?"

"There is no treasure in this cave!" Sofia sighed with frustration.

"And..."

"Oh Lynwood, come on, everyone knows that dragons always keep treasure in their
caves. It's in all the stories; the large cave, filled to the brim with treasure of all sorts!
but look, there is none here, none at all."
"I guess the stories were wrong." Lynwood shrugged again.

"But that's not fair then! It is a well-accepted fact that dragons always breathe fire and
keep treasure in their caves!"

"You know, Sofia, just because something is considered a well-accepted fact, won't
necessarily make it true!"

Sofia was silent for a moment; then looked at Lynwood a little annoyed. "You know
what, you just contradicted yourself!"

"I did, in what way?"

"You said that because something is considered a well-accepted fact doesn't

necessarily make it true."

"Yes."

"Now remember back in the woods you were asking why he hadn't attacked us, saying
that it is a well-accepted fact that dragons will always attack humans. Well you
answered your own question. So, if one fact about dragons is not true, how do we
know that all of them are?"

Lynwood stubbornly shook his head, "but all the books..."

"Lynwood, have you ever stopped to think that the books could be wrong? After all,
books about dragons were written by men. I should think that if a dragon were to
write a book about dragons, it would be a whole lot different." 7

Lynwood pondered all that Sofia had said. Could it really be true? Could everything
he had ever known about dragons be wrong? No, how could that be? It just didn't
make sense.

"Oh, I don't know," he said at last. "And at this moment, I really don't care."
Sofia sighed and nodded her head, the two of them sat by the pool in silence. The sad
reality of their situation once more came crashing down on them.

"I suppose we are stuck here then," Lynwood finally said.

Sofia nodded, and glancing up, looked over at the dragon who was eyeing them
curiously.

"Why does he keep staring at us?"

Lynwood only shrugged in reply.

"I wonder if it's really a 'he'; maybe it's a 'she'."

"It's a he!"

"How do you know?"

"Well, according to the books, male dragons have horns. Look, see, on his nose, there
is that large golden horn, so I'm guessing it's a male. I know the books were wrong
about a lot of things it seems, but this is one fact I am guessing is true. It would make
sense, don't you think?"

"I suppose so," Sofia said. "I wonder how old he is."

"Dragons are said to live for a very long time, much longer than people, but I have no
idea of how to determine his age."

"Is he older than we are?"

"A great deal older; he's a very large dragon, and his eyes are very wise. Something
tells me he's lived up here in this cave for a long, long time."

After a moment of silence, Sofia abruptly turned to her brother. "Lynwood, I am

simply starving! “Well, I hate to break it to you, Sofia, but I have don't know where to
get you some food."
Sofia sighed. "Does that mean we are going to starve to death?"

"Maybe."

"Lynwood!"

"What?"

"You should try to find some solution to this problem, we can't just accept fate the
way it is, we have to do something."

"Well then, do something!" Lynwood barked at her. "I'm trying to figure out how I am
supposed to take that letter to the nephew of the king."

"Is that all you can think about?" Sofia was shocked and her voice clearly showed it.
"Your own sister might be dying of hunger and all you care about is some letter to
some nephew of some king!"

"You're not dying of hunger."

"I might as well be."

"Oh, for goodness sake, Sofia," Lynwood stood up. "Father gave me a job to do!"

"But that doesn't mean that you should turn away from your responsibilities!" Sofia
shot back.

Lynwood narrowed his eyes. "Where do you think I'm going to be able to get you
food from?" He nearly shouted at his sister. "Do I look like I have any? You think I
can just magically make food appear out of nowhere?"

Sofia bit her lip and tears came to her eyes. Lynwood sighed and getting up walked
over to where she was sitting and put his arm around her.

"I'm sorry Sofia, I hadn't meant to yell. I'm hungry too, but there is nowhere for us to
get food right now. The past events have happened so quickly and have been so
strange. We are in a rather tight situation and we'll just have to be brave and face it the
best way we can."

Sofia nodded a little and put her head on Lynwood's shoulder. The two of them sat
very still of a long while, both were exhausted, it had turned out to be a very tiring day
for them. The dragon had been looking at them for a long time. He had watched how
Lynwood had lost his temper, then how he had gone to apologize and how the two of
them still looked so sad. He concluded something terrible must have happened to
them to make them both so sad. He was also tired and exhausted. It had been a
wretched day for him as well. He was hungry, but far too tired and in pain to go and
hunt something. At the same time, he felt so sorry for the poor little humans, their
clothes and hair were still damp from the drizzle that was outside. He went over to his
nest and motioned to it with his head. Lynwood looked up and noticed.

"I think he is telling us that we can spend the night in his bed," he said, nudging Sofia.

"You think so?" Sofia asked.

Lynwood nodded. "Yes, he's motioning to the nest but isn't getting into it himself, I
think that's his way of telling us we can sleep there."

"Oh how kind of him!" Sofia exclaimed as she crawled into the heap. "Come on
Lynwood, it is very soft and comfortable."

Lynwood turned to the dragon; haltingly he reached out and gave the dragon a little
awkward pat, then he climbed into the nest next to Sofia. Pulling his blanket out of the
bag, he covered the two of them.

"Lynwood, tell me something. When did you have time to pack all this? You have a
blanket and a flint and all that other stuff in the bag!"

"Oh," Lynwood gave a small, sad laugh. "I was planning to run away from home, so I
packed my things."
"RUN AWAY FROM HOME!!!! Whatever for?"

"Father and I had an argument and I were all angry and upset."

"So, you decided to run away, were you really going too?"

"Of course not," Lynwood sighed. "I would probably just go for a long hike, realized
what a silly fool I was, calmed down, and come straight back. Where would I have
gone? I was just angry so I wasn't thinking straight. Anger is a dangerous thing Sofia;
it can make you do so many stupid things you will later regret." Lynwood grew
thoughtful from his own words; then he sighed and looked over at the dragon who
was watching him and Sofia.

"Thank you," he said with a soft smile. "Thank you for letting us stay the night here. It
would have been cold and unpleasant if we would have had to stay out there in the
woods."

The dragon smiled back. Dragon smiles always look a bit odd, and to some they may
even look funny, but they are very sweet none the less. Then the dragon lay down
beside the nest. Within a few moments dragon and children were fast asleep. 1
Chapter9.
Down the Mountain and Up Again.
"Lynwood, wake up, wake up!" Sofia's voice broke the silence of Lynwood's sleep.

"What do you want, Sofia?" he grumbled.

"The dragon brought over breakfast and you have to cook it."

"Who?"

"The dragon! The dragon from yesterday. We're in his cave and he brought us
something to eat."

Lynwood opened his eyes and looked around at the semi dark surroundings of the
dragon cave. The events of the past day came flooding back to his memory. "Oh
right," he groaned and rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"Come on, Lynwood, I'm hungry, hungry!"

"Have you any idea what time it is?"

"Nope."

"Bother." Lynwood sighed and sat up. "So, what sort of animal did the dragon bring?"

"A deer. Come on, get up and cook it, please, please, please!"

"Just a minute, impatient female!"

Rising from the nest, Lynwood stumbled over to the pool to wash his face. Taking a
deep breath, he stuck his whole head into the water. When he pulled it out, his soaking
wet hair stuck to his face and dripped onto his shirt. Giving his head a vigorous shake,
he sent little droplets in all direction.

"Lynwood," Sofia laughed beside him. "You're getting me all wet!"

"Stay out of my way then," Lynwood laughed back. Getting up, he walked over to the
deer that was lying on the ground. "Are you sure we can have some of this Sofia?"

"Of course, I'm sure!"

"Okay, let's see if we can try and cook something."

There was a pile of branches in a corner of the cave; Lynwood wondered where they
had come from. There had been none the night before. The branches were pretty large,
but with the help of his hand and knees he managed to turn them into firewood. After
a little effort, and a few more pages from his book, he got a fire going. Then he turned
to the deer and began the rather gruesome task of skinning it. It was not easy since all
he had was his small hunting knife, but at last he managed to cut some of the meat off
and put it on two sharps sticks that he had prepared earlier.

"Sofia," he called when the meat was ready. "Come and eat breakfast."

Sofia crawled over and pounced on her portion of meat, burning her hands and tongue
as she greedily ate. Suddenly she stopped and looked at Lynwood.

"You forgot to make some for the dragon," she stated.

"Dragons eat raw meat, Sofia," Lynwood said with a laugh.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure. Now that is a well-accepted fact that is very true. Think of it,
he's sort of like a bear or a mountain lion, they don't cook their food either."

Sofia, seeing the logic turned her attention back to her meal. Presently the dragon
returned and walked over to where the children were sitting.

"Thank you for the breakfast," Lynwood looked up at him. "We've eaten as much as
we will need. What do we do with the rest of the carcass?"

The dragon replied by taking the carcass and dragging it out of the cave.
"Why doesn't he eat it?" Sofia whispered.

"Probably because we took all the good meat off of it, or maybe he's already eaten, I
don't know, I'm not a dragon."

The children finished their breakfast and then cleaned up the little mess they made.
Lynwood glanced over at his sister's ankle.

"We need ice!" He stated. With that he turned to the dragon.

"The top of the mountain is not so far away. Could you take me up? I need ice for my
sister. She hurt her ankle and I have to treat it, otherwise it could be very bad for her
foot."

The dragon shook his head and turning departed. Lynwood turned to Sofia, who
shrugged. About half an hour later the dragon returned, covered in snow, with a huge
clung of ice in his claws. He set it in the corner, and proceeded to break off a piece
with the help of his claws and teeth. The two children watched speechless.

"Wow!" Sofia muttered. "He sure is strong."

Lynwood went over to collect the ice. "Thank you," he kindly said. "Thank you very
much."

Once the compress had been made, with the help of Lynwood's second spare shirt, the
dragon sat in one corner of the cave while the children sat in the nest. Lynwood
reached into his inner vest pocket and pulled out the letter. Except for the seal there
was nothing on it, it was simply plain white.

"I wonder what's in here that is so important, and why the soldiers were after it?" He
thought to himself as he fiddled with it. He wanted to open it and read what was
inside, but he knew he should not. How would he be able to deliver a letter with a
broken seal? Carefully he put the letter back into his vest pocket and turned towards
his sister.
"Sofia, we have a problem, I have to get this letter to the capital, but at the same time
we can't go on living like this, living in a dragon cave won't make us dragons."

"So, what are we going to do? You know I can't go anywhere, not on this foot. I'll be
stuck for at least a week."

"I know that." Lynwood became deep in thought. "I wonder, Sofia, the captain said
that they had arrested Tristan..."

"They took Tristan away too!" Sofia gasped in horror, "oh dear, why, why?"

"I haven't the faintest clue. All I know is what I heard. No one said anything about
Elaine. What if she is still at her house, maybe she can help us somehow."

"What do you plan to do?"

"Well, I was thinking, what if I was to sneak down and try to find out if she is okay.
Perhaps we could stay with her for now. Or at least she could fill us in on the what
and why."

"I think it is very dangerous, but at the same time I want to know what happened to
Father, and if there is any way to get him back. It's just I am afraid of you going down
there."

"You don't have to be. I'll sneak into the village, and see if Elaine is still at the house."

Sofia frowned. "I can't see how you are going to get down the mountain."

Lynwood shrugged. "Climb down I guess."

"Why don't you ask the dragon to take you down?"

"I don't feel comfortable asking him."

"You didn't have a problem with the ice."

"Well, no, but that was because to get the ice we would have to go up. To get to
Elaine we have to go down and that will expose him to people."

"So, you would rather risk death? Come on, Lynwood, he is a dragon. All he has to do
is spread those wings, swoosh down, drop you off and swoosh back up!"

"I don't know," Lynwood grumbled.

At this point the dragon came up and nudged Lynwood, he then motioned with his
head to the cave entrance, almost as if to say. "It's no problem, I'll take you."

"There, I don't think he minds taking you," Sofia pointed out with a smile. "I don't
think you should be so afraid of asking."

"Whatever," Lynwood growled. "It's not like I was afraid; I just didn't feel
comfortable doing it."

Sofia shook her head. "You are just too proud, that is the real trouble. You always
want to do everything yourself."

Lynwood was about to retort a smart reply, but bit his tongue. Now was not the time
to argue with his sister. The situation was serious and they had to remain friends and
let little annoyances pass them by. Their fights had gotten them into enough trouble as
it was.

"Do you think you could take me down the mountain?" He asked in a low voice,
while keep his face turned to the ground studying his feet.

The dragon gave a low murmur and Lynwood looked up and saw him give a nod of
his head. Lynwood smiled a crooked smile and nodded his head as well. Taking a
deep breath, he scrambled up the dragon. Climbing up on a dragon isn't really the
easiest thing to do, for there is really no mane like a horse to grab onto, and Lynwood
had a bit of a struggle at first, but at last he managed it and positioned himself
comfortably on the dragon's back. It was annoying not to have anything to really hold
onto, other than grip the sides with your knees, but Lynwood figured he'd managed it
once before and would manage again.

"Lynwood, you will bring me something to eat, won't you?" Sofia called.

"I don't know, maybe," Lynwood called over his shoulder as the dragon took off. "Just
take me to the edge of the mountain," Lynwood told the dragon. "I'll go to the village
myself, after all everyone might just freak out if they see you. You can wait for me in
the woods."

The dragon nodded and presently they reached the great mountain's base.

"Wait here," Lynwood said. "I'll be back as soon as I can." With that he turned and
carefully made his way out of the forest. He had to be very careful to enter the village
without being noticed. Everyone in the town knew him, and if even only one person
was to notice him it would go like fire around the town. Carefully he zig-zagged from
house to house, from garden to garden, until at last he got to Tristan and Elaine's
home. The annoying thing was it was practically in the center of the village. He
stepped back when he saw soldiers at the front door. This was not good! He couldn't
go up to the house, but he needed to find Elaine. He decided to try coming in from the
back of the property. Elaine had shrubbery, berry bushes and other plant life growing
on by the fence in her back yard that would be of help to him. Carefully he made his
way along the fence and hopped over it. Crouching low underneath, the shrubbery he
looked around, as far as he could see the yard was empty. He was just about to creep
out and make his way to the house when a creaking sound coming from the shed door
being opened made him freeze. Looking over he saw Elaine coming out of the shed,
carrying a pail of milk in her hand.

"Elaine, Elaine," he called softly to her. It took a few tries before she heard him and
turned in confusion to see who was calling her. He carefully poked his head out of his
hiding place and motioned for her to come to him. Elaine's eyes widened as she
hurried over.

"Where on earth did you come from?" She gasped, keeping her voice in a low
whisper. "Lynwood, you can't be here, the soldiers will notice you! They are watching
my house night and day in hopes that you'll show up. Get out, get out of here now."

"Please Elaine, Sofia and I are alone in the woods and we need help."

Elaine looked around nervously. "Is your sister safe?"

"Yes, she is, but she has sprained her ankle and we have no food. Father was taken
yesterday by the soldiers and I need help."

"I can't help you, Lynwood, I've got soldiers at my front door. They are waiting and
watching for you, you have to get out of here."

Lynwood looked down, what were they to do now?

Elaine was thinking, "I can give you some bread and cheese. Do have you a roof over
your head?"

"Yes ma'am, we.... we...well we found an old cave." He decided against mentioning
the dragon.

"Good, you'll have to stay it in, at least till things have calmed down a bit. Wait here,
I'll be back soon with some food, I'm afraid that is all I can give you for now. Come
again in a few days and we'll see how things are. Now I must go." With that she
fearfully made her way back to the house.

Lynwood bit his lip as he thought; things were definitely not looking bright for him
and Sofia. Elaine couldn't help them; she was under constant watch. They would have
to stay with the dragon for now, which wasn't very comforting. So far, the dragon had
been very good to them, but how long could dragons be trusted? Presently Elaine
came out with a small pack in her hands.

"Here, Lynwood," she hurriedly said. "There is bread and cheese and a few apples.
I've also thrown in a bottle of ointment to put on Sofia's ankle to help get the swelling
down as well as a couple of proper bandages. Make sure she doesn't use that foot for a
week at least, better two! I put it in this pack so you could put it on your back and
leave your hands free. Now listen, if things calm down, I will tie a white string on the
great pine. That will mean it is safe for you to come to me. Now go, go, before you
get caught."

Lynwood nodded, whispered a hurried 'thanks', and made his way out of the village,
hoping he wouldn't be noticed by anyone. He only truly felt safe once he had gotten
back to the woods where the dragon was waiting for him.

"That was something I never want to go through again," he confessed as he climbed

onto the dragon's back. "Come on, let's get out of here."

The dragon nodded his head in agreement and they flew back to the safety of the
mountain top, where Sofia was impatiently waiting.

"So, how was it?" She asked as Lynwood climbed off the dragon.

"Good and bad," Lynwood replied. "It seems Elaine is under house arrest and there
are guards all over her home, but I managed to sneak over and speak to her. She sent
us some food, but I wasn't able to get any information about anything because she was
afraid, I would get caught and told me to leave as soon as possible."

"So, what are we going to do?"

"I'm not really sure yet. First, I think we should eat, and then I'll rest a while; all that
running around wore me out and sure the matter can wait a few hours."
Sofia grumbled. She wasn't tired in the least, having spent this whole time doing
nothing. She was hungry, however, and had nothing against a simple meal of bread
and cheese and water from the lake. After they had eaten, Lynwood walked over to
where he had placed the arrow and examined it. The tip of the arrow was made of
gold, with designs engraved into it. The owner had obviously been a man of
considerable means. Who could have known about this dragon and gone hunting after
it? No one in the area had any idea, or there would have been stories. It must have
been someone from a different part of the kingdom. With a shrug Lynwood wrapped
the arrow in the bag again and lying down went to sleep in the nest. He was soon
joined by Sofia, who decided to sleep as well, as she had nothing better to do.
Chapter 10
NAMES AND PLACES.
When Lynwood woke up, he saw Sofia sitting next to him with a frown.

"FINALLY, you're awake; I've been up for ages and ages waiting for you!"

"What time is it?" he asked groggily.

"How should I know? Come on Lynwood, I'm starving hungry. Feed me!"

Lynwood sighed. "Ever thought of maybe saying 'please'? I've already done so much
and all you can do is demand things from me."

"Please feed me." Sofia said and battered her eyelashes. Lynwood laughed the sudden
change of character and helped his sister out of the nest and nearer to the fireplace.
Soon the children were munching on bread and cheese while considering what they
should do next.

"I really have to deliver the letter. It seemed pretty important to father that somehow I
get it to the king's nephew."

"Lynwood, you know I can't go anywhere and I will point out that you don't know
where the king's nephew lives."

"Father said in the capital of Arrol."

"And where Arrol located?"

"I have no idea."

"Then we can't deliver the letter. Face it, Lynwood, there are just some things that
can't be done. We are just children, we are not well educated, we don't know how to
fight, so what can we do?"

"We can try," Lynwood spoke firmly, a fire burning in his eyes. "We have to try!"
"Lynwood be realistic!"

"I can't afford to be realistic right now."

The dragon had been sitting silently, listening to Lynwood and Sofia debate. He didn't
understand most of what they were saying, but he did understand that they needed
help to take something to the capital city, and he could tell from the way Lynwood
was behaving that it was pretty desperate.

As stated before, this dragon had never liked humans. Actually, he had always hated
them, but these children were different. They seemed to be caught up in a great big
mess, a mess child where not supposed to be caught up in, and in that moment, the
wise dragon decided to help them.

He growled a bit to get Lynwood's attention, then motioned towards the gave door.
Lynwood immediately got the point.

"Sofia, what if I were to ride on the dragon? He could take me there; it would be a lot
faster and hardly dangerous. I've already ridden him down the mountain, and I think
he doesn't mind taking me to the capital"

"And what about me?"

"You? You could stay here. It is safe, no one will come, and you are high and far from
danger."

"Oh, and what if some other dragon decides to pay me a visit?"

"I don't think there will be any other dragons. it's not like dragons go around visiting
each other. From what I've read they are pretty solitary animals. Don't give me that
look. Not everything about them is true, but some stuff might be."

Sofia sat pondering for a moment; then she glanced at the dragon, who was still
standing at the cave entrance. "How do you know if he will take you that far?"
"It was his idea in the first place."

"How do you know?"

"I just do. I could tell by the look in his eyes. I know this is crazy, but everything that
has happened to us so far has been crazy. Let's just go with it and see where it will
lead us. We have no other option."

"Fine!" Sofia sighed. "When are you leaving?"

"Well, considering the position of the light coming in through the cracks, I'd say it
was around midday right now. I think it would be safer to travel in the dark, to keep
from attracting attention. I can just imagine all the hubbub that will start if people
notice the two of us in the sky."

Sofia grumbled under her breath. "You know, Lynwood," she suddenly stated, "we
really should give the dragon a name. We cannot go on calling him 'the dragon', it isn't
right. We must come up with a proper and decent name."

"I suppose naming him won't do him any harm," Lynwood agreed. "Though I don't
expect that he will answer to the name you give him."

"Oh whatever, I don't mind if he doesn't answer to it. What shall we call him? I know,
let's call him Protector."

"Protector?" Lynwood burst laughing. "What sort of a name is that?"

"Do you have something against it?" Sofia crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Yes, I do. It has got to be the lousiest name for a dragon. A dragon's name has to
have strength and spirit to it, giving a ring of life and courage. It has to be able to
describe the dragon in one word."
"Well fine, genius, what would you name him?"

Lynwood looked over at the dragon and their gaze met. "Caderyn," Lynwood said at
last. "We'll call him Caderyn." He smiled, obviously pleased with the name.

"It's not very easy to pronounce," the ever-practical Sofia pointed out.

Lynwood shrugged, his way of saying 'I don't care.' He pulled out one of his books
and read aloud to Sofia. It was a boring time for the poor kids, the hours just dragged
on and on. They ate and read some more and finally drifted off to sleep.

Lynwood was awakened at one point by something cold touching his hand. He sat up
abruptly, groggy and confused. Through the darkness he saw a pair of yellow/green
eyes staring at him. He panicked for a split second; then it all came back to him.

"Is it time to leave?" He whispered. The dragon shifted his head, and motioned
towards the mouth of the cave.

"Alright." Lynwood silently hopped out of the nest, tucked the blanket around his
sleeping sister and scrambled onto the dragon's back.

"Only I have no idea where we are supposed to go."

The dragon nodded his head as if to say, "You don't, but I do."

"How does he know so much?" The boy pondered as he checked his vest pocket to
make sure the letter was safely inside.

The dragon walked out of the cave and spreading his wings took off for the starry sky.
Lynwood threw his head back and gave a deep contented sigh. Flying at night was the
best experience ever. The cold, dark air gave a refreshing feeling and freedom seemed
to be everywhere.

A thought suddenly struck the boy. Why was Caderyn helping him? What would he
gain out of it? Maybe he was thanking him for the help they given him, but then he
had already thanked them had he not? He had given them a safe place to live and had
brought them food and firewood. He had even taken him to the town and back, so why
the extra work?

"Why are you doing this?" he asked. "Isn't it like dangerous for you to venture this far
out? I know it is the night, but there is always a chance of being spotted and that
would put you in grave danger. What a stranger creature you are. My sister and I gave
you a name, we want to call you Caderyn. Now I realize we never asked you if you
wanted the name. You seem to understand our language very well. Do you mind if we
call you that?"

The dragon continued to fly forward, eyes staring straight ahead, almost as though he
was pondering what the boy had said. At last he turned his head and gave a very
definite nod in Lynwood's direction, as though to say, "yes, I accept the name."

Lynwood smiled. "Great, from this day on you shall be Caderyn. My name is
Lynwood by the way and my sister's name is Sofia. We humans like to give names;
that keeps us from getting confused when we have to call someone." Lynwood
laughed at how he was caring a one-way conversation with a dragon. "You know the
peak of the Great Mountain? Have you ever flown to the top? I bet you have, you
must have. Why if I had wings and could fly then I would fly to the peak. I hope to be
able to stand on the peak someday and then I will yell out on the whole mountain. Do
you know what I would yell? I would yell 'I am the first man to stand on top of the
world!' After all, if you stand on the highest peak of the highest mountain in the
world, isn't that like standing on top of the world?"

Lynwood continued speaking in this manner the entire journey. He told Caderyn of all
the books he read, and of his dreams and wishes. Lynwood never told anyone his
secrets, and he wasn't sure why he was telling them now, to a dragon of all creatures.
But then maybe that was alright, after all, a dragon wouldn't repeat them to anyone.
Lynwood wondered if dragons also kept secrets, and thought it was a great pity
dragon couldn't talk, what amazing things could be told. Still, somehow, he had found
a way to communicate with dragon and the dragon had found a way to communicate
with him. How many people could boast of that?

***

There was a streak of light just appearing on the horizon as Caderyn and Lynwood
neared Arrol, capital city to the kingdom of Northurst. From on top Lynwood could
barely make out the roofs of the houses.

"Alright, we got to the Arrol, now what?" he thought aloud. "I'm guessing we have to
get to the palace, and from there I will figure out a way to get in. Come on, Caderyn,
let's go to the palace, I'm sure that is where the nephew of the king will be living, or if
he doesn't live there, I can find directions to where he lives."

We must understand of course that Lynwood was only a village boy, who didn't know
or understand that it isn't really possible to simply walk into the palace and ask for the
nephew of the king. But Caderyn was no fool and knew how to get Lynwood into the
palace despite the boy's ignorance. He flew over to the grand building that he guessed
to be the residence of the king and silently descended into an enormously large
garden.

"This must be the palace garden," Lynwood guessed as he carefully got off Caderyn's
back. He gazed about him in wonder. The plants around him were such as he had
never seen before. Endless flower beds with exotic blossoms surrounded him. The
different scents all mixing together as they flooded his nostrils. There were an
assortment of trees and shrubbery he had never seen before, and a twisted, path cut
through garden, being in itself a work of art. Even with the shadows of the night
Lynwood was awestruck by the beauty before him. Hearing a noise behind him he
looked back and to his horror he saw that Caderyn had flown away.

"Hey," he called, "Caderyn, you can't just leave me like this?"

But Caderyn was gone and Lynwood was left on his own in the garden, with nothing
but the damp, pre-dawn mist for company.
Chapter11.
Princess Collyn.
 

Lynwood stood around in the mist, wondering what on earth he was supposed to do.

"Isn't that just like a dragon?" He muttered to himself. "Taking off and leaving me
here all alone."

The thought did cross his mind to try and go up to the palace, but judging by the sky,
it was around four am, not exactly the best time to go banging on doors and begging
to see the prince. He finally decided to wait until a more decent hour of the morning
before trying to discover a way inside.

The ground was damp and wet with dew, not something the boy wanted to sit down
on, but he couldn't remain standing for several hours, so Lynwood found a secluded
spot amongst a cluster of bushes and sat down. He could feel his pants soaking in the
dew and shifted uncomfortably.

"Why can't things ever turn out nicely for me?" He grumbled. "Why is it that
everything has to be so uncomfortable, so inconvenient?"

Heaving a long, loud sigh, Lynwood settled down among the leaves and branches and
waited for the sun to start making its ascent into the heavens. His eyes started to get a
little droopy at one point, but he fought to stay awake. Falling asleep, uninvited, in the
garden of the king was not a good idea. He had heard enough rumors in Briston to
know King Farran was a cruel and rather unforgiving person. Lynwood could be
discovered and then he would be in a lot of trouble. Besides, he'd been doing quite a
bit of sleeping the past few days, he shouldn't be tired at all.

Funny thing was his eyes didn't seem to agree with his logic and despite all his efforts,
at last the eyelids closed and Lynwood didn't open them again.
***

It was a strange feeling, as though a hammer was struck against his side, then again
and again. Lynwood shifted to try and get out of its way. There it was again. Who on
earth was hitting him with a hammer and why were they doing it? When the hammer
came down the fourth time Lynwood had had enough, and sat up abruptly. The light
blinded him for a moment and he blinked, trying to make out the figure in front of
him. It slowly began to dawn on his sleepy brain that it was a girl standing over him,
and the hammer had really been her foot, which she had been nudging him with.

"Who in the name of heaven are you?" The girl demanded. "And what are you doing
sleeping under the Lelus bush?"

Lynwood rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of the question. Who was he really?
And why had he been sleeping under the Lelus bush. Come to think of it, what was a
Lelus bush? He slowly rose to his feet and studied the girl. She looked about twelve or
thirteen, with dark brown eyes gazing at him from underneath thick eyelashes. Her
skin was pale and contrasted rather sharply with her jet-black hair gathered up in a
bun with roses. She was dressed in a pale-yellow dress, with puffed sleeves and a
satin sash. A silver chain with a pendant hung around her neck and a thin chain
bracelet on her arm. Her face was round, her chin delicate, her nose small and slightly
pointy, and the little lips a ruby red. Lynwood had never seen anything like her before.

"Are you deaf?" she asked again, her voice was very smooth, but rather high pitched.
"I thought I asked you who you were."

"I uh," Lynwood tried to come up with a good answer, but he was so thirsty, all he
could think of was getting a drink. "Do you have any water?"

The girl knit her eyebrows together. "Why do you not address me properly, servant
boy?"
Lynwood scowled at her. "I'm not your servant boy," he stated, crossing his arms in
front of him."

"Then who are you?"

"My name is Lynwood and I am the son of a woodsman; my home is from the
Northern Mountain Range. Who are you?"

The girl tossed her head back, rather offended at the question. "Impudent boy," she
scorned. "What a silly question indeed. You mean to honestly tell me you do not
know who I am?"

Lynwood searched his brain and finally came up with the closest guess he could. "Are
you an angel?" Her looks could certainly pass for that. Though she would be a rather
snobby angel.

Now it was the turn of the girl to widen her eyes. "Is that who you really think I am?"

"Well, my father always said angels were beautiful creatures who floated about and
appeared when you least expected them to."

The girl let out a laugh, "I'm sorry to disappoint you but I am nothing that honorable, I
suppose you, being from far away and never visiting the Arrol before, wouldn't know
who you are speaking too. I am Princess Collyn, niece to king Farran." She held out
her hand to him. Lynwood stared at it with raised eyebrows.

"You are supposed to kiss it," Collyn helped him out.

She wanted him to kiss her hand? Lynwood's face twisted. "Eugh, no thank you."

Collyn's eyes registered a look of total shock. She had never been so insulted in her
life. "Your impudence, boy, is appalling. Didn't you father teach you any manners?"

"Sure, he did, but kissing the hands of stuck up princess was certainly not one of
them."
Lynwood's last sentence was more than Collyn could bear. "Horrid, horrid boy, I shall
call the guards and you shall be taken away." She turned to go but Lynwood grabbed
her. "Unhand me!" Collyn commanded, struggling to get free. "Unhand be before I
scream."

"Hold on there, Princess," Lynwood spoke hurriedly. "Have the decency to at least
hear me out."

"Decency, you speak to me of decency?" Collyn scoffed.

"You have a brother, do you not?" Lynwood was not sidetracked.

"And if I do?" Collyn lifted her right eyebrow.

"I need you to take this letter to him." Lynwood let go of Collyn and reaching into his
inside pocket, pulled out the envelope.

"What is in the letter?" Collyn became suspicious again

"I wish I knew, but I don't, I was only told to deliver it. Please take it to him, you have
no idea what this letter has cost me. Just promise me that you will give it to your
brother, put it in his very hands."

Collyn narrowed her eyes as she studied the young messenger. "How did you get in
the garden past the guards?"

"Uh," Lynwood wasn't exactly sure how to answer, "you wouldn't believe me if I told
you."

"Oh really?" Collyn cocked her head to the side. "Try me."

"Sorry, but I can't. You just take the letter to your brother."

Collyn pulled her lips together in a thin line. "Listen, you are trespassing in the garden
of the king. At any given moment I can call the guards and they will drag you away to
the dungeon, so you either tell me a little more about yourself, or I start screaming."
Lynwood grit his teeth. What a spoiled, demanding creature she was. Nothing close to
an angel, that was for sure. "Fine, if you really want to find out how I got here, then at
midnight you need to be in the garden."

"You are going to hang around here till midnight?"

"With your permission," Lynwood gave a mock bow.

Collyn gazed at him with disgust. What an ill-mannered peasant this boy was. A voice
told her that she should probably turn him in, but curiosity was louder than reason and
she gave in. "My brother is not in the palace," she said, reaching out and taking hold
of the letter. "We expect him to return in a few days’ time and I shall be sure to pass it
on to him." She tugged at the letter, but Lynwood was in no hurry to let it go.

"Promise?" He slowly said.

"I give my word, on my honor as a princess," Collyn replied, holding his gaze.
Lynwood slowly released the letter.

"I supposed you would want something to eat," Collyn said as she studied the
envelope, annoyed to find that it was sealed shut. "And you mentioned being thirsty,
so I guess you'd want me to bring water."

"I suppose I would."

"I thought as much. Don't touch anything in this garden and I'll bring you something."

"Fair deal." Lynwood settled back down under the bush. Collyn shook her head at him
and ran off.

Lynwood was sure that Collyn would fall asleep long before midnight. She was a
princess after all and needed her beauty sleep. He hung around the garden the entire
day. Collyn brought him some food and after that he didn't see her at all. Lynwood
congratulated himself with how he had worked it all out that she agreed to keep him a
secret and she was sure to be asleep when Caderyn came for him.

The sun set and darkness fell. The moon rose and the stars appeared, though Lynwood
noticed that they were not half as bright as back at home. He lay on the ground,
staring at them and trying to make out the different constellations. A dark shadow
appeared next to him and Lynwood heard Caderyn as he landed next to him. Lynwood
joyfully jumped to his feet, very glad to see the dragon. He discovered that he had
actually missed his new friend, and he didn't hesitate to show it.

"I knew you'd come back as soon as it was dark," he whispered, giving Caderyn's
head a pat. "Everything turned out to be a lot easier than I thought it would be. I met
the princess and she agreed to—"

Caderyn suddenly became tense and alert. Lynwood paused his talking and glanced
around. The full moon cast a white light over the entire garden and he easily made out
the petite figure of Collyn, who stood frozen to the ground, eyes staring in horror at
the dragon.

She opened her mouth to scream, but it never came out. Lynwood had sped to her side
and clamped his hand firmly on her mouth. Collyn looked at him with fear and
struggled to get loose, but Lynwood held her firmly.

"Calm down, Your Highness, calm down," he whispered. "There is no need to get so
upset."

Collyn gazed at him, her eyes filled with fear.

"Now I am going to take my hand off of your mouth, but you must promise me that
you won't scream. Promise?"

Collyn nodded, Lynwood slowly took his hand off of her mouth. As soon as he did
Collyn opened her mouth again, and back Lynwood's hand came on it.
"I thought you told me you weren't going to scream," he scolded. "Now we'll go
through this again. Promise me you won't scream and I'll let you go." Collyn nodded
again and Lynwood slowly took his hand off once more. This time Collyn was silent

"That's better," Lynwood smiled. "Now, you wanted to find out how I came here,
remember? Well Caderyn, that's the dragon's name, dropped me off and has just
returned to get me. I must get going, for my sister is waiting for me. I would of course
appreciate your discretion on this matter, what the king doesn't know won't hurt him,
eh?"

Collyn's eyes widened even more, and breaking free from Lynwood, she started
running back to the palace, crying, "Uncle Farran, someone, anyone!"

"Oh, you have got to be joking," Lynwood sighed and ran after the girl. Catching up,
he threw himself against her, sending them both tumbling to the ground. Quickly he
covered her mouth again.

"For goodness sakes, what on earth is your problem? Girls, can you ever trust them!"
He shook his head. "Alright, come on, I don't see any other option." Grasping Collyn
he dragged her to the dragon, making sure to keep his hand clasped over her mouth.
Collyn struggled as best she could and the two of them fell a number of times.
Lynwood was stronger than Collyn and managed to drag her to Caderyn, despite the
fight she put up. Once he got to the dragon, he hauled her onto Caderyn's back.

"Alright, Caderyn," he commanded, "Let's go, we need to get somewhere where no

one will hear this princess."
Chapter12.
A Kidnapping.
Caderyn spread his wings again took off into the sky. Lynwood, after some difficulty,
managed to get Collyn into a sitting position in front of him, with one arm around her
waist and the other still over her mouth. Collyn was struggling very hard by now,
trying to tear herself loose from Lynwood's grasp.

"Will you calm down please?" Lynwood yelled into her ear. "Or you'll send us both
tumbling to our deaths."

Collyn widened her eyes and looking down gave a muffled shriek and shook violently

"I thought I asked you to calm down," Lynwood scolded. "Stop struggling and relax,
the more you struggle, the greater your risk is of falling off and killing yourself."

Collyn obviously understood the wisdom of his words and relaxed. Lynwood took his
hand off her mouth and regretted the action, for Collyn let out a high-pitched scream.
Lynwood quickly covered her mouth again.

"You want me to go deaf or something? Good grief, have you ever stopped to wonder
that screaming isn't going to do you any good? Just keep quiet, that will make us all
feel better."

Collyn grit her teeth in fury as Lynwood took his hand off again. She turned to face
him, anger burning a fire in her dark eyes. "How dare you, how dare you kidnap me
like this? Who do you think you are? When my uncle realizes what you have done, he
will surely kill you."

"I only kidnapped you to keep myself from being discovered," Lynwood explained.
"If you would have just remained calmed none of this would have happened, but no,
all you could do was scream."
"Of course, I screamed, any girl in her right mind would scream." 1

"Any girl in her right mind would keep quiet. It's just you city girls, who don't know
any better, throw hysterics when you see things; I mean from insects to dragons, you
always have to scream."

"You have got to be the most horrid, ill manner boy in all of Northurst! Put me down
this instant!"

"As you wish," Lynwood gave a gallant nod. "Caderyn, would you mind descending?"

Caderyn dove down; Collyn closed her eyes in fear, while Lynwood threw his head
back with pleasure.

"You can open your eyes," he laughed when Caderyn's feet touched the ground.
"We're on dry land."

Collyn immediately jumped up and began running, but stopped short when she
noticed the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Where am I?" she angrily demanded

"Some place where no one will hear you," Lynwood replied.

"Take me back to the palace at once!" Collyn stomped her foot in displeasure.

"I will, but only when you promise not to go telling everyone about the dragon and
me."

"Oh believe me, when I get back the first thing I will do is report you to my uncle,
King Farran."

"Then I'm not taking you anywhere," Lynwood shrugged, settling more comfortably
on Caderyn's back.
"Who are you?" Collyn demanded. "What is this letter about? And was it really
necessary to drag me all the way out here in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?"

"I told you, my name is Lynwood and I am the son of a woodsman. I don't have a clue
what the letter is about, only that my father told me to bring it to your brother, the
nephew of the king. Oh, I probably should have asked this before, but does the king
have more than one nephew? Perhaps you have another brother, or perhaps some
other sibling His Majesty has a son."

"Ignorant peasant," Collyn muttered. "My father was the king's only brother and
Wilheard was my father's only son, so there. Why did your father ask you to deliver
this letter?"

"Because there is no one else to do it."

"Couldn't he do it?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"If you must know, my father was captured the day before yesterday."

"Captured? By whom?"

"I don't know. He was dragged away by some kind of soldiers and my sister and I had
to go into hiding. I told you, I've got a lot of complicated issues to try and work out,
so I don't appreciate being stuck here with you."

"If you think I find any pleasure in being stuck out here with you, you are severely
mistaken!"

"So why do you do us both a favor and promise not to talk about me? I've got a little
sister, all alone in a dragon's cave, worried sick about me. Can't you at least have
some compassion on a motherless girl who just lost her father as well? I'm the only
support she has left and I need to get back and take care of her. If for nothing else do
it for her?"

Collyn was silent as she pondered all Lynwood had said. "How do I know you aren't
some dangerous person?"

"You don't know, you'll just have to trust me. If you promise me to keep quiet, I will
take you back to the palace right away."

Collyn stood pondering for a few minutes. "Very well," she spoke at last, "I'll take the
letter to my brother and I won't tell about the dragon, but I do have a condition."

Lynwood groaned. "What is it?"

"You've got to come by sometime and take me for a ride on the dragon, a proper ride."

"I can't do that! What if I get caught?"

"Come at night," Collyn shrugged. "If you promise that, I swear I won't tell a soul
about you, not a single soul."

Lynwood glanced at Caderyn. "You're going to have to run it through him. If he says
no, then no."

"Can't you tell him what to do?"

Lynwood shook his head. "He's not my pet, and I don't order him around. I live in his
cave and abide by his rules."

Collyn was very perplexed. "But he's an animal!" 3

"He is a magical creature," Lynwood corrected. "He's very wise and understands a lot
more than we think. If you want him to take you flying, you're going to have to ask
him, not me."
Collyn bit her lip, obviously deep in thought. At last she turned her attention to the
dragon, who was gazing at her very intently.

"Caderyn," she said, giving the dragon a graceful curtsey, "I am princes Collyn, an
orphaned child who lives with her uncle and aunt. Neither of them has any time for
me and I have few friends. The children who move about in my social circle are so
tiresome and I am not allowed to play with any of the servants. I am locked day in and
day out in a golden cage and would love nothing more than a bit of freedom. I should
very much like for you to take me for a proper ride, out into the mountains where the
air is fresh. It cannot be today, however, for I must get the letter to my brother, and he
comes tomorrow. If you would be so kind as to risk coming by again and giving me a
taste of what it must be like to be you, I would be so happy, so grateful. It would be
like a dream coming true."

Lynwood was rather taken back at the sudden change of tone in Collyn's manner and
speech. He did feel a little pity from the words she said, but at the same time couldn't
help wondering just how true they were.

Caderyn looked deep into Collyn's eyes. They were very honest and pleading, and
though Caderyn had noticed that this human could be a nastier than even Lynwood,
there was desperation in the tone she used. He turned over to Lynwood. Lynwood
shrugged.

"In two weeks’ time, my uncle will go off on his annual hunting trip," Collyn added.
"My aunt, cousin, and brother will go with him and the palace will be empty. You
come at night, as you have now, and no one will notice you. Please? Take me away
from this wretched place, even if only for a night."

"Do you think we can trust her?" Lynwood whispered to Caderyn, but Collyn heard
him.
"You think I would lie to you?" She angrily asked.

"I wouldn't know, I just met you this morning," Lynwood answered back. "And so far
you haven't done much to recommend yourself."

"I'd appreciate if you would just leave this between me and the dragon," Collyn
retorted, her eyes flashing angrily at Lynwood. Lynwood shrugged his shoulders and
feigned an indifferent look.

Caderyn gave a low throaty sound, a sort of dragon chuckle; he found the interaction
between the two children very funny. How strange humans were, how peculiar their
preferred way of communicating with each other, it seemed to him that no matter
what they always ended up fighting. Caderyn did not want to come here again, it was
dangerous for him to be out in the open. Caution of course dictated that he stays far
away from heavily populated areas. However, apart from being cautious, Caderyn was
also very wise, and wisdom told him that this little girl was not just a shallow, spoiled
princess. Behind her perfect mask was someone who would help them in time to
come. It is hard to say just how Caderyn knew this for sure, anything that has to do
with a dragon is hard to explain. Suffice to say, Caderyn felt it would be best to go
along with Collyn's condition, so he turned towards Lynwood and gave a nod of his
head. Lynwood understood the message, though one can't say he was very pleased
with it.

"Alright," he turned to Collyn. "In two weeks’ time we'll come over, but you had
better keep you end of the bargain.

"Oh, I will," Collyn eagerly nodded her head. "And if you don't come, you can be sure
I'll tell everything to my uncle."

"I figured as much," Lynwood retorted. Collyn scrambled up behind Lynwood and the
dragon took for the sky once more.
Collyn slipped her arms around Lynwood's waist and clung to him. Lynwood didn't
know if he fully enjoyed this action of hers, but it did make him feel rather strong and
brave. To think the princess, who considered him to be nothing more than a simple
peasant boy, was now clinging to him for protection. Collyn gazed with wonder and
excitement down at the earth as it passed beneath. The fields and forests, the twisted
rivers and irregular ponds and lakes, how different it all looked when viewing it from
above.

"It is so beautiful," she whispered. "I never thought a day would come when I would
fly. It was scary at first, but now I am truly enjoying it. And to think I am on the back
of a dragon, a magical and dangerous creature. Tell me, how long have you known
him?"

"Strangely enough I haven't known him long, I only met him the day before
yesterday,"

"How did you manage to tame him so fast?"

"I didn't take him," Lynwood replied. "We befriended each other and that is why he is
willing to help me out."

Collyn was puzzled, "I didn't know dragons could be befriended."

"I didn't know that either until I met one, I thought I knew so much about dragons but
a lot of what I knew turned out to be wrong."

"Really?"

"Yup. You know, it's like that with lots of things, what you hear and what is in real
life is so very different. Or what you assume is totally opposite of the way it is."

"It's often like that with people too," Collyn thoughtfully stated.
"Agreed. You shouldn't judge people before you actually know and understand them
fully, there may be more to them than you originally thought."

Collyn giggled. "Like woodsmen's sons who suddenly appear from nowhere in your
garden."

Lynwood laughed. "Or princesses who scream even when they promised not too"

"Hey, you really scared me"

"Sorry, I didn't mean too, I didn't think you would stay up."

"Never underestimate a princess," Collyn winked at Lynwood. "There is more to me

than just a girl in a pretty dress."

Lynwood twisted around to look at her. "What you told Caderyn back then, is it true?"

Collyn sighed. "Yes. My parents have been dead for a long, long time and my older
brother and cousin only care for their friends and companions. My uncle doesn't have
time for me and my aunt hates me and never wants to see me. I can't stand that palace,
but I have nowhere else to go. I have my tutors and my governess and everything I
want is given to me, but nothing interesting ever happens in my life. I envy all
children who are not me."

"Isn't there anyone you can play with?"

"Only the children of the noblemen, but I cannot stand them. The girls just want to sit
and talk about boys and the boys just tease us girls all the time. I would give anything
to play games with the servant children."1

Lynwood laughed, "oh but servant boys will tease you too. I guess it's just a boyish
thing to want to tease girls."

"You mean you do it too?"

"Sure, all the time"

Collyn shook her head in bewilderment. "Why?"

Lynwood thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Cause the reaction is funny I guess."

"You boys are so strange."

"And you girls are even stranger."

They both laughed at this.

"Tell me, Lynwood, how old are you?" Collyn asked once they had both calmed
down.

"Thirteen. What about you?"

"I'm twelve. To think you are only a year older than me, but so very different."

"I guess that is because I have led a very different life," Lynwood offered.

Collyn nodded and gave a small shrug. All too soon for her they returned to the palace
and Caderyn descended to the same spot he had last time. Lynwood hopped down and
helped Collyn off Caderyn.

"Don't forget about giving the letter to your brother, and make sure no one else gets
it."

"I won't," Collyn promised. "Thank you for kidnapping me."

"Huh?" Lynwood was puzzled

"Well, if you wouldn't have kidnapped me, I wouldn't have been able to have this
delightful experience of flying. I didn't like you at first, but I think you and the dragon
are growing on me. Who knows, maybe I'll even start liking you." Collyn turned red
from this statement. "I shall look forward to my promised flight." 2

Lynwood cracked a smile. "Goodnight, Princess, have pleasant dreams."

"Thanks. Have a safe flight back to wherever it is you are going." 1

Lynwood nodded and climbed back onto the dragon. "Come on Caderyn, let's go
home."

Caderyn spread his wings and took off into the sky, Lynwood turned and waved to
Collyn, who was watching him fly away. Collyn waved back and stood there until
Lynwood and Caderyn completely disappeared from her sight. Then with a sigh she
turned and quietly snuck back into the palace and to her room.
Chapter13.
Cave Life.
Caderyn and Lynwood flew back into the cave, where Sofia was waiting for them.

"Did it work?" She asked curiously.

"I think it did," Lynwood replied, climbing down from the dragon. He patted
Caderyn's nose and walked up to his sister. "There was a bit of trouble at one point. I
met up with the niece of King Farran, but she saw Caderyn and freaked out. I had to
calm her down and that took longer than expected. In the end she promised not to talk
about me and said she'll take the letter to her brother, though at the cost of Caderyn
giving her a ride in two weeks, but at least she'll keep her tongue behind her teeth, so I
guess all's well that ends well. Were you really worried about me?"

"Not really," Sofia laughed, "I did get a little frightened when Caderyn returned
without you, but he was so calm I figured you were safe. When he departed again in
the evening, I knew he had gone to get you. I'm glad you made it home safely."

She put her arms around her brother. Lynwood returned the hug, albeit a little
awkwardly. He wasn't really big on showing affection in the form of hugs and kisses.
His overly affectionate sister sometimes irked him a bit and had often been yet
another cause for arguments between them. Today, however, Lynwood was happy to
see his sister and figured he would let her show her love. It was nice to know at least
someone loved him.

At last Sofia let go of Lynwood and dragged him to the fireplace, where a small fire
was slowly dying out.

"Okay," she stated, plopping down on the ground. "So, we got the letter to the nephew
of the king, now what?"
"I'm not exactly sure," Lynwood confessed, taking a seat next to her. "Perhaps it's safe
enough to try and contact Elaine again. Maybe she has some information about
father."

"You think the soldiers are gone from her house by now?"

She had a point. It had only been a day since he had gone down to the village, and it
was very unlikely that things had gotten better. How was he to know when it would be
safe to contact her?

"We should probably wait a couple of days," he said at last.

Sofia gave a loud sigh. "I am so sick and tired of this cave. You at least get to go out
and see things, you even met a princess, while all I can do is sit around here and read
and reread your boring book. It is a pity you only have two and a half." Sofia glanced
over at Caderyn, who had settled down opposite the children. "If only he was the kind
of dragon that breathed fire," she stated, "then you wouldn't have to tear up your book.
You keep tearing out from the middle. I know what happens in the beginning and the
end, but I'll bet all the fun stuff is the part you burned.

Lynwood laughed and let out a yawn. "I've had such a boring day, hung around the
palace garden doing absolutely nothing. Course things did pick up when Collyn
started screaming."

"You really must tell me how everything went," Sofia pleaded. "I'm not very sleepy
right now anyway, and I don't think you are either."

"Alright," Lynwood agreed. "Though if we are going to be living in this cave for a
few days we are going to have to figure out some sort of schedule. It isn't right to be
sleeping the whole day and then staying up at night."

"And we should set up the cave a little better, and figure out our food," Sofia added.
"How about tomorrow we try to see what we can do," Lynwood suggested. "Right
now, I'm not in the mood to try and figure out domestic problems."

Sofia nodded and settled down more comfortably to listen to the tale of his trip to the
capital.

The next couple days passed smoothly for the children and the dragon. After putting
their heads together, Sofia and Lynwood asked Caderyn to take them to the forests of
the mountains, where they collected berries and mushrooms and nuts and brought
them back to the cave. Sofia also collected thin branches and sticking the mushrooms
to them, left them in the sun to dry. Pine needles were gathered, along with branches
and leaves and Lynwood constructed a bed for him and Sofia to sleep on. He felt that
since they were going to be residing with the dragon for quite some time, it was only
right to return the bed to its proper own and sleep on something else. Caderyn helped
the children drag some large, flat stones into his cave, which were then turned into a
sort of table and chairs. After five days of hard work, the new living quarters of the
children was quite complete. Lynwood and Sofia felt very proud of themselves as they
sat eating a roasted squirrel that Lynwood had caught earlier that day. Caderyn was
resting by them, watching as the flames cast dancing shadows on the cave wall.

"Do you think Caderyn minds that we are living with him?" Sofia suddenly asked.

Lynwood shook his head. "If he minded, I think he would have kicked us out, but he
seems intent on letting us stay. I don't think we're proving to be too much of a
nuisance, it’s not like we take up so much room."

Sofia glanced at all the new furniture they had constructed. It was of course rather
crude and slapped together, but it gave homey, almost rustic appearance to the gloomy
cave. "It looks to me as though we take up a of room, look, or have you forgotten how
we dragged in a whole bunch of stuff and cluttered up his cave."
Lynwood laughed at this. "You have a point, but remember Caderyn was very helpful
and did all the hard work we would have never managed, so I believe it is safe to say
he likes us."

Sofia smiled and reaching over patted the dragon's nose. Caderyn gave a lopsided
smile from her action.

"He's a good dragon," Sofia whispered. "Even if he doesn't breathe fire or store
treasure. I'm wondering if he ever gets lonely, living up here all by himself. It doesn't
look like there are any other dragons in the area. Maybe you are right after all. Maybe
dragons just like living alone most of the time."

Lynwood only shrugged. "We've been up here for quite some time, Sofia, and I think
it is time for me to go down the mountain and try to see if anything has changed.
Elaine told me that if things became better, she ties a ribbon on the Great Pine."

"I think it is worth the risk," Sofia agreed. "we must find out what happened to Papa.
Do you think I could come with you? My ankle is all better."

"It is not all better." Lynwood shook his head. "You've been doing far to much
walking. You can't even stand on it properly. You've got to sit put if you want it to be
healed. Elaine said two weeks and I've let you use it far more than I should have!"

Sofia's face scrunched and she crossed her arms in front of her.

"Oh, don't pout," Lynwood sooth. He gave her a little peck on the cheek. "I'll be back
before you know it. Caderyn, could you take me to the base of the mountain, I need to
see if Elaine left a message for me."

Caderyn gave a yawn, but slowly rose to his feet and motioned for Lynwood to climb
on his back. Together they left the cave and flew into the twilight sky. Soon they were
at the base of the mountain and Lynwood silently made his way through the woods
and to the large pine with tangled branches that the local villagers had nicknamed the
Great Pine. There was no ribbon tied to it, but after some diligent search around the
tree Lynwood noticed a piece of paper stuck into one of the cracks. Pulling it out he
read:

Lynwood, meet me at midnight on the 21st by the old broken bridge. Do not bring
Sofia, it is not safe.

Lynwood closed his eyes, trying to figure out what date it was today. Living out with
the dragon in a cave had completely made him loose track of days and dates. Sitting
down, he leaned against the tree trunk, counting. Father was captured on the 14th, so
that would make the twenty first...today! Stuffing the paper into his vest pocket,
Lynwood crept back to Caderyn. "I've got to meet with Elaine by the bridge at
midnight," he informed. "That's in only few hours I think it would be best if we
remained here, no point in going back and forth. What do you think?"

Caderyn gave a slight shake of his head and motioned towards the mountain.

"It's silly to go all the way up to the cave," Lynwood argued. Caderyn cocked his head
to the side and gave Lynwood a frank stare.

"You're probably worried about someone coming around and noticing us," Lynwood
guessed. "Fine, let's just go up a little, the forests here a thick and not many people go
wandering around after dark. It's very dangerous with a lot of wild animals."

Caderyn agreed to this. They found a secluded spot higher up the mountain. Caderyn
settled down in the grass and Lynwood nestled in between his front paws. He guessed
that since Elaine told him not to bring Sofia, it was not safe for them to return yet. But
seeing she wanted to see him, probably meant she had some news. Lynwood hoped
she had some word about what happened to his father and if there was any hope, they
would see him again.
Chapter14
Midnight Meeting.
The sun was soon completely gone and the Northern Mountain Range was covered by
a blanket of darkness. The moon began to make its journey across the sky and
Lynwood decided it was time to go over to the broken bridge.

"You wait here," he told the dragon. "I'll come back soon."

Caderyn was obviously not happy with this idea. He knew the forest was a dangerous
place at night, filled with creatures who would be sure to see Lynwood as supper. He
gave a low growl and shook his head.

"I can't take you with me," Lynwood argued. "Elaine will be sure to have a fit, she'll
die from fright. You wait here until I get back."

Caderyn gave Lynwood a frank look that seemed to say, "I am older and wiser than
you, trust me."

Lynwood figured arguing with a dragon was not the smartest thing to do, so he
climbed up and hoped Caderyn knew what he was doing. Caderyn flew back down the
mountain until at last he descended and motioned for Lynwood to get off. Lynwood
recognized the surroundings and figured they were pretty near the broken bridge.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he told Caderyn. "But if you want to stick around so
close don't move, you'll start bending the trees and Elaine will notice something is
wrong."

The yellow/green eyes glinted in annoyance. After having lived on this earth for
eighty-seven years, Caderyn couldn't believe a human child was lecturing him on how
to remain undetected in the woods. Lynwood failed to notice Caderyn's less than
grateful attitude towards his advice and made his way towards his meeting point. The
night wind rustled through the threes and rocked the tall pines from side to side. Owls
hooted from above him and in the distance, Lynwood could hear the howling of
wolves. He was suddenly very glad that Caderyn was not too far away, being out
alone in the forest at night was extremely dangerous. At last he got to the edge of the
woods were a small stream cut across the ground, dividing the forest from the main
road. There was an old, broken, rotting bridge built across the stream, over which two
planks had been added on. It was a sort of cheap attempt at mending the bridge
without actually fixing it. Lynwood caught sight of Elaine standing in the shadows,
holding something in her hand. He whistled softly to catch her attention. She jumped a
little and looked around. Noticing Lynwood, she motioned for him to remain where he
was and cautiously crossed the bridge to his side of the stream. She placed a bundle
on the ground before turning to him.

"Keep your voice low," she told him. "It is still very unsafe. How are you and Sofia?
Are you still living in the cave?"

"Yes ma'am," Lynwood replied.

"How is Sofia's ankle?"

"It is better, I think. Though if she walks on it or stands for too long it still hurts. I still
make compress for her, using the stuff in the bottle that you gave me."

"I am glad to hear that. I'm afraid I have no good tidings for you, Lynwood. You and
your sister will have to stay in the mountains for quite some time. There is no chance
of you coming home in the near future."

"But what of Father and Tristan, is there any hope of them coming back?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Do you know why they were taken away?"

"Something to do with plotting against the king."

"Plotting against the king!" Lynwood gasped in horror. "But, but that is impossible!
Father was nothing but a humble woodsman."

"I am afraid it is the truth," Elaine sadly shook her head. "I told Tristan so many times
to stay out of politics, but he wouldn't listen. Neither would your father and now look
at what it has gotten them into." Elaine wiped a tear from her eyes. "I suppose they
found that letter, they knew your father had it."

"They didn't get the letter," Lynwood reassured.

"Where is it?"

"I took it away."

"Lynwood, burn it, do you hear me? Burn it! That letter is the source of all the
trouble. I don't know what is inside; Tristan never discussed these matters with me,
but you must rid yourself of that horrid paper, it will only give you trouble."

"Father told me to get it to the nephew of the king."

"Do you want to end up like you father?"

"No."

"Then get rid of it. Go to your cave and throw it into the fire! Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am," Lynwood nodded his head, deciding that perhaps it would be best not to
mention he had already managed to get the letter to the capital. "Is any hope Father
will come back?"

Elaine shook her head and wiped her eyes with her apron once again. "I'm afraid not,
Lynwood. They have probably been taken to the capital, tried and banished."

"Banished!" Lynwood took a step back. "Where to?"

"How should I know? I can only tell you that we will never see them again."

"What if they were proven innocent?"

"That could never happen, Lynwood. They are not innocent; they were plotting
against the king."

"But why?"

"I don't know."

"You said they were taken to the capital? To Arrol?"

"That is where I am guessing they were taken, but then I am only an ignorant village
woman, and don't know how such matters are taken care of."

"And I was only there a few days ago," Lynwood muttered under his breath.

"You don't have any supplies or blankets do you, Lynwood?"

"Not really, we had to flee the house in a hurry. I have my bow and arrows and my
knife, as well as one blanket and a flint. I am afraid to go back home for more
supplies."

"Oh you mustn't go to your house, you mustn’t leave the woods at all. You have been
outlawed, Lynwood. There is a price of ten gold coins to anyone who catches the son
of the woodsman."

Lynwood's eyes widened. "Ten gold coins!"

"There are many in the village who sympathize with you, but these are desperate
times and people are struggling from hunger and taxes. If anyone sees you, they will
most likely turn you in. The soldiers have left my house, but they are still in the
village, you must not go there, and you must never try to contact me,

Lynwood nodded.
"I have brought you this," Elaine picked up the bundle. "There is some food, cooking
utensils, and blankets. I will try to bring you more in the future, if I am able to get
away without being noticed. I will hide any supplies in the shrubbery by the Great
Pine."

Lynwood nodded again, his thoughts all in a whirl.

"My poor little orphans, having to live in woods like thieves and outlaws." Elaine's
apron was quite wet from her tears. "How shall you manage once winter comes?"

"We'll be alright," Lynwood tried to reassure.

Elaine nodded her head, hardly comforted. "Goodbye, Lynwood, take care." She gave
him a quick kiss and placing the bundle in his arms, crossed the bridge and
disappeared into the night. Lynwood quietly made his way back to where Caderyn
was waiting for him. As he walked, he pondered everything Elaine had told him.
Father had been plotting against the king? What madness has driven Father to do that?
Why would a woodsman suddenly get involved in politics? Was that why he had been
so nervous during the days leading up to his arrest? Was that why he had been so
worried when Sofia was left alone. Did he suspect that one day he would be caught?
Lynwood remembered how the last time they had gone to visit Tristan and Elaine;
Father had said how he and Tristan needed to discuss something alone. Had they been
discussing things that had to do with this letter. This mysterious letter that he had just
given to Collyn? Was there something dangerous in the letter? Would it get Collyn in
trouble? What if she took it to her uncle? Had it been wise to just entrust it into her
hands, or should he have burned it as Elaine had told him?

Lynwood buried his head in his hands, why was this happening to him? What had he
done to deserve this terrible twist of fate? At last he got back to the dragon.

"Sorry I took so long," Lynwood apologized as he climbed up and arranged the bundle
so it wouldn't fall. "I got the information I needed, but it wasn’t what I wanted to
hear." He sighed sadly, and Caderyn couldn't help wondering what had happened to
make his little human friend so sad. He spread his wings and flew back to his cave.

"So how did it go?" Sofia was dying with curiosity. "You sure took a long time.
Where did you get all that stuff from? Did you see Elaine? Do you know where Father
is? Is he coming back?"

"Hold your horses," Lynwood said, placing the bundle on the cave floor. "First help
me with all these things."

"Where are they from?"

"Elaine gave them to me."

"That means you saw her?"

"Yes, and as soon as I unpack and organize everything, I will tell you all that
happened."

Sofia sighed a little impatiently, but soon got busy helping Lynwood. The blankets
they arranged in the bed; the rug was in the sitting area by the fire. The food consisted
of a loaf of bread, a bit of cheese, a small sack of cornmeal, some dried fruits and a
few fresh vegetables. They stacked it all neatly in a corner that served as their kitchen.
The cooking utensils and dishes Elaine had sent were also arranged in the 'kitchen',
and Lynwood hung the pot over the fire.

All the while Caderyn had been watching the children with great interest. Humans
truly were the oddest of creatures; he couldn't really understand why they needed all
this junk, but it was entertaining to watch them run about here and there, trying to find
the right place for everything. At last the packing was complete and Lynwood and
Sofia found a comfy seat in between the dragon's paws.

"Now you must tell me everything," Sofia stated.

"With a sad sigh Lynwood related the events of his meeting at the bridge.

"I can't believe it!" Sofia argued. "Plotting against the king? What does that mean?"

"It means they wanted to get rid of King Farran and put someone else instead of him."

"But Father...he couldn't...it's silly!"

"It isn't as silly as it seems, Sofia. After all, Father did have a letter that had to be
taken to the king's nephew."

"What is going to happen to him now?"

Lynwood simply did not have the heart to tell his sister that their father had probably
been sent far away and would never come back. You might as well count him dead. "I
don't know," he said at last

"So, Father might be gone for good and no one wants us," Sofia softly summed it up.
"Lynwood what are we going to do?"

A low croon from the dragon caused the children to look up at him. He gazed at their
little forms with tender eyes. He had understood enough from what was being said
that his human’s friends were now outcasts, hunted by their own. Right now, the
children and the dragon were equally unwanted by the citizens of Northurst. A soft
murmur came from Caderyn's throat as he gently nudged Lynwood's head.

A smile slowly crept onto Lynwood’s face. "Caderyn wants us," he told his sister. "As
long as we're with him, we are safe."

"But we can't live in this cave our whole life."

"No," Lynwood agreed. "But for now, we've got a roof over our head and a safe place
to sleep. Who knows, in time maybe we'll figure something out."

Sofia cracked a smile and snuggled more comfortably n Caderyn's paws. She knew
her brother was right. They would be safe as long as Caderyn was with them.
Chapter 15
A Sudden Downpour.
Silence settled on the cave as Caderyn drifted off to sleep, Sofia and Lynwood still
cuddled up in between his paws. Sofia had gone off to dreamland long before, only
Lynwood lay awake, his mind far too active to let him go to sleep. He was thinking,
and he was thinking hard.

Elaine said his father could be dead, but she didn't know for certain. What if he hadn't
been banished yet? What if there was still a chance to save him somehow? Lynwood
had read many books where the heroes go through many dangers, and very often there
was some sort of a jailbreak. To be sure, this was not a story book, this was real life,
but no doubt all the authors of stories drew from real life and that meant such a thing
was possible.1

Lynwood knew enough to understand he could never get his father out on his own, but
if he could only know for certain that his father was alive, then there would be reason
to try and come up with a plan. Only how was he to find out?

The minutes continued to pass and soon turned into hours and still Lynwood didn't
sleep. Suddenly he snapped his fingers.

"Collyn!" he whispered. "That's my ticket into the palace." He had to see her, and he
had to do it right now. If his father was still alive, then it was certain his days were
numbered and that meant every minute was precious.

Crawling out of his comfortable position, Lynwood nudged the dragon's head that was
resting on the cave floor.

"Caderyn," he called, "Caderyn, wake up."

Caderyn gave groan and shook his head.

"Oh, come on, you sleeping beast, wake up," Lynwood persisted. "We've got a long
journey to make and we must set out now before the dawn catches up with us." He
lightly punched his fists into Caderyn's face, causing the dragon to jerk his head up
and open his eyes angrily.

"Don't get mad," Lynwood whispered. "We've got to get back to the capital and there
is precious little time of darkness left before the light creeps in." Lynwood reached
over and tried to lift his sleeping sister. Ooo" she's heavy," he gasped, "come on,
Caderyn, give me a hand. Or a paw...or whatever."

Caderyn shook his head and was about to rest his head on the cave floor again, only to
receive anther punch from Lynwood.

"When you woke me up in the middle of the night, I jumped up without a second
thought. Look, I know this may sound silly to you, but I have got to get back to the
palace. I need to speak with Collyn. It has to do with my father. I want to find out if
he is still alive and I think the princess might be able to help me."

Caderyn tossed his head and gave a dragon smirk.

"Oh, go ahead, laugh if you want," Lynwood retorted. "It’s not like I'm going to walk
up to the princess and say 'Your Highness, please ask you uncle, His Majesty the
King, if he has my father in his prison. It's that woodsman who was trying to
overthrow King Farran's rule'. But if Collyn is as scheming as she put herself out to be
when I first met her, she may be able to find out if my father is still alive. After all, if
there was a trial on something serious as a plot to overthrow the king's rule, surely,
she would hear about it. People usually find out if when someone is killed for plotting
against the king. Come on." Lynwood attempted to lift the dragon's head. "Please,
Caderyn, do this for me. I don't want to be an orphan, I lost my mother as it is, I
would very much like to keep my father."
Caderyn gave a sigh. This human boy had a terribly way of winding him around his
finger. Why, in the past week he had done so many crazy things, things he had never
dreamed he would ever do, all for the child of is greatest enemies. Giving a loud
groan, Caderyn motioned towards Sofia. Lynwood gently draped her over Caderyn's
back and Caderyn carried the sleeping child to the bed. Lynwood tucked her in and
kissed her cheek.

"We'll be back soon," he whispered, brushing the damp curls from Sofia's face.
"maybe you'll still be asleep." Jumping up, Lynwood attached his knife to his belt and
then climbed onto the dragon's back.

"I'll make it up to you," Lynwood promised. "Somehow, someday, I'll repay all your
kindness."

Caderyn gave a low chuckle, he couldn't imagine anyway this child could repay him,
but it was thoughtful of him to promise just the same. The two of them flew off into
the night, far from the mountains and into more populated areas.

Lynwood noticed dark clouds in the distance, covering up the diamond sky and
casting a shadow over the ground. What was even more discomforting was that they
were heading straight into them. Caderyn looked over at Lynwood, wondering if they
should turn back, but Lynwood urged him onward.

At last, just as the dawn was beginning to rise, Arrol loomed in the distance and the
brightly colored roof of the palace came to view. As if on cue, the clouds that had
been looming over them broke out in all their fury and a heavy shower descended on
the dragon and his rider.

Now Caderyn was determined to return to his warm, dry cave, but Lynwood would
have none of it.
"Don't turn back, the rain may be to our advantage, it can help camouflage us," he
stated. "Let us get to the palace garden, no one is going to be out there and you can
land safely without being noticed." Caderyn was of the opinion that to be out in such
weather was unwise and downright stupid, but he gave in just the same. The rain came
down so strongly, Lynwood could hardly see what was in front of him. The downpour
drenched his clothes and hair. Soon Lynwood's teeth began to chatter and goosebumps
appeared on his skin as the wet material stuck to him and chilled him to the bone. He
was almost ready to turn back himself when he noticed some movement in the garden.
Straining his eyes to try and make out what was going, Lynwood caught sight of a
figure hugging a tree in the garden.

It was Collyn.

Only not the Collyn he had met a few days ago, with not one hair of place, not one
extra wrinkle on her dress, composed and full of authority. No, this Collyn was wet
and dirty. Her long black hair was loose, wet, and tangled, getting into her face and
eyes. Her clothes were wet and muddy. She had been running it seemed and had
stopped to lean against a tree, evidently to catch her breath, which is precisely when
Lynwood spotted her. He couldn't help but think this behavior odd and decided that he
had to investigate.

"Caderyn, quick, land in the garden, we have to find out what is wrong," he said.
Caderyn refused. His sharp eyesight had noticed the five guards, obviously chasing
after the young princess, and the dragon decided against landing.

"Caderyn didn't you, oh," Lynwood spotted the guards and he realized landing was
probably not the best of ideas. "Are they chasing after Collyn? How weird? Why
would they chase the princess?"

Lynwood had to think fast; he knew he had to get Collyn out of there, but the question
was how.
"Collyn," he called to her. "Collyn!"

Collyn looked up and caught sight of the dragon and the boy.

"Lynwood!" She whispered his name, eyes wide with surprise.

"Quick, Collyn, you have to climb up on the garden wall," Lynwood ordered her.

"Are you crazy!" Collyn shouted back. "There is no way to climb that wall. You have
to land!"

"I can't," Lynwood replied.

"Why not?"

"Because..." Lynwood was cut off by and arrow that just barely missed his head. He
looked behind him and saw that the soldiers had spotted them and were shooting.
"There's a dragon in the garden," he heard them shout.

"So much for getting away without being noticed," he muttered to himself. "I can't
land because they are shooting arrows at me," Lynwood yelled to Collyn. Caderyn
was getting nervous and fidgety and Lynwood could feel it. The last thing he needed
was for Caderyn to get shot again. The boy looked around wildly for something that
could help him get Collyn out of this mess without endangering Caderyn. He spotted a
large, fancy gazebo some distance away from where Collyn was. The roof was
obviously in the process of being renovated as there were tiles missing and a ladder
leading up.

"Collyn, listen to me, see that gazebo? You have to run and climb up the ladder and
onto the roof. From there you will be able to climb up onto the dragon."

"Climb up on the roof?" Collyn vehemently shook her head. "Are you insane"
"Look, if you want to stay in the garden and get caught, then be my guest. The only
way I can help you is if you obey me and climb up the roof. There is no other way to
get you out of here. I can't have the dragon land because he might get shot."

Collyn grit her teeth and made a dash for the gazebo.

"There she is!" The guards began yelling. "There she is! Get her, catch her!"

Collyn ran for dear life. As quickly as she could she climbed the old ladder to the
unfinished roof. Just as she reached the top, the ladder creaked and fell over. Poor
Collyn shrieked from terror, clinging to the tiles as her right leg dangled in the air

"Come on Collyn, you've got one leg on the roof, use it to push yourself up!"
Lynwood encouraged her.

Collyn took a deep breath and putting her weight on her left knee, she flexed her arm
muscles and managed to pulled herself onto the roof. The guards had caught up with
her by now and had put the ladder back up. One of them began climbing after her.
This presented a bit of a problem for Lynwood because it meant that he couldn't get as
close he needed for Collyn to be able to get on Caderyn. He then opted for the only
option he had.

"Collyn," he called, "you're going to have to jump."

"Jump?" Collyn fearfully asked, looking back to where one of the soldiers was already
almost at the top of the roof.

"Yes, jump and Caderyn will catch you."

"But can't you..." Collyn was interrupted when soldier reached her and grabbed her
wrist. Collyn screamed and fought to get loose.

"Come on you," the guard hissed. Collyn shook her head and bit into the man's hand.
He yelped and let go of her.
"Jump, Collyn, jump!" Lynwood yelled.

Collyn took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and dove off the roof.

For a split second she felt herself descending at rapid speed to the ground, then
something large and scaly caught her and swung her a little in the air. Collyn opened
her eyes and saw the ground getting farther and farther away. It slowly dawned on her
that she was in the claws of the dragon. The realization sent a little shiver down her
spine, but she had to admit it was better to be in the dragon's grip than in the hands of
the guards.

"Collyn," she heard Lynwood's voice call from above her, "Caderyn is going to land
on the palace roof and you can climb onto his back. Do you understand?"

Collyn nodded her head.

"Do you understand, Collyn?" Lynwood repeated.

"I nodded my head," Collyn called to him.

"Goodness me, I can't see you from here!"

"Oh sorry, yes I understand," Collyn quickly said.

Caderyn swiftly landed on the roof, careful not to hurt Collyn in the process.

"Are you alright," Lynwood asked as Collyn crawled out from underneath the dragon.
She was wet, muddy, and shivering with fear and cold.

"I think so," she mumbled through chattering teeth. The girl was dressed in a wet,
dirty dressing gown, her nightie sticking out from underneath. No shoes or stockings
on her feet, Collyn's legs were covered in scratches from her dash through the garden.
Gone was the proud, royal look, pitiful would have been the best way to describe the
young princess now.

Lynwood held out his hand to her and helped her up the dragon.
"We're all set, Caderyn," he said as soon as Collyn had settled herself behind
Lynwood. "Let's get back to the safety of the mountain." Caderyn gave a nod of his
large head and spreading his wings took off for the sky.

Meanwhile down below, the guards had watched the scene in shock.

"Where did that dragon come from anyway?" One of them asked.

"I have no idea," the guard who had grabbed Collyn replied as he climbed down from
the roof. "He seems to have just appeared out of nowhere."

"What are we going to tell the king?"

"Tell me what?" A cold voice sounded from behind them. The five guards turned and
fell to their knees at the sight of King Farran. The large, imposing figure walked up
closer to them. His dark blue tunic was wet from the rain, his eyebrows knitted
together in displeasure, and the frown on his face was enhanced by his black beard.

"Did you catch my niece?" He demanded of the men.

"We almost did, Your Majesty," the captain of the guards hastily explained. "She was
up on the gazebo roof and Malcom here almost had her, but then she jumped and was
caught by the dragon."

"Dragon?" King Farran snapped. "What dragon?"

"That one, my lord," Malcom pointed to the sky where Caderyn was flying away.

"You mean to tell me that Collyn is on that dragon right now?" King Farran turned
angrily to the guards.

"Yes sir," Malcom nodded.

Farran's whole body shook with rage. "And where, may I ask, DID THE
WRETCHED THING COME FROM?"
The five guards took a step back.

"We don't know, my lord," the captain stammered. "He just dove down from the sky."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU KILL IT?"

"We tried to, my lord, but shooting a flying dragon in this rain is not an easy thing to
do."

"Besides my lord," Malcom added, "the dragon was not alone."

"What do you mean?"

"There was a boy riding him."

"A boy?"

"That's correct, my lord. He was sitting on the dragon's back, shouting orders to you
niece. It seemed as though they had known each other from before."

"What did the boy look like?"

"It is hard to say my lord, this rain makes it hard to see anything, especially boys on
flying dragons. I'd say he was rather young, no older than fourteen by the sound of his
voice."

"Hmmmm," King Farren mumbled and casting a final glance in the direction of the
escaping dragon he turned and marched back to the palace.
Chapter16.
Royal Secrets.
King Farran marched back into the palace, tired and filled with rage. His wife, Queen
Rohesia met him in the hall. Her blue eyes were drowsy and her brown hair was still
tied up in a braid, with her night camp resting elegantly on her head. The long, silk
dressing gown swished gracefully as she walked up to greet her husband.

"What is all the commotion about?" Rohesia demanded of her husband, her voice
filled with sleep. "It is five in the morning for heaven's sake and the entire palace is in
an uproar."

"Wilheard!" Farran snapped at her. "He found out."

The queen gave a quiet gasp, and looked around. Taking her husband by the arm she
led him out of the hall and into her private chamber. It was a neatly furnished room,
with paintings and carpets on the walls that gave it a cozy atmosphere and kept the
ceiling from seeming too high and the windows from seeming too large. An enormous
bed stood unmade in the corner, showing how the queen had only moments ago risen
from it. A large fire roared in the fire place, and Rohesia had her husband sit down
next to it. From her dressing table Rohesia retrieved a bell and summoned a servant.

"The king has been out in the rain, fetch him some dry clothing and be quick about
it!"

The servant nodded his head and scurried off.

Shutting the door securely, Rohesia turned to her husband. "How?"

Farran lifted his eyes from the fire to gaze at his wife. "He got the letter. I have no
idea how it weaseled his way into the palace and how it got into his hands, but he got
it, and after reading it he marches up to me at this ungodly hour and completely loses
it. He was fortunate I was held up with business and did not retire this night. What a
sight it would have been indeed if he had burst into my bedchambers and wake me up
with his demands and shouts. Insolent boy, he knows nothing of manners."

Rohesia shook her head and took seat in a small but comfortable divan that stood not
far from the fireplace. "What did you do with him?"

"What do you think I did?" The king raised his voice at her, he was in a terrible
temper and made no effort to try and calm it. "I put him in the dungeon for now.
Would you have done something different? Perhaps sent him off to bed with a cup of
warm milk and honey to help him sleep."

Rohesia kept her cool, despite her husband's short tongue. "So what was the
commotion in the garden then?"

"Collyn!" Farran spat the name out in disgust. "I almost had her, there was nowhere
for her to run and then..."

"Then?" Rohesia raised her eyebrow.

"Some boy on a dragon appeared and swept her out of the garden."

Rohesia's dark blue eyes widened at her husband. "I beg your pardon?" She coughed,
blinking several times in confusion.

"Which part of my last sentence did you not understand?" Farran shouted at her,
leaping from his seat. "A boy, on a dragon, flew down from the sky, and swept her out
of the garden!"

Gritting his teeth in an attempt to control his rage, Farran marched out of his wife's
chamber. Rohesia tapped her fingers on the arm of the divan, deep in thought.
Reaching for the bell, she rang it and waited impatiently for her maid to appear.

"You called, my lady?" A timid voice said. Raising her head, Rohesia glared at the
trembling, sleepy maid.
"Bella," she coldly addressed the servant. "His majesty is in a terrible humor and as
such I find it necessary to rise early today. Fetch me my morning dress, the violet one,
and have a bath drawn for me and be quick about it. We've already lost the summer
villa due to that man's uncontrollable temper, the last thing I need is for him to burn
the palace down as well."

The maid nodded her head and scurried off. When the king's temper went off,
everyone, save the queen trembled, because there was no telling what he would do.

***

Farran had taken the liberty of changing from his wet tunic and now paced the throne
room. It was a grand hall, with a high ceiling and artful, stained glass windows.
Tapestries covered the stone walls, telling in their bright and colored pictures tales and
legends of Northurst. The marble floor was laid out in a pattern, with a long red carpet
leading from the main doors all the way up to the three majestic thrones that stood at
the far end of the hall. The two larger ones were built a good five steps from the floor,
while the third was situated between them and was three steps lower. Pausing for a
second, Farran gazed at wooden thrones, covered with gold and precious stones.

"I work too hard for this throne," he grumbled. "I schemed, I planned, I fought, and I
will not give it up. I thought I stamped the plot out, Coldbert is banished, the rest of
the men are tucked away in the dungeon for now, but no, Wilheard has to get
involved, and then a dragon appears. Right when we were sure, beyond a shadow of a
doubt, that there were none left, for over two hundred years there hasn't been one
single spotting and then, bam, he shows in my garden and saves my stupid, good for
nothing niece!"

"Tsk, tsk, Father, talking to yourself yet again? I hope this is not a sign that you are
completely losing your mind. It is known to happen to people at your age."
Farran spun around to face the youth who had spoken so rudely to him.

"Oliver, when will you ever learn to control that tongue?" He shouted at his son. "Can
you not see I am in a foul disposition and your foolish words are only making it
worse?"

The young prince laughed and went to take his place in the chair situated between the
thrones of his mother and father. Oliver was the only son of the king and queen, and
heir to the throne of Northhurst. He had the black hair and fair brow of his father, but
the deep blue eyes and sharp nose and chin of his mother. Standing as tall as his
father, his build was lean but strong, and he had the bearing of a prince and of royalty.

"What happened this time to get you so upset?" Oliver questioned once he had settled
comfortably.

"Wilheard is plotting against me," Farran snapped, resuming his pacing. "He would
take my crown if I but gave him the chance."

"Wilheard?" Oliver burst out laughing. "Father, you know better than I that Wilheard
never once showed the slightest regard for you crown or your kingdom, all my cousin
wants is to be popular and have a good time."1

"Times are changing, Oliver, and you would have noticed by now if you bothered to
even take a glance into the realm of politics. But no, all you can do is run around
chasing boars and women. Your cousin has had a terrible effect on you, but now that I
have gotten him out of the way perhaps there is hope to turn you into some kind of a
monarch. Our only real threat is the dragon."

"Dragon!" Oliver's eyes lit up. "What dragon?"

"Don't you know, haven't your heard?" Farran's pacing ceased and he glared at his
son.
"I just got home this night," Oliver backfired, "and I had hoped to sleep in, but all the
commotion woke me up and I decided to find out what was wrong. Where is
Wilheard? He wasn't in his room."

Farran rolled his eyes. "Some boy on a dragon flew down from the sky and kidnapped
Collyn."

"What did the dragon look like?" Oliver's eyes were getting more and more exciting.

"Red, I think," Farran snapped. "Ask Malcom or one of the other guards, they had a
better view of it."

Oliver rose from his chair, his whole body shaking with agitation. "It couldn't be, it
just couldn't! I must find Wilheard, he will be so shocked to hear the news."

"What are you talking about?"

"Wilheard and myself just returned from the Northern Mountain Range," Oliver
began.

"I know that," Farran cut him off. "I told you not to take him there, but you didn't
listen to me."

"Rumors of a dragon reached us, Father, it would have been a crime to stay at home.
If we ride out now, we may be able to track him down." 1

"You aren't going anywhere!" Farran ordered. "Your little adventure in the Northern
Mountain Range nearly lost me the crown! I told you to stay away, I warned you; you
nearly played Wilheard right into the hands of the plotters. Don't you realize your
cousin is out to rob you of the kingdom?"

Now it was Oliver's turn to roll his eyes. "As I have said before, my forgetful Father,
Wilheard never has cared two gold coins for the crown, and even if madness did
suddenly strike at him in the dark, he would never rob me of the kingdom. Sure, he
may want to get rid of you, he doesn't like you very much, but even if he did decide
overthrow you, he would not be king. Rather he would place me on the throne. I am
the rightful heir after all, and Wilheard respects the traditions of our land with great
reverence. It is one of the many things we share in common. So if you fear for your
crown, then be my guest, I am quite safe from my cousin and so will seek him out and
recruit him to help me find the dragon, it will be the hunt of the century!"

Oliver's careless attitude towards something so serious was more than Farran could
handle. He marched up to the boy and grabbed him roughly by the collar.

"Sometimes I wonder," he hissed into his son's face. "How a man as successful as
myself could have fathered such a fool! You are not the rightful heir, and Wilheard
has only recently been made known of this fact. He is now your enemy and if you
don't plan your actions right, you will never be king!"

"Farran!" The stern voice of Queen Rohesia sounded out. "Let Oliver go."

Farran growled but obeyed his wife and released his grip on his son. Oliver
straightened out his collar, his eyes fixed on his father in confusion. He wasn't the
rightful heir? Where did that unexpected information come from?

Rohesia walked up to her husband and son, her gaze stern and reproachful. The violet
color of her gown accented out the blue in her eyes, and the braided bun on her head
brought out the sharp features of her nose and chin. "Oliver, how many times have I
told you that when you see your father is angry you should stop talking? Remember
what happened last time the two of you had a conversation? Now we have had to raise
the taxes in order to repair the summer villa and what is worse, I am forced to spend
the summer here in Arrol. You know I despise the city in summer. And you," she
turned to Farran, "sit down before you destroy something again."

Farran breathed angrily and walking up to his throne slumped into it.
"Can someone tell me what on earth is going?" Oliver glanced at his parents in
confusion. "Just last night Wilheard was my friend and companion, what would have
suddenly made him hate me so?"

"Wilheard and Collyn both come before you," Faran stated, resting his head in his
hand. "I've got Wilheard in the dungeon and can dispose of him, but while the little
tramp is free, you have a rival for the throne."

Oliver still couldn't understand where all this was coming from, "but on his deathbed
Uncle Elhon said..."

"Forget what Elhon said," Farran thundered at him. "You weren't even around when
he died! You know nothing, Oliver, because you care for nothing!"

Rohesia shook her head, "I told you to dispose of those two long ago, but you kept
them anyway. This is what happens when men don't listen to their wives."

"I couldn't get rid of them, Rohesia, it would cause too much suspicion," Farran
reminded his wife. "After Katherine died everyone was whispering how I had done it.
I had to show some kind of compassion towards my brother's children or you would
not be queen of Northurst, but languishing away in exile. And we were safe as long as
the truth remained hidden. Wilheard never cared for the throne; Collyn never cared for
anything at all, so there was no threat. I was sure I had buried the evidence, but no, it
resurfaced from somewhere." Farran let out a frustrated sigh. Rohesia walked up, and
sitting down in her throne, placed her hand over her husband's.

"All is not lost, Farran," she whispered to him. "Where there is a will there is a way
and we have enough will between us to carve a way straight through the mountain if
we have too."

Oliver realized that there was a lot more involved than he had ever realized. The
young prince had never really bothered with his father's world of politics; he was still
young and wanted to enjoy his carefree years before becoming burdened with the
bothersome cares of ruling. Now suddenly everything was changing. Wilheard was in
prison, Collyn had been kidnapped by a dragon, and his parents were speaking of how
they should have killed both his cousins a long time ago. Something was definitely
afoot, and Oliver was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"Father, Mother, what is going on?" He cautiously asked.

Farran and Rohesia exchanged glances. "Have a seat, Oliver," Rohesia said, "there is a
story your father needs to tell you, and I'm thinking now is the time for you to hear it.
Only beware, whatever your father discloses must never go outside this little circle; it
is our family secret, and none but our family is to ever find out. Farran," she turned
towards her husband. "Tell the boy, he needs to know if he wishes to be king."
 Chapter17.

Faith and Plans.

"Lynwood, where are we going?" Collyn asked as they flew through the rain

"To Caderyn's cave in the great mountain, it's not too far from where I used to live."

"Will I be safe there?"

"Oh yes very safe, no man has ever climbed that high. The only creatures who've
made it to the top are dragons. Why were the guards chasing after you? I thought you
were the princess."

"I am," Collyn's eyes started to get watery. "But these past few days everything has
gone so terrible and topsy turvy."

"It has to do with that letter I asked you to give, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does, but it is far too long a story for me to tell now. I'll wait till we get out of
the rain and cold."

"Good idea," Lynwood agreed

"What were you doing by the palace anyway? It is a pure miracle that you happened
to come by at that moment."

"I actually came here to see you, that is, I was hoping you would be able to help me
find out some information about my father."

Collyn smiled faintly, "I am so glad you came by, although I suppose it is only right,
you are the one who got me into this mess, so you should be the one helping to get me
out."
"Oh come on, I had no idea what was in that letter. I swear it must be a cursed letter; it
causes trouble wherever it goes. First it got my father arrested, made me outlawed and
now it is causing trouble for you."

"You are outlawed?"

"Yes, that's why I am hiding with my sister in Caderyn's cave, because I can't go home
and neither can she."

Collyn shook her head in bewilderment, how different her life had become in just a
matter of days. At last they reached the mountain and Caderyn flew into his cave
where Sofia had been anxiously waiting for them

"At last you are here!" she exclaimed, carefully getting up and hobbling to the soaking
wet trio, "I wake up, both of you are gone and... oh..." Sofia noticed Collyn. "Who is
this?" She asked raising an eyebrow and looking Collyn over a little suspiciously.

"Sofia, this is princess Collyn. Collyn, this is my younger sister Sofia."

"Oh hello," Sofia smiled. "You're the girl Lynwood was telling me about, the one
whom he delivered the letter too; it's nice to meet you. Lynwood," Sofia turned to her
brother, "why did you bring her here?"

"That is a long story, Sofia, and one I'll be sure to tell you as soon as we get dried
off."

Sofia nodded. "Come Collyn, I'll take you to the nest. You'll have to take off your wet
clothes, but don't worry, I'll give you a blanket to wrap up in until your clothes will
dry, it really shouldn't take too long. Lynwood, throw some more firewood into the
fire, get it nice and big, after all we need Caderyn to dry off too." So, saying Sofia
took Collyn's hand and led her to their makeshift bed. "Don't worry, just go around
Caderyn's nest, the boys won't see you there, take off that wet dress, you can wrap
yourself in these two blankets, then bring the dress to the fire so we can hang it do
dry. I'll fix you something hot to drink for now."

Collyn gave a shy nod and Sofia hobbled away, taking a blanket for Lynwood.

"Here Lyn, take off your clothes and wrap up in this."

"I have an extra pair of pants by the bed close to the arrow," Lynwood said. "Bring
them to me. It's a pity I had to use my extra shirt on Caderyn's wound, and the other
one on your ankle, but we had nothing else."

"Alright" Sofia hobbled off and got Lynwood his pants. "Give me your wet shirt and
vest, I'll put hang them with Collyn's dress."

"I put the water to boil," Lynwood said. "We don't have anything to make tea so we'll
just drink hot water and eat toasted bread."

Sofia cast a glance in the direction of Collyn. "Do you think the princess will be okay
with it? After all, she is probably used to more, well, elegant food, if you follow me."

"Too bad," Lynwood shrugged, "she'll just have to make the best of it."

Soon the children and the dragon were all sitting around the fire. Caderyn lay on one
side and the three children sat on the other.

"So why were the guards chasing you?" Lynwood turned to Collyn

"It all started this night. I'd had a nightmare and couldn't go back to sleep. A
commotion told me my brother had returned home. I got up and searching out
Wilheard, and gave him the letter that you asked me to pass on to him. He asked me
where I got it from and I told him a messenger had given it to me. He took the letter
and went to his room. A few hours later he came to my room and demanded that I tell
him who exactly I got the letter from. I told him that it was from a messenger.
Wilheard asked me to be a bit more specific. I told him all I could say was a boy of
about thirteen years appeared in the garden and passed it on. Wilheard nodded and
then left my room. I was curious to know what was going on, so I followed him and to
my surprise he marched up to my uncle's chamber. I am not bold enough to go in
uninvited, so waited by the door. Only about five minutes later the bell rang out and a
group of palace guards came rushing in. Curiosity conquered my fear and I followed
the guards, who hardly seemed to have noticed my presence. To my horror I watched
the guards restrain my brother while my uncle, King Farran, gloated over him,

'You think you are so smart, don't you?" He sneered at Wilheard. "Foolish boy, well,
the truth always comes out they say, but it will die with you and all the men who were
trying to help you. The throne is mine, and I am not about to give it up, not to you, nor
to your sister, or to anyone else."

My brother looked defiantly at my uncle and hissed, "you killed my father, you
murdered him so the throne could be yours; you denied me my right! The throne
belongs to me, Farran, by birthright and by law. And if you kill me there is still my
sister, she is also entitled to the throne before you."

"I really should have killed the two of you as well," Uncle Farran smirked. "But I
thought that as long as you were ignorant of the circumstances there was no threat. In
a way I was right. While you knew nothing, there wasn't any reason for me to fear, but
I suppose the truth was to come out sooner or later. You should have kept you tongue
my boy, for it has dug your grave and the grave of your sister. Now that the truth is
known, it must be silenced before it leaks into the street."

I gave a gasp and everyone turned to look at me. My eyes met those of my brother. It
was like he actually noticed me for the first time in his life. Like he actually cared
about me for once, instead of sort of putting up with my existence.
"Collyn," my brother called out in desperation. "You have to get out of here, find the
boy who gave you the message. It is no longer safe for you to live here. This man,
whom we called family, he has betrayed us and our father! Run Collyn, get out while
you still can!'

So, I turned on my heels and ran, I didn't stop to look back but I heard my uncle yell,
"Catch her, don't let her get away, I want her to be brought back to me!" He then said
for the men to take my brother away to the dungeon, where he would await his fate. I
ran with all that was in me, I didn't know what to do, for I was trapped in the palace
with no way for me to get out without getting caught. So, I ran into the garden, hoping
at least to hide from the guards and prayed that help would come. And that's when you
flew by Lynwood. You know the rest of the story” “I don't," Sofia protested. "What
happened?"

"Well, your brother came flying by on the dragon and rescued me. And he did it right
from under my uncle's nose. He was standing by watching us fly off you know."
Despite herself Collyn giggled a little, then sighed. "I don't know what to do, my
brother is probably gone for good, my uncle wants me dead, I feel so lost and alone."

"Oh, don't be sad, Collyn," Sofia put her arm around Collyn's shoulder. "I am sure we
will be able to work something out. You just rest a little, get warm and dried off, and
we will be sure to think of something. Lynwood, do you think that perhaps her brother
might be in the same prison with father?"

"Could be," Lynwood shrugged

"Where's your mother?" Collyn asked with interest. "Was she also arrested and taken
away?"

"Oh no," Sofia shook her head. "Our mother went to stay in the Land beyond the
Rainbow many years ago. I was so small; I don't even remember her."
"The Land Beyond the Rainbow," Collyn lifted an eyebrow. "You don't actually
believe in that, do you?"

"Why, you don't believe in it?" Sofia blinked at Collyn in surprise.

"Of course not," Collyn replied. "I mean it's all just children's fairy tales."

"No, it isn't," Sofia stubbornly stomped her good foot. "It's not children's fairy tales at
all, it's really there."

"Then how come we can't see it?"

"Because it's beyond the rainbow, it is not meant to be seen, you will see it when you
die."

"Don't tell me that you believe in it too?" Collyn turned to Lynwood,

"Sure, why not?" Lynwood shrugged.

"You really do?" Collyn's eyes widened. She could still understand Sofia believing in
such things, after all she younger, but Lynwood, he seemed so grown up, far too old to
believe in children's stories.

"I have believed in it all my life," Lynwood answered in a frank, honest voice. "What
I can't understand is why you don't."

"Why I don't? It's obvious why I don't, everyone always told me that it doesn't really
exist."

"You know, everyone always told me that dragons are evil thieves, but that wasn't
true." Lynwood stated. Collyn opened her mouth, then shut it again, obviously
thinking.

"Very well," she said at last. "Let us suppose this Land Beyond the Rainbow actually
does exist, and you actually go there when you die, but how can you be so sure that
you will get there?"
"I suppose that is where you have to have faith," Lynwood mused.

"Have faith in something you don't see?"

"That's what faith is, Collyn. It's the knowledge that something exists, even when you
don't see it. For Sofia and me it never really was a question if it was there or not. We
just always knew."

"My mother used to tell me about the Land Beyond the Rainbow," Collyn looked
down. "But she passed away when I was still very young. Wilheard told me the land
didn't exist and Mama was gone for good. After that I stopped believing in it."

"How awful of your brother to say such a thing," Sofia gasped. "But he was terribly
mistaken."

"But why would he tell me something that was untrue."

"I dunno," Sofia shrugged and the two girls looked at Lynwood.

"Uh," Lynwood stuttered, realizing that they were expecting an answer from him,
"Maybe he was just mad that your mother died, and so he himself ceased to believe in
the land beyond the rainbow. Was he angry when your mother died?"

"He was very mad," Collyn confirmed, wiping a tear that began stealing its way down
her cheek.

"I guess there is the answer. But Collyn, we don't have to talk about it if it makes you
feel sad."

"It's alright," Collyn waved her hand. "I actually haven't ever talked about Mama for a
long time. Wilheard never talks about her; I think he is still mad at her death. And
Uncle Farran and Aunt Rohesia never speak of her either, she is a topic closed to
discussion."
"Is your Papa dead too?" Sofia asked.

"Yes, he died three months before I was born. Mama died when I was only seven, but
I do remember the stories she would tell me and we would walk in the garden and
make flower crowns and play by the fountain."

"What sort of man is the king?" Lynwood turned to Collyn.

"He's a very strict and angry sort of man, always busy with matters of the state. I don't
see him much, or Aunt Rohesia either. We don't even dine together. To tell you the
truth, I always feared both of them a little. They both have this cold, almost evil glint
in their eyes. I know Uncle Farran and Wilheard don't get along and Wilheard always
had some excuse as to why he shouldn't be around the palace, and my uncle never
seemed to have a reason to keep him there. So I rarely saw Wilheard as well. And
Oliver, my cousin, he probably doesn't even know I exist. I can't recall even seeing
him in the past three months."

"Oh, you must have been very lonely," Sofia sympathized.

Collyn nodded.

"But now you don't have to be lonely," Sofia reached out and took Collyn's hand. "We
are your friends, and we will try our best to help you. After all that is what friends are
there for, to help each other out. Don't worry, Lynwood is a very smart boy, I know he
will be able to come up with a good plan."

Lynwood scowled at Sofia. Why was he the one who always had to come up with the
plans? And then he was the one who always had to carry them out?

"Yeah, I'll sleep on it," he promised.

"Sleep?" Sofia questioned. "It's morning!"

"Uhu, but Collyn and I have both been up all night!"

"Oh, right," Sofia giggled. "So, who will sleep where?"

"You girls can have our bed and I'll sleep with Caderyn," Lynwood replied.

"Alright. I'll make sure Collyn is comfortable. Come on, Your Highness. That's our
bed over there. We used to sleep in Caderyn's nest until we made our own."

"How did you meet up with Caderyn?" Collyn was curious.

"I'll tell you all about it once you've settled down. It can be your morning bedtime
story."

"Okay."

Lynwood decided not to bother them with housework and put the dishes away
himself. Taking the rug, Lynwood put it near Caderyn and sat down, leaning against
the dragon, stared at the fire.

"I'm glad she has someone to talk to," he cracked a smile and looked at Caderyn. "It
must have been terrible having to stay back all alone. Why did she have to sprain that
ankle." Lynwood let out a yawn, he had had no sleep for nearly twenty-four hours and
it was starting to catch up with him. "What are we going to do, Caderyn?" He asked at
length. "Things just keep getting more and more complicated. Collyn said that her
brother accused King Farran of killing their father. I wonder if it's true?"

Caderyn gave a low grunt as if to say, "How should I know"

Lynwood shrugged. "I suppose the life of a dragon can be simpler at times than the
life of a human. We always seem to get ourselves in the most horrible of messes and
then we are not sure how to get ourselves out of them. Anyway, now the mess is even
bigger, and I suppose I should help clean it up, seeing as I helped start it. Elaine was
right, that letter does just cause trouble wherever it goes. Now I wonder...." Lynwood
let his voice trail off as he pondered. "Caderyn, what if you and I were to go back to
the capital? You could drop me off at the palace and then fly away somewhere where
you wouldn't get caught, in the mean time I would sneak inside and find the dungeon,
then I would look for the prince and get him out, and maybe find father too."

A low growl came from Caderyn's throat and he shook his head, evidently not pleased
with the idea

"Or maybe Collyn could help us," Lynwood didn't seem to notice that Caderyn was
not so excited about the plan. "I am sure there is someone in that palace who is loyal
to the prince and to her. I'll ask her tomorrow. Now don't look so Caderyn, you know I
have to do it. I have to help get my father free. I know you don't owe me anything, so
you can just take me there and fly away. That way there wouldn't be much risk."

Caderyn stared deep into Lynwood's eyes and shook his large head ever so slightly.

"It's late," Lynwood said after a moment or two of silence. "Well, early more like, but
we should sleep; I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a very big day for us." So,
saying he curled up on the rug. Caderyn gave a large dragon yawn and placing head
down next to Lynwood, closed his eyes and soon the two of them were fast asleep.
CHAPTER18.
TO FIND HELP.
Later that day the three children sat around the fire, well rested and dry.

"Alright, ladies," Lynwood stated. "I came up with a plan, but I'll have to run it
through you."

"I told you he would come up with something." Sofia's eyes sparked with pride for her
brother.

"To start off, Collyn, is there anyone in the palace who would be able to help us?"

"What do you mean?" Collyn was a little puzzled.

"I mean is there someone loyal to you and your brother? Someone we can trust.
Someone who won't betray you to the king."

"Um...well," Collyn searched her memory. "There is Eadbehrt; he was the councilor
to my father when he was still alive."

"Who is he now?"

"Now he's just a nobleman who lives in his castle. Why do you ask?"

"Because my plan is that Caderyn will take me to meet up with someone we can trust
and then we both go to the prison and try to find your brother and get him out."

"Lynwood, that's suicide!" Collyn firmly stated

Lynwood crossed his hands in front his chest. "You know, Collyn, I noticed that for
you everything is suicide."

"Well, this time I really mean it! It's impossible! How do you plan to get into the
dungeon without getting noticed?"
"That was why I needed your nobleman friend. Without him this won't work."

"I'm sure Lynwood can do it," Sofia decided it was time to put her two cents in. "He
has done pretty radical things ever since he got a hold of that letter, I think he would
able to pull off a stunt like this. Besides, this is the only plan we have got."

Collyn nodded her head slowly as she pondered. "Very well. Let us assume you are
somehow able to get into the prison and somehow able to get my brother out. What
are you going to do then?"

"Probably come back here. This is a safe cave where we can plan our next move.
Caderyn won't mind having us here because in the end it will mean saving the
kingdom and having everyone return to their own homes and he can have his space
again. Look, Collyn, I know it is a random plan, but I am asking you to have a little
faith in it. At this moment, faith is the only thing we really have."

Collyn let out a sigh. "Very well, if you think it can be done, I'm game."

"So am I," Sofia grinned.

"Good," Lynwood smiled. "It is settled then. I'll leave as soon as it gets dark. Caderyn
doesn't like flying places during the day. I'm afraid you girls will have to stay behind.
I have no idea what I am doing and I don't want to get you into trouble. Father and
your brother, Collyn, will no doubt hold me responsible."

"That's alright, we don't mind." Sofia reassured. "We'll find plenty of things to do. It's
so nice to have someone else in this cave with me. I was starting to go crazy from all
by myself. I wish I could go with Lynwood, but this silly foot keeps me in the cave."

The children kept busy as best they could until the sun began to set and Lynwood and
Caderyn prepared for yet another venture out into the open.

"So what is the name of that fellow again?" Lynwood asked Collyn.
"Eadberht," Collyn said.

"Ea what?"

"E-ad-berh-t."

"What a complicated name."

"Blame his parents for that," Collyn laughed. "You should be able to find him at his
castle. It is about a quarter of a mile from the palace."

"A quarter of a mile in which direction?"

"West. Fly due west from the palace and from up high you won't be able to miss it. It
is a large, stone castle that has his coat of arms waving in the breeze"

"And the coat of arms is?"

"A lion devouring a snake."

"That is some coat of arms!" Lynwood's eyes widened.

"When you meet him give him this." Collyn handed Lynwood a pendant that she had
taken off from around her neck. "This will help him know that you are really from me
and want to help."

"Thanks," Lynwood tucked it away into his vest pocket. "I'm all set, Caderyn, we can
go now."

Caderyn spread his great wings and soared off. In time they were descending on the
large estate of the Lord Eadberht. There was a faint light in one of the windows.
Caderyn landed on the roof just above it and Lynwood slid down his tale and into the
room.
"What the!" Came the exclamation of a nobleman who was very surprised at the crash
landing of a young boy into his study. "Who are you and how on earth did you get in
here?" He angrily asked, rising from his desk

Lynwood picked himself off the floor and rubbed his sore spots (it had not been a soft
landing). "Please sir, don't' be mad, I came in through the window. I am glad it was
open or I might have broken the glass."

"That would have been a great pity indeed," the man replied. "Now tell me who you
are and why you came here or I shall surely call the guards and have you taken away."

"My name is Lynwood, I'm the son of a woodsman," Lynwood humbly stated. He was
very intimidated by this large man who stood towering over him. He seemed to be in
his late fifties with pale blue eyes gazing angrily and suspiciously at Lynwood. He
had two rings on one hand and another ring on the other. His graying hair was balding
at the top, but was long in the back and gathered into a ponytail. He wore a rich tunic
of red and white and had golden trimming on his boots. His nose was a little crooked
and his eyebrows were rather close together.

"And tell me, Lynwood," he was saying. "How in the world did you manage to get up
on my roof without alerting the guards?"

"Well sir," Lynwood shrugged a little. "I would tell you, but you might think me
something of a lunatic."

Eadberht lifted one of his thick eyebrows and gazed at the boy in the worn out and
rather dirty clothes.

"The dragon I flew on descended on the roof and I slid down his tale and into you
study."

"The dragon?"

"Yes sir."
"You flew here on a dragon?"

"Yes sir."

"And where is the dragon right now?"

"He is still on the roof, sir."

"What is this nonsense boy? Dragons don't exist anymore."

"Oh, but they do sir, at least this one does. He lives up in the Great Mountain."

"What Great Mountain?"

"The one near my home sire, it is part of the Great Mountain Range. It is such a
majestic and fearful mountain that it was never given a name."

"Is that where you live, boy? Near the Great Mountain Range?"

"Yes sir."

"And you mean to tell me that this dragon actually let you ride him all the way here?"

"Yes sir."

"I don't believe you."

"But how else would I have gotten up on that roof sir?"

"I don't know, but I can't believe that you flew over here on a dragon, that is simply
too farfetched."

"Maybe sir, but then I am not asking you to believe me. I came here on behalf of
Princess Collyn."

"You know the princess? Who do you take me for, a fool?"

"No sir, I don't. I am the boy who rescued the princess yesterday morning. I am sure
everyone is talking about it now."

The man blinked a bit, the caught his breath as the truth dawned on him. "Oh, so you
are the boy who came with the dragon and took Collyn away? The king was fuming
about it yesterday. Tell me boy, what is the name of your father?"

"Lyndon sir, he was a woodsman."

"Lyndon hmmmm," Eadberht looked at the boy. "And you are his son, the one who
slipped from the guards?"

"Yes sir. Have you heard of me?"

"Of course, of course. Why didn't I realize sooner? By now everyone has heard of
you. Involved in plots against the king, eh?"

"Oh sir, Collyn asked that I give you this." Lynwood suddenly remembered and
reaching into his pocked pulled out Collyn's pendant and handed it to Eadberht. "Just
so you would know that I am really friends with her and that I want to help her
brother."

Eadberht took the pendant and looked at it for a while. "What do you want from me?"
He finally asked

"Well sir, I figured since I helped make the mess, I should clean it up. But I know I
can't do it on my own, so I came to you for help."

"Oh, the mess was started long before you," Eadberht stated. "You just sort of added
the finishing touches. But first, show me this dragon of yours. We can't have him
sitting on my rooftop, someone might notice him. Why don't you better have him
settle in the garden, away from prying eyes? Most of my staff has already gone to
sleep, so there is no fear of frightening the gardener."
"Yes sir," Lynwood grinned and sticking his head out the window called. "Caderyn,
you can let your tail down."

Eadberht nearly fell over when he saw a red scaly tail suddenly appear in the window.
Lynwood nimbly grabbed it and climbed back up

"Okay here is the deal," he stated once he was up. "Lord Eadberht is a rather nice
fellow, he said that you must wait in the garden while I talk with him. It will be safer
for you there. Once I am done, I'll come back for you."

Caderyn paused for a moment as he thought about what Lynwood had just said, then
nodded his consent and flew from the roof into the large garden. He found a secluded
spot that has big enough for him to land. Lynwood slipped off his back.

"Don't you worry," he patted Caderyn's face. "Everything is going to be just fine, I'll
be back before you know it." With that he ran off in the direction of the castle.
Walking up to the large front door he knocked on it. The butler, a balding man in his
late sixties, opened the door and looked Lynwood up and down with great disapproval
before leading him down several halls and up several flights of stairs.

"Welcome back, Lynwood," Eadberht smiled slightly. "Have a seat won't you. Now
tell me, do you have any idea what the contents of that letter you delivered are?"

Lynwood shook his head, "All I know is that that letter has caused me a great deal of
trouble, and it seems it is causing everyone trouble. It must be a bad letter based on
my observation."

"Well, that depends from which side you look at it," Eadberht suggsted. "I'm afraid,
my boy, that you have been entangled in a very complicated story, and I can't say how
sorry I am for that. How old are you?"

"Thirteen, sir, I'll be fourteen in the winter."

"Still such a sapling," Eadberht shook his head. "You are so young and already having
to be tangled in the dirty world of politics. Anyway, this is how the story goes. A long
time ago, long before you were born, King Gordon ruled this land. The king had two
sons, twins, Elhon and Farran. Elhon was the elder twin and hair to the throne, that
meant that when Gordon died, Elhon was crowned king. He married a woman named
Katherine and had two children, Wilheard and Collyn. However, only a month before
the birth of the princess, King Elhon died under mysterious circumstances while out
hunting. On his deathbed he proclaimed his twin brother, Farran, heir to the throne. It
was a shocking statement, but no one argued and Farran was crowed the new king of
Northhurt. Katheriene, however, could not help but help but think the whole thing
odd. Why had the crown gone to Farran? After all, it was her son, Wilheard, who was
the rightful heir. Why would he deny the crown to his own son? Katherine did not
want to endanger her children and so said nothing, but in secret she began an
investigation to try and figure out the death of her husband. The whole thing had been
terribly suspicious, only the king's brother and another nobleman had been there when
the king had died.

Sadly, only seven years after Collyn was born, Katherine also died from an unknown
disease. Here some people began to wonder at the irony of it all. Katherine had been a
healthy woman and it was strange that she should have died so suddenly. One man,
Coldbert, began an investigation of his own and after years of diligent search and
careful study he was able to discover the real truth. Farran had killed his brother
during the hunt and then proclaimed himself king, saying that was the dying wish of
his elder brother. When Farran realized Katherine was trying to discover out the real
truth he had her food poisoned.

And so Coldbert decided it was time to throw this self-proclaimed king off the throne
and put the rightful heir, Wilheard on it. This was easier said than done. Farran is a
jealous king; he will not just give up the throne like that. In the end what Coldbert
decided to do was collect all the facts and evidence in secret and then present it to the
king's council and the king's generals. Once their eyes would be opened, they would
put the rightful heir on the throne. But I suppose the king somehow got whiff of the
whole thing and began investigating himself, the plot was discovered and all those
involved in it were arrested."

"But how did my father get involved?"

"Ah, King Elhon was killed while hunting near the Great Mountain Range, your home
region, so naturally a lot of the investigation was going on there, I suspect that is how
your father found out and decided to help."

"But why didn't Wilheard try to take the throne earlier?"

"Why should he? He no doubt believes that upon his uncle's death he will be crowned,
since he is the son of Elhon. "

"But he won't be?"

"Of course not! King Farran has a son of his own. When Farran passes away the
crown will go to young Prince Oliver, Wilheard's cousin. If Wilheard tries to stop this
he will be arrested and banished."

"But if the king hates Wilheard and Collyn why didn't he kill them too?"

"I suppose because it was too risky. Lots of people already had suspicions about how
King Elhon died and if Farran went and killed his brother's entire family that would be
far too obvious. Besides, while Wilheard was ignorant of the truth he wasn't much of a
threat. The young prince hardly ever spent time in the palace as it was. But then
Wilheard found out and he decided to do a very foolish thing. He confronted his
uncle, which led to his arrest. Foolish boy, he probably didn't understand that in
confronting his uncle he not only put himself in danger but also his sister. Well thanks
to you Collyn is safe, but we must still do all in our power to get Wilheard out of jail
and onto the throne. So, this is the story of where the trouble came from Now, we
have to decide how to right the many, many wrongs."
CHAPTER 19.
THE RESCUE PLAN.
Lynwood sat wide eyed, mouth hanging open from the tale being told to him. Who
would have thought things were so terrible complicated in the kingdom? Farran had
killed his own brother, he had made himself king through dishonest means. And now
he was ready to do anything to keep that crown and the throne that had never
rightfully been his.

Well not if Lynwood had anything to do with it!

"So," Eadberht placed his elbows on the table and gazed straight at Lynwood. "Did
you come to me with any ideas?"

"Well, um, that is," Lynwood suddenly felt rather ridiculous telling his plan. After all,
he was only a child and telling his simple little plan to a man old enough to be his
grandfather made him feel very foolish.

"Come on boy, let's hear it."

"It's not much of a plan really. I was just hoping to sneak into the dungeon and get the
prince out, then fly away on Caderyn to the cave. I didn't really think of how I was
going to do it; that is why I asked Collyn is she knew anyone who could help me."

"In general, it is a good plan," Eadberht smiled. "But it will take a little more detailed
thought. Now, what I think is I could get you into the dungeon by pretending that I
captured you. There is a price on your head, you know."

"I know," Lynwood nodded. "I heard it was something like twenty gold coins"

"Oh, it's gone up my boy. It's fifty gold coins now, and I think they were talking about
raising it to one hundred."
"Wow!" Lynwood whistled through his teeth. "Why on earth would they want to pay
so much money for me?"

"Because you're a dangerous lad. Somehow, singlehandedly, you managed to get the
letter to the prince, capture the princess right from the hands of the guards, and still
remain hidden. No one knows where to find you or even where to look." 1

"It wasn't really singlehandedly," Lynwood corrected. "If I was alone, I would
probably be still hiding somewhere in the woods. None of this would have happened
if it wouldn't have been for Caderyn."

"Is that the name of the dragon?"

"Yes."

"Have you known him for long?"

"No sir, only since the evening my father was arrested. He was wounded in the forest
and I helped him. He has looked out for me and my sister ever since. I have to say,
dragons are such strange creatures."

"They are magical creatures," Eadberht pointed out. "I used to study a lot about them,
they really fascinated me when I was young. Read as much as I could about them."

"Lord Eadbhert," Lynwood took a deep breath. "Do you...do you know," Lynwood
tried to get the words out correctly. "Is he...I mean...do you know, that is, well Elaine,
the wife of Tristan Blacksmith, who was also arrested with my father, told me that
there is a large possibility that my father might have been already banished. Do you
know if he has?"

Eadberht puffed on his pipe. "He has not. I think the king is keeping him as bait to try
and catch you. As far as I know most of the men involved in the plot are locked up in
the dungeon."
"So, Father is...well...I could still get him out of there?" Lynwood felt a flood of relief
sweep over his soul

"I don't see why not. He's in the same dungeon as Wilheard. We get one we might as
well get them all."

"Do you think Wilheard will be a better king than his uncle?"

"Only time can tell that," Eadberht shrugged as he dumped the ashes out of his pipe.
"He is very young and rather headstrong and impulsive, but he is honest and has a
clean heart, and that is a good quality for a king. He's not too fond of dragons though."

"Tell me one person who is, everyone hates them because nobody has ever lived with
one."

"Ah, but Wilheard actually went dragon hunting. He and his cousin Prince Oliver
heard rumors that there were dragons still alive up north. Prince Oliver persuaded
Wilheard to come with him to the Northern Mountain Range and see if they could
catch one."

"Wait!" Lynwood scowled. "He was in my home region?"

Eadberht nodded. "Your father was very close to giving him the letter. It seemed
everything was playing right into the plotters hands, but unfortunately it didn't work
out and your father was arrested before he could meet with the prince."

Lynwood slowly nodded his head. "How did they plan to kill the dragons?"

"You will remember what I said about dragons being magical creatures? Legend has it
that you cannot kill one unless you get them straight in the heart. Now a dragon's heart
is not easy to aim at, for they know their soft spot and guard it. So the only way to get
a dragon's heart is to first shoot him in the eye. A blind dragon is a down dragon.
Once you have put out the dragon's eyes he is at your mercy and you easily can shoot
or stab him in the heart."

Lynwood let out a gasp. "The arrow! The arrow in Caderyn's eye!"

"Hmmm?"

Lynwood's breathing had become quick and irregular. "When Sofia and I met Caderyn
in the forest, he was wounded, and there was an arrow right above his eye!"

"Was there?"

"Yes sir! I pulled the arrow and out and seared the wound. So, Prince Wilheard and
Prince Oliver actually spotted a dragon, and not just any dragon, but Caderyn and
tried to kill it. Which one shot the arrow?"

"I know not, my boy."

Lynwood shook his head in disbelief. "Why did they want to kill him?"

"For honor and glory, I suppose, it would make him very popular around his peers"

"But aren't they both popular as it is? I mean, they are princes."

"A sad thing about popularity," Eadberht patted Lynwood on the shoulder. "Is that
you can't ever get enough of it. I suppose Wilheard wanted to be the talk of the
century, a man who singlehandedly killed a dragon. What a tale that would be."

Lynwood dropped his gaze to the floor. "A few days ago, I would have agreed with
him, but now, it almost disgusts me, I hate the thought of someone wanting to kill
Caderyn purely for fun."

"That is because you have actually been able to get to know the dragon. I wonder,
now that we know Wilheard was one of the men who actually tried to kill your dragon
friend, will your dragon friend be willing to help him?"
"I don't know." Lynwood tilted his head thoughtfully. "He's pretty sensitive and not so
quick to forgive, but I'll do my best to explain it all to him."

"Do you really think he understands you?"

"I believe he does. He listens very carefully and though he can't talk he still can
communicate. You are right when you say dragons are magical creatures."

Eadberht smiled and looked out the window. "Not like your everyday pet, huh?"

"I guess not."

There was silence for a few seconds.

"Anyway," Eadberht stated at last. "We have some serious planning to do. If you will
just wait a moment, I shall fetch a map of the dungeon and show you how everything
should work." With that Eadberht rose and walked over to a large cupboard.

"I can't believe I am plotting escape with a thirteen-year-old kid," he mumbled to

himself. He pulled a roll of paper out of a secret compartment and shaking his head
walked back to where Lynwood sat.2

Rolling the large paper over the table, he set the lantern on it so it would shed more
light. Lynwood leaned over and saw the paper held a detailed drawing of the king's
palace and the dungeon.

"We will enter from here," Eadberht pointed to the main entrance of the dungeon. "I
will tell the warden that I have captured you and brought you to await your trial. The
warden attempt to take you to the cells, but you can leave him to me. Once I have
taken care of him, you will need to take his set of keys and go into the dungeon itself.
You will have to watch out for the guards at the same time. They walk back and forth
keeping an eye on the prisoners. Once you are inside the prison, you need to get the
fifth cell, this one, over here." Eadberht pointed to a cell in the far corner of the
dungeon. "When you have gotten him out you will have to find the other plotters. I'm
guessing they are somewhere on the same part of the dungeon. Though I don't know
where exactly. When you have found everyone, you need to the very end of the hall.
See this cell over here? In it there is a secret passageway. Once upon a time it was
made by a group of convicts who were being kept locked up in there. They managed
to dig their way out. They kept them hidden just in case they would ever need them
again. Few know about this secret way out of the dungeon. The tunnels will lead you
to the river outside the prison walls. Your job then will be to get the dragon to distract
the guards while I get all the men on horses and we start riding towards my castle."

"Where did you get this map, sir?" Lynwood asked. "It is as though you have been
planning this for a long time."

"If it was up to me," Eadberht sadly looked into Lynwood's eyes, "I would have
burned this map and all the other plans that lay in that secret compartment. I am an
older man, and know enough about his Majesty King Farran to want to stay as far
away from him as possible."

"Then why are you doing it?"

"Because," here Eadberht's voice became softer, "because Coldbert was my son. He
was the leader of the plot, the one who decided to put Wilheard on the throne. All this
was his planning. He studied the prison in and out, he sought out the convicts who had
escaped and bribed them into telling him about those tunnels. He documented
everything, made maps. I'm guessing he felt that if they were caught, there must be a
way to escape. Two weeks ago, he was banished from the kingdom on pain of death.
In trying to finish what my son started I am hoping I will be able to bring him back
home. Now I believe you have gotten the basic idea of the plan?" Eadberht turned
back to the business at hand1

Lynwood nodded once more.

"Good then we should get going. There isn't much night time left."

Lynwood nodded and the two of them walked out of the study and into the garden
where Caderyn was resting.

"Caderyn," Lynwood introduced. "This is Lord Eadberht, Lord Eadberht this is

Caderyn."

Caderyn eyed Eadberht a while rather suspiciously, he still had little trust for humans,
especially grown up humans. But the man had kind eyes and he smiled and bowed
slightly and said,

"It is an honor to meet you Caderyn, you are the first dragon I am ever meeting face to
face."

Caderyn relaxed a little and nodded his head

"Caderyn, I believe there is something I need to tell you," Lynwood took a step to
Caderyn and gently patted his face. "The prince that we are going to save, Collyn's
brother, he is one of the men who tried to kill you a few days ago."

Lynwood could feel Caderyn stiffen and a low grunt came from the dragon's throat.

"I know you don't like him," Lynwood went on. "I know you probably hate him and
helping him is the last thing in the world that you want to do. But Caderyn, he didn't
know anything about dragons; he thought you were bad, just like I did. Remember
when I first met you, I didn't like you either and wanted to kill you too. But that was
because I didn't know you. I know you now and I think if this prince will only get to
know you, he will like you to."

Caderyn tossed his head a little, almost stubbornly.

"Now I am not asking you to like him," Lynwood persisted. "I'm just asking you to
help me save him. I have to do it, for my father, for Collyn, for all the people of
Northhurst. Hopefully Wilheard will be a better king than the one we have now. He is
the rightful heir and it is only right that I should help put him on the throne. But I can't
do it without you, Caderyn, I am going to need your help. Do you think you could put
aside the hate that I know you probably justly feel towards him and help me? Please,
Caderyn, I know this is not easy for you, but I would really appreciate it. Don't worry,
I won't let him harm you, once this is over you can fly away from here and never
come back. I promise."

Caderyn stared into Lynwood's green eyes and then softened a bit, giving a deep but
gentle grunt. Lynwood understood that Caderyn was agreeing.

"Thank you so much, Caderyn. Now let us be off. Lord Eadberht, if you only will"

"What, get up on him?"

"Of course."

"Not to sound rude, my boy, but I don't think flying over to the dungeon on the dragon
is a very wise idea. We want to make this look as realistic as possible. I think it will
be better if you and I go on horseback. Allow Caderyn to get there on his own. He
needs to hide in the shadows and await your signal. The dungeon is a large, grey
building about three miles from here. It's the sort of thing you can never miss. Fly
north east, in that direction." Eadberht pointed in the direction. We'll be riding by
horse, Caderyn, you can follow us from a distance."

"If you think that is better" Lynwood shrugged. "Caderyn. When I need you I shall
give a loud whistle."

Caderyn growled and shook his large head

"It's the only way Caderyn; otherwise we will attract too much attention. Don't worry,
I'll be fine. You will have to take care not to be noticed though, stick to the shadows.
You are a very smart dragon; I know you will manage to remain hidden until the right
time. Listen for my whistle."

"Alright, come on Lynwood," Eadberht tugged at the boy. "The sooner we start, the
sooner we will finish."

With that the two of them walked off to the stables, wher Eadberht saddled his horse.

"Well boy, let's pray that this works; because it if won't, we will be in a lot of trouble."
 CHAPTER20.

RESCUE.

The dungeon was a damp and cold place, not made to be comfortable. The grey stone
floor and grey stone walls, with the few flickering torches gave it a most unwelcome
appearance. Lynwood turned up his nose when he entered. The place smelled like a
mixture of mold, sweat and filth; and for a boy who had grown up in the fresh air, this
was a new, horrible experience.

"Who goes there?" The warden of the prison called out.

"Lord Eadberht," the nobleman replied. "And I bring with me a most wanted
prisoner?"

"I'd say it was no one more than a boy? What did he do to be so wanted?"

Lord Eadberht rolled his eyes. "You fool; this is the boy who caused the trouble in the
first place, the messenger who delivered the letter."

"Oh! That's him? I was expecting someone a little.... I don't know, older, stronger,
bigger. How on earth did you get a hold of him?"

"He came sneaking into my castle today, I have no idea what he wanted, only that I
came into my study and there he was, snooping around."

"How about his dragon friend? Everyone knows he flies around on a great red
dragon."

"There was no dragon. I suppose he flew away or something. Though even if I did see
him how on earth would I have caught him? A boy hardly fifteen is one thing, a
dragon ten times the size of me is another."

"That's true," the warden shrugged. "At any rate; the dragon is no harm without the
master. I only wonder why the king didn't have the boy put to death at once."
"Because, idiot, the boy has taken the princess somewhere, and if he is dead, we will
never find out where he has hidden her. The boy is a hundred times more useful alive
then dead."

"Could be, could be, where am I supposed to take him?"

"The king said in the cell where the rest of the plotters are being kept."

"That would be number 13," the warden mumbled to himself. "Alright, come along
boy." He placed a pair of handcuffs on Lynwood.

"Oh warden," Eadberht called out.

"What is it?" the warden turned around, only to receive a strong blow in the face. He
slumped senseless on the ground.

"Nothing," Eadberht replied. Quickly he took the cuffs off of Lynwood and handed
him a ring of keys.

"I'm not sure which of these keys is the correct one, you'll have to do some trial and
error to find out. Now remember Lynwood, you need to act swiftly. The guards pass
that way every ten minutes. Hide until the guards are gone, and then work as quickly
and as quietly as you can. The prince is in cell 5, and the warden just gave away the
where the other prisoners are in number 13. I don't know who else is being kept in this
dungeon, so try to be discreet."

"Yes sir." Lynwood nodded and silently scampered off. He nearly bumped into some
guards along the way, but hid in the shadows of semidarkness of the dungeon. He was
afraid the guards would hear his heart thumping; it seemed it was literally trying to get
out of his chest. At last he reached the cell that Eadberht said held the prince. Taking a
deep breath, he peeked inside and whispered

"Prince Wilheard?"
"What do you want?" A deep male voice sounded from the darkness

"Oh, please keep your voice down," Lynwood whispered as he began fumbling with
the keys

"Who are you?" The voice, now alert, whispered back.

"No one really," Lynwood replied as he searched for the right key. "I'm just here to try
and get out of this cell."

"You don't sound much older than a boy, how did you get in here?"

"I can explain later," Lynwood mumbled as he at last found the right key and sticking
it into the lock turned it. The key made a loud sound, which made Lynwood's heart
beat all the faster. Grasping the handle, he opened the door.

"Come on out, Your Highness, there are other people that I have to get out of here."

Out of the cell came young man, in the darkness Lynwood found it hard to determine
his looks or his age. He seemed to have black long hair that was very messily gathered
into a ponytail, that was about the only feature Lynwood could determine.

"You are no more than a boy!" Wilheard exclaimed, he too could only see Lynwood
very poorly, but could see enough to determine that his rescuer was a young one.
"How on earth did you get in here? how did you know I was here?"

"I am the messenger who delivered the letter your sister gave you," Lynwood quickly
stated. "I want you to know that your sister is safe."

The man took a deep breath, one filled with fear and relief. "Oh?"

"Yes, I rescued her and took her to a hiding place, where I hope to get you as well.
But first I must find my father and the other brave men who are stuck here."
"Your father?" Wilheard whispered as the two of them began walking down the
narrow corridor of the dungeon.

"Yes, my father was one of the men who was plotting to put you on the throne. He
was the one who was supposed to deliver the letter. It only got into my hands when he
was arrested."

"I see," Wilheard mumbled and the rest of the way they walked in silence. The
dungeon had a very good echoing system and even when they whispered, they risked
being heard. Lynwood counted the cells and at last stopped at number 13.

"According to what the warden said they should be here." Lynwood thought. He
peered inside but all he could see was blackness. "Hello," he called in a soft voice.
"Hello, is anyone here."

"Who is there?"

Lynwood instantly recognized Tristan's voice.

"Tristan!" he exclaimed in a whisper.

"Who is ask...?" Tristan began but was cut off by a voice that Lynwood knew so well,
a voice he had wanted to hear ever since that fateful day in July.

"Good gracious! Lynwood, is that you?!"

There was a shuffling noise and then Lynwood could see the faint outline of his
father's face appear in the little window of the cell door.

"Father," he nearly shouted then checked himself. "Yes, Father's it's me," he quietly
said as he began to fumble with the keys again, trying to find the correct one.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Shock and disbelief were mixed together in
Lyndon's tone
"I've come to get you out of here," Lynwood replied as he tried one key after another.
Bother this darkness, it really got in the way.

"But, where, how, how did you get in here?" Lyndon still couldn't believe that his son,
whom he had long given up hope of ever seeing again, was standing right outside the
cell door fumbling with a set of keys

"That is a very, very long story Father," Lynwood replied, still trying to find the right
key. "One I will be sure to tell you once we are all safely out of here."

"Is Sofia with you here too?"

"No, she is in a safe hiding place with Princess Collyn. Don't worry, Father, they are
both very safe, a lot safer than you or I at the moment." At last Lynwood found the
proper key and opened the door. Before he knew exactly what was happening, he
found himself in his father's tight embrace. Lynwood was glad it was dark, there were
other men coming out of the cell door and he would have felt a little self-conscious if
they would have seen the tears in his eyes.

"Where on earth did you come from? How on earth did you get here?" His father's
voice was breaking

"I'll explain everything later," Lynwood said, brushing his tears with the back of his
hand. "We have to get out of here now."

"And how do we plan to do that?" Wilheard asked

"There is a secret passage at the end of this hall. We need to get to the last cell and
make a run for it. Everyone follows me," he commanded and they all began making
their way through the flickering darkness to the end of the corridor

The men nodded and the set off. Just as they reached the cell a loud shout was heard.
"They're gone!"

"I think we had better hurry," Wilheard stated the obvious.

"You try finding the correct key," Lynwood muttered. At last the he got the right key
and they all tumbled into the cell. The guards were hot on their trail though. Grabbing
the keys from his son, Lyndon locked the door from the inside. It wouldn't hold the
guards back for long, but it may give them a few extra minutes. Lynwood pushed
back a stone in the wall and it moved to open into a very narrow tunnel.

"His Highness goes first," Lynwood commanded. "The rest of you follow single file,
come on, come on, the guards will be following us so there is no time to lose."

"Lynwood you go in next after His Highness," his father ordered

"I can't, Father," Lynwood shook his head. "I go have to go last"

"Go last? Never!" Lyndon set his lips in firm line. "There is no way I am allowing you
to go last."

"Father please, just trust me. I have to go last, Eadberht told me to go last; it is part of
the plan."

"Just go, Lyndon," Tristan prodded. "The boy obviously knows what he is doing"

"We have an army on our trail you are asking me to go in before my son?" Lyndon
asked

"Lyndon, I don't like the idea any more than you do, but the longer we stay here
arguing, the more chances of us being caught. Ugh, I know the two of you are
extremely stubborn, so Lynwood you go in before me, I'll take the end. Now go
Lyndon and go Lynwood

"Alright," Lynwood gave, and crawled into the tunnel after his father, he knew that
Eadberht wouldn't really mind if he were to come out the one before the last. The
tunnel seemed to go on forever; Lynwood could hear shouts and guessed that the
guards were in the tunnel too

"I suppose we just couldn't do without a chase," he thought.

At last they got out into the cool dark air, and Lynwood drank deeply the freshness of
the night. No time to relax, the guards right behind them and three of them came
tumbling out only seconds after Tristan. Lynwood could see Eadberht waiting for
them, there were also several horses. He must have rounded them while Lynwood was
getting everyone out of the dungeon. Only where had he got them from?

There was no time to speculate, for Eadberht yelled. "Now, Lynwood!"

"Now Lynwood what?" his father turned to him. Lynwood just nodded his head and
putting his fingers in his mouth gave a loud and sharp whistle.

It seemed to come out of nowhere and gave a loud and deep growl. Everyone, from
the guards to the escaped prisoners froze and looked up to see the dark figure soaring
above them

"It's a dragon," Wilheard whispered.

"Impossible!" Lyndon gasped.

"But true!" Tristan said behind him.1

"Men quickly get on the horses," Eadberht called. "We don't have that much time,
soon this place will be swarming with guards. The king has no doubt already been
informed."

"Eadberht, don't you see that we are being attacked by a dragon?" Wilheard pointed to
the sky.

"Now don't you mind the dragon, just get on the horse, Your Highness, we have to get
you out of here."
The dragon in the meantime swooped down as if it was going to attack then suddenly
swerved up and flew back into the sky, but not before grabbing Lynwood.

"Lynwood!" his father yelled.

"Don't worry, Lyndon," Eadberht called. "Just get on the horse!"

"My son was just grabbed by a dragon and you are telling me to get on a horse,"
Lyndon asked in disbelief.

"Exactly so. have no fear, your son is perfectly in control of the situation. Please get
on the horse, or you will put the rest of us in danger."

"Now you listen to me..."

"Lyndon," Tristan ordered. "Just get on the horse! There is nothing we can do for
Lynwood at the moment, but we do need to get the prince out of here."

Lyndon had to comply. The dragon attacked again and again, but it seemed he was
mainly attacking the guards and not them. The escaped prisoners, using this
distraction for their own advantage and urged their horses into a gallop.

"You all have to get to my castle," Eadberht yelled. "I think it best if we split up. Use
the cover of darkness to your advantage. Do you all know how to get into the secret
quarters?"

"Not all of us," a man yelled. "But those of us who do will lead the way."

"Alright," Eadberht shouted back. "Above all make sure the prince is safe."

"He will be," Tristan promised.

The dragon continued attack the guards. He created turmoil and confusion in the
darkness. He would catch some of them and lift them into the air before dropping
them. The runaways were quite forgotten as the soldiers did their best to fight off the
great beast. And thus, the crown prince and his faithful followers disappeared into the
shadows and darkness of the night.

***

Lynwood in the meantime, had not expected Caderyn to grab him like that, but made
the best of the situation. He quickly scrambled up the dragon's back and took his usual
seat

"Come on, Caderyn," he said. "Let's put up a show for these guards, one that they will
never forget."

It was great fun playing with the guards, but at last Lynwood felt it was enough. They
didn't want to stick around till sunrise. Aiming at a dragon in the dark is hard enough,
but once the light came it would turn the favor towards the guards.

"Let's get back to the castle," he told the dragon. "I'll bet you scared my father to death
when you grabbed me like that. Why did you?"

Caderyn turned his head and looked straight at Lynwood, then turned back and soared
high into the night sky. Lynwood got the message; Caderyn had been worried for
Lynwood's with all those soldiers and decided to get him out of harm’s way.

"Thanks, Caderyn," he softly said. "You are a good friend."

 Chapter21.
Regroup.
Caderyn flew to Eadberht's study and Lynwood slipped into the window. He was
relieved to see Eadberht was sitting and waiting for him.

"I am glad you made it," Eadberht said in a breathless voice. "We only just arrived
minutes ago. You can be sure, however, that the king will come here within the hour."

"What are we going to do?" Lynwood questioned. "Where is my father and the
prince?"

A slight smile came to Eadberht's face. "I have a secret set of rooms in this castle. The
men are all hiding there. I came here to wait for you and show you were to go. We
must hurry, however, for you father is quite concerned."

Standing up, Eadbhert went to a cupboard and with some difficulty pushed it away.
He tapped a bit on the floor, lifted a floorboard, then pulled a key from his pocket and
after a bit of fiddling in the little hole in the floor the wall suddenly moved and proved
to be a door to secret passage. Eadberht stepped inside and motioned for Lynwood to
followed.

Once inside Eadberht shut the door and they were engulfed in total darkness.
Lynwood grunted with annoyance at the fact that there was no torch to light the way.

"There are stairs just ahead of us," Eadberht warned. "So be careful." Together they
carefully began descending the narrow stair case, holding on to the wall for some
support. Down, down, down they went, nearly tripping a few times but managing to
keep from falling over. Lynwood suddenly collided int Eadberht, not realizing the
man had stopped.

Voice could be heard somewhere ahead of them.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Someone was asking. "Eadberht just left us
unexpectedly."

"I don't know what you are planning," Lynwood recognized his father's voice. "But I
somehow have to find my son."

Eadberht let out a chuckle and Lynwood heard the snap of a door unlocking.
Lynwood heard the door squeak open and they were in a room, lighted with a few
torches. The escaped prisoners all sat together in the center of the room.

"Don't worry, Father," he called as he ran out of the dark stairway. "I'm right here."

Lyndon leapt to his feet in shock. "Where...where...where did you come from?" He
sputtered.

"From Eadberht's study," Lynwood replied, "Caderyn dropped me off there."

"Who?"

"Caderyn," Eadberht kindly explained. "The dragon."

"The dragon?" Lyndon's eyes widened. "You mean the one who kidnapped him?"

"Oh, he didn't kidnap me," Lynwood said. "He was just afraid that I might get hurt.
He is very protective of me."

"You know that dragon?" Tristan lifted an eyebrow.

"Sure, I do. Sofia and I have been staying with him ever since you were arrested
father."

"You were what?" Lyndon wasn't sure if he was hearing correctly.

"I'll explain later," Lynwood stated, feeling very tired and not in the mood to go into
all the details. Lyndon walked closer to his son and putting his hand on the boy's
shoulder, gazed at him.
Lynwood had lost some weight, he had a tired look in his eyes, and his clothes were
threadbare and dirty. It was obvious the boy had had it rough since the time of the
arrest.

"What have I put you through?" Lyndon softly whispered.

Lynwood, despite being in public, put his arms around his father. "We have been fine,
Father. Safe, and warm, and dry, and looked after by one of the most powerful
creatures in the world. We were only worried about you, but you are safe."
Lyndon smiled and pressed the boy to his chest, trying hard not to cry. "I'm sorry I
ever hit you."

"Ah," Lynwood laughed. "I deserved it."

"You spoke of my sister," Wilheard suddenly said. Lynwood turned from his father's
embrace to gaze at the prince. Now that there was light, Lynwood could get a better
view of the young man. He was pretty tall, and his clothes were rather musty from the
dampness of the prison. Lynwood had to admit the prince had the bearing of a king.
His hair was long and black and in a terrible knotted mess. His eyes were dark and, in
many ways, he resembled Collyn; an older, manlier version of Collyn.

"Yes, Your Highness," Lynwood said with a small bow. "She is with my sister in the
dragon's cave."

It was obviously not a satisfactory answer to the poor brother. His eyes widened with
fear. "Is she really safe there?"

"Safer than any other place I could possibly put them. The cave it is higher than any
man has ever climbed."

"And what about the threat the dragon might pose while you are gone?"
"With all due respect Your Highness, the dragon poses no threat to them at all. At the
moment he is on the roof of the castle, though I do not expect he shall stay there
long."

"What of other dragons?" Wilheard argued.

"There are no other dragons. At least in all the time we have been living there we
never saw any."

Wilheard scowled. "So, two girls alone in a cave somewhere in a mountain is your
idea of safe?"

"Safer than two girls out in the woods exposed to the elements. Or two girls at the
mercy of the King's guards. Where would have hidden them, Your Highness, if you
had been in my situation?"

"Oh, I would have killed the dragon once he had taken me to his cave, that way I
would have felt safe."

"In other words, you would have betrayed him?"

"Betraying a dragon isn't betrayal," Wilheard coldly pointed out. "It is simple
eliminating the possibility of the dragon attacking you."

Lynwood shook his head and looked straight into Wilheard's eyes. "Dragons are not
what we think they are. They are noble and honest creatures; it is just the constant
attacks of us humans have made them hate us and as such they attack and plunder."

"How do you know that for a fact?"

"Because I have lived with a dragon for this past week. There is more, Your Highness,
you owe this dragon your freedom. It if had not been for him you would not have
gotten very far from the prison."
"Boys," Eadberht cut in. "We can discuss dragons later. There is a more serious task at
hand. That of getting Wilheard on the throne."

"Oh, what is the hope, Lord Eadberht," Wilheard turned in despair. "We are but ten
men and Uncle Farran has an entire army. We had better just find Collyn and flee the
country."

"That is the coward's way out!" Lynwood snapped. "For a man who boasted of being
brave enough to go kill dragons you have no true courage, Your Highness."

Lyndon's eyes shot up at the reaction of his son. Since when did Lynwood become so
outspoken when in public?

Wilheard inhaled angrily at these words.

"And yes," Lynwood added. "That dragon got away. You shot him in the eyebrow and
he flew off. Then, only a few weeks later, he returned to save your life."

Now Wilheard's eyes filled with shock. "That...that...are you...how?"

"I found the dragon, sire, wounded and treated him. He has been my friend ever since.
He has put aside his hate to help you. We have all sacrificed to help you, and you in
return only want to run off? Is that really the sort of man we are putting on the throne?
Can you tell me you will be better than your Uncle."

Wilheard let out a smirk. "You have never even met my Uncle."

"I did not, but I have met you and since I don't know your uncle and I am not very
impressed with what I have seen of you, I'm not sure who I prefer on the throne
now."1

"Boys!" Eadberht got in between the two of them. "I said this is no time for argument.
We cannot be divided; we must stand as one."
"So, what are you going to do, Lynwood, Dragon's Friend?"

"Caderyn and I are going to put you on the throne even if it is the last thing we do!"
Lynwood retorted, looking up at Wilheard, his green eyes serious and determined.
"Because although you have no hope, I have faith, and I pray it will not disappoint
me. Now, Lord Eadberht, what is the plan?"

Lord Eadberht, glad they had returned to buisness, allowed his features to relax. "I
suggest we all get a good night's sleep, and tomorrow we will discuss. The King will
search my castle, but we will be safe as long as we remain here."

"Very well," Lynwood nodded. "Then you sleep here, I have to go. I'll see you in the
morning." With those words he turned towards the door.

"Wait!" Three pairs of hands grabbed the boy's shoulders. Lynwood turned to see
Lord Eadberht, his father, and Tristan all holding on to him.

"Where are you going?" Lyndon demanded. "You can't go out there. The king will be
here with his soldiers any minute."

"I know," Lynwood replied. "Which is why I must hurry off. Caderyn will never leave
without me, but we can't have him on the room when King Farran arrives."

"No!" Lyndon shook his head. "You are not going to expose yourself like that. You
could get caught!"

"Father, I will be sleeping next to a dragon,"

"That is part of the reason I am worried"

Lynwood let out a soft smile and put his hand over his father's. "I shall be safe, Father,
I know what I am doing. Please, trust me, I've made it this far." He brushed the hands
off of him and departed, shutting the door behind him.
"I'll go lock the secret passage after him," Eadberht said. "The rest of you settle down.
There is hardtack in the chests and water in the jugs."

"Did you notice something strange thing about Lynwood?" Tristan asked Lyndon as
they went to find the food.

"Something strange?" Lyndon shook his head. "Everything about Lynwood is strange.
It's like I don't even recognize my own son. Standing up to the prince in public. You
know my boy; he runs from any sort of company and never talks to anyone if he can
help it."

"That too," Tristan agreed. "But we both know that Lynwood always said that dragons
were evil and had to be killed on sight, what is he doing protecting one then?"

Lyndon shrugged. He didn't have an answer to that question.

***

King Farran was livid!

"How could you manage to let them go?" He shouted at the terrified prison guards.
"You fool! You complete and utter idiots! They just walked away from you without
so much as a scratch! And Eadberht! Eadberht against me! I should have known! Like
father like son...or should I say like son like father"

"It wouldn't have been like that sir if it wouldn't have been for the dragon," The
Captain of the Guards stammered, looking at the floor to avoid the king's icy gaze.
"He just appeared out of nowhere and attacked us."

"Out of nowhere? OUT OF NOWHERE!!!!"

"Yes, sire."
"That dragon!" King Farran thumped his fist on the table. "Where, where did he come
from? And that boy, that boy who controls him, where did he find him? They've
supposed to be extinct. They went extinct long, long ago!"
"Perhaps they have just been hiding?" One soldier dared to suggest.

"FOR FIVE HUNDRED YEARS????"

Everyone took a step back.

"How, how can my entire army be so careless." Farran kept on fuming. "Right from
the start when they let the boy get away with the letter. NOW WHAT AM I
SUPPOSED TO DO?????"

A soft cough sounded out and everyone bowed at the appearance of the queen in the
throne room.

"You are all excused," Rohesia said in her smooth voice. "It has been a long night for
us all. Captain, have a fresh set of troops search the castle of Lord Eadbhert and see if
there is anything to be found."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the Captain said and with a deep bow all the soldiers departed.

"With all due respect, Dear Husband," Rohesia reproached. "You must learn to
control your temper. All is not lost. Wilheard may have escaped with his rag tag set of
plotters, but what can they hope to accomplish?"

Those words were the final straw. King Farran's face turned a deep purple and he
whirled around to face his wife. "I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THEY CAN
ACCOMPLISH!" He exploded. "Why they could sneak up into my palace at night
and kill me! They could have their dragon attack our palace and with a few carefully
planned moments take over the throne."
"Then our greatest threat is not Wilheard," Rohesia calmly replied, swishing her skirts
and sitting down on her throne. "But rather the dragon, and that little boy who rides
him. We must get rid of them."

"But how? HOW? Killing dragons isn't just something that can be easily done. So far
none of my soldiers have succeeded. How do you plan to do it?"

Here Rohesia smiled. "You need look no further than your own son to answer that
question."

Farran took a deep breath. Rohesia summoned a servant.

"Send for Prince Oliver immediately," she ordered.

Within fifteen minutes a sleepy, bedraggled Oliver stood before his mother and father.

"What is it now?" He groaned.

"Oliver," Rohesia purred. "Tell you father about how to kill a dragon. We have to get
rid of one, you know."

"The one who is causing all this trouble?"

"The very same."

Oliver yawned and turned to King Farran.

"You don't know, Father?"

"Know what?" Farran growled.

"Of the dragon's soft spot?"

"Obviously not." Farran snapped. "If I knew we wouldn’t be having this

conversation."
Oliver gave another yawn. "It is well known that every creature on this earth has a
weak spot, and once you know what that weak spot is, you will know how to kill the
creature. With the dragon, it is his eyes. You have to have a very good aim in order to
get them, but once you have, the dragon is at your mercy."

"Why his eyes?"

"Because the dragon relies very much on his eyesight, he can see nearly ten times
better than you can and that is why he is hard to aim at. They can see in the dark as
well as in the light, their sharp eyesight makes it easy for them to determine what sort
of man is aiming at them, what sort of weapon he has and what is the best course of
action to take. However, if you have blinded the dragon in at least one eye, he loses
part of his eyesight and becomes disoriented and lost. If you wait, he will pull himself
back together, but if you can strike fast enough and hit his other eye then you have
blinded the dragon and he is fully at your mercy. Once the dragon is blind, you must
drive an arrow or a sword straight through his heart. That is the only way to kill him."

"So, if I understand correctly," King Farran carefully stated. "The hard part is getting
the dragon in the eye."

"Yes, for the dragon knows of his weak spot and is careful, besides, getting a dragon
in the eye is not an easy task, one has to have a sharp eye and be very, very good at
aiming. Poor Wilheard was quite a sorry shooter. I think it just might be the same
dragon."

"There is no point speculating on that," Rohesia pointed out. "I don't care about that
part. We just have to worry about getting the dragon this time, once and for all."

King Farran walked slowly back to his throne and slumped in it. "Blind the dragon,
kill the dragon, kill the boy who rides him, kill Wilheard and the rest of his crew, find
Collyn and kill her too and that is the end with them all.. You know what the worst
part of this is? You have to do the hard part first."
"Ah, Farran," Rohesia shook her head. "It is always like that."

Farran glanced over at his wife. "And all because of a silly letter," he mumbled.
Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the much-hated white envelope and tossed it on
the table. "How are we going to find them, my love?"

"Like any huntsman," Rohesia replied. "Lure them with a trap."

"What will we use as bait."

Rohesia let out a little giggle. "We will use what they want the most, my dear
husband, we shall use you!"1

Engrossed in their planning, neither of them saws Oliver secretly pocket the letter his
father had thrown on the table and depart from the room.
 CHAPTER22.
CONFRONTED.
 

Lynwood and Caderyn had flown off deep into a wooded area and settled for the
night. Beast and boy were utterly exhausted.

The next morning dawned misty and damp. Caderyn nudged Lynwood to wake him
up. Lynwood yawned and rolled over.

"Is it morning already?" he grumbled, as he sat up, feeling cold, wet, and
uncomfortable. "Why does morning always come earlier that you want it too? Oh
well, I suppose I should get up. Father will be getting really worried over me. I hope
he doesn't mind too much that I took off yesterday, I hope he'll understand. Did you
have breakfast?"

Caderyn nodded his head.

"Good." Lynwood yawned and forced himself to stand up. "I hope the girls are alright
in that cave. Do you suppose they are angry at me for not coming back home?"

Caderyn tossed his head a little as if to say, 'I don't know."

Together they flew through the morning mist back to the dragon. Lynwood found it
hard to see through the fog, but Caderyn seemed to know his way and soon the castle
loomed in the distance. Sliding through the study window, Lynwood saw it was a
complete disaster. Obviously, the king's men had already been there and left.

Lynwood thanked his stars that he was alone. It had been a rash and foolish act of him
to just come here and it was a pure miracle how the place was empty. It could have
ended so much worse. It took him some time to remember where the door to the secret
passage was, but at last he was able to locate it and using the extra key given to him
by Eadberht he stumbled down the narrow, dark staircase and to the secret chamber.

The men had already risen and were eating breakfast. Lord Eadberht was nowhere to
be seen.

"Anything left for me?" Lynwood asked, running over and gazing greedily at the food.

Everyone had to laugh at the expression on his face. Lyndon made space for him and
Tristan put some of the plain, tasteless food and gave it to the boy, who gobbled it up
and licked his fingers as though devouring the tastiest feast ever.

"Where is Lord Eadberht?" Lynwood asked, his mouth full of food. Lyndon descritly
nudged his son at his bad manner, in front of the prince no less.

"He went out," Wilheard replied. "Said he had some spies out there or something. We
need to find out what Uncle Farran has been up to if we want to plan our next move."

Lynwood caught his father's hard stair. He groaned but glanced over at the young
prince.

"Your Highness, I want to apologize for the way I behaved yesterday. You have only
just discovered some terrible truths about a man you once trusted, and I was
insensitive."

Wilheard also let out a frustrated sigh. "That's alright, Lynwood. You have been
risking your life to help me for a long time and have lost so much, I should have been
more grateful as well. Lord Eadberht gave me quite a tongue lashing yesterday. You
were right when you said I should not take the coward's way out. I am going to stay
and fight for my throne, though I have no idea how to do it."

Silence prevailed for another hour as the men finished eating and sat around, not
knowing what to do. Lynwood informed his father and Tristan what he had been up to
the past couple of days.
At last, just when the men were wondering how much more they could take of the
inactivity, the door opened and Lord Eadberht entered, followed by another, thin man
dressed in simple clothing.

"I have news," Eadberht stated. "One of my spies has informed me that the king is
giving a public addressing tomorrow. Messengers have been riding around the entire
city. It has to do with the treason that has been committed against him in the past
couple of days. He will go to the City Hall and speak to everyone from that large
balcony for public speaking’s."Wilheard narrowed his eyes. "Do you think it is a trap?
He's trying to lure me to come and confront him again."

"That is no doubt what it is," Eadberht agreed. "But we can turn his trap into ours. We
have a dragon with us after all making the odds in our favor. You don't have that
letter, do you, Wilheard? The one with all the information?"

Wilheard hung his head in shame. "It was taken from me when I confronted my
uncle."

"Pity," Eadberht sighed. "This will so much more difficult without it. Still, I have the
information that my son passed onto me before he was banished. I say this is our
opportunity and we must not let it down! Here is what I thought we will do. Lynwood,
listen close, as a lot will depend on you and your dragon friend."

***

The morning fog had cleared and bright skies replaced it. It was the first time
Lynwood and Caderyn were soaring through the city in broad daylight. The streets
were mainly quiet as everyone had come to listen to the king.

"Do you think it will work?" Wilheard, who was sitting behind Lynwood on the
dragon, asked.

"I have no idea," Lynwood confessed. "We'll just have to give it our best shot."
"And if it doesn't work?"

"I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we come to it"

"That's not a very comforting plan B."

"I guess not, but what can we do? Eadberht seemed very confident, I guess we'll just
have to rely on his faith for this scheme."

Wilheard nodded. "What I can't believe is that I am riding a dragon! I never through
of dragons as being creatures one could ride on."

"Maybe they're not, but these are desperate times."

"All the books only pictured dragons as something made to be slain."

Caderyn turned his head and gave a low grumbled when he heard this

"The books were wrong," Lynwood replied, patting Caderyn to calm him down.

Wilheard remained silent. It's not that he really hated the dragon, it just everything
seemed so strange. What about all those tales of men who had risked much to save
princess from the clutches of evil dragons and in that way earned her heart and hand?
What of all the stories of dragons attacking innocent people and those warriors who
stood up to danger and slew them? Were they really all just made up? Was there really
no truth to them at all? Were dragons the sort of creatures who wanted to just live and
let live? Somehow it just didn't seem to make such sense. If all Lynwood said about
dragons was true, then all those stories and tales suddenly lost their meaning, and that
just about ruined all Wildheard's childhood dreams. 1

"Don't get me wrong," he stated at last. "I truly am grateful to Caderyn. It is only I
find it hard to believe that all those tales, all those stories of men fighting evil dragons
are wrong. There must have been some truth to them."
"Perhaps there is," Lynwood replied with a shrug, "Maybe not all dragons are good,
just like not all people are good. But you can't group all dragons as being 'bad' for they
are not all bad, as we have witnessed."

"I suppose," Wilheard agreed. That certainly made sense.

The large City Hall came to view, and with it a great crowd of people. Wilheard and
Lynwood both took deep breaths.

"This is it," Wilheard whispered. "Tell me, Lynwood, what are we doing? This is
about as impossible as it gets! I will only kill the few people who are loyal to me."

"Impossible is a word I no longer believe in, Your Highness," Lynwood firmly stated.
"If I let the idea of impossible stop me, I doubt you and I would both be riding on this
dragon right now. Come, you are about to become king, you have to have faith in
yourself and courage. You will need it once you start the difficult task of ruling us
all."2

It was strange to be given advice from a young boy, but Wilheard found he was
grateful for it.

"You are right," he said. "I need to stand my ground. That is my rightful throne, and
my uncle killed my father and mother and has been destroying this land with his
greed. The wrongs must be put right, no matter what the cost."

They had reached the Hall by now and gasp and shouts could be heard down below as
the people noticed the dragon and the two riders. King Farran was standing on the
balcony, but did not seemed frightened or surprised. He just glared up at them before
turning back to the crowd.
"There he is," he called in a calm, cold voice. "The nephew that betrayed me. The
nephew who tried to take my life. He has made a deal with the dragons and now they
have come to take my throne. A throne given to me by my own brother!"

There was a rumbling of murmurs from the crowd at this.

Caderyn had landed on the roof by now and Lynwood jumped down.

"My fellow countrymen," he called out. "Our sing is telling us one great big lie!"

"It's the boy," a woman suddenly called from the crowd. "The boy who rides the
dragon from the wanted posters!"

"Apart from being a traitor to the crown," Lynwood kept on talking. "I think we all
agree that Northurst has never had it worse since he came to power. Taxes keep on
raising, we can hardly make it from winter to spring, we are starving and sick and he
just builds fancy palaces to please he greedy and demanding wife! Do we even want a
king like this? Winter is on its way and he has raised taxes three times to what it was.
If he continues to rule, how many of us will live to see the next spring?"

There were low murmurs and a general nodding of heads.

Lyndon, standing in the crowd, along with the rest of the men who had mingled with
the people, couldn't help from staring at his son with wide eyes. Who would have ever
thought that Lynwood, shy, reclusive Lynwood, could stand up there and make such a
speech?

"We're poor, we're sick, we've got nothing and he's robbing us of the little we have to
feed his rich nobles! Even the army is not what it used to be. Those of you who are
soldiers, how long has it been since you have been paid? Those of you who are
invalids from faithful service defending our kingdom, does he care about you? Or
does he leave you to starve? If treason is wishing for a different king, a better king,
then I choose treason! Better treason than death by starvation and disease!"
More murmurs, murmurs of agreement. Farran was so taken aback by the speech that
during the entire time Lynwood spoke he was silent. Who was that ridiculous boy? He
was just a kid, yet he was accomplishing so much!

He shifted his gaze and caught the stern gaze of his wife. It was either now or never. If
they didn’t' silence this boy then they would lose the kingdom to the angry crowd that
was getting stirred up against the king instead of against the young prince.

Wilheard had just off the dragon too now.

"Farran has killed my father, King Elhon!" He thundered out. "And if treason means
taking back a throne that was rightfully mine before this thief stole it, then let it be
treason! If treason is defying a man who is destroying this kingdom, then yes, I have
committed treason. And those who are with me have committed treason as well. Tell
me, good people, what will you choose? King Farran? Or treason? Take a good look
at him, this murderer of family, this thief of good honest people, this greedy, dishonest
man. Is treason really worse than him? Men of the army, generals, officers, soldiers,
will you follow this king? I may be young, but I promise to be a better king than my
uncle. I will follow in the footsteps of my father if you will trust me with the path!"

The crowds, desperate, heavily taxed, tired of poverty and neglect, was starting to go
wild. Everyone had their eyes glued to the young prince, standing on the roof with the
boy and the majestic dragon. Such a prince was surely better than their bad king. A
prince who could even get dragons to do his bidding!

No one looked at Farran, no one saw him raise his hand just a little. No one saw the
archer in the strategic spot, no one saw him discreetly draw the arrow from the quiver
at his side.

But then a voice cried out.

"The dragon, Wilheard! This is not about you, he's after the dragon!"
Wilheard paused, confused. Lynwood, however, turned sharply and noticed the
archer, his aim fixed on the large, red and gold best. He had already let the bowstring
go and with a Wizz the arrow flew into the air.

"Caderyn, watch out!" Lynwood shouted and taking a giant leap, threw himself over
the dragon's head.

And the arrow, meant for the dragon's eye, found it's mark in Lynwood's shoulder.
Chapter23.
Wrongs Righted.
.

A hush fell over the crowd at the action. Lynwood whole body went limp and he
slipped off the dragon's head and rolling across the sloping tiles, he tumbled down off
the roof. There was a gasp as the honest folk watched Lynwood descend straight to
the stony ground.

Caderyn, having been startled by all that had happened, came to his senses and
swooped down and caught up with Lynwood just in the nick of time. Another two
arrows came flying, but the nimble dragon swerved and flew back to the roof, holding
Lynwood securely in his large claws.

He laid him gently on the roof, nudging him with his nose, low growls coming from
his throat. There was no reaction to all the dragon's attempts, Lynwood remained limp
and lifeless.

Wilheard, worried and stunned, net down by the boy.

"Lynwood," he called. But Lynwood didn't respond, he didn't even stir when Wilheard
lifted his head. His face had gone deathly pale and just a small trickle of blood came
out of his mouth. Wilheard glanced up and drew a breath.

The large, yellow green eyes of the dragon were filled with rage. A thin line of smoke
came out of his nose. Turning sharply, he took to the air. Swerving down he grabbed
Farran and took off again into the air.

The crowd backed away. Farran cried out in fright. Swooping down, Caderyn dropped
the terrified king on the ground. The man hit the cobblestones hard and moaned. But
the dragon was not done. He glared down at the king, who whimpered and stumbled
back. Taking a deep breath, Caderyn turned towards the City Hall and to the horror of
the crowd, a stream of fire came flowing from the dragon's mouth. It engulfed the
building in a wall of flame. Soaring to the sky, Caderyn collected Wilheard and
Lynwood from the roof and flew up, breathing more fire down.

"Caderyn," Wilheard shouted in desperation. "Caderyn, he's alright! He's alive! He's
not dead! He hit his head while tumbling off the roof, and no doubt the pain was too
much for him. But he's alive, if we treat him right now, he'll live. The arrow is in his
shoulder not in his heart! But you've got to land, we've got to get him to a surgeon.
But you must calm down and land. We've got to get him to a doctor!"

Despite his fury, Caderyn heard Wilheard and turning, landed beside the burning
building. Once more the crowd back away, afraid that the dragon would now cover
them in flames. Wilheard slipped off and gently took Lynwood down.

"Where is the boy's father?" He called.

Lyndon, pale and afraid, pushed his way thought the crowd.

"Is he...is he dead?" He mumbled grabbing the boy from the prince.

Wilheard shook his head. "No, the arrow is only in his shoulder, a good deal away
from his heart. It must be removed and properly cleaned, but the boy will live and
recover, I have no doubt of it."

Lyndon gripped his son in his arms, the dragon nudged the boys head gently, making
small whimpering noises.

"It will be alright," Lyndon soothed the concerned beast. "We'll set him right."

"In the meantime," Wilheard turned towards his uncle, whose escape was being
blocked by a crowd of very angry people. "We still have to deal with you."

"You have no proof," Farran croaked out.

"But I do," a voice called. It was the same one that had shouted the warning. Turning,
Wilheard and Caderyn saw young Prince Oliver walking up to them. Caderyn inhaled
deeply, recognizing Oliver from the hunt, but he did nothing, only stared.

"You!" His father hissed.

"Me!" Oliver nodded. "I read a very interesting letter the other day, full of strange
facts and disturbing evidence. But more than that, I have had it from my father's own
lips how he and my mother plotted against King Elhon, how together they set up his
murder, and the murder of my aunt, Queen Katherine. How they lied to me, to the
lords and councilors, to the army, to the good and honest folk of Northhurst."

Farran's eyes filled with rage. "You! You!" He shouted. "I took you into my
confidence and you betrayed your own! Don't you realize you will never be king
now!"

"I have you to thank, Father," Oliver sadly replied. "For teaching me the art of
betrayal. Was it not you who did it first? Lured your brother and then murdered him?
Was it not Mother who grew the poison that killed your sister-in-law? I cannot, and
will not, go along with your scheme. Wilheard is the rightful heir, and not I. I will not
be king because of an act of murder and a lie. Better an honest nobleman than a false
ruler."

Turning to the soldiers who had come up, Oliver stated in a voice full of authority.
"Take my father and my mother away. I fear they must be tried for treason, the
punishment which is of course banishment. But when and how it is to take place must
be decided by the court."

Farran tried to run, but it was no use and he was bound and led away, along with
Queen Rohesia.
"Deal with them gently," Wilheard called. "After all, they are of the royal family, and
the queen is a lady."

"That is noble of you," Oliver said, turning to his cousin.

"They are family," Wilheard sadly agreed. "And I will not follow in the uncle's
footsteps of cruelty. Those are not the markings of a good king."

By now Lord Eadberht and the rest of the men came foward.

"People of Arrol, citizens of Northurst, here is your rightful king, Prince Wilheard,
son to King Elhon and heir to the throne."

The crowd began cheering and Wilheard was obligated to climb onto Caderyn, along
with Oliver, to keep from being trampled.

After this everyone set to work putting out the fire from the City Hall and keeping it
from spreading to the other buildings. This kept much of the city folk occupied and
allowed Wilheard, Oliver, Eadberht to collect Lyndon and poor Lynwood and take
him to the palace to be treated.

***

Lynwood opened his eyes with a groan and looked around him. Someone was
gripping his right hand, while his shoulder felt numb and ached terribly. He glanced
over at it.

"Where am I?" He mumbled. "Where is Caderyn? And why does my shoulder hurt
like that?"

"You were hit by Farran's dagger," Wilheard's voice told him. Look up, Lynwood saw
the young prince standing by his bed. Lyndon sat beside him, holding onto Lynwood's
hand. There was a third man Lynwood didn't know.
"At first we thought we had lost you," Wilheard kept on. "But the wound turned out
not to be so serious. The surgeon has treated it properly and with time and rest it will
heal completely and you will have full use of your arm. Only a small scar will
remain."

"Where is Caderyn?" Lynwood asked, propping himself up with a wince.

"He is out in the palace garden," his father replied. "He has been quite worried about
you. We all have been."

"What about Farran? Where is he? How did it all turn out?"

"Farran will never harm us again," Wilheard said, "He is locked away right now. He
will be tried and banished. Lynwood, I wish for you to meet someone who helped us.
This is my cousin, Oliver. He warned us about the true reason of the plot. He testified
against his own father. Oliver, this is Lynwood, the boy who saved the dragon we
tried to kill."

"It is a great irony," Oliver said with a small smile. "I am honored to meet you,
Lynwood. For one so young you have a lot of strength and courage. It seemed you
have truly won the heart of the dragon. Your wound drove him to his limit, and we all
discovered that dragons can breathe fire quite well."

"WHAT?" Lynwood sat up abruptly; an action he quickly regretted, for it made a

sharp pain spread over his shoulder

"He thought you were dead," Wilheard exclaimed. "And it brought out the fire in him,
literally."

"That is so strange," Lynwood mused, falling back on his pillow. "He never showed
any sort of ability to breathe fire before."
"Maybe he only does it when he's really angry," Oliver offered. "Wilheard mentioned
how smoke started coming out his nostrils when you refused to respond to him."

"Could be," Lynwood shrugged. "Dragons surely are complicated creatures. So, how
long have I been out?"

"Several hours," Lyndon replied. "It is now sundown."

"Sundown!" Lynwood exclaimed. "Oh no, no, no, no; those girls will kill me." With
his good hand he pushed back the covers and attempted to stand up, but the three men
at his bedside stopped him.1

"Lynwood, where are you going?" His father angrily scolded. "Lie back down, silly
boy! You've just been operated on; you need to lie still and rest."

"How can I when Collyn and Sofia are still in the dragon's cave, and are probably
either weeping over my death or cursing me for forgetting about them and leaving
them alone for such a long time? I have to go and get them."

"Cannot someone else go?" Wilheard argued. "You certainly can't go flying in your
current condition."

Lynwood shook his head, "I doubt Caderyn will take anyone else to his cave. He
doesn't trust you enough with that. I mean you could try, but good luck."

"He's got a point," Oliver agreed. "The only way he agreed to take us all to the palace
was because we had Lynwood with us. And dragons are pretty secretive about their
caves, or so I've heard."

"Will the girls try to leave the cave?" Lyndon questioned his son.

Lynwood shook his head. "I don't think so. It's not like they have anywhere to go, and
Sofia knows it's quite impossible to get down from where they are. They have no
choice but to sit there and hope that I will come."
"I think they will be fine one more night," Wilheard reassured. "I hate to leave my
sister up there, but there is nothing to be done. You are not well enough to go and no
one else is able too. Tomorrow I'll go with you and together we'll collect them."

Lynwood, who was exhausted, had no choice but to obey and lay back down on the

bed. He had quite a bit of trouble going to sleep due to the ache in his shoulder, but
when he did fall asleep, he slept peacefully and woke up with the sun's light.

Wilheard was once again standing by his bed, and his father was asleep in the chair.

"I left a note," Wilheard whispered. "Let's go out and then fetch those sisters of ours.
He knows I was planning to take you, so it's alright."

Lynwood nodded and slipped out of the bed. Wilheard helped him dress and fitted his
arm in a sling.

"Isn't a servant supposed to do this, and not the heir to the throne?" Lynwood teased.

Wilheard chuckled softly. "Lord Eadberht always told me a king must be servant to
his people. Besides, it will be too much commotion to get a servant. Come along, the
dragon is in the garden."

Together they slipped out of the room, down several passageways and out into the
morning air and the beautiful, exotic palace garden. Caderyn was lying there, but he
stood up at the sight of Lynwood.

Despite the pain in his shoulder Lynwood ran over and put his arms around the large
head. Caderyn crooned softly as he closed his eyes.

"It's alright," Lynwood soothed. "I'm alright. You helped me so much, Caderyn, it was
only right to save your life. And look, we both lived to tell the tale. We need to go
fetch the girls. We need to bring them back. Wilheard will accompany us, is that
alright?"
Caderyn nodded.

"We're warming up to each other," Wilheard chuckled. He helped Lynwood up then

sat down behind him.

Together they flew over the still city that was just only beginning to wake, and then
off away from it. They passed the fields of farmers and other towns, villages and
small cities. Still onward they flew, until the Northern Mountain Range came in sight
and the great mountain stood majestically before them. Upward they climbed, and into
the well-known and well-loved cave that had given Lynwood sanctuary when he and
Sofia had desperately needed it.

Caderyn flew into the cave and landed in the same place as he always had. Lynwood
and Wilheard slid down and looked around. The cave was neat and tidy and sleeping
soundly in the nest were the two girls. Lynwood couldn't resist the temptation, he and
Wilheard exchanged glances and the young man smiled with mischief. Creeping
quietly to girls and taking a deep breath the two of them gave the girls a shake, loudly
calling at the same time.

"Wake up oh ye sleepy heads"

The result was exactly what they were hoping it would be. The girls gave a shriek of
terror and jumped up, getting tangled in the blankets and each other as they thrashed
about. The scene was so funny that Lynwood even forgot about his aching shoulder as
he and the prince collapsed on the ground in a fit of laughter. Once the girls had
settled down and pulled themselves together and realized who it was that had
frightened them out of their wits, one can imagine how angry they became.

"Why of all the dreadful, annoying, horrible boys that ever walked the face of the
earth," Sofia stated, stamping her foot. "Lynwood you are the worst, how dare you,
how dare you?"
"Scaring us half to death like that!" Collyn put in. "You ought to be ashamed. We
don't know where you are, what has happened to you, are sick with worry and are
stuck up here with no hope of getting down and no word from you at all and then you
appear out of nowhere and wake us out of the fitful sleep we were in. Why we ought
to strangle you right now."

"Beat you up that is what we must do," Sofia exclaimed, jumping out of the nest.
"Punish you for what you have done to us."

"Hey, hey," Wilheard cut in. "Give the boy some slack."

Collyn gasped at the sight of her brother. She had been so angry with Lynwood she
hadn't even noticed the prince.

"Wilheard!"

Wilheard caught his little sister in a tight embrace. "It's all over, Collyn," he
whispered. "I've come to take you home."

"Uncle Farran?"

"Will never bother us again. Thanks to your friend and his dragon the wrongs have
been righted."

"Lynwood, what happened to your shoulder?" Sofia gasped, having only now noticed
that his shoulder was all wrapped up

"Oh that," Lynwood replied casually. "Nothing really. Just an arrow."

"AN ARROW!" Both girls gasped in horror.

"Where did the arrow come from?" Collyn prodded.

"That is a long, long story." Lynwood sighed. "We can tell it once we reach the
palace.
"Father," Sofia fearfully asked. "Did you find Father?"

Lynwood put his arm around Sofia. "He's safe and worried about you. We need to
hurry back. But I think we should first clear out the Caderyn's cave so we won't have
to do it later. Wilheard and Collyn can help us."

"Oooh," Collyn smiled. "I'll be able to take a peek at your house."

"Unless there are still soldiers guarding it," Sofia said

"Ah," Lynwood waved his hand. "We've got a dragon. We're fine."

"Oh, right," Sofia giggled.

Together they packed the blankets, rug and the pot they had used. There wasn't much
food left, the girls had eaten just about the last bits the night before. Finding his old
bag, Lynwood reached into it and pulled out the golden arrow.

"Your Highness," he said, turning to Wilheard. "I believe this belongs to you."

Taking the arrow, Wilheard gave a small chuckle. "It seems so long ago now. And to
think it's been two weeks."

Lynwood nodded. To think he'd only known Caderyn for two weeks. It honestly
seemed like forever. "It's a good thing you missed," he said. "But it's also a good thing
you shot him. If I hadn't found him wounded in the woods, none of this would have
happened."

"That is a great irony," Wilheard nodded. "I'll keep this arrow to constantly remind me
not to judge anyone, beast or man, by what I've heard."

The girls were getting restless, so the boys turned back to matters at hand. Wilheard
helped haul it onto the dragon's back, he stayed behind while the three children took it
down.
"Three's a crowd," he laughed. "Four would just be too much."

They came to the little green house, which turned out to be abandoned and left the
stuff by the broken front door. Then they got back on the dragon, collected Wilheard
at the mouth of the cave, and flew back to the palace. At the large front gates, they
were greeted by Lyndon and Lord Eadberht.

"Papa," Sofia's shriek echoed across the room as the girl hobbled and flung herself
into her father arms. He gathered her up, laughing and kissing her. Her still slightly
swollen ankle was his first concern and he asked for the doctor to be sent for. She
tried to brush it all away, clinging to him and saying she'd never let him go.

It was a joyous moment, and had everyone smiling. They went for a good breakfast.
There was still so much to do, especially for Wilheard, who was about to inherit a
kingdom that was falling apart on every side.

***

The next few days were busy. Eadberht's son, Coldbert, returned from banishment,
Elaine was sent for so she could be reunited with her husband. And then, at long last,
the coronation day took place.

As was tradition, Wilheard was crowned in the town square, where the city could see
him. Guards were stationed everywhere, but no one need have worried. Caderyn stood
beside the king, and everyone in the city clearly remembered how he had destroyed
the City Hall and how now it had to be rebuilt, with money that Farran had stolen
from the people.

Beside Caderyn stood Lynwood, holding onto the cushion that held the heavy golden
crown with the help of an attendant. The boy's left arm was still in a sling, the wound
would require several weeks to heal. The little country boy seemed to have
disappeared. Lynwood was dressed in a rich, velvet tunic, his blond hair combed out
of his face. Anyone who had known Lynwood before would never have recognized
him now.

Wilheard soon appeared along with a long procession and came up to the front and
Lord Eadberht took the crown and placed it on Wilheard's head and everyone waved
hats and scarves and threw flowers into the air and yelled 'LONG LIVE THE KING!"

Caderyn watched it all and thought of how strange humans were and how they made
everything in life seem so complicated.

After the coronation there was a long parade as Wilheard was led to the grand throne
room and took his seat as King of Northhurst.

After this the party began, and lasted for several days. But, as all thing must, it finally
came to an end and Lyndon prepare to return home.

Before they left, however, the new king approached the woodsman with a suggestion.

"Sir, if you should like, let your son stay in the city. I could give him a good education
and he could live in the palace. He would never lack anything, he could grow up to be
a counselor in my court, or is he should prefer the way of a warrior, he would make a
valuable captain in my army one day."

Lyndon was silent then looked over at Lynwood, who was standing next to him.

"What do you think, son?" he quietly asked. "It is a wonderful opportunity for you.
You could have a better life than the one I can give you."

Lynwood widened his eyes and looked at his father. "What do you think I should do?"

"You are no longer a little boy, Lynwood; I think this decision is one that you have to
make on your own."

Once upon a time it had been Lynwood's dream to get away from the little house by
the mountains. But now that the adventure was over, the damsel no longer in distress,
the kingdom saved, and the dragon no longer an enemy, the young boy found he
longed for his home. The city, with all its sights and sounds was empty compared to
the song of the wind and the freedom of the mountains. So Lynwood gave a low bow
to the king.

"Thank you so much for the offer, Your Majesty, but I will return to my home with
my father. City life is not for me, all the narrow streets and brick houses, even this
palace, beautiful as it is, would be nothing more than a golden cage. I was born a child
of the mountains, I was born with the freedom that the only the mountains can
provide, and I cannot give up that freedom, not for all the riches and pleasures that
your court can offer. The life of a woodsman is the life for me, and I shall return to it
with my family."

"You are sure of this?" Wilheard asked with a kind smile

"I am, sire,"

"Then be it as you wish, but know that you are always welcome in my court. I owe
you so much; I do not think I shall ever be able to repay you."

"I do not need repayment, Your Majesty," Lynwood said with another bow. "But there
is one thing I should like to ask of you."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Well, due to this whole adventure, it has been made quite well known to a great
many people that dragons are not extinct. And after Caderyn's display at the City Hall,
I fear now everyone is quite afraid of what dragons can do. There will be a lot of folk
ready to travel up north and start hunting dragons once more... Please, sire, make a
law, banning the hunting and killing of dragons. They will leave us alone as long as
we leave them alone."
"Have no fear," Wilheard replied. "Your dragon has saved my life, and I will not
allow any harm to come to him or his kind. I give you my word."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lynwood said with another bow.

CHAPTER 24
Goodbyes.
 

The evening before Lynwood and Sofia were to return home Collyn came to visit with
them.2

"I heard you are not going to stay, Lynwood," she said in a defeated voice.

Lynwood shook his head. "No, I am not, I am returning to my home with my father
and Sofia tomorrow morning."

Collyn looked downcast, "I had hoped you would stay, it shall get so lonely here
without you and Sofia, why don't you? You may like it here."

"I don't think I would. I need the open sky, the cold mountain air, the forest and the
streams. I am a child of the north and the north is where I belong. I know you don't
understand."

Letting out a sigh, Collyn softly replied. "Quite the opposite, I think I do."

"Don't be sad, Collyn," Sofia soothed. "Maybe you could come and visit us."

"I would like that," Collyn smiled. "I will speak to my brother if it can be worked
out."

There was a slight pause. "Only if there are to be any more adventures," Sofia stated,
turning to her brother. "You will not leave us behind in a cave once more! Girls like
adventures as much as boys."

"Don't sprain your ankle," Lynwood retorted. "And I'll be sure to take you."

"I won't!"

"Then don't!"
They all laughed at this. When the time came for Collyn to leave to her room to go to
bed, Lynwood saw her to the door.

"But really, Lynwood," she said, turning round and look at him pleadingly. "If you
ever are to go on an adventure again, please, take me with you. Palace life is so dull, I
want something more in life than lessons and playtime."

Lynwood smiled and held out his hand. "I promise, Collyn. Even if I have to come to
the palace and kidnap you again."1

Collyn smiled shyly and with a bit of an awkward shake they sealed this promise.

***

The next day they bid goodbye to their new friends. Lynwood offered Tristan and
Elaine to ride with them on Caderyn, but Tristan refused.

"Oh no, no, no, no," he shook his head. "There is no way I am going on that creature,
no offense taken."

"But Uncle Tristan..."

"He's afraid of heights, Lynwood," Elaine whispered.

Sofia giggled loudly. It was funny to think of a big strong man like Uncle Tristan
afraid of heights.

"I don't know if I could ride such a creature either," Elaine went on. "I am surprised
that you are going, Lyndon."

"It seems I don't really have a choice," Lyndon replied. "The children have their
minds set on flying and I'm not going to let them go off alone. Once was enough for
me." He tenderly ran his hand through Sofia's hair, before lifting her onto Caderyn
and sitting down behind her.
"Come and visit us Collyn," Sofia called to the princess. "You will love our little
mountain home and I can take you to the meadow and we can pick wild flowers and
go hunting for berries and mushrooms and stargaze at the brilliant northern sky."

"If my brother lets me," Collyn shyly said. "I should very much like to come."

"I am sure we can arrange it all," Wilheard reassured. The newly crowned king turned
to the woodsman's son, "I want to thank you, not only for all you did to help put me
on the throne, but for all that you have taught me while you were doing it."
"Taught you? What could I have ever hoped to teach you?" Lynwood was quite
confused

"You taught me to believe once more," Wilheard smiled. "It is perhaps the greatest
gift a person could ever give."

Lynwood shrugged awkwardly and with a bow turned to the Collyn.

"So long, Princess."

"Goodbye Lynwood," Collyn replied, "I am glad fate allowed us to meet. You and
your sister have taught me a good many thing that I shall never forget. Remember
your promise."

Lynwood smiled and with last awkward squeeze of her hand, he climbed up on the
dragon.

"Come on Caderyn," he softly said, "let's go home."

They flew into the sky and soared across the plains until at last they returned to the
much loved and greatly missed mountain range, and the little green house. Here
Caderyn descended and Lyndon and the children got off. “Home at last," Sofia softly
said. "The flower garden is all but wilted from days of no care, and I'll be the horses
have been stolen, and the chickens as well. We'll have to ask Elaine for more. It's a
good think the King rewarded us with money and we can buy more horses...though I
will miss our old ones. How do you think our vegetables fared Lynwood?"

"I dunno," Lynwood shrugged. "The house is a mess. Those guards sure left a
disaster!"

"We'll fix it all," Lyndon reassured.

"Oh, I can't believe it's all over," Sofia sighed. "Looking back now, it just seems like a
really bad dream."

Lynwood shook his head. "It seems all very real to me," he said. "Returning to normal
life won't be very easy."

"It's always like that," Lyndon said with a kind smile. He ran his hand through his
son's hair. "Well, come along, we've got to get to work cleaning this place up." He
nodded his thanks to the dragon and went inside the house

Lynwood sighed and the slowly turned to Caderyn. The dragon and the boy stared at
each other for a while. The time had come.

"Sofia," Lynwood said. "We must say goodbye to Caderyn."

"Say goodbye to Caderyn?" Sofia was confused

"Yes, it is time for him to leave."

Sofia widened her eyes in dismay. "Leave? Where is he going to leave to?"

"Back home, Sofia. He doesn't live down here; his place is up in the mountain. You
know he doesn't like being with people."

"Oh!" Sofia frowned. "But...but...but can't he live with us? We could make him a good
shed and he would be near us and we could ride on him and..."
Lynwood shook his head and put his hands-on Sofia's shoulders, "Sofia, dearest, listen
to me. Caderyn is not a pet. He is wild creature, and he doesn't want to be tamed.
Remember how when the king asked me if I wanted to stay in the palace, how I
refused because I could not imagine myself living in the city."

"But this is different," Sofia argued.1

"No, it isn't, remember how you once told father how you couldn't understand how
people preferred to live in the city when the mountains were calling to them?"

Sofia nodded.

"It is the same with Caderyn. He was born a creature of the mountain, he was born to
be alone, independent and free. He can't live down here; he needs the wild untamed
forests and caves of the mountain top, where no man has ever set foot. That is his
land, the land of the dragons. While we needed help, he helped us and put up with it,
just like we had to bear the hardships, but now it is over and we need to let him fly
back to his home and to the solitude that he so loves. Let him go Sofia, let him go
home."

"But can't he come and visit us then?"

"I don't know Sofia, maybe he can, but I don't think it right to demand it of him. He
needs his space, away from people and civilization. He's not a pet, dear, nor a creature
to be kept in a zoo. So, say goodbye, Sofia, say goodbye and let him go back."

Sofia nodded again and then made her way to Caderyn. He lowered his great head and
she put her little arms around it, “Goodbye Caderyn," she whispered. "Thank you for
everything, for allowing us to live in your cave, for helping Lynwood to save Papa
and Collyn, and for helping to put the king on the throne. Without you we would have
been lost for good. I shall miss you very much, but Lynwood is right, you don't belong
here, you belong on the mountain top." She patted him and placed a kiss on the scaly
nose. Caderyn nudged her a bit with his nose, and gave a lopsided dragon smile. With
a sigh, Sofia turned and went back to the house, leaving Lynwood and Caderyn alone.

Caderny met Lynwood's gaze, and Lynwood put his hand on the great creature's head.

"We've gone through a lot, together haven't we?" he said with a smile. "It was a
strange friendship between wise old dragon and a little country boy, but it has been a
good and true one. Now it is time for you to fly back to your home, back to the
mountains where you belong. I'll miss you very much, but I am glad that you are
going. You are different from the rest; you are set apart from all other creatures. You
are smart and powerful, but you were not made to be tamed, your freedom is what
makes you who you are, a dragon. No one can tell you where to go or what to do. You
are masters of the sky, kings of the mountains, and no one can take your independence
from you, no one. Just the same I shall miss you; I shall miss you very much." 1

With those words Lynwood put his arms around the dragon and hugged him as tight
as he could. A few tears stole from his eyes and tricked down onto the dragon.

Caderyn stood very still and breathed softly. He too would miss this little human
child, but the time had come for them to part ways, and though it made him sad, it was
the way it had to be. Lynwood couldn't come up with him to the mountains. His place
was down here with his family. After all, Lynwood was a human and had to live like
the humans.

At last Lynwood let go of Caderyn and wiping his eyes, smiled and patted the dragon
one last time,

"Goodbye Caderyn," he whispered. "Goodbye and thank you."

Caderyn rumbled softly and with a final nod at Lynwood, spread his wings and took
for the sky. Lynwood lifted his head and watched the great dragon disappear into the
mist of the mountains
"Fly away Caderyn," he said softly. "Fly away home. I hope you never forget the little
human boy who found you in the woods."

In this young Lynwood needn't have worried, for dragons never forget. And a day
would come when the friendship and bond would be remembered by both boy and
dragon.

...but that is another story.

THE END