The Gift of Charms (11 page)

‘Taking stones to the dragons,’ said Gopal. ‘What you are here to do.’

‘If I bring stones to the clans will all the problems be over?’

‘There will be problems in Dragor whilst the clans disagree with one another,’ Gopal said. ‘At the moment there is nothing you can do about that, but the stones I believe will help restore the dragons’ talents at least. The dragons will regain their true powers and feel healthier in their bodies. And I hope no humans will ever find you! No humans or indeed dragsaurs.’

‘Dragsaurs?’ Yoshiko asked, horrified, thinking about the stories of the grey beasts without souls that once pillaged the clans and murdered the dragons without a thought. ‘Why do you mention dragsaurs? They are long since extinct!’

‘Yes, that is thought to be correct and in the name of Surion let’s hope it is,’ Gopal answered. ‘But with what I have witnessed in my life, nothing would surprise me. My instinct just tells me that Dragor absolutely must restore its strength for things to come. For its own happiness at least – hoping it will never need it for any other reason than that … Now then,’ he added, ‘let’s get moving. You need to be going. There are seven different stones here for you. The Nephans can now have the ruby stone from their homelands. This is what you are feeling when you’re here, the peace of being so near the stone of your lands,’ he said as he handed Yoshiko a red gem. ‘That is your rightful stone.’

‘It seems to give me energy and a feeling of confidence,’ he said.

‘Good. That is how it should be,’ said Gopal. He gestured towards another array of stones, deep blue in colour. ‘These are sapphires,’ he explained. ‘This dark blue stone helps the dragons make better medicines. These are amazonites,’ he went on, moving now to a pile of light blue stones. ‘They give strength.’

Gopal thought for a moment. ‘Only I no longer call them stones,’ he added. ‘I have attached something
to them. It is what allows them to hang from the ceiling here.’

Yoshiko looked closer at the red stone in his hand. It was attached to a little metal hook.

‘It makes them more than just a stone,’ said Gopal. ‘They have been fashioned as a decoration for the dragons. So that they can wear them around their necks or arms and keep them with them at all times.’

‘So what are they now called?’ asked Yoshiko.

Gopal smiled. ‘In the human world we would call them charms,’ he said.

Charms. Yoshiko remembered the words of the Ageless Ones.
Heal Dragor. Delivering of the charms
.

‘What are these?’ asked Yoshiko, pointing to the array of green and deep yellow jewels.

‘Those are the green jade and the yellow quartz,’ said Gopal. ‘The first enhances creativity. It could help your Efframs make more incredible pots,’ he added. ‘And this quartz is great for vision, it will help with the failing eyesight of your Bushki clan.’ Gopal was then pointing to the last charms that were orange and dark purple. Yoshiko thought carefully.

‘Well, the Midas are not as good at growing crops
as they once were,’ he said, pointing to the orange charms first.

Gopal nodded. ‘True. Those are sunstones, and will renew their farming spirit.’ He was standing by the purple charms. ‘These are amethysts. This helps dragons breathe better so they can fish and dive under water for longer. I must confess I am not sure how you will scatter them,’ he said with uncertainty. ‘But my job with them is done. Now, Yoshiko. You will need to rebuild all your strength for your return. Sit and eat with me. I made a fish stew for you. I remembered Guya’s recipe that he once showed me.’

Yoshiko followed Gopal into the house, just squeezing through the huge door that had been specially made. A large rug was in the centre of the living room. Yoshiko had to crouch down on it, but was comfortable eating and chatting there with Gopal as though they were longtime friends. Gopal told him about his friends, three children who lived locally in his town and often visited him. He talked about the games the children would play in the town, just like Yoshiko and his friends would do in Dragor. He then shared a famous ancient story, about a famous castle in the south-west coast of his island where a king called Arthur and a magician once lived with
dragons. He also told him many tales about a famous writer called William who once lived in his town, how this famous man wrote about love and the wars between the rulers of the different human lands, and how even today young men throughout the world had sacrificed their lives in wars – a very brave soldier he knew had lost his. Yoshiko began to get a clearer picture of human nature and felt great sadness that the world could not be united. Yoshiko ate all he could, Gopal stoked the roaring fire and the dragon slept for the whole day.

Evening had come again and Gopal woke Yoshiko. ‘Time for your journey home,’ the old man said as Yoshiko opened his big green eyes. Gopal took one of the red charms, threaded it with a piece of string and hung it around Yoshiko’s neck. ‘For extra energy! It will make the journey home so much easier.’

He then loaded the charms into seven bags and flung them into a large net over Yoshiko’s shoulder.

They waved to each other as Yoshiko headed back into the night.

‘Take care, Yoshiko,’ said Gopal. ‘I know you will deliver the charms.’ Then he waved with both arms as Yoshiko launched into the sky, leaving the house of the human far behind him.

Y
oshiko began following the map in the reverse direction, heading back towards the smoky skies of Dragor. The journey home seemed much quicker despite the weight of the stones. As he flew by darkness and rested by daylight his mind was entertained recalling the many stories Gopal had shared with him.

Dawn was breaking once more and his homeland came into view. Yoshiko headed for the top of Surion Mountain hoping that from there he might know what to do. He landed on its peak and took the seven bags of stones out of the net. He laid the charms in front of him in seven neat piles. At that exact moment there was a
loud thump, thump, either side of him. He turned to see the twin dragons had landed in front of him.

Looking down at the charms with the twins at his side something occurred to Yoshiko. His mind flashed back to the visit to the Herb Doctor when he observed the odd scales on his wings, the ones like hooks that the doctor had offered to clip away.

Curiously he unfurled his left wing and leaned around to look underneath.

The Ageless Ones spoke together. ‘You were born,’ they said, ‘to drop these charms. You must make a different trip for each colour, clipping them to your scales. Seven trips, for the seven clans.’

Yoshiko thought back to his training with Guya and how he had worked up his strength to fly as quickly as he could around Dragor seven times.

‘There is not much time left, Yoshiko. The dragons are beginning to awaken, for we have halted time for as long we can,’ said the Ageless Ones. ‘We have used our powers to help you further – all dragons of Dragor have had their memories wiped about your birth eggshell and your colour changes. It is as if the declaration about you by Yula to the Council never happened. But, Yoshiko, we can halt time no more!
You must deliver the green stones, and when you have finished come back here and we will give you the next colour.’

‘I will be as quick as I can,’ said Yoshiko, looking up to Dragor’s dark sky as the Ageless Ones helped hook the charms to his scales.

Launching back into the night sky Yoshiko headed into the smoky skies of Dragor. As he flew the stones around his body moved in a happy sound, like bells. It was a soothing noise and he let it ring into the night sky with the charms sparkling.

He wondered how he could drop them correctly.

Then suddenly Yoshiko could feel a familiar sensation, a colour change was happening and by the light of the moon he could see that he was turning a bright green. He realised he must be above the Effram clan.

Yoshiko fluttered his wings very quickly and the stones fell from his scales, down over the Effram terrain.

The first charms were gone, and Yoshiko wheeled in the sky, heading back to the mountain top.

The twins were waiting for him, and started to load on to him the next batch – the orange charms of the Mida clan.

Yoshiko repeated the process for all the clans, and
then finally delivered the charms of his own clan, the red rubies.

That day was one the dragons would talk about for years to come. Unaware that they had been frozen in time for days, the dragons awoke to discover the blanket of coloured gems had fallen like a rainbow before them, giving each of them a special feeling. They each took a charm and tied it around their necks and used the rest to decorate their caves.

A
s Yoshiko neared his family cave entrance he saw the Council Spear resting outside.

He knew that the spear meant that Kinga was inside with his elders. Letting his talons scrape the rock as he landed he braved himself, hoping that they too held no account of Red Seventh Moon.

Inside he heard the voices of Ketu, Kiara and Kinga.

He thought back to Yula’s speech to Kinga at the Burial Ground where she labelled him Dragor’s curse. But the voices sounded happy.

His first sight of the dragons was of them sitting drinking sorrel juice and smiling contentedly.

Kinga was the first to see Yoshiko.

‘I have just come to share some news with your father, Yoshiko,’ he said, greeting him normally.

Ketu came forward to the mouth of the cave holding a ruby-red stone.

‘Do you feel it?’ Ketu said, holding the stone close to Yoshiko. ‘All the dragons have had them delivered from the skies!’

Yoshiko smiled, not knowing what to say as he touched the red ruby charm Gopal had given him.

Kiara had a blissful smile on her face. The line of worry, which Yoshiko often saw marking her brow, was gone completely. ‘It is a miracle,’ she said, and then Ketu spoke. ‘Yes, some miracle has come to the clans from the skies, bringing gifts for us all.’

‘We shall celebrate with a carnival and competitions tomorrow in honour of this blessing, I expect to see you take part in the Fire Games,’ said Kinga to Yoshiko.

‘I’ll happily enter the Fire Pit event,’ replied Yoshiko, smiling to himself.

A few seconds later and a great fanfare echoed.

‘It is the Guard Dragon,’ said Kinga. ‘I must go now and make a speech.’

Kinga bowed to Kiara and Ketu.

‘I look forward to celebrating with you and all the other clans,’ he said. Then he took off high into the sky.

That evening Yoshiko and his elders joined the hundreds of other dragons from all over Dragor who had been summoned. The whole land sparkled from the jewels that they had all hung around their necks and none showed any signs of recalling the Hudrah’s dramatic outburst.

The Council had assembled again on their grand platform.

Once all the dragons of Dragor were present, Kinga spoke.

‘A great blessing has just fallen upon Dragor,’ he said. ‘Charms fell from the sky.’

‘They sought out the different colours of the clans. All of those who feel the special power of these charms raise your claws.’

All talons were raised aloft in agreement.

‘We must be sure to give thanks for this gift,’ said Kinga. ‘We must also discover if there is another part to the puzzle. If any dragon knows of how these charms came to be delivered, speak up and we will hear it.’

There was silence amongst the dragons.

‘Then it is a gift from Goadah himself,’ said Kinga.

But Yoshiko could have sworn that Kinga looked straight at him.

It was the most glorious carnival that Dragor had ever known, filled with colour and cheer. Every type of fire breathing and sporting event took place, as well as many other talent competitions to show off the dragon’s skills in their magnificence.

The Mida dragons had competitions for the best flower arrangements and the Efframs for the most uniquely crafted pots. The Alanas competed for who could catch the largest fish and the Bushkis for the most cleverly scripted poetry. The clans all excelled and it was clear that their talents had been restored to their fullest glory.

Late in the afternoon The Great Races began. Yoshiko watched on with great pride as Romao achieved the fastest time through the most difficult Trail Mountains and was awarded a special medal. Then as dusk approached came the last of the Fire Games – the Fire Pit Challenge.

Yoshiko stood at the entrance of the Fire Pit, and Igorr stood beside him as a fellow contestant. A youngling from every clan had been selected to take on the Fire Pit challenge with Amlie and Elsy representing their clans and Cindina watching over her friends with nervous anticipation. Ayo and the Fire Guards had been heaping up fuel and blowing huge bellows of air into the flames to heat it. All other dragons lined up. Ayo blew a silver horn and all the younglings began to venture forward into the flames, one slow step at a time. Whilst the other dragons were already sweating and guarding their eyes Yoshiko was finding it easy. He moved quickly into the outer pit, and up to the line which divided it from the centre. He then waited a few moments as other younglings approached. Igorr was the first to draw up alongside him.

‘Enjoying the heat, Yoshiko?’ he said.

‘I sure am. It’s hardly hot at all,’ Yoshiko replied, and on a sudden whim he stepped into the deepest part of the pit.

Suddenly a vicious-sounding voice yelled, ‘Go on, Igorr!’ It was Gandar, shouting at his son. ‘Don’t let
the Nephan beat you! Go after him. Show him what you’re worth.’

Igorr’s face turned suddenly angry and instead of taking a step deeper into the pit his thin snout twisted in pain and he walked straight out to face his elder squarely.

‘If you want to win an award for our family, then go enter a competition yourself,’ he retorted. ‘But then again you only do things you can cheat at,’ he added bitterly.

Gandar’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

The whole crowd had silenced for a moment to listen to Igorr and Gandar.

Yoshiko had felt a burst of satisfaction as Igorr fell back. Amlie had by now ventured far beyond other dragons her age and beyond Igorr. She received applause as she departed the fire and ensured she gave both Igorr and Gandar the biggest smile that she could.

Inside the pit, Elsy was next to Yoshiko, side by side the friends stood, having beaten all the other dragons. Elsy now shouted against the noise of the flames: ‘Go, Yoshiko, you can do it. Go get the Flaming Spear.’ And he made his retreat.

Yoshiko ventured on into the heart of the fire and grabbed the Flaming Spear.

The crowd were on their feet clapping as he returned triumphant and he allowed the heat to fall from his scales as his friends screamed in delight. ‘Our hero!’ cried Amlie.

The noise of his audience continued almost deafening, and it was Ayo who greeted him first.

‘No youngling your age has ever been able to endure that heat,’ he announced. ‘You are the winner, Yoshiko. As your reward for such an achievement you will now train with my elite – to be a warrior of Dragor. And you shall be granted the future honour of guarding the Fire Which Must Never Go Out.’

Yoshiko stood proudly as he could see Ketu waving in the crowd and tears of joy rolling down Kiara’s face.

‘Time to say some words,’ Ayo said. ‘The platform is yours.’

Yoshiko walked up the steps and stood looking over all the crowds.

‘Fellow dragons!’ he announced. ‘It is my proudest moment to have acquired the Flaming Spear!’

The words seemed to be tumbling forth as the dragons made more cheer.

‘We dragons who live amongst the rocks have stones
returned to us which have magical powers. We must use them for greater good. The future is ours to decide.’

A feast was then held with huge bowls of the freshest fruits, and sticky mash, followed by limestone pies and honey cakes. It was all washed down with enormous cauldrons of sorrel juice. There were fire displays from the various clans, and a group of Guard Dragons flew across the Great Waters with flaming torches in a special performance of their skills.

As Yoshiko celebrated in the marketplace he remembered Guya. He didn’t like to imagine his friend alone when all the other dragons were feasting, but as he looked across he could see that Guya was out of his cave, waving happily at him in the distance.