Myvanwy and the House of Dragon Read online

  I think you may be right. I’ll inform Liu Fung of what is happening and she can tell her people. Have you any ideas that may help?

  With all of them on the one boat it should be easy enough to stay one jump ahead. Have Liu Fung organise the people farthest away to keep watch and warn those in danger.

  Okay, I’ll tell her. You be careful and keep me informed of any changes.

  He told Clare the next morning. She was both surprised and concerned for Liu Fung and her friends, scattered throughout the region. Thankful also that the junk was not headed in Myvanwy’s direction—otherwise she and Josh would have been dragged into the hunt.

  For the next month they watched as the junk went from one remote island to another, each the location of a dragon’s lair and each time going away empty handed.

  Sehloho and his men controlled the ship with the help of a sailing master, while Ullric and Sandor were there purely to guide them. The tension between the dragon hunters increased with each successive failure, although Sehloho was too cunning to allow the situation to boil-over. However, after a month’s hunting without success, he had to question the validity of the trip.

  When he broached the subject Ullric silenced him and gave the heading for their next quest, before retiring to his cabin, with orders not to be disturbed. Then he projected into the astral and went straight to the Hall of Records to view the intended prey. It was just as he thought—they were being watched. He looked on as the dragon was forewarned and then again as it vacated its lair, taking both egg and valuables with it. Armed with that information, he sought out his own record.

  When Liu Fung saw him she fled, leaving Ullric to view the records of the previous month. What he saw alarmed him. It was the first time this situation had occurred and he stayed long enough to see who was behind it. Satisfied, he followed his cord back and rested a moment before swinging his legs over the edge of the bunk to join Sandor, who waited patiently.

  ‘Well?’

  ‘The dragons are being warned.’

  ‘Anyone we know?’

  ‘Myvanwy’s two young captives. She has released them and now they’re spying for her.’

  ‘So what do you want to do?’

  ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m too old and fond of dragon’s blood to let a couple of kids stand in my way. They’ll have to be eliminated, of course.’

  ‘Sehloho isn’t going to be happy with the news.’

  ‘It can’t be helped—it’s his problem as well. Go and fetch him.’

  Sandor passed the message on to one of Sehloho’s henchmen, and ten minutes later he stood before them in their cabin. He scowled and tried to read their thoughts, but to no avail. Hopefully it was good news this time.

  ‘Sorry to disappoint you, but there is no good news,’ Ullric said.

  Sehloho looked from one to the other, ‘No dragon?’

  Ullric shook his head, ‘We’re being watched. The dragons are being warned as we approach them.’

  Sehloho’s dour expression was replaced by one of surprise, ‘By whom?’

  Ullric held up a hand and cut Sehloho off mid speech.

  ‘I’ll tell you later, but for now I think you’d better turn the junk around and put into the nearest port.’

  When Sehloho had gone Ullric began to plot with Sandor to try and formulate a plan that would eradicate the new menace. When they finally did come up with one they summoned Sehloho again. Ullric took three shot glasses and a bottle of whisky from his luggage while he waited. He filled them and handed one to Sandor and the other to Sehloho when he entered the cabin.

  ‘Gentlemen, it seems we have a new quest,’ he announced.

  Sehloho eyed him dubiously and drained his glass.

  ‘My men are growing restless. What they need is action and if you can’t provide it, then I’ll have to go elsewhere.’

  ‘You can please yourself, but if you ever intend to hunt Asian or Western dragons again, then you’d best help us catch the people responsible for thwarting our efforts so far—and also the dragons they’re aligned to.’

  Sehloho’s eyes widened and suddenly he was interested. All this was news to him. To think that people existed out there who were aligned to dragons. What power they must possess.

  ‘So how do we find these people? Do you know where they are?’

  Ullric walked over to a globe of the world that sat on the desk and set it spinning. When it stopped, he pointed to a spot low down in the Southern latitudes. Sehloho moved closer to view the destination, and wondered how a person so far away could influence their hunt there, around the various islands on the equator. He was fascinated by Ullric’s secret powers, but sensed he would never divulge them. Maybe these new players could be influenced more?

  So far Ullric had been his main customer of Knucker and Lindworm. When the opportunity had come to hunt together he had jumped at the chance, especially as it was for Eastern Dragons. He had led them unerringly to various lairs throughout the islands and although empty, they were noted in the junk’s logbook, to be revisited at a later date. And now the news of another lair with a much larger prize attached at the end was tempting, to say the least.

  Sehloho’s mind was easy to read. Ullric exchanged glances with Sandor. They were under no illusion of the calibre of man they were dealing with or what would happen if ever their secret was revealed. However they needed his talents to see this next quest through. Ullric refilled the glasses and the three drank to the venture again before going over the finer details of the plan.

  Under Pressure

  Josh and Clare had followed the entire episode via the records, plus Liu Fung had kept them updated as well. Josh revelled in each thwarted kill as did Sweet Pea, unlike Clare and Myvanwy, whose apprehension grew with each soul saved. They could see there would be an accounting for their actions at some point in time.

  It had been a huge wake-up call for Liu Fung and her friends—in fact the entire dragon community. They all knew of the knowledge Ullric and Sandor possessed, but had chosen to bury their heads in the sand. No one imagined it would be themselves in the hunter’s sights, but to see them in action going from one lair to another, brought home their vulnerability to them all.

  Liu Fung and her friends breathed a collective sigh of relief when the hunt was called off, although the scrutiny was not relaxed. They watched from the safety of the Hall of Records as the hunters plotted together on the way back to port, knowing it didn’t augur well. The dragons finally rejoicing when the junk made port and the three dragon hunters caught a plane home.

  Clare was thankful the crisis had passed—it had certainly kept Josh preoccupied. It was already the end of March and his birthday. He had forgotten it along with all sense of reality.

  She chided him when she and her father visited for their usual midweek meal.

  ‘Do you realise Dad and Sally are to be married in two weeks time?’

  The information surprised Josh, ‘Have we bought them anything yet?’

  She shook her head, ‘I thought we could go to town on Saturday and have a look at a few things.’

  ‘Sounds good. Tell me, has my preoccupation with Ullric been that obvious?’

  Clare smiled and nodded, ‘But don’t worry, apparently Sweet Pea has been acting the same way. Myvanwy says it’s a testosterone thing.’

  On Saturday morning Ben dropped Clare off and picked Sally up. As soon as they were gone, the teenagers went inside the house and greeted each other more passionately. Afterwards they readied themselves for the short bus trip to the city and spent the entire afternoon in search of a suitable wedding present.

  It was a hard task. Between the two households they already possessed every appliance imaginable. They eventually decided on a digital camera—to record their parents’ trip overseas and bring them into the present age.

  Pleased with their purchase, they went into a café for a coffee.

  ‘Have you asked your father about the sheep yet?’

  Clar
e nodded, ‘I asked him if I could buy ten fat lambs and run them with the others. He said, why bother, just buy ten off him.’

  Rita and her mother entered the café and on seeing Clare and Josh they turned to go, but Clare smiled and motioned them over. They appeared surprised at the amicable reception.

  ‘We’ve been meaning to see you before the case goes to trial,’ Clare told them as they sat. Rita and her mother recoiled at the very mention of it, and got up to leave again.

  Clare grabbed Rita’s arm, ‘No, don’t go. We wanted to tell you there were no hard feelings on our part. Who knows, it might even help your defence if you mention it in court.’

  Rita’s mother was surprised by the information and nudged her daughter several times before she got the message and spoke.

  ‘I’d like to apologise for my actions on that night. I’m truly sorry.’

  Josh listened to the chatter in her mind and that of her mother.

  ‘Apology accepted,’ he said. ‘Well, we’d better be off—we have a bus to catch.’

  They left Rita and her mother at the table to have their coffee in peace. No doubt to discuss the chance meeting and new revelations.

  Clare and Josh waited until they were halfway home on the bus before bursting out in laugher.

  ‘Did you get the same message I got?’ Clare asked.

  Josh laughed some more, ‘Yes, it was more like, I’m sorry I got caught.’

  ‘At least her mother was a little more contrite,’ Clare said, with tears in her eyes.

  ‘Do you think so? I’d say Rita’s a chip off the old block.’

  They rode the bus as far as it could take them and then walked the short distance to the farm. It was already late afternoon and Sally was busy preparing the evening meal. The teenagers freshened up and switched the computer on in order to brush up on language until called to the table sometime later.

  ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY!’ Sally and Ben yelled, as Josh entered the dining room.

  Josh was taken aback. He had switched off completely to allow them their privacy—and Clare had cloaked her thoughts so well. He wagged a finger at her and she laughed before kissing him on the cheek.

  ‘Happy birthday,’ she said, smiling.

  ‘Yes, from me too,’ Sally echoed, and gave him a hug.

  ‘Good luck with your test on Monday,’ Ben said, as he handed him a present. Josh opened it up. It was a large hunting knife and sheath. He turned it over to feel the balance, and admired the way it fit his hand.

  ‘Thanks very much Ben, it’s excellent. Just what I needed.’

  ‘Clare suggested you might appreciate one when you’re out in the bush.’

  ‘I can think of a couple of uses for it already,’ he assured him.

  Sally handed Josh her present. It was a shirt and tie with matching socks. Ever the practical one, she was preparing him for the coming weeks. By Josh’s reckoning that left one more present. He turned to face Clare, who smiled as she handed it to him. On opening it he found a thin-bladed fishing knife, with a bamboo handle and matching sheath. Simple and yet practical.

  ‘Thank you,’ he said.

  The presents out of the way, they commenced to talk and eat.

  ‘So how do you think you’ll go on Monday?’ Ben asked.

  ‘To tell you the truth, I haven’t given it much thought—I’ve been too preoccupied of late.’

  ‘Yes, we had noticed,’ Sally chipped in.

  ‘We thought you may have been coming down with something.’

  ‘No such luck. It was just something at work. A power play that affected everyone really, but now it’s over. How is it going with you two, is everything on schedule?’

  Ben looked over at Sally, ‘Pretty much, although your mother won’t stop worrying about it until it’s over.’

  Sally looked at some distant spot in front of her, ‘I can’t help but think there’s something we’ve overlooked.’

  Josh tuned into the turmoil in his mother’s mind as she mentally went over the preparations for the Easter wedding. She had planned everything so well. He ticked them off one by one and then it hit him.

  ‘I can see your dilemma. It would be unfortunate to have covered all of the main arrangements and forget something as simple as a photographer.’

  Sally and Ben looked at each other across the table and a brief silence ensued.

  ‘I knew there was something,’ Sally cried.

  ‘I know of someone if you haven’t already got one,’ Josh offered.

  ‘Do you think they’ll be available on such short notice?’ Ben asked.

  ‘We can try,’ Josh said. He looked over to Clare, who left the table briefly to get her mobile phone. She dialled a number from its memory and handed it to Josh.

  The call was answered, ‘… Hello, is that you Andy? … It’s Josh. Have you got anything on for Easter? … It’s a wedding, Mum’s getting married and we need someone to film it for us … Yes, by all means bring Janice. You’ll both be catered for and you can name your price … Okay, I’ll get back to you during the week and thank you, bye.’ Josh ended the call and handed the phone back to Clare.

  ‘He said ‘anything’ for Mrs Brown.’

  ‘That Andy, he’s so sweet,’ Sally cooed.

  ‘Will he be taking still shots as well?’ Ben asked.

  ‘There’s no need to. These days it’s much better to film the whole event and go over the footage later, to select which photos you want,’ Clare told them.

  ‘Well that’s settled,’ said Ben.

  ‘We’d better eat before the meal gets cold.’

  When they were alone later that night, Clare showed Josh the rest of his present. It was an undergarment like the one she had back on the island. She had bought the flaxen rope and spliced the ends herself before adding the sash. It brought a smile to Josh’s face. He kissed and lay beside her contentedly.

  Myvanwy contacted them a little later to wish Josh a happy birthday, and report that Ullric and Sandor were in holiday mode in Bavaria.

  It’s quite strange really. I’ve never seen them act this way before, especially after such a disastrous hunt. Normally Ullric would be inconsolable.

  What about Sehloho? Clare asked.

  That’s the funny part, he’s not doing anything either.

  It sounds like they know they’re still being watched and are playing for time while they put their next plan into action. Whatever it is they will strike hard and fast, so you’d better tell Liu Fung not to relax her vigilance, Josh said.

  Yes, I was thinking along the same lines, although I’m not all that sure of their intended target this time.

  Do you think they might come here?

  Tell me—if you had a mosquito on your arm, what would you do?

  Swat it, of course, Josh replied.

  Exactly, Myvanwy confirmed, keep your eyes peeled and stay in touch.

  The revelation didn’t surprise Clare and her mood changed to one of dread.

  ‘What if we are their next target?’

  ‘Let’s not worry unduly,’ Josh said, putting an arm around her protectively.

  Clare still wasn’t convinced and listening to Josh’s thoughts he wasn’t either. If I was Ullric, it would be the first thing I’d do. Saddled with an uncertain future, the two drifted into a troubled sleep.

  Sally was first to rise on the Sunday and didn’t call the others until breakfast was on the table. Josh noted that she seemed her usual cheery self once again. He sat opposite Ben and ate a bowl of cereal before starting on a plate of bacon and eggs. Clare joined them also, wearing a dressing-gown and slippers.

  After breakfast Ben offered to give Josh one last driving lesson and he accepted. It took his mind off the new problem Myvanwy had raised and gave him the opportunity to call in and check on Molly. When they returned, Clare was busy grooming Toby, so he wandered up to the barn to sit and watch her. He could tell she was upset about the news so he didn’t speak, except to say the words, ‘I love you.’
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br />   Clare ignored him until after she had finished grooming Toby, and then walked over to put her head on his chest.

  After a minute’s silence she spoke, ‘Maybe we could go forward into the future and see how this thing is going to turn out.’

  ‘You know how Myvanwy feels about that. If we did go forward and find a void, there would be no reason to resist. No, it’s much better to face one’s fears and fight head on. If it gave us only one more day of hope and love, it would be worth it,’ Josh said, as he kissed her.

  After the evening meal was finished and dishes washed, Ben took Sally and Josh home. Clare went as well, but a sense of foreboding hung in the air. She suggested they have a night off to do their own thing. It suited Josh—there were so many things to look at and do, although none of them had anything to do with the next day or the wedding. In fact they were all in preparation for something that might never eventuate.

  Later that night he sat at his desk and appraised the situation. They were very vulnerable—if there was going to be trouble it could come anytime or from anywhere. He regressed momentarily to check on Ullric and Sandor’s whereabouts as well as Sehloho’s. The three were still lounging around doing nothing. From that he concluded that the strike, wherever it was, would be soon. Nobody could afford to be that inactive for any length of time—it was a case of use it or lose it. Another odd factor was that neither Ullric nor Sandor had been anywhere near the Hall of Records. Most probably so as not to alert their next victim, whoever it was.

  Josh contacted Sweet Pea and told him of his conclusions—that if the enemy did in fact come to the mainland after them, they wouldn’t leave without visiting the island, and Sweet Pea agreed.

  Myvanwy had been listening and entered the conversation.

  And just what do you intend doing if they do come this way, hmmm?

  Fight and protect, of course.

  Yes, but whom? she persisted.

  Well, as you’re not here, Clare, naturally!

  Just as I thought. Tell me, wouldn’t it be better to fall back and fight here, hmmm? Think about it—not only would it unite us in a defensible position, it would also draw the foe out and isolate them. What do you think, hmmm?