Myvanwy and the House of Dragon Read online

  Clare looked up at him, ‘Are we down now?’

  He nodded his head.

  She leaned up to kiss him, ‘There now, that wasn’t so bad.’

  Josh looked down at her and kissed her back.

  ‘Fantastic,’ he agreed.

  Sweet Pea

  The castaways stood up and pushed the canopy away enough to jump out of the basket. Josh pulled the tree branch to one side and inspected the fabric of the envelope.

  ‘It’s just a small tear, nothing we can’t fix,’ he said, and then reached into the basket to turn the gas cylinder off and retrieve his backpack.

  ‘Are you hungry?’

  Clare nodded, so they doubled the envelope over and sat down on it to eat a breakfast of cheese and jam sandwiches in the first rays of light.

  ‘Sorry it’s nothing fancy. I was going to eat them at the show.’

  ‘Did your mother make them?’

  ‘No, she didn’t know what I was planning. I left a note to say that I was going there and for her not to worry.’

  Clare looked at her watch, ‘Well, my father will start to miss me right about now, I should imagine. Are these islands inhabited? Is there some way to get word back to them?’

  ‘I don’t think so—we can have a look later. If it isn’t we could set some signal fires and light them tonight.’

  ‘Couldn’t we do it earlier?’

  ‘I suppose we could, if we used green wood.’

  ‘Why green wood?’

  ‘It gives off more smoke, so it would be more easily seen in daylight,’ Josh explained, ‘but first let’s get some shut-eye, I’m tired.’

  Clare yawned and stretched out beside him, pulling some of the envelope over them for protection as the sun rose. They slept on until well into mid-morning as the warm sun and fresh sea breeze played over them.

  Suddenly the peace of the morning was shattered.

  ‘Help! Help! Mum, where are you?’

  The teenagers woke with a start and looked around to locate the source of the cries, relieved to discover they weren’t alone.

  ‘Mum, help!’

  The cries seemed to come from inside a large cave at the base of the hill. Clare and Josh looked at each other for a moment before racing towards it. They entered and followed the noise of the scuffle ahead, the passage illuminated by the flames of torches along the way. Finally they came upon a larger cavern, where a huge yellow python was wrapped around its prey.

  The python saw the intruders and stopped briefly before it dismissed them contemptuously, and resumed its efforts to subdue its prey, who called out to them.

  ‘Help me please. Get this thing off, it’s hurting me.’

  Clare stared at the creatures before her. She had heard of large pythons before, but its prey had her puzzled. Its body was as big as her horse Toby, but that’s where the similarity ended. It seemed reptilian, and instead of being white it was metallic green, with what appeared to be wings as well.

  ‘What is that?’ she asked.

  ‘I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s in trouble and asking for help,’ Josh said. ‘I’ll tackle the head and you take the tail.’

  He approached from the middle and followed the python’s coils up to where he could grab it behind the head.

  ‘Hurry!’ the creature yelled.

  Josh pushed and then dragged half a coil from around its long neck. The python resented his interference and tossed its head about angrily, so he put his arms around it and hung on for dear life.

  Clare had more success at the other end. She grabbed its tail and strained to lift and unravel two more coils from the still struggling prey.

  The creature turned its head towards her and said, ‘Thank you.’

  Clare stared at it in amazement. It was like no other thing that she’d seen, and wondered when she would wake up from the nightmare. She continued to stare until a shout from Josh roused her from the reverie.

  ‘Hey, how about some help up here? I could use a rock right about now. I might be able to pound some sense into this thing.’

  The tide of the battle had turned momentarily, so the python loosened its grip and slid the remaining coils from its prey. It turned its attention to the newcomers instead, and flung Josh from its head in rage. Josh picked himself up and stood beside Clare and the now released prey as the python advanced on them. It swayed hypnotically as it inched its way forward—gathering its coils, ready to pounce on the first one that moved.

  ‘What were we thinking?’ Josh said.

  ‘I don’t know, but it was fun up until now,’ Clare replied.

  In the heat of the battle no one had noticed anyone else enter the cavern. A shadow fell over them all as they faced off for the final showdown. It broke the trance and they turned to view the new arrival. The python took one look at the intruder and lost all interest in the contest. It backed off and began to look for a way out instead.

  The teenagers stared in amazement. The newcomer was nearly twice the size of their new-found friend, who cried out, ‘Mum, I knew you would come!’

  ‘It’s alright now Sweet Pea, I’ll handle this. You and your friends move away.’

  The python slithered around the perimeter of the cave as it searched for a way out in vain. The newcomer pursued it, breathing fire and clawing it mercilessly.

  Sweet Pea turned to Clare, ‘It looks like Mum is very angry.’

  The sounds of the fight slowly subsided and the smell of cooked flesh pervaded the air. Finally Sweet Pea’s mother settled down and lumbered over to the threesome.

  ‘Mum, these people came to help…’

  ‘I know, I saw enough,’ and then turning to Josh and Clare she said, ‘I want to thank you both for helping my son in my absence.’

  Josh recovered himself enough to reply, ‘We heard his cries for help from outside. Say, aren’t you a dragon?’

  ‘Yes, and proud of it, too! My name is Myvanwy, what’s yours?’

  ‘Sorry, I forgot my manners.’

  ‘Hrmmmphf!’

  ‘It’s Josh, and this is my friend Clare.’

  Clare looked at Myvanwy incredulously, ‘I didn’t know dragons could talk.’

  ‘Then it’s obvious that you don’t know many dragons.’

  ‘Well no, I thought they were just mythological creatures.’

  ‘Creatures?’

  ‘You know what I mean,’ Clare said, apologetically.

  Myvanwy smiled and craned her head to within inches of Clare.

  ‘Yes I do, and that’s the way we like it. Tell me, how did you come to be on our island?’

  Clare stared at the dragon’s head. It reminded her of Toby’s, except for the scales and horns. The only other differences being the burnished bronze colouring and huge dark piercing eyes that now blinked at her from beneath furrowed brows.

  ‘We flew,’ Josh answered, ‘that’s our balloon in the clearing.’

  ‘Is it still working?’

  ‘No, it’s torn.’

  She nodded her head, ‘Good.’

  Myvanwy turned to Sweet Pea, who sat on the floor of the cave with a forlorn expression on his face and drooping wings.

  ‘Now let’s have a look at you. Were you injured at all?’

  ‘I’m afraid so, Mum. It feels as if my wing has been crushed.’

  Myvanwy moved over to her son’s right side to inspect the damage. A jagged piece of bone pierced the upper half of the wing and the lower half sagged at an unnatural angle. She shook her head in dismay.

  ‘How is the other one?’

  ‘Not as bad as this one,’ he said, trying to cheer her up.

  Josh and Clare looked on as both dragons tried to come to terms with the injury.

  They walked closer to view the damage.

  ‘How bad is it?’ Josh asked.

  Myvanwy looked at him with sad eyes, ‘It’s bad enough. If the wing sets the way it is, I’m afraid Sweet Pea might never fly again.’

  ‘Can we help?’
/>   ‘Why, what could you do?’ she snapped.

  ‘I don’t know. Perhaps if it’s not too bad, we may be able to help set the break and put a splint on so that it knits correctly,’ he answered. Both dragons turned their heads in his direction, a glimmer of hope in their eyes.

  ‘Have you done anything like that before?’

  ‘No, but I have done a first aid course. Putting a splint on broken bones is pretty basic stuff,’ Josh argued.

  Sweet Pea looked back over to his mother, ‘If it means a chance to fly again, then it’s worth a try, Mum.’

  Myvanwy relented, ‘Okay, come and have a look.’

  She waited until Josh and Clare had finished inspecting the damaged wing.

  ‘Well, what do you think?’

  Josh shrugged, ‘Perhaps we should take a look at the other wing first.’

  Myvanwy looked at him incredulously, ‘Why? What good will that do?’

  ‘For one thing, we’ll know what a good wing looks like.’

  He moved around to Sweet Pea’s left side and asked him to unfold his wing again. He unfurled it gingerly so that Josh could see the two minor breaks, and more importantly, the bone structure of the wing itself. He pointed the breaks out to Myvanwy.

  ‘I think it would be best if we splint these two first. That way we could perfect the process, before working on the other wing.’

  Myvanwy followed his logic and nodded, ‘So how do you intend to do it?’

  ‘We’ll need something sturdy and yet light enough to use as splints. Perhaps if we can get some straight pieces of cane from the balloon basket, we can cut them to length and tie them in place.’

  ‘How will you tie them?’ she asked, perplexed.

  ‘There’s a repair kit in the basket and also a torch, we’ll need them both.’

  Myvanwy went to the cave entrance and disappeared before returning a few minutes later, dragging the balloon basket behind her. Together they identified the rows of straight cane in the weave and Myvanwy ran a claw down to free them. Then afterwards she produced a knife so that Josh could cut them to size. While they were doing that, Clare found the torch and repair kit, with a needle and nylon thread inside.

  Josh placed a piece of cane along the inside of the first break and began to tie it to the bone. He pushed the needle and thread through the paper- thin leather covering of the huge bat-like wing. Clare waited on the other side, and pushed the needle back around the bone, while Myvanwy held the torch.

  When the two canes were in place, Myvanwy inspected their handiwork.

  ‘Not bad. In fact, it’s excellent.’

  The three moved around to view the crushed wing.

  ‘If you can do as good a job on this side, I think we may have a chance of saving the wing,’ she added.

  Josh prepared a number of the lengths of cane and rounded the ends off to prevent chaffing. When ready, he reset the main break and applied splints either side of it before supporting the remaining smaller ones. The task was made all the more easier by the torchlight Myvanwy directed against the outer skin. It had the effect of making the leather membrane translucent, to highlight the breaks in the bones, and see where to push the needle through to secure the cane. Sweet Pea stood still and watched the proceedings patiently, as did Myvanwy.

  ‘I hope we’re not hurting you, too much,’ Josh enquired of Sweet Pea, who shook his head.

  They stood back to admire their handiwork when finished and noticed that the right wing drooped visibly.

  ‘It needs a sling,’ Clare announced, ‘any ideas?’

  ‘You’re right,’ Josh said, and looked at the problem a moment longer. ‘We can make one using some of the balloon’s envelope, and use the opposite wing for support.’

  Together they cut a large triangle from the envelope and fashioned it into a sling to support the wing.

  ‘That’s it, we’re done,’ he announced.

  Myvanwy inspected the finished job, including the sling.

  ‘You two have done a truly magnificent job—I want to thank you both. How long do you think it will be before he flies again?’

  ‘I really don’t know. I should imagine at least 10–12 weeks, to be on the safe side. He’ll need to rest the wing and perhaps get some sunshine on it to aid in the healing process. Also it’s important that you disinfect it regularly.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll see to it,’ Myvanwy said, nodding her head.

  ‘Now, is anyone hungry?’

  ‘Me, me,’ said Sweet Pea. Myvanwy moved over to where the python lay and returned moments later with a portion of cooked flesh for him.

  ‘What about you two?’

  Josh looked at Clare, who shook her head vigorously.

  ‘No thanks, we ate not long back,’ he said.

  ‘Suit yourselves, there’s more than enough here if you want some.’

  ‘Actually we’d better be going—we have plenty to do today.’

  ‘Oh, like what?’

  ‘Well, if we can’t find anyone else here besides yourselves, we’ll make some signal fires and torch them tonight.’

  ‘You have matches?’

  ‘Yes,’ he replied, and produced the weatherproof matches he’d found in the basket earlier.

  ‘I’ll have those.’

  Josh realised the futility of going against her wishes and handed them over.

  ‘Are we free to go?’

  Myvanwy shook her head.

  ‘I’m afraid not, even after doing what you have. I can’t risk letting you go to tell the world about us. If it was just me I would, but I have to protect Sweet Pea while he’s unable to fly.’

  Josh and Clare looked back at Sweet Pea as he munched happily on python.

  ‘What about afterwards?’ Clare asked.

  ‘We’ll see.’

  ‘Tell me—is it true that dragons have magical powers?’

  Myvanwy looked at her for a moment, ‘Some perhaps…although most can be attributed to the knowledge amassed over a very long lifetime. Certainly more than your sixteen years.’

  Clare gasped as she took in the meaning of the answer.

  ‘Now run along and play with Sweet Pea, or do I have to chain you up?’

  The teenagers turned and walked over to Sweet Pea as he finished his meal.

  ‘What time is it?’ he asked.

  Josh looked at his watch, ‘It’s nearly midday, why?’

  ‘It’s time for the movie. Come,’ Sweet Pea said, and wandered into an alcove adjoining the main cavern. He went over to a small television set and turned it on, then sat on the sandy floor to watch. The screen was full of snow, with only a fraction of the picture discernable, while white noise squelched out of the speakers.

  ‘You have television?’ Josh said, amazed.

  Myvanwy had followed them and spoke up, ‘We’re not in the dark ages here you know.’

  ‘Well if we’re going to watch it, at least let me tune it.’

  Josh walked over to the set and noticed that it was a portable DC type, connected to a car battery. He fiddled with the channels and tuner, and then adjusted the rabbit-ear antenna until the picture became clearer.

  ‘Hooray,’ said Sweet Pea.

  The midday news came on and went straight into the lead story. Pictures of Clare and Josh filled the screen, along with a number to ring if anyone knew of their whereabouts. Afterwards there was a picture of the missing balloon and an interview with Rita, who tearfully related how she saw them climb into it before taking off.

  ‘The bitch,’ Clare said, savagely.

  ‘Tut-tut, not in front of Sweet Pea,’ his mother cautioned.

  After the interview came an impassioned plea from Clare’s father, followed by another from Josh’s mother, who broke down and cried on his shoulder.

  ‘They make a handsome couple, don’t you think?’ Myvanwy said.

  The teenagers turned their heads towards her and gave her an icy stare.

  ‘Okay, okay. I’ll leave you kids to play,’ she said,
and moved off.

  The castaways sat on the floor of the alcove to watch the vampire film that was showing—Clare holding Josh’s hand throughout.

  Sweet Pea became excited when the bats came on.

  ‘We’ve got bats. After the movie I’ll show you.’

  ‘Can you read minds like your mother?’ Clare asked.

  ‘I guess so. We don’t get many people through here, but I can read yours.’

  ‘You’ve had other people here?’

  ‘A long time ago. One stayed for years, but he eventually died. There were one or two others. They tried to escape and take some of Mum’s treasure.’

  ‘And what happened to them?’

  ‘Mum toasted them.’

  Clare cringed at the news.

  ‘Cheer up—it’s not all that bad,’ Sweet Pea said.

  She turned to Josh, ‘I’m glad you’re here with me.’

  ‘I feel the same, I couldn’t do this alone,’ he confided, ‘let’s go and see Myvanwy again, there are some things we have to clear up. We’ll be back soon, Sweet Pea.’

  Myvanwy had retired to a quiet corner of the main cavern and sat on a ledge, engrossed in the book that she held.

  ‘What are you reading?’ Clare asked, looking at the book.

  ‘Oh! You startled me,’ Myvanwy said, looking up before composing herself again. ‘Actually it’s poetry. Love poetry. I don’t know why I picked up this book, something in the air maybe. My late husband used to read it to me all the time,’ she said, reminiscing.

  ‘In Arabic?’

  ‘Of course, it’s one of the oldest cultures. This book is centuries old. Now what is it you wanted to see me about?’

  ‘Just how do you expect us to stay here with you?’ Josh asked, ‘we don’t eat snake and whatever else it is that you eat.’

  ‘Birds, rats and bats—they’re yummy,’ Myvanwy said, smacking her lips together.

  ‘And then there’s the question of somewhere to sleep: clothing and hygiene facilities, etcetera. The list goes on,’ he argued.

  Myvanwy raised her eyebrows, ‘Don’t you think you will be happy here?’

  ‘Don’t get me wrong, you two are nice dragons and this is a great place. It’s just that we’re used to more modern conveniences.’

  ‘Besides, we have family at home who miss us very much and we miss them,’ added Clare.