Myvanwy and the House of Dragon Read online

  The four sat in silence as the energy built steadily, coursing through their bodies like electricity.

  ‘Breathe slowly and deeply,’ Myvanwy told them. The energy intensified.

  ‘Now Josh, talk to your mother using your mind only, no speech.’

  Hello Mum, it’s me, Josh. Wake up and look at the time. Clare and I are both alive and will be home in another fortnight. Molly has an appointment with the vet before then, can you take her for me? Ring Clare’s father and tell him also, but no one else. I love you. Bye.

  Josh ended his message and the energy built up again.

  ‘Now it’s your turn, Clare.’

  Hello Dad, can you hear me, it’s Clare. Wake up and look at the time. Josh and I are both alive and will be home in another two weeks. Ring Josh’s mother and tell her also, but no one else. I have a library book in my room that is due tomorrow, can you return it for me? I’ll see you later, love you.

  The energy wound down slowly.

  ‘You can sit back now.’

  ‘Wow!’ said Josh, ‘that was mental telepathy wasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes—and the reason it was done at this time is that both parents would have been relaxed at home and not as likely to be frightened by such a revelation. They would also be very receptive to telepathy while in that state.’

  ‘Do you think they’ll believe it?’ Clare asked.

  ‘That depends largely on the message. If you have given them sufficient information to question, as you have, then they should be conferring with one another right about now. No doubt they will come to the logical conclusion that you are indeed both alive and well.’

  ‘Tell me, what other powers do you possess?’ Josh asked.

  ‘We have the ability to look into someone’s mind and also to astral travel, both forward and backward in time.

  We will touch on all of these things during your stay here, but for now the lesson and the dance is over.’

  ‘We wish to thank you very much for doing that,’ said Clare.

  ‘Yes, thank you and goodnight to both of you,’ Josh said, echoing Clare’s sentiment.

  He lit the candle from one of the torches on the wall before leading the way back to their quarters and bed, although now they were both wide awake with wonder. It took hours for sleep to find them, especially with the faint sound of singing that emanated from the Cathedral.

  Message from Nowhere

  Miles away on the mainland Josh’s mother had a disturbing dream. She sat bolt upright and looked at the alarm clock. It was 12.20am and Molly was barking madly. She went to the laundry to see what the matter was—it appeared that Molly had had the same dream too, her tail wagged furiously. Sally knelt down and put her arms around the dog before letting her outside, and then went back into the kitchen. Once there she broke down and cried again, the tears gushing out until she finally managed to stop and compose herself before ringing Clare’s father.

  The telephone was answered quickly, despite the late hour.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Ben, it’s Sally, Josh’s mother. I just had the strangest dream about Josh, and his dog has gone berserk,’ her voice faltered once more.

  ‘What time was that?’ asked Ben.

  ‘What?’

  ‘The dream. What time was it?’

  ‘12.20 am. Why?’

  ‘Put the kettle on, I’ll be right over.’

  Sally pulled another tissue from the box and then blew her nose loudly before filling the kettle and putting it on the gas flame. She moved about the house mechanically and went back into the bedroom to put a dressing gown on over her pyjamas before turning the outside light on. Life could be so cruel—and now to be tormented even in sleep. She let out another sob as a car pulled into her driveway.

  She quickly opened the front door and ushered Ben into the kitchen, where he sat at the table. He knew of Sally’s fragile state from all they had been through together over the last few days, so he tried to hide his own excitement as she made them a coffee.

  ‘You wouldn’t have paper and pen handy would you?’ he asked.

  Sally looked up, surprised by the request. She stopped what she was doing long enough to get them for him. Ben started to write and didn’t finish until she placed the cups of coffee on the table. She sat opposite and watched as he tore the top sheet from the pad, then fold and place it on the table in front of him.

  ‘Now what’s this about a dream?’ he asked.

  Sally started to sniff again, ‘I’m sorry,’ she sobbed, ‘I’m not usually like this.’

  ‘I know,’ he said, reaching over to console her.

  ‘I’m sorry to ring you like that and drag you all the way here. You must be just as upset as I am,’ she said, as the tears streamed from her eyes, ‘but I dreamt that Josh spoke to me as clear as a bell. He told me not to worry, that he was alive—that they were both alive and to tell you.’ With that, Sally broke down completely and sobbed uncontrollably. Ben closed his other hand over hers and let her cry a bit longer while trying to keep his own emotions in check.

  ‘Sally,’ he said.

  She looked up at him with moist red eyes.

  ‘I had the same dream. I think they’re alive and are trying to tell us.’

  She looked blankly at Ben.

  He picked up the piece of paper and put it in her hand.

  ‘Take a look at what I’ve written down. It’s what Clare told me in my dream.’

  Sally slowly unfolded the sheet of paper and read the message.

  ‘It’s nearly the same as what Josh told me,’ she said, sitting up more.

  ‘Look at the time. A minute after you got yours. And the book,’ Ben said, pulling it out of his coat pocket, ‘it was there and it’s due tomorrow,’ he said, excitedly. ‘I think they’re alive.’

  The sound of Molly as she scratched at the back door broke the silence and Sally rose to let her in. Molly bounded in full of enthusiasm, her big black tail wagging non-stop as she sniffed all around the skirting boards in the kitchen.

  ‘Look at the dog. Something has happened here tonight, that’s for sure,’ said Ben.

  Sally reached for her coffee and re-read Clare’s message.

  ‘They say another two weeks, and not to tell anyone.’

  ‘Then that’s just what we’ll do, wait. But at least now we have hope, as well.’

  ‘Yes, but how did they do it? Do you think they were here?’

  ‘I’m not sure. We have a witness to say they were in the balloon that hasn’t been found yet, which suggests distance, while the timing and content of the messages indicates some sort of combined effort on their part to communicate with us. What was the message that Josh gave you?’

  Sally thought for a moment, ‘It was to do with Molly. Evidently she has an appointment with the vet coming up and he wants me to take her.’

  ‘You’re not sure?’

  ‘No, Josh usually handles things like that.’

  ‘Perhaps you can find out tomorrow morning and let me know. Well, I must be off.’

  Sally caught his hand and held it, ‘Can’t you stay?’

  Ben looked at his watch and then back at Sally again and realised how traumatised she was.

  ‘Okay.’

  A little later he lay fully clothed on top of the double bed as she lay curled up beside him and drifted off to sleep. It took Ben a lot longer. He thought of where his daughter might be and hoped that Josh was looking out for her as well. It sure sounded like it. At least now he had some hope to cling to, where before there was none.

  In the morning Sally apologised for being such a baby and scurried away to make herself look more presentable. Afterwards she cooked him a plate of bacon and eggs for breakfast.

  ‘I suppose you want to be away quite early.’

  ‘No, not really, sometime after nine will be fine. That will give us time to check on the veterinary appointment.’

  Sally nodded thoughtfully before asking, ‘In that case, you don’t mind i
f I slip away and shower?’

  ‘No, by all means, I’ll help myself to another coffee.’

  Sally didn’t keep him waiting long and rejoined him at the table.

  ‘What sort of a boy is Josh?’ Ben asked.

  ‘He’s a good boy. I’ll show you his room,’ she said, and led the way.

  Ben entered the room and took in the neatness along with the possessions that adorned it. He zeroed in on Josh’s Scout hat.

  ‘How long has he been a member?’

  Sally thought back and replied, ‘About four years now,’ and then proudly produced his uniform covered with its various badges.

  Ben recognised the venturing insignia and looked more closely at each achievement badge earned—his heart soaring with each one.

  ‘The vet should be open by now,’ Sally said.

  They went back to the kitchen and she rang the number and then handed the phone to Ben when it was answered.

  ‘Hello, I’m making an enquiry on behalf of Josh Brown. Can you tell me when Molly’s next appointment is please? The 10th of November, what time? 5pm, fine, thank you.’

  Ben hung up and turned to Sally.

  ‘Well that’s the clincher for me,’ he said, and watched as her eyes misted over again.

  ‘Say, how about we go out for a meal tonight?’

  ‘I’d like that.’

  ‘Fine, shall we say about six?’ he said, and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

  She watched him go from the front door, her hand held to her cheek and didn’t move until he was out of sight.

  Blood Oath

  Josh woke early and glanced at Clare as she slept soundly beside him. He stretched lazily and folded his hands behind his head while sifting through the revelations from the previous day. The dragon’s powers certainly had him intrigued and he looked forward to more such revelations in the coming weeks. Only then could he hope to plan ahead for the future with any certainty.

  Clare stirred beside him and opened her eyes—the teenagers sharing a kiss before stumbling from bed to start the new day. On the beach they lay in each other’s arms, their love overwhelming the curiosity each harboured for the forthcoming dance with the dragons. Although it occupied their minds later while they searched for food and scavenged on the beach. It intensified over breakfast until finally they were brimming over with curiosity and went in search of the dragons.

  ‘So what did you think of last night? Myvanwy said, on seeing them.

  ‘It was great. But how will we know if it worked?’ Clare asked.

  ‘Rest assured—it did. Your parents got the message loud and clear. And perhaps after today you will be able to travel back to see also.’

  The teenagers sat before Myvanwy as she continued, ‘Today I’d like to tell you a little about Sweet Pea and myself. As you can see, we dragons are territorial and like to keep to ourselves. A lot has been said and written about us, in fact so much, that nobody knows what is real anymore or if we really do exist. I assure you that we are peace-loving in nature and it’s mainly because of our size and the promise of treasure that we are constantly maligned or attacked. Thank goodness most of our enemies have gone before us, although they have left us hugely depleted. One or two of our enemies still exist, along with the odd fortune-hunter willing to track us to the ends of the earth and slay us for our gold.’

  The teenagers sat riveted as the dragon’s story was told.

  ‘Apart from the obvious differences we have, our blood is enriched, to give us our longevity and create extremely high energy levels as you would have noticed last night. It enhances our intellect as well, to give us the power of speech and a great thirst for knowledge. It also opens our minds up to telepathy and the ability to read others’ minds, clairvoyance being another gift—but the best one of all is astral travel.’

  She paused and noticed the look of amazement on Clare’s face.

  ‘You have a question?’

  ‘Yes, what exactly is astral travel?’

  Myvanwy looked into Clare’s young inquiring eyes.

  ‘It is when the body rests and the astral body or soul rises up out of the physical being. The astral body remains attached to that of the physical by means of a silver cord. Then once out, you are free to travel anywhere in the world or to visit the Halls of the Akashic Records—to go forward or backwards in time to see events as they happened or view lost friends.’

  ‘I go to view my father all the time,’ Sweet Pea said, excitedly.

  ‘Now Josh, you have some questions?’ Myvanwy asked.

  ‘How come with all those abilities you were caught napping the other day and the time before that? Why can’t you just foresee trouble and be ready or simply avoid it all together?’

  Myvanwy sighed, ‘An obvious question I’m sure. You have to realise that it might be good to have all the answers at your fingertips, but sometimes it is better not to know certain things. For instance, if you knew your future, there would be no future left. No surprise or spontaneity—all the fun would be taken out of life.’

  ‘Yes, but what about the danger?’

  ‘Usually we try and get by using our other abilities without consulting the Akashic Records that deal directly with our own mortality. However we do go forward to witness other unrelated events.’

  ‘What about us? Do you read our minds all the time?’ Clare asked.

  Myvanwy smiled, ‘No. Naturally when we first met we scanned you a couple of times, but rest assured we allow you your privacy. It is a thing you will have to get used to also, back in your own world.’

  ‘What about Josh and me? What do you see there?’ Clare persisted.

  ‘You mean your future together? Well let me just say that when dragons mate, it’s for life. You two have bonded well here, enough for me to consider this initiation and afterwards you will be part dragon also,’ Myvanwy replied, giving nothing away.

  ‘Now are you ready for the blood oath?’ They nodded.

  ‘Do you solemnly swear to enter into the House of Dragon and commit your lineage to serve it unquestionably in the years to come?’

  They both answered as one, ‘Yes.’

  ‘Okay, give me a hand each, please.’

  Clare and Josh placed a hand each on the outstretched claws of Myvanwy’s left foreleg. Then using a claw from her right one she made a small incision between the forefinger and thumb of both, to draw blood. She then placed the claw between the scales on her own chest and placed a droplet of her blood on Josh’s cut, quickly doing the same for Clare.

  ‘Sweet Pea?’ Myvanwy waited for Sweet Pea to add a droplet of his blood to each as well, before joining the teenager’s hands together to complete the pact.

  ‘There, now it is done.’ Both looked down at the bloodied cuts.

  ‘You would be well advised to lick the excess away. Dragon’s blood is much too rare to do otherwise and you will reap the benefits of it later.’

  She watched as they complied.

  ‘Now go and rest. I’ll call you later tonight and we’ll meet back here for your next dance.’

  Clare and Josh walked back to their quarters and lay down on top of the blankets. A strange tiredness overtook them and both drifted into a deep sleep—their energy sapped as a fever coursed through their bodies. Perspiration ran from their brows as memories old and new flashed before their eyes. They were oblivious of Myvanwy as she entered their quarters to cover their shivering bodies with a blanket. The fever raged for three hours until finally subsiding to allow them to sleep peacefully and dream.

  They were woken after nightfall by Myvanwy as she called their names. Josh rose and went over to the candle. He felt for the matches and struck one to light it. Clare joined him and they kissed, losing themselves in each other as their minds melded, professing love for one another without uttering a single word. They jumped back on realising they had communicated without speaking and noticed their heightened sense of taste and smell as they drank thirstily from a bottle of water.
/>   ‘Mm, mm. That dragon’s blood is something else,’ Josh said, ‘I can see we’ll have to practise restraint, but not tonight, let’s go.’

  He snuffed the candle on reaching the temple and they sat before Myvanwy again.

  ‘So how was your sleep?’ she asked.

  ‘Different,’ Clare answered.

  ‘And how do you feel now?’ Myvanwy asked, raising a brow.

  Josh looked straight at her and spoke telepathically, We’re actually quite fine. Our senses haven’t been sharper.

  ‘Mmm, good. You’ll both need to keep your wits about you tonight. Now look into my eyes,’ she said, ‘breathe slow and deep, each breath deeper. Close your eyes…sleep…and let your astral bodies rise up.’ They closed their eyes and breathed slowly and deeply until they had regressed into a sleep-like state.

  Myvanwy watched as Clare’s head sagged slowly until her chin rested on her chest and then waited for their astral bodies to rise before joining them. Now follow me.

  She smiled as Josh turned somersaults in the ether to test out his new found freedom.

  I hope you realise that’s going to hurt when you have to go back.

  On arrival at the Great Hall Myvanwy took them over to a record and explained its use. ‘This is the record of a soldier in the Napoleonic era. It traces his entire life through to his untimely death—every detail captured here for us to see. We can fast forward or backwards as the case may be. If you want to look up someone specific, enter their information at the enquiry desk and you will be told what aisle. Much like the technology that’s available now, but this is real and goes back to the year dot. Now where would you like to go?

  What about going to the Show to see how Rita went in the dressage event? Clare said. Josh grinned and agreed.

  Okay, that would be how many days ago? Fifteen, I think.

  Okay, here we are, Myvanwy said, and the trio watched as the events played out before their eyes.

  Which one is she? Josh asked, and Clare pointed to an immaculately outfitted teenage girl on a bay horse.

  They watched as horse and rider moved off at a trot and then broke into a canter to move effortlessly around the course. Clare felt a twinge of disappointment at not being able to compete. Halfway through her routine Rita took a wrong turn and on realising it she tightened her hold on the reins to telegraph her displeasure. From then on the harmony between horse and rider was lost. Clare noted the set jaw-line and rigidity of her body as she urged her mount on. Suddenly her horse sprang sideways, causing Rita to loose precious moments while she brought it back under control and continued the course. Clare smiled, knowing her points melted away with every fault.