Myvanwy and the House of Dragon Read online

  I’ve seen enough, she said, how about we check out Dad and Toby?

  The trio panned around to the perimeter and found her father as he talked to the police. Josh’s mother was there also. They watched as she wandered over to the balloon display to stare vacantly at an envelope and wicker basket suspended beneath. A balloon pilot recognised her and moved over to reassure her, but as the records showed, it was to no avail.

  Now, Josh, where would you like to go? Myvanwy asked.

  Back to the Temple of Baal.

  What, so soon?

  No, to a time when Baal was actually there.

  They followed Myvanwy down the aisles of the Hall of Records to a place she knew well. I come here a lot myself, she said, as the Temple appeared in front of them. Baal lay curled up in the centre of the cave as he guarded his horde of treasure.

  I wonder what he’d do if he knew we’d been in the treasure alcove, said Clare.

  I dare say he would have kittens, Myvanwy offered.

  Josh was impressed with Baal’s size and black shiny scales. He moved closer to check out the detail of his head, which was smaller than Myvanwy’s and more defined. He doesn’t know we’re here, right?

  Myvanwy sighed, No, unfortunately. Everything you see has already been, we cannot change or alter that one iota, I’m afraid.

  Still, he was everything you said he was, said Clare, at least now we can picture him more readily.

  Shall we go? Myvanwy said, reluctantly. The teenagers followed her back, their cords becoming smaller and smaller until Josh was tossed around when he came to the knotted section where he had somersaulted.

  When back and wide awake in front of Myvanwy again, he said, ‘I see what you mean about aerial gymnastics.’

  ‘So what did you think about your trip tonight? And let’s not have any comparison with balloons.’

  ‘Wow, it’s just like dreaming,’ said Clare.

  ‘Only everything you see there is real and not some idyllic comedy,’ Myvanwy assured them.

  ‘Is there any way that you can actually talk to Baal?’ Josh asked.

  ‘Yes, there is, but for that you would have to travel to the metaphysical world and catch him before he was re-assigned.’

  ‘How come Sweet Pea didn’t come with us?’ Clare asked, perplexed.

  ‘You should know the answer to that one. It was in case we were attacked. He was standing guard and would have alerted us to danger. If we were to be killed while in the astral, we would have to stay and roam the ether for eternity—so beware.’

  ‘Is that what happened to Sweet Pea when he was attacked?’ Josh asked.

  Myvanwy sighed and nodded, ‘You cannot be too careful.’

  ‘Can anyone do this?’

  ‘They can, but they would have to practise. Most people are unaware of their true potential and stay within their self-imposed boundaries in a daze.’

  ‘Pretty harsh.’

  ‘But true, nonetheless,’ Myvanwy insisted. ‘That’s enough for tonight—I’ll see you both tomorrow.’

  The teenagers said goodnight to both dragons and made their way back to their quarters.

  ‘I’m having the best time,’ Clare said.

  Josh smiled as he contemplated the whole new world that had been opened up to them and wondered if sleep would find them that night.

  The rest of their stay went by quickly. The mornings spent on the beach and then gathering food before lessons with Myvanwy. They finally got to view Reggie via the Akashic Records, to observe his eating habits and daily routine.

  They also used the astral to travel to the mainland and visit their parents, although the first time they were shocked and left rather hurriedly. What they found was Clare’s father asleep in Josh’s mother’s bed. Both teenagers recoiled in horror and returned to the physical so swiftly that it hurt.

  ‘Ouch!’ Clare said.

  She sat up and held her head.

  Josh lit the candle, ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘No, I’m not! Is that all you men can think of?’ she cried.

  He lay back with his hands under his head and watched as she came to terms with the possibility of sharing her father’s affection. It was the same for him—only he knew how lonely his mother had been since his father’s accident.

  ‘Perhaps it’s our fault for bringing two lonely people together and stressing them out to the max,’ he told her. When there was no reply, he added, ‘maybe the big question is how they will view us as being an item?’

  ‘They’ll probably think it’s a passing phase.’

  ‘As might theirs be.’

  ‘It’s all Rita’s fault.’

  ‘Maybe or it could be fate? Then again, if I knew all this was going to happen, I would have paid her to do it.’

  Clare rested her head on his chest, ‘What do you think they’ll do to her when we go back?’

  ‘Nothing much really—a rap over the knuckles perhaps. She’s too young to prosecute fully. Do you want to go back and tell your father how much you love him?’

  ‘Yes, but not tonight. I’m tired.’

  On the second last day, Myvanwy said, ‘There’s not too much more I can show you at this point, perhaps we’d better concentrate on what you are going to tell everyone as to how you survived and got back in one piece. Any ideas?’

  ‘Maybe we could say that we were picked up by an old fisherman who saw us come down somewhere out to sea,’ Josh suggested.

  ‘Mmm,’ Myvanwy clasped her front claws together in concentration. ‘Yes, maybe you could say that his radio was faulty and that he personally delivered you home after he had completed his fishing. That should work.’

  ‘What time do you figure we’ll get there?’ Clare asked.

  ‘I’d say somewhere around midnight.’

  Sweet Pea leaned in and whispered in his mother’s ear.

  ‘He wants to know if you can spare a sheep.’

  Clare laughed, ‘Anything for you Sweet Pea. But do try and take one of the wethers if you can, otherwise you’ll upset Dad’s breeding program.’

  Myvanwy nodded knowingly.

  ‘Have you any more ideas on how you may help later on, Josh?’

  ‘We’ll leave it open at this stage, but definitely not those coins that I mentioned earlier. They would cause alarm bells to ring all over the place. Although we can probably get away with the later ones.’

  ‘When will we get to visit again?’ Clare asked.

  ‘In about three months time, I’ll let you know.’

  ‘Friday night to Sunday night?’

  ‘Yes, I’m sure Sweet Pea would like that, but of course we will all see each other long before then. I feel I must warn you also, don’t be too judgemental about those you meet. You both now have the ability to read their minds, which for the most part will be unguarded and running riot. Remember, they are only thoughts.’

  ‘So what are we doing tomorrow?’ asked Clare.

  ‘Nothing. You have the day off to tidy up and have a final look around. Maybe tonight you can inform your parents of your impending arrival. Now off with you.’

  Both teenagers moved off in the direction of the television alcove with mixed emotions. The excitement about returning to the outside world and reality was tempered by the fact that their adventure was fast coming to a close.

  They sat on the sandy floor while waiting for Sweet Pea to join them and Josh picked up on Clare’s sullen state.

  ‘Don’t look so unhappy. You do want to go back and see your father, don’t you?’

  ‘Of course I do, but what about us? I won’t get to see you as often as I do here.’

  ‘Any separation would only be for a short time, besides—we can talk to each other twenty-four seven to plot and plan. If we didn’t like it, we could turn around and come back the same night.’

  Clare mulled over the option and smiled back at him, ‘Nah, definitely not the first night.’

  ‘Think about the accelerated learning and language. Th
ere will be so many new options available. It’s up to us to take advantage of them without drawing too much attention to ourselves.’

  ‘You’re right of course,’ she said.

  Sweet Pea came in while they were kissing.

  ‘Yuk, I hope it’s not another love story on today,’ he said, turning the set on. The trio settled down to watch the end of the news headlines and the film that followed. Afterwards Josh and Clare went fishing, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

  ‘I was thinking,’ said Josh, ‘maybe it would be a good idea to tell our parents we’ll be dropped off at my place. That will make it easier for Myvanwy to land at your place unseen. Then we could contact them to say the fisherman changed his mind.’

  ‘Sounds good, I’m sure Myvanwy would agree.’

  After the evening meal they amused themselves by zipping around the astral, ever mindful of the time. Then towards midnight they sent a message to each parent about the time and place of their pending arrival. Both Sally and Ben sat bolt upright in bed, while Molly started to bark all over again.

  ‘You heard it too?’ Ben asked.

  ‘Yes, it was Josh. They’re coming home tomorrow night,’ Sally said, as tears of happiness streamed from her eyes. She lay her head back down on Ben’s now prone body as he comforted her.

  ‘I heard Clare, but it was the same message. I wonder how they do that?’

  On the last day the teenagers took their blankets and hung them out of sight under the canopy of a big tree. They did the usual things, mindful that it would be the last time for a while. Their stroll along the beach was unproductive as nothing was needed, then after breakfast they took the straw bedding outside. The bush toilet was filled in and the spade returned to their quarters.

  ‘How about we have a BBQ tonight? You know, something special,’ Clare suggested.

  ‘Sounds fine, I’ll run it past Myvanwy,’ Josh said, and went off to find her. When he did, he said, ‘Nothing fancy, just a few fish on a stick over an open fire.’

  ‘Yes, that sounds fine. I’m sure Sweet Pea would like it as well,’ she said.

  The teenagers roamed the caverns once more before midday and spent time in each to soak up the atmosphere. When fishing in the afternoon they didn’t throw the lines out too far, preferring to catch the smaller sweeter varieties of fish that hugged the rocks. Afterwards Josh collected wood for the fire as well as some longer sticks to hold the fish as they cooked. While he was doing that, Clare retrieved the blankets and put them with the saddle, ready for the trip home.

  The BBQ was a roaring success. It gave time for all to say goodbye and recount stories, old and new. Myvanwy watched as the teenagers held the skewered fish over the flames, to cook them equally on both sides, before handing her and Sweet Pea one each and preparing more.

  She reminisced while delicately nibbling on the fish, ‘To go in and attack a creature as big as that last one really takes courage.’

  ‘We would never have taken on such a monster face-to-face. That would have been sheer folly,’ Josh confessed, ‘but once it entered the cave it was open to attack from the rear. Being a sea creature, I knew that its body would be firm and slimy—just right to open up and inflict major damage with my spear. And I was right.’

  ‘And that gas tank,’ Myvanwy said, as she shook her head.

  ‘There’s plenty more gas there if you should need it,’ Josh told her before asking, ‘that last test, when is it?’

  ‘Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,’ Myvanwy insisted.

  Sweet Pea looked up, surprised.

  ‘But what was it?’ Josh asked.

  ‘The same one that the last two failed, I’m afraid.’

  Clare looked at her, uncertain, ‘You mean the stolen treasure?’

  ‘Yes,’ Myvanwy said, ‘as I recall, our last two guests were barbecued just like these fish-on-a-stick,’ she added, laughing.

  ‘You’d never do anything like that, would you?’

  Josh smiled at her and put his arm around Clare, ‘What I take is worth far more than any jewel in your collection.’

  Myvanwy laughed again, ‘I see we have the makings of a poet.’

  The banter continued over cups of herbal tea until she finally said, ‘It’s time.’

  They quickly cleaned up before donning gloves and beanies for the return trip. Sweet Pea followed them outside, where they bid him goodbye. He watched as they saddled and mounted Myvanwy and then waved madly as she lifted them effortlessly up into the night sky.

  Banks of dark clouds blocked out the moonlight enabling Myvanwy to climb higher and soon the light from the island was a mere speck behind them while the one in front loomed up large.

  ‘I bet you never thought you’d see that one again,’ Josh whispered in Clare’s ear. She felt for his hand and held it while looking at the light blinking in the distance. So much had changed since that eventful night—when all of the strings had been drawn tightly together in order that fate could conspire.

  They continued flying over the mainland and followed the peninsular highway as far as the city, where Clare gave Myvanwy telepathic instructions to turn left and follow the main highway out. Below them they could see the showgrounds and other familiar landmarks as they glided over. Soon they veered off the highway to follow the road leading to her father’s property and landed in the paddock that housed the barn. The surrounding sheep became agitated, while sounds of terror emanated from Toby’s stall inside the barn.

  ‘Do you think you can find your way back again?’ Josh asked, as they unsaddled Myvanwy.

  ‘Yes, quite sure. You two kids look after yourselves. I’m going to miss having you around.’

  Clare tied the rope around the blankets and saddle before handing them back to Myvanwy, ‘The wethers were in the left front paddock the last time I was here.’

  ‘We’ll see you again in three months, don’t forget,’ they said, kissing her on the cheek and then watched as she rose into the air again. Then when high enough, she turned to swoop on the nervous mob—rising again, with two sheep clutched firmly in her claws.

  Going Home

  Sally waited inside by the lounge room window, while Ben paced about nervously, their hopes soaring every time a car entered the street. The designated time had come and gone, until at last they started to question the validity of the messages in the first place.

  The telephone rang and Sally jumped at the irritation. She tore herself away from her vigil at the window to answer.

  ‘Hello, Josh? Where are you?’ she listened, and quickly replaced the receiver. ‘They were dropped off at your place, Ben. Evidently the man that brought them home was too shy.’

  She quickly put Molly out the back and locked-up before joining Ben in the car for the short drive to the farm. They could tell at a glance that someone was there by all of the lights that were on. Ben brought the car to a screeching halt in the driveway and both ran to the house, not knowing what they would find.

  The teenagers had steeled themselves and waited in the foyer. Ben threw his arms about Clare on seeing her again, while Sally cried when reunited with Josh. It took a full ten minutes for everyone’s emotions to settle down, and when they had, Ben asked them for an explanation of what had happened.

  ‘Surely that can wait awhile, Ben,’ Sally said.

  She turned to the teenagers and asked, ‘Have you eaten at all, are you hungry or would you like a drink?’

  ‘Of course, how unthoughtful of me—Sally, perhaps you can help me in the kitchen. You kids sit down and relax, you must be tired.’

  Both parents went to the kitchen to make a pot of tea and a plate of sandwiches.

  Josh plonked himself down in a big old club armchair and sank into its upholstered folds.

  ‘Just as well we never had a chair like this on the island or nothing would’ve gotten done.’

  Clare moved over and sat on his lap, ‘Nothing?’ she asked, and then kissed him.

  The two broke apart on h
earing their parents return and Clare moved to a chair several feet away.

  ‘Here we are, help yourselves,’ Sally said, as she poured the tea. They tucked hungrily into the sandwiches that were served, not having had such treats for the past few weeks.

  Ben waited until everyone was seated again.

  ‘Now, perhaps you can tell us exactly what it was that happened,’ he said, and sat back to await the explanation.

  Sally waited also, eager to hear why it was she had been put on an emotional roller-coaster for so long.

  Josh sank back in the armchair, happy to let Clare tell the story. She started at the beginning with Toby being spooked and of seeing Josh jump from the tree, then went on to tell them of finding her missing gear in the balloon, moments before they were set adrift.

  ‘Now let me get this straight—you two had never met before any of this happened?’ Ben asked.

  They both shook their heads.

  ‘So what you’re saying is that it was Rita who caused everything?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Clare, ‘you brought Toby back, did you see any of my equipment?’ Ben thought for a moment before coming to the obvious conclusion.

  Sally was horrified at everything she had heard. The very idea of the two teenagers adrift in a balloon in the middle of the night chilled her to the bone.

  ‘How far did you go and how did you get down?’ Ben asked.

  Josh took over telling the story at that point.

  ‘We ended up heading out over Bass Strait, with not a soul in sight until we came upon a small fishing boat. We went in low to hail it, and when the skipper responded, we ditched. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know where we would have ended up.’