Chapter 9
When Draig reached Snowdon he saw Talon near the edge of the lake grabbing at any fish that came within his reach. Since he wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings, Draig flew up behind him and dunked his head under the water.
“Let me go Ironclaw! It’s not funny!” Talon blubbered, completely unaware that it was actually Draig who was holding him down. When Draig felt Talon going limp, he pulled him up so he could see who it was.
“You’re dead!” Talon trembled in fear as he slowly backed away.
“That’s right you little weasel, I’m back from the grave to seek my revenge.”
“Please don’t kill me, it was all Ironclaw’s fault. He made me do all of those terrible things to you and Sapphire,” Talon whimpered.
“If you tell me where he is, I might show you some mercy,” Draig offered.
“He’s up in his den sulking.”
“Why? What’s wrong with him?” Draig asked.
“The Emerald Isle fell two days ago and there is no one left to stop the humans from taking our home,” Talon admitted.
“He’s crazy... you know that, right?” Draig said as he thought about what he should do with Talon.
“Yes. Let me help you in trade for my life,” Talon sniveled.
“You already tried to kill me once, why should I trust you now?” Draig asked.
“Because two dragons are better than one, and I fear you more than I fear him,” Talon replied as he slowly lowered his wings so that Draig would not see him picking up a large rock with his left claw.
“So, you are offering to help me out of fear?” Draig asked.
“Yes, you are a mighty dragon and I will serve you well,” Talon offered. Draig tried not to laugh, but as he was about to say no to his offer, Talon swung at Draig with all of his might. Draig saw the fatal blow coming and quickly dodged it. Then he hit Talon in the side of the face with his tail. Talon stumbled around for a few seconds before falling into the water face first.
“I think I’m better off without your help,” Draig said as he jumped on Talon’s back and held him underwater until the last bubbles rose out of his nostrils. Once he was sure that Talon was no longer a threat, he flew up to the top of Snowdon and started looking for his brother.
“Ironclaw, it’s judgment day!” Draig yelled in an authoritative tone when he reached the dens by the overlook.
“Brother, how many lives do you have?” Ironclaw said as he emerged from the shadows.
“Just one more than you,” Draig replied as he grabbed Ironclaw by the throat and started dragging him towards the stone of punishment.
“Let me go!” Ironclaw demanded as he whipped him with his tail and bit at his legs.
“Why should I?” Draig asked as he looked down at his brother for a moment.
“I am the leader of the dragon council, and you have no right to do this to me!” Ironclaw insisted.
“You’re the leader of a lost race, and as their leader, you must perish along with them,” Draig said as he lifted Ironclaw onto the stone of punishment so he could tie him down.
“I hate you!” Ironclaw shouted in anger as Draig cinched the eel skin rope around Ironclaw’s arms and legs.
“Any last words?” Draig asked as he raised his razor sharp claws high into the air.
“Did the blue devil also survive?” Ironclaw asked.
“Yes, and she sends her regards,” Draig said as he struck Ironclaw down with one fierce blow across his neck, turning the stone at his feet red.
Once Draig was sure that Ironclaw was dead, he dug a hole next to the stone of punishment and laid his brother to rest. He felt bad about killing him, but he knew that as long as Ironclaw lived, James and the others would never be safe.
Once Draig was finished mourning his brother, he went over to the dragon dens and started searching them. There was a chance that a young or injured dragon might have been hiding from Ironclaw in one of them, and he wanted to be certain there was not.
All of the dens were empty except one that had some forgotten dragon eggs in it that were left over from the winter hatching period. Since they were half buried in the frozen soil and had failed to hatch, Draig left them where they lay and exited the den. Then he took one last look out over the realm from the summit of Snowdon, and then flew south without looking back.
As he crossed over the lowlands, he saw several small bands of soldiers scattered across the landscape. When they saw he was a red dragon, they lowered their weapons as he passed overhead. Draig knew that the war was over, and soon the humans would realize it too. It was a bittersweet end to a long and tragic battle, and the age of the Fire Dragon was nearing its end. Draig was saddened by the loss, but at the same time he wanted the humans to flourish in the Celtic realm so that James would grow up in a time of peace.
When Draig arrived back at the sheepherder’s ranch, Sapphire and the others rushed over to see him the instant he landed.
“Did you find Talon and Ironclaw?” Sapphire asked, as she looked him over to make sure he wasn’t injured.
“Yes, and they have both paid for their crimes,” Draig replied.
“What about the elders and the other Fire Dragons, are we safe from them as well?” Sapphire questioned.
“Ironclaw sent every last Fire Dragon under his command to their graves, you and I are all that is left,” Draig replied with a look of sorrow.
“Perhaps it’s for the best. Times have changed, and we have not. I fear that there can be only one master over this land in order for there to be peace in the realm,” Sapphire admitted.
“I think that is true, and now it is up to the next generation to rise to the occasion and make this land whole again,” Draig said as he looked at Raven’s family with hope in his eyes.
“What are you and Sapphire going to do now?” Raven asked.
“The Water Dragons have offered to look after us, so we will live with them on the coast,” Draig replied.
“Will the soldiers come after you?” Raven asked.
“Sapphire and I formed an alliance with one of the commanders some time ago. I believe they are honoring the agreement because the soldiers lowered their weapons once they recognized me flying by. I am concerned that some of the villagers who have lost loved ones in the war my not be so forgiving, so Sapphire and I will keep a low profile until tempers cool and everyone knows that the war is over. After that, we will return to see how you are all doing,” Draig said as he looked over at James in particular.
“I cannot thank you enough for protecting my family and bringing another son to us. I don’t know why we have been so blessed, but we will never forget it,” Raven replied.
“You are welcome, but I do have one more favor to ask of you,” Draig revealed.
“Anything,” Raven replied.
“I want you to go to Carnedd Mountain and stake a claim on its northern slope just below the summit. There, you will find the hidden vein of silver where the ore I brought you came from. I don’t know how much is there or what it is worth, but it should help you through any tough times that lie ahead,” Draig smiled.
“I don’t know what to say, your kindness is unlimited,” Raven replied.
“I am only telling you about this because I know that you value your family above all else, and money is only secondary to your needs,” Draig remarked.
“I will go there this summer and stake a claim. Who knows, maybe I’ll give up sheepherding and become a miner or silversmith,” Raven laughed as he looked over at his wife.
“I bet that would suit you well,” Draig replied as he stretched out his wings signaling he was ready to head home.
“Do you have to go?” Raven asked.
“Yes, but this is not good-bye. We will see all of you very soon, I promise,” Draig said as he tickled James with the tip of his tail before lifting off of the ground. James laughed and then ran over to Mary. When Draig looked back, he saw Mary pick him up and kiss him on the cheek, and that’s w
hen he knew that she loved him almost as much he did.
About the Series
The Dragon Adventure Series was inspired by my son and his room filled with dragon art, books, and posters honoring the beloved creatures. In addition, my family’s surname is of Welsh origin, so it seemed fitting to incorporate the Welsh dragon, Y Ddraig Goch into the storyline. I changed his name to Draig Gogh to make is easier to pronounce, and then added a host of friends to make the adventure come alive.
The rich mining history and unique geographical locations used in this series are inspired by real events and locations in Colorado, Wales, and Ireland. Some of the location names have been modified to fit the story, but anyone looking at a map should be able to identify their origin.
My hope is that this series will ignite the imagination of young readers and anyone else who loves dragons as much as my family does. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at the email address below, and I will make every effort to reply back.
Thanks again,
Ben L. Hughes
Email:
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