The Globe of Unity

A tapping at the window woke Breams. He turned over in his warm bed and tried to ignore it telling himself it must be the wind.

            ‘Hatchling wake up, I need you.' Breams groaned. It could not be whom it sounded like, what would she be doing at Loggerwood School? Headmaster Alistair Windmaster would be furious.

            ‘Hatchling, I know you are awake, we have not got much time.'

Breams wrapped his bedcovers around him as he climbed over Henry's bed and looked out the window. To his dismay, Ribastra's great black eyes stared back at him. He pulled the window open and Steam from Ribastra's nostrils filled the room.

‘Your ladyship we can't just leave with you, we would be in big trouble.'

Ribastra shook her scales. ‘Nonsense, we will be back before you are   missed, so hurry, wake the others.'

            Breams kicked Henry who continued to snore oblivious to anything.

He opened his eyes and was about to grumble at Breams but his words stuck in his throat as he watched steam swirling around the room.

            ‘Henry Fothrington, hurry up, time is passing and we must be off.'

‘O no Ribastra we aren't going anywhere with you, if you remember we paid our debt to you when we found the Sunjewel for you.'

He knew Dragons were tricky, his father had always told him be to never be in debt to a Dragon but he had made a big error several months ago on a sailing trip and persuaded his friend  to go and look at the Island of Lost Souls. It was said that it was the place where evil spirits rested. He had only meant to have a quick look but the island had been protected by strong magic. Their boat had been sucked into dense fog and pulled onto the rocks surrounding the island leaving them stranded with night falling. Ribastra had rescued them in return for a small favour. It would now seem the small favour was bigger than Henry had expected.

Ribastra rattled her scales in agitation. ‘I only ask for a small thing Henry Fothrington, and you wouldn't want your headmaster to know where I once found you, now would you?'

Henry started to pull on his warm leggings and tunic. ‘We're coming, we're coming but if we are missed I will hold you responsible.' He heard a low rumble as Ribastra chuckled to herself and cursed his own stupidity.

Pulling on their boots, they went in search of Hamish and Barley who were sleeping in the room next door. They were none too happy with being woken up and even more upset when told why.

Barley scowled at Henry in disbelief, ‘I don't know why I ever listened to you, now see what trouble we are in again. I think we should just wake the headmaster and take whatever we've got coming to us.'

‘Barley we can't do that, what would your father say if you were thrown out of Loggerwood School?'

 Barley swallowed hard. His father was Chairman of the Elven Council. ‘Gods Henry if my father ever gets to hear about any of this I swear I will never speak to you again.'

Henry grimaced as they trudged through the newly laid snow. Above them, the great fire towers of the school cast strange shapes across the students' longhouses and the two staff practice ground. Ribastra padded over to them her great tail swishing from side to side in the snow.

‘Climb up quickly,' she instructed, ‘we have a distance to travel and such little time. You hatchlings are such slow creatures.'

Henry was about to ague but knew it was a waste of time, and grabbing Hamish's hand he put his foot on Ribastra's hind leg and hoisted himself up and between one of Ribastra's spines. When securely wedged in they each tucked their feet under her scales and wrapped their arms around the spine in front of them. Ribastra opened her huge wings and with a gust of wind they rose into the night sky.

The cold wind bit at their faces and hands as she climbed higher and higher leaving the great Stonewood Pines of Loggerwood Forest far below them. To attend Loggerwood school was considered a privilege for any elf or wizard and although the four young boys came from very different background at Loggerwood they were considered equal. Hamish, Breams and Henry were young wizards whereas Barley was an elf and from a powerful family. At their age there was little difference between the two races but that would change as they become older. Wizards tended to become larger and much stronger both physically and in their use of magic and normally ended up in the Guard defending their country. Where as elven tended to be the diplomats and run the country. Henrys father had however been different he had be scholar and the librarian of the great Wizards library on earth so Henry had grown up away from Minuet and learnt to love books. To him any new experience was to be lived to the full and this trip would be no exception.

Wizards and elves were night seers so they had no difficulty picking out the landscape below them and they found themselves crossing fields of wheat and barley, and then over wide forests before climbing high over rocky hills. Dipping back down Ribastra took them over a stretch of water that seemed to go on and on forever, before rising again over a great mountain ridge and then finally descending to a landscape quite alien to any of the boys.

‘Wow Ribastra what kind of land are we flying over?' shouted Henry above the wind.

‘Desert young hatchling and hold tight we are coming into land.'

As they skimmed the desert floor they saw the outline of a circle of standing stones that slightly glowed in the light of the moon. Ribastra slowed and came to a holt in front of a great pillar stood outside the stone circle.

Quickly they slid down into the sand. Great stuff, enthused Henry as he let the sand run through his fingers.

‘The Halborans don't think so,' snorted Ribastra. The desert is a hard and unyielding place to live. That is why we are here. During the wars between wizards and Dragons the globe of unity was taken by the wizards and used to create this wasteland. The Halborans will be lost to the lands of Minuet unless we find and return the globe to its rightful place.

‘Who are the Halborans?' asked Hamish who had grown up in a place called Scotland on Earth and had only recently been sent to the elven lands of Minuet to attend Loggerwood School.

‘Giants Hamish,' explained Henry with glee, ‘I've never seen one but they are really tall, isn't that right Rib?'

Ribastra settled herself down to rest. ‘It is young Henry and unless we do something you will never get the chance to see them. Come sit with me and I will tell you their story.

The tall people known as Halborans have always been peaceful nomads that herd the girmell. You may see a girmell one day if you are lucky but they are great beasts with long necks that walk the lands of the giants. Only the Halborans are tall enough to ride them and have come to depend upon the creatures for their meals and skins. Even so, they hold the girmell in high respect and will only kill one for the needs of the tribe. In the past, the tribes had a hard life but a good life and their lands were in balance with enough water and good soil for trees and shrubs to grow.

‘The Wizards in Minuet however, considered hunting and killing the girmells good sport and within the short span fifty years had almost killed every one. Ribastra shivered as she remembered the same fate that befell her own race at the hands of wizards.

‘The wizards pushed the Halborans further and further into the inhospitable lands around the mountains giving no thought to their welfare. The Halborans could not survive the cold climate in the mountains and with the loss of the girmells their food and materials for clothes and shelter disappeared.'

Barley sat up ridged, ‘But Ribastra, that was years ago. We have treaties with them now, I know because I have heard my father talking about it.'

‘That is so Barley but the Elven Council failed to understand the need to return the globe of Unity which sustains this land or to give back good land to the tribes and with only a few remaining girmells they will most certainly die.'

‘What happened to the Globe of Unity?' asked Breams.

‘It was stolen young Breams by Black Wizards who believed they could use it to change the nature of lands elsewhere in Minuet. Dragon are guardians of this land and the globe was them hidden to ensure it would remain safe for the hands of wizards it is now guarded by a formidable creature,' and she sighed. ‘Tonight you will retrieve it and return it to this place but I wanted you to understand why before you do so.'

Henry looked incredulously at her, ‘O great, you said it was only going to be a small task and now you tell us we need to steal something from someone you consider a formidable creature!'

Ribastra sat back on her hind legs with her head still resting on the ground. Her large black eyes studied them a little nervously.

‘I have been neglectful and allowed family matter to cloud my judgement,' she admitted, ‘I should have done this task years ago. I have watched the Halborans suffer and the elves fail to make right their wrongs. If we do not act now it will be too late. After all these years I have only just discovered where he sleeps. Come we must go if we are to be there in time.

The cave of Maltang

High Lord of the Mountains

High over the far mountain range Ribastra continue to rise, heading straight for the highest mountain range that seemed to have smoke ringing its top. When she finally landed on an icy plateau the four boys slid off half frozen.

‘Quick,' she whispered in their minds and lumbered over to a cave. Inside warm but very smelly steam wafted from bubbling pools.

‘Gods Ribastra, what is this place?' asked Barley in disgusted at the smell of rotten eggs.

‘It is the entrance of the High Lord of the mountains,' she explained.

‘Another Dragon?' gasped Hamish in surprise as he looked around and to his surprise discovered two other people with them in the cave. He nudged Henry and Breams. Both boys had dark coloured skin but were still very different to each other. Even when sat down they could see that one was extremely tall. His skin was charcoal black and his hair short and tightly curled, while the other had a slightly lighter skin and straight long hair. he was young, and about the same size as Breams. Both boys wore loose robes tied at the waste and open sandals.

Ribastra snorted. ‘Now we are complete. Henry Fothrington, Hamish McDuggan, Bartholomew Breams and Barley Hollyhock? Please meet Rubin Shuttlebeck and Jacob son of Joseph. Jacob is an earthling and Rubin is Halboran.

‘Henry Fothrington as the oldest I put you in charge. You are to lead these boys into the mountain of fire and retrieve the globe of unity before the sun hits the horizon, for between now and that time The High Lord of the mountain sleeps. I can tell you only two things -

Firstly, a warning- A Dragon protects by illusions not aggression.

Secondly the globe of unity can only be the property of those united in one cause. Now go and be back before he wakes.'

‘Can I just ask one small question?' whispered Breams, ‘What happens if he wakes?'

Ribastra shook her scales. ‘He can be a bad tempered creature who dislikes mankind at the best of times especially wizards, and may, let us say, become a little upset, but remember what I have just told you and all will be well.'

Rubin stood up his head almost touching the cave roof. ‘Why do you ask us to do this task great lord of the sky? Surely one as great as you should do this?'

Ribastra, shook her head form side to side, ‘Not so Rubin, think hard on what I have said and you will understand.'

Henry understood only too well. Dragons were all powerful but could only work through others. They could not kill or change the actions of humankind, but often used trickery to gain what they wanted. Most had been killed by wizards and earthlings but Ribastra still ruled the skies and Henry had a sneaky feeling she was using them to bend the rules somewhat. If he were her he would most certainly do the same.

He looked around at them all. Jacob looked to be about the same age as Breams at eleven summers with Rubin possibly a little older. Barley and Hamish were only a little younger than he was at fourteen summers. He knew Breams was young and often afraid but he was skilled in magic, where as  Barley was a fine healer but would not necessary agree with his judgement. Hamish on the other hand was steadfast and loyal but had little experience in the use of magic having only recently moved to Minuet from earth and what of the other two? He knew nothing of them. Whatever happened they must all work together, would they make a good team? He couldn't judge.

Chapter three

The tunnel of illusions

Henry tried to be upbeat as the others followed him anxiously into a low tunnel, ‘Jacob, don't you worry, together we are a force to be reckoned with and to show them he lit a light globe and hovered it in the air. Rubin and Jacob shrank back in shock. Breams, Hamish and me are wizards,' he explained, ‘and Barley is an elf. We can use the energy around us to do all sorts of useful things. I know you cannot see it but we can see it in our minds a little like you see colours. So don't you worry, we will soon have that globe and be back in our warm beds.'

Jacob seemed impressed and cheered up but poor Rubin was more concerned with the low tunnel ceiling and was already on his hands and knees. With Rubin struggling, it was slow progress and to make things worse the tunnel gradually became smaller and smaller as well as hotter and hotter making it difficult for them to breath. Henry could sense them become anxious and heard Barley trying to reassure Breams and Rubin.

‘Henry we need to stop, Rubin's hands and knees are raw and the two younger boys are spark terrified,' Barley had minded this thought to Henry a skill natural to elves and wizards and at times like this very useful.

‘Just a bit further Barley, I think I can see an opening ahead,' he minded back trying hard not to send any emotion linked to the lie but he knew he had to keep them going. He turned his head round to confirm Barley's fears, ‘I think I can see an opening up ahead' he shouted in encouragement, ‘not much further and we can rest.'

To his amazement the others perked up instantly and Breams cheered. ‘You must have been blocking our view Henry we couldn't see it, thank the sparks we are out of that tunnel.'

Turning round Henry's mouth dropped open to discover he was on his hand and knees in the opening of a large open cavern. He tried not to look surprised as he stood up and stretched his legs and arms.

Barley helped Rubin recover from his grazed knees and hands while the others rested. Henry looked around trying to understand what Ribastra had told them. It was important, he had not seen the cavern, it had only become visible when the others believed it was there. Illusions he thought and looking over to one side of the cavern he realised how dangerous such illusions could be. An enormous chasm dropped down to a fast flowing torrent of water below. If they had gone much further they would have fallen off the cliff edge. How could he spot what was real and what was not? And should he warn the others?

‘What now Henry?' asked Barley as he came up beside him. Henry looked around, were they really in an empty chamber?

‘What do you see Barley?' he whispered.

Barley looked around. ‘A great big empty cavern with a cliff edge and no other way in or out.' He added as he realized that rather worrying fact.

Henry nodded, ‘exactly, but really we are looking at a large Dragon because this is his bedroom.' and as he said it the air shimmered and right by their feet an enormous Dragon appeared. Barley jumped back in alarm and the boys behind them shrank back against the cave wall. But Henry was relieved his hunch had been right. Better to see the enemy than walk into him and wake him up. He dragged Barley back against the wall with the others.

‘No need to worry,' he said reassuringly to the others. ‘Maltang is asleep and all we have to do is retrieve the globe and get the sparks out as quickly as possible.'

Jacob looked around, ‘so where is this globe?'

‘Right over there,' said Henry vaguely.

‘I see it,' whispered Rubin and pointed to a crevice high in the wall on the other side of the sleeping Dragon, ‘But I can't think how we can get to it without climbing over the great beast.'

Henry now saw the globe and Rubin was right. It looked impossible to retrieve.

Jacob studied the cavern wall, ‘If Rubin can lift me onto that high ledge I think I can climb around the edge,' he offered, ‘I am a sheep herder used to mountain paths.'

Barley stared at Henry, ‘you can't let him do that he will be killed.'

Henry looked between the two and then back at the narrow ledge as he tried to decide.

‘Unless you can come up with a better idea Barley I would say we have no other choice, we can't reach the globe ourselves.'

Barley ran his hand though his hair in frustration. ‘I don't know why I ever listen to you, we shouldn't be here nor this Earthling and Halboran. Look at them, Ribastra has no right.'

‘I'm sure you are right Barley,' soothed Henry, ‘but we are here and so are they, so let's do what we have to do and get back home. I'm sorry I got us into this mess, you know that.'

‘I think that deep down you enjoy all of this Henry Fothrington,' snapped Barley but the fight had gone out of him and he watched as Henry started to organise the others secretly relieved Henry seemed to know what to do.

Rubin helped Breams and Jacob on to the narrow ledge that circled the cavern. ‘Breams link a web of energy around Jacob and yourself and attach yourself to the cave wall.'

 Breams had a talent for manipulating the energy threads and quickly did as Henry suggested.

‘Now start to climb a short distance and then do the same again so if either of you slip you wont go far.'

 The two boys slowly made their way round the edge of the cave while the others watched in silence. Maltang turned in his sleep a few times but didn't seem to hear them. Finally, Jacob was an arms length from the globe.

‘Breams tell him to carefully get the globe and get yourselves back as quickly as you can.'

Breams looked over to Henry and nodded. He then whispered to Jacob. Jacob slowly reached up to the globe. None of them were prepared for the events that followed maybe they should have been but everything seemed to be going so well.

As Jacob put his fingers around the globe a deafening screech filled the chamber. Maltang immediately raised his great head swinging it from side to side. Jacob jumped back in shock and fell from the ledge half taking Breams with him. Henry ran passed Maltang as he moved his head and threw out a web to catch Breams and Jacob but Maltang swung back too quickly and threw Henry high onto his back. Henry clung onto one of his spines.

Maltang turned his head to see him and then looked back at Barley, while Breams quickly pulled Jacob back up and grabbed the globe.

Maltang reared throwing Barley and Rubin against the wall.

‘What is this? Thieves in my cave and if I am not mistaken some of you are wizards.'

Barley stepped forward and bowed. ‘Sir, we are here in good faith. Peace has resumed across Minuet. It is our duty and privilege to return the Globe of Unity. As you can see, united we do this, Wizard, elf, Halboran and Earthling. We are grateful for your diligent care of the Globe and know you would wish it to return to its rightful place now that it is safe to do so.'

Henry who was still clinging onto Maltang's spine, stared at Barley in amazement. Even he could not have come up with such a speech.

Maltang snorted knowing he could not keep the Globe. ‘This is her doing isn't it. I can feel her near. Still meddling in affairs that do not concern her. Well I do not suppose I will have to wait long before getting it back so take it. But remember young hatchlings, to visit my cave and to trick me once you may have done. To do it twice you will not and I tell you now I will have this globe back.'

He raised his tail to form a bridge for Breams and Jacob. ‘Climb on my back Hatchlings. If the Globe is to be returned then I will take you and not that meddling arrogant green Sky Dragon.'

They nervously clambered on as the roof above their heads seem to melt away giving way to the dark sky. He roared as he rose into the sky and a few moments later they saw Ribastra circling them.

‘Greetings Maltang, I see you have my hatchlings.'

‘Greetings Ribastra, I see time hasn't changed you.'

‘I do what I must Maltang.'

‘And I Ribastra, so now let us return the globe but I have little confidence that it will remain in the stones for long. I will retrieve it when it calls for me.'

‘You have no faith in humankind Maltang. Does not the sight of these children give you hope?'

‘Sadly it does not. Better the lands would be without humankind. One day you will see it my way Ribastra but by then it will be too late,' and the great brown beast roared out in despair as he began to circle downwards towards the stones.

Slipping off Maltang the boys huddled together as they watched Ribastra land a short distance away.

 She padded over to them, ‘Young hatchlings you have done well. For you to have succeeded you must have been willing to protect each other with your lives. That is a rare thing amongst different people of humankind. Remember what you have learnt, there may come a time when such a lesson will tip the balance between survival and death of your species.'

Maltang snorted. ‘You go too far Ribastra and break the rules. That is not for them to know. That lesson is for the future you must wipe that memory away or I will.'

Ribastra swung her head towards Maltang and then the stones. ‘If, Maltang, the globe returns to you in their lifetime then I will do as you say and memories of this place will be wiped from the minds of all wizards and elves but I will look to the Halborans to watch over these stones so hope of its return once more may live on. Let us pray they will use this lesson wisely and it will not be necessary.'

Maltang shook his head. ‘When you stop hoping these creatures will change then you will see our true path Ribastra. I am going back to sleep as I see no reason in discussing this further.' And he opened his wings and rose into the sky. ‘Farewell hatchlings, farewell sister of mine.'

Ribastra watched him disappear into the first new rays of dawn before lowing her head to talk to Breams. ‘Come my young hatchling,' and he followed her over to the south pillar.

‘Raise the globe,' she instructed, ‘and place it in the centre of the pillar.' Breams hovered the globe up to a hole at the top of the great stone. The globe began to turn of its own free will and moved to settle itself in the hole. As it did so light burst out in all directions and where the light hit the ground green grass started to grow and spread out over the desert floor.

‘Now the Halborans have hope once more,' Ribastra called. ‘But Maltang will take the globe once more if wizard, elf or Halboran fight amongst themselves and next time returning the magic of the globe may not be so easy.'

As they left the stones Breams looked back to see the stones shining deep red in the new light of dawn. Something inside him told him he would be back.

Back at Loggerwood School, the boys shivered in the cold, ‘Go quickly to bed,' called Ribastra, as she opened her wings, ‘and remember, not a word to anyone.'

 Henry turned back, ‘Ribastra, that debt of ours, I assume it is well and truly paid off this time so we won't see you again, will we?'

Ribastra chuckled, ‘So eager to see the back of me Henry Fothrington, I thought you enjoyed our little outings.' And before Henry could point out that wasn't an answer she had taken off and was disappearing over the great Stonewood firs.

‘Are you two ill or do you have a better explanation?' boomed a voice in Henrys head. He opened his eyes to see Alistair Windmaster staring down at him. Breams groaned and sat up. Looking out of the window Henry could see the sun was well up in the sky.

‘Sorry sir, we must have overslept,' he said as he quickly pulled himself out of bed.

Alistair Windmaster, grunted. ‘So explain to me why four boys of Maple longhouse seem to have developed sunburn on their faces?'

Henry felt his face and looked at Breams. The heat of the cave must have burnt them. ‘I have to confess we were practicing control of hot energy sir and it went a little wrong?' he confessed quickly.

Alistair Windmaster studied them in silence.

‘Well if that is so Fothrington you know the penalty for practicing magic without due care and safety.'

Henry bit his lip. They would be grounded for at least a week with evening lessons added in. ‘I do sir, and I apologise, it was all my idea.'

‘That, young man does not surprise me in the least, so I will expect you to join me in the library each evening this week. I am undertaking a piece of research on Dragons. For your punishment you can join me. Now I would be grateful if you could get yourselves to lessons.'

As he walked outside he cleared the sand away that had spilled out of their boots and as he passed the back of the longhouse he raised his hand scattering the snow over a large impression of where a Dragon had recently been.