Marman and Barnabas flew high over the plains of Middle Earth. Mountains drifted past them and clouds followed them. Pity Marman couldn't enjoy it. Of course, it's hard to enjoy anything when you've just lost the only family you've ever known. Barnabas shared Marman's pain as they flew together, so he tried to brighten him up.
"The Dragon City is a beautiful place," he said. "There are lots of dragons your age and I bet you'll make some friends."
"Who will I live with?" asked Marman. "Who will take care of me?"
"I will," said Barnabas. "But only till you're a fully grown dragon. Then, as the law agrees, you will take care of yourself."
"Mother would never agree to that," said Marman shaking his head.
"You're mother never agreed to the law," said Barnabas. "That's one reason she never returned to the Dragon City. My point of view is different, though, I believe every dragon should learn to take care of itself in life."
"I'm not ready for that yet," huffed Marman.
"That's not true," said Barnabas. "Every dragon should always be ready to... Marman, watch out!"
Suddenly a giant fist swiped through the air, narrowly missing the two dragons.
"Oops, sorry, Melanor!" cried Barnabas, swerving right.
A bearded giant poked its head from out between two mountain peaks and glared at them suspiciously.
"Melanor hates puny flies," it seemed to grumble loudly.
"Yes, well I do extremely apologize!" shouted Barnabas. "Come on, Marman, the Dragon City is straight up ahead."
He was right. In less than ten minutes, the clouds parted to reveal mountains, plains, caves and volcanoes. All types of dragons swarmed about, doing whatever they were supposed to do in the Dragon City. The one thing that made Marman stare, was the massive stone head of a dragon, looming out of a mountain peak and over the Dragon City as if about to begin a meal.
"And?" asked Barnabas.
"It's... well... I mean... there are too many words to describe... I mean, look at this place!"
"This is where I grew up," explained Barnabas. "This is where I learned to survive in the world."
"Where do we go?"
"Follow me."
The two dragons glided past rushing waterfalls and massive mountains which pocked the clouds.
"Surely, we're not going in there?" asked Marman in surprise as they headed straight towards the open mouth of the giant stone dragon.
Barnabas smiled but didn't reply.
Marman was correct, they dove right into the gaping jaws of the stone dragon and kept on flying down its throat.
"Where are we going!?" cried Marman.
"You'll see!" called back Barnabas.
Suddenly they burst into a massive cave-like area where dragons of all shapes and sizes flew about.
"This is the great hall," said Barnabas, slowing down and flapping his wings in the air. "This is the centre of the Dragon City where everything began."
"What are we doing here?" asked Marman in awe.
Barnabas ignored him and instead flew down to a ledge where a blue dragon was perched, her back turned from them. When Barnabas coughed, she swivelled around quickly and squinted at this strange, familiar dragon.
"Barney?" she asked, her eyes almost popping out of her head.
"It's me," said Barnabas, smiling gently. "Hello, Soothia."
"Well, well, well," she said beaming. "Long time since I saw you! Your scales! They've gotten harder! And who's this, here?" she smiled gently and Marman.
"His name is Marman," said Barnabas.
"Hmmmmmm..." said Soothia, suspiciously. "A desert dragon, yeah? Where does he come from?"
"Not far off," said Barnabas. "Just over the other side of the mountain."
Marman frowned. That's definitely not where he came from.
"Alright then," she said, beaming once more. "What can I help you with?"
"I'd like Marman here to be a cadet," said Barnabas. "At the Professional School of Talons."
YOU ARE READING
Hatch: A Dragon Story
ФэнтезиGrom has arisen from the fiery depths of a volcano. He is ready to finally become the most powerful dragon in the whole world. Nothing will stop him now. Except for a tiny egg which had just hatched in the sandy desert of Middle-Earth. 17 years late...
