Emergency! In Glenahvin by Linda2

“This looks like a movie set,” Roy said looking around the room he had just entered with his armload of medical equipment.

“Yeah, it does,” John replied as he also took in his surroundings. He also had an armload of equipment. Both men stood looking around in consternation. They were in what looked to be a very large entrance hall. It was very long and almost as wide. There was no furniture to speak of, merely a rug in the middle of the floor. Large as the rug was it came nowhere near covering the floor from wall to wall. The rug looked as if it were brand new. The colors were bright and true in a floral design that was complex and, they found, somewhat mesmerizing. Tapestries hung on the walls. Large and also complex, they carried out the floral theme in the rug. Each tapestry was slightly different from the others and they, also, appeared to be brand new. The men could discern no light fixtures or windows, but the room was filled with light.

“Where are we?” John asked turning about to face the way they had just come. “Hey, where’s the door?” he exclaimed when he saw that where the door had been there now hung a tapestry. Roy turned to look where John indicated as puzzled as John was. “That is where we came in isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Roy replied hesitantly. “I think so.”

“Then where’s the door? This is ridiculous!” John exclaimed in exasperation.

“Only minutes earlier they had left Station 51 with sirens blaring and lights flashing to rush to a call of a “man down.” When they had arrived at their destination they had found it to be a very old bookstore. It looked as if most the original books were still on their shelves. The place was dusty and smelled musty. When asked, the old man behind the counter had indicated a door at the back of the shop with a curtain covering it. Pushing the curtain aside they had rushed into the room fully expecting to find a patient, instead they had found themselves in this room.

“Where are we?” John demanded of thin air. “Where is the ‘man down’?”

Before Roy could answer, one of the tapestries at the far end of the room began to move. Pushing aside the tapestry a woman entered the room. She was dressed in a slim fitting blue silk gown which resembled one Roy had seen in an old movie. Her hair had been pulled up in a loose bun on top of her head with small ringlets resembling nothing more than spun gold framing her face. She smiled as she approached the two paramedics. When she drew nearer Roy could see she had the brightest blue eyes he had ever seen.

“Which one of us do you suppose is dreaming?” John asked Roy in an undertone.

Before Roy could reply the woman had reached them and was greeting them, “Good day, Gentlemen,” she said.

“Did you call for paramedics, ma’am?” Roy asked coming straight to the point.

“No,” the woman replied looking puzzled, “what are para..”

“Paramedics,” Roy supplied, “do you know of anyone who needs paramedics?”

“No. What are paramedics?” the woman asked. The word sounded stilted and foreign on her tongue.

“Paramedics, we’re from the fire department,” John chimed in hoping to clarify things. He didn’t.

“Fire Department?” she asked sounding more puzzled than before.

“Look, someone called and said there was a man down,” John said the exasperation evident in his voice. The equipment he carried was becoming heavy and the joke, if it was a joke, was rapidly becoming old.

“Down, down where?” she asked surprised.

“Down here…” John began.

“The old man, in the bookshop…,” Roy began at the same time.

“The old man, what old man?” she asked still puzzled.

“She doesn’t know anything,” Roy said coming to the obvious conclusion.

“Where are we?” John asked for the third time.

“This is Castle Glenahvin,” the woman replied readily, a relieved smile lighting her face. The two men exchanged looks of exasperation.

“Castle Glenahvin?” Roy asked.

“Yes, don’t you know it? Castle Glenahvin at Glenahvin Glenn. Everyone in Glendora knows of Castle Glenahvin,” she informed the men who were staring at her dumbfounded. Either she was crazy or they were.

“I don’t believe this…,” Roy murmured looking around him once more wondering where the cameras were hidden.

“Look,” John began, then deciding to try another tack he asked, “How do we get out of here? How do we get back where we came from?”

“I do not know,” The woman replied, simply.

“The bookshop, how do we get back to the bookshop? Where is the door to the bookshop?” John asked pleadingly.

“I do not know,” the woman answered once again, “But there is someone here in the castle who might know.”

“Let me guess, a wizard in a tower,” Roy said getting tired of playing games.

“No,” she replied in all seriousness, “a woman who works magic.”

“Where, in the dungeon?” John asked sarcastically.

“No, just in the next room. Follow me.” The woman turned and walked back the way she had come. Roy threw John a look and John shrugged. They followed the woman across the room still carrying their equipment, which was getting heavier by the minute. They dare not put the equipment down, as they were not sure it would not disappear.

She led them to a tapestry about two thirds of the way down the room. Pushing it aside she bid them enter. They were surprised to see a doorway behind the tapestry. Entering the room they were surprised yet again. Once again the room looked like something out of the movies. Shelves filled with jars lined the walls. Labels, which neither man could read, adorned the jars. A table, laden with objects familiar and unfamiliar, stood in the middle of the room. The most recognizable thing on the table was the mortar and pestle.

Standing beside the table looking not the least bit surprised to see two firefighter paramedics laden with equipment walk into her room stood a tall slender woman. She wore a red silk gown similar in cut to the blue one worn by the other woman. Her chestnut hair hung down to her shoulders in soft waves. She regarded them with a steady gravity, her deep brown eyes solemn. She was a relatively young woman. Roy and John, more than half expecting to be greeted by an ‘old crone,’ were pleasantly surprised by what they saw.

“Good day, Gentlemen,” the woman greeted them then, without giving them a chance to reply, she continued, “I see you have met Meldora, and I am Valence, I am happy that you have come.”

“I’m Roy and this is my partner, John,” Roy continued the introductions. “Meldora said you would possibly be able to help us get back to the bookshop, where we came in,” he said hopefully.

“I can help you, but you cannot leave just yet,” Valence said. Before they could protest she continued, “I sent for you, I brought you here. You see, I need your help.”

John and Roy were beginning to feel as if they had entered a maze where every turn was more puzzling than the last.

“You see,” Valence continued. “I want, I need, you to rescue my brother.”

“You need us to rescue your brother?” Roy repeated, “where is he? What do you need us to do?”

“We can only assume he is in the dragon’s lair,” Valence told him.

“The Dragon’s Lair? I’ve never heard of it. What part of town is it in?” John asked.

“It is not in the town, it is in the hills outside Glenahvin,” Valence replied with utmost sincerity. Roy felt chills go up his back. “We were out riding when the dragon came. We tried to get away, but the dragon was too swift, he swooped down and pick Darien up and flew away with him.”

Both Roy and John were dumbfounded. This woman was either totally sincere or the best actress either one had ever seen. Roy felt as if he had stepped into the Twilight Zone. The worst part was he had the sinking feeling the woman was, indeed, sincere. Both men were still holding the equipment they had come in with, suddenly it was very heavy.

“Do you mind if we put this equipment down somewhere,” Roy asked when he found his voice again. It was becoming obvious they were not going anywhere anytime soon. Valence indicated a safe place to put the equipment and the men put it down.

“I think she’s a nut case,” John murmured to Roy.

“Either that or this is one very elaborate joke,” Roy replied.

“You don’t think Chet…” John began. Roy shook his head as they returned to continue to speak with Valence.

“Now, just let me get this straight,” Roy began, “your brother was taken by a dragon?”

“Yes.”

“And you want us to rescue him?” John asked.

“Yes.”

“You want us to rescue your brother from a dragon?” Roy asked hoping either he or John would wake up soon. John was right this had to be a dream.

“That is correct,” Valence answered patiently.

“I have two problems with that, first how do you know your brother is still alive to be rescued and second we don’t know anything about dragons,” Roy said rubbing his hands across his eyes. “Ma’am, I’m afraid we can’t help you.”

“I know I did the spell correctly,” Valence said, her eyes wide, “and there is not time to gather together what I would need for another one. You must help me.”

“You did what?” John exclaimed incredulously

“Cast a spell seeking those who could vanquish the dragons fire and rescue my brother,” Valence replied surprised at their reaction.

“Vanquish the dragon’s fire and rescue your brother,” John exclaimed. “You don’t want much do you?” he was getting tired of the joke and was more than ready for it to be over.

“Can you not vanquish fire?” Valence asked her brows knit in question.

“Yes, we can vanquish fire,” Roy told her.

“Do you not rescue those in need of rescue?” she continued.

“Yes we do, but…” John began in exasperation.

“Then you will vanquish the dragon’s fire and rescue my brother,” Valence said as if the matter were settled.

“But a dragon…” John and Roy said in unison.

~ * ~ * ~

“This looks like a movie set,” Chet said unconsciously echoing Roy as he looked around him at the room he had just entered.

“That’s just what I was thinking,” Cap said as he joined Chet, “maybe it is.”

“There doesn’t seem to be anyone here,” Marco said joining them, stating the obvious. Not only were the four firefighters the only ones in the room, but there was also nothing but a large rug on the floor and several tapestries on the wall. It was the same room Roy and John had entered and left earlier.

“Where is here?” Cap asked of no one in particular, “Where are we?”

“And where’s the door we came in?” Mike asked suddenly. Everyone turned to look behind them for the door they had just come through. It was not there. In its place hung a tapestry. As John and Roy had before them, they looked around the room at the tapestries and rug trying to make sense of what they were experiencing.

“Chet, did you …,” Marco began suspiciously.

“No,” Chet interrupted him holding up his hands and shaking his head no. “This is way beyond me,” he admitted. Not even at his best could the phantom pull off anything this elaborate.

When dispatch had been unable to contact the squad and had received no transmissions from them for an extended period of time they had become concerned and had dispatched the engine crew to find their missing crewmates. Captain Hank Stanley had fully expected to find them at the scene of a rescue, which was deeply involved or in some kind of trouble. What he had not expected was to find himself where he now stood. The worst part was; he had no idea where they were, or how they had gotten there, or what was going on.

“What is going on?” Cap asked exasperatedly, “where are we?”

As the last faint echo of his question died away one of the tapestries on the wall began to move. Pushing the tapestry aside once again Meldora entered the room. They all watched, astonished, as Meldora walked towards them, the blue silk of her gown rustling slightly as she moved. The men began to feel as if they were inappropriately dressed in their uniforms complete with turnout coats.

“Good day, gentlemen,” she greeted them with her usual dazzling smile.

“Uh…hello ma’am,” Cap replied. “We’re looking for two men who were supposed to have come through here…”

“Yes, I will take you to them. Follow me,” Meldora replied and turning led them across the room to the same tapestry as she had John and Roy earlier. Pushing the tapestry aside to reveal the door behind it, she bade them enter. They were surprised, not only by the room and it’s contents, but to find Roy and John there, deep in conversation with a woman.

“So this is where you guys got off to,” Cap said seeing them.

“Cap, what are you doing here?” Roy asked looking up startled to see the engine crew he had thought to be back at 51s.

“Cap you’re not going to believe this…” John said at the same time.

“Ah, you have come,” Valence said with satisfaction in unison with the others.

“Whoa,” Cap said putting up his hand to stop Roy, John, and Valence from all speaking at once. “One at a time, Roy, what are you guys doing here?"

“Where is here?” Chet asked looking around the room at all the paraphernalia it contained.

“We were just getting to that, Cap,” Roy replied. “It seems this young lady has a problem she wants us to solve for her.”

“Oh?” Cap asked putting a wealth of meaning into the one small word. “And just what is the problem.”

“A dragon came and carried away my brother,” Valence told him without batting an eyelash. Roy and John watched as Cap’s face reflected the same surprise they had felt at the same announcement earlier.

“A what…” Cap asked incredulously.

“A dragon,” Valence replied calmly.

“Roy, can you clarify this?” Cap asked in desperation.

“She thinks we can vanquish the dragon’s fire and rescue her brother,” Roy replied.

“Look, ma’am, we don’t do dragons,” Cap said hoping to bring a swift end to this conversation and get out of this mad house, which he was becoming more convinced it was with each passing moment. His hope died a swift death.

“But it is what I brought you here to do,” Valence said. Before the Cap could reply she continued, “Don’t you vanquish fire?’

“Well, yes, but…,” Cap said unconsciously echoing John.

“Do you not rescue people in need of rescue?” Valence asked again as she had of the others earlier.

“Well, yes, but…,” Cap said again.

“Then you will vanquish the dragon’s fire and rescue my brother!” Valence said reaching the same conclusion she had earlier.

“But we don’t do dragons,” Cap insisted once more. John and Roy knew he was fighting a losing battle because it was the same one they had just fought and lost just moments before.

“Please, you must rescue my brother,” Valence pleaded with him.

“But, how do you know he is alive?” Cap asked.

“He may not be, but if he is you must rescue him,” Valence said.

“Cap, can I talk to you?” Roy asked. Cap agreed and they left the room to go into the relative privacy of the entrance hall. Roy explained all that he and John had learned so far. He ended by saying: “I think our only hope of getting out of this thing quickly is to go along with her.”

“You really think she’s for real?” Cap asked incredulous.

“No, but I think she believes she’s for real,” Roy replied. Cap shook his head as they went back into the other room.

“Now, let me ask you,” Cap said once more in an effort to bring about a swift conclusion. “Why don’t you get someone, one of your own people to rescue your brother?”

“I tried, but they are all afraid to go into the hills where the dragons dwell,” Valence replied. Valence explained that for many generations the dragons had lived in the hills and men had lived on the plains. Stories were told of the time when men and dragons had dwelt side by side until a few dragons had begun to terrorize the men. Fearing all dragons the men had begun to kill them. A bloody battle between men and dragons had been fought until the dragons were nearly extinct. Those who remained did not want the race to die off completely so they had begun to treaty for an end to the battle. Finally an agreement had been reached; the dragons would live in the hills and men would live on the plains. And so it had been for many generations, so long in fact that not even the oldest man in the village could remember ever having actually seen a dragon. At least not before the one that had swooped down and carried Darien away. Valence ended her explanation by saying: “So no one is willing to go into the hills, they fear the dragons, especially now.”

Valence showed them a map of Glenahvin and showed them the general area where the dragon had disappeared with her brother. Since no one had been into the hills for so long, she could not tell them exactly where the dragon’s lair was.

“Can we get a look at the terrain,” Cap asked. The men were surprised at Cap going along with Valence, but when Roy shook his head in warning they said nothing. When Valence looked at him in puzzlement he clarified, “Could we go outside and look at the land ourselves, see what we’ll be up against?”

Meldora was instructed to take the visitors onto the terrace. The men followed her through the corridors, which lead to a large set of wooden doors. The doors were very large and heavy, more than twice the height of any of the men and nearly as wide as they were tall. They looked at the doors in wonder expecting Meldora to open one or both of them, though they had no idea how she could. But there was no need as one of the doors had a panel which, when pushed in the right spot, swung open allowing the men to pass through to the outside.

They had left a rainy, cold day in January in L.A. and they fully expected to walk out onto a city street into the rain. They did not. The day was warm and sunny, the sky as blue as any of them had ever seen. Also they were not on a city street, they weren’t on a street at all. They stood and stared for a long moment at the landscape they saw. Stretching before them were verdant lawns, which were impeccably manicured. The lawns stretched all the way to the hills, which could be seen in the distance.

“Where are we?’ John and Cap asked in unison.

“Cap,” Roy asked looking across the lawns to the hills, hazy in the distance, “do you know how to vanquish a dragon’s fire?’

“No, I can’t say that I do, Roy,” Cap replied.

“Well, I think we’re going to need to find out, real soon,” Roy replied.

~ * ~ * ~

The men stood for a long while staring in dismay at the distant hills. They did not know where they were or how they had gotten there but one thing was apparent: they were no longer in L.A.

“It looks like we’re going to have to do this,” Cap said on a sigh of resignation. The other men murmured agreement. They returned indoors and Meldora led them back to Valence.

The men were all in a mild state of shook. Finding themselves in unusual situations was fairly routine for them, but this situation took the cake. Pulling himself together Cap took a deep breath and faced Valence.

“OK. What, exactly,” he asked, “do you want us to do?”

“To vanquish…” she began.

“Yes, yes, we know that,” Cap said waving his hand in a dismissive gesture. “What, specifically, do you want us to do?” he continued.

“I do not know,” Valence replied. “The spell I cast to summon you here was for some one who could…”

“Vanquish the dragon’s fire and rescue your brother,” the men all finished for her in unison.

“Yes, I think we’re pretty clear on that part,” Cap said running his hand over his face in exasperation. “There has to be some sort of mistake, like I said earlier, we don’t do dragons.”

“You ‘don’t do’ dragons,” Valence asked puzzled at the unfamiliar term.

“We don’t know how to fight dragons,” Roy clarified.

“I suggest you learn how,” Valence informed them, “because the spell won’t release you until you accomplish what it brought you here to accomplish.” She looked around the room at the men and then, as if she was a schoolteacher with a particularly slow group of students, she said slowly and distinctly, “I could not send you home if I wanted to, not until the spell releases you.”

“So how do we vanquish the dragons fire?” John asked.

“I do not know,” Valence replied.

“What!” Chet exclaimed, “then how are we supposed to know what to do?”

“If I knew what to do, I would have done it,” Valence replied undisturbed by his outburst, “that is why I sent for you.”

No further argument was offered. The men huddled around the map and Valence told them what she knew of the dragon. Her information was scant consisting mostly of the general direction in which the dragon had gone with her brother. They decided the only thing to do was to start out going in the same general direction, hoping to find clues along the way. No one was particularly happy with the plan as it was flimsy at best but, since no one had any alternative suggestions, they all accepted it.

Provisions were provided and placed in packs for the men to carry. Roy and John transferred what first aid supplies they thought might be needed into their packs.

Since it was still relatively early in the day, the men decided to start out right away planning to camp overnight in the hills. They found that they knew more about hills and climbing than Meldora or Valence or any of the people of the Glendora because no one had ventured into the hills for so long.

They started out under the bluest sky any of them had ever seen. They crossed the flat, verdant, terraced lawns to the fields, which had recently been mown. Reaching the hills the path became much steeper and rockier, the going much rougher. They continued to climb until dusk when they began to look for a campsite for the night.

Suddenly they heard a sound overhead and looking up saw a huge winged beast bearing down on them. They all ran for cover. Everyone made it except Chet who tripped and fell. As he stood to continue his flight the beast bore down on him and plucked him up with taloned claws. The dragon moved surprisingly quickly, for a beast of his size, and before any of them had a chance to react he and Chet were high above them. The men started to run after the dragon and Chet, only to end up stumbling over rocks they could not see in the dark. Finally Cap called a halt.

“Wait, stop,” he called to the others, “this is getting us nowhere. We’ll have to wait for morning.”

“But that thing has Chet,” John protested reluctant to give up the chase.

“I know,” Cap replied, “but breaking our necks won’t do him any good.” The others reluctantly acknowledged the point. They found a suitable spot and settled in for the night.

Reluctant as they were to admit it the other men all knew that Cap was right. Breaking their necks trying to get to Chet would do neither him nor anyone else any good. The moon came up full and bright and if they had known the territory they would have traveled by it. Being unfamiliar with the territory and knowing the tricks moonlight could play with the landscape they opted to stay put. None of them slept well that night, but with the first sign of dawn they were all up and ready to move on.

~ * ~ * ~

Chet felt the talons close over his shoulders. At first he struggled to free himself, but soon he was too high and found himself hoping the dragon would not drop him. High above the ground Chet could see the darkening landscape beginning to be silvered by the moon. The moon was full but still low on the horizon. If not for the pressure of the talons on his shoulders and the feel of the wind created by the wings of the dragon, Chet would almost have enjoyed the view. Chet had not been able to get a good look at the dragon. He had gotten the impression of a large, black beast with wings that must have had a six foot span. The dragon’s wings carried them high above the hills until the dragon began to descend. Suddenly Chet could see they were headed straight for the hillside ahead of them. At first he was relieved to see the opening in the side of the hill and to realize the dragon was heading straight for it, but then he also realized the opening was too small for both him and the dragon to fit through. With a cry of alarm he drew his legs up just in time to avoid scraping them on the edge of the opening as he and dragon passed through. Any relief he might have felt was short lived as he saw the wall of the cavern looming darkly before him. The wall raced towards him, but before they could reach it he felt himself being released and falling.

Chet hit the ledge with a thud. Lying on the ledge he took stock of himself and was relieved to note that, aside from some bruising which was already making itself felt, he was not injured. His turnout coat had saved his shoulders from the sharp talons and the fall had been a mercifully short one. Sitting up he began brushing himself off. Suddenly he realized he was not alone on the ledge. He could hear someone or something breathing.

“Who is it?” he said fear tingeing his voice. “Come on,” he said his heart beating faster, “I can hear you breathing!”

“It is only I,” replied a voice out of the darkness. “I was not sure if you were man or beast.”

“Oh, I’m man alright,” Chet replied, relieved to hear another human voice. An idea occurred to him, “You wouldn’t be Valence’s brother, Darien, would you?”

“Yes, I am he,” Darien replied. “Who are you?”

“I’m Chet Kelly,” he replied.

“How do you know my sister?” Darien asked puzzled. “I have never met you before.”

“I’m part of a rescue party that she sent to rescue you,” Chet said then chuckled. “Only it looks as if I’ve become a rescuee rather than a rescuer.” Chet went on to explain how it came about that he and five other firefighters came to be in Glendora. Not knowing exactly how they had come to be there made the task a difficult one. Finally he ended by saying, “anyway, the spell won’t release us until we rescue you, oh and vanquish the dragon’s fire.”

“A spell?” Darien asked, “you mean Valence cast a spell and brought you and your friends here?”

“Yes, that’s about it,” Chet replied.

“I see,” Darien said as if this explained everything. Oddly enough Chet got the impression it did.

“So, in the morning, the other guys will find us and get us out of here,” Chet said as reassuringly as he could. After several minutes of silence a thought occurred to Chet. “Do you know how to vanquish a dragon’s fire?” he asked Darien.

“No,” Darien replied, “why do you ask?”

“Because we may have too,” Chet replied.

“I do not think the dragon breathes fire,” Darien replied, “I have seen him several times now, down on the floor of the cavern, he has not yet breathed fire.”

“Oh,” Chet was oddly disappointed to hear this. “You’ve seen the dragon before tonight?”

“Yes, several times,” Darien replied. “It’s odd but it seems almost as if he has forgotten about me.”

“Forgotten about you?” Chet asked puzzled.

“Yes, he has not acknowledged my presence since he dropped me on this ledge. I am beginning to think he has no intention of killing me, I think he has just left me here to die.”

“Couldn’t you just leave?” Chet asked, “I mean if he hasn’t paid any attention to you maybe he wouldn’t notice if you left.”

“Possibly not,” Darien acknowledged, “there is only one problem with doing so, however.”

“What’s that?”

“There is absolutely no way off this ledge,” Darien said matter-of-factly. “It is a sheer drop all the way to the cavern floor.”

~ * ~ * ~

When the morning light filtered into the cavern enough for Chet to see his companion, Chet realized Darien had not faired as well as he had. Darien’s left arm hung in an unusual position and blood stained his tattered shirt. Chet knew Darien’s shoulder was dislocated, he had seen several and this one was no different.

“Oh, man,” he exclaimed, “you’ve dislocated your shoulder!”

“Yes, I am afraid so,” Darien replied looking ruefully at his useless arm.

“Here, let me look at your shoulder,” Chet insisted. Chet examined Darien’s shoulder through his torn shirt. He saw a small wound, which appeared to be a puncture wound, presumably where the dragon’s talon had pierced the skin and muscle. Luckily the wound was not deep, but it was still seeping blood. Chet was once again thankful that he had had his turnout coat on when the dragon had taken him for his flight. Having watched John and Roy and taken a few first aid courses himself, Chet had a basic idea of what to do. He knew he needed to apply direct pressure to the wound, but with what? Also the arm and shoulder needed to be immobilized, but again with what? The ledge they were on offered nothing with which to accomplish either. Then Chet noticed the cloth tied around Darien’s neck. He asked Darien to remove the cloth. When he unfolded it he was surprised to see that the cloth was a very large, very wide piece of cotton type material. “You wear this all the time?” he asked Darien incredulously, beginning to rip the cloth in to strips he could use.

“Yes, that or something like it,” Darien replied, “do not you?”

“No,” Chet said as he folded one of the strips of cloth, “I can barely stand a tie around my neck!”

“A tie?” Darien asked wincing as Chet applied the folded cloth with pressure to stop the bleeding.

“Yeah,” Chet replied, “they’re very narrow compared to this,” he explained. Having stopped the bleeding Chet used a second strip of material to tie the folded piece into place. He hoped it would hold. Then he used the other piece of material to fashion a makeshift sling. It was narrow, but it would have to do. “Just try not to use that arm,” Chet told his patient.

“I do not think that will be a problem,” Darien replied.

~ * ~ * ~

“Draaaaden,” said the voice of doom (a.k.a. his mother), “why are there men in the caverns?” she asked.

“Men?” Draden replied trying, and failing miserably, to sound innocent. It might have worked if his voice had not quivered, clearing his throat he continued, “what men, mother?”

“You know very well ‘what men’,” his mother replied sternly.

“Well, you see,” Draden began nervously, “I was just practicing.”

“Practicing? Practicing what, terrorizing men?” his mother cried.

The young dragon knew he was in serious trouble. What he had done was against the Code of the Dragons. Why he had done it, even he did not know. The only explanation he could come up with was that he wanted to know what it would feel like to do it. He had expected to get a thrill from it, the stories he had heard had led him to believe it would be thrilling. It had not been, either time. He tried to explain this to his mother now. She sighed in exasperation.

“You know terrorizing men is against the Code of the dragons,” she said admonishingly.

“Yes, I know,” Draden said feeling miserable, more because he had gotten caught than anything else.

“You have to return those men to where they belong.”

“Ahh, Mother,” Draden whined.

“Draaaden,” the voice of doom once again sounded. “Do you want me to ground you, for life?” and she could do it, too, literally.

“No,” Draden mumbled.

“Come on then,” she said. The two dragons began to make their way through the tunnels to where the men were on the ledge.

~ * ~ * ~

By the time what was left of the rescue party finally found Chet and Darien it was just past midday. The men were all tired. They had scrambled up and down hills, stumbled over rocks and examined a half dozen caverns.

At one point Roy had tripped over a rock and gone tumbling to the bottom of the hill. He was followed by a concerned paramedic and his other crewmates. As he lay dazed, John knelt down beside him.

“Are you alright?” John asked concerned.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Roy replied taking stock mentally. His attempt to sit up was opposed by John.

“Just lie still and let me look you over,” John said.

“I’m okay,” Roy said more forcefully and again attempted to sit up. John again restrained him.

“Let, the man check you out,” Cap said squatting on the other side of Roy. Roy lay back reluctantly complying with what was tantamount to a command from Cap.

“Hey, it’s nothing you wouldn’t do for me,” John said grinning at his partner, running his hands over his limbs examining them for any injury.

“Has done,” Marco mumbled audibly. John shot him a glaring look. Then returned to his examination of Roy.

“Do you hurt any where?” John asked him.

“Yes,” Roy said, “my back.”

“Your back?” John’s concern was instantly turned up a notch.

“Yes, my back,” Roy replied.

“Can you move your legs?” John asked. Roy moved his legs to show the other man he could. “I know what’s causing the pain,” he said.

“What?” John asked puzzled.

“The rock I’m lying on,” Roy told him.

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” John said relieved, “here let’s get you up.” John began to assist Roy to stand. Roy stood with his partner’s and Cap’s help.

Other than a few bruises Roy was none the worse for his fall. The men continued their search. When they finally located Chet and Darien they were dismayed to see them on top of a virtually insurmountable ledge. The ledge was at least three times as high as any of the men were tall. With climbing gear they could have easily gone up and gotten the men down, but they had no climbing gear. All their climbing gear was back in L.A. with the squad and the engine. For a long moment all any of them could do was to stand and stare.

“Somebody want to tell me how in the Sam Hill we’re going to get them down from there,” Cap said in exasperation with his hands on his hips. When no one ventured an answer he continued, “come on, guys, I’m open for suggestions here.”

Before anyone could answer him they heard the sound of wings beating in a tunnel which lead deeper into the caverns. All seven men dove for cover. The five on the floor of the cavern hid behind rock formations and the two on the ledge plastered themselves up against the wall.

The two dragons entered the cavern and landed on the floor. Both the dragons were very large and appeared black in the dim light of the cavern. Both were at least half again as tall as any of the men.

“Gentlemen,” said a female voice, “you may come out now, we will not harm you.”

“How do we know that?” Cap asked from behind his rock formation.

“You have my word,” the dragon replied, “the word of a dragon is its pact,” she continued reassuringly. Hoping she was telling the truth and realizing that the rock formations really provided very little protection anyway, Cap and the others came out from their hiding places. Chet and Darien crept to the front of the ledge.

“My son, Draden,” the dragon continued, “has something he wants to tell you.” Draden stood with his head bowed not say anything. “Draaaaden,” she said with a warning note in her voice.

“I’m sorry,” Draden’s mumble was barely audible.

“For….,” prompted his mother in exasperation.

“For causing all this trouble,” Draden finished in a rush.

“Now go up on that ledge and get those men down,” his mother commanded.

“Yes, ma’am,” Draden said reluctantly. Before he could leave the ground a cry was heard from over head.

“Hey, Marco,” Chet yelled down when he had gotten their attention, “can we have your turnout coat up here? For Darien,” he continued when he saw Marco’s puzzled expression.

“Sure,” Marco called back, understanding. He took off his turnout coat and cautiously approaching Draden handed it to him. Draden took the coat in one of his talons and once again prepared to ascend to the top of the ledge.

Standing takeoffs were one of the hardest feats for a dragon to master. Draden had been practicing his and hoped that he would be able to takeoff without any problems now. Draden was embarrassed. Not only was his mother making him look foolish in front of these men, he had brought it on himself. If he had not gone looking for a thrill and flown away with Darien to begin with, none of this would be happening now. The last thing he wanted was to make himself look even more foolish by not being able to takeoff properly. Concentrating hard he took off and landed on top of the ledge. Not counting the fact that he landed so close to the front edge he almost fell off, it was a perfect flight.

Chet took the turnout coat from Draden and helped Darien into it. Seeing Darien’s look of apprehension, Chet hastened to reassure him, “you’ll be on the ground in no time,” he said and then looking to Draden for confirmation, “right, Draden?”

“Yes,” Draden said.

“I know, it’s just,” Darien hesitated then continued, “last time…was not pleasant.”

“I’m sorry,” Draden said sounding more sincere than he had before. He was beginning to understand just what he had done and the consequences of his actions. He had not meant to hurt anyone, but this man was obviously injured and had been because of his thoughtlessness. He picked Darien up as gingerly as he could and carried him down to the floor of the cavern. While the turnout coat saved him from further injury he was still in a good deal of pain. Seeing he was in pain Roy and John went to him immediately and began to examine him. Meanwhile Draden flew back up to Chet on the ledge, landing squarely on the ledge this time.

“You’re getting pretty good at that,” Chet commented. “Draden, can I ask you something?”

“Yes,” Draden replied eyeing the man suspiciously hoping he would not embarrass him further.

“Do you breathe fire?” Chet asked conversationally, in no hurry to feel those talons closing over his shoulders again.

“No,” Draden said shaking his head, “not yet, I am too young.”

“Too young!” Chet exclaimed looking at the very large dragon before him. “How old are you?”

“Only twenty,” Darien replied then, seeing the look of consternation on Chet’s face he continued, “Dragon’s live to be hundreds of years old.”

“Oh,” Chet said, “I guess I just thought all dragons were born breathing fire.”

“No, we are not,” Draden said shaking his head. He picked Chet up as gently as he could and flew down to the cavern floor where the others were surrounding Darien.

Roy and John had the turnout coat off of Darien and were examining his injuries. They decided they needed more light so they moved outside the cavern into the sunlight. Their crewmates and both dragons followed.

The dragons, which had appeared black in the dim light of the cavern, were not black at all. The female dragon was rich ruby red, her scales giving her a sparkle effect. Draden was deep sapphire blue with the same sparkle effect in the sunlight.

“Is he going to be okay?” Draden asked in genuine concern.

“Yes,” said Roy who had unwrapped the makeshift bandage from Darien’s shoulder. He could not resist adding, in his best stern father voice, “no thanks to you.” He managed to keep the stern look on his face even though he was grinning on the inside, the young dragon reminded him so much of his son Chris in a similar circumstance. Draden hung his head apologizing yet again. The paramedics, examining Darien’s dislocated shoulder were trying to decide how best to proceed. They were gently moving his arm to get a better idea of how the shoulder was dislocated when they were surprised to hear a click and realized the shoulder was back in place.

“Well, I guess that takes care of that,” John said in a pleased voice. They re-bandaged the shoulder and placed the arm in a sling to decrease the risk of it becoming dislocated again.

If the situation had not already been so bizarre the men of 51s would have thought talking with a mother dragon and her son somewhat unusual, but the situation being what it was no one gave it a second thought.

Darien, seeing the dejected look Roy’s comment had brought to the young dragon’s face, could not stay mad at him. “Draden, it’s okay,” he said when the paramedics had finished with him, “I’ll be fine, no hard feelings.” He offered his hand to the dragon and after a few seconds hesitation the dragon put one of his talons in it. Darien shook the talon solemnly.

Chet followed suit saying, “Just don’t go around snatching people up and carrying them off again.”

“Just what I told him,” his mother commented acerbically.

“I won’t,” Draden said earnestly. “Believe me.”

After bidding the men good-bye the dragons went back into the cave, the last thing the men heard was the voice of the mother dragon, “What were you thinking,” she said, “if I’ve told you once I’ve told you….” The rest was lost as her voice died away as they entered the tunnel.

The rescued and the rescuers began their descent from the hills. The return journey was accomplished quickly. In the first place the men knew where they were going. The castle could be seen in the distance and as much as possible they headed straight for it. In the second place they going was mostly downhill. When they reached the field and started across it they saw two figures exit the castle. One was in red and the other in blue. Running across the terraced lawn they met the rescue party halfway. The girls were overjoyed to have Darien back with them again. They hugged him and all the other men in turn, then hugged Darien again.

In short order, after having accepted many thanks and after bidding Valence, Darien, and Meldora good-bye the men found themselves back in the entry hall. Meldora led them to another tapestry on the wall. When the men stepped through the doorway behind the tapestry they found themselves in the old bookshop again. They walked through the store, past the dusty shelves with their dusty books, past the old man seated behind the desk nodding to them, and out the front door. The little brass bell overhead jingled.

They were surprised the find themselves back in L.A. It was still raining, a fine misty rain and there was a chill in the air. They found they had arrived back the same day they had left. As they all stood there, somewhat dazed, Cap said, “I don’t think we need to tell anyone just what happened back there.” The other men agreed.

“Who’d believe us anyway, Cap?” Mike asked.

“Who, indeed,” Cap replied. They all headed for the vehicles and climbed aboard. Roy and John loaded their equipment into the squad and climbed into the cab.

As Roy started the motor and pulled away from the curb, with the engine following, John looked back for one last look at the bookshop. It was not there. He looked up and down the row of shops, but it was gone.

“Hey, Roy,” he exclaimed, “the bookshop’s gone!”

“Is it?” Roy asked distracted by the traffic.

“Yeah,” John said turning to face front again, “where do you suppose it went?” he asked.

“Who knows,” Roy said, “I for one hope we never find out, Junior.”

“You and me both, Pally,” John replied shaking his head, “you and me both.”

The End