surprise, but it's like no other city in this land. We're never at war, so it's very peaceful, but designed to be hard to attack."
"Are you from the capital?" Daisy asked.
"No," John replied. "I've only visited it once before I left, but I could never forget it. I'm from a place to the south-west—a place not far from the border. It's very green, and very pretty, although it rains quite a lot. I'll take you to see it one day."
"Let's work on getting there first," Arthur reminded him. "It'll be getting light soon. What's the plan now?"
"Help me up," John replied. "I need to transform as soon as it's light."
"Wait," Daisy commanded firmly. "There are five of us. We can carry you. You might pass out again if you walk."
"She's right, John; you've been unconscious for a long time," Arthur agreed. "Save your energy for transforming."
John didn't bother arguing and just let them carry him to the cave entrance. It was a lot cooler here, but he could see the sun rising in the distance. As soon as the sun's rays hit him, he began transforming. It was much slower than normal and when he was done, he lay immobile on the sand, basking in the sun. After a while Daisy transformed as well and approached him.
Are you alright, John? Are you conscious?
I'm awake, he replied, still not moving. The wound in his side was very painful and he didn't want to make it worse. But that hurt a lot. If you look at my side you'll see that I have open wounds again now that I'm a dragon.
Daisy moved closer and examined his side. Oh yes, that looks really nasty. I'm sorry I left you alone like that. I was just so mad with Jenna I needed to speak with Arthur.
Forget it, John replied. You couldn't have helped me. You and Jenna seem to be alright now though.
We are , Daisy replied. I think she finally respects me. Probably too late for Arthur though, unfortunately for her. I've forgiven her, but I don't think he's going to do so quite so easily. She seems genuinely sorry, but he says that it's all changed for him; he's lost that bond with her.
Shame, John commented sadly. I suspect this trip will change her for the better. Look, I really am alright. I'm just going to lie here in the sun for a couple of hours and see how I heal. You'll be surprised how quickly it does heal, believe me. Just let everyone know that and make sure they're all ready.
Alright, if you're sure.
I am.
Love you, Daisy said in leaving.
Love you too, John replied, closing his eyes and returning to his rest.
Chapter 4 - End of the Journey
To Crystal's surprise, John's wounds closed up incredibly fast. They were clearly still causing him some pain, but by late morning he was ready to fly. He soared high above the desert, ensuring they were alone before giving them the signal to take off and follow him to the south-east. She could hear his thoughts, but could hardly see him; he flew so high above them.
They took no breaks, flying continuously throughout the day. The desert below them appeared to be endless, an unchanging expanse of sand and rocks that spread in every direction. They didn't complain about not stopping, as none of them were keen to spend another night there—especially without a cave to provide shelter from the cold at night.
The sun was low in the sky when they saw the mountains looming on the horizon. John had told them that this range was not particularly high, but after the continuous sea of flat sand and stone they looked impressive and were a welcome change of scenery. John appeared to know exactly where they were headed, flying in a straight path towards the mountains. Crystal certainly hoped he knew where they were going as the light was fading fast. He guided them to a tiny little stream—a mere trickle, which appeared to vanish further down the mountain.
"How on earth did you find this place?" Crystal asked incredulously after transforming. "It all looks the same to me."
John laughed. "My father made me rehearse this journey many times.
"Are you from the capital?" Daisy asked.
"No," John replied. "I've only visited it once before I left, but I could never forget it. I'm from a place to the south-west—a place not far from the border. It's very green, and very pretty, although it rains quite a lot. I'll take you to see it one day."
"Let's work on getting there first," Arthur reminded him. "It'll be getting light soon. What's the plan now?"
"Help me up," John replied. "I need to transform as soon as it's light."
"Wait," Daisy commanded firmly. "There are five of us. We can carry you. You might pass out again if you walk."
"She's right, John; you've been unconscious for a long time," Arthur agreed. "Save your energy for transforming."
John didn't bother arguing and just let them carry him to the cave entrance. It was a lot cooler here, but he could see the sun rising in the distance. As soon as the sun's rays hit him, he began transforming. It was much slower than normal and when he was done, he lay immobile on the sand, basking in the sun. After a while Daisy transformed as well and approached him.
Are you alright, John? Are you conscious?
I'm awake, he replied, still not moving. The wound in his side was very painful and he didn't want to make it worse. But that hurt a lot. If you look at my side you'll see that I have open wounds again now that I'm a dragon.
Daisy moved closer and examined his side. Oh yes, that looks really nasty. I'm sorry I left you alone like that. I was just so mad with Jenna I needed to speak with Arthur.
Forget it, John replied. You couldn't have helped me. You and Jenna seem to be alright now though.
We are , Daisy replied. I think she finally respects me. Probably too late for Arthur though, unfortunately for her. I've forgiven her, but I don't think he's going to do so quite so easily. She seems genuinely sorry, but he says that it's all changed for him; he's lost that bond with her.
Shame, John commented sadly. I suspect this trip will change her for the better. Look, I really am alright. I'm just going to lie here in the sun for a couple of hours and see how I heal. You'll be surprised how quickly it does heal, believe me. Just let everyone know that and make sure they're all ready.
Alright, if you're sure.
I am.
Love you, Daisy said in leaving.
Love you too, John replied, closing his eyes and returning to his rest.
Chapter 4 - End of the Journey
To Crystal's surprise, John's wounds closed up incredibly fast. They were clearly still causing him some pain, but by late morning he was ready to fly. He soared high above the desert, ensuring they were alone before giving them the signal to take off and follow him to the south-east. She could hear his thoughts, but could hardly see him; he flew so high above them.
They took no breaks, flying continuously throughout the day. The desert below them appeared to be endless, an unchanging expanse of sand and rocks that spread in every direction. They didn't complain about not stopping, as none of them were keen to spend another night there—especially without a cave to provide shelter from the cold at night.
The sun was low in the sky when they saw the mountains looming on the horizon. John had told them that this range was not particularly high, but after the continuous sea of flat sand and stone they looked impressive and were a welcome change of scenery. John appeared to know exactly where they were headed, flying in a straight path towards the mountains. Crystal certainly hoped he knew where they were going as the light was fading fast. He guided them to a tiny little stream—a mere trickle, which appeared to vanish further down the mountain.
"How on earth did you find this place?" Crystal asked incredulously after transforming. "It all looks the same to me."
John laughed. "My father made me rehearse this journey many times.
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