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  Anyway, much as we appreciated the hospitality, we wanted our own home, and eventually the Golden Dragons found an island, some way off their coast—almost a day's swim from land. We'd have never found it of course, as we only swim as far as you can reach in half a day, as we need to get back to dry land before nightfall. We moved there about two hundred years ago. It's a small place, so we've run out of space, hence a number of us still live here."

  "But you've built another island though, haven't you?" Daisy asked. "Reclaiming land from the sea?"

  "Very good," Clay commented. "You are remarkably well informed. I always understood you Red Dragons to be an insular lot, completely unaware of our existence. I apologise for my mistake."

  "I suspect that is my brother's teaching," Mark noted.

  "I hope he put as much effort in teaching Crystal as his girlfriend," Leah commented. "It seems he may have forgotten where his responsibilities lie."

  "No, he didn't," Daisy snapped. "John invited me to join Crystal's lessons, that's all. He hasn't taught me anything he hasn't taught Crystal."

  "Leah," Mark began, "what did I say earlier—"

  "Excuse me," Arthur interrupted, changing the subject. "How did you build a new island?"

  Clay smiled brightly. "This was the ingenious idea of my grandfather's. It started as just a modest undertaking to extend our land into the sea where it was shallow. Then he suggested exploring the seas to find another shallow area, and reclaiming land there too. We can dive very deep and stay under for over an hour, so we've been mining the sea bed for years, cutting large blocks of rock from the deep, and then piling them up till we formed a new island. We broke the surface about ten years ago, and island number two been growing ever since then. There are over a hundred people permanently living there now."

  "How long did that take?" Jenna asked in disbelief. "That's like building a mountain one rock at a time."

  Clay nodded sadly. "Oh, I know, it's a never-ending task. Everyone has to spend one day a week working on the expansion. You're either cutting rock at the bottom of the sea, carrying it to the island or laying them in place. Believe me, there's little in life that is more boring."

  "Everyone except you, Clay," Mark pointed out. "You haven't been back for months."

  Clay shook his head. "Over a year now, but I don't get let off. Each day I miss is added up, so when I next go back I'll have to spend months continuously working."

  Daisy frowned. "But I thought you had built the island. Why are you still working on it?"

  Clay sighed. "As I said, it's a never-ending task. As soon as we broke the surface, somebody suggested that we start looking for a new location—somewhere to build once island number two was complete. The work was divided into two teams, with one team expanding island number two, and the other team working on finding a new location for a third island, which they found, and started building straight away. Of course, the first team never stopped work on island number two and they're constantly extending it. It's a very slow progress of course, and I wonder if they'll ever decide that it's finished. The third island is due to break the surface any day now as well, and I fully expect that when that happens they'll just start looking all over again. I think we're cursed to spend eternity carrying rocks."

  "Where is the new island?" Daisy asked. "Is it further away from the coast?"

  "Well the second island is further away from the coast, and this new, third island, is much further still, but we've had considerable help from the Golden Dragons to get it completed."

  "We run a team that carries them in the air near to the site to allow them to work, and then picks them up again at the end of the day to bring them back," Mark explained. "We helped them find the site as well."

  "Why would you go to all of that trouble?" Seth asked. "I can see what Clay and his people get out of it, but what's in it for you?"

  Mark shrugged. "Satisfying our curiosity is part of it. We have no idea whether there are other landmasses out there and we've explored everywhere within a day's flight of land. Their second island allowed us to explore a little further, but we didn't find anything. Once this new island is finished, it will give us a launching point to be able to explore even further to the east. And, helping out an old friend is reward in itself of course."

  "What happens if there is nothing out there?" Jenna asked. "Just more water."

  "Then we'll do it all over again," Clay replied. "Plant an island even further away, and continue searching for more land. We're desperate for the land and the Golden Dragons are far too curious to stop exploring."

  "Why do you want to find new lands so badly?" Arthur asked. "You don't seem to want to occupy it, or you would have invaded your neighbours like everyone else."

  "Yes, well some of us understand the difference between right and wrong," Leah observed. "Even if we wanted that land, that wouldn't give us the right to just take it. Empty lands... well, they are a different thing."

  "But it's not just expansion," Mark pointed out. "Finding occupied land would be even more welcome. Remember, we can take the form of any dragon that we've encountered—well, fire-breathers anyway. Meeting more dragons would let us adopt new forms. I'm not sure if you could really understand, but that it something that is really exciting for us."

  "No, I think we get that," Seth said.

  "But aren't you worried that you might meet a more dangerous dragon?" Daisy asked. "Building that island would work both ways, and you could let in enemies even more dangerous than the Blue Dragons."

  Mark shook his head. "I doubt there are any dragons more dangerous than the Blue Dragons. And if there are, they'll find a way to get here eventually anyway."

  "For us it's a way of having a bit more security as well," Clay pointed out. "All of our people are on two small islands that are not that far from the mainland; and one of those is still very small. It's like having all of our eggs in one basket. Every island we build will give us greater assurance that we can't be wiped out in one go."

  "Hello! Mark, how are you?" A golden-haired man of about thirty appeared from around the corner and gave Mark a bear hug, lifting him off the ground. He turned to beam at the five youngsters. "Ah, Clay, I see Mark has given you the privilege of being among the first to meet our new Red Dragon friends."

  Mark nodded, looking slightly flustered. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Jonah. He's one of my colleagues here in the Sanctuary."

  "Sadly, I don't get to spend as much time with young Clay as Mark does," Jonah explained, patting Clay affectionately on the shoulder. "We're each assigned a group of races to work with, and Mark got lucky."

  "Always the flatterer," Clay replied with a laugh. "Still getting knocked about by the midgets?"

  "Naturally, although I think they prefer to be known as the Glass Wings."

  "Jonah works with a race of dragons that are rather small," Mark explained. "Just like the Magpie Dragons, they haven't been wiped out, but live here out of choice. They've survived mainly because they live in the Empty Quarter. It's a dangerous place for those who don't understand it. And, to compensate for their small stature they train extensively with a range of weapons, which Jonah has been mastering."

  "And without weapons," Jonah added. "You have to become part of their culture to be able to work with them. You can't be aloof; you have to immerse yourself in their way of life."

  "Jonah spends half of his time carrying injuries," Mark added. "For a small race, the Glass Wings are a tough lot."

  "Well, this is fascinating," Leah interrupted rather rudely, "but we really need to get on. We can't spend all day talking on street corners. We have much to show them, and not a lot of time."

  Clay frowned at her for a moment, but smiled and bowed politely. "Of course. Good to see you again, Mark, and it was good to meet you all. I'm sure I'll see you around again."

  "As will I," Jonah added cheerfully. "See you tomorrow night, Mark."

  Jonah and Clay waved goodbye before heading into the stone buildi
ng, and the five followed Mark and Leah further into the sanctuary.

  "Did you know all of that already?" Jenna asked Crystal. "Had John taught you all of that as well?"

  Crystal shrugged. "Some of it. He gave me a book which described all of these dragons. There were so many different ones in there so it was hard to remember them all, and besides, it didn't really feel real. I found it hard to believe so didn't take it all in or listen to John as much as I should have. Daisy seems to have remembered more than I do."

  "Or perhaps John paid more attention to Daisy in the lessons," Leah suggested.

  Daisy's eyes flashed with anger and she glared at Leah. "Aren't you meant to be giving us a tour? Where are you taking us now? Mark seems to be doing most of the work."

  Leah glared back at her and opened her mouth to reply, but caught sight of Mark glaring at her angrily. She nodded before smiling sweetly at Daisy. "Crystal mentioned that you were a bit worried that John might have lost interest in you now that you're here. I'm sorry to hear that you're worried about that." Crystal looked at the ground in embarrassment, but Leah ignored her and continued. "Of course, that would be the least of your worries I expect, if you wanted to stay with John."

  "What do you mean?" Daisy asked, staring suspiciously at her.

  "Well, you know our laws about marrying foreigners, I take it?" Leah asked casually.

  "It's allowed," Daisy replied. "I understand it's happened many times."

  Leah nodded, still smiling. "Oh, of course it's happened. In the past. But you'll notice that it never happens here in the Sanctuary; does it, Mark?"

  Mark eyed her coldly. "No, Leah, it hasn't."

  "Why not, Mark?" Seth asked.

  Mark glared at Leah. "It's forbidden, unless the community that the foreign dragon is from explicitly grants permission for the marriage."

  "And when was the last time that happened?" Leah asked, smiling sweetly.

  "Never, as you well know," Mark replied.

  Arthur shrugged. "Why do you need to ask permission from the community? Surely their parents should be sufficient."

  Leah shook her head, looking at Daisy sadly. "No, that wouldn't be sufficient. Arthur, if you were to marry a foreign girl—any foreigner—your children would be Red Dragons, would they not?"

  Arthur nodded. "That's right. The type of dragon is inherited from the father."

  Leah shook her head. "Not completely true. If you were to marry a Golden Dragon, such as myself, your children would be Golden Dragons."

  "What about the other way around?" Jenna asked. "If Daisy were to marry John?"

  "Golden Dragons again," Leah replied. "Now, guess how many communities are happy about that? How many people don't mind all of their grandchildren becoming Golden Dragons?"

  "None," Crystal said.

  "Exactly," Leah replied solemnly. "We do our best to maintain excellent relationships with our neighbours, so our laws don't allow marriages unless the community they are from explicitly permits it. If you wanted to marry John, Daisy, you'd have to get your King to agree it." She put her hand to her mouth in false shock. "Oh dear, didn't you know that, Daisy? I'm so sorry."

  "We could just get married in secret," Daisy replied, her eyes glistening. "They couldn't stop us."

  Leah nodded sadly. "Of course, dear. You could do that, but where would you live? If John came back here after doing that, he'd be thrown in prison. For ever. Or until you could get a letter from your King authorising the match." She smiled sweetly. "But never mind, I'm sure you'll meet someone else one day. Now, on with the tour…."

  After the Sanctuary, Mark and Leah took them to lunch, and then Leah took them to a street full of shops, where she had each of them measured for new outfits. There was to be some event tomorrow evening, and Leah had been instructed to ensure that they were appropriately dressed for the occasion. The shops were not very different to those in Furnace, although the style and tastes differed. Crystal had never been as obsessed with her appearance as Jenna, and Leah seemed a little disappointed with her lack of enthusiasm for shopping. Leah clearly thought this was an area where they were more sophisticated than the Red Dragons, and she would be able to show off to Crystal. Jenna, however, was much more impressed, being particularly excited by the designs in the last shop, and spent a long time talking rapidly with Leah. The hostility between the two of them vanished quickly now that they had found a common interest. The same was not true for Daisy.

  "I hate your cousin," Daisy whispered to Crystal as they watched Jenna and Leah from the other side of the shop.

  Crystal nodded. "She's just jealous of John and is taking it out on you. I'm sure she's not like this normally."

  "I thought everyone would be like John," Daisy blurted out. "But they're not. They're just like anyone else. She's just as cruel as anyone back home, even as bad as Daniel Thorne."

  Crystal winced at the mention of his name. "I'll speak to her," she promised. "That was pretty mean of her."

  Daisy didn't reply, looking down at the floor. A tear had escaped from her eye and was running down her cheek. "Why didn't John tell me about that rule?" Daisy sniffed. "I had to hear about it from her."

  Crystal shrugged. "He left here when he was quite young. He probably never thought about marriage and might not have even known the rules. He might still not know."

  "John would know. He knows everything," Daisy insisted.

  "You could always live back home," Crystal suggested. "I'm sure your parents would take to John."

  "If we still have a home," Daisy replied glumly. "We might end up living here in the Sanctuary. Just another destroyed race."

  Crystal's head sank. "Don't say that, please! Don't even think it. We can't give up hope now."

  Daisy looked up at her, her eyes wide. "I'm sorry, Crystal. Please forget I said that. We'll be alright, I know we will."

  "Come on, you two," Mark called, ending their conversation. "Time to go. The clothes will be delivered to Immigration House once they're made—probably tomorrow afternoon. We need to head back and we're running a little behind schedule. I think people will be able to handle seeing a few Red Dragons flying now we're out of the Sanctuary, especially if they're accompanied by Golden Dragons. Time to fly…."

  Chapter 7 - Before Parliament

  Crystal and the others woke early, having had an early night and being excited about the meeting with the Golden Dragon government. Naomi had organised an early breakfast for them and as soon as they finished, John's father Paul arrived to lead them to the parliament.

  He led them along the quiet streets, opting to walk rather than fly. Although still early, they could already see many dragons flying to and from the balcony on the first floor.

  "I apologise for the early start," Paul told them. "We will have a bit of a wait now, but it's better to be here early rather than risk being late. We can wait in the spectators' section."

  They followed him into the building where he guided them to the parliamentary chamber. It was a large round room arranged like an amphitheatre with three rows of seats arranged in circles facing the centre of the room. Crystal didn't count them, but knew from John that there were a hundred and each was occupied today. Although they were still discussing another subject, one hundred pairs of eyes watched as John's father led them along the balcony to the few empty seats that remained, the spectators' section unusually full.

  "News of your arrival has spread far and wide," Paul explained with a whisper. "You wouldn't normally have as many people here as there are today."

  Crystal gazed down at the representatives gathered below. As Leah had told her, about half of them were women, who were seated amongst the men and participating in the lively debate. She couldn't help but compare what she saw now to the Red Dragon Military Council meetings at home, where the women had to remain silent unless spoken to first.

  Mark had tried to explain the workings of the parliament to them the night before, filling in gaps in John's knowledge as well as hers. He
had explained the political alliances amongst the representatives, or political parties as he referred to them, but she had not really understood the terms that he had used and she suspected that the others hadn't either. To make matters even more confusing, all of the representatives were dressed identically in long black robes so she had no way of knowing who was with which political party. All she did know was that the group who were more cautious and less likely to support the Red Dragons in combat were the largest of the political groups, which didn't encourage her at all.

  The speaker, having noted their arrival, wrapped up the current discussion and suggested that they move on to the next topic. Meeting no opposition, the speaker called for Paul to bring the Red Dragons to the centre of the room. They followed Paul down the stairs to the main chamber, and after thanking the speaker, Paul addressed his audience.

  "These are the six children who arrived the day before yesterday, having travelled all the way from the Kingdom of the Red Dragons to give an account of the worrying developments with the Blue Dragons and to request our assistance in facilitating an alliance with the Dark Brown Dragons. This young man is John, my son, who was assigned by parliamentary decree to live in the Red Dragon Kingdom with the purpose of locating, making contact with, befriending and educating the missing daughter of Mary and Caleb, the two spies who died in the land of the Blue Dragons. This is their daughter, who now goes by the name of Crystal, which we believe is the name that her mother Mary gave her. She was adopted by a prominent family…." Paul continued to give a long and detailed account of Crystal's upbringing, the plan to bring her back and the events of the last year. She was surprised by how much detail John had given him and how much he told the parliament, including even the ill-fated camping trip. At this point one of the members interrupted him.

  "Your son had to transform at night, you say?" The questioner was a lady about the same age as Paul, and she looked shocked by this revelation.