“If we don’t hurry . . . ,” Henry prodded. He was ready to jump on the whale’s back and go at a moment’s notice.
A flash of light through the window caught Henry’s eye. “Spike is out there circling again,” he said. He moved to the window and his eyes opened wide. “Wow—what the stink is that thing next to her?” he breathed.
Alex rushed to his side to look. Coming up out of the water and walking onto the shore with her oversized dragon head, snakelike body, and four stocky legs growing from the thickest part of her trunk, was Pan herself. Her long, whiplike tail snapped and curled like a lasso behind her, her clawed feet dug divots into the lawn and shot bits of grass into the air behind her, and the plume of scales that burst from her head sparkled a myriad of colors in the sunlight.
“It’s Pan,” Alex said. “Come and meet her.” He rushed to open the door and ran outside, the others following.
Alex greeted the dragon, his heart pounding from being so close to the great beast. She seemed immensely larger on land than she’d seemed in the open sea. Her sprawling body made Simber look small.
Simber stood back, wary of the dragon’s potential fiery breath.
Alex introduced Florence, Henry, and Simber.
“Greetings,” said Pan. “I have seen you from afar. It is good to meet friends of the sea in these dark times.” She eyed Florence. “You are the one Talon speaks of.”
Florence’s face grew hot. “Is he well?” she asked.
“He is lonely,” said Pan.
“Oh my,” said Florence, looking completely lost for words.
Simber rescued her. “How is it that we haven’t seen you beforrre?” he asked Pan.
The dragon stretched out her neck to look across the island. “With pirates in my waters capturing and selling sea creatures these many years,” she said warily, “it has been in my best interest to stay hidden.”
Florence, Simber, and Alex exchanged glances, all of them realizing the same thing. The pirates weren’t just capturing sea creatures. They intended to sell them! But to whom?
“We understand,” Florence said. “We’re pleased you trust us enough to venture on land.”
Alex spoke up, anxious to get to the point. “Pan,” he said, “our healer, Henry, believes he has something that will help Karkinos. He’ll travel to the Island of Legends on Spike’s back. We’re deciding who else to send with him now, and they’ll be on their way shortly.”
“I will accompany them to Karkinos,” Pan said, “to make sure they arrive safely. There is danger everywhere.”
Henry’s eyes widened. Now he had two very large creatures to spend time with, and he had no idea what to expect from the dragon or if she was safe. He shot a pleading glance at Florence.
Florence looked up at the dragon. “You’re aware we killed the sea eel, of course?”
“I am also aware of other eels,” said Pan.
“Ah, so therrre is morrre than one,” said Simber, eyes narrowing. “That concerrrns me grrreatly.”
“Yes,” said Pan. “As I said before, I am in the business of hiding. Do not fear for your boy and your whale with me.”
Alex looked up at the dragon’s face. “Thank you . . . for the information. We’ll need a little time to organize.”
The dragon nodded once. She turned and glided into the water, her tail swirling constantly, making shapes in the air.
Alex turned to Henry. “Find Aaron and Sky and ask them to quickly construct a seat for you that we can strap to Spike.”
“Right,” said Henry. He dashed into the mansion.
Alex looked at Simber and Florence. “I’d feel more comfortable if we sent someone with Henry.”
Pan stopped in the water and swung her head back toward them, her plume of scales shimmering. “I do not wish to pry, but is there a reason you don’t want to go, Florence? I would have thought you’d be the first to volunteer. But perhaps your feelings for Talon have changed. If so, he should be told.”
Florence looked up. “Oh no,” she said. “That’s not it at all. It’s just—I’m carved of ebony, too heavy for Spike to carry at full speed. And speed is of the essence now, I’m afraid.” She hesitated. “My heart belongs to Talon. If you wish to tell him that, I’d be grateful. . . .” She looked down, embarrassed and sad all over again.
Pan’s tail weaved through the water as she floated a short distance from shore. “You might slow down a whale,” she said, “but nothing can slow down a dragon. If your presence here can be spared, you must ride on my back and tell him yourself.”
Strange Company
Ashort time later Spike sat in the lagoon, waiting to depart. Sky came flying out of the mansion with Aaron right behind, carrying a makeshift cocoonlike chair-bed that they’d weaved from strips of lightweight but sturdy cloth. A harness was attached.