The Children and the Dragon
Poppy didn’t want to say good-bye to the scarlet foxes, but she knew she had to get home and collect more candles to sell. She hurried up the hill toward her aunt and uncle’s house.
The wind grew stronger and Poppy’s cloak swirled around her legs. She glanced at the gray clouds sailing overhead. She hoped it wasn’t going to rain. Pulling up the hood of her cloak, she noticed something in the sky that didn’t look like a cloud at all—a shape with huge leathery wings.
A dragon.
Poppy’s skin tingled. She’d never seen a dragon so close to Penlee before. It was black with a crest of red spines along its back. She held her breath as it wheeled round and flew south, beating its enormous wings.
A boy and a girl came running down the street. They stopped to wave at the sky.
“Thank you, Bellegar!” called the boy.
“See you soon!” shouted the girl.
The dragon gave a deep growl as it flew away.
Poppy stared at the children in astonishment. Why were they talking to the dragon? She knew they weren’t from Penlee because she’d never seen them before. Neither of them had cloaks, and the girl wore a short green dress and sandals.
The boy noticed Poppy and nudged the girl.
“Hello!” called Poppy. “Do you know that dragon?”
“He’s our friend,” said the boy. “We wouldn’t have got here without him.”
“Really?” gasped Poppy. “You flew here?”
“It’s true!” The girl gave Poppy a serious look. “We’re friends of magical animals—ALL magical animals. Actually, that’s why we’re here. The magical creatures in this kingdom are in danger and we’re trying to help them.”
Poppy stared. First that horrible sign had gone up on the church gate and now this girl and boy were talking about magical animals. It was all very strange. She had to find out more. “Would you like something to eat?” She pointed to her house. “I live just there, and my aunt makes really nice cookies.”
The girl and boy exchanged looks.
“I think we should stop for a while,” the boy said. “I’m hungry.”
“All right, but we don’t have long,” said the girl. “Bellegar’s gone to the river for a drink. After he’s rested we’ll need to fly on to meet our friend Sophy.” She turned to Poppy. “Thanks for inviting us! I’m Talia and this is Lucas.”
“I’m Poppy. Come inside and we can talk.” Poppy led them up the front path. “My aunt and uncle won’t interrupt us. They’ll be busy making candles in the workshop.”
She took them into a room decorated with candles of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Poppy’s favorite were the purple butterflies on the mantelpiece, which had delicate wax wings. Talia and Lucas followed her, looking curiously at the wax sculptures.
Poppy led them into the kitchen and fetched some lemonade and the cookie tin. She longed to ask more about the dragon. “What is it like to fly?” she burst out. “It must be awesome!”
“It’s wonderful!” said Talia. “You can see everything when you’re up there in the sky—all the trees and rivers. We come from far away in the Hundred Valleys. I never dreamed I would get to see places like this!”
Poppy poured the lemonade and offered them chocolate cookies. “So why do you say that the magical animals are in danger? A sign has gone up in the middle of town saying we should keep away from the creatures.” She swallowed, thinking of the scarlet foxes. “It says we shouldn’t go near them at all.”
Talia set her cup down with a snap. “I bet that’s Sir Fitzroy’s fault! He’s sending orders all around the kingdom to stop people from helping them.”
Lucas watched Poppy closely. “Do you know any magical creatures? Are there any living in this town?”
Poppy hesitated, then decided she could trust Talia and Lucas. “There are scarlet foxes.” She told them about the foxes with their beautiful coats that transformed to any color. “And this Sir Fitzroy you mentioned—his name is on the sign I told you about.”
“He’s a knight at the royal castle,” Talia told her. “I only found out about him when Sophy gave me my Speaking Stone. She works as a maid there.”
“Your Speaking Stone?” Poppy looked confused.
Talia took a small purple bag from her pocket. “There isn’t much time to explain. Sir Fitzroy and his friends hate the magical animals. They believe the creatures are dangerous and they want to capture them. A group of us—me, Lucas, Sophy, and others—are secretly helping the animals.” She stopped and bit her lip. “If you wanted, you could help us too.”
“Yes, please!” Poppy said eagerly. “I think magical animals are amazing.”
“Let’s see if there’s a stone for her!” Lucas’s eyes gleamed.
“That’s what I’m doing!” Talia opened the bag and poured a handful of little stones onto the table. “Hold out your hand, Poppy. These stones are magical and maybe one of them can be yours.”
Poppy held out her hand and Talia placed a rock on her palm. It was dull and gray, and felt rough against her skin. “Are they really magical?” she asked as Talia took away the stone and tried the next one. “They look so ordinary.”
“Just wait!” said Lucas, leaning forward. “It could be the next one.”
Poppy frowned. “But what’s supposed to happen? I just don’t—” She broke off as her hand tingled.
The stone grew warmer and warmer, as if a fire burned inside it. Slowly the rock brightened from gray to orange.
“This is your stone, Poppy,” breathed Talia. “I was sure you’d have one!”
“But why is it so hot? Ouch!” Poppy dropped the stone on the table as it became too hot for her fingers.
“It’s the magic working!” Talia told her.
Glowing a fierce orange, the stone suddenly snapped in half.
“Oh no, it’s broken!” gasped Poppy. “Did I do something wrong?”
“That’s supposed to happen,” Lucas reassured her. “The enchantment is hidden inside the stone. When it reaches the right person it breaks open and the magic begins!”
“Really?” Poppy peered at the stone. Inside each half was a hollow filled with glittering crystals as white as mountain snow. “It’s beautiful! Is it really mine?”
Talia nodded. “And you must keep it a secret. Wear it on a thread around your neck like Lucas and I do.” She pulled out her own stone tied to a thin piece of cotton. “It’s not just a pretty stone—it’s useful, and it will help you protect magical animals.”
“But how?” Poppy picked up the two halves of rock. As she turned them, the crystals sparkled in the light.
“Didn’t we tell you?” Talia smiled. “That is your Speaking Stone. It will let you talk to magical animals!”
