Mia cried and cried after Bella’s death. Rory, Conrad and Gwenda were unable to console her. All the people of Dwarf Vale and Dragon Wood came to pay their respects to Bella Blackwell, filing past the coffin that lay, guarded by two dragons, on the table in the Great Hall. Wizards and witches and magicians from all over remembered well the old woman they called ‘the Great Sorceress.’ Bella had asked to be buried in her beloved woods. The sad band of mourners carried out her final wishes.
Conrad had organised everything for the funeral ceremony, and when they returned to Blackwell Castle, Rory realised how well his friend had taken to running both the castle and the dragon school.
Conrad’s jet-black hair hung loose about his shoulders and he wore a cloak of heavy purple velvet. He seemed different now, more than just a mere woodsman. But he was kindness itself to Mia and asked her to sit by him as they ate.
Mia’s skin was pale and her eyes still red-rimmed and raw. Rory didn’t know if he was imagining it or not, but a small freckle or stain had appeared on her cheek, in the shape of a wing – a dragon’s wing.
‘Conrad, what did Bella mean about the Great Mage returning?’ asked Mia softly.
Conrad looked uncomfortable, toying with the food on his plate.
‘Bella was talking about the most powerful magician of all, who controlled these lands and this world and, of course, the dragons.’
‘Do you think that he is coming back, Conrad?’
Conrad nodded, his brown eyes serious as he answered Mia’s questions.
‘It is true, the old magic is born again,’ agreed Conrad. ‘You can sense it throughout the land. With the return of the dragons, the giants, dwarves and elves are all stirring too.’
‘I will miss Bella so much’, she said softly, ‘but I think that she didn’t mind dying because she knew that the Great Mage had already come and would take her place.’
Conrad stared into Mia’s eyes. ‘What are you saying?’
‘I am saying that I have watched the dragons and how you speak to them, and how they understand what you want without you even having to say anything. I have seen how you know your way from one end of this castle to the other, and how Gwenda and the rest of the dwarves and elves bow down and respect you. And I know that you saved my brother’s life and guarded him in the Wood and guided him safely to me.’
‘For one so young, you have great wisdom, now I know why Bella chose you to be her apprentice,’ replied Conrad dryly.
Rory had no idea what Mia was going on about. He didn’t want his sister and his friend arguing and having a stupid fight.
‘Are you the Great Mage, the mighty magician, the dragon keeper?’ challenged Mia.
Conrad nodded. Rory couldn’t believe it! He’d expected Conrad to throw back his head and laugh at Mia for saying such a ludicrous thing, to slap his thigh and make a joke, to stand up and protest and say Mia had got it all wrong. Instead, he sat there, nodding.
‘Is it true?’ demanded Rory, staring hard at his friend.
‘Aye, it’s true!’ said Conrad, looking him straight in the eye.
‘I knew it was you from the very first second I saw you!’ smiled Mia triumphantly.
‘I’m sorry Rory, I didn’t mean to deceive you, but out there in Dragon Wood we met as equals and I was happy to join you on your quest. I knew that Bella had taken your sister. That was why I sent the Shadow Hound to bring you across into my world.’
‘You brought me here!’ said Rory angrily ‘You did!’
‘Well, I played some part in it, but much of it you did yourself. Magic and the dragons have always been a part of my life, part of my destiny, and now they have become part of yours. With Bella’s death it is now my turn to guard Dragon Wood and to ensure that these young dragons will be safe, and that there will always be a place in the world for ancient wisdom and deep magic,’ explained Conrad.
Rory sat down, finally ready to listen.
‘From the time of the great druids, my family has learned the lore of ancient magic and protected it,’ explained Conrad. ‘It was the great Dracon himself who decided to safeguard old magic and create a world where giants and dragons and dwarves and elves could all remain safe, protected from humans and from time.’
‘I still don’t understand,’ murmured Mia ‘Who is this Dracon? Was he your father, grandfather?’
‘Dracon was, Dracon is, and Dracon will be,’ said Conrad firmly, ‘and now I am he.’
Rory still couldn’t believe that Conrad was the all-powerful Great Mage and had been all along.
‘But what about back in the woods? What were you doing there?’
‘My friend Rory, all heroes must be challenged. You passed the test of courage and resolve well, as did your sister.’
‘What about Bella?’
‘Bella was one of the wisest magicians who ever lived. She devoted her life to the dragons. Dracon entrusted her with the dragon eggs and tiny orphan new-borns, and he knew she would protect and guard his dragons and their wood.’
‘I wish she hadn’t died,’ said Mia softly.
‘I know,’ answered Conrad, ‘but she has taught you much, even in a short time. Good lessons are never wasted.’
‘We will have to return to our own world and our family soon,’ insisted Rory. ‘Though how we will get back now I’m not sure.’
‘Bella left you a gift,’ Conrad announced, ‘it is time you received it!’
Gwenda appeared carrying a gold casket, which she placed on the floor in front of them.
‘It was Bella’s wish that you should have this, Mia.’
Mia raised the lid, gasping with surprise. It was the flying coat! There it lay, carefully folded, the multicoloured feathers flattened and dull, waiting for her to use it.
‘It’s mine! Look Rory, this is the coat I was telling you about! Do you know what this means?’
Pulling the coat from the casket to show her brother, she swirled it round her shoulders. The feathers filled out and changed colour.
At the bottom of the casket lay a second coat of a different hue. Gwenda, blushing with pride, pulled it out and placed it across Rory’s shoulders.
‘And this one is yours. Bella left it for you.’
Rory stood staring in disbelief. Imagine the old witch leaving him something too!
Conrad hugged him close.
‘You and Mia are not my prisoners. You are free to come and go as you please. Now, with these coats, you have no excuse, my friend!’
Mia looked at her brother. ‘Are we going home, Rory?’
Rory nodded, not trusting himself to speak. ‘Yes Mia!’ he eventually stuttered, emotion choking him. ‘We’re going back to Glenkilty!’