It was evening when they arrived at Haras and already there were lights on in the
windows of most of the homes.
Zhanta landed on a bare patch of ground at the back of Donny's home, just in front
of a hill. The hill had had a cave blasted into it's side by Brian and his friends
solely for Zhanta's use.
Donny retrieved his pack from the saddle and climbed down from Zhanta's back. He
ran his hand along the scaly, lowered neck as he walked up to the massive head.
"Zhanta?" he said, as he stood in front of the dragon, "can you stop 'sending' for
a short while?"
"Of course, but why?"
"It's just that....." he hesitated.
"Come on Donny, out with it."
Donny took a deep breath. "Well, over the past weeks you have given me more than
I ever thought would be possible, you have shown me sights I thought I would never
see, and yet I have never seen you. Oh, I've seen part of your back when you showed
me the saddle and I have caught glimpses of your wings as we were flying. But I
have never seen your face. Do you think I could touch you and 'see' your face with
my hands so that I can get a mental picture of you?"
Zhanta's eyes turned a soft light blue with compassion.
"Donny, of course you can. It will be a pleasure."
Donny's hands began to work their way gently over Zhanta's head. He pictured the
golden scales he had seen on Zhanta's back and merged them in with the image his
hands gave him. When he had finished he gave the muzzle of the dragon a hug and
kissed it lightly.
"Thank you Zhanta. You really are quite beautiful."
Zhanta's eyes now turned a deep blue with pleasure. He went to sleep in his new
cave that night a very happy dragon.
As for Donny, he had a whole lot of stories to tell his parents that night. He was
only stopped when Brian insisted that he went to bed because his words were coming
out in a jumble.
Donny woke in the comfort of his own bed and the familiar surroundings of his room.
The experiences of the past weeks seemed like a dream, and for a while he was afraid
that's all they were. He told himself to calm down and he put out a tentative call
to Zhanta, almost half expecting not to receive a reply.
"I'm here, Donny." Zhanta's soft tendrils of thought put his mind at rest.
At once he was seeing through the dragon's eyes. He was high above the town, gradually
getting lower and heading for the back of the house.
"How long have you been up?" he asked.
"Since daybreak, I was hungry."
"You are always hungry! Let me get washed and dressed and I'll be out with you in
a minute."
It took longer than a minute. Ann made him eat a good breakfast before he was allowed
out. So it was a good half an hour later when he made his way over to Zhanta.
"Is your cave comfortable?" Donny asked. "Dad told me how they had to blast a hole
in the rock and then finish it off with laser cutters. They were not sure if it
would be big enough."
"You can tell your father and those who helped that it is certainly big enough and
it is very cosy. And please thank them very much." Zhanta said solemnly.
Donny's face lit up. "Dad will be pleased to hear that. You wouldn't believe how
much he was fretting over it last night."
"Donny! Donny!" Ann shouted from the back door. "Donny, there's someone here to
see you."
Both Donny and Zhanta looked towards the house as one and saw Deena put her finger
to her lips and look at Ann knowingly. Donny repressed a smile that came out and
managed to keep a straight face. He had told his parents about his new sight, but
made them promise not to tell anyone else unless he said so.
He waited until Deena had nearly reached him then said, as if he had never been
away:
"Hi, Deena."
Deena stopped dead. "How did you know it was me?"
"Because I could smell you." he bent the truth just a little.
"Smell me! But I've only just had a bath!" she cried, horrified.
"No, no. Not that kind of smell. More of a lovely fragrance." he said, to mollify
her.
It worked.
Deena smiled. "I'm sorry, I thought you meant that I didn't smell nice."
"You smell wonderful."
A nudge in his back from Zhanta's nose sent him stumbling into Deena. She held out
her arms to steady him and he gratefully held on.
"Hey!" he said out loud to Zhanta, "What are you doing?"
"Just reminding you that I'm still here. So this is Deena. She's nice isn't she."
he said looking at her.
"She certainly is. Although she has changed since the last time I actually saw her."
"For the better I would imagine."
"Well, she was quite cute then it's just that she seems to have become...that is....Well,
what I mean is.."
"I know what you mean." Zhanta said, saving him from further embarrassment. "She's
nice"
"Yes." said Donny.
Deena was still holding on to him and seemed in no hurry to let go. Donny gently
freed himself and introduced her to Zhanta without a hint of what had just passed
between them in a few microseconds.
"He says you are very pretty. And I know he's right." said Donny.
"Thank you, both of you." she blushed.
There was an awkward silence, then Deena remembered why she had come over.
"We are having a party this afternoon at my place. I was wondering if you would
like to come?"
"I'd love to. Will it be all right for Zhanta to go?"
"Of course. As long as he doesn't eat all the food." she teased.
"I'll see that he has a full stomach before he gets there." Donny promised, But
thought at Zhanta: "Not that it will make much difference!"
He made Zhanta eat his fill anyway, just to be on the safe side.
It was only a fifteen minute walk to Deena's home but he decided to fly in with
Zhanta. Naturally, it caused some excitement among the younger children who had
never been near to a dragon. Most were frightened to go too close, but one or two
of the bolder ones did venture to touch Zhanta's golden scales, even if it was only
for a brief instant, before running away.
As soon as Donny climbed down he was surrounded by his old friends. Some he had
never seen before and could only recognise them by their voices. It was good to
put a face to each voice for a change through Zhanta's sight.
Greg and his friends were there as he anticipated, he had waited until there was
a good sized crowd before pushing his way past the children and planting himself
in front of Donny.
"Nice to see ya, chump." Greg greeted him. "Can't say that we've missed you though."
"It's nice to see you too, Greg." Donny replied cheerfully.
He studied Greg through Zhanta's eyes and thought: So this is what he looks like.
I was expecting someone different. He's tall and well built, but I imagined a cruel
face and a harsh mouth. Instead his face, apart from the permanent sneer, could
be quite pleasant if he choose it to be. He broke from his reverie and concentrated
on the matter in hand.
"Yeah, I'm sure it is." As Greg said it he went to push his hand into Donny's chest.
It never reached there.
Thanks to Zhanta, Donny had seen all that was happening and was ready. Greg found
his arm suddenly pulled sideways by Donny's hands, while his body was propelled
forwards into the place where Donny had been standing. Unable to stop himself, he
fell headlong over the kneeling form of his partner in crime, who had been positioned
behind Donny's legs.
There were sniggers of laughter as Greg got to his feet, even some of his own friends
couldn't keep the grins from their faces. Greg turned on them, sneered at them then
faced Donny again.
"I'll get you for that!" he promised, walking away.
"Why wait Greg?" Donny said to his departing back. "Why not get even now? Or are
you too scared of a blind boy who is smaller than you?"
That stung Greg into action. He whirled around, his face bright red, and charged.
Donny waited until the last moment then stepped neatly aside. Greg's momentum carried
him forwards and into the ground.
Donny waited calmly for his next move. Instead, one boy tried to creep up behind
him. Donny bowed down from the waist and pushed back with his right leg. There was
an agonised grunt as the foot caught him in the midriff, knocking the wind out of
him. Deena stepped in then.
"Don't you think that's enough Greg?" she glared down at him. "Not only are you
a coward for picking on someone who is younger, smaller and blind. When you are
down you get another to do your dirty work for you!"
"I Never told him to do that!" Greg denied hotly. "I don't need anyone to fight
my battles for me."
He got to his feet and stood in front of Donny. "If you are agreed, we will have
one last contest. The loser will take orders from the winner for a year."
"Without any arguments?"
"You got it in one." Greg said, sarcastically and looked Donny square in the face.
"I don't know how you are doing it, but you are not as blind as you seem to be!"
Donny remained silent, his face impassive as Greg searched his face as if trying
to find the answer there. He saw nothing.
Donny contemplated Greg's suggestion briefly.
"You're on! One condition though. Only ourselves and one other, nobody else."
"Agreed." said Greg.
"What had you in mind for the contest?"
Greg looked around then spied what he wanted.
"Here, gimme' that ball kid." he snatched a small yellow ball from a young girl.
"You get your dragon friend to take this to the cave on Orange mountain. The first
one to return with it is the winner."
Orange mountain was to the south of Haras. It's name came from the colour of the
fern that was present among the rocks most of the year round. Two hundred yards
above the line where the fern stopped growing a fissure in the side of the rock
formed a small cave. To reach the entrance a steep slope of loose shale had to be
crossed. This was made even more hazardous by the large boulders and rocks that
littered the way up.
"I suppose it will be just like the tasks you set me." Donny thought at Zhanta.
Out loud he said: "Sounds fine to me, I'm agreed. When?"
"First light tomorrow. At the bridge." Greg told him. Then turned on his heel and
left.
After Greg and his friends had gone the mood of the party lightened and they started
to enjoy themselves again.
Deena managed to get Donny on one side. "What did Greg mean when he said he didn't
think you were as blind as you seemed? I mean, you'd need twenty twenty vision to
compete against him."
Donny grinned. "That's a beautiful blue ribbon you are wearing."
Deena reached up to her hair and felt the ribbon. "How did you know that!"
"My eyes may be useless. But I have twenty twenty vision and more. I use Zhanta's
sight. Wherever he is I see what he sees." he explained.
"So that's how you knew it was me this morning!"
"I'm afraid so." he said, then added, "But you do smell nice all the same."
Deena slapped him playfully on his arm. "Donny Hansford!"
A fine drizzle greeted Donny as he left the house the following morning.
It was light but only just, low cloud hung over the town and Donny could not see
the top of the mountain as he looked to the south.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Zhanta asked him as he came gliding in.
"Yes." he said without hesitating. "I have to do it Zhanta. No one will get any
peace while Greg is like he is"
"Mount up then, let's get it over with." Zhanta sighed.
They arrived at the bridge at the same time as Greg and his friend, Tom. Greg was
carrying the ball.
"Here, give this to the dragon to take up." he said pushing the ball into Donny's
chest.
Donny gave the ball to Zhanta and they waited as he took it up to the cave.
"I thought you were going to bring someone with you?" said Greg.
Donny pointed up. "I have."
Greg shrugged. "That's all right by me. I thought you may have brought Deena along
to hold your hand."
They crossed the bridge and stood side by side waiting for Tom to give the word
to start.
"Ready." Tom shouted. "Go!"
Greg rushed into the lead, putting as much ground between them as he could. Donny
kept to a steady pace, saving his strength for later. There was nearly two miles
of rough scrub between the bridge and the start of the slope where the mountain
began to rise. By the time he reached the base of the mountain Greg was nearly half
a mile ahead of him and almost into the fern and rocks. But instead of carrying
on straight ahead towards the cave, he went to his right.
Zhanta, who had been flying above and behind Donny, told him to rest for a moment
while he went to take a look. Five minutes later Zhanta reported that he had lost
him amongst the larger rocks and boulders.
"It doesn't matter Zhanta, keep concentrating on the way ahead. Greg can't keep
up the pace he set out on."
Zhanta put Greg out of his mind and did as Donny asked.
The drizzle had stopped now and the cloud began to lift, making the visibility clearer
but still leaving the ground slippery. It was not so bad on the fern but the shale
was treacherous.
Thirty minutes later Donny reached the edge of the fern. His clothes were soaking
from the many times he had slipped and fallen. He could see the cave way above him,
but of Greg there was no sign. All he had to do was pick his way carefully across
the shale.
He started up slowly, cautiously inching his way around the small outcroppings and
boulders, suddenly he slipped and thudded into one of the larger boulders. Winded,
but not badly hurt he regained his footing and started back up. Finally made it
to the cave. Just inside he saw the yellow ball. He picked it up and stood for a
moment by the cave entrance.
"Is there any sign of Greg yet?" he asked Zhanta.
"No. Nothing. I cannot sense him anywhere either?" a puzzled Zhanta replied. "Be
careful on the way down, Donny."
"I will, don't worry." He had nearly made it off the shale when Greg jumped on him
from
behind one of the larger boulders. Zhanta had no time to warn Donny so well had
Greg been hidden. The ball went flying from Donny's hand into the fern below as
they tumbled over and over sliding and bouncing on the slippery, loose shale.
Suddenly Greg gave a howl of agony and let go of Donny. They both came to rest a
few feet apart on the orange fern. Greg was clutching at his leg which was twisted
at an odd angle.
"Don't move!" cried Donny, as Greg attempted to rise. "You've broken your leg."
"You don't say!" Greg said through gritted teeth and tears of pain. "Go on, what
are you waiting for? Go and get the ball. Go back down. You've won."
Donny was tempted. He sighed. "No way Greg. I can't leave you here like this."
"Zhanta, go and get help." As the dragon looked down at the two boys before leaving,
Donny noticed that Greg was wearing a helmet.
"What's the helmet for." he asked.
Greg managed a grin, though Donny was unable to see it. "I knew that you were able
to see somehow and that it had something to do with that dragon -,"
"Zhanta." Donny said.
"- Zhanta, I remember my dad telling me stories of how the dragons defeated the
Security men and the mining company when they tried to take over Layor. He said
that the dragons could not read them through the helmets, something to do with the
metal he said. So I thought if I could make myself invisible to the dra-, to Zhanta,
and let you do all the work, I could ambush you, get the ball and win."
Donny started to laugh.
"What's so funny!" Greg said indignantly, scowling.
"You are. For someone who always relies on other people to boost his ego, and get
ideas, you can be pretty devious without them. What you tried to do may not have
been fair, but I have to admit that it was quite ingenious all the same. You managed
to work out what the problem was and then solve it with your own plan. You're not
as dumb as I thought you were!" He held out his hand.
Greg looked at it for an instant then reached out to grab it. "You know you could
have won easily." he said.
"How?"
"You could have had Zhanta take you up to the cave. I would have done."
Donny said nothing for a while, then shook his head. "No, I don't think you would.
You may be arrogant and pig-headed, but from what I've seen you do seem to have
some principles. Besides, you have to show people that you can do things yourself,
without help from others. But sometimes, Greg, you have to accept help. Zhanta has
shown me that."
"Pig-headed! Arrogant! Ha! You're not so bad yourself." He looked angry for a moment,
then it faded. " You're right, look, I'm sorry if I've caused you trouble."
"Forget it. If we can be friends from now on that will suit me."
"It's a deal. There is just one thing I have to ask though," he hesitated.
"Go on." Donny encouraged.
"Do you think that I could have a ride on Zhanta?"
Donny remained quiet for a second. Then said, "Take your helmet off and ask him
yourself. He's coming now."
Greg looked down the mountain and saw Zhanta leading a hover-car towards them.
"Couldn't you do it for me?" Pleaded Greg.
"Greg!"
"Oh, okay." he reached up to remove the helmet and waited for Zhanta to land.
"Ask him." urged Donny.
"Uh, Zhanta, I was wondering..."
EPILOGUE
Donny and Greg became close friends after that day. And yes, Greg did get his ride.
He was to get into one more fight after that, many years later. Not with Donny though.
It concerned who was to be best man at Donny and Deena's wedding.
But that's another story.....!