War of Dragons Read Online Free Page A

than any of you are and I fly better than you, so it isn't as tiring. You will all get stronger though and after a couple of days this will get a lot easier. Come on, set up your blankets in the tent. I'll set up the others' blankets."
    Crystal watched John carry both Jenna and Daisy to their beds, managing to do so without waking them—something the former would be irritated about when she woke. He was tempted to try the same with the others, but admitted this was beyond him and woke them to tell them to move before the temperature dropped. They sleepily relocated to the tents before drifting back to sleep.
     
    John woke Crystal and the others before dawn, eager to start the journey again at first light. They packed up all the things quickly, ate a light breakfast to preserve their rations and set off as soon as it was light enough to transform. They continued their journey south, hardly talking as they travelled, all of them nervous about what they may meet on the way. However, the day passed with hardly an incident worth mentioning. John made them all land twice, remaining in the air as a tiny dragon to watch for when it was clear to travel again, and after the danger had passed they set off again. They didn’t stop for lunch, all agreeing that reaching the relative safety of the lands to the south of the Blue border was their priority.
    We turn east here, John told them in the middle of the afternoon as he descended to glide above them. We've left the Blue border behind.
    Who lives here then? Crystal asked. More dragons that hate us?
    No one, John replied. It's a desert. Look beneath us.
    They all looked down and saw that the land beneath them was just sand and rocks, with no water in sight as far as the eye could see.
    How far does this extend? Arthur asked.
    Further than we can fly today, John replied. We'll be flying along this desert for a couple of days.
    So how much longer will we fly today? Jenna asked wearily . I'm really tired.
    I expect you all are, John replied sympathetically. I don't want to push you too hard. I think, but I admit I'm not completely sure, that if we fly for about another half an hour, we'll be able to stop at a spot in the desert where there is some water. It's nearer the Blue border, but should be in a place they don't really need to patrol.
    Sounds good to me, John, Seth said. Although if it's less than half an hour, that would also be good.
    I'll fly ahead a little, John said. I'll check I'm going the right way, to avoid making you fly further than you need to. Scream if you have any problems.
    John sped up, effortlessly leaving them behind him. The others marvelled at his ability to do this, still not having adjusted to his new form. After about twenty minutes he rejoined them.
    You're all in luck. It's not far at all. We just need to bear a bit more to the north than we are at the moment. Come on, follow me.
    Within a few minutes, they were safely on the ground by a lush oasis in the middle of the desert. There was a beautiful pool, surrounded by strikingly green vegetation standing out against the dry, dead landscape all around. John actually allowed them to relax a little and to cool down they splashed about in the pool, although only for a short time and while he flew high above them as the tiny colourful dragon. Tents were still forbidden until nightfall and the day ended in almost exactly the same way as the previous day.

Chapter 2 - The Caves
    As on the previous morning, Crystal and the others were woken by John before the sun rose so they could fly as soon as it was light.
    "Today we will only reach as far as the Caves of Dust," John told them. "This whole desert is outside of the Blue territory of course, but they patrol here quite regularly and there aren't many places that offer any cover, so the Caves are the best place to stay."
    "Wouldn't it be better to choose a place where they don't patrol?" Jenna asked as she helped Crystal pack away their tent. "Couldn't we just fly