Begins and Ends with Magic

            Jess knew that unless he could think of something immediately, the water would come smashing down upon everyone, drowning them even in the midst of victory.  He watched as the battles continued.  The dragon’s breath and dragon-tooth weapons cut down the Gillya as they tried to fight.

            A huge dragon came sailing over the wall.  Jess heard his booming voice in his mind.  “Jess the Journeyer!   We are free!”  It was Oglethaine.

            “No, not yet.  Huskus has destroyed the water gates.  Water is right now flooding down from the mountain.  I have an idea.”  In his mind he produced a picture of what he wanted the dragons to do.  “Is it …”

            Before he even answered, Oglethaine lifted off the ground.  He roared as he hovered over the walls.  Then, a magnificent sight filled the skies.  Dragon after dragon joined Oglethaine in the air.  The sight terrified the Gillya, and those who still survived ran in terror.  Then, the dragons flew over the walls of the city and landed amidst the frightened people.  Slowly, they walked in front of the citizens.  Each spread its wings and sat hunched together-wing to wing, body to body—forming a solid wall of dragons.  The wall, taller than the walls that surrounded the city, stretched as far as Jess could see.  He looked up; the water surged down the hill.

            “Brace yourself,” Jess said.

            The people, realizing what was happening, cowered behind the dragons, many weeping and praying.

            The water hit the dragons with a boom that sounded like a huge explosion.  Jess closed his eyes and waited for the water to hit him.  Seconds passed.  Nothing happened. The water, after hitting the dragons but not getting through, sought easier terrain and slid off sideways until it found natural hills and gullies.  Soon only a few feet of water, barely reaching the dragon’s mid thighs remained.

            Jess shouted to those near him.  “Use the ladders.  Climb over the wall where it’s safe.”