The Brotherhood of the Dragon

Chapter Seven: Grig Awakes

Charlie, Uric, and Jobe worked one side of the great beast while another team worked the other side. Jason was observing both teams pointing out possible areas of infestation and areas where the dragon might be sensitive just so the workers could stay back if the medicine created a response. Jason marveled at the beauty of the beast. Its great head was scared from battles with other dragons. The tip on one of its horns was broken off. There were healed scars on its chest and front legs as if the talons of an another had swatted it. The bony ridges down its back, which gave the dragon its name, had been broken in places and some had healed crooked. There was a fresh wound on its tail where a foe had bitten out a chunk. This dragon was a battle scared veteran. The great wounds would've slowed down a lesser beast. They appeared to only drive this beast to its victories. There were several moments where the teams backed off as the dragon dreamed of past battles or chases for game. The great chest would puff up and smoke would waft from its nostrils. The air would vibrate from sounds it made deep in its body. The head would flip and twist, the tail lash out a time or two, then the dragon would settle back down. The cleansing teams worked as fast as they could.

Charlie confided in Jason, "I want you to know beneath this calm exterior that I'm scared. Only my training and dedication is keeping me from running off into the woods screaming bloody murder. This boy is dangerous. His every move, every breath is a sign of death. I must contain my misgivings and appear calm for the sake of others. They're looking to me for guidance. The best we can hope for is to get out of this alive and unhurt."

Jason laughed a nervous laugh. "I think, I will go back to playing with little tiny lizards after this. At least you can pry them off if they bite you. The last time Grig grunted unexpectedly, I think I crapped in my pants. We must get this done, even if Grig is unhappy about it. He is nowhere near as unhappy as I am about it. Every one of my most primitive instincts says to run, run hard and far, get away from this monster."

"Our civilized veneer sure disappears quickly in the face of such an elemental force! I think I can beat you to those trees over there."

The nervous banter relieved some of the tension the two were experiencing and it carried over to the rest of the team. The team members were looking to the pair for guidance. If they were calm and not alerted the team could work, confident they were in no danger.

After six grueling hours of hard work, Charlie motioned to the team to pull back. "Uric have some more sleeping draught made up. He is sleeping fine now, but we must keep him till morning. I would also like some ready to go if he wakes in the night."

Uric replied, "I've already anticipated that possibility."

Charlie clapped him on he shoulder. "That is what I like about working with you. I don't have to do all the thinking."

"Charlie," said Jason, "there is one more thing I want to check."

"What's that?"

"I wish to inspect the wound on his tail. It's fresh and some of the parasites may be hidden under the crust of the scabbing. I know we're all tired, but everything is already in position, so we should go ahead and do it."

Charlie sighed, "I wish we didn't have to, but you're right. It infestation would just continue id we don't. It's better to get it done now." Charlie signaled to Analise. The two of them were going back to the dragon and she informed the others. The teams seemed to tense up again.

"I don't think this will hurt Grig, but I must probe the wound. I really don't want to get that close to him."

"Let me hold the tail steady while you approach him," said Charlie. He took out his wand and did a wave and a spell. The tail held steady.

Jason probed the wound with an iron rod and it was full of the parasites. "Send me some potion," he said to Uric. Uric sent a stream into the wound where he pointed. The stream flushed out the insects onto the ground. He probed some more.

Charlie shouted, "Jason move away quick, something is happening." Jason turned and ran past him. Charlie was struggling with his wand pointing at the tail. Jason turned and watched. The great tail snapped loose from Charlie's spell and swung away from him. He took off running towards Jason. He wasn't fast enough. The tail snapped back as Charlie turned to look back. It caught him in the side. Jason watched the great tail hit Charlie's left arm and shoulder. It was obvious that by the way the tail hit that bones had been broken. Stunners started to fly down at the tail from the air. "They aren't going to be enough!" thought Jason. He ran to Charlie's side, as he approached he saw that the tail was coming again. He caught up Charlie's wand and pointed it at the tail. He yelled stupefy as he had been taught and practiced. A red beam shot out the end of the wand hitting the tail and sent it back the way it had come. The wand was hot to his touch. He grabbed Charlie's good arm and started pulling him to safety.

"Look out," someone yelled.

A tremendous ball of fire hit Jason dead in the center of his back. He could feel the heat and the crinkling of his skin as his flesh burned. He quickly turned. He was looking straight into the huge yellow eyes of an angry Grig. The pupils were mere vertical slits. The dragon had eyes only for him and Charlie. Its gaze rock steady, the great chest filled with air readying the dragon for its next blaze of fire. The great mouth with its six-inch long teeth stated to open. Suddenly a feeling of power enveloped Jason. It was if he were a dragon protecting his territory. Jason summoned all his courage and strength concentrating solely on his spell. He whispered, "stupefy," and sent off the spell with all the power of the dragon that was in his mind and body. A great brilliant red beam struck Grig in the jaw slamming its head around away from Jason and Charlie. The force was so strong it knocked the dragon off its feet. Stunners lit up the sky. Red traces from everywhere slammed into the dragon. The dragon in the fury of defiance tried to stand and fight, but the avalanche of stunners beat it down. It roared its rage as it sunk to the ground. His wand hand and shoulder numb from the powerful spell Jason turned to help Charlie and all went dark.

As Jason awoke to the sunshine beaming in the window, he whispered to himself. "Whew! That was intense. No wonder I've had such nightmares." Then he smiled a little to himself becoming a little sad. "My use to them is over. They're such magnificent beasts, but I will probably never see them again." He looked over and there was Maria on a chair with a blanket over her watching him. Analise was in another chair curled in a ball, a blanket over her. Maria got up and tiptoed over to Jason. Getting down on her knees, she looked in Jason's eyes.

"You look better than you have in a while. I was very concerned about you this last week. She put her hand on his head and stroked his hair. You have been having a very bad time of it."

Jason put his hand on her head and stroked her hair. "I appreciate your support more than you know. It's your love and faith that has sustained me in these trials." Jason rolled over with only stiffness in his back and arms. He sat up and pulled his wife to him. Tears of happiness flowed down both their cheeks as they snogged and talked of the little things in life, which made the comfort that was their love.

Maria had been aware the moment Jason had awoken. Through her veiled lids, she had watched the drama of him and his wife. When they were too involved to notice, she arose and sneaked out of the room. Closing the door quietly, she met the nurse coming towards her on her rounds. She whispered to the nurse. "They're having an emotional moment alone. Jason is doing fine. I think they will find us when they're ready." The nurse agreed.

Analise was nursing a cup of tea when Maria came out to her. Maria's eyes were puffy and she wiped them with the back of her sleeve. She looked at the nurse and told her that Jason was awake and he was hungry if she didn't mind. The nurse smiled. Maria sighed, "Jason is great, just great. That medicine was almost magical in its effect."

Analise smiled at Maria. "He will need a little time to recover. I think I can talk the doctor into letting him go home today if you wish. I think a familiar environment will be soothing. His body is healing rapidly, his mind will continue to be unsettled, but not offensive, until he undergoes his training. I also have things to do. I've been derelict in my duties towards my team and there are other issues I must address."

Maria agreed, "He would be much better at home. I think he is wishing for a better menu. Men are always thinking of their stomachs." Both the women laughed.

After his breakfast Jason showered and shaved. He had the clothes his wife brought ready to go. He hoped that the doctor was going to let him go home. The doctor strode into the room in great spirits. 'Well it looks like my most difficult and challenging patient is ready to go home. Let's take a look and we shall see." Jason removed his shirt and the nurse removed the bandages. The skin had turned the proper color for normal healthy skin. Only the scar was left. The doctor probed it and it wrinkled and struck at the probe. The doctor laughed.

"What's funny," asked Jason?

"Your scar attacked my probe. You're going to have an interesting life from now on Jason. It seems you have the spirit of the dragon within you. This is a story I will tell my grandchildren. It will become the stuff of legends. Adults will call it lies and fiction. I will not relate it to my colleagues, as they're too stuffy to understand. It will be a great story to tell the children who are under my care. They will delight in its mystery and magic. It will give them hope that the same magic will appear for them. A lot of the healing process is the right attitude. Analise explained to me all about her world. I understand her difficulty with allowing me to remember what went on. The nurse and I've decided that the story is so strange we won't be telling anyone else except perhaps the children."

Jason, Maria, and Analise smiled at the doctor and nurse. Jason spoke, "You have performed a great service to me. I'm getting well. I wish you luck with all your other patients."

The doctor gave his ok to release Jason from the hospital. As they were leaving, Analise cornered the nurse who had helped Jason so much. The nurse looked at her. "You were one of the others who showed up with the red headed man the night Jason appeared. Is your leader doing all right? He was in pretty bad shape that night."

Analise replied, "Yes I'm. Charlie is back at work. All of his bones are mended. Even severely wounded his concern was for Jason not for himself. He is only half of my age and yet I respect him more that someone older. He is a great man."

"I would prefer you didn't remove my memories of this affair. It has motivated me to be a better nurse. I'll use the memories to better control myself and learn better skills," replied the nurse emotionally.

"You have no fears on that account. Professor Dumbledore gave us free reign on this situation. He will take care of the political complications. With my recommendation, no one will have his or her memories erased. If someone has difficulties with the past situation, I'm sure you'll lead them to understanding. I'm depending on you."

The nurse didn't understand how she changed from threat to conspirator, but she accepted the notion. "You can count on me."

As Maria drove Jason home he went over all the things, he had been neglecting. He told them what he was going to have to do. He wanted to know about what had happened after he was injured. "Were Grig and the dragon handlers all right? Was the culprit found who infected the dragons in the first place? Had Charlie healed? He didn't come to visit. Is he still in the hospital I must check on him."

As Jason rambled on Maria and Analise looked at each other. "He is normal again," said Maria and Analise agreed.

"I must leave the two of you. I will back in a couple of days. I've many things to attend to. Will you be able to handle it Maria?"

"After what we have been through it will be a piece of cake. I would like you to come back and visit."

The days Analise was gone Jason and Maria reconfirmed their love in many ways. Jason had visited his boss and his boss was very concerned. He suggested that due to the circumstances Jason should take convalescent leave for a while.

Analise reappeared.

Jason took the women out to his favorite restaurant. This has been a great day said Maria stifling a yawn. I think I need to get ready for bed.

"If you don't mind Maria, I've things to talk about with Jason. He must decide what he does next?"

Taking her clue She told them, she would be in the bathroom readying for bed.

Analise looked strained. Jason we don't know what to do with you. You're neither a muggle nor a wizard. You have powers. They're greater than even wizards in someway and not in others. You're a puzzle to us. We don't know whether to bring you into our world and not quite be as much as us, yet you can't exactly be a muggle anymore as you have some of the powers of the wizarding world. You're caught between the two.

Jason was quiet for a long time. You can't tell me that there are no wizards living in the muggle world. Since there are children where one or the other parent is a muggle, it seems probable that wizards do live with the muggles. It seems more than likely the problem is that you worry I've powers and no training for those powers. As for muggles knowing about wizards the parents of wizard children know of your world. With training, I would be fine with my new powers. I realize that learning magic is a lifetime journey, and I'm older than most of the students and way behind. I think a special curriculum focusing on controlling the more dangerous powers would be the best way to go. I do have a satisfying job as a muggle. I could also continue to help with dragons. I would be of both worlds. Besides, I would be most useful if wizards and witches wished to visit the muggle world without creating problems. My wife and I could teach them how to dress, how to act, and how to use our conveniences.

Your ideas have much merit. I will take the information to Charlie and he and the others will decide with a great council. I will be back with answers in two days.

"Great," he said. "I will be awaiting their reply." Analise smiled and disappeared with a pop.

"Just my luck!" thought Jason. "A great council decides my faith and I'm not even there to defend myself. Charlie and Analise will speak for me though. They will make sure I'm well taken care of."

Two days later Analise appeared early. She was quite excited. She was wearing her robes. "Can the two of you spend a couple of days with me? Great decisions have been made and you and Maria will need to be gone for a few days. You'll need to wear warm clothes as we're going to the mountains of Romania."