"Not so fast, master of some very unusual knowledge," uttered one of the two healers.
Flash turned to face him, a puzzled look strung out across his bruised features.
"You're in no condition to go anywhere," announced the other dragon.
Opening his mouth, about to protest, the other healer shushed him before he had a chance.
"Just give us a couple of minutes, and then you can go. There's nothing you're needed for that can't wait that long."
Recognising a losing battle when he saw one, Flash nodded his agreement. Before his head had even finished moving, he felt a rush of warm energy wash across him. It was the best feeling he'd felt in days, no weeks, perhaps even longer. Sitting down, he watched his arms, legs and chest as the bright red blood retreated back inside his falsehood of a body, the gaping holes and rips slowly knitting themselves back together. Marvelling at just how good the healers were, he knew that even in the Crimson Guards they'd never had healers this accomplished. The speed with which they were repairing his and Tank's body beggared belief, even for him. So remaining sitting next to Tank, his mind wondered what was going on elsewhere, not only here, but across the entire domain. Thoughts turned to the king and the debt he felt he owed his monarch, hoping with all his heart he'd get the chance to repay it.
As they sat, Flash explained everything he knew about what had happened, well from his point of view anyway. At the first mention of Gee Tee, Tank was eager to get up and go over to the old shopkeeper. But the two healers waved him to sit back down, saying all would be done in just a few moments more. Reluctantly he complied. Gazing off into the distance, he could just make out Richie surrounded by some of the local dragons who he vaguely recognised. Not able to guess what was going on, it did however feel good to have his friend back where she belonged, even if her DNA suggested she shouldn't be here. A short smile drew across his face at the thought of that. At least Richie was a dragon, unlike their other visitors. The king and the council would have a fit when they found out. He'd only ever heard of the odd human ever stumbling across the domain, by complete and utter accident. When it did happen, as expected, there was uproar. It was all over the papers, a hot topic for the dragon councillors, and there were always calls for tighter safety regulations. Inevitably things always died down after a few days, until it happened again. But he'd never heard anything about a group of humans making their way in. And despite the fact that they'd initiated a rescue that had ultimately succeeded, and had saved a considerable number of dragon lives, he had no doubt at all that somewhere along the line, there would be hell to pay.
Both healers slumped to the ground, exhausted, their work done. Flash and Tank both rose to their feet, thanking the spent dragons profusely, before heading off in the direction of Richie and the group of local dragons. Nodding to each other, the two healers recognised the quality of the work they'd done. It had been decades since either had practised any healing at all, and both were slightly taken aback at producing what was probably their best ever work.
Richie was just about to tell the group of dragons what she'd decided, when over strode Tank and Flash, looking remarkably well considering what they'd both been through. Even though she couldn't help think it inappropriate, she rushed over to greet them, practically throwing herself into Tank's huge arms. Immediately he returned the embrace. Flash found himself grinning from ear to ear. Up until his... 'accident', from which he still hadn't recovered and didn't know if he ever would, he'd been a loner. It had for all intents and purposes been all that he'd ever known. Having friends, dragons, people he could rely on, trust and share things with, was still relatively new to him. But as he watched Richie and Tank hold each other close, he felt sure that he couldn't be in better company than the small tightly knit group that he'd inexplicably found himself part of. Tank pulled away from his friend.
"Thanks for the save," he whispered. "It's good to have you back."
Richie held up her hand and showed him the ring.
"All thanks to Peter. Did you know?"
Tank shook his head.
"I didn't, no. But if I'm not mistaken, that ring used to belong to Gee Tee. It looks like the two of them have been conspiring again."
Richie smiled.
"Well all I can say is thank goodness they did."
"Anyhow," announced Tank, "I'd better go and revive the old dragon. If it's what I think it is, it shouldn't be too difficult."
Leaning forward, Richie kissed her friend on the cheek.
"I'll see you in a minute then."
Tank nodded and sped off towards the master mantra maker. Flash, meanwhile, thought it best to stay where he was, intrigued to see what was going on and if he could pick up any details about exactly how they'd been rescued.
The small group surrounding Gee Tee all took a step back as Tank arrived, well, all except Janice who much to his surprise, threw her arms around the strapping rugby player and gave him the same sort of hug Richie had only moments earlier. Smiling warmly at her, he noted the fear and panic etched across her face, the same look the other humans all had in varying degrees. As Janice released him, the others stepped forward to shake his hand. He recognised all of them, including Taibul, who he'd only ever spoken to in his restaurant role. Hook in particular was delighted to see his teammate, and gave him a big slap on the shoulder that, to Tank's surprise, resounded throughout the rest of his body. Pleased to see them all, he wanted to catch up with each and every one of them, but there was something important he had to do first. Turning to the dragon healer, he held out his hand in greeting. Grasping it firmly, the dragon healer declared,
"Well done, young one. To survive all that you have, you must have the strength of ten dragons."
"Thank you," replied Tank politely, "but I think it was more about luck, and the extraordinary efforts from my friend and the other healers."
"If you say so... young one."
"Can you tell me what's wrong with him?" asked Tank, motioning towards his aged boss.
"As far as I can determine... NOTHING! Everything appears fine, apart from the fact that we can't wake him. His breathing is regular, albeit a little shallow. I've tried to contact him telepathically, but there seems to be nothing there for me to contact. It's most odd."
Tank smiled to himself, having seen this on more than one occasion. In fact, both of them had put very specific protocols in place for exactly this. Kneeling down, Tank put the old shopkeeper's hand in his, closed his eyes and imagined a very specific image in his head. Holding that image for a count of ten, all the time projecting it in the direction of his employer, the time came for him to speak the name of the image. Using as much telepathic power as he dared, he yelled,
"JAM INFUSED MARSHMALLOWS!"
Instantly the old dragon shot bolt upright. Once there, his eyes opened wide behind his somewhat skewed glasses.
"I had the most horrendous dream," were the first words to leave his lips. Tank waited for what he knew would come next. Painstakingly slowly, Gee Tee gathered his wits about him and took in everything around him, including the group of stunned looking humans. Looking at his former apprentice, he just about managed to stammer,
"It wasn't a dream was it?"
Tank shook his head and laughed.
"Apparently not," he replied. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I could sleep for a hundred years. Oh and by the way, where are my jam infused marshmallows?"
Both the dragon healer and the stunned humans all had the same thought at exactly the same time:
'Why on earth does he want jam infused marshmallows?'
Tank continued to grin.
"I thought it was my best bet to bring you around. Looks like I was right. I think you might have to wait a while for them though."