"Most of you are rightly confused about what I've just said. While I'm not sure I can explain to your satisfaction, I will endeavour to do my best."
Gee Tee looked on, from his laid back position on the gigantic cushion.
'This,' he thought, 'was what she was talking about earlier. Oh my, what exactly have I done?'
"There's something I have to do. It could change everything that happens today. I don't want to do it. I don't want to be alone. But it has to be like this. I'd much rather be alongside all of you, going to the council building. If I'm saying I'd rather be fighting Manson's army than attempt the task I've set myself, perhaps that gives you some idea of what I will face. And no, I'm really sorry, I can't tell you what it is. But know this. I'm not running away. This is important. I will be there for the fight. I might be a little late, but rest assured... I will be there."
The restlessness faded. She'd regained their trust... well, almost.
"There's nothing much else to say that hasn't already been said. Follow those in charge. Give your all, for dragons across the world, and our beloved monarch. WE WILL PREVAIL!"
"WE WILL PREVAIL!" the crowd shouted in return.
"Sort out your things. Both teams will move out in five minutes."
The beings dispersed, some checking their equipment, others adding some last minute essentials or saying goodbye to friends on a different team. All were doing something, all except Tank and the master mantra maker. A knot in her stomach, she walked over to them both.
"What the hell?!" exclaimed Tank, before either of the other two could say a word.
"I'm sorry," Richie mumbled.
"SORRY!" Tank yelled. "What good is that? Tell me, how on earth am I supposed to lead this lot?" he motioned to everyone else who'd been in the crowd.
Richie started to flush crimson. She'd never seen her friend so upset. All the neat planning she'd done in her head was coming unravelled. She was sure she'd got it spot on, but that was clearly not so.
"Tank," whispered a soothing, soft voice. "Calm down. There really is no need for all this," managed the old shopkeeper.
Tank turned to face his employer, his mentor, his friend. Anger and confusion melted away as he did so. He found it hard to be upset around the old dragon these days.
"I don't think your friend here would have put you in charge if she didn't have total and utter faith in your abilities," continued the old dragon. "You ask how you're going to lead this peculiar mix of humans and dragons. Undoubtedly... with ease. You have a better grasp of the world around you than almost any other dragon I've met. You're logical, and yet have the most fantastic imagination. For you to lead these beings into battle will not require any qualities you don't already possess. Of course you lack the stomach for the really dirty deeds that may be necessary today, but you have others around you that will almost certainly make up for that. In short... you'll make a fabulous leader. Just believe in yourself."
Tank was completely taken aback. He'd never heard the master mantra maker talk like that.
By now the humans, Janice, Hook, Sam, Taibul, Emma and Angela, had surrounded all three of them and were listening intently to the conversation. The wise old shopkeeper hadn't finished though.
"Perhaps instead of losing your temper with your friend, you might want to consider exactly what she will face on whatever singular quest she's set herself."
This time it was Tank's cheeks that were flushing. He chided himself for not knowing better.
"It's me that should be apologising, Rich," he opined. "Of course I'll do what you ask. It was just a surprise, that's all."
Richie smiled meekly at her strapping great friend, a massive weight taken off her mind. It was then that she noticed the others, the humans that had accompanied her on this crazy, roller coaster ride of a journey. She urged them to come in. They did so.
"Listen," she said. "I'm truly grateful for your company and efforts today. But now, I'm so sorry to have gotten you all involved. If anything should happen to any one of you here, I'll be absolutely crushed."
They all looked on, not knowing what to say. That is, until the wisest of them spoke up again.
"It'll be alright. Let's not forget that despite what you think, we're not alone in all this. Young Flash is undoubtedly even now freeing the prisoners in the Antarctic, while working out how to get back here fast enough to be of some good. As for the king, well, let's just say he and I go way back. Most might see him nowadays as frail, past his best and weak. Let me assure you that is not the case. We've had our differences of course, but I'll tell you now, there are few warriors as mighty as he still is. Under that charming and caring demeanour, beats the heart of a fierce and cunning warrior. If that army of Manson's is trying to take the king and the seat of power, he's in for the surprise of his life. George will unleash hell on his sorry little arse."
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Janice, Emma and Angela all giggled at that last comment.
"Pay heed to what I say little ones... it can still go our way," continued the master mantra maker. "We will all need a little luck, all the courage we possess, and for others to do their part. But I truly believe we will prevail."
They all reflected on that, for a moment at least.
"And now I think it is time to take my leave, and my team," whispered the old dragon. "Say your goodbyes little ones. You have one minute." With that, the old shopkeeper leant down and embraced Richie for all she was worth. It was a touching gesture and one the young lacrosse player really appreciated.
"Good luck," he whispered in her ear.
"You too," she replied, kissing him on the cheek, forcing a smile onto her face, before moving into the huddle of humans.
Tank had made his way over to his former boss, and now associate, with both silently looking into each other's eyes, neither giving anything away.
"It will be alright youngster."
"I know," replied Tank, lying.
Both had so much to say, both struggled to get the words out. In the end, Tank threw himself at Gee Tee, wrapping his human arms as far around the old shopkeeper's stomach as they would go.
"I'm sorry to have dragged you into all of this," babbled the young rugby playing dragon.
Gee Tee chuckled.
"I think it's me that should be sorry. Sorry for what you went through back in Salisbridge, sorry that I've not expressed my appreciation more often for all your efforts over the years. You do know how much I care about you, don't you?" queried the old dragon.
Tank just nodded. That was all he could do with tears streaming down his cheeks. He loved the old dragon like a father. It was only now that he was willing to admit that to himself. He never wanted to let him go. But let him go he did. Before they parted though, the old shopkeeper had a little something for the dragon he loved like a son. Reaching into the seemingly bottomless pouches surrounding his stomach, he pulled out the replica of the king's ring that they'd both spent so much time working on.
"Why on earth did you bring that?" asked Tank.
"I'm not entirely sure. I thought at some point one of us would get as far as the king and who knows, perhaps it will come in handy. Looks like it's not going to be me, so perhaps you should take it," said Gee Tee, offering out the eye-catching replica.
Tank let the old dragon drop the spectacular ring into the palm of his hand, not taking his eyes off the striking piece of jewellery for one second. Now that he thought about it, he supposed it could be of some use. With that in mind, he tucked it away in a tiny little pocket on the side of one of the walking boots that he'd managed to procure. He knew it would be quite safe, and no one would even think to look there. With nothing more for it, the two nodded to each other and went their separate ways.