PART FOUR:

ANCEINT LAWS AND RULES

A blurred image swam in front of Harold as he came to. A hissing, spitting noise rose above the excited chattering of voices.

“Silence!” barked a cold female voice and immediately there was a sudden hush. “For those of you who do not know, this is a human.”

Harold looked up and saw a large green dragon. She was long and slender, and Harold knew she was in charge. “He is here no doubt to steal our Egg, and unless any of you object, we shall now comence with the slaughter of this vile being.”

Harold gasped and soon relized he was not the only one who did so. An old dragon, twisted and frail, slithered to the front of the assembly. “It is my wish to see that this boy lives.”

Morka stammered. “But….Morak, surely you of all dragons would love to see this boy killed.”

“According to the Ancient Laws and Rules, you may not kill an innocent being.” he said.

“But your mate! Surely, she would like to have justice for her death!” she cried.

“This boy has done no wrong. I am most sure she would not wish for an innocent being to die. She was a fair and just dragon, and she was glorious thing…”

The ancient dragon sighed a wistful sigh and looked heavenward.

Morka growled but said nothing for a time. When she did speak, her voice was softer. “By the code of the Ancient Laws and Rules, this boy is no longer sentenced to death. He will do well to remember that we do not except human interference, and therefore he shall not set foot inside our cave unless he wishes to suffer death from which no one can save him. Morak, will you escort the freed boy to his ship?”

The dragon nodded, and he put his scaly arm on the back of Harold’s neck but did not lead him down the slope to where Harold had left the ship. Instead, the dragon took him higher up the mountain.