Chapter 19: While Trixie and Spud Keep Shop

Jake Long and his Grandfather/dragon master Luong Lao Shi had just arrived at the Isle of Draco. "Young one, don't you feel relaxed being at the Isle of Draco for a dragon retreat with our fellow dragons?" Lao Shi asked Jake.

"My only feeling right now is relief over not losing my lunch, G." Jake commented.

"You'll get used to the elevators, Jake." Lao Shi replied.

"Welcome, Lao Shi." The Dragon of Asia greeted him and then turned her attention to Jake. "American Dragon, I hope you've already dumped that slayer. The longer you stall it, the bigger the chances of her finding out your identity are."

"Councillor, Rose is too beautiful and kind to be easily dumped." Jake replied and then noticed Chang staring at him. "Without attracting undue attention."

"Rose?" Chang asked with a frown. "You dare refer to that slayer by her name? American Dragon, she's Huntsgirl! She's an enemy of our people! You should never use her name outside the presence of humans who don't know about the Magical World."

"Pardon me, Councillor Chang, but I believe you are being too harsh." Lao Shi intervened.

"Of course you would think like that, Lao Shi." She replied in disdain. "Considering your… never mind."

"So, did the Dragon Council evaluate our request to rescue Rose, Councillor?" Jake respectfully asked.

"Yes, we did, American Dragon." The African Dragon replied as he showed up. "In normal cases, I'd agree with the idea of leaving anonymous tips to the human authorities but Huntsgirl works with the Number 4 threat to the Magical World."

"And what does that mean?" Jake asked in worry.

"It means we'll have to secure a way to ambush them during one of their known hunting habits, American Dragon." Chang answered. "Hopefully before the Great Equinox Hunt."

"But that's for another day." Councillor Kulde, the European Dragon, replied as he showed up. "Please enjoy the retreat."

One trust exercise later, Jake was having some fresh air when he was approached by two dragon girls from China. Mei Ling and Ring. "Hello, American Dragon." They said.

"Mei Ling? Ring?" Jake asked. "How are you?"

"I'm doing fine." Ring answered.

"Me too." Mei Ling added. "What about you?"

"I'm as well as a dragon can be upon finding out his girlfriend is a slayer." Jake sadly answered.

"Join the club." Mei Ling replied.

"What?" Jake asked in confusion.

"My boyfriend Pong also turned out to be a slayer." Mei Ling sadly explained.

Jake could tell she wasn't lying. "How can we be so unlucky?" He asked.

"At least Hanzo had the same luck as Mira." Ring commented.

"American Dragon?" They heard a new voice calling. The immediately recognized the new arrival as Camille Orlando Cooper, the Elemental Dragon Girl.

"Hi, Camille." Jake replied while the Chinese girls just waved and said 'hi'.

"I'm sorry but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." Camille commented.

"So any hopes Rose and Pong could be rescued from the Huntsclan?" Jake asked. "Maybe then we can date without worry."

"Even if they turn out to have been abducted from their real families, they've been totally indoctrinated unlike my best friend Mira or other rescued Huntskids back in France." Camille explained. "There's not much of a chance they'll see the error of the dragon slaying ways."

"How I miss the days Brad Morton was my only worry regarding Rose." Jade sadly commented.

"Who?" Camille asked.

"A jerk jock who attends the same school Rose and I do." Jake answered. "He thinks he can do anything because his Dad gives him a huge allowance."

"Doesn't yours do the same for you?" Camille asked.

"Yeah but he and my Mom raised my sister and me better than that." Jake stated.

"Also, isn't Brad Morton's Dad a cop?" Camille asked. "I remember Mira telling me about them when she went to New York for her cop training."

"She went to New York for it?" Jake asked.

"New York, Los Angeles and Texas." Camille answered.

"As for your question, Brad doesn't bring up his father's job very often." Jake explained.

Lao Shi then approached Jake. "Young dragon, it's time for the next exercise." He then turned his attention to the dragon girls. "Camille, Mei Ling, Ring, I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation."

As Jake and Lao Shi were going to the exercise room, Chang interrupted them. "Lao Shi, I couldn't help but notice your animal companion isn't with you." She noticed. "Don't tell me you've left Fu Dog in charge after what happened last time."

"I left Trixie and Spud with him, Councillor." Lao Shi explained.

"You've entrusted two humans with no business knowing about the Magical World in charge of a magical shop?" Chang asked in outrage. "That's even worse than trusting Fu Dog and that's saying something." She then left.

"Grandfather, why does she hate humans so much?" Jake asked.

"I don't know her that well, Jake." Lao Shi explained.

After the next trust exercise, Jake met Fred Nerk. "You again, Nerk?" Jake asked in annoyance.

"And a g'day to you too, mate." Fred replied. "I've heard you're dating a slayer. Are you paying her to betray the Huntsclan?"

"How would I trust someone who'd turn traitor for mere money?" Jake asked.

"Excellent question, American Dragon." Councillor Andam, the Dragon of Africa, commented.

"I concur." Councillor Chang added. "It seems there's still hope for you if you won't trust slayers."

"Thank you." Jake reluctantly replied.

After goodbyes were exchanged, Jake and Lao Shi returned home, where they found it a mess. "What happened?" Jake asked while Lao Shi glared at Fu Dog.

End chapter.

Author's Note: Camille and her best friend Mira are OCs created by D.J. Scales for "The Elemental Dragon Girl". Ring's boyfriend Hanzo was also an idea of D.J. Scales'.

Author's Note 2: Mei Ling, her boyfriend and her sister are OCs of mine. They first appeared in "An Aztec Skull in Hong Kong", its sequel "Dragons and Onis" and its threequel "Demons of the Future".