War of Dragons by Andy Holland Page A

see her cousin still relaxing under a mountain of bubbles. "How long have you been in here? Do you ever plan to leave this bath?"
    Jenna shook her head. "I felt disgusting.  I don't think I've ever gone without washing for so long. I needed a long soak."
    "You've had one. Now get out and get dressed. I'm starving, but I'm not going down there on my own."
    "But what will I wear?" Jenna asked, not moving from the bath. "All of my clothes are filthy. Can't you just bring me some food?"
    "No! They brought you clothes while you lazed here. Where's the plug…."
    "Oh, that was mean. Even I wouldn't have done that," Jenna objected as the water rapidly drained away. She stood up and wrapped a towel around her, glaring at Crystal defiantly. "Can I have just five minutes? Or is that too much to ask?"
    "Five only," Crystal replied sternly.
    She closed the bathroom door and took a seat in one of the comfortable chairs in the lounge. She had barely sat down when there was a knock on the door. To her surprise, it was Daisy.
    "Hi, Crystal, I was trying to find where everyone was. The boys aren't answering their doors."
    "Come in and sit down, Daisy. Jenna is being slow and making me wait. We can go to dinner together if you like."
    Daisy smiled gratefully. "Yes please. I can't find John and I think Arthur must be with Seth. I don't know why he didn't wait for me."
    Crystal paused. "What's wrong, Daisy? You seem anxious. Even more anxious than normal."
    Daisy laughed nervously. "Do I? I'm not sure why." She paused for a moment, but when Crystal didn't respond she continued talking. "It's about John. I was thinking, this whole time he's just been doing his duty. Towards you. Now that's all over. Suppose now that he's back, he wants to start afresh with his own people. Maybe he won't want to continue with me any more. I mean, thinking about it, I pursued him, not the other way around. It could have just been a convenient arrangement for him. Now, maybe it won't be."
    Crystal shook her head and laughed. "Oh, Daisy, I don't mean to laugh at you, but I don't understand how you can so completely misread someone who is as easy to read as John."
    "Do you think I'm worrying over nothing?"
    "Of course. Come on, let's go to dinner." Crystal raised her voice. "Jenna can go down on her own unless she's out here in ten seconds flat! Ten, nine, eight, seven, six—"
    "I'm coming, I'm coming," Jenna said, hurrying into the room. "Honestly, I don't know what the rush is. We've arrived. Can't we relax now?"
    "We haven't eaten all day and I'm starving," Crystal replied. "We can relax when we've eaten. Let's find that lady Naomi."
    They went downstairs and found Naomi at the reception desk and she was just as welcoming as before. She led them through to an informal dining hall where Seth and Arthur were finishing their dinner. They were the only people in the large hall and had chosen to sit next to the buffet table, having helped themselves to plenty of food. They were also wearing clean clothes and their hair was still wet from bathing.
    "Couldn't you have waited?" Crystal asked, taking a seat beside Seth and pouring herself a glass of water.
    "Not really," Seth answered between mouthfuls. "I'm a growing young man. It's not healthy to go without food for so long. Shame about the lack of wine, but this food is superb."
    "Have you seen John?" Daisy asked, looking around as if he might be hiding somewhere in the room.
    "Ah, Daisy, Daisy," Seth replied, shaking his head. "Who'd have thought he'd have forgotten you so quickly? I'd have thought it would have taken at least a couple of days… ow! That hurt, Crystal!"
    "Leave her alone," Crystal reprimanded. "Can't you tell she's worried?"
    "Yes, but I can't understand the reason. John's fine. He'll be here soon. Ah, here he is."
    John walked stiffly into the hall, still wearing the clothes he arrived in and obviously in some discomfort. "Hello, everyone. Are your rooms alright?" he asked.
    "Where have you been,