By Felicia Change
Ding-a-ling. Ding-a-ling-a-ling.
Sofie scowled, set down the new display plaque, and rubbed her ears. This was the seventh night in a row now, and she couldn’t focus with the strange, inconsistent ringing. Some quiet would be nice. She glared at the various bells arranged on display blocks or hanging from black ribbons. All were frozen and silent. How? How was this even possible?
She reached into her pocket, pulled out a piece of Belgian chocolate, unwrapped it, and plopped it into her mouth, savoring the sweet but unfortunately temporary distraction.
“You’re not going mad.”
She whirled, eyes darting about the empty room. “Who said that?”
“I did.”
Sofie turned. Before her perched the copper belfry dragon statue, mounted to his post with a metal rod.
“I’ve been watching you, Sofie.” The voice unmistakably came from the motionless dirty-yellow mouth.
She unwrapped another piece of chocolate and studied the gilded copper dragon with his sturdy legs, horns, and long tongue, which was supposed to breathe fire.
“I am in need of assistance,” the dragon said. “You seem like the perfect person for the task.”
“What…” She swallowed the chocolate. “What do you need help with?”
He sighed. “I long to be free from these stone walls, to guard the heart of the city and set fire to its enemies!”
Sofie glanced around. “I’m not sure I can help. I doubt it’s legal to remove you from the tower, never mind let you set fire to anything.”
“This place is a prison!” the frozen mouth roared. “You must help me.”
Sofie took a step back. She had no idea how she could free a copper statue, let alone if she even wanted to. Surely there would be consequences.
A sigh escaped the copper mouth. “I’ll give you a wish.”
Her ears perked up. “A wish?”
“Yes, if you help free me.” His skin shimmered.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Okaaaay. What do you need me to do?”
“Go to the top of the belfry.”
She gulped. “Up all 366 steps?”
The shimmer shifted, making the gilded eyes appear to roll. “To the top. When the full moon is above the tower, come tell me.”
Sofie pondered. It wasn’t every day a dragon requested assistance. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. She grinned. “Very well, I’ll help you in return for a wish.”
“Fantastic!”
Popping another chocolate into her mouth, she faced the stairs. I can do this!
Sofie reached the top, stumbling out into the brisk air. An observatory corridor ran around the tower with open alcoves for viewing. She leaned against the stone barrier, catching her breath. The view was spectacular at nighttime. Magic hung in the air. The dragon’s need to escape was understandable—this high up, anything seemed possible. The full moon beamed down, moments away from being directly above the belfry where the dragon’s replica balanced.
She muttered a curse and headed back slowly, so as not to slip and tumble all the way down. Descending was easier, but she still reached the dragon panting and out of breath.
“Why didn’t you take the elevator?” the copper voice hissed.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Under… wheeze… maintenance.”
“That’s a fake sign.”
“Why didn’t… puff… you tell me?”
“I forgot. You were being so grouchy. So, the moon?”
“Above… pant… the belfry.”
The dragon glowed. “Perfect. Now, I need you to ring one of the bells.”
She held up her hand. “Hang on, need to catch my breath.”
“Hurry up!”
The collection of bells waited patiently. She picked up one the size of her hand named Petite Roland.
“Walk around me and ring it three times.”
She did so, flicking her wrist, sending the notes through the historical building. I feel like a wizard’s apprentice, breaking an old spell that keeps the dragon in the belfry.
She faced him again and blinked. The copper had started morphing into golden skin. He moved, bending his head slightly and lifting his wings.
She gaped, bell still clutched in her hand.
The dragon broke free from the stand and landed on the ground, wriggling his body like a wet dog. “At last, freedom!”
He hastened toward the door, which opened by itself. She followed. Sucking in a deep breath, the dragon lifted his eyes to the heavens. Smoky tendrils drifted from his nostrils.
“Get on!”
The dragon lowered his body, and Sofie climbed aboard, gripping his golden scales for dear life. He bent his short legs, then shot up into the sky. Sofie yelped.
They glided over the glittering lights. Sofie had never seen anything so beautiful. Ghent’s three towers stood up like needles—Saint Nicolas’s Church, the gothic Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, and the Belfry in the middle. The Gravensteen castle was miniature from so high up, and the surrounding water glimmered in the moonlight.
Circling around his replica perched on the belfry, the dragon descended and landed in front of the tower. “I cannot believe they replaced me!” he snorted.
“Don’t worry, more people see you on the ground floor anyway. Your replica is too high for people to notice.”
He tilted his head. “You have a point, Sofie.”
She climbed off his back and straightened her pants. “Now, my wish please.”
“Of course.” The dragon opened his mouth wide.
She took a step back, fearing he’d bite her head off. Instead, a small golden globe drifted out of his mouth.
“Make your wish.”
Sofie clapped her hands. She craved a lifelong supply of chocolate, perhaps wings, but she’d decided— Squeezing her eyes shut, she made her wish.
“What’s happening?” The dragon’s voice sounded hollow.
She opened her eyes.
His golden skin was turning translucent. “What have you done?”
She smirked. “I used my wish.”
He disappeared.
Sofie’s heart beat rapidly as she rushed inside. The dragon was perched back on his stand.
She retrieved a chocolate from her pocket and unwrapped it. “Sorry, but I wasn’t going to go to jail for theft and arson.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
What a wonderful story with such strong ties to the city of Ghent. Fun and whimsical.
I had a lovely, vivid image of Ghent from the air brought to life in this story. Totally sweet!
Serves the dragon right for not making conditions. Even Aladdin wasn’t allowed to wish for more wishes!
I like the twist at the end. I’m sure the dragon isn’t going to let her forget soon.
Lol fun story!
I enjoyed the clever twist at the end!