I already had enemies and that didn't bode well.

My immediate fear was Emilie and the order of dragon hunters. There's nothing worse than a dragon hunter and exterminator of dragons. Besides, she managed to kill Mother, which shows that she's as strong or cunning as a demon, not to mention the Nato armies...

Then there's Malekum and his Russian clique. An arch-demon at the head of the world's second power

And us, buried in the depths of a hostile jungle with a few savages and smugglers who would do anything to catch us and sell us to the highest bidder.

What a way to live. What's more, I was dying to phone my family just as much as Savannah was.

And I wondered whether Blackthorne was still alive or in pieces in a lab. He was my brother now and, despite our differences, he'd been my ‘guy’ for a while before Tiamat went mad again.

I might have had a little trouble with him but now... he's still my brother and I'd do anything to save him...

I was worried.

But what worried me was that I'd gained another centimetre in just one night... The others hadn't.

The monstrotanks followed me everywhere except Savannah, who lay prostrate in bed crying from morning till night. She grunted and hissed and no one understood that she was moaning. Only her tears gave her away. M'ah kept her close to console her.

Then Oum came to fetch us for the fart.

Then Oum came to get us for breakfast and we stuffed ourselves with dates. He was my best mate and like a brother to me.

‘There's a waterfall with a little lake where you can swim... there are probably girls there, are you coming to play?’

There were four of us and we took a path relatively hidden from the other members of the village and Oum.

Meanwhile, Milo was loading his ‘cargo’ of tropical animals, eggs of all kinds and local products such as rare chillies, special oils used to make anti-ageing beauty products and certain anti-wrinkle drugs. Of course, none of this was allowed to be exported or sold, but the ‘village’ had ancestral secrets that came from the scales and blood of mystical animals.

The temptation to use the dragonets was strong, but they could become the future guardians of the village. The tribe was also wary of strangers and other dragons, especially Emilie, who was well known on TV and around the world.

The small tourist boat with its hidden hold left the harbour and headed for the main island and up the delta. In an hour, Milo arrived at the quay where other boats and motorboats were parked.

Next to the worn wooden quay was a building that served as a restaurant, bar and harbourmaster's office. This was the meeting place for roublards, adventurers of all kinds and mercenaries.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Basically, a cut-throat. But business was business.

Milo sat down at his usual table and ordered a local moonshine, Kong, which legend had it was made from monkey blood, but this was a false rumour, Kong being a type of cactus...

A lean but muscular man in a worn suit and khakis sat down opposite Milo. He put on his Australian hat adorned with crocodile teeth and a snakeskin band.

He had a belt with a machete hanging from it, and a bulge at his heart showed a holster that probably contained a revolver.

He was probably in his fifties and everyone called him the ‘Australian’ because of his walk and his worn clothes.

But Milo called him the ‘Greek’ because his real name, known only to a handful of people, was Konstantinos.

Konstantinos, Milo called him ‘the Sentinel’ in deference to the forbidden people nearby.

‘So, how's business? And Oum? Is he back in business?’ asked the Australian.

‘Yes, but I'd like him to study like Maya and not take any more risks...’.

‘Come on, everyone knows each other here, and it's like one big family... and besides, it's profitable...isn't it? ’

Milo didn't want to upset his customer, who was always on the lookout for something new and rare.

‘By the way, I didn't see you last week... any problems? The coastguard?’

‘No, just family stuff and you know, making Tiki oil..’

‘Ah yes, Monoi oil from the islands..a well-kept secret..’

‘Yes, but as well as being fragrant, it's curative..and some of the ingredients are rare and difficult to obtain.’

The Australian : ‘What ingredients, and why is it difficult?’

‘You know very well..the secret is passed on when m'ah is ready to join the sea of ancestors..’

‘Stop it, I know your warriors have been hurt by the Great Claw..and you realise that if the creature disappears, your Tiki disappears with it..’

Milo was red with anger but said nothing, he needed the smuggler's agent Konstantinos.

‘Don't get upset. I know Maya ordered bandages and antibiotics. Everyone knows what's needed here to heal wounds and prevent infection... and besides, rumours are rife here. ’

‘I've got the goods as you requested and I've got a few new things, like pink boas, a megasaurus skeleton, the ancestor of the komodo dragon and the data sheet made by maya. So you'll be able to argue your discovery as an archaeologist...’

Konstantinos drank dry and laughed.

‘Well, well, Milo. I know you're the best and that's why I'm dealing with you, but I do have one piece of advice to give you.

The Russians are on the alert and their spies are combing the whole ocean looking for something.

If you've seen anything, let me know, I pay for the information too. And I've known you for so long that this hunt has gone wrong because of something...’

Then he slammed his glass down on the table and raised his arm.

‘It's on me today. ’

After eating a local stew made from snake meat, the two men shook hands and a wad of cash entered Milo's pocket.

Once the money was unloaded and out of sight, Milo set off on his return journey.

As luck would have it, the coastguard stopped him and, after a brief inspection, the captain hailed Milo.

‘I'm too late, but the reptile smell is stinking up your ship. It's not too late to change course.’ It sounded like a warning in case he was caught.

Fortunately, Konstantinos had warned him during the meal. His many contacts meant that he knew when and where the coastguard would pass by. It was as if they were working together.

He never, ever wanted Oum to resume her dangerous traffic.

He knew that one day he would end up behind bars and would only come out an old man or a cripple. That was no future for him or his tribe.