“How’s the work going on the giant dragon?”

“Slow. Can’t seem to focus. The design is there, parts are ready. I stare at the cogs, wheels, and metal as if it will put itself together.”

“Must be Izumi’s tea. How many cups a day did you drink.”

“Three, sometimes four.”

“I don’t understand her goal. If she is working for the emperor, then this goes against his plan. She must have something else going on. Stuck in the mountains, working on that old machine, I heard talk. Not everyone is happy with Meiji.”

They were bent over Albert’s worktable, talking in low voices, aware of listening ears in the large building.

“Three factions. The shoguns he defeated; an old guard seeing the Western influence as a threat to Japan's sovereignty and sticking to their traditions, and then the Russians. Mountain villagers try to stay out of politics and avoid Meiji’s soldiers if possible.”

“You promised to tell me the rest of your adventures.”

“Later tonight, after supper. We can sit out under the stars, and I will tell you. But right now, show me your dragon.”

Albert flipped the covers off his metal pieces. Polished to a high gleam, the lights reflected off them. Laid out with care and precision, the display was impressive.

Harris whistled at the array, “You have been busy.”

“Mostly the work of Emperor Meiji’s men, they follow my drawings exactly.”

Bolstered by food and Harris’s coffee, Albert’s mind cleared, and he started attaching the dragon’s skeleton together. He methodically tested each piece for balance. One wheel had a faint wobble and needed to be smoothed out. Using a soft mallet, the flawed section was fixed.

Over the next couple of weeks, the mechanical creature slowly formed. Metal flaps designed to resemble skin were shaped and polished. Izumi still came to him at night, but Harris monitored their food. A couple of times, he caught her attempting to put herbs in their cooking pot, and once in the boiling coffee. The reasons for Izumi’s actions remained a mystery.

One afternoon, Albert sat on a stool, spun the wheels, and watched them swirl. Harris leaned against the wall and admired the rhythm and precision of the gleaming metal.

The workmen in the shop dropped to their knees and fell face down on the floor.

Emperor Meiji entered surrounded by his bodyguards. He stared up at the giant dragon. “The work goes well?”

“Yes, the frame is almost finished. I will then start inserting the steam power to make it move. How is the smaller model? Does it need any adjustment?”

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

“No, my engineers now understand how it runs.” Meiji walked over and ran his hands over the giant dragon’s metal skin.

“Is there a deadline on this?” Albert asked.

“The presentation is two months from today.”

“It will be ready.”

Meiji nodded at him and Harris, then walked out, followed by his men.

“Any idea what that was about?” Albert questioned.

“He gave his deadline. But there is more to this. You saw how he stroked it. I’m not sure if this is a weapon or a huge toy.”

“What makes you think it is a toy?”

“I’ve heard talk about preparations. Two months from today is his birthday. Imagine your dragon amid the celebration blowing out puffs of steam.”

“Emissary Tamako thinks it is a war machine.”

“The emperor may not want him to know. Or they have different objectives, a possible plot involving the old traditionalists.”

“I hope Meiji does not ride it himself. That could be a disaster.”

“Probably one of his trusted guards. But enough speculation. I requested through Meiji’s advisor for us to take a ride. The emperor approved it. You need to get out and see the country, feel the atmosphere. We can bring the little green dragon with us. It is time for him to be freed. Our transportation should be arriving, now.”

Albert grabbed his cane as Harris pulled him out the door.

Residents stepped aside and stared as their carriage passed through. Albert studied the various colorful banners lining the streets.

“Those are Kubuki theaters we just passed. The banners advertise the different productions. When I came with my father as a boy, he took me to one. It lasted all day, after a couple of hours, we slipped out. Most of the stories are about battles, or good versus evil. All male actors, even in the female roles. But now, let’s get out here and walk for a while.” Harris tapped the driver on his shoulder and indicated to halt.

“You have a reason to stop here?” Albert gave him a suspicious glance.

“That temple looks interesting. The carvings and colors are fascinating.” He stretched and walked across the stone payment toward it.

Albert shook his head and followed him. He knew the man had a purpose. They stopped at carved rock steps leading up to the temple. Worshipers crawled up them on hands and knees. “You may be feeling religious but not me.”

Harris grinned at him. “We can visit those vendors over there and see what they have to sale.” He paused at a traveling candy seller and ordered two intricately designed pieces. Next, at a figurine stall, he studied the dolls dressed in kimonos.

“You buy?” the seller asked with a heavy accent.

“Yes, these two, for my sisters. Their birthdays are coming in two months.”

“Ah. They share the same month as our Imperial Emperor. Steamship is coming for it. Bringing many esteemed passengers.” He carefully wrapped each doll.

Harris handed him Japanese currency and took the packages.’

As they walked off, Albert said, “So that was the reason for our outing? I saw him slide a piece of paper in exchange for the money.”

“That was only a receipt. The delivered message was in our dialogue. I told him we need to be ready to leave during Meiji’s birthday celebration. He said that the steamship is our escape from here. Think you can have it ready by then?”

“Yes.”

“For my second reason for this trip. Let’s go over here in this thick garden.” Harris pulled out the miniature dragon. Using the pulser on his wrist, he gave it a short zap.

The dragon lifted his head and flapped both wings. It flew up and landed on Albert’s shoulder. “What has Harris promised you? To fly free and go home?”

A wing waved, “Yes,” in response.

“I will miss you.”

It soared up and circled above his head.

“Alright, I understand. You will return.”

They watched as the dragon fluttered off and disappeared into a dark opening on the temple’s roof.

“Think the elders will let him reveal more green stones to us? It is a fascinating power source,” Albert asked.

“Not sure. Their secret is closely guarded. We’ll have to wait and see.”