A Rose Amongst the Dragons, page 3
part #1 of A Rose Amongst the Dragons Series
The long table was draped with a lacey cover and adorned with crystal and china. The servants brought out the first course; it was a light cream soup. The savory smell stirred Thelton’s stomach. With one large swallow, he had finished his soup, leaving him wondering why the portions were so tiny.
“We have great news in our kingdom, my fine boy,” the king said shoving the soup in his mouth. Most of it missed and dribbled down his salt and pepper beard.
Thelton groaned inside, the small talk had already begun. He didn’t care about the king’s good news. He didn’t care about anything. As he fretted, he thought, “Just let me eat in silence, give me my money, and then I will be on my way.” Looking about the opulent dining room, he noticed how rainbows painted the wall as they reflected off the dangling crystals from the ornate chandelier, a masterpiece to behold.
The king waited for Thelton to inquire what the news was about, but when he didn’t, the king continued on, filling Thelton in on the happenings. Thelton tried to listen, but he just didn’t have the attention span to do so.
“Don’t you think congratulation is in order?” the king demanded.
Thelton put down his spoon, accidently bumping his bowl and spilling the remaining drops of his soup on the lacey table cloth. Desperately trying to clean the spill, he said, “Congratulations.” Three servants rushed to his side and apologetically cleaned his mess, as if it were their own.
The soup was cleared, and baskets of hot fresh rolls came out, boasting a variety of wheat and styles to choose from. As Thelton shoved his third roll in his mouth, he felt a hand slide onto his leg. He stiffened. He refused to look over to Alashia. She was making herself comfortable next to him with her tantalizing touch. He could smell her floral perfume which drowned out the smells of the food, it was rather choking. Why must Princess Alashia always sit by him?
…
The king insisted that Thelton stay for two nights in the room he always kept open for him. He had no idea that Thelton hated sleeping at the castle. He thought he was giving Thelton a treat by his generosity. Everything seemed too stuffy and closed off for Thelton, and he wished he didn’t have to go through the theatrics every time he brought King Wolfgang a head, but he did. The king adored Thelton, and he tried to spoil him on each visit.
“Position One Advisor,” the king said to Trevor. “Take this scroll to The Dragon Slayer at once.” Trevor had come to the throne room per the king’s request.
“Yes, my holiest king.” Trevor said as he grabbed the parchment. It was a map of the kingdom. Andleburg’s map had just been redrawn and the king wanted to give a copy of it to Thelton.
In bitterness, Trevor carried the parchment to Thelton’s room. He grumbled under his breath his whole way there.
“Who does the king think I am? His personal messenger? This castle is crawling with messengers. Why is he having me do low mans work? He will be sorry for all the times he wronged me. One day this kingdom will be mine, and I will make him my marionette, to do whatever I please. He will be begging at my feet for forgiveness.” Although Trevor seemed to be irate over the mere request of the king, his resentment had been building for years. He was always jealous of the king, and he had spent most of his service coveting everything the king had. He had decided that if he ever got the chance, he would take over the king’s crown.
Trevor pounded his fist on Thelton’s door.
“Who goes there?” he heard through the thick wood.
“It is I, Trevor of Andleburg, First Position Advisor.”
“Come in,” Thelton called from within.
Trevor pushed the heavy door open. It took a lot of work since he was thin and small. When he got in, his anger intensified at the size and stately quality of Thelton’s accommodations. Trevor’s room was very small, just enough room to put a tiny bed and wardrobe. How could the king give such a nice room to The Dragon Slayer, for he was only a hunter? Here Trevor was serving the king every moment of his life, and all he got was a puny closet to call a room. Trevor had already despised Thelton, but this just intensified his hate.
“From the king,” he said as he dropped the scroll at Thelton’s feet. Without waiting for a comment, he turned and stomped out of the room.
…
When Thelton was finally allowed to leave, he broke through the doors in a bolt. His husky frame couldn’t move fast enough, because he wanted to get as far from the castle. He kept running until he came to the edge of the royal grounds where he headed off into a patch of trees to the North of the castle. For the time, it was where he would call home. He had bought a home on some land in Andleburg, but he spent very little time in it. Since he had been raised in the forest, it really was his favorite place to be.
…
Thelton lacked the ability to sit still for very long, his was a spirit designed for adventure and stimulation. A week after escaping the castle, Thelton needed something to do. He loaded his side pack and headed into the Vegus Forest, hoping there was another dragon to hunt.
The Vegus Forest surrounded Andleburg on the south side. The forest brought fear to most hearts which kept the majority of the people out of it, for it was filled with numerous fatal creatures and plants. The deadliest creatures that dwelled in it were the dragons. Thelton had a healthy respect for the forest, having spent most of his life hunting in it. He knew it was a death trap and he had to be vigilant and alert in all he did. Most of the time while he explored it, he was looking for the dragon’s nest. It was rumored to be in the heart of the forest, but did anyone really know, for he doubted there had been a brave enough man to find it. He considered himself brave enough; he just hadn’t located it yet.
As Thelton searched the forest, he looked for signs of recent dragon activity.
“Nothing,” he thought. “This must be their migration season.” No one knew if dragons migrated or not, but they would disappear for long stretches of time. It wasn’t clear if they left the Vegus forest, or if they just didn’t emerge from it for spells at a time. He went further in, deciding to explore an area he had never seen. He was sure if he could find the queen’s nest, then he would seal his legend with her blood.
Thelton had walked for six hours when his cow bladder canteen had run out of water. His mouth was dry and parched. He needed something to drink since his intense thirst ravished his body. It was imperative that he find a spring for water. It took another hour until he came upon a spring that ran between a bank of trees, by that time his tan skin had become deep red, while he perspired heavily. He needed water.
Anticipating a nice drink from the cool waters, Thelton dipped his canteen into the stream. Immediately smoke rose from the canteen, the canteen melted into hot liquid, which burned Thelton’s large hand.
“Ahhh,” Thelton cried out as he dropped the canteen. It dissolved into thick goo with strands of it still clinging to his singed hand. Good thing he hadn’t taken a drink, for the stream had melted his canteen. He looked closely into the waters.
The stream was a strange wonderment to him. It looked clear and inviting, but it seemed to have a deadly acid secret. He wondered how many animals had tried to take a drink and lost their life in doing so. What would happen if he held a rock into it? He held a large rock and watched as the bottom part of it instantly disintegrated away.
“This is amazing.” He picked up more rocks and chucked a handful into the liquid. They all promptly melted into nothing. He then threw sticks. Those disappeared even faster. He had a small slab of metal in the bottom of his side pack. He put it in the water, and sure enough, it disappeared. Accidently, a few drops of the water splashed his long middle finger and some skin sizzled off. He was too fascinated to be bothered by it.
He tried to think of a method to contain the water. Such water could be a powerful thing to have. With that in mind, he played in the acidic water for several hours, tossing in all sorts of things to melt. He did that until he remembered his terrible thirst. He was getting lightheaded, he needed a drink. Sadly, he left his new discovery and went to find fresh water.
He searched around until he found another stream. He didn’t trust the water. It was an odd feeling, because he had never feared stream water before. To be cautious, he took a rock and held half of it in the water, nothing happened. He then dipped in wood and other things. Finally, he nervously filled his large hands with the chilled water and took a little sip. Nothing seemed to burn, and, in fact, it tasted amazing. He took another drink and another until he felt bloated. He was happy to have found some water.
After his thirst was quenched, he felt his stomach rumble. He needed to get something to eat. Only minutes after searching, he came across some berries. He ate and ate, but never did find fulfillment. Although they tasted good, he realized he would have to eat thousands to fill his stomach.
Opening his side pack, Thelton fetched out a slice of salt cured meat. He quickly devoured it gone. It didn’t do anything for his hunger, but it sure made him thirsty again. He couldn’t ignore the thirst, so he went back to the spring of clear water and drank so much that his stomach ached, he was bloated again. After he burped a couple of times, he felt the pressure release and he felt his hunger return. As he searched he saw a large snake dangling from the trees directly in his path.
With his emerald sword, Thelton slashed the head off the snake. Without delay, he built a fire and roasted the eight foot serpent. The aromatic smoke caused his stomach to scream out in hunger, a stomach that was tight and strong.
“This will be a nice meal to my day,” he said as he took his first bite. His long hair snuck into his mouth and tangled around his tongue. He pulled it out, and continued eating. The chewy meat softened in his saliva while he found satisfaction in the savor of the meal. Once his belly was full, he drifted off to sleep. After an uneventful slumber, light penetrated Thelton’s eye lids and woke him up, its rays blasting his dark eyes.
The sun rays seemed to pry his eyelids open. He cursed it as he put his arm over them. He wasn’t ready to wake, but when he couldn’t return to sleep, he sat up and looked around. Everything appeared different in the sun’s morning light. A serene feeling overpowered him.
It was refreshing to be in the forest and not in the suffocating castle. He took great pleasure in looking at the serene landscape, for it held so much promise to an adventure. He decided he was going to have a relaxed morning. He rested against a grass mound as he breathed in the crisp morning air.
Just as Thelton was reveling in his freedom, a large cat perched high in a tree above. The feline looked much like a panther, but it had some distinct differences. Along with its slick black coat, the cat had large curly horns on the top of its head, much like those of a bilberry goat.
Without any warning, the cat pounced on Thelton, knocking him over. It took its horns and butted Thelton in the side. Thelton rolled into the fetal position as the cat butted him again, and again. While he took the blows to the kidneys, Thelton worked at removing his emerald sword.
“You think you got me but you don’t,” he said challenging the cat. Before he could fully get his sword out of its sheath, the cat had sunk its teeth into Thelton’s back. The piercing of teeth shot electric pain throughout his body. For a moment, Thelton couldn’t control his hand. It contracted inwards and he lost his grip on the sword.
The cat tore a mouthful of flesh away just as Thelton pulled out his sword and maneuvered it up and behind his back, where he shoved it into the cat’s paw. He had hoped to get more than just a paw. The cat hissed and backed slightly away. Thelton took the advantage and shoved the cat completely off him, and then he jumped up as fast as could, trying to get up before the cat came at him again. The cat backed up and then plowed forward, butting Thelton again to the ground. Thelton took his legs and kicked the cat away, preventing it from mounting him.
With the cat momentarily away, Thelton stood up and swiftly swung his swords toward its head. In defense, the cat ducked its head and the sword met the horns. The sword vibrated from the impact. The cat backed up again, readying itself to charge at Thelton. This time Thelton was half a second quicker, and when the cat charged, he jumped to the side. As he did, he brought his sword straight down through the cat’s neck. The cat howled as it crumpled to the ground.
Thelton pulled his sword out and rammed it in again a few more times, just to make sure it was dead. Content that he was no longer in danger, he got in front of its face and examined it.
“You are a beautiful creature. I have never heard about the likes of you.” He rubbed his hands across its smooth coat. “You will make a nice rug for my home. And look at that head; just imagine it mounted on my wall.” Thelton explored the hefty size paws with its massive sharp claws and then he looked at his own his arm. Sure enough, the cat had ripped open several gashes on his skin. Blood spilled out of all of them.
“It is because of creatures like you, that I love this forest.” He stood up and stretched his arms high in the air. He let out a few merry sighs while a huge look of gratification filled his face.
Thelton smiled again as he pulled his dagger out and began skinning the cat.
Chapter 2
Nine years earlier
Emma rubbed the sweat off her sticky brow while the sun rays penetrated her skin. She wondered how much more of the heat she could withstand. Bringing the cow bladder canteen to her mouth, she took a humble sip of water. A little trickle escaped out of the side of her mouth. She must be careful for the bladder had to last the entire day. With dehydration setting in, her body ached for more water, but she carefully conserved. Dropping the bladder, Emma awkwardly reached down and began planting more seeds, the job proving rather difficult because of the roundness of her belly.
Emma straightened up as she felt her back pop. While rubbing her aches she felt a kick inside her colossal belly. The life that she was creating moved around again. She watched as the material over her belly rippled, such a sight caused a smile to overtake her frown. Momentarily forgetting the heat, she stroked her baby through her abdomen. Unconsciously she began singing to it. She could hardly believe that any day now she would be a mother.
Looking around her arid field, a tinge of sorrow overcame her. The ground was so dry and unforgiving. Here she was nine months pregnant working the field with barely enough water to keep her going. Her head felt dizzy while it pounded and throbbed. How she wished that she lived in the village amongst the privileged. Those women never had to work a day in their life. Even the farmer’s wives on the outskirts of the village were allowed to take a nine month break when they were creating life and then a three month break to recover. A whole year off, wouldn’t that be the life? It was no wonder those women were pregnant every year. They did whatever it took to stay out of the fields. She did not live amongst the privilege few or the farmers. Emma experienced life as a peasant in the deepest form. There was hardly any money for food. So many nights she went without eating. And as a peasant woman, she worked hard. She worked harder than some of the farmer men. It was just the way of life for a peasant.
Moving her long black hair out of her eyes, Emma looked over her shoulder and shuddered. Behind her was the Vegus Forest. The most feared and dreaded place in the kingdom. Everything bad and nasty lived in there: trolls, jaguars, brownies, wolves, fire rats, and dragons. The place was frightful. Her heart dropped the day her husband announced his purchase of their land.
“You’ll love it Emma. We will have a chance to be real farmers. Imagine that, real farmers! Never in my life had I dreamed that I would own my own land. And now I do. I own it right out. Not one cent of debt on it. It is ours Emma, ours!” John danced up and down as he announced his surprise to his wife. He hoisted her into the air and spun her around. Returning her to the ground, he just stared off into his fantasy. Finally John had a purpose in life, he had a trade. He was to farm!
Emma’s hands shook as she watched John. They had only been married seven months. It was not the women’s place to question her husband, but Emma could not resist, she couldn’t ignore the rock of fear plunged deep in the center of her soul. Meagerly she began her protest.
“Darling, I am so proud of you. You made our dream come true. However, I do question the location. This land is damned. No farmer has ever had success with it. The land is unfertile and it is only a stone throw from the Vegus Forest. I fear that all your hard work will be the spoils of the trolls. If the trolls don’t ravage it, than the dragons will destroy it. Must we…”
John’s face reddened. This was the first time that his wife had defied him. He needed her to learn her place. She would never question him again. John raised his hand to Emma’s cheek. The slap stung her heart more than it did her flesh.
“How dare you take my gift and spit upon it. You will learn your place woman. Do you want me to be a beggar all of my life? Where is the dignity in that? Where is your dignity, the wife of a beggar? Where is it? I am giving you a chance. I am giving our future children a chance. You want to take that away from me? You ungrateful wife.”
The tears pooled in Emma’s eyes. She really didn’t mean to confront John, protesting only because the location frightened her to death. The piece of land he had bought was dangerous. Several farmers had been killed by the residents of the Vegus Forest, because of that, the property had stood vacant for years. No one in their right mind would own such an infernal piece of land. Emma would much rather spend the rest of her life making woven baskets to sale on the street than to live so close to the forest.
Despite her fear, Emma never again shared her concern with her husband. She tried to be the dutiful wife and work the field by his side. She got pregnant by him and worked her frail body to exhaustion every day. She hoped that after she had the baby he would at least give her a week to recover. She was doubtful he would, but she could wish. Dreams carried her through the hard times, which seemed always upon her.
