Reset Password
Reset Link Sent
| Blogs > rm_Quixy101 > Gravity |
Part One - The Castle and Kingdom
|
Part One - The Castle and Kingdom  Once upon a time there was this castle...In and around the castle lived the people of Gallen. They were looked after, not ruled, because "ruled" is much to harsh a system, by a lovely princess named Kae. She was very brave and smiled every day for her subjects, even though her heart inside was sad. Early in her reign she decided that to protect her people and their world she would have a spell cast on her land. She enquired from a local wizard how this could be done. He explained that the best spell would be for him to conjure up a protective dragon who would guard the land from all intruders. Only those people with pure hearts would be allowed in, thus the kingdom would never have to deal with evil men or women. Because Dragons live forever Princess Kae would never have to worry. All she need do was pick a name and the dragon would do the rest. Princess Kae thought for a long time about what would be an appropriate name. She asked the wizard if she would be allowed to talk to the dragon once in a while, that way the name would need to be pronouncable. The Wizard sighed and said yes, she could talk to the Dragon, but each time she did the dragon would narrow its limits for a prospective husband for her. She thought about this ofr awhile and decided that she really never wanted a husband anyway, so it was a small price to pay. She then asked whether the dragon would be male or female. The Wizard thought for a moment and gave her the facts. A male dragon would be ferocious...it would act first and talk second. It would protect her and everyone in her kingdom to its very death. But as he grew older he would become less rational and more spiteful. This would cause the kingdom to become more and more an enclave as less and less foreigners would be allowed to enter. A female dragon would be just as ferocious but would be quirky in how she would handle visitors...especially men. She would be very very protective of the princess and the chances of her allowing a man to be the princesses suitor would be very very small. However the female dragon would never change in attitude an would always be pleasant to have around. Princess Kae pondered this decision and settled on the female dragon. She named her Esmeralda. The wizard did his craft and the next morning a HUGE dragon flew overhead and landed in the courtyard of the castle. The princess welcome her and called her by her name. The dragon bowed to the princess and vowed to protect the country and all its citizens. All she required was one herd of cattle per year as payment. The Princess had many many herds and so agreed and all the people who had been terrified rejoiced at this great thing. Several weeks later a neighboring King decided it was time to take over Kae's lands and marched his army to the edge of her land. KAe sent him a<b> rider </font></b>with a warning. "Come no further brave sir King, fo I have a pact with a dragon to protect my people and she will destroy you if you cross into our land." The King scoffed and crossed the river with his entire army and marched toward the castle. Suddenly there was a great wind and Esmeralda appeared with fearce lightning and thunder. In one mighty breath she reigned fire down on the army and vaporised it, leaving the king to ride madly back into his own land barely surviving the destruction. As he sat on his watching his army destroyed he vowed to spread the word that Gallen was cursed, so that no one else would ever go there. And so it came to be known that the country of Gallen with its majestic castle was to be avoided at all costs...Those from there soon stopped travelling for fear of reprisals and few if anyone ever entered the Kingdom. This was not a problem for the inhabitants as they had everything they needed or wanted within their own boundaries. And as Esmeralde guarded them they had no need for soldiers or war machines. The kingdom prospered and its citizens hailed the wisdom of their Princess. As the years passed occassionally a man of good heart (or so he thought) would try to enter the kingdom to court the vry beautiful Princess. More often than not he would be met somewhere between the entry to the land and the castle by Esmeralda. She would politely stop the person and ask him what his intentions were. When he revealed he was interesed in the princess the interview would stop...Esmeralda would challenge him to prove he was a man of good heart filled with love and grace and the warn him if he failed the test he would die a painful death. Or he could turn around and retreat and stay safe. Her logic was that if the man stayed and accepted the challenge he at least thought he was worthy. If he failed then no loss. If he decided to leave then he was not worthy and thus again no loss. Over the years many men came and retreated when they her the terms. Some men stayed but all men failed Esmeralda's challenge and were soon consumed by her flames. In the end men stopped coming... Princess Kae looked after he people thusly for many years...but as she realized her bargain with the wizard mostly procluded her finding a spouse she became sad and lonely. She called Esmeralda one day and asked her how many men had tried to come see her. "Princess," Esmeralda began, "In the thirty years I have protected you there have been 79 men who have come. 65 have turned back on their own accord and 14 have tried the test. None have passed." "What is the test?" Kae inquired. "I cannot tell you Princess," sighed Esmeralda. "It must remain a secret. But I can tell you that one day a man will come who will pass the test...the wizard told me this before he died." Kae sighed and thanked the Dragon for her unyielding service. Though she had nevr had to defend the Kingdom again, she remained ever vigilant and took her job of protecting the Princess very seriously... When Kae turned 50 the people of the Kingdom made a big celebration. There was much festivities and even Esmeralda was invited to attend. The party lasted for several weeks and all were so pleased with themselves that even Esmeralda became a bit sloppy. On the 16th night of celebrating a man aproached the woods near the border. He and his were tired and could see the castle in the distance. He was a Knight from a far off land who knew not of the curse, so he entered Gallen and made for the town surrounding the castle. When he arrived at Town's edge Esmeralda caught wind of him. She flew immediately to where he was and began the interrogation. She was upset with herself that she had let him get this far and was determined to challenge him fearcely. The Knight, who's name was John, saw her approach. He sensed that she was not to be feared unless he provoked her and so stood still waiting for her arrival. As she swooped in he stood resolute sword undrawn and helmet off. "Why do you come to Gallen, sir Knight?" Esmeralda challenged. "I and my steed are weary, madame dragon." He sighed, "we beg but a night's accomodation for which we will gladly pay." "Have you no other cause or reason to be here? Esmeralda glared at him, nostrils flaring. "No," he sighed, "I know not of this land, but I imagine you my dear dragon are the protector of these fine people. I would never wish to disturb the peace of such a fair land." "You speak civily enough," Esmeralda mused, "Perhaps you would join our festivities for our Princess's 50th birthday?" "I beg your indulgence," he sighed again,"could I per chance pay my respects in the morning after a good nigyt's sleep and a bath?" Esmeralda studied him carefully. He seemed honest and good hearted. She decied she would trust him for the night and bade him to go to the Inn nearby and stay there for the night. John thanked her and made his way to the Inn. The Innkeeper was thrilled to have a guest from far away...he hurriedly called for a meal for the Knight and bade his stable boy to fetch the finest hay for his steed. John was grateful and asked if his currency was acceptable to the innkeeper. The innkeeper looked at the goldcoins and smiled, "We have no need of money here. We have everything we want...peace, lots to eat and a beautiful wise Princess to care for us." "And a very large dragon," mused John. "Oh yes," the Innkeeper laughed, "we have Esmeralda too!" John thanked him for his hospitality and retired to bed where he slept soundly. (TO BE CONTINUED) |
Become a member to create a blog
