CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

Face to Face

Peter stood in frozen silence from the whispering voice he heard. Was it just an echo of my own voice? He thought. Or was it someone else…

Titan looked around the forest near the surface of the lake for any sign of an approaching creature. His skin quivered from fear as well. A black crow was still circling above them with his ever present “caw!” descending down through the trees. That black bird made Titan nervous. He whinnied and shook his long dark mane as if to shake off the fear he felt. He pulled on his reigns to signal to Peter for them to get moving. They had a Dragon to search for and no time to waste.

“Yes, alright,” Peter agreed as he walked Titan around the lake. The mist followed them. Every once in awhile the surface of the water danced in the breeze and moved in every direction. Peter, anxious that something would arise out of the water, was troubled that his imagination was getting the best of him. So, together the two adventurers continued to walk the area of the lake. The black from the forest peered at them from all sides and their old friend, the crow, continued his song above.

“Blasted crow,” Peter whispered to Titan. “It makes me nervous.” He kept his eyes on the circling bird above while he walked slowly around the lake. The tops of the trees were framing the crow as if it were a painting. The sort of paining no one wants. The moon was their guide as it illuminated the whole area for the time being. Clouds hovered near the moon waiting to blanket the glowing orb and make it near impossible for Peter and Titan to continue their search. But for now, the moon stayed out in the open.

The crunch of the leaves underfoot was the only sound heard above the gentle breeze swaying the trees. Peter and his faithful horse stopped to figure out their direction. Then, certain stillness came to the forest.

Suddenly, they heard the branches shaking violently in front of them ending the calm. Several small birds quickly departed the darkness and flew up into the open air flittering by Peter and Titan. Peter waved his arms in front of his face as the birds quickly flew past. And yet the trees still shook. Peter and Titan froze as they waited for something to happen. And it did.

There, from between the branches of the trees moved a set of glowing yellow eyes, each one about the size of Peter’s head. They stared right at Peter and his horse, unblinking in the moonlight. Peter’s mouth was open and he turned to see if Titan was experiencing the sight as well. Titan’s eyes were large and his nostrils flared as his ears were pointed back. Together they stood, staring at the yellow eyes glaring back at them. The dark pupils were vertical slits that reached from the bottom to the top of each glowing eye.

Then they heard it.

A low ominous growl penetrated from behind the trees as the eyes rose from a few feet above the wet earth to just near the tops of the trees. They blinked as they rose. The growl grew louder still. Then a hot mist from between the trees shot out towards the Prince, who was near tears in his fright. His body shook. The short blast of mist warmed Peter’s skin and made him and Titan take a few steps back.

“Do not move,” A low voice hissed. It seemed to come from the glowing eyes which were nothing but slits now peering from the tops of the trees. “It is important that you are here.”

Peter’s knees were shaking and he looked at his faithful horse. Titan neighed nervously as his whole body was still quivering. With his ears still pointed back, he shook his grey mane and whinnied. His hooves clawed at the mud beneath him as he huffed air out from his nostrils in defiance. “Steady, boy,” Peter said as he tightly held the reigns.

Titan’s bravery gave Peter his courage back as well. From his belt, he quickly pulled his wooden sword from its sheath and lunged toward those ever present eyes.

“Who goes there?” he yelled.

The yellow eyes moved rapidly up the trees and high into the night sky with the moon highlighting the tough scaly skin of the giant creature’s head and body. The hot misty breath spewed forth from its nostrils, exhaled in frustration, toward the young boy and his steed. Larger than any other dragon known to terrorize the kingdom, the Dragon of the forest had four long limbs and a set of wings attached to its back. Gazing down at them both from its lofty perch above the trees of grand forest green, it could see the fire glow from the torches of Lord Caragon’s army as it approached from the west. The Dragon of the forest knew the time had come.

Peter and Titan, in awesome wonder and amazement, stared at the giant creature as it stood many feet above the tops of the trees. Their eyes moved downward in order to see its giant feet now protruding from the trunks of those same black trees. The shiny claws glistened in the moonlight as they dug into the mud. Its colossal head had rough scales all over the surface, some bent grotesquely over the eyes and down the slope of its long snout leading to the protruding nostrils. Blue mist eased out of those same nostrils. The larger hardened scales made their way down its long giraffe-like neck and onto its humpback where the wings folded over its sides. Small horns made their way out of its skull behind the eyes, but they were short and dull, perhaps from battle. The loud rustling noise throughout the forest came from its long tail as it moved back and forth. The end of the tail provided the final resting place for the larger more prominent scales to form sharp spikes. The larger hind legs were bent underneath its enormous body, yet it still stood high into the night sky. Peter did not want to imagine the creature’s full height. He froze in his dread. Titan whinnied and shook the reigns from Peter’s hands as he backed up in astonishment and fear. This woke Peter from his trance and he quickly grabbed Titan’s reigns once again. Just then, together, they remained frozen as the realization before them came to complete fruition: The Dragon of the Forest lives.

“We’ve not much time.” It spoke. More steam came from the nostrils.

Peter looked at Titan. Astonishing, He thought. Could it be that it spoke to us? Are we dreaming?

The Dragon lifted one foot and with sudden and complete force slammed it into the ground. The earth shook beneath them. A shot of fire eased out of its nostrils and lit up its roughened face made of scales and snake-like skin. The glow from its fire breath reflected in its shiny scales. They appeared to be made up of many different colors. For a slight moment, Peter even thought it looked far more beautiful that he had previously imagined.

The Dragon lowered its mammoth head toward the two before him and his tongue slithered between its enormous teeth housed inside the giant mouth. The hot misty breath felt earlier still shocked Peter into complete attention to anything it might say if it meant it would not eat them both in one swallow.

“Listen now,” It stated rather calmly. “I know why you are here.”

“Yes.” Peter nodded through his fear.

The Dragon studied him.

Peter swallowed hard as the yellow eyes narrowed.

“I need your assistance,” it said, raising its head slightly upward. At that same moment, Peter could see its entire face in the moonlight. Its eyes were gentler than he had first thought. Although its hot breath and large teeth seemed frightening, somehow he was reassured they were not meant for him.

“My help?” Peter asked.

“Yes.” The Dragon hissed. Just then, it spread its wings open wide as though stretching only to reveal the translucent skin between tough tendons and claws. They were immense in size and caused a breeze that ran across Peter and Titan’s faces as they moved over the Dragon’s body. This giant beast could have squashed them both with one gesture of its claws, yet it was somewhat tolerant of how they had trespassed into its forest.

Gazing up over the tops of the trees, the Dragon saw something in the valleys to the South. Peter waited for further instruction.

“War has come to the Kingdom. Caragon’s army is coming,” it said, swallowing hard. Peter watched the lump in the throat slide down toward the large belly. From head to belly must have been the size of the castle courtyard, Peter assessed.

“War?” Peter faintly asked. Suddenly he felt guilty that he was missing from the castle. He sorrowfully looked down at his feet. He felt foolish.

“It is good that you are here,” the Dragon said, sensing Peter’s sadness. “You have come at the right time.”

Its giant foot dragged the claws into the mud. Large piles of mud surrounded each long claw like the termites’ hills Peter had seen in the desert one summer. He remembered each hill as being taller than his father and these mud hills were no smaller. The sound of the claws sliding in the mud echoed deep into the forest. Peter stared at the yellow eyes and wondered what the Dragon could have meant.

“What can I possibly do to help? I’m afraid I have ruined things for my father by running away. He is looking for me instead of attacking Caragon’s army,” Peter sighed.

“Why did you come here?” the Dragon asked. Blue mist eased from its nostrils.

“To…” Peter hesitated. “Find you, to be exact.” He looked at the sword in his hands. The handle was tightly gripped by his fingers entwined around it. He thought about what he was doing. He suddenly felt sick. A wooden sword against a giant beast? he thought. He looked down at his feet and felt cold. He felt….ten years old again.

“And so you have succeeded,” the Dragon said as his tongue slithered out between its teeth once again.

“Yes, but I wanted to find you in order to…” Peter stated. “take your scales.” He winced and waited for the fire to consume him.

But the Dragon moved its giant body and lifted its feet toward the two little creatures in front of him. Titan took three steps back as the beast made its way through the trees and into the clearing. A puff of fire came from its mouth and the firelight blew across the surface of the water as it illuminated the entire lake. The hissing sound echoed off the surface of the lake. Titan reared up onto his hind legs in fear and confusion.

“No, Titan!” Peter yelled. “He won’t hurt us!” He ran and grabbed the reigns to his horse’s harness. He pulled the gentle horse to him. With their heads together, Peter gently stroked the muzzle of his friend. “Trust me. All is well now.”

Suddenly Peter felt alright. A calm had gone through his body settling his spirits. He no longer was afraid of the Dragon. A peace went through his soul and he now knew things would be okay with the Dragon here in the forest. The legend was true after all. Perhaps his father had been taken care of by the giant Dragon when he was a boy just like he told him. Perhaps that is why his father never wanted Caragon or Peregrine to enter into this realm.

The Dragon hissed as it moved to the other side of the clearing. Peter and Titan stirred swiftly in order to get out of the way of its body and tail. The Dragon’s sinewy muscles underneath the tough outer skin twitched and pulled the massive body along. The Dragon’s claws dug deep into the mud as it moved. The earth trembled with each step. The beautiful scales twinkled in the moonlight. Shiny black clawed feet and long wings made a breeze on Peter’s face as they went by him. He noticed the eyes of the beast were lined with tiny rows of scales.The rims of its eyes were reddened as though they were tired or old.

“How old are you?” Peter asked.

The beast continued to move its way over to the lake. “Very old,” it hissed.

Peter thought about his grandfather and great-grandfather and how they knew of the Dragon. “You knew my grandfather and great-grandfather?” he asked.

“Yes,” the Dragon answered. “I am two thousand of your man years.”

Peter gasped at the thought of the antiquated Dragon still present in the forest guarding the land for so many moons.

He placed his wooden sword in its sheath and quickly mounted Titan and galloped alongside the Dragon to keep up. Not wanting to miss anything now, he rode with the beast.

The three made their way around the lake and toward the entrance of the forest. The Dragon looked down at the horse and rider it had befriended. It stopped and motioned to Peter. Needing Peter to see exactly what was happening, it lowered his head and motioned Peter to hop on top. Peter dismounted Titan, carefully and cautiously walked over to the Dragon’s large head, and climbed on top. Titan whinnied and moved back a few paces. Peter grabbed the small horns behind the Dragon’s eyes and lifted himself to the neck of the beast. He discovered the scales were smooth and cool in the night air.

The Dragon slowly raised its head to prevent Peter from falling. Higher and higher it went into the air. Peter held on tight to the Dragon’s scales as he watched Titan grow smaller and smaller. Suddenly, he saw the entire forest in the moonlight. The crystal clear lake and the trees seemed to go on forever. Then he turned his head south toward the Castle. His heart sank deep into his chest at the sight.

He saw the Cardion valley engulfed in flames. He could see Caragon’s army moving toward the palace and his father’s soldiers fighting them. The sight of flaming arrows and homes burning amidst the shouts of men in battle made Peter gasp. Peter could not believe his eyes. He thought of the families he had seen. He thought of their plight. Now he knew why the Dragon wanted him to see the view from up high.

“As your father returns to the Castle, the siege begins,” the Dragon said.

“No.” Peter shook his head. He covered his mouth with his hands. They were cold from the night air. “What can I do?” He asked as he lowered his hands.

“Lord Peregrine’s men will enter the forest from the north in order to destroy me and take my scales.” The Dragon said as it slowly turned its head toward the north.

Peter could see the torches and riders swiftly approaching. He wondered if they could see the massive Dragon high above the trees.

“Quickly! You must bend down or they will see you,” Peter shouted.

The Dragon stood motionless. “They will be upon us soon.”

Us? Peter thought. What will we do to stop them?

The Dragon slowly turned and began to lower its head. It took a few steps into the clearing.

“They must not see me, but they must find you safe,” it said as it lowered Peter to the ground.

“I want to stay here with you and help,” Peter said.

“Patience, I need you… in the forest to help me… with this battle.” The Dragon slowly answered.

Peter hopped off the large head of the Dragon and staggered a few feet back. He was a little dizzy now. His sword still dangled in its sheath.

“Remove your sword,” the Dragon ordered.

Peter hesitated a moment and then obeyed. Not sure what the Dragon saw in the little wooden sword, Peter wondered if it mattered. He slowly pulled the sword out and, with embarrassment, held it in his hand. His fist clenched around the handle.

“Hold it up high.” The Dragon said as it lowered his head toward Peter. Its mouth stood a few feet away from Peter. “Hold it tightly.”

Titan trotted next to Peter and quietly observed the Dragon. Peter held onto the sword with both hands now eagerly anticipating what the Dragon would do.

Suddenly, the Dragon inhaled the night air deep into his massive lungs. As the chest cavity expanded more and more, the sound resembled that of a wind storm and Peter’s hair blew in toward the giant mouth. The Dragon leaned its head back as it inhaled the air. A hissing sound could be heard. Peter closed his eyes, not knowing what to expect. Titan turned his head away.

Then, the Dragon’s mouth opened and spewed out a thin blue flame of fire from between its teeth as it exhaled on the sword.

SSSSSWhoooooosh!

The flash of fire hit only the blade of Peter’s sword and nothing else. The weight of the force from the blue flame almost knocked Peter off his feet, but he held fast and strong leaning into the flame. The blue fire enveloped the small blade only and Peter opened one eye to see what happened.

He felt on his face that the flame was not hot. Indeed, it was ice cold! The blue flame was penetrating the wooden sword and changing it somehow. It grew heavier and heavier as the Dragon breathed upon it. Peter could feel the handle becoming colder and colder in his hands as he watched his sword transform before his eyes. What is it doing? he thought.

SSSSSSSSSssssshhhhh.

As quickly as it started, it ended. The Dragon hissed and inhaled air once again, only this time it raised its head away from Peter. Titan turned slowly to inspect the damage to his master only to find him in one piece still clutching the sword in both hands.

Peter opened his eyes wider now in amazement as he looked upon his sword. He could not believe what he saw. The blade was no longer made of wood. Now made of the shiniest metal he had ever seen, the blade was double-edged as well. He held it up into the night sky and turned it in his hands back and forth as the metal blade glistened in the moonlight. It was so shiny, Peter could see his reflection in the blade. He had a real sword now!

He raised his hand to touch the blade.

“Careful,” said the Dragon. “The blade is very sharp,” it warned Peter. Clearly pleased with itself, it bent down to inspect the work.

“But how?” Peter asked in utter amazement. But the Dragon was silent.

Just then the three heard some movement through the trees. The Dragon quickly jerked its head and turned to look into the black forest. The glow from Peregrine’s torches could be seen.

“I must go now. Do not fear, for I am with you,” the Dragon said as it gently removed something from its shoulder with its mouth. It slowly moved its head toward Peter, and in its front teeth was a shiny scale from the Dragon’s shoulder. It motioned for Peter to take it, but Peter was scared. He slowly walked toward the creature’s mouth, which was full of large teeth stained with age, and saw the scale up close. It was thick as a shield and hard as metal. He used both hands to remove it from between the Dragon’s teeth for it felt heavy. Then he held it in his hands as he walked a few paces back. The Dragon’s mist coming from its mouth was still cold as before. Peter inspected the scale and saw that it indeed looked like a shield or buckler. It appeared large enough to cover most of his body, and yet it wasn’t heavy. He turned it over and saw that his arm could fit inside the back slope and hold onto the short tendon as a handle. He held the shield in front of himself as protection. Then he realized that this must be what the Dragon wanted. He completely understood why Peregrine wanted the scales for his army. They seemed to be unlike any armor Peter had ever seen. The scale was beautiful, solid, and strong.

Then Peter saw where the scale had been and in its place was a dark hole in the Dragon’s shoulder. Peter gasped when he understood what this meant. The Dragon could be pierced in that very spot. He was unprotected!

“No! Wait! You mustn’t. The hole will leave you vulnerable to Peregrine’s lance! You must take the scale back.” He insisted as he ran to the Dragon holding the scale up. But it was too late.

The Dragon quietly turned, hissed, and made its way into the trees. Its phantom like movements enthralled them. Peter heard Peregrine’s horses approaching.

Peter and Titan just stood there watching as the giant Dragon entered into the forest and disappeared from sight. He could not believe that the massive creature he saw before them could just walk into the night and blend into the darkness perfectly. Only the yellow glowing eyes of the Dragon could be seen between the trees unblinking in the moonlight just as before.

“Be brave,” the Dragon whispered. Clouds of the familiar blue mist returned to the forest and began to cover the ground around their feet in waves.

Peter mounted his horse and together they stood firmly waiting for Peregrine to find them. What would happen next remained a mystery to them both, but with one hand tightly clenched around his new sword and the other behind the scale shield, Peter felt ready for this adventure to begin.

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SIX

Lord Caragon’s War

Lord Caragon’s dark castle, Hildron, was carved out of a colossal rocky mountain just west of the Black Hills. Once one of King Illiath’s most loyal advisors, he had remained in exile since before Alexander’s birth, where his heart became dark in thought and deed.

What makes a heart of flesh become a heart of stone? Lord Caragon’s heart turned against the kingdom for vain reasons. During the Battle of the Cornshire, he took the leader of the Edonites aside and joined their cause. Desiring the land east of the Cornshire, they had cut off all access to the Blue River. Caragon secretly supplied them with the battle plans of the kingdom. He requested nothing but a piece of land for himself in return.

Then, he stood by and watched as new King Aléon’s men died at the hands of the Edonites. The soul of Caragon blackened on that day.

When King Aléon discovered Caragon’s deeds upon the defeat of the Edonites, he decreed Lord Caragon to be executed for his crimes against the people. But his father, Illiath, relented. He still had pity for Caragon after all.

Instead, he exiled him to the Black Hills, decreeing that he never again return. Off Caragon went into the desert lands west of the Black Hills. He took with him a few men who listened to tempting lies of promised wealth and power.

Low these many moons, Caragon remained in silent exile. The leaders of the Crow Valley and the Black Hills lived in peace. But many suspected that his heart was growing darker and more evil with each passing harvest. Black clouds were always present over the hills and near Hildron castle. Many whispered of dark and evil deeds being performed inside. But no one dared to enter that evil realm.

Secretly, Caragon’s kingdom began to grow. He put together an army of creatures with hearts as black and twisted as his own and created many new weapons. With mystical powers as the source, he created weaponry unseen by any warrior. Rumored to be the most lethal in battle, it was said the tainted black metal could not be shattered by the steel swords of man. Yet Caragon still coveted the scales of the Dragon. These, the foretold weapons of the greatest army, still remained unseen.

To achieve his evil plans of conquest, he enslaved and overburdened his people, causing many of them to escape into the mountains in desperation. He cut off access to the Black River for the people of the Crow Valley in order to ruin their crops and force them to starve. He then horded all the water for his army and attempted to overtake all the lands.

The dark clouds remained over the Black Hills and Hildron castle as the people feared for their lives. War was looming once again in the kingdom of Théadril.

**************

When the King’s messenger arrived at the castle, he hastily gave the message to Constable Darion who then told all the King’s men to prepare for the battle. Darion, a young man with no family of his own, served the King in the tradition of his fathers. He quietly lived within the palace walls with his books and collections of rocks and shells from his travels. He loved the King as a brother and remembered with great fondness the Queen. Ordinary in appearance and physical strength, Darion was more intellectual than soldier and was pleased that way. He made his way up the ranks of servanthood by using his mind to great effect by inventing the spyglass and perfecting the telescope used by the Royal Astronomers. His inventions were greatly admired and used throughout the kingdom. King Alexander trusted Darion without reservation for he had proved his loyalty and fidelity time and again. Now, as Darion held the King’s message within his hands, he knew his time of true testing had come.

The King had taken hundred men with him on the search for Peter, but now he needed the garrison of archers and foot soldiers to prepare for war on Caragon’s army.

The Lords and Ladies present in the castle were all escorted to the Steward’s tower where they could stay for the night. Lady Silith grieved for her people. She pictured them sleeping peacefully, not knowing what lay ahead. She wanted to return, but the King’s Steward warned her of the dangers. She agreed to remain at the Castle.

The Castle became a frantic mess in no time. The archers all readied their bows and the pages and squires gathered thousands of arrows for the battle. They all readied the mangonels, the wooden structures posted along the battle lines for the King’s archers to hide behind while they shot their arrows. Crossbows were prepared as well as spears, lances, shields. The Blacksmiths were summoned to the Keep where the Constable ordered them to ready their fires in case any armor needed to be repaired. The Blacksmiths were in charge of making helmets, armor, shields, and other metal objects alongside the Armorer. They quickly ran to stoke their firepits. The Groomsmen readied the horses, feeding and hitching them all. The loud clanging sound of hammers against anvils echoed throughout the courtyard as Blacksmiths sharpened swords, axes, and daggers.

In the old Keep, the Constable went over food supplies with the Butler and his Pantler. They overlooked fuel, food, and weapons stored in case of battle. Hidden down a spiral staircase beneath the castle floor was the dark and musty old Keep. There they inspected rows and rows of old barrels filled with blasting powder and fuel like oil. Trunks filled with preserved food lay next to rows of sacks filled with grain and potatoes. If the siege to the castle lasted for many weeks, the Constable knew the people could starve if not enough food stored properly in the old Keep. His was grateful when he saw that his men made proper precautions.

Now the time to warn the other villages of the siege had come. On top of one of the tallest towers of the castle stood a large lantern made with tar and wood, only to be lit as a warning of any approaching trouble. The Constable quickly gave the order to light the torch as a warning to the people. The young soldier understood the order and he quickly ran up the stairs leading to the torch. He held a smaller torch in his hand to be used to ignite the flame. As he huffed his way up the lofty perch, he finally approached the enormous pile of wood soaked in black tar. He lowered his small torch onto the surface and immediately the fire spread across the warning signal and sprang up into the starlit sky. The warning signal burned thirty feet into the night. The soldier smiled, hoping the other villages would see its light. He could feel the intense heat on his face. Then he quickly turned and headed down the stairs.

The Constable stood on the North facing wall of the Castle alongside the garrison of soldiers waiting with bated breath. The sky over the villages below remained darkened except for some glowing orange lights coming from Lord Caragon’s approaching army. His heart sank at the sight. Perhaps it is too late, he thought.

Just then, from the Cardion Valley, the soldiers could see the torch. The people of the Cardion Valley had seen the warning signal. By responding with their signal, this meant that the people of the Cardion Valley knew of the coming siege. The Constable knew in a matter of time the people would head toward the Castle and safety.

One by one, the other torches lit up the night sky. The Crow Valley torch, the farthest and most difficult to see, burned as well. The people would remain there and fight to save their land. A journey to the castle would be far too dangerous for them. They would ultimately come face to face with Caragon’s army if they tried to go through the desert plains. They decided to stay and wait. And pray.

The torch of the Cornshire cut through the night sky as the people entered into the Castle courtyard to safety. The constant stream of villagers with their carts pulled by oxen, donkeys, and people on foot lined the road toward the Castle. The people carried everything precious to them as well as woolen blankets, pots of water, and tools. Most important of all were the animals. Sheep and goats followed by chickens and geese all streamed into the courtyard. As the people entered into the once peaceful market, they saw soldiers running to find position, carpenters building reinforcements near the tops of towers and gates, food and water being rushed into the storage rooms of the Keep. They smelled the fires from the Armorer’s pit as the men swiftly hoarded together more and more freshly made swords and arrows for the soldiers. Many had never been inside the castle walls. Amazed at how high the stone walls stood into the sky, they began to feel hope. The Constable shouted orders to the garrison of soldiers to carry extra supplies of arrows and lances with them up to their positions on the castle walls. Many of the soldiers had gathered in the Chapel where the Chaplain was offering a prayer of safety for the men.

Realizing there was little left to do as Caragon’s army approached, The Constable waited and watched.

With the final order given, the drawbridge was raised and the main gate closed. The final rows of villagers quickly made their way through the gates. As the bridge slowly rose off the earth and into the night sky, the soldiers and villagers watched in awe at the sight of the towering wooden bridge rising and ultimately sealing shut the palace walls. North, south, east and western gates were all closed immediately upon Darion’s orders. Having never seen the gates in the closed position, the people were suddenly filled with fear. They thought about their homes, farms, and the village itself they had left behind. Would they ever see their lands again? Mothers held their children closer and their men held them tight. They each hoped for the safety of their King who faced Lord Caragon’s army even as they stood there.

Sadness crept over the kingdom as a black cloud gathers before a fierce storm. Everyone knew what Caragon’s men were capable of and they knew the hatred and greed that bred in the black hearts of his men. For years they had seen the evil in the form of a gathering gloom hovering over his dark castle.

Four hundred soldiers remained atop the castle walls. More waited within the courtyard. The outer curtain walls were several yards thick and made of stone. They could withstand a battle. Even still, soldiers and archers stood at the ready. The wind stopped. An eerie stillness settled over the walls and over the land. They knew the walls held their fate. The soldiers would risk all to ensure that the enemy would not find their way over those walls.

“Look!” yelled one foot soldier, as his arm stretched forward. He pointed out towards the desert plains. The full moon moved outside the clouds and lit up the horizon. From along the castle walls, the soldiers could see an immense and growing orange glow from the fires of Caragon’s army as it burned the Cardion Valley.

The siege had begun.

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

The Rescue

The King and his men galloped across the lands passing the quiet Cardion Valley. Clops of mud flew into the air as the horses trampled the wet ground. Heading over the hills and toward the entrance of the Dragon Forest, they could see the rows of quaint small houses with smoke coming from their chimneys

As they approached the entrance, they stopped to hear their instructions from their King. They all gathered there to listen. The breath from their horses filled the air as their large chests heaved in and out. They had worked the beasts hard on that night.

Before heading on, Sir Peregrine saw the others stopped. He directed his men toward the King to listen. The King saw his head Knight approach.

“My Lord.” Sir Peregrine said as he and his mount came to an abrupt stop.

“Peregrine, take your men near the Northern entrance and we will enter here. Meet us in the center of the Forest near the lake. Mind you, it is deep. The way can become like an illusion. The Forest, it comes alive.”

“Enter in?” Peregrine asked. “My Lord, is it wise for the King to enter into the forest?” The men were silent. “Perhaps you should allow me and my men to enter first.” King Alexander pondered this idea for a moment, and then heard a sound coming from behind.

They looked and saw an approaching rider. As all the men turned to the rider, they all recognized the King’s messenger.

“My Lord.” The boy huffed as his horse slid to a stop in the muddy earth. Then he spoke with great urgency. “A message …from your scouts… in the Black Hills,” he said as he dismounted and handed the King the note. Amazed that this young man had ridden the great distance from the Black Hills, the King read on. The message must be urgent indeed.

The King dismounted his horse and rushed towards the exhausted man. Taking the note, he eyed his Knights. They looked confused.

He walked a few paces as he read the words scribbled on the note:

“My Lord, as your loyal scout, I have asked this devoted messenger to bring you this most urgent warning. Lord Caragon’s men have been hiding in the Black Hills. Only I and a handful of my men have survived. Caragon’s men have left Hildron castle and are headed toward the Cardion Valley and, as I write this, they ride with the intent to destroy all in the Valley as they head toward the Cornshire and, finally, the Castle of Illiath.

“There is not much time to act. I pray you meet Caragon’s men before they enter the Valley.

“Your loyal servant...”

King Alexander stood silent with his back towards his men. He had never felt more alone than at this moment. The dilemma was staring him straight in the face.

How could this have happened? He thought. His mind raced. He raised his eyes toward the Forest with its black trees staring down at him. The moon was now covered by dark looming clouds. Several black crows encircled them above. They cawed and broke the silence of his thoughts. He alone knew what the forest possessed. He knew what his son faced. He also knew the capabilities of Caragon’s men, and how the men of the Cardion Valley were mostly farmers, not soldiers. They would be no match for the evil knights of Caragon’s army of Hildron riding toward them now. He pictured the people asleep in the small thatched homes unaware of the events about to take place. The faces of the women and the children of the village all crossed through his mind.

Something had to be done.

“Sire.” Sir Peregrine interrupted the King’s thoughts.

Peregrine dismounted and walked toward the King.

“Caragon’s men,” Alexander whispered. “They tricked us. They saw us leave the castle and are now headed toward Cardion.”

Alexander searched Peregrine’s face, but found no surprise. Puzzled, the King turned toward his Knights. His eyes met theirs. They saw the worried look in their King’s eyes.

“We’ve not much time,” The King answered.

“Yes, sire. What about the Prince?” Peregrine asked.

Faced with this dilemma, the King had to weigh the importance of his young son’s foolish night ride and the evil that headed toward his people.

“You there!” The King shouted at the messenger. He put his hands on the young rider’s shoulders and looked deep into his anxious eyes. “Ride back to the castle. Ride as fast as you can. There isn’t much time to waste.”

“When you arrive at the gate, give the Constable the note. Tell him to prepare the Castle for siege and to send a garrison of my Knights to meet us in the Cardion Valley hills. Tell them of the urgency. Now ride!”

With that, the messenger hopped back on his horse and shouted at the frightened animal to move. The men watched him ride off toward the kingdom. Then they turned their eyes on the King.

“We’ve only minutes to spare. All of you with me ride toward the Valley. Sir Peregrine,” the King turned toward his head knight.

“Yes, my Lord!” He shouted in reply and placed his hand over his heart. “I will lead my men into the forest and retrieve your son.”

“Do nothing out of foolishness, Peregrine,” Alexander said. “The Dragon is real.”

“We will approach with caution, my Lord,” Peregrine answered and bowed his head.

Relieved, the King wanted to hear just that. He quickly mounted his horse. He looked regal on his mount as his silver armor glistened and his scarlet cape flowed in the slight breeze. The Sword of Alexander was safely inside its sheath attached to the King’s belt. His heart told him to trust his old friend, Peregrine, once more. At sixteen years of age, they fought together in battle. Peregrine fought as a squire, Alexander as the Prince. For his courage, Alexander knighted Peregrine there on the battlefield after he became King. From that moment on, Peregrine swore allegiance to Alexander and his bloodline.

Alexander would have to trust him once again this time with his son’s life.

“I trust you will bring back my son?” He asked his head Knight and all the men with him.

“Yes, sire.” Sir Peregrine knelt down in submission to his King. “We will find him or die, my Lord.”

He placed his hand over his heart. His armor was cold from the night air.

“So be it.” the King said.

He quickly jerked the reigns of his stallion and rode off with his band of men. Peregrine watched his King ride off into the distance.