OUTWITTING THE DRAGON LONGZE (STORY BY BOST, 2026- PART 1)

John had lost both his parents, due to a freak accident, a runaway carriage, at the tender age of six. His innate nature was willful and stubborn; and so, after his daring escape from the oppressive, state-orphanage, he’d pretty much grown up in the streets, relying solely on his own wits.  Barely nine years old, John had then attached himself to an old, excentric blacksmith that lived at the edge of town, and as his apprentice, he’d hence acquired a useful skill. After his mentor the blacksmith had passed away, John wanting to see the world, had travelled on foot, from place to place, eventually settling in a small border town, earning a meagre living, doing whatever jobs needed doing.

01- JOHN THE BLACKSMITH (7)JP

John celebrated his seventeenth birthday, by treating himself to a cold draft, for the first time ever, at the local tavern.  The proprietor had cast him a cautionary look but took his coin and provided him with the local draft without saying another word. He had sat in the dark corner and quietly sipped, savoring the brew, as this was his right of passage, while his eyes stealthily scanned the room for any potential danger. He always kept his vigil, never trusting anyone; however now that he was in his late teens, his strong athletic physique and stalwart (fearless, valiant) bearing and unfriendly demeanor, deterred most ruffians (thugs, hoodlums) from approaching or targeting him. He had long straight white-blond hair, brilliant blue eyes and was most fair to look at; some might even consider him quite handsome. He’d been smitten with a local farm girl, at the outskirts of town, and that was the reason he’d extended his stay within this region.

There happened to be an old, old castle at the edge of town perched on a hilltop by the fast-flowing river. The castle had been abandoned long ago by the original owner Lord Densel Keroy, whose family had once lived there, for untold generations. After the Lord’s wife’s sudden death, he’d married a mysterious woman, some thought she was a witch, and from thence, things had taken a turn for the worse. One after the other, Lord’s three offsprings, close relations and then the extended members (kinfolk) had all, through succumbing to accidents, bad luck, illness or pestilence, perished. No one knew what’d became of the Lord or the reminder of his family; they had simply, one stormy night, under cover of darkness boarded the moored vassal (river boat) and sailed down the river. They were never seen or heard from ever again; moreover, for unknown reasons, Lord’s name or any reference of him, thereafter, had all been erased (wiped out) from the historical records (this included the town’s genealogy’ books). Deemed a cursed place, the once magnificent castle (along with its manicured grounds sporting fountains and statues and exotic trees and flowers) meanwhile, was simply abandoned and left to rot (decay, deteriorate).

02- ABANDONED CASTLE IN RUINS (3)jp

No one went near this old castle, save for John. The castle was by then so decrepit that most of its walls and towers and turrets and gateways and arches, some overgrown by ivy, lay crumbled or in ruins; a comparatively small segment (of the east wing) had remained intact, as a reminder of its once old splendor. John, unfazed by the supposed, curse and the ghostly hauntings (roaming), however, had noted the advantage to be had here; he saw, for instance, that there were two perfectly habitable, almost cozy rooms, within this sector, that was perfectly adequate for his immediate needs. And so, it was here, that John the blacksmith had set up his forge.

John the blacksmith, soon as he’d turned nineteen, had of course married his sweetheart Betty and his deep love and devotion for his beloved had never once wavered (faltered), despite some marital difficulties. She’d been spoiled by her father and had little understanding of the economics of life. Nevertheless, eight months prior, she’d born to him, a lively little baby boy, which he absolutely adored.

Recently, because of some unavoidable setbacks- first was the fire that had gutted their old home, then afterwards, his wife had succumbed to robbery, loosing all their savings- this unfortunately, had left John at present in dire straits; therefore, lacking the adequate funds for  a proper dwelling, he’d of course considered the dilapidated castle, especially since the two perfectly good rooms were rent-free.  So here John blew his bellows and hammered his iron and did all the work which came his way. This was not much, because most of the trade went to the mayor of the town, who was also a blacksmith in quite a large way of business, and had his huge forge facing the square of the town.

03- THE MAYOR  MARCELL

The mayor Marcell employed twelve apprentices, all hammering like a nest of woodpeckers, and four supervisors (controllers, overseers) to order the apprentices about; he had a patent forge and a self-acting hammer, the mechanical (automated) bellows, and many more spiffy things, all handsome about him. So of course, the townspeople, whenever they wanted a horse shod or a shaft mended, went to the mayor.

John the blacksmith, meanwhile, struggled on as best he could, with a few odd jobs from travelers and strangers who did not know what a superior forge the mayor's was. The two rooms John and Betty had occupied, were warm and weather-tight, but not very large; so, the blacksmith John got into the way of keeping his old iron, his odds and ends, his fagots, and his two pence worth of coal in the great dungeon down under the castle. It was a very fine dungeon indeed, with a handsome vaulted roof and big iron rings whose staples were built into the wall, very strong and convenient for tying captives to, and at one end was a broken flight of wide steps leading down no one knew where. Even the lords of the castle in the good old times had never known where those steps led to, but every now and then they would kick a prisoner down the steps in their lighthearted, hopeful way, and sure enough, the prisoners never came back. The blacksmith John, brave as he was, had not the occasion to go beyond the seventh step, so he did not know or cared to know, what was at the bottom of those stairs.

04- BETTY  (28)JP

Beknows to John, when his wife was not doing the housework or nursing the baby, she would pensively sit on the steps or quietly shed some tears, for she was secretly very unhappy. She often ruminated on the happy, carefree days of old when she lived with her father in a stately (splendid) two-story farmhouse, in relative comfort and luxury, in the pristine setting of the countryside. She had two personal servants then tending to all the household chores and her, fulfilling her every whim. Additionally, they had seasonal workers that harvested the fields, they had three dozen sheep and, seventeen cows.

Then one day, while gathering wildflowers in the field, she’d chanced on John; he was so handsome, so dashing a young man, she had immediately been quite taken with him.  Young and reckless, they had married soon after. She with a wry smile on her lips recollected now, sitting quietly by the window, the time John used to come courting her in the summer evenings, as smart as could be, with a posy fastened in his jacket’s buttonhole. And now, her father had passed away, and John’s hair had lost its lustre (sheen); and though they’d survived many hardships, recently fairing worse, there’d been hardly ever enough to eat.

As for the baby, it cried a good deal at odd times but particularly at night; often, when Betty had settled down to sleep, it would always begin to cry, quite as a matter of course, so that she hardly got any rest at all. This made her very tired. The baby could make up for its bad nights during the day if it liked, but poor Betty couldn't. So, whenever she had nothing to do, she used to idly sit and cry, because she was tired out with work and worry.

05-JOHN THE BLACKSMITH (11)jp

One evening the blacksmith John was busy with his forge. He was making a goat-shoe for the goat of a very rich lady, who wished to see how the goat liked being shod, and also whether the shoe would come to fivepence or sevenpence before she ordered the whole set. This was the only order John had had that week. And as he worked his wife Betty sat and nursed the baby, who, for a wonder, was not crying.

Presently, over the noise of the bellows and over the clank of the iron, there came another sound. The blacksmith and his wife looked at each other.

"I heard nothing," said he.

"Neither did I," said she.

But the noise grew louder—and the two were so anxious not to hear it that he hammered away at the goat-shoe harder than he had ever hammered in his life, and she began to sing to the baby—a thing she had not had the heart to do for weeks.

But through the blowing and hammering and singing the noise came louder and louder, and the more they tried not to hear it, the more they had to. It was like the noise of some great creature purring, purring, purring—and the reason they did not want to believe they really heard it was that it came from the great dungeon down below, where the old iron was, and the firewood and the two pence worth of coal, and the broken steps that went down into the dark and ended no one knew where.

"It can't be anything in the dungeon," said the blacksmith John and smiled reassuringly, then using the small strip of cloth he wiped the sweat off his face. "Besides, I shall investigate it proper, when I have to go down there anyway, to fetch more coals in a minute."

"There isn't anything there, of course. How could there be? But you will still be careful, won’t you dear?" said his wife concealing her trepidation (anxiety, unease). And they, being so considerate (and loving) of each other, tried so very hard to reassure the other, that both very nearly did believe it.

Then John took his shovel in one hand and his riveting hammer in the other and hung the old stable lantern on his little finger and went down to get the coals.

"I am not taking the hammer because I think there is something there," said he, "but it is handy for breaking the large lumps of coal."

"I quite understand," said his wife Betty, who had brought the coal home in her apron that very afternoon, and knew that it was all coal dust.

So, John went down the winding stairs to the dungeon and stood at the bottom of the steps, holding the lantern above his head just to see that the dungeon really was empty, as usual. Half of it was indeed empty, except for the old iron and odds and ends, and the firewood and the coals. But the other side was not empty. It was quite full, and what it was full of was Dragon.

06 - DRAGON LONGZE - JP

"It must have come up those nasty broken steps from goodness knows where," said John to himself, with a frown on his lip, as he tried to creep back up the winding stairs. Facing this unexpected danger, his anxious thoughts had been more about the safety and welfare of his wife and child.

But the dragon Longze was too quick for him—it put out a mighty big claw and caught him by the leg, and as it moved it rattled like a great bunch of keys, or like the sheet iron they make thunder out of in pantomimes.

"No, you don't," said the dragon in a grumbling voice that revibrated in the air.

"I beg your pardon," said John, stockily, “I meant you, no disrespect.”  His fearless eyes looked straight at the Dragon, though he was helplessly trapped under the claw of the dragon. Truth be known, he was inwardly awed, staring at this magnificent creature; he’d never seen a dragon before, he’d always been told that they had long been extinct. Subsequently, John shrugged his shoulders, resigned to his fate, and mumbled:  "Alas, here's a nice end for a respectable blacksmith!"

07-DRAGON LONGZE (3)JP

The dragon Longze seemed very much struck by this remark.

"Do you mind saying that again?" said he, quite politely.

So, John said again, very distinctly: "Here—is—a—nice—end—for—a—respectable—blacksmith."

"I didn't know," said the dragon. "Fancy now! You're the very man I wanted."

"I’m at your disposal." John refused to beg for mercy and so had boldly ejected: “Go ahead, incinerate me.” He’d secretly hoped, that after his demise, the dragon would then go back satisfied, to whence he came from, and that his wife and child be safe.

"Oh, I didn't mean that.”  said the dragon Longze, "Though, I should like you to do a job for me. One of my wings has got some of the rivets out of it just above the joint. Could you put that to rights?"

John exhaled in relief and said, “I might, sir," rather politely, for he always was polite to any potential customer, even if he be a dragon.

"A master craftsman—you are a master, of course? —can see in a minute what's wrong," the dragon went on. "Just come around here and feel my plates, will you?"

John tentatively (timidly, cautiously) went around when the dragon took his claw away; and sure enough, there was a part where the dragon's wing was hanging loose, and several of the plates near the joint certainly wanted riveting.

The dragon Longze seemed to be made almost entirely of iron armor—a sort of thin strip of rust color beneath the blue-silver plates, it was from damp, no doubt—and under it he seemed to be covered with something furry.

All the blacksmith welled up in John's heart, and he felt more at ease.

08-JOHN THE BLACKSMITH (14)jp

"You could certainly do with a rivet or two, sir," said he. "In fact, you want a good many."

"Well, get to work, then," said the dragon. Longze could not detect any usual nuance (tone) of prejudice in John’s vernacular, nor could he sense the typical, intense fear in latter’s heart; therefore, rather intrigued by this unique individual and wanting to experience more of his mettle (valour, bravery), plus, unable to resist intimidating him, Dragon Longze said: "You mend my wing, and then I'll go out and eat up all the townsfolk, and if you make a really smart job of it, I'll eat you last. There!"

"I don't want to be eaten last, sir," said John.

"Well then, I'll eat you first," said dragon Longze.

"I don't want that, sir, either," said John.

"Go on with you, you silly man," scoffed the dragon, "you don't know your own silly mind. Come, set to work."

John drew closer- gave the dragon a bit of a nip or a dig under his rivets—took note of the damage…assess what it would take to fix it … fire and smoke. Then he hesitated; he seemed to be rather ambivalent (indecisive) about his next move.

"I prefer not to tackle (handle) this job, sir," finally John ejected, "and that's the truth. I know how easily accidents could happen… Then you’ll blame me, suspecting me of being deliberately malicious.”

"You may carry on without fear; I will not harm you even if you cause me hurt. “Dragon Longze, noting the blacksmith’s lingering qualms, assured John. “I’ll take all that you said under advisement; now, if you please delay no more, rivet me, and I'll eat you last”. Longze was inwardly laughing up a storm, noting the flicker of terror and calculation simultaneously registering in those human eyeballs (cornea, orbs); subsequently, all of it immediately being replaced with the stubborn, defiant fervour (commitment, zeal).

"I know you wouldn't do it on purpose, sir," said John pensively, "but any gentleman will give a jump and a sniff if he's nipped, and one of your sniffs would be enough for me. Now, if you'd just let me fasten you up?"

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“You are way too brazen; I give you that! " The Dragon Longze silently derided; then looking straight at John, outwardly objected: “But that would be so undignified."

"We always fasten a horse up," said John, "and he's the 'noble animal.”

"It's all very well," said the dragon, "but how do I know you'd untie me again when you'd riveted me? Give me something in pledge. What do you value most?"

"My hammer," said John. "A blacksmith is nothing without a hammer."

"But you'd want that for riveting me. You must think of something else, and at once, or I'll eat you first."

At this moment the baby in the room above began to cry. Its mother had been so quiet that it thought she had settled down for the night, and that it was time to begin.

"Whatever's that?" said the dragon, starting so that every plate on his body rattled.

"It's only the baby," said John.

"What's that?" asked dragon Lonze. "Something you value?"

"Well, yes, sir, rather," said the blacksmith John, trying his best to conceal his rising inner dread. He’d so hoped the baby would for once sleep peacefully through it all, and the Dragon would not be aware of their (his wife and son’s) existence.

"Then bring it here," said the dragon, "he’ll be an apt collateral (guarantee); you shall tie me up, I’ll keep an eye on it, till you've done riveting me."

"All right, sir," John reluctantly acceded, "but I ought to warn you… Babies are poison to dragons, so I don't deceive you. It's all right to touch—but don't you go putting it into your mouth. I shouldn't like to see any harm come to you."

The dragon was beginning to lose patience; he inwardly scoffed: “Likely story; you think me so ignorant? But to reassure you, hmm, very well, I’ll simply play along.”

The dragon Longze condescendingly purred and said: "All right, I'll be careful. Now go and fetch the thing, whatever it is."

So, John ran up the steps as quickly as he could, for he knew that if the dragon got impatient before it was fastened, it could heave up the roof of the dungeon with one lurch (motion, toss, heave) of its back and kill them all in the ruins.

Upstairs he found his wife with eyelids closed and in deep slumber, curled up in a ball, lying in bed besides the baby; for despite the baby's cries, she’d been so utterly spent with all that worry that sleep had abruptly claimed her. His sad eyes for a short spell lingering on Betty, John then leaned forward and gently picked up his son. The baby affectionately cradled in his arms, John hastened back to the dungeon and, showing great faith in the creature, he then gingerly placed his precious boy in front of the dragon's front paws.

11- JOHN'S BABY BOY PLACED IN FRONT OF lONGZE.

"You just purr to it, sir," he said, "and it'll be as good as gold."

So, the dragon Longze did just that, and his purring pleased the baby so much that he actually ceased (discontinued, stopped) his crying.

 

(END OF PART ONE- THE STORY CONCLUDES IN PART TWO)

 

                                                                                        ~

 DRAGON LONGZE FALLS IN LOVE (BOST ORIGINAL STORY, 2026 PART 3)

Fortunately, resourceful Brenda had tracked Berdis’s (Longze’s) residual scent and found her elder sister still unconscientious, having reverted back to human form, though naked and collapsed (slumped) on the dirt ground of a huge cave.  And fortuitously still, Brenda had the mindfulness to have brought along some coins (funds) and also, some of Berdis’s clothes with her. 

01- LONGZE AND BRENDA  (6) JP

Later on, when Berdis (Longze) had regained her consciousness, because of temporary amnesia brought on by her ordeal (trauma), she could not at first recollect what had happened the previous night- her reckless consumption of realgar wine and the resultant consequence; thankfully, her younger sister Brenda was there to, while helping her dress, clarify not all, but some of the previous night’s incidents (events, instances) for her, till Berdis’s full memory was restored.

For speedier return home, they charted a boat, using three coins of the funds which Brenda had brought along. They used the other two coins for purchasing some raisin hot buns and two waterskins filled with refreshing brew (beverage, orange juice) from one of the food stalls, as breakfast to be consumed while on board.

Subsequently, as the boat negotiated the choppy waters, for it was rather overcast and windy that day, to lessen the impact, Brenda after momentary hesitation, choosing her words carefully, with apt sensitivity told Berdis (Longze) the regrettable, far graver consequence of her irresponsible act, that had unfortunately begotten (caused) the death of her husband Jedrik.

Mercifully, Brenda had forgotten her money purse and having returned abruptly, made that grim discovery. She (the fairy) had not disturbed anything, simply locked up the house, deposited few essential pieces of clothing just in case in a bundle (residence, abode) and before the residue trace went cold, had hastened out, eventually discovering Berdis in the depths of the huge cave.

Though Brenda had done her best to console her elder sister, to her consternation Berdis had remained irresponsive and frozen; simply beyond reach, she’d with a blank expression stared into the void from then on. Alarmingly, she had stayed that way, eerily silent, till she had reached home.

Grief-stricken and heart palpitating wildly, Berdis had then rushed back to her bedroom at once, and finding her husband’s lifeless body covered by a cloth, slowly pealed the cover to kneel by his body, and cupping her face, only then, came the flood of tears. She’d tragically wept and wept.

02-JEDRIK NENZO (93)JP

Eventually setting aside her grief, Berdis (dragon Longze) and Brenda (Green Snake, the fairy), moved Jedrik’s lifeless body onto the bed and set him up as though he was simply asleep; then seated by the hearth (fireplace), they wrecked their brains to find the means to reverse this tragedy. Berdis (Longze) you see, would not surrender to loss that easily. Berdis deciding on what course to take (process to utilize), she then locked herself into her bedroom leaving Brenda to stand guard at hallway, as it was essential, all during her trance state (meditation, séance) she was not disturbed.

 Longze sat cross-legged on the floor; her eyes focused on the flickering flame of the tall candle before her, her breathing regulated, she then willed herself to enter a deeper meditative state. Her mind penetrating the deeper subconscious (subliminal, near unconscious) state next, the manifest vision showed her the interior of the, now all locked up and abandoned wooden cabin in the dense forest, where once Longze had happily dwelled.

Subsequently, Longze’s ethereal (otherworldly, ghostly) form with her intact retentive memory, telepathically (clairvoyantly) transported to the very cabin, she figuratively speaking, began rampaging through the dust ridden, shelved books. Finding nothing useful there, she next sought to retrieve the more pertinent (relevant, apposite) ones stored in the cavity behind a false wall. Even Haskell did not know of this hiding place. The secret wall panel now pushed aside, Longze, reached in and withdrew (fetched) her old, personal diary carefully concealed at the very bottom of the stacked pile, untouched for many years. The lock now with a click opened, inside pages flipped by as she quickly perused the documented entries one by one.

03- PERUSING THROUGH DIARY

In those days, when the Immortal Haskell was often gone absent from the cabin, she had braved many a time and sneak peaked (sneakily gleaned) at the information from the pages of Immortal Haskell’s closely guarded ancient book which he had hidden in his luggage. Longze’s photographic, acute memory had permanently stored it all where it lay at the back of her mind; however, some of it had been carefully recorded (documented, registered) in her diary. She needed to ascertain (discover) that pertinent, forbidden knowledge, akin to one she now desperately sought, to reverse this tragedy.  And then… there it was…Lo and behold, she finally came across it, exactly the information she sought!

                                                                                    ~

Her first (previous night’s) transformation into a dragon, after her drinking the realgar wine, had been a flux; however, she’d also obtained the precise knowledge now from her entries in the journal; more importantly, that there was a sure reliable way to achieve this aim. Long forgotten memories rushed back to make her smile:

Her ability to transform into a dragon, had been, long ago gleaned (picked up, espied, learned) when once in her playful mood, she’d quietly snuck close behind, and peered into the ancient book Immortal Haskell had intently been reading. Though, when questioned, fearing master Haskell’s ire, she’d vehemently denied seeing anything at all; nevertheless, she had a keen, retentive memory, which at present came very useful. An impish (naughty) smile for a fleeting moment lifted the corners of Longze’s lips, as she, furthermore, recollected all her other mischievous ways in those days spent with Immortal Haskell; so much had changed since then… Berdis (Longze), abruptly dismayed, could not help but heave a deep sigh.

                                                                                ~

04- IMMORTAL HASKELL (34)

Perhaps the certain fact should be revealed at this point, that Immortal Haskell was far more than what he’d led on. He was in fact, the fifth appointed secret ornery (willful, crabby) custodian (guardian) of Longze. His meeting, and thence subtle interference with Longze, was by no means coincidental; nor was his supposed careless conveying of immortal pills; or the accidental transmission of key (strategic) knowledge from that forbidden book, that proved invaluable to Longze- so that he could endure and eventually succeed his subsequent, various dire ordeals.

                                                                                             ~

 

At the successful conclusion of her meditation, Berdis had succinctly appraised Brenda of her intent. Once more Brenda was left behind to care for her husband Jedrick’s corpse and to keep him secure; Berdis (Longze), armed with the vital knowledge, in her dragon form thence, before she reached her full size flew (lunged, escaped) from the open window.

05- BERDIS (lONGZE )FLIES OUT THE WINDOW  AT NIGHT (7)JP

 Berdis (Longze)speared through the clouds, and then in lightening speed sliced through the upper atmosphere; she arrived at the Islet magic mountain Mount Hellmar, permanently hidden (from all mortal eyes) by the miasmic (mephitic, vaporous) clouds, in midst of a vast ocean.

06- THE MAGIC ISLAND

 

The instant Longze’s feet, touched the soil, she reverted to human form then; by carefully (noting) observing the secret tracks, she soon reached the massive (colossal) obsidian rock of a steep incline (gradient). She patiently waited for the precise moment, when the light of the (eclipsed) second moon streaming down for a spell, two minutes to be exact, revealed the secret, celestial (consecrated, sacred) doorway on the obsidian boulder (rock, sarsen).  Longze, standing before it, invoked the specific incantation she’d long ago gleaned from the Immortal Haskell’s book and then pressed her right palm over the configuration of the eye (outline, shape etched) on the surface of the rock.  With an aery sound the jet-black obsidian door slid opened, though for only one second; she hastily entered it, therefore, trespassing into the hidden unworldly realm.

In that pitched darkness, acting purely on instinct, Longze carefully advanced further into the interior, at times negotiating the perilously narrow, full of shard, ledges (projections).  Suddenly a hairy claw gripped at her left leg, she yanked it free, then with the quick flip of the forefinger and thumb, which produced a flame, she found herself staring at the most hideous monster.

07- THE MONSTER IN THE CAVE

The monster however was chained to the wall of the cave, and when she, getting a grip on her fear, moved away from his reach, he whimpered, showing fangs but desperately clawing the empty air. Longze’s initial fears jettisoned (discarded, dumped), she studied the hideous creature more intently; there was no real malice but instead, an unmistakable pain and misery registered in those pupils. His chest heaved painfully each time he inhaled and there were obvious burn marks festering, some of it black, where the silver metal of the (links) chain touched his skin. How long had he been imprisoned there in the pitch, ranched, sulfurous, suffocating air, forced to endure such anguished existence, without end? Longze could not help pitying the poor creature.

Subsequently, she did something that might have seemed unwise, but she felt perfectly right about it in her heart.

“I’m not going to hurt you... I simply wish to help.” She approached him tentatively.

He stopped his low growl resonating in his throat and then, inclining his head, almost with aghast hope, he simply stared at her.

 Longze’s razor sharp gaze, thoughtfully for a time perused (examined) the chains constraining the monster; then, she smiled at him placatingly and placed her free hand (palm) on the thickest part of the chain- which held a tiny almost indiscernible, strange (marking) engraving on it- binding (fastening) his chest.

Subsequently, in a clear voice which resonated in the air, she invoked the ancient spell (an incantation), one of the few ones she’d learned from Immortal Haskell. For few seconds silence reigned, and then, with a ear-splitting crackling sound all the chains binding the monster, one after the other shattered into bits and cascaded onto the dirt floor that hungrily swallowed it all.

08- RAVEN PRINCE THORSTEN JARL

More remarkable still, that very instant the hideous monster was no more; in its stead stood a handsome, vigorous, stout young man, with long straight black hair down to his shoulders, brilliant blue eyes, clad in black garments  and was of about twenty years in age, who looked to be of royal descent (pedigree, lineage). He also had projected from his back, magnificent, jet-black wings. With tearing eyes, he at once fell on his knees and bowing his head, thanked her most profusely, for her mercy and for his rescue.

Longze dismissing it, urged him to rise to his feet; after the formal introductions, she’d then learned succinctly that he was an immortal crown prince named Thorsten Jarl from an ancient Raven Kingdom (raven-elf, fairy land), who’d been maliciously deceived by an evil entity (the devil) Nihasa, that coveted his beloved wife and his kingdom. 

09-RAVEN CROWN PRINCE THORSTEN JARL AND WIFE JUYIN (26) JP

Four days prior, when the Crown Prince Thorsten Jarl was to be crowned as the new Sovereign, the Prince had been shrewdly lured to this magic island, then after a desperate struggle (battle), was cunningly vanquished (defeated). Nihasa then, while the Prince Thorsten was rendered helpless and in semi-conscious state, had uttered an antediluvian (ancient) incantation which had transformed the demon into the prince’s exact replica (likeness, facsimile). Before the culprit Nihasa had left the island, however, he’d additionally spun another two primordial spells, one which transformed Prince Thorsten’ into a hideous monster, the other, that magically imprisoned (confined) him there, till he torturously perished. Thorsten Jarl had been nearing the end of his life, when Longze, his benevolent saviour, had provided him this rare chance of, return and retribution. 

Thorsten Jarl had naturally asked if at present he could be of any help, however, Longze had sweetly refused and urged him instead, to in haste return and re-claim his kingdom.  And so, after his sincere declaration that he would thereon forever be in Longze’s debt, and that one day he would fully repay her for her kindness, they had quickly parted ways.

                                                                                       ~

Longze then going the opposite direction and, further inward of the pitch, abysmal cave, had encountered many more hazards; nonetheless, she traversed (crossed) the sometimes unstable, shifting, rock bridges, followed through several subterranean caves, and braved countless other reticent (taciturn) or hostile phantom beings (that flew, floated or slithered), to eventually, steal the magical, glowing purple mushroom, in the centre of an islet (island, isle), surrounded by fast flowing, swirling (whirlpooling, eddying) molten lave.

10- MAGIC MUSHROOM

Returning home, she at once set to work, to concoct (produce) the medicine (remedy, cure): she shielded her breath with a cloth, for the purple mushroom as it was being crushed let out toxic vapours; contents reduced to a pulp, it was then boiled, to make tea with it; when it cooled, the liquid was carefully poured (in trickles) down Jedrik’s forced open mouth.

Once ingested (consumed, downed, drunk), the color gradually returned to Jedrik Nenzo’s pallid face and so, he was swiftly restored back to life. Naturally, this fact had been kept from him.  (Meanwhile, Heaven had taken notice and Longze later on, would have to answer for this breach/violation.)

As it were, though Jedrik had fully, blessedly recovered, unfortunately thenceforth a strange alienation dogged their marriage. Inwardly terrified that his wife was not human and being ignorant of her heroic efforts to save his life, Jedrik from then on shunned any intimacy with Berdis and this further strained their relationship.

Desperate to regain his trust, Berdis one day played a rather ingenious ruse on her husband. Her white silk sash was turned to a small scale living white dragon and, with this as a plausible explanation; Jedrik was led to believe that the scarf was what had frightened him.

Gradually, over time their mutual affection was regained, until that is, when one day Jedrik again chanced one the spiritualist Khronos in the border marketplace.

11-KHRONOS (17)JP

Latter still harboring intense envy and odium (hatred) for his old nemesis, with the black heart Khronos again planted the seed of suspicion in Jedrik’s heart, hinting that his wife was not above playing dirty tricks on him. Terrified, Jedrik was then given a possible solution to his dilemma: “Become a monk and live at the temple; that’s one place (built on a sanctified, hallowed ground) the demon that is your wife, won’t be able to reach (touch) you.”

At first Jedrik had remained reticent, as he’d been torn between the love he felt for his wife and the fear of her.  Subsequently, with his head and his heart still at war; his ambivalence seemingly eternal, he decided to defer any decision till later.

“All right,” Khronos acquiesced. “But since we are here, you might as well see the place. It might help you reach an apt decision, should the need arise in future.”

12- MONASTERY ON AN ISLAND

And so, on the wily urging of Khronos, Jedrik and Khronos boarded the craft. Together they crossed over to the river island where the sanctuary, the temple that housed many monks, was built more like a fortress. Jedrik was shown his possible accommodations (lodgings); before Jedrik, who had then questioned his choice, could react, he had unfortunately found himself essentially incarcerated (gaoled, imprisoned).

13- JEDRIK NENZO (39)

“This is for your own good.  You should be thanking me for saving your life,” Insisted Khronos, as he turned the key to Jedrik’s cell door.

As it were, the vindictive Khronos had earlier on dispensed some funds, all the while spinning a convincing yarn, therefore eliciting the cooperation of the abbot and monks of this sanctuary.  They were led to believe, they were doing this for the salvation of Jedrik’s wayward, doomed soul. They actually were convinced of the fact Jedrik had been for some time now, without his knowing, been enslaved (his core life force and human soul was being slowly ingested, siphoned off, devoured) by the evil incarnate, the demon white serpent that was also the demon white dragon, one and the same.

                                                                               ~

Four days had passed and Jedrik had not returned from his short business trip to the border marketplace. An in dept inquiry revealed Jedrik’s last known position and the specifics (particulars) of a companion he’d been seen with. The details of that contact (acquaintance, fellow) left no room for doubt. By then Berdis was worried and anticipating the grievous outcome, she shared her intentions with her sister Brenda.

On the following night Berdis, intent on breaking her oath (of never transforming into a dragon) to Jedrik, she stood in a small clearing (a field) with her sister Brenda beside her. Subsequently, under the canopy of stars, a gentle breeze caressing her cheeks, she gazed briefly at the crescent moon, then invoked the ancient spell which summoned her inner force and instantly transformed her into her innate (inborn) self, which was the white dragon.

Brenda alighted (perched) on her back, the two set off on the projected (expected) rescue mission. Unfortunately, Khronos had anticipated (predicted) this move and additionally spun an incantation detrimental to dragons; moreover, he then awaited at the ramparts with an armed, sizeable force of monks, purportedly to eliminate this menace once and for all.

14- KHRONOS WAITED WITH THE MONKS EXPECTING STRIKE (37)

Emboldened by the solid defenses in place, “Vile Demon!” Khronos, grinding his teeth, bellowed from behind an impenetrable shield. “You cannot feast on this human. It is our solemn duty to protect unsuspecting humans from one such as you!”

“I have harmed no one and helped many,” protested dragon Longze, projecting it in human vernacular. “Surely the demon is he who deliberately and maliciously separates (divides) man and wife!”

“Save your breath sister, he won’t listen to any reason!” Brenda (the fairy, the green snake) interceded. “Force is our only recourse; he has duped them all, and unfortunately nothing short of violence will get through their solid defenses!”

Longze was averse to violence; she’d hoped to rescue her husband through peaceful means (sensible negotiation) and without resorting to pugnacity (aggression) or bloodshed. Brenda had come along, hoping to be dropped off at a strategic spot, where she could unseen penetrate within and reaching Jedrik, and if possible, release him from captivity. However, Berdis (Longze) had soon found herself under heavy bombardment of relentless hostile assault.

15- MONKS ON THE OFFENSIVE (27)

Constrained by present circumstance, the lovely and courageous Berdis (Longze) and Brenda (riding on top), through evasive maneuvers, sought to bypass the defenses and reach her husband and when that failed, Longze was forced to launch her fiery breath, still careful however, to aim it as means of deterrent attack. Longze could have incinerated them at one stroke, but she chose not to do this.

16- LONGSE FIGHTS ALSO (36)

She was on a mission of rescue not punitive campaign. Furthermore, the incantation, had severely restricted Longze’s powers. Wishing not to bring harm to misled army of monks, Berdis (Longze) and Brenda in the end capitulating (yielding), flew away; however, resolved to endeavor (strive, attempt) fresh rescue on another day.

From within the temple cell meanwhile, Jedrik had heard all that seemingly endless commotion of the battle. Upon discovering that it was his wife’s attempt at his rescue he became adamant to at least stand by her. When things had died down, and many chose to gain some (albeit temporary) respite: Jedrik using his wits, eventually succeeded in escaping from his captivity and securing a moored boat, quietly left the island.

17-JEDRIK NENZO (41)

At long last reaching his wife, both embraced and shed tears, then discussed their future plans involving escaping to obscurity, at lengthy, breathless, talk (conversation).

“I now understand how you’ve suffered for my sake.” Teary eyed Jedrik hugged his wife again and again and same time begged her forgiveness.

“Human or dragon, I shall love you for all eternity. “He uttered (declared) his solemn promise, as he held her in a tight embrace.

18- BERDIS AND JEDRIK NENZO (58)jp

The reunited lovers subsequently, covertly moved to a border town, far, far away. Shortly after, Berdis (Longze), gave birth to a healthy human (mortal) son, Kelby.

Their well-deserved happiness would have been everlasting, had it not been for the despicable, adamant foe Khronos who, unfortunately, again resurfaced to, this time permanently destroy all that Berdis (Longze) held dear.

When the deadly surprise, the potent assault occurred, the fairy Brenda fought intrepidly alongside her elder sister Berdis (Longze) to defend both Jedrik and Kelby. During the fiercest part of the onslaught (attack, offensive, blitz), Brenda (the green serpent, the fairy) heroically, at one crucial point had even thrown herself Infront of Longze, and therefore, suffered the extreme brunt of the projectile (missile, rocket) that had been designed specifically to annihilate dragon Longze.

19-  KHRONOS'S DEADLY INCANTATION (52) JP

Consequently, the supreme impact had instead, utterly decimated (annihilated) Brenda’s true being (form).

Berdis (Longze),  letting out an earth shattering cry, had  instantly reverting back to her human form, had held on to her little sister in a tight embrace, urging her to hold on, to stay with her; but Brenda had sadly shook her head, then peacefully,  just dissolved into million bits of glittering little stars that dissipated (dissolved, vanished) into the air.

Dragon Longze, her fury unleashed, did avenged all her losses; and Khronos, though he’d appealed to Heaven, bit too late, in a desperate plea to be saved- well, he aptly got his just due!

20- LONGZE PUNISHES CHRONOS (71)

He was burned to an ash by the indomitable (invincible) dragon fire.

Unfortunately, Longze, was never the same again, and she flew straight to the top of the permanently snow-capped peaks of the highest mountain range, to spend the remainder of her days, in self imposed solitary confinement, till her sentence was served and she was allowed to naturally pass away.

21- LONGZE FLIES TO THE NORTH (3)

What Longze did not know however, was that all had not been lost to her; Kelby, her son (carrying dragon genetic markers) had survived and was carried away to safety by none other than the Immortal Haskell.

Moreover, through the interference of some immortals who secretly held Longze in high regard, they and Immortal Haskell had cared for Kelby, as well, enabled him to have a long, fruitful life.

Best of all, Kelby did, one faithful day, meet up with his reincarnated parent Longze!  But that’s another story.

The End