DRAGON LONGZE- THE GOOD FATHER (REVISED BY BOST 2026) – PART 2

Bankwest to Longze his guardian Vernon had yet again saved his life; when at the most critical moment interceding, with his fiery dragon’s breath transferred to his hands, in an instant it had decimated the villainous Kalen who’d been bent on (maliciously) destroying his (Vernon’s) ward.

 

01- VERNON - LONGZE'S GUARDIAN -FIERCE, FIRE BREATHING DRAGON- JP

Longze meanwhile, unaware (for he had no reason to look back), had quickly descended the goat’s path and safely reached the shoreline. Subsequently, after half a day’s travel, he had arrived at a small fishing village and there, he had secured a passage on a small river boat, that after a week it had eventually docked at the more populous port city Monter of the kingdom of Kourin.

Longze from thereon had travelled eastward on foot, till he reached a small, unremarkable coastal town nestled in a remote corner of Kourin and there, Longze had finally, inconspicuously (unobtrusively) settled down. The few coins paid at the registry office, had legally secured him a simple (wooden structure) one story dwelling perched on a hill, with a small plot of land (for growing vegetables) in the back, at one side a wooden shed (barn) housing four chickens and a rooster, a donkey, two goats, then on the other side a deep well. All of that, including the main house, was then encircled by a white picked fence.

Longze had lived there quietly tending to the animals (which were included in the sale of the house, previous owner having died quite suddenly and without a living relative to bequeath them to), making repairs and often keeping to himself; sometimes he would additionally take on odd jobs at the local smith (metalworker) to make ends meet. Time passed quickly, and he was now shy of five months before he would turn seventeen earth years old (in appearance to the mortal beings). In that time, he had grown up to be six feet tall, with long pale blond hair over the shoulder, with brilliant, grey blue eyes, athletic built. He was exceptionally handsome, but he was not reckless in that by being reserved and elusive, tad unfriendly in demeanor- he’d chosen  instead, in a recluse scholarly  (academician’s) way, to decipher the varied innuendos (insinuations, ambiguities) in the vernacular (argot, slang, idioms), prose (writing style) and several particularly stimulating (noteworthy) works of art (painting, still life, portrait, images and water colors). 

In the interim, he would quietly but astutely (keenly) observe and study, atypical quarks human civilization, and in some instances even document it in a small bound book (a journal), as nights were insipidly (boringly) long. He was then again, infrequently (seldom) drawn to bizarre human archetypal (standard mainstream) likes and dislikes. He shied away, however, from exacting hereditary or practical social norms, the hierarchical edifices (organizations, networks), the odious mercantile transactions, obnoxious artisan habits, abhorrent military feats that subjugated benign nations and execrable moral statutes (rulings, edicts). Nonetheless, even these were diligently recorded in the same bound book, with multilayers of loving and virtuous human interactions, exultant family dynamics and social recreations, diversions (sports, games, pastimes, amusements) which humans often engaged in within the dynamics of core or extended family.

 

02- YOHN LONGZE

Sensible (mature) beyond his years, Longze till then had avoided all conventional (usual) complications of social or political entanglements, which often beset (plagued) most men in the mortal realms. Factor in the capricious fate, and unexpectedly and decisively, his placid existence was abruptly one day was overturned, to make way for dire trouble, which destiny had most certainly marked him for.

                                                                                                                 ~

In a small town, in gatherings, shops and saloons, people often talked (gossiped) and shared private opinions; they watched and judged, particularly of every newcomer, as it was their habitual pastime. And yes, they had also shared certain opinions about the recent, enigmatic young citizen Longze:  

Everyone knew him by the name of Yohn Longze, who had arrived in the village little over a year with his few possessions tucked into a bundle under his arm. With the small amount of cash, he had brought with him which had enabled him to purchase the old, excentric Mercer’s abode. With no friends or relatives, young Longze lived there since then, shying away from idle gossip and instead, planting flowers and vegetables on his small plot of land and tending to his obligatory animals. The animals had been clearly spooked at first, for whatever reason, but in time they had settled down. Longze did not drink or gamble, he was instead an avid reader, and he was observed habitually (consistently) seated by the window every night, quietly reading passages from the soft bound books, which he routinely had acquired from the local bookstore. Passers by sometimes observed him during late afternoons, seated on the stairs in front of the door, scribbling stuff into the small bound book. Other than that, no one knew much about him, but many respected him none the less as he was always above board, kind, sincere and always ready to land a helping hand without question to all those that needed it.

 

03-

There were those however, with black hearts and clouded judgements, especially when they were inebriated, idly sitting by in some seedy saloon (drinking establishment), wanting to liven up the dreary, mundane times and to  gain measure of recognition from their compatriots, by questioning or through insinuation, trying to tarnish Longze’s all too perfect, pristine record. After all no human was without flaws (faults, defects); he had to have some hidden vices.

                                                                                                     ~

It so happened that Yohn Longze’s closest neighbour was a store owner, named Thomas, who lived with his wife Rikka and a beautiful daughter named Asta. Asta was a good four years older than Longze (which made her about twenty years old) and so Longze had always greeted her with respect due to elder sister. Thomas made a good living selling much needed supplies to the local crofters and fisherman.

One ordinary evening after repast, as the family leisurely played cards, because of a minor irregularity (infraction), to the utter consternation of the parents, they discovered that their beloved daughter was now with child. No one had gone to bed that entire night; as the aggrieved (angry, upset) father pestered his daughter relentlessly till dawn. Subsequently, Thomas had finally extracted (obtained) an unwilling confession from his dog-tired (drained, wearied) daughter Asta and learned of the culprit ‘s identity.

Though a great shock, they took her at her word and confronted Longze that afternoon, with his wrongdoing. The father was itching to beat Longze to a pulp, but Longze’s fine physique and composed (serene) demeanor, despite the hurled insults and accusation, his tolerant nature, soon diffused the irate father’s fury, as well deterred him from unleashing his vengeful wrath on this maddeningly placid individual.

04- THOMAS

In all that time, Longze had not defended himself nor did he counter the accusations of Thomas, which Thomas interpreted (took it) as admission of guilt.

Longze had listened patiently to the unfounded allegations which sullied his good name and had endured Thomas’s irate curses, look of daggers, fiery tirade, threats, and perplexing (inexplicable) ramblings, till the other had lost his voice. Then, at the end of it, without showing the least emotion, Longze had simply bowed his head, shrugged his shoulders and in a muted tone agreed, “As you’ve already condemned me sir, I’ll agree to whatever you say.”

Just before dusk, Thomas had returned home frustrated, indignant, and still fuming; however, other than his daughter’s word, he had no real proof which to present this matter to the magistrate then, lawfully register a formal complaint and demand apt compensation. Asta’s vehement declaration, that despite her erring in judgement that one time (her being compromised), she had no true affections (love) for Longze and hence, refused absolutely, any notion of marriage to him, terminated that option. Thomas, meanwhile, dreaded the consequences of his precious daughter’s name being dragged through the mud (her being the object of idle gossip); thus, he considered his alternate options and finding none, the matter was abruptly dropped.

In the subsequent months as she became visibly pregnant, however, the unavoidable gossip of course spread like wildfire throughout the town; furthermore, the mysterious gossipmonger had pointed the finger of blame squarely at the newcomer Yohn Lonze, causing his systematic persecution and directing intense, mass animosity even from the more moderate folk. Longze was now shunned like the plague by many decent citizens, some merchants refused to sell their products (wares, food, merchandise) to him, and at every instance, women drew their children near and crossed the street to avoid (eye-contact with) him.

05-YOHN LONGZE

By turns, Lonze was approached by few prostitutes and the rough ruffians (gangsters) offering him unsavory deals, as well, risky, though highly profitable jobs, which he of course promptly declined. Then, they too also turned on him, making his life a living hell.

During this time, he had suffered some serious physical (health) impediments which he received neither the proficient treatment, medicine, nor solace, prolonging his recovery. He also had to endure some minor fiscal (monetary) setbacks, when even the town’s smith (metalworker), who favored his work chose to distance himself from Longze. Longze endured these financial hardships by being extra frugal.

Humans are usually covetous of superior beings and Longze had inadvertently, incurred their innate jealousy with his noble, upstanding, empathetic, and generous nature. They, therefore, were all too quick to condemn him and revel in his status of a fallen one with stained propriety (respectability, and decency). But once more Longze had stoically borne (withstood, braved) these attacks (censures) during the lengthy, adverse (hostile, evil) episode, steadfast with his due diligence, perseverance, and gentle disposition. Even the rowdy children who frequently lay in ambush to pelt him with rocks, eventually got tired of their campaign once they saw they could not anger him.

After the child was born, the indignant Thomas, ignoring his daughter’s pleas and protestations, one night (under cover of darkness) delivered the healthy baby boy to Yohn Longze’s doorstep in a bassinette.

06-BABY BALDER LONGZE

Longze accepted the infant without any apparent emotion and from that time on proceeded to taking a particularly good care of the baby. In fact, he was delighted at this rare chance and this unexpected, most enjoyable responsibility; he saw to it that the baby was safe and comfortable and well fed; wherever there was need, he fetched some goat’s milk and warmed it before giving it to the infant as an apt nourishment, as he could not pay for a wet nurse. Nor did he question the quirks of fate, as he too in his infancy, had been abandoned to the care of stern, unyielding guardians that never smiled, not once.

06 B- BABY DRAGON LONGZE (32)

 He never had known warmth or loving embrace but nevertheless, he had been fortunate in that his guardians had always been stringent yet fair with his upbringing. He will endow this baby with the love and warmth and all the kindness he had within him to confer (impart).

Soon as he was able, Longze, (strapping the baby to his back) visited the official registrar’s office and formally, as any good father would, adapted the baby, whom he had named Balder (barer of light). He, furthermore, secured the legal document which from thence, officially bequeathed all his worldly belongings, should he one day expire (begone, disappear), to his now lawful son, Balder Longze.

Asta, the mother of the infant, upon learning of this recent development from her father Thomas, eyes brimming with grateful tears, heaved a deep sigh and then, not wanting to jeopardize her secret, nascent hopes, which differed from the one her father Thomas had again reiterated (voiced), she simply looked away. After a prolonged silence, as Balder was a good name so, she then nodded her head, acceding to the baby’s now legal name.

                                                                                                           ~

Then one day when a particular ship with its sparse crew had once more docked in the Town’s puny port, her heart leapt for joy. All this time she had harboured the wish that her young man, named Corey, the affluent Merchan’s eldest son, would keep his promise, return to ask her hand in marriage and make all things right by her.

07- COREY AND ASTA

The young man Corey, as expected, again secretly sought her attentions but upon being told of the child Balder, his unexpected icy demeanour, the subsequent denial, and rebuke had irrevocably broken her heart. She realized than that he had never loved her, but unashamedly (fragrantly, brashly) used her to satiate his carnal desires.

Corey had irately stated that he was expected to take over his father’s business when his father had retired, and as an affluent merchant, they had already arranged for him to be wed to another from an equally affluent family. He could not throw all that away, her status was too beneath him, they would never accept her as his wife; she was not even good enough to be considered as his concubine. Then he had deeply wounded her soul, her integrity and heart, uttering his icy toned, insensitive, and devastatingly cruel question, which doubted her claim of his paternity.

Was he really the sole one that she had been intimate with; how could he be sure she had not taken akin liberties with, some other young men?

She was so utterly devastated by these injurious words, his insinuations, that she had not been chaste (virtuous) in the first place, or else she would not have so easily succumbed to his charms; moreover, he had shamelessly and cravenly, entirely absolved (excused) his part in all of that and squarely laid all blame on her.

She could not believe her ears and eyes; shocked to the core, her face flushed, her eyes brimmed with tears, her chest constricting with pain she, therefore, did not know whether to cry or laugh. She simply wanted to disappear! But then, unexpectedly, her heart just then abruptly hardened (turned to stone) and she simply, with an icy glare, stared at this loathsome, ruthless, aspiring spineless fiend whom she had once, by being totally gulled, intensely and wholeheartedly loved. Adamant then not to show least weakness to this opportunistic, dastardly being, Asta held (pinned) her unreadable gape (stare, gawk, gaze) on him for two whole minutes, with the sardonic (wry) smile on her lips, her ears deft to all his subsequent excuses and cowardly (gutless) ramblings; thus, wanting absolutely nothing further to do with Corey, she told him a blatant lie, robbing him therefore of any potential future claim to her child Balder.

Thereafter, she simply (turned) gave her back to him and walked away.

How ironic life was; how fickle her fate had been! As the distance between them grew, her thoughts (strangely enough) inexplicably had veered to Longze, she heaved a deep intake of breath and then sighing, she gloomily looked up at the smoothly sailing clouds in the sky.

Mercifully for the time being, her precious son Balder, had been (albeit temporarily) placed in the competent care of a far deserving, a virtuous human being, Longze. young as he was, he was far more reliable, a good father to her son. But she knew that one day, regardless, she would want her son back, she could not do it now, but one day she will find a way, as she refused to shirk her responsibility to Balder.

If only her heart had instead been captivated by Longze…If only he was older… or she, younger.

08-LONGZE

But she could not, not in good conscience, do that to Longze; Asta respected him far too much now, to bind such a noble person, to a loveless marriage. Why won’t her father understand this: Longze deserved to have his own loving wife and offsprings…She expected that one day he would have all that.

Later, that day as she had watched a distant ship’s departure, her wayward thoughts again turned back on Longze. Her conscience ached, her breath caught, and tightness in her chest mounted becoming unbearable with all that shame and guilt, as her brain ruminated all that the virtuous (righteous), young man Longze had endured on her account.

Longze’s most recent generous deed, his registering a will that furthermore ensured Balder’s future comfort and safety, anew filled her heart with boundless gratitude, and brimmed Asta’s eyes with fresh tears.

In the subsequent months Asta’s conscience had persisted in troubling her; meanwhile, the child was entirely innocent of this, and so in the end she was resolved to love him wholeheartedly and bring him up herself, without want. That evening after the repast (meal), she simply broke down and tearfully confessed the truth about the baby’s paternity to her parents. Pleading for forgiveness next, she declared that Yohn Longze had been entirely innocent; that he had nothing to do with her pregnancy and that he had been so grievously wronged. Furthermore, she implored her parents to permit her to claim her child, to bring him home and thereafter, lovingly (tend to him) bring him up.

When the commotion died down, and copious tears were shed by all, both parents along with their daughter showed up at Longze’ door to ask humbly and at length for his forgiveness and to retrieve (re-claim) the burdensome bundle, the precious son and beloved grandson Balder, they had prior, left in his care. That he could at any time can call on them to see Balder.

Longze had again patiently, with decorum listened to Thomas’s sincere explanations, his ensued regrets and profound apologies; then with a solemn expression he had nodded, as soft murmur passed his lips, “Please do not trouble your hearts with any remorse, I was most happy to do it, as I now also concede to your request.”

Longze then turned and went inside, fetched the peacefully sleeping child and delivered him into their loving care of his grandfather. As they were leaving, Asta turned her head to look apologetically back at Longze, to silently beg (implore) his forgiveness once more and to express her deep gratitude for his benevolence; she, however, saw instead, a single tear glistening on his cheek as he abruptly retreated, disappearing back inside his humble abode.

                                                                                

09- GUARDIAN VERNON

“Are you all done now?”  Inside his guardian Vernon suddenly manifesting, asked.

Longze lowered his head to hide the tears brimming in his eyes and nodded.

“Yes, I’m done… And I apologize for all my prior transgressions, as well, for my most recent act of disobedience sir; and now, I humbly await, without protest, my just due punishment.”

“Consider it a lesson well learned.” Vernon, furrowing his brow, sternly ejected; meanwhile, masking his unusual compassionate feel, he for a spell, with an unreadable expression simply looked at his charge (ward). Vernon then shook his head, tad disappointed, for this was not the experience he had wished for Longze to have.

Subsequently, both (without trace), had simply, instantaneously, vanished into thin air.

10- GUARDIAN VERNON AND FLEDGELING (TYRO) DRAGON LONGZE

 

Fin.