DRAGON LONGZE ENCOUNTERS FREYA (BY BOST, 2026, PART 2)

 

 On that faithful day at the sixty-seventh Summer Solstice festival, the two antagonists (rivals), Alec Aquila and Jedrick Bijarke, had yet again clashed, when Alec had stoically and valiantly defended his sister Freya’s honor.

01-JEDRICK BIJARKE (12)JP

Alec, furthermore, covertly challenged by the brazen Jedrick, to the ultimate (high stakes) duel, he, without moment’s hesitation, had intrepidly and gallantly (boldly) accepted it. Because of his protective instincts, however, he had kept her entirely in the dark about the arranged duel; instead, quietly tended to his sister’s needs and afterward, because their mood had been spoiled, he safely escorted her home.

During repast that night, one look at their sombre faces, and Hans Aquila, understood at once that something grave must have transpired, during that day’s excursion in the Village, which had brought them home early. Thus, their missing night’s sundry (manifold) festivities and the still ongoing, multifarious celebrations of the Summer Solstice festival in the Village squire, which was the most coveted (popular) occasion where which the young people (teenagers) were allowed to without reservation, enjoy and fully indulge in varied alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine.

02--FREYA AND ALEC AQUILE IN THE MARKET SQUIRE

Moreover, by returning early, Alec and Freya had forfeited their right to participate in the finale celebrations (festivities): the thrilling midnight bonfire, where flutes and drums sang all night, while the young men and women in their colourful fineries (regalia, attire) danced, twirled about and made merry, around the towering, raging (blazing) bonfire at the village squire; a blissful, joyous event that lasted way past the midnight hour. A night also, when the romantically involved young men and women made promises to each other, a respectable number of them marrying shortly thereafter, within a year.

Hans Aquila did not wish to pry, so he had patiently waited most of that night, for his dear children to unburden themselves to him; however, they had both in tandem (concurrently), decided, not to worry their dear old dad with something he needn’t bother.

03- HANS AQUILA (19)JP

                                                                                  ~

 

Four days later, on a cloudy afternoon, at the secretly pre-arranged secluded spot, at the edge of the dark forest, the indomitable Alec had faced Jedrick and his nine most ardent cronies, plus one supreme warrior/guard, Haldor Yon; one against eleven, since the dire combat entailed no restrictions.

Jedrick was quite pleased with himself and utterly confident that on this day he would finally rid himself of the pest that robbed him of his peace (harmony) and serenity (equanimity). Especially since he held the trump card, the famed, invincible warrior, Haldor Yon, with him. Jedrick had asked Haldor, calling in the long-standing favor, the warrior had owed him for his past discretion that had saved Haldor from a grave consequence. Jedrick had same time begged Haldor to keep it entirely secret, for if his father knew, he would be in dire trouble, understanding his concern, the warrior Haldor had readily acceded.

04- JEDRICK (CONFIDENT HE WOULD WIN THE DUEL)

At the anticipated time, Alec Aquila was instantly surrounded by Jedrick, and his staunch (faithful), heavily armed competent posse (gang) of nine; all glowering (scowling), brandishing their swords and poised to strike. The tension in the air was so palpable and all-pervasive (overpowering) that, the varied cohabitants of the forest (all the creatures: animals, birds, insects, and organisms, etc.) all, seemed to hold their breath; and, the air was so thick with tension that one could hear a leaf fall on the ground.

The main adversarial force (group) was held back momentarily from the immediate offensive (onslaught, attack) however; instead, the first honours were given to, Haldor Yon, the invincible, aristocrat/warrior, an esteemed friend and, one of one of Elof Bijarke’s, most trusted, elite guards.

Incredibly, Alec soon surprised Jedrick and all his armed thugs (goons) with his incredible prowess which matched that of the seasoned warrior Haldor Yon’s. During the thrilling incessant three bouts (sessions) of the competition, Haldor had at one point realized that, despite Alec’s young age, and kerbed (limited) experience, he’d finally met his equal in competence, in other words, all the things that had made Haldor to date, invincible. He understood, to his dismay, that this fearless young man could on this day, even surpass (exceed) his proficiency and defeat him. Therefore, from then on, he did not hold back on the speed and ferocity of his blitz (barrage of) offensives (onslaughts).

05- WARRIOR HALDOR YON  AND ALEC FIGHTING  - JP

And lo and behold, Haldor’s ominous prediction still came true. In one remarkable maneuver, Alec, gaining the opportunity, dealt his mighty opponent the lightening death strike (cut, blow) and Halder was no more.

As it had not been Alec’s intent to let things go to that extreme, the dire outcome had as well, shocked him and for a spell he stood frozen where he stood, clearly, visibly demoralized, and utterly grief-stricken.  Unfortunately, in the heat of battle, for a moment he had lost his temper (fury) and let slip his self-restraint; consequently, he had failed to curb (check)his then unleashed supreme innate prowess and now, he had become a murderer… And the stain on his soul could never be erased. Technically, it had been an act of self-defence, as Halder manipulated (fed) by Jedrick’s convincingly deleterious (toxic) defamations (libels, slurs), the guard’s true intent all along, had been to, not just defeat (best) this young upstart Alec, but to acerbically (pointedly, cruelly) annihilate (crush) him.

Jedrick and his posse witnessing this unimaginable outcome, had also for the same duration stood aghast; however, getting a grip on their senses, for they’d just then realized that their life, akin Haldor, was in hazard (peril), they had quickly reassembled and with renewed zeal attacked Alec.

Alec had no intention of slaying them all, nevertheless, knowing Jedrick’s duplicitous (treacherous) and vindictive nature, he just wanted to categorically (firmly) dissuade Jedrick and his gang from going after his family after the duel, specifically Freya, and causing her harm.

During the subsequent, incredibly intense contest (fight) meanwhile, Alec’s swordsmanship skill proved yet again, far superior, as he competently offset Jedrick’s and his clique’s (combined) simultaneous onslaughts; then, within just the first-round Alec utterly bested (vanquished) them all.

Alec’s breath perfectly normal, his scrutinizing gaze panned briefly over the menacing group of thugs that had all been swiftly waylaid (intercepted); the nine disarmed foes, their previous bravado (audacity) gone, they lay strewn (scattered) halter skelter and moaning all around him, clutching their wounds, their clothes bloody and wriggling in pain, on the ground.

Then, for a moment, Alec’s eye caught Jedrick’s; Jedrick’s penetrating loathing gaze thence, his intense odium burrowing into Alec, as his face flushed crimson with vehement ire, overriding his badly concealed mortification. If only he could with his bare hands, tear Alec asunder and utterly decimate (slaughter, cut down) this maggot in million pieces (slices, slivers); however, not even that would mollify (placate) his all consuming, burning rage at this, utter humiliation. He had underestimated Alec’s prowess; thankfully, no one of consequence had born witness to his ghastly disgrace.

06- JEDRICK IS FURIOUS

Jedrick, for the first time ever cowed (browbeaten) and so, conceding to a crushing defeat, from that day on seethed with malevolent odium (abhorrence) towards his lasting nemesis Alec; he did not just want Alec’s utter annihilation, but aimed instead, to shatter (decimate) Alec’s soul by, going after Freya and therefore, executing his ultimate retribution (vengeance, reprisal) on Alec.

Subsequently, when the supreme warrior/guard, Haldor Yon’s demise became known, Haldor, being an important member from a prominent aristocratic family, his death had profound consequences and rippling effects in destabilizing the security as well, the politics within the Village. A meticulous examination during the autopsy of his corpse had revealed the warrior’s grave injury which had resulted in his prompt demise, being an outstanding (salient) feat. Who could have wielded such an impossible strike (cut)? The resulting intense investigation sought to identify the supreme warrior culprit, deeming him to be a fierce, veteran (expert) warrior with obviously invincible prowess.

Jedrick by slightly modifying (altering) his strategy, ceased his chance to, at this point, move tangentially, against Alec. Now, private duels had been prohibited (lawfully banned) for three years now, carrying for the offender, a serious penalty: the sentence of imprisonment and forced labor, without parole for five years, in a heavily guarded penal quarry (silver mine). Despite this, the secret duels continued, to settle unresolved feuds and old vendettas. Jedrick knew also that Alec wanting to keep his sister’s name entirely out of this terrible mess, would never speak out about the duel or the prior trouble (occurrence, clash) involving Freya at the village squire on summer solstice Festival, to anyone, not even his father, Hans Aquila. Therefore, Jedrick in his subsequent court deposition (statement), had audaciously (cheekily) re-constructed the entire script, the scenario, excluding entirely his and his gangs’ involvement in this and, making himself the casual, accidental witness instead, which during a casual hunt with another well respected hunter he’d  just happened on the scene, the palpable place of the violent clash (the scene of the crime)at the edge of the Forest, the place where Haldor Yon’s  body had been left there to be discovered. By the time Jedrick was through with his invented yet astutely logical testimony, it had become nothing more than a flux quarrel, which no one knew the reason of; however, agreeably nevertheless, mysterious motive had unleashed the violent contention (clash)which had resulted in Halder Yon’s demise.

This matter was temporarily shelved (set aside) by the presiding judge, since subsequent weeks of intense search had failed to disclose any likely culprit; Jedrick however, not finished with his campaign against Alec, not by a long shot, he’d quietly then had circulated unsubstantiated rumours that pointed a stealthy, accusatory finger at Alec. Jedrick same time managed to convince and then covertly recruit (enroll) Halder Yon’s secret intimate partner Archilles Elof, to his supposed just cause of apt reckoning (revenge).

07- ALEC FIGHING ARCHILLES ELOF

Two weeks later, a covert challenge had been forwarded to Alec, strongly worded and implying a definite threat against Freya if he failed to accede to the duel.  Alec had of course, accepted it; hoping also, that he would put an end to Jedrick' smear campaign. He was determined too this time, to evermore eradicate (remove) any further threat on his beloved sister Freya.

The arranged place for the duel was at some remote, treacherous high ground (spot, area), at the small clearing, at the edge of the tall precipice. It was disclosed to Alec at the very last minute.  That late, gray afternoon Alec was again forced to fend for himself, this time facing invincible warrior Archilles Elof in fierce combat first, and later, deal with the combined onslaught (attack) from Jedrick and his trusted group from the gang. Jedrick had strategically planned the deadly precision duel to ensure this time, Alec’ conclusive end (termination).

Alec, succumbing to treachery of Jedrick’s at one point, at the edge of a steep (sheer) precipice (cliff), had finally fulfilled Jedrick’s aspiration of eliminating the bane of his life.

                                                                                         ~

As Alec had stockily faced such trying times and overcome many trials and tribulations as well, survived several perilous engagements (combats) transpiring within and the outside scope (perimeter) of the Village (which included the edge of dark forest and the foothills’) -incredibly however, Hans Aquila, Freya, the entire security enforcement, the officials and the ordinary denizens of the village had remained completely oblivious to it all. Tragically, even afterward, all of Alec’s persistent staunch defense of his family, his extreme struggles, his dire combats and eventually, his ultimate valiant act of sacrifice, had never, ever became known.

08- ALEC AQUILA

Five months after the summer solstice festival, shortly after Frey’s sixteenth birthday, her elder brother Alec, had mysteriously taken off one day at dawn without a word to anyone. The search after so many weeks and months was eventually called off by the ever vigilant (resilient) guards of the village, when they had discovered (obtained, found) a torn piece of clothing from his shirt and his discarded bloody sword which lay half buried in the bush, at the very bottom of a deep gorge (ravine). There was not a trace of his corpse; hence, he was presumed befallen to a calamitous end, and after the carnivorous beasts had had their fill, got finished off, by the carrion animals and birds. The case was then succinctly and satisfactorily closed.

Some Villagers were angry with Hans Aquila, blaming him for the present disharmony, as it had set a dangerous precedence with the already restless youth, (many assuming that he with his youthful craze had wished to see the world beyond the village,) within their stringent community; and, Hans was (unofficially) charged for having clearly failed in his parental obligation to instill the necessary discipline in his young son Alec, which then culminated in that serious breach. But from the first, grief-stricken Hans had refused to talk with anyone, about the reasons of his son’s deliberate violation of their most stringent rule and his subsequent absconding that had resulted in the tragic loss of his young life. Though this had reflected badly on Hans, he had adamantly remained tight-lipped about the entire breach, refusing to neither offer an apt explanation or a sincere apology for his son’s ensued (resulted) indiscretion (recklessness) and his failings.

Hans was in fact quietly (in his mind) tallying up the curious set of events and his son’s reticent, odd behaviour, a presumed, deep dark secret he had vehemently guarded, since the summer solstice festival. Though he could not shake the feeling that, behind it all, some danger lurked. Was Alec sacrificed himself, been protective of Hans and Freya?

After the period of hostility (enmity, rancour) however, the prevalent (widespread) disquiet in village had settled down and everything reverted to norm; and she and her father had lived a quiet (placid) though taciturn (reticent, reserved) existence, same as before, keeping only to themselves.

                                                                                           ~

 

 

(END OF PART 2)

  

(Characters: ,  Dragon Longze, Elof Bijarke, son Jedrik, Jedrik’s trump card, trusted and esteemed (valued) friend Haldor Yon, from prominent aristocratic family, and a valued elite guard, serving under Elof Bijarke.  Halder Yon’s secret intimate partner Archilles Elof.  Hans Aquila, wife, Nora, Alec and Freya, guardian Asmund, the trickster demon incarnate, the ersatz (artificial) black panther Sedit, bandit Chief Loki, Immortal warrior Erland, Mayor Gudmund Kirk’s youngest, his still unmarried son Hagen, his wife Selma, his two other sons, the ranchers, named, Agil and Corey Kirk, Olga, Heavenly Emperor’s niece, one selected to be Longze’s future mate)

 

 

 

 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?"

09-DRAGON LONGZE (20)jp

“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)

 

                                                                                        ~

Dealing with Grief

Dealing with Grief

A loss can be many things, such as loss of ideals, job, house or status. A loss of a being and the resulting grief has to be one of life’s hardest experiences however, that every human without exception sooner or later must undergo. The bereavement period and the steps of grief leading towards recovery may vary for each individual. In this information age there are ample resources that are readily available to all, particularly those that have, albeit temporarily, lost their bearing and are in need of some healing compass. It may be that they are an introvert or a loner who do not wish to share this hard experience with anyone. What needs to be done then?

It’s fair to say that this angst, the depth of sorrow and the length of its endurance is far too complex an emotional journey for it be pigeonholed or categorized. However here are some tell-tale signs of grief. When identified it may help one towards resolution, acceptance then desired inner peace:

It may be that the aggrieved would feel shocked, feel fear. This type of loss can often trigger fears of one’s own mortality, of facing life without that person and the added responsibilities that need handling all by one self. With this feeling of anxiety and fear one could have difficulty in concentrating or one could feel numb, lack energy and motivation or have a hard time feeling any emotions at all. 

Some may feel like they are "going crazy". They therefore begin questioning religious beliefs, experience guilt or remorse (feeling guilty about things one did or didn’t say or do).

It’s normal to feel frustrated or misunderstood.

The feeling of sadness, that profound sadness, is probably the most universally experienced symptom of grief. Additionally one could experience wounding feelings of emptiness, despair, yearning, or deep loneliness.

Let us not discount the feeling of anger... Yes anger; even when the loss was nobody’s fault, one may feel angry with oneself, God, the doctors, or even at the deceased for abandoning them. The need to blame someone for the perceived injustice is very real.

Long after the loss, the mind may persist in being confused and muddled way past the initial stages. Or one may feel relief or peace after a loss. Yes, that too is a possibility.

Then the period where disbelief sets in or the time-frame in which the aggrieved can only focus on the manner of loss, focus incessantly on how other died, or the life that was spent together before the loss.

Even those that are blessed with many supportive family members and friends need to be patient in the face of the well-intentioned onslaught of advice or words such as, "Be strong!”, “It’s part of life”, “We all sooner or later undergo this,” or "Yours is not to question The Will of God!" or "Get on with your life!”, “Don’t waste what precious time you have left!” Patience and tolerance is to be exercised here even though all one needs is to be given time and the gentle nudge towards allowing one to have one’s grief to run its natural course.

The hardest to bear will be the milestones, specials markings of time, celebrations and so forth. Time is an effective healer however, the intensity of which, will gradually abate over time. Also, whilst lives are often transformed by grievous loss, it does not necessarily need to be for the worse. Focus instead on dealing effectively and positively with grief as it is essential to one’s recovery process and one’s ability to continue on with a fulfilling life in future.

Physical reactions such as upset stomach or intestinal disturbances like frequent diarrhea are to be expected. Responding to grief may manifest in the form of tightness in one’s throat, heaviness across one’s chest and sudden onset of breathing difficulties, or pain in heart region. Headaches and feeling of vacillating body temperatures, hot or sudden chill could also occur. One may undergo changes in one’s behavior, such as excessive need to sleep or lack of it and then there is that sudden wakefulness at odd hours. One may experience strange dreams or frightening nightmares. During the day one may be perpetually uneasy driving oneself to initiate one project after another or be cast into mere distractions just to avoid handling deep thoughts. Some may deal with it by sitting idly by and with a blank face staring into space and doing nothing for extended periods.

Usually grieving people opt to spend more time alone. They’re drawn to the quiet and in so doing seek safety in the experience. This could be their way of dodging other people and groups; for crowds and any size gatherings make them feel ill at ease. Some however are driven to crowds craving to be in midst of multitudes more than before. Once lost in a crowd however, an odd sensation of jealousy may materialize, being envious of people around who aren’t grieving. Then resentment may set in observing how callously others take so much for granted when nothing should ever be taken for granted. One may become even critical in ways that are uncharacteristic and mean spirited. Fortunately, this shift in character and outlook is usually temporary.

Let us not overlook those supernatural happenings that many may also experience. Such as going about usual routine only to have an auditory or visual experience of the dear departed close by. During meditation or in a dream sequence the departed may offer a special message. Rest assured, these phenomenons are far more common than one might think. Usually this is a person’s way of assimilating advice that the departed person would have given in life but now resides only in that person’s memory.

In summary, a healthy grief has many possible outlets. Some people are naturally more feeling-oriented as they grieve, while others are more cerebral. Some respond outwardly, while others keep it to themselves. Some want to have a close network of friends around them, and others prefer to be independent. Each individual’s experience is unique therefore one should not expect to have a "one-size-fits-all grief". It’s common to feel listless and lifeless, discouraged and sometimes depressed long after this process of grief and many strong emotions can still resurface. But then after a while there comes a time when the pain ceases in intensity, gradual reawakening takes root and then eventually the lost energy is renewed and reinvigorated along with hope and the new transformed life.

It is said that through this process of grief, that one has traversed the difficult path to reach eventual healing. 

Finally, here are some succinct points for overcoming grief:

-Connect with caring and supportive people.

-Offer support to other loved ones who are grieving also; this is sometimes the best way to overcome personal grief.

-Give yourself enough time. Everyone reacts differently to a loss.

- Allow yourself to feel sadness, anger, or whatever you need to feel. Find healthy ways to share your feelings and express yourself, such as talking with friends or writing in a journal.

-Recognize that your life has changed. You may feel less engaged with work or relationships for some time. This is a natural part of loss and grief.

-Holidays and other important days can be very hard. Consider new traditions or celebrations that support healing.

-Take care of your physical health.

-Be honest with young people about what has happened and about how you feel, and encourage them to share their feelings, too.

-Work through difficult feelings like bitterness and blame. These feelings can make it harder to move forward in your life.

-Make a new beginning. As the feelings of grief become less intense, return to interests and activities you may have dropped and think about trying something new.

-Think about waiting before making major life decisions. You may feel differently as your feelings of grief lose their intensity, and the changes may add to the stress you’re already experiencing.

A Letter to a Dying Man

Bassui wrote the following letter to one of his disciples who was about to die:

"The essence of your mind is not born, so it will never die. It is not an existence, which is perishable. It is not emptiness, which is a mere void. It has neither color nor form. It enjoys no pleasures and suffers no pains."

"I know you are very ill. Like a good Zen student, you are facing that sickness squarely. You may not know exactly who is suffering, but question yourself: What is the essence of this mind? Think only of this. You will need no more. Covet nothing. Your end which is endless is as a snowflake dissolving in the pure air."

(Zen Koan)

                                                               ~~~~~

Nothing is for certain. Nothing lasts forever therefore one must make the most of what one has and truly appreciate life’s precious gifts.

What is life? What is its purpose? Answering these questions might motivate us to live a more meaningful existence and investigate the deeper truths of life. 

The End