In
the far-off land of Orownoz the enlightened and fair-minded King Zonen was at
his wits end; his once peaceful kingdom was plagued by a terrible curse. Every
now and then a sheep, ox or peasant would go missing without a trace.
Occasional
patches of scorched land appearing hither and yon fostered a fearful rumour,
though none who had cast their eyes upon it had lived to tell, that a fire
breathing dragon was the source of this bane.
In
order to rid the land of this terrible scourge many brave warriors were
dispatched to the four corners of the kingdom; but all attempts at finding the
beast were in vain and the numbers of peasants, sheep and oxen continued to
wane along with a corresponding number of brave warriors. The outcome was
always the same: they all vanished without a trace, leaving only scorched earth
to mark their passing.
King
Zonen had three exceptional sons. The eldest son, Joren, was a mighty warrior
and an accomplished swordsman and archer. On numerous occasions he had
undertaken the dangerous task of ridding the kingdom of this dragon but had
always returned empty handed and in dismay.
 |
PRINCE JOREN
|
The
latest foray had been a particularly close call, causing the King to forbid his
favorite son from ever venturing out again on these dangerous excursions.
Constrained from leaving the castle, Prince Joren when he retired to bed began
seeing a strange dream. This recurring nightmare always followed the same
sequence of events: he was hunting game when he saw a white hare and followed it
but was never able to catch it.
For
three consecutive nights the dream returned, haunting Joren’s peace of mind all
during the day. The strangeness of the vision, however, precluded his sharing
it with anyone and not even his closest confident his younger brother Prince
Kezi, was told of this irritant. Then on the fourth morning, unable to stand it
any longer, Joren rose well before the first light of day. Armed with his
favorite bow and, with a quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder, Prince Joren
charged forth from the main gate.
The
prince rode as fast as his horse could gallop towards the thickly forested
mountain that had its high peaks always hidden in the clouds. His dream
sequence played out with uncanny accuracy when he chanced on the white hare and
gave chase. The hare fled at lightning speed through the thick foliage, keeping
just ahead of the Prince’s mount until the game path it was following abruptly
ended in a thick cloud bank. Then, almost as if it did not want to escape the
Prince’s pursuit, it slowed just enough, keeping in sight until they both had
eventually passed through the unsettling miasma to emerge at a strange
clearing. Hot on its heels, the Prince pursued the hare until it took refuge in
a water-mill.
Dismounting,
the prince followed it as it hopped up the stairs of the mill until it found a
high window, inexplicably stopped and sat on the sill. By then the Prince was
close enough to notch his bow and let fly the first arrow.
To
his great consternation the arrow missed its mark, seemingly diverted from its
path. As the Prince retrieved another arrow and was about to take aim the hare
jumped out of the window then immediately began to grow in size then transform
into a giant winged dragon that soared into the sky, disappearing into a thick
mass of low clouds. When it manifested again it dove straight for Prince Joren
who, with incredible prowess, let loose five consecutive arrows targeting the
beast’s vital areas.
Unfortunately,
though the metal tipped arrows did find their mark, they failed to penetrate
the scales and fell harmlessly back to the ground. Before Prince Joren could
string another arrow, he was scorched and then swiftly eaten by the mighty
dragon and was no more.
When
he failed to return and all traces of him had vanished from Earth, the King and
Queen, surmising the worst, grieved endlessly for days for the terrible loss of
their beloved son and heir.
~
The
second Prince, Kezi, was an accomplished warrior excelling particularly in the
skills of spear and dagger throwing and he never missed his mark. He always
wore high boots specially designed to hold a set of daggers on the outer side.
Unfortunately, growing under the shadow of popular Prince Joren, he’d always
been seen as an underachiever.
Prince
Kezi saw in this circumstance a golden opportunity to prove his prowess. And so
at sunrise, accompanied by a small contingent of cavalry, the middle Prince
passed through the gate vowing not to return till the scourge had been dealt
with.
 |
PRINCE KEZI
|
A
week passed and, despite all expanded efforts, they could still not find any
sign of this supposed Dragon. Yet the disappearances continued without letup.
At dusk one day, after the campfire meal, while relieving himself at a secluded
spot, Prince Kezi was lured away by the same white hare, only this time the
rabbit turned into a strange apparition of a beautiful girl. He followed her
willingly to a clearing beyond some tall, jagged rocks. When the apparition
climbed to the top of the rocks, jumped off towards the Prince and, there and
then, reverted to its true form as a fire breathing dragon. Next instant Prince
Kezi’ was forced to cast aside his sword blazing to the hilt as it’d brushed
with dragon fire.
Then again being quick on his feet, in an
instant he was able to retrieve his two daggers from his boots and, with
lightening speed, hurled them at the beast. Unfortunately the fiery breath of
the Dragon simply melted them in mid flight. Too bad his spear was not with
him. He barely dodged the subsequent fire ball as he zigzagged as fast as he
could towards safe ground. He was swift on his feet but before he could retreat
to the safety of the crevices within those jagged rocks, he, too, was scorched
and devoured by the Dragon in the blink of an eye.
~
His
absence was also grieved by the King and Queen, but they saw no reason to take
any precaution to prevent the third Prince, Stezor, from following suit. For,
being the youngest and the favorite of the Queen, he’d been spoiled rotten and
was spared the rigorous training of his siblings. Left pretty much to pursue
his idle passions he’d often spend his days, to the dismay of the King,
pursuing literary arts, and music or mind games.
But
Prince Stezor did have a serious side which he, for whatever reason, chose to
conceal. He had a deep understanding of warfare and strategy, as well as secret
passion for attaining first-class competency in archery and swordsmanship. When
a small meteor came into his possession, recognizing its true value at once, he
had it covertly forged by the palace smith into a mighty sword.
 |
PRINCE STEZOR
|
The
young Prince Stezor had also a great foresight, and from the moment of the
disappearance of his elder brother Joren, he had rightly predicted the actions
of the second sibling Kezi and his inevitable doom. Subsequently, in his
determination to avenge them he’d made secret preparations and, one stormy day
at dusk, snuck out of the main gate perfectly disguised as a peasant leading a
horse drawn cart. As soon as he was out of range of the sentry at the castle
gate, he removed the concealed bundle from the cart, unhitched his horse and
then hid the cart under some foliage. Now with the meteor sword slung across
his back under his cape and sporting a small dagger in his left boot, he
saddled the steed and set on in a cantor over the soggy ground.
He
reached the rocky point, where Prince Kezi’s contingent had reported him
missing, all in good time. Prince Stezor’s intent of investigating the grounds
however was forestalled by a sudden heavy cloudburst and subsequent deluge,
forcing him to take refuge in a nearby crevice. Prince Stezor passed the night
rather uncomfortably listening to the howling winds and relentless downpour. At
first daylight the remaining clouds were herded away by moderate winds allowing
the sun’s rays to checker the soggy grounds. Prince Stezor was chewing on a
piece of dry meat for his morning breakfast when he spotted the white hare
beside some bushes. An uncontrollable urge propelled him to jump into the
saddle and give chase after the white hare, which suddenly turned into a white
stag.
The
chase continued through an aberrant miasma that eventually led to a ravine that
improbably existed in an anomaly in time and space. For one thing, midsummer
seemed to be the prevailing season here. Heavily overgrown, the tall grass and
strange flowers brushed against the horse’s withers as it chased after the
white stag. Prince Stezor came to a quick realization just then how he’d
utterly and hopelessly lost all tracks of time and place. Despite this
disorientation and overwhelming exhaustion he relentlessly pressed on in
pursuit. When the stag suddenly dove into the water-mill his keen survival
instincts took hold and he dropped the chase. Maintaining his distance he
cocked his head and his intent gaze surveyed the immediate perimeter. The
grounds were thronging with thick foliage and strange bushes that seemed to
harbour small game. Suddenly hunger pains gnawed at his stomach and he
postponed the chase in favour of hunting the game.
~
When,
by mid- afternoon, he retraced his path back to the mill he spotted an old
woman sitting there. With a cautious approach and a congenial manner, he soon
engaged the old woman in a polite, and somewhat sincere, conversation.
The
old woman told him how she, herself, had once been a lovely girl, and had been
spared by the dragon. He had taken an unusual liking to her and so had
tolerated her existence, much like a pet. Allowed to live nearby in a small
hut, she had no living relations so obliged the dragon with a visit now and
then. Feigning a modest interest Prince Stezor cajoled the old woman with
intriguing notions about where the dragon’s secret strength lay. “You needn’t
be so powerless, “He prompted her. “Dragons are known to have many wondrous
powers. He’s been miserly with you, keeping you confined to this harsh and
deprived environment. You can have a more magnificent existence, might even
regain your youth, since Dragons have such magical power. Hmmm. I wonder if the
dragon would reveal this secret if you managed to lure it to the location where
it hides its powers and kissed it.”
After
this exchange, the third prince thanked her for her kindness, gave her some of
his game and, bidding her farewell, departed; but he did not ventured far. When
the dragon failed to manifest at the mill Prince Stezor covertly trailed the
old woman back to her hut. He hid within the vicinity for the rest of the day,
continuing to spy on her activities. At dusk the dragon manifested by the hut
and, as soon as its feet touch earth, took on a human form and invited himself
inside. Prince Stezor stealthily approached the hut and through the crack of
the window spied on the events transpiring inside.
After
her repast the old woman, feeling obliged, did ask the precise words Prince
Stezor had persuaded her to say. When the Dragon told her the fireplace, she
began to kiss it. The dragon was highly amused by this, then told her it was
the tree at the back of the hut. Again when she proceeded to kiss that, the
dragon hollered with laughter. Then continuing with his good mood, seeing no
reason to keep it from her, confessed to her that a distant Kingdom Voltaren
had a lake, which was the dragon’s other residence.
There,
in his truer form, the dragon resided in the form of a large wild boar, within
the form of the wild boar would be the form of the pigeon in which the heart
and the strength of this dragon was hidden. When the dragon teasingly hinted at
the real source, that his mythical existence might be the deep roots of the
tree that grew adjacent to the mill, the Prince Stezor smiled, nodded and
withdrew quietly to safe distance. Finding a secure spot to conceal both
himself and his mount, he ate his fill then enjoyed a sound sleep, having
acquired the means to defeat the Dragon.
~
Rising
before dawn Prince Stezor set out at once to the Kingdom of Voltaren. Mixing
with the common crowd at the marketplace there he first pawned the gold chain
he’d worn since childhood and obtained two hounds and a falcon. Next, properly
disguised, he entered the palace grounds and sought and obtained employment as
a shepherd.
He
was duly warned however not to go near the lake himself, though the sheep were
permitted to venture there if they wanted. Eager to get started he set out at
once with the sheep, two hounds, a falcon and the mighty sword slung across his
back concealed under the cape. As instructed he allowed the sheep to venture
near the lake. Staying at some distance, he hollered his challenge to the
Dragon to face him if he dared. The same Red Dragon emerged from the foaming
waves and shot to the sky, hovering in the air.
“Who
dare be so brazen as to challenge me?” His thunderous voice shook the very
ground where Prince Stezor stood. Steadying his footing he reached across his
back and unsheathed his sword. Brandishing it he hollered back: “I’m Prince
Stezor, the Third Prince of the kingdom of Orownoz. I’m here to avenge my
brothers Prince Joren and Prince Kezi’s deaths.”
The
mighty Dragon was highly amused at the audacity and the posturing of this puny
human. At first he toyed with him as a source of fun, whizzing through the sky,
shooting bolts of fire that made the prince dance. Prince Stezor’s agility and
incredible stamina had impressed him at first but soon tiring of this lame
sport, the Dragon, in earnest this time, dove in for the kill.
Once
more Prince Stezor averted being roasted or swallowed whole with each
subsequent skirmish and he even managed to strike back with his sword.
Incredibly the blade even managed to cut through the scales, causing the Dragon
unexpected pain.
The
dragon, growing increasingly more wary of this contestant’s prowess, halted his
onslaught and, hovering in mid air over the opponent’s head, demanded a
temporary truce for the day. Refusing to forgo his advantage, Prince Stezor
hollered his adamant refusal, “There will be no armistice till one of us is
dead”. Furthermore he brazenly asserted that, even if the emperor’s daughter
happened to be there to kiss him, he would still not relinquish the fight.
This
long-drawn- out skirmish had seriously depleted the Dragon’s fire whereas
Prince Stezor‘s deadly blade managed to find its mark few more times.
“Enough!”
The infuriated Dragon reluctantly broke off from the combat and swiftly dove
into the refuge of the lake’s depths.
~
Since
the Prince could not follow suit and no number of bellowed insults, hollered
dares or challenges produced the desired outcome, Prince Stezor in the end
reluctantly rounded up his flock and returned back to the palace stables. Early
next morning, along with the sheep, hounds and falcon, he returned to the spot
near the lake. Once more he contested with the dragon but failed to destroy the
beast. The previous day, the King Seku of the Voltaren Kingdom to allay his
suspicions had dispatched two grooms to spy on this unusual shepherd. They had
returned with bated breath to relay all that they had witnessed. So on this
second day, the King had sent his daughter to the lake, with directions to kiss
the Sheppard if, or when, he made the same boast. When Prince Stezor uttered
those same words during the fray the beautiful princess ‘s sudden appearance on
the scene and her exquisite beauty did sway the prince from his resolve.
The
princess as a willing participant volunteered the kiss and charged Prince
Stezor with unusual strength, stamina and zeal.
“What’s
this? “
Prince
Stezor was waiting for just such an opportunity, with his now invincible
prowess and dexterous manoeuvring, just as the Dragon dove to devour him, the
Prince somersaulted and shot through the air to successfully mount the beast’s
tail. His fingers clung tightly onto the scales as the Dragon swooped then
veered this way and that slicing through the air with powerful strokes of its
wings. Despite the Dragon’s aerial acrobatics, brisk assents to the clouds
followed by spiraling, dizzying dives, Prince Stezor had hung on tight and
what’s more, completed his laborious climb towards Dragon’s neck and head. In a
contest of will Prince Stezor would be the champion for, just as the exhausted
Dragon had slowed his pace, Prince Stezor had positioned himself above the
Dragon’s eyes, its most vulnerable point. The powerful plunge of the sword cut
mercilessly through the scales causing the Dragon great pangs of agony as its
blood poured in torrents out of the wound.
“Stop
... Stop it.” He growled and, with the most vigorous shake, managed to finally
rid himself of this pest.
Prince
Stezor, who was in fact worn out, broke the momentum of his fall with a timely
roll and a dive into the lake to avoid by only a hairsbreadth the most serious
of injuries. He was submerged for a long while under water but resurfaced
gasping for breath and quickly taking hold of his senses swam to the safety of
the shore before the Dragon returning from the clouds could dive into the lake.
Meanwhile
the blinded and disoriented Dragon, with the blood running over his eyes, heard
the Prince’s desperate cries, “Help, Help, I can’t swim!” he targeted the sound
assuming it to be coming from the lake. But the Prince had climbed onto a rocky
outcrop a good distance from the lake. As a result, the diving Dragon missed
its mark and plowed straight into the rocks.
The
beast burst open the moment it hit the ground, and a wild boar emerged from the
rupture. The hounds set upon it at the Prince’s command and tore apart the wild
boar. A white pigeon burst out of the carcass and immediately took flight but
this time it was caught by the falcon.
A
precise whistle brought the trained falcon to the Prince’s hand with its prey.
The captive pigeon, now in dire straits, beseeched the Prince to spare his life
and, to foster good faith, confessed to his holding prisoners behind the water
mill which Prince Stezor was now at liberty to free.
“What
about the adjacent tree?” Prince’s question invoked deep fear in the Pigeon’s
eyes. This is the confirmation prince needed, so he did not press the issue any
further.
“Now
I’ve told you everything… Let me live and I shall go far away from here and
never bother this realm or your family again. “The Pigeon once more implored
the Prince.
“I
would have ordinarily spared you,” the prince hemmed and hawed, “However, I
cannot be sure you would not revert back to the form of a Dragon and spread
your reign of terror over other unsuspecting kingdoms. Besides I am obliged to
avenge my brothers you’ve so heartlessly devoured.” And with those words he
wrung the pigeon’s neck and the Dragon was no more.
~
The
victorious Prince on his return was given armed men by the King of Voltaren and
with them he went back to the prison behind the windmill and freed all the
dragon’s captives. Delighted, King Seku married his only daughter, the lovely
Princess to this intrepid Prince Stezor.
After
the elaborate feast while many slept soundly, diligent Prince Stezor, bothered
by a nagging loose end, snuck away from the matrimonial bed and without a word
to anyone hopped back in his saddle and galloped back to the windmill.
Dismounting, Prince then found the adjacent tree and uncovering the roots, he
struck them so hard that his hands turned red. That same instant a sudden
feeling of foreboding took hold of his heart.
With
a perplexed look on his face and a heavy heart, in haste he galloped back to
the kingdom. Sure enough his suspicions were warranted and his fears became the
reality. The entire kingdom seemed utterly deserted. No one, not a single soul
stirred. His searches led him to even the deepest parts of the dungeons where
he discovered everyone, guards and prisoners alike in a state of lifeless
stupor.
And
when he touched one, they simply crumbled to dust. With a heavy heart he rushed
back to his matrimonial chamber and gazed upon his beautiful bride but when he
reached for a kiss, she too crumbled to dust in his arms.
Were
they all the mystical creation of the Dragon’s imagination?
After
shedding many tears, he rounded up the majority of the sheep and oxen. Prince
Stezor then reluctantly mounted his steed and herding the animals through the
strange miasma emerged safely back on the familiar lands of the Kingdom of
Orownoz.
By
then the Prince’s absence had come to light and a nationwide search was well
underway. The Queen had fallen ill fearing the worst but now the delighted King
and Queen listened with due patience and fervent zeal to their son’s account of
his adventures. In the end the King shook his head in disbelief; not only of
the bizarre set of events, but also regarding the discrepancy of the timing,
for the Prince’s absence had only been two days and no more.
Fin
