To Save a Dragon Part 2

Continued from Part 1

            "I have to go to Endkelm," I announced. At the shocked expressions on my parents' faces, I explained. "I am sure that dragon must have had a good reason to kill the queen's most trusted advisor. If I go there, talk to the dragon, and find out that he did this in good reasoning, perhaps I can speak to the queen and convince her to listen to the dragon."

            Instead of saying that it was out of the question and scolding me for even thinking of such things--the response I had expected--my father nodded slowly.

            "It's a good plan, but I can see some holes," he said. "For one thing, how will you get to Endkelm before the execution? It is a long trip, and dangerous."

            I glanced at my mother before answering. She was standing at the sink with her back to me, washing the dishes. "I had already thought of that. I will ride Agren," I told him.

            He nodded. "I suppose I should have thought of that. But you would have to be careful. Any dragons that are seen by soldiers will be seized. Here's another thing for you to consider. What if the dragon will not speak to you?"

            Here again was something that I had already considered. You can only understand a dragon if it wants you to.

            "I would just have to make it understand that I am a friend."

            Father turned to Mother. "What do you think, Anna? She seems to have everything planned out."

            I held my breath as Mother slowly turned from the sink and dried her hands.

            "I think that sometimes you must do what you know is right, no matter what the consequences may be. You, Gwynn, believe that it is right for you to try to save the dragons, and in my heart I know that you are right. So...I will pack your things and you will leave before dawn tomorrow."

            I leapt up from my chair and into Mother's arms. There were tears in her eyes, but she was smiling. Mother held me for a moment then said, "There is still much to do if you are to leave tomorrow. Agren needs to know, your things must be packed, and most importantly, you must know where you are going."

            I nodded, and taking a lantern, slipped out the door. Agren lay in the round stable, awake, but lost in thought.

            "I have some news," I announced. "Tomorrow we are going to begin a journey to Endkelm, the capital city, so that we can save all dragons."

            I saw a glimmer of hope in Agren's eyes. "Tell me everything."

            I sat down on the floor and did just that. She listened to my plan with growing excitement, then followed me back to the house. My mother opened one of the kitchen windows wide so that Agren could see and hear all that went on within.

            While I was talking with Agren, my father had found a map which he now spread out on the table. The map was labeled The KINGDOM of ENDMERE. The mountains beside our farm formed the eastern border of the kingdom. The western border was formed by the sea. Father pointed out first Drelle, then the capital, which sat on the shores of the sea. It was a long journey, and I was thankful for Agren; for if I had not been able to fly I would never have arrived before the execution.

            "You will not be following the roads," Father told me. "They wind about too much. You must follow the Snow-High River, which flows out into the sea only a few miles below Endkelm. It's the most direct path from the mountains to the sea."

            I looked to where Father was pointing on the map. While the roads wound back and forth, the river was almost completely straight.

            "When you leave the river below Endkelm, you should probably go on foot. From there on it will be too dangerous for Agren. Looking at the map, it appears as though there is a grove of trees just before the Snow-High meets the sea. Leave Agren there." From behind us there sounded a low rumble of thunder. Father turned and addressed the thundercloud.

            "I realize you don't like the thought of letting Gwynn travel on the road by herself, Agren, but it will do her no good if you get yourself captured. Besides, it should be a short journey from where she leaves you to the city." He then carried the map over to the window so that she could study it.

            Mother appeared from upstairs, carrying with her a haversack. "I've packed what I thought you would need of extra clothes and such. I'll fill Agren's saddlebags with food."

            "One more thing, Gwynn," said Father, "you would do well to only travel in the dark so that Agren won't be seen."

            I agreed with him, then said that I had better be off to bed if I was to leave well before dawn.

---

            Four hours before dawn the next day found me on my way, following the course of the Snow-High River. Parting with my family had been the thing I was dreading most about leaving, and it had been as difficult as I had expected it to be. But now that we were on our way, the excitement of what we were doing began to rise within me again. When the light became bright enough for us to be clearly seen, Agren landed. We found a safe place to spend the day, then ate a small meal and settled in comfortably. I thought back to the farm. Before I left, I had stood on the porch and memorized what I saw. As I closed my eyes I could see it again. There before me was our farmyard, with the big barn and beyond it the round stable. The barn was not close enough to the house to hide the fields, and they could be seen, stretching away into the distance.

            The day passed slowly, and I was thankful that I was able to get some sleep; for not only would I need to be rested for traveling tonight, sleeping also made the time pass more quickly. When dusk finally began to set in, Agren and I were ready to go.

            The next two days passed in this manner. Each day we made good time, covering more than twice the distance that a rider on the main road would have gone. When we landed before dawn on the fourth day, it was at the edge of a grove of trees. Leaving me on the ground, Agren made a quick flight high into the air. Upon returning she made her report.

            "I saw the sea! It glimmers and shines in the moonlight and seems to go on forever."

            I smiled at the joy in her voice. "It's good we stopped early. I would like to get a few hours of sleep, then once it's light we'll find you a safe place to spend the next several days. I'll leave as soon as you're settled."

            It was light when Agren wakened me. We ate quickly, then set off to find a good hiding place for Agren. We found what we were looking for in a small clearing. It was surrounded by dense brush and could only be accessed through a small hidden break in the foliage and from the air. I stuffed some extra food into the haversack on top of what Mother had packed into it, realizing as I did so that I had not even taken the time to look through what she had packed for me.

            I turned to Agren. "I suppose that the time for our parting has come. I wish it were safe for you to come with me, but I know it's not. I will miss you terribly. Stay safe!"

            Agren stretched out her neck and touched my forehead with her nose. "I stay here only because it is your desire that I stay. If I had my way, I would be going with you! But I will remain here out of sight until you return. Goodbye, Gwynnethe, until we meet again--and may that be soon!"

            I made my out of the forest and started across the fields toward Endkelm. It was now that I got my first glimpse of the sea. It shone like liquid diamond and really did seem to go on forever. Turning north, I saw Endkelm, still small in the distance, but shining beautifully in the sunlight. The far off sound of a bell on the harbor could be heard.

            I was on the main road by mid-day. There were a good many people on the road, none of whom paid the least attention to me. As I drew closer to the capital, I caught my breath. Never before had I seen a city, and compared to Drelle, it seemed monstrous. Endkelm had been built right on the shore. A high wall surrounded the entire city, except for the harbor, which stood outside the wall. Here and there a roof or a tower was visible above the wall. The castle, home of King Luchen and Queen Daris, was closest to the sea. It rose high above the wall, showing off the ornate architecture. Pennants on the tops of rounded towers fluttered in the stiff sea breeze. The city was built of a beautiful tan stone.  I had never even seen a stone building before in my life, and now to see a stone city! Beyond the city rose several mountains, with their feet in the sea and their heads in the clouds. Two hours later I went through the main gate of Endkelm. The gates were massive, carved of stone and overlaid with intricate designs of gold.

            The city was a very busy place. But for my father's good guidance, I would have had no idea where to go. Before I left, Father had told me of a man named Dirk, a blacksmith from Drelle. A few years ago, Dirk and his wife had moved from Drelle to the capital. He and my father had been friends for most of their lives, so Father was sure that he and his wife would be glad to give me a place to stay. I went up to a man who stood in the doorway of a nearby shop. He was quite tall and wore a blank expression on his face. He stared up at the sky.

            "Please," I said nervously, "do you know of a man--a blacksmith--named Dirk?"

            "Sure do," said the man without looking at me. "Best blacksmith around."

            "Could you show me where to find him?"

            "Sure could," he said. He took his eyes off the sky just long enough to glance toward one of the streets as he gestured at it. "Just go straight down that street there a ways, go right, go a bit further, go left, go a bit further, and you'll be right there."

            I thanked the man, who had already gone back to studying the cloudless blue sky, then with his indistinct directions still fresh in my mind, I hurried off down the street he had first indicated. To this day I have no idea how I got there, but a little while later I stood in front of a blacksmith shop. From within came the sounds of pounding. With a deep breath, I stepped inside the shop.

            It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darker atmosphere after the brilliant light outside. When they did, I saw that the noise had come from a man pounding furiously on a piece of metal which was lying on his anvil. I waited until he stopped his hammering for a moment before speaking.

            "Excuse me, but are you Dirk?"

            He spun around with a broad smile. "Indeed I am. How may I help you?"

            "I am from the village of Drelle. My name is Gwynnethe. My father, Rodney, said that-"

            "You're Rodney's daughter? Why of course! I should have seen the resemblance right away. How is your father?"

            "He is quite well."

            He chuckled. "Ah, and you have your mother's manners. Now tell me--what brings you here?"

            I glanced toward the open door, and Dirk must have understood my gaze, for he said, "Let's go into the house. Business has been slow today, and if any customers come, they all know to come to the house to find me."

            He led me through a door out of the shop and into a short hallway. At the other end of the hallway, the door opened into a spacious kitchen. Light poured in through many windows, making the room look bright and cheery. Dirk went over to the huge stone fireplace and added a log to the fire, then hung a kettle over the dancing flames.

            He turned around with a wry grin. "My wife is out doing some shopping, so for now I'm afraid you'll have to endure my tea. Now tell me your story."

            Father had told me that Dirk could be trusted to keep anything I told him to himself, so I told him my whole story: from finding the notice in Drelle to my arrival in Endkelm. He had a good chuckle over the man who had given me directions, then his face turned solemn.

            "I will do everything I can to help you," he said as he rose to his feet, "but you must be careful. Remember that the queen is a powerful person, and a wrong word might put you in prison."

            He poured two cups of tea and set them on the table. I blew into mine to cool it, then picked up our conversation

            "I am well aware of the danger, but that will not hinder me from doing what I believe is right. I would rather be punished for trying than be safe and do nothing at all and have to watch the dragons die," I announced adamantly.

            He nodded thoughtfully. For a moment we sat in silence, then he spoke.

            "No doubt you will be wanting to see the queen's dragon tonight. If you want to get there and back before it's dark you had better leave soon. I can tell you where to go."

            I nodded and took a sip of my tea.

            "Endure was the word for it!" I exclaimed. "Where did you learn to make such awful tea?"

 ...to be continued

To Save a Dragon is an original short story by me, Rebecca Kletzing. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please do not copy or use any part of this story without my permission.