Dragon Story Chapter 2: Good and Evil

Click here to read the first chapter

Ayva didn't have much time to daydream; she soon had to prepare for Sindri's arrival. The dinner could sometimes be tedious, but now she was beginning to understand the business of trade, so it became more interesting. She loved hearing stories of the caravan's travels; it had always been one of her dreams to travel with them one day. To her surprise, and secret delight, the conversation was of a huge beast sighted at the boarders of Atereth Goldesh, the main country her father's kingdom was part of. 

"Our scouts saw far above in the distance a huge flying animal. His wingspan must have been 100 feet at least. He was too far away to see much detail, but from their description personally I think if could have been a dragon."

"A dragon?" Ayva heard herself say. "A real dragon on the boarders of Atereth Goldesh? Did you hear reports of any harmed cities, towns, or villages?"

"Well, I cannot be sure it was a dragon. I only said it was a possibility. We have not heard of any place destroyed or harmed by a dragon, not even of sightings. He was seen a league away from the Mountains of Arkaitz near the boarder between N'Stol and Atereth Goldesh. There are not many villages in that region, so I cannot be sure that it was a dragon."

"Do you believe all dragons are evil?" Ayva tried to look and sound innocent and naive.

"Well, I'm not sure." Sindri seemed uncomfortable with the question. "Before this sighting I never had a real grasp on the reality of dragons. I had heard stories of them in by-gone days; it has been a few centuries since the last dragon sighting, at least in these parts. I heard rumors of a possible dragon sighting in Kirdish thirty years ago, and the travelers who claimed to have seen it were known for exaggerating their stories. Dragons were more of a legend, parts of a story. I have trouble believing that this beast is a dragon."

"But do you believe dragons evil? Is there some good in dragons?"

"Ayva," Queen Larissa quietly reprimanded.

"She does not bother me, your majesty. Princess Ayva is rightfully curious. All the maidens of my caravan were of the same character when the news was brought to us. As to your question, my lady," here he paused, as if struggling to put his thoughts into words. "It is the same with all living beings, I believe. You, my lady, are not evil, but, if you will forgive me for stating, your ladyship is not perfect. There is evil in all of us, from the day we are born there is evil. Some allow that evil to take hold, and do not fight back against it; some corral all that is within them and combat with all their heart to hold at bay the evil fighting to take hold; still others struggle to decide which side will win. There is no beast on this earth that does not struggle with the evil, it is just that some allow the evil to take over. Yes, as a general rule some beasts are not friendly to humans, but that does not mean there is no good in them. Perhaps we see dragons from the wrong point of view. To a dragon humans are probably just as much of a terror to them as they are to us. A dog does not usually attack a human unless he sees the need, but do humans ever give dragons a chance? No! As soon as one is sighted brave soldiers are sent to kill it off for fear of 'what it might do'. What if the dragon is just trying to live peacefully?"

"Well said, Sindri." King Ander said. This meant that the conversation was over. 

Ayva sighed. No one could help her. Her plight seemed only to worsen.

This is a map of my story world. In the top right corner you can see Doveate where Beggar Princess is set. In the top-middle you can see a large continent. That is where this story is set. 

Here's a close up of where this story is set. Atereth Goldesh is a country of mini-kingdoms. You can sort of see Salathiel in Atereth Goldesh, and the Mountains of Arkaitz on the boarder. The other countries are Tranfel and Katarak, which was the setting for another story that, sadly, I lost. It was becoming a great story, too!!

The Simple Things

This morning I felt a rant coming on. It all started when I was trying to put away my clothes piled upon my dresser. My pants drawer has always been the one stuffed to the brim, jammed closed. Today it was beyond stuffed; I couldn't fit another pair of shorts in. So, out came every pair and I pulled out every pair of bottoms I hadn't worn, or didn't like. Suddenly, the drawer was empty enough to close. But, still, I wouldn't be able to fit anything else. I had pulled out all my jeans, intending to hang them (living in Florida it's too hot to wear jeans in summer), but when I went to my closet I found five other pairs of jeans from my grandmother hanging. So, out came those as well. Doing the same thing as with my drawer, I soon had a large pile jeans that had been hanging in my closet for a few months, never even thought of. I sat down on the mattress in front of the closet and looked into it -- stuffed to the brim, cluttered, filled with items I never used. Glancing into the back I saw the multiple dress-up dresses. "If only we could go back to the simple days!" I thought to myself. You know, in the 1800s an average working-class woman had at most four dresses: an everyday dress (maybe two), a Sunday dress, and *possibly* a dress reserved for very special occasions such as a ball. When she went to dress in the morning she simply pulled out the dress she always wore. Today we would never dream of being seen in the same outfit twice during a small period of time. Every Sunday morning it's a struggle to find something to wear to Church. "I wore that three weeks ago! I can't wear that again." Why not? Why can we not just relax and enjoy the simple things in life?

Especially in America we want choices. We demand it. We deserve it. We are Americans, therefore we have every right to rule. We can rule what we wear, what we eat, we are in control. I envy the naivety of children. A child sees the world in the way God intended it: beautiful, simple (but intricate). A child goes about his day in a straightforward manner, never fearing what tomorrow may bring. Imagine if everyone just took a step back, forgot about the busyness in life and just listened, looked, thought; just went outside and enjoyed the beautiful world God has given us; just sad down with a cup of tea and a good book; just called up a friend to talk, just because; just enjoyed the simple things in life.

An Untitled Dragon Story, Installment/Chapter One: The Dream

Here's another story using a prompt. I think this one will become more of a novel. I have hopes for it. So, here's the first installment. I'm still working on the title.....

The dream came to her again. She was locked up in a tower; a knight stood below fighting a huge dragon. She was watching from a window cheering on one side, but she didn't know which. It was disturbing, and she slept no more that night. For weeks now she had dreamt the same thing. What did it mean?

Ayva rose before the sun and dressed herself. She sat in the window watching the sun rise. As she watched, she saw a procession approach the citadel. It was the caravan that came every year to trade with the citizens of Salthiel. Ayva smiled and hurried downstairs. "Papa! Mamma! The caravan has arrived!" As she turned the corner she ran into her mother coming towards her.

"Don't run, love. You'll hurt yourself." Her mother helped her up and smiled back. "You're awake early. I was just coming to wake you." Mother and daughter walked arm-in-arm to the breakfast room where her father stood waiting.

"Good morning," he said. "The caravan arrives today."

"Yes," Ayva said. "I saw them in the distance. I think they should be here by noon."

"Why did you wake so early? There was no need today. You have no lessons because of the caravan."

"I had a nightmare." Her parents looked at each other with a worried expression. Ayva saw, and was suddenly uncomfortable. She slipped into her seat.

A servant entered by the side door. "Your majesty, a messenger from the caravan is here. He wishes to speak to you. May I send him in?"

"Of course. Ayva, we will talk later."

Formalities. Ayva rolled her eyes. It was the same every year: a messenger came requesting permission to enter and trade, and her father willingly gave it and an invitation to dine.

The messenger bowed. "Your majesties, my lady, Sindri, leader of the Stigandr, sends his greeting. He requests permission of King Emirhan to enter the citadel and to sell and trade the wares of the caravan to your people."

"The kingdom of Salthiel welcomes with joy the caravan of Stigandr, and invites Sindri, leader, to join me tonight in a meal symbolizing our partnership."

When the messenger had left, Emirhan turned to his daughter. "Ayva, Every night you seem to wake from nightmares. Is something troubling you?"

"No, Papa, I cannot think of anything causing the nightmare."

"You speak of them as one. Why is that?"

"Because it is recurring. I am in a high tower overlooking a great plain, and on the plain a silver knight is fighting a dragon. I am cheering for one, but I do not know which. There are peaceful dragons in the land, are there not? The first time I had the dream I was only confused, but it has returned every night for a fortnight. It just disturbs me."

"Perhaps it is just a dream. Try not to think too deeply about it and enjoy yourself today. You can go into town and see the caravan if you wish."

After breakfast Ayva changed into a simple green dress, grabbed her cloak and walked into town. She wandered about the stalls, admired wares, and listened to tales of foreign lands. She saw one booth with a dragon painted on the tent. Glancing around as if worried someone might see she pulled back the tent flap and walked in. A young man about her age was standing over a table with his back to her. Sensing someone in the room he turned.

"Excuse me. I did not hear you come in. May I help you in any way?"

"I don't know." She smiled nervously. "I don't really know what brought me inside. Well... it's complicated."

He motioned towards a seat. "If you wish to explain I would be glad to listen. My name is Gaven. You are?"

"Eve." She didn't mind not telling the truth since her name did mean Eve. She took a seat. "I was drawn to your tent by the painting on your tent. It's a dragon."

"Yes, I study dragon lore. My father used to train dragons, but he disappeared when I was only nine. I believe he is still with the dragons, so I study them in hopes it will lead me to him. May I ask why the dragon interested you?"

"Oh, dragons are just such fascinating creatures. Do you think that dragons can fight for good? Or are they entirely evil without the help of man?"

"Ah, here we get into the mystery of the dragon. I believe that there are more good dragons than evil ones. My father was a dragon lord, he could speak to and understand dragons. Although I have tried to, I, alas, cannot. But, he told such stories of helpful dragons, and so few of evil ones, that I am sure that an evil dragon is rare. Does this ease your mind?"

"I had hoped it would, but I fear it does not. It is not your fault, though. I thank you for your time and teaching. How long will you be here? I may have other questions later."

"You have piqued my interest now. Why would a young lady of high standing -- for I can tell by the way you carry yourself that you are of high standing; it is no secret -- why would she be so curious of the ways of dragons? But, I shall not interrogate you. I myself despise one who whittles information out of me. I shall gain your confidence and let you tell me at your own timing. The caravan will be here for a week, I will have my tent out today and tomorrow and, depending on how much business I get during that time I may be out later as well. I'm staying at the Last Harting Inn; ask for me and I will be glad to serve you."

Ayva stood and pulled her purse, but Gaven protested. "On me, please. You have given me joy to know that someone is as interested in dragons as I."

She thanked him and left the tent. Half-conscious she made her way back to the castle. She was quiet the rest of the day, pondering what Gaven had told her. What should she be wary of? Dragons or Knights? If the majority of dragons were good, she should fear Knights, but what if the dragon in her dream was one of the minority?