Dragon of Ketlibran

Fern flew onward towards Mundark's castle. Flying faster and faster getting ever closer to his goal his anger building up inside him until smoke billowed from his nostrils.

As he got closer to the castle the voice of his beloved became clearer and he started to listen to what she was saying

Mundark the Hunter stood atop his castle wall watching the horizon for signs of his prey. He was ready. Hell he was always ready for the day when the Dragon’s head would be his. Then he saw it, wings flapping and scales shimmering in the late evening light, flying over the mountains in the distance. He followed it with his weapon waiting for the right moment to fire the net. The Dragon flew closer and closer still Mundark waited, his finger poised ready on the trigger.

Fern Flew across the land watching out for dangers. In the distance he spotted his enemy poised to attack. He swooped down dancing in the sky teasing his hunter. He knew he could easily get away from him. He could fly faster than anything else on this planet.

Mundark was starting to get impatient. ‘Come on, come on,’ he said under his breath wanting to aim his frustration at the distant Dragon. ‘Why is he doing this to me?’ He asked his loyal Army Commander.

‘I cannot answer that for you my majesty.’ The Commander replied.

Mundark looked at him for a second scowling before turning his attentions back towards his prey.

Fern using his telepathic abilities listened in to Mundark’s conversations and thoughts. He stopped dancing around and headed straight for the castle.

‘Come on, that’s it, just a little closer.’ Mundark pressed the trigger and the net flew across the sky straight at Fern, who vanished from view in a flash of multicoloured light.

Mundark looked over the battlement and down towards the empty net. ‘AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGG,’ he screamed. ‘Where did you go this time DRAGON?’

‘I’m right here.’ Came a voice from behind him.

He looked round but no one was there. Even his Commander was gone. All he saw was flames where his flag had once flown proud. Then he saw the culprit, his prey disappearing off in to the distance, something dangling from his claws.

‘I’ll get you for this Dragon, even if it kills me!’ He shook his fist in Fern’s direction then turned. Leaving the warmth of the planets two setting suns behind Mundark headed down a long, cold stone spiral stair case. 

 Fern flew over the mountains carrying his captive. He swooped down just missing a rocky outcrop. ‘Tell Mundark he will never capture me I am too clever for him,’ came a voice that to the Commander seemed to come from nowhere. Setting the man down with a thump fern disappeared over the crest of the highest peak.

Still trying to work out where the voice had come from and shaking from his experience the Commander picked himself up and dusted his clothes down. He looked around trying to work out which direction the castle was in. Then he saw the flag pole burning and scared the Dragon may come back for him started running as fast as he could towards it.

Mundark tripped and tumbled down the last few steps crashing through the partially open door at the bottom. He ended up rolling across the floor skittling some of his subjects. Picking himself up he said in an authoritative tone ‘What are you all laid around for? Get on with your work.’ No one needed telling twice as the hall was empty before Mundark had finished. Looking round checking the hall was totally empty he moved across the floor quickly heading for his study. He headed down a long dark corridor. Pushing open a large wooden door he entered a room covered in animal skins and heads from his many hunt triumphs. One wall was covered in the scales of many dragons.  With a tinge of sadness he looked over a spot on that wall was still empty. ‘One day Dragon, one day I’ll have your head on that wall.’ He said to himself as though the dragon could hear him.

*****

Fern lay in his cave looking out onto the lake. ‘What will Mundark try next?’ He pondered as he watched the water shimmering in the moon lit night, lapping at the shore. His thoughts then turned to all his kind who had been murdered by the King over the years. Yet even with these thoughts running through his head, Fern still believed he was uncatchable; you could even call him cocky. It had been only a year since his beloved was taken from him. Memories of the time leading up to that dreadful day flooded into his mind.

It was a warm sunny day and Fern and the other dragons were flying about in the sky above the lake. Diving down to the water then swooping back up and circling round. Fern had flown off over the impassable mountains and off in a direction he had never flown before.  They would never normally venture in to inhabited areas as they had had bad experiences in the past when they lived on earth. But Fern was very inquisitive and loved to explore. As Fern flew he spotted a village where people were moving about between buildings. As he approached he noticed a change in the behaviour of the people below.

The people of Gerdan stopped what they were doing and looked up at the amazing sight above them. Some of them started running scared of what this newly appeared would do to them, others just stayed glued to the spot.

Fern spread his wings wide and glided down, landing smoothly on top of the stone wall that protected the city. Closing his wings around his shimmering, scaled body he bowed his head.

The crowd that had gathered by this time parted and a man dressed in brightly coloured clothes walked down the newly created aisle. With an air of authority in his steps he made his way towards the newly arrived creature. As he moved closer his steps became more tentative but he never showed any fear. Once he was a few feet from the wall he looked up taking in the magnificent site of the creature above him.

‘Do not be afraid Marhak of Gerdan. I will not hurt you or your people. I am fern.’

‘How do you know my name?’

‘Dragons have their ways.’ Fern replies standing up straight and opening out his wings to their full span.

Marhak moved forward once again as if drawn to the dragon by an unknown force. Putting his hands on a ladder he climbed on to the wall.

Folding his wings back against his body, Fern turned to face Marhak bowing his head once more.

Slowly Marhak moved closer. Extending his arm he touched Fern’s cold scales. There was a flash of multicolour light, as bright as the two suns and Marhak stepped back in alarm.

Looking on the villagers watched as their leader seemed to disappear behind the bright light. The guards aimed their bows ready to fire.

‘What just happened?’ Marhak asked Fern as the light faded and the tingling sensation that had been running through his body subsided.

‘When you touched me I passed a small amount of my power over to you.’

Marhak saw his guards and gestured for them to lower their weapons. ‘I am OK Fern is our friend. Please extend the same courtesies to him as you do everyone else here.’

‘I vow to help protect you from your enemies and teach you things you never thought possible. Come with me Marhak, and I’ll show you the wonders of this world.’

*****

Mundark walked down a dark, narrow corridor towards the dungeon steps. Moving carefully he descended into a large room. Shafts of moon light peering through small gaps at the top of one wall fell on to a large object that lay in a cage on the opposite side, making it shimmer. Sensing movement, it lifted its head revealing the beautiful slender face of a female dragon, her mouth wired shut. Her eyes once bright now dulled with sadness that her years of incarceration have caused. Her wings tied to her body with ropes of metal. She stayed still staring at the oncoming figure of her captor. She knew thrashing around would not do her any good as the chains around her were tight restricting her movement. Mundark moved along the damp cold wall towards the cage. Pulling on a heavy rope he looked up at the ceiling, watching as it opened allowing in more moonlight. ‘This ought to entice that darn DRAGON.’ He said as he used all his strength to pull a leaver down hard.

The floor under the Dragon started to rumble then slowly it moved upwards towards the now open ceiling. This time she thrashed fighting the ropes that bound her. Lifting her head high she took in a deep breath. Breathing out flames that filled the cage she continued to thrash trying to loosen her binds. Closing her large eyes she concentrated. Feeling his presence somewhere close she said in her mind ‘Fern my darling I’m still alive and been held by King Mundark in his castle. Please don’t come for me, he is using me as bait to lure you in to his trap. Once he has you we are both dead.

*****

Fern was woken from his memories by a voice inside his head. He listened to the first part of the message. Realising it was his long lost love he lifted himself off the ground, unfurled his wings and darted into the sky. He flew as fast as he could towards his goal, determined to get his revenge. Scanning the horizon, he searched for a sign but saw nothing but the birds in the sky.