Prince Michael and The Dragon
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CHAPTER 2
A FRIGHTENING REPORT
It happened one day that all the royal family was gathered together in the great hall of the palace, along with all the noble people of the land to celebrate the blessings with which the land of E1 was blessed. While the three princes courted the young maidens in the court, all the young men of the land were vying for the princess' attention.
It was a joyous time, with plenty of fine foods and drinks, dancing to the folk music of the land and telling tales of adventure. The King and Queen were enjoying their company and taking great delight in sharing whatever they had.
Then it happened, suddenly, at the high point of the celebration when all the people were happiest, that the most unusual thing happened, which would sober even the merriest guest. A messenger from the great mountains in the northwest rushed into the court with very grave news!
The messenger, Artemus, from the hill country of the West, was a tried and proven warrior, known to all in the kingdom for his fearlessness. So, when all the people saw this great man shaken and full of fear, they were seized by great anxiety over what he might be reporting.
As he ran toward the two thrones, setting at the end of the great hall where the king and queen were sitting, he appeared as a flash because of the speed with which he ran.
Approaching the thrones he bowed to the king and queen saying, "My Lord, forgive this intrusion, but the entire kingdom is in grave danger! A great dragon has appeared in the mountains and has devoured the village of Shallem. It now appears as if the dragon will move to the east. Our most able border guards have died trying to stop the creature. It seems he is completely invincible, for our weapons had no affect upon him!"
When the people in the great hall heard the news, all were gripped with great fear and many ladies of the court fainted, causing the young men to rush to catch whomever they could.
"Describe this beast to me," the king said in nervous anticipation.
Artemus described the creature saying, "The dragon is as high as four tall men. It has a great body the size of a normal house and its great jaws are the size of the doorway to the king's chamber. The dragon has great wings, each the size of the courtyard. It is also scaly green with a great sharp horn in its forehead and great red eyes the size of two fists. At will the dragon can also spit fire!"
"Never has there been such a report in all our history,” the king said, looking about at his advisors.
"This is not the entire problem," added Artemus. "The people of the land out of fear of the dragon's power have taken to robbing and stealing from each other. There are also wicked men, who have seized the opportunity to use their own power over the people, with which they abuse the king's subjects. One of particular note is the evil lord Diabolos. It is further reported some of the people worship the dragon in the hope that their homage will appease his wrath.”
At this report the hearts of many melted with fear, and great cries reached the ears of the king as he pondered what could be done.
At the same time the princes and young men of the court clamored before the king, asking permission to go slay the dragon. The young men, speaking at the same time among themselves and to the king, told how they could destroy the great beast. While, in truth, each young man had the needed ability, in such a clamor no one would ever know who had the best idea. So the king sat bewildered, with his head in his hands trying to think in spite of the great commotion.
In the midst of this great discussion, for a second time the great doors flew open and in walked the great prophet of the King of Heaven. A large powerful looking man, he spoke with authority to kings and common folk alike. This prophet seemed to be a man without age, with long gray hair and a long gray beard, carrying a staff made of ancient oak. His entrance added to the anxiety of the court, as everyone feared what he might say.
With a thundering voice the prophet began, “The Great King has sent me here to confirm Artemus’ report and that he, the king of dimensions, ordains that only one man is to rescue the land. Prince Michael is the appointed man!”
No sooner had the prophet spoken these words than the entire hall was suddenly shaken and filled with light. For a brief moment everyone was blinded, but as each gained sight, they all noticed a man standing in their midst, beside the prophet. This man was different from any person ever seen in E1. He was a head taller than the tallest man, with pure white hair reaching his shoulders. His garments were so bright they actually gave off light to the room. His face was radiant with an expression of power and compassion. When the people saw him they supposed him to be the King of Heaven and fell down to worship him.
At that moment he said "Arise people of El, for I too am a servant of the King of Heaven, the Great King of all dimensions, and it was he who sent me as a messenger to you. The dragon that Artemus has reported to you is a threat not only to the land of E1, but to the whole world. As the prophet has spoken, the beast can only be slain by one man, who can be accompanied only by two companions, neither of whom he now knows."
"Is my son, Michael, the only man who can fulfill this task?” asked the king.
The messenger replied, " The only man with the spirit to kill the great dragon is Prince Michael who wields the mighty sword Avenger. The King of Heaven has chosen him and his companions. The fact that the Great King has commanded this by word from two distinct messengers, the prophet and myself, means, the king has firmly decided this and you should not fear."
When he heard this, Prince Michael felt a flutter in his heart out of fear and the humble knowledge the King of Heaven chose him.
The prince then approached the messenger saying "I am the king's servant, may he grant me his favor."
"You already have his favor, Prince Michael," responded the messenger.
At that point the messenger touched the prince's forehead and the prince's garments became as bright as the messenger's, and Prince Michael felt filled with power from the King of Heaven.
"Prince Michael,” said the messenger, "this will be your greatest test and a time of peril for you and the companions you will meet. But the King of Heaven has given you the power to destroy the dragon. You must learn to use it. Pray for the wisdom to use your power, for it was granted to no one else."
At that very moment the messenger departed as suddenly as he appeared. Yet the people did not notice his departure, for every eye was on Prince Michael, and every hope set on him.