CHAPTER 5
THE VILLAGE OF SHOCHO
The morning soon came for Prince Michael and Zachary, with the bright sun rising in the east. As Michael started to move about he realized how different the barren plains looked to him now that he had a companion. For now, Michael began to think it didn’t look quite so desolate.
“You know, we’ll reach the northwestern foothills this evening,” Zachary said to Michael as he shook the dust from his sleeping blanket.
“Yes, I do know. And I suppose it’s quite possible that we’ll be in danger from this day on,” Michael responded while looking thoughtfully toward the northwest.
“I thought the same thing,” Zachary said with a hint of excitement in his voice. “Now, I would love to know who the second companion is,” he continued.
“Yes, and so would I,” Michael said as he mounted Noble. “Now let’s be off to whatever adventure awaits us!”
Michael and Zachary galloped across the plains without noticing how quickly the day was passing. Finally, Zachary realized how the sun was beginning to set in the west, and pointed out that the mountain peaks were beginning to be within sight.
“Those mountains are so beautiful, it’s hard to believe there could be such grave evil there,” Michael commented as he surveyed the distant snow covered peaks.
“Yes, but I’m sure we’ll make quick work of the dragon and soon be about our business,” Zachary said with little concern.
“Yes, and I do appreciate your optimism,” Michael replied with a cheerful smile.
Michael and Zachary continued riding toward the mountains, with each moment bringing the majestic peaks closer and making the view more clear. After they traveled for a while and had just reached the top of a small grassy knoll they could see a small village before them resting in a narrow valley. As soon as he noticed the village, Zachary pointed and said, “That village is likely to be the best place to stay for the night. I don’t think we’re going to find anything else.”
Looking about the countryside, Michael responded, “Yes, I suspect you’re right. It would be good to sleep in a bed and be able to take proper care of our horses.”
As they continued their talk and observations about the village, they rode forward. Once they reached the village entrance, they noticed a small boy playing beside the main road leading into the village. “Hello, what’s your name, young man?” Michael asked with a smile.
“My name is Peter, sir,” the young boy said with a stern look on his face. “Who are you?”
“Oh, we’re just some travelers, come to see your beautiful mountains and find a place to rest for the night,” Michael responded to the young lad. “Now tell me, what is the name of this village?”
“This is Shocho,” the young man said sharply as if everyone should know.
“Well, you see we are strangers in these parts, so we did not know what the name of your village was,” Zachary joined in.
“If you knew anything about Shocho, you wouldn’t be coming here to visit,” Peter said. “This village is controlled by the evil lord, Diabolos, who steals all our food and many of our people to feed his dragon. There’s nothing here but people who are hungry and afraid.”
The young boy continued telling Michael and Zachary about the village, Diabolos, and the dragon. As he told the story, he made it clear that there were some other villages not too far away, but they, too, were captives of Diabolos and his great dragon.
While Peter mentioned he had heard of King Christian, and the royal family, he added that Diabolos told all the people that the king and his family were all dead, and that he was now ruler over all of El and even the regions beyond. According to Peter, Diabolos demanded half of everyone’s possessions as payment to him and his court, as well as taking many young children from their homes.
When Michael heard Peter’s sad story and noticed his tattered clothes and hopeless expression, his heart ached and burned with anger at the same time. “Where is the court of Diabolos?” Michael asked politely, while trying to hide his sense of rage.
“Just over that mountain, sir, about a quarter of a day’s journey. But you don’t want to go there! Nobody I know goes there and returns,” Peter warned.
“Thank you, young man,” Michael responded with a smile. “We’ll be very careful. Now, where may we rest for the evening and find a stable for our horses?”
“There’s only one place in the village and that’s the inn of Mister Todd. He’s not a nice man, but if you have money he will take care of your needs,” Peter continued.
“Again, many thanks,” Zachary said, while Michael tossed Peter a small golden coin.
“Thank you, my lord!” Peter exclaimed as he ran excitedly down the village road.
“The state of this territory is worse than I could have imagined,” Michael lamented as they nudged their horses toward the inn.
“Yes, your highness, and I fear it will not be long before Diabolos knows we are here,” Zachary added. “I also suspect he will quickly know who we are. There is no way for us to go unnoticed in a small village like this.”
“I don’t think there is anything we can do,” Michael said quietly. “I suppose the best thing for us to do is to simply pose as hunters from the north. For right now let’s go see what kind of hospitality Mister Todd can provide us.”
So Michael and Zachary rode down the dusty street to the town inn. As soon as they arrived, they turned their horses over to a young man who took them directly to the stable.
As they were about to enter the inn, they noticed a knight riding down the street, headed toward them. This knight was strange to them both, but they could tell by the way he sat straight in the saddle and carried himself, he was a man of noble birth.
He looked to be about the same age as Michael and Zachary, and perhaps a little taller. His sandy colored hair was pulled back into a short ponytail and he had a very gentle look about him. The knight wore silver armor polished brightly and carried a shield bearing the emblem of a rock and an oak tree. He also carried a warrior’s sword, lance, and ax. Calmly riding his pure white horse, he came toward Michael and Zachary.
“I’ve never seen this man before,” Zachary said in amazement. “In fact, I’ve never seen another man like him. I wonder who he could be and whether he is a friend or a foe?”
“I, too, would like to know,” Michael commented curiously. “However, I suspect he will be a great friend.”
As the knight came to where they stood watching him, the young knight said, “Greetings good men. I am Sir Aaron of the land of Ahave. Are you men of this town, or are you too on a journey?”
“We are on a journey as you seem to be,” Michael replied.
“Well then, since we are all strangers here, perhaps we can enjoy each other’s fellowship this evening,” Sir Aaron said cheerfully as he dismounted from his steed. Aaron then briefly patted the forehead of his horse and turned him over to the stable boy, who led the horse to the stables.
Both Michael and Zachary were wondering at the appearance of this fine knight and wondering about how they should identify themselves when he turned and asked, “And what are you gentlemen called?”
“I’m Zachary of the North.”
“And I’m called Michael,” the prince responded afraid the wrong ears might hear he was of the royal family.
“Good!” said Aaron excitedly. “I welcome your fellowship! Come let us see what fine accommodations this place offers,” he continued as he led Michael and Zachary into the inn.
As soon as they walked into the inn they could not help but notice the keeper. He had an evil, greedy look about him. He was bald, short, and heavy. He was not a powerful looking man, but he had the look on his face that said he would not hesitate to kill anyone of them if it would work to his benefit.
“Well, what can I do for you distinguished gentlemen? I am Mister Todd,” he said as they walked toward his desk.
“We wish lodging for
the evening,” Aaron said in a gentle yet confident voice.
“Then lodging you shall have,” Mister Todd replied with a devious sound that made the three of them somewhat uneasy. “There are not that many strangers in these parts, especially since the dragon started ravaging our countryside. Who are you and where do you come from?”
“Why, we are men of little note and hardly worth my lord’s time, with the exception of this noble knight who has by chance joined our company for the evening,” Zachary said.
“Then what is your destination, O men of little note?” asked Todd.
“We are poor hunters passing through, on our way to the south lands to hunt the great bison.” Michael said with some caution.
“And you, sir knight?” asked Todd glancing spitefully at Aaron.
“I am an errant knight from the land of Ahave seeking what adventure I might find,” Michael answered.
“You might find more adventure in these parts than you wish,” said Todd in a threatening voice. “But, no matter, you shall rest well this evening in my inn. You may have the three rooms at the end of the north hall. Rest well, gentlemen.”
The three men then picked up their belongings and walked to the end of the hall toward their rooms. As they walked to the rooms assigned them, they each looked carefully at each other as well as at the inn.
Though there was no cause for alarm Michael, Zachary, and Aaron could not help but wonder what would be in store for them in this place.
Prince Michael and The Dragon Page 6
