Prince Michael and The Dragon
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CHAPTER 9
EL PREPARES FOR THE STORM
Word soon reached King Christian that Diabolos was on his way with 30,000 warriors to attack the castle. When the king and his court heard the news all their hearts melted with anxiety.
“What word is there regarding my son, Michael?” King Christian asked the messenger.
“The only word was that soon after he and his companions reached the mountain village of Shocho, Diabolos and his men took them by force to his castle,” replied the messenger with his head bowed low in sorrow for the king and for the kingdom.
At this news the king lowered his head and wept for his son. When the rest of the court saw how the king wept for Michael, they were filled with even greater fear and sorrow. Because of all the news that had come to the court, there was silence and a feeling of despair.
Soon Prince Lionel stood up and said, “Take heart people of El! Even if my brother has died at the hands of Diabolos, and we don’t know for sure this is the case, he would not want us to grieve to the point of defeat! But this is not likely the case, for we should not forget that the King of Heaven commissioned Michael, and as I stand here, I know the King’s will shall not be thwarted. Our duty is to lead the armies of El against our foe and pray for Michael’s success!”
At Lionel’s words the entire court was strengthened and began to discuss how they could defeat the great army of Diabolos.
Prince John stood up and asked, “How can we possibly stop Diabolos’ army? He is only one day away and the largest force we could possibly muster in that amount of time would only be seven hundred knights and perhaps seven thousand men at arms.”
“We must meet them on the edge of the barren plains at Nekrosis before they can enter the King’s Province,” King Christian said, speaking as one who had experience in such things. “Apparently we cannot avoid a fight with Diabolos, but we can decide the place of battle and use this to our advantage. If we can meet them there at the narrow pass and hold them, their water and food will quickly run out and they will have to retreat giving us time to muster the entire army. However, there is also the possibility they will fight even harder once they feel the pangs of hunger. Still, it is a risk we are forced to take.”
When everyone heard the king’s words they were encouraged by his plan and began to prepare themselves for battle. As the men of the court were running about to gird their weapons and muster their reserves, the queen and princess entered the court unaware of what had transpired.
“There is either grievous news, or we are preparing for a great tournament,” Queen Debora said hopeful it was the latter.
Princess Mary responded, “It must be Michael! He’s defeated the dragon and they are preparing for his return!”
With these words and hopeful thoughts, Mary ran to her father to confirm her belief.
As she pranced playfully toward her father, expectant of joyful news, the queen thought quietly to herself that, though she too was hopeful, the sights she was seeing did not comfort her.
As Mary leaped up to embrace her father, she said excitedly, “It’s Michael isn’t it? He has killed the dragon and is returning victorious!”
When the king heard her words and hopeful expression, he choked in tears and said, “How I wish your words were true. There is no word from Michael. Diabolos, the evil lord from the far northwest, is marching on our castle with a large army. We are preparing to meet him in battle.”
Mary fell at her father’s feet weeping more bitterly than any maiden had ever wept. As the queen approached, having heard the king’s words, she knelt down beside her daughter and wept with her.
“Take courage, women of El,” the king commanded. “There will be time for weeping when we can do nothing else. It is not known that Michael failed in his quest, and who is to say how the battle shall fare? We have much to do and we are responsible to the people to protect them.”
“Yes,” the queen responded. “We must gather the other women of El for the battle as well. There will be wounded to attend to and arrows must be made.”
“And I must go to the battle,” Mary said resolutely. “The closer I am, the more I’ll be able to encourage the men. I can also use a sword and bow if necessary.”
“Good!” the king said. “We must also have people beseeching the King of Heaven on our behalf, for our victory. Please make sure all is taken care of.”
The king, princess, noblemen, and people gathered their arms and quickly prepared to ride to the edge of the barren plains where they would meet Diabolos.
As the army mustered on the parade grounds just outside the castle, the king looked over the men of war and remembered the days of long ago when he led the army against other invading hordes.
Though the king was a man of peace, he was filled with pride to once again lead his army and protect his people. The thought of the selflessness of each knight and each man at arms, who were about to go into an uncertain battle, caused the king to reflect upon and question his own worthiness to lead these people.
The king’s meditation was soon cut short. Prince John came to him and said, “The army is mustered, my lord, and all is ready. We have six hundred seventy-five knights and a little over seven thousand men at arms. How do you wish to lead the army?”
“For now,” the king said, “let’s march out as a whole army before the people who will support us that they may be proud of their army. Once we reach the border, there will be time to decide who will lead which contingent.”
So the army of El paraded away from the castle toward the place of battle as the people of El cheered and shouted blessings at each soldier and knight who passed by. While the king and each man knew the seriousness of the situation, they were content for the moment to pretend there was a glorious aspect attached to marching out to battle.