Bringing down a King 2/3
“Ormr? It is I, Peter. Can I come in, I have Satchmo with me.” Peter stood in the entrance of the cave.
“Peter? What brings you here? Of course you are welcome. Here, let me make you more comfortable.” Ormr, exhaled and the cave warmed up by a few degrees.
Peter chucked out his fur coat and hung it out so it could dry. Satchmo curled around himself on the warm cave stones.
“I have a favor to ask.” Peter looked the dragon in the eyes and started to explain Neal´s predicament. “I know you are not a fan of humans. And you have every reason to, but you know I can´t let him die under my care if there is something I can do.”
Peter felt Ormr entering his mind and let him. He is not sure what Ormr was looking for, but soon he felt the dragon retracting himself, so he must have found what he was looking for.
“You are fond of him and so is your wife, your heart feels heavy.” The dragons simply stated.
“Of course we are fond of him, he is a fellow man in need.” Peter gave him a small smile.
“If he is that important to you, he is to me, is he still in your home?”
“Yes, I will take him into the barn, will you help him? I will be in your debt.”
Ormr only nodded and made his way out of the cave.
They made a curious group, Peter on his horse, Satchmo running next to them and the big dragon that tailed them back to the village.
When they arrived at the cabin, Ormr set off to the barn. Peter quickly walked in and called out for El. She looked up from something she was doing to Neal. Peter realized that she was trying to get his fever down by cooling Neal with wet cloths.
“Good that you are back, he is not doing well, Peter. Did Ormr come with you?”
“Yes, he did, he is in the barn. I will carry Neal to him.”
When Peter entered the barn with Neal in his arms, he was glad he had made it. Neal didn´t look heavy, but Peter was no youngling anymore. Ormr had placed some hay bales together and a blanket on top of them. He even had made a fire in the fire pit so the barn was warming up. Peter put Neal down on the blanket and looked back at the dragon.
“Thank you Ormr, we are grateful that you want to help Neal.” El addressed the dragon and gently touched his front paw.
“Hello Elizabeth, as I told Peter, I will do my best to save this human.”
Ormr started mumbling in an ancient dragon language, even Peter couldn´t understand, but El and Peter could see the effect it was having on the younger dragons, they were all silent in respect, even Satchmo sensed it and was lying down next to Neal.
The color in Ormr´s eyes changed, or it appeared to have changed from green to golden, and Peter heard El gasp next to him. Ormr took a small dagger that he must have brought along, because Peter didn´t recognize it as one of his, and made a knick in his right paw, he then did the same to Neal´s right hand. Ormr clasped Neal´s hand firmly in his paw and the blood mixed, all the while making a sort of rumbling noise, deep in his throat.
Suddenly Neal gasped and he opened his eyes, looking bewildered at the dragon which was directly in front of him. But Ormr must have expected it, because he didn´t blink and kept looking at Neal, who lost consciousness once again.
Ormr broke out of his trance and looked back to Peter and El.
“This is all I can do for him. The rest is up to him. He will have to decide if he wants to make it back to this world.” The dragon looked worn and tired and Peter offered him the barn to rest, before returning to his den. Ormr happily accepted the offer.
Peter went out and slaughtered a sheep, so the dragon could eat and regain his strength.
“You shouldn´t have Peter, it is winter, I know that live stock is expensive.” Ormr seemed touched by the gesture.
“We know each other for many years, I´m in your debt, not the other way around.” Peter left the sheep in the barn and lifted Neal back to the cabin. El was already waiting and bundled Neal warmly in the improvised bed.
She then went over to the stove and got Peter a bowl with stew she had made earlier. Peter only realized how hunger he was when he smelled the delicious aromas of the shepherd stew.
* * *
It took Neal still three days to regain consciousness; it was morning when his fever broke. It was Satchmo who warned his masters to Neal´s awakening. Neal didn´t really do anything more than trying to open his eyes.
El turned around to see what made Satchmo so excited and saw that Neal´s eyes were open.
“Peter, he is awake!” she called out.
Peter woke with a startle. He jumped out of the alcove and pulled a shirt over his head, before making his way to Neal´s bed.
“Hi, good to see you are awake, we were worried about you.” Peter said quietly.
Peter could see that Neal eyes were following him, but they weren´t really focused. Neal seemed as weak as a kitten, so Peter gently put an arm around his back and tried to spoon some water into Neal´s mouth. Most of it, dribbled out of his mouth, but some water made it into his stomach. But sitting upright took a lot out of Neal and quickly he was faltering.
“Rest Neal, we will talk later.”
The next time Neal woke, he was more lucid and curious to his surroundings. The last thing he could remember, was starring in the eyes of certain death.
“Welcome back, my name is Peter and this is my wife Elizabeth.”
“I´m Neal, what happened?”
“You tried to rob Ormr and passed out. You lucked out. He would have eaten you whole, you know.” Peter gave a small smile.
“Ormr?”
“Yes, the blue dragon whose den you invaded.”
“Ah, I remember now. I remember starring in its eyes, before blacking out.”
“What were you doing in his den? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to enter a dragon´s den uninvited?”
“I am tired” Neal simply stated and turned around, facing away from Peter.
“We will have to talk about this, Neal.” Peter said before he left Neal´s side.
* * *
Neal recuperated more quickly than expected under El´s great care and soon he could help out around the house. Peter had explained he was a dragon trader. Neal wasn´t used to be in the company of dragons and had to learn a lot. Yes they had dragons in the castle where he was educated, but he had nothing to do with them, the huntsmen only rode dragons.
The first encounter with a dragon didn´t go as Neal expected and it resulted in a slightly singed Neal. He quickly learned how to recognize fire breathing dragons.
Peter could sense that Neal had never performed physical labor. But he was a quick learner and was willing to work, to Peter´s big surprise. Neal´s physique didn´t state that he was working class; he had the built and appearance of a scholar or an artist. So Peter was quiet surprised when Neal got up early and had tended to the resident dragons before coming in for breakfast.
After breakfast, Peter looked for Neal but he was nowhere to be seen, until he heard one of the dragons growl somewhere in the woods around the house. By the sound it was Adelinde, she was a feisty little dragonet and she had some serious mood swings, so Peter quickly ran outside, to see Neal sitting on a rock with a paper and some charcoal. By the looks of it, he was sketching Adelinde and her growl had been a mere pose, instead of an attack. Neal was smiling at her and calling to her that she needed to sit still.
Peter laughed, Neal was doing well, but he really needed to talk to Neal why he had entered Ormr´s den. As long as he didn´t know, he couldn´t trust Neal, could he?
* * *
“Hi Neal.”
Neal looked over his shoulder to Peter. “Oh hi, Peter. I was just sketching Ady here.”
Adelinde came happily running to Peter and started trying to get him to pet her. Peter started roughly rubbing the frill on her neck.
“We need to talk.”
“What about?”
“For starters, why you entered a dragon´s den. I assume that they learned you as a child that it is dangerous.”
“Yeah, they might have mentioned something like that.” Neal said, looking in the distance before going back to his drawing.
“OK, if you don´t want to talk about it, fine.” Peter turned to walk back to the cabin.
When Neal arrived back at the cottage, Peter and El were gone, probably to the market in the village.
* * *
When Peter arrived back home, he called Neal with him.
“Do you know what I heard in the tavern?”
“No idea, what did you hear?”
“The King´s huntsmen are looking for a man who tried to kill the King.”
Peter could see Neal pale.
“You wouldn´t know anyone who would be capable of such an act, would you?” Peter now had a thunderous look on his face.
“I never tried to kill the King, but I need to free Kate, I love her.” Neal whispered.
“I knew it. Neal, what boneheaded stunt have you done? Who is Kate? One of the King´s mistresses?” Peter ranted.
When Neal looked away guilty, it dawned on Peter.
“You love the King´s mistress? Are you insane?”
“But she loves me as well.”
“Oh Neal, come on, let´s face it, why would she choose you over a King?”
“She would, if we are meant to be, if what we have is true love, and it is.”
Peter just looked at Neal, not understanding why he would jeopardize his life for a woman. Neal looked so sincere, he really believed she would choose him over a king, how naive.
“Is that why you entered Ormr´s den? What were you looking for?”
When Neal didn´t answer, frustration crept in peter´s voice. “Why would you jeopardize yourself by entering a dragon´s den and trying to steal something from his hoard?”
Neal looked up and Peter.
“It is said that there is a sword, a very special one. It is said it is the only sword that can bring King Adler down. The King is protected by powerful magic, but this sword can strip away that magic and show him for what he really is. It is said that the sword is protected by a special dragon, so I did research and Ormr must be that dragon. I researched it with great care. Only when the King is stripped from his magic, will Kate be free, she is bound by a spell to him.” Neal said desperately.
“And you think that you can steal the sword from Ormr and get away with it? Just like that?” Peter looked in unbelief.
When Neal didn´t say anything and just stared back, Peter realized that was actually Neal´s plan.
“In the name of Lore, you are serious. That was your plan?”
“And what if it was?” Neal said defiantly.
“Neal, dragons don´t allow thieves to live, they will kill whoever steals from them. Ormr is a fire breathing dragon, what did you think would have happened if he didn´t have mercy on you?”
Peter couldn´t believe Neal would have been that stupid. But they couldn´t waste the time, if the King´s hunters were after Neal, they had to get away.
“Let´s go. We will need to get you to safety.” Peter mounted his horse and pointed to another one for Neal. Neal quickly got on his horse and Peter let the way through the woods.
“We are going to Ormr´s den.” Neal concluded.
“Yes, it is the safest place for you at the moment. Ormr will protect you. He is a sucker for true love.”
When they arrived at the dragon´s den, Peter explained Ormr in short what had happened and that Neal needed protection. So Neal was allowed into the cave and Peter told Neal he had to go back to El, but he would be back. He left the food and water he had with him with Neal, and left.
Neal had a look around him, the cave had a cozy feeling to it and it was warm. Ormr studied Neal while he was looking around.
“Is it what you expected?” the dragon rumbled.
“No, actually, it isn´t. It is homey, I like it.” Neal smiled.
“Peter tells me you are in trouble; that the King´s huntsmen are after you.”
“Yes, as I explained to Peter, I wanted to steal the sword that can strip King Adler from his magic and expose him for the man he really is.”
“And what will you do when you get the sword?”
“Take away his magic of course, set Kate free. If I free her, she will see that I love her.”
“So, if I understand you correctly, you want the steal a sword, de-thrown a King to set the damsel in distress free, and she will love you forever and ever.”
“Well, if you state it like that, It sounds a bit simplistic, but yes, that was the idea.” Neal said a bit bashful.
“And you think I have this sword?
“Yes.”
“Show it to me.” Ormr turned around and slowly walked out of the cave room to another one, with Neal in his wake. This room was filled with gold, silver, precious gems, paintings, it was a dragon´s hoard. It was stocked into the room like nothing Neal had ever seen. This was a treasure beyond his wildest dreams. And Neal stared at it in awe.
Neal slowly walked through the room and studied all the items in this hoard. There were several swords, daggers and other weapons.
“This is it.” Neal pulled a specific sword out of the pile of gold items. The sword was nothing really special, there were much more beautiful swords in this hoard. It wasn´t made from precious metals; there were no precious gems in the hilt, just wording on the blade. But it was the work of a great black smith.
´Mea et detraxi rex, I will bring down a king.´ Neal murmured.
“So you can read.” Ormr concluded.
“Yes, I was a page and squire in the court of King Adler.”
“Ah, so that is how you met the King´s mistress.”
Ormr watched the young man in front of him. He was sincere, he didn´t hide anything, he really believed she was his true love.
“Is she worth it?”
“Yes, she is” Neal had a look in his eyes that startled Ormr.
“Tell you what, we will eat and rest and tomorrow I will accompany you on your quest. If this love is meant to be, I will help you.”
* * *
The next morning they left the cave, Neal was surprised that the horse he rode here; was gone. When Neal thought about it, it was understandingly as Peter didn´t want to give away the location of the cave, but Neal couldn´t walk the whole journey, it would take weeks.
“Oh, don´t just stand there, hop on.” Ormr snarled at him.
“You can fly with humans?” Neal asked surprised. Most dragons were not trained to carry people and getting on the back of an untrained dragon was not very smart. Neal had learned that the hard way when he was a child.
“I thought you said you were a page in the court of the king, they must have taught you how to fly dragons?”
“Yes, they did. I mean, I did once, I…” Neal could feel the pain again from his attempt on flying a dragon before. He had broken his collar bone and he had been in agony for a couple of weeks. He was not that interested in reliving that experience.
“Well, don´t just stand there, hop on.”
Neal climbed on top of the dragons back and made sure he sat secure with his back to a large back spike, and then took hold on the spikes in front of him.
“Didn´t they teach you to take the horns?”
“Yes, but that is when I want to guide you, but I trust you knowing where to go, so I consider myself just a passenger.” Neal explained.
“Oh, OK, that is considerate of you.”
They were at Peter´s cottage in minutes. With Ormr´s wingspan, distances were reduced to mere minutes of travel.
When they landed, Peter came out.
“What are you doing here, seriously? They are looking for you, they were here already.”
“Are you OK? Is El alright?”
“Yes, we are. But how did you get here, you rode Ormr?” Peter asked with suspicion.
“Yes, why?” Neal asked equally suspicious.
“Ormr is not generally a dragon that trust people to ride him. That is all. But enough about that, tell me why you are here.”
Neal explained Peter that Ormr was generous enough to let Neal take the sword he needed to break the bond between Kate and the King, and that they were on their way to King Adler´s castle.
While Neal explained all of this in Peter´s cottage, the large dragon waited outside, he had walked into the dragon barn to have a rest. Suddenly Ormr heard dragons and he could also smell them and they came closer real soon. He ducted in the darker part of the barn.
Peter also heard the dragons and had told Neal to hide in the attic of the cottage, he could only hope that Ormr had hid himself already.
When someone knocked on the door, El opened it.
“Lord Fowler, are you back already? How can we help you?”
“Villagers told us that a dragon with a rider, flew this way.” Fowler looked with a smug look on his face.
“A rider, this Neal Caffrey you are looking for is a dragon rider?” Peter snorted.
“No Burke, but he was trained in the King´s court, so of course he knows how to ride dragons.” Fowler scanned the room until his eyes fell on the three used cups.
“You didn´t have a visitor?” he asked in a venomous tone.
“No, we didn´t.” Peter said confident.
Fowler eyed Peter and gave a wicket grin. He turned around suddenly.
“OK, seize the wife, bring her.” Fowler told his men and before Peter or El could react, El was dragged outside and placed in front of one the soldiers on the back of a dragon who took off immediately, Fowler mounted his dragon and while he readied it to follow his men, he shouted at Peter.
“That happens when you think you can defy me, Burke.” And with that, he digged his heels in his dragon flanks and took off.
Peter was furious and stormed back into the cottage where Neal had come out of hiding.
“This is all your fault.” Peter shouted while he pinned Neal against a wall. “He took my wife.”
“I know, I know, I will correct it.”
“Oh, you will. He took MY WIFE, Neal!”
Peter grabbed some things and placed them in a leather satchel and walked out to the barn.
“Ormr, we are going to the castle. You heard what happened?”
“Yes Peter, we will get her back, El will be OK, don´t do anything rash.”
“I know, you are right, as always, wise friend, but this is El. I can´t lose her” Peter rubbed his forehead.
“Do you have a dragon that is mature enough to be ridden?”
“Yes, Adelinde.”
Peter walked into the barn and came back outside with a silver dragonette, she was gorgeous, Ormr swallowed and had his spikes all straight when he saw her.
“No time now Ormr, let´s go.” Peter said amused when he saw Ormr´s reaction.
Peter placed a saddle on Adelinde and got on. Neal quickly scrambled on the back of Ormr, and before he knew it they were air born.
* * *
By evening, they were close to the castle and Ormr suggested to rest for the night and to discuss their plans. Peter wanted to enter the castle and get El, but Neal explained that Fowler and Adler would be prepared and that they would be expecting them.
So it was a good idea to rest and think about strategies. Neal needed some breathing space and walked away from the group, noticing that Ormr had followed him. He stopped and turned around. The big dragon came closer and Neal placed his head to Ormr´s, who held his bend down.
“Give me strength Ormr, and wisdom.” Neal whispered.
“You already have both, Neal. You will do fine, just think before you act and everything will work out.”
Adelinde and Peter had gone into to woods to try and catch something to eat and within an hour they were back with two wild boars they caught.
Ormr quickly made a fire in the cave they occupied for the night and Peter easily gutted the boars, and grilled them over the fire. Peter and Neal only took a small piece and the rest was devoured by the two dragons.
With the cave nicely warm and their stomachs filled, it didn´t take much for the group to fall asleep.
Continue to chapter 3