"You will do it! I command it! And you are sworn to my service" The small girl stood erect with hands on hips, spewing defiance in the face of a coppertone dragon so large, he could hold the girl in his mouth whole.
"No, I won't, Princess," the dragon rumbled. "And to be correct, I am sworn to your protection, not your service." The dragon lay casually on the stones of the garden suntrap enjoying the last of autumn's warmth. His voice was deep and rich and commanded respect that he did not receive from the princess. "Furthermore, enacting petty vengeance on other children does not fall under the terms of protection."
"They ruined my birthday party. You were there, you saw them. They made fun of me. They... they..." She searched for some kind of loophole, something to prompt the dragon to action. "They hurt my feelings. You are sworn to protect me and that means to keep me from getting hurt. Now you have to do something."
"Princess Mira, a seven-year-old will get her feelings hurt often. It is part of growing up. And it is apparent you need your feelings hurt some more so that you learn to control your tongue and stop being such a brat." The dragon huffed a sigh, moving enough air to blow the girl's hair into a mess.
"Stop doing that, Vinnek. You messed up my hair on purpose." She fussed with a ribbon to tie her hair back behind her head. "You're a dreadful dragon. You never do anything I say and you're absolutely no fun. And you're mean to me. Mother and father don't believe me because they don't see what you do. But one day they will and you'll be sorry."
The large dragon's eyes rolled up, something like a human rolling their eyes, and it sent Mira into a firestorm. "I hate it when you do that! Stop doing that eye thing! It's creepy and condeselling."
"Condescending. I think you meant condescending, which was precisely how you should have interpreted it." Vinnek huffed again, nearly knocking Mira over.
Mira righted herself and launched her next verbal attack on the huge dragon. "I'm telling father! I'll make him believe me this time."
"Tell father what?" said a voice from behind the stubborn princess.
"Father! Vinnek refuses to protect me and then he was condes.. condescending to me." She turned to Vinnek and stuck out her tongue in victory over getting the word correct.
Vinnek looked hopefully at Uldar for rescue. "Ah, Uldar. Good thing you're here. I was about to eat your youngest daughter. Had I thought she wouldn't be as bitter as her words, I already would have. But I really don't want the large indigestion that would come with such a small morsel."
King Uldar bent down to give Mira a quick hug. "Now Vinnek. Remember, no eating the children, it's part of the rules."
"You're the king, you can change the rules." said Vinnek with a quick wink.
"Not today, Vinnek. What is the latest crisis?" asked Uldar.
"Daddy! Vinnek is…" began Mira.
"Quiet, Mira. I am speaking to Vinnek", said Uldar, cutting off Mira's attempt to control the confrontation.
"Her ladyship wants me to scare the little hooligans that laughed at her at that debacle of a birthday party yesterday. Remember? The one where she wouldn't shut her mouth until she got all of them annoyed with her?" Vinnek rumbled deeply. "It gives me indigestion just thinking about it."
"You saw them, Father! They made fun of me and hurt my feelings. I think it is only right that Vinnek scare them into respecting me." She stopped spitting venom long enough to push out a pouty lip and summon a few tears in hopes of swaying her father to her point of view. "And now he's making fun of me too."
King Uldar sighed. "I'm sure you see it that way, Mira. But remember, Vinnek is a dragon, he is condescending to all humans. He's not making fun of you, it's just the nature of dragons to feel superior. Even if they're not rea--"
"Of course we are!" interrupted Vinnek.
Uldar continued, "And besides, Vinnek is not some servant you can order about. He is a guardian, sworn to our protection, and that includes your protection, but not your vengeance."
Mira fumed. "It's not fair! And now I can't show my face around them ever again! They have no respect for me at all!"
"Mira, my daughter, I love you immensely. But respect is not gained by having a dragon force it. It is earned by your character and your actions. Now go back to the palace and find your mother before I order Vinnek to hold you in his mouth for a few minutes for punishment." Uldar winked at Vinnek as Mira stomped away.
Mira grumbled to herself, but loud enough for her father and the dragon to hear, "What's the use in having a dragon if it won't do what you tell it to? I'd just as soon be locked in a tower as spend another day in a dragon's care."
Uldar shook his head. "Sorry, old friend. I don't know why we spoiled this one as we have. I don't recall the others being quite this bad."
Vinnek looked up with huge eyes at the man before him. "It's because you're getting old for a human, and that is making you soft. Or maybe just soft in the head. Besides, I do remember a certain prince that was just as bad, perhaps worse."
Uldar laughed. "You wouldn't be talking about me would you? I couldn't have been that bad."
"Don't fool yourself young human. She is her father's daughter." Vinnek yawned, revealing massive fangs as long as a man's forearm. "But I was definitely busier with you. You kept sneaking off and getting into trouble, always keeping me on my toes. By the way, you're welcome for all those times I saved your human hide."
"Well, I thank you and all the dragon lords for your protection." Uldar patted Vinnek behind the ears and scratched a few well known itchy spots. "I know she's trouble. And I know she annoys you, but I believe that she needs you to help undo some of our spoiling. Just try not to eat her before she learns a little respect, okay?"
Vinnek leaned his head over, enjoying the scratching and finally rumbled out dryly, "I'll try to restrain myself."
Giving a few final pats, Uldar settled down on the stones and leaned back against Vinnek's warm side. The two of them sat there in silence for several minutes.
It was Vinnek who finally broke the silence. "What do you want this time?"
"What makes you think I want something?" asked Uldar.
"You have that look about you. I've known you since you were a brat on your mother's breast. I sense the question in you." Vinnek twisted his head slightly eliciting a loud pop from his own neck bones. "And you're wearing riding leathers."
"Care for a flight today?" asked Uldar.
Vinnek looked up and then toward the palace.
Uldar motioned toward the palace and all around. "She's quite safe. I just want you to meet someone. It won't take long and Mira and the others are well protected."
"Very well," said the dragon. "But I know nearly everyone in the palace, the keep, and the city. Who is this person you want me to meet?"
Uldar stood up to give the dragon room to move. "I'll explain when we get there. I'll show you the way if you don't mind giving me a ride."
Vinnek rose to his feet and stretched like a cat. Spreading his wings, he gave a nod to Uldar. "Climb up, and lead on. Just don't get too cozy with the idea of a king riding a dragon to battle. I don't do that sort of thing."
They flew to the far side of the palace, toward the tiny village where a number of the palace servants lived. Uldar guided Vinnek to a small house at the edge of the village that was in dire need of maintenance.
A pale woman in simple, peasant's clothes rushed out at the sound of Vinnek's wings and the thud when Vinnek landed his bulk near the house. Strands of brown hair hung loose from a hastily tied bow and lay across her cheek and shoulder. Sad, brown eyes bore the look of a great strain that was no doubt the cause of the dark circles under them. She seemed aged beyond her years.
"I have a child trying to sleep. Who's making that racket?" Seeing King Uldar dismount from the dragon, the woman dropped to her knee to bow. "Your majesty, forgive me. I did not know it was you."
"I have a child trying to sleep. Who's making that racket?" Seeing King Uldar dismount from the dragon, the woman dropped to her knee to bow. "Your majesty, forgive me. I did not know it was you."
Placing a gentle hand under the woman's arm, Uldar said to her, "Rise, Nemeela. How is Rachel?"
Nemeela glanced back toward the squalid little house. "She is the same, my lord. Maybe a bit weaker. She's been asleep most of the day." She kept her eyes down.
"Vinnek," said Uldar, "I would like you to meet Nemeela, widow to the warrior Clemons who died for his people and particularly his king last year at the battle of Crane's Way. If it weren't for Clemons, I dare say I would have been killed that day. And Nemeela, you can look up, I don't mind, I would like you to formally meet Lord Vinnek, protector of our house."
Vinnek lowered his head and tried not to look menacing. His rich, deep voice vibrated the air around them. "You're husband was a good man and a great warrior Nemeela. I met him once, before the battle. He showed immense courage and loyalty in the king's service. You should be proud of him."
"Thank you, my lord. I am very proud of my husband, may he rest in peace." She turned back to King Uldar. "And I am very thankful for the pension you provide us, my lord. But I have to wonder, why have you come back so soon? Have I done something wrong to displease you?"
"No, dear woman. I came back to check on Rachel," replied Uldar.
"Momma, what was that noise?" A frail girl, no more than five or six years old, emerged from the house. Seeing the dragon her eyes grew big and she nearly shouted, "A dragon! He came. I told you he would, Momma. I asked the king to see the dragon and he brought him!"
Nemeela rushed to her child's side. "Rachel, you shouldn't be up. You're still weak."
Uldar came over to the pair and bent down beside Rachel. "Would you like to meet a dragon, Rachel?"
Rachel's smile brightened her entire face. "Oh yes, please!"
"May I?" asked Uldar, holding his hands out to take Rachel up in his arms. Nemeela shook her head in quick yes and Uldar gently picked up the delicate girl and carried her near to Vinnek.
"Greetings, Rachel. My name is Lord Vinnek of House Kaznarra. I am pleased to meet you." His voice was deep and rumbled through their bodies with the gentle feel of warm honey on a sore throat, soothing and welcomed.
"Would you like me to take you closer? He won't hurt you, I promise." Uldar didn't wait for an answer as Rachel's eyes shown in enthusiastic agreement. He brought her right up close to Vinnek's immense head.
"You are a handsome dragon. May I touch you?" asked Rachel.
"You have such good manners. You do your mother proud. Of course you may touch me. In fact, if the king would be so kind as to hold you near my head, he can show you where I like to be scratched." Vinnek lowered his head to the ground so Rachel could reach his ears as the king steadied her.
"I never thought I'd ever get to see a dragon up close. And I never thought I'd ever get to scratch one behind the ears." Rachel looked up at her mother. "Look, Momma! I'm actually scratching a dragon."
"Yes, baby. You are." Nemeela's voice shook as she held back tears. She looked toward King Uldar and whispered, "Thank you, my lord. You don't know how much this means to her. To both of us."
"Lord Vinnek," said Uldar, interrupting the tranquility of the scratching. "Can you tell me what ails the child?"
Vinnek spun his eyes to stare at Uldar and narrowed the openings to mere slits. "You know my feelings on such matters. You press your position, King Uldar."
"I know, old friend. I cannot command you and would never try. I ask as a friend. Can you tell me what ails the child?" Uldar pleaded to Vinnek with his eyes.
Vinnek relented. "Very well, but that will be the extent of it. I will not do what steeps in your mind." Vinnek sighed a dragon sized sigh. "Rachel, I would like you to do something for me. It's perfectly safe, but may seem a little odd for a dragon to ask it." Showing just how dexterous a dragon can be, he pulled his head away and turned to look Rachel directly in the eye in a short fluid motion.
"What do I do?" the child asked.
"I am going to stick out my tongue at you. It may seem a bit silly, especially when you see a dragon's tongue, but I want you to place your hand on my tongue, just for a few seconds. Would you do that for me?"
"You're tongue? I guess so, why? Do you want to taste me?" Rachel asked in a giggle.
"Something like that," said Vinnek. "Just put your hand palm down on my tongue and count to five and that's it."
The dragon flicked out his tongue and closed his eyes. Placing her hand on the thin tongue, Rachel giggled. "It is kind of silly. I've never had a dragon stick his tongue out at me." She counted to five and then looked at her palm. "I thought it would be wet and yucky. But it was like a cat's tongue."
Uldar laughed. "If cats could grow wings and be much larger, they would be dragons."
Vinnek looked at Uldar and gave just a slightest look of sadness.
"You know I'm going to die, don't you?" asked Rachel. "I've known it for a long time now. It's okay. I'm not afraid. Momma says I'm brave like daddy. But, I don't think I'm that brave." Rachel looked up at the huge bulk of Vinnek towering over her. "I'm really glad I got to finally meet a dragon before I die."
"You have more courage and more heart than a hundred warriors, Rachel," said Vinnek. "If your father were alive today, I know he would be exceptionally proud of you."
"I hope so. I miss my daddy. But I'll get to see him soon. When I die that is. It won't be long now I figure. I'd like to see the mid-winter celebration in the village. But if die before that, then I'll just be with my daddy and that's even better."
Turning to Vinnek, Uldar asked, "What ails her, old friend?"
Vinnek sighed. "She has a blood disease. Death is certain."
Uldar hesitated, considering what he was about to ask his ancient friend. "Can you change her?" asked Uldar cautiously.
Vinnek reared his head back and shot the king a hard glare. "Why do you do this to me and yourself? Why would you do this to this poor woman and her daughter? You know our ways and our rules. I cannot do what you ask, and more importantly, I will not consider it."
Uldar took a few steps away from Vinnek and Rachel and stared toward the palace in the distance. No one spoke for several moments.
Vinnek relaxed and prodded Uldar once more. "Uldar, my friend. You have never pressed upon me so great a request. Why now? Why this child?"
He looked up to the sky and sighed. "I don't know," replied Uldar. "My heart was broken for Rachel the first time I met her. And I feel this… this…" He turned to look at Rachel again, "this responsibility for her care. Her father gave his life to protect his king. To protect me. Had he been less a man, he would have been alive and I would have been dead. I owe him a great debt that I cannot pay."
Vinnek's eyes spun to take in Nemeela, Rachel, and their shambles of a house. "So you think you can repay your debt this way? Do you think this is the kind of thing her father would want?"
"I don't know. I am a king of a nation of tens of thousands. And I owe one man more than I can pay. I owe his widow more than I can pay." Uldar shook his head in frustration.
Vinnek huffed at Uldar. "I cannot take on a pupil as I am currently sworn to your house, King Uldar. And the Guardians are quite clear about the conditions of such a change. I cannot do it."
"I know," replied Uldar. "I was out of options. I had to ask." Uldar bent down to pluck a tiny wild flower near his feet. He stared at it several seconds before continuing. "I don't know what else to do. I thought... I hoped the change would be the answer."
"Change, my lord?" asked Nemeela.
"Nemeela, what would you do to save Rachel's life? What would you be willing to give up?" asked Uldar.
"Uldar..." growled Vinnek.
Nemeela's eyes grew wide. "Anything, my lord! She's all I have left. I would give anything to save her."
Vinnek looked away from the humans, trying to avoid the desperation in Nemeela's face.
Uldar held Nemeela's hand, "Would you be willing to give up Rachel if it would save her?"
"What do you mean, give her up?" asked Nemeela, her eyes questioning both Uldar and Vinnek..
Vinnek turned to Nemeela to answer the question. "King Uldar knows that Guardian Dragons, such as myself, have the power to change a human into a dragon. We have done this from time to time but always for specific reasons. Uldar is hoping I would consent to change Rachel so that it would save her life."
"Change me?" asked Rachel. "Into a dragon? I'm not sure I'd want that. What would happen to me?"
Vinnek answered, "If I changed you into a dragon, which I have no intention of doing, you would instantly become a small, young dragon, free of the disease that afflicts you now, and free of the mortality that awaits your kind. But, you would have to leave this realm and live among the Guardians and other dragon-kind."
"Oh," said Rachel. "Then I'd live for a long time, like all dragons, right? Would I still get to see daddy?"
"Not for a really, really long time," answer Uldar.
Rachel looked up at the king with innocent eyes. "What about momma? Would I still get to see momma or could she come with me?"
Uldar answered. "You would leave the land of humans entirely, Rachel. Without your mother. And you would not see her or your departed father for a very, very long time. If ever." The king swallowed hard at that last thought.
Vinnek softened his tone and leaned his head back down to Rachel's height. "That is right, little one. You could live for thousands of years. Long into the future where your mother and your father become just distant memories among the vast numbers of other memories. You could live long enough to forget what they even looked like."
"I don't think I want that. Would you, Momma?" asked Rachel.
Nemeela's emotions were wildly torn. Wanting to save her daughter at nearly any price, but knowing what such a salvation entailed.
"I don't know, Rachel. I don't know," sobbed Nemeela, bending down to hold her daughter in her arms.
Defeated, Uldar knelt down to Nemeela and Rachel, tears welling up in his own eyes. "I am sorry to have put you through this. I should not have done this to either of you. I had hoped that her condition was not so dire. And then I allowed my heart to outspeak my head and I put all of you through this. Please forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive, my lord. Your heart spoke honestly and who could ask for a better king?" Nemeela wiped tears from her eyes and forced a struggled smile at Uldar. "But you have made a little girl truly happy today. She got to scratch a dragon behind the ears. Not many children can boast of that."
Uldar smiled a bittersweet smile in return. Truly his heart was touched by the little dying girl who captivated him with her courage and strength. Yet he knew there was nothing he could do to save her. He stood and leaned against Vinnek, feeling the warmth of the dragon on his face. "And I am truly sorry I did this to you, old friend. It was wrong of me."
'Forgiven," said Vinnek. "Though you can still help the child. Bring her to the palace grounds and assign Nemeela as one of my caregivers, if she has no objection. That way they can live in the servant's quarters and receive the care they will need for Rachel." He looked toward the little drafty house. "I fear she would not fare very long in that house when the snows come."
Uldar nodded in agreement. "Who am I to doubt the wisdom of a Guardian dragon? No king lasts long that does so." Uldar knelt down to Nemeela and Rachel again. "Would you like to live near the palace and help take care of a dragon?" he asked.
"My Lord," said Nemeela. "I don't know what to say."
"Say yes, Momma! That's an easy one. And I'll give you scratches every day!" said Rachel to Vinnek.
"Then yes, my Lord. Yes. I would be forever in your debt for such an honor." Nemeela's eyes welled up with tears again.
"No dear woman, you would not be in my debt for the debt I owe you is much larger." Uldar patted Vinnek affectionately. "Very well, it is settled then," said Uldar. "Nemeela if you would gather your possessions together for you and Rachel, I will send my men out to collect you today. But I would like to fly back to the palace now and take Rachel with me, if you don't mind. She will be well taken care of until you arrive."
"Fly on a dragon! Are you serious?" asked Rachel as all the frailty of her disease seemed to vanish with the elation of flying on a Guardian dragon. "She doesn't mind. Not at all! Do you, Momma?"
"I suppose not," answered Nemeela with a tear-laden smile.
Uldar leaned over Rachel. "Come Rachel, hold on tight to me. I will take you on a dragon flight. When we get to the palace, I will show you around personally."
Vinnek winced when Uldar grabbed his ear trying to mount with Rachel holding on. Once they were settled in, the old dragon sighed. "I will never truly understand humans. Of all the mortal creatures, you all are the most perplexing. Perhaps that's why we dragons agreed to watch over your kind. Morbid curiosity."
Stretching his huge wings, Vinnek gently launched himself into flight, carrying Rachel to the palace for her final days.
Copyright 2013, Kevin Farley (a.k.a. sixdrift, a.k.a. neuronstatic)
Copyright 2013, Kevin Farley (a.k.a. sixdrift, a.k.a. neuronstatic)
