Dragons in the Village
The knight came blithely along the forest lane, whistling gaily. He was wearing full armor, despite the fact that it was midsummer, and he had a huge broadsword strapped across his back. From beyond the fence, Tania watched him ride along. He took no notice of her, but then that was not surprising. A small child of the Old Ones with bare feet and wearing a much-patched dress was hardly likely to attract attention from one such as him. When he had passed, she turned and vanished into the woods, coming out at a small village.
The journey was short for her, a matter of five minutes, but it would take in far longer for the knight. The road looped and turned about greatly before coming to the village. It had been designed that way on purpose.
She burst into the village yelling “A knight is coming and he has a big sword! Release the dragons!” She ran to woods the village dragon pen as she yelled, but Tania’s eldest brother Obaen was there already, unlocking the gate’s three locks so the dragons could leave.
“Get out of the way Tania, you’ll be trampled!” Obaen exclaimed, grabbing her by one arm and pushing her behind the gate as he swung it open. “Out! Out!” He yelled at the dragons, pushing his fist skyward three times. The three dragons scrambled out the door and leapt skyward, their wingsbeats making the trees toss and frightening all the chickens. They circled once and were gone.
Tania’s mother and middle brother Kaen came out, leading goats which bleated and pulled at their ropes. Obaen came and took the billy goat from him which let them all move faster. They placed the goats in the dragon pen, put the rope halters away, and everyone went back to their duties.
Some ten minutes later, the knight rode into the village. He looked a little cooler after the ride through the forest and his horse pranced as he removed his helmet and bowed to the villagers, who stared wide-eyed, as if they hadn’t seen similar people three times in the past two years.
“I have come to read you of your scourge of dragons,” he announced grandly.
Obaen frowned at him and looked confused. “We don’t have any dragons,” he said. “Not these ten years now. We’ve got goats, and chickens, and Stasi has three cows – but please don’t kill those Sir, we need the cheese to trade with the other villages.”
The knight blinked. “I was informed that you had a problem with dragons here,” he said.
“Some folks been drinking too much ale,” Obaen said, “or they’ve been eating the wrong sort of mushroom. We don’t have any problem with dragons here. Or,” he said grinning slightly, “not unless you count this one.” He pointed at his mother, who sputtered.
“You’ll sleep in the barn and eat cold porridge for the next three days if you take that tone,” she said to general laughter.
“I see I have been misinformed,” said the knight, looking most disappointed. “However, having come all this way could I trouble you for a drink of water? My waterskin is nearly empty.”
“Certainly, Sir” said Tania’s mother, smiling at him. “Just give me the waterskin.” She filled it at the well a few steps away in the middle of the square and handed the skin back to him. He bowed to her politely and kissed her hand before going on his way.
Tania’s mother shook her head and laughed once he was gone. “These knights are so gullible, even if they are charming.”
“I think it comes from wearing steel helmets in the middle of summer,” Obaen said. “That’s not good for the brain, as I’ve always said.”
“Yes, we’ve heard you,” said Kaen.
“But you’re probably right,” Tania said.
“Now we’ve let the dragons out hunting, though they probably won’t be back until very late tonight so I’m going to go cook something small to tide us over,” said Tania’s mother. “As for you, Obaen, you can have some but you’re washing dishes.”
“Yes Mom,” said Obaen and life in the village returned to normal.