Journey to The Top of Dragon Mountain.

5,499 words





King Nerim frowned and tapped his fingers impatiently. Finally, after thirty excruciating minutes Gaylen the alchemist finished his concoction.

“Here we are sire! This will eliminate your nightmares!”

“At last. I’m so tired of dreaming about that…dragon creature. You bare the credentials of a physician, Gaylen!”

“Remember Lord, I am more. I excel at the wonders of the supernatural. I can’t tell you how many books about spirits, phoenixes, sprites, fairies, and yes, dragons too that I have read about.”

“This world is full of wonders!” King Nerim chuckled. “Well, I’m off to go hunting in the woods with my two sons. Thank you Gaylen.”

Before Nerim walked ten steps, Gaylen cursed. “Blast it! I’m out of wing root! I need some to make a potion for a guard’s coughing.”

“Where can it be found?”

“It’s in the forest.”

“My sons and I could get some for you. What does it look like?”

“It’s no use. It takes a keen eye to spot it.”

“Come with us then!”

Gaylen reeled back. “Hmm…it may take time. It is a rare root.”

“All the more time to hunt!”

“Very well then. When do we depart?”

“We’ll leave within the half hour!”

Gaylen met King Nerim and his sons Thaddeus and Korah at the stalls outside the castle. Nerim had explained to them why Gaylen was coming with them and they mounted up and rode for the forest.”

The midday sun illuminated the rolling hills and trees. A hawk soared above as it careened past the forest.

As they entered, Thaddeus, the older, pointed at a tall bush. “I think I just saw a deer!”

“We must go as far as Gaylen needs. Gaylen, lead,” said King Nerim.

The alchemist entered the forest. When they had gone deeper into the woods, he slowed his horse to a light trot. He studied the base of trees and bushes. Gaylen stopped and dismounted then approached a tree trunk. He circled around it. “I think I’ve found it!”

Just as he started to walk to his horse, he stopped and noticed something large and green with purple spots hidden behind a bush in a shallow ditch.

“What is that?”

Gaylen pointed at the object nearby.

All four went to the area and pulled away the bush to reveal a large egg as big as a medicine ball.

“Well, I’ll be! I do believe this is a dragon egg!”

“Are you sure?” said Thaddeus.

“Have you ever seen such a large egg from any other creature? I have also read about and looked at sketches of dragon eggs.”

“What do we do?” said Korah.

“The mother dragon should be near.”

Suddenly a serene voice came behind them. “I can help you.”

Nerim, Thaddeus, Korah and Gaylen turned and saw a man in a white robe standing there.

“My name is Serephess. I have come here from a far place.”

Gaylen inched closer and eyed Serephess. “That is an odd name. Where exactly do you come from?”

Serephess, neared them all. “I will tell you in due time. If you are wondering where the mother dragon is, I am afraid it has been hunted and killed. Its corpse lay deeper within.”

“What do we do with the egg?” asked Korah.

“If you bring it back to your home, it will hatch and when it does, it will cause envy and division.

“What then do we do?” asked King Nerim.

“There is a high mountain with cave works throughout it. It is called Mount Khrine. The last of the dragons dwells there.”

“You can’t suggest we drop everything, return to the kingdom for clothes and victuals and just go on some wild heist?”

“No need. I have been expecting you all. I have gathered all we need for the journey.”

“I can’t just leave my kingdom. I have duties.”

“Do not worry, King Nerim. I give you my word as a man of God.”

“How did you know my name!”

“I have special insight.”

Gaylen veered at Serephess. “I think your more than a man of God. If you are truly a man, who were your parents?”

“Why are you so austere with this kind man?” asked Nerim.

“I have a theory. When it is time, I think we’ll all find out what he is.” Gaylen turned and walked away from Serephess.

“I will show you your supplies. Help me with the egg, your majesty.” Serephess led them to a large hut full of items-everything they would need, including fodder for the horses and a sling to haul the egg.

Serephess walked several paces out of the hut and untied a beautiful white horse from a pole. He brought it to the hut and loaded the steed with bags of supplies and slung the egg on the right side of his mount.

“Your eyes are so odd and peaceful-like an azure sky,” said Thaddeus.

“They’re almost-otherworldly,” said Nerim.

“You have no idea,” Gaylen muttered under his breath.

“What direction is this mountain?” said Korah.

“Roughly southeast.”

When they were packed to go, Serephess got out five broad swords-one for each traveler and strapped it to each of their mounts. “There will be danger where we are going.”

Serephess led the excursion through the forest and weaved in and out of trees and bushes. Then they came to a horrid sight that made all but Serephess gasp and reel back in horror.

“This must be the mother dragon!” said Korah.

The dragon lay on its back with a harpoon in its chest. The wings of the dragon were splayed open with holes in them. Its mouth was open and the creature’s teeth were like spears.

“The holes in the wings must have been pierced by arrows as the dragon tried to take flight,” Thaddeus said.

“This saddens me,” said Nerim as he sighed. “Why would someone just kill this marvelous creature?”

“They didn’t even take the body for a trophy or anything!” said Korah.

“Vain men!” said Nerim.

“We should get moving. We’ll have to find a place to make camp,” said Thaddeus.

It was nearing twilight and the dark canopy caused Serephess to light a torch.

Soon they came to a circular clearing about thirty feet in diameter amidst the foliage.

“This is perfect,” said Thaddeus.

They tied their horses to low hanging tree branches that surrounded them. Serephess’s horse held the egg. Thaddeus gathered stones to put around a fireplace. King Nerim and Korah collected twigs on the ground and thin branches that were low enough and cast them into the ring of stones.

Serephess took out two flint stones and sparked a fire to life. Everyone sat around it.

After gazing at the fire silently, Nerim spoke up.

“Serephess, I must say you are a very mysterious. I have ridden through these woods countless times and I have never seen you. When did you make that hut and live there?”

“I have been here a long time. God has hidden me from prying eyes, so I might serve Him and commune with Him alone.”

Gaylen took on a poignant tone. “Where did you originally live? I am most curious.”

“That will take some explaining. In time I will tell you all.”

“That is strange. Why would someone have to ‘explain’ where they came from?” said Thaddeus.

Everyone stared at Serephess, waiting for him to reply.

“It regards God. That’s all I will say.”

“Amazing! You have piqued our curiosity, friend!” said Korah.

Gaylen veered his eyes. “Why can’t you tell us now?”

“Don’t pester the man, Gaylen!” said Nerim. “Let him be.”

Gaylen looked away.

“All this mystery and things of God makes it hard to sleep!” said Korah.

“Nevertheless, we must sleep,” said Thaddeus. “Goodnight, everyone.” Thaddeus lay on a knapsack next to him.

“We all should try to sleep. It would be wise to get going when early dawn comes,” said Nerim. “Until morning my sons. And to you, Gaylen and Serephess, too.”

Everyone nestled into their sleeping sacks and closed their eyes.

…………………….. ………………………. …………………………. ……………………….. ……………………



Morning came and birds chirped and fluttered from branch to branch as squirrels scampered up and down trees. Honey light shot through the canopy, casting shadows of leaves and upper foliage.

Nerim was the first to rise. The fire had turned to ashes and the smell of pine filled the air. He went from person to person, rousing all from sleep. However, Serephess was not there.

Thaddeus, Korah and Gaylen got to their feet and each person noticed Serephess’s absence.

“Where is he?” said Korah.

“I am here,” said Serephess said as he entered the ring of trees. “I was praying at a small grove just around a boulder about forty paces away.”

“How long have you been up?” said Thaddeus.

“Two hours.”

“It must have been a deep prayer,” said Gaylen. “What were your praying about?”

“It is private.”

“I see. At what point will you reveal everything to us?” asked Gaylen.

Serephess’s gentle, relaxing expression turned to a frown. “Please do not press me as you are. I will satisfy your curiosity when it is time.”

Everyone, including Gaylen, reeled back with amazement at Serephess’s brashness and Gaylen immediately backed off.

“Let us depart,” said Thaddeus. He turned to Serephess. “Do you know when we’ll exit the forest?”

“It will take about another two hours. Then we will enter the Valley of Salt. Hostile magical creatures dwell there. We may need the swords I brought.”

“Magical creatures! Really?” said Gaylen. Everyone stared at his drastic shift in demeanor towards Serephess.

“My, I have never seen you so exuberant, Gaylen,” said Nerim.

“It would be a dream to encounter such a being!”

“Remember, these are hostile creatures, Gaylen,” said Thaddeus.

“Nevertheless, it would be a grand experience! Let us be off!”

“You’re quite the odd one, Gaylen,” said Nerim with a shake of his head.

Everyone untied their steeds and mounted up and Serephess led the way through the trees.

Suddenly an enormous stag with grey, glossy fur appeared with its head peeking behind a trunk. It appeared to have a silver hide.

“It’s the silver stag father!” said Korah.

“If only we were not on this journey! Blast it!” said Nerim. “I could shoot an arow at it! Come to think of it, how could I haul its body back?”

The animal came from behind the tree and walked straight up to the humans, unafraid.

“How odd,” said Korah.

“You humans are deplorable. You killed the dragon and you wanted to do the same with me.”

Nerim almost fell off the horse as he and everyone but Serephess were wide eyed.

“It speaks!” said Thaddeus.

“My name is Terinth. And as much as it bothers me, I have been sent to come and help you by relaying a message.”

“What…is it?” asked Korah.

“Do you see that mossy tree over there? There is a golden key at its base. You will need it for your journey.”

“Who sent you?” said Nerim.

“I cannot tell you, but your guide will tell you all things. Farewell, travelers.” Then Terinth skipped away.

“How did that creature know you!” said Korah.

“As he said, I will tell you about all things in time.”

All the riders went to the tree and Thaddeus dismounted and found the golden key.

“Hmm…the plot thickens. This is turning out to be an amazing experience,” said Nerim.

Thaddeus remounted and Serephess led.

Within ten minutes, they reached the outskirts of the forest as the trees thinned out revealing a plane.

“Finally!” said Korah as he flicked his reigns and barged out of the forest line.

“Wait for us, son!” King Nerim said as he galloped after Korah.

Thaddeus, Gaylen and Serephess did the same and at full galop. Soon they reached a valley with a protruding thin trail that skirted the valley.

“We must go single file,” said Nerim.

“I will lead,” said Serephess.

The trail was roughly seven feet wide and the terrain was loose and rocky. Each person stayed as close to the left wall as possible. None said a word as they went along the decline and after fifteen minutes, they were almost at the base of the valley.

Suddenly, a rattlesnake panicked Karah’s horse and it jarred to the right, skidding on rocks and sand.

“Korah!” Nerim yelled in panic.

“Ahh, my horse won’t obey me!”

The horse neighed wildly and bucked its front hooves. The horse lost its balance and tilted over the right drop off. Korah accidently slid from the saddle and grabbed the edge of the drop off. Nerim was behind him and jumped off the horse and grabbed Korah’s forearms. He was pulled up inch by inch. The snake reared its head and rattled its tail.

“I’ll distract the snake!” said Thaddeus as he pulled out his sword. He slid of the mount and came from behind the deadly creature. However it was not deterred and as Korah was pulled up as the snake made a lighting fast strike at Korah’s shoulder. Then Thaddeus cut the snake I half.

“Ack! My shoulder!”

“Gaylen! Tell me you brought some kind of herb or ointment!”

“No, Lord! The poison will go through his whole body and paralyze him! There is nothing I can do!”

Serephess wept with a quivering lower lip and raised eyebrows. Within minutes, Korah’s body stilled, and his eyes glazed over.

“My son! No!”

Nerim buried his face in his son’s chest and cried for some time and Thaddeus wept too. When Nerim was done, he rose and took a trembling sigh. “He must be buried. When we reach the valley floor, I will cover him with stones. I will engrave his name on the top-most stone. “Help me with his body, Thaddeus.”

Nerim and Thaddeus lifted Korah’s body onto Nerim’s horse and he mounted it as Thaddeus mounted his.

Seven minutes later, Gaylen, Nerim, Thadeus and Serephess reached the valley floor. Nerim went to a large boulder with smaller stones at its base. He slid off the saddle and hoisted Korah’s onto Nerim’s shoulder and laid him down there. Stone after stone Nerim piled a mound onto Korah’s body. Then, he got his sword and etched his son’s name into the capstone.

Nerim shed one last tear. “Let us move on.” He mounted his horse and carried on.

The valley was hilly and grassy. Soon, bunches of trees appeared. Then they came to a hill with a strangely shaped hole at its base.

“It’s perfectly round, like I was carved out,” said Gaylen. “We should leave…now! I think I know what this is. Manticores make perfectly round dens.”

Everyone jolted as a loud roar emerged from the hole.

“That’s our que!” said Nerim. “Let us leave this place!”

Immediately, they all went around the hill from the right.

“That things won’t track us, will it?” said Thaddeus.

“Manticore’s are very territorial. If we avoid their dwelling and hunting grounds, we should be…”

Suddenly, an enormous body dropped in front of them. It had sharp teeth, dripping with saliva. It had a man’s head and lion’s body with an arched scorpion’s tail.

The three men and Serephess dismounted and took out their swords.

Nerim took the reigns of the horses and quickly tied them to a tree nearby and returned to his companions.

“Thaddeus, circle around the right and Korah you go to the left!” said Serephess.

The two did so and the manticore jerked its gaze from Thaddeus then to Korah and back again.

All the humans each took a place at the corner of a square shape with the manticore in the center.

The beast looked everywhere, unsure. The manticore set its sights for Gaylen and began to near in. The monster’s back was facing Thaddeus. As it was almost upon Gaylen, Thaddeus lunged at it and cut off its tail with a single horizontal slash.

The beast writhed in pain jerking its body around to face Thaddeus and roared. Thaddeus and Serephess closed in from the sides of the monster as Gaylen came from behind it.

Then the manticore’s chest expanded and it contracted as a cloud of flame erupted from the mouth of the beast as it spun three-hundred-and-sixty degrees.

Everyone fell to their chests to avoid the barrage of fire that skimmed over their backs.

The manticore reacted like lightning and took advantage of their immobilized position and pounced through air and landed inches from Thaddeus.

The manticore opened its mouth to devour him but was startled as Serephess’s flung his sword into its back leg.

“Nerim! Toss me your sword!”

Nerim did so and Serephess caught it by the hilt. The massive creature’s face scowled as it ran for him in a mindless rage.

Serephess stood, calmly and in control without the least sign of fear or concern. The ground vibrated. The beast lunged for Serephess to scoop him up in the manticore’s gaping mouth.

Moments before contact, Serephess thrust its sword into the monster’s throat. The manticore reeled back and jumped around as it shrieked in pain.

“Stand clear and make sure you’re not caught in its rampage!” said Serephess.

Everyone retreated away from the raging beast.

It writhed this way and that in its painful panic until it fell to its side, exhausted and wearied. It gradually struggled less and less until still.

“I thought my life was lost for certain! Thank you Serephess,” said Thaddeus. “Will we encounter more nightmares like the one we just faced?”

“There are more monsters we may face, but I can promise we will meet no more danger in the rest of valley.”

The four travelers went to their horses, remounted and crested a steep hill where there was a clearing at the top.

Not too far away was the mountain of dragons.

“We should reach the mountain by sundown at full gallop,” said Serephess.

When they had left the grassy, hilly country, they came to a perfectly flat, bare stone plane. From there they could see the base of the mountain.

As they continued, dark clouds formed and there was a lighting streak followed by a booming thunder. A light rain began and the wetness made them uncomfortable. The rain created a puddle on the entire plane about a fourth of an inch deep.

They rode at full speed without a word, too miserable from the rain. They were also hyper focused on their destination to think of speaking.

At last, they came to it-the base of the mountain.

“The way is steep. We’ll have to leave our mounts,” said Thaddeus.

They slid from their mounts and Serephess took the egg and slung it into a back sack and strapped it over his shoulders.

Once again, Gaylen eyed Serephess suspiciously. “Now that we’re much further in our quest, I think is proper to reveal more about yourself as you promised.”

Serephess sighed. “I will reveal everything when we have gone a bit farther. However, you all do deserve some explanation.” He paused. “I will say that I am not quite like you. Secondly, my home is nearer to God than any person can wish to be in this life. I will say nothing more.”

Gaylen raised a finger and was about to speak when Serephess went before him. “Gaylen, I must speak with you privately.”

Serephess passed Gaylen and he followed him behind an immense tree trunk.

Thaddeus and Nerim glanced at each other.

“What could that be about?” said Nerim.

“I must say, I am curious.”

Seven minutes later, the two returned. Gaylen’s whole demeanor changed. He seemed more gracious and not hostile to Serephess. Gaylen also seemed to have an inner peace.

“The last of the dragons live in the uppermost part of the mountain near the peak. Also, that is where we will find the cave openings in the mountain,” said Serephess.

“Are we supposed to just hand the egg over to the first dragon we see?” asked Thaddeus.

“The egg we have is from the dracmire species. It can speak,” said Gaylen. “A simple explanation will work.”

“What if it does not believe us?” asked Nerim.

“Any such dragon would appreciate the risk of coming from the human part of the realm all the way to this mountain.”

“To see a real dragon! What a treat!” said Gaylen.

Each traveler strapped thick cloaks onto their backs for the cold weather that would come as they went higher.

Rocky protrusions made it easy to climb. Ten minutes passed until Thaddeus stopped. “Gaylen, you said that this ‘species’ talks. Are there others that are hostile that cannot speak?”

“As far as all the volumes I have read and examined, there are seven kinds of dragons-one of them is completely feral and brutish.”

“Six to one-good odds if you ask me!” said Nerim.

“Let us hope so,” said Thaddeus as he resumed climbing.

Twenty minutes later, it began to chill. Everyone dawned their cloaks.

Gaylen suddenly lost his grip as a rock broke off and he went sliding a few feet as Nerim caught his left forearm.

“Careful there, Gaylen.”

“Thank you, Lord.”

The ascent became steeper until it was completely vertical. Higher up was a snowy part of the mountain.

“My arm is tired. I need to rest.”

“We all do, Galyen,” said Nerim.

“Do not worry my friends. I flat cliffside is just above.”

Thaddeus reeled back. “How is it that you know these things before they happen? You said you were a man of God. But even the most pious priests in my lord’s kingdom do not have such insight and exact foreknowledge. You said you would reveal more about yourself. I think that time is now.”

“I will divulge my true nature and origin on the cliffside.”

Ten minutes later, Nerim grabbed the cliffside edge. “I’ve found it!”

Nerim hoisted his body onto the surface and the rest climbed onto it too. They all ran to an alcove-like cranny at the mountain wall and sat.

Everyone sighed in relief.

“Oh, just to rest! So, pleasant,” said Nerim.

“You’ve no idea! Sweet rest!” said Gaylen.

As they all caught their breaths, there was a blissful silence for several moments.

“Now that we are here, please expound, Serephess,” said Thaddeus.

“I advise you to prepare yourselves. What I’m about to say will sound mad. I will tell you what Gaylen has suspected this whole time-I am an angel.”

Only Thaddeus and Nerim widened their eyes and gaped their mouths.

“That is mad! You would more likely be a sorcerer!” said Thaddeus.

“Please believe him!” said Gaylen. He addressed Serephess. “Why do you not show them your true form, like you did with me?”

“Because you already have faith in what I am.”

“What about you, my lord?”

“I do believe in angels. And the holy text says they sometimes take human form. Anything is possible. But if you are an angel, why did you let my son die?”

“There is a reason for all things. Just when your father, King Titus, was pierced with an arrow and then slowly died in his sick bed.”

“I told him nothing!” said Gaylen.

“Watch your mouth, Serephess! You walk on volatile ground! How dare you take up my father’s plight! I have read the holy text and it speaks of spiritual gifts. You may indeed just be a holy man with spiritual insight.”

“Not to interfere, friends, but we are losing daylight. We should keep climbing,” said Gaylen.

“We’ll finish this discussion, later.”

The four went to the left part of the cliff and climbed.

“Don’t you get tired of carrying the egg?” said Nerim.

“I am an angelic being-I do not tire.”

As they kept climbing, the snow worsened, and their hands and faces began to freeze. However, Serephess was unphased.

“How close are we to the caves, Serephess?” Nerim said with thick fog coming from his mouth.

“Another ten minutes.”

Nerim exhaled then shook his head. “Very well.”

The situation became more dangerous as harsh wind blew from their right side. Anything they uttered was lost in the wind.

Finally, they reached a cave mouth and crawled into it. Shelter at last!

Everyone except Serephess collapsed onto their backs.

After resting for several moments, the four humans rose. The cave mouth was an opening to a long tunnel about nine feet tall. When they had trekked for twenty minutes, they came to a cliff with a lake surface several feet below. On the other side, was a golden door.

“Hmm…it looks like we’ll have to walk sideways on that stone lip that circles to the other side.

Unlike the trail that skirted the Valley of Salt, the terrain of the lip was solid stone, so they would not slip on loose ground.

Serephess led as they all sidestepped with their backs to the wall on the narrow ledge. Inch by inch they circled around to the other side.

Suddenly, a faint roar echoed in the stone chamber.

“Let us hope that roar was from one of the speaking dragons!” said Nerim.

“Even if so, I would not know how to approach a dragon of any kind,” said Thaddeus. “Serephess, what if the dragon we meet first devours us and then just takes the egg away?”

“Have I misguided you so far? Have faith.”

“I suppose that will have to do,” Thaddeus said with a frown and a shake of his head.

Everyone made it to the broad cliff area. Before them was the golden door with a keyhole and a handle.

“Drat! How do we get past the door!” said Nerim.

“It appears to require the golden key here,” said Thaddeus.

“Of course!”

Thaddeus got the large key out of his shirt pocket and inserted the key into a keyhole and he turned it. A loud, metallic click came from the door then he pulled it open.

Beyond the door, a wide hewn out chamber was lined with dragon statues. Across the chamber was a fountain in a pool with a ramp leading up to it.

“Perhaps that pool is an object where dragons go to drink,” said Thaddeus.

“If that is true, we should not be far from an actual dragon,” said Gaylen. “We’re on the right track!”

As they neared the pool, above it was a patch of light and falling snow that came from an open shaft to the surface.

They all looked up through the shaft as snow lilted downward as a grey sky was showing.

Suddenly, a large fliting thing zoomed above them.

“A dragon without a doubt!” said Gaylen.

Nerim and Thaddeus brandished their swords.

“No! That would show hostility! We must show we are here for the purpose to deliver the egg and that we come in peace.”

The two did so and kept looking up.

A large red reptilian body flew down the shaft in a spiral motion until it planted its spear-like claws in front of the pool of water.

“How did you find this place, humans! And what are you doing here!”

Serephess, bowed then neared the beast without fear or trepidation and presented the egg. “We come on a mission of mercy. This egg was found in the forest in the human realm. We have come to return it.”

“You came all this way to help us and deliver the egg? Where is the mother?”

“It perished from the hands of hunters,” said Gaylen as he stepped closer.

All but Serephess jolted as a bigger green dragon landed near the pool with a loud thud.

“What are you humans doing here!” Then the beast looked at the egg. “What is this? What are you doing with the egg?”

“They claim to be returning it after it was lost in a forest-in the human place,” said the first dragon that was red.”

“It must be Sorsha. She is fascinated with humans. I always told her it is dangerous in the human part of the realm and being pregnant more so.”

Suddenly, Serephess’s eyes widened, and he brandished his sword.

“What is it, Serephess?” said Thaddeus.

“Get out your weapons! Something evil is coming!”

“What do you speak of?” asked the red dragon.

The stone chamber quaked and pebbles and dust fell from the ceiling. An exceedingly loud gargling roar echoed everywhere.

“What is that sound? It doesn’t come from any of our kind. I am afraid!” said the green dragon.

“As am I!”

The pool broke apart and a dark, shadowy form rose up into the air. It gradually took the appearance of a black dragon.

“I have never read of this dragon!” said Gaylen.

“It is no dragon! It is a manifestation of the dark force! The enemy of God!”

The evil creature used its sharp, bony tail to impale the red dragon. The other roared in anger as it snapped at the evil form but it had an impenetrable hide and the green dragon’s teeth slid off the evil foe’s hide.

The dark force being clenched is teeth into the green dragon’s neck and yanked it to the ground and snapped it. The dragon instantly fell still and dead.

Serephess’s appearance altered and his robes shone with bright light and stork’s wings formed on his back. His sword became like lightning.

“My spiritual rank trumps yours, angel!”

“Even so, He who is in us is greater than you are!”

The dark beast lunged in an angry assault and Serephess who slashed its tongue and cried out.

“You three! Start praying!

“What!” said Nerim.

“God will hear the prayer of his prized creation.”

“Why can’t He just help us!” said Thaddues.

“Only true, humble reverence will be heard by Him.”

“I don’t know how!” said Nerim.

“Get on your knees and just start speaking!”

Thaddeus, Nerim and Gaylen huddled together, and they prayed a three-minute prayer for help.

Suddenly Serephess’s sword brightened exceedingly like the sun.

The evil dragon backed away.

Serephess took flight and circled around it and the beast followed him.

“Quickly! We must pray more!” said Gaylen.

The three prayed again, but with more reverence and intensity and longer as well. They were amazed as their blades shone like Serephess’s.

Thaddeus lunged for its tail and his sword pierced through the hard armor of the black dragon. It cried and swung away from Serephess and faced Thaddeus.

Suddenly, its chest expanded and it spewed out a stream of fire. Serephess flew in front of the humans right when the fire attack came and he shielded them with his wings.

The black dragon dawned its initial shadowy, nebulous form and disappeared.

“Where did it go?” Said Nerim.

The ground gave way as it split apart with the dragon rising from it. It made a lightning quick swipe of its tail, hitting the three against the wall as they dropped their swords. It barged at them with open mouth. Gaylen and Nerim dodged to the left but Thaddeus was caught in its mouth.

“Not you too!” Nerim ran for his shining blade and pierced its ankle. It opened its mouth to scream as Thaddeus fell out of it. But just as he fell out of the creatures mouth, the dark dragon snapped at his falling body in midair and swallowed him whole.

King Nerim shouted with horror. A righteous anger came over him and he leapt into the air and pierced its heart. The blade stuck and the beast madly struggled hitting the walls, roaring wildly.

Then it fell to its side, still like a stone. Its corpse began to dematerialize, and it blew away like flower petals in a wind gust.

Then all their swords stopped flashing and Serephess took his human form.

Three dragons flew from the shaft above and landed in front of Serephess and the three humans.

“My son is gone! Why Serephess!”

“I know your heart grieves. But as I said death happens to the good and the bad.”

Nerim was on his knees weeping and wailing. Serephess gave him all the time he needed to mourn. At last, he rose.

“For our services, may you give these two humans a ride back to their home?”

“I will bring them as far as the forest,” said one of the three dragons.

“That will do,” said Serephess,”

The dragon crouched and extended its wing and they climbed onto its back.

“Will we see you again, Serephess?” said Gaylen.

“If you search diligently, you will find the secret of heaven. There you will find me.”

Nerim and Gaylen gripped the dragon’s horny hide and the beast shot up though the shaft into the snow. The two held on as they were torpedoed downward.

In a mere thirty minutes, they reached the forest line and then slid off the dragon’s back.

“Peace be to you for your service. Farewell, humans!” The dragon took flight and headed for the mountain and the two humans smiled as they began the trek to King Nerim’s kingdom.





























































King Nerim frowned and tapped his fingers impatiently. Finally, after thirty excruciating minutes Gaylen the alchemist finished his concoction.

“Here we are sire! This will eliminate your nightmares!”

“At last. I’m so tired of dreaming about that…dragon creature. You bare the credentials of a physician, Gaylen!”

“Remember Lord, I am more. I excel at the wonders of the supernatural. I can’t tell you how many books about spirits, phoenixes, sprites, fairies, and yes, dragons too that I have read about.”

“This world is full of wonders!” King Nerim chuckled. “Well, I’m off to go hunting in the woods with my two sons. Thank you Gaylen.”

Before Nerim walked ten steps, Gaylen cursed. “Blast it! I’m out of wing root! I need some to make a potion for a guard’s coughing.”

“Where can it be found?”

“It’s in the forest.”

“My sons and I could get some for you. What does it look like?”

“It’s no use. It takes a keen eye to spot it.”

“Come with us then!”

Gaylen reeled back. “Hmm…it may take time. It is a rare root.”

“All the more time to hunt!”

“Very well then. When do we depart?”

“We’ll leave within the half hour!”

Gaylen met King Nerim and his sons Thaddeus and Korah at the stalls outside the castle. Nerim had explained to them why Gaylen was coming with them and they mounted up and rode for the forest.”

The midday sun illuminated the rolling hills and trees. A hawk soared above as it careened past the forest.

As they entered, Thaddeus, the older, pointed at a tall bush. “I think I just saw a deer!”

“We must go as far as Gaylen needs. Gaylen, lead,” said King Nerim.

The alchemist entered the forest. When they had gone deeper into the woods, he slowed his horse to a light trot. He studied the base of trees and bushes. Gaylen stopped and dismounted then approached a tree trunk. He circled around it. “I think I’ve found it!”

Just as he started to walk to his horse, he stopped and noticed something large and green with purple spots hidden behind a bush in a shallow ditch.

“What is that?”

Gaylen pointed at the object nearby.

All four went to the area and pulled away the bush to reveal a large egg as big as a medicine ball.

“Well, I’ll be! I do believe this is a dragon egg!”

“Are you sure?” said Thaddeus.

“Have you ever seen such a large egg from any other creature? I have also read about and looked at sketches of dragon eggs.”

“What do we do?” said Korah.

“The mother dragon should be near.”

Suddenly a serene voice came behind them. “I can help you.”

Nerim, Thaddeus, Korah and Gaylen turned and saw a man in a white robe standing there.

“My name is Serephess. I have come here from a far place.”

Gaylen inched closer and eyed Serephess. “That is an odd name. Where exactly do you come from?”

Serephess, neared them all. “I will tell you in due time. If you are wondering where the mother dragon is, I am afraid it has been hunted and killed. Its corpse lay deeper within.”

“What do we do with the egg?” asked Korah.

“If you bring it back to your home, it will hatch and when it does, it will cause envy and division.

“What then do we do?” asked King Nerim.

“There is a high mountain with cave works throughout it. It is called Mount Khrine. The last of the dragons dwells there.”

“You can’t suggest we drop everything, return to the kingdom for clothes and victuals and just go on some wild heist?”

“No need. I have been expecting you all. I have gathered all we need for the journey.”

“I can’t just leave my kingdom. I have duties.”

“Do not worry, King Nerim. I give you my word as a man of God.”

“How did you know my name!”

“I have special insight.”

Gaylen veered at Serephess. “I think your more than a man of God. If you are truly a man, who were your parents?”

“Why are you so austere with this kind man?” asked Nerim.

“I have a theory. When it is time, I think we’ll all find out what he is.” Gaylen turned and walked away from Serephess.

“I will show you your supplies. Help me with the egg, your majesty.” Serephess led them to a large hut full of items-everything they would need, including fodder for the horses and a sling to haul the egg.

Serephess walked several paces out of the hut and untied a beautiful white horse from a pole. He brought it to the hut and loaded the steed with bags of supplies and slung the egg on the right side of his mount.

“Your eyes are so odd and peaceful-like an azure sky,” said Thaddeus.

“They’re almost-otherworldly,” said Nerim.

“You have no idea,” Gaylen muttered under his breath.

“What direction is this mountain?” said Korah.

“Roughly southeast.”

When they were packed to go, Serephess got out five broad swords-one for each traveler and strapped it to each of their mounts. “There will be danger where we are going.”

Serephess led the excursion through the forest and weaved in and out of trees and bushes. Then they came to a horrid sight that made all but Serephess gasp and reel back in horror.

“This must be the mother dragon!” said Korah.

The dragon lay on its back with a harpoon in its chest. The wings of the dragon were splayed open with holes in them. Its mouth was open and the creature’s teeth were like spears.

“The holes in the wings must have been pierced by arrows as the dragon tried to take flight,” Thaddeus said.

“This saddens me,” said Nerim as he sighed. “Why would someone just kill this marvelous creature?”

“They didn’t even take the body for a trophy or anything!” said Korah.

“Vain men!” said Nerim.

“We should get moving. We’ll have to find a place to make camp,” said Thaddeus.

It was nearing twilight and the dark canopy caused Serephess to light a torch.

Soon they came to a circular clearing about thirty feet in diameter amidst the foliage.

“This is perfect,” said Thaddeus.

They tied their horses to low hanging tree branches that surrounded them. Serephess’s horse held the egg. Thaddeus gathered stones to put around a fireplace. King Nerim and Korah collected twigs on the ground and thin branches that were low enough and cast them into the ring of stones.

Serephess took out two flint stones and sparked a fire to life. Everyone sat around it.

After gazing at the fire silently, Nerim spoke up.

“Serephess, I must say you are a very mysterious. I have ridden through these woods countless times and I have never seen you. When did you make that hut and live there?”

“I have been here a long time. God has hidden me from prying eyes, so I might serve Him and commune with Him alone.”

Gaylen took on a poignant tone. “Where did you originally live? I am most curious.”

“That will take some explaining. In time I will tell you all.”

“That is strange. Why would someone have to ‘explain’ where they came from?” said Thaddeus.

Everyone stared at Serephess, waiting for him to reply.

“It regards God. That’s all I will say.”

“Amazing! You have piqued our curiosity, friend!” said Korah.

Gaylen veered his eyes. “Why can’t you tell us now?”

“Don’t pester the man, Gaylen!” said Nerim. “Let him be.”

Gaylen looked away.

“All this mystery and things of God makes it hard to sleep!” said Korah.

“Nevertheless, we must sleep,” said Thaddeus. “Goodnight, everyone.” Thaddeus lay on a knapsack next to him.

“We all should try to sleep. It would be wise to get going when early dawn comes,” said Nerim. “Until morning my sons. And to you, Gaylen and Serephess, too.”

Everyone nestled into their sleeping sacks and closed their eyes.

…………………….. ………………………. …………………………. ……………………….. ……………………



Morning came and birds chirped and fluttered from branch to branch as squirrels scampered up and down trees. Honey light shot through the canopy, casting shadows of leaves and upper foliage.

Nerim was the first to rise. The fire had turned to ashes and the smell of pine filled the air. He went from person to person, rousing all from sleep. However, Serephess was not there.

Thaddeus, Korah and Gaylen got to their feet and each person noticed Serephess’s absence.

“Where is he?” said Korah.

“I am here,” said Serephess said as he entered the ring of trees. “I was praying at a small grove just around a boulder about forty paces away.”

“How long have you been up?” said Thaddeus.

“Two hours.”

“It must have been a deep prayer,” said Gaylen. “What were your praying about?”

“It is private.”

“I see. At what point will you reveal everything to us?” asked Gaylen.

Serephess’s gentle, relaxing expression turned to a frown. “Please do not press me as you are. I will satisfy your curiosity when it is time.”

Everyone, including Gaylen, reeled back with amazement at Serephess’s brashness and Gaylen immediately backed off.

“Let us depart,” said Thaddeus. He turned to Serephess. “Do you know when we’ll exit the forest?”

“It will take about another two hours. Then we will enter the Valley of Salt. Hostile magical creatures dwell there. We may need the swords I brought.”

“Magical creatures! Really?” said Gaylen. Everyone stared at his drastic shift in demeanor towards Serephess.

“My, I have never seen you so exuberant, Gaylen,” said Nerim.

“It would be a dream to encounter such a being!”

“Remember, these are hostile creatures, Gaylen,” said Thaddeus.

“Nevertheless, it would be a grand experience! Let us be off!”

“You’re quite the odd one, Gaylen,” said Nerim with a shake of his head.

Everyone untied their steeds and mounted up and Serephess led the way through the trees.

Suddenly an enormous stag with grey, glossy fur appeared with its head peeking behind a trunk. It appeared to have a silver hide.

“It’s the silver stag father!” said Korah.

“If only we were not on this journey! Blast it!” said Nerim. “I could shoot an arow at it! Come to think of it, how could I haul its body back?”

The animal came from behind the tree and walked straight up to the humans, unafraid.

“How odd,” said Korah.

“You humans are deplorable. You killed the dragon and you wanted to do the same with me.”

Nerim almost fell off the horse as he and everyone but Serephess were wide eyed.

“It speaks!” said Thaddeus.

“My name is Terinth. And as much as it bothers me, I have been sent to come and help you by relaying a message.”

“What…is it?” asked Korah.

“Do you see that mossy tree over there? There is a golden key at its base. You will need it for your journey.”

“Who sent you?” said Nerim.

“I cannot tell you, but your guide will tell you all things. Farewell, travelers.” Then Terinth skipped away.

“How did that creature know you!” said Korah.

“As he said, I will tell you about all things in time.”

All the riders went to the tree and Thaddeus dismounted and found the golden key.

“Hmm…the plot thickens. This is turning out to be an amazing experience,” said Nerim.

Thaddeus remounted and Serephess led.

Within ten minutes, they reached the outskirts of the forest as the trees thinned out revealing a plane.

“Finally!” said Korah as he flicked his reigns and barged out of the forest line.

“Wait for us, son!” King Nerim said as he galloped after Korah.

Thaddeus, Gaylen and Serephess did the same and at full galop. Soon they reached a valley with a protruding thin trail that skirted the valley.

“We must go single file,” said Nerim.

“I will lead,” said Serephess.

The trail was roughly seven feet wide and the terrain was loose and rocky. Each person stayed as close to the left wall as possible. None said a word as they went along the decline and after fifteen minutes, they were almost at the base of the valley.

Suddenly, a rattlesnake panicked Karah’s horse and it jarred to the right, skidding on rocks and sand.

“Korah!” Nerim yelled in panic.

“Ahh, my horse won’t obey me!”

The horse neighed wildly and bucked its front hooves. The horse lost its balance and tilted over the right drop off. Korah accidently slid from the saddle and grabbed the edge of the drop off. Nerim was behind him and jumped off the horse and grabbed Korah’s forearms. He was pulled up inch by inch. The snake reared its head and rattled its tail.

“I’ll distract the snake!” said Thaddeus as he pulled out his sword. He slid of the mount and came from behind the deadly creature. However it was not deterred and as Korah was pulled up as the snake made a lighting fast strike at Korah’s shoulder. Then Thaddeus cut the snake I half.

“Ack! My shoulder!”

“Gaylen! Tell me you brought some kind of herb or ointment!”

“No, Lord! The poison will go through his whole body and paralyze him! There is nothing I can do!”

Serephess wept with a quivering lower lip and raised eyebrows. Within minutes, Korah’s body stilled, and his eyes glazed over.

“My son! No!”

Nerim buried his face in his son’s chest and cried for some time and Thaddeus wept too. When Nerim was done, he rose and took a trembling sigh. “He must be buried. When we reach the valley floor, I will cover him with stones. I will engrave his name on the top-most stone. “Help me with his body, Thaddeus.”

Nerim and Thaddeus lifted Korah’s body onto Nerim’s horse and he mounted it as Thaddeus mounted his.

Seven minutes later, Gaylen, Nerim, Thadeus and Serephess reached the valley floor. Nerim went to a large boulder with smaller stones at its base. He slid off the saddle and hoisted Korah’s onto Nerim’s shoulder and laid him down there. Stone after stone Nerim piled a mound onto Korah’s body. Then, he got his sword and etched his son’s name into the capstone.

Nerim shed one last tear. “Let us move on.” He mounted his horse and carried on.

The valley was hilly and grassy. Soon, bunches of trees appeared. Then they came to a hill with a strangely shaped hole at its base.

“It’s perfectly round, like I was carved out,” said Gaylen. “We should leave…now! I think I know what this is. Manticores make perfectly round dens.”

Everyone jolted as a loud roar emerged from the hole.

“That’s our que!” said Nerim. “Let us leave this place!”

Immediately, they all went around the hill from the right.

“That things won’t track us, will it?” said Thaddeus.

“Manticore’s are very territorial. If we avoid their dwelling and hunting grounds, we should be…”

Suddenly, an enormous body dropped in front of them. It had sharp teeth, dripping with saliva. It had a man’s head and lion’s body with an arched scorpion’s tail.

The three men and Serephess dismounted and took out their swords.

Nerim took the reigns of the horses and quickly tied them to a tree nearby and returned to his companions.

“Thaddeus, circle around the right and Korah you go to the left!” said Serephess.

The two did so and the manticore jerked its gaze from Thaddeus then to Korah and back again.

All the humans each took a place at the corner of a square shape with the manticore in the center.

The beast looked everywhere, unsure. The manticore set its sights for Gaylen and began to near in. The monster’s back was facing Thaddeus. As it was almost upon Gaylen, Thaddeus lunged at it and cut off its tail with a single horizontal slash.

The beast writhed in pain jerking its body around to face Thaddeus and roared. Thaddeus and Serephess closed in from the sides of the monster as Gaylen came from behind it.

Then the manticore’s chest expanded and it contracted as a cloud of flame erupted from the mouth of the beast as it spun three-hundred-and-sixty degrees.

Everyone fell to their chests to avoid the barrage of fire that skimmed over their backs.

The manticore reacted like lightning and took advantage of their immobilized position and pounced through air and landed inches from Thaddeus.

The manticore opened its mouth to devour him but was startled as Serephess’s flung his sword into its back leg.

“Nerim! Toss me your sword!”

Nerim did so and Serephess caught it by the hilt. The massive creature’s face scowled as it ran for him in a mindless rage.

Serephess stood, calmly and in control without the least sign of fear or concern. The ground vibrated. The beast lunged for Serephess to scoop him up in the manticore’s gaping mouth.

Moments before contact, Serephess thrust its sword into the monster’s throat. The manticore reeled back and jumped around as it shrieked in pain.

“Stand clear and make sure you’re not caught in its rampage!” said Serephess.

Everyone retreated away from the raging beast.

It writhed this way and that in its painful panic until it fell to its side, exhausted and wearied. It gradually struggled less and less until still.

“I thought my life was lost for certain! Thank you Serephess,” said Thaddeus. “Will we encounter more nightmares like the one we just faced?”

“There are more monsters we may face, but I can promise we will meet no more danger in the rest of valley.”

The four travelers went to their horses, remounted and crested a steep hill where there was a clearing at the top.

Not too far away was the mountain of dragons.

“We should reach the mountain by sundown at full gallop,” said Serephess.

When they had left the grassy, hilly country, they came to a perfectly flat, bare stone plane. From there they could see the base of the mountain.

As they continued, dark clouds formed and there was a lighting streak followed by a booming thunder. A light rain began and the wetness made them uncomfortable. The rain created a puddle on the entire plane about a fourth of an inch deep.

They rode at full speed without a word, too miserable from the rain. They were also hyper focused on their destination to think of speaking.

At last, they came to it-the base of the mountain.

“The way is steep. We’ll have to leave our mounts,” said Thaddeus.

They slid from their mounts and Serephess took the egg and slung it into a back sack and strapped it over his shoulders.

Once again, Gaylen eyed Serephess suspiciously. “Now that we’re much further in our quest, I think is proper to reveal more about yourself as you promised.”

Serephess sighed. “I will reveal everything when we have gone a bit farther. However, you all do deserve some explanation.” He paused. “I will say that I am not quite like you. Secondly, my home is nearer to God than any person can wish to be in this life. I will say nothing more.”

Gaylen raised a finger and was about to speak when Serephess went before him. “Gaylen, I must speak with you privately.”

Serephess passed Gaylen and he followed him behind an immense tree trunk.

Thaddeus and Nerim glanced at each other.

“What could that be about?” said Nerim.

“I must say, I am curious.”

Seven minutes later, the two returned. Gaylen’s whole demeanor changed. He seemed more gracious and not hostile to Serephess. Gaylen also seemed to have an inner peace.

“The last of the dragons live in the uppermost part of the mountain near the peak. Also, that is where we will find the cave openings in the mountain,” said Serephess.

“Are we supposed to just hand the egg over to the first dragon we see?” asked Thaddeus.

“The egg we have is from the dracmire species. It can speak,” said Gaylen. “A simple explanation will work.”

“What if it does not believe us?” asked Nerim.

“Any such dragon would appreciate the risk of coming from the human part of the realm all the way to this mountain.”

“To see a real dragon! What a treat!” said Gaylen.

Each traveler strapped thick cloaks onto their backs for the cold weather that would come as they went higher.

Rocky protrusions made it easy to climb. Ten minutes passed until Thaddeus stopped. “Gaylen, you said that this ‘species’ talks. Are there others that are hostile that cannot speak?”

“As far as all the volumes I have read and examined, there are seven kinds of dragons-one of them is completely feral and brutish.”

“Six to one-good odds if you ask me!” said Nerim.

“Let us hope so,” said Thaddeus as he resumed climbing.

Twenty minutes later, it began to chill. Everyone dawned their cloaks.

Gaylen suddenly lost his grip as a rock broke off and he went sliding a few feet as Nerim caught his left forearm.

“Careful there, Gaylen.”

“Thank you, Lord.”

The ascent became steeper until it was completely vertical. Higher up was a snowy part of the mountain.

“My arm is tired. I need to rest.”

“We all do, Galyen,” said Nerim.

“Do not worry my friends. I flat cliffside is just above.”

Thaddeus reeled back. “How is it that you know these things before they happen? You said you were a man of God. But even the most pious priests in my lord’s kingdom do not have such insight and exact foreknowledge. You said you would reveal more about yourself. I think that time is now.”

“I will divulge my true nature and origin on the cliffside.”

Ten minutes later, Nerim grabbed the cliffside edge. “I’ve found it!”

Nerim hoisted his body onto the surface and the rest climbed onto it too. They all ran to an alcove-like cranny at the mountain wall and sat.

Everyone sighed in relief.

“Oh, just to rest! So, pleasant,” said Nerim.

“You’ve no idea! Sweet rest!” said Gaylen.

As they all caught their breaths, there was a blissful silence for several moments.

“Now that we are here, please expound, Serephess,” said Thaddeus.

“I advise you to prepare yourselves. What I’m about to say will sound mad. I will tell you what Gaylen has suspected this whole time-I am an angel.”

Only Thaddeus and Nerim widened their eyes and gaped their mouths.

“That is mad! You would more likely be a sorcerer!” said Thaddeus.

“Please believe him!” said Gaylen. He addressed Serephess. “Why do you not show them your true form, like you did with me?”

“Because you already have faith in what I am.”

“What about you, my lord?”

“I do believe in angels. And the holy text says they sometimes take human form. Anything is possible. But if you are an angel, why did you let my son die?”

“There is a reason for all things. Just when your father, King Titus, was pierced with an arrow and then slowly died in his sick bed.”

“I told him nothing!” said Gaylen.

“Watch your mouth, Serephess! You walk on volatile ground! How dare you take up my father’s plight! I have read the holy text and it speaks of spiritual gifts. You may indeed just be a holy man with spiritual insight.”

“Not to interfere, friends, but we are losing daylight. We should keep climbing,” said Gaylen.

“We’ll finish this discussion, later.”

The four went to the left part of the cliff and climbed.

“Don’t you get tired of carrying the egg?” said Nerim.

“I am an angelic being-I do not tire.”

As they kept climbing, the snow worsened, and their hands and faces began to freeze. However, Serephess was unphased.

“How close are we to the caves, Serephess?” Nerim said with thick fog coming from his mouth.

“Another ten minutes.”

Nerim exhaled then shook his head. “Very well.”

The situation became more dangerous as harsh wind blew from their right side. Anything they uttered was lost in the wind.

Finally, they reached a cave mouth and crawled into it. Shelter at last!

Everyone except Serephess collapsed onto their backs.

After resting for several moments, the four humans rose. The cave mouth was an opening to a long tunnel about nine feet tall. When they had trekked for twenty minutes, they came to a cliff with a lake surface several feet below. On the other side, was a golden door.

“Hmm…it looks like we’ll have to walk sideways on that stone lip that circles to the other side.

Unlike the trail that skirted the Valley of Salt, the terrain of the lip was solid stone, so they would not slip on loose ground.

Serephess led as they all sidestepped with their backs to the wall on the narrow ledge. Inch by inch they circled around to the other side.

Suddenly, a faint roar echoed in the stone chamber.

“Let us hope that roar was from one of the speaking dragons!” said Nerim.

“Even if so, I would not know how to approach a dragon of any kind,” said Thaddeus. “Serephess, what if the dragon we meet first devours us and then just takes the egg away?”

“Have I misguided you so far? Have faith.”

“I suppose that will have to do,” Thaddeus said with a frown and a shake of his head.

Everyone made it to the broad cliff area. Before them was the golden door with a keyhole and a handle.

“Drat! How do we get past the door!” said Nerim.

“It appears to require the golden key here,” said Thaddeus.

“Of course!”

Thaddeus got the large key out of his shirt pocket and inserted the key into a keyhole and he turned it. A loud, metallic click came from the door then he pulled it open.

Beyond the door, a wide hewn out chamber was lined with dragon statues. Across the chamber was a fountain in a pool with a ramp leading up to it.

“Perhaps that pool is an object where dragons go to drink,” said Thaddeus.

“If that is true, we should not be far from an actual dragon,” said Gaylen. “We’re on the right track!”

As they neared the pool, above it was a patch of light and falling snow that came from an open shaft to the surface.

They all looked up through the shaft as snow lilted downward as a grey sky was showing.

Suddenly, a large fliting thing zoomed above them.

“A dragon without a doubt!” said Gaylen.

Nerim and Thaddeus brandished their swords.

“No! That would show hostility! We must show we are here for the purpose to deliver the egg and that we come in peace.”

The two did so and kept looking up.

A large red reptilian body flew down the shaft in a spiral motion until it planted its spear-like claws in front of the pool of water.

“How did you find this place, humans! And what are you doing here!”

Serephess, bowed then neared the beast without fear or trepidation and presented the egg. “We come on a mission of mercy. This egg was found in the forest in the human realm. We have come to return it.”

“You came all this way to help us and deliver the egg? Where is the mother?”

“It perished from the hands of hunters,” said Gaylen as he stepped closer.

All but Serephess jolted as a bigger green dragon landed near the pool with a loud thud.

“What are you humans doing here!” Then the beast looked at the egg. “What is this? What are you doing with the egg?”

“They claim to be returning it after it was lost in a forest-in the human place,” said the first dragon that was red.”

“It must be Sorsha. She is fascinated with humans. I always told her it is dangerous in the human part of the realm and being pregnant more so.”

Suddenly, Serephess’s eyes widened, and he brandished his sword.

“What is it, Serephess?” said Thaddeus.

“Get out your weapons! Something evil is coming!”

“What do you speak of?” asked the red dragon.

The stone chamber quaked and pebbles and dust fell from the ceiling. An exceedingly loud gargling roar echoed everywhere.

“What is that sound? It doesn’t come from any of our kind. I am afraid!” said the green dragon.

“As am I!”

The pool broke apart and a dark, shadowy form rose up into the air. It gradually took the appearance of a black dragon.

“I have never read of this dragon!” said Gaylen.

“It is no dragon! It is a manifestation of the dark force! The enemy of God!”

The evil creature used its sharp, bony tail to impale the red dragon. The other roared in anger as it snapped at the evil form but it had an impenetrable hide and the green dragon’s teeth slid off the evil foe’s hide.

The dark force being clenched is teeth into the green dragon’s neck and yanked it to the ground and snapped it. The dragon instantly fell still and dead.

Serephess’s appearance altered and his robes shone with bright light and stork’s wings formed on his back. His sword became like lightning.

“My spiritual rank trumps yours, angel!”

“Even so, He who is in us is greater than you are!”

The dark beast lunged in an angry assault and Serephess who slashed its tongue and cried out.

“You three! Start praying!

“What!” said Nerim.

“God will hear the prayer of his prized creation.”

“Why can’t He just help us!” said Thaddues.

“Only true, humble reverence will be heard by Him.”

“I don’t know how!” said Nerim.

“Get on your knees and just start speaking!”

Thaddeus, Nerim and Gaylen huddled together, and they prayed a three-minute prayer for help.

Suddenly Serephess’s sword brightened exceedingly like the sun.

The evil dragon backed away.

Serephess took flight and circled around it and the beast followed him.

“Quickly! We must pray more!” said Gaylen.

The three prayed again, but with more reverence and intensity and longer as well. They were amazed as their blades shone like Serephess’s.

Thaddeus lunged for its tail and his sword pierced through the hard armor of the black dragon. It cried and swung away from Serephess and faced Thaddeus.

Suddenly, its chest expanded and it spewed out a stream of fire. Serephess flew in front of the humans right when the fire attack came and he shielded them with his wings.

The black dragon dawned its initial shadowy, nebulous form and disappeared.

“Where did it go?” Said Nerim.

The ground gave way as it split apart with the dragon rising from it. It made a lightning quick swipe of its tail, hitting the three against the wall as they dropped their swords. It barged at them with open mouth. Gaylen and Nerim dodged to the left but Thaddeus was caught in its mouth.

“Not you too!” Nerim ran for his shining blade and pierced its ankle. It opened its mouth to scream as Thaddeus fell out of it. But just as he fell out of the creatures mouth, the dark dragon snapped at his falling body in midair and swallowed him whole.

King Nerim shouted with horror. A righteous anger came over him and he leapt into the air and pierced its heart. The blade stuck and the beast madly struggled hitting the walls, roaring wildly.

Then it fell to its side, still like a stone. Its corpse began to dematerialize, and it blew away like flower petals in a wind gust.

Then all their swords stopped flashing and Serephess took his human form.

Three dragons flew from the shaft above and landed in front of Serephess and the three humans.

“My son is gone! Why Serephess!”

“I know your heart grieves. But as I said death happens to the good and the bad.”

Nerim was on his knees weeping and wailing. Serephess gave him all the time he needed to mourn. At last, he rose.

“For our services, may you give these two humans a ride back to their home?”

“I will bring them as far as the forest,” said one of the three dragons.

“That will do,” said Serephess,”

The dragon crouched and extended its wing and they climbed onto its back.

“Will we see you again, Serephess?” said Gaylen.

“If you search diligently, you will find the secret of heaven. There you will find me.”

Nerim and Gaylen gripped the dragon’s horny hide and the beast shot up though the shaft into the snow. The two held on as they were torpedoed downward.

In a mere thirty minutes, they reached the forest line and then slid off the dragon’s back.

“Peace be to you for your service. Farewell, humans!” The dragon took flight and headed for the mountain and the two humans smiled as they began the trek to King Nerim’s kingdom.