The King's Dragon
Four people were riding through lush green woods. First was a tall slender young man with oval face, short curly dark hair and large dark eyes, in a beige sleeveless doublet with short brown velvet ribbons on the shoulders, beige trousers, white shirt and brown high boots, on a white horse in red harness with pearls. Second was a tall slender young lady with oval face, large blue eyes and long wavy golden hair falling on her shoulders, in a long wide blue dress with puffy sleeves and square neck lined with gold, with a mother of pearl pendant in it, on a palomino horse in golden harness with corals. Third was a slender ten year old boy with round face, large blue eyes and short wavy dark hair, in a blue sleeveless doublet with short brown ribbons on the shoulders, blue trousers, white shirt and red boots, on a black pony in silver harness with corals and a red saddle. Fourth was a tall slender young man with oval face, very long straight dark hair and large golden eyes, in a long wide light green robe and light green loose trousers, on a dapple gray horse in golden harness with corals.
'Ousama, are you sure that your people would like me?' the golden eyed young man in green asked concerned.
'Of course, Midori, for they like me and know that I wouldn't welcome an evil man in my own castle!' the young man in beige smiled gently.
Midori nodded smiling gently.
'I hope, Jiřík-sama,' he said gently.
Jiřík smiled reassuringly at him.
'Midori, our Sychrov Castle is beautiful, you will like it for sure.' The golden haired lady smiled gently.
'Oh, I'm sure of it, Zlatovláska-sama.' Midori smiled gently.
Zlatovláska smiled gently at him.
'We'll be there soon, Midori! The boy smiled brightly.
'I hope, Svetozar-oujisama.' Midori smiled gently.
Jiřík, Zlatovláska, Svetozar and Midori rode into a glade.
'Here is Sychrov, Midori!' Jiřík smiled gently.
Midori looked and saw in distance a large rose castle with stepped gables, large arched windows, turrets and large ornate grand entrance steps.
'Oh wow!' Midori cried.
'Yes.' Jiřík smiled gently. 'I know. I like our castle very much!'
Zlatovláska smiled gently.
Svetozar smiled brightly.
Midori smiled gently at them.
They rode quickly to the castle and stopped before large arched entrance gate with some guards in red uniforms, steel hats and with spears, guarding them.
'Hello!' Jiřík smiled gently at them.
The guards saluted Jiřík and then looked at Midori.
'Lord king, and who is this?'
'Prince Hiryuu-no Midori, my new vassal. ' Jiřík smiled gently and slyly. 'My new guardian dragon!'
The guards looked at Midori dumbfounded.
'Prince Midori is the beloved elder brother of Prince Murasaki, Princess Dobroslava's husband,' Jiřík explained smiling gently. 'He was exiled by his brothers like Prince Murasaki, and I gave him shelter, like Prince Dalimil of Velvary did many years ago!'
The guards nodded still a bit dumbfounded but opened the way to Jiřík, Zlatovlaska, Svetozar and Midori. They rode through the dark gateway into the courtyard.
'Well, be at home, Midori.' Jiřík smiled gently.
Midori looked around the large courtyard with walls overgrown with dark green ivy, large arched windows, some large arched doorways and with paving of large slates forming gentle rosette patterns.
'Domo arigatou gozaimasu, ousama.' Midori smiled gently.
Jiřík dismounted from his horse swiftly and gracefully and offered his hand to his lovely queen. Zlatovláska took it firmly and dismounted swiftly and gracefully. Svetozar jumped out from his saddle swiftly and aptly. Midori dismounted gently and gracefully.
'Well, now please come to see your new home, Midori.' Jiřík smiled gently handing the reins of the horses to a strong young groom in blue uniform that came up to them.
Some servants that passed across the courtyard looked curiously at Midori.
'Lord king, and who is this?' one asked.
'My new vassal, Prince Midori, Prince Murasaki's brother.' Jiřík smiled gently and slyly. The servants all stared.
'Later, later, I'll introduce him properly later,' Jiřík promised smiling gently.
The servants nodded and went on their business.
Jiřík walked firmly to one doorway. Zlatovláska and Svetozar went with him. Midori followed them obediently.
They passed by a long arched passageway with large arched windows and stone floor, then climbed dark wooden steps with lovely portraits on the walls and came into a large room with large dark carved wooden bed with blue satin covers lined with lace, some dark wooden carved chairs and tables, finely carved wooden ceiling, dark blue velvet wallpapers with golden stars and a small dark wooden winding staircase in one corner.
'This is your room, ousama? It's lovely,' Midori said appreciatively.
'Yes, formerly the old king's room.' Jiřík smiled gently. 'Now mine and my lovely queen's! '
Zlatovláska smiled gently at him.
'Well, Midori, do you like a room with a view to the courtyard or to the woods?' Jiřík smiled gently.
'To the woods, ousama, if you would be so kind.' Midori smiled gently.
'All right then, Midori.' Jiřík smiled gently. 'I know one that will suit you just right!'
'As you wish, ousama.'Midori smiled gently.
'Albert!' Jiřík called firmly but gently.
A tall stromg young man in a blue uniform apoeared and bowed to him.
'Yes, lord king?'
'Albert, please show Prince Midori to the Red Room,' Jiřík commanded gently but firmly.
Albert looked at Midori curiously.
'Later, Bertík, later, I'll introduce him to all of you.' Jiřík smiled gently and slyly.
Albert nodded and turned to Midori.
'Please come with me, Your Highness!'
Midori nodded smiling gently.
'Midori, when you'll see your room, please come here to me.' Jiřík smiled gentky.
'Yes, ousama.' Midori nodded smiling gently.
Albert led Midori through many rooms with fine wooden carved ceilings and dark wooden carved furniture, many lovely portraits and bright fabric wallpapers. At last Albert stopped in a large room with red wallpapers with golden lilies, large dark wooden carved bed with red velvet canopy and covers and dark wooden chairs and tables.
'Here you are, Your Highness.' Albert smiled.'Your room.'
'Thank you, Albert.' Midori smiled gently.
Albert retired casting curious glances at him.
Midori looked out of the window, it had a splendid view at the lush green woods all right.
Midori found his way back to Jiřík's room. The king was sitting in an armchair by the window and reading a book.
'Thank you for the lovely room, ousama.' Midori smiled gently. 'I like it very much.'
'You're welcome, Midori.' Jiřík smiled gently. 'Now let's talk what will happen next. First I'll intoduce you to all my people, and then you just have to guard the castle diligently and do not mistreat my people, all right? In other things you are free to do what you wish, all right?'
'Yes, I understand, ousama.' Midori smiled gently. 'Thank you!'
'And if you need something, just tell me, all right?' Jiřík smiled gently.
'Of course, ousama.' Midori smiled gently.
'Very well, then you are free.' Jiřík smiled gently. 'I'll introduce you to everyone at ten o'clock, all right, Midek?'
'Yes, ousama.' Midori smiled gently. 'What is it that you're reading, Jiřík-sama?'
'Oh, poems of the troubadours.' Jiřík smiled gently. 'Very gentle and beautiful love poems. '
Midori smiled gently.
'I'll read them too sometime. Konbanwa, ousama!'
'Konbanwa, Midori. ' Jiřík smiled gently.
Midori bowed and went to wander around the castle.
At ten o'clock Midori was in the large throne room with dark wooden carved walls and ceiling and a beautiful dark wooden carved throne. Jiřík was sitting on the throne in a voluminous red and gold mantle on top of his simple and elegant array, and with a golden crown with rubies and sapphires on his dark head. Zlatovláska was sitting near him with a lovely golden crown with pearls on her long wavy golden hair, and near them Svetozar in an armchair, a little golden coronet with pearls on his dark hair. There was a lot of people in the hall, many courtiers in bright doublets and hose and ladies in bright long wide dresses, escoffions, hennins and wimples, servants in blue uniforms, servant maids in brown dresses and white wimples and a general in a long puffy red robe and a black beret with a white feather, and soldiers in red uniforms and steel hats, with spears in their hands.
Midori walked to the throne, stood still and bowed. All eyes were on him instantly.
'I present to you Prince Hiryuu-no Midori, my new vassal, my new guardian dragon!' Jiřík said firmly and smiled gently.
There was a clamour and shouts.
'But lord king, are you sure?' the General asked tentatively.
'Yes, General,' Jirik said gently but firmly. 'Prince Midori is the beloved elder brother of Prince Murasaki, Princess Dobroslava's husband, he was exiled by his brothers also.'
General Bek nodded. He trusted Jiřík as he was a clever, calm and gentle king. He remembered how he stood before the new king quavering, as it was he who arrested the royal cook and led him to his execution on the orders of the old king. But Jiřík smiled at him gently.
'You needn't to worry, General, you just were true to your homage oath as I was true to mine!'
And he smiled gently and sadly.
General Bek sighed relieved and bowed to him.
'Well, if you say so, lord king, I trust your judgement.' He nodded calmly.
Jiřík smiled gently at Midori.
The courtiers and servants looked at Midori relieved and curious.
'Pleased to meet you all.' Midori smiled gently.
The courtiers and servants smiled, and some ladies even smiled akt Midori slyly.
He smiled as slyly to them.
'Midori, General Oldřich Bek, my Chief of Guards.' Jiřík smiled gently.
Midori bowed to General Bek and General Bek bowed at him.
'Jurásek, my chief cook, my apprentice, ' Jiřík introduced gently smiling. A tall slender young man with oval face, curly dark hair and gray eyes, in a blue sleeveless doublet, blue trousers and a white shirt, bowed to Midori smiling brightly. Midori bowed to him smiling gently.
'Růžena Lichtenberg, my wife's chief lady in waiting,' Jiřík introduced smiling gently.
A tall slender girl with oval face, large green eyes and long brown curly hair under a white and gold escoffion, in a dark rose long wide dress with puffy sleeves and square neck lined with gold, with a pearl necklace around her neck, curtsied to Midori smiling slyly. He smiled slyly to her.
'Aleš Rebhan, my steward,' Jirik introduced smiling gently.
A tall slender young man with oval face, dark short straight hair and dark eyes, in a red doublet and green hose, with a purple turban on his head, bowed to Midori smiling gently. Midori bowed to him smiling gently.
Then Midori was introduced to all the ladies in waiting, courtiers and servants. He bowed to them all smiling gently.
'Well, dinner now!' Jiřík announced smiling gently. 'Only let me remove these heavy mantle and crown!'
Midori smiled gently to him.
Zlatovláska smiled tenderly at Jiřík.
Svetozar smiled brightly.
Jurásek smiled brightly, Aleš smiled gently. Růžena smiled gently. General Bek nodded.