10. Lessons Learned

The next day I went to the barracks to be trained. Byron, Sir Lancelot, and a few other knights wanted to teach me how to be more effective on the battlefield.

"It's not that you're a terrible fighter," Lancelot explained. "But I think if we taught you what we know, you'll be better at tactical thinking."

"Fair enough." I said.

We went outside the kingdom walls (the ring outside the barracks was too small for my bulk) and was repeatedly attacked by various means. They had faced me with spears and lances, arrows, attacks on horseback, axes, and simple tools. Each time I had to show them how I would usually deter such an attack and then they would show me a different way. Often times it was a better way.

I began the lesson impatient and falling to my impulses but Merlin's voice kept nagging at me and eventually I focused on keeping calm. I began to stop and think logically about each scenario instead of becoming panicked right away.

It was working and I began to feel more confident.

With a quick swipe of my spiked tail, I sent Lancelot sprawling backwards. Byron laughed out loud and went to help the knight up. "You took a bit of a tumble!"

Lancelot gave Byron a sly grin. "You're the one who fell off of your horse earlier." Byron turned red and began to mumble something I couldn't hear.

"Well Arthfael you did better then I had expected!" Lancelot raved. "You might put me out of service!"

"The king will be impressed once he finds out what you've accomplished today." A knight, whose name I couldn't remember, remarked.

I nodded, thankful for the compliment. "I apologize Sir Knight but I have forgotten your name."

"Sir Tristan." He didn't seem the least bit offended that I had forgotten his name.

"Is that all for today?" I turned to Lancelot.

He nodded. "Same time tomorrow?"

"I'll be here."

I felt quite pleased with myself as my ego swelled to astronomical proportions. I failed to notice that Merlin was watching the entire time. "You again?! Everywhere I turn you're stalking me!"

Merlin clucked at me. "You got me all wrong Arthfael. I'm not stalking you, I wanted to see how you would perform today."

"Well it seems like you're following me. Do you doubt me like many others?"

"Ah yes the doubters, how could any of us have forgotten about them?" Merlin smirked. "I don't doubt you Arthfael. I came here to make sure you wouldn't back out of your pledge to this kingdom."

"I'm staying." I insisted.

"I'm glad to hear that." The old man sounded sincere.

He began to walk back towards the kingdom and I fell in step next to him. "I'm surprised you're able to get around so quickly."

"Magic, young dragon, has its advantages."

"How old are you Merlin?" I asked.

"Centuries old." Was the wizard's reply.

"That's not very specific."

"I was a young boy when this land we stand on was just discovered."

"That's better but not very informative."

Merlin laughed. "Why do you want to know my age?"

"Out of curiosity."

"Well how old are you?"

"I thought you would have known that already." I snorted.

"It's impossible to know everything."

"Fair enough. I'm twenty-five."

"So young for a dragon." Merlin commented.

We walked on until we reached the tower which Merlin stayed in. "Well old man," I quipped. "Are you going to take an afternoon nap?"

Merlin gave me a stern look. "Watch yourself or I'll turn you into a toad!"

I brushed the threat off. "I doubt it. I am the King's Dragon now, you can't touch me." I puffed my chest out and raised my snout to the sky.

"I might turn Arthur into a toad too."

I laughed curtly. "That's careless use of magic!"

Merlin dismissed me with a wave of his bony hand and went into the castle grumbling to himself. I shook my head at his back and went on my way.

I had meant what I told Merlin about staying. I wasn't going to leave, I found myself wanting to stay like something was keeping me here. I couldn't explain what it was though. Perhaps it was my pity for Arthur. Did the reasons matter in the end?

My thoughts were interrupted by someone barreling into my leg. The blow knocked me off balance and my face met the dirt. I quickly regained my balance-the benefit of having four legs instead of two-and frantically searched for the culprit. I saw Byron charge at me again. This time I dodged him. "You scoundrel!" I roared.

"Weren't expecting that were you?" Byron laughed. "Besides, that's payback for all those jokes you made about me!"

I spread my wings out in an attempt to intimidate him. "Sorry sport." I retorted.

"Meddler." Byron shot back.

"Urchin." I flicked my tail at him.

"Satan's spawn."

"Bastard."

Byron pretended to be offended. "Oh that's harsh. My parents are married mind you!"

I folded my wings back up and sat down much like a dog would. "Us dragons don't have ceremonies or any documentation to prove our unions."

"Then how do you know which dragons are mated with who?" Byron looked puzzled and I chortled at him.

I tapped my head with a finger. "We dragons have a sixth sense that tells us. We can sense the love and trust between mates."

Byron looked awestruck. "That's amazing, but strange."

A voice called Byron from a distance. "Byron! Where have you run off to?"

Byron groaned. "It's Tristan. I told him I would go with him hunting. He's the best archer the knight's got and I wanted him to teach me. " He gave me a wave then bolted to Tristan before I could ask why he seemed so reluctant to go.

I stood up and trotted over to them. I approached Byron and Tristan. "You know, I could help you find prey."

Sir Tristan seemed impressed by my mere presence while Byron stared at me dumbly.

"What? Us dragons are the top predators of the wilderness." I reasoned. "I can track anything."

Tristan looked to Byron. "Why not Byron? Your dragon friend could be a great help to the kingdom."

"But he'll scare everything away!"

I snorted at him, flaring my nostrils. "Excuse me! Yesterday I stalked a deer for over a mile with Merlin as my witness!"

"Merlin is not-" Byron started.

"A reliable witness?" Tristan supplied. "I say he is." I gave the knight a grateful look.

Byron's face flushed. He struggled to speak. "But-but-It's withcraft! The work of the Devil!"

Tristan sighed. "Ah Byron, you and your hearsay."

The boy huffed. "Fine. Come along Arthfael."

Within the hour, Tristan, Byron, and I were huddled in the undergrowth of the surrounding woods waiting for the right opportunity to strike a great bear down in a ravine. "Why a bear?" Byron hissed into Tristan's ear. The knight smirked. "Its pelt will make a nice rug for His Majesty!"

I carefully maneuvered my way around the pair. I turned head towards them. "Watch a master hunter at work boys." I crouched and slowly crept forward a few inches then stood still. With only the sound of my heartbeat and my companion's steady breathing, I charged down the hill.

I am not used to using stealth to catch prey or enemies. It is a dragon's way to use brutal force instead of attempting to outsmart our targets mainly because of our shear size. If I hadn't been taught by Merlin and the knights then I would have approached this bear differently. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to strike, I would have tried to kill it at first glance with brutal force.

I sprang forward with ease, my claws propelling me onward and my jaws ready to rip and tear. I slammed into the bear, biting its neck in the process. The animal struggled with me, futilely trying to batter me with its claws and roaring fiercely. I twisted my head and loud snap sounded through the trees.

I let go of the bear and it lay motionless in the dirt.

Byron and Tristan came down the ravine, eyes as large as the full moon on a summer night. Byron blinked stupidly for a moment before he spoke in a soft voice. "I never seen a bear get taken down that quickly."

I sniffed the air. I caught the powerful scent of a wolf pack which concerned me. I don't care for wolves; us dragons always left them alone and their territory alone but I knew my human companions would be driven into a panic if they knew there were wolves nearby.

"We should get moving," I said, picking the bear up in hand. "There's wolves nearby."

Byron's eyes shifted nervously around. "Wolves? How far away are they?"

"Not very far which is why I suggest we move on." I walked on without waiting for a reply, throwing the bear up onto my back.

We walked on back home through the way we came. I soon began to softly sing an ancient song that my mother had taught me. My voice rumbled on until the song had come to a close and I became quiet once more.

"What song was that?" Byron asked.

"A song of happiness." I replied.

"I didn't know dragons sing. You have a lovely voice."

"Thank you! We dragons love to sing when we're happy!" I enthused. I looked to them both. "Don't your people sing?"

"In church." Byron said. "And at parties, weddings, family gatherings, and when we work in the fields."

We walked on in silence until we reached the edge of the forest and were looking ahead at the kingdom. "Where should I take this?" I jerked my head towards my back.

"To the butchers no doubt," Byron said. "They'll take care of it." He looked to Tristan.

The knight nodded. "We'll show you where to take it so you know for next time."

We went to the back of the castle and left the carcass with the butchers who were very pleased with what we brought. Tristan wished us farewell and left while Byron remained by my side. The two of us went to the castle gardens and sat under a tree.

"I don't even belong here." Byron grumbled and gestured to our surroundings.

"You're with me," I said. "No one will bother you."

"That's different, you're protecting the kingdom and have every right to be here," The boy grumbled some more. "Now I, on the other hand, am from lowly peasant stock."

I rolled my eyes. "I care not a jot for the human hierarchy."

Byron made a disagreeable face. "You're going to have to get used to it unfortunately. Some people take it very seriously."

I thought about arguing further on the matter however I was no human and speaking of such things more would be too exhausting.

I looked to my human companion. He was surveying the gardens, frowning at everything. I nudged him with my snout. "Byron I do believe that you will be a great man one day. Don't let your class determine your potential." I felt the need to say that. Perhaps it was too sentimental but it did the trick and my young friend smiled up at me.

"Thanks Arhfael."

"Anytime Byron. Anytime."

Notice the reference to the movie I put in there? :D

Questions, comments, etc are always welcome and much appreciated!