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Chapter 4: The Dragon

The hall of Elf-King Didronel, Commander in Chief of the Grand Alliance, was grim. News had come that Nilstat the Dark Lord had sent a dragon to ravage the Southlands.

"Your Majesty, My Lords," The exhausted messenger had cried, "If ye send not aid we are all lost! The Dragon ravages all the lands, burning and laying waste! The people starve for their homes and crops are gone, we beg ye to send us aid and also food! Only food can ease our pain..."

The weary messenger staggered then, for he was hungry and thirsty as well as weary from travel.

"I will send aid, indeed." Said King Didronel, and the messenger smiled with desperate relief. "Tell me one thing, good human. This dragon, what is known of it?"

"Those few who have seen it and lived to tell the tale say is it of a deep red color, and spitteth a corrosive fire. It is as great as many houses, and destroyeth for the joy of it - all who hear his name tremble in fear of it!"

"His name, ye know his name?" Cried the court Wizard, who knew that many spells could be wrought against evil things if their name was known.

"Yes, my Lords, man who hid in the ruins of his home heard the wyrm speak his name, and related it ere he died."

"So tell us, man, what is the name!" Cried Lomotil the Slow, made uncharacteristically impatient by the dreadful news.

"The dragon's name..." The messenger winced, as if in remembered pain. "His name is...

"Heliobacter."

The entire court gasped in shock and recognition, for that same monster had plagued the Free Lands before.

"Stand before your King Didronel, O Knights of many lands!" Cried the herald, as King Didronel entered the hall and stood before the assembled knights. They had come to vie for the privilege of fighting the dragon, all the knights of the Alliance craved the right, for one and all they craved honor and glory. He who slew the Dragon Heliobacter would win immortal fame, and honor forever among his fellows!

"Let me go, your Majesty!" Cried Sir Mylicon of Simethicone. "Did I not defeat Borealis, the warlock who devastated the land with poison wind?"

"Nay, thou art has no defense against fire." Sneered Sir Carafate the Protector. "Whereas mine enchanted armor can resist flame! The dragon cannot hurt me!"

"Save with his poison, and his might." Said Tagamet the Upstart. "But I need not fear, I bear a turquoise that protecteth me from all poisons!"

"As do I, and I am mightier than thee by far." Said Prilosec the Strong, laying a fatherly hand on the young knight's armored shoulder. "Nay, young one, do not protest. Thou art young and slight, thy time will come - if thou livest to grow to thy full strength!"

"Are the young to be denied any chance to prove themselves?" Cried Tagamet's brother Axid. "That's so not fair!"

"If anyone should be denied a chance, it is Prilosec the Prick." Muttered Dilantin of Phenytoin to Prince Coumadin, for both were enemies of Prilosec. The great hall began to shimmer with the anger of the collected knights.

"All are equal to the eyes of danger," Soothed Pentothal the Peacemaker, and again the hall grew quiet. "All are given a chance to prove their might and wit, for those alone matter here. One at a time, please, tell his Majesty your name and why you should fight the dragon."

The knights did so, somewhat grudgingly. Still, it was clear that if they did not, fighting would break out in the hall. And while such a fight would certainly settle the question of who was the mightiest, it would also thin their ranks just as the war with Nilstat the Dark Lord was getting underway. Many more chances for glory lay ahead, so the knights were patient this day.

"I am Reglan of the Southlands, my home too is in danger. I shall hurry the dragon from the Southlands, send it on its way never to return."

"I am Colyte, and I shall draw it from the Southlands into the Wastelands beyond, nothing shall be left of it when I am done."

"I am Colace the Gentle, and I yearn for glory. Everyone takes me for granted."

"I am Nardil the Inhibitor. I am mighty and renowned, for I never turn back from quarrel. And I also give notice that if any of mine enemies here are sent and I am not, I shall withdraw from the Alliance!" A murmur ran though the hall, for it was thought that half the knights present might be considered Nardil's enemies.

"I am Biaxin of the Macrolides, ye all know my two brothers. We are dragon-fighters renowned, and we have fought Heliobacter the Negative before, and carried the day. Yes, he lives, but only because he turned and flew away and we could not follow. Send us, my Lord, for we are the greatest of all dragon fighters!"

"I am Bismuth the Forgotten." Said an old knight in rusted armor. "I know my glory days are over, that I am considered little better than a commoner now... but your Majesty, I beg you to send me. I have fought a dragon before, and not only lived to tell the tale but defeated it! I may be old and poor, but your Majesty, against this enemy I shall be mighty!"

"I am Pirenzepine, and while I am renowned as the enemy of Muscarine, I have also fought dragons in the past. My spells weaken their strength and dampen their fire, send me!"

"We are the brothers Amphogel and Gaviscon, and though we are poor and little better that peasants our familial magic is so strong and we are masters of fire, victors over it."

"I am Prevacid brother of Prilosec, and I have as much power over fire as he. And I wish to be as renowned as he - no, more renowned."

"I am Cytotec the Wise, and while I cannot fight dragons per say, I have spells that will prevent them from coming in the first place. If anyone would like to discuss terms for protecting his lands, meet me in the antechamber."

And so on and so forth, one by one each knight or clan introduced themselves, stated their past victories, and begged for a chance at glory. Didronel the King listened solemnly to all, giving all equal attention; known dragon-fighters and callow youths alike. Finally the tale of knights was done, and the King withdrew to his chambers.

The next morning the throne room filled again with knights, eager now, rather than competitive, for they knew the king's mind was already made up and they need not strive against each other.

The trumpets blew, the herald cried forth, and the tall, handsome King entered and took his throne. All eyes were upon his august person, in eager tension. Who would be given the honor and peril of fighting this great firey beast? Would he know renown everlasting, or would he be defeated and forgotten as soon as another succeeded where he had failed?

"My Lords of many lands, ye knights of renown, I have made my decision." An excited murmur was heard.

"Who, my Lord," cried Ritalin the Quick. "Who shall he be?"

"Not he, my son, but they." Gasps were heard and smiles were seen as the knights realized their odds of being chosen had risen. "The journey to the Southlands is long and the dragon is swift and wily, it will take weeks to meet Heliobacter and defeat him. Therefore I shall not send one knight, for if he is defeated then the dragon will have weeks to plunder and ruin whilst another knight is sent!"

The whole hall was aglow with admiration for the king's wisdom. This was why he had been chosen to lead the Grand Alliance, his strategic mind.

"I shall send many knighs, and I expect them to cooperate with each other, and not strive against their fellows! Biaxin and thy brothers Amoxil and Flagyl! Stand forth! Thou shall fight another dragon, but shall not do so alone!

"Bismuth shall fight we, for he is still strong, and I shall send with thee Sir Prilosec and Axid the young, while thou engagest the dragon they shall use their magic to douse its poison and flame! But before all of ye shall Carafate the Protector, for indeed the dragon's fire cannot touch him!

"I have spoken." The King rose, tall and mighty. "Go forth, ye knights, and defeat the dragon, drive him from the Southlands! Bring peace and prosperity again to a starving land! And do not fail, for a great war comes to all lands, and if the dragon be not quickly defeated then terror and evil shall fall over all lands! Go ye, my knights, go!"

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