dragons may live here

Dragons may live here.

There weren't always dragons in the Valley.

I wake up cold, wet, hungry, and slightly disoriented.

‘Where was I?

I slowly sense that I have been lying on the cold, hard ground instead of my warm bed.

‘What am I doing here?

Memories flood my brain, waking me from a strange dream about dragons.

My name is Arthur, and I was a tutor in the court of the Western castle. I had failed a student because she had copied her fiction writing assignment. The student then accused me of making sexual advances toward her. The failure mark stood, but the head of the court asked me to stand down from my position for an investigation of the allegation to go ahead.

I left my world behind because of the gossip. I went into an ancient valley that has always been my spiritual refuge.

I am writing this critical entry as I met a Knight in the valley as he came out from the forest. I asked him if he could tell me where I was.

He said, ‘In the enchanted valley. My advice is to walk west down towards the lake.’

‘Have you seen any dragons?’

‘No, but I am still looking, so be careful.’ He said.

In my childhood, sitting around the campfire, we were told stories about dragons living in this valley. I was on my guard.

After walking for two days, I found an old hut by a lake to stay in. the next day, I decided to try to find a village to buy supplies. All I had while walking was my stave pole, a long blade hunting knife, so I strolled as I looked about carefully. Walking along a trail, I spied a large, clawed footprint in the mud. It did not look fresh. I was worried because it was probably a dragon’s print. What do I do now? I hope to find a village soon.

I entered a recently plowed field, which was a positive sign. I could smell smoke now, another positive sign, or was it caused by dragon fire? My mind was racing with scary thoughts as I froze. I slowly walked forward, seeing another dwelling in the distance. Smoke was coming from the chimney, so I relaxed a little. I saw a young boy and girl playing in the yard as I approached. I called out a greeting. They ran into the house.

An older woman appeared with a blunderbuss and pointed it in my direction as she said, ‘Stop where you are.’

I said, ‘Hello, I am Arthur, and I want to buy some food provisions. Do you have any for sale? ‘I have coins’

She said, ‘Come a little closer so I can get a good look at you.’ Her children were hanging on to her dress as I slowly approached with my hands in the air. She said, ‘Show me your coins’

I slowly reached for my pouch hanging on my belt and brought out silver coins.

‘Throw one to me.’ Which I did.

‘What do you want?’

‘Some bread, dried meat, and potatoes.

‘Come a little closer as she lowered her gun and told her son and daughter to go into the house and bring supplies out to the porch area. I bought what she supplied and gave her the coins she asked for.

‘Have you seen any dragons around here? I asked.

‘No! not since we have lived here. There are some stories, though, so be on your guard.’ She said.

As I walked back to my hut, I was not paying much attention to where I was because I was trying to remember the stories about dragons. Were they fairy tales just told to frighten us, or were they based on some truth?

I heard a noise like a heavy gust of wind overhead. I looked up and saw a dark shape flash past the treetops. It was just a glimpse. Too big for a bird. There was a strange smell in the air. I picked up my pace as I wanted to get to the hut before dark.

When I reached the hut, I lit a small fire for warmth and to cook two potatoes. I settled down as I ate, then tried to arrange some bedding from pine boughs. I had a fitful night with nightmares of dragons. After fleeing the castle, I must write down my feelings as I am alone. I wonder if I should have stayed to face the allegation.

As I slept, I heard a significant noise on the roof. There was that strange smell again. The hut shuddered, and the noise stopped as a flapping sound faded into the distance. It took me a while to go back to sleep. In the morning, I went outside to look at the roof, the thatch was disturbed, and some was on the ground. Should I stay in this place?

The Knight came down the trail on horseback. I was so glad to see him as I quickly told him what had happened last night.

He said, ‘I believe you just had a near-dragon experience.’