The Great Losing: The Mad Dragon King (The World of Shestafa )

by Karine Green

  “Knights would have to be trained what to look for. They would start questioning people about these so-called terrorist traits. People would never get their lives back once they were brought under suspicion, such as village leaders, elders, and respected business owners. In the other realm, this sort of thing is called McCarthyism. Basically, the Seculars would get rid of their own leaders, and accept whomever the Mad King appointed. This way he would be able to exclusively control the flow of information. Meanwhile, propaganda programs had to be paid for, so he would have to print more money to pay for the programs. The more money that exists, the less it is worth. Meaning he would eventually lose control over the value of the currency. Apparently, he missed the Macro Economics class," Mack said, half smiling.

  “Economics is part of an Earth Magic student’s basic education.” Misty shrugged, then shook her head, "But he was about the dragons. I would bet my life he only paid enough attention to simply move on to the next level of education."

  "Yes, and to gain control over them, he needed to control that which the dragons had charge of…Shestafa as a nation."

  "But how did that work? We don't even need these stupid programs. How could people fall for that?" She scowled, and folded her arms, being careful not to wrinkle the scroll.

  "Programs are good if used wisely. They can build a strong, well-educated society, but they can also cause a collapse from within if not used appropriately. Basically, Lahay's first successful battle was taking the economy. The second was in taking their minds by using their fear to turn neighbor against neighbor. The third was to lose the balance the dragons brought to the world which would make everyone dependent on the Magical Council. Then, he was in a must-act situation if he maintained his control over the Secular kingdoms, or he would never have his dragons; they would die out, because his plan worked too well.”

  “Sounds like the White Witch did the right thing, hiding you.”

  He frowned, shaking his head. “In the other realm an evil man named Hitler made his followers afraid of people who believed differently. He even made a special guard called the SS to enforce new policies. Misty, over six million people were killed. It took all the most powerful nations of that world working together to stop him. If they had failed, the other world would have become just like this one. The White Witch relied on blind luck to send us there," Mack said, not even trying to hide his disgust at her decision. Biting her was moving up on his list of priorities.

  "Fear can cause lapses in judgment of the steadiest souls." She nodded, then the pitch of her voice changed. "My poor brother, he doesn't even see himself as taken. He has been taught that he was freed. They stole him from our family and made him need what they have, like a drunk needs alcohol. He wouldn't know freedom if it bit him in the behind." She lifted her hip and pointed at her bottom. “I have to struggle not to hate them.”

  "Yet you ran away from them despite their lifestyle being the only thing you grew up with."

  "Not exactly. I was young, but old enough to remember. And don't forget, I can read. That means I don't have to buy their propaganda, I can sneak into the locked away branches of the libraries, and read for myself. I knew I had to find an Elemental Dragon, and begin work on unseating the Mad Dragon King. Will you help me?"

  "You are my rider, and I am your dragon. I will help you with whatever you like, that includes planning a coup." He curled his tail around her gently, and she hugged it back. "What we have to be careful of is accidentally seating someone even more dangerous." He stifled a sigh, he didn't want to blow the scrolls around. The Inscrollium keeper would have fits.

  Mack bent down to blow one of the other whirly gigs as he remembered a conversation with his History teacher. There was a reason no one within the SS assassinated Hitler. He strongly suspected that reason was that there was someone worse waiting in the wings. It was widely believed, and just as widely disputed, that Heinrich Himmler was directly responsible for the Holocaust. He promoted the belief in an old Roman text called the Aeseinas Codex. It was the account of how fair-haired northern European tribesman repelled the Roman army, effectively stopping the Roman war machine. Himmler had used this text to confirm his own beliefs, and make others believe that the fair-haired people were a superior race. However, Himmler seemed to ignore the part where the Roman emperor also expressed disgust at them, and that the book said nothing about Germany since it didn't exist as a nation when it was written.

  He blew on the whirly gig. The dust spun off of it, before it fell over. He needed to find the Himmler in the Mad King’s outfit.

  "Misty, we have to unseat the Mad Dragon King very carefully. The last thing we need is to make it worse. There has to be a reason that no one from his own court has assassinated him, or at least deposed him."

  Misty nodded, "We don't currently know that much about the Red Wizard or the Brown Witch. In less than ten years of him being on the Council, he took over the whole world and ruined it. I have heard that during the last battle of the Great Losing Fire and Earth tried to reunite with Air and Water, but everything had spun so far out of control that all they did was gain the ire of the Mad King. They were slain in their beds, by sleeper spies as a punishment for treason. Some of these sleeper spies were members of their rider's own family. It was how they gained access to the dragons' barns and caves."

  "But I thought the Seculars played a larger role?"

  “No, I am sure, you are right.” Misty shook her head. "They were just willing pawns in the game of absolute power. They happily gave him their treasure in the form of a sixty-two percent tax for a pat on the head from him. I am not even sure they know the Mad King played them to the extent that he did. They didn't grow up in dragon villages, or it would have been obvious to them that he was vomiting drivel all over them.”

  “Are you saying, Seculars didn’t know about the way dragons worked?” The education system needed serious reconsideration.

  She shook her head. “No, how much do you know about people who live on the other side of the world where you grew up?”

  “A bit, but not much. You are correct. I could easily be misled about the actions of another nation so far away.”

  “The history of the Great Losing is still unfolding. That first night, if the Seculars had tried to take the dragons head-on, they would have been slaughtered. Something gave them an edge; that spell book could have done it. Non-magical humans can use magic infused items. They just can’t create them. Who knows what evil magical spells are in that book?"

  "I am thinking that he is more of a master of illegal accounting practices than anything else. He would have to be, or there is no way he could have stolen enough money to take over the world. He had to use fuzzy accounting. He made them believe they were all better than the others. People will die for their beliefs and pay any price to keep them. He knew that, and he knew there is nothing as driven as a Holy warrior," Mack said.

  "That's putting it mildly."

  There was a whoosh as Méi flew into the small cave with Suki on her back. "Ready for some real training?" she asked, smiling, her tail wagging like a pup. "I can't believe I am saying this, but having a rider is wonderful. I should have come to Blue Valley years ago." She looked at the nip mark on her paw and smiled. “But I am glad I waited for you.”

  “Me too.” Mack rubbed his cheek on hers. "I guess the official training has to begin at some point.

  "I don't like the bow. It's really hard to pull," Misty said, frowning, and making no move to roll the scroll up. "I track and trap to hunt. I don't need to shoot things." She half-smiled.

  Suki frowned, "The fact is, you need to learn the bow, so you can secure Mack's back. If you don't, the villagers will pressure him to replace you, or worse, you won't be able to defend him when it counts the most."

  Méi nodded. "Agreed, I will hurt you, very badly, if you allow my only friend and betrothed to be killed."

  Mack smiled, "Alright, let's head to the dragon gear store. I think I remember a way
to make the bow easier and more powerful at the same time," he said, nudging Misty's scroll bag toward her with his snout. "I also think Suki will like it, even though she doesn't have trouble with the bow."

  "Of course burly-girl wouldn't.'' Misty carefully put the scrolls away, and then hopped back in the saddle, "So much for not being interrupted."

  Mack’s smile broadened. “We’ll have time over the next few days to come back,” he said, flying out after Méi as soon as he heard Misty’s braces click into place.

  They followed Suki and Méi to the old abandoned dragon gear shop. Mack looked in the windows, and gently pushed on the door with his paw to see if it was open. "I don't think anyone is here. We need to find the dragon gear dude."

  "I am here," an African-American looking young man ran up to them, wearing the same stuffy, formal, gauze clothes as the other villagers. "I inherited the shop from my father." He took out a rusted skeleton key ring. "Come on in," he said, smiling and pushing both tall doors open so the dragons could come in. "I am Wester. I was anticipating some business, so I ran to pick up some supplies." He tossed his backpack down on the dusty counter.

  Mack introduced everyone as they entered. Misty dismounted and walked next to him, but Suki kept her seat in the saddle. "Wow, this place is awesome!" He looked at all the gear, some of which had dry rotted long ago.

  "It was, and will be again, Great Dragon. It needs maintenance, really bad." Wester smiled, as he picked up a dry rotted dragon's lance and tossed it into the rear of the shop. "I am so happy to be working at what my father trained me for." He was smiling like a small school boy and gave the distinct impression he was resisting the urge to pet one of them.

  "I have an idea for something, but I don't know how to show you," Mack said, staring at his paws. "I miss having hands right now."

  "Not a problem," Méi said, pointing one claw out. "Just use your claw. We can get some fresh ink cakes later, and I'll show you how to use them for writing. Well, first I'll see if I remember how to do it."

  "I have some," the young man said, pulling them out of his backpack. He put the ink cakes down, pulled out a blank scroll, then dropped a bit of water on one of the cakes. "Here, I bought them because I was going to get to work on some tactical saddle designs for you. I will also need to get your measurements for proper armor supplements," he said spreading the scroll out, "Just dip the tip of your claw into the ink cake. Be careful, though. You have diamond claws, and can easily cut this parchment."

  Mack stuck out a claw, dipped it in the ink, and then made a line. He smiled, "I like it!" It wasn't as smooth as his favorite ballpoint pen, but it was nice enough to get his idea across. He roughly drew out a crossbow. "Do you have anything like this?"

  Wester looked at it and shook his head, but he was smiling now. "I think I can work this out quickly. We have several bow manufacturers in the village who could make a prototype for us. The wheels here would be the hard part. I can modify the saddles to stow them for quick use." He pulled out a measuring tape, looking at Mack’s saddle. "I'll need you to get back in the saddle miss, so I can measure how big or rather how much smaller your bow will have to be to fit on the saddle."

  Misty nodded and mounted the saddle. Wester took measurements from every angle, and some measurements of her holding a regular bow, how it stored on the saddle, and then Mack's wings, both in and stretched out.

  "That's a lot of measurements," she said, looking bored.

  Wester nodded, "It can’t interfere with his wings. They must be as they are supposed to be. These measurements will help me avoid a redesign later."

  Romayo walked up, "Ah, there you are Misty. I was looking for you for archery training. What do we have here?" he asked, looking down at the drawing.

  Mack smiled. "A device to help Misty become more effective with the bow."

  "Good. While Wester is working on that, and Suki and Méi are taking a break…" He pointed at Mack and Misty. "…you two come with me for some basics in dragon-back archery–short bow style. And Wester, I'll let Rodguer know why you aren't coming in for your regular job at the Office of Accounting today. Dragon's business comes first."

  Wester nodded smiling and he took a silver chain from around his neck with a little key on it and unlocked a safe. He held up a measuring tape to Méi. "Next? I would like both sets of measurements before heading to Bowman's Elite Archery for a more serious discussion about this new...crossbow."

  Both Méi and Suki nodded as Mack and Misty headed to bow training.

  The Blood King’s Book

  Dunia sat at attention as Blue worked with her, reading the Rise of the Mad Dragon King scroll.

  "Any questions so far?" he asked, rolling the scroll up. "Your parents shifted your reading to Young Pup Level One which was a year above where most pups your age would have been. You were so young. Do you remember any of it?"

  "I remember. I am glad they did, although I must say I resented it at the time. I wanted Botany for Young Earth Pups with my friends." She nodded. "Where is the Blood King's Book of Spells now?"

  Blue shrugged. "Who knows. The Mad Dragon King seeks to find it. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he has found it, and is keeping it hidden. Such a book would make him as powerful as a dragon. Honestly, I think he has it and is lying about it missing – but I don't have proof. The only thing I know for sure is that he occasionally makes announcements for a reward if anyone finds it."

  "We should find it..."

  Blue raised his hand. "No, we should not. And, if you ever do lay eyes on it, you would do well to consider destroying it no matter what your inheritance says. It's an evil book that has been twice used to bring down the world.

  "Destroy knowledge? They have a saying in the other realm: Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. If it is gone, won't people seek to recreate it? They can glorify or vilify it more than it should be. Or at best, accidentally recreate it? In the other realm, many are encouraged to understand such books. This way, evil is easily recognized by everyone. Hidden knowledge and secret societies..."

  "Have their place in the world," Blue said, smiling as he got up. "I have some rabbit for your Tea time. I, myself, will enjoy my crumpet.” He walked over and pulled down the tea set. "Promise me, if you ever encounter that evil manuscript, you will bury it so deep no one can find it. You will leave it there for one year while you focus solely on learning everything you can about what its existence has done to the world. At the end of the year; only then will we know whether the myth will be more dangerous than the facts. Then, you will be in a position to decide if the book should remain buried, or exposed for everyone to see."

  Dunia nodded, it sounded reasonable enough. "I promise."

  The Healing Pool

  Arlen was floating in his private pool at the rear of his new barn. His human attendants had refilled if for him. They had almost begged him to purify the water. He wasn't sure how floating in the pool would purify it. After all, his private parts were touching the water. Still it felt good to simply float and ignore the entire world around him. He lazily swam, drifting from one side to the other as he swooshed his tail back and forth. It had to be double the size of an Olympic swimming pool.

  Sarnia had left before he awoke that first morning they were here.

  I'll never get to tell her I am sorry. Thank God Rini forgave me and stayed.

  She had been understanding and kind. She was laying at the rear barn door, watching him swim from a very healthy distance from the water. She had practically freaked out when he suggested swimming. She said she was of Fire and Earth. She said he was a Water Dragon, and would like the water.

  He smiled, feeling lazy. I don't like it, I love it. It feels so good. I am not coming up until I have to. I know it has been at least a half an hour, and I haven't even thought about coming up for air.

  Water passed through his gills like it was nothing. He felt full, overfull- like a feast.

  He poked his head up. "I was trying to stay down a
long time."

  Rini laughed her calming laugh, "You're a Water Dragon. You could live under the water if you so desired. The water is yours to control."

  "Are you sure you don’t want to swim with me? I could show you how," he asked again, leaning further onto the ledge of the pool. "I would love to swim with you here if we could get the villagers to back off."

  "Oh no. I am still a Stone Dragon." She shook her head but continued smiling.

  "What were the villagers saying last evening? Earth contains Water?" He reached for her.

  She nodded. "It's a spell. They hoped that the grounding Earth presence in my family line would keep you from leaving them. Next they will want us to have pups." She walked over to the edge of the pool. "Oh, Arlen, you need to get out, and look at the water!"

  He crawled out of the pool and stood next to Rini, feeling extraordinarily heavy. The water had been a dark murky green when the villagers pulled it from the river. Now, it was crystal clear. He could see the thick tarp-like thing they used for a pool liner at the bottom. "It looks like I dumped out fifty thousand bottles of bottled water."

  The village dragon trainer, Luca came running over. "Yes!" He pumped his hands in the air. "Great Dragon, we have some sick children -- please, may they swim in your Purification Pool?"

  "I guess so," Arlen said, putting a wing over Rini's back.

  "Thank you, Great Dragon. And the protective wing is unnecessary. The men will not try to saddle Rini again. We understand she is your dragon."

  "The children are welcome." Arlen nodded. "I am sorry for my reaction, but she was beaten so severely by the Mad King's guard that when I saw your knight approaching her with a whip, I just reacted." He had accidentally bitten one of the knights yesterday evening. A healer took the knight away, hoping to reattach his arm.

  "You were just protecting me," Rini said, leaning hard into his side, and head-butting him. He head-butted her back.

  "The knight acted foolishly. He was warned not to approach you or your mate...at all, let alone with a whip. The knights will not approach you or your mate again. The villagers were upset, but they understand – given the circumstances. His family offer their apologies."