Prince Michael and The Dragon

by John Orndorff

CHAPTER 3

  THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

  There was a great quiet in the court as every person held their gaze upon Michael and realized all their hopes were wrapped up in him, a single man. Though Prince Michael was known as one of the mightiest men of the land, everyone could only wonder how he would fare against so great a foe. For this was no ordinary threat and it would take more than ordinary resources to fight this monster.

  Without saying a word, the people one by one left the court while the prince stood alone staring into open space, where the messenger from heaven had stood, oblivious to all the people around him.

  Prince Lionel, who himself was a mighty man and the most pious of the royal family, realizing the loneliness and fear his brother felt, embraced Michael and said, "The King of Heaven chose you for his purpose and his purpose will not be changed. You will do his bidding and return a greater man than you could ever know."

  "Yes,” Michael said, "but all that stands before me is a dark cave that I must enter alone.”

  Michael then wept on his brother's shoulder as Prince John, Princess Mary and the king and queen gathered about him to strengthen him. Though Michael's initial response was one of fear and loneliness, he quickly, with the encouragement of his family, faced with courage what lay before him.

  "I must depart in the morning,” Michael said as he turned to the king. “I fear time is short and the longer I tarry, the more lives will be lost. If the only enemy I faced was the dragon I could face it with little fear, but to face the treachery of our own people is greater than three dragons. It is unlikely the dragon will plot and scheme against me. Ordinarily any beast should be easy to hunt down and kill. However, Diabolos and those who follow him will be full of plotting and scheming."

  "Your brother, Lionel, was right in what he said, Michael," the king said. "For his own reasons the King of Heaven chose you. Though we cannot understand it now, and perhaps we never will, one thing we can know is you are to do his work. When on another occasion similar to this a messenger presented you the mighty sword, Avenger, you did not question his will. You gladly accepted the great sword and agreed to do the Great King’s bidding.”

  “It is our part in life that if we will accept good we must also accept the challenges the king gives us. And don't think you stand alone or your life is more wretched than any other at this time of your life, for we must all be tested." So with many words such as this, the king encouraged his son.

  Prince Michael gave commands for his attendants to prepare his supplies and Noble for the trip that lay ahead, then tried to sleep. Though Michael was tired he slept little that night for his thoughts were on the adventure that lay ahead.

  The night passed quickly and Michael did fall asleep to awaken to a robin singing the most beautiful song outside his window. Michael arose and looked at the robin thinking she must be an encouraging messenger from Heaven. It was the clearest day Michael could remember seeing. The sky was the deepest blue he had ever noticed, and the sun just rising over a softly rolling green hill, was shining warmly on the castle of El.

  "This is the kind of morning I would pick to leave on a quest even if I had no challenge to pursue," Michael said to himself. "What a wonderful day to ride the countryside!"

  Michael dressed in his brown woodsman clothes and quickly ate some food and bid his family farewell until he should return victorious from his quest.

  As he walked toward Noble, Princess Mary ran to him and placed a golden amulet, hung on a golden chain, about his neck.

  "The amulet has power to heal,” Mary said. "Use it wisely and it will save your life and the lives of others."

  Michael looked at the beautiful golden disk which was about two inches in diameter and had the image of a serpent engraved on it with a small diamond set in its mouth, which was also the center of the amulet.

  "Are you sure you want to part with this?” asked Michael.

  “I would part with this and all I have if it would help to bring you back. The prophet of the Great King of Heaven left it for me on the day of my birth. It means much to me, but I know you will bring it back."

  At that the princess embraced her brother and ran back to her father and mother with tears in her eyes.

  As Michael set out on Noble, Prince John raced to his side mounted on his great white steed.

  "If I cannot accompany you on your adventure, I can at least escort you out of the King's Province," John said.

  "Your company, however brief, will be appreciated brother,” replied Michael.

  The two brothers then raced over the gently rolling hills headed toward the west. As they rode, they both recalled the times they had ridden together while growing up touring El's countryside.

  For a while it seemed they actually forgot the business at hand and the urgency of the situation, because they enjoyed each other's company so much. However, as they reached the end of the day, they also reached the end of the Province of the King. Suddenly the rolling green hills and countryside came to an end and before them lay the barren plains.

  "I can go no farther, Michael," John said.

  "I know," Michael replied.

  "However, we could camp here on the border for the night and you may proceed tomorrow,” John mentioned.

  "No," Michael said. "It's best if I continue on and make as much progress as I can. I knew you would not be able to go any farther than this, and we can't put off parting forever."

  At these words John said, “You are a brave man and my prayers go with you, Michael."

  The brothers then embraced and Michael rode off toward the northwestern mountains.

  Though Michael felt saddened that John could not continue with him, he also felt a kind of relief. It was not that he did not want the company, but now he felt free to concentrate on his quest. He was also comforted by Noble. For never before, nor since, was a person closer to his horse than Michael was to Noble.

  And so they continued on with an unusual strength, no one could describe. Perhaps it was at this point Michael forgot his own fears and concerns, because his only concern then was for the people who suffered because of the dragon.

  Mary’s Amulet