CHAPTER 4
ZACHARY
Though Michael had many times traveled through the barren plains, this time he seemed to notice how desolate it actually was. For though there was some green grass in spots, there were no trees, and the landscape was mostly brown flat land as far as he could see.
The barrenness of the plains made him eager to see the mountains of the northwest, and knowing the mountains were still a two day journey ahead did little to comfort him.
Prince Michael traveled as far as he could until the sun started to sink behind the western horizon. He and Noble found a suitable place to camp between three large boulders. It was also fortunate for them that there was an old dry tree there for firewood. "We needn't be cold tonight," Michael said to Noble as he used Avenger to hack limbs from the tree.
Michael carefully built a fire and prepared his sleeping mat over what little soft grass he could find. Then he brought out the food he'd packed for himself and Noble. He gave Noble some oats while he ate dried meat and an apple.
"Well, it's not like the fine food of the king's castle, but I'm grateful for it," Michael said.
At this, Noble, seemed to give a nod of agreement, which brought a smile to Michael’s face.
Though the spot where Michael placed his mat did not make the most comfortable resting place he'd ever known, he was glad to be able to lie down. For once he was down he realized how tired he was and quickly fell asleep under the star filled sky.
Michael slept until the sun started to rise in the east. Noble walked over to the sleeping prince and nudged him gently with his nose and neighed a time or two, clearly demanding that his master wake up.
As Michael slowly began to realize it was day again, and his friend was ready to continue, he rolled over and slowly rose to his feet.
Michael stretched out his arms, yawned and looked about as he thought about the journey ahead of him. After a quick breakfast of nuts and berries for him and more oats for Noble, he was off toward the west.
Again Prince Michael realized how much he hated traveling through the barren plains, so to pass the time, he sang songs to Noble. When he'd finished singing all the songs he knew, Michael decided to make up some songs of his own. He tried for a while to make up lyrics that rhymed and made sense but he soon decided song writing was not one of his gifts.
Toward the end of the day he started thinking about finding a place to rest for the night. Then he noticed for the first time a sort of oasis. Though he had passed this way before, he'd never noticed the small grassy area with trees and a spring.
"At last!" he thought. "Now I can clean up and also drink some fresh water."
Michael and Noble both filled themselves with the fresh water from the spring.
"How good it is!” Michael said to Noble.
Suddenly a strange voice came from behind him saying, "It may be good, but it does seem to have a high price!"
Startled, Michael, with lightning speed, drew Avenger from the scabbard strapped to his back and held the sword's point at an even more startled man's chest.
"Please, sir!" shouted the man. "I meant you no harm. I spoke of the price of making such a journey through this barren wilderness just to have a cool drink!"
Both men were breathing heavily not knowing exactly what to think of the other.
Michael slowly lowered Avenger, saying "My apologies sir. I'm on a dangerous quest and I'm not yet sure who is my enemy and who is my friend."
"I understand,” the man responded. "I'm on a quest, of sorts, and I, too, am not sure of friend and foe. I'm Zachary of the North, a hunter by trade."
Michael quickly glanced at Zachary and noted that he was dressed in green woodsman clothes, with a sword hanging at his side, and a bow and quiver of arrows strapped across his back.
He was about the same size and age as Michael, with dark, closely cropped hair and a thin mustache. Zachary also had the most carefree expression Michael had ever seen.
"Zachary," Michael responded, after a brief pause, "I'm Michael, son of King Christian."
"I'm honored to be in your presence Prince Michael,” Zachary said with a slight bow. "I'm also surprised to see the prince out in this area alone, and dressed in peasant’s clothing."
"Normally, when one goes questing, royal attire is not the most appropriate clothing to wear,” said Michael. "I'd welcome you to spend the evening in our company if you like."
“Thank you, prince. I could use the company also," Zachary said with another brief bow.
Though Prince Michael and Zachary were not quite sure what to make of each other at first, they quickly became relaxed and enjoyed the other's company. Zachary told Michael of his adventures in hunting and of how he had hunted the great red deer of the north. He also told of his travels to other lands and of how he had traveled across the sea and encountered the Warriors of the North.
"The more you speak, the more I believe I've heard of your exploits, Zachary of the North,” Michael said. "Are you not the son of Sir Roger of the Highlands?"
"You guessed right, your highness," replied Zachary.
"I'm pleased that we met, Zachary. You're a man of great renown. What is your destination?" Prince Michael asked.
“Well, I've never been much for the settled life in the Highlands, and I feel hunting in the North has lost its challenge for me. So, I'm looking for greater challenges. As I said, I'm on a quest, of sorts, of my own."
At this Michael could not help but wonder if Zachary, the great hunter, would be one of his two companions. The thought of this possibility caused Michael to momentarily forget where he was and what he was doing.
As Michael became lost in his thoughts, he suddenly heard Zachary say, "But enough of what I've done. What is this quest that takes the king's son through the barren plains alone?"
Michael carefully thought for a moment about how to answer Zachary's question and responded, "There's a dragon in the mountains of the northwest, and I was selected to go slay it."
"Well," said Zachary, thinking the story about a dragon was a little hard to believe. "A dragon is not the kind of creature I get a chance to hunt every day.”
"I'm not stretching the truth,” Michael said, a little disturbed at the note of disbelief in Zachary’s voice.
Michael then went on to recount how Artemus brought news to the court of the dragon and all the tragedies brought on because of the dragon. Then he related how the messenger from heaven said only he and two unknown companions could go to slay the dragon.
“By the King of Heaven, this must be the reason I'm here!” Zachary exclaimed. “For weeks I've been restless, looking for a challenge of this kind. Then, two nights ago, for a reason I don't even know, I left the north in this direction. I'm one of your companions!"
The knowledge that Zachary was one of his two companions was the greatest comfort Michael experienced since the quest began. After some celebration of their quest together and telling of their various stories, the two adventurers had a small supper and drifted off into a deep and tired sleep.
Prince Michael and The Dragon Page 5