Prince Michael and The Dragon

by John Orndorff

CHAPTER 6

  STOLEN IN THE NIGHT

  Mister Todd’s inn was an old brown wooden building, made with huge beams, much like a log cabin. Though it was a rather large two-story building, the rooms were small and drafty.

  For the cold night wind would often blow through cracks in the walls, making a shrill howling noise and sending shivering chills up a person’s spine. However, the beds were comfortable and the blankets thick, ensuring a restful night to any guest.

  As Michael was settling into his room he looked forward to the night’s sleep as he felt the soft, thick blankets on his bed. The rooms the three men occupied were close together.

  Michael and Aaron were on the right side of the hallway and Zachary’s room was on the left. The hallway was narrow and Michael hoped there would be no emergencies, for it would be difficult for everyone to rush out through the narrow hallway at the same time.

  As Michael relaxed for a moment he could not help but wonder about Aaron and what brought him to the northwestern country from the land of Ahave. Michael had heard stories about people from Ahave, though he had never met anyone from there. He had heard they were great warriors, fearless and mighty.

  From what he had seen so far, he felt it was safe to assume Aaron was such a person. If Aaron was as capable as he appeared, he would be very helpful to Michael and Zachary, that is, if he was willing to join them. Michael thought about how strange it was that they should meet together at Mister Todd’s inn. He also thought about Mister Todd.

  He did not seem to be a man worthy of trust and looked like the kind of person willing to do anything for money. This thought made Michael uneasy.

  Michael, however, had little time to think of his situation, for Zachary and Aaron soon knocked on his door, asking if he was ready to eat.

  “Yes!” Michael said enthusiastically, as he jumped to his feet. “I’m ready for a feast!” Opening the door of his room and stepping into the hallway, Michael thought about how happy he was to see Zachary and Aaron, and his heart was strengthened because of their presence.

  Mister Todd had a small dining room in his inn where a servant girl served food.

  As the three came to a small round wooden table and seated themselves, Michael looked at the young girl and asked “May we have some meat and fresh bread?”

  At his request the girl laughed and said, “You are new to these parts. For everyone knows there’s been no meat here since the dragon appeared and killed all our flocks and herds. You may have a little old bread and some watery potato soup.”

  “Very well, then,” Aaron said in a gentle, cheerful voice. “We are eager for your finest old bread and soup!”

  As the girl left, Zachary said, “I believe this is the saddest place I’ve ever seen.”

  “Yes, it is.” agreed Aaron somberly. “For this very reason, I’ve come here to meet you, and help you on your noble quest.”

  “What do you mean?” Michael asked.

  “Highness,” said Aaron, “I was given a vision from the King of Heaven two days ago, as I was in meditation regarding what I should do next. In this vision I saw you and Zachary, the great hunter. A messenger of the Great King told me I had a part in your quest to return peace to the land of El. Being obedient to the vision I set out, not knowing where I was going, but knowing the king’s hand guided me to where I should go.”

  “Well, I’ve never been a believer in miracles, but I’m about to start,” Zachary said in amazement while slapping his knee.

  “Yes, I too am amazed,” Michael added.

  “You needn’t be surprised your highness.” Aaron continued. “For my vision was not nearly as miraculous as your visit from the messenger of the King of Heaven.”

  “Yes I suppose not.” Michael conceded. Then after thinking a moment, he added, “How did you know about the messenger I saw?”

  “This too was a part of my vision. Let me also add this. I know only you have been granted the power to vanquish this monster, and that Zachary and I are here merely as a source of encouragement for you.”

  After Michael and Zachary realized what Aaron said was true, the three of them settled down to a joyous time together discussing their past adventures and ideas of adventures to come.

  However, they were not aware that Mister Todd was listening to their conversation. As soon as he learned that his guest was the prince, he called one of his servants to him and said, “Go to Lord Diabolos, and tell him the prince has arrived.” For spies had reported to Diabolos the coming of Michael.

  As the evening went on, Michael finally said, “It’s late and our day tomorrow will be full. We should retire to those comfortable beds for the night.”

  At that time they went to their rooms looking forward to their adventure together and praying for success.

  As they rested, little did they know that men, from the court of Diabolos, were surrounding the inn.

  Then suddenly, while they were in their deepest sleep, armed men broke into their rooms and seized them. So quick was their entry, Prince Michael was unable to reach Avenger to defend himself. However, Michael did struggle so that it took five of the biggest men to subdue him, and then only because the leader knocked him unconscious with a rod.

  When Michael awoke, he found himself in a very dark room. In fact it was so dark he could not even see his hand in front of his face. He could however feel wet straw on the floor and a damp musty smell. The room was also cold and as he stood and walked around the room, he found what must be the door and reasoned the room was square, just large enough for him to walk about in. Michael had never been in such a place though he had heard of dungeons.

  Though Michael was a fearless man, he began to feel despair because of his capture. Many questions rushed through his mind such as the whereabouts of his companions, Noble, and the identity of who had kidnapped him. Was it Diabolos? Was Mister Todd behind this? Could it be someone else? After going over events in his mind, he felt certain he had to be somewhere in the castle of Diabolos. This however did not relieve him of the anxiety regarding the welfare of his companions.

  Michael did not know how long he had been in this prison. To him it could have been hours or it could have been days. He did know he was hungry, thirsty, restless and longed to hear someone’s voice.

  He sat beside the wall thinking of his home, the sound of Mary’s voice, his mother’s call and the joyous sounds in his father’s court. These memories, brought some relief, but the darkness and absolute silence he had endured closed in on him like a giant serpent, coiled around his body, squeezing life and hope from him.

  What could he do? Michael thought and prayed as much as he could, then he remembered his quest. He thought to himself, if the King of Heaven appointed him to accomplish a task, did it make sense that he should languish in a dungeon?

  If the King of Heaven was truly king of all dimensions, would he lead Michael and his companions to such an end? With these thoughts and questions, Michael strengthened himself. He had an appointed mission to accomplish, and he would do it.

  “O, King of Heaven, mighty and powerful, please look down on me and on my companions,” Michael prayed. “Rescue us with your strength. Remember the people of this land and rescue them also.” And so Michael prayed and meditated on his situation, and on how he might escape.

  As Michael sought the King of Heaven, he remembered the words of the messenger. He was given power and to pray for wisdom to use it.

  So Michael prayed for wisdom to make use of the power the king had given him. Suddenly he had a thought that he could force open the door to his cell.

  “What a silly thought,” he said to himself with a chuckle. “The door is probably reinforced with steel and much too strong for me to force my way through.”

  Yet he continued to think to himself that even if it was a silly idea, it was better to try than to remain sitting in the dark on wet straw.

  So Michael arose and felt his way a
long the wall until he came to the door. Once he found the door he prayed once more for the promised power and wisdom to use it.

  At that time he began to push on the door. As soon as he exerted the least bit of force, to his great surprise, the door suddenly and forcefully flew open. The door opened with such force it struck the guard standing in front of it and crushed him against the wall.

  Light suddenly flooded into the cell and Michael was blinded for the moment. However, he could tell there were other guards rushing toward him. Again he prayed for sight and the power to overcome his adversaries.

  Michael could just make out the outline of the two guards running toward him with their swords drawn. With speed he had never experienced, Michael grabbed the first guard’s uplifted arm, just as he was about to strike Michael with his sword. Throwing the man into the wall, he took his sword from him.

  Just as the second guard was about to bring his sword down upon Michael’s head, Michael moved to the right, avoiding his blade, and ran his sword through the guard’s chest.

  Michael quickly looked about for other guards and saw there were none. He then took notice of where he was. He was standing in a long, wide corridor, which appeared to be a sort of dungeon, with burning torches along the gray stone hallway to provide light. He also noticed two other closed doors, which were locked. Apparently the other two guards had been standing there.

  “This must be where my companions are,” Michael said to himself as he used the pommel of his sword to break the lock off the first door.

  As the door opened he saw Zachary sitting in a corner, looking up and shielding his eyes from the dim, but still blinding light of the hallway. “You can sit there and rest, or we can escape,” Michael said with a chuckle.

  “I’ve rested enough, thank you,” Zachary replied as he stumbled to his feet.

  Turning to the next locked door Michael broke the lock and opened it. To his amazement, Aaron was standing in front of the door as if waiting for it to open. “Don’t tell me,” Michael said with a surprised voice, “you had a vision.”

  “However did you guess?” laughed Aaron as he rubbed his eyes and adjusted to the light.

  To his great relief, Michael was once again with his new friends, Zachary and Aaron. To him it was like coming home.

  Now, he thought to himself as he once again enjoyed their presence, “How will we get out of here?”

  Diabolos’ Castle