Kingdom of Dragons

by Anna St George

  “There was a spider on the wall!”

  “There are more important things to be concerned about right now! Where is Lord Wylde?” asked Gwen.

  Pryderi peered through a crack in the rocks and through a film of smoke and he could just see him lying on the ground but could not tell if he was conscious. “He’s been knocked down.” And at that moment he could see the movement of the dragon as it went past the rock. Its scales were arched in rows and closely together and just as the scripture said.

  “What do we do now?” asked Trystan.

  “He said to make a run for it,” said Gwen.

  “Behind the rocks,” said Pryderi.

  “No,” he said up the stairs and to seal the door,” said Trystan.

  “We can’t leave without Wylde,” said Pryderi.

  “He’s probably dead, anyway,” said Trystan. “That thing will eat us all for Dinner if we don’t go.”

  “You can go back upstairs if you want,” said Pryderi. “I’m going to see if Wylde is alright.”

  Gwen fretted. “No! That thing will roast you alive! You can’t go out there!”

  “Gwen, calm down,” said Pryderi putting his arms on her shoulders. “I have to see if he is alright. I’ll be fine. If you knew of half of the things I’ve escaped from you be bewildered.”

  She sniffled softly. “Be careful.”

  They moved along the side of the rocks carefully and when they came to an opening they could see him lying down and the dragon was nowhere in sight. “Where is it?” asked Gwen.

  “I don’t know.”

  There was nothing but silence and they all looked around cautiously and Gwen was terrified for she knew nothing about dragons and how clever they were and Pryderi moved out from the rock which concealed them and he moved to Wylde’s side to see if he was alright. Gwen watched as he rolled him over and tried to pull him back behind the rocks and Gwen was counting her blessing’s and praying earnestly and suddenly she saw the creature’s eyes glowing in the dark tunnel. It was now perched by the stairs. It had seen Pryderi.

  “Pryderi! Quickly!” Gwen shouted.

  He looked up and saw it and he moved quicker than he ever had for it was a life threatening moment when their eyes met and he knew he only had seconds to get out of the way. He dragged Lord Wylde behind the rocks and only in the nick of time for its deadly breath filtered through the tunnel and the walls of the tunnel shook. Gwen clutched the rock for dear life. It was all that stood between her and a fire breathing dragon. “How is he?”

  “He’s got a bruise on his head. He’s been knocked unconscious.”

  “Oh great,” said Trystan.

  “You know we wouldn’t be in this predicament if it wasn’t for you!”

  “Me!” said Trystan. “Why do you blame me?”

  “Because you were the one who yelled out!”

  “I saw a spider! Okay! I don’t like spiders!”

  Pryderi and Gwen rolled their eyes. “Don’t argue. It won’t do any good.”

  “What are we going to do?” They all thought deeply and Gwen suddenly remembered something she had been told at Berwyck. Sir Trystan was known for his golden voice. This was something her sister Ceridwyn had told her at the Berwyck Hunt. It was a voice that could calm the savage beast.

  “Well, I have an idea,” said Gwen.

  “What?” asked Pryderi.

  “Well, my sister Ceridwyn told me the night everyone arrived for the Berwyck hunt that Sir Trystan has a golden voice.”

  He rolled his eyes in protest. “This is a serious situation. What has my voice got to do with it?”

  “Well according to legend,” said Gwen roughly. “It can calm the savage beast.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard that too,” said Pryderi with a sarcastic smile.

  “So what are you saying? You want me to sing to that dragon?” And at that moment the ground rumbled and there was a loud roar.

  “Yes, now!” said Gwen with building anxiety.

  Trystan was speechless. “That’s exactly it,” said Pryderi. “Now get over there and sing your heart out. Perhaps you can put it to sleep or something.”

  “Oh alright, and if I get fried, you can sing my horse to sleep.” Trystan moved out from the rock nervously and he opened his mouth and the words came out nervously and faltering and the dragon turned around sharply. He was in view. It roared loudly and Trystan carried on singing a soft tune.

  “Sing a Welsh song,” said Pryderi.

  “What?” said Trystan. “So you think it can understand Welsh?” he asked sceptically.

  “Of course it does!” said Pryderi. “It’s a Welsh dragon and besides Lord Wylde spoke to it in Welsh.”

  “Oh alright,” said Trystan and he started to sing a Welsh tune and suddenly the dragon’s eyes lit up and it became very angry and it roared loudly and the tunnel shook. The heat in the tunnel increased and Pryderi yelled at Trystan. “You stupid twit! That is a song about slaying a dragon!”

  “Ooops, Sorry,”

  “Sing it a lullaby,” said Gwen.

  Trystan opened his mouth again and soft words filtered through the cavern and after a moment or two the dragon’s roar’s mellowed and it sat down and rested its head on the rocks and went to sleep.

  Trystan stopped singing and Lord Wylde stirred and sat up. “Oh my, what happened?”

  “I don’t know,” said Pryderi. “You must have been knocked unconscious somehow.”

  “Oh yes, I remember. Aeronwy swept her tail and it knocked me over. I must have hit my head.”

  “Aeronwy? Is that her name?’ asked Gwen as Lord Wylde stood to his feet.

  “Yes, that is the name my ancestor gave her. Come and meet her.”

  He walked out from behind the rock and moved toward the dragon and Gwen and Pryderi looked at each other nervously. “Seconds ago it was trying to fry us,” said Pryderi.

  “Oh don’t worry. If she was serious she would have done it by now. She was probably playing a little game with you. She likes to play hide and seek.”

  “Oh great,” said Pryderi with a smile. “A dragon that plays games. That does sound familiar.”

  “Yes, they are cunning little tricksters, and like magpies they are attracted to shiny objects and anything that sparkles. They moved towards the creature that was now sleeping soundly and every snore let out a bit of steam. They stood next to the creature and they were all struck with wonder. It was a green reptilian creature about the size of a horse with a long hound like snout and pointed tail. It had thick solid legs and fiendish looking claws and teeth like daggers. .

  “So there you see,” said Wylde as he watched the wide eyed expressions of his three friends. “The dark mysteries of Dinefwr unlocked. The legend is true.”

  “It’s amazing,” said Pryderi.

  “Who would have ever thought,” said Gwen. “A dragon.” And Gwen studied the creature from head to pointy tale and she suddenly noticed a gold necklace draped around her paw and it sparkled brilliant in the torch lights of the cavern. In the corner of the cave was a little nest she had made that contained sparkly items; necklaces, candlesticks, gold coins and even a diamond. Gwen sighed and looked back at her. “Well, that was no under- statement Lord Wylde. The little Lady has quite a collection of fine things.” They all gazed at her in wonderment again. “Isn’t she dangerous?” asked Gwen.

  “Well . . .” Lord Wylde began with a deep sigh. “She is capable of great calamity. For as you and I both know that great fire proceeds from her mouth and destroys anything in its path. Yes, Lady Gwendolyn, she is a dangerous creature and you must take caution around her.”

  “Why would you keep such a creature?”

  “Well,” he thought deeply and sighed. “I suppose it’s no different than that of your enemies. I see it as those who have been on the enemies side and they don’t want to be and so they ex-communicate themselves and join the other side and thus raising questions as to their trustworthiness. Have they really left the enemy’s sid
e? Are they really allies? Can we trust them or are they just enemies in disguise as allies? How shall we know? Well, we don’t, but I knew that if I did not take on the task of helping her, I would be no better than Luther Wyvern.”

  “Isn’t that dangerous?” asked Pryderi. “You might confide in an enemy?”

  “Well I suppose that is a risk but would you desert someone asking for help? Would you turn your back on the suffering in their hour of need? I hope not. I was taken in to confidence when I left the dragon clans to join the lions and you all trusted me?”

  “Well yes, but,” said Pryderi.

  “No, buts, it’s no different in this situation.”

  But Pryderi began to wonder why Lord Wylde wanted to make her known after so many years of being kept in secret? There had to be some underlying reason or he never would have told him. “Why do you want us to know about this?” asked Pryderi. “There must be some reason you are telling us this. This creature has been kept hidden for hundreds of years. It must have been a great burden for the Lords of Dinefwr to keep such a secret.”

  “Well, I’m not getting any younger, and a day will come when I can no longer care for her and I have no heir.”

  “What will you do with her?” asked Pryderi.

  “Well, I was hoping that you and your friends will help me,” said Wylde.

  “Help you?” questioned Pryderi. “You mean . . . surely you don’t want me to take the dragon to Caenarfon?”

  “Well, not really. No, of course not.”

  “How old is she? I thought a dragon would be much larger,” said Gwen.

  “She’s only young, a few hundred years old. These creatures live a long time. This is not the creature my ancestor saved. It was her mother but she has passed on now and only Aeronwy is left. There was another one but he disappeared into the caves and caverns of Wales and was never found. Aeronwy will perhaps outlive me by thousands of years. I will care for her as long as I possibly can. I’ll keep her hidden in these underground passages that connect to several caverns under Wales. There is a passage to Carreg Cennen and another that leads to Cardiff that I know of. So I’m certain I can keep her well hidden but if something should happen to me someone must take charge of her. She’ll get lonely down here alone. “

  “You want me to do this?” asked Pryderi sceptically.

  “Well, I was hoping . . . yes. You are the only one I trust to do this; you, you’re family.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” he replied. I can’t leave Caenarfon.

  “I’ll do it,” said Trystan with amusement glowing on his face. “I’d love to look after her.”

  “That’s a good idea,” said Pryderi. “She does love your voice.”

  “Hmmm . . . perhaps,” said Wylde as he studied Sir Trystan with intrigue. “Well, let us return to the Solar and discuss this further over some mulled wine. There is more I need to say now that you know the truth.” They followed Wylde back up the stairs and to the solar and Gwen collapsed in a comfortable chair while Lord Wylde brought them some mulled wine. And they were all silent as they sat by the flicker of the fire’s light with thoughts of bewilderment over their evening journey. A legend had come to life below the very foundations of the castle. Wylde took a welcomed sip of the wine and sighed deeply and he glanced at each of his friends with sincerity. “The other reason I called you here is that I am concerned because I believe . . . in fact I know there is another dragon being hidden somewhere.”

  “Another one,” said Pryderi. “Who on earth would have . . . ”

  “Such a creature. Luther Wyvern. I discovered this by accident years ago when I was reading the journals of my ancestor, Ewan Wylde. He wrote that the Wyvern’s had one in captivity but the one they have is dangerous and destructive. I saw this creature myself when visiting Wyvern once. It was almost full grown then and it was a menacing creature and I can only cringe to think what it is capable of now and how he could use it. I’m very worried that if he were to find out about Aeronwy he might take her and try to breed them and we cannot let that happen. These are dangerous creatures and must not be played around with. The dragon he is hiding is one of formidable size and temperament, a dreadful beast. Our ancestors of old fought to rid the Isles of these creatures and it could be used for the wrong purposes and I need your help.”

  “Yes, you’ve said that before,” said Pryderi with hesitation. He wasn’t thrilled about the idea of pursuing some fierce dragon.

  “What is it you want us to do? asked Gwen.

  Wylde took a sip of his drink and relaxed back in his chair but his eyes were fearful. “You must find the beast and destroy it.”

  “How on earth will we do something like that? I mean . . . it’s ludicrous to say the least.” Said Pryderi and the others looked just as skeptical.

  “I’m far too old for such a feat now and I’ve been studying them all of my adult life and as I read my ancestor’s notes he said that he discovered that dragons varied like horse and dog breeds; some were larger and more vicious than others, some smaller and more docile. I believe Aeronwy is of a smaller race of dragons as she isn’t too big and easy to control unlike this large black beast that I witnessed at dragon’s gate. There are beasts of the earth and there are dragons and this was an evil creature in a class of its own and I have something else that will aid you in killing this beast.” He moved from his chair and went to the fireplace and stopped in front of an old wooden chest sitting near it. It was the sort of chest that would raise curiosity as to what it might be concealing; perhaps some precious jewels or an ancient treasure. Its lid was of decorative wood with engraved roses around the edge and it was encased by a thick gold shining chain and with a gold latch and key perched in it and Lord Wylde turned the key precisely and then he grinned at his three friends before flicking the chest open. He was about to reveal another secret hidden within the walls of Dinefwr. Gwen sighed with impatient exasperation and she could feel her palms sweating as he slowly reached his hand inside the chest. Gwen was saturated with curiosity as to what he might possibly pull out and she imagined some ancient family treasure or perhaps some old family journals about the dragons of Britain or . . . As she held the next thought he drew out a sword with a brilliant gold handle and shining silver blade and it was embedded with rubies and diamonds and Gwen could see the engraving on the side just as Lady Anwyn had described; gwirionedd.

  Gwen gasped at the sight of it and Pryderi and Trystan both sat forward in their chairs. For a moment no one said anything. “My word!” said Gwen with excitement.

  “You know what this is then?”

  “It’s gwirionedd! The sword of Cadwallader!” said Pryderi with growing delight and he stood to his feet and took the sword from Lord Wylde’s hand and studied it carefully and it sparkled in the candlelight as he turned it one way and then the other. “How fascinating,” he exclaimed as he ran his fingers over it. “I always thought it was just a legend, some fanciful story made up by my ancestors and here it is in my very own grasp!” He laughed with delight.

  “Yes,” said Wylde. “My ancestor stole it from the princes of Gwynedd centuries ago for he feared that all dragons would be annihilated by it. He believed strongly that they could be tamed and kept under control to be of use to mankind and like other creatures of the earth he felt they deserved to live and he had pity on them. He wrote that he failed in his mission for he was only able to save a few dragons. One dragon I buried a few years ago as I told you earlier. A large creature of varying temperament. Couldn’t be trusted but she’s gone now. The other that he spoke of . . . well . . . it was released into the caves during an invasion and never seen again. So I’m certain it still dwells deep in those caves. There are strange noises that come from somewhere deep in the caves at times, echoes of an unusual nature and Aeronwy responds to these noises with strange calls of her own. It’s almost as if she longs to go and follow. I believe it is the other dragon but I’ve never been able to discover its whereabouts. But I’m certain that Luthe
r Wyvern has one and it’s only a matter of time before he rises to power and he will unleash the dragon on any who oppose him.”

  “There was incredible silence as it all sunk in. “Yes, we’ve expected a rebellion for some time now,” said Pryderi. “Those of us in the north have formed an alliance called the Order of the Lion in honour of King Edward who will return soon.”

  “If what you say is true about the dragon, then what hope is there?” asked Trystan.

  “There is always hope,” said Wylde.”

  “The king will return. I know this,” said Pryderi. “You must have faith. He is coming back soon and will reward those who have remained faithful.”

  “You must go and take this sword with you. I’m entrusting the sword of Cadwallader to you,” he said with deep conviction. “You will take it north to Lord Godwyn, the Earl of Berwyck.”

  “My father?” said Gwen. “Why? It belongs at Caenarfon.”

  “Yes of course it does and, heavens forbid, should it fall into the hands of the dragon clans. But first you must take the sword to Berwyck. Lord Godwyn will aid you in defeating Wyvern.”

  “So what are you saying?” said Pryderi. “You think it has magic powers or something?”

  “Don’t you know the legend?’ asked Wylde.

  “Of course I do, but that’s just . . . ”

  “Just what? Crazy? Of course it is? Some believe it was forged by St George. Others believe it was made by the hand of God himself. It’s an incredible piece of workmanship,” he mused and his eyes glowed mysteriously in the candle light and Gwen quivered.

  “Father always says that the good Lord always defends those who are his.”

  “Of course, Lady Gwendolyn. You are very wise to make such an observation. You are a young woman of constant faith and in spite of our belief the sword cannot be placed in the wrong hands.”

  “What can it do?” asked Trystan. “Why is it so powerful?”

  “What can it do!” said Wylde. “It has the power to destroy the great black dragon! A formidable beast from the very pit of hell itself! If you had seen it with your own eyes, you would agree. When I saw this beast it was as black as tar, and it had golden glowing eyes more frightening than anything you could dream of. It was two stories high and its head was as large as a tree. A fearsome creature! I assure you Aeronwy is but a fly compared to it. You must take Gwirionedd, the sword of Cadwallader, to the Earl of Berwyck and inform him of the dragon in possession of the Duke of Redforte. You must find a way to stop it.”