The Preposterous Tale of Sir Edmund The Courageous

Chapter 1 The Dragon King

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    A great collective gasp seemed to run through the land of Zanlar as news of the princess's capture came to the ears of the people all across the kingdom. But King Jeffery II was quick in response and at once summoned the renowned hero of the land Sir Edmund the Courageous to the capital of Zanlar, Maiomain.

    "Sire," Sir Edmund said upon entering the throne room and kneeled before the king.

    "Rise, Sir Edmund." The King commanded and Sir Edmund rose "I have summoned you for in this hour my one beloved daughter, the princess Maria, has been taken from me."

    "Who would do such a deed?" Sir Edmund inquired.

    "T'was the great dragon-king Krakk, father of the Krakk Clan and ruler of the Dragon Mountains."

    "Of him I know." Sir Edmund replied.

    "He flew in not two days past and, after killing many of my soldiers and guards, he swept her up away with him and flew off back to his evil lair." The king explained.

    "As they do."

    "Since then the queen and I have been in great distress, she too is mournful at her loss." The king sullenly continued.

    "The loss shall not be forever, nay not even long!" Sir Edmund said "I guess that your wish is for me to go and rescue the girl?"

    "It is." The king replied.

    "Then wait no longer! I shall depart ere next mourning is gone!" Sir Edmund said.

    The rest of that day Sir Edmund spent in preparation for departure, he and his squires loaded provisions and equipment into Sir Edmund's saddle bags. They packed light, but if he was careful Sir Edmund had enough food for well over a week.

    "Let me come with you." Begged one of Sir Edmund's squires to him as they strapped the finial bags closed.

    "Nay, Johnathan." Sir Edmund replied "Besides," he added "we did not pack food for you and the bags are all closed."

    The next day the people of Maiomain, gathered to bid the brave knight farewell on the quest as he rode down the paved road on his mighty white steed. At the gate that opened north the king and queen stood to bestow one finial blessing on Sir Edmund.

    "Farewell." Queen Jessica said as Sir Edmund paused before them "May your bravery and might prevail."

    The queen's face looked ashen, her usually primly braided hair was in disarray and she was not wearing her crown. King Jeffery did not look much better, his hair appeared to have gone grey overnight and winkles creased his worried face.

    "May your sword shine brightly as it cleaves its foes." The king said.

Sir Edmund bowed his helmed head"Your majesties," he said "on my honor I swear that I shall return your daughter to you or die in the attempt."

    And with those words and a finial wave at the crowd Sir Edmund rode out of the gates and out into the distance.

    After Sir Edmund had left the gate the overall excitement of the quest dropped for the time being; there was no way he could reach the Dragon Mountains before the day after tomorrow and there was not much to do before then.