King's Quest

CHAPTER 6: THE RUINED LAND

Gwydion beaches his craft on the sandy shore. From here it's not difficult to spot the lone palm tree. He takes five relative sized steps away from the plant, and starts digging. It's mostly loose sand so it is easy, until he gets down to the clay. Thankfully, it's not very deep.

A fairly large chest is the reward for his effort. It's locked and heavy, but not too heavy to lift and redeposit somewhere the pirates wouldn't find it.

With the treasure, or at the very least a really heavy box deposited, Gwydion carries on his way. For the most part, it's a hard climb, something the grueling hours of servitude make easier, but only just. Luckily, it does break at times and allow for a simple path. But there is more danger ahead.

He hears it before he sees it. A growl of a kind rises from in front of him and he knows right away, that he'd better be on the defensive. He can hear it coming faster and faster, but he isn't about to become lunch.

Producing the essence, he dips the eagle feather and becomes one himself. Using his transformed avian body he flies above the oversized flailing hands of the angry yeti, as they try to snag him.

Flying is an exhilarating experience, but short lived, since the spell is only temporary, But long enough to get away from the hairy monster below and land on a pleasant path. His talons just hit the ground when he changes. Quickly, he takes stock of himself and his possessions, everything is where it should be. And moves on down the way.

Then he sees it and his heart sinks. A verdant, green land lays in almost comlete ruin. Most of the buildings are toppled and grown over with vines and a great rip across the land creates a deep chasm. It's enough to drive one to tears, even a complete stranger.

A sound reverberates and becomes louder with each passing moment. Gwydin hears it distinctly, but can't make out what it is, only that it sounds like creaking wood. He followed it finding a little man in a rocking chair, rocking on a porch. Not far from whom is an old, worn castle, that looks like it has seen better days.

"Good day Prince Alexander," the man seated in the chair says as he puffed on a pipe.

"Do you know me sir?" Gwydion asks.

"I do indeed great prince," the man assures him.

"How do you know me?" Gwydion enquires. "Have you spoken with the oracle?"

"I don't need to consult with the oracle," the man informs him. "I just know these things."

"Is this Daventry?" Gwydion queries of the reclined individual as he surveys the ravaged land.

"I'm afraid it is," the man breaks the bad news. "The once noble, fruitful land, now, well, just look at it."

"Is this due to a three headed dragon?" Gwydion presses as he recalls the dreams he'd had.

"Aye, it has ravaged the land these past ten years and brought us nearly to the brink of ruin," the man carries on. "Our king. the valiant King Graham, challenged the dragon. Equipped with the magic shield that granted him invulnerability, he fought the winged terror."

"The battle was fierce and our king never gave up, until, until the dragon broke the shield," the man staggers on his words some. "Without its invaluable assistance our king fell, but his life was spared. Spared, so that he might offer tribute."

The little man clears his throat. "It demanded tribute from the people of Daventry and they obliged, in exchange for the lands continued existence," he carries on. "Not all were willing to go along with the unreasonable demand. They turned to their king for guidance, but he was broken. He did not even speak, he just sat on his throne, the broken shield at his feet."