Arimore

Morning came all too quickly. Elara was ready for her meeting with Mason.

“Elara.”

This time it was Sacha. “What’s wrong Sacha?”

“Be careful. I sense danger. Someone is going to try and sabotage your meeting.”

“Thank you Sacha. Are you alright?”

“Yes but watch your step.”

“I will.”

The throne room was ready for the meeting. Elara entered and took her seat at the table. Within a few minutes of her arrival Mason entered escorted by Rowan and the Royal Guard.

Elara stood to greet them, “Welcome Mason. Please have a seat.” She pointed to the seat at her right. “Gentlemen,” she spoke to Rowan and the guard, “stand guard at the door. We are not to be disturbed.” Rowan looked at her, “Rowan, may I have a word?”

“Yes.”

She walked to him and told him of the warning she received from Sacha, “I need you to keep watch. We don’t want anything to go wrong.”

“Consider it done.”

“Now, Mason. I trust you slept well.”

“Very well, thank you again for your hospitality.”

“Right to business then. Tell me, do you have a plan in mind for handling this threat should it prove necessary?”

“Not exactly. I know that the last time this beast was seen by my countrymen many innocent people lost their lives.”

“Do you know how they stopped him?”

“Our legend tells that there was a maiden standing in a field. She was very beautiful, fair skin and blonde hair. When Arimore caught sight of her he stopped midflight and stared at her. She was frozen with fright and unable to run. He took her with his talons and lifted her from the ground. No one ever saw her or the dragon after that.”

“Are you suggesting we find a beautiful young woman to satiate his appetite? Like a sacrifice?”

“No, not at all. I’m just saying that’s what happened in the past.”

“I must admit, Mason, I’m at a loss as to how to defeat something so powerful.” She turned and glanced at the floor, “I’ve done some research on dragon fire. It is one of the most potent fires ever known. It starts in the beasts belly and is vomited out of its mouth with great precision. Do you think there may be a way to approach the beast and find out what he wants. Maybe stop the battle from ever starting?”

“That is not a bad idea,” Mason smiled, “The only problem would be how to get him to talk to us.”

“If the mountain man was Arimore, which we both suspect, why don’t we send men to the valley of Min in the hope that we can draw him out like before. Maybe we could reason with him.”

“Reason with a dragon,” Mason was skeptical, “Can a beast such as Arimore be reasoned with? He is blood thirsty.”

“If all he wanted was blood then why did he talk with you and Rowan and not just incinerate all of you?” She could tell he was thinking about that, “You spoke with him, did he seem intelligent to you?”

“I don’t know if I’d say it was intelligence. Can we ask Rowan to join us? He spoke with him as well.”

“Certainly,” she rose from her seat and approached to door. Before she reached it the door swung open and Rowan stood in the doorway.

“Excuse the interruption my Queen but we have received word that riders are approaching the front gate. Prince Mason, I believe they are an envoy from Mardock.”

“My father must know I am here,” Mason rose and began to pace, “he will be furious.” Mason hurried to the courtyard followed closely by Rowan and Elara. As they stepped into the courtyard the envoy dismounted their steeds.

“Prince Mason,” the captain bowed low, “we are here under order of your father, King Andre’. He has instructed us to bring you home by any means necessary.”

“Does the King fear that I may be in danger?”

“I do not know your majesty.”

“Do you think I am in danger?”

“We were with you in the valley on Min sire. We have seen that these people have treated all of us with respect. I have no doubt that you are safe within these borders.” The captain explained.

“And did my father specify a time that you needed to return me by?”

“No sire.”

“Well then, I will finish my task here and then we shall return.”

“Very good sire.”

“Rowan,” Elara ordered, “please have your men see to their horses and bring them food and drink as well. They shall be treated as guests. When you are done, please join us in the throne room.”

Rowan bowed and delegated the tasks at hand to his men. He then went to the throne room to meet with Elara and Mason.

“Please Rowan, have a seat,” Elara pointed to the seat to her left. “We were discussing Arimore and would like to ask you some questions regarding your conversation with the mountain man.” She paused and turned to Mason giving him the first question.

“Rowan, we were discussing the possibility that Arimore, in the form of the mountain man may be willing to speak with us regarding why he has returned. You spoke with him on the mountain, as did I. Do you have any thoughts on approaching him?”

“How does one approach a dragon? We have no way of knowing what form he would take if we tried. I think we were fortunate that he took the form of a man and didn’t just devour us with his breath.”

“That’s the question.” Elara added, “Why did he choose to appear that way? If his return is to destroy us, why did he not do so in the valley when it would have been very easy?”

“I do not know my Lady,” Rowan replied. “Do you think he came for another reason?”

“What other reason could he have for returning,” Mason stood in frustration, “than to satiate his hunger for blood? You speak as if this beast is an intelligent reasonable being. He is an animal, a very smart, powerful and devious animal.”

“Mason, please,” Elara tried to calm him, “I understand that your people have suffered greatly at the hands of Arimore and I grieve for your loss, I truly do. My people however have a different relationship, if you may call it that, with him. Our legends tell of a creature that rescued the heir to our throne and returned him to our King unharmed. I am not trying to lessen your loss. I am trying to make sense of this creature. Why does he choose to save some and destroy others? Can a being without some form of intelligence make choices like that? And if so, can he be reasoned with? I believe if there is even the slightest chance that we can reason with him then we must take it. The alternative may prove deadly for us all.”

The doors to the throne room burst open once more, “My Queen,” the guard was out of breath, “More riders approach and they are armed for battle.”

“Ready my horse,” Elara ordered.

“My Lady,” Rowan protested, “please allow me to greet them.”

“You will ride by my side.”

“As will I,” Mason added.

The three rode out with the royal guard to meet the oncoming troops. As they drew near they saw the battle flag of the Mardocians. The King rode at the front of his ranks. Elara rode to the front with Rowan and Mason at her side.

She dismounted her steed and walked toward the King, “King Andre’ we have lived side by side in peace for many years. Why do you approach my border ready for battle?”

“Why do you hold my son captive?” The King challenged.

“She does not hold me captive, father.” Mason dismounted and stood beside Elara, “I came of my own accord to seek her help.”

“Is this about your crazy notion of dragons?” the King asked.

“I assure you, King Andre’” Elara offered, “the Prince is not crazy. We have investigated the possibility of Arimore’s return and found that there is a good chance he is right.”

“Return my son and we will peacefully return to Mardock. I will deal with him and the dragon myself. We do not need the help of a people who revere this beast.”

“With all due respect your majesty, if he is right and I believe he may very well be, we will need to work together if we stand any chance of surviving Arimore’s return.” Elara pleaded, “I fear that if we do not stand united against this threat we will all fall. Come to my table and at least speak with us and hear what we have found. I invite you as my honored guests.”

“We may have existed side by side for years child, but that does not make us allies,” the King was a stubborn man and stood his ground, “We will deal with the threat, if it is real, without the help of Calithorne. Now Mason, it is time for you to return to where you belong.”

Mason turned to Elara and Rowan, “He is right. I must return home. Thank you again for your hospitality and your help. I will forever remember the kindness you have shown me and my people.” He turned his back to his father and whispered, “We shall meet again.” He mounted his horse and rode away with the King and his army.

The King paused and turned to Elara, “Heed my warning child, if my son should see fit to return to Calithorne you will turn him back or I will consider it an act of war. You do not want to provoke my wrath.”

As the King and his men rode toward the hills a long shadow fell upon them from the mountain. A high screech was heard on the wind causing all to look skyward.

“Arimore NO!” the Queen shouted.

The great dragon landed at her feet, “Why do you protect these vermin?”

“Although the King’s heart is still hard, not all Mardocians are evil at heart Arimore. I have been shown kindness and good will from many these past few days. Please, return to your home and let peace reign this day.”

Arimore bowed his head to the Queen and flew back to the mountain.

“She commands the dragon!” the King shouted. “Now do you see my son, they cannot be trusted.”

Mason rode back to Elara, “I don’t understand. You knew he was here and yet you pretended not to, why? Was it all to make a fool of me?”

“No Mason. I had to know your heart before I could reveal the truth.”

“Truth? Do you know the meaning of the word?” he feigned anger and winked at her as he turned and rode back with his men. “I truly thought you were different Elara.”