Lasia's Fate Read online

  ~

  The city walls cast long shadows now the sun was lower in the sky. George and the Princess, who had now found to be called Sadra, saw bowman ready and the gates locked and barred as they approached. A small wooden window high up was opened, from it the Chief of Guards spoke. “Halt! Who dare bring that abomination here?” There was concern in his voice. The city was clearly in lockdown, the beast must have been spotted as they navigated the crest of the hill. At this time the gates would usually have been wide open and noise of market traders, soldiers and entertainment would be spreading well beyond the walls.

  “I am George,” he shouted toward the window despite not being able to see the figure inside. “I have done battle with this beast and he is now under my spell. He will not harm you.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because I have God on my side.”

  “God has no place here.”

  “That is why he has sent this beast, to purge unbelievers.”

  Silence echoed around the walls, the absence of sound giving the city an eerie feel, even if you were on the outside. After some time George broke the silence, “Will you not bade us enter?”

  “You have no business here,” the Chief of Guards replied, “the doors shall remain firmly locked.”

  The Chief had been too intensely focused on the dragon to notice his own Princess standing beside it. She took a step forward and pronounce, “I am Princess Sadra of Lasia and I order you to open these gates and allow us to enter.”

  “Your highness,” the Chief of Guards bumbled out, “I am sorry, if I knew it were you I would not have spoken so, however the King has decreed that no one is to enter or exit the city.”

  “Then go tell him I am here,” she replied harshly.

  George and Princess Sadra could hear mumbling high in the window but could not make out any words that were spoken. Shortly the Chief of Guards addressed them again, “I have sent for the King, thought I know not if he will appear.”

  “Thank you; you have done your duty well.”

  The Princess and the Knight stood in silence for almost ten minutes as they waited, hoping to see the King. All that they thought to say to each other had been said on the journey from the lake. Soon the gates creaked open slightly, enough to let one person out. They expected someone one on gate duty, an unlucky courtesan or possibly the Chief of Guards himself. To their surprise it was the King who came out alone. Tears were rolling down his face, sheer relief took over every contour, every line. It was not the way of Kings but he broke with tradition and ran to his daughter, embracing her in a vice like hug. This set off the Princess and tears that could have filled the whole lake fell from their eyes. Once their joy at finding each other again was satisfied the King turned to George.

  “Pray, sir Knight, I thank you for bringing my daughter back,” he uttered.

  “It is my pleasure, King…?”

  “Selinus, King Selinus of Lasia.” With this the King took a deep bow.

  “Then it is my pleasure, King Selinus.”

  “I am so happy, but tell me, how did you tame the beast?”

  “I have God on my side and God does what it just and right.”

  “But God holds no sway here; surely it is some other power.”

  “The beast has been placed here to teach you the ways of God, I pray you listen.”

  “I thank you, but God is not a part of my life and never will be. But I am an honest man, I will repay you, name your price.” He thought of his daughter’s hand in marriage, that was customary was it not? Having a powerful Knight like George on his side would also strengthen his position.

  “Your faith in God is all I seek.”

  “I cannot just tell my people to believe in something they have not seen.”

  “Then allow me to show them. Let me bring the dragon to your forum. Gather your people, if they choose to worship God and become good Christians then I will kill the beast and rid you of this curse, as is God’s will. If they do not wish to follow then I will place the dragon far away, but I cannot be responsible for what plagues will ail you.”

  Surprise filled the King’s face and he raised his voice, “that beast in my city, never!”

  “Father,” the Princess attempted to calm his rage, “he saved me, he tamed the beast through the power of God. Everything will be fine.”

  “He has brainwashed you as well. He means to take the city with the aid of this foul demon.”

  “Father,” the Princess was shouting, “how dare you! Was it not the people who decided not to take gold to spare my life but to sacrifice me as the lottery intended so that their children may live? The people run this city, not you. You are only here because of them. Let the people decide.”

  The King faltered, it was true, Princess Sadra’s name come up on the lottery. The King had promised gold to everyone in the city if someone else’s child was taken. But blood is more important that gold and no citizen of Lasia would part with their own child. If the King sent them away and rumours spread that God had saved them then he could have a revolution on his hands.

  “Very well,” he said turning to George, “you have half an hour to prepare your case, I will see you at the forum. Sadra will show you the way.” With that he was gone, back into his city, back to what he hoped would be his seat of power come nightfall.

  “Lead the way fair lady,” George uttered, motioning for her to take the lead.

  With a slight blush she stepped forward and immediately the dragon followed. The three entered the city. Inside it was dark, tall decaying buildings blocking out valuable sunlight. Plaster chipped away and dust fell in the twilight-like existence, some revealed stone work, others wooden panelling crudely covering holes. The only noise was the echo of their footsteps bouncing around small alleyways the dragon could barely fit down. If it were not so dark they would have seen shutters slightly open and whites of eyes peering out. The city was watching but it was far from alive. After a few minutes they arrived at the forum, it was set within the grounds of a garden and contained large circular steps where hundreds of people could sit or stand. A great circular area was at the bottom of the steps, this was used for a market place, theatre and public discussions. Today, however, it was empty.

  Princess Sadra led them down the steps, the unevenness meaning she needed to lift her dress slightly and jump down at times. The dragon, then George, followed after. The beast was set across the stage and George thought of what he would say to this city. There was only one place he could look for inspiration and thus he got down on one knee and prayed.