Trouble in the Land of Dwarves
Chapter 11
The Enemy Revealed
“As for you, my young
PRINCE, I think we shall put your little
quest on hold for a while until this new
situation is resolved and then we will find
out why you came down from your shiny
castle in the clouds. I must tell you, that
your being here changes everything! In
fact, having you may be as good as having
the Serpent’s Eye itself! When your father
realizes the danger your in, He will give me
anything to have you released! Foolish
Boy! Surely your father warned you to stay
in the safety of your lofty
tower!”
Nathan was
confused. “How do you know my father?
Who are you?”
“The enemy,
boy. Have you never been told of me?”
Snagglefang grinned with satisfaction.
“How wonderful. It always makes things
easier when people don’t know of
me.”
Memories filled Nathan’s
mind as he now remembered the many
teachings he and his sister had sat through;
lessons which he had heard but never payed
much attention to while in the safety of his
home. Now his father’s words came back
to him and he realized the danger he was
facing!
“Long ago,” his
father had said, “when Darrowold was new,
one dragon rebelled against it’s purpose and
chose to rule over the dwarves rather than to
protect them. This dragon taught the
dwarves how to steal and fight which led to
the very first dwarven war. As his
punishment, the dragon lost it’s wings, but
it’s bitterness was such that it grew even
more wicked and rebellious. This dragon
turned from light into sorcery and began it’s
work to ruin all that had been made. To this
day, it still wanders the earth, seeking to
destroy all those it can find. This is why
you must stay here in the palace where I
have provided safety for you.”
Nathan’s heart froze in his chest! This
was the dragon that his father had warned
he and his sister about! How could he have
been so careless? “I came down to rescue
my sister, and now I’m the one in the most
trouble!” he thought to himself.
As if reading his mind, Snagglefang
grabbed his arm and dragged him over to
the Jester Box. “Yes, boy, you are truly in
the wrong place at the right time. The right
time for me that is.”
The
dragon threw open the door to the box and
shoved the prince inside. Then closing and
locking the latch, Nathan could hear him
walking away with a final command to the
jester.
“I am going to make my
demands to the boy’s father! Touch
nothing until I return and let me know the
instant Gart comes back!”
“Righto, bosso!” was the jesters glib
reply and then all was silent.
Nathan was left alone in the small box
that had become his prison. But still his
concern was not for himself. There in the
darkness of his cage, his thoughts again
turned to his sister. The last time he had
seen her, she had been in terrible danger
and now he couldn’t help her!
“Oh father,” he cried, “please forgive
us for not listening to you. And please let
Nataleigh be safe.”
Chapter 12
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