start the new thread with this.
This was posted on Golden Skates today, read it
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showth ... post572187Dragon sleep
Some ages ago when king Patrick was not yet in the world there lived a huge fierce dragon. He terrified surrounding realms and kingdoms, stole crowds of beautiful ladyes and ate all princes and knights who dared to challenge him. Heralds screamed in vain on the squares, promising half the kingdom, two-thirds of the kingdom, and then the whole kingdom for slaying Great Dragon. Alas! Great-great-grandfather of king Patrick yet snuffle peacefully in his cot and there wasn't another hero in those dark times.
One day Great Dragon decided he ate enough princes and burned enough cities. He straightened mighty wings and flew away to the mountains. Year passed by year. Great Dragon was almost forgotten though sometimes people saw him floating in the sky.
Other dragons were not so strong - when not fighting each other brave knights slayed them, made amulets from their teeth and mail from their scales and hang dragon heads on castle walls. By the time when prince Patrick was born, dragon race was almost eliminated. The young prince descended from a humble clan which has produced great Kings over the years. He was one who challenged the much adored Prince Hunky and beat Prince Gaga (btw, who is he?) by a nose. He slayed huge amount of lesser dragons but what he wanted more than anything else, it's quite a feat. “How boring is to live, - prince Patrick thought. - There was one dragon in the ancient times but even he is feeble wreck now”.
Meanwhile, Great Dragon decided to visit Dragon Lord and flew to the valley. He was astonished how desolate looked place where dragons lived from time immemorial. Dragon found his teacher sorting herbs in the cave. In the middle of the cave a fire was burning and in the corner a small dragon, trembling with fever, lied on a pile of leaves . “Look, - said Dragon Lord sadly. - Our whole tribe was exterminated. This kid is all I have. He promised to be next Great Dragon but his health is poor and there is no time afore. He will die if not tonight of fever then tomorrow of knight's hand”. The dragon felt his heart throbbed with misgiving. “Don't worry, my lord, - he said. - I'll give you as much time as you need”. But he knew he is not already that strong and it may be his last battle.
When people knew that Great Dragon returns they were not scared at all. Moreover, it amused them. “Does that dinosaur fossils still fly? - they laughed. - How many teeth has he? Oh, lets look at his famous stream of flame now, I bet it turned to pathetic old man coughing”. Prince Patrick had the most fun of them all: “I don't need the sword to slay this antiquity, - he said. - I'll kill him with bare hands”. Well... he was very young then.
And the dragon came. Not the convenient feat to impress a young lady but dragon tzar carrying terror and destruction. Yes, he was not the same but still the most mighty creature of dragon race. He ate knights, burned villages, captured crowds of beautiful girls and filled his cave with gold. Neither swords nor arrows harmed him. And Prince Patrick was badly wounded as many other young perky princes.
Fortunately for people old Great Dragon didn't know much about modern magic. Reigning mage entangled his wings with a network of spells and with terrifying roar the dragon fell to the earth. He fought in convulsing, trying to break free from the shackles then high priests plunged him into a deep sleep.
Time passed again. Prince took former errors into account and yet never underestimate the enemy. He has perfectly mastered sword and magic and became the great king. Age of peace and prosperity came to the Golden Kingdom. Age of the new heroes.
But fire burns in the Dragon Lord's cave and revenge burns in his heart. High in the sky maturing Dragon Kid plays somersault, survived his initiation. And deep under the ground Great Dragon sleeps with enchanted dream. His hour to awake is nearer and nearer and nearer...