DRAGON LONGZE ENCOUNTERS FREYA (BY BOST, 2026- PART 4)
“What do you think you are doing?” The stern voice of guardian Asmund emanating from the clouds, chastised Longze.
“I’ve been curious and wanted to see her, even from afar.” Dragon Longze answered fearlessly; as he’d already vanished from the spot (field), and transported back into the clouds, and now in his truer form, faced his guardian.
“I’ve only been gone for a milline-second, to relay (impart, convey) my report in person to the Heavenly Emperor, and I come back finding you embroiled in yet another human matter. What have you got involved in, this time Longze? And who’s that young mortal, all bandaged up and convalescing in the cave?” Asmund was clearly disconcerted (annoyed, exasperated).
“I was doing routine reconnaissance, searching for the whereabouts of the trickster demon incarnate, the ersatz (artificial) black panther Sedit, flying high in the clouds when I spotted a menacing looking group of mounted man, all bloodied, wreaked in evil aura, highly pleased with themselves, returning from having accomplished something malevolent. So, I strove to investigate the cause and dove down from the clouds.”
“And naturally, you just couldn’t let it go.” Asmund was fast losing his patience with Longze’s dawdling (measured, unhurried, elaborate) account.
Longze did not wish to further antagonize his guardian, so he bowed his head, then tried his best to make his narration succinct: “As I passed over the high, sheer escarpment, at one point, I spotted a young warrior in dire stress, precariously holding onto jutting roots from the cliff’s edge, halfway down the sheer precipice. What got me really interested, however, was the incredibly benevolent aura, emanating from him. Despite the hopelessness of his situation, his grave injuries and him bleeding profusely, he still clung onto life; though, it was only matter of time before his strength failed him. How could I not get involved? Would you have me heartlessly, let him drop into the abys, to his certain death? I grasped that he’d been engaged prior in a fight with that wicked (malignant) bunch, and during the skirmish (clash), he’d been either by choice, accident or deliberately forced over the cliff’s edge. The drop would have been fatal, for at the bottom of that abysmal bluff lay a perilous gorge, with razor sharp, jagged rocks that would have torn his body asunder. As it was, I could see that his sword had fallen from his grasp during his plummet (plunge), for it rested (lay) at the bottom in some bushes; meanwhile, because of his dexterity (adroitness) he’d grasped the few (exposed) sturdy, jutting roots from the vertical cliff face and hung onto it for his dear life. I assumed when his adversaries (enemy) looked down from the top of the steep precipice, because he must have pressed his body (plush with) against the edge, they could not see him hanging there; then again, even if they did, they knew it would be only a matter of time, before his strength failed him and he still plummeted to his death. I was about to attempt his rescue, when his hand slipped and he dropped someways down; fortunately, there was a jutted (protruded, overhung) rock ledge, that arrested (halted) his fall (decent); but as his body slummed (pounded) into the rock slab, he must have cracked some of his ribs. I learned of this later, during my meticulous examination of his injuries.”
“Yes, yes, you swooped down and then with your talons carried him off to the cavern (deep cave) and tended to his wounds. But have you considered the future repercussions of your act; meddling, in human affairs never bodes (portends, heralds) anything good?”
“Regardless of the consequences, I couldn’t just let him die?”
After a pensive thought, Asmund nodded. ““No, I suppose not.”
He then said: “I would have ordinarily chastised you for your disregard of the Heavenly rules and for your constant (relentless) interference in human affairs; however, in this case I will forgo it. Even though you knew you would be punished for it, you’d disobeyed direct orders. As you acted benevolently and your compassion is praiseworthy, I shall let this go. Besides, you are right about this human’s unusually benevolent aura and, furthermore, it seems his lifespan should not have ended at this time. Your interference, though irregular, was in accordance with Heaven’s will. This said, I will still caution you to, in future, be more prudent with your interference. You are way too naïve, too trusting and your heart is too tender Longze- these weaknesses could all (culminate to) end in serious harm. “
“Thank you, sir, for your patience in guiding me and for your most diligent care.”
“Your thanks is unwarranted and premature, Longze.” Asmund affectionately smiled at Longze and waved his hand in dismissal.
“All right, enough talk for now; let’s go and see what you’ve already accomplished and what still needs doing.”
By then they had arrived at the cave; Asmund and Longze, having now swiftly reverted to human form, they advanced towards the entrance of the deep cave.
“I have also breached another rule.” Longze halted his steps, just after they had entered the cave, then meekly confessed. “However, I could not have him awaken while I was away and be scared or attempt at moving and hurt himself; therefore, by placing my fingers over his forehead, just so, I invoked the specific spell “Tirrekan”. He should remain in unconscious state for a long while… Long enough for him to recuperate properly.
“A nebulous brain cloud? Who taught you that?”
“My previous guardian Yenor.”
“I see; and you can do that? The spell (incantation) is most difficult to master.”
“Well, I confess, I had two tries before I succeed at it”
“Yet you did; that’s remarkable!” Guardian Asmund was impressed.
Asmund and Longze presently approached the wounded, unconscious young warrior, lying on some furs heaped on top of a large flat rock slab, to allow the patient some comfort, while the slab served as his makeshift bed.
Upon his scrutiny, guardian Asmund saw that three of the young warrior’s ribs had been broken and that Longze after having applied some herbal (medicinal) salve to the bruises, he had correctly bound the chest with strips of cloth bandages, to allow proper healing.
Young warrior’s internal bleeding from the severe blows however needed, Asmund’s expertise, to fix it; before proceeding Asmund had explained the steps to Lengze then waited, allowing Longze time to with his special vision, home-in on the internal injuries and, witness the remarkable glowing (power) lifeforce he used, to heal the capillaries (ducts, conduits) of arteries, and internal stratums (layers, tissues, muscles, sinews, tendons, bone etc); therefore saving the young warrior’s life. And by doing so, Asmund thence, became complicit in Longze’s offence; knowing full well he would one day have to answer for it.
~
There was still some time (about four hours) before the twilight descended on the earth and all became mantled in pitch darkness; therefore, Freya clinging to last hope- that the image she saw briefly was not an aspiration or a figment of her imagination, but a human traveller that had temporarily lost his way, or that he had perchance, at some point seen her father Hans- she considered rushing over and accosting this stranger. He could not have gone too far, though he was no longer in her view… And it was worth investigating it all the same.
A deep sigh escaped Freya Aquila as she briefly stopped and lifted her gaze to look at the sky then at the distant clouds and mist shrouded summits of the mountain, knowing they too would soon be cast in pitch blackness. Her inner voice, meanwhile, was frantically urging her to be sensible and turn back; this was no time to be at outside, alone and unarmed! This was sheer madness. What would she do if she were to encounter a predatory beast?
Nevertheless, she had remained undeterred in her resolve to seize that last chance. Well, she best hurry on, if she were to catch up with him. Especially since the weather had suddenly just then taken a turn for the worse, and fierce winds now congregating (assembling, culminating) the dark, ominous clouds into flotilla overhead, threatened anew to drench Earth and Freya, in heavy downpours.
Freya, therefore, draped her shawl over her shoulders and resolutely stepped out into the field, just as the first drops were beginning to fall. She was determined, no matter what happens, to follow the path her father had last taken, which also happened to be where she had spotted that mysterious figure. When she arrived at the spot she’d last spotted the stranger, she looked on ahead and then, chancing on a good sturdy stick and using it, she from thence, intrepidly (boldly) delved deeper into the dark forest and began negotiating the only viable (visible) path that at times was essentially cluttered with rock debris, broken branches or thorny bushes, making it virtually impenetrable (blocked).
~
It so happened that at that very moment, she had entered the periphery of the forest, mounted Jedrik, accompanied by a guard also on mount, having been sent that afternoon by his father Elof Bijarke, to pay a curtesy call to his future intended Freya and, carrying a token (gift) for her, Jedrik obliged to keep up with his false, dutiful son’s persona, had therefore despite the unexpected rain, had ridden (galloped) to the outskirts and so, happened to spot Freya, delving (venturing) into the forest on foot.
“What does she think she’s doing?” An incredulous scoff (jeer, sneer) escaped Jedrick’s lips; he shook his head and then turned to look at his guard riding behind him, as he added scathingly (derisively, mockingly): “She must be out of her mind, venturing into the forest in this ungodly weather!”
Both riders had at once sprinted their mount into canter (gallop), and raced to catch up to her, to stop or talk some sense into her. Unfortunately, the dense forest had swallowed her at once; furthermore, it hindered any advance on horseback, and if they wished to pursue after her, since any visible paths were still congested with debris, they would have to proceed on foot. This was the only way one could negotiate the difficult terrain within the dense woodland; hence, both dismounted at the edge of the forest, and with Jedrik, with curses on his lips, leading the way, both delved into the thick foliage, Jedrick expecting to soon catch up with his foolish fiancé, Freya.
(END OF PART 4)
(Characters: , Dragon Longze, Elof Bijarke, son Jedrik, Jedrik’s trump card, trusted and esteemed (valued) friend Haldor Yon, from prominent aristocratic family, and a valued elite guard, serving under Elof Bijarke. Halder Yon’s secret intimate partner Archilles Elof. Hans Aquila, wife, Nora, Alec and Freya, guardian Asmund, the trickster demon incarnate, the ersatz (artificial) black panther Sedit, bandit Chief Loki, Immortal warrior Erland, Mayor Gudmund Kirk’s youngest, his still unmarried son Hagen, his wife Selma, his two other sons, the ranchers, named, Agil and Corey Kirk, Olga, Heavenly Emperor’s niece, one selected to be Longze’s future mate)
Leave a Reply