Karl and the King

 

King Alabear looked down at Karl from his throne. The king's beady eyes sank into his soul. Most men would be intimidated, but not Karl. He was not afraid. Serving such an honorable king was his life's only wish. He proudly awaited his orders.

I have a quest for thee, Karl of Camelot. If thou succeeds, thou shall earn thy knighthood.

“Your highness, I live only to serve thee. I shall endure any task thou wish me to complete. Knighthood would an honor, if thy grace so deems.” Secretly, Karl longed to become a knight. It would be the last great achievement of his glorious career.

A loud crash came from the depths of the palace. King Alabear didn't blink, he never did. The king was the bravest and toughest person Karl knew. He had many stories of survival. Several times the king has been found in the woods behind the palace, weathering the elements with only his bare hands.

The king has even survived attacks from the beasts that frequent the castle. These beasts have no mercy. Even now, he speaks with his side split open, stitched just enough to keep his entrails from spewing onto the floor of the castle.

Thy quest is simple. There is a stairwell in this castle. It leads to depths that few have traveled. Follow it. It will lead you to the land of Ka’Chan, a land filled with fire, water, and ice. To earn thy knighthood, thou must bring me back one of the treasures that lay hidden there.

“Yes, sire. I shall not fail thee. It is my greatest honor, to do thy bidding.”

You must know that in Ka'Chan, a great dragon protects the treasure. It is all powerful and will deny thou that which thou seeks. Stealth is thy only hope.

“Yes, sire.”

Very well, Karl of Camelot, good luck.

He bid farewell to the king. Outside the royal chamber, Karl saw the winding steps. He started down them, carrying his sword, shield, and helmet.

Halfway down, he came across a peasant girl. To his shock she had the dragon’s treasure in her hands. The dragon must have left the her lair unguarded, he thought. This would be easier than expected.

“Karl, mom says dinner will be a while.”

“What?! What is this language thou speaks?”

“Karl, ugh! She said dad's gonna be late. You can—”

“Do not talk to me! How dare you speak to a member of the king's court, you are nothing but a peasant. Away, you wench!”

Karl could have swiped the treasure from the peasant girl, but felt it was not in the spirit of the quest. He reached the bottom of the stairs.

From the foot of the steps, he could see the land of Ka’Chan. There she was, the dragon. But how then was that peasant girl able to acquire the treasure? No matter, the land of fire, water, and ice awaited.

The dragon would be no match for his mighty sword.

“Karl, did Annie—”

Karl covered his ears, hearing the voice of the dragon could turn one to stone.

“Oh, sorry sweetie, I forgot.”

The dragon bared her claws and moved towards him. Karl swiped at her claws with his sword. He smote the dragon's belly with his shield. He had no intention of killing it, otherwise peasants would be ransacking the treasures she protected.

Karl beckoned the dragon out of Ka’Chan. He lured her into another place in the depths of the palace, away from the treasure.

Karl sheathed his sword, picked up his hands, and faced his palms to the dragon. “Be still! I cast a spell on you. You…cannot…move.”

While the dragon was frozen, Karl ran to Ka’Chan and looked in the dragon’s treasure box. It was empty. What? No! How?

Karl turned around, there was the peasant girl again. She had her arm outstretched.

“Here’s your cookie, Karl.”

He had no choice. He had to swipe the treasure from the peasant. It was the only way to earn his knighthood. King Alabear need not know all the details of his quest.

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