It was possible that Whittle's music was releasing an emotion that was buried in the young dragon's own untamed spirit, or it was possible that Whittle was, unbeknownst to himself, sensitive to the dragon's emotions and experiencing them as his own. Who could say? Whatever the case, the result was that the boy's music made it possible for the dragon to better comprehend its own deep-rooted, and never before understood, emotions. For just as Whittle felt a burden on his friends, and yet feared he had been abandoned by them, the dragon felt, though at a more primitive level, that he had been abandoned by his mother and, as a result, become an unwanted burden on his father. This last the young dragon didn't have to reason out, for Garreth had made it clear to his son at an early age that his offspring was a duty that the youngster's absent mother should be sharing. In fairness to Garreth he was, even in those days, very old and the care of a young son was a bit much for him to deal with on his own.

The young dragon had accepted his father's food until he had grown old enough to fend for himself. Then he had taken away from Garreth all the possessions that had been his father's sole source of pleasure (or so it seemed to the young dragon). But his father's horde of treasures, and the possession of the island that had once belonged to his father, had given the young dragon no joy, and so he had grown wilder, and fiercer. Hunting the humans had given him some sport, but even that had grown wearisome, and he had been considering abandoning the island altogether and going out into the world to vent his rage and pent up frustrations, when he had heard Whittle's music. There was something in the sound that spoke to his heart and made him better understand his own emotions, and those of the young man who played them. Unknown to both dragon and human, there was a bond being formed between them. Yet it was a very delicate bond, and one that could be easily broken should Whittle do anything to displease his captor.

What would have happened if Whittle had remained in such a somber mood is hard to say. Perhaps the dragon would have grow tired of the hidden message and ended it by dispatching the messenger, or perhaps the dragon would have come to more completely understand his own feelings and been released from the bitterness that gripped his cold heart. Whittle's mood, however, was changed by a very small arrival, in the form of one Timon.

The young prince zipped into the cave one morning shortly after the dragon had flown away. Landing on the top of the dragon's horde of treasures he had announced grandly, "Timon come to make sure Whittle has not wasted away."

Whittle knew that fairies hated to be confined, and Timon, who had endured such a condition when he had been caged by the great wizard Cedric, must have found Whittle's condition to be intolerable. Had Whittle not freed the fairy prince when he had, there was no telling what might have happened to the little pixie. He understood Timon's compassion and gratitude for his part in saving him from a slow death, but he was also fearful for the small pixie and the trouble he might cause if the dragon returned and discovered him in the cave.

"As you can see, I am unharmed, and still in good health," Whittle said graciously. "The dragon is seeing that I am fed, and the weather is still comfortable, though a bit nippy once the sun goes down. How are the others faring? Have you gotten enough food?" this had been a concern of his ever since he had been carried off by the dragon.

"Oh, yes!" Timon assured, bobbing his small head up and down happily. "Chester catch many big fish each day. Timon watch him from tree. First Chester gather fluffy seeds from bushes that grow on edge of swamp, then he put fluffy seeds in pot and stick them on sharp hook. Fish think they taste better than Timon," the small pixie laughed merrily as he recalled the fun he had had skimming over the water, luring a large fish near enough for Whittle to shoot it.

"I guess he is a better fisherman than I," Whittle said, glad the others were being fed, but a little depressed that his skills weren't needed.

"Clayton say fish not real man's food," Timon told him, frowning.

"Perhaps he should try some of the food the dragon brings me," Whittle laughed. Then his face sobered. "Speaking of the dragon, Timon, you really should be going. It's nice of you to come and visit me, but it isn't safe. If the dragon were to return and find you here he might take a notion to kill the both of us."

"Timon no fool!" the boy said proudly, then he giggled. "Maybe small fool," and giggled again at his own pun. "Father catch Timon on way to visit Whittle, and tell Timon he must not go into cave without proper guard. So he order Obil to go with Timon and stand watch outside cave. If Obil see dragon coming he warn Timon."

"That's very wise indeed, Timon," Whittle said, somewhat relieved, but still apprehensive. "However, I don't think you should stay too long. I never know when the dragon might return."

"Chester say same thing. Big argument between him and Hope," the fairy told him with a sad shake of his head.

"What do you mean?" Whittle asked, torn between his desire to have the fairy leave before the dragon returned, and his longing to hear more about the beautiful princess of Lark who had broken her promise to return and visit him. Each day that passed Whittle had become more convinced that the girl had forgotten about him, and that his misfortunate meant little to her.

"Chester forbid Hope to visit Whittle because dragon might trap her in cave. She say she not take orders from peasants, but when Chester say Hope be putting young master Whittle in danger as well as self she hang her head and promise not to return to cave."

Whittle felt as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The princess had not forgotten about him. He should have had more faith in her, he told himself, and then instantly chided himself for even allowing himself to think of her in such an intimate fashion. He was a commoner, after all, and she a royal princess who would someday marry a prince and rule a kingdom.

"Let's get out of this cave, Timon," he said, feeling as though he couldn't stand the confinement a moment longer. "The dragon won't mind if he comes back and finds me outside, as long as I don't try and escape."

"How you know?" Timon asked, flying next to Whittle as the boy's long easy stride took him toward the cave's opening. "Father say dragon very wild and unpredictable."

"I just know," Whittle didn't try and explain what he didn't understand himself.

Obil stood on a large boulder dutifully perusing the sky for the returning dragon. He seemed relieved when he saw the small prince and Whittle emerge from the cave.

"Is good to see young master Whittle looking so well," he said, "Royal family been very worried about welfare of man who saved Prince Timon from Cedric's evil clutches."

"Cedric wasn't evil, Obil," Whittle insisted, "Only misled."

"Many evil things done by men who are 'misled'," the pixie officer said, "But now not the time to discuss such matters. Must leave before dragon returns."

Timon began to protest but Whittle held up his hand to silence him. "Obil is right, Timon. It's best you leave now. Thank you for coming. It has restored my hope and good spirits to see you again."

"Timon come again tomorrow when dragon fly away," the young pixie promised. "Whittle good friend to Timon. Timon never forget him. Timon owe Whittle his life. He repay him someday, you see!"

Whittle smiled at the thought, but not wanting to hurt the small sprite's feelings he nodded his head. "Thank you, Timon," he said. "If you wish to repay my small kindness to you, I ask that you keep an eye on the Princess of Lark for me and see that no harm comes to her."

"Timon will do so. From this time forward, he keep an eye on Hope and see she kept safe from all danger, even if it mean he must sacrifice his life for hers."

Whittle smiled, but Obil was looking soberly at the young prince and nodding his head as though in silent agreement.

Dragon's Claw Book One
Price $12.95  
    by Charles M. Clark
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

FROM THE BOOK STORE

Prince Adam returns home to find his father, the King, gravely ill, some say dying. Feeling unprepared for the duties of kingship, and unhappy about a proposed marriage between himself and a rather plain princess, Adam makes a plea to the Powers that be for guidance and help. Adam then falls into a deep sleep and awakes in an unfamiliar land full of sinister foes and wild men. Yet it is one of these wild men that takes Adam under his wing and teaches the young prince what it takes to be a real leader. Charles M. Clark has written this book for older children and teens, but older folks enjoy it as well. All Antelope Publishing's fantasy books are browser readable and come on CD-ROM. The CD-ROM contains TWO books. One book with music and special electronic enhancements, and one book without, for times when a quieter read is desired. For more information about browser readable e-books CLICK HERE

The Making of a King
Price $9.95  
    by Charles M. Clark
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

Stories of action, adventure, romance, mystery, sci-fi, old time literature, and just plain fun, for the entire family.

This fantasy site, its story and graphics, is copyrighted © 2005, Antelope Publishing and is presented FREE to its readers.
No portion of this site may be reproduced without the publisher's express permission.