Dragon's New Dawn, Chapters one and two.

[Wolvy† 0]

Dragon's New Dawn begins on a planet with a world government is decidedly not democratic: It's a government made up of a cooperative of baronies; i.e. kindgoms, and two distinct classes of humans. The Baron-class and the working class. These two classes of humans have diverged significantly enough that there are physiological differences which can be seen quite readily in their looks, their gait, and even in their behavior and ways of thinking.

 

Dragon's New Dawn explores the origins of these two peoples, at a time when these 22nd century humans have just discovered their first habitable world, and are in the midst of a great worldwide effort to build the technology and ships necessary to carry them on a fifty year journey to this next world.

 

Drake Markuvial, the son of one of the most powerful baronies in the world, is the appointed leader of the expedition. However his journeys will take him on another, even more radical and dangerous adventure, as he probes the mysteries of the origins of the barons, and how they came to be who they are.

 

I present to you, chapter one, of Dragon's New Dawn.

 

# Dragon's New Dawn, by Daniel Burk.

 

Scene 1 The southern ward of Markuvial province, Filinder’s Smelting and metalworks.

 

Planet Anwar’s vast arrays of solar collectors blanket the whole of the great western desert to capture solar energy and transform it into electricity. The electricity in turn, splits the great western sea’s water into hydrogen and oxygen. This ready source of fuel forms the catalyst used by the world’s greatest fusion reactors. The reactors churn the hydrogen with concentrated magnetic fields to force it into yielding its energy in a vast burst of heat and light. Located just south of the desert lay sprawling complexes of new industry that gather like pilgrims, to drink in the cheap and ready source of energy.

 

Freight cars arrive on the rails each day, laden with raw ore excavated from all over the world. The ore is transformed into steel, aluminum, titanium, and innumerable hybrid alloys. The metals pour forth unceasingly to feed the insatiable appetite of Anwar’s new astrospace program that now grips the imagination of the world’s ruling-class barons. Never before has there been such a unanimous collaboration among the barons. They all dream of the chance to strike it rich on the newly discovered world located only one star away.

#

Drake Markuvial entered the Filinder’s metalworks with disgust. He looked about himself and noted that in just a matter of half-dozen years, the place already had the look of a decrepit factory ready to fall in upon itself. There was slag, scrap, and dirt everywhere. Drake’s engineers were right when they cryptically suggested that he pay this facility a personal and unannounced visit. Well so be it. Let Jaret Filinder explain how he could create the mission critical castings in such a filthy mess.

 

Moments after Drake and his team entered the factory offices, a small round man in a rumpled suit ran up to Drake and his engineers. A group of similarly suited assistants bumbled out of a board room to chase after their leader.

 

“Master Markuvial! What a pleasant surprise!” stammered a white-faced Jaret Filinder.

 

“The pleasure is mine,” lied Drake.

 

“My apologies but my staff here did NOT inform me of your visit until just now, I was not aware that we had a plant visit scheduled for today! Can I offer you something to drink while we prepare for your visit?” offered Jaret.

 

“Oh, don’t trouble your staff, it’s not their fault. This was somewhat of a spur of the moment visit. I’ve come to tour your facilities and discuss a few matters of some business with you.”

 

Jaret’s eyes darted back and forth across Drake’s cold face and to the steely eyes of Drake’s staff that stood silently behind him. He nervously wiped his sweaty hands onto the lower part of his expensive, but rumpled suit.

 

“Oh? May I ask what type of business?”

 

Drake smiled with cold pleasure at the obvious signs of Jaret’s discomfort but was not yet ready to let him off the hook.

 

“Not yet. First my staff and I would like to see these…remarkable… facilities of yours. Would you care to accompany us?”

 

“Oh, of..of course! Just let me gather the necessary materials and inform the staff so that we can tour…” Stuttered Jaret. Jaret motioned to a shapely young woman that stood behind him.

 

“Fancy, would you please let the formen know that we’ll be moving about the plant on a special tour today? After that, please return to accompany Master Markuvial and myself. ”

 

Fancy smiled fetchingly at Drake and curtsied to Jaret. “Right away, Mister Filinder!” She spun around and flitted off down the hall to disappear into the bowels of the dusty offices.

 

Jaret clapped once, then rubbed his hands together. “Now then, shall we begin?”

 

“Yes, please. My staff would like to discuss business operations with your staff while we tour. Is that alright with you?” asked Drake.

 

Jaret’s face betrayed obvious dismay, but it quickly changed back to a mask of pleasant confidence. Drake dismissed his engineers with the order to find and interview the Filinder metalworks staff.

 

Jaret Filinder and his petite assistant accompanied Drake on a tour the plant. Filinder could not stop sweating, stammering or yammering for the whole hour as they strolled through the suffocating heat of the metalworks. He continually tugged at the bottom of his rumpled suit that bent outward at the buttons around his waist. Drake towered above the portly little man by a full head and shoulder and he walked in seemingly aimless fashion about the metalwork, oblivious to Filinder’s stuttery speeches on the various metal processes taking place about them.

 

Drake stopped at a sight that took him by surprise. They had entered the sweltering heat of the casting plant, where a new load of cold steel has just fallen into a great casting furnace. He could see the ghostly glow of the kiln’s fire flash around the blackened steel, and feel the waves of infrared heat emanate from the furnace. He stood motionless, transfixed by the brightening red glow that crept slowly about the dark chunks of steel. He concentrated his attention on one particular piece of steel where he saw bright yellow lines grow and spread as if made from veins of fire. The veins under the chunk of steel glowed ever brighter until the chunk burst into flame, liquefied, and rolled over to expose a golden belly. The blackened oxides, oils, rusts, and scale burned away, and the iron trickled down into the bottom of the ladle to leave the black slag floating on top of 50,000 pounds of purified molten iron. He watched as a robot extracted the ladle and lifted it with precision to the ceiling tracks. The ladle moved across the ceiling to the other side of the casting room where it would gently pour the treasure into a mold. As the mechanized ladle glided across the ceiling, a tiny droplet of molten iron spilled from above, and with a giant PAFF! it splattered on the moist concrete below, shooting showers of sparks for dozens of feet in all directions.

 

For the first time today, Drake showed his emotions with an unconscious chuckle of delight. The sights and sounds of the raw fire and energy had electrified him like no other part of the project thus far. Unfortunately this tour would end now as he had chosen to finally reveal the reason for his visit.

#

With literally thousands of plants and factories involved in the project, Jaret Filinder knew that a surprise visit from the director of the entire space program was a really bad sign. He had been racking his brain while trying to stall Baron Markuvial’s son and elicit some kind of emotion to gage the man’s intentions. He had been studying Drake Markuvial all morning, but no outward sign of emotion could be found until now. Filinder watched Drake stare at the pot of melting iron for several minutes as it heated, melted, and poured. At the strike of the iron droplet, Markuvial’s face lit up in delight and he barked a small laugh that frightened Jaret. Drake then turned and bore into him with his blue eyes, which were oddly flecked with gold in the center of the iris.

 

“ Mister Filinder, do you know why I am here today?”

 

“Well sir, I was wondering that same question, if you don’t mind my asking.”

 

“ I’m here because my specialists are concerned about your titanium alloy castings for the ion drive.”

 

“Oh that!” squealed Jaret, pretending to be relieved.

 

He waved his hand in front of his face in a dismissive gesture, and continued as if he was not scared to death. “ I vaguely remember a letter stating concern over some impurity issues, but as I replied in my letter, I consulted with my engineers and they assure me that the impurity levels were well below anything considered dangerous to the struc...”

 

“Yes, yes,” interrupted Drake. “That’s exactly my concern! Your engineers seem to think that they can dictate the quality requirements for our alloys!”

 

“No, that’s not what I meant!” blurted a petrified Jaret. He hadn’t expected that kind of response. His small, well-groomed hands were slick and his tight suit has begun to show darkened smudges where his hands continually wiped the sweaty grime off his palms.

 

“ Well then, what do you really mean?” fired back Drake in a low, neutral, and practiced voice. He leaned slightly forward, cocked his head and gently placed his hand on the rust covered rail beside Jaret. Jaret wanted to recoil and run, but Drake’s hand and penetrating stare kept him riveted to the walkway like a mouse under a cat’s paw. Jaret wanted to lie, yearned to lie, but was afraid that Drakes eyes would bore right into him and expose the truth anyway. However, as he opened his mouth, a lifetime of habitual white lies to customers betrayed him.

 

“ I meant, oh, I meant, that we’re working on increasing the quality of that alloy. Now there might have been impurities that got close to the borderline in the past, but that’s being fixed right now! My engineers think that we are having a problem with the ore quality being delivered to the smelting plant. We are looking for alternate suppliers. However, I think you’ll find that the current quality has sufficient crystalline structure and will make for strong castings that are indistinguishable from the best in the world.”

 

Drake stopped to ponder Jaret’s well-crafted lie. Drake stared coldly down at Jaret. Inside, Drake burned at Jaret’s bald-faced deceit. He felt like grabbing the little man and stuffing him into the nearest glowing mold. However, Drake restrained himself for he had a much better plan in store for Jaret Filinder.

 

“Mr. Filinder, I don’t doubt that your castings will be indistinguishable from the best in the world. To be honest, that is what troubles me. Don’t you know that I have a moral obligation for the safety and protection of each and every one of my citizens? Could I, in good conscience place them in suspended sleep for ten years on a spacecraft, then hope that halfway to the new planet a small casting in the ion drive doesn’t crack to irradiate the whole ship into death’s dark sleep?, No, I can’t take that chance. Evidently you seem more comfortable with those kinds of odds.”

 

Jaret’s face turned ashen. His mouth opened and closed but no sounds came out. He began to understand that he had gambled with arguably the world’s most powerful man and lost.

 

Drake continued: “I am going to make you and your family a generous offer: I’m going to buy your whole operation. As payment, you and your family will receive a complete and operational spacecraft that is entirely yours for the entirety of the mission. You’ll get to join me on our new planet! “

 

“But Master Markuvial!” stammered Jaret, his face white with shock, “If this is about the alloys, couldn’t I just buy the material back? I’d be happy to...”

 

Drake cut him off with a carbon copy of Filinder’s own dismissive wave.

 

“Oh, don’t worry about the alloys you’ve already produced for the project. They’ve been reserved to be used exclusively on your craft. Now I suggest you assemble your team of engineers, and prepare them for their new mission.“

 

“Now wait a minute, you can’t just do this!” shouted Filinder. “When the other family suppliers hear about this, you’ll have serious trouble on your hands!”

 

Drake looked coldly at portly little Jaret, who obviously spent too much time in his fancy office instead of managing his factory.

 

“Mister Filinder: I most certainly can do this. I’m deadly serious about this project and will take whatever steps are necessary to guarantee success. The other family suppliers will understand this now.”

 

Jaret’s stomach turned as his mind raced, looking for an angle that he could use to get out of this mess.

 

Drake concluded: “I assume control of this plant as of today, and have brought with me my team of engineers who will ensure that future castings are impurity-free.”

 

Jaret moaned at the shocking turn of events: He may have just lost his whole family fortune, and doomed them to a life on an unknown planet! He wouldn’t be surprised if his wife killed him quite dead when she found out. Then again, maybe he could put a more positive spin on the situation…

 

Drake turned away from Jaret Filinder to consult with one of his own team members, and Jaret understood this as his final dismissal. He wondered as he plodded back to his opulent office on what he would say to his wife.

 

“Guess what, Honey! Great news! I made the deal of the century today: I bought one of the first star cruisers from the actual head of the space program! We’re going to get prime real estate on the new planet! First pickings!”

 

Jaret packed up his office with the help of his mistress. Underneath his desk, hidden under a pile of unread memos and snack wrappers, he found a sample casting for a failed ion drive subassembly that cracked during low temperature testing. Jaret stared at the shattered coupling with a forlorn face. Then he shrugged his shoulders, picked up the casting and discretely chucked it down the trash chute.

 

 

#

 

 

Trishyanna Yarr impatiently waited at the edge of the tarmac for Drake’s aircraft. She had spent the last week preparing for this trip, and everything was ready. She had the specialists in place, everyone was packed and assembled, and the arrangements had been completed for the discrete transfer of gold that would be necessary for completion of this next transaction. It had been a very large and physically heavy sum.

 

However, her boss might have nearly blown it. Drake’s latest antic was all over the world news. As the chief director of the world’s space program, she thought Drake ought to be a trifle more discrete when it came to fixing problems. The press was spinning this latest stunt of Drake as a royal hijacking of lesser family’s fortune. Trish knew the facts, but facts are sometimes less important than the perception of the facts. The Filinder family had some powerful friends in high places and they quickly launched a counterattack on Drake’s assumption of their assets.

 

Trish immediately put her staff working on counterspin measures. They would manage fine, especially when the details of Filinder’s fraud began leaking anonymously out to the press over the next few weeks. However, the timing was terrible. She was as excited as Drake about this artifacts mission, and it would be an awful shame if it a bunch of headline hunting reporters mucked it up.

 

The mission meant a lot to Drake, and Trish wanted it to be perfect. Thus, she worked overtime to make sure every last detail was in place. She had secured cryogenics, materials testers, atmospheric testing equipment, anti-macrobiotic equipment, portable hermetic chambers with nitrogen purge, X-ray, modulated radio imaging, and more. In addition, she had hired the world’s best experts in ancient artifact preservation and transportation technology. Everyone and everything was here, waiting for Drake’s little fighter plane to taxi up to the palace gate.

 

Trish heard the sound of the single-engined turbine whining across the tarmac long before she saw the lithe little aircraft move up to the palace hangar. Her heart lept when she saw the helmeted figure pop the canopy, slide it back, and push out with practiced ease. She waved at him, and when the helmet looked her way, she saw the familiar grin appear from within. Even before the turbine had wound down, Drake jumped out of the aircraft and jogged over to his chief assistant, who wore a stern look upon her face. Trish reluctantly opened her arms, and Drake walked into her cool embrace.

 

“Trishyanna! So good to see you! Is everything ready for our trip?’

 

“Of course. Need you ask?” replied Trish with a mock toss of her head. She then stepped back and put her hands on her hips to eye Drake with displeasure. “Most things went off without a hitch. However you seem to have attracted yourself a crowd lately!”

 

“What do you mean by that?” asked Drake with his eyebrows raised.

 

“Well, for someone who wanted to keep a rather low profile for the next week or so, you sure didn’t act like it at that factory yesterday. You’re all over the world news. You do realize that we’ll be hounded by press wherever we go now, don’t you? That includes the Mhendel barony, especially when we show up with loads of you-know-what in a great big horse-drawn cart. You’ll end up looking like a circus ring leader.”

 

“Well, that was the original intent, wasn’t it?”

 

Trish continued her scolding by putting on her sternest frown. “The intent was a private show for an eccentric and reclusive baron, not for the whole world!”

 

The sounds of jet engines washed over the two as palace technicians got to work around the couple, preparing the tarmac for the palace aircraft that would shuttle Drake and his entourage to the airport nearest the Mhendel barony.

 

Drake looked about, reached for Trishyanna’s hand and led her off the tarmac and to the side of the palace hangar. He put his back against the steel wall and let out a loud exhale. He ran the palm of his hand up across his face and over his hair. He then turned to Trishyanna with a serious look of concern.

 

“Trish, I had to do it. That single factory was placing the whole space program in danger. If I hadn’t fixed it now, people’s very lives would have been threatened. You know that!”

 

Trishyana looked at Drake with frustration in her eyes. What a damned idealistic man you are! A couple days! You could have waited two days! She sighed with resignation, then reached her arms around Drake to hug him.

 

“Dragonfire, but I’ve missed you, Drake. I only want this to be perfect for you. That’s all.”

 

Drake held Trish and watched the techs move their cargo into the awaiting palace aircraft. He kissed her fondly on the side of her head with a quick peck. Her hair smelled freshly washed, scented with fruit or perhaps flowers. Drake thought about the day’s developments and was sorry for the stress that Trish so obviously was going through.

 

“You know something, Trish?”

 

“What. “ she replied.

 

“There’s not much that can go wrong, so long as mysterious Mhendel comes through with the artifact. Even a brief look will be worth it. Just think: Not even a picture of it exists. No one outside the immediate family has ever seen it. Even if we come back empty handed, we’ll still know more about it than any other historical researcher.”

 

“Hmmf! I’m not going to just come back empty-handed. Our hermit barony better come through or they’ll have to deal with me!”

 

Drake gently pushed Trish away so that he could smile to her face. “Trish my darling, you might be one of the most accomplished historical researchers in the world, but you have a lot to learn about human nature. I’ve courted Mhendel and his tapestry for years now. He’s ready to sell. Don’t you worry.”

 

“Sure thing, boss.” Replied Trishyanna, with softened eyes.

 

 

#

 

 

The palace aircraft for the Markuvial Barony touched down on the battered runway, and the pilot immediately jammed on the reverse thrusters to slow the large jet down. The runway was short and the cargo heavy. Everyone on board strained in their harnesses as the air frame dug in and whined under the force of the forward jet blast. Even the old runway protested, as chunks of pavement the size of a man’s hand blew off and into the air from the shock of the thrusters. The aircraft struggled to scrub off speed but soon the end of the runway appeared. The tires of the great jet scrabbled in the gravel, and the pilot hung on to pull the jet to a stop with only a mere wingspan of runway left.

 

The pilot already knew his exit strategy: They would have to leave the airport with only the minumum of essentials: No cargo, and only a half-tank of fuel. Even then, he would use the whole runway for takeoff by first applying the brakes, spooling up the turbines to 100% throttle, then letting go of the brakes to launch the aircraft as quickly as possible. There was a good chance that the takeoff maneuver would destroy what was left of the dilapidated airstrip, but that would be the baron’s concern!

 

#

 

Drake and Trish sat at the head of the long, thin conference table in the aircraft conference room. Seated at the table was the remainder of the acquisition team: The security chief, the remote imaging technicians, and the two environmental preservation engineers. This was the last briefing before departing into the backcountry of the Mhendel barony where the ancient Mhendel fortress still stood against rocky slopes of its mountain.

 

“I would like to start this short briefing by first stressing the importance of keeping what you see today secret.” Said Trish to the team. She continued:

 

“For hundreds of years, historians have wondered the age-old question, ‘Where did we come from?’ Several of you have helped answer that question through your prior efforts to assist Master Markuvial in his quest to create a comprehensive collection of historical artifacts. Though these efforts have proved to be valuable in lending insight into early baron life, none come close to the importance of today’s mission. For the details of this mission, I turn us over to Master Markuvial.”

 

Drake smiled at the small group as they clapped politely. He then began to speak.

 

“You all know the significance of the Mhendel tapestry. Doubtless you have heard the rumors. Rumors that say it holds the secret to the mysterious appearance of our people. Some say it tells of the arrival and departure of the great dragon lords. Some describe the tapestry as a bringer of visions. Some hold the artifact in reverence whereas others fear it as possessing a great and terrible power. Today with your help, we will attempt to secure and study the most elusive and protected of artifacts known to exist in this world. The Mhendel family is one of the longest existing baronies in the world, with history going back nearly two millenia. Throughout that entire history, we have heard stories of armies that have fought their way in search of this artifact, only to be beaten down time and again to their deaths by the Mhendel barons. However, it seems that for the first time in history, the artifact may finally be ready to make its showing to the whole world. Baron Mhendel and I have struck a bargain at great personal cost to relocate the tapestry to the Markuvial barony. It will be your job to ensure the safety of this artifact, no matter the cost. I expect you to carry out your mission with great care and discretion. We are about to enter a world that is much different than present-day Anwar. The lands of Mhendel seem to have no use for today’s conveniences. You will travel to the fortress with me either on foot or by horse. The lands around you are much the same as you would find them centuries ago. The Mhendel barony has isolated itself for reasons that it is reluctant to share. Perhaps once we reach the fortress we will learn a little of their secret. If all goes well, you will be the first outsiders to see the mysterious artifact. It has been jealously protected by the barons and their immediate heirs throughout time until today.”

 

One of the imaging technicians picked his hand up from the table and held it palm forwards to Drake.

 

“Two questions, Master Markuvial.”

 

Drake paused and yielded the table to the technician.

 

“How do you know that the tapestry exists if no one has seen it in centuries?”

 

Drake smiled, for his bargain was indeed a great gamble. “I don’t have any guarantee except from the Baron Mhendel himself. He has personally guaranteed that it exists and is in prime condition. Our agreement is contingent on your favorable assessment on the condition of the artifact.”

 

The technician continued:

 

“But, why give it up now? Has something changed?”

 

Drake placed his hand to his chin and paused.

 

“Good question. Yes, I think something has changed. The baron is an older man with only one heir. That heir has no wife nor any prospect for marriage or progeny. The Mhendel barony is essentially in its last days. The family line has burned out. This is only speculation, but I suspect the current Baron Mhendel has also exhausted his fortune. There is great debt. The artifact is considered a fantastic treasure and by relinquishing it, Mhendel can reverse his fortunes and maybe even his chances for the continuation of the Mhendel family line.”

 

“He wont be very popular around town after today now, will he?” muttered the security chief.

 

Everyone chuckled. Drake cut in, “No, and neither will we if word gets out too soon. That’s why everyone had best keep quiet about our purpose. We’re here at the request of the baron, and as far as the public is concerned, we are entertainers attending a private banquet for the baron. The wagon’s contents are a gift for him alone. I am the only one who shall touch the locks. Let your teams know. “

 

Drake looked across the table at everyone and grinned.

 

“I have a little show in store for the baron that should appeal to his…ah, sense of drama.”

[Direlda† 0]

/me is intrigued ^^

 

More?

[Wolvy† 0]

Scene 2 – Drake’s purchase of the Mhendel tapestry.

 

 

Mhendel paced to and fro in his great room. His barrel chest filled his finest clothes amply, and he wore an expensive but old crown. Lines of stress and worry showed plainly upon his face. Mhendel was torn by the decision he had made five years ago: A decision that he had nearly forgotten about until the herald arrived from the Markuvian barony last week. Now today, the fruits of that decision were about to come to pass.

 

Mhendel was excited for the arrival of Drake Markuvial and his entourage meant his fortunes might very well be changing for the better. However, he was ashamed as well, ashamed that when he was dead and gone, he would have to explain to his ancestors his loss of the greatest Mhendel treasure in family history. Perhaps it was just as well. The tapestry had grown itself to legendary proportions until not even he, the baron of his family dared to even breathe on it, much less look at it. It was, after all, just an old cloth?

 

Mhendel tried to convince himself of this and it eased his mind a little. If the young baron-elect came through with the gold signets, the prosperity of Mhendel’s little barony would be assured for generations. So what if the old rag wasn’t in its vault anymore? All Mhendel would have to do is re-seal the vault and his life, after a few weeks, would return to better than normal: He and his family would be wealthy! Mhendel smiled at the thought. He would be able to afford some new roads, maybe put his ancient fortress in order, maybe even build himself a new castle and turn this drafty old one into a museum or something grand like that!

Fifteen million signets for his family tapestry. That was probably more than the worth of his whole kingdom. It probably meant that the young Markuvial would pay more. Mhendel mulled it over in his head for only a short time before deciding it was too risky. He knew that there would never be another offer like this one. Drake was obsessed like no other baron for ancient antiquities and as luck would have it, he was also blessed with riches.

 

Mhendel looked about the ancient great room. It was part of the original structure of his fortress. The ceiling was dome shaped, with supporting beams coming in from the five corners of the room to intersect at the very center in an inverted spire. The ceiling had once been painted with scenes of sky, mountain, jungle and savanna, but it had long since faded to a featureless grey many centuries ago. Only sketches and stories handed down by generations told of the splendor of the Mhendel fortress. Maybe he’d spend his first million on restoring the fortress to glory. Bah. Foolhardy sentiment, that idea!

 

Mhendel jumped out of his daydream when Totter skidded into the room. “Your grace, he’s here!!” Totter, dressed in a traditional silver and blue jumpsuit was very excited. His feet were nearly a blur. Totter’s rail-thin arms pumped the air. “He’s here, and he’s brought an awfully huge truck with about fifty armed guards on top!”

 

Mhendel felt excited but sick at the same time. It was time to greet the purchaser. “Totter, Go get Tarya and have her meet me here. Have Master Markuvial bring his entourage to the great room. Make sure you also let the kitchens know that the feast must be ready within an hour.”

Totter snapped to attention, saluted Mhendel with a hearty wave, and danced out of the great room happily hooting like an owl.

 

Mhendel listened intently as the muffled sounds of stirring echoed throughout the fortress. Within a few minutes, his wife Tarya appeared in the great room, arrayed in a most stunning golden dress. Mhendel stood transfixed as his wife of so many years seemed to float across the large pentagon shaped floor to come to rest by his side. The dress flowed snugly down her midriff and hips, and trailed like golden water behind her.

 

“My dear husband. Are you happy ?”, she said with a smile as she took his arm.

 

“Dragon’s fire, but I had forgotten about that dress. Why has it been so long since you last wore it?”

 

A small shadow passed across her face and she shook her head. “I don’t know, I suppose we have not had an occasion like this in a long time.”

 

“Well my dear. I hope there will soon be many occasions. You have stunned me tonight.”

 

Tarya beamed at her husband. After fourty years of marriage, he was still surprising her with his abject love. Even through the hard times of late. Tarya hoped that indeed that the hard times were coming to a close. The technology of Anwar had passed by their little barony, and the young baron-class Mhendel children had nearly all run off to other surrounding baronies to seek their fortune or their mates. No one seemed to appreciate the tradition and rich, noble history that Mhendel barony offered anymore. Tarya had one last concern. “Mhendel, I have to ask you one simple question before this Markuvial arrives with his fortune.”

 

Mhendel paused in concern. “What is that, Tarya?”

 

Tarya looked into his soft eyes, the iris of which was oddly ringed in gold: A rare feature even among barons. “You are about to trade our families dearest artifact for a treasure of gold. It wont ever come back. Our family history says that it is the tapestry that holds the key to our family’s salvation. Are you willing to disregard that tradition without regret?”

 

Mhendel felt the clinging in his chest tighten. His wife of so may years had hit the hardest question he had ever grappled with. Could he sell it? He looked over to the vault embedded into the wall. He looked at his faded ceiling. He then looked into his wife’s eyes. Deep inside he felt his clenched body relax as final decision was made.

 

“It is time to let it go, Tarya. This is the time of our family’s salvation. Drake Markuvial shall be an able caretaker for the Mhendel tapestry.”

 

With that, Tarya reached over to pat her husband’s arm in unspoken solidarity. They then waited as the sounds of men and wheels grew louder.

 

Totter led the procession into the great room and his characteristic prancing made it seem as if a circus had made its arrival. Directly behind him walked Drake Markuvial who wore a stolid face. Totter hooted, ran to the middle of the cavernous room, threw his arms out and up, and shouted with all the pomp he could muster:

“Baron and Baroness, it gives me the utmost pleasure to present to you, Second heir to the great Markuvial barony, the esteemed Master Drake Markuvial!!”

 

Drake was amused and he smiled his widest grin as his security team, caught up by Totter’s silly mannerisms, began to applaud wildly. Drake figured that the irrepressible Totter was sincerely and certifiably crazy.

 

Baron Mhendel walked across the pentagonal stone floor to grasp Drake’s forearm behind the wrist, and shake it heartily. “Master Markuvial! It is so good to see you! I hope you and your team had a good journey?” Drake smiled and nodded in agreement. “I would like to present to you my esteemed wife, baroness Tarya.”

 

Tarya moved with ease to the side of her husband, her golden dress shimmering in the soft glare of the electric lamps that were recessed into the ceiling so many feet up.

 

“The pleasure is all mine, Baron Mhendel, and Baroness Tarya.” replied Drake.

 

“Master Markuvial, I must inquire, how are the Baron and Baroness? Are they well?” asked Tarya. Her regal eyes flickered back and forth between her husband and Drake’s angled face.

 

“Very well, thank you. Both have asked that I send you their best wishes. My mother has requested that you both try to arrange a visit later this year, actually. Perhaps after I have properly secured a fitting place for preservation and display of your artifact.”

 

The mention of the tapestry caused a brief flash of emotion to wing across Mhendel’s face. Drake continued: “In fact, I think it would be fitting if the Baron of Mhendel himself perform the unveiling. In a certain way, it would show to the world that the heritage of the tapestry is and will always remain Mhendel.”

 

Tarya looked with genuine surprise at Drake, then turned to her husband, who wore an inscrutable expression on his face. The Baron looked to his wife, then back to the man who was about to leave with his greatest treasure.

 

Mhendel had not expected this, not in a million years. A rich and untouchable family such as the Markuvian dynasty rarely offered such overtures. Or at least, Mhendel thought that was the case, anyway. He had never in thirty-five years had the chance to meet Baron Markuvial at the annual council of Barons. To think that this was happening because of an old tapestry was silly. Was there something else that this young man was searching for?

 

Mhendel spoke, but the offer left him rattled, and unsure of the consequences on taking or refusing it. “Sure, sure, that sounds like a wonderful idea, Master Markuvial… We have not visited your father’s barony before and we would be honored.”

 

Drake, pleasure plainly displayed upon his face, clapped his hands together. “Very well! Now, there is a matter of a good faith deposit that I believe I owe you. I have deposited the remainder in a trust account that will revert to your ownership as soon as the tapestry has been inspected and rendered ready for shipment.” With that, Drake walked over to the large carriage and pulled a latch from the front. A single latch remained. Drake put his hand upon it and spoke.

 

“I give you the good faith deposit of one million signets.”

Mhendel stopped breathlessly to stare as the final latch came loose, and the large wooden front of the wagon swiveled down… A cascade of golden coins moved like a tidal wave through the opening, to crash and bounce across the stone floor… He pictured it as a golden waterfall of wealth, more than he had ever seen before! The large coins danced and bounced and rolled in all directions. Drake solidly stood there in the midst of the shower, gold flashing and crashing all about his frame, and still it kept coming! Totter was screaming in laughter and cavorting amongst the treasure like a madman. Mhendel felt like joining him in his crazy dance. He walked over to Drake, waded into the shower of gold and slipped to fall nearly at the young man’s feet… What a showman! I love this man! Dragonsfire, I wish I had a daughter left to give him---

 

The flow of gold ebbed, until the great glittering pile lay upon the center of Mhendel’s ancient great room. Mhendel looked at his wife Tarya who stood staring with eyes wide, her hand held in front of her mouth. Totter still hooted with pleasure. Drake carefully stepped over the golden pile to reach Mhendel who by now stood transfixed by the gold.

 

With a tilt of his head and a small smile, Drake spoke again. “Would your grace prefer to count it now, or perhaps after we examine the tapestry?”

 

Mhendel broke out of his trance at the sound of Tarya’s giggle. “Hmm? Oh! The Tapestry! Right away!”

 

Mhendel and Drake turned their backs on the gold as Drake’s guards shooed Totter out of the glittering pile. The two men walked to the far wall to a small, but ornately carved wooden door. The carvings were of people, animals, leaves and vines. Centered in the middle was a carved dragon poised in a fearsome posture: Teeth bared, frozen in mid-leap. Drake presumed that the carvings were sourced from the treasure within. Mhendel drew a key from his pocket and inserted it into the keyhole of the door. With a careful twist, the lock snapped with a click. He then turned the brass knob and pulled the door open with effort. The hinges shrieked in protest as rusty smoke puffed from the hinge pins.

 

Drake, Mhendel, and the lady Tarya looked beyond the door to see a steel plate bolted to the wall with rusted fasteners. Mhendel stared in disbelief. Drake, however, only peered at the plate for a few seconds before turning to the shocked Mhendel.

 

“When was the last time you checked the condition of this tapestry?”, coolly asked Drake.

 

“I…I’ve..well,” stammered Mhendel.

Tarya spoke up. “We’ve never checked it. Never in our lifetime, nor in our father’s lifetime. This is the first time in generations that we’ve dared open the vault.”

 

Drake looked at the two people with obvious shock. I can’t believe they haven’t ever bothered to look at it! Drake knew that the tapestry was guarded closely from outsiders, but to lock it away like this? It was almost as if Mhendel was afraid of it.

 

“Why, if you don’t mind my asking, haven’t you even bothered to inspect it?”

 

Mhendel looked away from the steel plate and spoke. “It’s because of what the tapestry does, Master Drake. It’s not just a simple blanket or rug that you hang on the wall.”

 

Tarya continued: “Our family history says that the tapestry is endowed with mysterious power. You can still feel it sometimes, late at night when you are quiet and stand near the vault.”

 

Drake was skeptical, but intrigued by this previously unknown legend. “What exactly can you feel?”

 

“I feel the dragon that is woven into it.” Spoke Mhendel, gravely. “I sometimes dream its dreams and they scare me just like they scared my father and his father before him. That is why we have not opened the vault. There is some sort of spell woven into the tapestry, and we have dared not disturb it until now.”

 

Drake saw the superstitious fear in the baron’s eyes. It is truly amazing that a secret superstitious legend could grip a whole family for so long!

Drake replied with barely concealed skepticism: “Perhaps when I have moved the tapestry to a new location you will be able to sleep without any more fearsome dr..”

 

Tarya interrupted him: “Don’t think for a minute that my husband is making this up. I’ve seen his agony when the dream grips him. I’ve seen him sweat and I have felt the heat. The heat overcomes him as if he were gravely ill, just as it gripped his father. One minute its there, and the next minute its gone. I see that you too, have the golden crown in your eyes, just like Mhendel. Don’t underestimate this artifact, Master Markuvial. We love it and fear it at the same time.” The seriousness of the regal lady Tarya shook Drake’s confidence and his smile faded.

 

“I will take your caution and exercise due care, baroness.”

 

Mhendel stepped past from the wooden door as Drake beckoned his inspection team over to examine the steel plate. Trish and two men dressed in white coats hurried over from the side of the wagon.

 

“What do you think?” asked Drake.

 

The team of three historical preservationists examined the steel plate in the wall then talked amongst themselves for a few minutes. Trishyanna produced a small drill to drill a pilot hole into the plate. She then attached an air sampler to the pilot hole and sampled the interior of the vault. Scanning the results, she smiled with satisfaction. She then turned around to report to Drake and Mhendel.

 

“It looks as if this is still an airight seal, based on my readings: The interior was purged with an inert gas and there is still virtually zero humidity inside: Whatever is in there stands a pretty good chance of still remaining preserved. We think that we can cut off the fasteners, pressure equalize the chamber, then transfer the contents for transport to your lab where we can inspect it in sterile conditions.”

 

“Very good, Trish. Please make it so.”

 

Mhendel placed his hand on Drake’s forearm. “Does this mean that we wont get a chance to look at the tapestry?”

 

“Do you really want to see it? Now? After all this time?” asked Drake.

 

Mhendel looked to Tarya, then at the steel plate. He pondered, then shook his head. “No, I guess not. Perhaps some day I will journey to your barony and peer at it once I know it is safe to do so.”

 

A lively metallic ringing from across the room made everyone turn from the vault. Totter rang a small golden bell and executed a very pronounced bow towards Drake, Mhendel, and Tarya.

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that the banquet is ready to begin! Your dinner guests have assembled and await your arrival! Today begins a great festival, and we welcome you, Master Markuvial, as the guest of honor!”

 

Tarya smiled and held out her hands to Drake and Mhendel. They turned to follow the odd little man towards the banquet hall as the recovery team labored to extract the tapestry.