DragonSpell - Chapter One

David Finds a Solution

The day started off calmly enough. David and Marlini spent the morning bent over the crystal ball upstairs in the laboratory. Marlini was wont to tipple a little more than was wise for a wizard ever since David’s mother died. David could smell the sweet aroma of tobacco and brandy. He bore watching, but this seemed a harmless pursuit.

Marlini paused to drink from his chalice, and looked at it disgusted. “Empty,” he said.

David said “I’ll get some more,” and left the room.

He was only gone a few minutes, but when he returned Poof, the dragon of the moat, had stuck his head in the window, and Marlini was doing an incantation. He was at the part about

“. . . marshalling all the ethers of the willow” but he said with a slight slur to his voice “. . . marshmallow all the withers . . .”

David yelled “No!” but it was too late. Marlini struck Poof on the nose.

David took Marlini by the arm and locked him in his chamber. Poof now spewed Marshmallow crème instead of fire every time someone approached the castle.

“Oh, dis is just wunnerful. Cad I hab by code back?” said Poof through the marshmallow crème clinging to his snout.

Preparations for a victory dinner brought many wagons laden with beer, food, wine, musicians, and other sundries. Every time one approached, the dragon couldn’t help himself. He breathed out marshmallow crème. By afternoon, the moat was covered with a sticky white substance.

“Oh, boy, just wait until Princess Penelope gets home” thought David.

He dreaded what she might do. He scooped up a beaker of the stuff and took it up to his turret and put it on the table. He would think of something. He had to. He was Princess Penelope’s Prime Minister. It was his job to see that things ran smoothly. He paced the floor far into the night, but could not think of a solution. David heard the call of the stallion, Solarius, ring out across the meadow. The drawbridge was down, and the torches were lit. He heard the horse’s hooves thunder across the bridge and he ran to the courtyard. Princess Penelope in her armor, her helmet topped with a white plume sat there astride the golden stallion. David reached out to help her dismount. His hands trembled as they encircled her waist.

James, the groom, appeared. “Princess, it’s good to see you home. David was worried.”

He led the stallion away. Penelope removed her helmet and shook out her long, dark hair. Then she headed for the main hall. David stood still for a second, and then he followed matching strides with her. He put his arm across her shoulders.

“Penny, “He whispered into her ear. ‘I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you, too, David. I can’t wait to get out of these smelly clothes. All I want to do is take a nice hot bath. I'm starved. Do you suppose the cook has anything left in the kitchen? Those legionnaires will be home tomorrow. You had better tell Chef Murphy to roast a few beasts."

“It’s all under control” he said, feeling anything but under control.

He did not want to tell her about Marlini, but he knew if she found out on her own, it would be very bad, very bad, indeed.

“Penelope. . .”

She looked at him. “Yes?”

“Well . . .” He paused to take a breath. “Well, as you know, Poof has had a cold. He was having some difficulty getting his fire started, and was breathing out some very sulphurous smoke, stunk up the place pretty bad. So, Marlini. . . “

“He didn’t!” The Princess moaned.

“Yes, well I was out of the room and Poof stuck his head in Marlini’s window, and Marlini tried to do one of his spells, but he substituted marshmallow for marshal, and it seems Poof is now breathing great gobs of marshmallow crème every time anyone approaches the castle. The moat is - well, pretty sticky right now. I thought I would tell you before . . .”

The Princess pulled her sword from its scabbard and stomped towards the stairs to Marlini’s turret. David grasped her arm. “Really, Penelope, you’re tired. Maybe you should rest before you tackle Marlini.”

Princess Penelope shook off his arm, and continued up the staircase towards the turret, her sword in one hand, her steel helmet in the crook of the other. The white plume flounced behind her with every step. He couldn’t help but look at her rear end thus framed. David hurried after her.

"I've about had enough of this mindless wizard. I think I'll lop off his head." She swung her sword as she spoke. David ducked to avoid being smote.

"For heavens sake, Penelope, he can't help it. He's an old man."

"Well, that old man has caused enough havoc in Sunshine Castle."

"But, but . . ."

Penelope paused on the staircase, and turned towards David. "Look.” She pointed the sword at his chest. He backed down the steps to avoid being impaled. Penelope advanced jabbing at his chest which was fortunately clad in a thick leather vest, punctuating each sentence with its tip.

"I just rode a hundred miles to get home from a war. I spent the last month with one hundred and fifty legionnaires and General Bluenose. You’re right. I’m too tired for this”

She put her sword in its scabbard, pushed David aside, and marched past him down the stairs.

"Tell Hildy I want a bath." She said over her shoulder.

David followed. He knocked on the door next to Penelope’s room.

“Hildy, wake up. The Princess is home.”

Hildy opened the door. Her blonde hair flew in all directions. Through her nightgown her bosom, and more were plain to see but she seemed oblivious to David’s look.

“No need to wake the entire castle. I heard the horses screaming in the meadow. I figured it was her. I’ll be right there.”

She slammed the door in his face. She re-emerged a moment later wrapped in a robe. He helped her carry water to fill Penelope’s tub. He left when the two women began to talk. He hummed to himself as he walked down the hall to the kitchen. He returned carrying a tray with cold chicken and fruit, a mug of warm grog, and a bottle of wine, and Hildy left. Penelope was wrapped in a blue silk robe, her dark hair cascading down her back. He set the tray on the white bear rug in front of the fire and they sat there together their heads inches apart. Penelope told him of her travels.

“. . . and so the war went well. I and the legionnaires drove the Earl of Hermitville and all his troops out of the Land of Sunshine.” After a pause she said “what will we do about Marlini?”

David held her to his chest and stroked her hair. “I don’t know” he said.

After he tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead, he headed straight for his private turret. Immediately he checked the beaker. The marshmallow crème had dried and formed a crust. Underneath was a golden liquid. Also, the marshmallow was reduced to half its former volume. He removed the skin and was greeted with an alcohol aroma. He took a small sip of the brew. He raised his eyebrows. Potent, he realized. Of course, this must be full of sugars. That would make for some very strong drink, he thought. He took a larger drink and smacked his lips.
He grabbed a bucket, and went down to the draw bridge. By now, the morning sun gleamed off the sticky white foam on the moat. As he lowered the bucket into it, he heard the dragon groan.

“Poof. How are you, my friend?”

“Ohhhhh, my head hurts.” Poof was covered in marshmallow crème. His pink scales were plastered against his sides. His long slender neck sagged in the middle, and he carried his head very low. “How will I ever get this stuff off if the moat is polluted? The fishes and crabs and crocodiles are suffering. They have all gathered on the other side near the dam. I fear it will not be long until the marshmallow suffocates them all. The ducks have flown to the lake.”

David said “I’ve got an idea. We’ll open the dam so they can escape into the lake, and then close it fast. If I do it right, it should work. Poof, can you tell them? I’ll be there in 15 minutes.”

He put one finger on his chin. “Let’s see, one hundred fifty legionnaires . . . they will be thirsty. How long would it take them to drink all the marshmallow liquor in the moat?”
Poof shook his head and oozed off to the other side of the moat.