Folksburywoods Story Blog

“Good morning, Thelonious. I’ve brought you a starflower to brighten your day,” said Circe.

“Mistress, you know I do this not of my free will. Your father has threatened banishment to the Ice Mountains if I do not keep you safe on this island,” replied the dragon.

“I know my friend. It is a shame that you must suffer because of me, and I must suffer because an old witch made a prophecy on Mother’s deathbed,” replied the girl.

“I miss her, child; your mother was the kindest human we dragons had the pleasure to serve, and her death nearly destroyed our kingdom as well as yours,” said Thelonious.

The two figures decided it was time to have breakfast, so the dragon flew out to sea and returned with a giant seabass. The dragon promptly devoured half of it, and the other was placed on a spit and roasted to perfection.

“Thelonious, do you think Father will ever allow me to leave this prison?” asks Circe.

“Child, I have lived well over one hundred years and have never known a king to abdicate his kingdom to a female child,” answered the dragon.

“Yes, if I were a male child, he would’ve given me half the kingdom and found a new wife. Everyone knows that,” said Circe.

“You had no choice in your birth. The prophecy clearly states you must never wed or sit on any throne, or your father’s kingdom will fall,” said Thelonious.

“Perhaps it is just as well since my time with you here has been carefree and truly an enlightening experience,” said the girl with a twinkle in her eye.

The remainder of the day was spent tutoring the child in the magic of the dragons. Thelonious knew this violated the dragon law but felt the Fates had placed him there to right a wrong and honor a great woman taken before her time.

On the eve of Circe’s twentieth birthday, Thelonious sat her down and told her the truth of her mother’s death.

“Your father had refused to send for the healer, hoping she would succumb to natural causes. Then, he could wed Princess Accasious and gain a male heir and her father’s kingdom,” spoke the dragon.

“Is that why the evil old crone placed a curse on my father’s kingdom?” the girl asked.

“The crone you speak of was your godmother, a kindly woman who was your mother’s nanny and devoted servant. When the truth was learned, she used her ancient skills as a sorcerous to place the curse on your father and stay his hand from taking your life as well,” said Thelonius.

The dragon explained that the woman had been burnt as a witch, but the curse was set. To hide his evil intent, he told the court a lie in the form of a prophecy, just enough truth to send you here and away from his plans.

“All this time, you knew the prophecy was a lie and did nothing about it?” the girl angrily asked.

“Quite the contrary, I’ve prepared you to return to your father’s kingdom and claim your birthright,” explained Thelonious.

“I don’t understand. What birthright?” asked Circe.

“For you to claim your mother’s throne, which your father usurped, you must be able to defeat all those who knowingly allowed this travesty of justice to take place,” the dragon said.

Thelonious explained that her father married her mother, who was the rightful heir to the throne, and when she died, he claimed the throne as his. Over the years, he had been training her to use the magic of the dragons, which is forbidden to humans.

“I will be cast out of the House of Dragoon for teaching you the power. At least your mother’s soul can rest in peace with the throne returned to her child. Now, prepare for battle; today, you shall hold the king’s scepter and claim what is yours by birth,” said the dragon.

When the pair reached the castle walls, to Thelonious’s shock and delight, flew the entire House of Dragoon. “You didn’t think we were going to let you have all the fun, did you,” said the master dragoon.

With the sky filled with fire and claw, the king’s armies fled, leaving only the palace guard to stop Circe. “You got this. Remember your training, and when he begs for mercy, remind him that he showed none to your mother as she lay dying,” said Thelonious.

Circe effortlessly dispatched the guards and then went to the throne room. “Father, you have overstayed your welcome on my throne. Leave and take your filth with you,” commanded Circe.

“Your dragons are not here to help you. Killing a child is easy. Please give my regards to your mother,” said the king, then drew back his bow and launched an arrow at his daughter’s heart.

Circe waved her hand, and the arrow circled back, hitting the king squarely in his neck, causing him to drop his bow and slump onto the throne.

“Mercy, I’m your father. You can’t kill me, child. I gave you life,” pleaded the king.

Circe glared at the king and remembered what Thelonious had told her about her mother’s death. “The type you showed my mother the night she died, that mercy? As you wish,” said the girl.

Circe’s hands clapped, producing an enormous fireball that engulfed the king, leaving him a chard skeleton. “I always hate the color of that chair. It’s time to do a little redecorating around here,” said Circe with a smirk as she left the castle.

“I notice your fireball spell worked a little too well unless you meant to toast the king on your return,” said Thelonious with a wink.

“Do you think Mother can rest now?” asked the girl.

“Oh, child, there is no doubt that your mother’s soul rests in peace. We dragons have a way of knowing. There is still much work to do here, so let’s not dally, shall we?” said the dragon as they chased the remaining court members with puffs of flame to remind them that the new queen was not to be trifled with.