Thought of the Day - November 19 2021 - Once Upon a Time - Part II

Several months have passed since the first part of our tale was written ( Thought of the Day - September 6 2021 - Once Upon a Time ).

For those who missed it.

The story is about a fiefdom besieged by Dragons that had come from a faraway land. People were dying and so a great fortress was built to protect the people. Those who wished to seek sanctuary within its walls must take the Dragon Card lottery. Those that were successful could find refuge, those that failed would be called upon to use great weapons, brought from the Kingdom to the south, to fight the Dragons. The system was a great success, many people were protected and saved.

As we finished our first chapter there were, however, concerns in the fiefdom. Concerns that the more powerful Delta Dragons had now reached their land. Also, 'The Many' in the Fortress were surprised, there were still some that chose not to seek sanctuary. 'The Few', who refused to flip the Dragon Card, instead took their chances with the Dragons.

The months slipped by, yet, despite the slaying of many Dragons, the Delta Dragons kept coming. As autumn arrived attacks increased once again in some parts of the fiefdom. More people died, not just amongst 'The Few' outside the fortress but also some of 'The Many'. "It is 'The Few'" said the Mages. "The few are attracting the dragons!" echoed 'The Many'. "We must make 'The Few' come into the fortress. We must make 'The Few' flip the Dragon Card." Some came, but others still refused.

Moreover, supplies were running low. While one and all were supplied with bread from the great larders, with 'The Many' all huddled in the Fortress rather than toiling in the fields other items were in short supply. Those goods that were still available were expensive. "What is the point of gold, if there is no ale" 'The Many' would grumble.

And so a decree when out. "Return to your place of work, for one or two days a week. Do not fear the dragons. Remember to take with you your Medallion; the one that proves you have flipped the Dragon Card. Keep it ready to proudly present: if you visit any ale-house of the fiefdom; if you wish to work at any farm of the fiefdom; if you wish to hunt on any land of the fiefdom. And remember to present it each time you return to the Fortress." it read.

Some headed out with trepidation, others with rejoicing. The people went out, went back to their place of work, Medallion in hand. But along the way they were surprised to find those that had not entered the Fortress, those that bore no Medallion, 'The Few' were building fortified places of their own. They were using their own weapons to fight the Dragons. They were even using potions from faraway lands. The mages were very disturbed. "Impossi . . . unacceptable!" they said as one. Another decree was drawn up. "There will be no building of keeps in the fiefdom. The use of weapons or potions from faraway lands must not be used to fight the Dragons" - of course, it went without saying, except by Mages, and except for weapons or potions bought from the Kingdom to the South.

Dragons kept coming. The dormitories of the elderly in the Fortress were still being breached. Do the elderly need extra protection? It was agreed that the elderly should flip the Dragon Card yet again, those who failed would stand dormitory watch, weapons in hand. Dragons were now known to take children as well. Maybe we need to include children in the lottery?

There were stories that the Kingdom to the South had developed new potions. Not the potions used by those in faraway lands. Not the potions used by some of 'The Few'. But revised elixirs that would save people; people that had been attacked by Dragons. The new potions would cost many, many gold pieces. The new potions must indeed perform miracles!

Little more than a month before the Great Winter Feast, stories were coming from other Kingdoms across the water. Stories that Dragons were attacking more than at any time in the past, and that, despite their best efforts, many people were perishing. Moreover, there were reports of increased Dragon sightings in the Kingdom to the South. What to do, by the time of the feast the Dragons could return in force once again to the fiefdom itself? Opinions from the Mages, the people in the Fortress, and those that refused to flip the Dragon Card were becoming further and further divided. What to do indeed.

Will there be supplies for the winter feast? Will 'The Few' flip the Dragon Card or will they start to rebel against its use. Will children be called upon to flip the Dragon Card? And what about the new potions from the south, should the coffers be opened once again? What will be done to save the fiefdom? Stay tuned for Part III.

Cheers

Cliff