Long long ago in a time of bold knights and fair maidens, in a land only know to legend as Allendorne, there lived in a palace upon a hill a young prince. He was Prince Tyr De- Movest of the Principality of Delggor in the land of Allendorne, in his twentieth year he stood proud and was of good face and body. He was admired much by all the females of the kingdom but more so by those of noble birth who had a chance of making him their husband. It was known by one and all that the prince was of that age when he must surely take a bride, for it was the custom of the place that all princes must be married by the age of twenty five. Since the prince had not yet made his choice no unmarried female wished to give herself to someone else just in case the prince may choose her. Tyr himself had no feelings for any of the girls that he had met, he had of course danced and conversed with quite a number at the various functions laid on by his father and mother, there were even two that he had kissed upon the cheek. This physical contact was not seen by him as anything other than a pleasant informality, no doubt it was not seen in the same light by the females in question.

The king walked to and fro in his chambers as though the weight of the world were upon his shoulders. "Bring me the boy", The king had stopped his pacing and stood stock still in the centre of the room as though he had decided on the course of action he may take. "Wife thou hast begotten a most unruly son, have I not been a generous father to him, have I not fed his wants and needs, am I to be defied by my own blood. I ask no great thing of him, other than to do what is required by his position. I have had him meet with woman after woman and yet he takes not one jot of interest. What wrong does he see in these females, I like there form and features, so why not he". The queen was of elegant appearance with a fine figure, this was in much contrast to her husband who owing to his fondness of the grain and the grape was of a rather rotund appearance. "Husband pray calm yourself, he is yet just a boy, and as with all boys needs guidance in all matters. Yet you may note that we have no such problems with the girls of this family. Me thinks that the womanhood of the land has more brains than their opposites". The prince entered the chamber and could tell at a glance that this would not be a comfortable encounter. "It was thy wish to see me father, I gather from your countenance that you are in possession of some bad news". This remark was meant to lighten the atmosphere but did not have the desired effect; in fact it had no effect at all. "Damn it boy I love you dearly but you go too far. Give me reasons; why turn down all these wenches, do they have a pate that is bald and shiny? No. Do they have warts that hang like grapes from eyelids, nose and chin? No. Do they smell as rank as the left over fish on market day? No. Do they have nought but gums in their mouth or teeth that are the colour of freshly dug coals? No. If this be not the case then speak to me plainly as to why you turn them down and can make not one choice". The prince walked to his father and spoke in a quiet steady voice that was a reflection of his heart." Father for my respect for you I speak true, just as you are true and just to your subjects I must also be just as true to the one I choose and to myself. I want to wed a girl that wants to wed me, not because she has been chosen like some prize at a fair, but because it's what she wants. I want her to want to be the mother of my children and not to feel she has been picked because she appears to be the best breeding stock. Am I to choose a wife because I think it my duty, is she to accept and bare children because she thinks it's her duty. Are we to be placed together like beasts in a field and our children to be born of instinct and not of love? I make you a deal father, I will journey the land for three months and if by the end of that span I have not found a girl that loves me and that I love, I will marry whosoever you choose. The king looked into the eyes of his son and then at the floor, and as if speaking to no one in particular said. "Well wife what think you of this, would you give your approval to this". "Indeed my lord, what be the harm in a wait of such short a time when considering the span of a lifetime. The queen walked across to her husband and kissed him gently on the cheek. He may have been the captain of this ship of state but she was most definitely the navigator. "Your mother agrees boy so let it be. I have yet one proviso and that is no one is to know the reason for your journey, I will not have the womanhood of this land deserting their duties and chasing all over the countryside in the hope of being picked by you, do you understand? With this the prince left to make ready for the quest.

The morning broke into a perfect summer's day, the horses had been saddled and were being brushed down by their attendant squires, the only thing missing were the riders of these fine animals. Tyr had decided that he would take his leave today in order to clear his mind a little from the affairs of state and avoid any further hold ups due to affairs of state. There were two others to ride with him today, there was Jason who had been his inseparable companion since the age of four and who Tyr looked on more as a brother than as a friend. He was also Tyr's confidant and was privy to all the princes innermost secrets, the two spoke together on many a night well into the early hours and each knew the other as though they had been joined as soul mates. The other on that journey was not to be there as a companion but more of a necessity, his name was Boris and was twice the age of the prince, he was there by order of the king as the prince's body guard. Boris had protected the prince since he was but twelve years old and although he had a white beard and was of a dour appearance, was at times quite cheerful with a hidden sense of humour. Boris had fought in wars, but what wars these were and when they took place Tyr had no idea, for there had been no wars in that land for as long as anyone could remember. Tyr had even asked Boris outright when and where these wars had been and ordered him to speak of them. But even this did not move Boris,

"My prince, if a man knows not of war then he should remain ignorant of it. The killing of ones fellow man is not an act to be proud of; it is at times but an ugly necessity. And once the doing of it has past, it should be put away like some terrible nightmare and never spoken of again. May the spirits see to it that you never witness the terrible things that man may do to man. Speak not to me of such things ever again for thou shall gain no reply". Those were the last words that past between the two, and never again was that particular subject mentioned, nor would it ever be.

So the three set off, the sound of the horses hooves echoed through the winding street on the way to the portcullis and the city's gate. One knows not how but the departure of the three went before them, thus giving the young woman time to brush off their dresses and just happen by chance to be outside when the prince was passing. "Quickly, come quickly he will be here at any moment", Kathy said to her sister Hilda, "Not yet", said Hilda "I have some spots of flour on my face". They were both outside as the prince rode by and he acknowledged their curtsey by a wave and a large smile that was genuinely and warmly given. The two girls were all smiles and giggles as they returned to their fathers bakers shop, they at least had enjoyed their brush with royalty even if their father thought it nought but foolishness. "By the by you two", their father bellowed as if ordering a stone of flour, "Bob Johnson the carpenter is sending his two sons over tonight, for some reason they seem to be wanting to take you two a courting.------------Though god knows why?------------ So you be a minding your manners". The girls looked at each other and both burst into fits of giggles.

The ride was most pleasant as the sun shone down on the three companions as they turned off the main cart track and onto a small pathway into the forest. They were now in single file as there was now no room to ride side by side, "Sire to what purpose do we journey, mayhap you have a great reason that you will bring to light". Boris now spoke in a questioning tone thinking that there may be some danger that he may know of and therefore be prepared to confront. "No, good Boris; the destination is nought, but tis the journey that is the thing. We travel because we can; we travel to see a new tree, a new river, a new glade. We travel for the joy of seeing a new place and make memories to look upon in our old age. Tis a longing for old men to sit by a fire and look back at things that were done in their youth, the more a man does and sees gives him all the more to see when he is old. So my good Boris, look, enjoy and be happy in all you see". Boris looked back at the prince with a frown of someone who had lost a gold coin and found a brass one. "As my lord I believe in all that you have told me, but had this been said to me by a lesser man I would have put my sword to his throat and politely asked for the other reason. But as it is; you have my loyalty and my trust". The prince laughed a hearty laugh and cried. "On with you good sir Boris, see there ahead, tis a new tree to cast eyes upon". So on they travelled in good humour, hour after hour and tree after tree.

It was on the fourth day as they rested at the base of a small hill they heard the noise, in a quiet moment while at their midday meal they both heard it together. It was kind of swoosh then silence then swoosh, and once they had heard it there was no denying its existence. It was Jason that spoke first, "My lord I do but hear a strange noise, a noise that is most unfamiliar to me, does it afflict your ears or am I stricken by some malady". No Jason, your ears do not play you false, for if you have a malady then I most assuredly have it too". Boris was some distance away wiping down the horses with great clumps of dry grass. As soon as was fitting the two approached Boris and spoke to him in a quizzical manner. The prince pushed Jason forward to speak for them both. "Boris you are a man of great experience and have a lot of knowing of the world. I would ask, that is I mean my lord and I would ask, do you have the knowledge of that swooshing sound that both myself and my lord hear. It makes me mindful of the sound of a dragon's tail in a far distance, swishing to and fro". A look of puzzlement came to face of Boris as he cocked his head to one side in order to hear the noise of the dragon's tail. Then it started with a thin smile drawn on the lips of Boris, the smile became a grin, the grin to a laugh until Boris was bent double and tears of laughter ran down his face in rivers. At one point Boris had almost recovered when he looked at the pair and burst out "Dragon's tail" and was once again incapacitated with laughter. He eventually bid them climb the hill while he sat on the grass in spasm after spasm of laughing interspersed with Dragon's tails. The two companions made their way to the crest of the hill and were dumb struck at the sight before them, the vast expanse of blue sea met their astonished gaze, for those only used to crossing three hundred yards of river the enormity of this scene was mind blowing. No land could be seen on the other side of this water, in the distance the water touched the sky, and waves fell upon the pebbled shore for hundreds of yards in either direction. After a few moments they realised that Boris was beside them, "My lords may I present you with the ocean". Then in a much louder voice and with arms spread wide. "OCEAN, may I present my liege and his companion".

They rode for league after league along the shore line never ceasing to be amazed at the vastness of this body of water. It was Jason who was the first to notice, "Look you sire, see how the waters do shrink. All the while we have made journey along the waters edge, it moves away from our horse's feet. Think thou sire that this water doth fear our horses". The prince thinking on this a little said "I know not, for I never had experience of such a thing, mayhap we need to look at our esteemed companion. What say you Boris, you think such a thing possible? For I know not the answer". A smile came to the lips of Boris for he enjoyed being at the centre of their attention and enjoyed being the tutor of his high born betters. "My liege, I am not knowing of all things, but this I do know a little of. For I spent several months in a hamlet not a league from such waters, they had small boats in which they went far out and caught fish a plenty for their table. They also had habit of drawing their craft as far from the water as their energies would allow. For after the passing of time the waters would follow them, and so it seemed to go on, to and fro. Those of that hamlet called it a tide, but they knew not the reason for it and nor do I. I did hear from one old man that it was due to a giant drawing water with a huge bucket and it was this that made the water shrink, but as to the truth of the matter; this I know not. The prince stroked his chin as he pondered the words of his trusted servant. "For sooth old friend; if that tale be aright, and I say nought against it, It must be a bucket of truly great size". The day was ebbing into night and the colours of the landscape were muted tones of their former selves. The dying sun had laid down a golden red pathway from itself to the shore. Jason and the prince watched as the last of the suns rays were replaced by the silvery light of the moon. "My lord", Spoke Jason, "I know thy true reason for this journey, But pray thee tell why we have passed road and track that must surely lead to dwellings of woman and girls and yet we pass on by like a fox in the night. Is there some true destination that we are not privy to, or is it a chance meeting that thou seeks". The prince took these words to heart and in a low voice that was only above a whisper said. "There is within me a voice, it first spoke when I was just thirteen summers, it spoke in whispers. Then as I gained in years the voice became stronger and stronger until now, though still a whisper, it seems it has the strength of my years. It is a voice that I cannot deny". A look of concern was now upon the face of Jason. "And pray tell sire; what does this voice speak of". "Speak not so loud Jason for I wish not the butcher or baker to have knowledge of my words, tis but for your ears alone that I give voice to this thing. I now put thee on thine honour to speak not my words to another, but to carry my words unto thine grave". Jason now looked downcast to think his friend would think of him as betraying his trust. "My liege, this is but a wound to my very heart that my lord and friend would think that I would be doing such a traitorous act". "Whist and calm thy wrath dear friend, for I say this only to convey how seriously I view this matter. To answer thy question. I only hear, or should that be, I have the knowing that it says - Find me; Find me. In all my life I have never told another living thing of this, I know not who this may be or where they may be, but I do know that since we left the voice has gained strength and we moving towards and not away from it. This is the reason that I will not wed another wench, until I satisfy myself that this voice does not belong to the one that was meant for me". Jason took hold of his friends hand and in a low whisper said." I swear upon my life that I will serve thee and keep faith with thee for as long as thou will it, even until death and beyond". "Jason I am humbled before thee, for no man has ever had such a friend as thee. Indeed thou art not my friend, but thou art truly my brother and for this I thank thee unto my grave". It was now by the moonlight that they walked back to their camp where sleep was late in coming as the thoughts of that evening ran through their brains.

Two more days had past and although it was summer it seemed that winter was approaching. The sky had an ominous darkness and the wind began to pick up, looking back there was bright sunshine but ahead there was a slate grey sky and a chill wind blew. Boris who was ahead of the group turned his horse and halted the others. "Sire I think this be not our road, Look ahead; this be a warning of some witchery, even the horse pulls at the reins and would willingly turn back or to the side". The prince stood high in the stirrups and surveyed the gloom ahead. "Aye good Boris I see your thinking, and at another time your course may be the right one, but on this journey it is good that we ignore the omens for I have a feeling that this is to test us and I will not be stopped". Then looking about him the prince yelled at the top of his voice as if to the four winds, "I will not be stopped; do you hear me, I WILL NOT BE STOPPED". At this Boris looked at Jason as if he had been enlightened. Taking his horse he rode slowly back to the prince until alongside him, then held out his hand for the prince to take. "So I see we are on a quest after all, here take my hand for I hereby swear that whatever this quest is I shall be by your side. Never did I think my lord wished to look at trees. It makes no matter that I know not the purpose, for I follow you unto the gates of hell itself". At this the prince threw out his hand and the two were joined. "Good Sir Boris I thank you with all my heart; I ask you once again to take the lead and deliver us to our destination". Once more they moved off into the face of a cold bitter wind and an ever darkening sky. Jason called to the prince though his cry was barely audible due to the ferocity of the increasing wind "My lord I fear that there is some malevolence that does not wish us to advance". "Aye Jason, I think you aright in this matter, but we must press on". The wind howled in their faces and leaves were stripped from the trees, the lead grey sky seemed to press down upon their head as detritus ran along the ground as if in a demented dance before the biting wind. Boris was in the fore with both man and horse bowing their heads against the onslaught of the wind. As he topped at small rise he reined back his horse and stood stock still and raising his hand beckoned the others to do the same, then with deft movements of his feet born of years in the saddle he reversed his horse a good twenty feet and dismounted. "Sire", said Boris, "I would wish you to look upon the sight ahead; I fear our sojourn in these parts may be at an end". The two went forward on foot as Jason looked after the horses. Near the crest of the small rise where Boris had first stopped, he held out his hand to stop the prince's advance, "Take care my lord, for death be only feet away, I felt my horse stiffen as we came atop that hillock. His eyes being ahead of mine he saw the danger before I, had I but pressed him on we both would surely be dead". The prince cautiously moved forward to see the danger, the green sword stopped abruptly and then there was nothing, nothing bit air, it was as if a giant had taken a knife and sliced a huge chunk out of the ground. As he peered over the edge there was nothing to impede a fall for almost two hundred feet, then there was mist. A thick white mist covered the ground with only a few black shapes barely visible through it. It swirled and moved as if it were some living thing, a thing brought forth from hell. As the prince looked upon this vista there was a strange happening, the wind that had howled and beaten them all this while suddenly ceased, and with the dying of the wind the sky began to lighten. As the two looked back towards Jason the wind ceased altogether and there seemed to be a barrier between the calm and the wind and although the two on the crest were in calm Jason was still being buffeted by wind; until in a trice he too was in the calm. Jason looking about him and not knowing what to make of this called to the prince, "What make thee of this sire? Never have I encountered such a thing. Tis like a door slamming against a storm and the same calm do follow. Me thinks that there is some evil thinking behind this. From this point we must have a care where we do tread". "Aye good Jason, once more thou do think aright, this seems not to be a natural thing but a thing born of witchery and magic. From this point on we must be alive to all danger, think not twice about drawing the steel from the scabbard and strike a deadly blow to anything that may seek our harm. Boris, find us a way to descend into that mire, for I know that way to be our path". And so saying Boris began to search for the route that would lead them down to whatever lay beneath.

Dawn broke to see the three companions moving slowly down a small path that could be described at best as feeble. Once more the stalwart Boris was in the lead, picking his way past tree branch, root and boulder followed faithfully by his two charges, for after all he could not be body guard to one and not the other. Almost at the bottom now the three began to enter the mist that lay at the base of this great cliff. Their voices no longer echoed as they had previously, but were deadened by the mist; it clung to them like a wet blanket and was surely just as effective at silencing their speech. Now at the bottom they saw before them a wide road but this road had not felt the fall of a foot nor the turn of a cart wheel for many a day. Grass now grew in great clumps hither and thither; this would never have been allowed had it been in use. They moved slowly, astride their horses and not saying a word but ever attentive to any danger that may beset them. It seemed that even the horses were aware that this was no normal road, for the sound was wrong, for no echo did they hear from the clip and clop of their hooves, it was more of a quiet thud thud. Then the lead horse halted and whinnied and would not move further, Boris climbed down and took the animal by the reins, and it was only then that the beast would move forward. It was only its faith in its master that gave it strength follow him. It was only three steps that Boris took before he saw the thing that had given fear to the horse. It was a man, but no ordinary man; he seemed to be walking as if to market with goods and chattels on his back. On another day and in another place no one would have taken a second look at this trader, but in the here and now the scene was not right, for he had been turned to stone. He must have been in this state for a goodly time for a creeper had grown around his leg and due to the dampness of the mist he was all but covered in moss. "Ye gods", Exclaimed Boris, "This be nought but the work of the devil sire, and see around us the trees struggle to put forth a leaf, the grass is pale and yellowing. Life in these parts is in great sorrow. I know not your quest sire but I now have one of my own, to find the cause of this venom and take off the head wherein those poison fangs lie". "Tis true my friend, evil has been done here. Methinks thy quest and mine are entwined in some way, I know not how as yet but the knowing will be our deliverance". They now dismounted and led their horses in order to give them comfort and lessen the fear of the poor beasts. They had now travelled almost half a league and past two more stone people, one even astride a small donkey, they felt somewhat sorry for this poor beast for when of this world the animal must have had to bear some weight, its master being of great girth and stature. It was Jason who halted the three and bade them listen. "I hear nought but the beating of thine heart Jason; I have no time for this foolishness". "Silence", the prince spoke in a sharp rebuke full manner to Boris, "I do hear something, Boris make ready thy cross bow, Jason draw thy sword". Then they all heard it, faint at first but then louder, it was the noise of a sheet hanging out in the breeze on a good drying day. The noise came louder then louder, a shadow came high in the mist, a large black shape swooping down as an eagle would. But this was no eagle it had the body of a man and the wings of a bat and from its mouth there were two yellowing curved teeth fully six inches long. It came down in a swooping dive and it was seen by all that it was the rear horse that was its mark. Jason stood by the animal sword drawn to defend the beast, there would be no easy meat for that evil creature today. The prince too had his sword drawn and as he saw the monster coming down spoke in a clear defiant tone to Boris, "Make true thine eye Boris, for today you may strike a blow against the evil that do dwell in this land. Once the shot taken replace the bolt and strike again. Let me see thee bring down this flapping abomination. May the spirits make thy shaft fly straight and true"? As the last word left the prince's lips the thing attacked, its first strike was thwarted by Jason as he stuck at the creature with his sword, it was easily seen that there had been no resistance for this thing to overcome in the past and it was not best pleased in being denied its meal. As it rose again Boris let fly his first bolt, had it not made a sharp movement the bolt would have pierced its black heart, but as it was it tore the flesh from its shoulder. The second bolt did indeed find its target and found itself lodged in the creature's chest. After some screeching and flapping it crashed to the ground and laid on its back bleeding, Jason seeing it was vulnerable, with one thrust dispatched the thing back to hell from whence it came.

After a short while they came upon a small hamlet, all was as it should be save all of the dozen people there were of solid stone, this included men woman and children who had been transfixed in whatever act or position they were caught in at the time. At nightfall when time came for sleep they took turns in standing guard, light and heat was given out by a good camp fire but a guard lamp was lit with a set amount of oil so that when this lamp went out it was time to change the man on guard. And so it went through the night, cross bow loaded and sword drawn, but nought was seen or heard the whole night through, even the mist seemed to stand still though it had a strange green colour in the light of the fire. They knew morning had come only because they could now see without need of fire or lamp, but of the sun there was no sign, the mist was so thick that not one ray of the golden sun touched the earth upon which they stood. After a meagre breakfast they moved off once again along that mist bound road, but only a short time had passed until they came to a huge wall and what seemed to be a city gate. Had the mist not stayed their sight they would have seen this edifice long before now. They passed through the city gate and the stone sentinels that stood guard there, they moved down street after street but saw nought but stone figures going about their timeless work, until at last they came to the city square at the head of which was a castle, "Have you noticed sire". Jason spoke in quiet tones, "The mist is lifting, when we started we could not see the length of five horses now we can see a hundred paces across the square". "Once more you speak true my friend. I am of a mind that these things are put in our way and when they do not work it seems they are discarded. Since we can now see, and so the danger lessens, we will mount our chargers as there is no fear of causing them a mischief. To horse I say and into the castle". All was quiet as they crossed the court yard save for the clop of the horses hooves on the damp cobbles, all three had swords drawn in case of some unwarranted intrusion by an evil foe. "Silence", Boris spoke in a low insistent voice, "Over there sire I'm certain that there was a movement, my steed senses it too, I feel him tense beneath me". Boris was pointing to a corner of the main building where there seemed to be an archway to another place. The three companions made way to the entrance to investigate but were taken unawares as a monstrous lizard came darting at them. It was a full four horses in length and half the height of Boris's charger but with a head of three large bullocks. Had it chance it could easily have snapped a horse in half and a man would have gone down its throat in one swallow. Boris was the first to loose off a bolt from his cross bow. His arm and eye were true for the bolt struck the beast fully in the right eye making the creature instantly cease its charge. It was now in pain and was more concerned with its own physical condition that attempting devour any flesh of horse or man. Its front right leg came forward time and again to try and extract the offending bolt from its eye, but the shaft was in a good way and when the leg did catch the shaft this only caused even more pain. The blood was now streaming down the scales of its face and its writhing caused its tail to lash about as an eel caught in a net, but its ferocity was such that when the tail struck the wall great pieces would fly off. The prince was now off his horse and preparing to slay this monster, but Jason seeing this threw himself in front of the prince so that no harm should befall him. Then taking his sword Jason ran towards the creature and drove it through the bottom of its lower jaw and up into its brain. But Jason was not quick enough for the animal caught him a blow with its left front leg and laid him out. Blood covered Jason's face as the prince cradled him in his arms "Oh thou foolish Jason, there was no need, we could have done this deed together, oh my foolhardy brother". A tear now gathered in the prince's eye as he thought he was holding his dying friend. "Throw some water in his face sire", Boris was now standing by them "Tis only a bump on the head and a little scratch, he now lies sleeping while we do the work". So saying Boris poured water from a drinking flask full in the face of Jason, with a cough and a splutter Jason came round to find himself being held by the Prince. "For sooth sire I know not why I find myself in this state of dishevelment, but I do feel I have been trampled upon by several bulls and their female companions". The joy the prince felt was beyond compare and he felt more caring for Jason that he ever thought possible. He had risked his life and almost lost it in order that the prince may not risk his, how much more can a man give than to offer himself in place of another. The giant lizard lay behind them in the last throws of life; its blood now gathered in a large pool by its head, it was laid to one side showing clearly the means of its demise. The bolt and the sword were clearly visible but it was the sword that that drew the notice of the prince. Jason was now being looked to by Boris as the prince inspected the almost dead creature, he saw Jason's sword thrust to the hilt into the underside of the animals jaw, the grip and pommel now a bright red as the blood from the wound ran down and dripped from the end.. The prince had no qualms in grabbing the bloody handle and wrenching it from the brute's head, as he did so a final gush of crimson blood fell from the wound. The prince pulled a kerchief from the breast of his tunic and wiped the sword clean and then began to use it to wipe his own hands of the animals blood. Walking across to Jason and with a light smile he said, "I return to you the steel that has served thee so well, take care of this my friend for it is a friend to thee and is but second to me." Then in a much quieter voice, "I thought for a moment that your soul had departed this life and had left a vast black cavern in mine. I pray thee dear friend never make me so afeared again". Jason looked at the prince and smiled, "Sire rest assured, the final outcome was not of my choosing, and should I ever come across such a monstrous creature again, I shall take great care not to get in the way of that tree trunk that it do call a leg".

The search being made of the castle grounds the decision was made to stay the night in the great hall of the castle, even though this was an eerie exercise considering the stone figures dotted about the place. A fire was started in the great fire place, for there was no shortage of kindling as the wood brought in for the purpose had laid and dried for many a year, the blaze sprang into life at the first strike of a flint and indeed gave out much wanted light and warmth. The horses too were brought in for protection and water placed before them to give sustenance. The guard lamp was brought from its storage place and set ready for the first watch. While his companions sat by the fire, the prince walked to the door for a last look at the blackness of the night and reassure himself that all was well. It was as he had expected, black as pitch and not a star to be seen; although the mist had lifted there was still a murky gloom that pervaded the place, tangible evidence of some great malevolence. But wait; there was a light, a light where no light should be, high up in one of the castle towers flickering through a window the distinct signs of a fire in some hearth. Without a word he beckoned to the others to come to his side, and this they surely did with swords drawn from their scabbards and ready for the fray. In a whisper he said to the two, "See thee, through yonder window, someone or something sits and warms by a fire, and I have the intention to know the who and what of the matter. Me thinks the way to this hearth is through yonder door". Boris spoke as one who was taking charge and had in mind the protection of all. "Sire if thy mind is set on this, and I fear that this is so, then I shall be upon thy right hand in this matter and Jason will say behind to see the horses secure. I will have it no other way". It could be seen by Jason's face that he was not happy with this, but he was still recovering from the blow the beast had brought him, and deep down he knew that this was the best course of action.

The two made their way into the tower by stair and door with only the small guard lamp to light the way. They were now high up in the tower but had no knowing on which floor they were on or in which way was best to travel next. Then turning a corner onto a long hallway they saw a light, the light came from a half open door and the flickering light of the fire played against the wall of the corridor. "We have it Boris, see thee, yonder is our quarry". Silently they crept along the corridor until they were but a swords length from the entrance. The prince moved forward very slowly until he was able to gain a view into the room. As he looked he could hardly credit what his eyes were telling him, on his right hand he saw a large well attended fire with fuel to last the night, to the left and half obscured by the door was a table with an abundance of food thereon. But between the two and sat upon a large cushion was a maiden with her back to him. The prince motioned to Boris to stand by the door and guard his back while he entered the room. Silently he crept through the doorway and into the room, all the time keeping his eyes on the maiden, but no sooner was he in the room than he saw her back stiffen, "Who's there, who is it that creeps upon me like a thief in the night, speak, speak your name or does your vile heart forbid it". The prince now felt the wrongness of the situation, for he had entered upon a maidens chambers with sword drawn and without invite. "I beg pardon dear lady", as he placed the steel back within its scabbard, "I was not knowing who it was that resides within these walls, I have no wish to offend thee or cause thee harm in any manner, moreover I would be thy servant and perform any deed that is thy desiring. This I would do to show my repentance for this intrusion". All the while she sat with her back to him and did not move. The prince himself was much taken by the sweetness of her voice for when she spoke he wanted her not to stop; her voice to him was as an angel. "Sir, do I speak to a man of good standing and a man of honour". "Aye that you do mistress, I am Prince Tyr De- Movest of Delggor in the land of Allendorne and am thy most obedient servant". "There are three of you are there not, I heard thee voices earlier and the clop of three horses". "Aye this is true my lady, one stands guard at your door whilst the other looks to our horses". Up until now he had only seen the back of this maiden and then only in a sitting position. She now stood up, her long glossy black hair fell as a waterfall the full length of her back, it was all the more startling as it was thrown into relief by vivid green of her velvet dress. "Sire I wish you to stand before me so that I may know your features". The prince did as he was bade and moved to the front of the young maiden. Only to see her eyes were tight shut. Never the less her beauty was that of an angel, she held herself as a queen with elegance and poise, her dress was fitted to show the curves of a most beautiful female form, she stood before him as the most beautiful maiden he had ever seen. She was perfect in all respects save one thing, she at no point opened her eyes, it was then she lifted her hands to feel the face of the prince and as her hands fell upon his cheeks his hands fell upon hers. In something of an astonished voice he said, "By the saints, is my lady without sight, does the beauty I see before me not have the sight to see her own beauteous reflection in the still waters of a pond. My heart is rent asunder that you may not look upon the world and enjoy the glory of a small flower or even the face of one that may love thee". A sweet small voice met his ears. "Be still my prince, for I can see with my hands and I now wish to know the face of the man that may yet be my saviour". "Mistress it is my belief that you are the one that I have searched for, and I would lay down my life if that be your wish, I would fall upon my sword in an instant if you were to request such a thing". She gently placed her finger over his lips to silence him. "No my lord, speak not of the spilling of blood, for I too have waited in the true knowledge that some day my torment would be ended by a young man coming to my rescue. I knew not his name nor from whence he came, but I was sustained by the knowing that he would come, I have lain awake many a night saying to myself find me find me, and now my wish is fulfilled". She ran her hands to and fro over the face of the prince making note of every crease and wrinkle, though they were hard to find on the smooth face of the man before her. The prince took her hands in his. "Pray tell dear lady, how come you by this affliction, and what malady has turned the populous into granite reflections of themselves. Tis a most strange happening that needs an understanding". Her face changed from that of happiness to one of great sadness. "My lord, it is but a dark tail and one that pains me in the telling. First I must take you back to my childhood; I was only of twelve summers when I first heard of it. There were two sisters who had been in my father's service and did use alchemy and magic to aid my father, but only for good you understand as in protecting the harvest and staving off pestilence as well as other such things. But these two sisters had a malady of the head and this manifested itself by slowly taking their sight. Slowly over the years their sight diminished and their distress caused them to go mad. One day, by means of their magic they made spells, this I know for they told me of it and cackled and laughed at the telling. The first spell was to turn all to stone so that they not reap retribution on their heads for the action of the second spell. So when it was complete every man, woman and child that lived in or was connected to my father's lands were turned to statues in an instant. All is that is save me, but I was spared for a reason. Their foul plot was to steal my eyes, they cast a spell to take an eye for each of them, I know not how but it was done. And now they keep me otherwise in good health for should I die my eyes die also and they will once again be sightless, hence I live so they may see. If you were to find mother and father you would find then as you would find all others, rigid as though hewn from the very rock this castle is built on. It has now been a number of years since I have spoken to the sisters, I neither see them nor do I see and servant that they may have, I only know that food appears on the table and all my wants are satisfied. In my heart I feel that there is no one to do their bidding but what ever manifestation there may be is conjured up by means of their black arts. There I have spoken It, and had I the eyes I would cry for my sorrow". A fearful anger spread over the prince's face "My lady I swear upon my life and mine honour that I will not rest until I see the destruction of this pair of unholy witches. None shall stop me from this purpose not even thy word, for this is a deed that must be done in the name of all those who have suffered at the hands of these evil crones". "My dear prince I have no will to stop thee in this matter for I am destroyed by these two. They have taken my family; my childhood and my sight, if this deed be done in my name then do it well and come back to me. I have no other knowledge to give thee save that they live in the caverns beneath this castle, look for the double doors in the cellar for that is thy means of entry". The prince, Boris and the maid went back to the hall and met with Jason. "I have a mission for you Jason", said the prince. "Boris and I will go to seek out the evil that lies within these castle walls but I have a more important task for thee and a task I would ask of no other. You are to take care of this maiden for she is the one that is my prize and she is the one that I seek. I would trust her to no one other than you my friend, for I know that you would take care of her only as I would". "You have my word sire for I would sooner forfeit my life than betray your trust". "Well said my friend, I now must make ready". So saying he left to speak with Boris and gather together what was required for their strike against evil.

They had found the double doors in the castles cellar and forced open the barrier that stood between them and their quarry. As the splintering wood flew and the doors were rent asunder by the mighty blows of Boris there was an unearthly scream as though the evil of that place knew that their nemesis was at hand, no longer did their magic work to save them for the weapons of the prince and Boris was stalking their very souls. A flight of wooden stairs led down to the base of the cavern, in the beginning it was possible to see the wet slimy walls to the left and right of the stairs, but after descending for ten minutes it was only possible to see the wall on their left and the right hand wall had vanished into the distant blackness. The stairs hung on to the wall giving no indication as to how far down into the bowels of the earth they stretched, from the sound of the echo's of dripping water the cavern was of enormous size. At The bottom there was a well worn path between the detritus that had by one means or another come to lie on the floor of this gigantic hole. Great spikes of rock stuck out of the ground, made by the dripping of water over the eons that this place had been in existence, a mirror image could be seen high up in the roof, hanging there like enormous chandeliers meant for the great hall of some giant. It was pointless to try and come upon the evil of that place by stealth for with every footfall there was an echo that rang like a peel of bells around the vastness of the cave. In the far distance there was the glimmer of some light that was not a natural occurrence, so it was towards this that the set out. Nearing their goal they saw the entrance to what was a smaller cavern attached to the larger and this was the epicentre of the light. Boris strode forward into the light first, cross bow in one hand and sword in the other, the prince followed almost immediately with unsheathed sword at the ready. This was a very large room fully eight horses in length and five horses in width, with a large fire at its centre the smoke of witch was vented through a natural fissure in the roof . On the fire was a black cauldron in side of which was some no doubt noxious substance for the creation of foul spells. There were two beds and strewn along the walls were the trappings of witchery, bats wings, the spleen of a cat decomposing animal heads and the like. Light was given to the scene by numerous tallow lamps hung from the walls and a terrible stench pervaded the air which was a fitting odour for such an abomination. The only other feature of the place was a large crack in the floor that ran diagonally across the room no doubt some relic of the moving earth from long long ago. Boris moved along the wall to the left and the prince the same on the wall to the right; this was a ploy to defend their backs from an attacking foe. Half way round this room two black robed figures sprang from hiding, prancing and screaming like some demented loon. "Stay thy hand, stay thy hand raise not any violence against us or we shall turn thee into toads or some slithery thing that inhabits the forest, I know thy mission but thou cannot succeed, nay mustn't succeed or our lives would be at an end". The prince stepped forward, now no longer afraid for he had his enemy in sight. "Silence, hags of Satan, I come to see thy blood flow from the tip of my sword, and think thy death as an easy thing for thou art deserving of much more. And as for turning us into some other form, thy past deeds hath drained thee and have no longer the strength to flour into a loaf, if it were so, the deed would already have been done". The witches cringed against the wall. "No wait; stay thy hand, what is thy desire? We have gold, perhaps silver or even gems a plenty, thou needs but say and it is thine, what use have we of such worldly things, we will show you, take all you will or even return for more if that is thy choosing". The prince reddened with anger. "Thou vile crones, like a thief in the night thou stole the eyes from one so fair that only thy deaths will satisfy my want". The sound was like a whisper, it was there then it was gone, the sister on the left still stood, her body still not knowing that she was dead, a bolt from the cross bow of Boris had crossed the void and was now buried deep in the centre of the forehead of one of the sisters, for several seconds she stood there until she crumpled to the floor and was despatched back to the hands of Lucifer. The remaining sister yelled, jumped and screamed and ran about like a mad thing in the hope of evading a second bolt, but it was not a bolt that was her undoing, it was the blade of the prince. The steel ran through her neck and severed the backbone behind her throat, she was dead in an instant, but in her dying she fell on the cauldron and it too fell over causing the liquid to catch alight and pour down the crack in the floor. There was a whoosh and a rumble beneath their feet, the fiery liquid had in turn set alight an even more volatile substance beneath the floor and it was now giving vent to its anger. "Run", cried the prince "Or we too are undone". There was no need for a lamp to light the way for their return for there was lit by a great red glow behind them, the cavern shook and huge lumps of rock fell from the roof.

Jason sat near the great fire, the horses were quiet and my lady slept a short distance away. With the heat of the fire and the dark of the night Jason's eyelids became heavy, they closed just for an instance. There was a scream and Jason was on his feet sword in hand and running to the maiden. "My lady, my lady I am here, has there been an intruder, are you injured, pray god you are not for I would sooner fall on my sword than have harm come to thee". The maiden was sat up now and holding her hands against her face. "Tis pain Jason, an awful pain, a pain like daggers in my head, no no not my head, in my eyes, yes a pain in my eyes". "Please mistress, let me look". Jason gently pulled her hands away from her face only to see tears streaming down her face, with finger and thumb he opened her right eye to see an eye of the most beautiful blue looking back at him. "My lady you have an eye, no wait". He opened the other eye. " No you have two eyes, and may I say they are very very beautiful". She saw a blurred Jason looking at her, the pain was receding and the world around her was becoming clearer, she now began to see colours, the dancing shadows on the wall, flames flickering red and yellow in the fireplace. It was then she realised that the prince must have carried out his mission. It was at that time that they both felt it, a rumbling beneath their feet, a shaking of the ground. She looked into the face of Jason with horror in her eyes. "I fear my lord is in some great danger, and I have not the knowing as how to aid him". There was a great crash that shook them to the very bone and then silence and stillness. There was a crash behind them and when they turned they were astonished to see one of the stone guards lying on the floor. The stone shell that had held him all this time had broken and was now lying in fragments all across the floor, as they looked they saw others emerging like butterflies from their cocoons. Now noises could be heard, a cough here, a voice there and even a curse or two as people awoke and fell over things. Tears of joy now sprang from the eyes of this fair maiden, for her world was returning and soon she would once again be reunited with her family, this may come a something of a shock to them as she was only twelve when they started their slumber and now she was eighteen. As she surveyed the scene a voice spoke behind her. "I trust my lady is pleased with the outcome". She spun round to see two grey men standing before her; it was her knight in shining armour and the faithful Boris. "I apologise for the appearance my lady but when a roof comes down on the head, it seems to make a lot of dust". It was at this point that he noticed, in the light of the fire her eyes glistened and shone as if they were diamonds. He was dumb struck as he gazed into those beautiful blue eyes, they were as blue pools that his soul swam in, he was lost in her face and no one and nothing existed at that moment. He pulled her towards him and brushed back that black hair from her face, the powdery white dust streaks he left in her hair only served to enhance her all too obvious beauty. His head bent a little to meet hers and their lips touched, they were both lost to the world.

Epilogue

Many years later the prince came to his father and said "I know that it is your wish that I marry a princess of a nearby land as this would make a pact and cement relations between our two states, but I have a feeling that this is not the course I should take". "Wait", Said his father, and taking hold of his wife's hand, turned to her and looked into her blue eyes, so deep and so blue that they were as pool that he could lose himself in. "And what does my lady say to her son? Perhaps we should tell him to go on a quest for another? Well my lady"?

The End