Bernard Sylvester V (Part Three)

     This is the final installment in the fairy tale parody story I have been posting. (Part one, part two.) I wrote this story during commercial breaks in the 2010 winter Olympics, and recently rediscovered it. If you would like a quick recap of what has happened so far, read below:

     Friedrick and Magnolia were prince and princess, but Bernard Sylvester the Fifth, their resentful uncle, killed their parents and took over the throne. Hesper, a fairy, took them to live with her in a cottage in the woods. The children grew up believing that she was their grandmother, but on Friedrick's fifteenth birthday, she revealed to him his identity and sent him off to be educated by a nobleman faithful to the rightful king. Magnolia was lonely without him. The evil uncle sent out dragons to find his niece and nephew. The next scene picked up with Magnolia going out to pick berries in the forest and meeting a handsome prince. This part picks up with the dragons.

Great, leathery dragon wings beat the air. A fleet of dragons flew over a village, their monstrous shapes casting deep shadows over the streets. A chill breeze blew, the leaves of far-below trees rustling, adding to the gloom as the ominous flapping of dragon wings spread fear through the hearts of the villagers.

The sight of these scaly beasts was known as a precursor to evil, for they were the fire-breathing minions of Bernard Sylvester V. Bernard Sylvester had sent these warriors out to search for his nephew and neice.

The leader of the dragons was a monstrous beast called Grrrshaw. He was handsome in a cruel way. He led the hierarchy of dragons with a metal claw. He had not respect for life, but slaughtered mercilessly. The other dragons lived in fear of rousing his unquenchable anger, hotter than the deadly heat of his flames.

He lead the pace. Sighting a large hill a few minutes flight away, he leaned his neck downwards and flapped his wings quickly, swooping lower. The other dragons followed their leader’s example, landing on the hill.

Grrrshaw thumped his scaly tail on the ground, getting the dragons’ attention. His low, gravelly voice growled, “We will now seperate. Spy on the humans, seeking out the master’s victims. If you find someone who appears to be either the rightful heir or his sister, fly them to the master without delay.”

“Yes, Captain Grrrshaw.”

“Do you remember the specific instructions given you at the barracks?”

The dragons answered in the affirmative.

“We will set off at once. Do not return until the children are found.”

With five flaps of the wings in quick succession, Captain Grrrshaw lifted off the ground. He flew into the horizon, and the lesser dragons followed, some alone, some in pairs. Grrrshaw flew low, swooping over the ground, searching. He knew that he would find them in a secluded place. He flew to the woods, imagining that it would be a safe place to hide. He thought to himself, It won’t be safe once I’m through with them! He flew on, seeking gaps in the foliage where a house might be built.

*****

Grrrshaw was a greedy dragon. This greed for gold and jewels encouraged him on his missions. Bernard Sylvester knew that Grrrshaw was a valuable servant, so he paid Grrrshaw great amounts of gold and jewels for every service given. Grrrshaw’s cave showed how well he was favored. The walls were covered in gold and encrusted in jewels. The floors were covered in layers and layers of jewels. Grrrshaw’s riches were a great temptation to the other dragons, but none dared try to steal, for Grrrshaw’s revenge would be great.

Grrrshaw spotted smoke snaking up from above the trees. He swooped down, and spotted a small woodland cottage. Then, Grrrshaw heard something. It was singing! He craned his neck downwards. He scanned the yard for a person, beating his wings against the wait to keep aloft. He saw a red-haired maiden, who was sitting under a tree. She stopped singing, and began talking aloud to the cat nestled in her lap.

“I do so miss my brother, Friedrick,” she said, rubbing the cat’s soft yellow fur. “I wonder when I shall see him again. perhaps never.” She sighed dismally.

The cat meowed.

Grrrshaw felt sure that this must be the girl. Her hair was red, her accent was Syornian, and she had a brother. Grrrshaw knew he would take a chance, but he knew it was worth the risk. If this girl was, indeed, the princess, and he turned her in, Bernard Sylvester V would give him a reward of 20 lbs. of pure gold, as well as 10 sacks of jewels and a purple diamond. Perfect timing. The girl just stepped away from the tree. He flapped down. She looked up at him, mouth wide in a silent scream. The cat jumped out of her arms, running in terror. Grrrshaw grabbed the back of her dress in the talons of his front feet. He used his back legs to hold up her feet. He lifted off, flying back to the castle with his prize.

...And that's the end.