2. THE PRINCE OF DRAGON ERICK

The Prince of Dragons, Erick, was perched upon the railing of the grand imperial palace in the Dragon Kingdom. His father, Emperor Kendrick, had expressly forbidden him from crossing the palace boundaries due to turmoil stirring in the lowlands. Animosity festered in the heart of Erick's uncle, Baduf, who coveted the throne for his offspring, Torsten. Baduf was of the firm belief that Erick was ill-suited to inherit the mantle of leadership, for he seemed more enchanted by the realm of humans than that of dragons.

"My prince, upon what do your thoughts so intently dwell?" Oryun, not only Erick's confidant but also his prospective advisor, posed the question. "You appear rather detached. Is there a matter that troubles you?"

"I have been subjected to an entire morning of tedious lectures delivered by your father, the esteemed counsellor," Prince Erick retorted. "And now my own sire has decreed that he should school me in the laws of our dominion and the obligations that befit a prince."

"Ah, I see," Oryun replied. "That would elucidate why he was probing about our excursions amongst the humans."

"And what did you impart to him?" the prince inquired with alacrity.

"I was forthright," Oryun affirmed. "I divulged that we merely engage in feasting, dancing, imbibing, and then we return. What more could I have conveyed?"

"You must never reveal that we approach the border to survey their skirmishes and don human guise to render them aid," the prince admonished Oryun.

"Do you take me for a fool? Were my father to unearth our deeds, he'd surely mete out stringent punishment and sequester me in the tower," Oryun retorted hastily. "Now that you're at liberty, why don't we repair to the forest and linger in the hut? It's devoid of humans, and our progenitors would not demur. I am wearied by tedium!"

"Do you reckon the emperor would accord his assent? I've scant desire to be subjected to prolonged chastisement anew," the prince mused.

"Behold, your mother, the empress, approaches. Perhaps you might petition her leave?" Oryun proposed.

Erick swivelled to observe the approach of a regal, silver-hued dragon, her wings folding with grace upon alighting. Standing, Erick's formidable dragon form eclipsed his mother's stature as he advanced towards her, inclining his head in deference. The empress surveyed him with an inquisitive mien before she spoke.

"Very well, you have my permission to venture into the forest. However, remember that there must be no contact with humans," she stated firmly.

"Mother, please refrain from reading my thoughts!" the prince protested, his discomfort palpable.

"Why can't I do it?" Zelda asked, her voice carrying a mix of mirth and maternal concern. "You are my only son, and we share a special connection. I hear your thoughts and sense your emotions. When you learn to detach yourself from me, I shall cease to do so."

"And why do you not detach yourself from me?" the prince inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Because I wish to remain connected to my only son. It allows me to be cognisant of any potential danger that may befall you," the empress explained affectionately. "I can sense your ennui and your yearning to visit the human world. You may go, but only to our forest. Humans fear it and seldom enter; the last one who dared was dealt with by your grandfather long ago." She paused before adding, "I urge you both to practice transforming into various animals. Please come closer," she beckoned to the two dragons.

"What are your intentions?" Prince Erick asked anxiously. He was acutely aware of his mother, Empress Zelda's immense power and extraordinary abilities. Two radiant beams of light emanated from Zelda's eyes, striking Erick and Oryun's foreheads and gradually rendering them invisible.

"Why have you done this, Mother?" the prince questioned, his tone laced with annoyance.

"I wish to ensure that no human can lay eyes on you," the empress responded. "Henceforth, whenever you venture into the human world, you shall be rendered invisible. I am prepared to lift your father's imposed punishment, but only on the condition that you accept this arrangement. Should you decline, then the punishment shall persist."

"This is not fair, Mum!" Erick protested.

"Very well, then you shall continue to bear your father's punishment, and you will be barred from visiting the enchanted forest in the human world," the empress declared with austerity.

"No, that's not what I intended!" Prince Erick hastily interjected. Whilst he relished being seen by humans, the prospect of invisibility was preferable to enduring ennui. He acquiesced with reluctance. "It's all right, Mum. Thank you. I believe it's a sensible precaution."

Erick nestled his neck against his mother's, seeking comfort in her embrace as she folded him within her wings. They lingered in that tender communion until she slowly withdrew.

"Erick, my son, exercise the greatest caution," she implored with solemnity. "Humans have an unquenchable zeal for hunting dragons. Should their eyes fall upon you, they will pursue you relentlessly until they have claimed your life. And trust me, despite your considerable might, they possess weapons that can inflict harm upon us."

"Don't worry, Mum. We shall only venture to the forest and practise transforming into different animals," Erick reassured her, discerning the apprehension in her eyes.

"Exercise caution, for invisibility only applies when you are in your dragon form," the empress cautioned them.

"What do you mean by that, Mum?" Erick inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"If you transform into any creature other than a dragon, you will become visible to humans," the empress elucidated before she turned to leave. "Now, I must attend to the palace to ascertain what your father is about. Farewell for now, my son, and endeavour not to linger too long in the human world."

They watched as she made her way to the colossal palace, an edifice wrought from precious stones that glistened in consort with the clouds above. The draconian empire was among the most ancient of the godly dominions. Erick's father had ascended the throne millennia prior. Yet, Prince Erick harboured no immediate ambitions to inherit the imperial mantle.

The crown prince's dragon, and his friend Oryun's spread their wings and descended with elegance, cognisant of the nocturnal cloak enveloping the human realm. The obscurity of night posed no hindrance to them; their vision in darkness was unerring. Nearing the enchanted forest, their senses were abruptly engaged by a discordant symphony of barking and shouting.

"Are those humans trespassing into our forest?" Prince Eric enquired, his gaze fixed on a group of young men on horseback who were hastily racing through the forest's solitary path. Shortly thereafter, a procession of over twenty humans on horseback emerged, a pack of dogs in fervent pursuit at their heels.

"We have two options," the prince proposed. "We could turn them into stone, but that would prove counterproductive, as other humans would surely find them. Alternatively, we could eat them."

"We don't eat humans!" Oryun exclaimed.

"Why not? My cousin Trosten claims they are delectable," Eric teased.

"Erick, should your father, the emperor, overhear us, he would mete out severe punishment," Oryun replied with gravity.

"Ha! I was merely jesting, you silly dragon." the prince clarified with a chuckle. "Oh, look! The ones at the forefront have left a decoy and fled like cowards."

"They have done no such thing," Oryun corrected him. "Notice how those who have split from the group are striving to draw the pursuers away, though I doubt their success. Their intent is to safeguard the female."

"You proceed and monitor their manoeuvres, while I ascertain whom they endeavour to protect. Today, I am feeling magnanimous; perhaps I shall lend my aid."

Oryun heeded the prince's bidding and set about his delegated task. Upon reaching a clearing, he was met with a harrowing tableau. Three humans were bound and gagged, suspended in mid-air, while they endured relentless torture at the hands of their captors. The assailants were adamant in their demands for information concerning the location of a female, yet the captives remained resolutely silent. Oryun could not suppress a burgeoning respect for the young men's valour.

Seized by indignation, he mounted an assault on the aggressors. Stricken with terror and unable to discern the source of their onslaught, the torturers scattered. The three young men remained, grievously wounded. Oryun endeavoured to minister to them by anointing their wounds with his dragon saliva, in hopes that it would hasten their convalescence. Alas, his efforts were in vain; the saliva bore no curative properties for humans.

Assuming responsibility for the trio's welfare, Oryun conveyed them to a proximate cave and fortified the entrance with an enchantment for their protection. He harboured doubts regarding their prospects for survival, but at the very least, they would be shielded from the predations of wild beasts. With this measure of solace, Oryun set off posthaste to rejoin the perturbed prince.

"What ails you, my prince? You seem fraught with unease. Moreover, who was the person those young humans endeavoured to safeguard?" Oryun queried, his solicitude palpable.

"She's the most beautiful human I've seen in a thousand years, and I believe she caught a glimpse of me," the prince exclaimedt.

"How is that possible? We are invisible!" Oryun reminded him, perplexed.

"You're right, I'd forgotten. Nevertheless, we cannot permit any creature to harm such an exquisite human," the prince declared with conviction.

Without awaiting his companion's reply, the prince took to the skies and rapidly closed the distance to Esthela, who was fleeing and casting frequent anxious looks behind her, her long black hair streaming in the wind. Oryun had to concede that the human was indeed strikingly beautiful. They spent the night vigilantly circling above her, warding off wolves, hyenas, lions, and various other predators that ventured too close. Yet, upon detecting their presence, these beasts promptly retreated.

The break of dawn found them still aloft, with Esthela now clearly wearied by her ordeal. They even shepherded the horse back onto the trail leading to the cabin—a structure erected by his grandfather millennia past and now his cherished retreat. It was, without question, his favoured haunt in the human realm. At last, upon ascertaining the river's shallowness, he watched with a sense of relief as Esthela made her way into the cabin.

"What do we do now? I'm weary of this incessant flight at such a sluggish pace. We could have conveyed her back in an instant," Oryun grumbled, his restless flying casting an ominous shadow upon the ground that did not go unnoticed by the prince, nor by Esthela who recoiled in fear at the sight. "Moreover, these humans are so merciless. The effort to restore her companions has sapped my strength considerably, yet to no avail. Their injuries were too severe, and our salve lacks the power to mend their flesh."

"What do you mean?" the prince enquired, his curiosity piqued.

"The pursuers ensnared the young men who had abandoned her and subjected them to excruciating torment. They were resolute in their quest to extract her location, but the men withstood their barbarity! That's why I endeavoured to aid them, but my efforts were futile," Oryun recounted.

"Are you certain that our magical saliva wrought no healing?" the prince asked, taken aback.

"Quite certain. I anointed them thoroughly, yet they lingered in unconsciousness. Their survival seems unlikely. I've sequestered them within a cave for safety. They are unlike the others; those other humans are truly malevolent. I should have dispatched them all!" Oryun declared vehemently.

"Yes, they are the selfsame ones committed to our pursuit and extermination," the prince mused. "Should you desire, you may return to the palace. I shall remain here to tend to my beautiful human."

"Your human?"