Pool of Soul

As he looks into the pool of surprisingly clear still water, ripples emerge. It radiate uniformly outward in a peaceful and mesmerizing pattern. Slowly the oppressive feeling of the cave starts to melt away. Finally giving into the irresistible sense of calmness, the royal quest becomes an inconsequential matter, and danger ceases to exist. In his mind, episodes of his life begin to appear. Each moment, he stands back watching, as he once did as child watching a puppet show in a town festival. At the end of each act, the puppet master seems to slow down waiting. Waiting for a judgment.

In each scene the joys of victories is muted by the lost of friends in the conquest. The slaying of enemies is meet with the tearful members of their family. Passionate love turns to sorrows at the deathbed of his wife. The shame of defeats, of failures, of follies are all laughable matters of his indulgence in his own pride. His sense of valor and pride all lay bare in front of him. Without its disguises, they are exposed as his need to cover his insecurity, and the lack of understanding of himself.

Finally in the mid of his own memory, he can see himself standing in front of the pool. Waking from his stupor, he does not know how long he has been standing there. Scanning the cave, he finds Velus sleeping on the opposite side of the cave. He begins to walk toward his new friend, as questions after question comes across this mind. No more then taking two steps toward Velus, the dog opens his eyes, and says in a yarn: "so little people, what have you learn?"

Taken aback by Velus ability to speak, he stopped in his track. Velus slowing gets up on all four, and its body begins to pulsate. With each pulse, its body grows and the shape alters. In a few seconds, a massive gold dragon stands in front of Fred. Again, it low voice sending echoes through his soul and deep in the cave. "What have you learn?"

1. Fred quickly reaches for his sword and jumped back into a combat stance.
2. The sight of the awesome dragon is the last blow Fred's weaken mind can handle. In absolute terror and confusion he turns and flee
3. Shaken by the images of the pool, and soul wrenching voices of the dragon Fred stood totally at lost
4. The dragon's word broken through his stupor, Fred stands looking into its huge wise eyes. Finally cannot suppress his urges, he answers...

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree