The Faire of Celebration

The Dragon of the Southern Caves had been an enemy of the people of Allaria for years. It had tormented them unceasingly; striking from the skies without warning, scorching the fertile earth with its hellfire, and stealing the very people of the Kingdom away. To end this scourge the Kingdom had called upon the warriors of the land and had trained them in grim arts of fire and steel. But it was not an army that the Kingdom sought, but only a single dauntless man who could brave the horrors of the Dragon's den and reach the beast unawares where it could be struck down before the monster even knew that it was under attack. Of the men who had answered the Kingdom's call it was the mightiest of them that was given this terrible charge. He was appointed the Dragon Slayer and with great celebration he was sent to vanquish the beast.

That man was Frederigo D'Honaire.

But when news began to spread that the Caves were cracked and broken, belching black smoke into the sky, hope and fear arose in equal measure in the hearts of the people of Allaria. Was it the Dragon that had been vanquished or was it the Dragon Slayer who had fallen? Brave souls then went up into the dark hills of the Shreken and visited its sharp peaks where the Southern Caves now lay in ruin. In the midst of the ash and smoke no sign or trace of the vile monster could be found, neither in the skies above did they find it nor over their homes and fields. The truth then became clear; the Dragon was dead. But vain was their search for Frederigo D'Honaire as well. Like the villainous Dragon, the brave Dragon Slayer was, quite simply, gone.

And the people wept at the news and the people cheered.

And the King proclaimed that a festival would be held for all the Kingdom, to celebrate the death of the hated Dragon and to honor the sacrifice of the valiant Dragon Slayer. By order of the King each of the Dukes of Allaria would hold a Faire of Celebration, opening up their coffers and gathering together all of their people. From the fields and the farms and the hamlets the people would come, and the Dukes were to spare no expense in welcoming them with joyous entertainments and revelries.

After the long hardship of the Dragon the people of Allaria were in sore need of some good cheer, something to pick up their spirits, and the King was going to give them what they needed and more. But too, the King knew that Allaria had suffered in more ways than one from the Dragon's depredations. He knew that his people had come to harbor doubts of both him and his lords; for was it not the duty of the Lords and Dukes, and especially of the King, to protect the people from their enemies, whether they be Man or Monster? The Faire, King Emry hoped, would do much in banishing these doubts, easing the hearts and minds of his subjects and restoring their trust.

And to ensure the Faire's success in this, the King made it clear to his Dukes that he wanted a grand show for his people, unlike anything the Kingdom had seen in generations. A celebration that would last not for days, but for weeks. He also made it clear that, while he knew that this would take time to arrange, he didn't want too much time to pass. It was already autumn and winter was coming soon. In fact, First Winter's Night was so close that it was decided that the Faire's triumphant finale would coincide with it, for First Winter's Night was the age-old feast honoring Allaria's holy patrons, the divine twins Rham and Rhom. Celebrating together the Dragon Slayer and the Siblings, both protectors of the Kingdom, everyone agreed was more than fitting.

As for when the Faire would begin, since each Duchy was not equal in size or wealth it was deemed impractical for the Faire to commence across the width and breadth of the entire Kingdom all at the same time. And so it was agreed that each Duke would decide for themselves when the Faire would begin in their Duchy, opening the festival as soon as he saw that all was in readiness.

With the King's plan clear to all, the orders were sent, the preparations were begun, and the arrangements were dutifully worked out. But then, in the midst of all the planning and preparing, the King sent word to his Dukes that something most wonderful had happened - Lord Fred had returned to the land of his King. He was not dead after all but had survived his deadly contest with the Dragon. Now, instead of a funeral feast, Lord Fred would receive a royal banquet when he reached the halls of Caemlyn.

The Dukes immediately sent word that they would come to Caemlyn as well, to see the Dragon Slayer for themselves. But the King in his wisdom forbade them this. He needed his Dukes to be with the people during the Faire of Celebration. If the Dragon had weakened the bond between subject and lord then the Faire would restore that bond, but only if the Dukes were there amongst the citizenry sharing in their joy and happiness. After the Faire was over then the Dukes could come to see Fred, but not before.

Faced with the King's command the Dukes could do little but obey. And this pleased King Emry, for he desired to have time alone with Frederigo D'Honaire before his high lords came swooping down upon Caemlyn's walls.

1. Back in Suffex, Fred and his family set out for the King's City.

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