Gerantus and the Dragon
(From the series "Gerantus and Pall")
Gerantus was labeled "peculiar" by those who didn't know him and "amazing" by those who did.
He and the dragon Pall occupied a run-down fortress abandoned a generation earlier by all but owls.
The townsfolk in the valley below loved to spread the rumor, possibly started by Gerantus, that he subdued the dragon, making it his pet.
The truth was even better.
As a babe, Gerantus was left in the care of a kindly aunt in the south of Salvania. She was a friend to the area creatures, so taking in a small human was no more worrisome than tending a baby squirrel.
Gerantus grew up roaming the ancient forests with as much stealth and skill as his animal friends. He also exceeded his aunt by befriending Pall, a red dragon.
They stumbled on each other in a forest opening. Pall was scraping his long snout across some rocks, and Gerantus was intrigued.
Pall had a tick "the size of a grapefruit" buried under his chin, and Gerantus convinced him that it could be removed. For a price.
By this time, Pall was willing to do almost anything to get rid of the tick since the lady dragons did not care for an infested suitor.
Gerantus performed the de-ticking which involved a torch, fireplace tongs, and considerable adult language. Pall was overjoyed and paid the price: a ride high above the southern forest.
This is how Gerantus found the abandoned fortress.
They both agreed it was a fine place to explore. Finding it empty (except for the owls who scattered upon seeing Pall), they both desired it as a home base.
"Then let us be friends and share this as our very own fortress," Pall said, still giddy from the de-ticking. Pall accepted the higher ramparts as his quarters, and Gerantus occupied the inner halls. It took some coaxing, but a few of the owls came back.
Being artistically inclined from a young age, Gerantus started collecting Pall's shed scales and carving them into animal shapes. He sold these in town at the weekly market and the yearly Beltane Faire. Even the Queen started collecting them, giving her a convenient reason to forget he was a squatter on one of her properties.
Eventually, he opened his own "Dragon Faire" where visitors paid a penny to tour the grounds, see the dragon, and buy a carving.
The highlight for everyone was a fake battle with Pall. Gerantus would run around with a sword while Pall swooped over the gasping audience to mock-attack him.
Life was good.
Then Pall found a lady dragon, and things got complicated.
But that is another story.
They both agreed it was a fine place to explore. Finding it empty (except for the owls who scattered upon seeing Pall), they both desired it as a home base.
"Then let us be friends and share this as our very own fortress," Pall said, still giddy from the de-ticking. Pall accepted the higher ramparts as his quarters, and Gerantus occupied the inner halls. It took some coaxing, but a few of the owls came back.
Being artistically inclined from a young age, Gerantus started collecting Pall's shed scales and carving them into animal shapes. He sold these in town at the weekly market and the yearly Beltane Faire. Even the Queen started collecting them, giving her a convenient reason to forget he was a squatter on one of her properties.
Eventually, he opened his own "Dragon Faire" where visitors paid a penny to tour the grounds, see the dragon, and buy a carving.
The highlight for everyone was a fake battle with Pall. Gerantus would run around with a sword while Pall swooped over the gasping audience to mock-attack him.
Life was good.
Then Pall found a lady dragon, and things got complicated.
But that is another story.
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