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Episode 1

QUEST FOR SATURIA EPISODE 1

 THE QUEST FOR SATURIA

Characters: Princess Endora, Paddrick Nutley, Gwynne, Old Man, Mary, Little David, Jane, Old Woman, Darren, David

Rating: G

Summary: Princess Endora accepts a request from Paddrick to find and kill a beast terrorizing the sheep herders of Wales.

Author’s notes: I took up the Saturday Sentence Prompt Challenge on muse_prompts and created an episodic quest for my original characters.  

This original story is part of the “Faerie Fantasy of the Questing Princes” series.

This is Paddrick’s debut in the series. He is a new character and has never been used.

Prompt: muse prompts Saturday sentence prompts

Episode 1 (prompts from 6/2/12) 935

Episode 2 (prompts from 6/9/12) 916

Episode 3 (prompts from 6/16/12) 1118

Episode 4 (prompts from 6/23/12) 1330

Total Word Count:

 

THE QUEST FOR SATURIA

Episode 1 (prompts from 6/2/12)

They could be home in just over a week. That’s what Princess Endora was promised. This was to be a strait forward quest. There was only one thing to do. Find the beast and kill it. Things never go to plan, not really. There is always some twist in every quest. That is why Princess Endora was prepared for anything.

 

Paddrick, a Fae the princess had come to know from past adventures had asked for her assistance in hunting down and killing this beast. He had heard the stories that had been told of her bravery and thought she could help.

 

A swirling portal of magick opened and the small Faerie Princess emerged. The portal shut quickly. Princess Endora dressed in her white cloak, tunic and breeches looked around. Her dark gray eyes scanned the area and saw nothing.    

 

“Paddrick?” Endora called out. She hoped that she hadn’t gone the wrong place.

 

A shimmer of sparking green appeared before her and faded to reveal Paddrick. He stood there with a big smile on his face.

 

Paddrick stood about 4ft tall with dark brown eyes and short reddish brown hair. His pointed ears and transparent wings gave him away as a Fae. Being a Tylwyth Teg, he seemed well suited for being here in Wales. 

 

“Endora, you’re right on time.” Paddrick said with a smile.

 

“Tell me about this quest you asked me to join.”  Endora was eager to get started.

 

“We have been plagued by a beast. The herders have been trying to find it and kill it but to no avail. I thought it may need more professional attention. The herders shouldn’t be the ones to take on the burden alone. They need help. It has occurred to me that we have been sitting here safe and warm when the others brave the excitement of the hunt."

 

“If it is a beast, excitement is not really the right emotion. Fear is what it is.” Endora frowned at his lack of seriousness.

 

“What do you know of fear?” Paddrick gave her a careful look.

 

“I know of it.” Endora said. She managed to bite back her bitter words. There was so much her friend didn’t know about her.

 

“I doubt that.” Paddrick started to walk up the trail to the herder’s cottage. “You’re just a Sidhe Princess.”

 

Endora didn’t like his attitude. It was condescending. She was not just a Sidhe Princess. She was a Sidhe Warrior too.

 

A rock hit him on the back of the head with well-aimed retribution.

 

Ow! Paddrick said. “What was that for?”

 

“Because someone who is just a princess couldn’t have made that shot. Even though you head is very big as well as your mouth.” Endora walked past him up the trail.

 

Paddrick rubbed his head and caught up to her. “You made your point. Let me do the talking here. Gwynne is an old friend of my sisters.”

 

Endora looked at him questioningly. “You have sisters?”

 

“Six.” Paddrick laughed. “You’re an only child so you can’t imagine that chaos.”

 

“I have two sisters. They are older and not full Fae. My mother’s first husband was a Draconian.” Endora smiled.

 

Paddrick whistled. “Dragon people are rare. So your sisters can turn into dragons?”

 

“Only one of them.” Endora smiled at the shocked look on Paddrick’s face.

 

Paddrick whistled softly as he shook his head in disbelief. He knocked on the door of the cottage. Gwynne opens the door in tears.

 

“What’s the matter Gwynne?” Paddrick asked as he gave her a hug.

 

“Darren has left me. He was just gone this morning.” Gwynne said wiping at her tears. "It is unfair to him to end it this way, with no explanation and no goodbyes."

 

“I’m sure he will turn up. Gwynne, this is Endora she’s here to help with the beast.” Paddrick said.

 

Gwynne looked at Endora and gave a wet smile in greeting. She turned back to Paddrick. “I think Darren may have gone after the beast on his own. It took two of our sheep three days past.”

 

“We should take a look around before we lose the light. Then start out at first light.” Endora said. “We need to see if it left tracks or clues to which direction it was heading.”

 

Paddrick nodded and grinned at Endora. “You have done this before.” 

 

Endora rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Of course I have that’s why you asked me here.”

 

“Oh yeah.” Paddrick gave her a sheepish grin. “I forgot.”

 

“I will prepare you a meal and you can stay here for the night.” Gwynne said.

 

“Thank you, Gwynne.” Paddrick gave the wet eyed woman a smile. 

 

“Where did it leave the bits of the sheep?” Endora asked.

 

“That’s just it. There was no sign of the sheep. It’s like the beast swallowed them whole.” Gwynne said.

 

“That’s a big beast.” Paddrick said. He turned to Endora. “If you want to back out, now is the time.”

 

Endora shook her head. “I promised to help and I will stay. Where were the sheep last seen?”

 

“They were in the pen behind the house. We never heard a thing.” Gwynne said. “You think we would hear the sheep making noise.”

 

“The beast is most likely quick.” Endora said. “It grabbed the sheep before it could make a sound. I’m going to take a look.”

 

Endora went outside but didn’t see any clear tracks the sheep had trampled them all. There were no tracks leaving or coming. Endora assumed the beast was winged. There was no other explanation. She went back inside to eat and wait for morning.

    

Episode 2

QUEST FOR SATURIA EPISODE 2

 Episode 2 (prompts from 6/9/12)

The next morning, at first light, Paddrick and Endora headed out to find the beast. The morning sun is sharp on the rolling hills. It was heard to believe that there was a beast terrorizing the country side.

 

“Are there any humans in this area?” Endora asked. She looked around and didn’t see any cottages. The area was fairly remote.   

 

"They are there, but they are harmless enough." Paddrick said. “They really haven’t been that affected by the beast. It’s mostly going after the Fae herders’ flocks.”  

 

“I wonder why that is. Maybe it’s afraid of the humans.” Endora said as she shielded her eyes in the sun. The sun was making it difficult to see distances.

 

“Most likely.” Paddrick agreed. “Endora, why do you do this? You’re a princess. You could just send an army. Most princesses would.”

 

“My father was a warrior. I try to follow his example. It is my duty and honor to help anyone that asks for it. I quest mostly to gain knowledge about the world because that knowledge creates wisdom. It reminds me of something my father said. ” Endora said. “He had always believed that you cannot be a good judge of anyone or anything you haven't seen for yourself.”

 

“Sounds like sound advice. Where was it he fell?” Paddrick asked.

 

“In the Northern War, he was fighting against the Fomors.” Endora told him. “He was leading the army sent by Queen Taralen to help the Northern Sidhe. That war took many fathers and sons.”

 

“There was some Tylwyth Teg in that battle too. My uncle on my mother’s side fell there. Your father was brave to fight so far from home.” Paddrick said.

 

“He was. I try to be just as brave on every quest.” Endora smiled. “Sometimes it isn’t easy but I try anyway.” 

 

There was a funny spluttering noise from behind them.

 

“What was that?” Paddrick looked behind them towards a copse of trees. He had a sensation of fear wave over him. He looked at Endora.

 

Endora seemed unmoved by the strange sound. She had a curious look on her face.

 

The trees moved and some fell over. The noise was getting closer. It was definitely a large beast and it was moving fast.

 

“There’s a hut over there. I think we can make it.” Paddrick started to run. He didn’t look back to see if Endora was following.

 

Endora looked at the trees then back at Paddrick running for the hut in the distance. She shrugged and followed Paddrick to the hut. She really wanted to get a look at the beast but she didn’t care to do it alone.

 

They reached the hut and burst through the door closing it swiftly behind them. They leaned against it breathless.

 

“I thought you wanted to kill it not run from it.” Endora said.

 

“Did you see how big that was?” Paddrick locked the door.

 

“All I saw was trees.” Endora looked annoyed.

 

“If it is the beast ye seek why you are in my hut?” An old man said from his seat by the hearth.

 

“That’s a good question. Do you want to answer it Paddrick?” Endora gave him a pointed look.

 

“We need to observe it a bit more.” Paddrick gave a sheepish grin.

 

“I hope you don’t expect that old lock to keep it out.” The old man said.     

 

"True the lock might not stop him, but this will." Endora unsheathed her short sword.

 

Paddrick looked at the sword in her hand. “Do you know how to use that?”

 

“Yes I do.” Endora looked Paddrick up and down. “Did you come out here with no weapons at all? Did you think that you were going to twinkle it dead?” Endora started to laugh.

 

“I thought I’d sparkle it then twinkle something to kill it.” Paddrick said in his defense. That was his plan until he saw how big it was.

 

“Sparkle doesn’t always work on beasts.” Endora informed him. “I’ve seen it fail several times.”

 

“What?” Paddrick thought he was going to be sick. He didn’t know that about beasts. He wondered why he didn’t know that. He just tried to breathe.

 

“Listen to her she knows her stuff sounds like.” The old man picked up a book from the floor by his chair.

 

“Thank you.” Endora smiled at the old man then glared at Paddrick. “I do know my ‘stuff’. I’ve been to several Realms and seen several different kinds of beasts.” 

 

The old man nodded and began to read. He let the two Fae work it out between them.  At least one of them knew something about beasts.

 

“Now what do we do?” Paddrick asked.

 

“Well, we wait again unless you want to go out there now.” Endora said. “I would be happy to join you.”

 

“No. I think we should wait.” Paddrick said nodding. He wasn’t ready to face that thing.

 

“Fine but we go at first light.” Endora said. She turned to the old man. “Unless you want us to leave.”

 

“No. You can stay.” The old man said without looking up from his book. There’s a pot of stew there on the hearth. Help yourself.”

 

“Thank you. You are very kind.” Endora said.

 

Paddrick was already dipping into the soup. He was hungry. All the walking they did gave him an appetite.

 

Endora took some soup and a piece of bread and sat down by the fire. She watched as the old man started to nod off.   

 

Episode 3

QUEST FOR SATURIA EPISODE 3

 Episode 3 (prompts from 6/16/12)

That night Endora and Paddrick sat up as the old man slept. The noises had stopped but there was no moon in the sky. The night was black as pitch. There was no way they could continue on their journey until morning.

 

“So your father was a great warrior. Does that mean that battle is all that’s important to you, Endora?” Paddrick asked.

 

“No I want a world where all can be free and live they way they choose.” Endora said. “I know that sounds idealist but it’s how I feel. I couldn't stand looking at a world where it was true."

 

Paddrick took a flask out of his pocket and took a swig. He offered the flask to Endora.

 

Endora shook her head. “It’s not a good idea to get too fuddled by spirits while we are on a quest.”

 

"It's only a little bit. It's harmless." Paddrick said as he put the flask back in his pocket. “You are a strange one, Endora.”

 

“Because I don’t imbibe in spirits?” Endora gave him an annoyed glare.

 

“Well that and you like to fight.” Paddrick shrugged and shook his head. “All the Fae girls I know like to spin and weave and sew not fight and quest.”

 

“I can do those things too but they are very boring to me.” Endora sighed. “My sister Victra works at tapestries all day between prayers.”

 

“Your sister took the veil?” Paddrick looked surprised. “That the dragon one?”

 

“No. Victra lost most of her powers when she was a child. She’s a priestess on Alban Isle. Aura is the ‘dragon one’. She’s the high priestess in Una.”

 

“Are you gonna take the veil too?” Paddrick asked.

 

“I can’t. I will be Queen someday. A Priestess of the Goddess can marry if they want to that is. They are not like the Brides of Christ.” Endora explained.

 

“Really? Don’t know if I’d want to marry a girl that can turn into a dragon. That would scare me silly.”

 

Endora laughed. “Get some rest and we will start early in the morning. I’ll keep watch.”

 

“You’re gonna sit here by yourself and not sleep?”

 

“That’s what keeping watch means.”

 

Paddrick shook his head in wonder at his traveling companion. “Fine.”  He lay down near the fire and was soon fast asleep.

 

Endora got up and looked out the canvas covered window. This wasn’t her first sleepless night and she was sure it wouldn’t be her last on this journey at least.

 

Morning came slowly. Endora shook Paddrick awake.

 

“What?”

 

“Get up. We have to go.”

 

“Aren’t we gonna eat and such?”

 

“Just get up.” Endora sighed.

 

Paddrick stood up and stretched. “What about breakfast?”

 

Endora gave him an annoyed look and twinkled an apple into his hand.

 

“Thanks.” Paddrick took a bite.

 

“Come on. Thank you for your hospitality.” Endora said to the old man.

 

“Be careful.” The old man said as they walked out the door.

 

“Now where?” Paddrick tossed the apple core into the trash heap by the door.

 

“Let’s check out the trees where the noise came from.”

 

“Uh all right.” Paddrick followed Endora as she entered the copse of trees.

 

There were several trees pushed over. Endora went to look at them. She saw a track next to one of the trees.

 

“It’s a dragon.” Endora said.

 

“It could be a bear.”

 

“That’s a dragon track.” Endora pointed to a clear animal track on the ground.

 

“Are you sure?” Paddrick looked at the mark and had no idea what it was.

 

“I’m from Ogham-Duir. There are dragons everywhere. I know what a dragon track looks like.” Endora gave him another annoyed look.

 

“Yeah I forgot.” Paddrick looked at the mark closely.

 

They heard a noise that sounded like crying.

 

“That’s not a dragon.” Paddrick said.

 

Endora went to where the noise was. The sound was coming from a small cave hidden by vines.

 

Endora parted the vines and there was a small boy standing there. "Do not be afraid. We do not mean to hurt you. Come, take my hand."

 

Endora held out a hand and the boy took it. “Are you alone?”

 

“No. Mum and my sis are in there. I was scared the beastie came back.” The boy said with fear in his eyes.

 

Paddrick went into the small cave and there was the boy’s sister. She lay sleepless in her bedroll, listening to her mother's gentle snores. He smiled and stuck his head back out. “They are in there all right.”

 

“Wake them. We need to talk to them.” Endora told him.

 

Paddrick went back into the cave and gently woke the woman. They followed Paddrick out of the cave.

 

“Hello. I’m Endora. My friend Paddrick and I are here to find the beast. Can you tell me what you saw last night?”

 

“It’s huge and it had big snarly teeth.” The boy said.

 

“It was blue with silver speckles and it growled.” The little girl piped in.

 

The woman held up her hand and the children stopped talking. “We are looking for my husband. He rode out months ago. The last time we saw him he was coming this way. I told him not to travel. There was so much snow this past winter but he didn’t listen. He rode through the snow, wrapped in his own thoughts. He was wont to do that. He would just not pay attention. I fear the beast must have gotten him. I have found no sign of him, yet.”

 

Endora nodded. “What is his name we will ask about him as we travel?

 

“David is his name. I’m Mary. This is Little David and Jane.”

 

“It’s nice to meet you all. There is an old man living just over there on the other side of that knoll. Tell him that we sent you. I’m sure he will give you a safe place to rest.”

 

“Thank you for your kindness. I’ve never met Fae before. You are very nice.” Mary said.

 

“You’re welcome. I have one more question before we leave. Did the dragon have wings?”

 

Little David nodded. “He had big ones but one looked like it was hurt. It was dragging the ground.”

 

“Thank you. We must go now.” Endora smiled at the woman and her children. She grabbed Paddrick’s arm and walked away from them in the direction of the downed trees.

 

“What do you think?” Paddrick asked.

 

“It’s an elemental most likely. Blue with sparkles is the typical marking of an air elemental. If it’s injured there is no way to say what its mood may be like.”

 

“So we are dragon chow?” Paddrick wasn’t feeling that great about this.

 

Endora looked at him seriously. “Maybe.”

 

Episode 4

QUEST FOR SATURIA EPISODE 4

 Episode 4 (prompts from 6/23/12)

They walked for a while and came up on an old woman washing clothes in a stream. The old woman looked around confused. "I have no clothes! Every time I do my laundry I end up with less clothes!"

 

“Hello? Maybe they are just down the stream.” Endora said.

 

The old woman looked up started then smiled at the two Fae. “Oh you may be right. I’m sure that’s where they are.”

 

Endora bent down to help the old woman put the clothes that were there in her basket.

 

“I’ll go check.” Paddrick volunteered. He walked a ways down the stream then stopped. “Endora you need to come here. Now!”

 

“What is it?” Endora turned to Paddrick.

 

Paddrick was staring ahead with a frightened look on his face. “I think we found the dragon.”

 

“Oh.” Endora said simply. She walked up to where Paddrick was standing and saw the blue dragon lying with one of its wings outstretched. She started to walk toward it.

 

Paddrick grabbed her arm. “Don’t get near it.”

 

“Paddrick, I’m going to see if I can heal it. Then we can look for the sheep and the missing men.” Endora said.

 

"I like how you constantly ignore my wishes." Paddrick said. “It may be dangerous.”

 

"Have you ever considered group therapy?" Endora looked at him. “You have some serious fear issues. Let go of me.”

 

Paddrick let go of Endora’s arm and watched as she walked up to the blue dragon.

 

The beast whimpered when Endora approached. It had a deep gash on its wing that looked infected.

 

“There, there sweetie. I can fix you up.” Endora patted the beasts head and said a healing spell over the infected gash. Her hands glowed gold as the wound healed. “There isn’t that better?”

 

“Yes.” The dragon said. “Thank you very much.”

 

“You are welcome. What is your name?” Endora asked.

 

“I’m Saturia.” The dragon raised its head to reveal another deep scratch on its chest. “Do you mind little Fae?”

 

“No. I don’t. I’m Endora.” Endora’s hands glowed again and the scratched healed. “Is that better?”

 

“Much.” Saturia gave her a toothy smile. “You’re nice. I like you.”

 

“I like you too.” Endora stroked the dragon’s head. “Saturia we need your help.”

 

“You helped me I will help you.” The dragon purred.

 

“We are looking for some sheep and two men. Have you seen them?” Endora asked.

 

“Oh the fluffy ground clouds are in the valley beyond that ridge. I put them there. I like to collect pretty things.” Saturia said.

 

Paddrick finally gained enough courage to approach the dragon. “What of the two men?”

 

“They are there with the sheep. There is no easy way out of that valley. One of them did the hurts to me. I had to knock him out. The other fell off his horse. He hurt his leg.”

 

“They aren’t hurt too badly, are they?” Endora asked.

 

Saturia looked ashamed. “No but they are in the cage.”

 

“What cage?” Endora asked.

 

“The cage I was locked in until I managed to escape. A sorcerer locked me in. He tricked me.” Saturia looked sad remembering what he had been through. His bottom lip quivered.

 

“Everything is all right now. We need to take the sheep and the two men back to where they belong.” Endora said.

 

Saturia nodded. “I will put them back. I promise.”

 

“Thank you.” Endora said as she stroked the dragon’s head.

 

Paddrick looked at Endora patting the dragon and he was angry. “Endora, can I speak to you a minute?”

 

“Sure.” Endora looked at the dragon. ”I’ll be right back.”

 

Paddrick pulled her back to where the old woman was still standing. “You healed him! Aren’t we going to kill that thing?”

 

“No! You heard him he thought the sheep were clouds and the men are still alive. They were there to hurt him. He was defending himself.” Endora was angry now. “Everything I've done I've done for our cause."

 

“Our cause was to kill the beast not coddle it.” Paddrick said. “We should kill it so it isn’t a nuisance anymore.”

 

“Dragons are sacred. You just can’t kill them without a reason.” Endora explained.  “He promised to put the sheep back.”

 

“He may have already eaten them.” Paddrick said.

 

“He’s an elemental. They are vegetarians.”

 

“This is not Ogham-Duir. He may not be like those dragons. Besides who ever heard of a veggie eating dragon?”

 

“Most dragons are not like the stories told to frighten children.” Endora looked back to see Saturia munching on some water cress. “See he eats veggies!”

 

Paddrick shook his head. “Fine but we have to make sure those men are all right.”

 

Endora walked up to the dragon. “Saturia, can you take us to the men?”

 

“Yes. Follow me.” The dragon rose into the air and took flight.

 

Endora dropped her cloak and shook out her wings and followed him.

 

Paddrick followed them even though he wasn’t happy about it.

 

They flew over the ridge and saw the sheep and a large iron cage. They all landed in front of the cage.

 

Saturia pulled the heavy door open and the two men stood there staring at the two Fae.

 

“Are you both well?” Paddrick asked.

 

“My leg is hurt.” One of the men said as the other helped him out of the cage.

 

“We are looking for Darren and David. Is that your names?” Endora asked.

 

“Yes. The beast locked us in there. I’m Darren and this is David.”

 

“You hurt me!” Saturia said. “That wasn’t nice.”

 

“Let’s just get them back to their families. Can you carry them both?” Endora asked.

 

“Yes if they will say they are sorry.”

 

Endora looked at the two men. “Well?”

 

“I’m sorry.” David said. He was the one with the hurt leg.

 

“I’m sorry too.” Darren said.

 

Saturia lowered himself so the men could get on his back. “Hold on please.”

 

“There now let’s get going.” Endora said. “When we get them back I want you to put the sheep back.” Endora lifted off.

 

She and Paddrick flew to the house of the old man and dropped off David. Before they left Endora healed his leg with an ancient spell.

 

They took Darren back to Gwynne who was so happy to see him she started to cry.

 

One by one the sheep were returned. It took most of the afternoon and it was late when Saturia finished.

 

Endora went back to the creek to get her cloak and bag. Paddrick and Saturia joined her there.

 

“I should be going now.” Endora said. “You are welcome to come with me Saturia. There are several dragons where I come from.”

 

“May I please? I don’t want to stay here after I caused so much trouble.” Saturia looked ashamed.

 

“I’ll take you to Aster Cliffs. The Matrons will find you a companion to live with.” Endora said.

 

“A companion?” Saturia asked curiously.

 

“A magickal being that will serve as your protector and friend.  You may even get to stay at the hatchery and help with the little ones if you want.”

 

Saturia grinned. “I’d like that.”

 

“Good. Stay here and I need to say goodbye to Paddrick.” Endora walked over where Paddrick was standing looking at his feet.

 

“Thank you Endora.” Paddrick said as he looked up. “I’m glad you came to help.”

 

“Anytime. I’d love to come back. Call for me anytime.” Endora smiled. "Just once I'd like for you to call me when there isn't a global emergency."

 

“I’ll try to remember that.” Paddrick said.

 

Endora gave Paddrick a hug then went back to Saturia.

 

Paddrick blushed as she walked away.

 

“Ready?” Endora held out her faerie crystal and created a portal to Aster Cliffs. She turned to Saturia. “Don’t be afraid of the portal. All you have to do is walk through.”  

 

The dragon nodded.

 

Endora turned and waved to Paddrick then walked through the portal. Saturia followed her.

 

Paddrick sighed. He would miss her more than she knew.