by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2023
(Sep. 22, 2023) — [See Part 1 of this story here and Part 2 here.]
Daniel stood on the edge of the jagged rock, amazed that the Shield of Virtue had deflected the flames of the black dragon. Philip, as he had discovered his new friend’s name to be, shouted to him from the ground, “The sword, Daniel!” Execrable swished his gigantic tail, knocking the comrade against the mountainous wall of the evil fairy’s castle.
Execrable turned toward Daniel and gave a hearty laugh. “Worthless little boy! Do you really think you can defeat me, Master of All Evil? You are nothing!”
Daniel took a deep breath as he raised the Sword of Truth and recited the words the three good fairies had instructed to be said in order to make the fatal blow affective, “May this sword be swift and sure; let evil die and good endure!” He then threw the sword and watched as it flew into the heart of the beast. With a horrid shriek, the dragon fell back and collapsed to the ground. Daniel and Philip watched as Execrable transmuted back into his fairy form.
The two heroes stood over the dying villain as he spoke his last words with breathless mockery. “You think you’ve won, don’t you? But you have misunderstood the curse I placed upon the princess. It was not one hundred years of sleep, but the sleep would end in death one hundred years after the curse was placed. It was one hundred years ago yesterday. You’re too late!” Execrable, then, closed his eyes for the final time.
Daniel addressed Philip earnestly, “He lied; didn’t he?”
Philip turned and raced out of the great hall. “We shall find out!”
Daniel and Philip arrived back at the princess’ castle to discover the thorns and bramble had disappeared. Daniel smiled. “The curse has been broken.”
Philip was wary. “Something’s wrong. It’s too quiet.”
The two friends cautiously entered the castle and made their way through the corridors. To their surprise, there was no sign of the inhabitants who had been put to sleep. Daniel was just about to suggest that perhaps they had all awakened and left the castle when they suddenly came upon the sleeping princess, still lying in her place.
Daniel watched as Philip softly made his way to the beauty and knelt by her side. Daniel whispered, hopefully, “She’s still asleep?”