Fiction: Epic (Épica) [EN/ES]
Epic
Sir Arnold rode along the bridle path towards the castle. At a steady, sluggish pace, he felt the summer breeze caressing the shining armor, witnessing a thousand battles and adventures that became famous epics.
His mind melted among a thousand furtive thoughts. His blue eyes were reflected in the orange horizon, without losing sight of the castle that appeared in the background as if on a stage of a play.
The steed's footsteps reached the great gate of the castle, a monumental structure of the strongest wood in the kingdom, which retracted after serving as a bridge to cross the lake that surrounded the building.
Once inside, Sir Arnold watched the great activity in the central square, people coming and going in a flurry of offers of goods, silks, fresh fruit, spices, and other products that were exchanged for gold. After passing through the central square, the knight entered a long passage, the torches illuminated the passage of the steed, like shining stars.
As he reached the end, two large, burly guards with two spears, which seemed to touch the sky, barred Sir Arnold's way. “Where are you going noble knight?” asked one of them in a grave and intimidating tone.
“I come at the king's call. He has sent for me because he has seen in me a loyal servant, to whom he can entrust the requested mission. Let me pass to present my services to our majesty. I am Knight Arnold," he spoke with authority the one in shining armor.
“Excuse me, noble knight, the way is clear.” The lances gave way to Sir Arnold.
The knight alighted from the steed and with one hand stroked the animal's head. In a moment he heard a subtle, but at the same time diligent voice, “Sir Arnold, pierced are the eyes that can witness such glorious bravery”. A bow gave way to a greeting.
“Grateful for your words, kind servant.” The knight's hand made a sign of respect and greeting.
“Allow me to bring you before your majesty.” The skinny servant waved his legs effusively, indicating to Sir Arnold the way to the king.
Enormous wooden doors with gold veneers guarded the great monarch. The servant and Sir Arnold stood before the king, who, seated on his throne, welcomed them with a friendly wave of his right hand. “Sir Arnold, how pleased I am to see you again in my kingdom. I can assure you that the climate is favorable because of your presence.”
“Believe me, Your Majesty, my heart is throbbing with excitement to be in your presence.” On his knees, Sir Arnold rose in recognition of the king's authority.
“Rise, brave knight, without further attire, I wish to remark to you why I have sent for you.” The king paused and would rise from his throne and then address the knight again. “In these last few months, a terrible beast has ravaged our beautiful kingdom. I beseech you, great knight, help us in this errand I ask of you.”
“Do not worry, your majesty. The beast shall be brought before the minion of death.” Kneeling on his knees Sir Arnold promised the king to rid himself of the terrible dragon.
“I give you my blessing in such a complex task, noble knight.” The king let out a smile of hope.
“Fear not, my lord, I place before you my sword as a faithful witness to my words. I retire to fulfill my commission with immense emotion.”
The king made a bow to Sir Arnold who hurriedly left with a squire who knew where to find the dragon, soon the two men were on their way to the mission entrusted to them.
Days passed and Sir Arnold had no idea where the dragon was. “Squire, my friend, where are we, for I have not seen the evil creature.” Disconsolation pervaded the knight's words.
“Fear not, great knight, we are near the cave of the fierce monster. Let not your sword show anxiety.”
At the end of the seventh day, the excited squire was showing him the dragon's cave. The gallop became intense and the two men prepared their weapons for the execution of the infernal beast. They reached the entrance, and a foul smell invaded the men's pits, turning their stomachs.
They lit some torches and went into the dark and cold cave. The footsteps became light and only the drops could be heard falling in a sonorous, almost suffocating echo. The signs between knight and squire were the only dialogue in that moment of maximum tension. Hearts were pounding with every step that brought them closer to the encounter with the great dragon.
With swords in hand, the two men cut the fetid scent that became more intense the closer they got to the end of it. One more step and then Sir Arnold stopped abruptly, raising his arm to stop his squire behind him.
Sir Arnold had heard something and putting his index finger to his mouth he signaled silence. They reached the nest and saw a tender dragon, the innocent creature sleeping. The squire stepped forward and raising his sword shouted, “Die you, wicked creature.”
Sir Arnold immediately said, “Calm your excitement, squire. This creature is helpless and is not capable of killing a fly.”
The exalted man lowered his sword and looked at Sir Arnold in fright, with his forefinger trembling he pointed to the entrance of the cave. The great dragon had entered and the men were trapped. The beast roared uncontrollably and was rapidly approaching the men.
Sir Arnold and the squire raised their swords ready to fight. The dragon roared with a terrible fury and made the cave rumble, it was going to expel fire, but in that instant, there was a moment that changed everything, the shriek of the little dragon, men, and beast were perplexed.
The great dragon passed between the two men and ran towards its little calf. The beast licked its little one to soothe it. Sir Arnold and the squire seeing such a touching scene decided not to confront the dragon. They understood why the dragon was acting that way, only looking for food for its little dragon.
Sir Arnold came up with an idea and put it to the king, for several months they left food for the dragon and its young. Until the little one grew up and could fly. Mother dragon and child left the kingdom looking for a new horizon far from civilization. Sir Arnold, the squire, and the dragon were united by an innocent shriek, which saved the lives of all three.
The end
Épica
Sir Arnold cabalgaba por el camino de herradura hacia el castillo. A un paso constante y aletargado, sentía la brisa veraniega que acariciaba la armadura brillante, testigo de mil batallas y aventuras que se volvieron epopeyas famosas.
Su mente se fundía entre miles de pensamientos furtivos. Sus ojos azules se reflejaban en el horizonte anaranjado, sin perder la mirada en el castillo que aparecía al fondo como en un escenario de una obra de teatro.
Los pasos del corcel llegaban hasta la gran puerta del castillo, una monumental estructura de la madera más fuerte del reino, que se replegaba luego de servir como puente para atravesar el lago que rodeaba la edificación.
Una vez dentro, sir Arnold miraba la gran actividad en la plaza central, la gente iba y venía en un bailoteo de ofertas de mercancías, sedas, fruta fresca, especias, y demás productos que se intercambiaban por oro. Después de pasar por la plaza central, el caballero se internó por un pasaje largo, las antorchas iluminaban el paso del corcel, como estrellas refulgentes.
Al llegar al final, dos guardias grandes y fornidos con dos lanzas, que parecían tocar el cielo, impidieron el paso de sir Arnold. «¿A dónde va noble caballero?» preguntaba uno de ellos con un tono grave e intimidatorio.
«Acudo al llamado del rey. Él me ha mandado a llamar, porque ha visto en mí un leal servidor, al que puede encomendarle la misión pedida. Dejadme pasar para presentar mis servicios a nuestra majestad. Soy el caballero Arnold». Hablaba con autoridad el de brillante armadura.
«Disculpad, noble caballero, el camino está libre». Las lanzas daban paso a sir Arnold.
El caballero bajaba del corcel y con una mano acariciaba la cabeza del animal. En un momento escuchó una voz sutil, pero a la vez diligente, «Sir Arnold, horados los ojos que pueden presenciar tan gloriosa valentía». Una venia daba paso al saludo.
«Agradecido por vuestras palabras, amable sirviente». La mano del caballero hacia una señal de respeto y saludo.
«Permitidme, llevaros ante vuesta majestad». El flacucho sirviente movía sus piernas efusivamente indicando a sir Arnold el camino hasta el rey.
Unas puertas enormes de madera con enchapes de oro resguardaban al gran monarca. El sirviente y sir Arnold se hacían presente ante el rey, quien sentado en su trono daba la bienvenida con un movimiento de la mano derecha en forma amistosa. «Sir Arnold, cuánto me place veros de nuevo en mi reino. Os puedo asegurar que el clima es favorable por tu presencia».
«Creedme, majestad, que mi corazón palpita de emoción por estar ante vuestra presencia». De rodillas se ponía sir Arnold, en reconocimiento de la autoridad del rey.
«Levántate, valiente caballero, sin más atavíos, quiero comentarle a usted porque lo he mandado llamar». El rey hizo una pausa y se levantaba de su trono para luego dirigirse al caballero nuevamente. «En estos últimos meses, una terrible bestia ha asolado nuestro bello reino. Os suplico, gran caballero, nos ayudes en esta encomienda que os pido».
«No os preocupéis, majestad. La bestia será llevada ante el secuas de la muerte». Con rodilla en tierra sir Arnold prometía al rey librarse del terrible dragón.
«Os doy mi bendición en tan compleja tarea, noble caballero». El rey soltaba una sonrisa de esperanza.
«No temáis, mi señor, pongo ante vosotros mi espada como fiel testigo de mis palabras. Me retiro a cumplir mi encargo con inmensa emoción».
El rey hacía una venia a sir Arnold quien salía presuroso con un escudero quien sabía dónde encontrar al dragón, pronto los dos hombres se ponían en marcha hacia la misión encomendada.
Los días pasaban y sir Arnold no tenía idea donde estaba el dragón. «Escudero, amigo mío, donde estamos, pues no he visto a la criatura de mala entraña». El desconsuelo invadió las palabras del caballero.
«No temáis, gran caballero, estamos cerca de la cueva del monstruo feroz. Que tu espada no demuestre la ansiedad».
Al término del séptimo día, el escudero emocionado le mostraba la cueva del dragón. El galope se hizo intenso y los dos hombres preparaban sus armas para el ajusticiamiento de la bestia infernal. Llegaron hasta la entrada, un olor fétido invadía las fosas de los hombres, revolviendo sus estómagos.
Encendieron unas antorchas y se internaron en la cueva oscura y fría. Los pasos se hacían ligeros y solo se oían las gotas que caían en un sonoro eco casi asfixiante. Las señas entre caballero y escudero fueron el único diálogo en ese instante de máxima tensión. Los corazones latían presurosos con cada paso que los acercaba al encuentro con el gran dragón.
Con espadas en mano, los dos hombres cortaban el fétido aroma que se hacía más intenso cuánto más se acercaban al final de ésta. Un paso más y luego sir Arnold se detuvo bruscamente, levantó el brazo para que su escudero que venía atrás se detuviera.
Sir Arnold había escuchado algo y colocándose el dedo índice en la boca señaló silencio. Llegaron al nido y vieron a un tierno dragón, la inocente criatura dormía. El escudero se adelantó y levantando su espada gritó, «Muere criatura de mala entraña».
Sir Arnold dijo de inmediato, «Calma tu excitación, escudero. Está criatura es indefensa y no es capaz de matar ni una mosca».
El hombre exaltado bajaba su espada y miraba espantado a sir Arnold, con el dedo índice y temblando apuntaba hacia la entrada de la cueva. El gran dragón había entrado y los hombres estaban atrapados. La bestia rugía incontrolable y se acercaba rápidamente hacia los hombres.
Sir Arnold y el escudero levantaron sus espadas listos para luchar hasta las últimas consecuencias. El dragón rugía con una furia terrible y hacía retumbar la cueva, iba a expeler fuego, pero en ese instante, hubo un momento que lo cambió todo, el chillido del pequeño dragón, hombres y bestia quedaron perplejos.
El gran dragón pasó de largo entre los dos hombres y corrió hacia su pequeña cría. La bestia lamía a su pequeño para tranquilizarlo. Sir Arnold y el escudero al ver tan conmovedora escena decidieron no enfrentarse al dragón. Entendieron porque el dragón actuaba de esa forma, solo buscaba comida para su pequeño dragón.
A sir Arnold se le ocurrió una idea y se la planteo al rey, durante varios meses le dejaron alimento al dragón y a su cría. Hasta que el pequeño creció y pudo volar. Madre dragón e hijo abandonaron el reino buscando un nuevo horizonte lejos de la civilización. Sir Arnold, el escudero y el dragón fueron unidos por un inocente chillido, que les salvó vida a los tres.
Fin
Source 1 Source 2
Edited by Rincón Poético.
The text of this post was originally translated from Spanish to English with the translator DeepL
Original content
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¡Thanks for you reading!
@rinconpoetico7
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A brave and equally compassionate Knight able to recognize that all beasts are not always monsters and that there might be another simpler solution to what might seem like a difficult task.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind comment.
Many times we need to be more compassionate and generous to avoid violence.
Good day.
Violence isn't always the solution for handling such terrifying creatures. Like humans, they also have emotions, and most of us tend to ignore this fact because we're too clouded by our fear, but Sir Arnold did otherwise. He was indeed the epitome of bravery and compassion.
I was really entertained throughout the time I read it. The way you impeccably described the scenes really made it more interesting to read because it allowed me to visualize the plot I'm reading. Thanks for sharing such a gallant story, @rinconpoetico7!
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I am very happy with your beautiful comment, thank you.
I wanted to leave that message and I am very happy that the story has been clear in that regard.
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Thank you for your message, I'm very glad you liked the story.
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De nada @rinconpoetico7. Esperamos que alcances tu nuevo objetivo 😅
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