The Continuing Adventures of Draco Moonbeam

Draco started. No one ever came to his house.

The knock was repeated. Three distinct taps of something metallic on the tin plate on the oaken door.

He could ignore the visitor if he desired. It was highly unlikely that anyone could enter unless Draco let them in.

But a certain curiosity led him to push away the bowl and rise from his seat.

The knock was repeated once more before Draco could reach the door.

Draco removed the bolt from its place along the door jamb and set it aside. He swung the door inward.

Standing alone at the door in the rain was the same strange traveler from the bar. He looked at Draco and announced himself.

“My name is Farfant Mallon. I’m looking for one Draco Moonbeam.”

“I am he. But I don’t know you. Why are you seeking me?”

“I am in need of your services. I am from Blackstag City, formerly of Voridia, and I represent a small group of men who find ourselves at a loss. Your help would be greatly appreciated.”

Draco nodded and swung the door open wider to allow the gentleman to enter.

He was about a head shorter than Draco, a little overweight, of middle age. He had no facial hair to hide the lines that age began to draw upon him.

He entered the front room and faced Draco. There was a comfortable chair in the front room but Draco didn’t sit, and he didn’t motion to the guest to sit either. So both remained standing.

Farfant took off his dripping hat which revealed a balding head, a ring of dark hair along the sides only.

“As I said,” continued Farfant Mallon, “we find ourselves at a loss. We are men, free men. Merchants, tradesmen, artists, masters of our various endeavors. We built our wealth, what meager wealth we possess, through our own hard labors and the fortunes that come from industry and some luck. So we value free thought, and the ability to eat the fruits of our labors.”

Farfant paused for a second, then continued, as Draco listened. “There is something evil in the land. Something that has taken away our freedom.”

He paused while Draco frowned in contemplation.

“What evil do you speak of, Master Mallon?”

“Well, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly. But ever since Queen Semna has unified the White Kingdom into the greater power that it currently is, there has been unusual prosperity and peace.”

Draco warily asked, “Why would tradesmen such as yourselves think that such peace is evil? Surely that peace benefits you?”

Farfant answered, “We are not naive, Master Moonbeam. A kingdom of this size, yea, any kingdom over the space of twenty years, will have its usual contentions.”

“Some law is decreed that benefits some and disadvantages others. Prices increase, and trade is hampered even as sellers make a profit. Even the lower classes who know poverty find reasons and motivation to criminal behavior. Someone is always unhappy.”

“Yet in the last twenty years of the White Kingdom, there has been only peace. Crime is minimal and is almost never violent despite the lower classes continuing to live in relative scarcity.”

“Mr. Moonbeam, this has led some of us with knowledge of the ways of mankind and governments to believe that another power is acting upon the people. They live in peace because they are compelled to it. It is a choice that has been taken away from them.”

“And as free men, we are greatly disturbed.”

Draco asked, “You believe that this has all happened since Queen Semna came to the White Throne?”

Farfant nodded. “The timing might be considered coincidental by many, but we believe she exerts an unholy influence upon them.”

“Then why don’t you rise up and remove her from power?” asked Draco.

“We’ve tried. Ten years ago there were many who believed as I do. But our numbers have dwindled. Every spy we have sent has changed his mind, allied themselves to her, even reported some of our members to her. Those who were reported were later found and ‘convinced’ to support her.”

“There was no violence, no beheadings, not even prison, for our members who have been caught. But once we realized that the Queen’s forces were seeking the names of all who opposed her, we fled. We left our businesses, sometimes our families, and we left the Kingdom. We now reside in Blackstag City, a city of free thinkers. But we long to return home.”

“I see,” said Draco, stroking his beard. Although Draco was bald, he did keep a long black and gray beard and mustache that gave him the look of a sage. When he began to tug at his beard, it was an unconscious sign of deep thought.

“Why do you need me? I would be captured in a similar manner. And once captured I would reveal your plans. So even by approaching me, you are at grave risk of failure. That is, if what you say is true.”

Draco studied Farfant’s eyes as he said this. Farfant looked Draco straight in the eyes as he responded, “We are not without resources. The mages and diviners we have consulted in Blackstag City all identify you as the lone man who can remove Semna. Even they, themselves, would be powerless.”

Farfant didn’t blink abnormally or look away as he said this. Someone who knowingly lies often looks away or blinks rapidly. A difficult habit to break for those who aren’t extremely practiced in deceit.

“Remove Semna? You want me to kill her?”

“No, no. But at least to terminate her power over the people. Likely there is a way to accomplish this without killing her, but if death is the only remedy, then we ask you to give it to her. Her life for the freedom of the people.”

Draco let out a small gasp. He wasn’t prepared for that answer.

Draco replied, “I might be inclined to help. But I’m rather comfortable here in Cloudgate. This isn’t my fight. What’s in it for me?”

Farfant added, “You’re a man with some reputation in Blackstag of aiding those who were in distress. You have a hero’s disposition. You really dislike injustice, wherever you find it, if our sources are correct. And I believe they are. Plus we are willing to pay.”

Draco, hesitantly, “I have enough money for my needs. I don’t need more. And, again, this is not my fight.”

Farfant Mallon said, “We know you are in the market for valuables of unique design and some magical capacity. We will pay in enchanted items. We can pay you in advance with an obsidian horse. It’s what I used to arrive here. And upon successful completion of the task, we would reward you with a flask of endless potions. Plus possibly a lifelong position in our ranks with financial compensation.”

“The obsidian horse is a small statuette, easily carried in a pocket. But upon command, it becomes a full sized stallion that you can ride. It doesn’t require food and doesn’t tire. The flask can and will create potions of any type you desire once you learn how to use it.”

“Plus we feel you will decide to help and provide freedom of thought and conscience for your children. They are young, yes?”

Draco nodded. He didn’t appreciate the veiled threat implied by Farfant’s knowledge of his kids.

“What do you say? Do we have an agreement?” Farfant looked at him expectantly.

Draco considered it. The man was not lying. There was indeed an unusual peace in the land. And freedom to believe as you wished was the most basic of liberties. The magical items to be gained were of some interest, but not enough by themselves to purchase his loyalty.

But he felt it in his heart: a sense that he was truly the only key to unlocking this door for the people of the nation.

“I’ll do it. But give me a week to make arrangements first.”

Farfant smiled. They shook hands.