The Tale of Quezton and Anshir

Chapter One: The Stars Wisdom

As the King tucked his ill son in the crib, he pulled out an old book with a sigil of a white Dragon that his father read to him as a child called The Stars Wisdom. His child’s eyes began to drift into dream, but the King continued to read as he held his son’s hand.

“Once upon a time long, long ago there was an ancient Dragon who held the answers of life. They would only allow the kindest, and most loving to speak with them as it was a privilege to be in their presence.” The King paused as his voice began to give.

The child opened his eyes and looked up at the King. “What does privilege mean?” The Kings son asked.

“Well, son it means something special that only a few get to have. Such as those who step into my Kingdom have the privilege of speaking with me.” The King replied.

“I have the privilege of being your son then.” The son replied.

“Yes Quezton, and I have the privilege of being your father.” The King replied.

The King opened up the book toward Quezton to reveal a portrait of a large Dragon in a pond with a child sitting upon a large black stone.

“It is told that your Great-Grandfather was the child in this book. That he obtained the knowledge from the ancient Dragon who then saved our Kingdom from war and famine.” The King said pointing at the pages.

“Really!” Quezton said trying to keep his eyes open as he brushed his finger over the image of the Dragon.”

“But that was ages before the blight came upon us.” The King said softly under his breath.

“What was that father?” Quezton asked after he covered his mouth coughing.

The King grabbed a cup from the stand beside him and placed it up to his son’s lips.

“Drink this and you will fill better.” The King said with a deep breath.

The King continued to tell the tale of Quezton’s Great-Grandfather and the tale with the wisest of Dragons. He described all of the wonderful visits that they had with one another in the forest of Inquisition which happened to be only a short distance away from their home.

Quezton’s eyes began to become heavy as he tried to fight the urge to close them.

“I want to see the Dragon father. I have so many questions I want to ask it!” Quezton told his father.

The King’s voice began to waver as he held his son’s hand. “I will take you there my son.”

Quezton’s eyes closed after giving a large yawn. He continued to listen to his father speak about the great wise Dragon that had all of the answers to the world.

There was a sudden chill that swept over Quezton causing him to recoil. His father's voice began to flutter and a sound of panic arose. Quezton tried to open his eyes to see what was happening but could not.

“You shall not take him! He belongs here with me!” The King shouts.

Quezton felt warmth wash over him. As he found the strength to open his eyes he had found himself cradled in his father’s arm in the midst of night riding upon a horse toward the forest of Inquisition.

Quezton’s eyes look behind his fathers toward the tower. A dark figure descended onto a pale white horse that began to give chase.

“You will be all right my son; the Elder Dragon shall protect you.” The King said softly to Quezton as he made his horse gain haste.

Arriving on the outskirt of the forest in the light of the Blue Moon, the King kneeled before his son kissing him on the forehead. The King took the hand of his son and pointed into the tranquil sky at the brightest star.

“Quezton my son. Go into the forest and follow this star until you arrive at a large black stone overlooking a pond. The stones will glow, and the water will hum a peaceful melody. Await there and the Elder Dragon should welcome you with the answers that you seek.” The King lovingly said.

Quezton looked confused at his father. “Will you come with me?”

The trampling of branches is heard from afar drawing back the Kings head.

“There is no time my son. I must protect you from what is coming. We will see each other again I promise.” The King responds letting go of his son’s hand.

Quezton stumbled back as his father let go rolling down a small embankment. As he began to crawl back up the hill, he saw the shrouded figure step off of his pale horse.

“Take me! Not my son!” The King’s voice echoes.

The shrouded figure pulls back his hood revealing himself to be pale as well. He swirls and waves his hand in the air causing roots to wrap around the King keeping him still.

Quezton looked at the Pale Man’s bare feet as they hovered above the ground. The Pale Man's dark shroud fluttered upon each step toward him moving as if part of the wind itself.

“Get away from him!” The King shouts at the Pale Man.

The Pale Man waves his hand again covering the mouth of the King with a vine.

Quezton wishing to save his father had no fear and approached the Pale Man.

“Leave us alone!” Quezton shouts with all his might at the Pale figure.

The Pale Man snarled revealing his ghastly face and almost transparent skin. The Pale Man reached out toward Quezton with eyes blackened and mouth distorting into a serpent.

Quezton looked at his father and knew he must find the Elder Dragon to help save him. Quezton turned around to run but felt the Pale Man’s hand touch his back. Quezton fell to the ground to find himself deep in the forest.

Quezton finds himself upon fallen leaves still in the middle of the forest. “What happened?” Quezton thought looking scared as he got up from the damp ground.

Quezton saw dark tendrils lurch out from the darkness followed by the Pale Man. His arms reached out toward Quezton speaking out his name with an eerie vibration.

A squall came forth blowing from behind Quezton toppling him to the ground. Looking forward a large blurry white figure flies above him snagging the Pale Man and taking him away into the sky.

A large opening from the broken branches ended up revealing the brightest star in the sky. This beacon would then guide Quezton toward the Pond of Wonder to meet the Elder Dragon.

Quezton picked himself up and continue forward as his father wanted. He believed that the Pale Man may still return, and needed to seek out the aid of the Wisest of Dragons.

Deep into the forest, Quezton went as he followed the brightest star. He began to see reflections of the Blue Moon sparkling off some stones up ahead that began to glow.

As he arrived in the field of glowing stones he spotted a large black stone just like in the book his father had read him. This brought much joy to Quezton's heart as he arrived. As Quezton smiled and looked in awe the stones began to radiate and pulse.

Stepping into the shallow water it began to hum a peaceful melody.

“It is real!” Quezton said in amazement.

As Quezton sat down upon the large stone a large wave washed over him bringing him a calmness that he had never felt before. From the depths of the pond, a large white figure emerged from the water as it was struck by the Blue Moon’s light.

“Wow!” Quezton's mouth dropped as the Elder Dragon had risen from the depths of the Pond of Wonder. The Large Dragon began to shake off the water as how a dog would.

Its eyes glowed of amber, and its silver fur shimmered from the beads of water falling from its body.

“Were you the one who saved me from that bad man?” Quezton asked looking up at the Virtuous Dragon.

The Dragon nods slightly looking downward at Quezton.

“Are you the Elder? Are you a real Dragon?” Quezton asked.

The Dragon leaned down toward Quezton revealing its massive teeth as it opened its mouth. It inhaled deeply almost sucking Quezton off the large stone into the water. As it exhaled Quezton could see a grin on the Dragons face.

“You may call me Anshir.” The Dragon responds in a soothing voice.

Quezton’s eyes light up. “My name is Quezton. My father sent me to find you! Will you help my father? That scary man got him!”

Anshir rose above once again looking down at the child. He inhaled the essence of Quezton and exhaled his purpose. His eyes look hopeful as he gazed upon the young Quezton.

“I shall do all that I can for you Quezton, but I cannot leave this forest for I am bound to it as the stars are bound to the sky,” Anshir responds.

“Why are you bound to like the stars?” Quezton asked.

Anshir knew the answer would confuse the young mind so he replied in a way that his father would have. “You shall know when it is time.”

Quezton wrinkled his nose and splashed his bare feet in the clear water looking at the glowing stones.

“Will my father be alright? I hope the bad man does not hurt him?” Quezton asked Anshir.

Anshir looked upon the child’s innocent face and tried to explain without frightening the child.

“I had freed your father from the Pale Man," Anshir replied.

Quezton looked so relieved he started to ear up. "Thank you! I miss him and want him here with me."

Anshir replied. "In time you will be together, but for now let me give you the answers you seek."

Quezton began to ask Anshir so many questions about what had been on his mind of late. Anshir was entertained and laughed aloud with Quezton about how his curiosity was limitless.

Quezton lay upon the belly of Anshir as they both looked up at the stars. In the back of Quezton's mind, there was a question he was afraid to ask. Anshir could sense the mood change by Quezton as he became very still and silent.

Quezton then asked what would have happened to his father if the Pale Man had taken him. Anshir leaned over toward Quezton and bit the back of his shirt and placed him gently on the large black stone.

Anshir looked sadly at Quezton as he began to answer.

"He would have been taken away to a place where you would have not been able to see him," Anshir replied.

Quezton began to tear up looking hopelessly at Anshir and began to tremble.

"But the good thing is he did not get your father. I protected him from the Pale Man." Anshir assured Quezton.

"Thank you," Quezton replied.

Anshir winked at Quezton and continued. "He shall be given time to atone, and you have put him on that pathway. Once he is done coping you shall reunite with your father in a loving embrace.

Quezton looked puzzled and scared. Anshir's eyes opened wide and he leaned down remembering he was speaking to a toddler.

“Remember the day that you went out with your cousins playing in the stables? There were rats that bit you on the hand making you very tired and ill.” Anshir said with his soothing calm voice.

“I remember. It hurt and made my father sad.” Quezton replied.

Anshir lowered his head toward Quezton and looked at him with his glowing amber eyes. Quezton saw an image of that day happen within the reflection.

“That was a bad day. I made my father cry.” Quezton sadly said hanging his head.

“It was not your fault. It was something that could not be controlled such as the Pale Man.” Anshir consoled Quezton by nuzzling his face toward him.

Quezton began to pat Anshir and nod.

"Your father did some things he regretted to the stable master for letting you and your cousins inside. This he must atone for, but when he does you will both go on great adventures with one another." Anshir informed Quezton.

"Will I see him before soon?" Quezton asked looking at the brightest star in the sky.

Anshir replies. "By the time the sun rises you with be together once again.

Quezton looked on top of Anshir’s furry head and smiles. “Can I get on top of your head?”

Anshir sinks his head into the water allowing Quezton to climb onto his neck. Arising back out of the water Anshir begins to ascend into the air.

Quezton asked how his Great Grandfather knew to follow the brightest star to find him and what knowledge did he give him.

“Dear child the time has come for you to understand the wisdom of the stars,” Anshir says as his voice began to echo from all around the pond.

Quezton holds onto the ruff of Anshir’s hair as they climb deeper and deeper toward the brightest star.

“Your Great-Grandfather was a wise man who spent many of his days at this pond where he had given fatherly advice to your fathers, father. This is where the legend began.” Anshir told Quezton.

Quezton tilted his head and began to realize that the story his father read to him was written by his Great-Grandfather.

“Stars are but memories that are here to enlighten us by showing us an image of what had long passed away,” Anshir continues to tell Quezton.

“I don’t understand,” Quezton asks as his voice suddenly changed deeper.

Anshir pauses in the air hovering over the forest and his father’s Kingdom that was no longer there.

“The light in the sky is just now appearing before us but so man is no more. Like our lives, the time it takes for us to reveal our light to others too has long passed.” Anshir somberly stated.

Quezton scratches his face and pauses. He brushes his hand over his cheek feeling prickly hairs like his father’s.

“What is happening to me?” Quezton said in a mature voice looking down at his father’s Kingdom now in ruins and replaced by strange new buildings.

Anshir begins to ascend once again toward the brightest star calmly saying to Quezton.

“You will be all right dear child; you will soon understand everything.” The voice of Anshir calmed Quezton as he let go of Anshir’s fur and raised his arms in the air.

As Quezton looked down at the world below everything began to move extremely fast, as mountains eroded away, lakes dried up and more buildings swept the lands that towered over the largest kingdom.

“The land is covered in fireflies,” Quezton said grinning and looking down at his world below.

Quezton looked down at his wrinkled hands and understood what Anshir had been trying to tell him all along about the stars. The light may take longer to travel for us to see it as the soul may take time to realize that it too has long passed from its mortal form.

“I remember,” Quezton whispered as he continued to look down at the floating orb of lights.

Anshir hovers in the aether awaiting Quezton to recall his life as he speaks soothingly to him. Quezton’s entire life flashed before his eyes.

He recalled being bit by the rats in the stable and falling ill. As his father read to him in his crib, he remembered seeing a shadowy figure lingering behind. That his father shouted at the specter to stay away as it was ready to take him to the great beyond.

“How could I remember a life that never happened?” Quezton spoke in his younger voice once again.

“Life and Death is still a mystery even to someone with all of the answers. Upon the Pale Man’s touch that the plague had placed upon you, your soul had time like the stars to reach the point where it could be seen by the Heavens." Anshir addressed Quezton as they became far away from their world.

"This allowed what you knew about the world to live out a full life and become an old wise King as your father did,” Anshir responded to Quezton now knowing that the knowledge of the life he could have had made him into a man.

Quezton looked above him to see a glowing halo as wings sprang forth from his backside. Anshir continued toward the brightest star letting Quezton know that it was but a chapter in his story and that his Tale is yet to be finished.

The End?

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Thank you for checking out my story The Tale of Quezton and Anshir.

Do to time and having a limit on words I had to summarize my story.

I plan on making it a short story aiming for 120 pages that deal with Quezton growing up and dealing with issues that he returns to Anshir to help him with.

The Pale Man is always lingering around and giving that sense of what is going to happen next. Even though Quezton died as a child the stories that his Father the King spoke to him gave him in some way a second chance at life.

Quezton and the fiction of his Great Grandfathers story allowed him to create a dream-like world where he had an adventure of discovering Anshir the Wise, growing up, falling in love and growing old where he finally faces the Pale Man which tells him to ask Anshir about the Wisdom of the Stars.

This is when Quezton discovers that he passed away as a toddler from the Plague and that his soul was still conscious and taking what was happening around him and believing it was happening to him as he was alive.

Anshir represents Quezton's imagination of his Great-Grandfathers story but as well as a Guardian Angel in the afterlife helping him cope with making his father cry upon finding out there was no cure.

If this story does interest you please like and share. It will give me more motivation to finish the complete story. Thank you again for your time.