Chapter Folktale: Born Responsible

Chapter Folktale: Born Responsible

Once there was a boy born to a noble family; born second. Born forfeit.

The nurse said, Hes a healthy one. Just hear that voiceclear and strong. Men will listen to him.

They would, his mother said.

The boy grew up. He could lose hours in his mothers library as easily as he could break up a fight between the guards boy and a stable hand in such a way that both were better friends.

Hes a strong lad, the guardsman said, a strong heart. Men will follow him.

When the pact was broken, they listened and they followed, and there was war. The dragon led many attacks, until it came upon the castle in which the boy had lived. A young woman waited for it on the ramparts.

The dragon slipped into its stolen skin and joined her. Surrender, it said, in the voice the young man would have had. It was clear, and it was strong. We will set the pact back to rights; there will be peace between us. Theres no need for you to die.

Dont you understand? she said. Theres no need for you to live.

There she killed it. She was the first born of her family, the heir; born responsible.

A story told in Three Havens