THE QILIN AND THE THREE KILLINGS IN 2025

On the 3 rd of February 2025, we will enter the year of the Yin Wood Snake (Yi Si), marking a new yearly pillar and also a new path of Annual Flying stars in our home for the year ahead.

Last year’s entrance into period 9 Feng Shui had caused a big shift for most of us either good or bad; rest assured, in 2025 the energies will be a lot more settled, which can then make the Snake year a very exciting and a productive year! The Yin Wood Snake year 2025 is expected to bring resolution and resilience; hence, some of the world’s issues should be eased.

Bear in mind, the Yin Wood Years tends to bring steady growth, especially with regards to finances; therefore, all outgoings, purchases and investments should be handled with care in 2025.

It is part of Feng Shui practice to ascertain the direction of the Three Killings each year. This direction, also known as the Saam Saat, always occupies one of the four cardinal sectors-North, South, East or West and the affliction that covers 90 degrees of the compass. In this year, The Year of the Yin Wood Snake, the Three Killings are in the East.  It is imperative hence, that you do not carry out any noisy activity, renovation, or construction, conduct maintenance work or digging with noisy equipment inside or outside your property or workplace in this direction.  Once disturbed, this affliction will bring about three types of misfortunes: financial loss, sickness and arguments. If this is unavoidable you should place a six hollow metal rod wind chime between the building and where the work is being carried out and for a few days after. This is especially important for the oldest son and males, although this will affect all occupants of the household and workplace when activated.

If you have a door located in the east this year, please take great care when opening and closing the door to ensure it is not slammed. Avoid the influence of the Three Killings by opening and shutting the door calmly or installing a soft close hinge.

Another important thing to remember this year is that, when seated in your office or at home you must avoid having the East behind you. Confronting the Three Killings will not hurt you but having them behind you will.

Finally, if you can, place three Qilins (Chi Lings), especially if they are metal, in the in the quadrant (where metal element is considered good) such as SE, NE or South, facing East (where the Three Killings is located) in 2025. This will effectively restrain and prevent the killing Chi from harming you.

Qilin is a mystical hoofed chimerical creature, often depicted with what looks like fire all over its body. It has the head of Dragon and the body of horse. It represents protection, prosperity, success, longevity and illustrious offspring.  It is a good omen that brings ruì (roughly translated as “serenity” or “prosperity”). The QIlin (sometimes misleadingly called the “Chinese unicorn” due to Western influence) is believed to manifest upon the occasion of an imminent person’s arrival, or when a wise sage or an illustrious ruler has departed.

The earliest references to the Qilin were in the 5^th century BC, in the book of Zuo Zhuan. In its historical account we are told that after Zheng He’s voyage to the East Africa around the area of modern-day Kenya, he had brought back two giraffes to the emperor in Nanjing. The giraffes were thereafter referred to as Qilins (Chi Lings).  The Qilin and the giraffe was both vegetarian and shared a quiet nature on top of their reputed ability to “walk on grass without disturbing it”. Furthermore, the Qilin were described as having antlers like a deer and scales like a dragon or fish whereas the giraffe had horn-like “ossicones” on its head and a tessellated coat pattern that looked like scales. Even today the giraffe is still called Girin by Koreans and Kirin by the Japanese.

Back then the emperor had proclaimed the giraffe as a magical creature, whose capture signified the greatness of his power. By the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) the original Qilins were long gone. In the subsequent legends their appearance took on a more stylized representation of the giraffe, becoming mixed with some attributes of the tiger, dragon and other animals. The Ming artisans represented the Qilin as an oxen-hoofed animal with a dragon-like head surmounted by a pair of horns with flame-like head ornaments and a scaled body.  Sometimes the creature is depicted with a single horn on its forehead, a multicolored back, and hooves of a horse, body of a deer and the tail of an ox.

During the Manchu Qing dynasty (1644–1911) the Qilin (Chi Ling) was depicted as having the head of a dragon, the antlers of a deer, the skin and scales of a fish, the hooves of an ox and tail of a lion.

The Qilin’s attributes are:

Though fearsome, the Qilin only punishes the wicked. Its manifestation bespeaks of a wise and benevolent leader in a country or even a household. Being such a peaceful creature when it walks on grass or vegetation it takes care not to trample a single blade or step on any living thing. A Qilin is said to be able to walk on water. If a pure person is threatened by an obvious culprit the Qilin transforms into a fierce creature, spouting flames from its mouth and displays other fearsome aspects.

Legends have accounted for Qilin’s being manifest in the garden of the famed Huangdi and in the capital of Emperor Yao. The birth of the great sage Confucius had also been presaged by the appearance of a Qilin (Chi Ling).

Note: Before the Qin Dynasty, during the Zhou dynasty, Qilin ranked higher than the Dragon or Phoenix. Qilin was first, the Phoenix ranked second and the Dragon third. In the Post-Qin Chinese hierarchy of mythical animals however, in some fables where the Qilin (Chi Ling)was depicted as the sacred pet of the deities, Qilin ranked the third after the dragon and phoenix. In Japan (Qilin) Kirin are portrayed as a dragon shaped like a deer with an ox’s tail, and they preserved their importance, with the Phoenix placed second and the Dragon third.

                                                       ~                                              

Finally, if you have an important or commonly used room that falls into the east this year, you will need to make sure that you activate the (Feng Shui’s) annual flying star #9 correctly, which is also in the East this year. An extremely strong cure to enhance the annual #9 in 2025 is an Jinyuyingmen Red and Gold Buddha which strengthens the fire influence of this auspicious star in home and workplace, therefore, ensuring that wealth and overall luck prospects are as powerful as possible despite the Three Killings being also located here.

If you have a bedroom or office in the east this year, this is good news as these rooms usually have yin energy, which is nice and still allows you to avoid issues from the Three Killings.  Though, if you experience relationship issues this year, check that you don’t have an excess of water or earth colors and elements—such as brown, terracotta, beige, yellow, black, grey, or blue in this area. Small amounts are acceptable but try to avoid overusing these colors in 2025. For those trying to conceive, sleeping in the east can boost fertility, especially with a red Kwan Yin placed in this area to enhance supportive energy.

When activated, the #9 star can bring new career opportunities and advancements in 2025. To enhance this energy, introducing fire and wood elements in this area, candles and healthy plants are excellent choices. However, always ensure that candles are not left burning unattended, and keep plants fresh and well-maintained to sustain positive energy throughout the year. The most crucial and powerful cure to place in the east palace in 2025 is the Gaojie Quannian Master Cure. This powerful amulet and protective talisman cure is placed to enhance the annual #9 wealth and career star, which has become the prominent wealth star during period 9 Flying star Feng Shui from the 4th of February 2024 until the 3rd of February 2044.  

 

BEST OF LUCK AND STAY SAFE IN 2025

 

 HEROIC PRINCE STEZOR AND THE DRAGON

                           (Story by BoSt-  BoSt revised rendition of an old legend, a popular Serbian fairy tale)

 

In the far-off land of Orownoz the enlightened and fair-minded King Zonen was at his wits end; his once peaceful kingdom was plagued by a terrible curse. Every now and then a sheep, ox or peasant would go missing without a trace.

Occasional patches of scorched land appearing hither and yon fostered a fearful rumour, though none who had cast their eyes upon it had lived to tell, that a fire breathing dragon was the source of this bane.

 

In order to rid the land of this terrible scourge many brave warriors were dispatched to the four corners of the kingdom; but all attempts at finding the beast were in vain and the numbers of peasants, sheep and oxen continued to wane along with a corresponding number of brave warriors. The outcome was always the same: they all vanished without a trace, leaving only scorched earth to mark their passing.

King Zonen had three exceptional sons. The eldest son, Joren, was a mighty warrior and an accomplished swordsman and archer. On numerous occasions he had undertaken the dangerous task of ridding the kingdom of this dragon but had always returned empty handed and in dismay.

02- PRINCE JOREN

The latest foray had been a particularly close call, causing the King to forbid his favorite son from ever venturing out again on these dangerous excursions. Constrained from leaving the castle, Prince Joren when he retired to bed began seeing a strange dream. This recurring nightmare always followed the same sequence of events: he was hunting game when he saw a white hare and followed it but was never able to catch it.

For three consecutive nights the dream returned, haunting Joren’s peace of mind all during the day. The strangeness of the vision, however, precluded his sharing it with anyone and not even his closest confident his younger brother Prince Kezi, was told of this irritant. Then on the fourth morning, unable to stand it any longer, Joren rose well before the first light of day. Armed with his favorite bow and, with a quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder, Prince Joren charged forth from the main gate.

The prince rode as fast as his horse could gallop towards the thickly forested mountain that had its high peaks always hidden in the clouds. His dream sequence played out with uncanny accuracy when he chanced on the white hare and gave chase. The hare fled at lightning speed through the thick foliage, keeping just ahead of the Prince’s mount until the game path it was following abruptly ended in a thick cloud bank. Then, almost as if it did not want to escape the Prince’s pursuit, it slowed just enough, keeping in sight until they both had eventually passed through the unsettling miasma to emerge at a strange clearing. Hot on its heels, the Prince pursued the hare until it took refuge in a water-mill.

Dismounting, the prince followed it as it hopped up the stairs of the mill until it found a high window, inexplicably stopped and sat on the sill. By then the Prince was close enough to notch his bow and let fly the first arrow.

To his great consternation the arrow missed its mark, seemingly diverted from its path. As the Prince retrieved another arrow and was about to take aim the hare jumped out of the window then immediately began to grow in size then transform into a giant winged dragon that soared into the sky, disappearing into a thick mass of low clouds. When it manifested again it dove straight for Prince Joren who, with incredible prowess, let loose five consecutive arrows targeting the beast’s vital areas.

Unfortunately, though the metal tipped arrows did find their mark, they failed to penetrate the scales and fell harmlessly back to the ground. Before Prince Joren could string another arrow, he was scorched and then swiftly eaten by the mighty dragon and was no more.

When he failed to return and all traces of him had vanished from Earth, the King and Queen, surmising the worst, grieved endlessly for days for the terrible loss of their beloved son and heir. 

                                                                                          ~

The second Prince, Kezi, was an accomplished warrior excelling particularly in the skills of spear and dagger throwing and he never missed his mark. He always wore high boots specially designed to hold a set of daggers on the outer side. Unfortunately, growing under the shadow of popular Prince Joren, he’d always been seen as an underachiever.

Prince Kezi saw in this circumstance a golden opportunity to prove his prowess. And so at sunrise, accompanied by a small contingent of cavalry, the middle Prince passed through the gate vowing not to return till the scourge had been dealt with.

05- PRINCE KEZI

A week passed and, despite all expanded efforts, they could still not find any sign of this supposed Dragon. Yet the disappearances continued without letup. At dusk one day, after the campfire meal, while relieving himself at a secluded spot, Prince Kezi was lured away by the same white hare, only this time the rabbit turned into a strange apparition of a beautiful girl. He followed her willingly to a clearing beyond some tall, jagged rocks. When the apparition climbed to the top of the rocks, jumped off towards the Prince and, there and then, reverted to its true form as a fire breathing dragon. Next instant Prince Kezi’ was forced to cast aside his sword blazing to the hilt as it’d brushed with dragon fire.

 Then again being quick on his feet, in an instant he was able to retrieve his two daggers from his boots and, with lightening speed, hurled them at the beast. Unfortunately the fiery breath of the Dragon simply melted them in mid flight. Too bad his spear was not with him. He barely dodged the subsequent fire ball as he zigzagged as fast as he could towards safe ground. He was swift on his feet but before he could retreat to the safety of the crevices within those jagged rocks, he, too, was scorched and devoured by the Dragon in the blink of an eye.

                                                                                                    ~

His absence was also grieved by the King and Queen, but they saw no reason to take any precaution to prevent the third Prince, Stezor, from following suit. For, being the youngest and the favorite of the Queen, he’d been spoiled rotten and was spared the rigorous training of his siblings. Left pretty much to pursue his idle passions he’d often spend his days, to the dismay of the King, pursuing literary arts, and music or mind games.

But Prince Stezor did have a serious side which he, for whatever reason, chose to conceal. He had a deep understanding of warfare and strategy, as well as secret passion for attaining first-class competency in archery and swordsmanship. When a small meteor came into his possession, recognizing its true value at once, he had it covertly forged by the palace smith into a mighty sword.

07- PRINCE STEZOR

The young Prince Stezor had also a great foresight, and from the moment of the disappearance of his elder brother Joren, he had rightly predicted the actions of the second sibling Kezi and his inevitable doom. Subsequently, in his determination to avenge them he’d made secret preparations and, one stormy day at dusk, snuck out of the main gate perfectly disguised as a peasant leading a horse drawn cart. As soon as he was out of range of the sentry at the castle gate, he removed the concealed bundle from the cart, unhitched his horse and then hid the cart under some foliage. Now with the meteor sword slung across his back under his cape and sporting a small dagger in his left boot, he saddled the steed and set on in a cantor over the soggy ground.

He reached the rocky point, where Prince Kezi’s contingent had reported him missing, all in good time. Prince Stezor’s intent of investigating the grounds however was forestalled by a sudden heavy cloudburst and subsequent deluge, forcing him to take refuge in a nearby crevice. Prince Stezor passed the night rather uncomfortably listening to the howling winds and relentless downpour. At first daylight the remaining clouds were herded away by moderate winds allowing the sun’s rays to checker the soggy grounds. Prince Stezor was chewing on a piece of dry meat for his morning breakfast when he spotted the white hare beside some bushes. An uncontrollable urge propelled him to jump into the saddle and give chase after the white hare, which suddenly turned into a white stag.

The chase continued through an aberrant miasma that eventually led to a ravine that improbably existed in an anomaly in time and space. For one thing, midsummer seemed to be the prevailing season here. Heavily overgrown, the tall grass and strange flowers brushed against the horse’s withers as it chased after the white stag. Prince Stezor came to a quick realization just then how he’d utterly and hopelessly lost all tracks of time and place. Despite this disorientation and overwhelming exhaustion he relentlessly pressed on in pursuit. When the stag suddenly dove into the water-mill his keen survival instincts took hold and he dropped the chase. Maintaining his distance he cocked his head and his intent gaze surveyed the immediate perimeter. The grounds were thronging with thick foliage and strange bushes that seemed to harbour small game. Suddenly hunger pains gnawed at his stomach and he postponed the chase in favour of hunting the game.

                                                                                     ~

When, by mid- afternoon, he retraced his path back to the mill he spotted an old woman sitting there. With a cautious approach and a congenial manner, he soon engaged the old woman in a polite, and somewhat sincere, conversation.

The old woman told him how she, herself, had once been a lovely girl, and had been spared by the dragon. He had taken an unusual liking to her and so had tolerated her existence, much like a pet. Allowed to live nearby in a small hut, she had no living relations so obliged the dragon with a visit now and then. Feigning a modest interest Prince Stezor cajoled the old woman with intriguing notions about where the dragon’s secret strength lay. “You needn’t be so powerless, “He prompted her. “Dragons are known to have many wondrous powers. He’s been miserly with you, keeping you confined to this harsh and deprived environment. You can have a more magnificent existence, might even regain your youth, since Dragons have such magical power. Hmmm. I wonder if the dragon would reveal this secret if you managed to lure it to the location where it hides its powers and kissed it.”

After this exchange, the third prince thanked her for her kindness, gave her some of his game and, bidding her farewell, departed; but he did not ventured far. When the dragon failed to manifest at the mill Prince Stezor covertly trailed the old woman back to her hut. He hid within the vicinity for the rest of the day, continuing to spy on her activities. At dusk the dragon manifested by the hut and, as soon as its feet touch earth, took on a human form and invited himself inside. Prince Stezor stealthily approached the hut and through the crack of the window spied on the events transpiring inside.

After her repast the old woman, feeling obliged, did ask the precise words Prince Stezor had persuaded her to say. When the Dragon told her the fireplace, she began to kiss it. The dragon was highly amused by this, then told her it was the tree at the back of the hut. Again when she proceeded to kiss that, the dragon hollered with laughter. Then continuing with his good mood, seeing no reason to keep it from her, confessed to her that a distant Kingdom Voltaren had a lake, which was the dragon’s other residence.

There, in his truer form, the dragon resided in the form of a large wild boar, within the form of the wild boar would be the form of the pigeon in which the heart and the strength of this dragon was hidden. When the dragon teasingly hinted at the real source, that his mythical existence might be the deep roots of the tree that grew adjacent to the mill, the Prince Stezor smiled, nodded and withdrew quietly to safe distance. Finding a secure spot to conceal both himself and his mount, he ate his fill then enjoyed a sound sleep, having acquired the means to defeat the Dragon.

                                                                                             ~

Rising before dawn Prince Stezor set out at once to the Kingdom of Voltaren. Mixing with the common crowd at the marketplace there he first pawned the gold chain he’d worn since childhood and obtained two hounds and a falcon. Next, properly disguised, he entered the palace grounds and sought and obtained employment as a shepherd.

He was duly warned however not to go near the lake himself, though the sheep were permitted to venture there if they wanted. Eager to get started he set out at once with the sheep, two hounds, a falcon and the mighty sword slung across his back concealed under the cape. As instructed he allowed the sheep to venture near the lake. Staying at some distance, he hollered his challenge to the Dragon to face him if he dared. The same Red Dragon emerged from the foaming waves and shot to the sky, hovering in the air.

“Who dare be so brazen as to challenge me?” His thunderous voice shook the very ground where Prince Stezor stood. Steadying his footing he reached across his back and unsheathed his sword. Brandishing it he hollered back: “I’m Prince Stezor, the Third Prince of the kingdom of Orownoz. I’m here to avenge my brothers Prince Joren and Prince Kezi’s deaths.”

The mighty Dragon was highly amused at the audacity and the posturing of this puny human. At first he toyed with him as a source of fun, whizzing through the sky, shooting bolts of fire that made the prince dance. Prince Stezor’s agility and incredible stamina had impressed him at first but soon tiring of this lame sport, the Dragon, in earnest this time, dove in for the kill.

Once more Prince Stezor averted being roasted or swallowed whole with each subsequent skirmish and he even managed to strike back with his sword. Incredibly the blade even managed to cut through the scales, causing the Dragon unexpected pain.

The dragon, growing increasingly more wary of this contestant’s prowess, halted his onslaught and, hovering in mid air over the opponent’s head, demanded a temporary truce for the day. Refusing to forgo his advantage, Prince Stezor hollered his adamant refusal, “There will be no armistice till one of us is dead”. Furthermore he brazenly asserted that, even if the emperor’s daughter happened to be there to kiss him, he would still not relinquish the fight.

This long-drawn- out skirmish had seriously depleted the Dragon’s fire whereas Prince Stezor‘s deadly blade managed to find its mark few more times.

“Enough!” The infuriated Dragon reluctantly broke off from the combat and swiftly dove into the refuge of the lake’s depths.

                                                ~                                          

Since the Prince could not follow suit and no number of bellowed insults, hollered dares or challenges produced the desired outcome, Prince Stezor in the end reluctantly rounded up his flock and returned back to the palace stables. Early next morning, along with the sheep, hounds and falcon, he returned to the spot near the lake. Once more he contested with the dragon but failed to destroy the beast. The previous day, the King Seku of the Voltaren Kingdom to allay his suspicions had dispatched two grooms to spy on this unusual shepherd. They had returned with bated breath to relay all that they had witnessed. So on this second day, the King had sent his daughter to the lake, with directions to kiss the Sheppard if, or when, he made the same boast. When Prince Stezor uttered those same words during the fray the beautiful princess ‘s sudden appearance on the scene and her exquisite beauty did sway the prince from his resolve.

The princess as a willing participant volunteered the kiss and charged Prince Stezor with unusual strength, stamina and zeal.

“What’s this? “

Prince Stezor was waiting for just such an opportunity, with his now invincible prowess and dexterous manoeuvring, just as the Dragon dove to devour him, the Prince somersaulted and shot through the air to successfully mount the beast’s tail. His fingers clung tightly onto the scales as the Dragon swooped then veered this way and that slicing through the air with powerful strokes of its wings. Despite the Dragon’s aerial acrobatics, brisk assents to the clouds followed by spiraling, dizzying dives, Prince Stezor had hung on tight and what’s more, completed his laborious climb towards Dragon’s neck and head. In a contest of will Prince Stezor would be the champion for, just as the exhausted Dragon had slowed his pace, Prince Stezor had positioned himself above the Dragon’s eyes, its most vulnerable point. The powerful plunge of the sword cut mercilessly through the scales causing the Dragon great pangs of agony as its blood poured in torrents out of the wound.

“Stop ... Stop it.” He growled and, with the most vigorous shake, managed to finally rid himself of this pest.

Prince Stezor, who was in fact worn out, broke the momentum of his fall with a timely roll and a dive into the lake to avoid by only a hairsbreadth the most serious of injuries. He was submerged for a long while under water but resurfaced gasping for breath and quickly taking hold of his senses swam to the safety of the shore before the Dragon returning from the clouds could dive into the lake.

Meanwhile the blinded and disoriented Dragon, with the blood running over his eyes, heard the Prince’s desperate cries, “Help, Help, I can’t swim!” he targeted the sound assuming it to be coming from the lake. But the Prince had climbed onto a rocky outcrop a good distance from the lake. As a result, the diving Dragon missed its mark and plowed straight into the rocks.

The beast burst open the moment it hit the ground, and a wild boar emerged from the rupture. The hounds set upon it at the Prince’s command and tore apart the wild boar. A white pigeon burst out of the carcass and immediately took flight but this time it was caught by the falcon.

A precise whistle brought the trained falcon to the Prince’s hand with its prey. The captive pigeon, now in dire straits, beseeched the Prince to spare his life and, to foster good faith, confessed to his holding prisoners behind the water mill which Prince Stezor was now at liberty to free.

“What about the adjacent tree?” Prince’s question invoked deep fear in the Pigeon’s eyes. This is the confirmation prince needed, so he did not press the issue any further.

“Now I’ve told you everything… Let me live and I shall go far away from here and never bother this realm or your family again. “The Pigeon once more implored the Prince.

“I would have ordinarily spared you,” the prince hemmed and hawed, “However, I cannot be sure you would not revert back to the form of a Dragon and spread your reign of terror over other unsuspecting kingdoms. Besides I am obliged to avenge my brothers you’ve so heartlessly devoured.” And with those words he wrung the pigeon’s neck and the Dragon was no more.

                                                                                                ~

The victorious Prince on his return was given armed men by the King of Voltaren and with them he went back to the prison behind the windmill and freed all the dragon’s captives. Delighted, King Seku married his only daughter, the lovely Princess to this intrepid Prince Stezor.

After the elaborate feast while many slept soundly, diligent Prince Stezor, bothered by a nagging loose end, snuck away from the matrimonial bed and without a word to anyone hopped back in his saddle and galloped back to the windmill. Dismounting, Prince then found the adjacent tree and uncovering the roots, he struck them so hard that his hands turned red. That same instant a sudden feeling of foreboding took hold of his heart.

With a perplexed look on his face and a heavy heart, in haste he galloped back to the kingdom. Sure enough his suspicions were warranted and his fears became the reality. The entire kingdom seemed utterly deserted. No one, not a single soul stirred. His searches led him to even the deepest parts of the dungeons where he discovered everyone, guards and prisoners alike in a state of lifeless stupor.

And when he touched one, they simply crumbled to dust. With a heavy heart he rushed back to his matrimonial chamber and gazed upon his beautiful bride but when he reached for a kiss, she too crumbled to dust in his arms.

Were they all the mystical creation of the Dragon’s imagination?

After shedding many tears, he rounded up the majority of the sheep and oxen. Prince Stezor then reluctantly mounted his steed and herding the animals through the strange miasma emerged safely back on the familiar lands of the Kingdom of Orownoz.

By then the Prince’s absence had come to light and a nationwide search was well underway. The Queen had fallen ill fearing the worst but now the delighted King and Queen listened with due patience and fervent zeal to their son’s account of his adventures. In the end the King shook his head in disbelief; not only of the bizarre set of events, but also regarding the discrepancy of the timing, for the Prince’s absence had only been two days and no more.

Fin

 

THE DRAGON FROM THE NORTH

(ORIGINAL BOST FAIRY-TALE)

Once upon a time a young dragon seeking adventure, strayed far from the mythical lands of the north where his kind lived; a place of high altitude, a windswept, barren (sterile) region, where the surface was covered most of the year with snow and ice.

Flying over this southern land the adolescent dragon was angry, as well envious, seeing all the rapid flowing rivers that fed the fertile land. The area below was populated with bounty of animals, frolicking birds and amphibians, insects and human population, all happily coexisting in this moderate climate, all nurtured by the warm rays of the sunlight, which also fostered rich array of vegetation and forests. Plain and simple, it was Heaven on Earth!

Why should they be so fortunate, when his kind was barely existing in that harsh, unforgiving environment, often taking refuge from the harsh elements, months at a time, in gargantuan dark caverns. Consequently, the Dragon’s fury mounted with the unfairness of it all; and so, as he flew by, he let out his fiery breath in a stream, inundating (engulfing), devastating and charring the large portions of the land.

The King Frey, crown prince, the royal family, all the courtiers (aristocrats, nobles), scholars, military, ordinary citizens, artisans, farmers and merchants- they all ran in fright to safety, leaving their homes, mansions and castles; following months, they took shelter in caves and in subterranean tunnels, to escape the fiery onslaughts (attacks, assaults), this terrible catastrophe! Though temporarily safe, they mourned the loss of their beautiful lands and yearned for the life they once had (enjoyed). 

The King Frey had only one unmarried, beautiful daughter named Brenda, whom he loved most dearly; she was now of marriageable age and so, listening to his advisers, the desperate Sovereign announced it in an edict, that whoever killed this scourge, bane Dragon, he would be rewarded with marriage to princess Brenda, as well, be granted one third of his kingdom.

PRINCESS BRENDA

There was a myth, an ancient belief in this land, that there once existed a celestial magic ring (lost to an Immortal on his way to Heaven) which had the potency (power) of killing Dragons; therefore, many enterprising brave warriors had gone on expeditions, to discover this treasured item. Unfortunately, to present date, their efforts had all been in vain.

It so happened that there was a fearless young man called Cuyler, a hard working and intelligent handsome youth of about eighteen, who lived alone with his widowed mother, in a humble (abode) dwelling at the (outskirts of) periphery of the kingdom. The King’s edict, meanwhile, had been widely circulated and so even reached the attention of this fair youth when he was on his semi-annual trip to the market at the nearby town to buy some necessary supplies for his mother. About a week later, Cuyler one night had a quite (very) vivid dream, a sure premonition. Upon waking, Cuyler divulged to his mother, the specifics of the dream and she, interpreting it most favorably, encouraged her son to, one day when its feasible, try his luck at attaining (procuring) the ring.

GUYLER

Subsequently, rising at dawn, one cloudless, fine day, Cuyler set out on foot in the direction of his dream. After tree days of relentless travelling, he sought guidance from the eccentric recluse named Endre, who, after receiving a gratuity (the only prized possession of the youth - a beautifully crafted silver amulet his father had passed down to him) told Cuyler that the birds might aid him in his quest. Favoring the youth, Endre quickly made Cuyler a concoction (a bitter brew) and told him to consume it down to the last drop, saying this would enable him to understand the birds’ vernacular (dialect, language). Endre also told the youth that when he obtained the ring, he should bring it strait away to him, for he alone had the knowhow to interpret the inscription carved inside of it.

Cuyler travelled, for many a day, over difficult terrain to reach an area of rising, dense forest that was fortuitously was left untouched by the dreaded Dragon; true enough, he could now understand the birds’ lively chatter. He listened intently, while his feet travelled the narrow ascending paths, snaking through the forest. What is more, Cuyler was elated to hear a falcon’s message- when the falcon having procured himself a meal, was perched on a tree-branch- that there was a fairy-maiden (an elf, pixie) that lived little ways off in a dilapidated hut, who could aid him. Unfortunately, she and the hut were invisible, save for the time of apex (full) moon.

Guyler asked the falcon humbly to please aid him in his quest. The falcon studied this remarkable human for a time, his keen eyesight observing Cuyler’s handsome features; sensing Cuyler’s good heart and noting his noble character, the falcon acquiesced to give him assistance. He told Cuyler that he could find the Pyxie (fairy) at present, by the spring; opportunely for Cuyler, the moon was at its full phase (full moon).

Guyler bowing, gracious thanked the falcon; then at once set out to find the fairy-maiden. The Pyxie was offended, and angry at first, learning that the falcon had betrayed her trust, but after her scrutiny of the boy, noting his rare qualities, decided to forgo attack and instead, invited Guyler to her home. The youth upon his entry to the abode, heard a thin voice from an unknown source, warning him to never give her any blood. He understood at once from no reaction from the fairy, that oddly enough, only he’d heard that caveat (tipoff).  

That evening, the Pyxie by then having transformed into an enchanting beauty, at the conclusion of their plain repast (meal), she quietly asked him to marry her. He was quite taken with her looks, and swayed as he was, taking control of his emotions, he first stated that he would not wish to offend her, then went on to mention briefly his obligation to his widowed mother and politely asked hence, some time for him to consider this. Pursing her lips, in an enticing voice she next informed him that, of course she would offer him the magic's ring he sought as his dowry, but that he would have to give her in return, three drops of his blood. Guyler was elated to learn that she was in fact, in possession of the magic ring, but recalling the friendly warning (upon his entering the premise), he remained reluctant to concede to her wish. Later that night, before settling down to sleep, as means of winning his further confidence, she had also enumerated (divulged) the powers of the magic ring.  

Guyler, constrained to be her guest, stayed there the subsequent three or four days; feeling rather impatient at the conclusion of the fourth night’s repast (meal) however, he confessed to her that he did not quite believe she had the magic ring in her possession. This way cajoled (coaxed, goaded), the fairy at once stood up and going over, fetched the ring from its secret hiding place, then showed it to him. Moreover, when he requested it, she let him try it on. As this was too good a chance to miss, soon as the ring was on his finger, using his wits, he utilized the ring’s powers of invisibility and flight, and made good his escape.

Loosing no time, Guyler directly went to the recluse Endre, who interpreted the inscriptions on the inside of the magic ring and gave him subsequent directions on how best to kill the dragon.

Guyler travelled back to the kingdom’s capital, and it took some doing but, in the end, he secured an audience with the King.  The relentless Dragon, in Guyler’s absence, had done even more damage to the region, and since countless heroes had been turned to ash, the King was in desperate straits. Impressed by the youth’s courage and honest demeanor, The King ordered his royal smiths (metalworkers) of the artillery (weaponry), to construct the precise iron shield and spear Endre had directed Guyler to have.

Armed with these, at daybreak, behind the scorched hills and in an open field, Guyler valiantly (boldly) confronted the fierce dragon.  He meticulously carried Endre’s instructions, changing the ring from finger to finger as needed, while he fought on with the dragon. Eventually Guyler succeeded in severely wounding the dragon, however, when it came down to dealing him the final fatal blow, he could not do it and stayed his hand. His mercy touched the young dragon’s heart, and he promised to leave this region, never to return.  Before his final departure, the dragon first instructed Guyler on what to say to the King upon his return; moreover, as proof of his supposed demise, the young dragon tore loose one of his scales and presented (gave) it to Guyler.

Guyler returned to the palace, and declared to the King, his alleged victory. Everyone believed his account, because of the solid proof and because there’d been no further sightings of the dreaded dragon.

Princess Brenda was among those who’d been overjoyed, seeing how handsome he was; and shortly after in an elaborate ceremony, Guyler was married off to the beautiful princess. Subsequently, Guyler, Princess Brenda and Guyler’s mother, settled happily in their lush residence that had been hastily built for them within the confines (segment, area) of the Palace.

In his happiness, Guyler had entirely forgotten about the fairy-maiden, nor did he expect her to be bold enough to seek vengeance when he resided in his new abode within the confines (limits) of the heavily safeguarded (walled, secured) Palace. Subsequent months Guyler, even participated in the activity of riding and hunting at the Royal Preserve (sanctuary, game reserve), alongside some enterprising, intrepid courtiers (aristocrats and nobles). On one such hunting trip, while galloping way ahead of the group, he fell prey to the fairy-maiden’s attack (as she’d been bent on revenge and retrieving the magic ring):  she, in the form of an eagle, suddenly swooping down from the sky, had pounced on Guyler, digging her talons into his flesh, and then swiftly carting (hauling) him away into the distance.

She chained Prince Guyler in a cave and cruelly left him there to die; afterwards, she went far, far away, never to return. As it was not his fate to perish, he manifested in the dream of the recluse Endre, who’d had been rather fond of this youth.  The recluse Endre, hence, set out at once to seek a private audience with the Princess Brenda.

The king had been downcast (saddened) for some while, as the search for Prince Guyler had been rendered fruitless, as well, because of his beloved daughter’s heartbreak, for she’d been with child when her beloved husband had gone missing. Now the child, king’s grandson, had come into the world without the affections of his father, as Guyler’s whereabouts remained unknown.  Endre injected new hope into princess Brenda’s heart, and she happily dispatched Endre on this mission, laden with many gifts. 

RECLUSE ENDRE

Steadfast Endre guided by the birds, quickly found and rescued Guyler, who’d become very thin by then; so instead of returning him to Palace, he took Guyler to his humble abode and nursed him back to health. Guyler while he convalesced, had plenty of time to reflect on the harm he’d done to the pyxie; therefore, being remorseful, soon as he was fully recovered, he left Endre’s side and bravely sought to find the fairy, to seek absolution (forgiveness).  

Failing in that, Guyler went back to his wife Princess Brenda, son and mother, and all three lived happily ever after. Neither the magic ring, nor the fairy was ever seen again. 

The young dragon, meanwhile, having learned his lesson well, kept his promise and never ventured south again.

The End