Inspiration 51

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John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

There can be no greater inspiration of sacrificial love than Jesus Himself. 'Nuff said.

However there are a few more characters you need to meet, so I'll give you a little background and/or a little snippet. You get two of them today and the rest tomorrow, with the last entry for inspiration for this story focusing on the antagonist.

KING SATIN

When Aidan awoke, he felt warm sand beneath him. The waves lapped at his feet. The sun glared in his eyes. He lifted a leaden hand to shade them. The very movement racked his body, and he gagged and coughed water from his lungs. He rolled over and vomited seawater, and then fell back with a thud and a groan.

At that moment, he heard a low guttural growl beside him. He slowly opened one eye, afraid to move an inch. He was face to face with the biggest black panther he could imagine, even after Diggory's descriptions. Aidan tried to speak, but was only beset with another fit of coughing and vomiting. Thinking he was hallucinating, he reached out a hand and touched the creature beside him. The fur was soft and warm. Feels like satin floated through his delirious mind.

The animal growled again and put a mammoth paw on Aidan's chest. Aidan was unable to move beneath the weight.

The young man opened his eyes to see the huge cat scanning the horizon as if he expected to see something.

Yellow eyes reflecting the blazing sun looked down at Aidan. Aidan closed his eyes again. I might as well be dinner for a panther as supper for sharks. He lay there expecting to die at any moment.

The panther looked to the sea once more and then back at the golden and bronze angel that lay at his feet. He thought, something so beautiful to look upon cannot possibly be harmful; but then, he remembered years of deceptive beauty. This one must have come from a great distance. There is no ship on the horizon. Could he be the lone survivor of some ill-fated craft? Could he be an innocent who knows nothing of the turmoil of this area? He felt a strange need to protect this young giant. The look of him brought back a memory long buried for the pain of it. Has it in truth been twenty years since I last saw hair so golden? His heart constrained him to care for this one. Why he did not know...

The next time Aidan awoke he was in a dimly lit cave and covered by warm quilts. Although the quilts were warm, he still shivered. He heard a susurrus to his left and turned his head that direction. He saw glowing eyes and started.

"Welcome back to the world of the living and my home," said a deep raspy voice. "You have been asleep for two days. Now, I must ask you whether you are friend or foe."

Aidan sat up quickly and fell back just as quickly.

The voice moved closer. "Near drowning is a weakening experience, even for one as young and strong as you."

"Is this Draconis?" asked Aidan weakly.

The panther was instantly wary. This one knows something of this area after all. "No. We are a week's journey from there. Why do you ask? What do you know of Draconis?"

"Only what a friend told me," answered Aidan cautiously.

"Was this friend a friend of Draconis?"

"That depends. Aire ya referring to the queen's Draconis or the people's Draconis?"

The panther snarled, "There is no queen in Draconis! Answer me now! Are you friend or foe?"

"Friend I hope," said Aidan trying to rise. "I have come on a quest to help free Draconis. Jean Noir is with me."

"Jean…" The voice sounded distant. "Aye, I remember Jean Noir. He disappeared years ago after another man came, a man with good intentions; but his rash actions caused much havoc in Draconis."

"This man. Prithee, tell me of him. Where might I find him?"

"He is one of my kind now and somewhere in hiding even as I am. I shall tell you more when you are stronger. For now, perhaps, 'tis enough that you learn to trust me. I am called Satin. The Wizard Alexander named me himself for I was born after the witch showered her evil upon our land. I am so called because when Alexander touched me he said I was as smooth as satin. What do they call you?"

"Ai…" Aidan thought better of his reply. Caution is warranted here. "Adam. Ya may call me Adam."

"Hmm," grunted the great cat, sensing the deception. Mayhap this boy is being as cautious as I. "Welcome, Adam, to King Satin's Realm. I am King Satin, and"—He gestured with a paw—"this is my realm," he finished sardonically...

They swam ashore and landed at Satin's feet. Aidan kissed Caitlin fiercely, as if it were the first time he had ever touched her lips.

"Oh, Aidan!" squealed Caitlin. "I knew ya were alive. I wouldna believe ya were dead."

He pulled her to him and whispered in her ear, "Call me Adam."

It was too late. Satin's eyes narrowed. "Aidan O'Rourke," he said accusingly. "You are Duncan's son. Do not look astonished. Aye, I know about Duncan's son. I know about his family. Is your mother aboard the ship, too?" He looked toward the ship, his heart racing.

"I am sorry, King Satin," apologized Aidan. "I thought it best to keep my identity secret. I did not know what danger there might be."

"A wise strategy, but now I know. Do you think you can trust me?"

"Aye. Aye, I do. No, sir, me mother is not aboard. She died almost three years ago. I regret that I canna introduce ya to her, but King Satin, Ruler of Draconis, let me introduce ya to me wife, Caitlin Fitzpatrick O'Rourke."

Caitlin curtsied. "I am honored, Your Highness."

"Do not be silly, girl. 'Tis only a title. Call me Satin." He looked Caitlin over carefully.

"My, but you do have a fiery hue, and from what I have observed, the temperament to match."

"Insooth!" said Aidan. Caitlin flashed her blue eyes at him and then flung her arms around his neck.

Satin cleared his throat. The rest of the crew was coming ashore in the rowboat. He scrutinized each of them as they disembarked. Colin and Diggory got out first and helped the ladies with the babies.

Colin strode up to Aidan. There were no words exchanged, but the two men embraced each other through stifled tears. Colin pulled back, "Methinks there are two little people you want to meet."

Aidan looked at Caitlin, "Caitlin, two?"

Mary Kate brought the babies forward and handed them to their father. "This is Kieran, and this is Rennin, though I do not know how we manage to tell them apart."

"Satin, look at my sons. 'Twere not born yet when I fell overboard."

Satin sniffed the boys. "You did a very good job, Caitlin."

Aidan jested, "She did not do it alone."

"She did the hard part," grunted Satin.

Aidan handed the babies to Caitlin. He finished his introductions. "I would loike ya to meet me dear friend and brother-in-law, Colin Fitzpatrick and his wife, Mary Kate Murphy Fitzpatrick and their children, Declan and Morgan."

"Is he as fiery as his sister?" questioned Satin.

"Aye. I am afraid I am," responded Colin, "but Mary Kate keeps me on an even keel."

Satin looked at Mary Kate. "Pretty." Mary Kate blushed.

Jean jumped from the boat. Satin said, "You must be Jean Noir. You are in truth a legend in Draconis now."

"Imagine that," said Jean with genuine humility.

P.C. encircled Satin's feet. Aidan said, "That is P.C., short for Privileged Character, because all cats think they aire privileged characters." He chuckled. "Some are even made kings."

Satin's whisker twitched at the young man's jest.

Aidan continued, "She loikes ya. 'Tis the way she behaves when she loikes someone."

Satin gulped. He picked P.C. up in his mouth by the knape of her neck and set her on his back. "There, little one. We do not want you to get lost."

After securing the boat, Diggory walked up to the gathering crowd. Aidan began, "This is me rock, me stalwart friend, and me proxy father, Diggory Danaher."

Satin walked to Diggory. He reared on his hind legs and put his front paws on Diggory's shoulders. "Have you come at last to keep a promise to an old friend?" P. C. dug her claws into the king's fur to keep from sliding off his back.

"I have," Diggory responded

"He has longed for your coming."

The two looked into each other's eyes. Diggory started to speak, but Satin restrained him by placing his paw to his lips. "Not yet," he whispered.

Finally, Elizabeth walked quietly up to the group. Satin whirled at the sight of her. He snarled and sprang at her. "What new magic is this? You are neither temptress nor crone."

"No!" shouted Aidan, as he ran in front of Elizabeth. He pushed her out of the way just as Satin's claws ripped across his chest.

"No! Not you, boy!" Satin roared. "Draco, take him to the cave!"

"Wait!" said Aidan, holding his chest. "Why did ya attack?"

"'Tis Quazel, boy!"

"No, Satin. 'Tis Elizabeth, Diggory's wife."

"Do not defend me, Aidan," said Elizabeth. "He is almost roight. I shall explain it to both of ya as soon as we take care of ya. That is, King Satin, if ya will allow me to live."

"Your request is granted."

The shadows gathered as Duncan, Draco, Char, and Brindle landed at the cat stronghold. Before Duncan could dismount, Patrick and Connor met him. The magnitude of the moment precluded cordial greetings. Connor poured out his story in breathless fear.

"Draco, take me to the grotto now," ordered Duncan.

Draco flew fast and furious. "Duncan, I cannot go in there with you. I will not fit."

"Come up through the lagoon," suggested Duncan.

"I shall be there as fast as I can," affirmed Draco...

Paco's next strike cracked Aidan's breastplate and ribs. Paco raised his sword with the intent of decapitation.

As Paco swung his blade, a charcoal streak pushed Aidan with great force, sending him sprawling. The creature's blade cut the entire length of the black blur.

Duncan fell with a thud. Blood flowed freely from his shoulder and side.

Dazed, Mary Kate crawled to the felled king. He lay still fighting for life. He gasped, "Aidan."

"I am coming, King Satin." Aidan crawled to the side of the panther.

Paco laughed, "I have done it! My reward will be great!" He came toward Satin to finish the job. The humans are too weak to help, he thought. I shall finish them in a moment.

Colin regained consciousness. Through blurred vision, he took in the scene. He saw Satin fly through the air and take the blow meant for Aidan. He saw Aidan and Mary Kate kneeling by the downed giant. He inched to join his wife and his friend. "No," groaned Colin.

Mary Kate looked up at Paco. She held up her hand as if to stop the intended blow. Paco put on his hideous smile. "Do you in truth think that tiny paw can stop me?"

"Stay away from him, you repulsive vermin," Mary Kate shouted, all melodic lilt gone from her voice. Even as the words left her lips, a blue flash shot from her hand, striking Paco in the center of his chest, crashing him into the wall behind him. He clutched his chest in disbelief and stared at the small, child-like woman. Then, he knew no more.

Draco's head popped up from the water. He took in the horrendous sight. He howled, "No! No! No!"

Mary Kate cried great teardrops. Satin gasped again, "Aidan."

"I am here, Satin." Aidan touched the panther's head.

Satin continued, struggling to say each word, "Have…tell…Love you."

The panther closed his eyes and took a sharp, jagged breath. He opened his eyes again and saw Aidan with his head buried on his knees, weeping. "This is my fault, all my fault."

Mary Kate stroked the cat's head. She gasped as she saw one of the yellow eye lenses slip off to reveal vivid emerald eyes.

"Aidan," she said, "look."

Aidan looked at the face of the stately beast. His face drained of all color as the truth slapped him.

Duncan struggled to be heard. "Like father; like son."

Aidan bent over the fallen hero. He brushed away the other fake eye. His tears had washed his own blue lenses to the ground. He looked eye-to-eye with his father.

Duncan took another ragged breath. "Aidan, my son." His words could hardly be heard. "Heart of my heart, blood of my blood, life of my life, I love you with all my being."

"No," moaned Aidan. "Daddy, you have to shout it from the mountain top. I pray thee do not die. Do not leave me now. I need you. I love you."

Aidan laid his face on the face of the dying panther. His tears flooded the soft satiny face. The panther's body shook as if in the throes of death. He loosed one long yowl.

Suddenly, before them lay, not an animal, but a wonderfully handsome man with beautiful green eyes, raven black hair with a few streaks of gray at his temples, and perfectly formed muscles.

"Aidan," Duncan whispered. "To hold you with human arms is more than I ever dreamed."

Aidan lifted his father to him. Duncan put his uninjured arm around Aidan's neck. He ran his fingers through his son's golden curls. The hand dropped, lifeless, by his side. His green eyes stared in cold, glassy emptiness...

DRACO

Meanwhile, Aidan grew stronger under the tender care of a frightening beast and a large winged creature named Draco. It took Aidan two days to comprehend Draco was a dragon, one Aidan had once envisioned. He was as white as snow, and when the sun hit his scales, he reflected all the colors of the rainbow...

"I told you I was born after Duncan arrived, in truth after Qua, that bitch, changed him." The cat shook his head hard. "I apologize for that outburst. I have great difficulty saying that name."

"Why do ya not call her 'Q' if you need to say her name in what ya tell me?"

"Excellent idea. I was born the day he was changed. Duncan was my mentor, along with Alexander. As you have surmised by now, the children Alexander had guarded for years were dragon eggs. Draco is the first born of a new generation. He became my best friend...

Satin ran beside Aidan. "Adam, do you know this vessel?"

"Aye. 'Tis me ship, The Privileged Character, formerly The Sea Bird."

"The Sea Bird," said Satin with great emotion. He had to turn from Aidan for a moment to regain his composure. Finally, he said to Draco, "Observe that ship!"

Alarmed, Aidan pleaded, "Harm them not. Me family is aboard that vessel."

Satin widened his eyes. "Did I say observe or harm?"

"Observe."

"'Tis exactly what Draco will do; nothing less and nothing more."

After Aidan was bandaged and Satin had apologized a dozen times, Draco began the conversation. "Peradventure this is vain and selfish, but nobody bothered to introduce me. I am Draco, friend and confidant to King Satin, and friend to anyone he befriends. Now that all"—His vertical pupils constricted to a thin line—"the introductions have been made, mayhap you, Elizabeth, should tell us why you look so much like our archenemy."

Before they realized that time had passed, Draco landed on a snow-covered peak. He walked a long distance, carrying his cargo gingerly. Finally, they arrived at an opening in the ground where they dismounted and walked behind the graceful creature.

"One would think a being so large would lumber, but Draco is poetry in motion," whispered Mary Kate.

"Many good thanks," Draco acknowledged the compliment. "I hear very well, too."

"We have no ships, Your Majesty," said General Augustus.

"We have something better and faster," said Aidan. "We have dragons. King Satin, prithee, tell me Draco is not the only one. Ya once said he was the firstborn of a new generation, not the only born."

"Aye, there are others, Adam. They are well hidden for fear of annihilation. Draco, how many other young dragons are ready to fly?"

"Ten, perchance twelve," replied Draco.

The king looked pleased when he said, "Adam, we have our fleet of flyers. Help me plan an invasion."

The troops congregated on the beach facing Isla Linda and waited for Aidan and King Satin. As the two commanders walked onto the beach a great hush fell on the crowd. The two looked over their brave condottieri. The only reward this group asked was freedom. There was one among the group that did not belong.

Aidan confronted this interloper. "Draco, what aire ya doing here?"

"I am going with the king. Do not try to stop me."

Satin chuckled. "Adam, Draco takes an oath very seriously. He swore he would never leave my side. I would not suggest trying to dissuade him."

Aidan eyed the enormous beast and said, "I wouldna go without ya, but ya canna go until you put on yer vest. Hurry. Time is of the essence."

"Well played, Aidan," whispered the king...

Cover by Christopher Chambers. juroddesigns.com

King Satin and Draco: