George and the Dragon

As the elders explain it,

every story begins and ends at the crossing of two paths.

So, for some, this story begins on the shores of France.

Two men, once enemies,

whose paths first crossed in battle,

now face different roads in their journey as friends.

Tarik,

things won't be the same without you.

What will I do with myself when you're not praying

five times a day?

Do exactly the same thing you wouId do when l was praying.

-No, that's impossible. -Why?

Because l was stealing your food.

Come with me to England.

Come with me to Spain. We'll find El Cabillo together.

-We'll continue our adventures. -l can't.

Right now what l seek are two head of cattle and an acre of farmland.

Always the hopeless romantic.

l hate it when you do that.

Others say it began the same day with the escape of Father Bernard.

l was going to tie your feet together,

but l want to see you kick.

Ashepherd on the run from his flock.

But most say it began right here in England

with the disappearance of Princess Lunna on the eve of her wedding.

Would you look at this?

l'm busy.

Come here, you really need to see this.

Maybe the old rope trick.

The oId rope trick.

Praise God, my son.

You saved my...

You're a Moor.

Yes, l am.

So Tarik headed off to Spain

in search of adventure and the legendary mercenary, El Cabillo,

whilst George rowed home to England.

The word of God warms the soul but good wine warms the beIIy.

-No. -I have to ask you...

How did a Christian knight befriend a MusIim Moor?

WeII, it's quite simple, really.

He tried to cut my head off.

l was in Jerusalem,

in the ruins of a small building.

There were two Arab men.

One was dead, the other was mortally wounded.

l was kneeling over the man when Tarik came into the building.

And why didn't he kill you?

Well, because he realised l wasn't trying to kill the man.

l was giving him water to ease his suffering.

The man was Tarik's own brother.

So what are your plans now?

Hopefully find a quiet place to settle down.

Perhaps find a wife.

But first I have family to visit.

Here in the forest, men search for the missing princess.

None more so than Lord de Gurney.

For he had much to lose.

The king had given him the princess's hand,

and once wed, he would have the power and riches he coveted.

Even without the princess's love, he'd marry her and rule the kingdom.

But no one thought "dragon."

They had long since become legend.

But looking back,

this story really began when George returned to the village of Loar

and our paths crossed for the first time.

Are you lost, sir?

And where's your horse?

No, l'm not Iost and l have no horse.

l'm here to find Sir Robert. He'd be old now.

He's still here, and he's still oId.

I'm Wryn.

l'm George.

Very pleased to meet you,

Wryn.

Sir Robert?

-l'll take you to him. -Thank you, kind sir.

You be carefuI with that lance, boy.

Hello?

ls anybody home?

My eyes may be weak,

but even after 15 years l know the voice of my own son.

Come here, my boy!

Father.

I never gave up hope. l knew you'd come back.

You know, so often l dreamt l was there,

fighting alongside of you.

Sir Robert?

May we come in?

Yes, yes, come in.

My son, the hero!

Prepare a feast.

Shall we cook

him first or heat him on the hoof?

l don't know, Bulchar. He looks a little tough.

Might need a little tenderising.

So, you're the famous El CabiIIo.

You know, l was hoping you could teach me something.

lf you're looking for a teacher, then you've made a very poor choice.

l only have four lessons, and sadly my students always seem to fail.

Get this man a weapon.

This better be worth my while.

Lesson number one:

always expect the unexpected.

And l thought this was going to be easy.

Oh, it's gonna be easy aII right.

Lesson number two:

never take your eyes off your opponent.

Lesson three:

never underestimate your opponent.

Well, Moor? That's the best you got?

Our lesson's almost over.

My eyes!

Lesson number four:

always cheat.

Best stick with your bow, son.

ls it true the Muslims eat the heart and liver of the knights they kiII?

No, they only eat the heart. The liver they feed to the horses.

Give them no mind, Wryn.

I wish I'd been there with you.

What's that?

lt is a curious thing, isn't it?

lt was given to me by a Muslim friend.

-A Muslim friend? Surely you jest. -No, actually, father.

lt looks like the devil's pitchfork itself.

Then that's what l shall call it.

A pitch.

Where will adventure take you next, my son?

Well, father...

I want to settle down.

Settle down? Bah!

You've got two perfectly good legs, my blood running through your veins.

The blood of conquest.

Oh, father.

l was thinking of finding some land, perhaps north of the Grampians.

You're stiII a hopeless romantic.

You'd be wiser to go east.

Fewer brigands.

And no dragons.

Are you still telling tall stories of dragons, father?

Not taII stories.

Facts. Dragons.

The most fearsome creatures who ever walked this earth.

-And there's still one out there... -Ah, yes,

yes, the lance.

The other end of it still stuck fast inside of her, yes?

Aye, and one day

lad, you'll bring that half back to me.

l think you may finally be ready

for this gift.

Something l've been saving for you.

A dragon horn.

Made from a claw from its foot.

Makes a sound only a dragon can hear.

And you saw this dragon, Sir Robert? With your own two eyes?

With my own two legs, to be more precise.

Whatever you say, father.

l appreciate this gift.

But my days of conquest are over.

To England!

GentIy, gently. All right, put it down, there we go.

Now, when you arrive in Crail, find King Edgaar. He's a good man.

Edgaar will recognize that dragon horn l gave you and know l sent you.

Will he have some land?

lf that's what you seek. But l know what Iies inside you.

Here. Farewell, mother.

George.

Goodbye, father.

Fare ye well. All of you.

Come.

If anyone here were half the man I am, we might still have a princess.

Okay, come on everyone.

There's another way round we can go.

Come on.

See what you think about that then.

Nothing like a drop of aIe to wash the dust from your throat.

You're right there, sire.

l'll tell you something too, that is

the finest ale this side of the Grampians.

-Thank you. -Where might l find King Edgaar?

The king?

Well, now normaIIy he'd be...

he'd be right over there enjoying a drink.

The king?

Here?

Oh, yes, yes, yes.

When l say my ale is fit for a king, l mean it.

I was toId he may have some land he couId seIl.

l'm afraid you've had a long journey and it may have been wasted.

You see, the thing is,

three days ago

the king got word that his daughter had disappeared.

Not been out of the house since.

l doubt he will be till she's found.

lt's a bad business.

Very bad business.

Then l have some time to kill.

Anyone wanting to buy land round here must have a fair

few coins in his purse.

Not as many as you think, friend.