Bright green hills, tall mountains and a stream flowing through the middle. Small cottages scattered around the stream in which the residence of this beautiful village Henzal reside.

The residences of Henzal were kind and helpful to each other and to anyone that had come from elsewhere to visit Henzal. One misty evening two brothers entered the village observing its beauty. Harrison wearing black trousers, black shirt and a blue cloak carrying a mustard coloured rack sack. Marrison wearing black trousers, black shirt with a red cloak carrying a teal coloured rack sack.

The brothers noticed an elderly resident quietly sitting on a large stone by the stream. They walked up to him and exchanged pleasantries “good evening sir” said Harrison with a smile and continued “I’m Harrison and this is my brother Marrison, we have come to explore this village and do some research for our book on small towns and villages, could you please guide us to a place where we can stay for a couple of days” the elderly man offered to accommodate the boys in his cottage. On the way to the cottage the elderly man told Harrison and Marrison about himself. He began with his name “my name is Mozam, I am the chief of this village, I was born here, grew up here Henzal is my home and the people of this village are very ear to me”

When the chief reached his cottage with the boys he told them to settle in while he prepares some supper. After supper the brothers sat around the fire place and watched Mozam warm up milk for hot chocolate. Harrison and Marrison were quite impressed with the chief. Tall, broad shoulders, smooth and silky black hair, small black beard slightly white at the chin. Black trousers and shirt with smokey grey waste coat and an ivory cape. Mozam brought over the hot chocolate and sat down with them. “boys” he began to explain “you are welcome to explore the village you can also speak to the residence and get help for your book, but remember one thing neither of you must not entre the cemetery which is located at the end of the stream, the doors are through the mountain they are locked and must not be unlocked. Keep that in mind, the cemetery is forbidden” the brothers looked at each other then Harrison asked “why is it forbidden”? “due to an incident many years back. You both are our guests for a few days, I would like you to complete your project and leave with safety” replied Mozam. “Knowing about the incident would be a good point to put in our book” said Marrison with excitement “you boys must be tired its best if you take some rest now” said the chief.

The next morning after breakfast Harrison and Marrison went to explore the village, taking notes of everything that seemed interesting. Marrison sat down on the grass by the stream while Harrison went for a little stroll. While walking Harrison saw a young lady sitting on a log looking far into the horizon. “Hello” said Harrison the young lady turned her head towards him. Harrison froze for a few seconds admiring the beauty of the young lady, long brunette hair, blue eyes, pink cheeks and lips like red rose petals “hello” replied the young lady, Harrison blinked his eyes and said “hi I’m Harrison” the lady stood up and replied with a smile “I’m Emerald” Harrison explained his purpose of coming to Hezal and introduced her to his brother. Harrison, Marrison and Emerald walked over to a small café for some herbal tea.

While drinking lemongrass tea Marrison asked Emerald about the forbidden cemetery. Emerald looked at Marrison in silence then took a sip from her tea. “The cemetery has been forbidden for many years now” she took another sip from her tea and continued “in this village there used live a lady called Madaya, she was despicable, she threatened the villagers to give her their income” “how did she threaten them”? asked Harrison “she had the knowledge of wizardry which she took use of negatively she used to curse the residents if they did not go by their orders” replied Emerald. “She had cursed many farmers by putting a spell on them in which many lost their lives. Then one day Madaya and her pet dragon also named Madaya were inside the cemetery the dragon was breathing fire, a villager was also in the cemetery and at the first chance the villager pushed Madaya in front of the dragon. Madaya got burned by her own pet dragon and died the villager found a spot at the corner of the cemetery and buried Madaya there and then, the dragon has been asleep on her grave since then so the cemetery has been locked and forbidden to prevent the dragon from awakening” “who was the villager?” asked Marrion, Emerald looked up at the boys and said “the villager left Henzal that night and never returned so let it be”

Later that night the brothers were walking by the stream and came upon the cemetery gate, looking at each other with curiosity to have a peak at the dragon the boys found a rock and broke the lock, and entered the cemetery. Slowly walking by the graves they noticed the dragon asleep in the far end. “let’s take a closer look” said Marrison “ok, but be as discreet as possible” replied Harrison. The boys continued walking trying to be discreet, suddenly and unknowingly Marrison stepped on a thin branch and cracked it Harrison looked at his brother with anger as soon as he heard the sound. The dragon opened her eyes, lifted her head, slowly got up on her feet and started looking around. The dragon caught site of the boys and lifted her right foot, the boys turned around and ran fast out of the cemetery. Madaya flapped her wings and flew over the walls of the cemetery, she flew all around Henzal chasing the boys. All the residents also started making their way out of the village. As everyone was running further away Madaya started breathing fire and destroying the village. Mozam grabbed the brothers into his cottage where they saw Emerald, “Emerald” Harrison called out with an expression of curiosity “she is my daughter” resaid Mozam “what, why was this not mentioned to us?” asked Marriosn “that’s not important right now we must save the village” said Emerald while handing over archer’s to the boys. They all went out of the cottage and started aiming their archers at Madaya, but Madaya was too fast and too high for them. Harrison and Marrison ran to the points where they could get closer to hit the dragon but still she was too high for them. “this is impossible” cried Mozam “I must save my village and my people” Harrison rested his hand on Mozam’s right shoulder and said “this is all our fault we will fix it, you and emerald take the villagers to a safe place.” The brothers started aiming at Madaya again but were failing. Madaya almost burnt down half the village then rested herself on the roof of the church.

Harrison climbed up on the largest hill in Henzal and with shaking arms he aimed the archer at the dragon and let go, the arrow went right through Madaya’s heart. Madaya breathed out fire in pain for the last time and fell of the roof. Marrison ran towards his brother screaming “you did it Harrison you did it.” Mozam and Emerald walked over to the boys along with the villagers. Mozam hugged Harrison and praised him “good job son…good job” the villagers got big branches on which they lit fire and cremated the dragon. The brothers stayed a few days to help put the village back to normal. The time had come for them to leave, it was hard saying good bye to everyone especially to the chief and his daughter. “why were we not told that you are daughter of the chief?: asked Harrison Emerald looked at him with eyes full of pain and said “I am not his real daughter, he adopted me and raised me when he found out the women he had pushed in front of her dragon had a daughter…yes, it was the chief” Emerald wiped her tears and continued “I don’t know why my mother was cruel to the villagers but she loved me dearly. I was just a child so the chief took me home when he learned of my existence, raised me with love and care but It’s difficult to forget what he did to my mother”

Emerald starting weeping more and rested her head on Harrison’s shoulder. Harrison sat her down and explained “as you said the chief did not know about you till after your mother died, so when he found out about you he took you home, loved and cared for you like his own daughter. I believe this was his gesture of guilt and his consciousness made the decision to take on the responsibility to raise you” Emerald smiled at Harrison then ran to the chief, she gave him a tight hug and cried “papa”

The boys said there final good bye to everyone and left the village. When they got home they started working on their book. They titled it; The Tale of Madaya

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