Sashmo the Great

The sun settled behind the horizon in the far distance; however, the light did not dim. The skies remained enraged by a fierce fire that encompassed the forests of the land. The night appeared to be less dusk and more akin to an early dawn. A group of knights came marching over the hillside, keeping paces with one another. They marched in a uniform and orderly fashion. Their commander rode a horse along beside them, barking out orders. Behind the knights, tightly in tow, a large wooden cart matched their speed. On top of this cart sat a young Hydra. The Hydra’s snake-like scales were entangled in a web of ropes. An aberration of the dragon species, Hydras have massive wings and a long vicious tail like a normal dragon. However, its torso gives way to five long necks housing a remarkable five separate heads. Each head houses its own brain and personality that create a far superior and smarter creature than a typical dragon.

Its five heads were each tied down independently. The Hydra squirmed and struggled to find its elusive freedom, but the binds were too tight. The knights continued to wheel the Hydra along a path leading up to a castle not far into the distance. There, the knights are greeted by their leader, the majestic King Arthur. Arthur, the King of legend who pulled the sword from the stone, the immensely powerful Excalibur. Since that time, he had reigned supremely over Camelot.

“This is the creature sire,” said the knight on horseback.

As the King examined the beast, he felt the sensation of fear overtake his body for the first time since the moment he first touched Excalibur. “And how many heads does it have there? Is it truly five?”

“Five indeed sire!”

“This is the beast that Merlin has foretold of,” Arthur said. “The great Wizard has seen the future of man burning in flames at the hands of a five headed dragon. The truce will not be enough to prevent the visions of the Wizard.”

“What shall we do with it?”

The King paused. The weight of the moment was not lost on him. To command this order was to break a truce that had existed for generations before him. He feared what his decision may mean for his people, but he feared the beast more.

“I shall use Excalibur to cut off each head. Take them by horseback to the farthest corners of the land. Do it swiftly and go unseen. We do not want these actions to be known.”

“As you wish sire.”

The knights gathered in position around the terrified Hydra. It struggled and tore at the ropes that restrained it to no avail. The King’s words were perfectly understood by the young Hydra’s ears, and it knew that its moments were fleeting. They Hydra continued to hiss and shoot fire puffs into the air. As the knights encircled the petrified beast, the King stepped forth. He reached to his side, as he had many times in battle before, and grabbed the handle of his sword. At that very moment, if by faith, providence, destiny, or all combined, a gigantic roar tore through the fire lit sky. The knights turned, looking dreadfully at the tree line and source of the ferocious sound. There stood a giant, gorilla-like beast. Nearly nine feet tall, it towered over the men. Hair covered its large, muscular body from head to toe. It beat its chest passionately through the duration of its call. Upon completion, it moved slowly towards the knights.

“Release the Hydra!” Its voice was powerful, yet elegant at the same time. The beast continued to walk towards the knights.

“Sagamo the Sasquatch, what an unexpected visit,” said the King.

“Arthur, you know I cannot allow you to do this. Your actions tonight will violate the peace that has always existed between mankind and creatures.”

“With every breath this monster takes the truce is threatened,” said the King. “If he is allowed to live, you are sentencing all of man to death.”

“You know the Council will never allow this creature to become a threat to you Arthur. The friendship between creature and man will continue.”

“You’re an honorable creature Sagamo,” the King clutched Excalibur tightly in his right hand. For a brief moment, he felt a source of conflict between his soul and the sword; as if the sword was speaking to him the same way it did the day he pulled it from the Rock of Caliburn. Though he respected Sagamo, he knew what he had to do. “I cannot grant your request.”

“The hard way it is,” Sagamo said with a hint of defeat.

The knights surrounding Arthur rushed in to engage Sagamo. As the fight ensued, it was clear the knights were outmatched by the Sasquatch. Sagamo slung them around like a child throwing toys. The knights, though out matched, were not afraid. After each blow dealt by the monstrous beast, they continued to re-engage. Sagamo managed to fight them off for some time before he was wounded. The battle raged on as Sagamo fought with the clear purpose to only defend himself. He wished not to kill the knights or Arthur. After a long and arduous fight, the knights, though bravely fought, were weakened, tired, and defeated.

Sagamo proceeded to walk over to the cart where the young Hydra still lay. The demeanor of the Hydra had calmed as its protector came forth and began to untie the seethes that had restricted it. As Sagamo untied the last rope, King Arthur rose behind him, struggling to walk as he carried himself over to the cart, but he was too late. Sagamo had finished the last knot and the Hydra wiggled itself free, let out a scream, and flew away. Its massive body disappeared into the red sky. Unbeknownst to Sagamo, Arthur had raised his sword and he was perched to attack.

“You fool,” screamed Arthur as Excalibur pierced the side of the Sasquatch. Sagamo fell to his knees and then over to his side. Arthur, using Excalibur as a crutch, pulled himself to his feet. The man now towered over the beast. Arthur again clutched his sword tightly in his hand. There was a different feeling this time. This one did not sense of righteousness that it had earlier. There instead was a sense of despair, shame, and failure as he raised the sword above his head once more.

“The…the truce…” whispered Sagamo, struggling to catch his breath.

“Is over my friend,” Arthur said with regret as he plunged the sword downward for a final blow on the Sasquatch. He stood over Sagamo’s body. “I am sorry it had to end like this,” Arthur said. “But I will always put the interest of man first.”