Alex and the Eternal Tree

[DOUGHBOYS]

The King was worried. His country bordered on all four sides by other countries that were not friendly. He had dispatched his best knights to their borders as a way of resisting attacks from these countries.
He knew it wouldn't be enough. That eventually, a war would be at hand. A war that could possibly be lost.
His knights and armies were strong, but through spies and scouts, the King knew that a battle with any of the bordering Countries would be a long and miserable war.

On the King's docket today was to see an 18 year old kid, bidding to be a knight. Alex had become the talk of his locality. He had slain robbers of his village. He had easily out dueled other bidding knights twice his age. Some say, he had even slain a dragon.
Alex strode in front of the King, each step, out- confidencing the other.
"My Lord, what shall you like to see today?"
"Would you like me to take on your finest knight?
'Would you like me to bring back the carcass of a grizzly bear or that of a hyena?"
"What is your wish?"

The King fixed a look at Alex. When he was that age, he too, was cocky and thought the world conquerable easily.
Like a child in a well-to-do family who never wonders where his next food will come from, an 18 year old will think they will be 18, and cocky, and world-conquering forever.

"No, Alex, nothing as difficult as that."
"My people have taken for granted my Kingdom, my armies, and all the knights that have fought for them."
"Maybe we need some new blood. A hero that folks will throw parades for. A hero that will defend its country while our people cheer and feel proud."
"Do you think you can be that man, Alex?"

"My King, I can do anything."

"It is done then. Alex, you will become Sir Alex. You will head all my knights and all my armies."
"If you can perform one task."
" I want wood from the eternal tree to burn in my fireplace"

The eternal tree had existed before folks trekked to this country to make it their own. The founders tried to cut down the tree, but their blades could not penetrate even the bark.
Once, a massive fire ravaged the forest in which the tree lived. The fire wiped out everything in the forest.
Except for that tree.
The tree stood broad and strong. It was perpetually green, never turning yellow or brown with fall, like other trees.
When the winds would blow, its leaves did not move.
Birds, instinctively, knew not to land on one of its branches.
Once vandals grabbed some paint and set out to vandalize the tree. Before reaching the base of the tree, a branch fell, killing all four would-be vandals.

The tree became a God to some folks. They'd come to worship before the tree. Shirts were worn with the tree's likeness on the front.
Once, as a joke, a villager painted a sign and stuck it into the ground next to the tree.
It read, 'Don't mess with this tree'.
The villager ran back to his village swearing that the bark of the tree had moved in the form of a 'wink' at him.

Alex had heard about the tree. He'd never seen it. But, the tales about the tree were known to all.
And even in the body of a cocky 18 year old, an 18 year old who could do anything, a lump formed in his throat.
He swallowed.
"King, I shall give you wood from that tree for your fireplace, and I want as many folks in your Kingdom there as possible. I want your Kingdom to know that I am ready, willing, and able to take over the duties you've entrusted to me by cutting this tree"

Alex was the talk of the country. Folks came round for miles and miles to see the attempted tree cutting. Tree huggers and worshippers wore their shirts and carried protest signs in trying to stop the event.
Others wore 'Save Alex' t-shirts, afraid that Alex would meet the same fate as the four vandals.
Gamblers were taking odds that Alex could not cut down the tree. Some villagers even got 100-1 odds that Alex would not cut down the tree.
That tree had survived everything. Never had a leaf fall. The only thing the tree had lost was that one vandal-killing branch.
To think that an 18 year old kid can topple the tree was preposterous to gamblers.

Thousands crowded to the forest. It was a pickpocket's paradise. The wonder of folks packed tightly together in a forest that stretched for miles must have been a sight to behold for passing birds looking down.
The King's carriage arrived and parked next to the tree. As was his custom, the King allowed a little bow to the tree.
After all, the tree was here long before him and was to be respected. Besides, if it did have some kind of Godly powers, the king hoped that the courtesy shown the tree, would be in his favor.

Ever since issuing the challenge to Alex, the King had wondered if he was doing the right thing. His Kingdom was in need of a shot in the arm. If Alex could somehow slay the tree, it would be a boon to his knights, army, and Kingdom.
If the tree stood tall to Alex without feeling a cut, then Alex would go down as another loser to the undefeated tree.
But, in the process, he will have given all of his country a new hope.
Before his challenge, nobody would think about cutting down the tree. Now, there were thousands, hundreds of thousands, watching an attempt.

Never missing a trick, Alex rode in on a Clydesdale. The biggest Clydesdale folks had ever seen. He rode confidently up to the tree and drew his sword.

"Alex?", the King said.
You don't really expect to smite this tree with your sword do you?
We have a grand ax for you."

"No need, Sire."
"My sword will be enough."

Alex stepped up to the tree with his sword drawn. He looked up, half hoping not to see a branch toppling on top of him.
The tree looked like it had grown. But, Alex was telling himself, it wasn't the tree that had grown, but the legend.
Alex right foot stayed planted in the dirt. His left knee came up and his hips started rotating. His arms followed faster than these folks had ever seen a sword wielded.
Alex sword cut through the tree with ease. He took another swing. And yet, another.
Each time he swung, the tree would seem to give up piece of the trunk, only to mold itself back together again.
After the three swings, Alex had three four inch tall slabs of wood to give to the King for his fireplace. And miraculously to everybody but the tree, the tree stood tall.
As if nothing had happened.
There were no marks on its bark. No dust from its wound.

Folks started to cheer as Alex presented the King with the wood from the tree. For the King, this looked to be a win-win. His people had a new hero. Somebody to be looked up to. A new blooded leader for his armies.
And, the tree stood intact.
It was especially miraculous in thinking later, if that tree had indeed fallen, thousands of folks would have lost their lives.

That, is the main part of the story. It doesn't end there though.
Alex reputation kept other countries from invading their land. And was revered as a hero for many years.
Until one day when he opened his big mouth.
His young and cocky big mouth.
He told other knights that he had found the steel for his sword in a cave by his village. This steel was unlike any steel he had seen. This steel not only could cut through anything, but gave him and his body the confidence to slay anything in his path.

Soon, other knights went to the same cave and forged their blades with the same steel.
Word spread about the steel. Commoners would no longer put these knights on a pedestal. They knew, now, that the measure of the men were not in their mettle, but in their metal.
The King tried to stop the madness.
The madness that had his finger prints on.

First, he put a warning out to all that the eternal tree was not to be touched. He then ordered that the cave's steel was too advanced for his men to be using. He had the cave buried over, along with all the swords his knights had forged.
The King reduced Alex to a commoner and sent him as far away as possible. He wanted no reminder of his part in the cutting of the eternal tree. He had an inkling that young Alex was too good to be true. But, the timing was so in sync with the King's wishes, that the King ended up playing his part as well.

The King went back to the palace. He felt a little ashamed, but at the same time, proud of himself for trying to restore order.
He went to the cellar. This was where he kept the three pieces of the eternal tree. He knew they would not burn. He had given the challenge to Alex, thinking most likely he'd fail.

He looked down.
Their shape had changed.
When taking them and placing them in the cellar, they were perfectly rounded like this o o o
Now, their shapes had changed to this * * *
The King also was getting an overwhelming feeling as if an edict from the wood themselves.
He summoned a carriage and ordered his faithful driver to take him to the eternal tree.
There, he would bury the three pieces of wood into the ground. Unbeknownst to all, but him and his faithful driver.
The King went home that night feeling good about himself, the eternal tree, and his kingdom in general.

Aftermath:
The King lived a very long life. There were border wars, but his country was never really invaded during his lifetime.

Alex lived out the rest of his life craving the limelight that he once had.
In his own mind, he could have done everything accomplished earlier in his life without the 'Magic Steel'.
But it was too late, his name became synonymous with the Magic Steel.

The tree still stands proud. Most of the people ignore and disregard the 'Magic Steel era'.

The * * * are saplings. One day they hope to join the eternal tree in sharing its broad shoulders.

The End


Roll Credits.....

The King: Bud Selig

Alex: A record breaking steroid user

The Eternal Tree: Records from the past

People of the Kingdom: The Fans

Bordering countries: Faster rising sports like football, basketball, even soccer

Thank you for your indulgence

Tree cuttings: Puig, Trout, Harper or maybe some other trio

Will they be tainted by the steel used to cut the eternal tree?
That's a story for another day.

[Navel Lint]

This is a brilliant post Dan.

I was a little surprised that it didn't garner any responses, but as I thought about it more, I can see why it hasn't.

It’s like reading a good book, you want to tell all your friends about it and recommend it in case they haven’t heard about it. Except in this case it’s posted on the message board and all my friends are not only aware of it, but undoubtedly have already read it. So there is no one to tell and nothing to say…….

………except, Great Post.

As with your Fantasy Camp, I can envision the Kingdom of the Eternal Tree becoming an excellent vehicle for further commentary.

[Outlaw]

This is a brilliant post Dan.

I was a little surprised that it didn't garner any responses, but as I thought about it more, I can see why it hasn't.

It’s like reading a good book, you want to tell all your friends about it and recommend it in case they haven’t heard about it. Except in this case it’s posted on the message board and all my friends are not only aware of it, but undoubtedly have already read it. So there is no one to tell and nothing to say…….

………except, Great Post.

As with your Fantasy Camp, I can envision the Kingdom of the Eternal Tree becoming an excellent vehicle for further commentary.

Well Said Naval- Dough is an extremely talened and insightful writer.. always must read posts for me!

[DOUGHBOYS]

The King had seen and heard reports. Reports about a lad from a very small region of his Kingdom.
Milwauknee.
He had knighted Sir Ryan from Milwauknee long ago. Sir Ryan had vowed to serve his King and their Country as every other Knight who had been deemed ready for knighthood.

Sir Ryan had become a hero in the small region of Milwauknee. One night, he went out to the local forest and brought back enough meat from animals to feed folks from the region for weeks.
He had even smited a dragon who was terrifying a nearby village.

The King had seen reports like these before. In the past, these reports would lighten his heart. They would give him hope that perhaps his land would have a new hero to adore. But, since Sir Alex had been found to have more powers in his metal than his courage, it left every knight to be questioned.
The King had heard reports from Milwauknee in the past of Sir Ryan. He had sent a courier to retrieve Sir Ryan's sword so its metal could be tested. The courier had placed the sword in his abode overnight, then, wasn't sure if Sir Ryan's sword had been mixed up with other swords already in the abode.
Sir Ryan had become furious with the King in sending the courier. He thought his reputation and integrity questioned.
He told locals of how his own King, the very King that had knighted him, did not fully trust him.
A rift formed between the commoners in the Milwauknee region and the King.
Sir Ryan was a hero. Somebody to be revered.
The King had knighted him, himself. And now, for no reason, their King distrusted their Knight.

Since the day that Sir Alex had cut three parts from the tree, the King changed the Eternal Tree's surroundings. The Eternal Tree was under guard 24 hours a day. Locals, thinking that if another mere mortal could smite the tree, believed they too could take wood from the tree.
One of these folks was blinded. Until reaching a doctor's care, the source of the blindness was unknown.
Soon, a doctor announced that somehow, sap, only found on trees had entered the would-be cutters eye and had forever blinded him.
Another would-be cutter had tripped, fallen, and broken his leg stumbling over a root of the Eternal Tree. The would-be cutter swore that the root had moved before he could reach the tree.

The King had deep respect for the Eternal Tree. In his heart, the Eternal Tree had LET Sir Alex take three bits of wood from its trunk. It was perceived by the King that the tree was telling him that some things were too powerful for a kingdom.
As he had gotten older, the King had treated the Eternal Tree as he would a wife, or brother, or other family member.
The Eternal Tree's need's would come before that of a Knight.

Unbeknownst to all, the King had sent out another Knight on a mission. His mission was to secretly take a party of 20 commoners loyal to the King, to the cave of the buried metal and bring back metal for the King. He was then to rebury the cave as it was.
And unbeknownst to all, the mission was accomplished.

The King had heard rumors from commoners living around the cave that Sir Ryan had paid visits there and even had a two week stay there. The King was not one to allow for coincidences. But, he had lost face with Sir Ryan's legion after sending his courier in an effort to test his sword.
So, The King came up with a ruse.

The King summoned his largest and strongest Knight, Sir Brutus.
"Sir Brutus, you are my largest and strongest Knight, are you not?"
"Yes Sire, I believe I am."
"And your sword is that of normal metal, not the metal of the cave, is that not right?"
"Sire, I am true to you, I would never use that tainted metal in my sword. I prefer using my strength."
"Sir Brutus, would you die for your King?"
"Sire, I would die for my King."
"Sir Brutus, that is indeed good to hear, I have plans for you, a plan that will not leave you dead, but you may not like the outcome. Are you agreeable?"
"Sire, I am here to serve you."
And with that conversation, the King's plan was put in motion.

The King summoned Sir Ryan from Milwauknee. In the night before Sir Ryan's arrival, the King went to visit the Eternal Tree.
He sent all guardians of the Eternal Tree away so that he could have a few moments alone with the Eternal Tree. One guardian stood in awe, hiding behind another tree. His King was talking to the Eternal Tree as if talking to an old friend! The King even made it seem like he was getting answers from questions to the still tree!
Soon, the King called back the Eternal Tree's guardians and he went back to his castle for a night's sleep.

Sir Ryan arrived early in the morning. The King greeted him and a big breakfast was served with dignitaries from around the land.
It was at this breakfast when the the King arose from his seat and put his arms high over his head, signalling all talk to cease.
"Sir Ryan, it is indeed a pleasure to have you in the midst of all those that have heard about your exploits"
"Stories of your conquering of dragons and providing the citizens near smaller Milwauknee have been the talk of other regions.
With all that in mind, I have but one task for you. I would like even one bit of bark from the Eternal Tree.
What say you, Sir Ryan?"

Sir Ryan rose slowly.
"My King, if it is a bit of bark from the Eternal Tree is what you desire, it is a bit of bark of the Eternal Tree that you will have!"
And with that, the Eternal Tree Forest became thick with onlookers.
The King had told gamblers there would be no betting today. He did not tell them why. Usually gambling was an accepted practice in the Kingdom.
Today, it was not.

The King arrived first by carriage. Then, Sir Ryan arrived to a thunderous clapping of hands and stomping of feet by the commoners.
The King spoke.
"Loyal people to the King, we have come here today to watch Sir Ryan even get a bit of bark from the Eternal Tree. True to his King, he will do anything for his King. There have been past mishaps between myself and Sir Ryan and I would like to apologize for anything that has taken place in the past. For my part, all is forgiven and I am sure that Sir Ryan has a true heart and that his metal is the same metal as is in our swords."
"To make sure, I have sent out a party to retrieve the metal I had buried in the cave"
A swelling murmer went up through the crowd.
"And I have summoned my biggest and strongest Knight to be here today, Sir Brutus."
Sir Brutus bowed before the King.
"Sir Brutus, this sword I am handing you is from the buried caves. Would you like to smite the Eternal Tree with that sword?"
"Only if you direct me too, Sire."
"Sir Brutus, what I would like is for you to go over to the Eternal Tree and touch the bark with the tip of the sword of the buried cave."

Sir Brutus took the sword from the King's hands, took a deep breath, walked over to the Eternal Tree, took another deep breath and touched the Eternal Tree with the tip of his sword.
The crowd all shrieked in horror. Women looked away. Children cried.
Brutus. Mighty Brutus. The Knight who had the strength of three men. The Knight who was six foot eight and weighed 330 pounds of strong muscle. The largest and strongest Knight of the land had shriveled into a 140 pound man of skin and bones.

Sir Brutus went back to his King, barely able to lift the sword that he gave back to the King.
"And now, Sir Ryan, I would like a bit of bark from the Eternal Tree"
Sir Ryan strode over to the tree. At first, it looked like he too wanted to touch the tip of his sword to the Eternal Tree, then thought better of it. He looked up at the tree. Then his sword.
Then, suddenly, he collapsed to the ground.
A hush fell over the crowd.
They could barely make it out, but it was there.
They were listening to the whimpers of a brave Knight. A former Brave Knight. Now, not so brave.
"No, My King, don't make me touch the Eternal Tree!"
"My metal is that of the buried caves! I'm sorry! I'm sorry"
Sir Ryan sobbed as people started going back to their homes.
Sir Ryan was never to be thought of the same way again.
He would go back to Milwauknee, knowing that the news of him and his tainted sword would beat him home.
Even the locals would never regard him as a hero again.

Sir Brutus was helped into the King's carriage by the King himself.
"Sir Brutus, you have served your King well. You will have all the amenities needed for the rest of your life. I will post a servant in your abode and he will furnish you with anything needed. You will also have an assistant to help you in day to day life. Thank you for a job well done.

Sir Brutus turned to his King, his body a third of what it was upon his arrival to the forest.
"My King, I would do anything to honor you and this land."
"If asked to fall on a sword, I would do it."
"If asked to fight a dragon, I would do it"
"And as I've shown you, if asked to drink the water's of 'Gehrig's Pond', I will do it."

"Sir Brutus, it takes a special man to make the sacrifices that you have made. 'Gehrig's Pond' waters takes most of your muscle away in five minutes. Your timing in touching the Eternal Tree with your sword was impeccable. You sacrificed your muscle and brawn for the greater good of the Kingdom and for that, your King and everybody in the land thanks you."

The King got ready for bed that night and thought about the Eternal Tree. He was uncertain whether the plan hatched had been his idea or in some way the Eternal Tree's conjuring.
One thing was for sure in his mind. As long as that Eternal Tree stood, his Kingdom would stand.
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Editor's note:
The use of 'Gehrig's Pond' in the story, was in no way meant to trivialize those that have been afflicted with Lou Gehrig's Disease'.
It's effects are slow and terrible unlike the effects of 'Gehrig's Pond' in the story.
Thank you.

[Outlaw]

Wow!!!! Thanks Dan!