In parts 1 and 2 of The Treasure Of Manjucatus, a young dragon rescues an injured monk. The dragon hides Brother Cassius in his secret cave, bringing him food and water until he is well enough to travel. In return for his help, the monk offers to teach Manjucatus how to read and write Latin.
And now, part 3 of The Treasure Of Manjucatus.
Cassius clapped his hands. “It’s a bargain, Manny. You’re getting the better deal, though. Lords and Ladies pay much gold for me to teach their sons.” He sat up, his back resting on the wall. “Put my candlestick and cross back in the bag, and bring me the books. We will begin at once.”
The days passed swiftly as Manny studied the monk’s books. He soon read sentences and copied the words in the dirt with his claw. One of the books contained stories that fascinated the young dragon—even more interesting than dragon history. He blurted this out to his father one night at their evening meal.
“What do you mean, human stories? What new nonsense is this?” His father looked up from the mutton leg he was gnawing.
Manny’s stomach dropped. The sheep he had eaten rolled in his gut.
“Nothing, sir. Just pretending,” he mumbled, looking down at his food.
His mother raised her head from the cushions where she was reclining. “So that’s where you’ve been flying off to for the last fortnight, visiting humans, dear?” She chuckled.
“What’s this? Visiting humans?” His father roared. His brown cheeks flushed scarlet. “Consorting with the enemy!”
Manny lifted his chin. “Just one, and he’s not our enemy. Just a monk. Even you don’t kill holy men.”
Invinctus’s gold eyes glittered. “I’ll make an exception this time.” He rose, sending food flying. Before Manny could unfurl his wings, his father grabbed the scruff of his neck and shook his son.
“Let’s be off. Where is this human?” Invinctus blew a puff of smoke into his son’s wide blue eyes.
Manny coughed and sputtered. “Near one of the villages in the valley.” He lied.
The grip on his neck tightened. “Come on, boy, I know when you’re lying. Don’t make me beat it out of you.”
“Dear, perhaps if you loosened your hold, he would be able to speak.” Asoria sat up on her couch.
Invinctus dropped the dragonling. Coughing and rubbing his sore neck, Manny lay there waiting for the first blow.
“Let me handle this, sweetie,” Asoria purred. She flowed off her couch and slithered over to her son, stroking his head with her claw.
Manny looked up at her in surprise. She rarely bothered to get off her bed, much less show affection to anyone but her mate. He glanced at his father, who impatiently tapped his hind claw on the floor.
“Now darling, tell mommy about this friend of yours.”
Manny found himself telling the story to his mother. He choked down a sob, digging his talons into the palm of his claw to keep the tears from pouring down his face. “His leg is almost healed. He’ll be leaving soon.”
“Gold and silver candlestick.” Invinctus stroked his chin. He stood up on all fours. “My boy, you may have something there. I can guess where your cave is. An old wyrnn cavern, I believe.” He unfurled his wings. “Well, I’ll handle this from here. Might even let you have the candlestick to start your own treasure.”
Manny leaped to his feet, wings spread. “Wait, father.”
Invinctus brushed past him, scrambling down the tunnel to the front door. “Don’t wait up, dear; I’ll bring you back a piece of holy man to try.”
Asoria had already returned to her couch. She wagged a talon. “Holy men upset your stomach. Just roast him, dear.” She curled up on her bed.
Manjucatus followed his father to the cave entrance. “Don’t kill him!”
Invinctus swept him aside and soared away.
The young dragon followed his father, struggling to catch up with the powerful brown dragon. Maybe Father won’t find the entrance.
The ripped-away rocks and branches told him the brown dragon had. Manjucatus landed in the cave and searched the room, terrified of what he would see. No smoldering bones lay on the floor. There was no smell of dragon smoke—just the bitter scent of the cold, dead embers of a long-extinguished cooking fire. The monk was gone.
Invinctus stood in the center of the cave, shredding a pillow. Feathers drifted across the floor. He looked up at his son. “Where’s this treasure? I smell human. He was here all right.” He picked up a torn, bloody rag and waved it.
Manny’s eyes darted back and forth. Brother Cassius was gone. Everything was gone—the bag of gold and silver, even his goblet and coins. The monk had stolen everything of value. He had betrayed Manny. It must have been his plan all along. Fool him into thinking he was his friend, then when he was well enough, take everything and disappear into the night. Hot tears welled up in his eyes. Cassius was never his friend: just a smooth-talking liar and a thief.
“Nothing but trash.” Invinctus flung a book across the room. The gold and silver cover had been torn off. The monk left only the parchments behind. Manny stared at the manuscripts scattered like leaves on the ground.
His father stomped over to him. “All that talk of treasure was just another one of your lies, eh?” He shook the rag in his son’s face.
Manny drew back. “Yes, I guess it was.” His eyes darted back and forth. “I found a monk, brought him here, and ate him.” He looked down at the floor.
His father stared at the young dragon. Turning away, he looked out into the night. The misty drizzle turned into rain. “It’s no use trying to track him, then.” He looked at his son. “At least you ate him. Good. One less human to bother us.” Invinctus patted Manny’s head. “Next time, you’ll find one with treasure as well. Good start.”
Manjucatus watched his father sail away into the darkness. He still glowed from the rare compliment. Lying was useful. He carefully picked up the pages of the New Testament, studying the beautiful illustration of a leaping loatron. As usual, his father was wrong. The treasure was real. He clutched the parchments to his chest. It was all his.
So the young dragon discovered the joy of books. He grew and continued collecting books, as well as gold and silver. Read more about Manny in Sargon The Not So Great.
But that’s not all. Manjucatus also appears in Book 2 Adorabelle The Not So Adorable.
And reader, I’ll let you in on a secret. Guess who the star of Book 3 is? If you guessed Manny you’re right. Manjucatus The Not So Mean is coming out next year.