Trent's Quest
By: Ben Carrington
Madeline Hoffman's 6th Grade
Principal or Director: Roin Ferguson
Canterbury Episcopal School, Duncanville, Texas, USA
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Home Page or the Grades 5-8 Index, click here.Chapter One - The Quest
Trent stepped out of his doorway. It was a cold night. He remembered what his father had told him, "Only a dragon's tooth with a unicorn's horn could heal her". Trent remembered his mother; she had a horrible disease in her chest. Trent's father was alchemist and doctor. He could not cure Trent's mother. He knew one cure that needed a tooth of a dragon and a horn of a unicorn. Trent walked out of the doorway and into the woods. On the way he picked up a walking stick. The stick was his only defense besides his father's knife. The knife was given to Trent by his father on his eighth birthday. After about 2 hours of traveling, Trent decided to make camp. He lay down his cape against a tree. He sat against it and grabbed a branch. Trent pulled out his carving knife and began whittling.
Chapter Two - The Dwarf
When Trent awoke he grabbed his wood flute he had whittled the previous night and continued on his quest. After a while he began playing his flute. An hour later Trent found a bag leaning against a tree. Trent picked it up. Inside were a book and three bags of powder. In the book was a page saying -
"This book I had
Use its powers for good not bad
I give this gift for you alone
Keep me in your mind not bone!"
Trent opened the book to another page and in there were many spells. These included firelight spells, friendly spells, sleep spells and much more. Trent put the book and the powder in his bag and continued on.
After three hours walked he stopped to have lunch. Suddenly a big troll leaped out of the bushes followed by a dwarf with a big battle axe. The dwarf lobed off the troll's tail right when it began to reach for Trent. The troll yelped in pain and ran off, "Sorry about that, friend" said the dwarf. "Couldn't have that thing hurt you".
The dwarf, whose name was Damien, and Trent, became good friends. Damien agreed to help Trent with his quest.
Chapter Three - The Elf
Trent and Damien soon came to a valley "I've seen unicorns here before", said Damien. "We best hide in the bushes", Trent said "You had better dig a ditch. I will find some leaves and fruit". Damien knew what Trent meant. Trent would cover the ditch with some leaves, and lure the unicorn with apples onto the leaves. When the unicorn came to the apples he would fall through the leaves into the ditch. Trent and Damien went into the bushes would not be frightened away. Right when Trent sat down on a rock an arrow whizzed by his head. Suddenly an elf jumped out of a tree holding a bow and quiver of arrows. "That's no way to set a trap", said the elf. "Let me help you".
After an hour of hard work and introductions being exchanged and trap setting - a wonderful trap for a unicorn was set. While the elf called Andrew, with human and dwarf waited in the bushes for the unicorn. Andrew explained the trap. "When the unicorn comes for the apples by the tree he will step on a tripwire. The wire will snap releasing the net where the unicorn will be standing. The unicorn will be trapped in the net, and Trent will be able to cut off a piece of his horn".
Chapter Four - The Unicorn
Shortly after the trap was assembled a unicorn came trotting into the clearing. The unicorn noticed the apples and cautiously walked over to them. The tripwire snapped and the unicorn was caught in the net one foot above the ground. Damien, Andrew, and Trent rushed out of the bushes. Trent had his knife ready. The unicorn was thrashing around wildly, his teeth biting and hooves bucking. Trent dared not go near the trapped beast. Then he remembered his spell book. Trent found a page he wanted and chanted
"Please have peace
Thou magical beast
As I say this psalm
Be calm!"
Immediately the unicorn stopped thrashing around. He breathing softened. Trent quickly cut a small piece of the unicorn's horn. Damien took his ax and chopped the animal free of the net. The unicorn galloped out of the clearing and into the forest.
Chapter Five - The Dragon
Now with half the ingredients for his mother's cure, Trent began to be happier. Andrew knew where a dragon was, and he would lead Trent and Damien to it. After four hours of walking Trent finally saw the dragon. It had sharper claws, teeth and spikes than any other beast. Trent knew that defeating it would be hard. Andrew shoved Trent out of the way of a massive ball of fire. The dragon was now aware of their presence. Damien charged at the beast with his axe and struck the dragon right into his side. Andrew shot a hail of arrows at it. Some hit the chest and some the tail. The arrows had no effect on the beast. He merely pulled them out of himself and continued his rampage. Trent threw his knife at it. The dragon saw it coming and avoided it. Trent knew his friends could not win. His pulled out his spell book and found a spell. Trent sang -
Even if you are the best!
Maybe if you are weak as a sheep
I command you to sleep!"
Trent threw some magical powder into the dragon's face. The dragon blinked and charged at Trent. Trent checked the back of the bag, on it said Sleep Powder -just add a warble. Trent quickly pulled out his flute and began playing a tune. The dragon stopped, yawned and fell over sleeping. Trent carefully took out the monster's front tooth and put it into his pocket. Andrew and Damien followed Trent back to his house.