The Lore of the Lizard King
Once upon a time, in the quaint kingdom of Murelion, lived a young, trustworthy, and hard-working blacksmith named Thomas. Work was his life, but his essence was encompassed by an insatiable curiosity for mythical creatures. He had heard tales of the enigmatic Lizard King, a beast of legend whose tales were intertwined in the fabric of Murelion's history.
One day, as he was working, an old man came seeking shelter from the storm. Offering him a warm meal, Thomas engaged in conversation with the stranger, who turned out to be a travelling bard, laden with tales of mystery and wonder. His stories were intriguing, and Thomas found himself drawn towards his tales of the Lizard King.
In the sweet incantations of the bard's words, Thomas learned that the Lizard King was not merely a legend, but a reality, a creature bound by a painful curse. Once a brave warrior king, he was enticed by a sorceress, who transformed him into a monstrous lizard. The curse could only be broken by the face of pure courage.
Intrigued yet terrified, Thomas decided to seek out the Lizard King, his curiosity overpowering his fear. He journeyed through treacherous terrains, scaling perilous mountains and navigating venomous forests. Through it all, his resolve did not waver; he was determined to face the Lizard King.
After weeks of a gruelling journey, Thomas finally reached the dark cave said to be the Lizard King's dwelling. The sight was frightening, a grotesque lizard with big bright eyes. Thomas, plucking up his courage, looked straight into the Lizard King’s eyes and spoke, 'I am Thomas, the blacksmith of Murelion. I seek to help you, O King.’
In a deep rumble, the Lizard King spoke, ‘Many have come pledging the same. Yet, they ran at my disgusting sight. How are you different?’
Barely managing to conceal his trembling, Thomas replied, ‘I may not be a warrior, a knight or a king, but I'm an honest and brave man, courageous enough to stand before you, knowing your tale.’
In his honest and humble approach, the Lizard King saw the genuine bravery that was unheard of in his tragic existence. Suddenly, there was a blinding light, and where the Lizard King sat now stood a noble and handsome warrior king, free from his curse at last. He thanked Thomas, forever grateful for the courage he showed.
News of the Lizard King’s liberation spread through Murelion, and Thomas was hailed as a hero. However, in all the praise and honour, Thomas only found gratification in quenching his curiosity and lending a hand to a creature in distress, reminding the kingdom about the power of courage and humility.
Thus, the legend of the Lizard King became a lore, a tale of a blacksmith's courage, a tale of Murelion, etched into the annals of history forever.