Atondido Stories
So Vitazko took the form of a pigeon and flying to the castle
alighted on the window-sill.
Inside the castle chamber he saw his mother fondling Sharkan.
"See!" she cried. "A pigeon is on the window-sill. Quick! Get
your crossbow and shoot it!"
But before the dragon could move, Vitazko stood in the
chamber.
He seized a sword and with one mighty blow cut off the
dragon's head.
"And you—you wicked, faithless mother!" he cried. "What
am I to do to you!"
His mother fell on her knees and begged for mercy.
"Never fear," Vitazko said. "I won't harm you. Let God judge
between us."
He took his mother by the hand and led her down into the
courtyard. Then he lifted the sword and said:
"Now, mother, I shall throw this sword in the air and may
God judge between us which of us has been faithless to the oth-
er."
The sword flashed in the air and fell, striking straight to the
heart of the guilty mother and killing her.
Vitazko buried her in the courtyard and then returned to St.
Nedyelka. He thanked the old woman for all she had done for
him and then, picking up his beech-tree club, he started out to
find his beautiful princess.
She had long since returned to her father and many princes
and heroes had come seeking her in marriage. She had put them
all off, saying she would wed no one for a year and a day.
Then before the year was up Vitazko appeared and she led
him at once to her father and said:
348