The Dragon Masters by Jack Vance
"The Dragon Masters" is a science fiction narrative set on the planet Aerlith, a remnant of a once-great human empire. The story revolves around Joaz Banbeck, the lord of Banbeck Vale and a dragon breeder, who faces threats from both the reptilian invaders known as the "basics" and a rival family, the Carcolos. The sacerdotes, a secretive and noninterfering hermetic culture, play a crucial role in the unfolding events. Joaz, anticipating an imminent attack from the basics, navigates political tensions with Ervis Carcolo, who is desperate to gain power and control over the sacerdotes.
As the narrative progresses, Joaz's strategic prowess is tested during several confrontations, including a significant battle against the basics, which leads to unexpected alliances and betrayals. The story explores themes of survival, conflict, and the complexities of human ambition in the face of existential threats. Ultimately, the aftermath of the battles leaves Joaz contemplating the fate of humanity and the search for a mythical place called Eden, while the sacerdotes retreat to their secluded caves, reflecting on their role in the larger cosmic struggle. The dynamics between human ambition, alien invaders, and the mysterious sacerdotes create a rich backdrop for this engaging tale.
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Subject Terms
The Dragon Masters
First published: 1962
Type of work: Novella
Type of plot: Fantasy—invasion story
Time of work: The distant future
Locale: A small region of the world of Aerlith
The Plot
Unaccountably, a sacerdote is found in the inner sanctum of Joaz Banbeck, lord and master of Banbeck Vale, breeder of dragons, and direct descendant of Kergan Banbeck, who had successfully withstood a previous raid from the reptilian “basics.” On the planet Aerlith, the sacerdotes are a mysterious hermetic culture living in secluded caves and bound to a creed of noninterference in human affairs. Joaz rushes to his study to find that the sacerdote has vanished through a concealed door.
The Banbecks have been vying with the Carcolo family for domination of the region for several generations. The planet is a marooned outpost of humanity, a residual of a galactic struggle that has destroyed the human empire. Ervis Carcolo, lord of the neighboring and relatively poorer Happy Valley, meets with Joaz to discuss preparations in the event of invasion. Joaz has studied history and the stars, and he believes that another attack from the basics is imminent because of the optimal proximity of one of their worlds. Ervis, a brutish and vengeful man, has spent all of his resources in attempts to breed new dragons, whereas Joaz has been diligently adding tunnels and escape routes for his people. Instead of aiding the preparations, Ervis proposes forcing the sacerdotes into service and perhaps having them reveal the secrets of star travel.
Soon after this conference, Ervis tries to launch a surprise attack on Joaz but instead is ambushed and routed. Joaz is again visited by a sacerdote, which he traps in his study. The sacerdote follows a code of conduct that forces him to precisely answer Joaz’s questions but not to volunteer information; the situation is analogous to trying to get a computer to reveal the meaning of life. Through this interview, a visit to the caverns in disguise, and a dream communication, Joaz learns that the sacerdotes plan to reconquer the cosmos once the impure and impassioned humans have been wiped out by the basics.
Ervis directs another intrepid and poorly planned attack, and he is again caught off guard. During the pitched battle, the basics land a large spacecraft in Happy Valley. Ervis breaks off from near defeat and retreats to watch the basics destroy Happy Valley. He then follows the spacecraft to Joaz’s Banbeck Vale.
Joaz meets the basic invasion with cool, efficient strategy and his considerable troop of dragons. The basics resort to bombardment of the craggy mountains in which the Banbeck forces are lurking. This destruction eventually reveals the sacerdotes’ hidden caverns. During a lull in the fighting, Ervis determines to surprise the basics from behind with the paltry remnants of his troops and dragons. Ervis walks into the basics’ trap, but the aliens are unprepared for the arrival of Joaz and his troops, who enter the ship and accidentally rescue Ervis before being repulsed. The sacerdotes respond to their dilemma by crippling the basics’ ship with energy beams, but they suffer damage to their hidden spaceship. In the aftermath of the battle, the damaged ship belongs to Joaz, the sacerdotes are spurned and contemptuously return to their caves, Ervis is executed, and Joaz contemplates a future searching for remaining pockets of humanity and perhaps for a world called Eden.