“I hope so; I would give the dragon all my gold if they eat the knight.”

Speak of the devil because Kane was walking towards us.

“Squire! There you are! I wanted to remind you to clean my armor in the morning. Also, I took the last room so you will be sleeping outside tonight. But, you are already used to that.”

He walked away and I was tempted to kick him.

“I feel bad for you but he might give the dragon gas with that inflated ego.” I could not hold back my laughter at his comment. “You should smile more often, it fits your face.” My face started to heat up at his words because no one has ever said anything like that to me. “I wish you well dear sir but I need to tend to my duties.”

I gave his items back and then I grabbed his hand as he turned to walk away.

“After my quest, may I talk to you again?”

“Sounds like fun.” He lifted my hand up to his face. “My name is Dorian, what is yours?” I could feel his breath on my skin as he spoke.

“Liam.”

“Lovely name.”

He kissed the back of my hand before he walked away. I watched him walk until he disappeared into the crowds. Paladin neighed at me and I hushed him before we headed to the inn. I was able to buy an area in the stable and a blanket for myself.

“We were told by the Sir Knight to wake you up at dawn and bring you to his room.” The innkeeper told me as she showed me the stables.

“Thank you for the warning.”

She walked away and I got ready for a rough night. I looked up at the starry night sky and started thinking about Anya. Growing up in the castle with the princess, I grew to love her like a close friend. She used to make jokes that I should marry her but I always felt that she deserves better than myself. However, when I was with Dorian today, I felt different in a good way.

“Good night Paladin, Victory, and good luck tomorrow.” I told the horses as I curled up in the small blanket.

The horses neighed at me as I fell uncomfortably asleep. In my half-asleep state, I felt something warm and scaly wrap around me. I could feel a heartbeat against my back as it lulled me into a deeper sleep.

“Good morning sir, I’m here to wake you up under the orders of the knight.” A young lad said while he was shaking me.

“Thank you.”

I sat up and gave him ten gold pieces as a gift.

“How much is it for a bath here?”

“Five gold, sir.”

“Knowing how the knight is, I am going to need it.”

“I will have my parents prepare it as you work.”

He took me to the room and unlocked the door. I opened it and down came a bucket of dirt. I handed the boy the gold after the dust settled. He walked away as I walked into the room. The man was a pig; he had bits of food covering his mouth and bottles of booze on his bed. I ignored him and then I got started on cleaning the armor. The dirt was hard but I was able to finish cleaning it as the boy came back.

“The bath is ready for you sir.”

“Thank you again.”

I followed him to the washroom and he gave me all of the items that I needed. As soon as he left, I got undressed and into the bath. It was nice and warm with little puffs of steam coming off the water. The heat reminded me of the warm heartbeat I felt last night. While I was washing my hair, I felt something, small and sharp, that was stuck in my hair. I pulled it out and saw a small red scale that looked like it belong to a beast that I have never before seen. It surprised me but before I had a chance to study it, Kane came barging in. I almost slipped in the tub from the surprise and shock.

“Here you are bathing and you forgot to buy me breakfast.” I hated the tone he used with me; it was as if I should kiss his feet for dragging me here.

I only agreed to follow him so I can protect Anya from the likes of his prideful hide. If she denied him, he might kill her and create some sob story so that everyone will love him. He has always been a lying bastard at the castle by blaming the servants for the petty crimes he committed. The title of knight has gone to his tiny brain and he just wants more power.

“You barged into my bath just to yell at me for something you never told me?” I could not tell if it was from how early it was or from the forever-burning fuel of anger that I have for him. Nevertheless, I was extremely angry with him today. “You are old enough to buy your own damned food! You think that I would waste the very little coin that I have to baby you?”

He walked out and slammed the doorway behind himself with a loud huff. I finished my bath and then I got ready for the madness. Kane was already eating when I came down. The innkeeper kept on talking to him and I could imagine all of the fake stories that he would recount.

“There you are Squire! I told them that you are paying for my food as a payment for letting you come with me.”

I glared at him as I gave all my remaining gold to the innkeeper for his expensive breakfast. It looked like I was not going to eat today but at least the dragon might get a snack out of me. I sat down next to the fire, while glaring at the back of Kane’s head.

“Excuse me sir.” I turned away and saw that it was the little boy from this morning. “I have some bread for you. I’m sorry that it is not much but it is a thank you for the gold.” He told me as he gave me a small piece.

“Thank you, this is more than enough.”

I broke off part of it and gave it back to him. He sat down next to my feet and we ate the bread together. I felt bad for the little boy, because all it takes is one thing to happen to his parents and he could end up as I used to be. He got up after he was finished eating and ran over to his mother. I never met my parents because they died when I was very young, so I was happy that he still has them.

“Squire! Get the horses ready! We leave for the tower in ten minutes.”

“Yes, knight.” I walked out before I could say anything else.

The horses were awake as I walked in and I got their food ready. Then I got their saddles ready with all of our bags. I gave them both coreless apples after I was done to help lead them out. Kane was waiting for me at the entrance and he took his horse’s lead.

“Squire, I think I might keep you but then that would mean you could become a knight. You don’t deserve that honor at all.”

The urge to kick him into the dragon’s mouth was becoming tempting. He got on Victory and rode off ahead.

“If the dragon doesn’t kill him, I just might do it.” I told Paladin as I quickly chased after Kane.

We stopped at the main area of the front of the tower. Victory looked worn out from the speed he put her through to get here. She was not built for speed like Paladin, her body was built to carry heavy loads over short distances, and he was abusing her like this.

“We should find a water source for the horses.” I said as I climbed off Paladin.

“Fine.” He got off the horse and gave me the reins. “I was thirsty too.” We followed the sounds of running water until we found the river. “Have you ever heard what happens when no one saves the princess fast enough?”

This was new to me for me for two reasons. One, he might actually say something smart soon, and two; he did not start the conversation with calling me ‘Squire’.

“No, but I always thought that it was strange that they disappeared.” I replied as we stopped at the river and the horses started drinking water.

“I heard that they fall in love with the dragon! How can a princess fall in love with a large flying lizard?”

“You heard how some say, the bigger the body, the bigger the di-” I was laughing from my joke as he cut me off.

“-Just stop right there Squire.” There the name-calling is back, I was happy that he forgot before. “I do not want that image.”

I just smiled at him as the horses finished drinking the water and then we took turns to drink. As soon as we were done, we returned to the tower entrance. Then, we tied the horses to a nearby tree before entering. It was huge with multiple rooms and a large winding stone staircase.

“Are you noble at heart?” A loud voice echoed in the tower. “Do not try to lie to me. I can see into your soul! ”

I felt like I heard this voice before but I could not place it.

“Come down and fight me so I can prove my noble heart!” Good god, I think that his brain must be dead to say something that to a dragon.

“If a fight you wish for then you are not worthy. I have seen into your heart and the princess does not deserve you! But, I am bored so come up to the open door at the top of the staircase.”

Kane pulled out his sword and started running up the stairs. He had a bloodlust look in his eyes as he passed me by. I was swearing under my breath as I ran behind him.

“We are here to save Princess Anya! Not to fight dragons like this!” I yelled at him while trying to catch up.

“For the glory of the Princess! I will slay that dragon!” I stopped running when he said that and he continued going.

He was insane because no one has killed a dragon since the agreement. He is not allowed to kill it. I snapped out of my thoughts and started running again. I noticed that there was a closed door a few feet away from the open door. I heard shouting in the open doorway and I ran inside.

My eyes widen at the sight of the dragon. He was gigantic and such a beautiful color. The perfect mixture of red and brown scales gave him a nice ruby like color. His large eyes were a similar color but they were burning with a golden fire. Something within me could tell that the dragon was male. He already had deep gashes on his sides.

“You will never be worthy for Princess Anya’s heart! Begone or you will become a meal for me!” The dragon roared with licks of red flames coming out of his mouth.

“I will fight you for the glory of the princess!”

“A fight you want then a fight you will get.” He showed off his teeth in a way that looked like he was smiling. “Just remember dear ant, your death is now met.”

I could only stand back and watch as they continued to fight each other. Neither side was on the defensive. They did not care about stopping, even though they were both bleeding heavily. I was trying to not to cry as Kane was digging deep into the dragon’s flesh. Anya would never approve of Kane killing the dragon.

“Stop, you are near death and I could sense that you have someone that the princess cares about with you.” He looked me in the eyes as he spoke while panting. “The key to the princess’s room is on the table right by the door.”

The table was right next to my hand and I could have grabbed it if I was not frozen from the battle. Kane stopped his attack and grabbed the key. I could tell that the only thing that was holding the dragon upright was his pride.

“Now I have the princess, but I still want the glory.”

He turned around and walked back to the dragon. The dragon was too weak to fight back the attack. Kane’s words snapped me out of my stunned state and I did not think as I ran to stop him. The sword swung out and the dragon closed his eyes expecting death. I saw his eyes open up as spatters of blood hit his face.