The Damsel and the Dragon

Chapter five: First Day

Laurent sat in the tavern, stewing and thinking; how a dragon exists, all this time, a dragon was living among them. It seemed absurd, yet there was no denying the evidence. The dragon has taken Bastien away to its lair deep in the mountains.

Laurent took a swig of his ale, feeling the fiery liquid burn down his throat and into his belly. He couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief and anger that was coursing through him. How could they have been so blind? How could they have let this creature live among them, posing as one of their own?

His father always warned her about going to the tavern. He said it wasn't a place for a prince like him. Actually it was. Being here helped him feel special as he faced dangerous beasts, and yet never once had he come across a dragon. And now, to find out that one had been living in their midst all this time, it was laughable.

Laurent's thoughts were interrupted as he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He turned to see Paul with his girlfriend, Maren, making their way towards him through the crowded tavern. Maren was the daughter of the blacksmith in their village and had always been like a sister to Laurent. She had fiery red hair and freckles scattered across her cheeks, giving her a mischievous appearance.

"What are you doing here, Laurent?" Maren asked as she slid onto the stool next to him.

"Just drowning my sorrows," Laurent replied with a bitter laugh. "Bastien has been taken by a dragon."

Maren's eyes widened in shock. "What? How is that even possible?"

Paul shrugged helplessly. "I don't know, but it's true. I saw it with my own eyes."

Maren shook her head in disbelief. "I can't even imagine what that must have been like for you."

"It was...unbelievable," Laurent admitted. "But what angers me the most is that this creature has been living among us all this time and we never even knew."

"Well, we do now," Maren pointed out.

"But at what cost?" Laurent said bitterly. "Bastien is gone and who knows how many others have fallen victim to this dragon."

Maren reached out and placed a comforting hand on Laurent's shoulder. "We'll figure out a way to defeat it and rescue Bastien."

Laurent sighed, feeling slightly comforted by Maren's words. But he couldn't help but feel frustrated and angry at himself for not seeing the truth sooner.

"You know my father always warned me about coming to places like this," Laurent said suddenly, changing the subject.

Maren raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Your father? The king? I highly doubt he would be worried about you frequenting a tavern."

"You'd be surprised," Laurent said with a small smile. "He always said it wasn't a place for a royal."

Maren rolled her eyes playfully. "Well, lucky for you, you're not just any royal. You're our prince and we wouldn't have it any other way."

Laurent couldn't help but feel touched by Maren's words. She always knew how to make him feel better.

Just then, there was a commotion at the entrance of the tavern. Bastien's parents came bursting in, looking for Laurent, Laurent's heart sank as he saw the worry and desperation written all over their faces.

Without a word, Laurent got up from his seat and made his way over to them. He knew they must have heard about their son's disappearance and he was prepared to give them any answers he could.

"Your Highness," Bastien's father said, bowing his head in respect.

Laurent nodded in acknowledgement before turning to face Bastien's mother, who had tears streaming down her face.