The Princess and The Reluctant Knight

Episode 4

The village square, now a scene of chaos with an overturned cart and a bewildered donkey, shrank into the distance.

A few brave souls emerged, their heads tilted upwards as they watched the young woman and her captor become but a speck against the canvas of the night sky.

"Should... should we try to save her?" Alvin asked.

"I do not think our pitchforks will fly that far," Theodore said while scratching his head, "but I reckon she is giving that dragon a right earful. Might save herself, she might."

And save herself, she might indeed.

For as the dragon flew, and Brittany continued her spirited admonishments, the creature veered.

Was it her words, or perhaps her spirit, that pierced the beast's intent? The dragon held the knowledge alone, refusing to reveal its secrets tonight.

In the moon's silver light, the dragon and its royal burden disappeared over the ridge while the villagers wondered and wagered whether the young woman's fiery tongue might free her.

After all, in a land where dragons swoop into village squares, anything could happen.

***

Deep in the recesses of Brittany's mind, she knew her chances of escape were as slim as the minstrel's purse after a week of poor performances. Yet, being a princess, she could not suppress the embers of hope because princesses might bend to the whims of fate, but they never broke.

The dragon's ascending through the clouds meant he was not planning to let her go. So Brittany softened her words, hoping to better appeal to the dragon's logical side. If dragons possessed logic.

"You know, this is quite ungentlemanly of you," she said, her tone carrying the haughtiness of a queen addressing an unruly court. "You are a male dragon, are you not?"

But the dragon's reply was a beat of its wings, powerful and steady, driving them through the night.

Brittany sighed, her breath mingling with the cold air, creating a mist that enveloped her head. "I suppose if you must kidnap me, the least you could do is tell me your name," she huffed.

The dragon emitted a sound that could have been a chuckle if dragons engaged in such human expressions.

"Very well, keep your secrets," she muttered. But the fight had gone out of her voice. She realized she might not win her freedom by force or fury, but perhaps by understanding this creature of legend.

As the dragon carried her into the unknown, Princess Brittany's eyes sparkled with a reluctant admiration. If I am to be a captive, I shall be the most troublesome one this beast has seen.

And deep down, where princessly poise met human fear, she dared to think that perhaps this could be the start of the most extraordinary adventure of her life.

* * *

Alvin's humble abode was a snug little hovel on the outskirts of Nowheresville -- a place so unremarkable that birds had fallen asleep mid-flight over it.

Sir Simon was as enthusiastic as the knights accompanying him as he stood before a door that had seen far better days.

"One would think we were here to collect back taxes," he muttered, eyeing the ramshackle dwelling with disdain.

The door swung inward with an eerie creak, revealing Alvin, whose unsuspecting eyes blinked at the armored trio.

Simon declared, "Alvin, by the decree of King Dave, you are so ordered to present yourself before his royal highness."