Dragonsfall, or: The Dragon, the Witch and the Captain

Chapter I: The Coming of the Dragon and His Allegiance with the Witch

For well nigh a year and one half the Dragon wandered the lands. Through many a road, both known and secret he came to a forest, beyond which was a moor. At the end of the moor, across from a great gorge in the land, was a large fortress City. Its walls were high and white, as were its towers and spires. Within its precincts, people dwelled in happiness and peace, for their lord, the Duke, was just and fair. The Dragon espied this city and although no prince or princess resided therein, its gleaming white stone and abundance of silver and gold decorations told him that there was much wealth to be had. He therefore decided to assail the city; but he was no fool, the only way into the city was across a great causeway that spanned the gorge. He thought to go around, but the gorge stretched for miles and miles in either direction. Finally, his hunger overcame his patience and he made for his assault. He belched smoke and felled trees with his approach. The rumour of his feet was like thunder shaking the ground.

High on the watchtower on the far side of the causeway, the sentries saw the coming of the Dragon and for the first time in the City's history, the Great Horn was sounded. The City's guard was marshalled, at the head of which was their renowned Captain. This Captain was revered throughout the City and its surrounding country for his bravery and honour. He rode at the head of the column and ordered that his archers fire their arrows ahead of his charge; then his mounted spearmen were to flank the Dragon on either side and hope to strike his underbelly; and finally his foot spearmen were to form a phalanx on the causeway behind them in the case they failed. The Dragon broke the tree-line and proceeded across the moor towards the causeway. The archer's missiles pricked him like icy shards raining down, but he kept on. The Captain and his horsemen then charged the Drake. The Dragon smiled at their foolishness and opened his mouth wide to loose upon them a river of fire. But lo! Instead only smoke, save for some sparks of fire, came from him. Coughing and confused, the Dragon could not fight back against the Captain's spears. They executed their plan and the glinting points of their weapons turned red with the Dragon's blood as they struck blows upon him. Because he hadn't eaten in so long, the Dragon had become weak; his fire was no more and his hide was easily pierced. But not so swiftly would he yield his life. Like a huge whip, his tail snapped on the Captain's men, breaking them upon impact. The Dragon used this to make a hasty retreat. The Captain's men sought to pursue, but the Dragon ran hither across the wetter part of the moor and into the swamp beyond. The horses became bogged in the reeking mud and their pursuit was foiled.

The Captain returned to the City amid much fanfare and pomp. The excited denizens of the City came out to meet him and his guard; they came with silver flags and threw flowers at his feet with smiles upon their faces. He accepted the praise of the citizens, but his thoughts were turned to, aside from his dead men, whence from the Dragon had come. The Duke then called the Captain to his castle. The Duke's castle was in the centre of the City and was its most impressive building. It was made of the most shining white stone in the country and its turrets were topped with roofs of glimmering silver that in sunlight could be seen from many leagues away. The Captain ascended its gilded stairs and came to the Dukes stateroom. The Duke was seated next to his son. He was an older man and had a head of long white hair and a white beard; but his eyes betrayed no senility, for in them glinted a fire of wit that could best men generations his junior. His son, the Earl, was a spitting image of him younger and was fair to look upon and cunning as his father, if not quite as wise. The Duke, unlike some other lords who oppressed their subjects, knew that if his citizens were happy then so would he be more prosperous, thus he treated them fairly. The Captain stood before both of them. 'Know thou whence this Fire-snake came, Captain?' asked the Duke.

'Nay, my Liege.'

'Then the requisite inquiries must be made, no?'

'I would say so my Liege.'