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6.92
<<<<, 800, 0
Sir Lucan's cloak fluttered in the breeze as he broke through
the glowing boughs of the Whispering Wood.
At the forest's heart
sat his quarry--a magenta-hued dragon, perched at the ready, its
calm golden eyes watching his glacial approach.
<<<<, 800, 0
Lucan planted his boots in the moss and raised his blessed
spear.
"Foul beast!
I am Sir Lucan, of the North.
I have come to end
your reign of terror and claim your hoard for his majesty, King
Gideon!
Prepare to take your final breaths of life!"
<<<<, 800, 0
The dragon exhaled a lazy plume of smoke--smelling of ashes
and lavender.
"My reign of terror?" it rumbled softly, almost to the
point of laughing.
"Young knight, I have not left this grove in three
centuries.
The legends of my hoard were written by your King's
ancestors to cover the many riches they squandered."
<<<<, 800, 0
Lucan faltered, his spear wavering.
"That simply cannot be," he
exhaled--staring the forest floor in a newfound state of shock.
<<<<, 800, 0
"Tell me, brave knight, if you slay me today, what shall happen
tomorrow?" the dragon asked gently--circling Lucan.
"When the
glory fades, and your king realizes my demise did not fill his empty
treasure room, who will he send you to fight next?
After all, a hero
is only useful while there is a monster to blame."
<<<<, 800, 0
Lucan's words withered.
He thought of his kingdom's starving
villages and the King's endless ambition--realizing the defeat of a
dragon would solve nothing.
Slowly, he lowered his weapon to the
soil.
The weary warrior closed his eyes, frowned, and shook his head
--from left, to right.
It seemed the dragon was quite wise.
<<<<, 800, 0
"Tell your king the dragon was far too powerful," the beast
suggested, "and that you barely escaped with your life."
Abruptly,
the dragon spewed fire at the tail of Lucan's cloak--singing it just
a bit.
"That should help sell your story upon your return."
<<<<, 800, 0
Lucan stuck his spear in his belt, bowed deeply to the ancient,
flame-breathing creature, and turned back toward home.
<<<<