“Mother, please! We can spare a squad! We must-!”

“Silence!” The queen stood from her throne strongly, tired of the words of her daughter. “We shall not surrender any troops to rescue one single knight! I commend the loyalty he showed by shielding you, but a rescue is not viable. By now, he will have been torn apart by that beast.”

“He is not dead.” Belinda took one step closer to the throne, which only made the queen scowl in anger. “That thing took Frederick for a reason. I heard it say that I should bring the gem to hallow peak. It wants to trade for his life, I’m sure!”

“Belinda, are you going to listen to the words of an animal? Are you going to give up an ancient heirloom to its hoarding greed?” Belinda cringed, when her mother’s eyes narrowed with disapproval and inquisition. “You would gladly give it up and make the knight’s sacrifice pointless… Is that it?”

“N-no, I…” She begged again, holding her hands together humbly, in front of the whole court. “Just send a squad, with a fake gem. We can attract the monster, set a trap and save him. I am sure he is alive.”

The queen groaned and sat back tiredly on her throne. With a hand over her eyes, she waved at Gregory, who had stood closely with a dark expression on his face.

“Gregory, please make her see reason. Weakening our defenses here is the worst we can do.”

The queen’s right hand was supposed to strife for the safety of the castle at any cost. No matter how much it could hurt. He neared Belinda, and with his own grief, he whispered to her with resignation.

“We need every man possible in the fortress, in case the dragon comes back. It wanted to kill you, and it was very adamant on it. We need to keep you safe.”

His hand laid gently on her shoulder. Her gaze was fixed on the ground, on the golden patterns on the carpet. Her eyes glared at the symbol of her kingdom, with disdain.

“At the cost of Frederick’s life.” Gregory flinched. She swatted his hand softly, only hurting him emotionally. Before leaving, she lifted the end of her dress and bowed to her mother, making sure to hide her anger under her smile. “I’ll be in my chambers.”

She preferred to lock herself away rather than to hear the queen command it.

Gregory could only stand there and watch her stride out the room, regretting having no option than to obey his duty. With a clenched fist, he turned, only to see the usual smile on the queen’s face. She was never disappointed with his lead, his management of the guard.

Yet, he could not avoid feeling torn and weak.

What kind of prince was he… if he let his own brother perish?

 

———————————

 

His brother would know what to do.

Meanwhile, he did not feel any confidence or hope that a small dagger would be enough. Gregory would gracefully hold it, stride towards his enemy and give his all into a blow, without doubt. He would keep his breathing calm and steady, silent.

He was what a knight should be. All the opposite of what he was showcasing.

No dagger would kill a dragon, no matter how much he told himself that maybe Gregory could. Maybe, just maybe, he could manage to surprise it with a stab on its neck, make it recoil enough for him to slip out of the cave.

Because it had fallen asleep, and so he had a chance to unsheathe a small knife.

Carefully, Frederick stepped closer to the creature. It was pitch black in the cave, but still he could distinguish the red gleam of its scales. Reluctantly, he neared the neck that laid on the ground, gulping at the length of the spikes that grew out of it. A small stretch, and they could impale him, close enough to do so.

Slowly, while praying, he lifted his only weapon over the dragon’s neck. His trusty spear would have fit better in his shaky and fearful hands. Still, no matter if the odds were clear in his mind… he dared to attack.

A faint sinking thud, followed by the sound of scales tearing. Frederick gasped, smiled, then frowned. All too quickly, his false joy at seeing the dagger push past the scales turned into despair. The dagger did sink, but it did not reach any flesh. It only fused with the dragon’s iron like skin.

“Mhhh…” Frederick did not even flinch, not even dare jolt, when he realized the dragon’s eyes were open, fixed on him calmly. “I believe your spear did better. If only slightly.”

The beast rose. Without hurry, it cracked its neck, with enough force to break the dagger’s edge. When its pieces hit the ground, it opened its huge claw, letting him see the difference in his attacks. The stab of his spear was healing, but it was still visible.

It was clear mockery.

“I thought knights prided themselves in their honor. Has this tenant changed with time, boy?”

Because it would refuse to call him a man. Young enough to appear so, experience and skill drowned under his impotence.

Before the knight could curse or attempt to push its tail out of the way, the claw dashed towards him. He expected the long black nails to sink into his armor and flesh, but instead they curled around his body.

That did not mean they did not apply pressure.

“Ahh!”

The dragon rolled its eyes, bored by how easily it made him scream in pain.

“Feeble thing… Will more pressure silence your screech?”

Those bright sharp eyes scanned the cave, intently. They focused on a rock, the size of its claw. With its free one, it took the stone, dragging it closer.

In two seconds, Frederick felt a crushing pain that was enough to silence him, not before a short breathed gasp.

“There…” The human let himself fall limp on the floor with a grimace, unable to escape from the weight laid on top of his right leg. “No more sneaking around. Frankly, I have overestimated your sense of preservation… and underestimated your stupidity.”

Frederick snarled and hissed, pulling as much as possible. Yet he did not manage to free himself. Judging by the crack he heard, his leg was broken. Even if he managed to push himself out from under the rock, he would have to account the new disadvantage into his moves.

Not that it would let him make any.

It was now watching him more comfortably, far from the exit. Its eyes were no longer interested in him… but in the distance and the dark sky above.

 

—————————-

 

A guard walked twice through the dim lighted corridor, not daring to look at the door that led to the princess’ chambers. Dutifully, he kept walking ahead, making sure to patrol according to his orders. When he turned the corner again, he was not met with the usual emptiness of the tall stairs of the tower. The man blinked in surprise, seeing Gregory approach, with an air of urgency in his posture.

“Sir?”

“You are dismissed, soldier.” Gregory waved him away, commanding with a frown. “I will take your post now.”

“But sir…” It was not customary for an official to patrol like a simple guard. “The queen commanded-”

“That her daughter should be looked after with the most attentive watch. And I will see to it.”

There was no way the soldier could have refused this direct command. And so, even if doubtful, he bowed and obeyed his superior, hurrying down the tower.

“Yes sir.”

Gregory stood there, eyeing the man from above. Only when he was sure he was not watched did he walk slowly towards the chamber’s door.

He paused. With a deep breath, he raised his gauntlet. Carefully, faintly, he let his knuckles nudge the thick wood, in order to hint his presence.

“…” He leaned a little closer, whispering anxiously. “Belinda.”

No answer. And he would not be surprised if it was intentional. He had let her down hours ago.

But he was here to mend it.

“Belinda. I will come in.”

It was not unusual for him to visit her in her chambers. They were close, friends. Yet this moment still felt invasive and wrong. For many reasons. Her possible hate, the risk of his brother’s death, and his intentions, all of it made him feel pain while twisting the knob.

At last, he opened the door enough for him to set a foot in.

“Please, forgive me. Listen, I am leaving tonight, for-”

He froze. His blood ran cold, chilled by the wind that hit him.

Gregory stared blankly at the open glassy window. From it, a chain of fabric swayed in the wind. Unconsciously, he peeked out, only to see it reach over the roof below the tower, a clear way out.

She had ventured away before he could have.