If It Were Only A Dragon [Chapter 29 – Final]
That mysterious Shanks fellow, who had traveled and fought with us up until the end, may have been someone other than many of us thought. For his deeds, though, I decided to forgive him. Well, it was slow going, but over the several days of travel back west to the capital, it had mostly skipped my mind.
All I desired upon our return was a bath, a properly cooked meal, and a bed away from insects and the smell of animals. Of course, before that, the Kingdom was due the news from our quest. At least, the news that they needed to hear, and not the real reason for the dragon’s departure.
I can still remember the feeling of seeing the city’s walls in the distance. For so long, I had seen them from the opposite side. After our relatively brief journey, I was a different man.
“Squire,” I said, jumping down from my horse with much haste the moment we were at the stables. “See to it that this fine mount of mine is put away with the utmost care. After all, he too should be honored for his service on our great journey.”
Eriques nodded. “Of course. I think the horse is a she, though.”
I sighed. “Ugh, whatever, it’s just a simple animal. I must go ahead and address the King.”
During my long absence from my post, I was wary that the city may have turned sour. Fortunately, everything seemed intact. To my great pride, I encountered no lawlessness or destruction on my way up to the castle and the great hall. With chest puffed outward, I arranged the words in my head so that they would be ready for the King himself.
A line of commoners ran out the gates of the great hall. I attempted to push inside, but of course, the intense training of the gate guards kicked in immediately.
“You must wait in line like everyone else.”
I looked at both of them. “Perhaps you do not know your place.”
“This is our post, what do you know?”
“I know I have something vital to report to the King himself.”
The left guard waved at hand at the line of others. “Yeah, and so does everyone else here. You will have to wait.”
Pride once more surged through me, pride for these men to take their jobs so seriously, regardless of who came before them. Pride that they would not even address me by name or title so as to not belittle the others around us. And so I waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And realized just how many people come to seek the King each day.
But finally, I was before him. I met eyes with King Lourd, sitting there like not a day had passed. “Your Highness,” I addressed him, taking a knee there on the carpet.
The King looked at me, then back to my normal position in the court. I was not there, of course. “Sir Gladius?”
“I bring news from the East,” I said officially.
“The East?” His Highness repeated.
Sacher, his faithful adviser, leaned into his ear, then spoke up so that I could hear. “We call it the right-hand world, now, Sir Gladius.”
“Is that so?” I nodded. “Well—“
The King held out his hand. “Sir Gladius, why are you not at your post? And when did you sneak out?”
I swallowed hard. “Well, you see… a dragon, Your Highness…”
“A dragon? Surely I have heard that word before…”
“The creature from the popup book, good king,” Sacher noted.
“Ah, yes! The lizard bird!”
I cleared my throat. “Well, it is… slain.”
“Slain?”
“Slain.”
The King nodded a sole nod. “Was that what was asked of you?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Good, then. Now, return to your post here.”
I looked around. Of course, a duty is a duty, no need for pomp and circumstance. And so I stood, straightened my clothing, and found my place just to the back left of the King.
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