They arrived and they talked with the dragon

They halted before a huge castle, pulling their horses' reign to steady themselves as the horses felt anxious and frantic, feeling the negative mana surrounding the area.

The sun had set when they arrived and the sky’s hue was bright orange, almost red, making the place more sinister.

Naga felt shivers all over his body as he beheld the ancient castle before them. It was dark, the gates were so tall and pointed at the edge and when he looked closer he noticed dried blood splattered all over the gate.

He swallowed as he tightened his hold on the horse’s reign, feeling anxiety slowly creeped through his mind.

Jaeger raised his hand, was about to cast his mana to open the gate, but the gate creaked open by itself.

Jaeger turned to Naga. “ Follow closely behind me.” He said and led the way with his horse, Naga following closely behind.

The castle was empty, there was no sign of life. The garden was dried out, dried out branches scattered across an area that Naga guessed was once a beautiful garden.

The silence was so deafening, only the gentle breeze of the cold wind was heard and their horses’ noises.

Naga swallowed a lump in his throat that he didn’t notice was forming. He can hear his own heartbeat as he tries his best to calm himself down.

Jaeger noticed Naga’s anxiety beside him and he reached out his hand to hold Naga.

“ I’m here, I’m the strongest warrior in the strongest empire.” He said in a gentle tone.

“ I will not let anything harm you, not on my watch.” He continued and squeezed Naga’s hand lightly, comforting him.

As if his words were magic, Naga’s body started to relax, feeling the warm energy coming from Jaeger.

* CREAKS

They both turned to face the Castle’s main door as it slowly creaked open.

It started to get dark and no visible light was seen inside the castle, it was just pure darkness beckoning them.

Jaeger glanced at Naga. “ Follow close behind me.” He said as he jumped off his horse. Naga followed suit. 

Naga is sweating buckets despite the coldness of the castle, witnessing the castle’s attack on the wedding day left a huge impression on him, and as of now, he felt like a stupid mouse crawling inside a lion’s den.

As they slowly entered the castle, Jaeger casted a wordless spell, a ball of fire manifested in front of them, the ball was small but it was bright enough to light the hall.

Naga could only hear the echo of their soles against the marble floor. He roamed his eyes around the large hall and saw statues of the Goddess in stone. At the center of the hall, a large and tall throne where a ruler sits and Naga’s heart skipped a beat when he saw a pair of red glowing eyes, emanating a heavy aura like that of a beast stalking its prey.

It’s the dragon. In his human form. 

Naga thought, swallowing a lump on his throat as memories of the attack flooded his mind. 

Blood curdling screams, blood, and fire.

He took a step unconsciously, his hands shaking as if his whole body is reliving that day again.

Though Jaeger had a fireball that lights up the area, it seemed like a magic barrier was casted around the dragon.

A tiny cast light from the full moon through a small circular window on the ceiling reveals the Dragon’s mask. It was white, and a red dot in the middle of the forehead, and there were two holes that fit the shape of its eyes.

The lack of movement from the figure made Naga more nervous as his mind tried to predict what the dragon’s first move would be.

*tock!

Then a light sound was heard. Like the sound of a finger making contact with a hollow wood.

Naga couldn't move, that one gesture made him freeze like a deer caught in headlights.

“ Ah!” The dragon exclaimed, standing up his arms wide open as if welcoming a beloved guest that he’s been waiting for years.

“ at long last, the mighty knight finally arrived to rescue the princess!” He slowly stepped down from the elevated platform where the throne is, his shoes tapping against the marble floor, echoing in the halls.

Naga, still freezing, felt all of his body hair stood up, his breath shallow, his heart beating so fast and loud.

Jaeger stood there unfazed. He had faced a lot of powerful enemies before, but this time it’s different. He felt a slight fear of losing for if he lost, the bard would die after him.

He’s more afraid of what will happen to Naga than to himself.

The Dragon halted a few feet before Jaeger, still unreachable by the fireball, the rest of the hall were lit up by Jaeger’s light but the dragon’s radius, it’s like a dark shadow following him, his figure only slightly shone by the moonlight.

“ It's kinda disappointing how the Prince sent his knight, but this has unexpectedly become more interesting.” The dragon said a hint of humour and liveness in his tone, as if he got more of what he wanted.

Jaeger never gave a thought about what the Dragon meant. He’s here to kill the dragon.

That’s the objective. 

Jaeger lifted his arm to grab his sword and automatically activated his black armor. He took a step forward, his huge sword on his right hand, his stride was confident, like he can kill anyone who gets in his way.

Naga can’t help but admire the sight of Jaeger as he pointed the long and huge sword in the dragon’s face. Barely an inch before it touches the mask.

“ Enough of your nonsense, I’m here to kill you.” He said.

“ As a former knight of the Empire, I hereby uphold my honor by challenging you to a death duel, where the victor shall have the princess and the defeated shall die.”

The dragon snickered, as if he heard something ridiculous.

He raised his right hand. “ I accept, honorable knight! but before that, I want to wager with you.”  He said, his tone lively and seemed to be entertained.

Jaeger looked at the white mask that’s barely seen by the soft light of the moon.

“ Be my guest in my kingdom for three days! allow me to change your mind, and make you believe that I am worthy of love from the Princess and if you’re still not convinced by then, we shall have our duel.’’

Jaeger watched the dragon intently, confused about the dragon’s peculiar behavior. 

Change my mind? To make me believe HE is worthy of LOVE?

Jaeger couldn’t believe what he heard. Naga too, he’s lost at the Dragon’s words and behavior, it’s as if, he’s trying to entertain himself.

Then a memory of Naga flashed through Jaeger’s mind.

“ Hunger can drive anyone to insanity.” Naga said softly.

Did hunger drive this dragon to insanity? 

Jaeger stood still, contemplating what to answer.

“ I vow this with my own blood, I will uphold the honor that you deserve.” 

The Dragon said, raising his right hand then with his left hand he slashed his palm using his nails and a binding circle appeared in front of him, the dragon spilled his blood on the ring and it vanished, sealing his promise with his life.

Jaeger stared at the red eyes for a second before he put down his large sword.

“ I want to speak with the princess.” He said.

“ Of course! the bard can stay in the west wing, and you are not allowed to see nor talk to him.” The dragon glanced at Naga and Naga felt a cold breeze travel across his body as the red eyes held his’ for a few seconds.

Jaeger turned to the bard and they broke eye contact as Jaeger blocked his view. He walked towards Naga and held him in his arms.

“ I will be back for you.” he whispered and kissed Naga on the forehead. 

The dragon, seeing the two, snickered. “ a knight and a bard, such a peculiar pair.” 

Then a servant appeared and guided Naga to the west wing. Jaeger stood and watched until they turned a corner and disappeared.

Jaeger turned to the Dragon.

“ If you ever harm him, I will burn this whole kingdom.” His voice was low and threatening.

And the Dragon was silent and bow ever slightly.

—

The dragon stood before a door and it opened by itself. Princess Cerses was sitting on her bed, when the door opened and two figures made their way in.

She immediately recognized the familiar figure and she ran to him. The dragon stepped aside as Jaeger and Cerces embraced each other, like a parent to his long lost daughter.

Jaeger pulled away and inspected Cerces closely, searching for wounds or bruises, but to his surprise, there was none, it’s like she was unharmed.

“ I’m gonna get you out of here, what have they done to you?” Jaeger asked.

Cerces shook her head. 

“ The dragon wants revenge, he told me how Arth killed his brother in a war, but he did not harm me in any way, I was treated like a guest, the dragon wants a fair duel with Arth.”

Jaeger is confused. “ How can you know you aren’t disillusioned?” he asked, his voice low but clearly an ear shot from the dragon.

“ No Jaeger, Dragon’s can’t play with the mind, only the elves can.” Cerces replied.

Jaeger’s brows furrowed. “ No matter how honorable the dragon is, I’m here to take you back and if I have to kill him, I will do so in the name of your father.” He said, his tone serious and final.

Cerces smiled, her expression relief and understanding.

“ Everything will be settled Jaeger, I’m glad you came for me, I know Emperor Eli won’t let Arth come here, neither do I.” Cerces said.

Jaeger pulled her into his embrace once again. “ I’m sorry I couldn’t come to the wedding, if I did, this wouldn’t have happened.” he whispered.

“ No, it’s alright, you’re here now.” Cerces replied.