Sir Alexander opened his eyes to see two identical dragons looking back at him.

The room took a sea sick roll and Sir Alexander closed his eyes. For the next few minutes he was concerned with internal matters, with matters remaining internal to be exact. Sir Alexander opened his eyes to to see a single large dragon looking back at him. "This is an improvement" he thought. He proceeded to open and close his eyes slowly, but the dragon was still there. After some time, the dragon spoke. "Why are you doing that?" He asked. Sir Alexander replied. "I was hoping you would disappear." "Has it worked in the past?" the dragon asked. "No." Replied Sir Alexander. "It is not working now, I feel quite real." said the dragon. "How did I come to be here?" asked Sir Alexander. "You spoke to the townsfolk of Lesser Wallop by the Stream of ridding them of the frightful curse of the vile dragon the overshadowed and consumed their very lives." The dragon replied. "Um, yes, I seem to recall a conversation to that effect." Sir Alexander said diffidently. "They told you that you were mistaken, that you were seeking Greater Wallop by the Rushing Ford. You said there was no such place, that they were afraid of waking the dragon's ire. The townsfolk told me you would not accept no as an answer. After you passed out, they brought you here. They seemed to think you might listen now." As he finished, the dragon moved closer to Sir Alexander. Sir Alexander found that he was still too weak to rise. There was a hollow thunk sound. The dragon retreated and he noticed a large wooden flagon on the floor next to him. Water from a fresh mountain stream. Very cold, but it will help clear your head. the dragon said. Sir Alexander took a cautious sip, and found it be quite good. After a time, he finished the water, and looked about him. He was in a large enclosed space, open and airy, nothing like the dragon's lair he had imagined. His armor was to his left, bundled, with his sword across the front of the bundle, very competently done up. The dragon was on his far right, just by an opening that led further back into the mountain. Feeling a bit unsure of himself, Sir Alexander asked. What happens now, dragon? When you feel ready, you can leave. Your horse is outside in the paddock. The dragon replied.Let me know if you want more water. He added. Perhaps his head was clearing, but Sir Alexander was now more confused than when he awoke to see

two dragons looking back at him. He had come to issue challenge to to a dragon, a dread beast that slew all about with wanton destruction. Instead he was offered a drink and told he could sit until he felt like leaving. He looked again at his gear of war. He ventured a comment. You would have been an excellent squire. He told the dragon. Thank you the dragon replied. I've met other knights, and their squires. Square knots, half hitches, you could have been a sailor as well. replied Sir Alexander. That I have done, long ago. the dragon said. Dragon, this not at all what expected to find. Fire and torment, victory or death, but not a polite host that offers a drink to an unwelcome guest that has said some rather...unfortunate... things about him before meeting him. I have questions, I came to challenge, I find I can not do so having met you. Sir Alexander said in a rush. Would you like another drink? the dragon asked. Yes,....please. The dragon returned and placed the flagon beside Sir Alexander. He noticed the dragon had a rather large flagon as well. We live a long time. As with all things this is both good and bad. There is time to think things through, to plan, to do large projects. There is also time to grow weary of the same faces, the same arguments, the same stories, year upon year. The few men that cross the distant shaws and enter the dragon realm are a welcome novelty in our lives. To them it is as another world, the commonplace is new to them, few manage to return to their own lands, not due to our ill will, but the years slip past them and they pass on as mortals will. For myself, one tale, heard one too many times, and I set out to see something beyond our quiet peaceful land. At first I found this all quite horrible. You spend your short lives in violence and death, as if your short span was too much to bear, and thus you find new and quicker ways to end it. Then as I grew to know men as individuals, I found you could be a marvelously varied race. Cravens, heroes, thieves, scholars, and artists. Often a measure of each, varied for the occasion and the purpose. I was befriended, to my surprise. We traveled about, had absurd adventures. I gave no thought to returning north, to my home. The dragon paused, and seemed to look off to a distant place. The pause lengthened, and Sir Alexander ventured a question. And you friend? He grew up the dragon said shortly. Sir Alexander went get up, and his head gave a massive throb. He put his hands to his temples and said. I've been drunk many times, but never so quickly, and I've never felt this bad afterward. What were you drinking? the dragon asked. Mead, ale, and then something called dragonwater. he stopped speaking as a horrible thought came to mind. I thought so. said the dragon. I make some dragonwater for the village, no not that way. You sour

grain in water, then boil it and collect the steam. More difficult to make than it sounds. The only way a dragon can drink enough to feel even a little tipsy. We get too full to move drinking ale, and that is all. Beg pardon, Your Muchness voice called out. Sir Alexander saw a man standing just inside the entrance to the dragon's hall with his slouch hat in his hands. Yes, Ferd, you are a bit early. What can I do for you? the dragon answered. I've brought some letters for you, and I'll be leaving my mare here. the villager replied. Thank you, Ferd, is there anything else? dragon asked. Not at this time, Your Muchness. Ferd turned to go, stopped and added. My mare is in pain, I hope you can deal with her quickly, I hate seeing her suffer. Yes Ferd, I understand. the dragon said softly. The villager left. You cure horses? Sir Alexander asked. No, I eat them. I get livestock from the village in payment for my services to them. Often older animals that can no longer work. Ferd is a kindly soul, there are others that might have worked that mare until she could hardly stand. Have you done any knacking? the dragon asked. Yes, horses get injured, it happens at tourney or in battle, I don't like an animal left to suffer. he replied. You want me do it so the horse isn't frightened off, I take it? No, because she knows and trusts me. the dragon said. Sir Alexander stood up. He was unsteady on his feet, but went his gear and got something out of the bundle. I can do it now if you wish. he offered. Thank you. Go out then, right, past the first paddock there is second, out of sight from the first. the dragon said. After a time he returned. It is done. I stopped to check on my horse, he has been well cared for, he seems a bit skittish, the unfamiliar smells I warrant. Sir Alexander said. He went over a sat down against the wall. I would take more water, if it was offered. Of course. the dragon brought over his refilled flagon. I'll be gone for a while. he said. Sir Alexander tried to gather his thoughts. Where does a kindly, humane dragon fit in? It was like nothing he had heard of. And then, he recalled he had heard of such, when he was quite young, and his great uncle would come and tell stories of his fabulous adventures, among the Moors, the ruins of Iberia, the savages of Albion, and...he finally recalled, of a far Northern land peopled by an ancient

wise folk that made marvelous handcrafts and told stories of long forgotten times. They had been grateful to him, he introduced them to a new game he learned from the Moors. He had thought his uncle a great story teller and wonderful liar. And he knew who this dragon was. The dragon returned. He was going through his letters. He stopped at one and said. Clon is dead. I was going to suggest that to you as a worthy quest, but one of the younger of our folk saw to him. Good riddance. the dragon said with some satisfaction. You are Koan. Sir Alexander said with certainty. Yes, that was my name, though I have not used it in many years. How did you know? the dragon asked. Not all those that went across the shaws stayed. It took a bit to remember, but my great uncle Sir Clelland told me of his adventures there, though I'm sorry now to admit I never believed a word of it. said Sir Alexander. Yes, he was quite the restless type wasn't he? I'm glad he finally got home and shared his stories. the dragon answered. Then you will understand this! Sir Alexander stood, pulled forth the sword from his bundle and called forth a ringing challenge. The next morning came cool and clear. Sir Alexander looked at the dragon. The dragon's concentration was unwavering. Sir Alexander took his mailed fist and moved king's pawn to king four. The dragon's look of concentration deepened.