have brought these fine people! But perhaps we could slay it! That would solve the problem!” Timor, being the least experienced in this type of deception tended to over act which was met with glares from the other two. Luckily they ensured his speaking part was kept to a minimum.
Machvell – “No, It would take more than the three of us to slay a dragon without the use of the magic amulet and if we fail we will have incited the dragon who could – no would, seek revenge on the village itself! It is clear that this dragon has been here a long time unbeknownst to the locals and has no desire to bring attention upon itself which would certainly change if it suddenly felt a need to defend its home. No, we do as the old saying goes and ‘let sleeping dragon’s lie’. We will go back and tell the King there will be no highway through Woodedge and the village will simply fade away in time.”
So disappointed was May at hearing this she let out a gasp of dismay and was thus caught eavesdropping. Quickly the three came around the corner with differing looks of sorrow and surprise on their faces.
“Our apologies young lady.” said Machvell, his voice intoned with falsified sorrow while the others bowed their heads “We thought we were alone for we did not intend anyone to hear our conversation. But now that you have, we would beg of you not to speak to anyone of what you heard.”
“Is it true then, there is a dragon and there will be no highway?” she asked dejectedly.
“Now, now, my dear.” said the wizard as if to console her. “Have a drink of water and let me explain.” She took the offered drink and the wizard continued. “I’m afraid it is so, but you must swear not to tell anyone!” he pleaded.
“But why!?” she implored. “If it’s only a matter of a dragon, perhaps we could all slay it together and the highway can go through!”
"I’m afraid, my dear, that is not practical as Sir Abscon could best explain.”
There was a moment of silence as Sir Abscon (for who knows what reason) missed his cue. “Oh, yes, or I mean no -” trying quickly to recover. “Killing a dragon takes a lot of experience and though I do not doubt the bravery of the fine men in your village, bravery is not enough. It would take at least fifty of the most skilled warriors and huntsmen to successfully slay a dragon and meaning no disrespect, doubt there are any such skills here. To attempt such a feat would only enrage the beast and cause him to attack the village itself.”
“But surely the King has such men that would come and slay a dragon; after all isn’t there always treasure to be had from dragons?” she asked.
“Yes, well, you see -” stumbled the wizard, being caught off guard by her insight (remember, she was naive, not simple as the wizard supposed her to be). “The King does not need treasure as he has enough for now. Also, he would not risk anyone’s lives unnecessarily. The dragon has remained hidden and hidden it shall continue to be. Only if it should start distressing people, would the King step in.”
May looked quite miserable at this news, just as they hoped. “Then there is nothing to be done?” she asked dejectedly. “But what about the amulet you mentioned; what was that about?” The prince had to turn away lest his smile gave away their little act and had she not been so distressed, she would have perhaps noticed the twinkle in Machvell’s eye and the twitch of Abscon’s mouth for this was the part they needed her to enquire about.
Machvell paused and looked carefully at May as if contemplating his next words. But he knew exactly what he was going to say and his waiting was merely for dramatic effect and to gain time. “No!” he suddenly said “it’s too dangerous!” he quickly added.
“But perhaps not.” added Abscon, on cue this time.
May looked hopefully at all three, but Machvell shook his head. “No, I don’t think we should. The King said only to try it if he believed it would be successful for it is a dangerous deed and one that can only be done by a true hearted soul.”
“But perhaps, we have found just such a one.” countered the knight glancing at May.
“What do mean?” she asked expectantly “Please tell me!”
The wizard played the next part as a reluctant participant. “ I must confess something to you but you must swear to keep all that is said secret and not even your parents can you tell!” he said this sternly enough for her to take him most seriously. She nodded and he continued “Let me start our tale from the beginning. Rumour of a dragon in this land was already known and a highway that carries countless people every day cannot be built in dragon territory. We are here only to confirm if there is a dragon and yes, we found proof of this not but two days ago. Our orders are quite clear. If there is a dragon, leave it alone unless such an opportunity arose to dispatch it without causing harm to others. If no opportunity presented itself, leave and tell no one. The 'opportunity' would be to use a magic amulet entrusted to us by his majesty. It alone has the ability to render a dragon powerless just long enough that one brave knight would be able to slay the beast. The trick of course is getting the amulet to the dragon.” He paused a moment to confirm that he had her absolute complete attention, which he did, helped along of course by the drink she had a few moments ago. This was one of Machvell’s backup plans. As mentioned already he was skilled with various potions and had mixed one in the water proffered to May when they first encountered her - a potion that would make the recipient more amicable to the devices of others. “I don’t know how versed you are about dragons but the only human that has ever been able to get close enough to one without use of weapons is a young fair maiden.”
He waited to see her reaction which was one of fear. This they did not want but having planned for as many different scenarios as possible, they began the next tactic. The wizard glanced at the prince for it was his turn now.
“No!” he exclaimed stepping closer to her as if to stand between her and the other two. “We cannot put this fair lady in such peril!”
“But,” piped in the knight “with her yielding the amulet, victory is assured so she wouldn’t be in any real danger! The dragon would be helpless and we would be right there to take care of the rest!”
“No.” the prince again said “I could not bear to see such beauty endangered in the slightest way. Even seeing her walk this road alone, I would not allow it if I had but my way.” Taking her hands he had locked eyes with her during his little speech and smiled sweetly. The prince may have been dimwitted and not a very good actor, but he made up for nearly all his faults through his unfathomable charm.
And the wizard knew by the look on Maydon’s face that they had her hooked like a little fish in a little pond and they had but to pull on the string to bring her to shore.
“What would I need to do?” she asked not realizing the strange effects of the prince’s charms on her were all the more enhanced by the drink.
Time was short for already they had stood too long on the road increasing the chance of someone else coming along so the wizard quickly explained that she would need to come with them but it must be today. Once they were on their way, he assured her he would explain in detail what was to be done. Knowing that May was not expected home till the next day, all that was needed was for her to cancel her plans to stay with her friend in the village. Machvell stressed the importance of her not revealing the true reason for not staying. This confused May as she was not deceptive by nature but as the wizard explained. "If we tell others then there will be needless discussions and debates as well as more people being involved. Our success is dependant upon concealment and swiftness." Of course the prince, still oozing with charm, promising on his life no harm would come to her, was the final piece needed to convince her.
May left them and when she got to the village immediately went to her friend’s home. She told her that her parents were not feeling well and she needed to return home instead of spending the night. Though Natty was disappointed, she understood. Natty's mother overhearing this did ask how serious it was and if someone should attend but May quickly assured her it was minor but enough that she hat
ed to leave them alone. May was actually surprised that her lie was so easily believed. But everyone knew how she cared for her parents and it was not the first time she tended to them when they were sick and as May never, ever lied, well of course she was believed. So just as quickly as she arrived, she left and in no time at all returned to the agreed upon meeting spot.
In the meantime the three companions waited anxiously far enough off the road as not to be seen; prepared for a quick retreat should she inadvertently reveal their scheme. But all too soon they saw her come and when they were positive she was alone, came back to the road. May was a bit startled when she did not see them at first but they explained it away as their having to tend the horses. Before leaving though the wizard questioned her carefully on everything she said to ensure that she aroused no suspicion. Once convinced he led her off the road to the waiting horses. She was given the pack horse to ride which was a bit uncomfortable already being saddled with their traveling gear but as there was nothing to be done about it, she tried to make the best of it. It was made further uncomfortable as they did not ride on the road but went straight across the land taking the most direct route to the dragon.