The Rescue

Katharina woke up as the first light of day shimmered dimly through the cave entrance. She squinted into the increasing brightness and was only half aware of movement. When she took a closer look, she recognized a two-legged figure with a sword. She lay still and motionless so as not to alert the dragon to the approaching danger. The beast, however, lay next to her completely unsuspecting and mumbled unintelligible words in its sleep.

The human came closer and Katharina rejoiced inwardly when she recognized the familiar silhouette of Roger, but she bit her lips to prevent any telltale sound from coming over her that might disturb the dragon.

Her brother of the order had taken off his armor so he could sneak up silently. Only a narrow loincloth covered the middle of his body. Katharina was glad that he would save her, but enjoyed the sight of his athletic, well-proportioned figure even more. His long blond hair flowed around his even face, reflecting concentration and determination. His muscles tensed as he arrived beside the dragon and raised his sharp longsword high above his head with both arms. The steel tip pointed at the beast's chest as a threatening sting.

The blade flashed down like lightning and struck the monster through the soft belly scales into the heart. Black blood spurted up, but Roger struck the dragon's body again and again, like a berserker, until nothing moved. Breathing heavily, he remained standing next to the enemy lying in his blood.

When he was convinced beyond doubt that the beast was dead, he walked around the corpse and helped Katharina to stand up.

"Are you all right?"

At first she nodded tentatively, trying to smile, but then she burst into tears.

"No, I'm not all right. The dragon has taken my virginity. I can never go back to the Order. I'll be alone forever."

She leaned against his strong shoulders, crying. Unsure how to handle this, he hesitantly put an arm around her.

"You are not alone. I'll go with you, wherever."

"Really?"

She sniffled. She looked up at him gratefully.

They took each other by the hand and dragged a few of the less soiled furs out of the cave into the open, where they lay down, exhausted. The rays of the rising sun drove away the dark memories of the horrors of the previous night. Deepest trust in Roger and a new feeling, perhaps love, filled Katharina, and so she found the courage to tell him about her dreams. And as he was only wearing the skimpy loincloth, she could clearly see that he certainly didn't mind her dreaming about him in this way.

Soon they were no longer talking. And when the sun was high, they were both no longer suitable for the chaste order of knights.

The end.