The Knight, the princess, and the Dragons Curse

I’m not quite sure why the king offered his virgin daughter to appease the beast. Perhaps he fears the damage the dragon would do to the kingdom, or maybe he didn’t think his knights could slay the beast. But still I find myself climbing this cliff. I told the king I would return his daughter, and set out on the quest.

Looking down this cliff I am climbing, I think I may have been a bit ambitious. I had only seen the princess once, and that was on her 18th birthday, but still that was enough at the time. I had witnessed her beauty for a few moments and that was enough to poison my mind and make me undertake such a foolish quest.

Now here I am creeping up this rock face, and I can still tell you she was beautiful. But yet I can’t recall her face, not the color of her eyes, nor of her hair. I don’t remember what she was wearing, or the curves of her body. I simply remember she was beautiful and know once I rescue her I will hate both her and her fathers horrible parenting skills for this quest. Seriously why did I say I would do this quest.

I suppose I am one of the better knights, but I wasn’t the best. Oh how I wish the best was foolish enough to speak to the king before I. I mean I haven’t even reached the top of the cliff, and I am already talking to myself like some sort of madman. But, perhaps that is what keeps me sane. That and the fact I keep moving, those keep me sane.

Finally, I am an arms reach from the top. I take a few breaths, so I am not winded when I face the dragon. My advantage here is the dragon doesn’t know I come to its layer. This means I should move quietly but quickly so I can strike with surprise. I best keep my shield at the ready as well, I do not like the idea of using it to block its breath weapon, but I like the idea of not blocking it even less.

I climbed the last of the stone and entered its layer. I could see the princess wasn’t at the entrance, but either inside the cave or inside the dragon, perhaps swallowed whole. If I was smart I would turn back, but my fate rested with honor and not common sense.

As I progressed down the dark stone halls, I spied the dragon. His massive form intent on something beyond my view. I knew it was the princess I could hear her tears, along with the sounds of metal shackles. I took one last breath and embraced my fate.

I lept down the hall using both hands to drag my blade across the dragons side. The dragon turned, as my blade was slowed dragging across its scales, and sparks flew where blood should have been spilled. My reflexes carried me backwards evading the dragons teeth. His scales were too thick. The corner of my eye caught the motions of his tail, and I ducked letting it pass over my head and strike the stone wall sending shards my way.

The beast raised his head high above me once more and smiled. “I am impressed your still alive human. Most die after wasting their time attacking my scales. As you can see your weapon is useless.”

I looked back at the dragon. “Why aren’t you attacking me.”

“Make no mistake human you will die, you have attacked me and so I can’t let you live. Still you have lasted longer then most and so I will give you time to make peace before I kill you.”

If his scales are to thick, I have few options remaining. I let out a sigh. “I am ready dragon.”

The dragon smiled once more. “It is wise to accept your fate. I will make this quick.” The dragon moved its head back and then struck forward.

The blow was a quick strike, nothing fancy, just a simple thrust forward. I didn’t have many options, and among them being eaten was probably the simplest one to do. Still my training had prepared me and that is how I struck his eye, even as the dragons teeth pierced my legs and torso. The dragon swung its head back in a mighty roar, and inadvertently tossing me into the corner. I couldn’t feel my legs, but I was reasonably sure I was in pain.

“Human!!” The dragon pulled the sword from its eye. “I will not forget this. You may have saved the princess, but you have just earned my wrath. You will suffer like no other, I will see you suffer indignity and scars both mental and physical before you die. Know that a dragons vengeance is absolute and eternal. You here me human, and the suffering starts now. You have earned long but horrible life. D’kktt Saaa Qu N’va Cormem”

I felt a lingering tingle in my body and the dragon moved out the entrance spreading its wings. It was fleeing. I was going to live, and so was the princess. I glanced in her direction, her head hung low here long hair hiding her face. The thin silk garments she wore were torn and dirty, but she seemed alright perhaps a bit shocked but alright.

The tingle subsided and I screamed as feeling came back into my legs. Teeth marks lined there sides as a grim testament to my near loss. “That son of a bitch dragon made me regain feeling in my legs.” I best get moving, he won’t be nursing his eye long, although perhaps I damaged his brain and that is why he let us live. I **** myself onto my feet, amazed at the pain I could endure.

“Princess I will free you.” I limped next to her, and her face changed from shock to a strange expression of hope. I lifted her shackles free from above her head, drew my knife and placed it on the bolt that held them fastened. I then slammed a rock I picked up from the ground onto them. The knife loosened the bolt but didn’t release it. I was surprised to see red on the blade. I looked at the princesses hand and saw a small but definite cut on her hand. She asked if I would strike again. “I must to free you princess.”

I struck the bolt a second time and her hand popped free of the shackle. I then suddenly found myself in her warm embrace. I shut my eyes enjoying the hug, and the tingle returned. The pain of my legs disappeared, and yet my hand seemed to hurt, but a lot less. The hug seemed to grow cold as I felt the chill of the armored breast plate make my nipples erect. I nuzzled closer feeling the long hairs on my head sway back and forth tickling the cheeks of my ass.

I opened my eyes to find myself holding a man clad in armor. Some one who was larger then I. I looked up at the face saw my reflection even as I heard my voice ask “What just happened.” I stepped back looked at my slim and fair hands, the blood of a cut staining one red. I looked back once more at the mirror of me. The knight asked “What am I doing over there.”

I screamed in the princesses high pitched voice, as I realized the two of us had switched bodies.