Corruptible
Once upon a time in a kingdom far away, a young Maiden was taken from her home by a Dragon. She did not fear the Dragon because she had known him for some time, and knew him to be friendly. A Knight that was to be wed to the Maiden the day after she was stolen heard the news rather quickly and saught a way to reclaim the Maiden. The Maiden didn't wish to return, to return to the Knight's kingdom was out of the question, for it's people were too power hungry.
The Knight went before the King of the Maiden's kingdom to ask for assistance. "M'lord, a Dragon has stolen away M'lady the knight before we are to be wed. I ask for your assistance."
The King simply stared at the foolish Knight who wished to take on a Dragon by himself. The King then spoke. "What do you expect me to give for such a request? Deliver a convenient amount of men? Lend you a magical Item? Beg the dragon to trade for something? Perhaps to..."
The Knight suddenly cut off the King's words with his own. "A weapon of great magic is all that I require from you, M'lord," he said with a sneer.
Sitting quietly upon his throne, the King stroked his whiskers before softly sighing, "What to do with such a foolish Knight."
With a raise of his hand, a royal servent approached with a sword that lay arcross a lengthy, silk pillow.
"This sword is indeed magic, able to withstand unimaginable heats."
The Knight's hand lifted to grasp the sword, but the King's hand was quick to take ahold of the Knight's wrist and stopped him from grasping the swrod's hilt.
"Be wary, Sir Knight!" It is afterall, magical!"
The Knight smirked at the words, shaking the wise King's hand from his wrist and grasping the hilt of the sword. Lifting it, he glanced towards the King. "I need no advice from an old man who's days are numbered by time. " The Knight grinned wickedly, staring at the King. "But, I thank thee for this weapon, " he said, attatching the belt around his waist, along with the scabbard. Turning from the King, he stalked out of the kingdom and sheathed the sword.
His hand never left the hilt of the sword. He was able to feel the power flowing through him when he touched it. Ambition was growing, as well as confidence that he would succeed in his 'noble' quest. As the foolish Knight left, the wise King smiled and the royal servant blinked when the King did so. "They say that power corrupts, Untrue, power attracts the easily corruptible. The sane are often attracted by other things. Oh well."
At the lift of his hand, the servants beside the King slowly closed his chamber doors. The Knight went on his way, gathering information from the locals as to where a Dragon's lair was assumed to be.
Meanwhile, the Dragon and the Maiden sat inside a large cavern, talking quietly. Though, the Dragon soon ordered the Maiden to bed. With her asleep, the Dragon himself lay in the mouth of the cave, quietly watching the night sky. He sensed the foolish Knight searching. He also sensed a great amount of magical power resonating off the Knight. Worry filled his mind. Was the Knight a magic user? If so, he was a powerful one. Pushing his worries away, he lowered his head down to the ground, deciding to sleep now so he had more energy for the fight to come.
Hours later, the Knight was rushing his way up the mountain trail to get to the Dragon's Lair. The sword was radiating magical power. The Knight beleived he couldn't be stopped, with the sword in his hand, at least. The Knight came to a sudden stop, before him lay the mouth of the Dragon's Lair.
The Maiden stood at the entrance. "Stop, please! I'll come with you, just don't hurt him!"She cried out, throwing herself at his feet.
The Knight lifted his gloved hand to her cheek and cupped it. "I will win, "He said, using the same hand to cuff her across the cheek and throw her out of his way.
"Come out! Come out Dragon!" he yelled, holding the sword before him with two hands. "I have the sword! Now meet your end!"
As the Knight said those words, a shadow loomed overhead, blotting out the sun as the Dragon landed! The ground shook with the immense size of the Dragon. Eyeing the magical weapon. Many years ago, a young Lad came to face him with the very same weapon. He told the Lad, "The sword will not protect you against my dragon breath." The Lad had heard the sincerity in the Dragon's voice and became discouraged by that obvious statement. The Lad retreated, beaten by the truth.
Later, the Dragon found out that the Lad was in fact, the present King.
"Dragon, your foul breath can't harm me with the weapon I now weild!" The Dragon was brought back to reality from the Knight's foolish words.
"Fool, your blade is worthless in this situation. Leave now. Heed my warning, for it will not be given again," the Dragon said.
Turning, the Dragon could hear the Knight's growl, and the creak of his armor as the Knight lifted the blade in an angle to strike against the Dragon's flank. Turning swiftly, the Dragon's mouth was soon over the Knight, the teeth spreading and releasing a torrent of spiraling flame upon the Knight!
The Knight held the sword in front of his body and in his amazement, failed to notice the crack in the blade's edge. In a brilliant explosion, the Knight and the sword were gone. With a grunt, the Dragon slowly lowered himself down to the ground at the mouth of his lair.
"What happened, my friend?" the Maiden asked.
"Just wiping the corrupted from the slate. " the Dragon responded.
Back at his castle, the wise King sighed bitterly. "I suppose that foolish Knight chose to side with the power, instead of listening to the facts. "With another sigh, he rubbed his temples with his fingertips, "And another is lost to the power."
The End